This is a story set in 1954, a year after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll. It’s the summer term in a suburban area of The Big City. Rationing is still in force.
There is a magical wood, a secret camping expedition, a graveyard, wildlife rich ponds and pea-soup fogs. Five unusual children gravitate towards each other and become ‘friends’ who have to cope with bullying, racism, their own insecurities and the looming 11-plus exams.
They are targeted by a strange force, which causes them to gradually shrink to the size of dust particles. While miniaturised they come face to face with earthly monsters and alien species. Will they ever stop shrinking and return to normality?
Biodiversity is under threat and pathogens are forming huge armies under the guidance of their giant leader, Mugwart. Will Alex and his friends manage to halt the spread of disease and the destruction of their beloved Black Woods pond?
About the Author :
Professionally Colin has been a bank clerk, teacher, head teacher, part-time lecturer in teacher training and field teacher for the RSPB. He was brought up in a London suburb where his passion for wildlife and social justice began to develop. Alex, the boy in ‘The Shrinking’ books is based on him as a ten to twelve year old.
Moving to South Yorkshire in 1967 Colin began to develop a deep interest in ornithology. His concerns about habitat loss and species extinctions led him to become a director in the Barnsley Biodiversity Trust. His interest in and knowledge of children’s development led him and David Allen, his colleague and friend, to create ‘Biodiversity in Schools’, an organisation which enabled many school visits to enhance an understanding of the main issues.
Colin has an irrepressible, creative instinct which has led him to be an amateur actor, a story teller and writer, a performance poet, a singer–songwriter and a keyboard player. The next project is always on the horizon!
