I'm a librarian who has confidence that great stories will always be told, read and collected in beautiful hardcovers or paperbacks, having a special place on a shelf - really that such stories in bookform will be around when my grandchildren have grown up - unless we've managed to destroy every resource used for making paper. . .

My preachy speech must include: Cultivate a love in children to read as much possible and whenever they can. When they are adults they will thank you for giving them a great gift.

During the past two years I've researched the habits, needs and territories of smaller birds in southern Africa, using this information as a background for small adventure stories for children - based on fact and personal observation. I intend to publish the first of this series later this year - hopefully towards the end of August.

Caring for the environment, protecting the habitats of so-called "lesser" birds and smaller animals is important to me. Seeing domestic animals neglected and left to their own devices is something I detest.

Jack, my bull-terrier died in the line of duty and Jill, a boer-bull was stolen from our property during a very severe thunderstorm. I've never found her.