A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Kathy Urban. I am a mum to three beautiful children, a happy wife, journalist and now a children‘s book author, too !
It’s your little ones that got me hooked. Ever since the launch of my first book, Hop Lola Hop, I have fallen in love with my audience of young readers. They’re full of energy, questions, driven by a passion for stories. But how did it all start?
A wee snapshot of 6-year-old me and dad, enjoying outdoor crafts on holiday in Greece
Many many moons ago, it was my dad who told me stories about the adventures of baby giraffe and her life in the African Savannah at bedtime.
The little girl that I was back then absolutely loved listening to them, which by the way did not come from a book – my dad made them up.
Storytelling in whatever form or shape it is performed, is a powerful tool to inspire children to use their imagination. Moreover it helps to instil a lifelong love of reading, writing and learning.
It is these memories that have stayed with me all those years and eventually lead me on the path of making up my own stories as a children’s writer. For anyone who’s picked up pen and paper to write a 32-page picture book, will agree: It is much tougher a job than it seems … yet at the same time it is one of the most rewarding ones.
For my writing, I draw a lot of inspiration from my childhood, the ways I got to explore the world, from forest adventures in muddy boots, climbing trees and my (rather unsuccessful) attempts to turn a frog into a handsome prince. There are also my experiences as a young mum and - importantly - the way our children notice the world around them today, reminding us to pause and take delight in the small every day things, those tiny adventures, which the little girl I once was, cherished so much.
With my stories, I want to take my readers on an adventure first and foremost. I want to entertain you, make you laugh, make you smile, hold your breath but I also hope my stories allow you to pause and think, to ask more questions and perhaps do their bit to inspire us to cherish this world and make it a better place.
And the wonderful artists that I work with: Say Hello to Ella & Lola’s Illustrator - Siski Kalla
Born in London, Siski has lived in various countries and currently resides in Chile with her family of humans and dogs. Painting watercolours gives her the same joy as swimming, eating scones with jam or swinging in a hammock.
She is largely self-taught, having taken a handful of watercolour and illustration courses over the years. More than anything, Siski loves children's books. She would eat them if she could. But they don’t taste as good as scones.
And some wee info about Sally Garland, who brought Noah’s bee-saving rescue mission to life in bright colour
Sally grew up in the Highlands of Scotland, and according to her parents, her first really good drawing, at the age of four, was on the sitting-room wall. She later went on to study Illustration and Graphic Design at Edinburgh College of Art before settling in Glasgow, where she now lives with her family. Her stories and illustrations are inspired by everyday things in children's lives and the small simple world they inhabit. You can contact Sally via her website which
also has links to her Instagram, Facebook and X feeds.
Who’s Lola …
Did you know the story of Lola is based on real events? Yes, there really is a toy bunny named Lola and she lives with us.
Lola used to come with us everywhere - out on walks, on trips to the supermarket, holidays and once or twice she managed to sneak into the nursery bag too.
Then – sometimes – she’d go missing.
I am sure many parents will have faced the lost toy dilemma, and we’ve all found ways to handle it.
Ours was this: Whilst an active search ensued for real Lola (without any indication what the outcome may be), I would tell my daughter what amazing adventures her little bunny might be on right now.
There’s much to be said about the bond between a child and their favourite stuffy toy, and I like to think the stories made our girl feel a little less upset.
Lola looks a bit tatty these days and doesn’t hop away as much anymore. She’s had a few makeovers too– the nose needed restitching once, the fabric on her paws and ears have also been replaced and a black mark across her face reminds of a previous run in with a permanent marker.
But that’s ok, because in our family there’s only ever been ONE Lola – and she continues to hold a very special place in my daughter’s heart.
With Hop Lola Hop, our toy bunny’s adventures take on a life of their own. Lola still is a stuffy toy, but she’s alive, curious, fun loving and caring - AND she shares a very special bond with her human friend Ella.
We’re so excited to finally share Lola’s story with you.
And How about Ella?
‘Even though Lola was a bunny and Ella was a little girl, Lola found that she and Ella got on perfectly well ... ‘ (Hop Lola Hop)
Unlike Lola, Ella isn’t based on a single person. Instead her character has been inspired by all those adventurous, wildly imaginative and passionate little girls and boys I have come to know over the years.
There are many MANY Ella’s in this world and they come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes (but not always) with red piggy tails.
They are so much fun and any toy bunny would love to be their friend.
Hop Lola Hop is Lola’s story, but Ella is very much a central character. She cares deeply for her beloved toy bunny and fully deserves her place in this book.
There’s a letter Ella has written for you, which can be found right at the beginning of the book. Did you like it?
Let us know if you enjoyed Hop Lola Hop. Share your thoughts here or leave us a review on Amazon.
And let’s not forget about Noah …
… a sensitive young boy, who saves a bee from the streets of a busy city.
As a child, I spent hours outside, fascinated by the world and the tiny creatures that live there. Those memories of exploring nature, connecting and falling in love with it and then again seeing how my children experience nature today inspired me to write Kind Little Hands, a story about caring for our planet and the creatures we share it with.
‘Kind Little Hands’ started out as a poem, an ‘observation’ of the state of the world that I had scribbled down in one of my many notebooks. Noah and little bee were initially no more but a two liner, until I came to the realisation that I hadn’t given them due credit.
Looking back, it’s funny to see the many twists and turns a story can take when it is first conceived. However I do believe in the importance of allowing the creative process to take its course … even if this means to start over again. It really is ok. We learn, we grow, we thrive with every challenge and - as a writer - with every re-write.
Kind Little Hands is available from all good booksellers and online.