50 August 2015 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Jamie O’Dowd Schoolteacher Jamie O’Dowd’s innovative interpretation of a master’s degree assignment has led to the creation of a children’s story with a difference. The married father-of-two was tasked with ‘the project’, a module from Manchester Metropolitan University that aimed to move him away from his main dissertation (a novel). “It was initially a project for my master’s in children’s literature,” explains Jamie. “The story was born out of one of the modules and I never would’ve had the know-how or gumption to actually put a book like this together without it. “The idea was to pick something completely separate and communicate your story in a different medium.” Some people did scripts or radio productions, but Jamie wanted to bring his teaching knowledge and understanding of personal, social and health education into a short illustrated story. He did just that and, shortly after, Uggy and Pal: THE MORAL OF THE STORY The ‘Best Friend Forever’ Problem came to life. “I wanted to step away from my comfort zone, working with teenagers,” Jamie says. “I thought, what is the most common issue children face, and I know from having my own children, it’s friends falling out and knowing how to behave with a friend.” This is a ‘Read, Talk and Play’ book which has questions designed to encourage the young reader to think about their own behaviour with their peers and short drama activities to act out scenarios regarding behaviour and friendship. “As an English teacher, I know we often struggle to get parents to read with their kids,” says Jamie. “This story has a message behind it and an educational context, it goes beyond just reading and assimilating information and helps readers actually experience the situations more.” The first book sees Uggy’s rough behaviour causing a problem in their friendship. However, with the help of their class teacher, Mrs Fearn, the boys learn a simple rhyme to help them keep their behaviour in check. The imaginary childhood friends of Jaime’s brother inspired the book’s titular characters. “He didn’t know I’d used them until the book was published,” he explains. “When he was a naughty boy as a young child, he used to blame it on Uggy and Pal so this was kind of a nod to him.” As part of his research for the book, Jamie spent time with year one pupils at St Christopher’s School to learn how they interacted with each other. Jamie says that the school has provided him with tremendous support. “St Chris purchased 175 copies of the book, which enabled me to self-publish through Amazon,” Jamie explains. “The books are now being used in classrooms, including some overseas thanks to my teacher friends in different countries.” Jamie’s colleague, Kirsty McKay, handled the book’s illustration and the two have plans to expand Uggy and Pal into a three-part series. There are plans to print another 100 copies for sale at bookstores across the island. CHARLIE HOLDING A Bahrain-based author is hoping to entertain and educate youngsters with his new book on the importance of friendship and good behaviour.
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