I have always loved reading and I studied English at university just so that I could read a bit more. Next I found my way into secondary teaching and discovered that I loved it too: I got to read more books, show off and hang out with very funny teenagers. What a great job!
Teaching English also encouraged me to write. Soon I had planned and started lots of different stories, but they were all abandoned and shoved to the back of a drawer. Then, one day, the plot for Flirty Dancing came together; Bea’s story was so alive it was like a film running in my head and I knew it was a story I would finish.
Over the next few years, various exciting events distracted me from Flirty Dancing: I got married, travelled the world, was chased by an angry elephant (and a pack of dogs) and I had two babies. While I was sitting on trains, swimming in the Outback and raising two crazy girls, I kept thinking about Bea, and her friends, Betty, Kat and Pearl, until I realised I had planned three more books.
In 2013, after attending the Winchester Writers’ Festival, I plucked up the courage to send Flirty Dancing to Julia Churchill, a brilliant children’s fiction agent at A.M. Heath. With dazzling speed I was then signed by Bloomsbury to write the four books in the series.
Jenny McLachlan 
Dear Jenny Our son Niek is having a book review at school ahead of time. He also has a book that you wrote, Back to Roar. In addition, he would like to tell something about the author, that is you. However, there is not much to be found about you on the internet. Would you like to tell something about it so that he can include this in the book discussion. Thinking of your age, place of residence and of you have children. He would be happy if you respond to this message. Kind regards Raimond Smulders
Hi – Thank you for getting in touch, Raimond, and I’m so pleased to hear that Niek is writing a book review about Roar. I’m 45 (although I don’t feel that grown up) and I live in a seaside town on the South coast of England. I have two daughters who right now are watching The Hobbit (I’m writing up in my bedroom – nothing is quite as exciting as making up your own story!) If Niek would like some facts for his book review please pass on to him that I never thought I would become a writer when I was at school because I found writing difficult – I was a slow writer and wasn’t much good at spelling. When I grew up I realised that having a big imagination was more important than these things so I’m glad I spent so many hours drawing, day dreaming and playing. Here are some more unusual fasts about me: I’ve held a baby penguin, been chased by an elephant and I once won a year’s supply of chocolate! I’m guessing from your names that you might live in the Netherlands? A brilliant thing once happened to me in Nijmegen – I was visiting my uncle and we went for a walk on a very rainy day. My mum said that my brother and I could get as muddy as we liked so we pulled our knitted hats over our eyes and fell over again and again (accidentally on purpose) until we were covered in mud. It was absolutely brilliant and even though it happened nearly 40 years ago I can remember it like it was yesterday. I hope this all helps – good luck with your book report, Niek! xx Jenny
Dear Jenny,
Thanks for the response to our post. Niek was very happy with it.
And nice to read that you still have so much fun and adventures.
We do indeed live in the Netherlands in the city of Breda. There are also plenty of adventures to experience here ;0).
Thanks again for the response and we wish you a nice 2022.
Greetings Raimond and Niek
I’m so pleased. Happy adventures, Niek! I’ve just had a look at Breda and decided it’s time I paid another visit to the Netherlands. What a beautiful city! x Jenny
Hi, my mum asks if ur Scottish, are you? – I’m Amelia from wbjs
My husband’s grandad was Scottish – that’s where the McLachlan comes from. We’ll be celebrating Burns night tonight and I’ve visited Castle Lachlan and seen a graveyard full of McLachlans – which was strange!! x
Hi Jenny, my son Lucas absolutely loved land of roar and the next two…he kept asking why there can’t be anymore! He would like to do a mini project on you for school as they have to do an author study similar to Niek above…I don’t suppose if I got him to a write a couple of questions you would answer them? Thank you for this and for land of roar!
Anna
Of course – send them over! And did you know that I’m writing 3 more Roar books… exciting!! x
Hey jenny ik am 11 years old my little brother is doing a presentation about lan of roar it’s his favorite book! xx Eva ❤️
Hi Eva – that’s so great to hear. Thank you for letting me know! Please say hello to your little brother from me. It always makes my day when I hear that Roar has made someone happy. xx Jenny
Thank you for replying jenny my brother is so happy now!
Hi Ms. Mclachlan,
I’m Emil Ostrovski, a 5th grade teacher in San Diego, California. I read my students The Land of Roar as a read-aloud during the first part of the school year, and they really loved the story, so much so that we got them copies of Return to Roar as a holiday present. I was wondering if you might be interested in visiting the class via Zoom; they would be very excited to hear from you.
Hi Emil I sent you an email, but haven’t heard back from you. That’s no problem, but I just wanted to check that you did get the email. Best wishes, Jenny
Hi, I love reading your books as reading logs! My teacher even thinks that it’s amazing how they were written. I’m supper exited to read book three and learn more and see if crowsky is back! Xx Milo
Hi Milo, it’s great to hear from you and I’m so happy to know that you like the Roar books. Enjoy your last trip to Roar and I’m going to give you a clue… He’s back!! xx Jenny
Hi Jenny I love the land of Roar you are awsome
Thanks, Trina. I love the Land of Roar too – it’s my happy place!! And thank you for saying I’m awesome. It made me smile! xx
Are going turn the land of roar series into movies
Hi Trina, what a lovely message to get at the start of the year, and please can you pass on to your teacher that I’m very happy to hear they like how they are written! I hope you do read Battle for Roar. It’s EPIC!!! I would love to see the books turned into movies… can you imagine?? It would be amazing! At the moment there are no plans to do this, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed and you should too. x Jenny
Hi Jenny me and my class thought if a new book we would call it A new beginning to roar
That’s a great title! It could actually have been the working title for what has become Dragon Riders of Roar because it’s all about a (deadly!) new beginning. I hope you all get to read it. xx
Hi Jenny. My name is Zoe and I love reading all of the Roar books. My favourite character is Arthur because he went after Grandad when he was taken. I also love the pants jokes. The funniest characters are Grandad and Win.
Thank you from Zoe.
Hi Zoe, thank you so much for getting in touch. I’m so happy to hear that you love Roar – me too! I’m a big fan of Grandad and Win and they were both brilliant characters to write about. I think that Grandad is Win grown up! Do you like writing or making up stories? When I was your age I used to love playing games where I made up stories, and drawing pictures too, but I wasn’t so keen on the writing side! xx Jenny
Hi, we have themed our world book day around the ‘Land of Roar’ because we are really loving it as our class book. It is fantastic, interesting and we think it is ‘imaginary’! We like the living scarecrow. We had to crawl into the classroom though a mattress tunnel and shout ‘HEAR ME ROAR!!!’, We tried to draw the characters from our imagination. We’ve had a go at creating our own imaginary lands. Can you tell us more about what the furries look like?
From Class 11
Hi Class 11, thank you for your lovely message and I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying reading The Land of Roar – this makes me very happy! Also, how exciting that you got to crawl through a mattress tunnel – I haven’t done this for about 35 years, but I can still clearly remember what it felt like. Have you enjoyed making your imaginary lands? Would you like to visit them? I imagined that the furries looked a bit like tiny hamsters with long legs and arms and sort of human faces. Now I’ve written that down I’m starting to realise why I didn’t describe them in more detail in the books – how bizarre!! Is that how you imagined them? xx Jenny
Hi Jenny
I am a TA at a school and our year 4 classes are reading Land of Roar and studying you! They have had to write biographies on you.
Would it at all be possible for you to send them a short email?
They are loving the book. I have messaged you on Instagram but never done that before so not sure if I’ve done it right x
Dear Jenny,
Is there going to be a Land of Roar movie or tv series because I want to play the part of Win! How old is Win because l am 9? I’m currently half way through The Battle For Roar – is there going to be a 4th Land of roar book?
From Sonny
Hi Sonny, I would LOVE there to be a Roar film, TV, cartoon, play or pretty much anything because it would be so much fun seeing the world come to life. At the moment there are no plans, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I’m sure you would make an awesome Win! I imagine him being 10/11/12 ish I think. I’m not currently writing a 4th Roar book, but you never know! x Jenny
Thank you for your quick reply Jenny – Sonny will be thrilled, and thank you for the Roar series too! My youngest son Luka has never shown any interest in books, but a couple of months ago, whilst he was rolling around aimlessly on the floor, I picked up Sonny’s copy of Land Of Roar and started reading it to him and we haven’t stopped – you’ve completely ignited his love for books (and his love for No Problama t-shirts).
We’re a few chapters away from finishing the third book, and none of us want to leave Roar! It’s been a great experience for the three of us.
Thanks again,
Jon (Dad)
Thank you, Jon – what more could I ask for? That’s absolutely fantastic to hear. I’m so happy that Luka has found Roar to be a special place for him (and you!) and I love the idea of you reading it together. There aren’t many things better than sharing and enjoying a book together. Luka and Sonny might like to try my new book – Dead Good Detectives – which has a lot of similarities with Roar – comedy, high stakes drama, danger, a Win-esque character called Zen. It hasn’t got dragons, I’m afraid, but it does have some pretty cool ghosts! Thanks for sharing Roar with Luka, Jenny
Hi Jenny,
I am in my second year of teaching and have a Year 4 class in a school with a high level of deprivation. We finished reading Land of Roar together last week and it gave everybody so much joy. I think story time has been without question everybody’s favourite moment in the day, mine included. The groans when they realised it was the end of the chapter and that was it for the day were brilliant. They have become fantastic at walking quietly through school as a group by imagining the scarecrows are watching them.
We didn’t have Battle for Roar in the school library so I bought a copy to lend out. The first child to borrow it (2 days ago) is already halfway through and his excitement is immense. In his parent consultation meeting tonight his Mum told me she has been woken up by a light on at 4am two nights in a row to find him reading! She said he has never shown much interest in reading before and now he reads everywhere, walking down the stairs, over dinner, on his way to school, he has even forgone his time playing Switch.
I think your book may have sparked something quite wonderful so thank you 🙂
Alice
Hi Alice, what a wonderful message to receive – thank you! I’m so happy to hear that you and your class are loving Roar – this is why I wrote the books so it makes me very happy to know the books have made you all happy. Also, amazing reading from the student who borrowed Battle for Roar… he sounds a bit like Win! I’d love to send your class a video message – I’ll email you. xx Jenny
Jenny, I love your books, but I’m Polish, and I feel terrible because there are no 3 parts of the roaring land in Polish yet ☹
Dear Jenny, I loved reading The Dead Good Detectives – it was so good! When is the next book coming out? I can’t wait to read it.
Sonny (aged 9)
Hi Sonny – thank you so much! As it happens I’m working on it right now (actually, I’m not, I’m messaging you – but I’ll be getting back to Fathom in a minute!) The next book is coming out in September (I think!). I must check up on that… Have you read my Land of Roar books, Sonny? If you haven’t, you might like them. x Jen
Hi Jenny,
I am a primary school teacher in Melbourne, Australia.
As an end of year project, our students each have the opportunity to write a letter to the author of one of the books they have studied with their ‘novel studies’ reading group. The texts read a self-selected by students from a range of options that suit their reading needs – and ‘Land of Roar’ has been keenly selected by some of our students this year.
I was wondering if you might have a mailing address that a couple of our Grade 4 students could send letters to? They are very keen to send their work out into the world via ‘snail mail’, something many of them have never done before! I understand you must be very busy, so we by no means expect that you will have the opportunity to reply. However they really would love to send them anyway.
Thanks for all of your wonderful writing. Many of our students have been enjoying this series throughout the year outside of our novel studies program also and it has been a real hit!
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca, it’s fantastic to hear that students in Melbourne have been enjoying Roar. They might like to know that quite a few Roar places and scenes are inspired by my travels in Australia – Boulders and Waterfalls in Return to Roar and the islands beyond the End in Battle for Roar especially. I’ll send you an email because I’d love to hear from your students by snail mail! xx Jenny
hello jenny,
I am Megan-Jane and I am ten years old from Shrewsbury . I really enjoyed your book Dead Good Detectives I liked how you wrote the character of Sid because she was very adventurous .I mostly cant find books at school that the main character is a girl so I very much appreciated that .
from Megan .
Have a nice day.
Hi Megan
Thank you for your lovely message about Dead Good Detectives. I’m so pleased you like Sid – me too! In fact, I’d say that one of the main reasons I started writing books was because I wanted to create really adventurous girl characters. I love how brave Sid is, even though she is quite shy. xx
Dear Jenny,
May I ask when and where you were born? [sorry weird question]. My name is Dash and i’m working on a project for my favourite author. I can’t seem to find much information about this. Your books are Fantastic and I really enjoy reading them! I have published a book and a poem and have recently met Ross Welford, and he told me to keep writing. Do you think I should? Anyways, I love your books and you should write more!
kind regards, Kincaid Dash Hasebe
Hello, I was born in Germany (because my dad was teaching there). Thank you for writing your project about me! Here are a few obsucre facts for it: I’ve held a baby penguin, given an elephant a scrub down in a river and (accidentally) swum with a very small freshwater crocodile. I’m so pleased that you like my books, and I totally agree with Ross Welford that you should keep writing. I’d add that you should keep playing, reading and day dreaming too. It was definitely the hours I spent playing imaginative games that helped me to become a writer. Good luck with your project and your future writing career, Kincaid! xx Jenny
Dear Ms. McLachlan
We are a grade 2/3 class from Vancouver, BC, Canada.
My class wanted to say that the Land of Roar books are great! We can’t wait to finish the third one.
You have an amazing imagination, and everyone wanted to know what was in the box.
Can you please make a fourth one?
Also, my class wanted you to know that you are awesome, amazing, and the coolest cat around!
Thanks so much
Mr. Thiessen’s 2/3 class.
Hi Kelly, I’m sorry this reply is so late coming. A massive thank you from me to your grade 2/3 class. How magical to find out that you love the Land of Roar books! And you might like to let them know that I definitely have had thoughts about a 4th book… Please tell your class that they are pretty cool too, in fact, they are IMAGINARY xx Jen PS would they like a video message from me?
Dear Jenny,
i’m sorry to be emailing again, but I cannot find anything abut your birthday, age, where you currently live, family, where you went to university, If you’ve won any prizes, [which i’m sure you have]. I love you books, and I just turned 11 Feb 2nd. I spend hours up in my room reading you books and I can’t wait for you to publish another one. Thanks for the extra facts!
Kind Regards, Dash Hasebe [Kincaid is my first name but dash is more preferred] : )
Hi Dash, I think I must like being a bit mysterious! But I can tell you that I have been to university at Leicester, Sussex and Brighton (I like studying!) and that I am 46 which I think is a great age to be. x Jen
hello jenny I like your books so much and especially back to Roar I’m going to do my book review about that too bye bye greetings Roosmarijn
Hello – what a lovely message to receive – thank you! I am so happy that you enjoy Roar. x Jenny
Dear Jenny,
My year 3 class read land of roar as our class book last term and I loved it so much that mum ordered the series! My favourite character is Win ! I love his magic – it’s imaginary! ! We’ve just finished reading return to roar and I can’t wait to start reading the battle for roar! Mum says she’s never seen me so keen to read! (And she loves reading them too!!) please can you write a 4th book as I don’t want roar to finish after 3!!!!
Jacob M (Sheffield)
Hi Jacob- what a great message to receive! I’m so happy you like Roar. I ❤️ Win too. He might be my favourite, but don’t tell the other characters! I hope you love Battle for Roar as much as I enjoyed writing it. Look out for the scene towards the end involving a flight over Roar and Win saying ‘boots and cats’ – I think it was my favourite to write. And please say thank you to your mum for buying the books. I’m doing an event at Sheffield Library at some point. I don’t know the date yet, but maybe you could come along? X Jenny
To Jenny Mclachlan
Your books are amazing!They feel so real they are just astonishing and the exquisite language is phenomenal!! I’ve read two of your books stargazing for beginners and the land of ROAR (which is my class topic).
Hi Maggie – what a very lovely message to read, and, guess what? My dog is called Maggie because it’s one of my favourite names ever ❤️🐕🙌 I hope you keep reading my books and thank you very much for taking the time to get in touch xx Jenny
Hi I’m Chloe! I’m a big fan of your series! I have been writing about you for a school project! Can you tell me more things like your favourite colour, what inspired you to write and more! It would be very helpful if you reply! Thank You 😊!
Hi Chloe, thank you for getting in touch! My favourite colour is yellow – I’ve noticed that if you wear yellow people smile at you. I was inspired to start writing by lots of things: my love of books, the children I taught, my memories of being at school, my children. Here are a couple more Jen facts: I used to have a hamster called Mrs Miggins who lost all her hair. It didn’t seem to bother her though! I used to be very shy at school – I hated anyone looking at me – and I sometimes spent the entire day reading, hours and hours at a time. I hope your project goes well! x Jen
hello there chloe are you okay today was you at school today and what school do you go to Well chloe what book will you like me to write about and my favourite colour is purple and blue from Jenny McLachlan bye( thank you for that question saying that I’m a big fan of your series that has made my day and life.)GOD BLESS YOU
Hi Jenny
I just wanted to come on here and tell you how grateful I am to have your writing. I am a pretty avid reader (I read 2 – 3 books a week) and I promise that there is NO BETTER BOOK than Stargazing for Beginners. It is my absolute favourite book in the whole world. Im in school right now, and high school is definitely not the easiest, but when I feel horrible , or have a bad day, my go to solution is to curl up in bed and re read Stargazing for the 1 billionth time. I first read the book in my year8, and I must say it truly changed my life.
The story is just so warming, the characters and there relationships, I AM IN LOVE WITH.
Anyway, I know it is probably not possible, but it would make me ecstatic if you were to write a sequel to the book (I know there is Annie’s book but that doesn’t count). I would be over the moon, IT WOULD COMPLETE A PART OF MY SOUL.
This is probably unlikely and that is totally fine, but I have to admit, it is my lifes dream to meet you. Someday I will, I have a whole life ahead of me.
anyway I just anted to say that I am a massive fan and that Stargazing for Beginners is my favourite book, forever.
Hi Melisa, well this has made my day (if not my year!) What a lovely message to receive and thank you for taking the time to get in touch. Stargazing for Beginners also has a special place in my heart too. Fun fact, my daughter, who is 15, recently took part in a science competition and the prize was… you guessed it… a trip to NASA!!! Sadly she didn’t win, but she got close, and the whole experience reminded me of the sheer joy I experienced writing Stargazing. I lived every moment of that book with Meg. I will remember what you have said about writing a sequel, and I hope we get to meet up too, then we can have a massive chat about Stargazing and analyse every moment. If you are based in the UK then keep your eyes open for events that I’m doing. I know that I’m going to Waterstones in Crawley soon. Any good?? xx
Hi Jenny!
I had the pleasure of meeting you a few years ago; you gave a talk at my secondary school just after Flirty Dancing was released. I doubt you’ll remember it now (it was a long time ago), but having the opportunity to speak to you awakened a real passion in me—I devoured the rest of the series as they came out, and I knew from that moment on that I wanted to be a writer.
At a time in my life where I’d never felt more alone, the Ladybirds books meant the world to me—particularly Pearl’s story, which helped me come to terms with my own sexuality, and encouraged me to reach out to the people around me for support. I’m turning 22 this year, working towards my Bachelor’s degree in Film & English, and I hope that one day I can create something that changes someone’s perspective the way that your books changed mine.
Thank you!
What a lovely message to receive – thank you – it made my heart sing! The Ladybird books have a special place in my heart too and I wrote them hoping that they would speak to young people and be good friends to them. I think Pearl’s story might be my favourite, although I find it hard to choose between them. I love those girls! It sounds like you have some very exciting times ahead and I’m chuffed to bits that the Ladybird books have played a part in your journey. xx Jen
Hey Jenny,
Myself and my 9 year old have devoured the road series! We have fallen in love with the beautiful world you have created. Is there any chance of a part 4? We felt like there was enough of and open ending to continue and write a part 4??
James and phoebe x
Hi James, thank you for this fantastic message – it has put a smile on my face! I’m so happy to hear that you and Phoebe have enjoyed your visits to Roar. Nothing could make me happier. Without giving too much away, I have been thinking about a Roar 4…Watch this space!! x Jenny
Hi Jenny, I am trying to promote reading at my new school and recommended your ‘Land of Roar’, which was a massive hit within my class. In fact, it got one child, who is not a keen reader, hooked and led to reading the other two books in the series. I have to do an author board when we return in September, and wondered if you would be able to pen a short note about reading and why writing children’s books is such a passion of yours. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your lovely message, Corrine. I’d love to get in touch with your class and send something for their author board. I will email you! x Jen
Hi Jenny
I would just like to say that your books on “The Land Of Roar” are just epic!!!
I felt so transported and well it was the best book I’ve ever read.
You are so talented and creative 💕
Lots of love xxx
Kalli
Ps. What’s your favourite animal and colour?
PPS They are better than Harry Potter (Don’t tell Jk Rowling) 😉
Thank you xx
Hello, well what a lovely message to receive – thank you! I’m so happy to hear that my books have made you happy. What more could I a writer ask for? My favourite colour is yellow (to wear – it makes people smile at you) and green to look at. My favourite animal changes all the time. Right now I’m pretty into rabbits! Thank you for your kind compliment re HP… I promise not to tell JK Rowling! xx Jenny
Hi my name is Eben and I’m in second grade. I really loved your Land of Roar books!
Do you have any plans to write a fourth book? I can see how your books are bestselling. Thank you for your imagination. The books are really amazing! :)(: Thumbs up, keep writing!
Hi Eben, thank you for getting in touch and sending me a message! I’m so please that you like my books and I have to admit that I do have a plan for writing more books… but that’s all I can say about that at the moment! When I have some news I’ll make sure I share it. I’m so happy to hear that my imagination has made you happy. That’s the best news I could possibly get! I promise I won’t give up xx Jenny
Dear Jenny,
I am writing on behalf of my year 4 class at Priorslee Academy. We have just started reading your book ‘The Land of Roar’ as our class novel and are really enjoying it so far. We find the characters fascinating and the storyline interesting. You have inspired my pupils to want to write books when they are older and they hope you continue to make new books in the future. My class have asked me to pass on the following comments and questions for you:
Which series of books was your favourite to create?
Which character is your favourite from your series and why?
What inspired you to be an author?
Why do you enjoy reading so much?
We would really appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you so much for your time.
Kind regards,
Miss Gaskell & Beech Class,
Priorslee Academy.
Hi Miss Gaskell, and hello Beech Class! I’m soo happy to hear that you’re enjoying Roar. I absolutely loved writing it – I felt like I had actually visited Roar which, as you can imagine, was very exciting. Here are my answers to your questions:
I think the Roar series has probably been my favourite to create because I’ve been able to imagine doing some incredible things like flying dragons and jumping off waterfalls. Having said that I really loved drawing the pictures for Stink (I used to grin as I was doing them it made me so happy!) and Dead Good Detectives has possibly my favourite main character: Sid. Plus loads of funny ghosts. Hmmmm tricky question!
My favourite character from Roar is probably… Crowky. I really enjoyed creating him although you’ll probably have to read to the end of Battle for Roar to work out why!
I was inspired to be an author by my love of books. When you love something you often want to do it yourself. But it took a long time before I was confident enough to think I could actually do it. I was also inspired by the students I taught (I used to be a teacher) telling me that they wanted more funny books to read!
I enjoy reading because when I read I feel like the things I’m reading about are happening to me. It’s much more immersive and intense than watching a film or playing a computer game. So basically, for me, reading makes my life stupendously exciting. Because of books I’ve got to go to space, fly, be a different person, go back in time, solve crimes, stroke dragons… I could go on and on. Books make my life brilliant and have been by my side throughout my life. If I’ve felt lonely, they’ve been like a friend. If I’ve felt sad, they’ve made me laugh. If books don’t work like this for you then it doesn’t mean you ‘don’t like books’. It just means you’ve not found the right book yet. Keep looking. There’s one out there waiting for you to pick it up!
Happy reading, Beech Class xx Jenny
Dear Jenny,
Thank you so much for your response. We thought it was so kind of you to take time to answer our questions. One of my children has a special request: He is obsessed with cats and was wondering if you could make a book about cats or have a cat character in your next series? Are you able to tell us what you are working on at the moment as we would love to know what you will be releasing in the future? Beech class were so inspired by your books that we have decided to try out some of your activities from your website. We will be making story maps and magical characters in the next couple of weeks. We would love to be able to send you our work! Is there a way we can do this please?
Thank you so much once again.
From Miss Gaskell & Beech Class.
Hi Jenny,
(Sorry am replying via my husbands phone as for some reason mine isn’t working!)
Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some questions!! My son Lucas came up with these…
1. Do you write with a pen or computer?
2. What is the hardest thing about being a writer?
3. My favourite character is Win – I read yours is Crowkey? Why do you like him and are the characters based on anyone you know?
4. I am nearly 9 … My favourite book is land of road – what was yours when you were a similar age?
5. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
I am very excited about the next three books….when will I be able to read the first one!
From Lucas xxxx
Thank you!
Anna
Ps might you ever be down poole way doing an event?
Hi jenny my class says hi an we love your from Trina again
Hi Trina and a bit hello to your class!
💖💖💖
Dear Jenny McLachlan,
My name is Cian Pearse McElroy, one of your biggest fans on the roar books you wrote, I’m currently reading Battle For Roar. Sadly I haven’t read any other books apart from the roar series but I will. Anyway it is my belief that your roar books are so good that you should make them into a movie. My favorite character is Win because he is fun and entertaining. Oh and if you were to make a movie NO-PROB-LLAMA.
Kind regards
Cian McElroy.
PS. Can I come and meet you so I can share my ideas, like Win having an evil step-brother who joins Moss who returns.
Hi Cian, what a great message to receive – thank you! I’d love the Roar books to be made into movies too – I can picture it all in my head so clearly, and, like you I think Wininja is great! He’s a really fun character to write about. Did you know that I’m writing 3 more Roar books?? In fact I’m supposed to be finishing one right now so I’d better go, but I hope you get to read them. x Jen
Hi Jenny it’s me cian pearse Mcelroy again except I’m on a different device thanks for the reply but you didn’t say if i could meet you.
Hi Cian I love meeting fellow Roar fans and I’ve got quite a lot of public events coming up. Usually I mention them on my social media accounts. For example, I’m at the Brighton Festival on the 18th May.
Good afternoon Jenny,
Class 4 at Holy Apostles’ Primary are currently reading The Land of Roar as their book club book. They will be coming together after school in a couple of weeks to discuss the book and I wondered if there was any chance you might be able to send them some signed postcards or book marks as a little treat? I know the class would love it as they are all really enjoying the book. We’re also starting to create an author wall so anything you could send us to put up on there would be amazing too! I know it’s a bit of a cheeky ask!
Thank you. Helen (parent and school librarian).
Dear Helen Thank you for your lovely message and I’m very excited to hear that Class 4 are reading The Land of Roar! I don’t actually have any Roar bookmarks or postcards, but I’d be happy to send them a video message. I’ll email you and explain how it works! x Jen
Hi Helen, I can’t see your email address so would you be able to send it via DM on either Twitter, Facebook or Instagram?
Dear Jenny McLachlan,
I love your books! I am just writing to tell you to say your books are amazing. I have read your lovely book the land of roar, and my favourite part is when rose’ s brother thinks that there is a Monster in the attic it is really inspiring . I just want to ask some questions. Is there going to be another book and when will it come out. If there is I cannot wait to read it. Your books are really inspiring. What inspired you to start drafting books and how old were you when you started writing. Goodbye for now. Have a lovely day.
From Megan
Hi Megan, what a lovely message to receive and you get a super quick reply because I’m actually poorly and in bed (on World Book Day!!) Thank you for taking the time to write to me and I’m so happy to hear that you love The Land of Roar. Have you read Return to Roar or Battle for Roar yet? There’s more good news. I’m actually writing three more Roar books and I’ve just finished the 4th one: Dragon Riders of Roar, and it is so exciting (if I do say so myself!) Dragon Riders will be published on the 1st August this year. I started writing seriously (as in, I decided that I wanted to get a book published) when I was about 27, but I had always dreamed of becoming an author because books are just about my favourite things in the world. I was inspired to start writing by an idea that landed in my head and wouldn’t go away. I thought it was good enough to share. I hope you have a lovely day too. xx Jen
I love your books and I’ve read them backwords as well. I am 7 years old and my name is Jago
Hi Jago, sorry about the late reply – I’ve been in Wales! Have you really read my books backwards? That’s amazing! I think that’s quite an achievement and I wonder if you prefer them forwards or backwards. I love your name btw and I’ve actually used it in my 4th Roar book – Dragon Riders of Roar – which is coming out next year in February. I’m afraid my villain is called Jago … I hope you don’t mind. I chose it because it’s one of my favourite names not because I think it’s a villainous name! His full name is Jago Skua – his surname comes from a seabird that is known as ‘the pirate of the skies’ – I love that description and it sums up my Jago pretty well. He’s very cool btw and an excellent dragon flier. x Jenny
Hi Jenny,
My class, Cedar Class (Year 4) at Priorslee Academy, have just finished reading “The Land of Roar”. They really enjoyed it! Arthur, Rose, Win and Crowky were all favourite characters. Some of them loved the Lost Girls because they took over the Crow’s Nest.
Some favourite parts were:
Some of the children enjoyed it so much that they are now reading the second and third books in the series. They are wondering whether there will be a fourth book. Which of the three Roar books is your personal favourite? Which dragon did you enjoy creating the most?
It would be amazing if Roar became a TV show or a film!
Thank you so much,
Ms Hutchinson and Cedar Class
Hello Cedar Class, I love the fact that some of your favourite parts were my favourite bits to write. I wanted to let you all know that there are actually going to be THREE more Roar books! Wahoooooo!! I’ve nearly finished writing book 4 – Dragon Riders of Roar – and it’s going to be published next year in Febuary. I know… ages! But it gives all of you time to read the next two books where I promise some extremely exciting things happen. I don’t have a favourite Roar book, although Battle for Roar was a lot of fun to write and it contains one scene that I was looking forward to writing all the way through the series. I can’t say too much (or it will give the plot away) but it involves Crowky and Arthur and a pier! I was filled with happiness when I wrote this chapter. I think Bad Dragon was my favourite dragon to create. In the next book – Dragon Riders of Roar – there are loads more dragons and they make the current dragons look like puppies they are so big and wild. I can’t wait for you all to meet them. xx Jenny
OMG I’m so excited 😆 also my Birthday is in Feb so it’s like a birthday present lol
I cannot wait, thank you for all the joy you bring us with your wonderful books!
xx Kalli
Kalli – ahhhh! It will be my birthday present to you 🙌❤️🐲 I can’t wait for you to read it.
Hello Jenny, I have an 8 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. We have recently come across your Land of Roar books, quickly reading all three. Having just finished the third, I was asked to look up if any more books were available. Having stumbled across this, we saw your comment saying you were writing three more. How exciting!? When will these be published?
Thank you for the humour and the excitement of Roar!
Charlotte, Ellis & Lydia
Charlotte, Ellis and Lydia – hello! I’m so happy that you’ve all travelled to Roar together 🤗🐲🙌 Can any of you do a good Crowky voice? The 4th book – Dragon Riders of Roar is published in Feb 2025, although I have just finished writing it. It’s very exciting!!! I’ll probably do a special signing with the Book Nook in Hove – usually I make something to go in the books so keep an eye out if that’s something you would like. Thank you for getting in touch ❤️ Xx
Hello there!
I work at a library in South Korea where I teach children English through reading.
Next month my students are going to read Dead Good Detectives.
I was wondering if you’d be willing to answer a couple of questions about it so I can properly introduce the world to them?
1. Where do you imagine Fathom to be? Is it a kind of Penzance or a Lands End style village?
2. Are there any real life locations that inspired you when creating the village?
2. Are the ghosts in the story based on any real life people from history?
Thank you writing such a great story! I know they’ll enjoy it.
Hi Harriet, I’m sorry it’s taken me a few days to reply. How exciting that children in South Korea are going to read Dead Good Detectives – wow! I imagine Fathom to be very much like a mixture of places I love in Cornwall: Portscatho, St Ives, St Just. I guess I imagine it being about half the size of St Ives. I also added a few things from places that mean a lot to me close to where I live – Hastings (the fishing huts), Eastbourne (the ice cream shop is based on one here called Fusciadi) and lots of other locations. For example, the model village is inspired by one on the Isle of Wight and one in Portsmouth mixed together, plus some of my imagination! If you look at picture of St Just graveyard you’ll discover it’s very like Fathom’s and so is another one that my mother in law took me to see close to Penzance. I really did discover a grave there hidden under ivy. Oh, and I also took inspiration from a church in Gulval. All the ghosts are based on real people, or a mixture of real people. For example, the detective is inspired by a real Maharaja: Yeshwant Holkar, 14th Maharaja of Indore. I really enjoyed doing the research. Let me know if you have any more questions and I hope your students love reading it! x Jenny
Hello my name is Bridget I live in Asia and I have read all of your books, I reserved you coming book on my kindle and I have read your last three books multiple times. I would like to ask if you are going to write more books continuing your series and I can’t wait to read Dragon Riders of Roar!!!
xxx
Hi Bridget, thank you for this lovely message. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that my books make you happy! Good news, there are going to be more Roar books – 6 in total- and there are just a few weeks until Dragon Riders of Roar comes out. I hope you read it and enjoy exploring the new world that’s sprung into life in Roar. You’re welcome in Roar anytime! xx Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Silas, my 11 years old son, is your fans and he will give a talk at the school about The Land of Roar. He would like to know if Arthur, Rose, Ninto or Strokop look like any of your friends or classmates when you were a child.
We live in the Netherlands and I am from Spain. He is saying he would like to read your books on Spanish!
Thank you for your stories . Take care,
Marivi
Hi Marivi
Thank you for getting in touch and how brilliant that Silas is doing a presentation on The Land of Roar in school. Arthur is very much based on me when I was eleven and Rose is similar to by big brother. We used to play amazing games but then – inevitably!- he started hanging out more with his friends. Also, my brother was much more confident than me just like Rose has more confidence than Arthur (and is better at sport!). I’m not actually sure who Ninto and Strokop are because they have different names in the UK version of the book. Can you give me a bit more information on them. I’m guessing one is probably Wining the wizard ninja, Arthur’s best friend? If so he is based on lots of students I used to teach sort of mixed into one person – all the funny, sweet, enthusiastic students who often got into trouble almost by accident. I think that the first two Roar books are published in Spain, but I’ve recently been asked by someone else if the other ones will be published in Spanish so I will find out! Thanks again for getting in touch and please wish Silas good luck in his talk. Something else he might like to mention was that I used to play in a folding camp bed in my Nan’s attic and I also played amazing imaginary games like Arthur and Rose. I can remember them very clearly and the way they were so good they felt real. I wanted to be able to step into my games and that’s what the Roar books allow Rose and Arthur (and me!) to do. xx Jenny
Hi Jenny,
I’m so sorry to bother you. I hope you’re well?
My partner teacher and I have been reading your book “Land of Roar” to our year 4 children for nearly five years and we just today noticed something we hoped you could clarify (if you don’t mind of course). The title of the series, is it Roar because it is made up of the two names Rose and Arthur? Ro(se) Ar(thur). We’ve always just inferred it was because of the dragons. It has blown our minds today. Thank you so much for writing these incredible stories. The goose pimples today when Rose soars in on her dragon were just perfect.
Thank you, Ian and Megan
Hi Ian and Megan, you are quite right, Roar does come from the first two letters of their names. I’m delighted that you spotted it! Curiously I don’t mention the fact in the first three books, but I have sorted this out in Dragon Riders of Roar… better late than never! I’m so happy that your students have enjoyed their trips to Roar with you. What more could an author ask for? I’ll send you an email to find out if your students would like a video message from me.
x Jenny
Dear Jenny,
I’m a Year 4 teacher writing this on behalf of my class – they have been begging me to get in touch. We wanted to let you know how amazed we have been by The Land of Roar. We have been reading it together over the past few weeks and the children are completely hooked. I’m almost shouted at every time I put the book down – I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever found a book to grab so many pupils’ attention at once!
Your story has inspired so much reading too. One of my pupils went and bought The Land of Roar and Return to Roar to be reading at home, despite being someone who read very little previously!
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for these books (even I’m hooked!), and making reading so much more enjoyable for my class and I.
With many thanks,
Jake
Hi Jenny
I am a year 6 student. I want to know a little bit about yourself. I am doing an author profile on you and would like to ask a few questions.
Thank you for writing such amazing books.
From Maisie (Australia)
Hi Maisie
Thanks for your great questions!
1. very very happy ones! I was basically left alone to play all day and make things and read by my relaxed mum and dad. I have a big brother and a little sister and we played brilliant games and I also loved playing with my cousins. We made huge dens, put on plays and generally were allowed to do whatever we want as long as we didn’t annoy the grownups and showed up to eat our dinner.
2. Reading was always my favourite thing to do as a child so I guess I grew up wanting to do the thing I loved. For a long time I didn’t think I was clever enough, though. I thought writers were special, but mainly I think they’re people with big imaginations who practise writing for ages!
3. I have one a few awards, always ones voted for by children, but, so far, never one decided by adults!
4. I was a MAHOOOSIVE reader. Sometimes I’d just read all day. I loved a series about a ballerina called Drina, any ‘real life’ books set in America (eg Judy Blume) and I also loved Nancy Drew. I also loved books like Anne of Green Gables and the Secret Garden.
5. I did help me write stories because it encouraged me to have a go – I realised that there weren’t many funny books for kids around when I began writing. My students kept asking me to recommend funny books and we’d go to the library but not find any.
6. That’s very tricky. I love a book I wrote called Dead Good Detectives because it’s full of things I love: Cornwall, seaside towns, model villages, ghosts, history, tasty food, graveyards, islands cut off by the tide, maps. It’s all my hobbies in one book.
7. I go for a walk or a run or I force my husband to listen while I explain why I’m stuck. These things usually work. I want to give up a lot! But so far I never have…
8. Great question! I think I’d like to meet one of the characters from Roar, probably Crowky. Meeting a talking scarecrow would be wild!
Thanks for the questions, Maisie, and good luck with your author profile. One last thing, quite a lot of Roar is inspired by Australia – boulders and waterfalls is similar to Kakadu, the islands beyond the End is very like the Whitsundays. You live in an amazing country; it’s imaginary! xx
Hi Jenny.
i wanted to thank you for igniting my 8 year old son’s passion for reading to himself. He’s always loved stories but had a virtual author meet with you through school and then insisted we buy The Land of Roar the next time we were in the bookshop. I can’t describe the emotion I felt when he announced ‘Mama, there is so much description I feel like I’m in Roar myself and not like I’m reading’. It sent me back 30 years to my adventures with my friends up the Faraway Tree and in Narnia.
He devoured the first 3 books and although we have the 4th, he’s waiting till closer to the 5th coming out so he doesn’t have to wait so long. He’s also made a big improvement in writing this school year too and I put that down to reading more for himself.
Thank you again
George.
Hi George
Please can I apologise for the late reply. I was so pleased when I recieved your message and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that your son is enjoying my books – and, wow, that’s speedy reading! I know from experience that it can take just one book to unlock the wonders of reading for a child and I feel honoured if The Land of Roar has been THE ONE!! I’m also chuffed to bits that it ‘doesn’t feel like reading’. That’s what I’m trying to do every day when I write – make reading an truly immersive experience so the events unfold as if they’re happening for the reader. So hurrah! Perhaps one day we might be able to meet up. I should put a list of the events I’m doing on my website (note to self!). Thank you again for reaching out and I hope this is the start of a magical adventure with books for your son. x Jenny
Thank you so much for replying. Land of Roar was definitely THE ONE. He was thrilled with your message and very excited about the idea of maybe coming to a book signing or something for the next installment – he hadn’t discovered Roar when you did one in our city earlier this year!
A list of events is a great idea but we all know how busy life is.
Thanks again,
George
Hi Jenny,
My daughter (and my class!) are loving the ‘Fairy Vs’ books and we wondered if you were going to bring out a third in the series?
Thank you!
Sophie (8) and Kate
Hi Sophie and Kate
I’m sorry about the late reply! Thank you for sending me such a lovely message and I’m so pleased you’re enjoying my Fairy Vs books – I can’t tell you how happy it made me to write them and draw the pictures. I do have plans to write a third in the series…I just need to get on and do it!
x Jenny
By the way, if you’d ever like a video message for you class just send me an email at jennymclachlanauthor@outlook.com
Hi Jenny!
My daughter Immy (9) and I have just finished all four of your ROAR books. We loved reading them and her favourite characters were Vlad, Win and Mack.
It was amazing to share in the adventure together and as a result, Immy has created her own world about a Ninja training school, similar to DRaC.
Please keep the amazing books coming!
Immy & Tom
Hi Immy and Tom! Thank you for your lovely message and I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed reading the Roar books together. I’ve just finished writing the 5th book and it’s going to be published next Febuary (I think!). I love Immy’s idea and have been toying with a similar idea myself (I think Win would be a very funny teacher!) but perhaps for younger readers. A sort of pre-Roar book set in the world of Roar. Who knows! I hope Immy enjoyed inventing her school. I made up an imaginary school when I was Immy’s age and I think this gave me my first taste of what it might be like to be a writer. I mainly drew pictures but I got that magical feeling that comes with inventing something from scratch. Did Immy enjoy doing it too? I made A LOT of diagrams of classrooms and maps and drawings of uniforms etc. Again, thank you for writing such a kind message. Jennyx
Hello! I have chosen your book for our Year 4 Spring text after a pupil recommended it to me and I couldn’t put it down! They are going to love it and it is also going to provide inspiration for their writing unit based on portal stories 🙂 I wondered if there was any chance you could do a quick Teams chat to introduce the book?! Or send them a little message?? I think we’ll do the gorgeous design a map idea on your website as the hook so maybe they could send you their ideas? Don’t worry if too busy…can imagine you get a lot of these requests!
Thanks,
Helen
Hi how lovely! Please will you thank your student for kindly recommending the Land of Roar and I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed it. How exciting that the whole class will get to visit Roar together! You might have seen the ‘clues’ on the resources page of my website. These are a really fun way to bring the book alive and, perfect timing, I’m starting a Friday Book Club – https://jennymclachlan.com/friday-book-club/ – that your class can come along to live or at a time that suits you. I’ve got such amazing guest authors lined up. It’s going to be such fun. xx