So one day early, I’m introducing Mark Carthew. First I’m stealing a blurb from the web: Mark Carthew is an award winning editor, author & primary teacher. Best known for his books and series exploring wordplay, music, movement and drama, he has always loved the joy of wordplay and music. and secondly I am going to add that in my children’s early years Mark was always Top of the Reading list. You can find out more about Mark at his website

1 The last children’s/YA book you read (fiction or non-fiction Children’s – The Flight of the Bumblebee by Hazel Edwards illustrated by Mini Goss (New Frontier) Y/A – Chronicles of Stone: Scorched Bone by Vincent Ford (Scholastic NZ)

2 If it wasn’t an Oz title, then the last Oz title Y/A – Shark Bait (Extreme adventure series) by Justin D’ATH (Penguin)

3 Name one favourite book from your childhood The Ragamuffin Mystery by Enid Blyton

4 Name one picture book that you love for the illustrations Luke’s Way of Looking by Nadia Wheatley, Illustrated by Matt Ottley

5 What is your personal favourite among the books you have authored/illustrated Who do love more your mum or dad? It’s TOO hard a question! You love them equally, yet in different ways. My latest ones – Five Little Owls, The Gobbling Tree, Newts, Lutes & Bandicoots, Wicked Wizards & Leaping Lizards and Can you keep a Secret? are all special though…

6. What book do you wish you had written – for love or money For love – The Lord of the Rings For money – Harry Potter

7 If you could be a character in a book, who (or what) would you be GANDALF (from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)

8 Do you have a favourite quote – from a book or life in general! Anything. ‘Never give up, never surrender.’ from the movie GALAXY QUEST