The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday

On a journey from Sunderland to Liverpool last Sunday, I was extremely happy to receive messages on social media telling me that I was in The Independent, with 15 Things Not to do with a Baby being listed as one of the '12 Best Children's Books of 2015'.

I've been totally overwhelmed with people's responses to my first picture book and this news has absolutely topped it off... with a full spread in the paper and a HUGE image from the book. It is such an honour to be amongst talent such as David Walliams, Tony Ross, Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt and Sally Gardner.

Here is the review of the book in the article...

Review by Rebecca Davis, Saturday 28 March 2015

Older brothers and sisters will appreciate Margaret McAllister and Holly Sterling’s 15 Things Not to Do with a Baby (Frances Lincoln, £11.99), a humorous take on the conflicting emotions that younger siblings can inspire.

The 15 illustrated tips range from not letting the baby play with an elephant to more worryingly-plausible suggestions, such as not wrapping the baby in brown paper with a view to popping him or her in the post. It also offers a few handy hints about what you should do with a baby and will prove a useful tool in teaching toddlers the benefits of caring and sharing.

15 Things Not to do with a Baby's list of achievements to-date: 

• Books for Keeps - Book of the week in January
• Books for Keeps - New Talent
• Book Trust - Books we like: February 2015
• The Reading Challenge - Listed book for the Summer Reading Challenge
• The Independent - Listed as one of the 12 Best Children's Books of 2015

School Visit - Acklam Grange School

I recently visited Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough to be interviewed by three ambitious pupils (Eeman, Kajol and Amran) for BBC News Day. We spoke about life as a children's book illustrator and how I balance it with a passion for teaching and competing in karate! It was definitely the most interesting interview that I've had to date.

Check out their coverage here... Acklam Grange: Students catch up with Holly Sterling