I am really excited to have the opportunity to interview B.D. Thomas.
All about the book:
Lewis Thornbury, 11 1/2 years old not quite 12, meets a friendly Garden Troll called Ragtag at the bottom of an enchanted garden and is drawn into a magical world of faeries, pixies, sprites, talking animals and fearsome monsters.
A journey of wonder and adventure begins as, along with some friends including Tendora the Blackberry Pixie and Arlo the Jackdaw, they are lured from the safety of the magical garden and the surrounding Wild Woods into the dangerous depths of the Underdeep, a vast subterranean world full of great citadels, gem mines, neon mushroom forests and fearsome Cave Trolls.
Will they rescue their beloved friend Cadmus the Mouse, sold by Hobgoblins to the Cave Troll King, Dearg the Detestable, to be eaten at his Great Feast? Will they escape the Petrified Woods, the cursed Lost Corridors and the terrible dungeons of Terrar? Will they ever make it back home to their beloved garden? Or will they end up in the belly of a Cave Troll King!
Bobs and Books: Hi, Thanks for agreeing to do the interview! Your story is so unique- how did you come up with the idea?
B.D Thomas: I`ve always been interested in children`s fantasy as a child, reading Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl etc but re-reading all these classics again with my son at bedtime re-ignited my passion and imagination for the genre. Two touchstones for the story would be his moth-bitten troll-teddy bear, named Abney, and the old and gnarly giant Ash tree at the bottom of our garden. Further inspiration came from the ancient oak and bluebell woodlands near our home.
Bobs and Books: That sounds awesome. This definitely gave me Alice in wonderful vibes but its in own special way- How much did Alice or other books influence your work?
B.D. Thomas: Very much so. Alice, particularly with the giant subterranean Neon Mushroom Forest, but also the Hobbit and the BFG. There are also touches of the Wind in the Willows in there, a book that I simply adore.
Bobs and Books: Have any younger readers given you a review yet?
B.D Thomas: Yes. Young reviewers on Instagram, all of whom loved the book (thankfully!) and of course children of friends and family. My greatest feedback from a child came from my son, again while reading the story to him at bedtime, who gleefully exclaimed one evening; " Dad, it was like you were reading a real book!" That really made me chuckle, but afterwards I thought, yes, I`ll settle for that, any day!
Bobs and Books: Love that! Was it your intention for this to appeal to adults or is that an added bonus?
B.D. Thomas: It was my intention to be honest, and I am very happy and grateful that it seems to be the case, from the feedback I`ve been receiving. There is some humour in there that I hoped adults would appreciate, plus the fact that the story touches on overcoming trials and tribulations and facing up to one`s fears. I always wanted it to be a story that an adult could read to a child, whilst also enjoying it themselves. Hopefully I`ve achieved that.
Bobs and Books: You definitely have. If you had to describe your book in 3 words, what would they be?
B.D Thomas: Magical, eventful journey.
Bobs and Books: Have you got any plans for another book?
B.D. Thomas: Yes! I have started a spinoff, `The Troll MacTavish` and have a sequel in the pipeline, `The Rise of the Hobgoblins`.
Bobs and Books: Ooh great. Thanks so much for agreeing to this interview, its been a pleasure.
The Troll at the End of the Garden is out NOW!
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