Hello there, thank you for visiting Gripper the Crab.
My name is Barnacle Boppy.
Last year I released Heidi’s New Home, the first of six stories in a series called ‘The Tales of Gripper the Crab’ that I have written about creatures who live in a rock pool at the fictitious Cornish cove of Porthmeric.
Now, it’s 2024 and I have exciting news.
The second story is here!
I’m excited to announce that Tommy’s Rescue Team is available now.
With new characters joining the old, there are beautiful illustrations to delight any child!
The stories are fun to read and listen to but also have important messages concerning sea pollution, global warming, over-fishing, and homelessness. They also teach our children and their parents the importance of a happy and caring family life, and that sometimes in life things are not what they appear to be. The books will also encourage parents to read to their children.
The ‘Tales of Gripper The Crab were inspired by family holidays with my wife and our two daughters in Cornwall, where the girls enjoyed playing in the rock pools and learning about the creatures who lived there. When they got home, they missed their rock pool friends – each of which had a name – so their mum would write pretend letters from them which we then had posted in Cornwall. They were so excited when those letters popped through our letterbox at home.
Why Gripper the Crab?
I promised myself that one day I would take it a step further and write a series of fun yet informative stories about life in and around a rock pool.
You see for me Gripper the Crab, Gulliver seagull, Tommy young sea turtle, Dottie Dolphin, and Cindy Shrimp represent a family just like ourselves and as the greatest institution in the world. Better families make the world a better place.
My plans suffered a setback in 2016 when I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. After an operation and chemotherapy, my cancer went into remission but has now returned and provided me with the motivation to get my six Tales of Gripper the Crab published. I intend to prove too that “Cancer needn’t be end of life, merely the beginning of a new one.”
I have converted my shed at the bottom of my garden into
a Barnacle Boppy Fisherman’s Hut complete with lobster pot and fishing nets, which is where I write my stories. The first is now released and is titled Heidi’s New Home, it is self published and all profits will go to children’s cancer charities.
I do hope you will join me on my journey – it will be fun I promise!