William Forde
Publisher info
William Forde was born in Ireland and currently lives in Haworth, West Yorkshire, England. He is the father of five children and the author of 28 published books and a musical play.
He is unique in the field of contemporary children's authors through the challenging emotional issues and story themes he addresses, preferring to focus upon those emotions that children find most difficult to appropriately express.
One of West Yorkshire's most popular children's authors, his books have been publicly read in over 2,000 Yorkshire school assemblies by over 800 famous names and celebrities from the realms of Royalty, Film, Stage, Screen, Politics, Church, Sport, etc. The late Princess Diana used to read his earlier books to her then young children, William and Harry and Nelson Mandela once telephoned him to praise an African story book he had written. Others who have supported his works have included three Princesses, three Prime Ministers, two Presidents and numerous Bishops of the realm.A former Chief Inspector of Schools for OFSTED described his writing to the press as 'High quality literature.'
Forever at the forefront of change, at the age of 18 years, William became the youngest Youth Leader and Trade Union Shop Steward in Great Britain. In 1971, he founded Anger Management in Great Britain and freely gave his courses to the world. Within the next two years, Anger Management courses had mushroomed across the English-speaking world. During the mid-70's, he introduced Relaxation Training into H.M. Prisons and between 1970 and 1995, he worked in West Yorkshire as a Probation Officer specialising in Relaxation Training, Anger Management, Stress Management and Assertive Training Group Work.
He retired early on the grounds of ill health in 1995 to further his writing career, which witnessed him working with the Minister of Youth and Culture in Jamaica to establish a trans-Atlantic pen-pal project between 30 primary schools in Falmouth, Jamaica and 30 primary schools in Yorkshire.
William was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List of 1995 for his services to West Yorkshire. He has never sought to materially profit from the publication of his books and has allowed all profit from their sales (approx £200,000) to be given to charity.
Where to find William Forde online
Where to buy in print
Books
One Love, One Heart
by William Forde
Price: $4.00 USD. 30410 words.
Published on June 3, 2012. Fiction.
This is an Afro-Caribbean publication containing two stories that Nelson Mandela said was ‘wonderful’. The African story concerns an Africa from the past to the present day and Nelson Mandela’s influence on it. The Jamaican story tells the story about the oldest slave capital of Falmouth, Jamaica. Both stories extol the virtues that the peoples of both proud countries have given to the world.
The Valley of the Two Tall Oaks
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 19700 words.
Published on June 3, 2012. Fiction.
Many have written about Nelson Mandela, but I wanted to write about his dream; a dream which sustained him through three decades of imprisonment; a dream held by other tribal chiefs in the Africa of old and passed on to the next generation, like a baton until it eventually ended up in the hands of Nelson Mandela, who then gave it to the world. Nelson Mandela described this story as ‘Wonderful’.
Bucket Bill
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 11660 words.
Published on June 1, 2012. Fiction.
Bucket Bill is a story of a Jamaican dream that Nelson Mandela described as 'wonderful'. It's about a safe harbour where the sun shines in equal measure and hope springs eternal in the hearts of all good people and where the river of respect runs deep. Set in Falmouth, the old slave capital of Jamaica, it concerns the quest of a boy who is preoccupied with the question: ’When will I become a man?’
Everyone and Everything
by William Forde
Price: Free! 17190 words.
Published on May 23, 2012. Fiction.
This book contains ten short stories written by William Forde, the founder of Anger Management and a leading Relaxation Trainer in Great Britain for over 50 years. It has been written for the 5-9 year-old reader and provides an ideal 10-minute reading slot fill for children during morning assemblies at school and before going to sleep at night. The stories deal with child problem issues of today.
Maw
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 29280 words.
Published on March 18, 2012. Fiction.
Maw was born of midget-size proportions. He loves football and wants to live normally. He soon falls foul of the school bully and confronts him. On his 14th year of life, Maw wishes upon a shooting star and life is never the same again. He awakes possessing super human powers of speed and strength, but quickly learns that with power comes responsibility to exercise that power humanely.
Lost Kingdom
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 14220 words.
Published on March 3, 2012. Fiction.
The story is about a Prince whose greedy parents plan that one day their son will become the wealthiest and most powerful monarch in the world. When the King and Queen die, so do their dream. The Prince becomes aware of the consequences produced by his parent’s behaviour and seeks to make amends to all those whose blood and sweat was the heavy price paid.
Lost Lucy
by William Forde
Price: Free! 3810 words.
Published on February 10, 2012. Fiction.
‘Lost Lucy’ is a story for the 4 to 7 year old that tells about a careless girl who is very forgetful. She forgets to do things which are dangerous. She forgets to do things which are unhygienic. She forgets to do things which are inconsiderate. She forgets to do things which are rude and impolite. One day she gets lost and forgets her name and address. Stranger danger issue also dealt with.
Douglas the Dragon Play
by William Forde
Price: Free! 19710 words.
Published on February 8, 2012. Fiction.
‘Douglas the Dragon’ symbolises The Power of Love that lives in each of us, representing the constant struggle between the forces of good and evil in the behaviour we display.
The story is set in a time and place where war is waged between the human emotions of Fear, Anger and Love. The prize at stake is the greatest prize of all: control over the heart, mind and actions of every human being.
Action Annie: The Complete Omnibus
by William Forde
Price: $5.00 USD. 37440 words.
Published on February 4, 2012. Fiction.
This is a collection of all 12 'Action Annie' stories. Annie is an imaginative and very active seven-year-old whose mind and body is always on the go. She never seems to stop. Even as she sleeps, she is dreaming about the things she plans to do tomorrow. Annie is always thinking up new ideas and inventing things. There's a little bit of Annie in every child. Are you like Annie in any of her ways?
Action Annie: Story Twelve - Annie's Bonfire
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 3480 words.
Published on February 4, 2012. Fiction.
Bonfire Night is 400 years old. Along with other seasonal occasions, the special celebration of Bonfire Night in Great Britain is a highlight in the pleasure of a child who is old enough to appreciate it while being young enough to marvel at it. Follow Annie as she makes her own Bonfire and Guy Fawkes, but then becomes attached to Guy and doesn’t want to see him burn on top of the fire.
Action Annie: Story Eleven: Annie's Kite
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 4520 words.
Published on February 4, 2012. Fiction.
When I was young, it was common practice for young boys and girls to make kites and then fly them in the park and playing fields. The history of kite flying goes back thousands of years, yet the dreams of all kite fliers remain the same today as they did 3,000 years ago; to loop the loop! Annie makes her first kite and tries to ‘loop the loop,’ but she experiences some set-backs along the way.
Action Annie: Story Ten - Annie and the Magician
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 4340 words.
Published on February 3, 2012. Fiction.
The world of every growing child is filled with the ‘magic’ of their wonderful innocence and the extent of their vivid imagination. Follow Annie as she watches the Magician perform on stage and is enthralled by his ability to fascinate his audience. Annie becomes determined to also be a magician and tries to copy the on-stage magic of ‘The Magnificent Marvo,’with startling results. It’s magic!
Action Annie: Story Nine - Annie and the Bullfrog
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 3530 words.
Published on February 3, 2012. Fiction.
Annie is playing her violin one summer’s day in her garden when a bullfrog hops over her wall in search of water. The bullfrog makes a big mess in her house and garden. Annie becomes determined to catch this slippery creature that has the ability to jump over her head and make her look a fool as she chases it around and around. Find out if Annie is able to catch the bullfrog. Could you?
Action Annie: Story Eight - Annie's Seaside Surprise
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 4390 words.
Published on February 3, 2012. Fiction.
When I was a child though, almost everyone who went on a yearly holiday went to the seaside for a week. Rich or poor, the children occupied their time paddling in the sea, building sandcastles with their buckets and spades, riding donkeys, flying kites and eating ice-cream cornets. This was Annie’s holiday experience. Has it been yours yet?
Action Annie: Story Seven - Annie's Music Box
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 3690 words.
Published on February 3, 2012. Fiction.
A music box is there to play wonderful music. However beautiful the notes though, there is no sound as beautiful as the sound of a child’s happiness; no sun is as warm as a child’s smiley face, no song is as sweet as a child’s nursery rhyme, no touch is as satisfying as a child’s embrace, no entreaty is as coaxing as a child’s prayer and no celebration is as instant as a child’s innocent surprise.
Douglas the Dragon: Omnibus Edition
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 31620 words.
Published on January 26, 2012. Fiction.
‘Douglas the Dragon’ symbolises ‘the power of love.’ A young orphaned dragon is found and adopted by a young boy and becomes a much-loved dragon in the village. Follow Douglas' adventures in this Omnibus Edition of the 4 stories.
Douglas the Dragon: Book Four: Douglas and Desmorelda
by William Forde
Price: $1.59 USD. 7490 words.
Published on January 26, 2012. Fiction.
‘Douglas the Dragon’ negotiates the life stages of being orphaned, adopted, accepted, loved, rejected, feared, outcast, reformed and then made redundant. In this final story, he leaves his beloved village and past to seek a new way of life, and finds an angry female dragon whom he eventually changes with his love. He returns to his beloved village, marries her and starts a family of baby dragons.
Douglas the Dragon: Book Three - Douglas Gets the Sneezes
by William Forde
Price: $1.59 USD. 5250 words.
Published on January 24, 2012. Fiction.
Old age and death are stages in a person’s life that all children find difficult concepts to understand, but this is eased considerably when ‘death’ is associated with the concept of ‘rebirth.’ At a time of separation, bereavement or loss, children become more isolated, non-communicative and vulnerable. Allow Douglas to help them ‘live again’ through his own experiences of illness and near death.
Sleezy the Fox: Omnibus Edition
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 21430 words.
Published on January 24, 2012. Fiction.
‘Sleezy the Fox’ is a book of four stories about the overarching theme of ‘second chances’. On the surface it deals with the immigration of a married couple and their seven children into a strange country, the bullying of neighbours, the ostracizing of offenders from the community as a whole and the alienation that often exists between man and wild beast and beast and wild man!
Sleezy the Fox: Story Four - Gilbert is Reformed
by William Forde
Price: $1.59 USD. 7840 words.
Published on January 18, 2012. Fiction.
Gilbert Grim, the village bully and sheep rustler, is released from prison and faces life as an ex-con. He is evicted by his old neighbours and decides to steal to survive. Farmer Hans tracks him down and 'reforms' Gilbert.
Sleezy the Fox: Story Three - Snoozy Catches Forty Winks
by William Forde
Price: $1.59 USD. 5920 words.
Published on January 18, 2012. Fiction.
Sleezy's apprentice is a good sheep fox in all respects except being able to remain 'awake on the job'. The apprentice's catnaps lead to the flock of sheep being stolen and Farmer Hans threatened with ruin. Follow Sleezy and Snoozy as they locate the whereabouts of Farmer Hans' stolen sheep and bring them back home.
Action Annie: Story Six - Annie's Birthday Surprise
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 3830 words.
Published on January 14, 2012. Fiction.
A child’s birthday is one of the most enjoyable events to look forward to for both parents and child. The child’s initial excitement and their anticipated present opening is just as anxious a moment for the parent and for the child. Find out how Annie felt and what she did when she received the most unusual birthday present ever! What would you have done if you received a ......for your birthday?
Action Annie: Story Five - Annie's Rainbow
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 3780 words.
Published on January 14, 2012. Fiction.
Thousands of children have gone through their childhood, wondering where the rainbow ends. No one has ever found the rainbow’s end or the crock of gold that lies there. I believe that Annie found her very own crock of gold. in her parents' love, inquisitive nature, vivid imagination, perseverance. She is a child of love and action. Are you? Help Annie follow her rainbow and find her crock of gold.
Action Annie: Story Four - Annie's Easter Bunny
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 3600 words.
Published on January 14, 2012. Fiction.
Christians rejoice the onset of Easter, the birth of new lambs and seasonal celebrations, including the search for the Easter Bunny and chocolate Easter eggs. Join Annie in her search for her Easter Bunny and help her to solve the Easter riddles that her granddad sets her.
Douglas the Dragon: Book 2 - Douglas the Dragon Gets Angry Again
by William Forde
Price: $1.59 USD. 8060 words.
Published on January 9, 2012. Fiction.
‘Douglas the Dragon’ was once an angry dragon, but became a much-loved dragon and guardian of the village. When the villagers are threatened by an erupting volcano, it is left to Douglas to save them as he allows his ‘righteous anger’ to defeat the ‘destructive anger’ of the volcano. The young reader learns that the expression of anger is part of a healthy process which is to be encouraged.
Sleezy the Fox: Story Two - Sleezy Becomes an Amazing Scapegoat
by William Forde
Price: $1.59 USD. 5940 words.
Published on January 6, 2012. Fiction.
Sleezy the Wild Fox reforms his ways and becomes a friendly sheep fox. When sheep killing and chicken stealing starts again, Sleezy falls under instant suspicion. Follow Farmer Hans' efforts to clear the name of his faithful Sheep Fox, Sleezy.
Douglas the Dragon: Book 1 - Douglas the Unloved Dragon
by William Forde
Price: Free! 14480 words.
Published on January 4, 2012. Fiction.
Douglas the Dragon symbolises ‘the power of love.’ A young orphaned dragon is found and adopted by a young boy and becomes a much-loved dragon in the village. When the boy is killed by a volcano, the dragon is eventually evicted from the community. The dragon spends 50 years in exile sitting upon his volcano of hate, getting angrier and angrier until his anger explodes and he seeks revenge
Action Annie: Story Three - Annie's Pancake
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 2640 words.
Published on January 2, 2012. Fiction.
Annie learns how to make a pancake, but when she decides to ‘toss the pancake’ and do a tipple tails in the air, something very strange happens; Annie loses it! Read about Annie’s attempts to find her pancake.
Action Annie: Story Two - Annie's Snowman
by William Forde
Price: $1.00 USD. 2680 words.
Published on December 31, 2011. Fiction.
Follow Annie in the snowy month of January when she becomes determined to make her very own snowman, but the sun seems determined to spoil her fun. Annie first gets angry and then, as resourceful as ever, puts her brain into operation. Read about the imaginative answer she comes up with.
Action Annie: Story One - Annie's Christmas Surprise
by William Forde
Price: Free! 3620 words.
Published on December 17, 2011. Fiction.
The story addresses that perennial question that has perplexed the minds of millions of children ever since ‘Father Christmas’ came into their lives. “If there's a Father Christmas, and he visits the home of every boy and girl across the world to give them a present; then why does he always give the most expensive presents to the richest children and the cheapest presents to the poorest?”
Sleezy the Fox: Story One - Sleezy Gets a Second Chance
by William Forde
Price: Free! 5310 words.
Published on December 13, 2011. Fiction.
Each of us shall experience or perpetrate some wrong in our lives. At the critical stage of reconciliation and healing, it is vitally important that we are able to give others and ourselves the benefit of a ‘second chance’. And if you are like I used to be growing up, you may need to receive a ‘second chance’ many times before you eventually get it right.
The Kilkenny Cat Book 3: "Freedom"
by William Forde
Price: $5.00 USD. 97160 words.
Published on December 2, 2011. Fiction.
The Kilkenny Cat Trilogy is an allegorical story of all manner of discrimination practised throughout the world; particularly in Ireland, Jamaica and England. Told through the eyes and experiences of travelling gypsy cats, it is a 'must' for all cat lovers and students of the 'Northern Riots', Ireland, Jamaica, 'Black v White' and 'Good v Evil. 'It is suitable for reading by teenagers and adults.
The Kilkenny Cat Book 2: "Justice"
by William Forde
Price: $5.00 USD. 97270 words.
Published on October 20, 2011. Fiction.
The Kilkenny Cat Trilogy is an allegorical story of all manner of discrimination practised throughout the world; particularly in Ireland, Jamaica and England. Told through the eyes and experiences of travelling gypsy cats, it is a 'must' for all cat lovers and students of the 'Northern Riots', Ireland, Jamaica, 'Black v White' and 'Good v Evil. 'It is suitable for reading by teenagers and adults.
Robin and the Rubicelle Fusiliers
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 48670 words.
Published on October 8, 2011. Fiction.
'Robin and The Rubicelle Fusiliers' is a 'must' for any child or adult wanting to capture the feeling of being in England during the height of The Blitz. It is suitable reading for 9 years upwards.
The story is told through the eyes and experiences of 11-year-old Robin Rubins, who becomes an evacuee and is sent to live with his war veteran Grandfather Potter in the countryside.
The Kilkenny Cat Book 1:
by William Forde
Price: Free! 94870 words.
Published on September 26, 2011. Fiction.
The Kilkenny Cat Trilogy is an allegorical story of all manner of discrimination practised throughout the world; and particularly in Ireland, Jamaica and England. Told through the eyes and experiences of travelling gypsy cats, it is a 'must' for all cat lovers and students of the 'Northern Riots', Ireland, Jamaica and 'Good v Evil. 'It is suitable for reading by teenagers and adults.
Midnight Fighter
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 5190 words.
Published on August 16, 2011. Fiction.
Cassey Blake, an 8-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer befriends a dying foal. This tender and enchanting story tells of how Cassey sleeps by day and works by night to save the life of 'Midnight Fighter', a colt from champion stock, who will never run, jump or walk again without a limp.
Share and experience the love, bravery and sheer perseverance expressed between Cassey and her crippled companion.
Nancy's Song
by William Forde
Price: $3.00 USD. 5780 words.
Published on July 31, 2011. Fiction.
Musically talented 10-year old Nancy loves to explore the nearby woodland and feels at home with all aspects of nature. The story tells how Nancy and her mother cope with the news of her father's terminal illness. The author addresses the subject of bereavement in a sympathetic and realistic way while successfully encouraging the young reader to accept death as an inevitable stage of life itself.
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