Todd Henderson

Synopsis

Todd Henderson was born on December 2nd 1983 in Norwich, Norfolk. He grew up in Norwich and in 2003 he completed a brief stint travelling before returning to England to attend University in Brighton, East Sussex. Shortly after completing his degree and leaving Brighton for his home town of Norwich, he met his wife with whom he has two children. In 2015, he published his debut children's picture book series, The Dragon's Disguise.

Early Life

Todd Henderson was born in Norwich, Norfolk on December 2nd, 1983. Henderson's father was born in Aberdeen, Scotland; his mother was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. They met in Jersey and moved to Norwich where they began family life.

The young Henderson received his earliest education at Angel Road First School, where he was known for his sense of humour and practical joking amongst peers and teachers alike. Despite obvious ability, he did not excel at academia and longed for adventure, quickly making plans to travel before and after University in order to fulfill this desire. His playfulness and sense of humour translates very clearly into his characters and story lines.

Henderson, needing an adventure, travelled to Australia for 3 months prior to University in Brighton, England. He left Brighton two years after completing his degree and swiftly arranged a move to South Korea in order to teach English and travel across Asia. This move did not come to fruition after he was diagnosed with epilepsy, shortly followed by his father requiring surgery and meeting his future wife back home in Norwich. Henderson's epilepsy first appeared on a family holiday to Italy when he was 13 years old, but was only witnessed by his best friend. Unaware at the time, Henderson was suffering conscious seizures and believed it to be a phase that would simply pass. He was officially diagnosed in his early 20's.

Early Writing Career

Due to his love for singing, Henderson joined a band made up of friends, which meant he consistently found himself scribbling down lyrics to potential songs. Discovering an ability to write verses, this inspired him to write stories in a similar fashion. After University, he began writing a story about a rather sinister looking monster alongside comical sketches. It was then that he began to fully appreciate his ability to read the world with a humorous and open approach.

Personal Life

In 2010 Henderson was married, and by 2012 the couple had their first child. They continue to reside in Norwich, Norfolk; citing the idyllic country feel to a beautiful city as a strong reason for continuing to live there. Henderson and his wife were also keen to stay close to the family network for their children's upbringing. "Being a grandparent is largely privileged pastime. As long as the children return unscathed and exhausted, the tantrums and toil can be enjoyed elsewhere."

Henderson continued to write stories after University, but it wasn't until he had children this really came to the fore. Bedtime was always 'story time', as Henderson saw that as his opportunity to be with the children after work and inspire their imaginations. This, in fact, turned out to be the spark Henderson's imagination needed, as his first child heard the thunder of a storm and asked, "What's that, a dragon?"

That very same evening he began writing a story about a little boy running away from a storm, believing the thunder and lightning to be the flames and roars of a dragon. Henderson never expected anyone to read this story, other than perhaps his children, then by pure chance, the story was picked up by his wife who encouraged him to pursue writing as a career. This story, after numerous edits, turned out to be The Dragon's Disguise and Henderson would now begin viewing the world and it's every day happenings as a potential story for children.

"As a child, I lost interest extraordinarily quickly and wanted to use that disadvantage to my advantage. In writing short, verse based stories I believed I could interest even the most critical and bored child...myself."

Children's Books

Henderson first established himself as a children's writer in 2015, publishing the series The Dragon's Disguise. He has since penned titles outside of this series, which are planned for release, forming a close 'creationship' with illustrator James McNulty.

There are plans afoot for releasing numerous titles, which both Henderson & McNulty are working closely on in order to maintain their identity and definite style. Henderson now deems himself lost in stories, with a mental list of books that just keeps adding up. He is known for being consumed by his stories to all those connected with him and his wife has even awoken to him reciting verses in his sleep. Henderson, like many authors, leaves a pen and paper by his bed so he cannot miss a thing, even when slumbered.