Signing the book in Waterstones, Chelsea branch.

Thanks to Suzanne Barton for taking this photo of 'Betty' at the Oxford University Press Book Shop.

'Betty Goes Bananas' is officially published in the UK today by Oxford University Press!

What's it about?

Firstly, don't be fooled by the cover. This book should come with a warning. A big, red sticker: BEWARE...

...because Betty has tantrums. Big temper tantrums. She also wears a pink bow and a pink and yellow dress.

In this book, Betty sees a banana. She wants to eat it. But the banana...

That's how the story starts.

Here's a bit about how Betty came to be.

It all began with a little sketch of a gorilla about to slip up on a banana peel. The name 'Betty' seemed to suit her, and so did her pink bow. Then came the alliteration, 'Betty Goes Bananas'.

A little later, I met with Oxford University Press (OUP) - a meeting set up by my agent, Elizabeth Roy. They saw Betty, they loved her, and they strongly suggested that I explore tantrums as my theme for Betty. It made perfect sense.

I tried to remember my own temper tantrums. I tried to remember my niece's tantrums, and my brothers' tantrums. I borrowed big books about tantrums.

I developed Betty in a style that matched her bold personality, created a secondary 'parent/guardian' character (a long-suffering toucan), bought some banana paper, and then illustrated a rough draft.

A few weeks later, I showed OUP the rough draft of 'Betty Goes Bananas'. They liked it so much that they made an offer!

I want to say a major THANK YOU to the team at Oxford University Press for all of their continuing support, guidance and encouragement, along with my agent, Elizabeth Roy.

Thanks too, to all of the shops that are stocking Betty, and thank you to everyone that has already reviewed the book online!

So, Betty is now out there waiting to be discovered! She'll also be in the States a little later on, via Wade and Schwartz at Random House.

Here's what people are already saying about the book.

"Parents everywhere will be weeping united tears of joy!" Emma O'Donovan, The Book Sniffer

"Just delightful! Has lots of great classrooms uses..." Rachel (full review at Good Reads)

"...ridiculously cute." Jeremy (full review at Good Reads)

"...anyone who has kids has seen and dealt with this." Elsa (full review at Good Reads)

‘...relatable and fun." Leilah Skelton, (full review at Waterstones)

Betty features in The Book Sniffer's 2014 Gift List!

At The Book Sniffer website, you can read the very first full review of Betty, along with my first interview about the book.

I'll be announcing a winner to the 'countdown contest' this evening. Good luck!

***CONTEST ALERT***

Win a copy of 'Betty Goes Bananas'! Visit the Oxford Owl Facebook Page for details HERE

...or just go to your local store and look out for this face.

A signed copy in Waterstones, Trafalgar Square.

But...