Welcome

Come in, come in, I’m so glad you’re here!

My name’s Anna and I write picture books and fantasy stories for anyone who likes adventure, magic and some laughs along the way. From rebel princesses to ice-age mammoths, from underwater palaces to fairy forests, there’s lots to explore. So  make yourself a cup of tea and have a look around!

The Goblyn Wood Adventures

Into Goblyn Wood

Are you ready to enter Goblyn Wood...?

Hazel has always known she was different, but she doesn’t know where she came from. When her best friend Pete is kidnapped by strange creatures, she must gather her courage and enter Goblyn Wood, a forest inhabited by fairies. But their magic is being drained away, and Hazel soon realises …

‘A magical, fairy-filled adventure with a twisty plot and a main character you’ll adore’

A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.

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Return to the wondrous world of Goblyn Wood and enter...

The Hollow Hills

A Goblyn Wood Adventure

When Hazel ventured into Goblyn Wood, she discovered that she was part fairy, and that the mysterious Fae were stealing magic. On a mission to find proof of their plot and rescue her best friend, Pete, Hazel must enter the Fae dominion. But when an old evil is reawakened, it …

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The Goblyn Wood Adventures: Book Three

I’m still busy writing this one! Please note that the publication date is a best guess. Send positive, creative vibes my way and it will be with you sooner!

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Picture Books and More

Wild Wild Wood

'This is getting out of hand, I think it's time we took a stand!'

In a wild, wild wood lives a gentle mole. But then a SOLD sign appears, and Mole decides to write a firmly worded letter to Barry Bristlethwaite of Burnum Buildem Real Estate: their home is not for sale! But when diggers arrive the next morning, Mole and his friends must …

Shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge award

Mammoth

Big Beast, Big City, Big Trouble

When an Ice Age mammoth finds himself in a modern day city, he’s not at all sure what to make of this huge, gleaming forest. Strange birds in the sky, strange beetles on the ground and strange, shouty cavemen. Is he the only mammoth in the WORLD? A warm and …

The Little Mermaid

Rediscover the story of the Little Mermaid, who dreams of a world above the waves

In Anna Kemp’s powerful reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story, Princess Coral saves the life of Prince Eldo and falls in love with the world of humans. Disregarding her father’s wishes she seeks out the Sea Witch who gives her a vial of potion that will enable her to …

Shortlisted for the Dundee Picture Book Award

Dave the Lonely Monster

Monstrous beasts have feelings too!

This lively story of a lonely monster called Dave, who lives all alone in a retirement cave, is a lighthearted reminder that we should treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves – and that we could all do with a bit more monster in our lives! Another …

Shortlisted for the Oscar's Book Prize

Sir Lilypad

A tall tale of a small frog

Once upon a time, in a deep dark bog, lived a teeny, tiny speckled frog. Now, he might be tiny (the other frogs call him stuff, like ‘weedy pants’) but his ambition is great. For he wants to be known henceforth as Sir Lilypad! Sir Lilypad the brave and wise! …

The Great Brain Robbery

Frankie and his pals are back and trying to save the world from another diabolical scheme by the evil Dr Gore. This time he’s planning to infiltrate the dreams of children everywhere using his army of robot toys! Can Frankie and his friends stop him before it’s too late? ‘Very …

Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize

Fantastic Frankie and the Brain Drain Machine

When Frankie Blewitt brings home yet another F-for-failure school report it’s the last straw for his overachieving parents and they decide to send him to the Crammar Grammar boarding school. At first he is just relieved to be away from home, but he soon realises that there’s something really weird …

Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize

The Worst Princess

Princess Sue sits in a tower, waiting for her prince to come. But then she realises . . . she doesn’t need a prince at all! Find out how this feisty princess escapes the clutches of her twit of a prince in this funny, feminist twist on the traditional princess tale. No need for pretty dresses, fairytale …

Rhinos don’t eat pancakes

Daisy’s mum and dad are always too busy to listen to a word that she says, so when, one day, she tells them that a big purple rhino has just walked into the house and taken a chomp of her pancake, guess what? That’s right – nobody listens! But there’s …

Shortlisted for the Booktrust Early Years Book Awards and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize

Dogs don’t do ballet

My dog is not like other dogs. He doesn’t do dog stuff like weeing on lampposts or scratching his fleas, or drinking out of the toilet. No, my dog likes moonlight and music and walking on his tiptoes. You see, my dog doesn’t think he’s a dog. My dog thinks …

Book me for a school visit or event

I love to visit schools, libraries and bookshops and am available for festivals, speaker events and workshops.

Past author events include the Hay festival, the Edinburgh literary festival, a creative writing workshop at the V&A Museum of Childhood, an introduction to the Barbican’s Family Film Club, and an event for Children Heard and Seen, a charity supporting children with a parent in prison.

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