About the author

1. How old were you when you wrote your first story?

I was nine. It was about rain, and it had a “surprise” ending – the revelation that, despite the cold, the wet and the grey skies, I really like rain! I remember how much I enjoyed creating what I felt was a satisfying ending. I always illustrated my own stories and, later on, homework – just for the fun of it (no wonder it always took me so long). I guess that’s why I now like writing picture books.

2. Where do you get your ideas from?

Hard to say. Mostly they just pop into my head, often at night. I write them down quickly, with whatever sort of pen I have handy. That’s why my first drafts are usually in purple felt pen or green biro with plenty of doodles!

3. Do you draw the pictures, too?

No – I love drawing and painting but I’m not a trained illustrator. I do draw a “map” of each book when I am creating it, though, so I can see how many pages I’ll need. This also helps me think about what will happen on each page.

4. What’s your favourite book?

My favourite picture book is The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr – although it was written many years ago it is still fresh, funny and original. As a child, I was very fond of the Milly Molly Mandy books, which you can still get today, and the Miffy books because I liked the style of the illustrations. My favourite older children’s author is Geraldine McCaughrean, because her language is poetic and beautiful.

5. Do you write other things?

I write websites and brochures for companies, and articles for newspapers and magazines, as well as children’s books. I often write about things to do with creativity, children (and toys! ). I also help and advise other picture book authors - something I really enjoy.

6. Do you like being a writer?

I love it. It’s always been a natural thing for me, and I can’t imagine ever wanting to stop.

7. If you weren’t a writer, what would you do instead?

I have had lots of other jobs: when I was a teenager I cleaned taxis (cold), picked strawberries (delicious) and pulled pints (difficult). To earn money as a student, I used to get up at 5am and work for a chef who let me make enormous pastry leaves for giant apple pies! Now, alongside being an author, I work part-time as a writer and designer for a charity that helps people who have learning difficulties.

8. What’s the first book you ever had published?

This was Snappy Little Numbers, in 1998 – a rhyming, pop-up book that started a whole series of “Snappy” books.

9. How many books have you sold?

I don’t know the exact figures for every book, but Santa’s Suit, which was my first story for Campbell Books, is a best-seller and has sold over 250,000 copies. It has been published in seven languages including Welsh, Italian, French and even Japanese.

10. How many books have you written?

I’ve published six books so far. I usually have several ideas on the go at once (the hardest thing is deciding which one to finish). I have also finished my first chapter book for 5-7 year olds. It is about a rat called Rodney who yearns for a life of adventure. And – luckily – that’s exactly what he gets…