I'm absolutely thrilled to share the news: I'm following in the footsteps of some remarkable authors and illustrators as the new BookTrust Writer In Residence! You can read all about it in this blog post on their website.

I've long been a fan of BookTrust and the wonderful work they do to promote early years literacy in every child. Their resources have been a great help to me as a parent. I know that enjoyment is the key to learning to read, to continuing to read, to getting the reading bug - all of which is proven to have a huge impact on the way we go on through our lives.

I urge anyone who either has, cares for, or works with young children to explore the BookTrust website for brilliant tips, advice and recommendations that are all there to support you, as you support children learning to read. And learning, I hope, to enjoy it!



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​​I have two books publishing this week, both with Bloomsbury. 

The Thunk is possibly my favourite picture book so far! It's illustrated gorgeously by Deborah Allwright and is the follow up to our book, She Rex. It's already picking up some wonderful reviews and I couldn't be more delighted.

I've been working with the team at Bloomsbury for many years, and I am tremendously proud of every book we've created together. I feel like I'm becoming a stronger writer with every one, and that has a lot to do with the editors I work with. They champion my stories and help me hone them, and I am super thankful for their support. Thank you to Team Bloomers -- members past, present and future!

I'm gearing up for a schools tour in the north of England as part of the annual World Book Day celebrations. I'll be working with the brilliant teams at Hull SLS and Leeds SLS, as well as reading at The Rabbit Hole Bookshop in Hebden Bridge.

I'll be sharing a selection of my new stories and getting everyone fired up about literacy. It's always so much fun touring with the schools library service. With any luck rail and teacher strikes won't wreak havoc with my visit... I can't wait to see everyone and introduce you to my new books!

I'm just back from a trip to Toronto, where I was delighted to appear at the 43rd annual Toronto Festival of Authors. It was a fun packed event, with plenty of smart kids in attendance! We went on A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting and even ventured into Wondermere with Grace and Portia in ,Do Not Disturb The Dragons.

Emigrating amid a pandemic is quite something. Add to that a recent visit from Hurricane Fiona, and I'm sure you can imagine how much I enjoyed being able to travel and appear on stage again!

Thanks to Janet Smyth for the invitation, and to Olivia Hope for the introduction. Thanks also to my publishers and Indigo for their support with book sales, to the Festival staff, crew and volunteers for their help, and to all the families who joined the fun!

THE PUMPKIN WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK is out now with Scholastic, illustrated by Tom Knight. You can buy it in all the usual places, including here.

Sorry I've been quiet recently. I've not had much time to update this blog, or send out newsletters to schools, and I've not been posting much on social media. It's a sign that I've been busy, busy, busy.

Busy settling into a new home - I moved to Atlantic Canada last year with my family, not the smallest of undertakings - and busy with new writing projects and virtual school visits.

I have, I think, at least 10 books currently in production, and I'm working on several brand new ones. This makes me very happy as I celebrate 10 years on the bookshelves today. 

Thanks to my agents, The Catchpole Agency for getting behind me, and thanks to YOU for reading. I'm a very happy author indeed.

Isabelle and The Crooks is out in hardback with Walker Books! I'm so excited. It's my first picture book collaboration with my friend, Chris Mould.

Chris is one of my absolute illustration HEROES. His work is as unique, wicked and charming as he is, and I'm so chuffed that we're making books together. Look out for number two later this year...

I'm also as honoured as ever to be working with Tanya, Ines, Maria, Dee and the rest of the team at Walker. They're truly brilliant too, as are James, Celia and Lucy at The Catchpole Agency. Back when I was only dreaming of making books, this is how I hoped it might be. Thank you, all, you're champs!

Anyhow, a funny story for you... I emigrated to Canada a few months ago, and my new house belonged to an Isabelle who lived here into her 90s. She shared many attributes with Isabelle Crook, but I doubt she was half as sneaky, and I'm fairly certain she was a law-abiding citizen...

I hope you all enjoy the story - I know you'll enjoy looking at the pictures. Here's the blurb...

They are sneaky. They are stealthy. They are cunning... They're the CROOKS!

Isabelle Crook is a very good little girl, who would never dream of breaking the law.
Her family, on the other hand, are the stealthiest, most cunning burglars around!

Can Isabelle ever feel like one of the gang - a true Crook - while staying true to herself?
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Irreverent and adventurous, this picture book comedy sees everyone tip-toeing about at night, and is brought to life by Chris Mould's expressive, gloriously detailed illustrations.