Thursday March 5th 2026

Dinglewell Junior is not just any school… it’s an incredibly special school!!! I actually think it’s a little magical, if I’m honest! On May 1st 2024 – shortly after WARNING: Magic Can Be Dangerous! was published – Dinglewell very kindly invited me to host my first ever author visit there. I returned a year later for a visit with WARNING: May Contain Dragons. And this year (with 160+ school visits under my belt), I was lucky enough to spend World Book Day at Dinglewell, with WARNING: Grandma’s Gone Bonkers. And what a World Book Day we all had!!!

With pupils and teachers dressed up in their PJs, the hall bursting with enthusiasm for my assembly (with Year 6 joining remotely, due to the recent flood damage), and Year 4 pupils wowing me during each of their workshops, there was a joyous buzz of excitement in the air all day long. There really is something very special about this school, something that always makes me relish my visits to Dinglewell… and leaves me wishing I could visit more often. The pupils and teachers there are so happy, helpful, and friendly. The pupils are all so engaged. The level of work produced during my workshops is mind-blowing. And the atmosphere in and around the school is so warm and welcoming (it was somehow even cosier this time around, with everyone wearing pyjamas).

I look forward to many more visits to Dinglewell over the years to come and can’t deny that this school is bound to stay right at the top of my favourites list, no matter how many years pass!!! Thank you, Mrs Halford, for arranging my visit once again; for all you and the staff do to spread the word to parents and facilitate pre-orders; for kicking off my FREE school visits in the very first place; and for the tremendous help you and the staff and pupils always provide whenever I’m at your school. And speaking of help, I must thank my wonderful Year 6 helpers for all the assistance they provided at the end of the day. They were a true godsend, and I hope they all know how much I appreciate everything they did to help things run smoothly. (Can I take them on ALL of my school visits, please?!)

Thank you again for a terrific day, Dinglewell. It really means a lot to me when a school appreciates all I’m doing to keep children reading, and you never fail to acknowledge the effort I put into my visits… and always make it clear how grateful you are for my time. Which is why I’ll always provide FREE school visits for Dinglewell, for as long as you’ll have me!!!