SPILLED WATER

Winner of the 2004 Smarties Prize Gold Award

Winner of the 2005 Lincolnshire Young People's Award

Winner of the 2007 West Sussex Book Awards

I was inspired to write this story about a young girl sold into slavery by an article in a newspaper.  Lu Si-yan is only eleven when her uncle takes her to market and sells her to a cold and calculating couple.  She escapes, but her plight worsens when she is forced to work in appalling conditions in a factory.  The friends she makes there, and her determination to be reunited with her mother and little brother, are the only things that keep her going.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

HURRICANE WILLS

A librarian told me about a boy who came to her library to do his homework because it was impossible at home.  I started to think about the things that could make working at home so difficult, and Hurricane Wills was born.  He has behaviourial problems, and younger brother Chris bears the brunt of them especially when their parents split up.  But, in spite of it all, Chris loves Wills and is there for him even when things get truly out of control... I'm proud of this book, which has been really well reviewed.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

SAVING FINNEGAN

I read about a newspaper article about a whale that had beached off a Scottish island and how the islanders dealt with it.  This story is about how I imagined events might have unfolded.  Holly is a fiesty young girl who discovers the whale and is at the forefront of efforts to save it.  When her tiny island community becomes divided over what course of action to take, she finds herself involved in a battle in which she has some unlikely friends and foes.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

BROKEN GLASS

Two images inspired this story.  The first was of a family - mother and several children - living on a traffic island in the middle of a busy Indian town.  The second was of street children climbing over a tip collecting rubbish.  My story follows the lives of two young boys, who wind up on the streets of India when they are forced to leave home because of their violent father.  It's a story of tragedy, triumph, the value of friendship and moral choices.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk  Sunday Times Book of the Week 10/2/08 More>

TORN PAGES - to be published in February 2009

The AIDS epidemic is devastating many parts of Africa and leaving children to struggle on their own.  Here I tell the story of the hardships a family of three children might face when they are orphaned and have nobody else to turn to for help.  Lydia is the eldest and is determined to look after her brother and sister.  She draws strength from the memory book her mother has left her.

DEAR MAX

illustrated by Tony Ross

Shortlisted for the 2006 Hounslow Book Award

Shortlisted for the 2006 Nottingham Book Award

Shortlisted for the 2005 Stockport Book Award

Max is a little boy with a big imagination, who is also having trouble at school.  He writes to his favourite author, DJ Lucas, because he wants to be a writer when he grows up.  So begins a touching and humorous correspondence, with Max gradually revealing his problems and DJ gently encouraging him to deal with them.  Yes, I'll admit it, this is one of my favourite books, and now there's a second!
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

BRAVO MAX

illustrated by Tony Ross

After seeing a Christmas show, Max decides he'd like to write a play, so he asks DJ Lucas to help him.  At the same time he is having to cope with a bossy, talkative babysitter and a new man in his mother's life.  Little by little Max comes to terms with sharing his mother, and his play reveals some of the turmoil in his life.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

RELAX MAX

illustrated by Tony Ross

In this third collection of letters, Max is having to come to terms with some major changes in his life, including the prospect of having a baby brother or sister and having to move house.  At school he is learning all about poetry, and he expresses his feelings about what is happening to him through a number of sometimes funny, sometimes sad poems to DJ Lucas. 
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

CAPTAIN PEPPER’S PETS
illustrated by David Parkins

I had enormous fun writing this ‘I am Reading’ book. Pirates are the perfect subject for a story because you can do anything with them. Here, you’ll meet a truly hapless (or do I mean hopeless?) crew whose mission is to find an unusual pet for their mean and nasty captain.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

THE PERFECT MONSTER

illustrated by Erica-Jane Waters

Shortlisted for the 2006 Nottingham Book Award

Mungus Bigfoot is The Perfect Monster, a star pupil at monster school.  He knows all the best rude words, he can pull the scariest faces, and the other pupils look up to him.  One day he is given a mission: to turn goody-goody Emily Twinkletoes into a perfect monster...  I had so much fun writing this and dreaming up all the awful things that Mungus could do to make him perfect!
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

FRIENDS FOREVER

illustrated by Penny Dann

Two stories about Figgy Twosocks and Jefferson Bear have been put together in this 'I Am Reading' edition for young readers.  Both stories explore friendship and what it means, with Figgy facing many days alone when Jefferson settles down for his long winter sleep
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

MOULDYLOCKS AND THE THREE CLARES

illustrated by Nathan Reed

Mouldlocks the giant wants a wife.  So he climbs down his beanstalk and sets off to look for one.  He is delighted when he finds not just one but three Clares living in a nearby wood.  But will any of the Clares fall for a mouldy giant? This is one of the 'Chameleons' series for children who have kust begun to enjoy reading.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

CAT-A-WALL

illustrated by Deborah Allwright

Cat-a-Wall is convinced that he can sing, and that if only his owners would appreciate him he could become the greatest singer in the world.  One night, when they have put him out through the catflap as usual, he decides to show them just what he can do - with surprising results.  MIAOOOOW!

POPPY AND MAX AND THE FASHION SHOW
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner
Winner Richard & Judy Children's Book Awards 2007

Poppy is ever bright and cheerful, Max can sometimes be grumpy.  When Poppy sees a notice about a fashion show, she wants to join in.  Max is not a dog who wears clothes, and he certainly doesn't want to dress up.  Somehow, though, he ends up being the star of the show in spite of himself.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

POPPY AND MAX AND THE LOST PUPPY
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

In this story (the first one I wrote), a puppy arrives on Poppy and Max's doorstep late one evening and wants to come in.  Poppy is delighted with it, but Max soon has his nose put out of joint and can't wait to find the puppy's owner.
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

POPPY AND MAX AND THE SORE PAW
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

When Poppy and Max see some friends playing football, Max can't wait to join in and shows just how good he is in goal.   His boasting leads him to take on one challenge too many, and he injures his paw.  Everyone rushes to help him, but just how hurt is he?
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

POPPY AND MAX AND THE BIG WAVE
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

Poppy and Max go to the beach with their friend Tom.  Poppy and Tom can't wait to go surfing, but Max is determined that they should chase crabs.  It's not long though before, like it or not, he finds himself carried away on the biggest of waves.

POPPY AND MAX AND TOO MANY MUFFINS
illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

Poor Max.  When Poppy notices that he is becoming a rather podgy doggy, she decides that it is time for him to do some exercise - either that or give up muffins!  Over the next week, she devises a regime that they will follow together, but Max draws the line at dancing...

POPPY AND MAX AND THE SNOW DOG

illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

One morning Poppy wakes up to find that it has been snowing.  She can't wait to go outside and make a snowman.  Max wants to stay in bed.  "I am not a dog who likes the cold," he says.  It is only when they agree to build a snow dog that Max cheers up.

POPPY AND MAX AND THE RIVER PICNIC

illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner

Max is not a dog who likes to go for long walks, unless there is a picnic at the end.  When Poppy suggests they go for a walk by the river, Max is determined to stop for food at the very first likely place.  But the two friends can't seem to agree on the perfect spot.

POPPY AND MAX AND THE NOISY NIGHT

by Lindsey Gardiner

Poppy and Max are enjoying a cosy evening in front of the fire playing Snap when a storm breaks outside.  Max is terrified and won't come out from under the cushions until the lightning and thunder stop.  But that is only the beginning of this very noisy night.