Publication Date: 15 January 2026

The Author Q&A with Ian Eagleton

First of all, can you tell us what The Dad Trap is about?

The Dad Trap follows two children, called William and Florence, who REALLY dislike each other. On the surface, they’re complete opposites and really annoy each other. However, they discover that their dates are dating and are horrified by that prospect. They decide to put their differences to one side in order to sabotage their dads’ blossoming relationship. What follows is an action-packed adventure that explores adoption, blended families, neurodivergence and the unbreakable bond between a father and his son. I think it’s my favourite book that I’ve written!

The main character, William, is such a fun character! Who or what inspired him?

William is very much based on what I was like as a child! He’s a fidgety, chatty daydreamer who loves art and singing. He’s also very particular about things – he even comes up with a weekly timetable of TV shows and meals for him and his dad! William craves stability but also likes the rush and excitement of all the pranks he instigates. I was always getting myself into ridiculous situations as a child and would let my imagination run wild. William was a brilliant character to get to know and I put a lot of my own experiences into his story.

I love that you’ve referenced a lot of other middle grade books and authors! Why is that?

In the story William is a big fan of detective stories and murder mysteries. He loves TV shows like Poirot and Miss Marple, but he also loves reading and visiting the library, so it made sense to have him talking about all the books he’s read. It’s my little way of quietly recommending other authors to the kids who read my books! Some of William’s favourite stories which I mention in The Dad Trap are:
•Vi Spy by Maz Evans
•The Hollywood Kidnap Case by A.M Howell
•The Adventurers and the Cursed Castle by Jemma Hatt
•The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by J. T. Williams
•Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki-Morris
•Murder! By Narwhal! by Alex T. Smith

What do you hope people take from reading The Dad Trap?

The main thing that I hope readers experience is fun and laughter. The Dad Trap is full of pranks and mischief, chaos, puns, silly jokes and larger-than-life characters. As I was a teacher for fourteen years, I always write for books in the hope that they’re read by a teacher to their class. It fills me with so much joy to think that there might be a class full of children giggling and laughing at William’s antics. It’s the National Year of Reading and I would really love to see as many children as possible being inspired to read and realising that reading is one of the most exciting, comforting, joyful things we can do!

Finally, can you describe The Dad Trap in three words?

Drama, deception, sabotage!

Thank you so much, Ian, for taking the time to do such an open, honest Q&A, and for listing some of the amazing books featured in The Dad Trap.

The Blurb

When William and Florence meet on the first day of Year Six, they instantly dislike each other.

William is impulsive, endlessly chatty and struggles in school. His home life is safe and predictable – just him and Dad, who adopted him as a solo parent – and that’s how William likes it.

Florence is sullen, cold, and everything seems to come easily to her. She’s moved after her parents’ divorce – but she’s convinced she won’t be staying long because they’ll definitely get back together…
But then Florence and William find out that their dads have started seeing each other. Now they must put their differences to one side. Because only if they work together might they stand a chance of splitting up their dads…

The Review

A five-star sabotage mission that succeeds in every way!

If you’re looking for a story that manages to be effortlessly funny while simultaneously tugging at every single one of your heartstrings, look no further. Ian has delivered a modern, inclusive masterpiece that feels like The Parent Trap for the 2020s, but with more heart, more puns, and a lot more tears – buy tissues!

For the bibliophiles out there, William is a protagonist after our own hearts. He is an absolute fountain of brilliant book recommendations, frequently referencing titles that will have readers reaching for their own To-Read lists.

And let’s talk about the banter! The dialogue between William and anyone he’s chatting with is a goldmine of punny wordplay. The jokes are quick, clever, and provide the perfect levity to the book’s more emotional moments. It’s a testament to Ian’s wit that the humour feels so authentic to the age group while remaining genuinely funny for adults, too.

At its core, this is a celebratory story about the unshakeable love between parents and children. It explores adoption, blended families, and LGBTQ+ themes with a sensitivity that is both heartbreaking and life-affirming. Whether you’re here for the pranks, the puns, or the profound exploration of what makes a family, this book is an absolute must-read.

Great for fans of:

• Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean
• A Kind Of Spark by Elle McNicoll
• The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. by Jen Carney

The Off The Page Challenge

In The Dad Trap, all of the children are challenged with creating a new school logo based on their school motto: Together We Can Achieve The Extraordinary.

So, I’m challenging you to create a new logo for your school.

Think about what makes your school unique. Is it a specific tree in the playground? A local landmark? Or the way everyone feels like a big family?

What shape do you want your logo to be? How will you show values like teamwork or kindness? Will you use words or not in your design?

Don’t worry about shading or making it perfect. Focus on a bold idea that makes people say, “Hey, that’s my school!”

Set your timer for 10 minutes and get creative!