Happy New Year! I hope you've had a good Christmas? I seem to have gained the equivalent weight of a tin of Quality Street on each thigh. 

Because I don't already have enough to do what with dieting, exercise and several books to finish, I thought I'd give my website a bit of an overhaul. Apologies for any bits of code that I've left visible, or any gremlins still in the works. I'll get round to a good old spit and polish when I get time. 

This year sees the publication of, I think, at least five new picture books from me. But I may have miscounted... Tooth Fairy in Training with Briony May Smith for Walker, The Pawed Piper with Chinlun Lee for Walker, Happy Birthday to You, Princess and Happy Birthday to You, Pirate, both with Vicki Gausden for HarperCollins and Do The Dinosaur with Rosalind Beardshaw for Egmont.

Catalina and Tim have delivered final art for#OnlyOneOfMe! Those two deserve a pat on the back, standing ovation, Mexican wave, medal and quite frankly a holiday. Now it's over to the brilliant team at Graffeg to design and artwork it ready for print.
I can't wait for you all to see it. It's such a top quality picture book you would honestly never believe it came together so quickly. Incredibly, you don't have long to wait.
Both the Mum and Dad versions of #OnlyOneOfMe will be widely available to buy from 12 October 2018. You'll be able to buy a copy in high street bookshops such as Waterstones and WH Smiths, online through Graffeg and Amazon and at independent bookshops throughout the UK. You'll also be able to borrow #OnlyOneOfMe from your local library.
The first print run is limited. We expect high demand and hope to be re-printing before too long. Don't miss out - pre-order a copy NOW!Preorder DAD VERSION from Graffeg
Preorder DAD VERSION from Waterstones
Preorder DAD VERSION from Amazon
Preorder MUM VERSION from Graffeg
Preorder MUM VERSION from Waterstones
Preorder MUM VERSION from Amazon
I recommend popping to your local indie book store and asking them to order you one in. Should you need them, here are the ISBN numbers:-

Have you looked closely at your grandma lately? You might want to check for signs that something's not quite right...

Is she acting oddly? Is she green around the gills? Has she grown tentacles? That's not your grandma. It's a Grandma From Mars! RUN!!! 

It's an unpredictable, energetic and anarchic romp through the kitchen and - as proven with an audience of 300 children the other day - kids just can't help joining in.
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I'm really looking forward to touring schools and book festivals in the coming weeks dressed as a giant sausage... Honestly.

2nd Feb - Bristol Schools with South Gloucestershire Library Service.
8th Feb - Plymouth Schools with Portsmouth Schools Library Service.
15th Feb - Seven Stories, Newcastle - tickets.
21st Feb - Portsmouth schools with Portsmouth Library Service
23rd Feb - Chippenham Literature Festival.
18th Mar - Story Museum, Oxford Literary Festival - tickets.
13th May - WITH TOR FREEMAN! Barnes Children's Literature Festival.

I was lucky enough to see a giant panda and red pandas at Edinburgh Zoo this summer when I travelled up to take part in the Book Festival (another huge bit of luck!), so I'm all about pandas right now.
My latest book is now out as part of OUP's brilliant Story Sparks reading scheme. Bam and Red is illustrated by Ashley King, and it is completely gorgeous!

THE HAT THAT ZACK LOVES has been waiting in the wings a long time, I'm so excited that it's finally on the shelves!

It's a new take on the old rhyme, The House That Jack Built, featuring a boy, a beloved hat, a host of animals and a wild goose chase across a city.

​The striking illustrations are by Robert Reader, who is new to picture books but not so new to creating stunning art. I hope you like it!

Have You Seen My Giraffe is released in a couple of weeks - and the trailer is here! With thanks to Claire Powell for her wonderful art and to Simon and Schuster.