Geri Halliwell's campaign to get children reading and writing

Writing is a powerful medium through which to express thoughts, ideas and dreams and without it we would miss out on so many of life's opportunities. However, writing and reading go together – that's why Spice Girl turn children's author Geri Halliwell thinks parents should try to read with their children more.

Why have you chosen to support Nick Jr’s bedtime reading initiative?

I think reading to children can really set a great foundation for their future. You can read you have access to so much information. You can also learn about things that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to if you couldn’t read. If children are introduced to books from an early age it sets them up for an adventure through life.

I think Nickelodeon appeals to the younger generation and it is brilliant that Nick Jr is running this bedtime reading initiative. I also think that Nick Jr’s campaign is encouraging children to write and interact with their parents which can help them to bond. Writing has been such an amazing experience for me that to encourage other people to do the same whether aged six or 60 is brilliant.

Have you always read books and enjoyed writing?

Yes, I love reading and writingI find that it is my escape. I actually had some down time a few years ago and I was looking for a way to be creative. I had always enjoyed writing so I just starting writing stories and it felt very natural I thought ‘oh my God! This could be a new medium for Girl Power by expressing it in a different way to reach a new generation!’

Do you do bedtime reading with Bluebell and have you found that it has benefited her development?

I read to Bluebell when I put her to bed and she absolutely loves books.Sometimes she even takes the books into bed with her and won’t return them! She enjoys Charlie and Lola and books that are quite interactive and I definitely feel that she is already very creative.

What prompted the move for you to go from pop star to children’s author and do you ever think you’ll return to the stage?

I’ve moved on from music and I really don’t have a desire to do it anymore. I just love writing and I’ve always loved communicating with people. Becoming an author has been a transition. I always loved writing the lyrics for the Spice Girls songs. The creation, concept, storylines and videos were the parts I found most enjoyable. I’m quite a visual person so for me songs were a part of storytelling I think I’ve always been a storyteller plus I’m a massive reader. In fact I read books more than I watch television.

Did you manage to do much writing on the Spice Girls Reunion Tour?

No, none! I did take my laptop with me and I was planning to but we were far too busy.

Your first book Ugenia Lavender was published in the summer – how did that make you feel?

I am so excited!  It seems to be doing really well and the thing with children is that they are honest. They are the best critics and they seem to really like the character. What I like about Ugenia is that she is a good role model. She isn’t perfect and she is flawed to a certain extent. She is naughty but she can be nice and there are always consequences for her behaviour. I also think that is the reason why adults enjoy reading the book to their children. I’ve actually completed the Ugenia Lavender series of books and I’m now concentrating on a new idea that is bubbling…