The Author

As a father to two amazing daughters, I have experienced the trauma of my children saying goodbye to their dummy’s first-hand. I created Dumbleby Forest as a bedtime story for my daughters to help aid and comfort them in the process of letting go of their dummy’s.

I was shocked to see the attachment although I was aware of the constant wanting for a dummy/soother, while we as parents allowed them to have it, it took me by surprise the trauma that followed when the decision was made to take it away.

I created the story in which I described where the dummy would go and why it needed to go there. I do not intend for this book and magical land to be the solution but something to aid and comfort the child in the process of letting go of their own dummy/soother.

The Illustrator

After much research I chose the much coveted professional illustrator and designer Marcus Silversides to bring my vision of Dumbleby Forest to life.

Marcus has great pedigree as a professional artist, he created the movie poster for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the logo for Bob the Builder. Marcus is also a father himself and it was a great experience to have him onboard to help create Dumbleby Forest!