The Monstrous Child shortlisted for Costa Children's Book of the Year

Francesca’s novel has been shortlisted for a highly prestigious book award. The news was announced on 22nd November on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, when The Monstrous Child was described as a Nordic saga come Greek tragedy.

The winner of each of the categories in the Costa will be announced on 3rd January.

Fabulous Francesca Facts

"Families are great sources of comedy because they are about people trapped together. Only the parents chose to be there and the rest of you are stuck with these people that you might not necessarily like"

"Nobody feels emotions like children and with Henry, the war is constant and total. Anyone who has lived in a family has these shared experiences - the car journey from hell, nits or vomiting"

"I’ve never met a child who doesn’t love hearing stories. It’s a good way of introducing them to books and it’s a great way of getting them to understand stories that they might not be able to read themselves"

"We all love stories, it all helps making sense of the world"

"Horrid Henry speaks to the impish, rebellious child in all of us"

"My first book was called Papa Forgot and was published in 1993"

"I’ve written over fifty books"

"My birthday is 23rd February"

"I’m a bit scared of the dark"

"My hobbies are reading, cooking and going to the theatre"

"My favourite author is Anthony Trollope"

"My most disliked food is beetroot"

"My favourite colour is aquamarine"

"My favourite food is scallops"

Francesca Simon

The Monstrous Child shortlisted for Costa Children’s Book of the Year

Horrid Henry

Fabulous Francesca Facts