Cavillon David

Long, long ago, in the 20th century, I was born in the 20th arrondissement of Paris! Like many a father, I loved telling my children stories. Fairies, wizards, witches, princes and princesses, giant rabbits, and talking flowers were a big part of my life. And doubtless they were a major source of inspiration.

The idea for The Name-Gobbling Monster came to me when I was surrounded by children—I worked with them, at the time. Aboubakar, Mamadou, Yéléna, and even Charles-Édouard are names from real life! And little by little, draft after draft, the monster took shape beneath my pen, inviting himself into homes, libraries, schools, and community centers on his great adventure to nourish the imaginations of readers and listeners. This is how my sweet-tempered monster came to take his place among the heroes of children’s books.