I’ve always loved the simplicity of the concept of Frankenstein. The idea of a fully formed creature propelled into the world – without a name, without any sense of who or what he is – has always fascinated me. With Stitch, I wanted to explore this idea for myself. I very deliberately decided Stitch wouldn’t have any magical powers, or some grand destiny. If he had a power, I wanted it to be his boundless optimism, his belief in the goodness of people and his innate kindness.

I don’t set out to write books “about” things. I prefer to be led by my characters, to find the story first, and then consider the theme as it emerges. Stitch led me to write about a hero whose heroism is grounded in his imagination and empathy. I believe that empathy is an imaginative act and that cruelty is its very opposite. Empathy allows everyone to imagine what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes, and I hope that Stitch himself embodies that quality.

Stitch eventually led me to write a book about how, as he puts it, “everyone is different”. He led me to write a book about the lack of imagination that leads to prejudice and hate, a book about seeing beyond cruelty and accepting everyone for who they are. He led me to write a book about death and grief and, in his relationship with Henry, he led me to write a book about friendship and loyalty.

I want readers to take to Stitch as much as I did. I want them to root for him and Henry and their friendship. I want them to see through his eyes and have an adventure along the way. I hope everyone enjoys the time they spend with Stitch and Henry.

Pádraig Kenny

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