Exploring sibling rivalry in Rochelle Falconer's How to Tame a Mummy Monster
About Author
Rochelle Falconer tells ReadingZone how her own family helped inspire her picture book, How to Tame a Mummy Monster (OUP), a story about sibling rivalry.
Rochelle was born in Jamaica but grew up in Birmingham, the oldest of six kids, raised by her single mum. She loved to write - and felt most at home in the art department at school. Rochelle studied graphic design and has worked for design agencies and the gaming industry, but now creates characters she would love to see represented in picture books. Find Rochelle @RochelleF
Interview
August 2025
Exploring Sibling Rivalry in Rochelle Falconer's How to Tame a Mummy Monster (OUP)
There is a lot that siblings need to learn to navigate in family life - including learning how to get on. For those families struggling with sibling battles, reach for Rochelle Falconer's new picture book, How to Tame a Mummy Monster.
In this story, two arguing siblings discover what happens when Mummy is pushed to far . . . The funny and unexpected arrival of the 'Mummy Monster' is just what's needed to show remind them that getting along can create a much better home life - for everyone.
Review: "How to tame a Mummy Monster is a funny story with an important message about family life and siblings." Maria, ReadingZone
Q&A with Rochelle Falconer: Exploring sibling rivalry and empathy in How to Tame a Mummy Monster
"Siblings fighting seemed to be the hot topic when I'd meet up with other parents. We were all trying to
navigate this stage in our children's development."
1. Thank you for joining us on ReadingZone! Can you tell us a little about yourself, what kinds of work you do, and how started writing and illustrating books?
I've always been creative, and before I became a parent, I was a graphic designer. Then, after my girls were born, I would use whatever little time I had to draw. I went back to basics and started teaching myself the fundamentals. Then, a friend suggested I join her writers' group, and before long, I was combining my drawings with my writing.
I didn't have a clue where I was going with it until I started discussing stories with my children on our walks home from school. It was at this point that the idea of becoming a picture book illustrator began to fall into place. I was already a big fan of so many illustrators like Oliver Jeffers, David Roberts, and Ed Vere. I had loved reading their books to my girls, not to mention the many picture books I had loved as a child; it was like I had been studying for this dream job without realising it. Now I get to create my own stories and bring them to life. It's an amazing feeling.
2. What happens in your new picture book, How to Tame a Mummy Monster?
It's a story about Ruby and Junie, and how their sibling squabbles bring about a whirlwind of a monster who forces them to think about their actions.
3. Have any real life situations helped inspire this story, about turning a mummy into a monster?
Well, being a mum of two who are close in age has given me plenty of material to write about! This book is mostly inspired by the summer holidays I used to have with my girls, when they would find all kinds of things to argue and fight over. Luckily, by the end of the holidays, they always seemed to fall into step with each other, but boy, did they put me through it up until that point.
I was 10 years old when my mum had my first sister. So I had never experienced this irritability towards my siblings; it really stood out to me watching my own. Also, it wasn't just me going through this; siblings fighting seemed to be the hot topic when I'd meet up with other parents. We were all trying to navigate this stage in our children's development.
4. What kinds of discussions with young children do you hope the story will prompt?
Navigating this stage is so difficult. It can make you feel invisible as a parent because by the 10th argument of the day, it's not always easy to know what to say. Plus, when they're in the middle of bickering, they're not always willing to listen.
I wanted this book to be an opportunity to discuss empathy, problem solving, and how working together has its advantages, that the rewards can be so much bigger and fulfilling. Sitting down for story time and reading a book together is the perfect time for that because that's when they're calm and ready to listen.
5. There is a strong message in the story of encouraging siblings to get along. Was it challenging to turn this idea into an engaging story?
Because this story is about arguments and teasing, it was important that the message was about coming together and how our behaviour affects others. So I needed a character that would encourage the children to want to team up, as well as make them think about how they have made someone else feel. So my biggest challenge was creating a disruption that was big and bold but not enticing!
6. How did you approach the illustrations in this picture book, which is full of energy and colour? And how do you make your 'mummy monster' fun rather than frightening?
I had already formed a lot of the scenes in my head for this book, so I started there. I drew out the kind of arguments that the children would have and then built the characters and their world around that. I wanted a fun and cheeky monster that was approachable and silly, but was also linked to Mummy.
The colours of the monster are actually the same as Mummy's head wrap, and she also has the same earrings and curl pattern in her hair. Keeping these small things between the characters helped to connect the mummies.
7. What is your favourite moment or spread in the story, and why?
When mummy monster eats all their favourite snacks! My two always bickered over what things belonged to whom. Who gets the purple plate, who had more grapes, and which snacks belonged to whom. Strawberries, grapes didn't last five minutes in our house and I was lucky if I got any! So I love that Mummy monster gets to indulge and spoil herself. Plus, it was so much fun to draw!
8. Can you tell us about your work on representation in children's books in How to Tame a Mummy Monster as well as your earlier picture books? Do you feel publishing still has work to do here?
I think we should always be striving to make every child feel seen. Representation is always at the forefront of my stories because picture books play a huge role in our children's development, and it's important that we use this space to its full potential.
We have an opportunity to build self-esteem and to break down stereotypes, inspire young minds to be problem solvers and adventurers, and to be kind and show empathy. We need to be constantly building on this, so there's always more work to be done.
9. Are you working on other books currently? Where is your favourite place to work and what does a writing / illustration day look like for you?
I have a little studio space where I work digitally and paint, surrounded by my many plants. My day starts with a coffee and then a walk around my local park. When I'm writing, I like quiet, so I tend to take my laptop down to the office/shed in our garden. We have guinea pigs, so I let them roam about in the enclosed area of our garden and then watch them whilst I write.
I am currently illustrating a couple of projects, one of which is the second book in the Cosmic Cadets series, Cosmic Cadets and the Bubblegum Bots, written by the very talented Ryan Crawford. He's created this amazing space adventure that's funny and action-packed. I can't wait to share it.
10. What do you enjoy doing when you're away from your studio? Where do you go to get inspired?
I love my long walks on the Heath and watching the crows. They are my favourite bird, second only to the parakeets. It's my happy place, and I've come up with many stories whilst on one of my walks. I also love movie nights with the family; my girls are now teenagers, so we are currently introducing them to some of our favourite 80s classics. The Goonies was first on the list! It's my perfect rainy day adventure movie.
How to Tame a Mummy Monster
