R. A. Booth

R. A. Booth has an NNEB (Nursery Nursing Education Board) qualification and has cared for and worked with young children for many years, observing what makes them smile and laugh, but also what causes them anxiety.

She has incorporated her observations into her writing, creating relatable content, that young children may find comfort and reassurance in.

With rhyming at the core of the Vanessa series, R. A. Booth hopes to invigorate children’s interest in reading and story telling, encouraging a love of words and the English language.

Collaborating with her illustrator, Jake Biggin has been an amazing experience and he is an absolute godsend! He is without a doubt a genius who has effortlessly captured her vision perfectly.

Growing up in her birthplace, England, as a young black child in the 1970’s, R. A. Booth loved reading many books, but noticed that there weren’t many stories that featured a main character that looked like her.

In creating Vanessa, who is black, as her main character, R. A. Booth hopes that she can play a part in showing all children, and adults also, regardless of colour, that we are essentially all the same. Furthermore, that there is less fear and ignorance when we realise that, enabling understanding and compassion for each other.

Her parents came to England from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the 50’s and 60’s and settled happily, bringing up 5 children.

R. A. Booth had a passion for writing stories when she was younger, and her parents, always encouraged her to take it further. But she didn’t have the confidence.

However, when her dad sadly passed away in 2019, her mum gave her an envelope that her dad had kept some of her early writing in.

This knowledge ignited a renewed passion and confidence to pursue her dream of publishing her own stories for young children.

She also has a passion for many sports, especially football, supporting Liverpool FC and Wycombe Wanderers.

R. A. Booth lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Duncan, two sons, Travis and Aidan and rescue dog Isla.