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Launching The Cake, the Wolf and the Witch!
Phew! We did it! Last night we launched The Cake, the Wolf and the Witch at the very wonderful Mr Bs Emporium of Reading Delights It was a lovely sunny evening in central Bath and not sweltering hot as it had been the day before, when I was worried my cake would melt on the way to town. I spent hours making this cake. I know I’ll never be a master baker but I am quite proud of it. And I had another smashing cake there too, made out of hardboard by my husband, ready for my stars to pop out of!

Speaking of the stars, my daughters dressed up as the wolf and the witch. I have to say that they are FAR more glamorous than the characters in the book but they do look fab. I challenge you not to make your own witch and wolf expressions as you look into their eyes.

And then I needed a Max and a Nettle, the heros of my story. Here they are in costume and ready to go the Land of Ever After!

Here we are in action! Excuse my silly face but I am in full flow.

Then it was time to cut the cake and have a drink, sign books and give away free marbles. What a lovely spread Mr B’s provided and what a great display of my books, too!

Thanks to my brother for taking these pictures. I notice that he didn’t take many of my guests though – but please be assured that they were there, including these lovely new readers.

So the book is launched and now, with cake, costumes, props and marbles I’m ready to go visiting schools and libraries and festivals. If you’re someone who might be interested in a slice of that, visit my website Maudie Smith Here I am. Have cake, will travel!

Hooray! The Cake, the Wolf and the Witch, shortlisted for Peters Book of the Year 2016!

Double hooray! Now The Cake, the Wolf and the Witch has been shortlisted for the James Reckitt Hull Children's Book Award 2016. I'm really looking forward to reading the other books in the KS2 category. Congratulations to all and may the best c̶a̶k̶e...er, I mean book, win!

Hi everybody. I’ve got something to shout about! January has almost left us, the days are drawing out and the snowdrops are coming up. AND I’ve a new book coming out. It’s got a gorgeous cover, illustrated so beautifully by Lucy Fleming

Lucy’s hugely busy these days and much in demand so I feel very lucky to have her.

Doesn’t this make you think of the lovely long summer days to come. Does it make you dream of the seaside too? Yes? Well in that case it’s doing its job perfectly because that’s exactly what Bird Girl is all about. It’s a summer adventure story set in a seaside town. Here’s a little taster.

Pink-haired Finch Field has always felt different. She dreams of flying – not in a plane, but swimming through the sky like a bird.

Her classmates laugh, and call her Dream Bird. But when Finch goes to stay with her beloved Granny Field for the summer, she finds herself face-to-face with a monster intent on stealing people’s dreams.

Finch must find a way to believe her own dreams can come true if she is to save the dreams of everyone in Sunview on Sea.

Bird Girl is summery and mysterious and maybe just a little bit scary. It’s published by Orion Childrens Books and comes out on 9th March. It should be in your library very soon, or you can buy a copy from your local independent bookshop, or from here.

Yes, spring is on its way and so is my new book – so that’s two reasons to celebrate. Please join me in toasting the arrival of Finch Field. Here’s to Bird Girl! Cheers!

Lovely news! The Dressing-Up Dad by Paul Howard and me has been shortlisted for the Dundee Picture Book Award 2019. Thanks to the wondrous Elaine and Moira, you can follow all the news about the Award here https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dd/bookcamp/2019/01/12/dundee-picture-book-award-2019/

And even better news! In June I'm going to Dundee for the ceremony where I will get to meet Paul for the first time! Funny how picture books get made together in such close collaboration, but so separately too. Here's one of my favourite illustrations from the story

Looking forward to all the fun!

maudie@maudiesmith.co.uk

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