What was your favourite childhood book and why?
As a child, I was in my room always reading books. I would read everything from mystery books to ghost stories to adventure books and more. Pinning down my favourite is difficult because I think the joy of reading comes from reading different books. But I can vividly remember getting lost in The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It is incredible that you can pick up a book and become immersed in a different world without even leaving your house! Another favourite of mine was the collection of books by Beatrix Potter. I had read the collection before I was eight and could almost memorise the text I knew it so well. I loved the idea that all these animals had their own personalities and lived in their worlds right underneath our feet.
Which of your own books is your favourite and why?
The Girl Who Slept Under the Moon is my favourite because I wrote it partly for my own children. I wondered what I could do to share our experiences and beliefs with other people. As I am an author, it was natural for me to consider a children’s book, so I had the idea that although we are all different, we all sleep under the same moon. We share our experiences through telling stories and this book is designed to inspire confidence for children to celebrate who they are.
Why do you choose to read?
I love to read because when you read you are constantly learning no matter how old you are. Reading is an education. This is through the building of knowledge on subjects you knew little about, or learning about new topics and environments. Then there is also the benefit of increasing your vocabulary and grammar through reading great books, but it is much more than that. Reading has the ability to challenge how we perceive life and one another. For me, this ability to challenge perceptions and understand each other is one of the most powerful benefits you can have by choosing to read.
