Jan Needle facts for kids
Jan Needle (born James Albert Needle on February 8, 1943 – died October 9, 2023) was a famous English writer. He wrote many books, plays, and TV shows for both kids and adults. He also created cartoons and wrote about books.
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About Jan Needle
Early Life and Career
Jan Needle was born in Portsmouth, England, on February 8, 1943. He grew up there in a family with strong ties to the navy and army. Even though he didn't get great grades in English, he studied to become a journalist.
When he was 20, he moved to northwest England. He started working for a newspaper called the Daily Herald. Later, at age 25, he studied Drama at Manchester University. After working for different newspapers, he stopped full-time journalism.
His first novel, Albeson and the Germans, came out in 1977. His first TV show was a drama called A Place of Execution.
Popular Books and TV Shows
Early in his career, Jan Needle wrote three books linked to the popular BBC TV series Grange Hill. He also wrote for its spin-off series Tucker's Luck, which ran from 1982 to 1984.
His most popular novel is The Bully. This book has been translated into many languages. It is even used in schools in South America to teach about bullying. The Times Education Supplement said it gives real answers, not just easy ones. They also suggested it for classrooms to help talk about bullying.
Needle also wrote a book called Wild Wood. This book is a sequel to The Wind in the Willows. In Wild Wood, he tells the story from the point of view of the stoats and weasels. They are characters who usually cause trouble in the original story.
Jan Needle also wrote TV shows like Truckers and Soft Soap. He wrote episodes for many well-known series too. These include Count Duckula, Thomas the Tank Engine, Sooty and Sweep, Brookside, and The Bill.
Rewriting Classic Stories
Later in his life, Jan Needle rewrote classic novels. He made them easier for children to read and enjoy. In 2004, his shorter version of Bram Stoker's Dracula was published. Publishers Weekly praised it for its cool look with blood-red page borders. They also liked its "haunting" pictures.
After Dracula, he adapted other famous books. These included a version of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and a new telling of Moby-Dick.
Personal Life
Jan Needle lived in Uppermill, Saddleworth, near Oldham. He also lived in West Didsbury, Manchester, in northwest England. He had five children. He passed away in Heald Green, Manchester, on October 9, 2023, at the age of 80.
