Kathryn Simmonds has written all sorts of things – stories for radio, questions for quiz machines, books of poems, sketch comedy, a novel, and now, at long last, picture books.

Her debut Be My Sunflower, with Rosalind Beardshaw, for Walker, is the moving story of Vernon - a seed who is happy in his packet, and reluctant to grow into anything at all, thank you. This will be the first of many from Kathryn.

Kathryn's second picture book, also for Walker, stars Branwell the solitary bee and is set in a bug hotel.

Kathryn’s husband is also a writer and they have too many books in their house. She loves the beach, but is afraid of seagulls. Life can be difficult.

Kathryn is represented by The Catchpole Agency for children's books.