Jean Ure wrote her first children's book at the age of 16 and has been a star in the firmament ever since.

Her latest title Dandelion (HarperCollins) is a quirky story about family, friendship and time-travel. On her walk to school one day, twelve-year-old Lily sees a very unusual girl appears out of nowhere! It is 1953 and this stranger is dressed in a green sparkly dress, purple tights with orange swirls and has bright yellow hair sticking up like a dandelion. Could it be that the girl is from the future? And what does she want with Lily?

Jean lives with her large family of rescued cats and dogs in an old house, built circa 1690, in South London.

Twitter: @jeanure1