Did you know I have my own YouTube channel where I share stories, events and creative challenges for home or the classroom? It's totally free to subscribe and watch. I don't post super often; I try and make content that is fun for children, and useful to parents, carers and teachers. Please give me a follow and, whenever I post a new video, you'll be the first to hear about it.

I just posted a new story video in time for Halloween. Reading WITCH IN TRAINING is a great springboard for fun activities, such as...

- Write a shopping list of magic potion ingredients.
- Make up a magical spell. Maybe you can make it rhyme?
- Mix your own 'potion' - pouring, mixing, stirring and sprinkling are all great ways to improve manual dexterity, which helps strengthen your pen control.

Thanks for watching. Have fun!

My first book published directly in Canada is here, and I couldn't be more delighted!

Lobster's Vacation is published by the truly lovely folks at Nimbus, down the road from me in Halifax NS. It's illustrated, with bags of humour and charm, by Haligonian Paul G. Hammond, and it's been wonderful to see it in so many book and gift stores across the province this summer.

I had a blast launching the book on the north shore in Tatamagouche recently. Kids and grown ups seem to get a big kick from Lobster's exploits on land as he explores all the fun of a Maritimes summer. I hope you enjoy your summer as much as Lobster and his friends!

Tom and I are both over the moon to have had our book shortlisted within this fabulous initiative. To pick up the most votes was a real surprise, especially when the competition was so stiff! We have been shortlisted before and narrowly missed out, so this news was beyond awesome.
It's wonderful that the children took Michael the cookie into their hearts. His story is all about acceptance, self expression and kindness. Thank you to all who voted!

If you’re a picture book creator looking to develop your career further in 2024, this might be just what you need: Building a Career In Picture Books is a four-week course I’m proud to be running with my long-term editor @fizosborne in February.

We're both constantly busy with multiple publishing projects, so we don't get to do this sort of thing often - and we're really looking forward to it. We both passionately believe in de-mystifying industry entry and in helping to hold the doors open for all those who deserve to find their way in. We'll be sharing tips, advice and insights from our careers, as well as giving participants an exclusive glimpse into what’s currently making an impact with agents and editors.

Full details and booking information can be found here. A limited number of sponsored spots are available, with thanks to some very generous donors. 

We hope to meet you in our virtual classroom in February. In the meantime, best of luck with your work and have a great Christmas!

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

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

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

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

Since moving to Nova Scotia a year and a half ago, I've been trying to make sure schools, libraries and bookstores can get hold of my books. It IS possible, folks, it's just not as straightforward as I'd hoped. I'm working on making them more easily available here, but in the meantime, if you're looking for copies please ask your local bookstore. They can search up titles by ISBN and order them in for you. Particular thanks to Woozles in Halifax and Vickery House Books in Parrsboro for their support!