When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East follows a friendly snake and his pals who set off together to tour famous landmarks along the eastern coast of the United States. What inspired you to write this children’s book?

Peter Cotton is a retired MUSC Professor living on Dewees Island in South Carolina, writing books for young children about Fred the snake and his friends. Peter grew up in England where the first tale was conceived long ago as a bedtime story for his then-young children about how (not) to cross the road.

When they had their kids, they asked what happened to “Fred-Fred?” (They called him that because he was temporarily divided in an accident). Peter teamed up with a special illustrator (Canadian Bonnie Lemaire) and published the first book When Fred the Snake Got Squished and Mended. Together they now have a series of nine popular award-winning books, having fun in rhyme with Jungle Jim, Perdy, and Jack and several animal friends. They go to school, welcome Jungle Jim, try camping, visit the beach, tour Charleston, and recently have been exploring the sights of the USA. Peter’s books have received numerous 5-star reviews (some mention comparisons with Hillaire Belloc, Roald Dahl, and Lewis Carroll) and 5 Mom’s Choice gold awards. Peter enjoys presenting Fred at schools and libraries.

When not busy with Fred’s adventures, Peter travels widely to lecture, to enjoy his family, and to play golf. He reflects on life, and on his career at www.petercottontales.com/blog, and in his published memoirs The Tunnel at the End of the Light.

Peter says that he was not named after a rabbit.

The artwork in your book is fantastic. What was the collaboration process like with illustrator Bonnie Lemaire?

Easy, she is terrific. Not only draws my ideas but enhances them

What draws you to write books for young readers?

I like writing, having almost a thousand medical papers and 10 textbooks, can’t stop once retired! Grandkids like them, especially Perdy and Jack who feature in the last few books

Can we look forward to seeing Book 8 in this series soon? Where will it take readers?

Books 8 and 9 are published covering USA Central and West See details at www.petercottontales.com/books.

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