Portsmouth author to launch book in London museum

Katy Hounsell-Robert’s Sophie’s Friendly Spiders tells the story of a girl petrified by spiders who then goes on an eight-legged adventure.

Katy, from Old Portsmouth, said: ‘I am very excited and feel really privileged for the Natural History Museum at Cumberland House to invite me along to launch my new book Sophie’s Friendly Spiders.’

Katy, whose interest in insects inspired her story writing, has invited visitors to share their spider stories as she reads sections of her new book.

She said: ‘The launch will give people the opportunity to share experiences they’ve had with spiders, with some other spider-themed activities planned.’

She said: ‘There will be illustrations on papers from the book for children to colour in if they want.’

The book is the second in the series after the success of Katy’s previous insect adventure ‘Ben’s Bees’.

The launch is at the museum on May 28. Sophie’s Friendly Spiders is available to pre-order on Amazon for £6.99.