Molly Arbuthnott: Writing Stories That Teach Children How to Fly
Where Kindness, Courage, and Creativity Begin
For Molly Arbuthnott, writing is not simply a profession. It is a way of living, feeling, remembering, and belonging. From her home on Sinclair Road in London, Molly has built a literary world where animals speak with heart, emotions are honoured without fear, and young readers are gently guided toward courage, kindness, and self-belief.
At her core, Molly is driven by an unwavering desire to see the best in herself and in others. She pushes herself daily, often harder than those around her would expect, fuelled by a deep care for family, friendships, and the creative responsibility she carries. Writing shapes her days, her routines, and even her sense of home. After years spent far from loved ones during her schooling, she now treasures time, connection, and presence more than ever, making up for what once felt lost.
Values That Shape Both Life and Literature
Molly’s values are quietly powerful. She believes in looking beyond oneself, staying open, and appreciating the richness that every individual brings into the world. Integrity sits at the centre of her work ethic. She holds a simple but demanding rule for herself, never ask of others what she would not be willing or able to do herself.
Equally important is her belief in living fully. Life, she feels, is fleeting, and opportunities rarely wait. Her approach is not rushed, but intentional. Each day is something to be made the most of, a philosophy that subtly weaves its way into the rhythm of her stories and the choices she makes as a creative professional.
From the Classroom to the Page
Before she became an author, Molly spent several years as a teacher. While deeply meaningful, teaching demanded immense emotional and creative energy. Over time, she realised that her gifts could reach further and touch more lives through storytelling. Creativity, in her eyes, is one of the most profound gifts one can offer, especially to children. It frees the mind from grief, boredom, fear, and limitation.
The shift did not come from careful planning, but from clarity. One day, she simply woke up knowing she needed to write. That decision opened doors she never imagined, taking her across countries, into new communities, and toward people who shared the same creative spirit. The literary world, she discovered, was welcoming and generous, filled with individuals eager to support rather than compete.
A Cat, A Loss, and the Birth of a Storyteller
Molly’s writing journey began with a deeply personal moment. When her family cat was lost on a ferry, the grief was overwhelming, especially for her mother. Writing became Molly’s way of bringing comfort and light into that sadness. At the same time, she herself was feeling lost in the vastness of London. Creating that first story gave her a sense of belonging when the world felt noisy and unfamiliar.
That story resonated, and encouragement followed. She continued writing, not just as a creative exercise, but as a way to hold on to friendships, memories, and emotional safety. Through fictional companions, she found courage to explore, travel, and face life independently, never truly feeling alone.
Stories That Teach Children How to Stand Strong
Animals, emotions, teamwork, and kindness form the backbone of Molly’s books. Beneath the gentle narratives lie messages she believes are essential for young readers, courage in the face of fear, compassion for others, resilience during hardship, and the strength to do what is right, even when it feels difficult or unpopular.
One of her most powerful metaphors is the idea of nurturing one’s wings. Children, she believes, should grow interests, confidence, and inner strength so that even if the branch beneath them breaks, they already know how to fly. Her stories encourage self-belief without arrogance and independence without isolation.
Life Experiences That Shape Authentic Stories
Molly believes authenticity in writing comes from lived experience. She writes about places she has been, emotions she has felt, and struggles she understands. Travel plays a significant role in shaping her empathy, opening her mind to cultures, perspectives, and deeper compassion.
Her creative process is immersive and playful. When writing animal characters, she often wears animal costumes or cat ears, allowing herself to fully inhabit their world. Personal suffering, she acknowledges, has also shaped her empathy. Pain, when processed honestly, becomes a bridge to understanding others more deeply.
The Power of Collaboration
Collaboration has been central to Molly’s growth as an author. Working with illustrators and publishers across the UK and the USA has expanded the reach and richness of her stories. For one of her books, she interviewed ninety illustrators, a process that taught her patience, trust, and the art of delegation.
Letting go of control was not easy. These stories matter deeply to her. Yet she learned that when creative people bring their unique gifts together, the result is far greater than what one individual could achieve alone. Respecting an illustrator’s creative freedom is, to her, non-negotiable.
A Life Without a Typical Day
There is no such thing as a typical day in Molly’s life. Each morning, however, begins with a grounding ritual, ten minutes of yoga, supporting her recovery from major surgery and strengthening both body and mind. From there, her day unfolds organically, shaped by writing, tutoring, podcasting, study, and moments of unexpected inspiration.
She does not believe structure and creativity are opposing forces. Instead, they coexist naturally. Creativity, she says, is a mindset. Even a short taxi ride can spark an idea if the mind is open. Though immersed in children’s literature professionally, she still values academic learning, recently completing a course on Indigenous children’s literature in New Zealand and attending conferences whenever possible.
Writing as Leadership
Writing for children, Molly believes, is a profound form of leadership. Young minds absorb everything. The responsibility to offer them purity, truth, inspiration, and emotional honesty is immense. In a world full of distractions, she advocates for slowing down, reading deeply, and creating thoughtfully.
Books, to her, are a lasting legacy. They shape values quietly and endure long after trends fade. There is something powerful in switching off from constant connection, disappearing into a story, and returning transformed, clearer about who you want to be in the world.
Challenges, Sacrifices, and Self-Worth
Molly’s journey has not been without hardship. Entering an unfamiliar industry with no connections was daunting. Leaving a stable teaching career led to financial insecurity and difficult family conversations. At thirty, she found herself starting over, living with her parents, pursuing a dream with no guarantees.
Like many creatives, she struggled to value her own work, often underpricing herself and overcommitting. Saying no did not come easily, and burnout was a real risk. Yet every challenge shaped her resilience. Creativity, she reflects, always comes with compromise, but she would not change her path for anything.
Looking Ahead, and Words for Aspiring Women Creatives
Looking to the future, Molly’s aspirations are grounded in gratitude and possibility. Her advice to women seeking meaningful creative careers is simple yet profound, try. Believe. Begin. Writing opens worlds, even if they remain fantastical for a while. Escapism, she believes, is not avoidance, but restoration.
To bring joy to others through creativity is a rare and beautiful gift. It is one she feels thankful for every single day.
A Quiet Legacy That Teaches Us How to Fly
Molly Arbuthnott’s story is not about overnight success or loud ambition. It is about courage that grows quietly, creativity rooted in empathy, and leadership expressed through kindness. Through her stories, she is not just entertaining children. She is teaching them how to believe, how to care, and how to fly, even when the ground beneath them feels uncertain.
In a world that moves fast, Molly’s work invites us all to slow down, listen, imagine, and remember what truly matters.
