Q&A
Why did you decide to become a writer?
I love words and stories. I started out as a journalist, but now I prefer to write for children because I think they're the best and most important people on the planet. Plus, I think children's books are special -- I know the books I read and loved as a kid remain significant to me today.
What were your favourite books growing up?
Some of my best-loved picture books were Ernest and Celestine by Gabrielle Vincent, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr Seuss, and Peace At Last by Jill Murphy.
When I started reading chapter books, Roald Dahl became one of my favourite authors. I especially loved The Witches, Matilda and The BFG. I've read Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery dozens of times. I also became obsessed with scary books, and read a lot of titles by Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine.
Where do you live?
I live in Dunedin, a small and very pretty city in New Zealand. It's home to rare wildlife like penguins, sea lions, lizards and albatrosses. Many clever creative people live here, too, making music, fashion, art and -- of course -- books!
I love words and stories. I started out as a journalist, but now I prefer to write for children because I think they're the best and most important people on the planet. Plus, I think children's books are special -- I know the books I read and loved as a kid remain significant to me today.
What were your favourite books growing up?
Some of my best-loved picture books were Ernest and Celestine by Gabrielle Vincent, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr Seuss, and Peace At Last by Jill Murphy.
When I started reading chapter books, Roald Dahl became one of my favourite authors. I especially loved The Witches, Matilda and The BFG. I've read Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery dozens of times. I also became obsessed with scary books, and read a lot of titles by Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine.
Where do you live?
I live in Dunedin, a small and very pretty city in New Zealand. It's home to rare wildlife like penguins, sea lions, lizards and albatrosses. Many clever creative people live here, too, making music, fashion, art and -- of course -- books!
Who is in your family?
I live with my husband, my son and my daughter. We have a dog, Speck, who likes to sneak food off the bench or out of the pantry, and an adventurous fluff-ball of a cat called Flossy.
What is your favourite food?
Chocolate mousse!
What's your favourite animal?
Orcas. It would be a dream come true to see one in the wild one day. I'm also pretty partial to tuatara.
