New book launching April 2022!

Available from all good bookshops

BookTrust selects ‘Cheeky Monkey’ for their Great Books Guide 2021

Thrilled that BookTrust have selected ‘Cheeky Monkey’ in this year’s BookTrust’s Great Books Guide 2021 (following ‘Pug Hug’ in their guide last year).

‘A little red monkey wants to play, but nobody else wants to! Monkey manages to get paint on Zebra’s tail, steal Giraffe’s lunch and barge ahead of the meerkats on the slide – not to mention waking up Lion from his nap! Oh dear! It looks like Monkey has to say those two little words: I’m sorry. Fortunately, saying sorry has a brilliant effect and Monkey soon finds that everyone wants to play.

Another super picture book from Zehra Hicks that has lovely illustrations and blocky text with minimal words, and is perfect for toddlers learning how to be a good playmate.

There are some great books for all ages up to age 16, definitely worth a browse:
BookTrust’s Great Books Guide 2021

Pug Hug wins Book Cover Design Award 2021

Delighted to hear that Pug Hug won The Academy of Book Cover Design Awards 2021!!

So honoured, especially to be up against such talented company and gorgeous covers!

Tom Hardy reads ‘The Problem With Problems’ on CBeebies!

It was an absolute career highlight to find out that Tom Hardy was reading a book I illustrated, ‘The Problem With Problems’, on CBeebies at the beginning of lockdown! I have been very slack about updating my website so the link has probably gone by now (but you can probably find it on youtube). We have been very lucky to have other amazing celebrities read the book for charity including Gillian Anderson for Save the Children #savewithstories campaign and Adrian Lester for Sparkle Sheffield – a charity that supports parents with autistic children.

The Problem With Problems, written by Rachel Rooney, illustrated by me, was published in UK in March 2020 and is publishing in 19 territories around the world.

Two new books for 2020!

I’m very excited to announce I have two new books coming out in 2020! I’ve been very busy so I’m very behind in updating my website, but for the moment, here are the covers! Pug Hug (published by Hodder) publishes in February 2020 and The Problem With Problems (published by Andersen Press) publishes in March 2020, written by Rachel Rooney and illustrated by me!

Giraffe and Frog is shortlisted for some awards!

SO thrilled that Giraffe and Frog has been shortlisted for both the Nottingham Children’s Book Award 2018 and the Teach Primary Book Awards – and among such fine company! Below are the shortlisted books and links to the Children’s Book Awards websites.

Nottingham Children’s Book Award 2018

You can watch the videos of the stories being read and follow the link to the online voting table for your favourite book here: Nottingham Children’s Book Award

Teach Primary Book Awards

Teach Primary Book Awards

Bookshop events February 2018

Pickled Pepper Books
Waterstones Epsom
Tales on Moon Lane

Giraffe and Frog events

I’ve had loads of fun doing events in bookshops, libraries and festivals over the last few months doing readings and puppet making for my new book, Giraffe and Frog. The latest was for The Big Draw at Epsom Library in October.

Epsom Library

A Bundle of Books, Kent

Sutton Waterstones

Giraffe and Frog events this August

Looking for things to do to entertain the kids this August? I’ll be doing lots of daytime events launching my new book ‘Giraffe and Frog’. Taking place in bookshops, libraries and festivals – in London, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent. Readings, signings, puppet making and comic-strip drawing activities – something for everyone!

Who will you be giving a book to on International Book Giving Day?

February 14th is International Book Giving Day. The aim? To get books into the hands of as many children as possible, all around the world.

I will be giving away copies of my new book, ‘Flying Lemurs’ to local libraries and schools and via a competition on twitter and facebook. If you want the chance to win a signed copy, make sure you take a look at my pages by Monday 13th February to find out how to enter the prize draw!
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ibgd_poster_with_signatureBelow is a little more information about International Book Giving Day. For more, check out their website: bookgivingday.com

Internation Book Giving Day takes place on 14th February each year. The aim? To get books into the hands of as many children as possible. International Book Giving Day is a 100% volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books.

  • Most children in developing countries do not own books.
  • In the United Kingdom, one-third of children do not own books.
  • In the United States, two-thirds of children living in poverty do not own books.

International Book Giving Day’s focus is on encouraging people worldwide to give a book to a child on February 14th. We invite individuals to

1) gift a book to a friend or family member,
2) leave a book in a waiting room for children to read
3) donate a gently used book to a local library, hospital or shelter or to an organization that distributes used books to children in need internationally.

Who will you be giving a book to on 14th February?