Children’s Book of the Week!

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This week My Dad is a Grizzly Bear is The Independent’s ‘Children’s Book of the Week’, with reviews in the Manchester Evening News, Northern Echo, Express and Star, Bristol Post, Birmingham Mail, Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Coventry Observer, Stratford Observer, Derby Telegraph, Northern Echo, Macclesfield Express, Teeside Evening Gazette, Cambridge News, Ashbourne News Telegraph, Burton Mail, Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Grimsby Telegraph, Nottingham Mail and The Herald too!

Celebratory bear hugs all round! Have a read of the full review here.

The Accidental Show with James Campbell

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Today, I was one of the guests on The Accidental Show with James Campbell. It was a stellar lineup with Tiernan Douieb, who is a comedy genius and Tom and Ellie Norris, who are classical violinists.

James and I talked about what it’s like to be a writer and which of our books are our favourites. I even got to talk about My Dad is a Grizzly Bear which is out in just over a month! Thank you so much to the brilliant kids who tuned in with their questions – I had a fantastic time!

World Book Day with Churchwood Primary

Swapna HaddowHalfway Round the World with the Haddows, Pawsome News, Roosting With Dave

Yesterday, I spent World Book Day with the keyworker pupils of Churchwood Primary. I beamed in from New Zealand to the school in East Sussex to first meet with the Infants for a My Dad is a Grizzly Bear reading. This was the very first time I was reading the book to anyone so it was very exciting.

We then created our very own bears using scavenger hunt items and the children did a beartastic job creating lots of interesting shapes.

I then met with the Juniors for a Dave Pigeon plotting workshop where I revealed all my secret tips for making sure stories don’t fizzle towards the end when you are writing a page-turner.

There were stories about bouncy balls, deserts, libraries and even tissue boxes! I had so much fun inventing story plans with these brilliant young writers.

Thank you so much to the pupils and staff of Churchwood Primary Academy for making my World Book Day so special.

Ballet Bunnies: The Lost Slipper out now!

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Ballet Bunnies: The Lost Slipper hits shelves today!

Millie’s class have gone to the theatre to watch real ballerinas dance! Millie is about to go on a magical adventure with the Ballet Bunnies – will you join them too?

This fourth book in the Ballet Bunnies series is illustrated by the brilliant Binny Talib.

And it’s a double celebration at Miss Luisa’s School of Dance because Ballet Bunnies publishes in the US today with Random House Books. Hip, hip, hooray for the Ballet Bunnies!

The Book of Hopes is shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year

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I’m so thrilled to announce that The Book of Hopes has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year 2020.

This book has gone further than any of us could ever have imagined and I never tire of seeing children’s wonderful work inspired by my poem ‘Me’ in the book. Thank you so much for your love and support and hugest congratulation to the many authors, illustrators, members of Team Bloomsbury, Team National Literacy Trust and Katherine Rundell on such an incredible feat.

Check out the incredible shortlist for the Book of the Year here.

Thank you, Waterstones!