A big thank you to Leeds Libraries for their support of 'You Can't Eat A Princess!' during this years' Reading Challenge.

I visited the Central Leeds Library on Saturday, and again on Tuesday to read my books. The audience were brilliant, thank you to parents and carers for bringing them in. I hope the children enjoyed designing their own aliens. Thanks to Paul and your volunteers - I think you had more fun with your rocket project than the children!

I visited Garforth Library today and had another wonderful reading session with some lovely children. Thanks again to parents (and grandparents). Thank you to Ben and Barbara for making me feel welcome and for organising all those activity sheets.

I must say a huge thank you to Lorraine who organised my events. I hope you're feeling much better now.

Being a picture book writer is a wonderful job, the  very best part is reading my books out to children and seeing them smile - and sometimes laugh. 

Garforth Library                                          Leeds Central Library

I've (almost) finished decorating some rooms in my home, with help from my daughters. It always seems like a good idea at the time to say "We'll just give these rooms a lick of paint, it won't take long."

But then ... first you have to clear everything from the rooms. This leads to mountains of unwanted stuff and numerous trips to the charity shop (where the staff get to know you well).  Then you have to prepare the rooms i.e. give them a good dust and wash down the skirting boards etc. Where does all this dust come from? Am I getting my neighbour's share as well? At this stage our enthusiasm levels were way down and we decided to do the painting 'tomorrow'.

Painting day 1. Lots of dust sheets down. New brushes ready. Off we go. Had a great time until we kept forgetting that we'd just painted everything and kept leaning on walls and putting our hands on doors. We put up 'Wet paint!' signs - but they didn't help.

Painting day 2. Couldn't be bothered so we went out instead.

Painting day 3. Was determined to get the work finished. One hour later we ran out of paint but were too tired to go to shop so watched Top Gear instead.

Painting day 4. I got up early to buy all paint that was needed. Got home to see daughter's sad face - she didn't want to paint any more so we went out instead.

Painting day 5. Up early. Got on with it. Stuck roller on a long stick to reach awkward parts. Then stuck a brush on stick to get even more awkward parts. Finished!!! Almost. Paint has dripped onto freshly painted bannisters and window sills. I will clean those tomorrow, or the day after.

In between all of this I have been writing more stories and getting ready for some Space Hop Library events. I will be at Leeds Library this Saturday between 1.30 - 2.30 and at Garforth Library on Thursday (26th) at the same time. If you turn up to see me and notice bits of paint in my hair, please be kind and don't mention it.  

My daughters have decided that they would like to redecorate our home. My oldest daughter has started to clear out her room - this means that all her unwanted things are put in my room for me to dispose of. But the problem is that I then get caught up in memories.

"I remember when I bought this for you. You were so little. We had such good times playing with this. Are you sure you want to give it away? Shall we keep it a bit longer?"

"You can't throw away your picnic set! Remember all the teddy bears' picnics we had. Shall we have just one more picnic?"

"Photos! Look at you when you were a baby. And look at your sister. I'll put these somewhere safe. When I've finished looking at them."

We went to the local DIY store to look at paint colours. There are hundreds to choose from! I loved looking at all the lovely names - Delicate Cobweb, Dusted Damson, Cookie Dough, Frosted Dawn, Beach Storm and Lemon Pie. A lot of food references.

There was far too much choice so we picked up a few brochures and went home to think about which colours we would like. I could do with a magic wand to change the colour scheme immediately so I would know if Malt Chocolate would be better than Mud Hut.

So, we haven't got very far with our decorating. Where's the decorating fairy when you need her?     

I have put a new picture book story under the Story section. It's about King Leo and his visit to the Jungle Hotel. He wants a bit of time to himself, a bit of peace and quiet. That's not too much to ask, is it?

A few months ago Sarah (the brilliant illustrator of You Can't Eat A Princess!) and I decided to make space cakes to try out a recipe that we had put together for the Princess Party Pack - full download available from Sarah's website. I made the rocket one , with the help of my daughter, Eve and Sarah made the UFO one. They were delicious and didn't last very long!