Tooth Mouth Fang Beak

Animals are often anthropomorphized in children’s books. Then came the idea of taking the process a stage further by illustrating various animals with medical problems that afflict humans. Whoever heard of a pig with halitosis, or a snake that lost a fang?

Always written in humorous, but simple verse, to appeal to the child in each adult as well as the child itself.

Included is a lion that has lost his teeth, and feels shame and a parrot that won’t let any one look in his mouth. Has he got teeth?

Finally, a story about a rat with compassion.

The five animals featured in the book all tell a story, with a happy ending as all children’s books should have. The characters come to life because of the amazing artwork, especially as some animals are old but still sensitively and humorously depicted.

David Bradshaw is one of the baby boomers from parents still celebrating the end of the war. Born in Stamford in 1947, the family moved to the country when he was 11 years old. He spent his working life in financial services, with a hobby of penning children’s silly poems.

Once retired, he set about publishing them as a joint venture with his daughter, Lisa, doing the artwork. Her skills bring the animals to life, portraying their medical problems in a humorous way.

Lisa was born in Peterborough in 1972. She developed a wanderlust, meeting her husband, Phil, in Jordan, where he was running a sailing school.

They spent several years crewing a commercial yacht together, taking small groups around the Caribbean. Phil was responsible for the sailing, while Lisa used her skills as a chef.

She now lives in Stamford, where she home-schools their 9-year-old daughter, runs an online shop selling eco-friendly, ethically sourced products, and owns and runs, in partnership with a friend, a craft and community centre.

She has many creative talents, not least her art work, as illustrated in this book.