We were so excited here at Team Netmums to be given a chance to ask some questions to one of the best loved children’s authors Jacqueline Wilson. So many of our children have grown up avidly reading her novels and continue to look forward to her next book being published. Thanks to all those who helped us with what to ask and here is what Jacqueline had to say.

You can read a review of Jacqueline’s new book’ Four Children and It’ here.

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1.  You seem to be one of the busiest and most prolific children’s authors in the UK – how do you keep coming up with the ideas, inspiration and energy to write so many fantastic novels?

It’s very sweet of you to say that. In actual fact, it’s a bit of a struggle and each time I get an idea I have to write it down quickly in my diary otherwise it just disappears. Fingers-crossed ideas will keep coming!

2.  Your new book is based on a classic children’s book.  What was your favourite book as a child and who were your favourite authors?

I loved all Edith Nesbit’s books when I was young. I also liked girly classics like ‘Little Women’, ‘What Katy Did’ and ‘Ballet Shoes’.

3.  In Four Children and It the Psammead grants wished to the children. If he could grant you one wish what would it be?

I’d wish for the ability to write a book in one day and then I could have the rest of the year to have fun!

4. Your novels often have some gritty themes and tackle some difficult issues.  Do you ever worry about how the children reading might feel or react to them?

I can’t remember any letter or email from a child who felt that my books were too disturbing or too upsetting. They sometimes say that a story has made them cry but they promise me they don’t mind a bit. I do occasionally have letters from parents or teachers who have reservations about my subject matter but I always try and write back and explain the reason why I’ve chosen this kind of material.

5. What are the biggest challenges you faced as a mother?

My daughter didn’t sleep for more than two consecutive hours at a time for at least 2 years! This was incredibly exhausting.

6. Of the many characters you have created who is your favourite and which one has the most of you in them?

I’m very fond of Rosalind in ‘Four Children and It’ – and now I come to think of it, we’re rather alike. She’s a shy, anxious bookworm and I was exactly like that as a child.

7.  How can parents inspire children to read and to love reading and also to write?

I think if parents start reading aloud to their children when they’re very young and parents carry on this lovely tradition, long after the children can read for themselves, then reading itself becomes a very special part of family life. If a child is a really keen reader, they’ll nearly always like writing stories too.

8. You once described yourself as an ancient rockstar! As a young girl did you always want to be famous?  Do you ever get fed up with being recognised?

It’s nearly always delightful when children recognise me and ask for an autograph or photo. It can be a bit intimidating if a whole crowd of teenagers outside the local nightclub catch sight of me but they’re mostly quite sweet too. When I was young, I desperately wanted to be a writer but I didn’t really think about the fame aspect.

9. Do you write with paper and pen or have you embraced technology and type on a whizzy iPad instead?

I write all my books in lovely Italian notebooks, using any old pen that comes to hand. I find I can’t type at all on an iPad but I’m reluctantly getting used to my MacBook Air and type up my stories on this.

10.  We love your quirky rings. How many do you own and where do you buy them from?

I think I’ve lost count of how many rings I have now. They’re all ‘Great Frog’ designs and you can buy them from Curiouser & Curiouser in Brighton.

11. So many children have asked us to ask you when the next book about Hetty Feather will be coming out as they are dying to read it.

The third story about Hetty Feather will be called ‘Emerald Star’ and it comes out on 27th September.

Jacqueline Wilson with Hannah – who reviewed ‘Four Children and It’ for the Netmums Blog

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You can read a review of Jacqueline’s latest novel ‘Four Children and It’ here on the Netmums Blog. Congratulations to those who won a signed copy and Hannah (who reviewed the book) says thank you for all the lovely comments.

Find out more about fostering a love of book sand reading in your child here – Reading and books.