Having burned down the kitchen, Harry needs to be housed with a willing relative while it is rebuilt.

Children's Laureate 2001-2003
Born in the Midlands, Anne Fine studied politics and history before publishing her first children's book The Summer House Loon, in 1978. Since then, she has written books for both children and adults, including the award-winning Flour Babies, Bill's New Frock and The Tulip Touch. Her book Goggle-Eyes won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (1990) and was adapted for BBC Television; and Madame Doubtfire was filmed by Twentieth Century Fox as 'Mrs Doubtfire', starring Robin Williams.

As the second Children's Laureate (2001-2003) Anne campaigned to raise the profile of public libraries, as well as launching the My Home Library Scheme, encouraging children to build their own libraries at home.

Find out more about Anne Fine at her website or at the Contemporary Writers website.

There’s a wonderful, anarchic energy to this funny, pacey, action-packed novel

Full of witty dialogue and lively narrative

Despite its sensitive subject matter, this book is filled with humour

Children's Laureate 1999-2001
Quentin Blake was born in 1932 and read English at Cambridge, before attending Chelsea Art College. He has won many major prizes for illustration, including the Kate Greenaway Medal (1980) and the Red House Children's Book Award (1981) for Mister Magnolia. He is also the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration and in 1990 was voted 'The Illustrator's Illustrator' by Observer Magazine. A tireless promoter of children's literature – and a long-time collaborator with roald Dahl –  Quentin Blake was awarded the OBE in 1988 and in 2005 he was awarded a CBE for services to Children's Literature. In the most recent New Year’s Honours list he has been knighted.

Quentin was the inaugural Children's Laureate (1999-2001), an experience he recorded in his book Laureate's Progress. During his time in the role, he celebrated children's books and children's book illustration with a range of projects and exhibitions, and conceived the idea for the House of Illustration, the world's first centre dedicated to the art of illustration in all its forms.   

Visit Quentin's website

Multi-talented David Walliams is the fastest growing children’s author in the UK market, selling an average of 20,000 books each week. David began his publishing career at HarperCollins in early 2008 with his debut novel, The Boy in the Dress, followed by Mr. Stink in 2009, Billionaire Boy in 2010 and Gangsta Granny in 2011. Cumulatively, David’s first four titles sold over a million copies in the UK alone. Gangsta Granny went straight to number 1 in the children’s book charts and globally his books have been translated into no fewer than 25 languages.

David’s ever-growing army of loyal fans, the sacks of fan mail and countless five-star reviews are testament to his ongoing commitment to creating the very best in literary entertainment for children. His books have been met with unanimous critical acclaim and, as they spread around the playground, children themselves can’t resist his stories filled with humour and heart. The Telegraph called Billionaire Boy: 'The funniest book my eight-year-old has ever read in his life, ever, apparently' (November 2010).

A cheeky, rhyming picture book for curious dog lovers.

Lloyd’s typically funny, lively illustrations and simple text both entertain and offer young readers the reassurance that there is more than one way to succeed.

Originally from the north of England, Sam moved to Brighton to attend university and liked the city so much she decided to stay.

Sam's books include Happy Dog, Sad Dog, winner of the 2003 Sainsbury’s Baby Book Award and Mr Pusskins, winner of the Booktrust Pre-School Award 2006 and shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Award 2006 and the Sheffield Children’s Book Award 2006. Sam’s first title for Templar was Hello Dudley, winner of the Southampton Book Award, soon followed by Calm Down, Boris!, winner of the Richard and Judy Best Children’s Book for Christmas 2006, now a huge best-seller with over 500,000 copies sold worldwide.

Sam has worked voluntarily within schools and also enjoys painting murals and taking evening classes in life-drawing. Sam and her partner, Ian, have their own little boy, called Ozzie.

A beautifully and brightly illustrated rhyming story, brimming with humour and cleverly constructed, which will delight children and adults

This delightful and vibrantly colourful picture book encourages imaginative play