Interview with Diana Wurfbain Spinola

Published 2014-05-26.
What inspired you to write Thomas Templeton and the Year of the Vivificus?
I always wanted to write a story about children and animals and how they connect. Scientists have been trying for years to figure out how animals communicate with each other and I thought how wonderful it would be if there was an actual school where kids could go to learn animal languages.
This story is much more than just kids learning animal languages, can you tell me a bit more about Thomas Templeton?
This story revolves around a boy who little by little discovers that he is not just a regular kid. Some strange and alarming things are happening to him that he can’t explain. He tries very hard not to think about them and to focus on school and winning the Aquathlon games. There is a mystery surrounding the death of his mother and the disappearance of his father. And there are evil and creepy creatures called Gragonians. These are mutants created by the brother of the schoolmaster. The goal of the evil brother is to create a race of super-humans and to destroy all animals which communicate with and help Master Benevolo, the schoolmaster.
Where do you get your ideas?
I find nature fascinating. I love creating stories that bring children closer to it. I hope these stories will inspire them to discover the secrets of the natural world.
How many books are you going to write for the Thomas Templeton series?
There will be a book for each of the nine years he spends at the school.
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Books by This Author

Thomas Templeton and the Year of the Vivificus
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 103,820. Language: English. Published: May 25, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
Nine-year old Thomas Templeton is selected from thousands of children to attend the secretive and ancient Animalia Magnus Academy, the only animal language school in the world. During a yearlong journey across the Pacific Ocean he discovers not only amazing creatures and uncharted islands, but a terrifying secret and a shocking truth about his own family that will change his life forever.