Sheffield Children's Book Award 2010

THE GREAT DOG BOTTOM SWAP shortlisted for this years SHEFFIELD CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD won the Commended prize in the Picture Book category.

It was an amazing ceremony with the City Hall packed full of children from all over the city, all stamping their feet and cheering from beginning to end. The overall winner was MORRIS THE MANKIEST MONSTER by Giles Andreae and the lovely Sarah McIntyre (Pictured; second from right in the tartan skirt).

Peter Bently (Author of The Great Dog Bottom Swap - pictured) and I had a great time there. THANKS to all the children who voted! This is a fantastic award and it's all down to the hardwork and dedication of the passionate organisers. Thank you!

Burger Boy on BOOKABOO

BURGER BOY was featured on an episode from the new series of BOOKABOO on SUNDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2010. The celebrity reader was the brilliant Johnny Vegas, with debut appearances from Bookaboo's band mates Growler and Paws.

The animation team has done a great job on this and there is a lot of tension and excitement, built up by the soundtrack and Johnny's fantastic narration. I was up early in anticipation to see this (on ITV) and it was worth every minute!

THANK YOU to everyone who watched it/recorded it and commented on the programme. There will be more chances to catch the new series of BOOKABOO on ITV and repeated again on CITV weekdays at 12pm & 3.15pm.

Picture: With Lucy Goodman, creator of BOOKABOO

Visit to Lancashire

This week (2 NOVEMBER - 6 NOVEMBER) I have been up in Lancashire on an 'Artist in residence' trip for the Lancashire Children's Reading Group. It was an incredible opportunity to visit the many schools and libraries in this diverse county and a great experience meeting and working with all of the enthusiastic and creative children there.

I will be producing a set of illustrations for the Reading Club, based on my research gathered while I was there. Thank you to Jake Hope for all his hard work, help and organisation in making this happen and to all of the lovely people that I met - librarians, teachers, designers and of course, the children - in Lancashire.

I am very excited to be working on this project and will be looking forward to the launch of the new Reading Club next year!