R. D. Dikstra (Author)

• Author R D Dikstra was born in Glasgow in Scotland. His interests are in media, wildlife conservation and heritage ships. He has written several books including the successful Tigeropolis series of chapter books about a family of vegetarian tigers taking over the running of their tiger park (themes of conservation and nature), as well as co-authoring The Adventures of Captain Bobo about a famous ship’s captain and his crew encountering many adventures on board their incredible ship, Paddle steamer Red Gauntlet. His humour is sweet and kind-hearted and he knows how to delight young readers, regularly appearing at book events.
• Born in Greenock on the Clyde, co-author Kay Hutchison‘s father was the senior captain of the fleet of ships that served the communities dotted around Scotland’s magnificent west coast. As a little girl she heard her father tell numerous stories of the boats; stories of storms and shipwrecks and of fun and mishaps. Many of the stories he told are the inspiration for The Adventures of Captain Bobo which was turned into a 10-part radio series narrated by the unique John Sessions and broadcast on Fun Kids.
• The Adventures of Captain Bobo was also translated into Gaelic and transmitted around Scotland on a number of Gaelic language services.
• Kay is a Gaelic language learner – inspired by her love of Scotland and the people of the Western Isles.
• Translator Gillebride Mac ‘IlleMhaoil is a well known performer, Gaelic adviser and academic (also known as Gillebride MacMillan). Born in South Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland where he was brought up speaking Gaelic as his first language, he now lives in Glasgow and travels far and wide promoting the beautiful Gaelic language in both speech and song. He writes music and poetry, appeared as Gwyllynthe bard in ‘Outlander‘ and has translated many of Belle Kids titles including Paddington and The Tiger Who Came to Tea.