BOOK CLUB

As we’re always saying, here at Families, we love nothing more than a good book and, sharing stories with our children has become an important part of family life. This month, Rachel Bailey talks to Clara Vulliamy about following in Shirley Hughes’ footsteps and her new series Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar, which published last summer.

The latest book in the series, Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar in Hollywood, is out this month and to celebrate, Families have two sets of all three books up for grabs!

As Shirley Hughes’ daughter you so what could be more fun than jumping You’ve said you like writing lists. I love must’ve grown up with books. Did you on a plane and heading to the glamour a list! Usually scribbled on scraps of always know that you wanted to be a and bright lights of Hollywood – even if paper. Do you have lots of scribbled writer/illustrator yourself? only in my imagination! ideas and abandoned lists, or is your With hindsight I don’t think it was ever work space very neat and tidy? in doubt. The apple doesn’t fall far Pie has a huge personality and a very I’m afraid my work space is chaotically from the tree as they say! But my mum distinctive voice – I know him so well UNTIDY. didn’t put any pressure on me, or even now, and love to see the world through I am obsessed with lists (not least suggest it, she stepped back and left me his eyes. When I talk to children because if I don’t write something down to find my own way. I always loved to about writing their own stories, I often I instantly forget it). But I also like lists read and to make up stories, and above recommend trying the ‘first person’ or for fun. The other day I made a list of all to paint and draw. At the end of the ‘own voice’ narrative: it’s such a good all the different ways to eat a potato day she would leave her paints out on way to immediately get inside the head in order of favourite to least favourite. the kitchen table for me to use up; she of your main character. Roasted, chips and mash at the top, said it was like scraping the last bits of watery over-boiled at the bottom. Who icing from the bowl after baking. What comes first, the illustrations or would guess I’m not getting out much Perhaps the most important thing was the story? these days! for me to see that it could be a career, I hope this isn’t cheating, but the truthful not just a hobby. Alongside bringing answer is: an illustration, then the story, January is a time to make resolutions up three children she always worked, then the illustrations. and changes for the year ahead. Is and was always very professional and I always start with a drawing, a there anything you’re going to do committed. character sketch of my main character differently this year? or characters (in this case, Pie and his This year has been so tough for What was it like working together on owner Amelia). I’m a very visual person, everybody, and I am really full of your Dixie O’ Day series? so to get to know them I need to really admiration for the way everyone has It was a fantastic experience. The first see them on the page. Then I write the kept going. So I think that none of us – and only – time the great Shirley story, and my editor helps me to make it should be making resolutions that Hughes has handed over the role of the very best it can be. Only when every are difficult to keep. Make more lists illustrating one of her books to someone word is perfect do I move on to the perhaps, or eat more cake? A list of else, what an honour! We sat at that illustrations. favourite cakes might be fun… same kitchen table in the family home, bouncing ideas around and dreaming Do you have a favourite author/ Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar up stories. Once we had decided that illustrator you’d love to collaborate in Hollywood is available now priced the Dixie series would be Wacky Races with? £6.99. www.claras.me meets Morecambe and Wise BUT I would love to collaborate with an DOGS, the rest was plain sailing. author from a community or group who are under-represented in the world of The Marshmallow Pie series published children’s publishing. We need new last August. Did you always plan to voices and for children of all races write the 3rd book so quickly or did and backgrounds to see themselves in you find you had more time to write books. And things are changing at last, during Lockdown? these are exciting times. Working in lockdown has been unlike anything else I have ever experienced. I have certainly had more time, as there is nothing else to do and nowhere to go… WIN Families have two sets of the Marshmallow Pie books to give away to two lucky readers. For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to competitions@familiestveast.co.uk

What is Marshmallow Pie?

A: A Sweet treat B: A Cat C: A Dog Closing date for entries is 28 Feb 2021