A photo of author Rachel Morrisroe, next to a graphic with the interview title, 21 Questions

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Interviews

‘I write anywhere and everywhere. Whenever I can squeeze it in’: 21 Questions with Rachel Morrisroe

A picture of a selection of unicorn books on a blue and purple ombre background with yellow stars

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Children's reading lists

The best unicorn books for kids

How to Grow a Reindeer

*** Voted Best Kid's Christmas Book Overall 2025 by the Independent **** 
 
Join Sarah and Mr Pottifer in their magical plant shop, where fantastical creatures grow on trees! 
 
It's nearly Christmas Day when an unexpected visitor arrives – it's Santa, and he needs their help! 
 
His reindeer are in bed with Antler Flu and without them, he can't deliver his presents on time. But growing well-behaved reindeer isn't as easy as it seems. . . and before long the mischevious creatures have created a rather MERRY MESS! 
 
Can Sarah figure out a way to save Christmas before it's too late? 
 
This rhyming story full of festive fun celebrates being different, and the importance of teamwork. 
 
Other stories in the How to Grow series: 
How to Grow a Unicorn 
How to Grow a Dragon 
How to Grow a Mermaid

With enchanting full-page illustrations and fun, rhyming text, this festive adventure completely captivated my testers when read aloud. 
When the reindeer gets sick with Antler Flu, Santa fears they’ll be too poorly to pull his sleigh on Christmas Eve. When he arrives at Mr Pottifer’s Plant Shop – a plant shop like no other – Mr Pottifer and green-fingered Sarah set to work, using magical seeds to try and grow some replacements. 
 
It’s fair to say that magical reindeers are somewhat unpredictable, and things don’t go quite according to plan. With Christmas just hours away, can determination, teamwork and an unlikely hero save the day? 
While How to Grow a Reindeer is perfect as a standalone adventure, my testers loved spotting familiar characters from the rest of the series nestled among the illustrations – including a unicorn, dragon, and mermaid.

Rachel Morrisroe (Author) 
Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram. 
 
Steven Lenton (Illustrator) 
Steven Lenton is a multi-award-winning illustrator, originally from Cheshire, now working from his studio in Brighton. He has illustrated many children's books including Virtually Christmas by David Baddiel, The Hundred And One Dalmatians adapted by Peter Bently, The Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam series by Tracey Corderoy, Frank Cottrell-Boyce's fiction titles and his self-penned series Genie and Teeny.

Join Sarah and Mr Pottifer in their magical plant shop, where fantastical creatures grow on trees! 
 
It's nearly Christmas Day when an unexpected visitor arrives – it's Santa, and he needs their help! 
 
His reindeer are in bed with Antler Flu and without them, he can't deliver his presents on time. But growing well-behaved reindeer isn't as easy as it seems. . . and before long the mischevious creatures have created a rather MERRY MESS! 
 
Can Sarah figure out a way to save Christmas before it's too late? 
 
This rhyming story full of festive fun celebrates being different, and the importance of teamwork. 
 
Other stories in the How to Grow series: 
How to Grow a Unicorn 
How to Grow a Dragon 
How to Grow a Mermaid

The Fantastic Intergalactic Hamster!

A brand new adventure in the hilarious series for 7+ readers from bestselling author Rachel Morrisroe, packed with laughs, heart and superhero pets! 
 
When a spaceship crash-lands outside of Rebecca Refractor’s school full of aliens who look just like adorable hamsters, she knows there is only one kid and Superpet that can help . . . Jack and Hercules the hamster, the superstrength Superpet! 
 
The alien-hamsters can control minds and are determined to turn everyone on Earth into cracker-hunting zombies! But why are the aliens so cracker obsessed? And who (or what) is The Big Cheese – the villain boss the aliens serve? 
 
Full of friendship, fun and silly superhero antics, this is the perfect series for fans of The Naughtiest Unicorn, Wigglesbottom Primary and The Secret Life of Pets!

Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram.

How to Grow a Mermaid

Join Sarah and Mr Pottifer in their magical plant shop, where fantastical creatures grow from trees! 
 
A new customer at the shop buys some mermaid seeds, and Sarah is only too happy to help him grow them. But when the plants are accidentally given too much sugar, their vines spread throughout the town, flooding the streets and causing a whole heap of MER-MAYHEM! 
 
Can Sarah and her new friend use their quick thinking and green fingers to save the day? 
 
This hilarious story celebrating friendship and kindness is the third magical adventure from the author and illustrator of the bestselling stories How to Grow a Unicorn and How to Grow a Dragon.

The Crossodile

BEWARE the swirling, storming Crossodile! 
 
Though Hayden Hill likes lots of things - like eating ice-cream, playing chess, and looking after his pet lizard - some things make him a bit, well . . . cross. 
 
And when he can't stop himself from getting crosser and crosser, a rather strange thing happens - his little pet lizard turns into a giant snapping whirlwind of a CROSSODILE! 
 
As his out-of-control Crossodile causes destruction everywhere it goes and terrifies his friends, Hayden realises that he can't keep letting it take over. 
 
Can he figure out how to understand his anger and tame his Crossodile once and for all? 
 
A hilarious and heartwarming rhyming tale about understanding your anger and the importance of friendship, from incredible picture book talent Rachel Morrisroe and bestselling illustrator Ella Okstad. 
 
More magical stories from Rachel Morrisroe and Ella Okstad: 
The Drama Llama 
The Truth about Yeticorns

Rachel Morrisroe (Author) Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram. Ella Okstad (Illustrator) Ella Okstad loves to draw ghosts, vampires, humans, cats, and all sorts of creatures. She lives and works as an illustrator in Trondheim, Norway. When she's not in her office creating scary, cute, or peculiar creatures for books, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three boys, and a cat. Visit her at Okstad.com.

Supersausage to the rescue!

The first book in a hilarious series for 7+ readers from bestselling author Rachel Morrisroe, packed with laughs, heart and superhero pets! 
 
Nine-year-old Harry has always wanted a dog and when he sees Dottie at the local animal shelter he knows she's the perfect puppy for him. What he doesn't realise is that Dottie is a dog with a difference . . . she can talk and fly! 
 
And Harry's not the only one interested in Dottie, and soon they are both scooped up in their very first mission with the SuperPets, a secret league of very special pets who keep the world safe from harm. 
 
But the other SuperPets have been kidnapped by Sparkletta Crystal, can "Super Sausage" (aka Dottie) and Harry stop the evil supervillain in her tracks before it's too late? 
 
Full of friendship, fun and silly superhero antics, this is the perfect new series for fans of The Naughtiest Unicorn, Wigglesbottom Primary and The Secret Life of Pets!

Rachel Morrisroe (Author) 
Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram. 
 
Jenny Taylor (Illustrator) 
Jenny Taylor is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer specialising in fun and quirky children’s book illustration. Originally hailing from the Falkirk (in Scotland) most well-known for its magical horse heads and bright orange IRN BRU, Jenny now lives in Preston.

The first book in a hilarious series for 7+ readers from bestselling author Rachel Morrisroe, packed with laughs, heart and superhero pets! 
 
Nine-year-old Harry has always wanted a dog and when he sees Dottie at the local animal shelter he knows she's the perfect puppy for him. What he doesn't realise is that Dottie is a dog with a difference . . . she can talk and fly! 
 
And Harry's not the only one interested in Dottie, and soon they are both scooped up in their very first mission with the SuperPets, a secret league of very special pets who keep the world safe from harm. 
 
But the other SuperPets have been kidnapped by Sparkletta Crystal, can "Super Sausage" (aka Dottie) and Harry stop the evil supervillain in her tracks before it's too late? 
 
Full of friendship, fun and silly superhero antics, this is the perfect new series for fans of The Naughtiest Unicorn, Wigglesbottom Primary and The Secret Life of Pets!

Discover this funny festive picture book

The Robin Who Stole Christmas

Join Rotten Robin and his gang of feathered friends as they hatch a plan to steal Christmas in this hilariously unconventional festive tale! 
 
"[a] picture-book yuletide caper full of bouncy rhymes and intricate, hilarious illustrations." – The Guardian 
 
A little red robin - who just so happens to be the world's most wanted thief - has a rather unusual plan this festive season. He hates Christmas, and so he's going to STEAL it - baubles, mince pies, Santa, and all! 
 
But Rotten Robin hadn't realised the feathers he'd ruffle by taking away the Yuletide celebrations - and when he's forced to give back everything he's stolen, he realises that Christmas might not be that bad after all... 
 
This brand new Christmas story from picture book rising star Rachel Morrisroe and illustrator talent Richard Merritt is a unique take on a festive tale, full of humour and heart - and the perfect Christmas gift. 
 
Also by Rachel Morrisroe: 
How to Grow a Unicorn 
How to Grow a Dragon 
The Drama Llama 
The Yeticorn

Rachel Morrisroe (Author) 
Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram. 
 
Richard Merritt (Illustrator) 
Richard is a London born illustrator with 20 years experience as both an artist and former agent, helping to nurture the careers of many other talented illustrators. From his first commercial commission with The Times newspaper many moons ago he hasn't looked back, working with some of the biggest names in the business! His body of work spans a broad section of the illustration world, from editorial, packaging design, games and education, to children's publishing, cover design, fashion and costume drawing for Hollywood blockbuster films such as Barbie, Indiana Jones, Jurassic World and Disney's Pinocchio. His work has been published in over 50 books and in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Join Rotten Robin and his gang of feathered friends as they hatch a plan to steal Christmas in this hilariously unconventional festive tale! 
 
A little red robin - who just so happens to be the world's most wanted thief - has a rather unusual plan this festive season. He hates Christmas, and so he's going to STEAL it - baubles, mince pies, Santa, and all! 
 
But Rotten Robin hadn't realised the feathers he'd ruffle by taking away the Yuletide celebrations - and when he's forced to give back everything he's stolen, he realises that Christmas might not be that bad after all... 
 
This brand new Christmas story from picture book rising star Rachel Morrisroe and illustrator talent Richard Merritt is a unique take on a festive tale, full of humour and heart - and the perfect Christmas gift. 
 
Also by Rachel Morrisroe: 
How to Grow a Unicorn 
How to Grow a Dragon 
The Drama Llama 
The Yeticorn

The Truth About Yeticorns

A Yeticorn's charging about on the loose! 
 
Bea often tells little fibs when something goes wrong. Fairy-cats wiped mud all over the floor, wild octoponies flooded the bathroom... and lately, a humongous Yeticorn has been charging around, gobbling up her sister Edie's sweets and sneezing confetti everywhere! 
 
But one day, Bea wakes to find that a Yeticorn REALLY has come to stay - and his whippy, trippy tail causes all sorts of problems that she gets the blame for! 
 
Can Bea find the courage to stop fibbing and finally tell the truth? 
 
This hilarious and heartwarming rhyming tale about sibling friendship, telling the truth, and the power of using your imagination for good - from incredible new picture book talent Rachel Morrisroe and bestselling illustrator Ella Okstad. 
 
More magical stories from Rachel Morrisroe: 
The Drama Llama 
How to Grow a Unicorn 
How to Grow a Dragon

How to Grow a Dragon

Join Sarah and Mr Pottifer in their magical plant shop, where fantastical creatures grow from trees! 
 
A story that celebrates problem solving, kindness and resourcefulness. 
 
An unexpected delivery of dragodil seeds provides the perfect chance for Sarah and Mr Pottifer to grow helpful dragon pets for their customers - or does it? It turns out that these fiery dragons are not very well-behaved at all... and everything soon spirals into smoke-filled, out-of-control DRAGON CHAOS! 
 
Can Sarah's quick thinking and green fingers save the day? 
 
The second magical adventure from the author and illustrator of the bestselling How to Grow a Unicorn.

Rachel Morrisroe (Author) Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram. Steven Lenton (Illustrator) Steven Lenton is a multi-award-winning illustrator, originally from Cheshire, now working from his studio in Brighton. He has illustrated many children's books including Virtually Christmas by David Baddiel, The Hundred And One Dalmatians adapted by Peter Bently, The Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam series by Tracey Corderoy, Frank Cottrell-Boyce's fiction titles and his self-penned series Genie and Teeny.

Join Sarah and Mr Pottifer in their magical plant shop, where fantastical creatures grow from trees! 
 
An unexpected delivery of dragodil seeds provides the perfect chance for Sarah and Mr Pottifer to grow helpful dragon pets for their customers - or does it? It turns out that these fiery dragons are not very well-behaved at all... and everything soon spirals into smoke-filled, out-of-control DRAGON CHAOS! 
 
Can Sarah's quick thinking and green fingers save the day? 
 
The second magical adventure from the author and illustrator of the bestselling How to Grow a Unicorn.

A story about soothing anxiety

The Drama Llama

One day a WORRY comes to stay and simply will not go away! 
 
"Whenever he was worried or whenever there was drama, 
Alex Allen's brain produced . . . 
 
A living breathing Llama!" 
 
Alex Allen, like lots of children, sometimes worried about things - like dancing badly or getting an answer wrong in class. But unlike lots of children, every time he worries a real-life llama appears! And the more Alex worries, the bigger Llama grows... which starts getting him into all sorts of trouble! 
 
Will Alex ever learn how to control his worries and get rid of this pesky llama? 
 
This hilarious yet heartwarming rhyming tale from incredible new picture book talent Rachel Morrisroe and bestselling illustrator Ella Okstad offers practical advice about dealing with worry whilst taking you along on the wonderfully riotous adventures of Alex and his mischievous llama.

One day a WORRY comes to stay and simply will not go away! 
 
"Whenever he was worried or whenever there was drama, 
Alex Allen's brain produced . . . 
 
A living breathing Llama!" 
 
Alex Allen, like lots of children, sometimes worried about things - like dancing badly or getting an answer wrong in class. But unlike lots of children, every time he worries a real-life llama appears! And the more Alex worries, the bigger Llama grows... which starts getting him into all sorts of trouble! 
 
Will Alex ever learn how to control his worries and get rid of this pesky llama? 
 
This hilarious yet heartwarming rhyming tale from incredible new picture book talent Rachel Morrisroe and bestselling illustrator Ella Okstad offers practical advice about dealing with worry whilst taking you along on the wonderfully riotous adventures of Alex and his mischievous llama.

How to Grow a Unicorn

A rollicking, rhyming read-aloud treat from wordsmith extraordinaire, debut author Rachel Morrisroe, and the ridiculously talented, bestselling Steven Lenton 
 
Welcome to Mr Pottifer's Parlour of Plants: a magical shop with the most surprising plants you'll ever see! 
 
Sarah thinks she's discovered the perfect gift for her garden-loving grandma, but before you can say GARDEN FULL OF UNICORNS, things grow wildly out-of-hand! 
 
Live your own hilarious unicorn fantasy in this rip-roaring, rhyming delight from a terrifically talented new picture book author, with illustrations from the brilliant, bestselling illustrator Steven Lenton - illustrator of Shifty McGifty and The Hundred and One Dalmations picture book.

A rollicking, rhyming read-aloud treat from wordsmith extraordinaire, debut author Rachel Morrisroe, and the ridiculously talented, bestselling Steven Lenton 
 
Welcome to Mr Pottifer's Parlour of Plants: a magical shop with the most surprising plants you'll ever see! 
 
Sarah thinks she's discovered the perfect gift for her garden-loving grandma, but before you can say GARDEN FULL OF UNICORNS, things grow wildly out-of-hand! 
 
Live your own hilarious unicorn fantasy in this rip-roaring, rhyming delight from a terrifically talented new picture book author, with illustrations from the brilliant, bestselling illustrator Steven Lenton - illustrator of Shifty McGifty and The Hundred and One Dalmatians picture book.

The Tale of the Grizzlygrim

They say, where the waves beat the caves on the beach,you might spot a den, hidden far out of reach... 
 Everyone's heard of the Grim. They say it has terrifying talons and fiendish fangs. They say it likes to eat children up in one grizzly bite. 
 
But when, one fateful night, a child finally meets the Grim, they realise that not everything is as it seems... 
 
An epic tale with an unexpected ending from incredible picture-talent Rachel Morrisroe, with gorgeously detailed illustrations from Richard Merritt. 
 
More stories from Rachel Morrisroe and Richard Merritt: 
The Robin Who Stole Christmas

Rachel Morrisroe (Author) Rachel Morrisroe is the bestselling author of the How to Grow Magic series, The Drama Llama and The Truth About Yeticorns. Her favourite job before becoming a writer was working at Battersea, where she got to foster puppies and take dogs for walks on her lunch breaks. Originally from Wales, she now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two young children and a very daft dachshund called Dottie Disco Dog. Visit her at rachelmorrisroe.com and @RachelMorrisroeAuthor on Instagram. Richard Merritt (Illustrator) Richard is a London born illustrator with 20 years experience as both an artist and former agent, helping to nurture the careers of many other talented illustrators. From his first commercial commission with The Times newspaper many moons ago he hasn't looked back, working with some of the biggest names in the business! His body of work spans a broad section of the illustration world, from editorial, packaging design, games and education, to children's publishing, cover design, fashion and costume drawing for Hollywood blockbuster films such as Barbie, Indiana Jones, Jurassic World and Disney's Pinocchio. His work has been published in over 50 books and in more than 30 countries worldwide.