Live webchat with Francesca 'Horrid Henry' Simon, author of The Sleeping Army, Tuesday 29 May, 1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce the start of our children's book club, which means we're going to be highlighting a great children's book each month, offering you the chance to access free copies of the book, share your thoughts - and perhaps your children's - chat to authors and enter competitions.

This month we're kicking off with Francesca Simon's latest novel, The Sleeping Army. Click here to find out more information about the book and apply to receive a free copy. We'll announce on this thread when all the books have gone.

Francesca will be joining us later on Tuesday 29 May at 1pm for a live webchat to discuss The Sleeping Army as well as her other children's books. If you're unable to join us on 29th, do post your question or your children's questions in advance here.

[jepa]

Hi Francesca
Thank you so much for the Horrid Henry books - such a breakthrough in our house, my son loved us reading them to him and then as he got older couldn't put them down. My son wanted to ask if you plan to write more but thats already been covered early in the webchat .
So can I ask what is your inspiration - was there a horrid Henry in your life ?
Oh and thank you for coming onto Mumsnet, I'll be showing my son when he gets back from school

[FrancescaSimon]

@jepa

Hi Francesca
Thank you so much for the Horrid Henry books - such a breakthrough in our house, my son loved us reading them to him and then as he got older couldn't put them down. My son wanted to ask if you plan to write more but thats already been covered early in the webchat .
So can I ask what is your inspiration - was there a horrid Henry in your life ?
Oh and thank you for coming onto Mumsnet, I'll be showing my son when he gets back from school

I'm writing at least two more books, not including the latest Horrid Henry's Monster Movie, which just came out a few days ago.

"Was there a Horrid Henry in your life" Yes, me. I was beautifully behaved in school, and badly behaved at home, so I am able to incorporate both Horrid Henry and Perfect Peter.

[jepa]

Thank you
Actually that sounds like my son - When I get his school report I honestly think they have the wrong child !

[FrancescaSimon]

@birdsofshoreandsea

DS has now read it twice because he liked it so much. He says it was "really really good". His favourite bit was where Freya flew with the falcon's skin. He thought it was a funny fantasy book, suitable for ages 4 to 10. He liked that it showed that girls can be brave as well as boys. He said it wasn't scary except for the dragon that ate dead bodies. He knew the children would not get turned to ivory "because basically then the story would be over"!

He's thinking of some things to ask Francesca Simon. Thank you for the chance to read the book.

Thank you so much for the lovely review; I wanted Freya to be a very ordinary girl, who discovers within herself, attributes and courage that she didn't know she had. Because something I very much believe, is that no-one knows what will be useful to them in adversity.

[FrancescaSimon]

@jepa

Thank you
Actually that sounds like my son - When I get his school report I honestly think they have the wrong child !

Everyone in the office just laughed at your post!

[RachelMumsnet]

Thanks so much Francesca for joining us today and to everyone who joined in our discussion and for making our first Children's book of the month a success. We'll be announcing our June book of the month on Friday.

[FrancescaSimon]

I've really enjoyed reading the reviews of the Sleeping Army, so please keep them coming and I will be checking back to read them. Thanks for having me

[Jux]

I'm so sorry I'm so late with this review - dd lost it and had to rewrite.

The Sleeping Army

It was certainly a good book and I found no mistakes in the mythology. It was a fun plot and kept the reader constantly hooked. I liked Roskva because she was to the point and took no nonsense from Freya, though was a bit rude and stubborn. Freya was, I'm afraid, a bit annoying. She was silly, patronising and when camping out and offered fish she proved herself picky and irritating.

On the subject of mythology, I think a bit more information would not go amiss, perhaps listing all nine worlds of Yggdrasil (Asgard, Vanaheim, Aflheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Nidavellir, Muspell, Niflhel, Hel), but perhaps these will come up in a sequel?

To my delight Ratatosk was mentioned, and the nasty bits were not watered down (keeping the nut in Skadi's cleavage, Skadi urinating in the river). I thought the idea of everyone being Norse pagans very interesting and, although some are, it is quite rare nowardays; everyone seems to be more interested in the Egyptian and Greek deities, and while all 3 are very good, they are also very different, so it is nice to see the Norse get more attention.

All in all, it was a good read and I enjoyed it; well-written, with well realised characters.

All errors will be down to my inability to read dd's writing properly, btw! - Jux