Chris D'Lacey
He was born in Valetta, Malta, but as a child moved first to Leicester and then to Bolton. After gaining a degree in biology from the University of York, he returned to Leicester and got a job at the University of Leicester in their Pre-Clinical Sciences department.
Originally his writing was confined to songs and he didn't turn to fiction until he was 32. His first piece of work was a 250,000 word story about polar bears for his wife, Jay, to accompany a stuffed polar bear he had bought her as a Christmas present.
He didn't write another story for seven years, until he heard about a competition to write a story for young children with a prize of £2,000. The resulting book, A Hole at the Pole, also about polar bears, didn't win - but he sent it off to a publisher, who accepted it.
His first children's novel, Fly, Cherokee, Fly, was published in 1998 and subsequently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. It was inspired by the time he found an injured pigeon in Victoria Park and nursed it back to health at home. It became a family pet and lived for 14 years in a birdbox attached to the back of the house. All of its offspring were given the names of different Native American tribes, which is where the title of the book comes from.)
He has since written over twenty children's books, including Pawnee Warrior (a sequel to Fly, Cherokee, Fly), a collaborative novel with fellow children's author Linda Newbery (From E To You), and the best-selling, award-winning The Last Dragon Chronicles. His books often contain environmental themes, and events based on things that have happened to him.
In July 2002 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Leicester for his contributions to children's literature. Although writing is now his main source of income, he still works at the university as the operator of the confocal microscope.
His favourite children's books are the Paddington Bear series and The Hobbit, and his favourite children's authors are Allan Ahlberg and Roald Dahl. Chris D'Lacey has written many books like Ice Fire and Fire Star, but his most famous book was Dark Fire, the fifth book in The Last Dragon Chronicles.
“I'm under strict instructions to write a happy ending. Rule number ninety-seven: You're not allowed to make a dragon cry.""Right," Said Sophie, starting the engine. "Tears might quench their fire.”
“Learn a little patience. You never know what might be around the corner.”
“The more we nurture the planet, the better and more natural a life we'll have.”
“Stories have a unique power, David. The Inuit believe they can capture souls.”
“Why can't I talk to her?""Because you're not a handsome young man.""Well, neither is he!”
“What you take from the earth, you must give back. That's nature's way.”
“There is a sign in the heavensAnother light in the darknessA better time is beginningThere is a fire star comingI see the mark of the ice bearIn the tears of the dragonAnd you'd better start wishingThere is a fire star comingStay with me, my love..........Until the stars have blinked their lastWherever on this earth you walkHe will arouse, excite, inspire,My Valentine, my one dark fire.......”