Q&A: Andy Day
Children’s TV presenter and author of the Dino Dad series
What fascinates you most about dinosaurs?
I think what fascinates me most about them is that they are not fictional characters from a book, they were real-life lizard-like creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago. And just like when I look up at the stars at night, my tiny brain can’t get my head around it: giant creatures 10 times the size of us stomping around!
Through scientific discoveries, we know a lot more about them, but there is still a lot more to find out. For palaeontologists, it must be like constantly looking for treasure and often finding it.
Why do you think dinosaur stories are so popular with children?
Kids love monsters and unusual creatures. They are fascinated by them and the films and programmes that people have made over the years have helped with their interest, after learning about which dinosaur did what (who ate meat? who ate plants? who was the biggest etc.)
I think they are able to relate to them in some way (as we all are). Just like when writing a good story, it’s the characters that make it interesting and dinosaurs are fascinating characters. Also, kids love a good ROAR!
What inspired you to write the Dino Dad series?
Since being in kids’ TV, I’ve always wanted to write a book. I feel that I’ve gotten to know the audience well over the 18 years and I have a passion for the subject [of dinosaurs] because of the programme I film, but also a child-like love for it that’s never gone away. But ultimately it was my kids that inspired me to write the Dino Dad series.
When I had Ruby (my first), I was reminded of the importance of reading, seeing how her imagination could run away into the stories we would read together. To see it through Ruby’s eyes was inspiring. It’s amazing to see my kids (I now have three) enthralled with a story and the lasting impression it can have on them.
I also wanted to weave in a relationship between a Dad and his daughter – at the time I hadn’t seen many books do that. That mixed with the magical idea of a human being able to turn into a dinosaur and what that would look like were all the things that inspired the series.
How did you work with illustrator Steven Lenton to bring the stories to life?
Steven is a joy to work with. He’s really passionate about what he does, he’s fantastic at it, and he completely got the world of Dino Dad.
At the beginning, he asked how I envisioned the look and the characters and I gave my stance on that – they are very much based on my daughters. Dino Dad is very much based on me, and my wife is very much Belinda. But the actual dinosaurs themselves came from [Steven’s] brilliant ideas – he just hit the nail on the head straight away.
I didn’t have to really change anything. One thing we discussed is when you’re a POOPA (Protector of our Prehistoric Allies), when you go to Dinotropolis and become a dinosaur, you still have hair. That’s the defining difference between the dinosaurs on Dinotropolis and the POOPAs.
What are your other favourite books for children?
When it comes to picture books, I like The Runaway Pea (I love a good adventure where lots happens and it weaves through naturally). Obviously, all the Julia Donaldson books are fantastic, and anything that’s a bit silly like Kitchen Disco and Bathroom Boogie, my kids and I adore.
In terms of chapter books, I really love Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree series. That was a book I read when I was a kid. The characters are just so bonkers, but still relatable. I read this recently to Ruby and she was so engaged, which is how I assess how good a book is these days.
There are so many dinosaur stories available – did you see a gap for Dino Dad and what is different about it?
It wasn’t necessarily that there was a gap in the market for dinosaur stories for children as such, more that there’s always a love for dinosaurs. Kids love dinosaurs, adults love dinosaurs – I don’t think that will ever go away, there’s just an ongoing interest. I suppose [what is different] is I just put my own personal spin on it. And the fact that I’m known by lots of people for ‘Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures’, it just made sense really.
I have been thanked a few times since having the book out for writing something for 5-8 year olds, as people didn’t feel there was enough out there – I’m not sure that is the case but it was interesting to hear.
In the new book Ruby and her dad have an Ice Age adventure. What’s next in store in the series for the dad and daughter duo, and when can we expect the next instalment?
I’ve got two more books to come out for Dino Dad. One of them is about Ruby having to start school in Dinotropolis at a school called P.L.O.P.S (Pangea’s Largest Outstanding Prehistoric School) and the other one’s about Dino-Detectives. So yes, there are two books that are yet to be released and I’m excited for the audience to read them.
Finally – if you could turn into any dinosaur, which kind would you choose and why?
I think I’d be a Spinosaurus because they were semi-aquatic (so I could swim for fun) and they were bigger than T Rexes, so I wouldn’t be intimidated by the tyrant lizard!
Also, I’m partial to eating fish every now and then.
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Dino Dad: Ice Age by Andy Day and Steven Lenton is available now. Following the runaway success of the first in their Dino Dad series, which saw Ruby Thumb discover her father’s magical ability to change into a dinosaur, her second adventure – Dino Dad: Ice Age– brings readers back to the fantastical secret island of Dinotropolis. Perfect for young readers aged four to eight, this book combines real dinosaur facts with extraordinary fun.
Thank you to Andy for visiting our blog this week to tell us more about the Dino Dad series. Dino Dad: Ice Age is available from Amazon or Bookshop.
Readers who enjoy the Dino Dad series might also like the following booklists:
- Children’s Books About Dinosaurs
- First Chapter Books
- Best Books for Year 2
- Chapter book read-alouds for KS1
- Stone Age to Iron Age Children’s Books
- Books for fans of Beast Quest
Check out our reading for pleasure and curriculum booklists to find more books for children in KS1.
Where next?
> Visit our Reading for Pleasure Hub
> Browse our Topic Booklists
> View our printable year group booklists.
> See our Books of the Month.