Stories for children to inspire emotional growth BOOKS By Deborah Kerridge

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The adventures of Fat Bear and Friends

Stories for children to inspire emotional growth BOOKS By Deborah Kerridge

About Deborah Kerridge

I guess story telling is in my genes. My “Dadcu” (grandfather in Welsh) was a great story teller. He was a Welshman who went out to China in 1919 and lived there until after the war. I remember him coming to stay and all the children gathering in my Wendy House in the garden, spell bound, as he told stories.

He also wrote stories for BBC Radio. When I was a little girl there was a daily radio program called “Listen With Mother” at 2 pm. They always started by saying “are you sitting comfortably”, to which I would answer loudly “yes”, and then, as if it was to me specifically, the narrator would say “....then I’ll begin”. My grandfather’s stories were mainly set in China and all had a message or moral theme.

I remember two particularly. “Peach Blossom Valley” was about a poor Welsh shepherd boy who falls asleep on a mountain in Wales and wakes up in Peach Blossom Valley China. He lives there but must return at 18 and when he leaves he is disappointed to be given an empty box. Of course it turns out he has been given the gift of knowledge. Another “The Blue Fairies” is about manners. A very rude little boy wants to see the illusive blue fairies in the forest. But every time he gets part way on the journey he does something rude like sneeze without saying “excuse me” and ‘zap’ he is back where he started. Eventually he learns about manners and meets the rare blue fairies.

So my grandfather’s blood gave me the urge to provide a legacy for Fat Bear, Friendly Bear and Paddy Paws who do exist and have been my stalwart companions for 40 years through illness and loss, particularly as I struggle with lung cancer. I wrote the Fat Bear stories children's books for my goddaughter Jenna. Jenna is a very soft hearted girl who was adopted from Russia. I watched as she adjusted to a new country, struggled fitting in at school and finding real friends.

I wanted to weave in themes such as finding a new home, belonging, needing to fit in, the nature of real love and friendship and change. I thought to do this through the eyes of these three gentle teddy bears because they have been part of Jenna’s life from when she landed in Canada. Then having written the stories many people encouraged me to put them out to a larger audience. In doing this it seemed appropriate that they not only entertain children but to also to do good. To that end portions of proceeds will be donated to Children’s Hospitals and Children’s Charities.

I very much hope you enjoy the adventures of Fat Bear and Friends.
Deborah Kerridge

DEBORAH ANNE KERRIDGE 1953 - 2019

Her Life...

KERRIDGE, DEBORAH ANNE January 30, 1953 - October 10, 2019 Debbie was an amazing woman. Born in England, she immigrated to Canada with her parents at 16. They left, she stayed to graduate with a Business degree from Western University and a CA. These she levered to have a varied and distinguished career as an accountant, auditor, project manager and Comptroller.

Although never calling herself a feminist, she fought for and gained the admiration and respect of the male hierarchy in every one of her workplaces, sometimes against daunting odds. She was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer three and a half years ago and was told she had a year to live.

This was a cruel joke that the universe played on a healthy, fit non-smoker. She taught herself everything there was to know about cancer without having a medical degree and proceeded to use that knowledge to win the battle with her disease until it called in reinforcements.

She never let her condition interfere with living a full and joyful life. She continued to travel the world, cycle and race her sailboat until the day she could no longer stand up. She was a Renaissance woman, a consummate professional, world traveler, sailor, cyclist, quilter, skier, golfer, kayaker, author, step- mother, surrogate parent, friend and soul mate. She leaves behind a legion of friends who are deeply saddened by her loss. And the bears, who have gone quiet. The world is a lesser place without her in it.

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The Adventures of Fat Bear and Friends

The adventures of Fat Bear and Friends