Ice Cream Bucket Challenge!

By now everyone has heard of the Ice Bucket Challege, the campaign that raises awareness for the MND Asoociation. I was nominated by the lovely Karen Ross to make a donation along with doing the challenge. But Karen specifically requested a doodle and said she'd like Milly Moo to be involved... so it became the Ice Cream Bucket Challenge! 

Curious cows

What's about to occur?

We've been Chilly Milly Mooed!

Many years ago I lost my dad to MND, so I'm grateful to everyone that have already doused themselves in icy cold water, or created a doodle to boost awareness and help raise funds. More importantly though if you can, please make a donation to Motor Neurone Disease Association or you can easily text, details below.

Many thanks!

Animal Crackers

It's been a fantastic start to the day as I've received a copy of The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories. It's a gorgeous, vibrant anthology containing ten enthalling tales which was a real pleasure to work on. I love nothing more than reading funny a story, so illustrating Captain Yuri and the Space Mission by Susannah O' Brien was a great match for me.

Animal Kingdom

Rough Spread

Sneaky Peek

If you're crackers for stories about animals, it's published on the 2nd October by Walker Books.

Udderliciously Funtastic!

This morning I had such great time in Udderlicious, it's a glorious ice cream parlour on Upper Street, London. I was joined by a bunch of fantastic children from William Tyndale Primary School, who were just as keen to hear a story about ice cream as eating the lovely stuff.

Udderliciously lovely stuff!

Together we read Chilly Milly Moo, talked about making books and even dabbled in how to create your own ice cream cone. 

I'm too hot!

One scoop or two?

We finished off our fun with a delicious taster from the wide selection of marvelous flavours.

Click here if you fancy having a go at making your own cone. If you feel particularly proud of your chilly creation please feel free to send me a snap, I'd love to see them and show them off!

Dark Shadows

Last week I spent a few days away in Whitby, North Yorkshire and discovered it has plenty more to offer apart from an excellent portion of fish and chips. I was hoping it would be the perfect place for a touch of research on a new spooky picture book. It certainly was, and look what I found unexpectedly loitering over my bed...

Love at first bite

The bat is one of the many gothic gems in a unique B&B called Bats and Broomsticks. I've never spent the night anywhere before which has an emergency basket of wooden stakes placed in the wardrobe - just incase! The atmosphere created by having a full English breakfast by candlelight, whilst listening to The Damned was a fitting start to each day. It really was such a blast to stay there, so if you tend to gravitate towards the darker side of things please give it a go.

Whitby is packed with hidden delights. Even the graveyard which is situated adjacent to the Abbey overlooking the sea has a one or two surprises, such as the skull and crossbones carved onto this pirate's gravestone.

Pirate's gravestone

A view to die for

North Yorkshire well and truly conjured up numerous tales of horror from it's past and present. I'm certain this wealth of gothic inspiration will keep me fairly busy for sometime to come!

Winter's Tails

Over the last few days it's suddenly felt like winter is with us once again. My sizable collection of hot water bottles are back in rotation, thermal socks are needed and I'm refusing to remove my favourite red, woolly jumper. The only thing missing from these somewhat nippy conditions is a generous sprinkling of the white stuff, so here it is... 

Got ya!

Dancing Champs!

It's been loads of fun hearing what you like to dance to and thanks a million for your contributions. I received these two fabulous drawings from Amy and Millie Inglis and think they're both winners. They've well and truly captured Arthur's character and clearly illustrate his zeal for dancing. Amy and Millie also love dancing to ballet and I'm sure they're pretty good at it too!

By Amy Inglis

By Millie Inglis

Another book and bookmark will be going to Lola Hustler. Lola said she likes dancing with her mom to loud rock music, especially anything by P!nk. Perhaps they should team up with the Crazy Cat Crew for some extracurricular party time!

If you fancy having a go at making a Ballet Cat bookmark click here!

Dance Yourself Dizzy!

Today I have 3 signed copies of Ballet Cat and bookmarks up for grabs to celebrate the publication of the paperback. All you have to do is tell me what you like to dance to, this can be a style of dancing or a particular song, and any pictures are very welcome! The winners will be revealed and posted on the blog in one week's time.

Arthur's enjoys dancing to ballet

I like to dance to disco but think I need a few tips from Errol the elephant below, he's definitely the Disco King! Go Errol!

Errol's got the moves!