The Hoys: A blog by Kes Gray

Multi-million copy best-selling author Kes Gray of Oi Frog! fame shares what inspired his upcoming pirate picture book, The Hoys.

A few years ago, I was sitting in the green room at the Cheltenham Literature Festival when two adults in full pirate costume sat down at my table. They had been outside in the grounds of the festival, entertaining the children.

“Ahoy there!” were the first words that came into my mind.

“A hoy where?” were my third, fourth and fifth.

It’s taken me twenty- five years as a children’s author to don a pirate hat. As a rule, I always try to avoid familiar picture book themes. But ideas and writing opportunities can arrive from anywhere, often spontaneously and at times when you aren’t even looking for them. I spotted this one in an instant.

Resisting the opportunity to ask my new found pirate companions if “A HOY WHERE?” was a pirate mystery waiting to happen, I zipped my lips, went home, sat down at my desk and determined to make it happen.

The questions came thick and fast. Who are the hoys? What are the hoys? And where the devil can they be found? How come some pirates can see the hoys and some can’t? Why have I never seen a hoy in a pirate story? Or a pirate film? Can Jack Sparrow see the hoys? Can Captain Hook, Captain Pugwash, Long John Silver and all of the pirate glitterati see the hoys too?

My assumption was yes, but then other questions remained unanswered. What are the lifelong implications for pirates who can’t see the hoys? Could an inability to see the hoys, demote them and their trusty parrots to pirates and parrots second class?

All of the answers can be found in my latest picture book, eponymously titled The Hoys. It’s a story that I hope all pirates and aspiring pirates will treasure.

Kes offers some suggestions on how primary teachers could use The Hoys:

Firstly, I would read only the text to the children, saying we’ll look at the pictures later.

I would then ask the class to imagine who and what the hoys could be. Drawing or describing the hoys in their own way could be an exciting creative project.

I would then read the book showing the pictures to see what children had drawn.

I would then draw attention to the fact there are female pirates in this story, and that female pirates have existed throughout history.

I would encourage the children to ponder the same questions I have asked myself:

• Where can the Hoys be found?
• Do the hoys live on land?
• Can the hoys swim?
• What makes the hoys invisible to some pirates?
• Do the hoys have magic powers?

What first motivated you to begin a career in writing?

Firstly, a twenty year career in TV advertising, where having ideas, ideas, ideas was basically my job.

Secondly, becoming a father and parent for the first time.

Thirdly, the challenge of bringing my imagination to the page in a way that engages children, teachers, librarians, book sellers and parents alike!

How do you decide on your subjects?

If it’s been done, I try not to do it! That’s one of the reasons I wanted to take on this representation of the Hoys. I’ve never seen one!