Clare Povey on The Wanderdays and environmental books for kids

We loved The Wanderdays - an easy pick for our Cockatoo boxes this month. A team of hugely likeable, and relatable, young characters, a gripping mystery, drama and adventure combine in this underwater story that celebrates bravery, friendship and the difference young people can make in the world. Here author Clare Povey tells us what inspired the book and which other chapter books with environmental themes she recommends you read next.

What inspired you to write The Wanderdays?

I'd like to give a really unique and profound answer, but the truth is that my inspiration from stories usually comes from lots of different places. I'm a big film nerd and I love classic adventure stories, especially ones that are ocean-based. I've also had a long fascination with the wonders of the ocean - its hidden depths and the secrets that could be down there! I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was younger, but science didn't come naturally to me at school...so I decided to pursue my oceanographic interests through stories instead! I've always wanted to write a sibling adventure, so all of these ideas combined eventually turned into The Wanderdays. 

Which character was the most fun to write and why?

I have a confession. As much as I love my main protagonists, my favourite character to write was my villain: Sir Frederick Titan! Villains view themselves as the heroes of their own story and I think writing an authentic villain is such a fun challenge, especially when that villain is someone that readers love to hate. I had to strike a good balance of giving Sir Titan character traits that readers might admire, but then show how he uses them in the wrong way. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy reading about him as much as I enjoyed writing him! 

Which character do you think learns the most about themselves?

I think it has to be Joseph. He struggles with intrusive thoughts and worries, but finds that he’s capable of going on adventures and being brave. 

What message would like young readers to take away from the book?

I didn’t wish for this book to be preachy at all, because I’m not an expert, But I think the main message that I took away from all my own research - and hopefully incorporated subtly in my book too - is that nature isn’t ours to do with as we wish. In most cases, I think we’re better off leaving it well alone and focussing on how humans can change their behaviours rather than looking to nature to provide solutions for us (e.g deep sea mining is being heavily pushed by certain companies as there are metals and minerals in the ocean that are used for electric car batteries etc. However, the effect of the mining machines on ocean ecosystems are still hugely unknown and could cause irreparable damage…!)

 
Can you tell us anything about what the future holds for Flo, Joseph and their friends?

I am currently writing the first draft of the second Wanderdays book and I’m not much of a planner - much to my constant annoyance! But the next Wanderdays adventure will take Flo, Joseph, Funmi and Isaac to a hidden city in the heart of Frondoso Forest. There, they'll discover the secrets of the forest - old and new - as they investigate a mystery.

 
Do you have a favourite place to write?

My favourite place to write is my local library because it forces me to concentrate and get on with my writing! Being surrounded by books boosts me and gives me motivation whenever I’m struggling to finish a sentence or chapter.

 
Why did you choose to write books for this age group?

Because I’m still a kid at heart! I recently asked my 90 year-old grandfather how old he feels inside and he replied: “Still about 12!”
Kids can feel and be so many things at once. They can be terrified, yet brave. They can be silly or become embarrassed, only to then instantly forget what made them feel that way in the first place. Kids can be shy, but also walking question marks who demand answers and explanations for everything.
What better audience could you ever hope to write for?

Which other books for kids with environmental themes would you recommend our subscribers read next?

There are so many brilliant books for kids with environmental themes. If I had to recommend just a few, they would be:
Greenwild by Pari Thomson
Sabotage on the Solar Express by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
Geomancer: In The Shadow of the Wolf Queen by Kiran Milwood Hargrave

Copies of our The Wanderdays pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!

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