Sue Hendra introduces Supertato's very veggie Christmas tale

Supertato: We Wish You a Veggie Christmas!

About Author

Sue Hendra talks to ReadingZone about co-creating the bestselling Supertato series with Paul Linnett, and Supertato's newest Christmas tale, We Wish You a Veggie Christmas!

Sue Hendra grew up in Wimbledon and has always loved making up stories and drawing pictures. She studied at Brighton University and has been creating picture books ever since. When she's not making up stories, she loves to swim.

Paul Linnet was born near the sea at Brighton but he grew up in Derby, where he studied graphic design and played guitar in a band called The Chihuahuas. Since then he has created many award-winning picture books.

Interview

November 2025

Sue Hendra introduces Supertato's Christmas tale, We Wish You a Veggie Christmas

ReadingZone spoke with author and illustrator Sue Hendra about creating the bestselling Supertato picture books with Paul Linnet, including the latest in the series, We Wish You a Very Veggie Christmas!

Sue also shares ideas for taking the Supertato characters further with fun activities for children at Christmas time and beyond.

Q&A with Sue Hendra: Introducing Supertato and his latest adventure, We Wish You a Veggie Christmas

"I think my favorite thing about my job is bringing objects to life and seeing
what they have to say for themselves."

1. Can you tell us a little about yourselves, and how you were inspired to write your first picture book, Supertato, about supermarket vegetables? Have these characters become a big part of your lives?

Oh my goodness yes. Who would have thought when we made that first book back in 2014 that we would now be planning book 16 in the series! I'm sure Paul wouldn't mind me saying that we both have a very silly sense of humour so making these books has always been great fun. We have felt very much in our comfort zone and have always taken pleasure in trying to amuse each other with puns and jokes.

Creating the first Supertato book came about largely because of our love of superhero stories and wanting to make our own. We thought it might be interesting to choose something ordinary and perhaps a little overlooked, so a humble potato it was!

2. What happens in their new adventure, We Wish You a Veggie Christmas? How exciting is Christmas in supermarket Veggie section?

SO exciting! The Veggies have made a little grotto, it's got a train and a huge sparkly Christmas tree. Supertato has dressed up as Santa and the veggies are Christmas elves. There are presents everywhere and it's even snowing!

Unfortunately though, someone wants to put a stop to all this fabulous festive fun. I bet you can guess who, and this time they have a particularly evil plan to shrink Supertato and veggies, turn them into decorations, and hang them at the top of the Christmas tree!

3. Can you suggest any activities that children might enjoy alongside a Supertato reading?

I love turning vegetables into super veggies! All a potato needs is a cape, belt, mask, eyes, arms, legs and some drawn on details and it's ready to fight crime. I think my favorite thing about my job is bringing objects to life and seeing what they have to say for themselves. It's easy (and inexpensive) to bring a potato to life and when you have it can star in its own story. Perhaps have a try?

Alternatively, what about making the veggie crew into actual Christmas tree decorations? Perhaps an oval of cardboard might be preferable to a potato, though, if your decorations are going to survive the Christmas period . . .

Watch Sue Hendra introduce her own potato 'Supertato' in this short video, and find out more about Supertato's new Christmas adventure:

4. When you're creating a new Supertato picture book, how do you plan the stories, and who's in charge of the text, images - and jokes?

It's never the same process, it has always been different for each book. Paul came up with the idea for We Wish You a Veggie Christmas. He had a vision of those poor veggies dangling from the top of the Christmas tree after being shrunk by the Pea. I thought it was great idea. I came up with the idea for the most recent book - but I don't think I'm allowed to tell you about that one yet . . .

Once we have an idea that the other likes, we both try and make it work as a story. It is often necessary for us to make multiple versions of the story before we find the best way of telling it. We both contribute imagery, text, and of course jokes.

5. What are your main characters, Supertato and Evil Pea, like; have they changed much over the course of their adventures?

It's funny you should ask me that because in the Supertato book we have just finished, something happens that changes the dynamics of Supertato and the Pea's relationship quite dramatically!

6. There are so many hilarious puns and funny moments in these books - any favourite moments in your new Christmas story?

One particular rather christmassy character makes me chuckle in this story but I'm not going to tell you who it is . . .

7. Other than lots of giggles, what do you hope young readers will take from the Supertato books?

Paul and I have always been keen to make children think, and question things. Paul's idea to make a Supertato book involving time travel is a great example of this.

I always enjoyed books that were a bit surreal as a child, perhaps this is why it seemed very natural to give Barry the Fish some fishy fingers or Norman the slug a donut for a shell.

8. You've said you're planning more adventures for Supertato and Evil Pea - what are you working on currently?

We have just finished book 15 in the series and will be starting number 16 soon. I'm excited to say we are currently working on the first Supertato flap book, it's SO much fun! And it's spooky, too.

9. Are you a Supertato or Evil Pea when it comes to Christmas? What do you love - or loathe? - most about the celebrations?

Like Supertato, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas! I think my favourite thing might be the food - but I love it all.

10. What are your favourite times spent away from your desk and studio?

I'm addicted to swimming, I swim in an outdoor pool all through the year. If work allows, I swim a mile every weekday morning. Even though I count my lengths I still find it a great place to problem solve plot issues and have ideas. Apart from this, I love taking my dog Betty for walks in the woods or going to the cinema for more weird and wonderful stories.

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