-
The Enormous Pineapple
‘The Enormous Pineapple’, published by Oxford University Press, is ENORMOUSLY exciting for me. Why? Because it’s my first educational picture book. OK. Obviously I have a bit of explaining to do. A bit of background. I write picture books for ‘trade’ publishers. And I write pupil books, or readers for ‘educational’ publishers. ‘Trade’ books are generally sold in bookshops and online. You might have certain books in a series, but they generally exist on their own. You usually submit an original idea to a trade publisher. ‘Educational’ reading schemes are normally sold directly from the publishers to schools. They usually consist of lots of small books, all carefully levelled within…
Very Little chalkings
I’m lucky enough to live near Florence Park. It’s a beautiful park and dear to my heart. I’ve spent many happy hours in its playgrounds with our children when they were little, or going to baby groups in the children’s centre (now…
The Wonder Tree: the first acorn
A couple of years ago, I got really interested in trees. One tree in particular. I’d half-fallen asleep on the sofa when a wonderful BBC4 documentary came on TV. It was about a year in the life of an oak tree. George…
The real Stripy Ted
Loved to Bits is a very personal story for me. It’s about a very special bear. Yes, that ‘bear’ up there is the real Stripy Ted – and, like the bear in Loved to Bits, Stripy once was a super,…
Writing ‘The Marvellous Moon Map’
The Marvellous Moon Map is a very exciting book for me – and not just because the fantabulous David Litchfield has done the stunning illustrations for it! It’s because it’s a story which came wholly out of my head, without…
The Spectacular City
Mouse and Bear leave their deep, dark Woods to visit the Spectacular City – a place full of sparkle and singing bright lights. There they meet Cat, who offers to show them around. But behind the glitter of the City…
Loved to Bits
My ted’s special. Stripy Ted. We make adventures round my bed. But he’s no longer at his best, so will I love him more – or less? Find out in my new picture book about the adventures of one boy…
The Wonder Tree
“Mummy!” said Little Owl. “Look! The leaves are all falling!” Mummy Owl tells Little Owl all about the wonders of the tree where they live: how it drinks sun, and sucks water from the earth. And how it will be there…
The Marvellous Moon Map
Mouse and Bear live in a little dark house in the big black Woods. Today, Mouse sets off on an adventure: he’s off to find the Moon with his Marvellous Moon Map! “I can go on my own,” he announces –…
Twisting Fairy Tales
I’ve been doing lots of school visits recently and it’s been so amazing seeing so many children making up their own characters, developing new plots and lit up by the power of stories. I had a wonderful World Book Day week,…
Ten Cars and a Million Stars
Alice is counting to Baby in this counting storybook, illustrated by the wonderful Sue Heap. I’m so pleased to be working with Sue again! See if you can count all the shy ducks, fast cars, smart penguins, cuddlye cats, floppy…