The author spent nearly 20 years commissioning, producing and directing for BBC Radio 4 Current Affairs and Schools Broadcasting, where he also wrote and edited numerous publications. Completing his career as a Chief Producer in BBC Education, he initiated series in natural history, biotechnology, computer applications and a GCSE magazine programme with Simon Mayo. His ground-breaking Maths – with a Story played a key role in the early development of BBC educational software for Primary Schools.
Educated at Kingfisher Primary School (Doncaster) the former Doncaster Grammar School and Harrow County School for Boys. An Honours Science graduate of the University of London, Peter Ward trained for teaching at College of St Mark and St John. And later spent successful years working at both Primary and Secondary levels. It was in Primary teaching that he discovered his taste for children’s literature.
A member of both Kent and Sussex County Trusts for Nature, The Fox Project and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the author maintains a keen interest in local, national and global ecological concerns.
Peter Ward is a former Club cricketer and qualified as an ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) coach. He was asked to found a Junior Club in the Kent village in which he lived. At that time, he also followed his musical interests, singing in the local church choir. The author now lives with Pickle, his Patterdale Terrier, close to the southern edge of Bewl Water, in East Sussex. He sings Tenor with Wadhurst Polyphony.
More recently, Peter has taken up music composition and has choral works performed, locally.
Cambridge University Press commissioned the author’s first children’s book, The Adventures of Charles Darwin, in an illustrated hardback and a subsequent paperback edition. Foreign translations followed, including those in Japanese, French, Danish, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese and Italian.
Re-issued, in paperback November 2008. All good book shops, Amazon, CUP, Natural History Museum South Kensington. ISBN 978-0-521-31074-1. £9.99/$14.99.
'This is writing for children at its best' Nature
'An excellent introduction to young readers' TLS
'If Darwin sounds a bit heavy for children, think again' The Sun, Australia
'Have we a minor classic here?' School Librarian
Is Vimp a wimp?