Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Christine and Christopher Russell on Writing Together

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Animal Books Chapter Books Humor Writing Resources
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    By Christine and Christopher Russell, for The Children’s Book Review
    Published: August 24, 2011

    Picture BookAuthors Christine and Christopher Russell are a husband and wife team writing children’s books together. The Warrior Sheep Go West is their second book, following closely on the hooves of The Quest of the Warrior Sheep (February 2011). Christopher Russell had a successful career in British television drama before becoming a children’s novelist and Christine has always been closely involved in his work.

    We’re often asked how we collaborate, if we ever have disagreements and if so, how we settle them.

    Well the initial ideas, wherever they have sprung from, are developed on the hoof. Sitting at a desk at this early stage sends us to sleep so we plot the storylines and invent characters whilst we’re walking, usually on the beach or the cliffs near our home. There’s nothing like a howling gale to keep the brain spinning. Then we take turns at writing chapters. Whichever one of us is the bravest or keenest dives in first and hands the results to the other. And that’s when the fur sometimes flies. But disagreements are usually resolved during heated but short debates – or maybe that should read explosions – and then one or other of us goes back to the drawing board and tries again. We don’t always wait until we’re both happy with a chapter. Sometimes it’s better to plough on regardless then go back and revise bit by bit.

    The one thing we never do is sit side by side at a desk working. Christopher needs peace and quiet. And he writes longhand! Yep. He’s Mr Biro. Well, you can chew the end of a pen but it’s not  easy to chew  a laptop. Christine works straight onto the keyboard and revises a million times per page.

    It’s unusual for two people to write together. And even more unusual if they’re married to each other. But we’re used to being under each other’s feet the whole time. Until recently Christopher was the sole writer. He produced scripts for a number of major television series in the UK. Christine helped at initial ideas stage and with plotting and then later in the process with script editing.

    The same applied for the first four novels Christopher wrote for children. But then we got the idea for the Warrior Sheep Series and decided to have a go at actually writing together. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. And it seems to be working: we’re having fun and we love the thought that our efforts are making people laugh.


    In The Warrior Sheep Go West, the follow up to the critically acclaimed sleeper hit The Quest of the Warrior Sheep, by Christine and Christopher Russell, the courageous and loveable ovine heroes are back for another sheep-tastic adventure with, if possible, even more hilarious fun than before. The “Eppingham Posse” of Oxo, Links, Jaycey, Wills, and Sal hoof it to Las Vegas for a new epic mission. This time, it is the entirety of sheepdom that hangs in the balance, and it will take their combined fleecy genius to outwit the monster named Red Tongue (evading in the process a mad scientist, joyriding teenagers, a flash flood, a sword-wielding magician, and a menacing bear) and save the, ahem, eweniverse.

    “Another preposterous romp full of wild coincidences, evil scientists, mad magicians and enough misunderstandings for three novels.”—Kirkus Reviews

    The adventurous episodes keep things moving along, while the hilarity takes hold especially during the second half of the book. —School Library Journal

    Add this book to your collection: The Warrior Sheep Go West

    What to Read Next:

    1. A Family Favorite with Robert Wilder
    2. The Art of Writing Horse Stories
    3. Inspiration Behind “Super Schnoz and the Gates of Smell”
    4. The Art of Adding Humor. Even When You Probably Shouldn’t.

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Christine Russell Christopher Russell Sheep
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAuthor Showcase: Fun with Mathematics
    Next Article Review: Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile by Gloria Houston
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    3 Comments

    1. Alma Flor Ada on September 1, 2011 10:41 am

      having written many books in collaboration with Isabel Campoy [www.isabelcampoy.com] we are constantly asked how do we write together.
      Recently I published DANCING HOME in collaboration with my son
      Gabriel Zubizarreta and this collaboration has also stirred great interest.
      You can see/hear the interview at
      http://books.simonandschuster.com/Dancing-Home/Alma-Flor-Ada/9781416900887
      All best wishes.

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on September 1, 2011 5:04 pm

        Thanks for sharing the link, Alma!

        Reply
      • Connor Keating on September 2, 2011 3:27 am

        Since my son Sebastien was born three years ago, I started browsing the internet for the best children books and Sebastien seems to wait anxiously for night to come because he knows it’s bed time story time. Some great books I have found at “All you can books” and I really think you will find something to your liking.
        Best regards.

        Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Tiki Time: It’s My Turn | Awareness Tour
    • Drawing Cute Animals Shape by Shape: Learn to Draw Over 100 Adorable Animals Step by Step | Dedicated Review
    • Tiny Bird, by Sabrina Edralin | Dedicated Review
    • I Don’t Think So!, by K. Joyner | Book Review
    • Pedal Pusher: How One Woman’s Bicycle Adventure Helped Change the World | Book Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.