Hi there,   It’s been a crazy year and school children are literally exploding with grief over not being able to have an author in to visit. So, why not have the next best thing – a FREE virtual author…

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on here. I am still alive though, I promise.   I hope you’re all well.   I’ve had a busy few years. My latest book, Eating Chips With Monkey, was recently nominated…

I’m really thrilled and delighted that my new book, Charlie and Me, will be released in the UK on 11th Jan 2018. It’s all about a boy called Martin who runs away from home for the weekend with his crazy…

So about eight months ago I did the unthinkable. I completely, 100% gave up biscuits, cakes, chocolate and sweets. Honestly. All of my staple foods wiped out in one go. Kablammo. It’s like a lion giving up gazelle, or a…

I am thrilled and delighted that The Jam Doughnut That Ruined My Life has been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award 2017. I’m up against stiff competition – Michael Morpurgo and Claire Fayer – but it’s a real honour to…

No-one likes January. It’s rubbish. The weather’s freezing. The Christmas tree’s been sent to the dump. You’ve only just come out of traction, after being trampled underfoot at Black Friday, and now you’ve got to do it all again in…

Last week I ate rice pudding for the first time in about fifteen years. And it was blooming lovely. A sweet, delicious time machine of a dessert. Although it wasn’t quite the same as when I was little. My mum…

  I have three kids (one of each – ho ho) and I love being a dad. In fact, I’d say the best thing about being a writer is being able to knock around with the children during my frequent…

Hi there, So last summer I got an email out of the blue from a man called John Rullo, who works for Derian House Children’s Hospice in my home county of Lancashire (www.derianhouse.co.uk). He was a man with a dream…

Well how do you all do?   I’m very well indeed, although the writing shed is a bit warm today – my brain feels like it’s been slowly baked this afternoon.   Lots of cool things have happened recently. Firstly,…