R.A. Spratt
Welcome to Creative Kids Tales, R.A. Spratt.
R.A. Spratt is a prolific author and television writer. She exudes energy and enthusiasm not only through her writing but also in her zest for life. Her unique ability to inspire and engage children through comic genius has aligned her to the likes of literary greats, including the beloved Roald Dahl.
Spratt’s Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes series of books have become a phenomenon amongst young audiences and parents alike. In the same manner as other efficacious authors, within her books, Spratt adeptly injects glimmers of her own personality, which naturally captivates and charms her readers through her sincere portrayals. Nanny Piggins rebellious outlook and Friday Barnes appreciation of a porkpie hat are both illustrative of Spratt’s own delightful persona.
Spratt was born in Essex, UK and raised in Epping, Sydney. She currently lives in Bowral, NSW with her husband, two daughters three chickens, two goldfish, and a desperately needy dog. Apart from writing superbly enthralling knee slapping books, she is fond of gardening and napping. However, with leisure time at minimum she rarely gets the chance to do either. She has also confessed to a newfound obsession with CrossFit that is reflective of the vim she radiates, as those fortunate are able to witness at her author talks, with fanfare of trumpets and highly theatrical readings.
Spratt started out writing political satire (for shows such as Good News Week, BackBerner and Life Support) before moving onto sketch comedy pre-school drama and animation. She has spent more than 15 years working in children's television, which has guided her on her children’s book writing journey. Working in television, she was able to witness what was lacking in children’s educational programs, a good dose of humour and playfulness, which are the key ingredients that make children unique. This eventually led Spratt to create the outlandishly wicked flying circus pig, Nanny Piggins, who not only fascinated children because of her bold and comical ways but because she condoned eating chocolate before and after breakfast, similar to Spratt’s great influence Roald Dahl who ate a chocolate bar after every meal. Nanny Piggins provides audiences with refreshingly silly content, which amuses, uplifts and tickles the imagination.
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins was Spratt’s first book, published in Australia in March 2009 and later in the US in August 2010, the book was judged by the American Library Association’s publication Booklist as the ‘Top of the List’, best youth fiction for 2010. Nanny Piggins is now up to her ninth adventure where she has kindly provided a guide to conquering Christmas.
Friday Barnes, Girl Detective was released in 2014. Full of mystery and intrigue with Spratt’s signature balance of frivolity and glee, the Friday Barnes books swiftly gained popularity. Set in a boarding school, 11-year old, Friday Barnes emulates the sleuth characteristics of Sherlock Holmes on her quest to crack the great mysteries including the disappearance of homework. Friday Barnes is currently solving her sixth mystery as Friday Barnes, Danger Ahead was released earlier this year.
As Friday Barnes solves the mystery, the question of what the R in R.A. stands for has been explained; Spratt’s first name is Rachel.
There is so much to admire about Spratt. She is ingenious, original, enlivening and riveting. She brings a witty lightness that leaves her audience, of all ages, charmed.
We are all at the edge of our seat, ready for our next Spratt encounter.
You can read more about the award winning R.A. Spratt here: raspratt.com
Read CKT's May 2017 interview with R.A. Spratt
Introduction by Jaqueline de Rose-Ahern
Take a look at some of R.A. Spratt's books
'Creative Kids Tales is great. You can pick the brains of people who make stuff without having to stalk them or do anything illegal.' - 
'Creative Kids Tales offers new writers the joy of publication on their journey of craft and creativity.'
'If there's anything emerging authors struggle with (beyond the dreaded writer's block), it's receiving recognition or even acknowledgment of their work – battling for a slice of that incredibly elusive publishing pie. Georgie Donaghey has created a priceless promotional and networking station that allows new authors to not only share their work, but gain the courage and nous to take their work to a whole new level. Creative Kids Tales is a valuable addition to Australia's burgeoning children's book market.' - 
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Writing can be a lonely profession. By necessity, you need to work alone much of the time. But it is wonderful to have a website which eases that by connecting creators with each other and with a wealth of information and resources.
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'I stumbled on to Creative Kids Tales by accident. I thought it was kid's tails. I'd been doing some research about goats and how their tails were actually a fifth leg, a very long time ago. Or did I just dream that? In any case, I was bitterly disappointed at first to find not tails, but tales. However, while I was at the site I had a wander around, and soon discovered that it was even better than a goat's site - no kidding! This is a brilliant haven for writers, new and not so new; a place to showcase their work and to learn from others.' Well done, Georgie. You've done a fantastic job. - 
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Creative Kids Tales offers a brilliant platform for established and emerging creators to keep in touch and learn from each other. That is a great thing for this most isolated of all professions (apart from On-site Antarctic Penguin Imitators). - 
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'I wish Creative Kids Tales had been around when I was first starting out! What a brilliant way to connect with other authors and find out about the lovely world of kids books.' 'Go Georgie! I think you're amazing.' - 
'Buckets of thanks to Georgie for creating Creative Kids Tales. There’s a wealth of wonderful information and resources for everyone interested in creating books for kids – and a warm sense of community.'
'I’m thrilled to be Creative Kids Tales author of the month.' 'I hope in some small way by me taking part, I might help and inspire young authors and artists to follow their own artistic path.' 'The key I believe is to seek to enjoy what you do. Even though doing your best is a constant challenge I find it is a worthwhile one. So, get drawing and / or writing.' Good luck ! - 
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'Wow! Creative Kids Tales is a fantastic resource for writers, no matter what stage of their writing journey they are at. Congratulations, Georgie, on your attractive, easy-to-navigate website, your generosity to your fellow writers and your constantly evolving ideas. Thanks on behalf of all of us.' - 
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'The thing I like about the Creative Kids Tales website is that the authors come across as real people who face the same problems that beginning writers do and that there’s plenty of practical advice.' - 
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'Creative Kids Tales is a fantastic resource for aspiring writers that showcases emerging and published authors and illustrators and provides links to publishers' websites, helpful hints and competitions.'
What a terrific, enthusiastic, informative and creative resource - of value and interest to so many people.
'Congratulations to Georgie Donaghey for her hard work and enthusiasm in setting up a site that has been sorely needed to promote current Australian children's writing. Not just for the established, but for up and coming, Creative Kids Tales showcases talent and provides information essential for anyone in the industry.' - 
'Thanks for having me on Creative Kids Tales. It's a great resource for emerging writers and illustrators and I hope it will have a long future.'
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