Oh, we do have a love of all things Horrid in this house. And the beauty with Horrid Henry books are that you know exactly what you’re going to get with each and every story – high quality writing, fun story lines and never a moment of disappointment. And, yet again, Francesca Simon has delivered two more delicious books.

‘Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire‘ is the twentieth storybook in this multi-million-copy-selling series, containing Horrid Henry stories. This new book contains four new stories in which Horrid Henry terrorizes his classmates at a school sleepover in the museum; plays with Perfect Peter and tricks him into handing over all his money; gets out of writing his own story for Miss Battle-Axe by adapting one of Peter’s; and meets the Nudie Foodie, a celebrity chef, who comes to the school to improve school dinners.

‘Horrid Henry’s A – Z of Everything Horrid’ offers a very perfect welcome to Horrid Henry’s wicked world.This essential A-Z gives details of all things hilarious and horrid, crazy and chaotic, fiendishly fantastic and utterly brilliant. A is for APRIL FOOLS’ DAY, Horrid Henry’s favourite day of the year (except his birthday, of course.) B is for BOGEY BABYSITTER, Rabid Rebecca, the toughest teen in town. C is for CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, Father Christmas had better get it right this year! From the Purple Hand to pink frilly knickers; supersoakers to Sour Susan; football fiends to fizzywhiz drinks; demon dinner ladies to Dungeon Drinks – this book has it all and more. An encyclopedia of absolutely EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about Horrid Henry.

But then there’s something a little bit different, for an 8+ audience -  ‘A Year without Autumn’ by Liz Kessler.

If you could see into the future – would you look?

Jenni Green doesn’t have a choice. On her way to visit her best friend, Autumn, Jenni suddenly finds she’s been transported exactly one year forward in time. Now she discovers that in the year that’s gone by, tragedy has struck and her friendship with Autumn will never be the same again.

But what caused the tragedy? How did Jenni skip a year? And can she find her way back to the past to try to change what lies ahead?

I absolutely loved this one (and reading it with Littlest). Looking at the importance of friendships curves the entire narrative. Easy to read, utterly engaging and showing the jigsawing together of events that can lead to tragedy (and how to prevent that tragedy, if you’re brave enough). This book is clever, effortlessly so. I can’t wait to read more by Liz Kessler.

And, finally, a little bit of something else to end this post. I don’t think many of you will have thought of me in this way before…

I’ve been writing, which means that I haven’t been reading or blogging or being very sociable, but I sort of think that’s how it should be every now and then.

As many of you know I’m collaborating with others in lots of different ways at the moment, two of the projects reaching an end and one just beginning. My head’s been a bit full of ends and beginnings but I’ve realised that creating words with someone else is a bit special, it’s a different kind of intimacy and trust.

This week I met with Mr Perring (Mr Craske was off on one of his secret missions) to go through the 50 short stories for ‘FREAKS!’ and to look at how it was all going to fit together. This involved Nik throwing all 50 stories on the floor and me panicking (in a very OCD way) about the lack of order and straightness to his method. It was a long and very brilliant day, which passed with many a giggle and somehow managed to end in a short story collection.

Stepping back from it all, it’s a bit mind-blowing knowing that something that started as a bit of fun has ended in such a massive achievement (for me, anyway). The truth is that Nik kicked me up the rear last July because I had stopped writing (that’s a different blog post) and that the stories were initially just for fun, to help me to realise why I loved writing. And it has, all of it, even the bit where I was sitting on the floor on Tuesday afternoon surrounded by stories and wondering how the heck it’d all get done.

Of course, collaborating isn’t easy and I think that there are few people I could work this closely with. At the moment I’m juggling three projects with four very different  (and very ace) people yet, somehow, with each of them there’s an understanding of how it should all work out. I think I’ve been lucky, so far, connecting with people who get me and who I would choose to be friendly with in ‘real’ life too. But I can see just how easily it could all go very wrong.

Thus and therefore, here’s some of the wisdom (most of it obvious), that I’ve gained from my time collaborating:

• The project needs to be more than the sum of its parts – this means that the goals need to be the focus, rather than personal egos.
• Each person needs to fully commit – lack of commitment and lack of communication go hand in hand. The timing needs to be right and all those involved need to be able to fully commit for the given time of the project.
• There needs to be clear and established goals – a simple one, but everyone needs to be heading towards the same outcome. Agreeing deadlines and responsibilities early on and reassessing them regularly is key (and all links to being able to communicate with each other).
• Being respectful of each other’s circumstances is fundamental – respect, awareness and professionalism all come under this one.
• When it goes wrong, it can go wrong very quickly and possibly over something utterly trivial – whether or not it can be fixed perhaps links to commitment and communication.
• But the most important is the ability to communicate with each other openly – being able to phone or email and say ‘Life’s a bit shitty at the moment, give me a week to catch my breath’ without it being the end of the collaboration is a must. Being in regular contact, giving each other a kick or a stroke (!) or a ‘you’re ace’ doesn’t do any harm either. The truth of the matter is that if you don’t communicate then the collaboration will fall apart.

I’m sure that I’ve learned much more and will continue to, as I step into a new and very different kind of collaboration (more on that soon), but I think that all of this ‘working with someone else’ has made me realise that writing doesn’t need to be such an insular and lonely experience. And, when you find the right people to collaborate with then magic can happen. Here’s hoping that the end products show just how much fun has been had…

(More photos from my ‘FREAKS!’ day can be found here)

One of things that I am LOVING about the ‘FREAKS!’ collaboration with Darren and Nik is that I laugh at them (or with them) every day. This has just arrived in my inbox. I’m thinking Nik has perfected the moody-writer look, that Darren has a hint of an aging Buzz Lightyear about him and that purple is so my colour!

Perfect!

This last 8 days of GobbleDEEbook have passed in a blurry whir.

I have spoken to so many gorgeous kiddies and their parents, I have laughed out loud, I have suppressed many a giggle, I have burst out crying, I have filled numerous plastic cups with juice, I have watched performers and authors and artists whilst being filled with awe, I have watched children being inspired, I have had sleepless nights worrying about audience numbers, I have been shouted at, I have been hugged, I have seen the words “sold out” being scribbled across posters, I have learned so much about myself and about other people. I have felt utterly proud.

Working with children is a pleasure. I have honestly never ever seen such well behaved kiddies in my entire life and my most memorable moments from the festival  have been when the authors have offered up the floor to the children to ask questions. And my, did those children ask! Here are a few:

A little boy to Daniel Blythe and 150+ others at the Dr Who event: Would you like to see my owl from Burger King?

A little girl to Holly Webb: Did you know my cat died?

A little boy to Sue Mongredien: How old are you?

Creating GobbleDEEbook with Jess Egan has been such a fabulous experience.  The festival was an absolute success. I don’t think that I’ll ever look at an author event in the same way (and I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing!).

But from tomorrow it’s time to leave GobbleDEEbook behind and for me to be a writer again.  I can’t wait to get those writing pants of mine back on. I have 7 weeks to finish and submit my next (and very different) novel…

Here I go again!

In amongst the many ‘unexpected’ things that happened to me during my time in Malta, there are two that scream out.

The first occurred when my cousin arranged for me to visit the Mayor of Dingli, to gift him 2 copies of Like Bees to Honey for the local library. It was ridiculously hot, I had sweat dripping down my back, I was wearing heels and I was slightly nervous about the prospect of having to be grown up and serious.

We arrived, I managed not to slip on the pavement or inside the government buildings and soon I was in the ultra cool Mayor’s office. We sat around a table, the Mayor, officials and I. We talked books, my connection to Malta and the plot of Like Bees to Honey. Then the official photographer arrived.

I stood (still not falling over) and made my way to the designated photo shoot spot, to be snapped handing over a copy of my novel to the Mayor. It was then that he foiled me. Seriously, it took everything in me not to squeal in a ridiculous way. The Mayor handed me a coin medal, in a fancy box!

I didn’t hug the Mayor, I didn’t squeal, I didn’t drop my shiny silver medal. I did, however, go on to show it to every single person that I met. In fact, with a bit of sellotape and a piece of string, I am planning to wear it wherever I go. It is so pretty.

The second ‘unexpected’ thing occurred last Saturday, when I had a day off to travel to Gozo and spend time with my family. We were sightseeing in the capital of Rabat, when a tour guide arrived with a crowd of Russian tourists.

Now, this tour guide had happened to be at a party held in my honour the night before, but clearly none of the Russian tourists knew that when she suddenly shouted across the crowded main square, “Look, there is the famous British author Caroline Smailes.”

You can imagine my expression and possibly the words that ‘slipped’ from my mouth!

“Quick,” she said to the Russian tourists. “Get your photo taken with her!”

And so I spent the next ten minutes having my photograph taken with Russian tourists, whilst hearing my family giggling ridiculously in the background.

Seriously, I couldn’t make this stuff up.

(To see my coin medal and other photos from my stay in Malta – nip on over to my Facebook page)

Images from my event at Chester Literature Festival yesterday, captured by the very talented Katherine Elizabeth Lewis.

And finally, after part un and after part deux of my trip to Disneyland Paris, comes the blog post that I just know you have all been waiting (on the edge of your seats) to read.

So, I told you how first off Mr Goofy flirted with me.

But, then (the very next day) he pretended not to realise that I was there, like right there looking at him (lovingly).

So, I had to wait with a long line of children, just so that my dearest Mr Goofy could give in to his inner-most-desires and show me that, really, he loved me too.

And, now, I am the rather proud (forever) keeper of a signed Mr Goofy postcard (but without kisses).

My life is (almost) complete.

Thirteen years ago (to the days), G and I went on a coach trip from Liverpool to Disneyland Paris. It was a graduation present and a trip that we’ve never forgotten. Last night G, our 3 kiddies and me flew back from a 3 day stay. Life has been rather difficult this year (etc etc etc) and a family break was very much needed.

We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel, which is found within the Magic Kingdom. It was luxurious on so many levels, reminding me of journeys, of full circles and of dreams coming true. The hotel was exquisite, clean, fresh and full of character. The concierge was helpful, taking care of our many needs (including losing the keys for our luggage and having to have the locks cut off). But for me, and for the kiddies, the central location meant earlier starts, longer days and a nipping back to our room for a change of shoes and a cooling down.Staying on the park takes away some of the stresses of travelling with children, as well as making you feel like you’re part of the ‘show’.

Breakfasts in the Disneyland Hotel saw Disney characters signing autographs and being available for photo opportunities. This saved us from having to join the very long queues in the park (you can queue for up to 2 hours to see the most popular characters). Middlest is now the proud keeper of an autograph book full of his favourites and my camera is packed with photos of them all with characters.

As many of you know, Littlest is now 6, Middlest 9 and Eldest 11 and I think they’re possibly the ideal ages to enjoy the wide spread of rides and activities on offer. Eldest was past the age where a character autograph was needed or wanted. He embraced the rides that his younger siblings wanted to experience. But for him, he liked Thunder Mountain (a twisting, turning runaway mine train, the (ridiculously terrifying) Twilight Zone of Terror (where you’re in a thrilling elevator ride that plummets faster than the speed of gravity) and the Indiana Jones looping roller-coaster. Middlest preferred Space Mountain: Mission 2 (a blast off spinning roller-coaster) (that made my head hurt), Thunder Mountain and the Star Tours (a fun spaceflight stimulator into the Star Wars Galaxy). And Littlest loved Thunder Mountain (she giggled all the way around), the Mad Hatter’s (spinning) Tea Cups and ‘It’s a Small World’. I think we managed to go on most of the rides, over the 3 days and Thunder Mountain became a firm favourite for us all. We went on 9 times (and yes, I felt ridiculously queasy by the end of it all). And me, well I loved ‘It’s a Small World’ boat ride, because it is. Isn’t it? I was told to stop singing by Littlest, as it was distracting her.

On day 2, Littlest walked around the park in her Minnie Mouse outfit. Each and every staff member acknowledged her and many called her Minnie. This made Littlest feel special (if not a little confused initially). She smiled, each time. The discipline and this attention to the moment and to the small child, made Littlest feel part of the park. That day, we both wore mouse ears and no one seemed to mind.

Fastpass (a ticket selected from specific rides to cut down queuing times) is clearly an excellent way to avoid queues and is worth a moment of organisation and planning, as is getting there early and queuing for favourite rides while still feeling fresh and excitable. But one thing I hadn’t realised was that to get a good seat for the final parade (at 10:30pm), people were lining the Main Street from 9pm. We had a bit of a rubbish spot and big people came and stood in front of the kiddies at the last moment. But saying that, the kiddies were fine and didn’t feel that they’d missed out (although they probably had).

And for balance, some negatives. It was hot, water in small bottles cost €2.50, so buying for all of us soon added up. There is a shop within the railway station where you can buy huge bottles of water for €1.20 but I think that’s a secret (sssssh). Another negative was the fact that I couldn’t buy a t-shirt with Goofy on it, which clearly was a serious need and want. And some of the staff were a bit grumpy. On the Star Tours ride, one member shouted at some children to ‘shut up or get off’ the ride. That wasn’t very Disney. And my only other negative was that people were smoking whilst walking around the park. In a busy environment with small children at cigarette level, I really did wish that smoking had been banned or designated to specific areas. Littlest had her most favourite top burned by a cigarette, but thankfully not her skin.

For me, I think the magic of Disneyland comes from the people who go there, those who embrace the moment and all that Disney has to offer. Some of the rides have narratives, they tell the stories that many of us have grown with. I am still left slightly uneasy after the Snow White and the Seven Dwarves ride into the dark and scary forest. When you believe in the stories and in the characters, then the emotions are stirred. That is the beauty of Disney, the unleashing of the imagination. Where else could I sing along to the music whilst wearing Minnie Mouse ears?

In Disneyland Paris, I could be me. And that me got to giggle with my kiddies and love every single minute of the experience.

Coming soon – ‘Finding Disney – Part deux’, ’Believing’ and ‘When Caroline meets Goofy’.

**sorry about the back-photos of my kiddies, but for very personal reasons I am having to protect their identities.