Phew! That, people, is the sound of my relief at launching the new Sweet Apple website! Excitement, anticipation and a sense of stepping onto a long, adventurous and God willing, prosperous road, soon knock relief off the top spot and settle snugly into my minds heart.

This illustration is a very true reflection of my state over the last two weeks, except if I had a free hand I might be pulling my hair out at times! The launch coincided with one of those tremendously busy times in the life of a single mum – half term! But what’s making our half term more like the Christmas holidays in what my family refer to as the ‘Home Alone’ house, is my sister’s arrival from Gibraltar, with her two young sons. So, much like the McCallisters’, the Mian household is buzzing with adults and children of all shapes and sizes. However, it seems that all the booby traps are cleverly engineered for me instead of the Wet Bandits!

As the founding director of Sweet Apple Publishers, you can begin to imagine how much I am juggling in these busy times – and loving every moment of it! Other than ‘My Dad’s Beard’ we will be bringing you four new books before autumn is out. Ranging from stimulating books for babies to chapter books for those children stepping into that new reading phase!

I make reference to our all time favourite movie growing up, which brings on the realisation that many things are still the same. I was writing rhymes back then, for every occasion and with any excuse, and I am writing rhymes now. Those who know me will agree that I express my love for people, experiences or even objects with silly, funny rhymes. ‘It Must Have Been You’ and ‘Never too Small’ are two rhyming stories I have written for publication late this summer. They are currently in the hands of two talented and trusty illustrators, who make me smile amidst all the madness with their ideas and sketches.

I wouldn’t be here as the person I am today without my faith and without my loving and selfless parents; without my children who are my inspiration and the reason why I do what I do; without my supportive family whose collective talents I have also utilised to get this far; and without my friends, who I depend on for the giggles and shoulders. No doubt, I will need them all in these exciting years to come at Sweet Apple Publishers.

By Zanib Mian