​This is very hot off the press! Today I went to the very brilliant Ralph Allen School in Bath to do a visit. If you are in Ralph Allen Year 7 – I’m talking about YOU!!!
Thank you for making me so welcome today. I was very impressed with you all and I really hoped you enjoyed hearing about Asha and Jeevan’s journey through the Himalaya in search of Asha’s papa. You asked some very thoughtful questions which really made me think. It was very very difficult to decide who got to go home with the lantern balloon in the shape of a tiger but I hope that the boy who won has this little fella sitting on his desk inspiring him to write his story!
One of the very exciting things about today – well two things actually if I’m allowed to change my mind! Was that 1. I got to have my very own reserved parking spot! See photo. And 2. Chickenhouse were filming the event which I can’t wait to see. Once I have the film I will post it here so you can take a look.
Lots of you bought books – so thank you so much for that! And please do let me know what you think of the book, the visit or anything.
Later on to celebrate National Writing Day you invented your own spirit animals – can’t wait to hear about them.

It’s been a little while since I popped in to the blog to write to all of you lovely readers and web-viewers. So it’s been a bit of a busy time recently. One of the very exciting things that happened just a few days ago was that I was featured in The Guardian Newspaper’s Book page and named as one of the best books so far in 2019!!!!! I was absolutely thrilled and had a very busy day replying to all the lovely messages that lots of people sent. So a huge thank you to The Guardian for choosing me from all the other amazing books that are out there at the moment.
 
Another really exciting thing that happened last week during half term was that I was invited to join The Authors For Oceans Panel at the amazing Hay Festival! It’s always been a dream to go there and so this was incredible. I was so well looked after in the green room, which is where you get to hang out when you appear at festivals. I ate lots of cake and drank lots of tea. Sharing the stage with one of my heroes, Lauren St John, was such an honour. Along with Nicola Davies and Yuval Zommer, we discussed how important it is for all of us to get involved in helping to rid the oceans of plastic. It would be awesome if you could help and get involved!
 
I was also appearing at Waterstones Tottenham Court Road over half term with Catherine Johnson and Muhammed Khan Kick The Moon. We were talking about why there are not very many characters of colour in children’s books. In fact it’s only 1%. And also there are very few children’s writers of colour. What do you all think of that? Things are hopefully getting better but we still need more writers writing characters that reflect the diverse Britain of 2019.

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