Kathryn Lamb lives “quietly” in Gillingham, Dorset, with her six children and five cats. She was born and brought up in the Middle East where her parents worked for the foreign office. Her father became British Ambassador to Kuwait where Kathryn took her A- levels. Then she won a scholarship to Oxford University where she studied English and drew cartoons for student newspapers.

While at Oxford, Kathryn sent some drawings to Private Eye and to her surprise they used one! She has drawn cartoons for the magazine ever since. Kathryn has had cartoons in The Radio Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Oldie, The Guardian and The Spectator. As her name is Lamb she’s done a lot of sheep cartoons (such as Baa from the Madding Crowd) and has had several exhibitions and two books of sheep cartoons published. Her cartoons are sold in the Cartoon Gallery, London.

Kathryn has written and illustrated numerous books including six titles in the teenage fiction series According to Alex series, Honestly, Mum! and two titles in her new Best Mates Forever series: Love, Mates and Money, and Vices and Virtues. She is currently working on the third title in this series.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What time of day do you write best?
I write best in the evening, or at any time when the house is reasonably quiet (2 a.m.??!).

What inspires you to write?
The thought of actually making someone smile or laugh inspires me to write – and draw. I have always admired the drawings of Ronald Searle (particularly his series of Revolting Cats, including one captioned “Particularly Revolting Cat” startled by a gesture of affection) and also the drawings of Willie Rushton.

Why did you decide to write these books?
I try to imagine my own children reading my books. I imagine how they would react. I put in what I think would make them laugh – or feel sympathy/empathy with the character.

What do you read for pleasure?
I love travel books describing different places/people. I admire authors who can bring their subject “alive” and write with humour and perception. I am enjoying Bill Bryson’s Notes From a Small Island at the moment.

What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy walking (I don’t drive – so it’s just as well!) and exploring the countryside and new places, listening to music and travelling.

What makes you laugh?
I enjoy Have I Got News for You?, The Fast Show and the humour in magazines like Private Eye. Gentle satire and comedians who point out the absurdity of a lot of human behaviour (in a vaguely sympathetic way) also make me laugh.

What is your favourite place in the world?
Anywhere warm and sunny, with bright flowers and birds. Sometimes I feel homesick for the part of the world where I grew up (the Middle East).