Look! Look! It's my new book! 'How To Hug a Cactus'!

How do you hug a cactus?

I'd really like to know.

You see I love my cactus,

And my hugs will help it grow.

But cactuses are spiky.

Their cuddles hurt my skin.

How do I solve this problem?

Just where to I begin?'

Thus begins the adventure of one little girl who sets off to find a way to hug her most beloved plant. I had so much fun writing this story and trying to think up lots of zany ways to hug a cactus. Writing far-out and bizarre stories is one of my favourite things to do. Some people are really good at writing sensitive and emotional stories with a lot of heart. Not me. I like high-energy, zany, hilarious stories that make you laugh out loud, and I think 'How To Hug a Cactus' is a great example of this (at least, I hope it is...)

To say I'm SUPER excited about this lil book going out into the big, wide world is an understatement. There's nothing quite like seeing your ideas and words brought to life in picture book form. Aleksandra Szmidt has done such an amazing job of illustrating my little tale, and I can't thank Larrikin House enough for picking up this story and sharing it with the world.

I'm also lucky enough to be launching 'Cactus' (as I like to call it) at the IF Maitland Indie Festival on Saturday the 29th of May at 1:30pm. It will be taking place at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery, along with a whole host of other fun events for kids throughout the day. I'll be reading 'Cactus' in public for the first time, and signing any and all copies of the book for anyone who is interested. Make sure you come along and say 'Hi'. The more the merrier!

Oh, and here's a little trailer of the book... so cute!

Emily xx