What inspired you to write Ty-Rock-osaurus Rex?
The story was inspired by my two boys. They’re obsessed with dinosaurs, music and being wild. I also wanted to create something that celebrated being yourself, so they never felt lost in this crazy world.
How long did it take you to draft the first version of the book?
Many, many weeks, as I knew I wanted a rhyming book, but it was difficult to choose the right word for the story rather than choosing a word just for the sake of the rhyme. Plus, I juggled with which dinosaurs to choose and what their instrument could be.
What do you hope children take away from Ty’s story?
To echo one of my favourite books, Wonder – “Why blend in when you were born to stand out” – So hopefully people can believe that it’s okay to be different and that everyone has something special inside them and sometimes it just takes a little courage and continuation to let it shine.
How did you come up with the fun names for your characters?
As a teacher, I always loved the idea of alliteration for names as it helps characters become more memorable. We shortened Tyrannosaurus down to Ty, as that’s our nickname for our second-born son. And then I wanted names that captured both the other dinosaur personalities and their musical roles. So Steggy Strum-tune, Bronto-Boom-Boom, Tricera-Tap-Tap, and Ptero-Rap-Wing all came quite playfully, half wordplay, half me laughing at my own silly ideas, until one stuck!
Did you ever play in a band yourself?
No, haha, I always dreamt of playing in a band, but I guess my talents and skills lie elsewhere. I’m still discovering now what truly makes me special.
Did being a primary school teacher influence how you wrote this story?
Absolutely. Being around children every day, you get a real sense of what captures their imagination, what makes them laugh and when a rhyme feels fun to say out loud. I definitely wrote with my class’s interests in mind.
How do you test whether your rhymes will land well with kids?
As a teacher, I read famous stories every day to my class, so I get a great feel of what works well and how it lands.
What’s the trickiest part of writing in rhyme for children?
Balancing fun and flow. You don’t want it to feel forced, but you also need every line to earn its place. Sometimes a rhyme works perfectly in my head, but when I read it aloud, it clunks. That’s when I know it needs reworking. And certainly not choosing a word just because it fits the rhyme.
Do you see yourself writing more books about Ty and his band?
Maybe, as my boys (and me) are obsessed with dinosaurs. I’ve actually been working on a different dinosaur book again, with a really positive message shining through, as I think books have the power to empower and inspire each reader.
If you could give one tip to aspiring children’s authors, what would it be?
Just go for it. Having my book in my hand is an absolute dream come true.
What was it like seeing Lisa Williams bring Ty to life in pictures?
Incredible. I had an image of Ty and the gang in my head for so long, and then Lisa created something even better. She captured their energy, their quirks and the joy of the band in a way that lifts the words off the page.
Did you enjoy the publishing process?
It was a learning curve, but a really exciting one. Seeing the book go from an idea in my notebook to a printed story in my hands was magical. Estelle and the team were amazing throughout the entire journey.
What’s next for Jason Hurley?
I’ve got a few more children’s book ideas bubbling away, some about Ty and some brand-new adventures. And of course, I’ll keep writing with my boys and my students in mind, because I’m truly blessed to be surrounded by daily inspiration.
