PHILIPPA Cary, or rather Pippa, turned her back on a hugely successful corporate career in sales in the UK, left her home in Gravesend, Kent and “took the plunge” to move to Porreres in Mallorca six years ago and she has never looked back. “When I’m not crafting stories that spark imagination and inspire kindness, I work as a nursery teacher at Rafa Nadal’s International School, where I have the joy of guiding young minds through their early learning journeys.
“I am also a proud mother of three wonderful sons and share my home with two beloved cats. My days are filled with the magic of storytelling, the laughter of children, and the warmth of family and furry friends,” she says. And it is that warmth and more importantly kindness, which inspired and morphed into her first children’s book, Gromble and the Magic of Kindness, which is enjoying great success. She has just completed the second installment called Gift of Hope.
Although Pippa has always liked to write since she was 15, it was not until some two years ago that she seriously set about writing a book. “I had a great career in the UK but some six years ago I felt like a change. My partner Michael, who is an English teacher, had moved out to Mallorca a few years earlier and, to be honest, I didn’t really know the island. I had been on short weekend breaks - working in the UK you only got 21 days’ holiday a year, so you had to pick and choose your time off. That said, I decided to take the plunge and what a deep one it was. No sooner had I moved in with Michael we went into to lockdown. If that’s not going to test a relationship and living in a new country I don’t know what is,” she laughed.
However, it all worked out just fine, perfect in fact. “I was initially employed by the Rafael Nadal International School at his academy as an assistant teacher; I’d never taught before, and I loved it. So, I took an international teaching course here in Mallorca and, two years ago, started working as a nursery teacher.
Amazing place to work
“It’s an amazing place to work, excellent facilities and it’s rather corporate so that suits me. In fact, as we use the British curriculum, it’s not that different from a school in the UK, although the majority of the pupils are either Spanish or German. We have a few Britons, but we are teaching in English from day one. Obviously Spanish and Catalan have to be included, but by the time they leave the nursery, they can all communicate well in English.
“Plus one of my pupils is Rafa’s little boy. He’s great, as is his father who is very hands on and comes along just like any parent,” she added. “He’s very nice and easy to get along with. And now, apart from teaching, I’ve got my books. I used to write stories for myself in my teens with the plan of one day doing something serious with my writing, but being caught up in the corporate world, the stress and the hassle, I didn’t do anything with it until two years ago.
“It all started off as a short story. Well, I guess it still is; the book is 38 pages with wonderful graphics. It’s been very much inspired by the people of Porreres and especially the kindness they have shown me, a stranger in a relatively small community. It’s also partly based on visits by a grandchild to an old cottage, rather like the one I used to live in back in the Kent. But yes, to a certain extent, you could say some of the characters are based on my neighbours,” Pippa explained.
In Gromble and the Magic of Kindness, young Sally (the granddaughter) discovers a peculiar, cuddly creature hidden in a mound of seaweed on a windy beach. Lonely and lost, the creature reveals itself as Gromble, a magical being with a heart as big as his ears. Guided by her grandma’s wisdom about kindness, Sally helps Gromble find his way home, uncovering a world where generosity and compassion create true magic. Through enchanting adventures in a whimsical forest, Gromble’s selfless deeds inspire joy and unity among all creatures.
"But the most magical revelation awaits when Grace, nestled in her grandma’s lap, realises the power of kindness isn’t just a tale, it’s a legacy passed down through generations. Perfect for readers, young and old, this heart-warming story celebrates the beauty of helping others and reminds us that kindness can change the world.
“I was very lucky. I sent the book to three publishers. Two expressed an interest and I chose the one I am with, Pegasus Elliot MacKenzie Publishers. They said they were keen to see more of my work - so very soon I will be sending them my second book which is a continuation. It’s aimed at both the very young and slightly older children. Because of the use of language, there is a lot to explore, lots of mystery, suspense and fun but the overriding message is to be kind.
“It’s a very endearing story about sharing and spreading kindness, just like the people of Porreres did with me. Spreading kindness is one of the easiest things and if we all did our bit, the world would be a better place. This is the message to the children - the importance of kindness and the pupils love it,” Pippa said.
Spurred me on
Just like she loves Mallorca. “I have absolutely no regrets about having moved to Mallorca and embarked on a totally different journey. It’s a totally different lifestyle, I have time to think and be myself. The pace of life is so different to the one I lived in the UK and it give me many more creative possibilities - hence why I was able to have written the second book in eight months as opposed to two years. That said, I have to thank my partner Michael. I showed him the original short story (being an English teacher) and he said that I had something special there so that spurred me on, now there’s no stopping me...,” she said.”
“In Gromble there is a very short little song of just a few lines which the kids are now all singing and the second book is a bit more poetic and has a few more twists and turns. Having got the first out of the way, the second, being a continuation, was easier to write, and the graphics, thanks to my publishers, are amazing,” Pippa said. “I intend to continue writing, the response from the children is a great inspiration, and I’d obviously love to see the books adapted for the screen, but that’s another story.
“In the meantime, I will be having a reading in Porreres within the next few months. I’m just waiting for some more books to arrive but I’ve got my merchandise, T-shirts and all that, and then I’d love to host one at the Academy. It’s all part of getting the message of kindness out there and not just to the kids,” she said.
“Living here in Mallorca is just so easy with regard to flight connections with the UK. I have two sons who live most of the time on the island, another who lives in Italy and family still back in the UK, so I guess moving to Mallorca was all part of the grand scheme of things because we’re all over the place but getting together is so easy today.
“You can literally work from anywhere nowadays. It doesn’t matter where you live, so I’m so glad I took the plunge. Yes, it was a risk at the time - made potentially even more testing by lockdown - but Porreres, the local community and Mallorca in general - have been such an inspiration for me and they’ve given me the energy and passion to write my books,” Pippa said. The book is available from Amazon worldwide and from book shops in the UK.