The former Children's Laureate was at an event sponsored by the Much Ado Bookshop in the village to give a talk to the thrilled audience.

Copies of her newest titles My Sister Jodie and Jacky Daydream were available to buy and were snapped up by queuing children.

The author, who signed copies of her books after the talk, took part in the event following a visit to the business, which was awarded Independent Bookshop of the Year 2007.

She said, "I love bookshops and it's so lovely for an independent bookshop to be so successful.

"On a trip to Lewes I met a friend who took me here and I loved it. Then I was on a panel to choose the best independent bookshop and it was a wonderful choice.

"I was then asked if I would do an event for Much Ado."

Despite having penned a series of popular children's books including The Story of Tracy Beaker and Best Friends she says it has been hard work to get this far.

She first started out working with the Dundee-based publishing company DC Thomson on a new girl's magazine.

Jacqueline said, "I always wanted to be a writer since I was six and I never really thought I would be able to make my living as a writer.

"For many years my novels were published but I had to do a lot of magazine work to pay the bills.

"It's lucky for me that my children's books have been really popular."

The Surrey resident, who has also published crime novels for adults, said she has always been interested in children and their points of view, which has helped her greatly in writing for this age group.

Her ideas for her latest titles stem from her being an only child and wanting to focus on relationships between siblings and the idea of a 'bad sister' and 'good sister' (My Sister Jodie). It is also the first time the author has written about a boarding school.

Jacky Daydream focuses on Jacqueline's own childhood and she was keen to write an autobiography aimed at children rather than adults.

As well as enjoying her three-week tour to promote her work Jacqueline is also busy writing for other projects.

She said, "I have a book that is coming out next October and another one in February.

"It's always a struggle to keep going sometimes and to keep up with my deadlines and I feel happy when they are complete.

"The October book is called Cookie and is about a white rabbit that features in this with a little girl with an extraordinary name and the book in February is going to be another Tracy Beaker story.

"I never thought that Tracy Beaker would take off.

"The first story of Tracy Beaker was about 17 years ago and it is quite amazing what has happened since."

Asked what advice she would give to anyone hoping to carve a similar career for themselves she said, "I think you have to keep going no matter what and I don't see the point of writing unless you really love doing it.

"So many children say they want to be a writer and say they want to be rich and famous but most writers are very poor.

"If you like storytelling and adore playing with words then that is helpful, otherwise it is worth trying something else."

Much Ado partner Cate Olson summed up last Wednesday's event, "It's so nice that Jacqueline said we are her favourite bookshop in the world.

"We are so pleased to work with an author and team that are so lovely.

"The young children enjoyed it and that means so much to us and makes us pleased to be booksellers. All the people we work with at the shop found it such an inspiring evening.

"Our only regret is that we had to turn away as many people that wanted to come here. I think hopefully we will have another event sometime at a bigger venue.

"We have had parents in the shop this morning saying how much it meant to their children."

For more information about Much Ado Bookshop please call 01323 871222.