MOLLIE CINNAMON IS NOT A CUPCAKE...

Irish writer Sarah Webb tells us all about her new book, Mollie Cinnamon is not a Cupcake!

Sarah says:
My new book is called Mollie Cinnamon is not a Cupcake and is set on a fictional island called Little Bird. I've always loved books about islands and a few years ago I stayed on a small island called Cape Clear, off the coast of West Cork, in a yurt… a round, Mongolian tent. At night I lay on the grass outside the yurt and stared up at the stars and wondered what it might be like to live full time on a small island.

It would be quiet, that's for sure… with only the sounds of birds, waves and the odd dog barking or a tractor humming in the distance. And then my writer's brain started to kick in. I began thinking about island teenagers and how different their lives might be. What kind of things they might do. Where they might hang out.

On the ferry home after the trip, I decided I would create my own island, Little Bird, and write about it. I gave Little Bird a very special cafe at its heart, the Songbird Cafe, a place where everyone on the island meets. Finally, I put Mollie Cinnamon on the island, a girl who is used to city life, an outsider, and then I stood back and watched as the island's magic began to cast its spell…

The Songbird Cafe Girls: Mollie Cinnamon is not a Cupcake is out NOW!

Cathy says:
Sarah's books are warm and fun and perfect for CC readers looking for something new. Check out the first in Sarah's fab new series… and watch out for a special recipe from the Songbird Cafe on tomorrow's DREAMCATCHER! Would you like to live on a small island? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

I'M A FEMINIST… DON'T STEREOTYPE ME!

Reader Chloe writes on why feminism matters… just in time for International Women's Day!

Chloe says:
I'm a feminist; don't stereotype me! I believe in equality, I believe in racial harmony, I believe in all kinds of things. Probably like many of you, my view of feminism is not about wanting to be in some way 'higher' than men or to 'beat them at their own game' but purely wanting equal rights and opportunities, and respect. Is that too much to ask?

Sunday March 8th  is International Women's Day. The day celebrates who we are and what we do as women on this earth. When so many women around the globe are struggling to get even basic rights to an education for example, or not to be married off at age eleven or twelve to a  much older man, or even just to feel safe… well, we have a long way to go. But International Women's Day is also about celebrating women, and that's brilliant!

I'm eleven, and people may say to me, 'You're a bit young to be bothering with all this, aren't you?' but in fact no, I don't think I am too young. We had an assembly at school this week that opened my eyes a lot, and in English we are reading Goggle Eyes by Anne Fine, which also makes me think. Women are the ones who give birth and raise and nurture a new generation, so no wonder we care and take the time to protest against things that are wrong. I myself have experienced things not many eleven year olds have; I don't want to talk about that, but sometimes difficult times can make us stronger.

In Russian class this week our teacher told us that International Women's Day is widely celebrated in Russia. Women are given presents and gifts; it doesn't matter if they have children or not, women are celebrated to honour the feminine half of the human race.

Like my head teacher, I am going to finish with this quote: 'Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights.'

Cathy says:
I agree with Chloe - and with actress Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai and many like them - we all need to be feminists and stick up for our sisters struggling both in the UK and overseas. Would YOU call yourself a feminist? Do you believe women and girls are as good as men/ boys and deserve equal rights, opportunities and respect? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

GET CRAFTY: PAPER BRACELETS!

Our craft consultant Ruth has a fab, easy make that you'll love… give it a go!

Ruth says:

These easy to make bracelets allow you to really display your creativity and individuality - and get a cool message across!
Wear one on its own, or stack them up!

You will need:

Card - thin but strong!
A ruler
Scissors
Pritt stick
Old newspaper
Acrylic paint
Brush
White PVA glue
Inspirational phrases/words printed out or cut from magazines
(wallpaper paste optional)

1. Cut a strip of cardboard an inch or two wide and long enough to go around your wrist. Use masking tape to hold it together (check it's a good fit before you tape it!). Go over the bracelet with masking tape strips to ensure it is strong.
2. Collage the cardboard bracelet with thin strips of newsprint torn from an old newspaper or magazine. Use Pritt stick to smooth on the strips, or use wallpaper paste for a stronger, papier mache finish. If using wallpaper paste, add several layers of paper and paste and allow a day or so for the paste to thoroughly dry.

3. When the strips are dry, paint with watered down paint… go over the text on the outside with your fave colour, but make sure the paint is thin so that some of the print shows through!4. When the paint has dried, collage on your favourite words, phrases or quotes. Print out from the computer or even snip inspirational words from magazines, and paste onto the bracelet using watered down white PVA glue… this has the extra bonus of adding a slight sheen and making the bracelet really tough.
5. Wear it - and rock it!



Cathy says:
LOVE these cool bracelets… and they cost next to nothing to make! Get crafty this weekend and make some of your own; they make fantastic prezzies, too! COMMENT BELOW to share your feedback...

RACHEL: I WAS A TEENAGE TEARAWAY...

Another in our series of growing up in a different decade… we talk to Rachel, who was a teenager in the 2000s…

Rachel says:
There were many changes in my life as I was growing up. First of all, my parents uprooted the family from a rough estate in Greater Glasgow to move to the Northern Highlands. I had loved that so-called rough estate - it gave me a sense of community back when I couldn't even spell 'sense of community.' We moved north so my parents could give us a better life, but I think the only difference was the soft sea air and the beautiful coastal views.

My problems began the day my parents informed me they were splitting up; I developed Sunday night insomnia and an irrational hatred of society. And then Dad became ill and eventually died. I adored my father more than any daughter on the face of the earth and his death ripped a huge hole in my being.

People have said that this changed me and sent me off the rails, but I guess I'll never know the cause… it's hard to look back and guess whether things might have been different. For whatever reason, I began to drink in the park at weekends - lots of my friends did so it seemed normal to me at the time. What I didn't want to admit is that this put me in many dangerous situations over the next few years. Often, the police would question me or give me a lift back home; I became well known to them, a radical little teenage tearaway.

Things changed again when I was sixteen. I left home in a fit of rage; I wasn't getting on with my mum and school wasn't much better, so I packed my bags and moved across town. At the time I thought I was a strong, independent young woman with a new job and a bright future, but the reality was I was a vulnerable, grief stricken girl just waiting for someone to take advantage. That someone was an older man; my brother was not happy, but I wouldn't listen. A whole lot of heartache followed. If you ever find an older man seeking your affections, know that his intentions are bad; save yourself the misery and regret I went through and walk away. Looking back, this man stole my youth; I did not walk away.

Cathy says:
Such a sad story; thanks to Rachel for being so brave in speaking out. Rachel is a successful chef now and is leaving the sadness of the past behind her. COMMENT BELOW to have your say.

HOLLY: WORLD BOOK DAY IS MAGIC!

Teen bookseller and illustrator Holly tells us why WORLD BOOK DAY on March 5th is so important…

'And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.'
Roald Dahl

Holly says:
On World Book Day, this lovely quote from Roald Dahl suddenly rings true to everybody. You can find escapism and magic in any book, regardless of content or theme - the story is yours, the characters are yours, and you've invited them into your life. You will share moments with them, laugh with them, sometimes cry with them - and when you've finished reading a truly brilliant book, those character will always stay with you. On World Book Day, people all over the country will be remembering their favourite books and sharing stories, helping to keep the magic of books alive.

World Book Day also reminds how important it is to support local bookshops and libraries. Bookshops everywhere work tirelessly to supply customers with great new reads and unique author events - I work at a fab indie bookshop and know just how much work goes into organising an author event and making cool displays to attract the customer. Pop down to your local bookshop today - you might well come out again with a personal recommendation from the bookseller and a shiny new book tucked under your arm - more magic waiting to happen!

World Book Day isn't just about the wonderful world of words, it celebrates illustration too. Illustrators have the ability to make words jump out of a book; suddenly the characters are right there, waving at you, waiting for you to turn the page so you can learn their story. Illustrators like Quentin Blake (who illustrated the Roald Dahl novels) and Axel Scheffler (famous for the Gruffalo and much more) are as much a part of those well-loved books as the authors. My dream is to one day be a children's author and illustrator. I've always loved reading, and when I was younger my favourite authors were Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy. I loved how real the characters felt and how the children in the stories often had true life stories they had to deal with.

I recently illustrated the book A Bushy Tale by Bob Stone (about a daydreaming squirrel called Squish)  and this great opportunity just confirmed for me that this is what I really want to do. I have designed a few World Book Day logos for the bookshop where I work because I wanted to show how important it is for children to read and learn through books. Next time you pick up a book, remember that you're not just reading a story; you're stepping into an alternative world that someone has created, just for you, and that's a lovely thing.

Copies of A BUSHY TALE are available from Amazon for £6.99 and from Formby Books, 5 The cloisters, Halsall Lane, Formby, Liverpool L37 3PX.

Cathy says:
I couldn't agree more! Do YOU celebrate WORLD BOOK DAY? If so, how? COMMENT BELOW and tell us what books and reading mean to YOU!

KRISTINA: HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO I AM...

Another in our problem page series… reader Kristina asks Skye Tanberry for advice on boys!

Kristina says:
Skye, I need your advice. I know you had a crush on a ghost boy; I have a crush on a boy too. He's not a ghost, but he may as well be… he doesn't even know who I am. He lives near me and I saw him first when I was biking home… he was with friends and he smiled at me. I've seen him a few times since, at cricket and soccer games, (my brother plays too) but how do I get to know him? I really like him and would love to find a way to break the ice. By the way, I love your style, Skye!

Skye says:
Thanks for the compliment… you've made me smile! Problem-wise, I do sympathise. I am shy and chatting up boys I don't actually know would never be an easy task for me! So, what can you do? Smile at him whenever you see him and then progress to saying 'hello'. If your brother knows him, do some detective work and see if he can tell you more… otherwise, go slowly and be patient! If you get the chance to speak, take a deep breath, be brave and do it… what do you have to lose? Try asking if he knows your brother, or how long he's been playing football/cricket, or which school he goes to… anything friendly and open-ended that might open up a conversation. Gradually, he may become a friend, or a friendly acquaintance… and if he likes you as much as you like him, things can move on naturally from there. Best of luck!

Cathy says:
Skye's advice is good… taking things slowly is way better than scaring a crush off by being too over the top! Do YOU agree, or would you be more assertive? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

ROSIE: A SONG FOR CHERRY...

Another in our short series of playlists for the Chocolate Box sisters… this time, reader Rosie creates a list for Cherry!

Rosie says:
I want to start by giving a shout-out to Chloe who inspired this article with her blog 'A Song For Summer'… it was lovely. So here is my playlist for Cherry!

The first song I have chosen is Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift. It's an obvious choice - it basically sums up Cherry's life! She is so used to living a life of lies in a flat in Scotland… then she moves to Tanglewood to meet her new sisters. Everything rapidly changes for Cherry and she can't keep up. The song also describes Cherry and Shay's relationship. She is so used to being on the outside looking in, and boys not looking twice at her. Then she meets Shay and it is a beautiful and enchanting romance.

I Miss You by Avril Lavigne is my next song. This choice is a bit more sad than exciting; more deep and heartfelt. Cherry misses her mum and feels like even though she hardly knew her there is still a beautiful connection there. She is still struggling to move on. How can she accept a new family without leaving her mother behind? Cherry is just about to step out - but what if she regrets her choice? This song is just perfect for Cherry!

My final choice is Why Can't We Be Friends by War. I wonder who this is about? Honey, of course. Cherry tries so hard to fit in, to be friends with Honey, to make her like her. She struggles to make choices and treads on eggshells around Honey. A line from Sweet Honey made me choose this song especially: Cherry writes Honey a letter saying she wishes they could be friends.

Cathy says:
Great choices… well done, Rosie! Would YOU add any more songs to cherry's playlist? Which ones? COMMENT BELOW to tell me!

ROSIE: LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS...

Reader Rosie decided it was time we heard more about the Chocolate Box BOYS…

Rosie says:
As well as the cool boys in the Chocolate Box series, there were also 'dishwater' boys as Honey would say. Riley and Aaron are two that spring to mind, boys too interested in their looks and very shallow. There were a lot of lovely, kind, caring boys too…

How about Alfie Anderson? OK, I admit that in the beginning I found him annoying… but then we got talking to Skye and he was so sweet. My favourite thing he did for Summer was to give her a box of delicious fruit, and I also loved the part where he and Summer were jumping on the trampoline. I loved Alfie because of his caring nature and dedication.

Then there was Lawrie… again, to start with I found hum surly and unkind, but I could still relate to him. As the story developed, I grew to love Lawrie's passionate and determined attitude. My favourite Lawrie moment was when he said he would never forget Coco… aww!

I liked Ash, Honey's Aussie boyfriend, right from the start. He was such a good boy, the type I would want, who works hard and cares about his family; the type who would treat you as a princess. The confusion with him and Riley got me a bit jittery - I liked Ash, but I worried that Honey would choose Riley. My best Ash moments? I love it when they first meet and he peeks out from under his fringe, and I love the bits where he and Honey play with his little brother and sisters.

Then there is Shay, Honey's ex and Cherry's current boyfriend. Oh, Shay - he is so adorable! I loved him from the start and I'm currently waiting for a boy like Shay to come and be my boyfriend. He was so sweet to Cherry and a good boyfriend to Honey despite her horrible attitude to him. I found it interesting when Cherry called him shallow because I found him very deep. He was so lovely… I wish him and Cherry the best!

Last of all is Finch; he's like a male version of me. I loved his vintage styling and how caring he was, his dedication and love for Skye. Although they live far apart, I hope they can stay together. My favourite part with Finch was when he and Skye first meet at the end of Marshmallow Skye… I also like the bit where he and Skye were staring at each other and Skye let the iron burn her petticoat! Which boy is YOUR favourite?

Artwork by talented reader Deniz - thank you so much!

Cathy says:
Do YOU love reading about the Chocolate Box Boys? Don't miss out on their e-books, Bittersweet (Shay's story); Chocolates and Flowers (Alfie's story); Moon and Stars (Finch's story); and Snowflakes and Wishes (Lawrie's story) all available from the amazon kindle store now. There may be a few surprises in there! So go on, tell us… which boy is YOUR fave? COMMENT BELOW to tell all!

JENNA: LAST MOMENT

Reader Jenna shares a heartbreaking short story based on her memories of her dad, who died four years ago… just beautiful.

Jenna says:
We walk along the strawberry pink path of the park woods, Rosie the dog trotting ahead of us. Birds sing in the trees, making their nests ready for the wintry nights ahead. Forget-me-not flowers litter the emerald grass and in the distance, far behind the chestnut trees, I see turquoise waves crashing on the rocks, splashing people on the golden beach below.

Suddenly, Rosie starts to bark at the little stream that seeps through the woods. She looks at my dad for permission, and at his nod she jumps in with a loud splash, trying to pick up twigs in her mouth without having to put her head in the water. Dad stands by the stream watching her; I walk over to watch too, and after a while we sit down on the banks of the stream. Dad puts his arm around me as he used to do when I was small, and we just sit and watch Rosie. It feels like hours, but I know it's just minutes.

Rosie eventually gets out of the water, shaking her soaking chocolate brown fur so she looks less like a drowned rat. We start walking again, and then Dad starts to jog along with Rosie, getting faster and faster, Rosie running alongside him. I watch them running like birds chasing one another along the pink painted path. I've never seen Dad look so free; like all the roubles in his hard and complicated life have left him, like he is free of the illness that has held him back. He is grinning like he never has before.

Dad slows at last and we walk on together. Dad looks ahead into the distance, like he can see something I cannot. Birds fly above us as we watch and the sound of waves crashing in the distance as we stroll along together, father and daughter reunited after four years apart. And then the pink path gets thinner and thinner, as if it is coming to an end. As I look around, pictures begin to form around me, memories of the good times now gone. In the distance I can see a dim light, and I know what's coming. I turn to Dad, tears in my eyes, and he nods, answering my unspoken question.

'I must go, my time is up,' he whispers, so softly you can barely hear it.

He kisses me gently on the head and pats a now whimpering Rosie. There's a strange white light at the end of the path and as he walks towards it the light gets steadily brighter; then suddenly the light goes out and I am sitting up in bed, Rosie howling at my bedside, reminding me he's gone and will never return.

Cathy says:
I love Jenna's brave tribute to her dad; have YOU ever lost someone close to you? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more, or comment on the story.

KELLIE: EVERYONE WANTED A BOYFRIEND IN A BAND...

Another in our series all about growing up in a different decade… we talk to Kellie, who was a teen in the 1990s…

Kellie says:
I turned sixteen in the summer of 1996; what a great year that was! Every boy - well, lots of them, anyway - looked like Liam Gallagher from Oasis. The dress code was skinny jeans and band t-shirts, Adidas Firebird tracksuits and Adidas Gazelle or Campus trainers. Music was the battle of Blur versus Oasis and laughing at the manic Street Preachers fans in their feather boas! Bedrooms were covered in posters of bands and musicians and any part time jobs we had, the money would go on various music magazines like Kerrang, NME amd Melody Maker to check the gig listings. We were free to go to as many gigs as we could - Ocean Colour Scene for a tenner at the Royal Court, Space on a Friday night… the city was alive and booming.

HMV was the place to buy your music from, and you would always find someone you knew in there. Vinyl was just a pound to buy! New bands were coming up all the time, and everyone wanted a boyfriend in a band - many of us joined bands ourselves! There were no mobiles then. We had pay phones, and everyone would crowd around to hear what was said. No digital cameras either… just a throwaway camera you'd take to the photo shop to get prints. You'd have a boyfriend for a week and then dump them by not ringing back or hiding from them at the next gig! Life then was good. There was no Twitter, no Facebook - people talked to each other. I miss those days… there was no pressure.

Cathy says:
Kellie's account really captures the buzz of being a teen… love it! These days she is a mum and an anti-austerity campaigner, and still loves music and live gigs! Would YOU have liked life as a teen in the 1990s? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

FAMILY MATTERS!

Readers share more of their cool sister stories… naaaw! Read on to find out why family matters!

Lucy Mae says:
My sister Emily is totally awesome - kind of like my guardian angel. She helps me loads, she lots of fun and and is always there for me when I'm down. She's like a best friend who just happens to be my sister! Sometimes we have these days where we feel like we hate each other, but that never lasts for long - we love each other really and I wouldn't swap her for the world!

Grace says:
I love my sister Lily, she's really cool. We share a room together and she always has great advice. We have a laugh together. She can be a bit grumpy if I leave my clothes strewn around the floor, but that's just because she likes the room to be tidy. She is the best little sister in the world!

Caitlin says:
I have four sisters but sadly I haven't seen them for five years now… they live in England and certain circumstances mean it's not possible to stay in contact. In this old photo, I am the blonde one in the middle, smiling like a loon, and my youngest sister isn't in the picture. I remember that we always played make-believe games together, and my older sister and I used to sit up all night sometimes, telling each other scary stories. The downside was that they used to always tell on me if I did something I shouldn't have… but I do love my sisters!

Isis says:
My little sister is just amazing… I look up to her and she looks up to me. Even though we do sometimes argue about stupid little things, we always make it up fast. We are always hyper and we laugh a LOT! You can see from the picture that it's hard for either one of us to keep a straight face. We both like the same things and are always ready to help each other out when we need help or are stuck on something. We're a team. She is a pretty awesome sister and I think we'll always stay close… I don't know what I'd do without her!

Poppi says:
I have two sisters and I get along with both of them, but I see my oldest sister more at the moment. She is six years older than me and we get on like clockwork most of the time. Of course, as I'm fifteen and she's twenty-one we are at slightly different stages of our lives and for that reason we do sometimes get on each other's nerves! If that happens, we are always friends again within the day. I love her to bits… it's a shame I don't see so much of my other sister, because we do get along when we're together!

Cathy says:
Awww… such fab (and sometimes sad!) stories! Do YOU have a sister that gives the Chocolate Box Girls a run for their money? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!