When recycling meets storytelling, something magical happens, just ask Walter the Wheelie Bin, Recycle Ralph, and Tracy the Trowel. With industry support, clever characters, and a lot of humour, these stories are cleaning up one laugh at a time.
The characters Walter, Recycle Ralph, and Tracy the Trowel are so charming and unique! How did you come up with them?
Walter was an idea that my father-in-law had about fifteen years ago, as he used to read the story to his grandchildren from an A4 piece of paper. He showed me it one day, and after I read it, I asked him if he wanted me to develop the story for him. That’s when I set to work and added Recycle Ralph and Tracy the Trowel to book one in the series.
Children’s books often carry subtle lessons. What would you say are the key messages behind Walter the Wheelie Bin Series?
My aim is to get our young readers into the mindset of recycling and looking after our planet as the norm, so when they are adults, recycling will come as second nature to them and, hopefully, pass it on to future generations.
How important is it for you to include themes of recycling and environmental care in the story?
I feel it is particularly important to spread the message of recycling, but I also want them to have fun reading any of the books in the series.
Do you find humour essential in children’s books?
100%, because if it makes a child laugh, they hopefully will want to read it again and again, learning about the book’s real message.
How did the sponsorship from BAMA (British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association) shape the book or its message?
Well, when BAMA contacted me to ask if I could write a story with aerosol recycling in it, after some research, the basic idea was hatched, shared with them and with a bit of advice from WD-40, finalised the end product.
What was your reaction when WD-40 endorsed the book? How did that collaboration come about?
I felt like I had won the ‘lottery’ when they agreed to the brand being used in the book, as it is a huge accomplishment. In my original draft, when mentioning the aerosol can, I called it WT-40, the same initials as my name, but when BAMA saw this, they called me to ask if I would like them to contact WD-40 to see if the brand could be used, so I have to thank BAMA for their support and having the right contacts at WD-40 in making the collaboration.
There’s a great scene where Mr Shufflebottom learns how to recycle the empty WD-40 can. How important is it for you to educate children (and adults!) through fun storytelling?
Extremely important as ‘learning with laughter’ is something I have said many times in the past when I do my talks and when explaining to parents what the books in my series are all about at various craft fairs.
What has the feedback been like from children and parents so far? Do you have a favourite response?
Very positive feedback, but I have to say that my favourite reaction from several young readers has been when I keep getting asked, “When can I see Walter the Wheelie Bin and Recycle Ralph on the telly?”
The book gently tackles topics like inclusion (the new bin’s colour) and respect for differences. Was this an intentional theme?
Most definitely, and I have several more ideas just like this for the next few planned books in the series.
Do you test your stories out on young readers before publishing? If so, how did they respond to your books?
Yes, as several of my neighbours have young children and the ‘test read’ was always with a thumbs up from them and their parents.
What advice would you give to aspiring children’s authors who want to combine fun storytelling with real-world learning?
Well, what I have done is listen to what makes my target audience laugh, take notes and then include them with factual information about the story subject.
Lastly, what’s next for you as a writer? Will we see more environmentally themed adventures from your imagination?
Yes, for sure, as I have already drafted up at least three more books in the Walter the Wheelie Bin Series to complement the first two.
Walter Thomas’s books are both available on Amazon.
