Gene Kemp - children's author

Gene Kent grew up near Tamworth in the Midlands. The popular children's author went to Exeter University before teaching and living in Exeter.

Her first novel 'The Prime of Tamworth Pig' was published in 1972. Her Cricklepit School stories have won the Carnegie Medal and the Children's Rights Award. She has also won the Whitbread Award in 1985 and has written for both TV and radio.

Gene Kemp, was a teacher at St Sidwell's School in the 1970's - her Cricklepit books are heavily based on St Sidwell's. She often visits the school, and her books are used with the children to encourage their artwork and imaginative writing.