Peta grew up on the Isle of Wight so long ago she can remember dancing to the Bay City Rollers, Saturday mornings watching Multi-coloured Swap Shop and buying crisps from the school tuck shop for 2½p.
As a child she loved words and was always reading. She loved painting and drawing too, but she had no idea what she wanted to do when she grew up.
She studied English at York University and then worked in London as a business journalist and editor for 14 years. In her spare time she went to art classes and even studied fine art at St Martins, but she still had no idea what she wanted to do when she grew up.
She had a go at running a small hotel with her husband in wild and windy (but beautiful) Exmoor and it went quite well, but after a few years they needed a sit down. So they sold up and moved back to the Isle of Wight.
It was here that Peta, now balancing the roles of freelance writer and mum, decided to write and illustrate her first book for children. It was a revelation to her: a way of combining picture making (colouring in) with her love of words (silly stories) – not to mention an outlet for her awful jokes.
It may have taken more than four decades, but finally, Peta knows what she wants to do when she grows up. And this is what she’s done so far:
Love it all – lovely words from a lovely person. Think I’ve used the love word enough there? Can’t wait to find out what I’m going to be when I grow up. And less of the ‘ had a go’ on the hotel, you talented twosome ( had to give Paul a bit of credit for your double act!)
Thank you Liz. You are very lovely too! X
Dear Peta,
The Isle of Wight Astronomical Society is holding an Open Evening at the Observatory on Friday 26th October. This is in association with the AONB and the CPRE as art of our Isle of Wight Dark Sky Park campaign.
Your book seems to be in support of our campaign and we would like to invite you to join us on the 26th at 7.30p. at the Observatory, Watery Lane Newchurch.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Bryn Davis
Chairman
Hi Bryn and thank you for your kind invitation. I knew about the event and was so sorry to find out it was happening when I have a longstanding prior engagement. I would so liked to have come. Is there a chance I could leave some of my books with you, to be available for sale at your event? (If this isn’t appropriate, please don’t worry.) Either way, I would be keen to look at other ways we could work together to promote the Dark Skies campaign. My email is petarainford@gmail.com, if you would like to get in touch. Best wishes, Peta