Delighted to announce my non-fiction debut, publishing with Orchard for Hachette Children’s this autumn, on October 22nd.
BOOKS ACCORDING TO DOG AND OWL, specially commissioned to celebrate the National Year of Reading, is a lyrical celebration of the joy and magic of reading, illustrated by Tim Smart.
Join Girl, her loyal companion Dog and new arrival Baby Brother on a magical journey to discover books. Together, they explore the many joys of reading: for happiness, adventure, empathy and even future success. From the quiet magic of libraries to the warmth of sharing stories at home, their world, reflections, adventures and questions celebrate the beauty of a childhood shaped by books. But when the world feels full of distractions and the magic of books starts to fade, the arrival of the Story Owl reminds them – and us all – of the extraordinary power of reading…
Books have been a constant companion throughout my life, gifting me the privileges of literacy, empathy and confidence. But above all, for me, reading has been about love. Taking the time to read or share a story, investing in the journeys of fictional characters and understanding the lived experiences of others – these are all acts of love. [In] this National Year of Reading, I cannot wait for readers to meet Dog and Owl – so stunningly brought to life by Tim Smart – and to discover the love that reading of any and every kind can bring to their lives.