I have worked in a Hull fish factory, a Mayfair Art gallery and schools in East London but I have always written books. My first novel `Diamond' received the Kathleen Fidler Award and `Kevin the Blue' was the first Independent Story of the Year. I have received an Arts Council Writer's Award for `Silkscreen' and an East Midlands Arts Award for `Cloud Cat.' Other books have been shortlisted for the Children's Book Award, Portsmouth Award, nominated for the Greenaway Award and the Carnegie Medal.Yet the best award is the response from my readers, children and adults.