Beginner’s Pluck: Children's book author Jen Wallace

Dinosaur Pie is a gorgeous, funny tale for kids from aged six

Jen Wallace's debut started life as a poem she wrote when her children wouldn’t eat their dinner: 'I told them in was dinosaur pie, and the story grew.'

A lifetime voracious reader, Jen has always been a storyteller.

“I told stories to my brother and sister and to small cousins,” she says, “and over the years I wrote them down.” 

She enjoyed an outdoor childhood: “We lived near a harbour, and near woods where there was a ruined castle.”

After school Jen taught sailing in Clew Bay and Bear Island — and when she returned to Cork, she taught rowing and boat building on a youth diversion project.

Later, bringing up her children, she trained as a herbalist, and became a nature guide, as well as teaching mindfulness and meditation to children.

We have a rewilding project going on a well. In 2019 we planted 400 native trees.

Her debut started life as a poem she wrote when her children wouldn’t eat their dinner.

“I told them in was dinosaur pie,” she says. “And the story grew.”

When she got a diagnosis of autism and ADHD, it made sense of her life.

“It gave me a sense of compassion for my younger self,” she says.

Who is Jen Wallace?

Date/place of birth: 1973/ Monkstown in Cork.

Education: Regina Mundi in Douglas, Cork; University College, Cork, did 18 months of a degree, but struggled. “I didn’t know that I was neuro divergent.”

Home: Cork.

Family: Husband Neil, three kids from 16 down to eight. Rabbits, cats, goats, and chickens.

The day job: “Mostly caring for my kids. I write when I can.”

In another life: “There would be less laundry and more trees.”

Favourite writers: Sarah Crossan; Kit de Waal; Sarah Baume; Claire Keegan; Donal Ryan. Terry Pratchett.

Second book: “I’m working on about three books for children.”

Top tip: “Express yourself creatively. And find your playfulness, in life and in writing.”

Website: www.jenwallacecreates.ie

Instagram: @jenwallacecreates

The Debut

Dinosaur Pie

New Island, €9.33

When Rory’s Mum feeds him dinosaur pie for dinner, he’s intrigued; but when he wakes the next day to find he’s turned into a dinosaur, life becomes weird. 

He persuades his friends to help him become human again, but there are people trying to hide the truth. And then he learns of other new dinosaurs — are they all stuck for life?

The verdict: A gorgeous, funny tale for kids from aged six.