Kaye Umansky

As a child

I was an only child and a bit pompous, I suspect. I was hopeless at sport so I wrote stories instead. My best ever present was an old-fashioned, second-hand type writer I was given when I was eleven. I did a lot of posh singing because my mum was a music teacher. I took a lot of exams. I didn’t mind. I learned to play the piano too, which has proved useful. I played out in the streets with the local kids, some of whom were horrible. It could be fun, though. We rode our bikes a lot and sometimes got into trouble.

As an adult

I still ride a bike, but not as often as I should. I am now grown up, and am living in London with my husband, Mo, and my grown-up daughter Ella, and two cats called Alfie and Charley. I like going out to eat and going to the pictures. I like swimming at the local pool in the summer. Every year I want it to snow because we live on a steep hill. I listen to music and read a lot in my spare time.

As an artist

I work in a small office with stars on the ceiling. I have a little balcony for sitting on and writing poems. My cats sometimes keep me company. They like sitting on the computer because it’s warm. I have a piano in my office because sometimes I write song books and musicals. I have loads of children’s books on shelves and photos, and weird stuff like my first pair of boots (they are 54 years old). I write most days from nine to four-ish. Sometimes I get loads done, and sometimes I get stuck. I have written about 90 books in the last nineteen years.

Things you didn't know about Kaye Umansky

1. I don’t like pink blancmange or kidneys.
2. I once had a tortoise called Oswald Peter. I don’t know why.
3. I am petrified of heights. Do not give me parachute lessons.
4. My favourite boy's name is Noah and girl’s name is Ella.
5. I wear a lot of black, because I think it makes me look thin.
6. I used to sing and play keyboards in a band.
7. Our house caught fire once. It took four fire engines to put it out.
8. I have ridden on a camel.
9. I like cheese best of all.
10. I like reading science fiction.