The author of the Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog and My Brother's Favourite Bottom series takes on the Guardian children's books quickfire interview
*Why should we read your current book?*
Because it's funny and will put a smile on your face. You will also be contributing approximately 60 pence to my mortgage payments. Thank you.
*Who was your childhood hero?*
Roy Rogers, a TV cowboy. I loved the way he narrowed his eyes. I spent half my childhood doing the same but I just looked silly and kept bumping into things.
*What was your favourite book when you were younger?*
Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories and later Gerald Durrell's My Family And Other Animals. I still love both these books now.
*Did you read a lot as a child and do you still read children's books now?*
My big brother and I went to the library at least once a week and our house was full of books so, lots of reading. I don't read all that many children's books but I do still read every day.
*What was the last book you had recommended to you and what book would you recommend to us?*
Recommended to me - The Hundred Year Old Man Who Stepped Out Of The Window etc etc. I would also recommend it to everyone else. Also Diego Morani's A New Finnish Grammar. It's gripping and fascinating.
*What advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?*
Listen to Mum, she's usually right! (Grrr!) Also listen to any adult you like and trust because what they advise you is probably right too. I very rarely did either as a child and I think I would have been a better person if I had.
*What would you be if you hadn't been a writer?*
Very disappointed!
*If you could travel in time, where would you go first?*
Back to my childhood and learn the piano properly without giving up aged nine as I did last time!
*What is the weirdest thing a fan has ever said and/or given to you?*
I was asked: "If you were a sandwich what kind of sandwich would you be?"
Another time I was sent a package in the post. Inside was a carrot that had grown two legs. It was dressed as a doll called Cecily Sprout. It arrived with a very funny letter from a 10-year-old girl explaining everything.
*What is your next book going to be about?*
I have just finished a new story about Streaker. It's called Kidnapped! The Hundred Mile An Hour Dog's Sizzling Summer. I had a lot of fun writing it because the narrator is Streaker herself so I was writing as a dog and, as you know, Streaker is barking mad!
Jeremy Strong is the author of over 80 children's books, including the series The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog and My Brother's Favourite Bottom series. His latest book is My Brother's Famous Bottom Gets Crowned Reported by guardian.co.uk 17 hours ago.
*Why should we read your current book?*
Because it's funny and will put a smile on your face. You will also be contributing approximately 60 pence to my mortgage payments. Thank you.
*Who was your childhood hero?*
Roy Rogers, a TV cowboy. I loved the way he narrowed his eyes. I spent half my childhood doing the same but I just looked silly and kept bumping into things.
*What was your favourite book when you were younger?*
Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories and later Gerald Durrell's My Family And Other Animals. I still love both these books now.
*Did you read a lot as a child and do you still read children's books now?*
My big brother and I went to the library at least once a week and our house was full of books so, lots of reading. I don't read all that many children's books but I do still read every day.
*What was the last book you had recommended to you and what book would you recommend to us?*
Recommended to me - The Hundred Year Old Man Who Stepped Out Of The Window etc etc. I would also recommend it to everyone else. Also Diego Morani's A New Finnish Grammar. It's gripping and fascinating.
*What advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?*
Listen to Mum, she's usually right! (Grrr!) Also listen to any adult you like and trust because what they advise you is probably right too. I very rarely did either as a child and I think I would have been a better person if I had.
*What would you be if you hadn't been a writer?*
Very disappointed!
*If you could travel in time, where would you go first?*
Back to my childhood and learn the piano properly without giving up aged nine as I did last time!
*What is the weirdest thing a fan has ever said and/or given to you?*
I was asked: "If you were a sandwich what kind of sandwich would you be?"
Another time I was sent a package in the post. Inside was a carrot that had grown two legs. It was dressed as a doll called Cecily Sprout. It arrived with a very funny letter from a 10-year-old girl explaining everything.
*What is your next book going to be about?*
I have just finished a new story about Streaker. It's called Kidnapped! The Hundred Mile An Hour Dog's Sizzling Summer. I had a lot of fun writing it because the narrator is Streaker herself so I was writing as a dog and, as you know, Streaker is barking mad!
Jeremy Strong is the author of over 80 children's books, including the series The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog and My Brother's Favourite Bottom series. His latest book is My Brother's Famous Bottom Gets Crowned Reported by guardian.co.uk 17 hours ago.