E. J. Gore

E. J. (Erica) Gore lives in Tasmania, Australia. During her 30+ years as a primary school teacher, Erica noticed the difficulty many children have making the transition from picture books to 'chapter books'.

'They find it so hard to go from having the pictures there to provide cues and connection to the text to having a lot of words and having to create the pictures in their minds to form the connections'.

She observed the frustration this caused and the resulting loss of interest in reading.

'Reading is vital for success in learning. We cannot afford to allow children to lose their interest in reading.'

Erica set out to write stories that are short, 100 - 150 pages, get the story told quickly and do not talk down to the young readers. The characters are ordinary kids who have no special powers other than their own wits with which to confront the challenges and situations that arise. They are mystery adventures.

' I like a story where there is something to be figured out.'

There are five books in the Taya Bayliss series with a sixth in progress.

The new series GummShoes carries the underlying message of standing together against bullying.