“From a Reluctant Reader to Children’s Author” - David Lawrence Jones’ Story
Once upon a time, in a small mining village in South Yorkshire, there was a boy who hated reading. For young David Lawrence Jones, stories felt like chores, words like barriers. He was certain he’d never be a reader.
And yet, everything changed in the most unexpected way.
That boy who once dreaded opening a book grew up to become one of the UK’s most beloved children’s authors, a tireless champion of literacy, and the creative mind behind bestselling adventures and even a hit animated educational series. Today, David Lawrence Jones inspires thousands of children every year—proving that sometimes, all it takes is a single spark to set a lifelong love of reading ablaze.
But how did a reluctant reader become the author who now dedicates his life to helping children discover the magic of books? The story begins with one simple gift from his teacher — a gift that would change his life forever…
How a Teacher’s Gift Turned David into a Reader
David was born in 1964 in the mining village of Ravenfield, near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. Like many children, he was a reluctant reader—he simply didn’t want to pick up a book. No matter how hard his mother tried, nothing could spark his interest. Reading felt like a chore to be avoided at all costs.
But everything changed in 1971, when David was just seven years old. It all began with a simple yet extraordinary idea from his school teacher—an idea that would transform David’s world. Instead of pushing him to read, the teacher decided to give him a present.
And children love presents. David was no exception.
One day, his mother arrived home with a carefully wrapped package bearing his name. Excitement bubbled inside him as he tried to guess what might be inside. A toy? A game? His imagination raced.
But when he tore off the paper, he found… a book.
Disappointment hit. A book? Really? The last thing David wanted was more reading. Yet there it was: a story from Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven series—seven child detectives with a keen eye for mystery and adventure.
Ironically, it was David’s own curiosity—just like the Secret Seven’s—that began to stir. What was inside those pages? Could it really be that bad to read just a few?
He gave in. And from the moment he began following Peter, Janet, Pam, Barbara, Jack, Colin and George through their thrilling investigations, he was hooked. He didn’t just finish the book—he devoured it.
That one gift had cracked the case: David was now a reader. From that moment on, his relationship with books was transformed forever.
From Bedtime Tales to Bestsellers
Although it took time for David to fall in love with reading, his imagination had always been alive. Sharing a bedroom with his older brother, he would invent bedtime stories—not out of any grand plan, but simply to keep his brother quiet at night! Yet those whispered tales planted the seeds of something much bigger.
Years later, parenthood opened the door to an extraordinary twist of fate. In 2009, while browsing the shelves of his local Waterstones in Torquay with his young daughter, David stumbled across a Community Activity Scheme inviting local unpublished authors to submit their work.
He seized the moment. Soon after, his first book—Bradley Baker and the Curse of Pathylon—was published. Readers were captivated by Bradley’s daring quest to save the king and break an ancient curse. The book didn’t just sell—it flew off the shelves. Within weeks, David had achieved the second-highest sales in his store’s location.
What began as a chance encounter quickly grew into a full-fledged career. David toured Waterstones stores, hosting lively “meet-the-author” events and securing further publishing deals. Since then, he has written four more books in the bestselling Bradley Baker Adventure series, cementing Bradley as a firm favourite among young readers.
But David didn’t stop there. His imagination created Jig and Saw—a tale of a brother and sister who discover a magical cupboard leading to a land of board games—and Devon Farm Adventures, a rhyming picture book series introducing children to the joys of countryside life. Both, now available on Fonetti, continue David’s mission to spark the same wonder that first lit up his imagination as a child.
A Mission to Inspire a Love of Reading
Interactive Showcase Presentations
Since becoming a published author, David has dedicated his life not only to writing captivating stories but also to sharing the joy of reading with children across the UK. His high-energy school tours are legendary—packed with theatrical flair, colourful props (including his famous glowing bathtub!), and endless opportunities for children to join in the adventure.
In 2025, he returns to schools nationwide with renewed passion and a new two-day format: a whole-school showcase followed by a book signing where children can meet him, ask questions, and take home signed copies. Demand is higher than ever, with over a hundred schools booking him each year—most through glowing recommendations. As David often jokes, “How long will I keep presenting at schools?... Until I collapse in an exhausted heap—as long as my books continue to inspire children to read.”
Literacy Workshops
Beyond the stage, David leads smaller, hands-on workshops where pupils create their own characters, storylines, and comic strips. They experience the full writing process—planning, drafting, editing, and proofreading—boosting their confidence as young authors. Many schools combine a showcase with a workshop, ensuring even the most reluctant readers leave inspired.
Super Geek Heroes & Super Geek Island
Never one to stop at the page, David also created The Super Geek Heroes, a 3D animated series blending fun, adventure, and education for early years learners. The seven super-kids—Ant Active, Ronnie Rock, Millie Maths, Jake Jotter, Suzi Smiles, Peter Planet, and Vicky Voice—each represent a key Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) goal, turning learning into superhero missions. Building on this success, David co-founded Super Geek Island, an interactive online platform for EYFS learners to dive deeper into the world of learning.
Chancellor of the Devon & Cornwall Children’s University
Since 2012, David has proudly served as Chancellor of the Devon & Cornwall Children’s University, helping give children aged 5 to 14 access to enriching learning opportunities outside school. To support the cause, he even wrote Cub’s Adventures, following the University’s mascot across the South West to a graduation ceremony at the University of Plymouth. Through this role, David champions social mobility, ensuring every child—whatever their background—has the chance to dream big.
From packed school halls to intimate workshops, from bestselling books to animated adventures, David’s mission has remained the same: helping children discover the joy of reading and the confidence to keep turning the page.
A Shared Mission – How David’s Passion for Literacy Resonates with Fonetti
David’s journey—from reluctant reader to bestselling author—resonates deeply with Fonetti’s vision. Having once struggled himself, he understands the challenge of sparking a child’s interest in reading better than most. That early struggle makes his mission—and his success in helping others—all the more powerful.
At Fonetti, we share that mission: to ensure every child discovers the joy of reading. Like David, we believe it’s not just about stories, but about confidence, opportunity, and giving children the tools to succeed. Just as David uses creativity and fun to inspire young readers, Fonetti harnesses cutting-edge technology, using ASR and AI to provide real-time feedback that keeps children engaged and progressing.
It’s why we’re so proud to host David’s Jig and Saw and Devon Farm Adventures series on Fonetti, so even more children can enjoy them and discover the magic of reading for themselves. You can explore David’s books right now on Fonetti. For those who’d like to purchase his books directly or book David for an unforgettable school visit, we’ve included a link to his official website below, along with links to The Super Geek Heroes animation series and Super Geek Island learning platform.
David Lawrence Jones proves that no child is ever truly a reluctant reader—they just haven’t found the right story yet. At Fonetti, we’re proud to share his stories and continue his mission: ensuring every child has the chance to discover the magic of reading.
Links to David’s Works
David Lawrence Jones’ website (Including access to his book shop and author visit bookings):
https://davidlawrencejones.co.uk/
Super Geek Heroes animation series on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@supergeekheroes-learning
Super Geek Island learning platform:
Yellow Spot Productions:
