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Since I was last here, Rupert’s Snowman has been published by Purple Butterfly Press. It’s doing really well judging by the 60 plus 5 star reviews on Amazon UK alone! I’m delighted! One of the unexpected thrills is that a number of parents of dyslexic children have contacted me to tell me that Rupert’s SnowmanContinue reading “A Friendly Font”

I’m writing this in the bay window of our seaside home for the week, leaning on my new (old) Posy Simmonds graphic novel, Gemma Bovery I bought yesterday at the second hand bookshop here in Aldeburgh. It had me at the front cover, I’m afraid the saying ‘Don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ doesn’tContinue reading “My new, old book”

Don’t you love turning up at a holiday house and scanning the bookshelves for your holiday read? Something you might not necessarily choose in a library or book store, a new genre? My obsession with Ghost Stories began in an Aldeburgh cottage on the seafront. On the bookshelf was a huge collection of stories byContinue reading “Empty Bookshelves”

Phew! We’re in the middle of a heatwave here in the UK. It’s blisteringly hot ( for us!) and a very hostile environment for a snowman. Yet my task is to promote my Winter tale Rupert’s Snowman! The lawn is parched, the paddling pool constantly being topped up with water as it evaporates rapidly. TheContinue reading “Marketing a Winter book in a heatwave!”

Empathy is the ability to be aware of, understand and be sensitive to the feelings, thoughts and experiences of another and to express that understanding through a supportive response. Studies show that around two years of age children start to show genuine empathy, understanding how others feel even when they don’t feel the same wayContinue reading “Q and A with Rupert”

The Snowman in Rupert’s Snowman represents anybody who doesn’t want to be left out in the cold. You can use my book to start conversation about your child’s friendships especially the trickier ones. Rupert’s concern for Frosty in the story can be a great introduction to the concept of empathy, his kind act is atContinue reading “Books to help start conversations with kids”