Glitter, Giggles and Grandparent Magic: Behind the Scenes of The Fairy Bampa

In The Fairy Bampa, Richie Evans and Andy Wheeler deliver a sparkling bedtime adventure filled with mystery, laughter and a lovable tubby fairy in checked pyjamas. With illustrations by Mia Lloyd and a cosy, moonlit atmosphere, the story introduces us to Charlie, a curious little boy, and a forgetful fairy grandfather on a hunt for his mischievous fairy grandchildren.

Filled with humour, heart and a hint of toasted marshmallows, The Fairy Bampa is a tribute to the joyful chaos of childhood, the warmth of grandparent love, and the gentle magic found in everyday moments. We caught up with Richie and Andy to find out how this charming tale took flight.

Richie Evans

Where did the idea for The Fairy Bampa first come from, and did you always imagine him with slippers and glittery wings?

The idea came from making up bedtime stories for my two daughters. One night, a mysterious bump in the dark woke the child in the story. When my girls asked, “What was that?” I thought of my father, their grandfather, and replied, “It’s the Fairy Bampa!” That name has stuck ever since. My kids, nieces, and nephews all call him Bampa, so it felt like the perfect fit.

The story blends humour, imagination and a strong family theme. Why did you choose a grandfather figure as the magical lead character?

It had to be based on my dad, he’s full of mischief and warmth. Humour runs through our family (some might call it banter), so having a fun-loving grandfather at the heart of the story just made sense.

Charlie’s room transforms into a scene of playful chaos - was that inspired by your own memories of childhood?

Absolutely. Every child should have a room full of toys...though sadly, they never put themselves away!

Andy Wheeler

The six fairy grandchildren each have their own cheeky charm. Are any of them based on real children in your lives?

Yes! They’re all inspired by my daughters, nieces, and nephews. The sequel will introduce even more of the family, including the great-nieces and nephews I couldn’t squeeze into the first book.

The story ends with a lovely sense of wonder and mystery. How important is it for you to leave a little magic behind in children’s imaginations?

You’ve got to leave readers wanting more. That sense of magic and wonder is what helps stories linger in the heart.

Can you tell us a little bit about how you work together as co-authors? Do you each bring something different to the writing process?

I’m a designer, not a writer, and I have dyslexia, so I started by jotting down ideas and rough outlines. Andy, my business partner, helped shape those into the finished manuscript. That’s also why the boy in the story is named Charlie—Andy’s grandson inspires him.

What was it like collaborating with illustrator Mia Lloyd and seeing your vision come to life visually?

The moment I saw Mia’s work, I fell in love with it. I’m quite particular about visual style, but her illustrations had that Jim Henson quality...warm and full of heart.

There’s a strong read-aloud rhythm to the story. Did you write it with bedtime reading in mind?

That was Andy’s idea. He felt the story would shine in rhyme, and he was right. It’s become a perfect bedtime read.

What do you hope children - and grandparents - will take away from reading The Fairy Bampa together?

To make time for each other and treasure those little shared moments. Grandparents are magical in their own way.

How can readers connect with you or keep up with what’s next for the Fairy family?

Follow Bear With Us Productions for updates...the next book, The Fairy Gran, is already in the works!