Thanks, good-byes and hellos

Well it's always a sad time when you say farewell to friends, so we are sad to say that we are losing Jo from this blog.

Jo is busy doing too many other things, as well as (like me and Sally), trying to launch a writing career and we really hope to see her in print very soon.

Jo helped launch the blog last year and we have welcomed her ever-present enthusiasm and blogging articles and wish her well. (And maybe see a guest appearance from time to time?).

But we are very pleased that she is handing over the reins to another marvellously creative individual, Claire McCauley. Welcome Claire! We are very lucky to have you.

We are sure you will soon get to know Claire through this blog. She is joining us at a busy time as we are in the middle of a massive read-and-review of the Carnegie shortlist and will be publishing our thoughts soon!

But here is a brief introduction to Claire, who studied theatre in education then travelled around the world teaching drama.

After moving to Oxford she had five (yes you read that correctly) babies in eight years (she doesn’t recommend this for those who enjoy luxuries such as sleep or leisure time).

She began making up stories for them which quickly led to setting her alarm for two hours before they woke up to write in earnest.

Claire had her first story published in 2013 in The Mumsnet Book of Bedtime Stories (Walker Books). She writes all sorts of things for different ages but mostly fiction for 9-12’s.

Her work is represented by the fabulous Mildred Yuan at United Agents.

As a child her favourite books were Anne of Green Gables and its sequels by L.M. Montgomery and the Chalet School series by Elinor Brent-Dyer, and she still loves these now.

Claire is on on Twitter as @clairemccauley