Alison Grunwald

My grandchildren know I'm barmy.

"Why don't you write adventure stories about a nutty grandma who has lots of adventures?" asked Ben, 8.

Brilliant, I thought. An autobiography!

But then the Grandma in my 'Whatever Next, Grandma!' stories turns out to be a lot more accident prone, rubs everyone up the wrong way, has wild magical adventures and only survives by the skin of her teeth and the wise counsel of her long-suffering cat, Gertrude.

Grandma tells stupid jokes, is very bossy and rarely says a sensible word. In short, she's a disaster.

Gertrude has the right to be cynical; she never knows what crazy scheme Grandma's going to hatch next, and she almost always ends up being carted along for the ride.

About me: I’ve been a reporter on a weekly newspaper and a freelance BBC local radio journalist. I took time to have my four children before training as a Relate and Fertility counsellor, then spent ten years as a TA in primary schools, focusing mainly on early reading and phonics. I love young children and making them laugh.

I became a doula in 2010 and have helped welcome many babies into the world.

My 'Whatever Next, Grandma!' stories are my latest babies, initially written to entertain my eight grandchildren but now, I hope, lots more children besides, aged 5 to 9 years-old, give or take.

Books currently available are 'Grandma and the Angry Octopus', 'Grandma's Christmas Surprise', 'Grandma's Jungle Adventure’, Grandma Rides a Pony', 'Grandma Skis into Trouble', ‘Grandma Gets a Bump on thé Head’ and ‘Grandma (Almost) Becomes Queen’. This last is the seventh in a planned series of twelve stories, beautifully illustrated by the very witty and talented Mike Phillips.

Do please leave a review on Amazon to help these nutty stories reach more young readers. And if you would like me to visit your school to read, do a quiz and a Q and A session (Yrs 2-4) please get in touch.

Visit my colourful new website at https://www.alisongrunwald.co.uk

You will see me reading 'Grandma's Jungle Adventure' and there are true funny stories about naughty pets, plus lots more.