About Kiwi the Cockerpoo — Author & Story Background
Kiwi the Cockerpoo is a small black cockerpoo and the recurring character at the centre of a growing collection of UK children’s stories where Kiwi simply continues being Kiwi while life around him somehow becomes considerably more entertaining.
Created by author Claire Somerville and inspired by a real-life cockerpoo (often spelled cockapoo), the stories begin with Kiwi simply being Kiwi and the wonderfully unpredictable situations which tend to follow.
Hello - I’m Claire, writer, storyteller, and proud companion to the real Kiwi the Cockerpoo. He is the inspiration behind Kiwi the Cockerpoo, the central character in a growing collection of gentle children’s stories inspired by everyday life.
Like many good stories, Kiwi’s began by simply observing the everyday logic of life with a real dog – the routines, the habits, the absolute certainty that food should arrive on time, and the firm belief that a comfortable nap solves most situations remarkably well.
Over time, those small moments gradually became stories where Kiwi simply continues being Kiwi, while life around him somehow becomes considerably more entertaining for everyone involved.
The Story Behind the Stories
In these stories, Kiwi remains exactly what he has always been – a wonderfully uncomplicated black cockerpoo who approaches life with complete confidence, simple priorities, and a firm belief that Doggo Treats and a short nap can solve almost anything.
Living with Mum, Dad, Gabriel and Natalie, Kiwi never sets out looking for adventure. He simply continues being himself while the world around him learns to deal with the increasingly entertaining consequences.
His stories are inspired by the ordinary family moments children recognise and the wonderfully unpredictable things that can happen when Kiwi simply continues being Kiwi. The aim is simple – entertaining storytelling that encourages a love of reading set in everyday family life.
Why I Created the Kiwi Stories
Stories have always been a way of making sense of the world, especially for children. Through Kiwi, I wanted to create something cheerful and quietly humorous - stories that feel like sitting down with your best friend.
Designed for Modern Family Life
All Kiwi stories are available as eBook digital downloads, making them easy to enjoy wherever you are - at home, while travelling, or during a quiet bedtime routine. You can read them on a tablet, print them at home, or share them together as part of your family reading time.
Accessibility Matters
Every story is created as a fully accessible PDF with searchable text and alt-text descriptions for illustrations, so they can be enjoyed using screen readers and assistive technology.
Stories should be welcoming to everyone.
About the Author
I’m a UK author inspired by everyday life, storytelling, and the small moments that often become the most meaningful memories. Writing the Kiwi stories is a way of capturing those moments and sharing them with families who enjoy gentle, character-led tales.
Join Kiwi’s Adventures
If you’d like to explore Kiwi’s world, you can:
Kiwi is never looking for adventure – but adventure has a remarkable habit of finding Kiwi!
