I had school sessions on two days this week. They are a lot of fun and it is always interesting to hear the children’s ideas about what ‘Crazy Purple Pen’ should do next. Quite a lot of girls from different sessions have suggested that Purple Pen and Pink Biro could get married in the next book. The boys on the other hand tend to be keener on ideas like Purple Pen becoming a football star or having a pirate adventure. I think a Purple Pen/Star Wars adventure was been mentioned one time too! One girl today also thought that Purple Pen could write something naughty on the Policeman’s bottom! 

The most encouraging thing for me is that they all seem to genuinely enjoy the book. Today, in particular I received the perfect reaction when I read the section about the rude note to the Queen;

(Extract)

It said, “Your Majesty, may I politely say –

You pong a bit and need a bath today!”

 

There was an audible intake of breath with hands over mouths, followed by giggling. If only I could bottle that reaction and send it off to all the book reviewers!

I received a brilliant 40th birthday present yesterday from my good friends Steve and Jane – see the green wall plaque below. Great fun! 

That was one birthday treat. Another was receiving the proof copy of my new book, ‘Birthday Cake Disaster’.  Should be available on Amazon any day now!

Interactive Touch Books for iOS devices
My interactive touch book (ITB) version of ‘The Day My Teacher Came to Tea’ is now finished and available for purchase. Hooray!  Mark (my techno-whizz-kid of a husband) and I had a lot of fun creating this book. We gave the spider a laid-back hippy style personality and I rather think that he steals the show.

We also took the opportunity to update the ITB version of ‘My Crazy Purple Pen’. I wanted to record a faster, more lively narration and also make it easier for the reader to navigate and activate the touch screen features.

YouTube promotional video for Interactive Touch Books
Then, as if we hadn’t spent long enough glued to our computer screen, we set about making a youtube video to promote the ITB books. A huge thank you to Mark for bringing all his techno-knowhow to bear on this project and for working on it so tirelessly on my behalf.

Updated website
And one last thing! Some of you may have noticed that the website has been updated, improved and is more functional than before. You can ‘like’ my website now or send me comments or questions.

Other news...
My third book, Birthday Cake Disaster, has been approved by Amazon (Createspace). I should receive my proof copy next week, after which it will become available for sale. I am very excited about this book, my longest to date and with a recipe for pink party cake included at the back (tried and tested I might add!).

Husband’s quote “I’ve liked all your books but this is my favourite so far!”

In the meantime I have been working on a series of pirate stories. I’ve been having great fun with this theme. These are now ready to be illustrated so watch this space....

I was delighted with the reaction to both my books at school today. As soon as I finished reading aloud, 'My Crazy Purple Pen', the children began to ask if I could read them 'The Day My Teacher Came to Tea'. The enthusiasm in their excited faces and in their happy voices was wonderful and very encouraging.

The best test of a children's book is to read it children. The test results are very positive!

One child asked, "Are all your books funny?" Thankfully, they are supposed to be so I took this as a compliment!

It was all going so well until somebody chirped up with, "Are you famous?". As I shook my head in response, he added, "Well, are your books famous then?" Regrettably I had to say, "Not yet but perhaps one day!"

It was all good fun and I had to smile at the very end of the session when one little boy said in an encouraging voice, "I think you should keep writing stories!" I did of course thank him for his encouragement and said, "Yes, I will!"