Guest blog post by author Anna McQuinn

So this story was born of a particular experience...

I went to visit friends who had, shall I say, a 'lively' toddler. A babysitter was booked so we adults could go out for dinner, but at the last minute, my friends got a call to say she couldn't make it.

My lovely friends thought it would be just too much to expect their little boy, David, to sit quietly with us while we ate, and suggested we order out... but I was sure he could cope and went out to my car to get my teddy (a longer story...) Dan.

I sat David down and told him that we were going to a restaurant but we were not sure Dan would be able to behave. I asked David if he would take charge of Dan, explain to him that he would have to sit nicely while we waited for food; that he was not to play with the cutlery, the plates OR the food; but that we would bring along some toys. It wasn't quite an opportunity for play, but close... and David seemed keen to take responsibility!

We were lucky to have a wonderful elderly waiter, just like Bruno. Not only did he get a suitable chair for David, but he got one for Dan too AND put a napkin on both their laps - exactly as he did for the adults.

I can report that Dan did really well, and only had to be called to attention once or twice by David! And we all had a wonderful meal and evening together.

So when I came to write this story of course I had to chanel this experience almost exactly (except that Leo has his own Mr. Seahorse).

Just this weekend - a few weeks before publication, I welcomed David to my home. He was accompanied by his wife Levi and his young son, Huxley, as well as his brother Dylan. We didn't go out to lunch, but I can report that Huxley behaved beautifully at the table at lunch and David, Levi and Dylan enjoyed my old story - and my new one!

For more tips for taking toddlers to eat out, click here.

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