Blog Tour: Moon Flight

I remember first hearing Gill Lewis speak at Hay Festival in June 2011. Her passion for wildlife and nature was infectious and when she signed my book, she noticed my ‘Monkey World’ fleece and we chatted about sponsoring animals- a chimpanzee for me and an osprey for her. Since then, I have seen her many times and have enjoyed reading- and recommending- all of her books so I am particularly delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for her latest, ‘Moonflight’, a captivating adventure story about a timid rat called Tilbury and his sister, Nimble-Quick. It is the quest of a lifetime, full of peril and challenges, and one which allows Tilbury to discover what really matters in life.

I asked Gill some questions…

1)      You are well known for writing superb books which reflect your passion for wildlife, the importance of our relationship with nature and empathy for others.  ‘Moonflight’ is a fantastic story- but a very different style. If it’s not too much of a cliched question, can you tell me what inspired you to write this heart-warming quest?

Many of my other stories are directly about conservation of species and show human protagonists where the animal is not anthropomorphized at all. For Moonflight I wanted to use rats to portray humans and explore aspects of our humanity; those of greed, jealousy and quest for power. Essentially the rats are so anthropomorphised that they are humans thinly veiled as rats.

We humans are a strange species, putting value on rocks and minerals from the ground, eg gold, diamonds etc. We tell stories about these precious metals and gemstones that give us status and power to have them in our possession. I think Moonflight was sparked by one story in particular, one of the cursed Koh-i-Noor diamond, a gemstone with many legends and a history of bloodshed, lies and deceit. This diamond was ‘acquired’ by Queen Victoria from a eleven-year-old maharaja, Duleep Singh. It is said it was gained by deception, though I wonder if Queen Victoria convinced herself with her own story that it was legally gained. It has a curse such that no male heir to the throne will ever wear it. I wonder if surely the curse is just another story, but one where the true narrative of bloodshed cannot be hidden but is a warning for all those who seek the diamond’s power. In Moonflight I wanted Tilbury to go in search of the truth that runs beneath so many stories, and he must find the true owners of the legendary Cursed Night, a black diamond that holds the fate of all the Dockland Rats.

2)      Tilbury and his little sister, Nimble-Quick, are very different personalities. Which would you say you are most like- and why?

They are indeed very different. Tilbury is timid, risk averse and anxious. Nimble-Quick is fierce, loyal and determined. She knows her own mind and is not afraid to speak out. Tilbury fears the unknown, whereas Nimble-Quick yearns for adventure.

I would like to think I am more like Nimble-Quick. I am not afraid to speak out about issues that concern me. But perhaps in reality I’m a little more like Tilbury, a little anxious and a planner for all disaster eventualities. And as I get older, I’m finding myself quite content in my own company, happy to spend my time walking with my dogs and swimming in the cold Atlantic Sea and turning my mind inwards to the infinite adventures and journeys of the realms of the imagination.

3)      Although I always prefer a book, there is no denying that ‘Moonflight’ would make an incredible film. Would you be happy if this were to happen – and would you prefer an animated version or one with actors?

I would LOVE for Moonflight to be made into an animated film. The rat-based films Ratatouille and Flushed Away both come to mind. If I could go back in time, I think I would have loved to have studied animation. I think the story would work well to be made into a film for Virtual Reality to place the viewer directly into the world of Tilbury.

4)      Are you planning to write more adventures set in this world? (Please say yes!)

Not yet, but writing the story freed me up to write in a much more organic way. Usually, I have some idea of the plot for a story, based on months of research, but for Moonflight I just started writing and let Tilbury lead the way. I also love world-building a different reality and hope to explore this in coming writing adventures.

5)      When reading for pleasure yourself do you prefer poetry, prose or non-fiction?

I read a lot of non-fiction and narrative non-fiction, often for research, or because they cover topics that I’m interested in. I have enjoyed Wyl Menmuir’s Draw of the Sea. I do read poetry but find some poetry difficult to access. My favourite recent poets are Rebecca Elson with her anthology Responsibility to Awe and AF Harrold’s poems and lyrical writing. I love Harrold’s book A Song from Somewhere Else illustrated by Levi Pinfold. I find fiction hard to read when I am writing the first draft of a story because another person’s protagonist starts filling my head. I also find I have so little time to read, and really enjoy audiobooks so that I can listen to a story while driving, cleaning the house or dog walking. Anne Booth’s Small Miracles is a fabulous story.

6)      If you could only recommend ONE book to young readers, which book would it be -and why?

Shaun Tan’s Tales from the Inner City. The book has glorious surreal art and wonderful fable-like stories that we can all relate to. The art is so rich that a reader could become lost in their own stories about the artwork too. The stories are varied, short enough for a quick read to dip into, or long enough to curl up with a hot drink and cake, to savour the richness of the tales. One of my favourite stories is a bittersweet one about an Orca in the sky. To me it’s a reflection of the disconnect we have from the natural world, and the cruelty of keeping captive marine mammals. 

7)      And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

A most important question. My safe bet is always a coffee and walnut cake - I love the intense coffee flavour and the earthy walnuts. However, I do like a good carrot cake with juicy raisins and plenty of cream cheese frosting. But if I push the boat out, I always go for a hummingbird cake with the tropical flavours of pineapple and banana.

Thank you so much to Gill for joining me today and to David Fickling Books for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. I must investigate hummingbird cake!

‘Moonflight’ could make an excellent class read- or Guided Reading text- perfect for capturing imagination and offering plenty to discuss and enjoy.

Moonflight Gill Lewis

David Fickling Books ISBN: 978-1788452571

You can read my review of Gorilla Dawn here, A Wisp of Wisdom here, A Story Like the Wind here, Willow Wildthing here and Swan Song here.

Meet S F Said

I first heard S F Said talk about his writing at CLPE Power of Reading meeting some years ago. Since then, I have been lucky enough to hear him on a number of occasions and am always fascinated by what he has to say. His latest book, ‘Tyger’, illustrated by Dave McKean, was published in October, but I had been able to read this in advance, having been lucky enough to receive a proof copy. The story had a profound effect on me and will, I imagine win many awards.

In my review, I call ‘Tyger’ a ‘masterpiece’ and I stand by this completely. The more I read it, the more I come to appreciate it which makes me very nervous about asking any questions, but here we go…

1. Where did the very first spark of an idea for this story come from?

It all started many years ago when I was at school, and we read William Blake's poem The Tyger.  "Tyger Tyger burning bright" – I was mesmerised by those lines.  That spark eventually led to me writing my own Tyger, so the story was growing inside me for almost half a century!

2. Blake has obviously been a great influence on your writing of this story- tyger, the lamb, Urizen, etc. What elements of his work do you return to time and again?

While I was writing my last book, Phoenix, I started to think about writing a book called Tyger.  It was always called Tyger, with a y, and there was always a being called a tyger at the heart of it.  I could see this tyger; I could even hear its voice.  But what exactly was it? 

To try to understand my idea, I went back to Blake's poem.  I found all the magic and mystery not only intact, but heightened by everything else I could now bring to reading it.  The poem had the power of a myth for me – and I love mythology as much as I love tigers!

It was only at this point that I went on to read Blake's other work.  I discovered that he really did create his own mythology, and the more of his work I read, the more I felt that I might be able to do something like that, too.  More than anything, it's this sense of the mythic that keeps me coming back to Blake.  If I had to pick a label for the books I write, I'd pick 'mythic fiction'.

3. Set in an alternate England when the British Empire still exists and ‘foreigners’ live in the Soho Ghetto, there are many sections of the book which are painful to read, echoing events like Kristallnacht, showing ignorant attitudes towards those perceived as ‘different’, the brutality of hangings at Tyburn and the inhumanity of slavery. I feel you have managed to convey such horrors in a ‘responsible’ way, but how would you respond to those who might say these things have no place in children’s books?

The alternate world of Tyger evolved out of my historical research into Blake and his times.  Many of the things described in the book are things that really did happen in places like London, not all that long ago.  And the legacies of Empire and slavery are still very much with us today.

It's true that Tyger deals with some difficult things.  But they're all things that felt essential to the story.  And when I was a child, my favourite books were the ones that took me seriously as a reader; the books that were honest, and didn't try to soften or simplify the truth.  So that's the kind of book I always want to write myself.

I do also think that Tyger has a lot of hope in it.  It's a book that believes children have the power to make a better world, and it believes there are the adults who will help them – not least the heroic librarians, booksellers and teachers who help the children in the story to change their world!

4. ‘All human beings have sparks in their hearts,’ she [the Tyger] said.” What do you think is your spark and how do you ‘use it fearlessly’?

I'm not sure, but I do have a very deep belief in the power and importance of children's books.  That's why I've dedicated my life to writing them, even though I find it difficult.  Tyger took me 9 long, hard years to write, and there were times when it seemed it might never be finished.  But I'm glad I persevered; all the hard work feels more than worth it now.  Because children's books are too important to give it anything less than your very best, however hard that might be.  And I feel sure Tyger is my best book so far.

5. If you could have written any book, which would it be- and why?

My favourite book as a child was Watership Down by Richard Adams.  That was the book that made me want to be a writer.  I remember thinking that if I could ever write something that was even half as good as Watership Down, that would be an amazing thing to do with my life.

I've re-read it many times since then, and every time, it only gets better.  It's still my favourite book.  I can't imagine having written it myself – but I really do think it's the best book I've ever read, and none of my books would exist without it.

6. Are you working on another book at the moment and are we going to have to (somehow!) wait another nine years before we can read it?

Thank you!  And yes – although I was exhausted after the 9 years of writing Tyger, I had an idea I was excited about, and so I got to work on it not long after I finished Tyger.  I hope this one doesn't take 9 years, but it takes as long as it takes to make a book as good as you can possibly make it, and that's always my aim with every book. 

I know now that I will never write a lot of books.  But what I can do is to make each and every one the very best it can be, so that whoever you are, however old you are, whatever kinds of books you think you like – you will find something to enjoy in my books.

7. And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Oh, chocolate cake, definitely!  I would happily eat the cake Bruce Bogtrotter eats in Matilda!

Many thanks to S F for having taken the time to answer my questions- I know how busy you are at the moment. I can’t wait to read your next book, but know that I will return to ‘Tyger’ again and again. If you haven’t managed to get your hands on a copy of ‘Tyger’, make sure you do as it is one NOT to be missed!

You can read my review of ‘Tyger’ here.

Meet Laura Mucha

Today, I delighted to be joined by one of the most joyful people I know- poet, Laura Mucha, whose poetry book, ‘Dear Ugly Sisters and other poems’ won the NSTBA poetry category in 2021. This collection has proved incredibly popular with teachers and children alike. As well as contributing to various collections, Laura has also collaborated with two of my other favourite children’s poets on the wonderful ‘Being Me’, an excellent resource for teachers and parents as well as being a brilliant read!

1.     One of my favourite poems to share with children is ‘Travel by Book’. Which is your favourite book to travel by – and you can only choose one!

The book that pops into my head is Celebrate! which I wrote with the British Museum during the various lockdowns.

Instead of sitting in my gardenless flat in London, researching and writing Celebrate! meant I was in Botswana, Argentina, China and lots of other places I had travelled to before the pandemic hit. It REALLY helped me stay positive because it allowed me to travel the world, even though I was actually locked inside. 

2.     I have always loved poetry and my head is full of snippets of my favourites which come to me in moments of need! Have you always been drawn to poetry and if so, which are your childhood favourites?

Growing up, I read English books with Mum and Polish books with my grandparents. I still remember the line ‘whips a pistol from her knickers’ from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and REALLY loved his language and humour.

But I think my favourite book was Stefek Burczymucha by Maria Konopnicka. I still have my original copy… It’s a poetic picture book about a boy who pretends to be ridiculously brave and describes all the things he’d do to various scary animals. But at the end, you discover he’s actually petrified of a teeny tiny mouse. It’s written in fantastic metre and rhyme, which I think you can still enjoy even if you don’t speak Polish. And I love the way it explores the difference between what we say and what we actually feel or do.

3.     In your collection, ‘Dear Ugly Sisters and other poems’, you share poems in a number of forms- haiku, acrostic, shape. Do you have a favourite to use or do your ideas take shape in a particular form as they come to you?

Weirdly, a lot of poems come out as: tee TUM tee TUM tee TUM tee TUM. It’s called iambic tetrameter, and sometimes I wonder if that’s what my internal metronome is set to?!

But I think variety in a poetry collection is VERY important, so I tried to write in different forms so the book didn’t start to feel monotonous.  

Not ALL my poems come out in strict metre. Quite often they seem to demand their own shape and form, and it feels like my job to figure out what they’re after. It’s odd to talk about poems as if they have a personality but it does feel like that sometimes!?    

4.     Do you write books- fiction or non-fiction- as well as poetry?

I write fiction for younger children, and non-fiction for all ages, from preschool to adult. My plan is to write fiction for older children and young people too, but I have quite a lot of non-fiction books to finish first...

I used to be a lawyer, so maybe that's why I love doing LOTS of research and trying to find the simplest way possible to communicate big ideas. I spend a massive amount of time writing and rewriting to try to make language help understanding, instead of stand in the way of it.

Poetic technique plays a HUGE role in that, even when I’m writing prose. Poetry influences everything I write and I often send what are probably quite annoying notes to my editors talking about metre even when a book doesn't have a single poem in it.

5.     Why do you think poetry is important- particularly for children?

I love the musicality of poetry. I think it can help make words feel more friendly, more accessible, more joyful, more memorable. So I think poetry has an important role to play in language development.

I think the smallness of poetry can be really helpful in exploring and containing difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences that might otherwise feel scary or overwhelming to a child or young person (or adult). It never ceases to amaze me that a small package of words can help clarify something difficult in our lives, change the way we think and help us know we are not alone.

A poem’s smallness is also a great way into learning how to write. I love co-writing poems with large groups of students, going through the messy start of the creative process to the brutal decision making that’s involved in editing, followed by the challenges of performing. Poems are a great way to learn all of that. I don’t think I could achieve anything near that trying to co-write a chapter with a hundred students in a short space of time.

But despite its many benefits, I think a lot of people see poetry as intimidating or difficult and I would love to change that. 

Photos taken during the on-line launch of ‘Shaping the World’.

6.     What can you tell me about what are you working on at the moment?

I’m in the process of finalising three books: the first is Celebrate! that I mentioned earlier. The second is Welcome to our Table, a book about food around the world for children. I co-wrote it with my husband who is a food writer and learnt a GIGANTIC amount doing it.

The third is a book for adults about how our upbringings impact us throughout life. I joined a research group at Cambridge University to try to understand all the many, MANY complexities of the subject – and to make sure I don’t get it wrong! It’s taken me about 5 years so far and I’m looking forward to finishing...

I’m also working on a series of full colour poetry-non-fiction books for Hachette. The first is called Scary and looks at creatures that seem scary before exploring why they aren’t, or why they’re scary because they’re scared, or why they’re actually really interesting. It also explores the science of fear. Fear plays a major role in our lives, and I don’t think we do enough to support young people in understanding how it works or how to manage it.

7.     And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

When I was little, my grandma used to bake cakes and one of my favourite things EVER IN LIFE was to lick the bowl. It didn’t really matter what the cake was, as long as it was uncooked and dolloped on my finger!  

Another favourite cake is anything my mum makes me for my birthday. She always goes all out and creates slightly bonkers iced bonanzas. When my very first book came out, she made a cake that looked just like the book cover. She’s also made me a cake that featured a swimming pool in it!?

I don't think I've answered your question. If I had to choose one type of cake, I would go for cornflake cakes when they’re smothered in dark chocolate. I think they are DELICIOUS! In fact, I might make some right now…

Thank you so much to Laura for joining me today! I can’t wait to read ‘Celebrate!’ and we must get together for a cake making (and eating!) fest sometime soon!!

You can read my review of ‘Dear Ugly Sisters…’ here including a link to some teaching notes to go with some of the poems.

Meet Joseph Coelho

Today, I am delighted that Joseph Coelho kindly found time in his very busy Laureate-ing schedule to join me on the Bookshelf. I have heard Joseph speaking many times over the years, at conferences and festivals, and am constantly inspired by his enthusiasm and passion for poetry. Author of the lovely ‘Luna’ books (Luna Loves Library Day, Luna Loves Dance, Luna Loves WBD, Luna Loves Art) illustrated by Fiona Lumbers and the ‘Fairy Tales Gone Bad’ series, Joseph has also written some fabulous picture books, including the very beautiful ‘Our Tower’, illustrated by Richard Johnson.

1.       Firstly, huge congratulations on becoming Children’s Laureate. I am sure you have great plans and will be doing many exciting things. What would you like your legacy from this time to be?

Thank you so much, it is a real honour. Being a poet, my first focus is on poetry and shifting the baggage associated with the medium. I have spent over 20 years working in schools engaging young people with literacy through poetry and have seen first-hand the impact that poetry can have in this endeavour. But I have also seen the fear associated with poetry that's why I have started the Poetry Prompts. Every week a new video goes live gently inviting everyone to write a poem in a fun and accessible way in under ten minutes, I want everyone to reclaim the birth right of poet and to realise that poetry is there waiting for us whenever we need it, not just for those big life changing moments (deaths, births and marriages) but also as a means of describing a perfect holiday or expressing a day when we haven't felt ourselves or recording a fun time with friends. I hope that after my tenure has finished there will be a lot more people realising that poetry is always available to them.

You can take part in the poetry prompts by checking out the videos over on the Booktrust website... www.booktrust.org.uk/poetryprompts

2.       Everyone knows how much you value libraries from your ‘Library Marathon’. Did you have a particular library you used to visit as a child and do you have a favourite now?

My first library was Roehampton library, still open! Based at the bottom of a block of flats I have fond memories of exploring its shelves when I was little. I have visited over 141 libraries now as part of my Libraries Marathon where I plan to visit and join a library in one of every 209 library authorities in the UK. I have seen brand new modern libraries, libraries in buses, beautiful Carnegie libraries and even a library in a converted one-bedroom flat on an estate. Every library has its charm so it's hard to pick one, but if pushed I would go for the new Children's Library opened in Z-arts Manchester a beautiful rainbow filled library filled with kids’ books.

3.       If you were in charge of education, what would your dream vision for poetry in schools be?!

I would love to see more space for creative writing that would include poetry. It's such a shame that young people so often miss out on the opportunity to see themselves as writers and poets. I find that if a young person is able to see themselves as a writer then they are more likely to want to engage in reading and discovering the works of others. The written word becomes something that is welcoming them in rather than just something done by other people.

4.       In ‘The Girl Who Became a Tree’ and ‘The Boy Lost in the Maze’, you brilliantly blend modern life with Greek mythology. Do you have plans for any more verse novels in this style?

I'm always dreaming up new stories and have quite a few things I want to work on, so you never know... watch this space.

5.       Your new book, ‘Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss’, is a joyful collection of poems for very young children, but you write poetry which appeals to all ages. Which age group do you find the easiest to write poetry for and which the hardest?

I don't believe there is one age group that is harder to write for... writing a good poem is difficult no matter the age range. There is often a belief that writing for younger children is easier, people read a rhyming text or a picture book text and think (without ever trying it) "I could do that!" when in fact using fewer words to great effect makes things trickier and when writing for a younger audience you are writing a piece that (you hope) will be read again and again and not just by the child but by the adult as well. When writing material for younger audiences you really also have to consider an adult audience too. If anything I think it is easier to write badly for young people - and this is where the misconception lies.

6.       What are you working on at the moment?

Several exciting things, a new action-adventure middle-grade series, a couple of poetry collections and some more PB's a little bit of everything and a few expeditions into new territory which I’m particularly excited about with my Ten Word Tiny Tales coming out next year. It is a compendium of illustration talent working with artists like Flavia Drago and Shaun Tan to help young readers unlock their imaginations by taking one of my little stories -  gorgeously illustrated by a host of fantastic illustrators - and turning them into fully fledged tales.

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

This is a serious and difficult question. I am partial to a piece of Madeira but of late I've become slightly hooked on a vegan biscoff sponge from a local cafe... in fact, I may grab a slice now!

Huge thanks to Joseph for joining me today. Biscoff Brownie is a huge favourite in this house, but we might have to try the sponge. I’m very excited to hear about ‘Ten Word Tiny Tales’ and shall eagerly await its arrival!

You can read my review of ‘Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss’ here and ‘The Boy in a Maze’ here.

Meet Samuel Langley-Swain

Today, I am thrilled to be joined on the Bookshelf by Samuel Langley-Swain, author and founder of Owlet Press whose books are just delightful. Samuel’s new book, ‘Where Bjorn Belongs’ is a heart-warming, tender story- perfect for this time of year!

1.       You are the founder of ‘Owlet Press’, a very inclusive publisher. Why did you choose the name ‘Owlet’?

I was inspired by the symbolic ‘wise old owl’ which is often used in books and in publishing for that matter. I thought about how our books should give children different types of wisdom, helping them grow into ‘owls’ and so Owlet was born. Amazingly the name wasn’t already taken, so it was obviously meant to be!

2.       What three words would you choose to describe Owlet Press to someone who doesn’t know you?

Small – we’re one of the smallest presses in the market – a one-man business with a tiny team of fantastic freelance experts. I think often people don’t realise that. The performance of each book has a direct impact on my livelihood, which means any support means so much.

Honest – our books deal with some quite impactful themes, and we approach them with an authenticity that feels respectful to the children who might have those lived experiences. I’m also very open about the trials of being a micro-business within the publishing industry.

Brave – we publish books that other publishers may consider too risky, or niche. For us, we obviously need to survive, but the social need for the book often outweighs the commercial security of a concept. We also need courage to keep trading in changing and challenging markets.

3.       ‘Where Bjorn Belongs’ is a beautiful book about friendship and belonging. It starts when a little boy called Arthur loses his favourite toy, a polar bear called Barney. Did you have a toy which offered you comfort when you were young?

I did – I had a small white dog with black ears. It’s one of the only items I still have from my childhood, although it’s up in the attic somewhere and looks a bit sorry for itself after over 35 years!

4.       Your words are beautifully brought to life through Mirna Imamovic’s lovely work. Which of her illustrations in ‘Bjorn’ is your favourite?

Oh, yes! Her artwork is simply stunning and everything I wanted for this story. I absolutely adore the image of Arthur falling asleep in Björn’s arms, in the open door of the fridge, before his friend is whisked away on Christmas eve. 

5.       If you could only choose one book (JUST ONE!) to recommend to others, what would it be- and why?

Well, if it was one of mine, then it would be ‘The Blanket Bears’ which helps children and families understand what it means to be adopted, which would help them grow up to be kinder to those who have been on that journey. If it’s ANY book, it would have to be ‘The Comfort Book’ by Matt Haig – I’ve taken a lot from that personally.

6.       What can you tell me about the next book we can expect from you?

Well . . . it’s very different to Where Bjorn Belongs – it features a lot of dancing animals, a mixture of body types and abilities, and the theme of being treated like an outsider.

7.       And lastly - and most importantly according to my niece - what is your favourite cake?

The hardest question of all! As I’m Welsh, it has to be bara brith (or a simply spiced tea loaf) with a generous wave of butter.

Thank you so much to Samuel for answering my questions. Not sure about your taste in cake, but I’m really looking forward to your next book!

I would highly recommended everyone exploring the Owlet Press website www.owletpress.com to discover more about the amazing books they offer. The thought and care put in to each one is obvious, making them very special.

Where Björn Belongs by Samuel Langley-Swain, illustrated by Mirna Imamovic, is published by Owlet Press. Out now, £7.99 paperback.

You can read my review of ‘Where Bjorn Belongs’ here and my reviews of two other Owlet Press titles, ‘Me, in the Middle’ here and ‘The Whale Watchers’ here.

Meet Hilary Robinson

Hilary Robinson, with Martin Impey, is well known for her excellent series of books about Ben and Ray and their experiences in the First World War. Winners of the NSTBA 2016 Poetry Category for ‘Flo of the Somme’ and the 2017 Quality Fiction Category for ‘A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan’, their books are highly respected and much used by teachers as well as families. Although Hilary is the author of over 60 books, this Q and A is focused on these titles in recognition of Remembrance Day.

1. Your quartet of books about Ben and Ray are deeply poignant stories which are incredibly popular in schools. Do you have a favourite story amongst them.

I love all the stories for different reasons but, perhaps, if I were to choose a favourite I would opt for Where The Poppies Now Grow because, without this title, the other three wouldn't exist.  It is also dedicated to our great uncles, both of whom died at the Battle of the Somme.  I also find that children identify with Ben and Ray- who represent every soldier who served - and the fact that they remained close friends throughout their lives. It has been wonderful to see how children have engaged with the story and the characters and developed an interest in their own family and local social history as a consequence.  That way the lives of those that served and those that perished live on so that we never forget how easy it is to slip into war.  Words and friendship will always be the most powerful weapons in the pursuit of peace and that is Ray and Ben's legacy.

2.The stories are told using the cumulative verse style. Why did you choose this way of telling them?

This device helps young children engage with the story content and the use of rhyme helps them to expand their vocabulary, because the rhythm, rhyme and repetition serves to reinforce. I changed this structure for Peace Lily because this was the time that reflected the start of something new so by altering the pace and pattern readers grasped the notion that a new world was looming.

3. ‘A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan’ continues to be one of my all-time favourite books and I have used it with many classes since its publication. How did you and Martin decide on using the fictional character of Alfie as the main character of the book?

Thank you and we love it Sue that you took the time to travel down to Cornwall to meet us!  Fred Paynter and William Guy were real people - gardeners who went to war.  I wanted to reflect their lives as closely as I was able drawing on recorded detail of the time.  Alfie though is fiction.  There will have been a young errand boy at Heligan and it was fun trying to imagine how he was feeling as life at Heligan began to change.  Alfie's role is also to describe events at home and to provide a colourful counter-canvas to the bleakness,  terror and atrocities on the battlefields.

4. I know that you and Martin Impey, who illustrates these books, have a very close relationship. Do you have any plans for future projects together? (Please say yes!)

Martin and I are working on solo projects but there is another collaboration on the horizon!  This will be fiction based on fact, again, and is partly autobiograpical in that the main character was a huge influence on me, my sisters and cousins when we were children. It's top secret for now but I will tell you that his name was Ted and it has been great to record his contribution to life in a deeply personal story.  Martin has also met Ted and was inspired by him too.  Sadly he died two years ago.  It is set during the second world war which is before I was born - so that part is fiction, but Ted as a character, his talents and gifts play out through the narrative and it has been lovely to honour his legacy in this way.

5. Is there a historical figure or event you would love to write about for children- one perhaps you feel has been neglected?

I would love to write about the Humbug Billy and the Bradford Sweet Poisoning disaster - not only is it a fascianting story but it shows why history is important.  It shows how easily mistakes and assumptions can be made and, in this case, the investigation led to a change in the law. 

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Dying-for-Humbug-the-Bradford-Sweets-Poisoning-1858/

6. What can we expect from you next?

I have just written two board books, illustrated by Mandy Stanley, which were influenced by all the creative ways people were recycling everyday objects during Covid.  Tatty Mouse is the ultimate mend-it-make-it-mouse and with her cool toolbelt and necklace crafted out of milk bottle tops, she is one huge role mouse-model!  I have just written her Christmas story and we are collaborating on a book that incorporates sign language as an activity.

7. And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Great question!  My absolute favourite cake is coffee and walnut.  We have our own walnut tree which produces thousands of nuts each year but I haven't grown any coffee beans yet! I love the soft meaty flesh of the walnut with the delicate coffee aroma and taste.  My aunt used to always make me a coffee and walnut cake when I visited her in Cambridge so I think of her always when I have a piece now.  Like Ben and Ray - legacies live on!

Thank you so much, Hilary for joining me today. I am really looking forward to seeing what you and Martin are up to next - and I think you should definitely write about Humbug Billy! Stories from history are so fascinating.

You can read my review of the ‘Ben and Ray’ books here and ‘A Song for Will’ here.

Meet Fleur Hitchcock

This week has seen the publication and launch of ‘Murder at Snowfall’, the latest book by the very wonderful Fleur Hitchcock. It is a gripping, thrilling tale which is sure to be every bit as popular as her other stories. I was delighted to have the chance to ask Fleur some questions about her work…

1.       Being a very versatile author, you have shown you can write for children of all ages and in a wide range of styles. Which age range do you prefer to write for and which genre do you think you do best?!

Very kind words!

I love to write thrillers, stories that take the reader to the edge of their seat where they HAVE to turn the page because they care so much about the character and the risks are so high – but whether that’s in an historical thriller or a contemporary crime caper I don’t really have a preference. My historical books are set in a different time space, but to me the characters are the same as the characters in one of my contemporary stories. Mouse is not so far from Maya in Murder in Midwinter, just different clothing and different surroundings. The past is fun because there are no mobile phones, the present is fun because there are.

 But I do like pushing the stories as close to adult crime thrillers as I dare, and then, inevitably pulling back, the younger the child, the harder it is to do that – not that I don’t enjoy writing straightforward fun adventures, after all, they were so much what I longed for as a child. Having said that, I wish I had the skill to write a picture book.  I haven’t answered your question at all, have I?

2.       If one of your ‘Murder’ books- Murder in Midwinter, Murder at Twilight, Waiting for Murder and Murder at Snowfall- was to be made into a film, which would you choose and why?

Ooh – without spoilers, Murder at Snowfall has the whole safari park section – Murder in Midwinter has the snowy Welsh mountains and Waiting for Murder has the aeroplane bit. Maybe Murder at Snowfall? But that’s because I’ve imagined it most recently. Can I put Mouse Heart forward please? (Absolutely!)

3.       Brilliantly written, ‘Murder at Snowfall’ really racks up the tension and peril! It sits perfectly in the space for those children who are strong readers in Y6/7, but not yet ready for the content of some older books.  Do you have plans for more stories like these- and would you be tempted to revisit any of these characters, leading them to solve the crime once more?

Thank you! Yes, I think my books are a preamble to Good Girl’s Guide to Murder etc – mine are “one foot on the floor (see Hollywood)” but just as risky. They’re certainly the books I wanted to read aged 10/11, but could only find Dick Francis (Eek) at the time. I love writing for this age, it’s so strong in my memory, and I really hope I get to write more. I’ve definitely got another Ruby and Lucas idea in my head, but time of year is important in my stories and I’m not sure what season would be best – perhaps they should have another snowy adventure? 

4.       I love your ‘Clifftoppers’ series. They have the feeling of the Famous Five, but the writing and content is so much better! Were you an Enid Blyton reader as a child- and did you prefer the Famous Five, the Secret Seven or the Five Find-Outers?

I have to confess that I never read the Famous Five – or any of Enid Blyton’s books. Our school librarian, and the mobile library driver steered me towards Malcolm Saville – they were similar, probably just as badly written, and addictive. I must confess, I haven’t read one for many years! When the Clifftoppers series was mooted, I wondered if I should read Enid Blyton but decided that I would end up with a pastiche if I wasn’t careful. I had a notion of what was needed, and I looked back at my own unconfined childhood, hanging out with a group of similar aged children in rural Hampshire and used that. My own children roamed free here in Wiltshire, so I was able to make it relevant and updated without much research. Oh, and I gave the older Clifftopper children mobile phones. Well you would, wouldn’t you?

5.       ‘Mouseheart’ is set during the reign of Queen Anne II in an alternative Bristol. Are you planning any more adventure for Mouse- or any which use this setting again?

No more adventures for Mouse at the moment – I think it would take a couple of years for something to float to the surface - I started to write the original in 2019 - but she’s so close to my heart I wouldn’t rule it out. Also, there’s a lot of fun to be had with Queen Anne II, she refuses to toe the line which makes her a joy to write. I do love characters who rebel.

6.       What can you tell me about the next book we can expect from you?

It might be a sequel to Murder and Snowfall and I probably shouldn’t say too much I am hoping to write something about the Anglo Saxons. I’m certainly doing a shed load of research and I have a story bubbling… Did you know Alfred the Great had an even greater daughter?

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

That’s a very tricky question. It so depends on my mood, but a lovely light Victoria sponge with added strawberries and cream is hard to beat. Or a good coffee and walnut or sometimes it just has to be a brownie – dark chocolate…

Many thanks to Fleur for joining me today! I, for one, am very excited to hear about your potential future projects and look forward to reading whatever comes next.

You can read my review of Mouse Heart here and Murder at Snowfall here - both brilliant books!

Meet Jennifer Claessen

Jennifer Claessen’s novel, ‘The October Witches’, is a wonderful mix of mayhem, magic and Arthurian legend, making it the perfect read for this (or any!) time of year. I was lucky enough to meet Jennifer at Cheltenham Literary Festival earlier this month. Her warmth and enthusiasm for books was infectious- and I was delighted when she agreed to join me on the Bookshelf today!

1.       Perhaps an obvious question to start with, but- are you a fan of all things witchy and Hallowe’eny?

Yes! I love all things witchy and always have done. But I’m not a big fan of truly scary stuff – horror films especially anything gory really give me nightmares still. And I remember being terrified of the 90s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches (if you know, you know, that one scene scared a lot of kids!). So I prefer kitsch and cute witches rather than horrifying ones. When I do school visits, we also talk a lot about sexism and racism and how that has shaped what we think of as a ‘witch’.

And yes, I love Halloween, again, less for the genuine spooks and more for the magical feel October has. I love costumes too and having a mini Halloween party. I’ve got a super sweet tooth and could eat chocolate literally all day so that might be why I like trick & treating so much!

2.       Your wonderful story, ‘The October Witches’, is full of references to the Arthurian legends. Are these stories you grew up with or ones you have ‘found’ as you got older?

I LOVED the Disney film of The Sword in the Stone but even when little it always struck me that there were no women in it except for Madam Mim (who, it must be said, is an iconic witch too and I tried to pay tribute to her in a particular scene in The October Witches!)

The Arthurian legend in The October Witches actually has a slightly odd source though. Just before having the initial ‘what if’ idea (what if there was magic just for one month?!) I’d finished reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne DuMaurier in which poor Patience Merlyn has a bleak fate. I loved that name (the virtue name, the spelling of Merlyn with a Y) so had it on my mind. And when I started to think about October magic, I knew I wanted Patience Merlyn, still a very patient lady in my book, to have a better fate! And the rest of the aunts sprang from there too because once you’ve got one virtue name, you’ve got to have lots!

As I started to write myself, I went back to T.H.White and reread The Once and Future King and enjoyed it so much. I’ve obviously cherry-picked bits to steal and my ‘King Arthur’ is more of a punchline to a joke than a character but I love a good research project so went quite deep into the myths too. I love how they withstand so many retellings, I think we’ll be writing and rewriting them forever.

3.       Clemmie is a very endearing, relatable character. Is she based on someone you know- or are there elements of yourself to be found in her?

Oh thank you, that’s so kind of you to say. I think her main characteristics at the beginning are her self-consciousness, her loneliness and her frustration with her family, all of which definitely come directly from me! I wanted her to go on a ‘journey’ of overcoming that embarrassment she feels, how silly magic is from the outside… but I don’t think she’s quite finished that journey yet. I’m proud of her though, she’s trying so hard to be kind like her mum. I would definitely be an awkward witch; I find absolutely everything embarrassing. But I’m trying to learn to put myself out there anyway!

4.       If you could have any magical ability, what would you choose?

That’s so tough. Flight. The ability to speak and understand all languages. Extraordinary empathy. Way, way more time than we get on this Earth. I don’t know! Time is important though I think – my witches only ever have temporary magic and how long you have your power for changes everything. If I only had one day of magic, I’d want no one to be hungry, at all, just for that one day. Just that perfect level of satisfied full. I think it would be amazing to see the effect of that.

5.       You can only recommend ONE book to young readers. Which book would it be -and why?

WHAT A QUESTION! Matilda by Roald Dahl maybe? The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman? Diana Wynne Jones! Frances Hardinge!

Maybe I have to leave novels alone and if I can only choose one go for something like Eric by Shaun Tan. I find picture books very powerful and some make me cry every time. Eric is stunningly beautiful and I think I could read it every day and still find new things in it.

6.       What can you tell me about the next book we can expect from you?

Just as I write this now I’ve had new and exciting news but it’s not shareable yet. What a terrible thing to say, sorry! But I’m Writer in Residence at Abney Park, a cemetery-arboretum which is one of my very favourite places in the world. It’s magical and I’ve written a book about it that I’d love to find a home one day. So maybe that? But I have a lot of ideas.

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Your niece sounds like a very wise person. I eat a lot of cake, it’s an important part of my job as a writer. When carrot cake is good, it is the best thing ever. I love a cream cheese icing. And any cake with pumpkin in has got my vote.

A super light sponge too – I’m not a very good baker so I really admire this. I had a matcha sponge cake in Japan that I still think about sometimes. When I bake myself, my chocolate cakes are ok (not Bake Off levels, but edible!). I make Nigella Lawson’s chocolate Guinness cake and when it won 3rd prize at one of my street’s parties, I was chuffed to bits!

And Dutch cakes are very, very good. Their tarts are called ‘vlaai’ and there are so many delicious ones. Dutch apple cakes have a pastry almost like shortbread, I can’t even describe how amazing it is warm with lots of cinnamon sugar and cream.

Thank you so much, Jennifer, for answering my questions. I have added Abney Park to my list of places I must visit- I had a quick look at their website. It looks fascinating and the perfect place to inspire a book or two! Your cake recommendations have given us plenty of ‘food’ for thought too!

You can find Jennifer on Twitter and Instagram @Jclaessen_

Meet Nicola Penfold

Nicola Penfold has quickly become one of my favourite authors. Her stories are full of love for the natural world, engaging characters and absorbing plots, making them perfect for capturing the interest and imagination of readers young and old. It is a delight to welcome her to the Bookshelf today…

1.       Your books are full of love for the environment with beautifully described settings. Are you inspired by places you have travelled to or is much of your travelling done in your imagination?

Both! Where the World Turns Wild, my first book, was definitely inspired by holidays in the Lake District, both as a child and now in my adult life. Between Sea and Sky was inspired by daytrips to the Essex coast – the miles of mudflats, how tidal it is, and a mudlarker’s dream! But this last book, Beyond the Frozen Horizon, is set in the high Arctic, in Svalbard, a place I’ve never been to. I had to make my imagination work much harder, and harness all the tools of the Internet (YouTube videos can be a writer’s friend!). Also, books came into their own – I was very inspired by an adult book, a ghost story, that Michelle Paver has written, Dark Matter (the scariest book I’ve ever read!).

The thing I found hardest was thinking about levels of light – my book is set in the approach to winter, as the polar night is falling. I was writing through winter in the UK and found myself getting up early, when it was still pitch-black outside, and walking out to the summerhouse at the bottom of my garden to write. I think it all paid off – in my head, Svalbard, and certainly the ghost town of Pyramiden where my story is set, seems very real to me now. Of course, if I ever do visit for real, it may be different entirely!

2.       Does the action which has been taken to protect the environment in ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ reflect the actions you would take if you were in charge?

Yes, I think so. I’m a real advocate for wildernesses and rewilding. In my first two books I’d achieved this via a disease, and then climate and ecological collapse. I wanted to try a more optimistic route this time! Some crucial things have been law around the world – fossil fuels have been left in the ground, transport has been made more sustainable, meat and dairy consumption have drastically reduced, as well as plastic and fast fashion. Also, crucially, huge vast wilderness zones have been set up, allowing natural landscapes to soak up carbon and act as vital refuges for wildlife. We need to think big and bold. We’re running out of time.

3.       If you weren’t allowed to write another book with an environmental theme, what would you choose to write about?

Great question. Space, I think. It’s another great wilderness to explore!

4.       Rory is an amazing character- so believable – so ‘ordinary’ -and so full of determination and resilience. Did you have anyone in mind when you were developing her personality? 

My daughters I think, and many other amazing young people I’ve come across through them, and more recently on school visits I’ve done. And then looking back too, to myself at that age. I think growing up is hard! I definitely had times when I felt I didn’t fit in, that I was too quiet, or unpopular, or bookish, or just somehow, undeniably, not part of the crowd. I wanted Rory to go on a character journey as well as a literal one. She finds her strength in the wilderness. It isn’t about changing or being any different at all, it’s about finding herself. Having the confidence just to be herself and to know that’s enough.

5.       When reading for pleasure yourself do you prefer poetry, prose or non-fiction?

I love all three. Poetry has this amazing power, to tell absolute truths in a few lines. To make me gasp, or laugh or cry. To make me feel someone else has felt the exact same thing before. I also love non-fiction, especially about the natural world, for what I learn from it, little nuggets of wisdom, which then can make my life better. But my absolute favourite is definitely stories – because they’re long enough to lose myself in. To be someone else for a while!

6.       What are you working on at the moment? (and please say it will be out soon!)

Oh thank you! I’m working on another wilderness adventure for Little Tiger, my brilliant publisher. I’m very excited about it but can’t tell you too much yet. Then after that, and between edits, I’ve got a couple of other ideas I want to explore. I seem full of ideas lately, and just need to discipline myself to sit down and start writing them! I’m the kind of writer who needs a deadline!

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Ooooh, tricky. But I am going with chocolate concrete. It reminds me of school – a gorgeous, warm, tray-backed square of scrumptiousness at breaktime. We make it at home now and it’s so easy! It’s definitely a treat, it’s basically just sugar, butter, flour and cocoa power.  But its so good, and sometimes simple things are the best.

Couldn’t agree more about the cake!! Many thanks to Nicola for joining me today. I can’t wait to read whatever is coming next…

You can find out more about Nicola on her website and find her on Twitter @nicolapenfold and Instagram @nicolapenfoldauthor

You can read my review of Beyond the Frozen Horizon here.

Meet Zaro Weil

I first heard Zaro speak at a FCBG Conference. She captivated everyone in the room as she shared her poetry, letting it work its magic on the audience. ‘Firecrackers’ was shortlisted for the NSTBA Poetry Category and has been enjoyed by many teachers and their classes since. In 2020, she won CLiPPA with ‘Cherry Moon’. It is a joy to welcome her to the Bookshelf today.

1.    This must seem like such an obvious question- but when did you start writing poetry?

It's really a good question. Because so many kids can be inspired to write when they understand that an author they read on a page was once maybe their age and once maybe writing something like a poem. Good food for thought. I began my own writing with Miss Barber in third grade in America. My father saved the piece of paper.

The poem was called; AS WISE AS AN OWL.

HAha! Here it is ...just for fun

As wise an an owl

Who sits in a tree

As busy as a

Busy as a

Busy as a bee

When the leaves go

Chuckle chuckle

Through the woods

The bees are very busy

Making their goods

The sunflowers by day

Shine in the shade

The roses that bloom

At the peak of noon

How happy I am this very day

For spring is heading

Right my way.

2.    Animals and nature feature a lot in your poems. What would be the last thing you would ever think of writing a poem about?!

That is a thought provoking idea. And not easy to answer. I suppose I would not want to write a poem about always following the rules to the letter. Or a poem about blindly following the path of straight and narrow. Because I can't help as an author but think in zig zags. I believe creativity and life springs from the unexpected. Where A and B aren't always followed by C.

 And also because I think our deepest thoughts and imaginings emerge from a secret place inside us all where logic and rules are secondary to who we are at our core.

Curiously however, sometimes if we follow the rules well, we can come up with wonderful things. Example. Haiku poetry has very strict rules. And by observing those rules and thinking hard beyond the obvious, we can develop a creative idea while following the haiku rules. So I guess what I am saying is that rules and logic can make sense. But we need to balance that concept with the freedom to explore the paths of the unknown and the ziggy-zaggy imaginary.

3.    Having heard you speak and read your poems, there is something very special about the way you calmly- gently- present your work which captivates your audience. Do you have a background in acting or are you a ‘natural’ performer?

Oh. Thank you so much for saying that. I love to read and perform for audiences. The fact is I have had over a lot of years of experience as an actor in America performing for children. I used to run a theatre company in the States and every school year we would sing and dance and do plays and poetry for young audiences every single day of the school year. The company is still going! Metro Theater Company.

4.    I am sure I’ve heard you say that you love antique quilts. Do you think that piecing a patchwork quilt together is similar in some ways to creating a poem?

What a good way to think about creating a poem. It's true. A poem, like a quilt, is made of carefully positioned individual pieces (cloth and words) which are oh-so-thoughtfully placed next to other and then stitched (with threads and rhythms in patterns) in order to create a zazzling and unified whole.

5.    As well as all your wonderful poetry books, you have written a book for children- ‘Spot Guevara Hero Dog’. Do you have plans to write any more of these?

Yes. I wrote SPOT about my wonderful dog SPOT ( who so sadly died last summer...that was really hard) I am planning to write more books about SPOT and there are several non-poetry books which are well on the way.

6. What are you working on at the moment?

The main thing -poetry wise- I have just finished my next collection for kids. I am really REALLY REALLY excited about it.

7.    And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

I agree with your neice! Most important question...MY FAVOURITE CAKE is CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Many thanks to Zaro for agreeing to answer my questions today. I can’t wait to read your new poetry collection in particular! We must meet for a slice of chocolate cake soon!

You can find out more about Zaro on her website and find her on Twitter @zaroweil

Meet Duncan Beedie

Bristol-based Duncan Beedie has been a great favourite with children - and teachers- since his first book, ‘The Bear Who Stared’. Since then he has not only written his own books, but illustrated those of others, delighting readers with trips to the moon, inventions in the Stone Age and warmed our hearts with tales of kindness. He also does wonderful school visits- dressing in space gear last time I saw him! I am thrilled he agreed to join me today!

1.       I was delighted when Bear from ‘The Bear Who Stared’ made a second appearance in your new book, ‘No Sleep for Bear’. Will there be more adventures for this loveable character?

Funny you should ask that. At this very moment in time I am waiting for the green light from my publishers to begin the third instalment of the 'Bear' saga. I can't give too much away but, like the previous stories, it revolves around a simple relatable theme and , yes, Frog does come to the rescue once again.

2.       In ‘The Last Chip’, your illustrations show that Bristol is the city where Percy the pigeon lives. Are the settings of your stories often inspired by places you know?

'The Last Chip' is the the only story I've written that has a specific geographical setting – and even then I took some artistic license with how I represented it. The setting for 'The Lumberjack's Beard' was essentially a love letter to my time in the US when I was a student at the University of Wyoming. I got to travel to the Rockies, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and beyond. The vastness of the mountains and the forests was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

3.       When a new story comes to you, do you have an idea for the setting or characters first- or does it vary?

It is usually the character that comes to me first, then I build outwards form there. I ponder: where do they live? Where do they sleep? What do they eat? What might their daily routine be? If a story idea then hooks itself to that scenario I try and run with it. Needless to say, for every story I have successfully completed there are about a dozen unfinished or just plain unworkable ones.

4.       In my experience, children find the eyes of your characters very appealing! They feel (and I quote) that ‘they are my friends because they look at me as if inviting me into the story’. Do you spend a lot of time getting the eyes of your characters right – or is this a happy accident?

Well, first off, that is probably the most beautiful and awe-inspiring description of my work that I have ever received! With children coming out with turns of phrase like that, it is massively reassuring that there is a generation of wordsmiths out there, just waiting to make their mark.
As for the question itself, I find that it's the eyebrows that are key – hence they are a prominent feature with all of my characters. Whenever I do a school or festival visit I always like to point out the art of eyebrow expression and how it portrays the characters' emotions throughout the story.

5.       As well as writing and illustrating your own stories, you illustrate those by other authors. Which do you prefer doing and how much discussion do you have with authors about what their characters should look like before you work your magic?

75% of my time is probably spent illustrating for other authors. It's the bulk of my day to day work and I love it. Each author has a unique style that requires a different approach, but it's still important for me to imprint my own approach through my art style. I presume that is why a publisher would approach me in the first place.
Discussion between author and illustrator is minimal to non-existent in my experience. I believe that's the best way to be as good editors and art directors (who are worth their weight ion gold, I should point out) can steer the creative process smoothly and with the minimum of fuss.

6.       What are you working on at the moment? Would you consider writing highly illustrated fiction for younger readers?

I wrote a chapter book draft back in pre-Covid times – remember them? Those heady, halcyon days? Needless to say it got shelved and I burrowed into picture book illustration work to get me through as much of lockdown as I could. However, I will be blowing the dust off it later this year and see if it has legs.

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Well, I have to say it would be my mum's Bakewell tart. It's astonishingly good. It's like having an intravenous injection of almond essence.

Many thanks to Duncan for answering my questions. I can’t wait to see what Bear gets up to next and really hope your dusty chapter book makes an appearance soon!

You can read my review of ‘Oof Makes an Ouch! here, Molly’s Moon Mission here and ‘The Last Chip’ here. You can find out how to make a sleepy Bear here.

Meet Angela McAllister

Author of more than 50 books, Angela McAllister is a very talented and versatile writer of work for all ages. Her series of ‘Full of’ books- collections on different themes- are very popular and it was when ‘A Year Full of Stories’ was shortlisted for the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Awards Quality Fiction Category in 2017 that I met Angela. I was delighted when she agreed to join me on the Bookshelf today.

Photo: Emily Beale Photography

1.       What three things would you like your readers to know about you and what one secret are you prepared to share?

When I was young, I didn’t have many books of my own, but I was often taken to the library. It was a great excitement to carry home a pile of adventures in my arms. Opening the cover of each book felt like opening a door into a new world and I’ve never lost that thrill of anticipation – where will a book take me, who will I meet, what will happen?    

We didn’t have computers when I grew up, or lovely notebooks to write in, but I was so keen to capture the stories in my head that I’d scribble them down on anything I could find - bus tickets, paper bags, old envelopes - and when I had nothing else, I’d take one of my parents’ books from the shelf and write on the blank pages at the end of that!

My greatest passion outside writing is archaeology. I’m fascinated by the past and get involved with local surveys and excavations. I have a precious collection of prehistoric artefacts, one of which – a flint arrowhead - appears in my new book, ‘Once Upon a Hillside’. My happy place is a muddy hole with a trowel in hand.

The secret I’ll share is that I wrote a novel called ‘The Tide Turner’, which is set beneath the ocean - but when I swim I never put my head under the water! That shows where imagination can take you.

 2. Leon and the Place Between and Winter’s Child are two of my favourite picture books. What was the inspiration for ‘Leon’?

Although I’ve written about many subjects, I’d always kept away from magic because it seemed tricky - if you have magic you can do whatever you want in a story so you have to use it with great care. Eventually, however, I couldn’t resist, but I had to find my own way of approaching it. As a writer I’m interested in the edge of things, in boundaries where you meet the limit of what you know, because that’s the place where you can look beyond and discover something new about yourself or about the world, so I started to think about the edge of magic…the boundary between reality and what lies beyond…and that gave me the idea for the Place Between.

3. Your ‘Full of’ series is incredibly popular. Are there going to be more titles in the series?

Yes, I’ve written seven so far and now I’m working on ‘A World Full of Winter Stories’. All through the hot summer I was lost in the icy realms of the Frost King with polar bears, snow maidens, winter witches and Christmas trees! It’s a privilege to share these ancient folktales, which still speak their wisdom and wit to us today. I love the fact that we’re creating a library of stories for families to enjoy and like to encourage everyone to learn one or two and tell them on.

4. Each of these collections must be a massive undertaking. How long does it take to choose the contents, research the stories and then write your own versions?

A long time! It takes several months to find 50 stories for each collection that sit well together and are a good spread geographically. I read hundreds of stories to make each selection. I have to consider the theme of the collection and the age range, ensure a variety of styles and story lengths and avoid repetition of plot or character from a previous book. The shaping of a collection has become intuitive over time. I have to consider how well a story will ‘translate’ into a re-telling and weed out actions and attitudes that aren’t acceptable today. Some of the old tales are very brutal! The ‘spooky’ collection was particularly challenging on this account - I needed to offer that frisson of fear without terrifying the reader! There are choices to make about vocabulary too as I’m aware that some families read these stories with children of mixed ages together - I try to keep vocabulary simple even when the subject of a particular story is complex so that everyone can grasp the sense of it. The books are sold all over the world and it’s important to include a good balance of cultures. Fortunately, I have an extensive library of folk tales to draw on.

5.       Your books have been illustrated by some amazing artists- Grahame Baker-Smith, Christopher Corr, Nathan Reed to name a few. Is there anyone who you would love to illustrated one of your books?

Yes - the masterful Lisbeth Zwerger, who has illustrated many classics. Her draughtsmanship is sublime and her unique vision is always striking. I can’t imagine it would ever be possible but I would love to write for her. It was also a great delight to have ‘The Ice Palace’ illustrated by Angela Barrett and it would be wonderful to work with her again.

6.       What are you working on at the moment?

I’ve just finished a collection of my own stories called ‘Once Upon a Hillside’, which has been a dream to write. I lived for 30 years on the chalk downland of Cranborne Chase, with a fabulous nature reserve for a back garden. One day, before the pandemic, an editor who has been a friend for many years, came to visit and walk with me there and we talked about the stories of that landscape, the skylarks, the wildflowers, ancient barrows and ditches and the evidence of the past beneath our feet. Something of that walk and that place must have stayed with her because a few months later she rang and asked if I’d like to write about it. I must say she opened a door to my heart – it was the most marvellous commission and I was thrilled that she’d been moved by the magic of that place. It also seemed a timely book to write, due to the restrictions of the pandemic when so many of us focused on our local green spaces and found hope and the healing power of nature there. There are seven stories, set in the same valley over six thousand years. The books starts with the first Neolithic people to walk across the hillside and the stories continue through time, with Roman twins who find a wounded hare, a medieval herbalist and her daughter, a seventeenth century shepherd and an orphan boy, a Victorian archaeologist and his granddaughter, three children sent away into the country in the 1930’s and a contemporary family facing a modern challenge. Objects link the stories together and the healing power of nature comes through them all – in fact nature itself is a character throughout. It’s illustrated by Chiara Fedele who has really captured the wild, windy character of the Downs. ‘Once Upon a Hillside’ will be published on 10th November.

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

At the moment, it’s Persian Love Cake, made with rose petals and pistachios, which I buy from our local deli. Utterly moreish!

Many thanks to Angela for joining me today. Can’t wait to try that cake!

You can find her on Instagram @angelamcallisterbooks

You can read my review of ‘A World Full of Nature Stories’ here.

Meet J M Joseph

Fabulously funny, ‘Fireboy’ and the sequel, ‘Pants on Fire’ have been hugely popular at school and I had the great pleasure of meeting Jay when I organised some visits for him where the children were very engaged and excited. The ‘flaming finale’ of the series, Fire Power’ came out in August and is sure to be every bit as popular! These books are fast-moving, hilarious - and full of friendship.

I am delighted to welcome Jay to the Bookshelf today and ask him a few questions.

1.       An idea comes to you for a book. Do you:

a)       Jump for joy and rush to your notebook/laptop to instantly capture it?

b)      Run around shouting ‘Hallelujah’ until you realise you have forgotten what it was?

c)       Throw yourself on the floor, gnash your teeth and sob, ‘Why me?’ because you know you now have to write the thing?

(This is the only ‘Fire Boy’ style quiz question, I promise!)

When ideas comes (which isn’t often), I spend weeks writing neat Three-Act plans in new notebooks or drawing narrative arcs in heroic colours. And then ignore them all as soon as I start writing.

I hate plotting.

Characters, however, get me excited – their voices, their reactions, what motivates them or makes them angry. Inserting characters into scenes and watching what they do – that’s what I enjoy most about writing.

2.       ‘Fire Boy’ is Aiden’s alter-ego. What superpowers would you choose to have- and what would your super-name be?

As a writer of a super-hero series, I get asked this question a lot.

My choice would be to control time. Travelling forwards and back through time or making it stop when deadlines near is my ideal super power. The opportunity to play practical jokes on people is endless. And the things I’d do at press conferences at No. 10! If only! Such mayhem would require secrecy, so no name allowed. But it would be a small price to pay.

3.       Is Lemon, cat-that-can-turn-into-a-tiger, based on a cat that you know?

I have two dogs (Winnie, a golden retriever, and Rose, a spaniel-mix) who my children adore. They spent a good part of the Fire Boy series at my feet while I wrote it – the dogs, not my children. Lemon, you might say, is “channelled” through Winnie and Rose. For comedy purposes, I needed a pet who would occasionally walk away from Aidan with her bum in the air so a cat seemed a better fit.

4.       I am fascinated by teaching teachers who are authors. When do you find the time to write and do you think teaching helps shape your writing?

I spent 30 years as a class teacher, a nursery teacher and lecturer before I began a part-time MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. I dropped a day a week to attend classes and complete that. When I got an agent (the wonderful Becky Bagnall of the Lindsay Literacy Agency), I dropped another session. I am currently down to .5, but still teach four days a week.

I had my first break from teaching/writing in five years this summer when I was between books. Previously, if I wasn’t teaching, I was writing. Every school holiday was spent behind a laptop.

I’m not sure if teaching shapes my writing, but the children I teach certainly do. I currently teach English to children aged 10-13 so we talk about stories, poems and plays most days. It’s why I carry on teaching, really. I just enjoy it.

5.       I read the opening of ‘Fire Boy’ as part of an assembly on reading and the children were instantly hooked by the original, and very engaging, idea of starting the book with a quiz. What made you think of this idea?

Flann O’Brien’s At Swim-Two-Birds is one of the funniest books I have ever read. It was written in 1939 and opens with a narrator addressing his reader about possible ways to open a novel. It contains parodies of extracts, a medieval Irish poem, “biographical reminiscences” and characters who imprison their author because they resent what he forces them to do.

I wanted to write a book in a style similar to At Swim, but for children. That’s where the idea of a quiz originated.

6.       What can we expect from you next?

I have two projects on the go at the moment. One is about a little white dog that wants to be a wolf. It’s aimed at 6-9 year-olds and owes a lot to three girls I teach who insisted that my next book should contain a wolf at all costs. The other is a thriller set in the future which I am struggling to plot (See answer to Q1 above).

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

My favourite cake is my mother-in-law’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake. For any Irish readers out there, that name alone might suffice. For the rest of you, Chocolate Biscuit Cake is a little like Tiffin but without the cherries or raisins and it is absolutely scrumptious.

Many thanks to Jay for agreeing to take part in this Q and A session. I’m really looking forward to reading both of your up-coming projects!

I will be sharing my review of ‘Fire Power’ tomorrow- it’s one not to be missed.

Meet Martin Brown

It is a joy to welcome Martin Brown to the Bookshelf today! The ‘Horrible Histories’ books have been engaging, entertaining and informing children (and adults!) for many years now and the series owes much of its success to Martin’s illustrative genius. I first met Martin at a FCBG Conference and was delighted when his ‘Lesser Spotted Animals’ won the NSTBA 2017 Information Category.

Photo: Emily Beale Photography

1.       You are probably best known for illustrating the incredibly popular ‘Horrible Histories’ books, but have you illustrated many books for other writers as well as having written and illustrated books of your own?

I’ve only illustrated a few books with other authors. Before the Horrible Histories I was doing similar cartoony things with Peter Corey for the Coping With… series. And I was lucky enough to illustrate the re-issue of Philip Pullman’s The Adventures of the New Cut Gang. More recently I’ve illustrated a sort of fairy story all about chess for Mark Price and worked with John McLay on the Dragon’s Dentist series of early reader books.

2.       The ‘Lesser Spotted Animals’ books are hugely popular with children I have taught. How did you decide which animals to include? Are there any you haven’t written about which you would like to?

Growing up in Australia I knew about lots of animals that were unfamiliar here, so that was a start. But I’ve always had a love of wild creatures, and over the years I’ve heard about all sorts of wonderful beasties. That’s one of the reasons I wrote the book. I couldn’t understand how some of these beautiful and amazing animals could be so unknown. Then it was books and the internet to learn about even more. The trouble is, I’d like to write about them all – and just for mammals, that would be 237 more books!

3.       Tell me a little about the next adventure for Nell and Cave Bear.

Hmm, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to. OK then, just a bit… It starts just after the last book ends. Nell and Cave Bear are living with the Sea Clan – but it’s time to head back to the Cave and then on to the hunting grounds on the Great Plain. And Nell’s not sure if she wants to go. Meanwhile the bear-hunting Woodland Clan are plotting revenge. Once more Nell and her bear best friend are thrown into danger. However, this time, there’s help.

4.       Which artists/ illustrators inspire you and your work?

When I was starting out my heroes were cartoonists like Jeff MacNelly, Pat Oliphant and Johnny Hart. These days I am constantly inspired by just about every illustrator I have ever met or who’s work I have ever seen. We are so lucky to have approximately a gazillion wonderful artists working in the Children’s Book world at present. Chris Riddell, Sophy Henn, Shaun Tan, Helen Stephens, Sarah McIntyre, Oliver Jeffers, Adam Stower, Axel Scheffler, Helen Oxenbury, Ian Beck, Alex Latimer, Lauren Child, Jim Field… the list is endless.

5.       Which of your pictures/illustrations are you the most proud of?

As a lot of my work is really cartooning rather than illustration, to me, some of my best drawings are gags I’ve done for the Horrible Histories books – like for Angry Aztecs. It was considered good luck to attach a severed finger from a dead person to your shield before a battle. So how do you attach a severed finger to your shield? With a finger nail of course!

6.       It’s the 30th anniversary of Horrible Histories next year. Do you have plans to celebrate this?

Yes, wonderful plans are afoot. But no-one’s told me what they are yet. However, there will be a special new Horrible Histories book to go with the anniversary. And after that it’ll be back to writing the next adventure for Nell and the Cave Bear.

7.       And lastly - and most importantly according to my niece - what is your favourite cake?

Um… I haven’t got a particularly sweet tooth – coffee and walnut perhaps? But honestly, I think I’d rather a Portuguese custard tart.

Many thanks to Martin for sharing his answers with me. I am very excited about the new Nell- I believe the cover is being released today- and am looking forward to the special Horrible Histories 30th anniversary book.

You can read my review of Nell and the Cave Bear here and Lesser Spotted Animals here. You can also read about Martin’s exhibition at Weston Museum here.

My guided reading notes for Nell and the Cave Bear are here and I will be adding my notes for Lesser Spotted Animals soon.

Meet Frances Durkin

Today, it is a joy to welcome Frances Durkin for a chat! I first met Frankie when ‘The Histronauts An Egyptian Adventure’ won the NSTBA Information Category in 2018. This series of history based adventures quickly became favourites in school, combining adventure, history and a graphic novel approach and making the adventures both accessible and enjoyable. There are four books in this series- apologies that ‘A Greek Adventure’ is missing from the photos (I have lent it someone)- each supporting an area of the curriculum. Many thanks to Frankie for answering my questions.

1.       Your ‘Histronauts’ series make history accessible and fun, allowing children to enjoy the benefits of a great story with plenty of historical detail. Did you enjoy history lessons at school?

Thank you so much. We did set out to make the books as accessible as possible while conveying loads of information and being fun to read. I think it’s so important to nurture curiosity about the past at a young age. I really enjoyed history as a child, but I was home educated so I didn’t quite have the conventional school experience of history lessons. I was a voracious reader and I worked through so many books on different subjects. I also had the advantage of living in an area that was full of historical places to visit, and I think it was the sheer number of day trips that really made the greatest impact. York was always a favourite place to go and the smell of the Jorvik Viking Centre (if you know, you know) is really evocative even today. Grace (Cooke) and I visited it when we were researching our Histronauts book about the Vikings and it brought back so many childhood memories

I also used to develop obsessions with certain subjects and would devour as much as I could about that one thing. My first biggest passion was ancient Greece, so it was amazing to revisit something I once knew so well for the latest Histronauts book.

2.       If time travel were possible, which period of history or which historical event would you most like to visit?

Oh, that’s such a good question! There are lots of events that I’ve written about that I would love to see with my own eyes. It would have made my PhD a lot easier if I could have just popped back to France in 1095 to see the crowd’s reaction to Pope Urban II announcing his idea for what we now call the First Crusade. And I would love to watch the craftsmanship that went into building somewhere like York Minster with its beautiful stonework and amazing stained-glass windows.

There are also lots of people I’d love to sit and chat with. Can you imagine sitting down with Marie Curie or Alan Turing and just asking them about their work when they had no idea about the impact that they would go on to have on the world?

But I would definitely only want to visit and not to live in the past. I love hot, running water and the internet far too much to stay.   

3.       If you could change one thing at any point in history, what would it be?

Eek! Where to start? I don’t know! Is it arrogant of me to want to try to do something that made an impact for the good? But I have no idea what I would choose. I could stop a war. But why just that war? Or save people from a catastrophe. But why that particular catastrophe? Or prevent global warming. But which one thing would do that? As a historian I only hope that I can share the information about the past that stops people from repeating the same terrible mistakes.

4.       Grace Cooke illustrates the books wonderfully, bringing both characters and setting to life. How did you come to work together?

Isn’t she amazing?! I used to work with her sister and when I was creating some education resources and looking for an illustrator, she suddenly said ‘My sister can draw’. So, it was meant to be. And it’s always important to point out that we are co-creators of The Histronauts. Once we met and started sharing ideas, that first idea for education resources turned into The Histronauts books. That’s because of her amazing creativity. We make a great team and it’s a pleasure to work with her!

5.       Richard III (I am a huge fan!) needs someone to write an excellent, child-friendly novel about him. Would you like to do this and if not Richard III, which historical figure would you choose to write a novel about?

That’s a very interesting question! And I would definitely read a novel about Richard III, but I don’t think I would be the right person to write it. I like to look for more unusual narratives and I think there’s so much room for looking at subjects outside of the monarchy or ruling classes of any particular time period. There will always be new information about, or new ways to interpret the histories of kings and queens, and there are amazing historians doing exactly that right now. But I want to share the forgotten or hidden stories that get lost when we focus on a handful of individuals.

6.       What can we expect from you next? Are there more adventures for the Histronauts on the way or are you working on something else?

I have two new books out with b small in 2023 but I’m not sure if I can shout about them yet. You’ll know about it when I can. There is also talk of doing more with The Histronauts and I can’t wait to work with Grace again.

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

All the cake! Any cake! Actually, I’m not a particular fan of lemon drizzle. But one of the great advantages of being a historian is the wonderful range of tea shops in museums, so cake is always a very big part of my research trips.

Twitter: @HistoriaFrankie

Instagram: @historiannextdoor

 Thanks very much, Frankie! I can’t wait to find out more about your new books- and I’m very excited to think that the Histronauts will be off on their adventures again!

You can read my review of The Histronauts: An Egyptian Adventure here.

Meet Cath Howe

It is wonderful to be joined by Cath Howe for today’s Q and A session. Cath won the NSTBA 2018 Moving On Category with ‘Ella on the Outside’ and has continued to produce powerful and enjoyable books which are very popular with children in both primary and secondary schools. If you are not familiar with her writing, I strongly recommend that you read everything she has written!

1.   You are well known for writing heart-warming, insightful stories. Do you think being a teacher helps you with how you present your characters and the situations they find themselves in?

Yes, I spend time with my chosen age-group every week and get to know them throughout the year, teaching small groups creative writing and performance. I love this work. I get lots of story ideas and I think it helps me write believable contemporary characters. I also really like the company of children. They make me laugh.

2.  When you’re writing, do you start with an idea of a character or a situation?

Usually I start with a character. I need to write that character’s voice for a while with bursts of writing about their life, family and home world. Once they begin to feel alive in my head, I write monologues of other characters who will appear in the story- incidents and opinions. The monologue work means I write thousands of words that never appear in the story. But that’s OK.

Unusually, The Insiders started with the idea of a school at night and wondering if anyone might be inside it. It’s rare for me to use a situation first and characters second but this plot really interested me right from the start and I loved writing three viewpoints.

3.       Your characters are hugely relatable and easy to empathise with so the reader really feels they know them by the end. Although your books are stand alone, would you ever think about writing another story about any of them?

I’d love to. I’d like to tell the story of Ella in Ella on the Outside when she visits her Dad.

I’d like to revisit Lucas in How To Be Me and see how he has changed in the months after the summer ended.

I’d love the group of friends in The Insiders to discover more weird situations in school.

I have often carried on writing a story after the book has ended. Some of the minor characters have intrigued me too. I wonder if one of them could switch to being a central story.

4.  Have you ever thought about writing something completely different - like historical fiction for example?

I’m not someone who loves to do research. I really like writing for different age-groups. I’m busy working on something for a younger age group. I’m not able to give details right now but…very exciting!

5.  Do you think you have you been influenced by any authors whose work you read as a child?

Yes, definitely. I read a lot as a child- a wide range of books from Alan Garner and Tolkein to Noel Streatfield. And I was lucky to be read to a lot.

6.   What can we expect from you next?

My next MG book is nearly complete. It’s a firecracker of a theme and a book I really wanted to write. The story is told by two children. It starts with a very dramatic event in the life of one of them. I have absolutely loved writing it and exploring the psychology and behaviour of the main characters.

And younger fiction on the horizon- this is a great joy.

7.  And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

I love a good carrot cake with cream cheese icing- my idea of perfection.

Website: www.cathhowe.com

Twitter: @cath_howe

Many thanks to Cath for joining me today. I’m really excited about the next book- can’t wait to read it! You can read my review of ‘The Insiders’ here

Meet Emma Perry

Founder of ‘My Book Corner’, Emma Perry is also the author of four delightful picture books and her love of books is second to none. A fellow teacher, I believe the children she teaches are very lucky to have her as I am sure she fills their days with wonderful stories, nurturing their imaginations. I first met Emma at meetings of Picture Book South West events and was thrilled when she agreed to join me for a chat!

1.       What two things would you most like your readers to know about you- and what one secret would you like to keep (but aren’t going to because you’re sharing it here!)?

I don’t write every single day. I like to chip away at a story, bit by bit, then delve into it on full throttle once the story demands to be written.

I don’t always finish every single book that I read. That’s ok. Sometimes a book just isn’t right for you in that moment.

I CAN’T POSSIBLY TELL YOU THE THIRD ONE BECAUSE IT IS A VERY SECRET, SECRET!

2.       ‘Puddling’ is a fabulous picture book which perfectly captures the joys of a rainy day with little ones which I remember so fondly from when my son was tiny. Do you prefer splashing in puddles or relaxing in the sun? Why?!

Thank you so much, we had a LOT of fun creating that one.

I do love a bit of sunshine, but it’s been far TOO HOT recently and at the moment I am DREAMING of splashing in puddles. With big wellies on, there’s really nothing better than splish, splash, sploshing about with friends.

3.       Shhhhhhh! Don’t tell Alfonso about this question, but which story about bears is your favourite?

Yikes, poor Alfonso! Well then, let’s sneak in This Book Has Alpacas And Bears first of all 😉Now, you know I can’t pick just one fav book so here’s a couple (or maybe more!) of books with bears that I love. Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back is comedy gold,  Bear Has A Story To Tell by Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead features a super lovely, kind and gentle bear, and then there’s The Very Cranky Bear from Nick Bland. Each bear is very different! {Oops, that’s FOUR! *runs and hides* }

4.       Does being a teacher help you with writing such lovely books? Do you try your ideas out on children you teach before submitting stories?

I think that being surrounded by little ones – seeing what makes them smile and giggle, being in tune with how they talk, think and act – is all great fodder for picture books, and makes for some great anecdotes too! They help me immensely, in all sorts of ways. I have tried out early versions of picture books on different classes, reading it out loud to a little audience is useful for highlighting where tweaks need to be made to the narrative to ensure the meaning is clear.

5.       Your latest book, ‘Know It Owl’, is about a well-meaning, but over enthusiastic owl who is very keen to tell everyone how to do it when building a den with friends. Mabel in ‘I Don’t Like Books. Never. Ever. The End.’ Is based on your daughter. Did you have anyone in mind when writing this story? [Psst… same name as my daughter, but that’s the only similarity]

My lovely, well-meaning Owl is probably a mishmash of lots of people – big and small – that I’ve met over the years. That keenness to help, but not really being able to step back and allow space, mental or physical, for others. It’s a real skill and takes a great deal of empathy to master. I reckon we’re all guilty of it from time to time!

6.       What can we expect from you next? Another picture book- or do you have something else tucked up your sleeve?

Well now, I have a couple of things on the go at the moment. A picture book that is super close to my heart and has taken awhile to get it to say… what I really, really want it to say.

I’m also working on a joyful yet very warm-hearted Young Fiction series. It’s written in a very different style, but it’s a style I’ve wanted to write in for a long, long time. Writing it has made me smile. So. Much. It feels very… me! Not out on submission… yet.

7. And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Cake?! Yes please! Anything Gluten Free makes me smile, as I have to stick to that. It’s so hard to get GOOOOOD GF cake to be fair. But I have lots of fun hunting it down – chocolate, coffee, walnut, lemon, carrot. It’s all good!

A huge thank you to Emma for joining me today! You can read my review of ‘Know It Owl’ here and have a go at making an Owl puppet!

Meet Saviour Pirotta

Not only does Saviour Pirotta brings history to life with his very engaging and enjoyable historical fiction, he is also responsible for some excellent re-tellings of myths and legends. I first met Saviour when ‘Mark of the Cyclops’ won the 2018 NSTBA Quality Fiction Category and frequently use his books in school. I am delighted that he agreed to answer a few of my questions!

1.       You are well known for your historical fiction, taking readers to Ancient Greece, the Islamic Golden Age, the Stone Age and now to Ancient Egypt. Have you always had a love for history? Which period of history would you most like to write about (that you haven’t already!)?

As a child I used to go to religious education classes where we listened to Bible stories. I became fascinated with the ‘pagan’ civilisations mentioned in the Old Testament: the ancient Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Hittites etc. It was hard to come by information about them, which made them the more alluring. I’m still fascinated by them now. If I had to choose a period in history to write about today, I would go for the Anglo-Saxons. I love the art from this period which, for many years, people called ‘the dark ages’, especially the statues. There’s something about their faces I find almost hypnotic, so I’d probably write a mystery about Anglo-Saxon statues. 

2.       ‘Mark of the Cyclops’ (winner of NSTBA 2018 Quality Fiction category) is the first in your series about Ancient Greece. What gave you the idea for a detective series set in this period?

I’d wanted to write a story set in Ancient Greece for years but I didn’t know what kind of story to write. I just knew I wanted to have a story that showed how people actually lived in. classical times. When I had my first, I treated myself to a holiday on the island of Poros. On the ferry from Athens, I met a real-life detective. He was a fascinating chap with a shaved head, enormous Doc Marten boots and lots of attitude. He became Thrax in the Ancient Greek Mysteries.

3.       Do you have any plans for more adventures for Jabir and Yasmina?

I do have another story planned for Jabir and Yasmina and my agent is in talks to see whether we can make it happen. I get a lot of letters from readers asking if the evil landlord survived his encounter with the snakes at the end of The Golden Horsemen of Baghdad. I can’t answer that question because of spoilers but…watch this space.

4.       I was fascinated by your descriptions of Malta in ‘The Mysterious Island’ and am determined to visit this beautiful island in the near future. What are the ‘must see’ things you would advise any visitor to see whilst there?

Malta is practically an open-air museum. There’s so much to see. If you’re into pre-history there are the Tarxien Temples and the nearby Hal Saflieni Underground Temple, both of which feature in The Mysterious Island. Over on the sister island of Gozo, you can visit the Ggantija Temples. Built around 3600 to 3200BC, experts believe they are the oldest structures in the world. But it’s not all pre-history. Valletta, the capital city, is a baroque masterpiece built by the famous Knights of Saint John. Walk down Republic Street, visit St John’s Co-Cathedral to see the Mattia Preti paintings and then have an ice-cream at Cordina’s outdoor Café in Republic Square, formerly called Piazza Regina after Queen Victoria.

5.       I know the next adventure for Renni, Mahu and Balaal is called ‘The Jackal’s Graveyard’. Can you give any clues about what they are up to?

The Jackal’s Graveyard is going to be another adventure for our intrepid trio. We meet new characters but also find out more about Prince Khaemwaset, who was a real person. He takes Renni, Mahu and Balaal to the new city of Per Ramessu which his father is building. But what starts off as a nice little holiday soon turns into a dangerous mission with spies, jackals and a baddie a hundred times more lethal than the vizier in books 1 and 2.

6.       Apart from ‘The Nile Adventures’, are you working on anything else?

I’m working on several projects at the moment. They’re all very much in the planning stage although I have worked out rough plots for two of them. I can’t give much away at this point but one of the books features the most sought after treasure in the world, and one has ghostly birds in it. Watch this space…

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Your niece is right that cake is probably the most important thing in the world, and very close to my heart. I have yet to taste a cake I didn’t like and, since moving to Yorkshire fifteen years ago, I have come to enjoy cake with cheese on the side. I especially love Lemon Drizzle and Pineapple Upside Down cake but I’d say my absolute favourite is carrot cake with frosted topping. Give me a slice of that with a nice cup of Earl Grey and I’m all set up for an afternoon of writing and editing.

So much to look forward to! ‘The Crocodile Curse’ (Maverick ISBN: 978-1848868946) is published next week- my review is coming soon!

Thank you so much to Saviour for answering my questions!

You can read my review of ‘The Heart Scarab’ here , ‘The Stolen Spear’ here, ‘Mark of the Cyclops’ here and ‘The Golden Horsemen of Baghdad’ here.

Meet Tracey Corderoy

Tracey Corderoy is the author of over 40 picture books and about 30 fiction titles. All her stories are wonderful, but I am a Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam super fan so was delighted when a new picture book title came out recently. You can read my review of ‘Pirates Ahoy!’ here and I thoroughly recommend the rest of the series. Tracey’s events are always a joy to attend, usually involving making something, and always full of story-fun!

I asked Tracey some questions about Shifty and Sam…

1.       Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam have appeared in 6 picture books and four early novels so far and continue to be incredibly popular characters. Where did you first get the idea for these loveable robber dogs from?

I had the most beautiful Golden Retriever called Dylan. He reached the grand old age of almost 16 and died in 2020. He was my constant companion from the moment I embarked on my writing journey.

Anyway, one day, when he was a puppy, I took him to the vet to have some vaccinations.

What happened next was my fault really, I suppose, because as we went in through the door, I forgot to press the button on his lead. This meant that Dylan could zoom off if he so wished. And he did so wish as he spied a teddy displayed in the window, on a deck chair – very cute. Dylan LOVED teddies so FWIPPPP! off he went into the window display for the bear.

I was mortified, as you might imagine. All the other animals were behaving themselves impeccably and Dylan was destroying the window display with a very waggy tail. I ‘encouraged’ him out of said window and instructed him to “drop the bear”.

He actually did. So naturally I praised him, which made things much, much worse. Dylan got happier upon hearing my praise. Then promptly he did a big excited wee all over the floor. I was even more mortified. EVERYONE was looking. I said: “Oh no, what HAVE you done, Dylan?” And then Dylan looked up at me with his adorable big brown eyes. He looked sorry. He hadn’t meant to steal the bear or do a Golden Retriever-sized wee all over the floor. He wasn’t bad, not in his heart, he just ‘didn’t think’ that day, that was all.

Anyway, we saw the visit through, and when we left I thought it best to forget all about it. My brain thought differently, however, and it came back to me quite randomly one day when I was thinking of ideas for a story. Cue Shifty and Sam who just ‘don’t think’ – until they upset little Scottie Dog by stealing his FAVOURITE teddy, Big-Eared Bob. Then it’s time for the boys to have a BIG rethink!

2.       Having rejected a life of crime, Shifty and Sam have settled to work as bakers. Do you like baking and if so, what is your signature bake?

I was/am a rubbish cook, but I did learn to bake when my daughters were little as I was required to come up with birthday cakes. A plain honest sponge cake – with jam and buttercream is my signature bake I think. I sometimes use lemon curd instead of jam. And I sometimes make cupcakes – same recipe but smaller cakes. I have been known to decorate with melted chocolate and raspberries too. Oh yes!

3.       The books are illustrated by the very talented Steven Lenton. Did you have any say in the choice of illustrator for this series and did you discuss what Shifty and Sam looked like before Steven started drawing?

I was very lucky because I think Steven had just sent Nosy Crow some illustrations of dogs (by chance) about the same time as they received my story. Ping! The penny dropped that Steven would be PERFECT to illustrate the first story as his work was so great! Nosy Crow told me of him and lucky me – as he’s totally marvellous! I left it to Steven to experiment with different styles of dogs as this was his area of expertise, and I know he worked really hard getting it just right. I so love how Shifty and Sam look. They have become dear old friends now – for me and Steven alike.

4.       Shifty and Sam have met pirates and aliens and outwitted cats, penguins and polar bears. Where will their adventures take them next?

Well now! That is a BIG surprise – and we have another surprise up our sleeves too as an old face is set to make a reappearance in the next story! I’ll say they are going on a BIG adventure to somewhere far away. But beware for robbers in disguise. Cryptic, right? Oh, and there are masks involved – but not all robbing masks. My last clue is it’s going to be a purrrfect TOOT HOOT!

5.       You always do the most amazing events, full of fun and making things. Which festivals are you taking part in this year? Which is your favourite?

It’s so amazing to be back doing live events again. I’m just back from the Wells Festival of Literature and am about to head off to Edinburgh for three events at the marvellous Edinburgh International Book Festival. I’m also doing Chichester, Just So in Cheshire, an event on The Golden Hinde (a replica of Francis Drake’s Golden Hind!). Then later on there’s the brilliant Bath Children’s Book Festival, the Marlborough Festival, the Stroud Festival, the Stratford-upon-Avon Festival and the Northern Children’s Book Festival. I like them ALL as every one is so unique and friendly. These, coupled with school and library events are doing to keep me very busy!

6.        And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Oh! So many to choose from. Not chocolate. (I know! Don’t judge me for this. I just prefer chocolate just as chocolate.) So, I’m going to say … Victoria Sponge.    

             — And Carrot Cake, please and thank you!

Thank you so much, Tracey, for answering my questions! A ‘purrrfect TOOT HOOT’? I can’t wait!

You can read my review of ‘The Story Shop: Blast Off!’ here and ‘The Story Shop: Anchors Away!’ here.

Meet Roderick O'Grady

‘Bigfoot Mountain’ is a heart-warming, beautifully told story, with love at its heart- love of each other and of the environment we share. This week, I am delighted that the author, Roderick O’Grady, has agreed to answer some questions!

1. ‘Bigfoot Mountain’ is your first book for children. Why did you decide to include the legendary ‘Bigfoot’ in your story?

I had recently returned to the acting profession and found myself ‘resting’, which is what actors say they are doing when they are out of work. As these days everyone has ‘portfolio careers’ doing multiple things to make ends meet, I felt I should find another creative outlet that preferably made me some additional income. I had fallen down the rabbit hole of ‘Bigfoot or Sasquatch Research’ on YouTube and became fascinated with the subject. The challenge of writing a story that was unlike all the typical Bigfoot tales appealed to me. Usually a lone rogue Sasquatch intimidates a couple of hiker and then attacks them. My research has suggested that if they exist, and I am happy to declare that after all the hundreds of hours of research I’ve done and all the books I’ve read, (including the DNA reports) that I believe they do exist, then they are unlikely to be killers of humans and would have a way of life similar to that which I’ve described in the book.

2.     How much research did you do into Sasquatch folklore to support your writing?

A lot. I’ve read all the books I can get hold of. I discovered that all the indigenous tribes of North America had a word for Sasquatch or the big hairy people of the woods. There were it is estimated, about 50 million people living there before the pioneers arrived 500 years ago. And 350 languages. Numbers were decimated in the so-called  ‘Indian Wars Campaigns’ but also by the spread of TB, influenza, black death. And according to the Native Americans the Sasquatches with whom they had shared the forests and the plains for many thousands of years retreated further in to the more remote areas to get away from people. They decided to self isolate!

3.  If you had young readers keen to learn more about these stories, what would you suggest they read?

There’s one called ‘Looking for Bigfoot’ by Bonnie Worth, which is less silly and somewhat better researched than others. But not many do the subject justice. Native American folklore is an oral history shared by each generation and I have yet to find a book that repeats their beliefs in one tome.

4.     ‘Bigfoot Mountain’ is full of fabulous descriptions of a remote North American landscape. Did you draw on personal experience of places you have visited to create these?

Unfortunately I have never been to Canada and would love to visit the temperate rainforests of the Pacific North West where the book is set. I lived and worked in Colorado and Northern San Francisco though and so am familiar with big trees in big forests. I used the internet to check on exactly what thrives there and it is the perfect environment for living wild- everything grows in abundance- roots, shoots, berries, mushrooms, honey, maple, and then there’s the sea life and the four-legged creatures to hunt. I hope to visit when they make a TV series of the books. Fingers crossed, this will happen. Any producers out there?

5.     Kaayii (your young Sasquatch) and his family are completely in tune with nature and its wonders and are greatly affected by environmental change. What is your favourite place in nature to visit and how has it/ might it be affected by environmental change?

I enjoy the coast at Lyme Regis and when my children were young we’d of course hunt for fossils there. That coastline is constantly eroding and after a big storm more mud and shale from the cliff tumbles on to the beach. Erosion and weathering are natural occurrences but climate change affects the sea levels and winter rainfall.

5. Minnie is a wonderful character. Is she based on anyone in particular?

Thanks. She’s based on a combination of my daughter and my son. So a mixture of intrepid, fun, clever and compassionate.

6. What can we expect from you next? I believe there is another ‘Bigfoot’ adventure on its way.

Yes, Bigfoot Island is to be published by Firefly next Spring. It picks up where the first book ends and there are new characters, stormy sea adventures, caves, and canoes.

I have also written a book set in London, called Bosco by the River, a funny questing adventure. I pitch it as ‘Lord of the Rings-on-Thames but not as epic!’ It is yet to find a home (publisher) but I loved writing it and plan, if there is interest, to do a series.

7.  And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

Excellent question. Tough one as I love cake. Simply love it. All cake. All day long. In fact I think it is time for a piece of cake right now. Thank you for the reminder. I like Carrot cake, Fruit cake, Coffee cake, Carrot and Walnut, Coffee and walnut, But, the other day I made Nigella’s Carrot and Ginger Cake and it was delicious!! A new fave!

Many thanks to Roderick for agreeing to this- great answers. Not sure about your choice of cake, but I loved the book and am delighted to know another one is on the way!

Bigfoot Mountain Roderick O’Grady

Firefly ISBN: 978-1913102418