Ross Welford

Ross Welford is a British children's author known for writing middle-grade science fiction and fantasy novels that blend imaginative plots with contemporary family themes. His debut novel "Time Travelling with a Hamster" was published in 2015 and became a bestseller, earning multiple award nominations including the Costa Children's Book Award. Prior to his career as an author, Welford worked as a journalist and television producer in London. He has written for various media outlets and produced shows for major UK networks before transitioning to children's literature. His subsequent books include "What Not to Do If You Turn Invisible," "The 1,000-Year-Old Boy," and "The Kid Who Came From Space," all of which continue his trademark style of combining science fiction elements with relatable young protagonists. The novels frequently explore themes of family relationships, loss, and self-discovery while incorporating elements of time travel, invisibility, and other speculative concepts. Welford's work has been translated into multiple languages and is published in numerous countries around the world. He regularly visits schools and literary festivals to conduct writing workshops and speak about his books.

Readers consistently praise Welford's ability to balance complex sci-fi concepts with authentic emotional depth. Parents and teachers note his books engage reluctant readers while challenging advanced ones. Liked: - Character development that feels genuine for middle-grade audiences - Clear explanations of scientific concepts without talking down to readers - Humor that appeals to both children and adults - Thoughtful handling of grief and family dynamics Disliked: - Some find the scientific explanations too detailed or complex - A few readers note slow story beginnings - Occasional complaints about British terminology confusing non-UK readers Ratings: - Goodreads: Time Travelling with a Hamster (4.2/5 from 5,800+ ratings) - Amazon UK: The 1,000-Year-Old Boy (4.7/5 from 1,200+ reviews) - Amazon US: What Not to Do If You Turn Invisible (4.6/5 from 300+ reviews) One teacher wrote: "Finally found books that get my science-loving students excited about reading." A parent noted: "My son related to the main character's loss while being entertained by the time travel plot."

Time Traveling with a Hamster - A 12-year-old boy uses a time machine to travel back to 1984 to prevent his father's childhood accident.

What Not to Do If You Turn Invisible - A 13-year-old girl discovers an accidental cure for her acne that has the side effect of making her invisible.

The 1,000-Year-Old Boy - An ancient boy who has lived for a millennium seeks a way to finally grow older after centuries of remaining 11 years old.

The Dog Who Saved the World - A girl and her dog become involved in a virtual reality experiment that could save humanity from a deadly canine virus.

The Kid Who Came From Space - A boy teams up with an alien to rescue his twin sister who has mysteriously disappeared.

When We Got Lost in Dreamland - Two brothers discover a machine that allows them to share and control their dreams.

The Stranger Than Earth Club - A girl investigates supernatural occurrences with her new friends while searching for her missing scientist father.

Into the Sideways World - Two friends discover a parallel universe where history took a different course.

David Walliams writes children's novels that mix comedy with emotional depth, focusing on young protagonists dealing with family issues and personal challenges. His stories incorporate similar elements of magic realism and contemporary British settings found in Welford's work.

Christopher Edge creates science-based adventures for middle-grade readers that blend real scientific concepts with fiction. His books explore time travel, parallel universes, and artificial intelligence themes that mirror Welford's approach to incorporating science into storytelling.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce combines family dynamics with fantastical situations in his middle-grade fiction. His work features ordinary children encountering extraordinary circumstances, often with elements of technology and innovation central to the plot.

Jenny Nimmo writes stories that merge everyday life with magical elements and focuses on children discovering hidden abilities or family secrets. Her narratives deal with time manipulation and inherited powers in ways that parallel Welford's treatment of temporal themes.

Maz Evans crafts stories that blend contemporary settings with mythology and supernatural elements while maintaining strong family relationships at their core. Her books feature young protagonists solving complex problems through a mix of wit and determination.