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Exploring family, friendship, and Victorian London with Jacqueline Wilson
Primary Times talks to Dame Jacqueline Wilson, one of Britain’s bestselling and most beloved children’s authors, about the release of her new book, ‘The Other Edie Trimmer’.
Jacqueline began writing at a very young age and has been honing her craft ever since. Having now penned over 100 books and sold more than forty million copies, including creating the notorious and well-loved character Tracy Beaker, she has turned her attention once more to Victorian London. This new heart-warming story which is perfect for readers aged seven and above is one of adventure, history, time-slips and more! We asked Jacqueline a few questions about ‘The Other Edie Trimmer’ and what to look out for…
Q1) What inspired you to write The Other Edie Trimmer?
I’ve always been fascinated by the Victorians. I collect old Victorian manuscripts and I wanted to try to show what it might have really been like at the time through a modern girl’s eyes. I’m also fascinated by Charles Dickens and I like writing about Victorian children, so this was a treat - the book sort of wrote itself!
Q2) Who are your favourite characters in the book and which character do you think will be a firm reader favourite?
I’m very fond of Edie and I think a lot of children might identify with her. It’s hopefully a balanced book that shows that even lovely children can feel a bit fed up or envious at times. There are also snippets of Dickens himself that I hope are authentic. If ‘The Other Edie Trimmer’ makes young people want to pick up and read some Charles Dickens, I’ll be thrilled.
Q3) What made you want to write about Victorian London as the setting and tell this particular story?
Children tend to be quite interested in the past and the workhouse scenes might also be helpful with aspects of the current curriculum as well. I hope I’m converting children into saying that history is fun!
Q4) What do you want readers to hopefully take away from the book?
Most importantly, to be entertained and to keep turning the pages to find out what happens to Edie. Maybe also to reflect on what life was like back then and that it might hopefully encourage some school trips to museums and things like that. Social history is much more interesting to learn about and I find that children relate so much more to ordinary people.
Q5) What’s your favourite part of the writing process?
Ideas come to me when doing ordinary things like walking my dog or when I’m in the supermarket. I love writing the first chapter and getting into the story. I write all the way to the end rather than stopping and starting, and then I’ve got the whole story to work with. I might plan a few scenes here and there but I basically just write and see where the story ends up!
Q6) Are there any themes in ‘The Other Edie Trimmer’ that you really enjoyed exploring?
Empathy. It’s so important that children learn how to be kind and to learn what life is like in another person’s shoes. I didn’t sit and plan which messages to include when writing but I hope that sprinkles of empathy and compassion are hopefully embedded in the story itself.
Q7) Can we expect any other stories about Edie in future, or are you working on any new ideas that we should keep an eye out for?
I might revisit Edie at some point in the future, who knows! I do have a book for younger readers coming out later this year, as a sequel to ‘Sleepovers’ which I wrote quite a long time ago. It’s a relatively short book but explores all aspects of friendship which I hope readers will enjoy.
'The Other Edie Trimmer' by Jacqueline Wilson and illustrated by Rachael Dean is out now (published by Puffin).