There are so many reasons to write and for me it usually comes down to a deep desire for connection. Discovering that something you have written has found a home with someone, and has moved them, or helped them feel seen or connected is probably the greatest thing that can happen to a writer. Thank you Laura, for reading Mumapalooza but also for sharing your vulnerability with us all. It takes courage and I’m pretty convinced it’s a sure sign of being a really fantastic mother!

​

Writing is lonely, and at times disheartening. The hours spent turning yourself inside out to find the right words, pinpoint the emotion you're trying to convey and then express it can be a struggle.

Finding people you can celebrate with, rant to and just talk about the industry makes the journey much easier and more fun too. I'm lucky to have several amazing authors to discuss all this with, both online and in real life. I'm also lucky that my publisher encourages collaboration between authors and illustrators. I love getting to know the illustrators that work with my words. 

There's one more group, and they make it all the time, heartache, hair pulling and trepidation worthwhile...the readers! There's nothing an author loves more than hearing that a child loves their work.

How about this gorgeous cover!!?? Illustrator extraordinaire Ant Sang has done an incredible job with the cover, and every spread inside is as amazing as the next. I think you'll love it. Its the perfect gift for the beloved mothers in your life as well as a romping read for children to enjoy.

Pre-order now
Paper Plus
Whitcoulls
Mighty Ape
The Nile
Treasured mums, queen mums, and all the in-between mums!
What kind of Mum do you have? Celebrate them all in this ridiculously fun, rhyming picture book from Sarina Dickson, with humourous search-and-find style illustrations from award-winning artist Ant Sang.

A perfect book for everyday reading and gift-giving.

Last week I headed up to Auckland for the launch of the new Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand imprint - Moa Press. The timing was perfect to go and visit the Chaos Before Christmas windows at Smith & Caughey. My amazing publisher at Hachette, Alison Shucksmith, was the perfect tour guide along Queen Street and the windows certainly did not disappoint. The puppeteers have done an incredible job bring Lily Emo's beautiful illustrations to life, in all their glorious colour and detail.

You can read the latest review of The Chaos Before Christmas on The Sapling here.

It was such a thrill to head up to Auckland (alone!!) last week to attend the launch party of the new Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand imprint for YA and adult fiction and non-fiction, 'Moa Press'. This auspicious occasion required a new name for the children's imprint, previously known as 'Moa' to 'Little Moa'. Moa Press is currently open for submissions so if you have something polished send it in! Details on the Hachette website.

Iconic Auckland department store Smith & Caugheys have revealed their 2022 Christmas windows featuring 'The Chaos Before Christmas'. Check out this clip to see behind the scenes.

Is that a dragon I spy??? All will be revealed tomorrow...

It's publication day to us, the team behind The Fairies’ Night Before Christmas Activity Book & Ngā Ponimatarau me te Pō I Mua I te Kirihimete He Puka Ngohe – Sarina Dickson, Sarah Greig and Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham.⁠Keep the kids’ busy with loads of mazes, dot-to-dots, games and activities to complete and colour in!