Princess Poppy: The Big Mix Up

About Janey Louise Jones

Janey was born in Edinburgh and grew up by the seaside just outside the city. Janey published the first two Princess Poppy books herself (with her own illustrations) and the books were so popular that Random House Children's Books soon bought the series and re-packaged the books.

The series is now going from strength to strength, including picture books, activity books and sumptuous gift books. Janey has also written novels for young readers and the Princess Poppy Cookbook all of which have been very successful.

Janey read English at Edinburgh University specializing in the Victorian novel. Following this she became a teacher - a career that she absolutely adored - and then, with her husband, set up The Jelly Club, which has become an extremely successful chain of children's activity centres in Scotland. She still very much enjoys visiting schools and talking to children to find out what they like doing and what makes them laugh. Janey lives in Edinburgh with their three sons. 

A quick fire quiz with Janey:

Describe your books in one sentence? The Flower Fairies meet Thunderbirds

Favourite character in your book? Rose – she’s gentle

Favourite sentence or line in your book? Fairies from the Blossom Tree/Superskills galore have we! (From the song)

As an author/illustrator whom would you like to be compared to? As an author, Shirley Hughes or Mairi Hedderwick

Describe yourself in three words? Imaginative, kind, feminine

Favourite character from a book? Anne of Greengables

If you weren’t an author/illustrator, you would be… a cook

Favourite place/setting to read a book? Shaded corner of a scented garden

If you could have a fairy super power what would it be? To spread peace across the world

Favourite colour? pink

Favourite flower? poppy

Favourite animal? dog