Claire Smith

Hello, I’m Claire, mum to an eight year old and a lover of Ibiza, wine and the wonderment, joy and innocence that children bring to our world….not necessarily in that order!!

The idea for this series started when my son was three. As a single parent it was just him and I and our ‘time out’ used to be either in the car or walking down to the river. During this time we would talk. Or more aptly, sing. If he was feeling grumpy, we would make up a song about a grumpy grapefruit. And sing it until he was no longer grumpy! When he made me laugh out loud (as he did often), he became my funny fig. When he said something particularly insightful, wise watermelon was born.

These characters stuck and in 2018 I wrote the stories then put them back in the cupboard and got on with life, which like for so many of us over the past few years, has thrown a few hurdles. I often think they can act as a catalyst. Mine was to realise that it was time to throw caution to the wind and do the things that bring more joy. And at the top of that list was opening the cupboard and bringing these characters to life.

So here we are. As an ‘A to Z’ series the logical start would have of course been with ‘A’, our Angry Apple, but it in my heart it was always Funny Fig who had to go first.

I hope you enjoy reading the story out loud with your little ones and I hope over time the stories bring as many laughs and happy feelings as my Funny Fig has brought to me and my son.

I would be delighted to see your funny fig faces and actions, please feel free to share with me via our instagram: @theatozpatch!

Have fun,

Claire x