What could be more beautiful than the laughter of children? That's why I write. You can find out more about me and my books, and read essays for children - and adults - on imagination and the craft of writing at my website.

For notifications, give-aways and competitions, like "Mij Kelly's children's books" on Facebook.

Look out for The Bump, which will be published on 6th October. I wrote it when my daughter was expecting my first grandchild - now four years old and starting school! I was so aware, when I was writing it, of what a journey pregnancy is, and how women throw their all into it to help their babies grow. It seemed to me that the boundless love and hope and courage of the mum-to-be wasn't very often celebrated. So that's what I set

What could be more beautiful than the laughter of children? That's why I write. You can find out more about me and my books, and read essays for children - and adults - on imagination and the craft of writing at my website.

For notifications, give-aways and competitions, like "Mij Kelly's children's books" on Facebook.

Look out for The Bump, which will be published on 6th October. I wrote it when my daughter was expecting my first grandchild - now four years old and starting school! I was so aware, when I was writing it, of what a journey pregnancy is, and how women throw their all into it to help their babies grow. It seemed to me that the boundless love and hope and courage of the mum-to-be wasn't very often celebrated. So that's what I set out to do. But I've got to say, words aside, Nicholas Allan's illustrations make this book. They're so soft and sweet and funny. He hits just the right note.