R B Mountford is the pen name of Robin B Tribe.

I am not too old and not too young, in fact quite young at heart. I decided to start writing the Oliver Patterson series because I believe that children need a new hero and something better to believe in.

In the early nineties, I was admitted to hospital unable to walk. After a few days, doctors explained to me that I may never walk again, but through sheer determination, although still disabled, I explored all the possibilities of finding a creative outlet to pursue.

In 1988 I found myself left with three children of school age to care for and a disability to cope with. Finally, I gave up my business and had to accept my limitations.

I then started writing short stories to keep myself busy and as a release from the day-to-day problems of my life, also to keep my children occupied and entertained. They enjoyed my stories immensely.

During 2001, I moved to the Kent Coast on doctors’ orders, thankfully my health slowly improved then I started writing Oliver Patterson and the Model Village.

Although I still have great difficulty in getting around, I feel that the series of books can give me the ability to travel without suffering the hardship of leaving my study

I do try to keep a cheery disposition and hope that children will enjoy reading the Oliver Patterson series as much as I am enjoying writing them.