I was working as a teaching assistant in a reception class when the idea struck me to make this book. The kids I worked with were a real racial mix, so when we started looking at nursery rhymes the traditional characters didn't feel particularly representative. I started sketching the kids while they ran around like loons at playtime, and eventually came up with my Mary character.
This was my first picture book and was made whilst pregnant with my son, Alfie. Somehow I also managed to move house twice while making it, much to the amusement of my publisher. Mad times!
Kate Willis-Crowley
[email protected]
Mary had a Little Lamb is published by Hodder Children's Books. Available from the begining of June 2011.
The Guardian Books.
