Revd Liz England in Peak Parishes is a passionate author and illustrator who enjoys captivating young audiences with her series of children's books featuring two lovable characters, Teddy and Dolly. These books offer a unique and engaging way to share Bible stories with children under five, making the teachings of Jesus accessible to a younger generation.
Liz's journey into writing and drawing began nearly 20 years ago when she was running a parent and toddler group at her local church.
She explains: "I noticed that there were no Bible-based stories for children that could translate the richness of the Bible in a way that young children could easily connect with."
This sparked the creation of Teddy and Dolly. Both children and parents responded with great enthusiasm, and as the stories began to evolve and grow people started asking if they could borrow the stories for their own ministries, leading to the decision to publish the first book, Bible Adventures with Teddy and Dolly. This was followed by the release of Christmas Bible Adventures with Teddy and Dolly, which allowed Liz to explore Old Testament stories as well as the New Testament ones she had focused on before. Liz is now in the process of finishing Easter Bible Adventures with Teddy and Dolly, which will explore the final week of Jesus' life, providing young readers with a heartfelt introduction to the events of Holy Week.
One of the unique aspects of Liz’s storytelling is the inspiration she draws from the beauty of the countryside surrounding her vicarage in Wincle. She mentions how the natural landscape, rolling hills, sheep, cows, and the birdsong that fills the air, help to inspire the adventures and stories in her books.
Liz’s work doesn’t stop there. She’s also developing a special project called Teddy and Dolly Church, which she’s currently trialing with a few volunteers. This project will help bring the lessons and themes from the stories into church settings, providing a space where children can explore the Bible in a fun and interactive way. Liz’s dream is to release this resource to churches everywhere, further expanding the reach of Teddy and Dolly’s adventures.