Today I speak to children’s author Angel Dike, whose debut picture book DADDY IS CLEANING (illustrated by Ebony Glenn) came out in May 2026!
Before we settle down in The Reading Realm for a chat, what’s your drink and snack of choice?
Pukka Tea (Peppermint and Liquorice flavour) and a slice of dairy free cake 😊
Tell us about your book in three sentences and then three words!
Three sentences…Baby loves helping in Daddy is Cleaning. It’s a funny heartwarming day in the life of a father and child. I wrote it to show how dads out there can and do show up.
Three words….Daddy is Cleaning!
If one of your characters could come to dinner, who would you invite and what would you cook them? What do you think you’d talk about?
I’d invite baby for lots of cuddles and babbles. We wouldn’t do much talking, but I’d cook pasta as that’s what my kids used to enjoy as babies.
What’s the funniest word you know that always makes you laugh?
The word ‘bumfuzzle’ always makes me giggle a little. It means confused but also reminds me of a furry bum….and well bums are funny aren’t they? Hmmmm…I need to sneak that into a book one day!
What’s the silliest or strangest thing you’ve ever researched for a story?
I really couldn’t think of anything but for my book out next year I did research what flowers are native to Jamaica and can also grow here, so that the illustrator could include them.
Do your characters ever surprise you?
The strangest thing is, when my main character comes to me they are usually fully formed. In the Middle Grade I’m struggling to write (don’t hold me to ever finishing it) I knew the boy’s likes dislikes, dreams and hopes before I even put it to paper.
If your writing desk could speak, what would it say about you?
It would complain loudly. It would say, ‘why on earth did you create this cute writing nook – you even painted the wall behind that rose pink colour you loved and put up motivational posters – just to make this place an absolute mess!’ Yes it would be one grumpy desk….hmmmm, must go and tidy it!
Did you like reading when you were a child? If so, what?
My mum took me to the library regularly as a child. I don’t even know when I found out that you can actually buy books. So I read widely and happily but my favourite (although she hasn’t aged well) were Enid Blyton Books. The Faraway tree was my favourite. I just loved that you could escape somewhere else if only for a time.
What’s your favourite book that isn’t yours?
This changes on a monthly basis and usually happens when I read a good book I wish I had written it. Currently I just read Fiona Dixons Crow Thief of Magic. If my own Middle Grade book is half as good as that I will be at peace forever!
What book do you wish you could read for the first time again?
On World Book Night in 2012 I found a copy of The Book Thief. Someone had left it as a gift for the finder to enjoy. I loved that book, I wish I could read it again for the first time.
What’s the funniest thing a child has said to you?
The cutest thing was at a recent school visit a child said to me, ‘Please can you come again tomorrow?’ It was so sweet!
If you weren’t an author, what would you be?
I would sing in a Motown tribute band.
What BAD advice would you give to someone who wants to be a writer?
Don’t listen to feedback, you don’t need it honey! You are brilliant!
SPEED ROUND:
Cake or biscuits?
Cake!
Dinosaurs or unicorns?
Unicorns
Pirates or astronauts?
Astronauts
Museums or theme parks?
Museums – have you see the queues at those theme parks lately?
Cats or dogs?
Cats – we have a stray that adopted us
Summer or winter?
Summer (yes even in this heatwave!)
Aliens or robots?
Aliens (nice ones)
THANK YOU Angel for joining us in The Reading Realm today!
