About the Author
Sean McDonald is a passionate primary school teacher who often says he has the best job in the world. Dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and discover their potential, he brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a genuine love of learning to the classroom every day. As a maths graduate of the University of Sheffield, Sean is especially passionate about mathematics and hopes his Math Monsters series will help children overcome their fear of maths and discover how fun and exciting it can be.
Sean lives in Yorkshire with his two rescue dogs, Lexi and Blossom, who keep life lively and full of personality. A committed supporter of animal rescue, he also regularly cares for rescue rodents—especially gerbils. This is particularly impressive because Sean spent most of his life with a phobia of them, but his desire to help animals in need proved stronger than his fear.
Sean has wanted to be an author since he was a child, and some of his warmest memories are of reading with his mum, who remains his greatest inspiration. He first dipped his toes into writing by creating a small, practical book for new teachers, sharing the lessons he learned during his first year in the classroom. His debut novel, The Penguin Poachers, marked an exciting step into storytelling—although Sean often jokes that he wishes he had chosen a better title!
Outside of teaching and writing, Sean is a passionate football fan. He proudly supports Liverpool FC and is also an enthusiastic follower of the England Lionesses and Doncaster Rovers Belles. He is also a strong chess player, with a grade close to 2000, and has represented his local city team on many occasions. Today, he enjoys giving back to the game by volunteering his time to teach junior players, helping them learn chess and take part in teams and tournaments.
Whether he’s in the classroom, writing stories, coaching chess, or caring for his animals, Sean brings warmth, humour, and a genuine passion for helping others discover what they are capable of.
Discover your next series!
The ITSS
Have you ever found that you seem to have a special connection to animals? Perhaps you seem to share an understanding with them, though you don't know why. Maybe they seem to just like you, even if they don't know you yet. If any of these apply to you, then you may have the gift of therianthropy - the ability to transform into your inner animal - and this rare skill may show itself at any moment. If so, then the ITSS (International Therianthropy Secret Service) may be looking to recruit you to their top-secret organisation, which dedicates itself to helping animals and preventing crime across the planet.
Math Monsters
Written by a maths graduate and primary school teacher, the math monsters’ series is designed to help tackle anxiety around maths for children, and maybe even their grown-ups! Each book focuses on helping children to realise that they have the strength to achieve anything with enough determination, and that they need to be kind to themselves and not let a fear of going wrong hold them back. That way, they will all join Jay and Erin as secret agents against the evil monsters! Additionally, the books reinforce some of the learning and vocabulary taught in schools.
Teacher Guides
As an experienced, passionate teacher, Sean McDonald has written some of his findings in friendly, easy-to-read guides, which you can explore here.