A bee on a lark, a bug on a shark…

As the two towers on the pages inside grow to reveal a fox, a box, a jeep, a sheep, a goat and a boat, things get increasingly wobbly! This new book for young readers from Collins BIG CAT Phonics, illustrated by Keri Green, is out now.

I was delighted to be asked back to Edenbridge Primary School in Kent this week, to run pirate-themed workshops and share some book love as part of this year’s Book Week. Thank you to all the children and teachers in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 for taking part so enthusiastically, and for creating such imaginative stories and rhymes. Happy World Book Day 2017! ❤️📚

Every year at about this time, the latest statements from the Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme go out to authors all over the country. Mine shows that last year, my most borrowed title in UK libraries was Dragon v Dinosaur. Huge thanks to readers, librarians and the PLR team for all the book love!

Shiver me timbers, mateys… Captain Fish-Breath Fred and his crew have made it safely across the Atlantic! The U.S. edition of Giant Jelly Jaws and the Pirates is out today ⚓️

Both of our girls went to St Lawrence Primary School in Hurstpierpoint, so I was really pleased to be asked to come and read stories at yesterday’s Summer Fete, with its ‘Once Upon a Time’ theme. Thank you to all the children who came to the story tent, and to all the grown-ups who bought books in aid of St Lawrence. Thank you!

Hello to all the little swashbucklers who came to our pirate event at Burgess Hill Library this morning. Keep reading! ⚓️

A very big thank you to everyone who came to my first festival event today, and especially to all the gorgeous children. Thanks also to the Steyning Bookshop and the Steyning Festival for having me. And what a pretty venue! It was such a lovely afternoon, thank you x

⚓️ Ahoy Ladybirds, Butterflies and Bumblebees! You all looked fabulous in your pirate outfits today and I loved your classroom displays. Thank you for joining in with Giant Jelly Jaws and the Pirates and well done for making such great piratey swag (bookmarks!) to take home. Ahaaaarrrrrrrr!!! ⚓️

Thank you to all the little swashbucklers in Lake class and Coombe class for making today’s Giant Jelly Jaws and the Pirates workshops so wonderful! It was a joy to meet you and your teachers and see your amazing piratey work. Happy reading! ⚓️

⚓️  Ahoy Year 4! It was wonderful to meet you all today, and thank you for sharing your AWESOME pirate ship and piratey love with Ben Mantle and me – Captain Fish-Breath Fred and his pirate crew felt right at home! We hope you enjoyed your Giant Jelly Jaws and the Pirates workshops as much as we did. Special shout out to your Headteacher, Mr Hill – and all your other teachers, too – for championing books and encouraging such enthusiasm at Howard. Keep reading! ⚓️