Children's Stories

THE NIPPY STORIES

Nippy is a small boy made of miracle clay. He was shaped in a hidden workshop at the bottom of a garden in Play Vale, and brought to life by two people who loved him: Edwin, a toymaker who sees things differently, and Martha, who notices everything.

The Nippy stories began as bedtime stories told to my granddaughters. They grew, were retold and were refined until they felt right. There are now twenty, in two linked collections.

Nippy of Play Vale is twelve stories of Nippy’s beginnings and life beyond home: the miracle of how he began, the toys that learned to love, and the everyday trials of friendship, worry, words and kindness in a village that feels gently familiar.

Growing Up with Nippy is eight stories from Nippy’s childhood at home with Edwin and Martha, his sister Daisy and his brother Jesse. Each is written as food for thought for a parent or carer who intends to share the story and its message with a child. Each is followed by a short note for parents and carers.

Nippy is curious, kind and sometimes gets things wrong. He finds reading and writing hard, because letters swap places when he isn’t looking, but it never stops him. Children meet real challenges in these stories, and the occasional fright, but never harshness. Things are put right through honesty, apology and patience, not unkindness.

Reading order. The stories can be dipped into, but they make most sense in this order:

1. Nippy of Play Vale

2. Growing Up with Nippy

Who they are for. As a rough guide, the Play Vale stories can be read aloud from about five, and read independently from about eight. Some of the childhood stories are longer, with extended family conversations. These may suit children from about six or seven, or reading over two sittings. Growing Up with Nippy is designed for separate parental or carer discussion and then to share with a child; its notes are for the adult.

© Michael Lock, 2026. All rights reserved. No part of these stories may be reproduced or shared without permission. They are an original work of fiction.
The Nippy stories are independently created and are not associated with any other authors, estates, or publishers.