On the third day of Christmas...

But really, who needs a French Hen, let alone three?! So instead of giving anyone such a 'poultry' gift (groan - sorry!), I have done some rigorous field research into some much more interesting gift ideas.

First up, and in keeping with the French theme, are these gorgeous LED nightlights from Pabobo; a company based in Paris. They kindly sent me the Barbapapa chain light (pictured below) which we all love - me especially, as Barbapapa was my favourite cartoon and very few people seem to remember it. Pabobo have a lovely range of plug in and portable nightlights, chain lights and projectors which would make a lovely gift that is just a little bit different. The lights come with a UK plug.

If you're looking for something to do with all the photos you've taken of the kids this year, why not treat yourself, or family members to a photo calendar? Photobox do a fantastic range of calendars which allow you to select size, themes, layout and even add important family dates to. The service from Photobox is excellent and the products are very high quality.

In case all the real snow has disappeared by Christmas Eve, the Marie Curie Cancer Care shop has 'magic snow' among its range of gifts. This works by adding water to the contents of the sachet and the snow grows in front of your eyes! The kit comes with footprint and hoofprint templates to really make it look like Santa and Rudolph have been down the chimney! Use voucher code MC10 to get a 10% discount at the Marie Curie Cancer Care online shop. 100% of the profits from the online shop sales go to providing free nursing care to terminally ill patients in the comfort of their own homes or in one of the 9 hospices.

If you didn't see this last year, you have to check out the Portable North Pole where you can create a free, personalised video message from Santa to your children including their name, age, what they have been good at this year and what they're hoping for from Santa. It also includes a navigation screen to show the route from the North Pole to your home. This is absolutely guaranteed to cause great excitement; especially if you wait until Christmas Eve to show your children their messages.

Finally, thank you Next for the lovely French Hen logo used at the top of this post. They have created a logo for each of the 12 days of Christmas, so expect to see a few more over the coming days! Don't forget to check out their gift ideas at Next.co.uk like these fab digger wellies - I just wish I'd had them this week (for the boys that is, not for me).

This is a sponsored post.

On the third day of Christmas...

Story Spark: Interview with author Ali Sparkes

Continuing my children's book author interviews to coincide with 'StorySpark' at The Ark, Dublin, I'm delighted to have finally made it through 10ft snowdrifts to speak to the excellent Ali Sparkes who kindly stopped building snowmen to answer my questions. Ali's book 'Frozen in Time' was the winner of Blue Peter's 2010 'Book I couldn't Put Down' and 'Book of the Year' awards. Her most recent title, 'Wishful Thinking' was published this summer. Ali will be reading as part of the 'Once Upon A Time Adventures' session for 8-12 yr olds at The Ark this Saturday 4th December at 4pm. Click here for information and booking details.

Hello Ali, help yourself to a mince pie there. Now, firstly, we'd love to know how you got involved with writing children's books?

I worked in journalism for many years, as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and in radio, and set out to get some scripts accepted by the BBC and other parties, after having some minor success with comedy vignettes on Radio 4 (Woman's Hour and Home Truths). I collected a lot of very nice rejection letters! In my early 30s I decided to make a real push for it and was advised to stop faffing about with scripts where the odds were so stacked against success and to try books. I did. Many, many rejection letters and hopeful but ultimately unfruitful meetings later, I finally got my first book deal with OUP in 2005.

Hurray! So, where do you get your inspiration?

All around me in ordinary life - I like to write about ordinary characters to whom something extraordinary happens. I love the contrast of normal with paranormal or extraordinary. When I was a newspaper reporter the best interviews I ever got did not come from celebrities but from ordinary folk who had experienced something life changing. Much more gripping!

So, how long did it take you to write your most recent book?

About three months. It's UNLEASHED: TRICK OR TRUCE, a 40,000 worder (ish) featuring Spook Williams, a character from my earlier Shapeshifter series. Have to say, though, that two months was spent faffing about, thinking, researching, hanging around with magicians and the like... and the last month was VERY fast writing. I tend to do it that way, although I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.

It wasn't Paul Daniels was it?! 'Story Spark' is such a great idea - how often do you participate in events like this where you read to your fans? Do you enjoy it, or do you get nervous?!

I've never done Story Spark before or anything quite like it. I normally have a whole author 'gig' - very interactive, with loads of props - but have rarely spent a lot of time just reading aloud. I will do a bit of interactive stuff, because just me reading for a whole hour is a bit dry... I have some 1950s fun up my sleeve for in between chunks of Frozen In Time. I won't say too much except this... there will be an opportunity to win a can of signed SPAM. OK... calm down everyone...

Ooo, I LOVE Spam - brings back very fond memories of school dinners. How important are events like 'Story Spark' in encouraging children to read and be excited about books.

Incredibly! Anything that makes reading special will help. Reading should be about pleasure, not duty. The learning is incidental, as the best learning always is...

Here, here. Before you go, please could you tell us what your favourite children's book is (not your own!), and why?

Very hard to choose just one, but in a fight between My Side Of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George, Brendon Chase by BB and The Whispering Mountain by Joan Aiken... Joan Aiken might just have the edge.

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Thanks to Ali for her fantastic insights. If you fancy that can of Spam - or just want to listen to Ali reading and see what other tricks she has up her sleeve - why not join her on Saturday.

Story Spark: Interview with author Ali Sparkes

The year in pictures

I have a gazillion photos of my children (and not much else) but, unfortunately, they are mostly hidden away on my PC or on a memory card somewhere. Every now and again I do get myself organised and print a few out to send to family members, but for the most part they live in my hardrive; unseen by anyone. 'Undisplayed Photo Syndrome' is, apparently, quite common but the good news is, there is a cure. Ta-daaaaa.

It is known as a Kodak Photo Book. These are high-quality, hardbound photo albums which are perfect for keeping your favourite photos from the year, or of a particular holiday, all in one place and VISIBLE! I gave one to the boys' grandparents last year and I think it was the best christmas present they have ever received. It is proudly shown to everyone (and I mean, everyone) who enters the house!

The Photo Books make great Christmas gifts and are easy to compile and order through the KODAK Gallery website where you can choose from a variety of book sizes, colours and page templates. Find out more and start creating your Photo Book at Kodak Gallery

Also, until the end of January 2011, you can take advantage of an exclusive offer to get 2 Kodak Photo Books for the price of 1 by using voucher code 2FOR1PHOTOBOOKS

For the next 12 days, Kodak are also running a brilliant competition to become Kodak’s ‘Photo Book Family’. The ‘Photo Book Family’ will win a KODAK Pocket Video Camera and £50 KODAK Gallery credit to create a Photo Book. To be in with a chance of winning this excellent prize, send your best family photo to Kodak.Xmas@ketchumpleon.com Kodak will select the winner from all entries.

Good luck!

T&Cs

Voucher

The 2 for 1 voucher code offer is valid until 31.01.11 on www.kodakgallery.co.uk. Maximum of 1 free Photo Book per customer, voucher code can only be used once. Offer is valid on all Photo Book types (excluding the mini book).

Competition

The competition runs from Dec 1st and ends on Dec 12th. The winner will be required to supply Kodak with footage of their family compiling their Photo Book within 28 days of receiving the prize. The competition email address will be live from Wednesday Dec 1st and entrants will need to send their full name, address and family photo to this address to enter. One entry per person, open to UK residents aged 18 or over.

This is a sponsored post.

The year in pictures