Paul Gardner’s paperback, titled Tiger Thoughts and Wild Words, uses poetic language to explore the difficulty children have of explaining their thoughts through words.

Consisting of 32 pages of tales and original illustrations by Bedfordshire-based Katy Dynes, Tiger Thoughts and Wild Words was created on the other side of the world by chance.

“Whilst working in Australia last summer, I walked into a bookshop and out of nowhere the idea of writing a children’s book struck me,” said Paul, who is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University’s Bedford campus

“I recalled how as a child I often had thoughts that I was unable to express because I could not find the right words.

“Tiger Thoughts and Wild Words explores that elusive nature of thinking, until words are able to capture thought and express it, making it material.

“I hope in the book, children will see their own experience of not quite being able to say what they think, and know they are not alone.”

Having enjoyed his first foray into children’s literature, Paul has already begun writing a sequel to Tiger Thoughts and Wild Words.

He added: “The second book is along similar lines but this time it explores the expansiveness of the mind.

“I want to demonstrate that children, even young children, are able to have quite sophisticated thoughts and how they use metaphor to express ideas.

“Sometimes adults do not appreciate the depth of thinking and expression children are capable of, and talk ‘down’ to them.

“Later in life they try to teach their children what a metaphor is, without realising their children already know what a metaphor is, but they just did not have a name for it.”

To pre-order a copy of Tiger Thoughts and Wild Words, which is priced at £8.50 and released on Tuesday (27 May), visit storymeadowbooks.wix.com