Award-winning author launches new kids’ book

By Lindsey Turnbull

Hilary Lawrence is a Cayman-based author of much-loved children’s books such as Loose Lips Sink Ships and The Grass May Not Be Greener and she has just released her fourth book, The Fear of the Unknown Is the Greatest Fear of All, just in time for Christmas.

Ms Lawrence said the inspiration for her books came from her family.

“When my girls were young, we always read together before bed, and they especially loved rhyming picture books, which always held their attention and sparked so much joy,” she said. “After story time, we’d often make up silly rhymes about their day, the animals in the books, or our favourite morals. We would end up in fits of laughter.”

Over time, she began jotting down some of those ideas, hoping to develop them further when she had more time.

“People often say, “Do what brings you joy,” and for me, that joy comes from writing poetry. It has been a real pleasure — and a privilege — to take the whimsical rhymes I once shared with my daughters and shape them into poems for others to enjoy,” she advised.

Each book has a clear message for youngsters.

“Becoming a parent made me realise how important it is to have a strong sense of direction — a clear “north” — and how vital good morals and values are, especially in a world overwhelmed by social media noise, biased news, and hidden agendas,” Ms Lawrence said. “A strong moral compass is more essential than ever. Morals serve as gentle reminders of truths we already know but sometimes forget. Simple sayings like “The grass may not be greener” teach us not to compare ourselves to others — something that, for a child, might be as small as thinking a friend’s lunchbox looks more delicious than their own. These simple phrases carry timeless wisdom that guides our choices and helps us stay focused on what truly matters.”

Ms Lawrence said she wanted to keep this wisdom alive.

“I write each story in a fun, relatable, and easy-to-understand way, blending my love of rhyme with my love of proverbs and idioms,” she said.

One of her books, in particular, was directly inspired by Cayman.

“We’ve always loved the Cayman Islands and visited many times on holiday before deciding to make the island our home. On one of those trips, we happened to be here during Pirates’ Week, and we were fascinated by the local legend that Blackbeard’s treasure may be hidden in the caves at Treasure Pit on Cayman Brac,” she said.

At the time, she was working on Loose Lips Sink Ships, an idiom first popularised during World War II on propaganda posters warning about the dangers of careless talk, often illustrated with a sinking ship.

“I wanted to bring that nautical spirit into my story and create a tale full of fun, adventure, and a hint of swashbuckling mischief,” she explained.

Charities benefit

All profits from the books go directly to charity, including KidsOR, which focuses on safe surgery for children, founded by friends of Ms Lawrence, Gareth and Nicola Wood. The books also support another charity close to her heart, The Reading Clinic, which helps children with dyslexia and other learning differences.

Since the books were launched a year and a half ago, they have been recognised with several awards, including the Literary Global Children’s Book Award, the International Book Award, the Golden Wizard Book Award, the BRAG Award, the Mom’s Choice Award, the IAN Book Awards, and the Literary Titan Award.

The latest book, The Fear of the Unknown Is the Greatest Fear of All, is being released in December.

“I wrote it around the idea that we often feel most afraid when we don’t know what will happen next. I wanted to help children understand that new experiences usually seem far scarier in our imaginations than they truly are once we find the courage to try them,” Ms Lawrence advised. “The story is set in the jungle, where a lion, out on his morning stroll, discovers a deep, dark hole with a mysterious, rather mean-looking creature lurking inside. Puzzled and slightly unnerved, he calls on his jungle friends to help him solve the mystery: Who is the animal in the hole, and why won’t it come out?”

The series is available in Cayman at Next Chapter, Book Nook, and several hotel boutiques, including the Kimpton. They can also be purchased on Amazon and shipped to the island.