Kaye Umansky
About Author
Born an only child in Plymouth in 1946, Kaye Umansky grew up as the daughter of two teachers.
Once Kaye left school, she became a teacher and taught in primary schools for a number of years. She enjoyed teaching the more creative subjects, like Drama and English, and reading to the children, rather than the sciences and maths. Outside of the school gates, she continued writing stories as well as acting and making music. Through this, she met her husband, Mo.
Kaye's first book, Phantasmagoria, was published in 1985 just before she had her daughter, Ella. Over 130 books later, Kaye has won four awards, including the 1993 Nottinghamshire Book Award and the 2008 Stockton Book of the Year.
Some of her favourite things include her family, reading, the colour red, high-heeled shoes, snow, and eating cheese when she shouldn't. Kaye also loves to travel, and has visited much of Europe as well as Hong Kong, China, Thailand and the USA.
Kaye lives in North London with her husband and two cats, Heathcliff and Jeremy. She writes most days, in her office at the top of her house.
Interview
WISH FOR A WITCH
SIMON AND SCHUSTER CHILDREN'S BOOKS
OCTOBER 2018
KAYE UMANSKY, author of the bestselling Pongwiffy books, is back with an enchanting new series that began with WITCH FOR A WEEK, in which Elsie Pickles gets to house-sit a magical tower for a witch, Magenta Sharp.
In the latest adventure, WISH FOR A WITCH, Elsie Pickles finds herself visiting a magical department store where she also had to deal with a very grumpy genie.
This is a magical series, perfect for all those young witches in waiting....
We asked KAYE UMANSKY to tell us more about her new series and the latest book, WISH FOR A WITCH:
Q: Why do you enjoy writing about witches and magical creatures? Are these the kinds of stories you enjoyed as a child?
A: As a child, I was always drawn to fantasy. I loved books about witches and enchanted forests and magic spells. I could never find enough of them. I try to write the sort of books that I would have liked to read under the bedclothes by torchlight.
Q: What sparked the idea for the witch, Magenta, needing a house sitter for her tower?
A: I wanted to write a story about an ordinary girl getting the opportunity to dabble with magic. The tower has 'all the gear' needed for Elsie to get creative and experimental. And there are no adults around to stop her!
Q: Elsie is the 'witch for a week'; what are the most important things she learns during her week in the tower?
A: She learns the three important rules of witchcraft:
1. Read the instructions.
2. Follow the recipe
3. Make it work.
The last one is the trickiest. You have to believe in yourself. It's all about self confidence.
Q: Magenta's tower moves around. If you could live in it, where would you like it to be?
A: Oooh, that's a hard one. I'm very fond of snow - but I also love the idea of a tropical island. Can I move between the two?
Q: What made you decide to give Magenta a raven, called Corbett, for company?
A: I love birds that talk. Whenever I come across a parrot, I have to be dragged away. Also, ravens traditionally belong in towers. Magenta and Corbett don't really get on, but they are stuck with one another.
Q: The other characters include a woodcutter called Hank, Sylphine who is in love with Hank, and a post boy. Which did you enjoy writing about the most?
A: I'm very fond of Sylphine. She reminds me of myself when I was 13 - plump and clumsy, but longing to be dainty and princess-like. I loved animals too, like she does - but they tended to run away when they saw me hurtling towards them with outstretched arms and a mad, enthusiastic grin.
Q: There is also an 'Everything you Need to Know' book in the tower, which answers your questions. What question would you be most likely to ask it?
A: What can I do to help bring peace to the world and fix the environment?
Q: Magenta has some fabulous magical gadgets in her tower - which one would you like to have in your home?
A: I don't need a magical larder because I have a husband who is a good cook. A Spelloscope is appealing. I think most of us would like to spy on our neighbours when they don't know they're being watched...
Q: If you were a witch, what would your favourite spell be?
A: I'd love to use some of Magenta's Belt Up Balm, which stops people talking. There are certain politicians who could do with a smear of that on their lips.
Q: What happens to Elsie when she 'house sits' again for Magenta in Wish for a Witch?
A: This time, she will be goes on a very exciting shopping trip to a magical super-store in the seventh dimension!
Q: Where is the most magical place for you to write?
A: In my tiny office up the stairs. It has stars in the ceiling, and fairy lights, and all my favourite books.
Q: What would be your top tips for children who want to write a story with magic in it?
A: Everybody has a different approach to writing a story. There is no right or wrong way - just what works for you. I always decide who my central character will be and get to know them. I don't worry too much about working out a detailed plot to start with. The plot often unfolds itself as I write.
Maybe a good question to ask yourself is: What magical thing would I most like to happen to me? Find a wand? Develop an unusual superpower? Walk through a cupboard, fall down a hole or climb a tree and find myself in a strange land?
When I was a kid, I wanted all of those things to happen. How about you?
Q: What do you enjoy doing the most when you're not writing?
A: I like eating. I read. Chat to my husband. Cuddle the cats. Watch television. Listen to music. Go to the cinema. Swim in the summer. Walk in the park. Visit friends. The same as most people, I guess.
Q: Given that it's October - what will you be dressing up as for Halloween?
A: I do enjoy dressing up. If you look at my website, there's a picture of me dressed as the Queen Of The Night. But this time I might just stick on my witch hat and answer the door to trick or treaters brandishing my broomstick.
Wish for a Witch
Witch for a Week
