Anne Fine on He Says... She Says... and books for newly independent readers

The book we've sent our Parakeets this month is a brand new story by legendary children's author Anne Fine. Anne is the author of over 70 books for children, including my own personal favourite, Bill's New Frock, a former Children's Laureate and winner of multiple awards, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal (twice!). With He Says... She Says... she's collaborated with illustrator Gareth Conway and dyslexia-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke to create a gorgeous, super fun and accessible early chapter book perfect for newly independent readers. Here Anne tells us what inspired the story and which other early chapter books she recommends for young readers.

What inspired you to write He Says… She Says?

I suddenly remembered one of my friends at school and how both her parents kept diaries. We often sneaked into their rooms to read what they’d written. (Sorry!) We were always massively amused at the difference. On the very same day, her mother might have put, “A glorious day! Crisp and lovely. I could have stayed out for ever.” Her dad, on the other hand, could easily have recorded, “The most shocking weather. Relentless downpours! Couldn’t even begin to plant the potatoes.”  

Are any of the characters or events based on real people and their experiences?

No. They’re all made up. (As the author Jan Mark once said, ‘You don’t write about people you know. You write what you know about people.”) That’s not to say that you don’t take the odd character trait from people you know,or even yourself, and build it up to suit your story. But, like those spinning mirror balls in old-fashioned discotheques, you’d only ever catch one or two flashes of them at a time in a short piece of writing.

What advice would you give Harry and Skye before their first visit to Gran?

After all Dad had said about her, I’d have been terrified. So my advice would be to do what I do about anything I’m dreading - work out the longest time it can last, and make a numbered chart of hours. That way, as time goes by I can sneak off and  secretly black out a few more tiny squares. Just seeing them fill up is cheering, and reminds you that whatever it is will finish in the end. (And if, as with Harry and Skye, it turns out not so bad, you can just smile at your unnecessary worries, then throw away your untouched chart.)

What do you hope young readers will take away from the story?

That those who raise you might come from a very different sort of background than the one they are trying to create for you. What’s fascinating is the ways in which they do want your childhood to mirror theirs, and the ways in which they definitely don’t. And why. So I hope my readers will end up more curious and ask a heap of questions. The more you learn about people, especially those in your own family, the more interesting they become.

Why did you choose to write books for this age group?

I write for all ages, even for adults. But whenever I get an idea for a book I ask myself, “When would I myself most liked to have read a story like this one?” The answer might be anything from three to seventy three. So I just pitch the story for the age I think it would have amused or interested me most. That seems to work. But whichever age it’s aimed for, I enjoy writing it just the same.

Do you have a favourite of the many books you’ve written? If so, which one and why?

So hard to answer. I have soft spots for Ivan the Terrible (9-11), Up On Cloud Nine (10+) and Flour Babies (10+). All comedies. But my very favourite is The More the Merrier (8+), also a comedy. I wrote it after a full two years of being Children’s Laureate. I started three demanding projects, on top of dozens of talks and visits, and then my only helper got seriously ill. So I had to work day and night as well as sort out  endless travel all over. It was such bliss to hand the job over and sit down to writing again. The More the Merrier is bursting with with my relief and joy.

Do you have a favourite place to write?

I used to be happy writing anywhere. Kitchen tables, trains, hotel bedrooms. Anywhere with a flat surface and some quiet, or using earphones. Now, I very much prefer my desk with its comfy and supportive chairback.

Which other books for newly independent readers would you recommend our subscribers read next?

If you like He Says…She Says, then definitely have a go at my own Be Nice to Aunt Emma and Next to Alice, also published by Barrington Stoke.  Chitra Soundar has written Nikhil and Jay: The Star Birthday, four funny stories about two brothers (recently animated for BBC TV). Sally Gardner’s The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a curious and whimsical fantasy eco story, and, like Nikhil and Jay, is the first in a series so readers can go on and read more. Pamela Butchart's  Wigglesbottom Primary  series is  a big hit with this age group and again very funny. Try starting with Dino Chick.  (Extra points for this one as it features a school library!)

Copies of our He Says... She Says... pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!

This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!