The Independent/Scholastic Story of the Year: 'It's about a little river near to us . . .'

CAROLINE PITCHER has a daughter, Lauren, who is nearly eight, and a son, Max, aged four. She taught for 13 years in primary schools in London's East End, leaving just before Lauren was born. Mrs Pitcher, who lives near Belper in Derbyshire, has had several children's stories published but was thunderstruck to hear she had won. 'You're joking? I must sit down] I'm amazed,' she said.

Mrs Pitcher's classroom experience has given her clear ideas about the needs of this age group. 'A story has to have a flow and an immediacy, which doesn't mean the language needs to be easy. It has to see things through the child's vision, and be clear and sharp without hanging around long for description. 'Kevin the Blue' is very dear to me because it's about a little river near to us and there is actually a kingfisher there. Oh gosh, wow]'

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