I had a great day recently at Shakespeare Infants School in Eastleigh. Rather marvellously, the children of Year 2 had looking at three different children's illustrators, of which I was one. So in I went, to talk about my work and answer a small mountain of questions!

The children were absolutely lovely – full of insightful and clever questions. They did an excellent job of interogating me, and I was definitely asked questions nobody had thought to ask before. The fact they'd been looking at my books in the days prior obviously helped.

The children were about to embark on a writing project and so I was also asked to help create them a character to feature in their stories. It's always tough trying to combine evryone's thoughts and, sometimes, contradictory suggestions, but we found a way through by building the character one piece at a time.

I also stayed for a book signing after school which was incredibly well atteneded – so much so that I had to return the next day with books I'd sold out from. Was more than happy to do so!

But, as an author, I think the best moment for me personally was waiting for the children to arrive in the hall after I'd set up and hearing a teacher reading The Rubbish Monster Thing. She was giving it her all, and sounded great as the big booming rubbish monster demanding more waste. I enjoyed that immensely!

If you'd like to book me for your school then please contact me here.