Acknowledgements

Many thanks to all my family and friends, who continue to be enthusiastic and supportive, even though the novelty of me being a writer must have worn off years ago.

Everyone at The O’Brien Press has been great as usual, but extra thanks have to go to my editor, Helen, and to Brenda who ‘minds’ me when I go on tour.

Thanks to Woody for yet more really funny drawings.

Thanks to Sarah Webb who is unfailingly generous with advice for her fellow writers.

Thanks to the many children I’ve met in the past year, who have shared their great ideas about books and writing. Special mention has to go to the children of Gaelscoil na Ríthe in Dunshaughlin, who kindly invited me to open their wonderful new library – go raibh maith agaibh.