'The Cat in the Hat' by Dr Seuss and 'The Adventure of the Wishing Chair' by Enid Blyton. I would have really loved Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials', but he hadn't written it when I was young (I have read it now though - it's brilliant!)

Most people draw a lot when they are children, but they stop once they grow up. I didn't stop. I drew so much that I got really good. Then I went to art college to learn how to draw even better. One day I showed my drawings to a children's book publisher, who gave me my first book to illustrate - The Show at Rickety Barn.

You can't force ideas to come, you just have to be observant and use the world around you for inspiration.
For instance, the idea for 'When You're Not Looking!' came when I was at Centre Parks. My friend's children tried to feed the squirrels with bread & jam and strawberry yoghurt, which I later turned into the gerbil who likes to eat marmalade on toast!

I stop trying so hard and go for a walk instead. That helps me to relax and see things differently. Then when I sit down and start again, my brain works better!

You can be whoever or whatever you want to be.
If you work hard and don't give up, you will get there in the end (especially if you are really nice to people, because then they will help you!)