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December 1, 2025 36 mins

Peter B. Cotton: When Fred the Snake and Friends Learn the Chinese Zodiac and the Great Race! This is episode 802 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.

Dr. Peter B. Cotton is the author and creator of an award-winning children’s book series, Fred the Snake, which now consists of 10 books.

He grew up in England, where the first tale was conceived long ago as a bedtime story for his then young children about how (not) to cross the road. When they had their kids, they asked what happened to “Fred-Fred”. Peter teamed up with a special illustrator (Canadian Bonnie Lemaire) and published the first book, When Fred the Snake got Squished and Mended. 

Before becoming a great grandfather and celebrated children’s book author, he saved lives as a leading gastroenterologist. His illustrious, international, five-decade career in medicine included treating royalty and celebrity patients, teaching, writing nearly 1,000 published medical papers, penning 10 medical books, and lecturing in over 50 nations and across the United States. He has written the definitive textbook, now in its eighth edition, Cotton and Williams’ Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: The Fundamentals.

He also recently published his memoir, The Tunnel at the End of the Light. Schooled by Quakers, he used to tag along with his dad, a doctor, on farmhouse calls. He received his pilot license and gliding certificate in his youth. He played junior tennis at Wimbledon and got to caddie for his son who twice competed at the British Golf Open.

Dr. Cotton, 85, and his wife, Marion, are blessed with four children, eight grandchildren and four great grand kids. They reside near Charleston, SC, on Dewees Island, an eco-sensitive community of 72 homes, without any cars or shops. 

Our focus today is Peter’s latest book … When Fred the Snake and Friends Learn the Chinese Zodiac and the Great Race! 

Awesome stories!

Incredible conversation!

Thanks for listening!

Thanks for sharing!

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Connect & Learn More:

https://petercottontales.com/

https://www.facebook.com/fredthesnakebooks

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhqEjpPL5v3nuxt4yoeGYg

https://www.pinterest.com/petercotto1597/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cotton-8b1b0240/

https://www.instagram.com/fredthesnake_/

Length - 36:08

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