Last weekend, I had a shock. It was a good shock, but still a shock!

Saturday’s Guardian had a Children’s Book Supplement, which was lovely to see. Children’s books should have more coverage in the media, so a whole supplement dedicated to them was fantastic. Even more fantastic – The Great Chocoplot was not only mentioned, but received a great review.

Cue some dancing, tweeting and phone calls saying, ‘Have you seen the Guardian?’.

A massive thank you to Steven Pryse of Pickled Pepper Books for taking the time to write such a fab review. I’m still dancing and tweeting about it!!  

The North Tyneside Reading Festival was a great day, but it was extra special for one weird reason:

It was set in my old school!

I left this school almost 30 years ago with a handful of O’ Levels ready to join the Royal Air Force. So, it was incredibly strange to return to talk about my debut children’s book to audiences from schools throughout Tyneside.

There were loads of fun events going on throughout the festival and I shared the day with author Adam Bushnell and Story Teller Chris Bostock.

I loved seeing lots of ‘chocolate panic faces’ and sharing my chocolatey story, as well as being asked lots of great questions.

I’d like to thank all the schools that came along, the enthusiastic staff at Langdale and Gill Kemp for the seamless organisation. Hopefully I played a small part in getting more children interested in reading – which was the whole point!

It’s always great to get a mention in the papers – children’s books are not covered as much as they should be. But to get onto the front page is a special treat. Delighted to make it onto the front of our local News Guardian on Tyneside. Click here to read the web version.

Making The Front Pages

I was even recognised in the street after this!

I wonder if this is how David Walliams feels?