The person behind the mayhem
Meet Carol
Hello, I’m Carol McMahon, the creator of Pocket Mayhem.
I’m a mum, nana to eight grandchildren and proud servant to Saffy, my much-loved—and occasionally rather demanding—tuxedo cat. My family, their different personalities and the everyday adventures, worries and wonderfully funny moments that come with children helped inspire the world of Pocket Mayhem.
Pocket Mayhem began when one of my granddaughters hid a plastic pig, a rubber frog and a rubber duck in my dressing table. Finding them together sparked the characters into life, while the everyday adventures, worries and wonderfully funny moments shared by all my grandchildren continue to inspire the stories.
I made my first stories into small photo books using FreePrints. Nana’s Wild Vet Chase was followed by Jellytot Island, Trip to the Seaside and We’re Going to the Supermarket. When other people saw them and began asking me to write more, those private family books gradually grew into Pocket Mayhem.
These original editions were never sold, and only two sets still exist—one with me and one with Grandad Kevin. Grandad Kevin believed in Pocket Mayhem from the beginning. After reading Nana’s Wild Vet Chase, he encouraged me to keep going and helped me believe the stories could become something special. His early support gave me the confidence to take Pocket Mayhem further.
I created Pig, Frog, Cat and Nana to tell warm, reassuring stories that children can enjoy and recognise themselves in. The characters may encounter first days, bedtime battles, frightening monsters and exciting adventures, but friendship, humour and kindness are always at the heart of their stories.
Today, Pocket Mayhem includes storybooks, activity books and communication resources. I’m not a large publishing company—I’m one nana in Widnes with a busy imagination, a laptop, far too many ideas and a determination to create something children and their grown-ups can enjoy together.
When I’m not writing or designing, I can usually be found at local events with Julie by my side, spending time with my family, drinking coffee or being supervised by Saffy.
Welcome to our little world. I hope you enjoy the mayhem.
