About me

I write books and short stories for children, teens and adults. I also write poetry, articles and contribute to blogs. I have been writing all my life, since I could hold a pen, and I love to write in cafes.

When I was young my dream was to leave Earth's gravity.I haven't quite managed that yet.

I love to travel and I collect oceans. I already have four out of the five oceans on Earth. An ocean is collected once I've paddled in it. In this photo I am in the Indian Ocean off Australia.

 My collection includes the Pacific, Southern and Atlantic Oceans. I have yet to add the Arctic Ocean and complete the set.

I was a teacher for 25 years and taught all ages. I loved the buzz of teaching and the wonderful students I worked with.

 Now I speak in schools about my books, in the UK and abroad. But the students are still just as individual and fascinating whatever language we are using.

Being an author means you get the chance to speak about your books in many different ways....

on TV...

... on radio...

... in bookshops...

... in a yurt on the South Bank... a wonderful event about Celebrating Sanctuary....

...at Book Festivals - here I am with the wonderful Michael Rosen, talking about our books at the Barnet Book Festival, 2022...