English author CHRIS SMITH has reimagined Enid Blyton’s iconic stories for the next generation. Meet The New Famous Five: Maddy, Fran and Tom – plus Gilbert the dog – and their latest adventure in the Forrest of Secrets.

Read on for a Q&A with Chris.

MEET CHRIS SMITH

What inspired you to start the ‘New Famous Five’ series?

I think it was a combination of things all coming together at the right time. I wanted to write a book that kids and adults could share – I love the idea of a grownup seeing that their son or daughter is reading The New Famous Five and going, ‘I used to love those books! What happened to George when she grew up?’ Reading together is so important. And sometimes the idea for a story just buzzes round your head. I couldn’t stop thinking about a steam train pulling into Kirrin station, then it turns out it’s modern-day. And that turned into chapter 1 of Five and the Forgotten Treasure.

How did you start writing stories for kids?

I always wanted to be an author ever since I won a competition when I was 8 with a story about a dinosaur. But I only got the chance to do it for real through working on the radio. My friend Greg James and I did a podcast together where we made up characters and sketches. We decided we’d like to write something down – and that became ‘Kid Normal.’ As well as writing on my own I still collaborate with Greg even though we’re not on air together any more. Our next book is Secret Santa which is out later this year.

When did you read ’The Famous Five’ books, and what do these characters mean to you?

I had my dad’s old copies of ‘The Famous Five’ when I was a kid and I used to read them over and over again. There was a big TV series on when I was growing up as well, so the Five were really part of my DNA. My friends and I used to play games pretending to be them in the garden. I feel like I know them all – especially George. George is the coolest, right?

You have also adapted stories from Roald Dahl, with your 2024 novel The Twits Next Door. Do you have any other favourite children’s authors, and do you have a story  you’d like to adapt next?

It was amazing writing about Mr and Mrs Twit and here’s a little exclusive for you… they might be coming back! Shh.

But it’s a lot of fun making up my own characters too so the next thing I do alongside the Five will probably be my own invention. Having said that, if anyone asks me to write a new story about the Moomins I’d be delighted. I love those books.

You bring back George and Anne from the original books, but do we see any other famous faces?

We sure do. As the series goes on we’ll run into all four kids from the original books and find out more about their lives now they’ve grown up. George is a scientist like her dad. Dick joined the Royal Navy and travelled the world. Anne became a famous detective and Julian… well, you’ll find out more about him in book 4!

Who are Fran, Tom and Maddy, and what is your favourite thing about writing these new characters?

Fran, Tom and Maddy are Dick’s grandchildren, but at the start of the series they don’t know much about the original Famous Five. My favourite thing is having them find out about the old gang’s adventures and poke some gentle fun at the way they used to act and speak. It’s also great to have some more modern kids discovering that the outdoor adventures the original Five used to take are still loads of fun.

When are these books set? Do the New Famous Five solve their mysteries with a mix of old and new technology?

I didn’t want to get too hung up on an actual year – after all the original books ran for 21 years and the kids never got any older! But basically I wanted the stories to be modern enough that kids would identify with the new Five – but not to have them running about with phones. So there is some more modern tech, especially George’s wonderful inventions, but I didn’t want it to get in the way.

Is there going to be a book four?

I’m writing it right now. It’s called Five and the Lighthouse Mystery and it’ll be out next spring.

Bonus question: What breed is Gilbert, and is he inspired by a real-life dog?

He absolutely is! He’s inspired by a real-life dog called Gilbert who belongs to my great friend Louise. In the books I’ve made him a border collie because that’s the dog I had growing up.

But there’s definitely a real Gilbert and here’s a picture of us together…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Smith is a bestselling author and the joint recipient of the 2024 Ruth Rendell award for his work promoting literacy and campaigning for school libraries. Chris created the ‘Kid Normal’ series with his friend Greg James and recently the pair published The Twits Next Door which became an instant bestseller. Chris is also a solo author and has published two fantasy adventures set in his fictional kingdom of Parallelia including Frankie Best Hates Quests.

Before he was an author Chris worked as a newsreader and presenter on radio stations including Xfm and BBC Radio 1. His most famous news bulletin is probably the one sampled by George Michael in 1998 and used on his international hit Outside. Chris lives in London with his wife Jenny, their son Lucas and Mabel the cat.

Visit Chris Smith’s website.

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Read more about ‘The New Famous Five’ series on the publisher’s website.