Events

I speak in schools, libraries, bookshops and festivals across the world. From living with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia to conjuring up secret kingdoms in my writing shed, I talk about the real-life adventures and accidental daydreams behind my books and show kids how easy it is to leap into stories of their own.

For events regarding my books published by Simon & Schuster, please contact ChildrensBooks@simonandschuster.co.uk

Upcoming Public Events To Be Displayed Soon

Check back here soon.

Stay up-to-date

Sep 6

Children’s books I’ve read and loved recently:

Top row: THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL STRIKES BACK. @emmacarroll2603’s defiant retelling of THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL. Told with flair, detail and conviction. A brilliant story that champions the collective power of community and kindness. Wonderful illustrations by @laurenchildthatsme

Bottom left: FLORA & ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo. Everything Kate writes is outstanding, and this - a madcap tale involving a vacuum cleaner, a squirrel and a lovable cynic - is downright perfection.

Bottom right: Three properly fabulous picture books (THE BIG BOOK OF BEASTS @yuvalzommer, ON A MAGICAL DO-NOTHING DAY @beatricealemagna, THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE @tanyalandman.art & Laura Carlin). Five totally awesome stories for 7+ years (THE LOST GIRL KING @cat_doyle0, MAGICBORN @peter.bunzl, SPARK @mglnrd, MIA & THE LIGHTCASTERS @janellemccurdyy, THE TREE KEEPERS @kieranlarwood). And one hugely powerful teen novel (THE BURNING SWIFT @joseph_elliott1 - third in the SHADOW SKYE trilogy)

Sep 5

My 5-year-old taking a nap in a sky hammock half way up an ancient sycamore. Me, near the canopy, contemplating never coming down (because at the base of the tree there’s a 6-month-old & a 2-year-old, both needing nappy changes). And Tim from @wildtreeadventures, somewhere in between, masterminding the whole exhilarating, wonder-filled climb. Cannot recommend @wildtreeadventures more! 🌳

Aug 23

J.M. Barrie's PETER PAN concludes with Wendy's daughter saying Peter has asked her to go to Neverland to do his spring cleaning. SAVING NEVERLAND doesn't end that way. This is a story that tells girls they can go to Neverland to slay pirates, solve riddles and save the day (rather than just hopping across to do the housework). Out Jan 2023 but you can pre-order now. Cover @geryrdzart @sophia_watts @puffinbooksuk #savingneverland

Aug 19

💥COVER REVEAL!💥
How fabulous is Geraldine Rodriguez’s cover for SAVING NEVERLAND, my modern reimagining of J.M. Barrie’s classic, PETER PAN?! This is Neverland as you’ve never seen it before… Think snowtigers, frostbears and a wooly mammoth called Armageddon. Can Martha and Scruff Pennydrop help Peter Pan save Neverland from Captain Hook’s icy curse? Find out on January 5th 2023 🥳 @puffinbooksuk geryrdzart

Jul 11

We should probably start paying rent… @night_owl_bookshop

Jul 11

I wrote THE FROST GOBLIN in the Notes section of my phone during my newborn’s night feeds in lockdown (a way of claiming a sliver of time for myself, albeit at 3am…). A sentence a night, the story finally came together so to see finished copies arrive today, bursting with stunning illustrations from @fionawoodcock, has filled me with joy 💙 (I should probably add that I had another baby this year and I was waiting for the creative burst but proceeded to binge-watch my way through three series of Derry Girls instead…). THE FROST GOBLIN comes out on Oct 27th (pre-order link in bio) but here you go for a sneak peek of some of the artwork and words… ❄️ @simonkidsuk #frostgoblin

Jun 9

Has anyone seen my four-year-old? 🙈😬 (Clue: find the cloud then go down and right…)

Jun 9

#EmpathyDay is here! This special celebration explores how stories help children (and grown-ups) understand and share other people’s feelings and perspectives. Check out the free festival line-up, join THE BIG SHARE, and keep an eye on the #EmpathyDay hashtag. (Follow along here: http://www.empathylab.uk/empathy-day-2022) @empathylabuk 💙

May 19

What a privilege it has been to work with the enormously talented illustrator @fionawoodcock again. Our next book is called THE FROST GOBLIN and here’s Fiona’s magnificently magical cover for it! ❄️ I’ve also posted a sneak peek of the opening… This book publishes on October 27th but you can can pre-order a copy now using the link in my bio 😉❄️ (for readers aged 4+)

‘This is the story of the deepest frost of the year. The one that, if scattered in just the right way, sparks magic…’ @simonkidsuk @dhhlitagency

May 12

Absolutely THRILLED to discover I now have a bookshop a few miles from home - and what a stunner of a bookshop @night_owl_bookshop in East Linton is. Lovely bookseller Rebecca has signed copies of all my books AND stunning wrapping paper & cards from my super talented pal Fi @wilderframe (pictured bottom right) 🍃Pop in! #shoplocal #eastlinton #eastlothian

Apr 26

When neither the baby nor the editing deadline will budge…

Plus some books I’ve recently read and loved:
1. SUPER-INFINITE The Transformations of John Donne. A scorchingly brilliant biography of the poet of ‘love, sex, and death’ by the inimitable @katherine.rundell

2. DON’T FORGET TO SCREAM Unspoken Truths About Motherhood by @mariannelevy8 A collection of stunning essays that observe the kaleidoscopic nature of motherhood

3. ONYEKA & THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN by @tolaokogwu A pacy, action-packed and inspiring superhero story about a British-Nigerian girl discovering her hidden powers

4: SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF by @afsteadmanauthor Sky battles, elemental magic, courageous kids and unicorns like you’ve never seen them before. This deserves all the hype; it had me enthralled. Kids are going to love it!

5: THE WAY TO IMPOSSIBLE ISLAND by @sophie.kirtley A young boy stumbles across an impossibility: a girl from the Stone Age living here and now. Together they embark on a wild, windswept sea journey packed with adventure, wildness and heart. Wonderful storytelling

Mar 27

Profound chats atop Traprain Law:

4-year-old: ‘I just found a T-Rex tooth’
1-year-old: ‘Peppa Pig’
3-week-old: *burps*
Husband: ‘I think we should get a goldfish’

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