In September Cathy met up with her new Irish Dream Team members at the Mountains to Sea Festival in Ireland. They chatted for nearly two hours and got lots of lovely ideas on how to spread the word about the CC books.
All the Dream Team members were interested in talking about the transition to secondary school/high school and how it affects friendship and feelings. Jane talked about playing 'five things' when introducing herself to someone new at school: asking them to say five interesting things about themselves; and Nora talked about how her school was tackling bullying in Limerick with various campaigns.
The Dream Teamers were also very keen on adding more videos on the fan page and perhaps setting up a competition to act out a scene from one of the CC books or talk about a book. Cathy thought this was a great idea so watch this space as it could be happening soon! Finally, the Dream Team suggested a cooking and recipe book as they all love Cathy's recipes and make them regularly. It was a brilliant meeting with lots of great ideas. Thank you Irish Dream Team!
Alessandra
What is your favourite CC book and why?
My favourite Cathy Cassidy book is now Cherry Crush, because everything isn't perfect, and Cherry certainly isn't.
Who is your favourite sister from The Chocolate Box Girls series and why?
My favourite sister is definitely Skye, as she reminds me of myself.
What was the best idea you’ve ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy’s books?
To sell CC cakes and hand out leaflets with extracts at the same time
If you could ask Cathy one question right now what would it be?
What was the first book you ever wrote?
What does being a member of the Dream Team mean to you?
Loads, I entered just for a bit of fun and then suddenly I realised that I had got in!
Cherry Crush review
Cherry is a girl living in Glasgow with her Dad and Rover (a fish!) until her Dad decides to move down to England with his new girlfriend, Charlotte. Everything would be perfect...but Charlotte already has 4 daughters...one of whom doesn't want to get friendly. Honey Tanberry has it all. Looks, good grades, a boyfriend to die for, everything a girl could need eh? She doesn't seem to think so and continually tries to ruin life for Cherry...her boyfriend Shay isn't helping matters either. Why does he keep turning up, just when Cherry doesn't want him?
Amber
What is your New Year’s resolution for 2011?
To be true to myself and others
What was the best idea you ever had to spread the word about CC’s books?
Making up a Cathy Cassidy Club
What was your favourite part of the Dream Team party?
The pictures- I have them pinned up on my wall!
How are you going to make 2011 the year you show your friends how much they matter?
I really want to show them that even though I may be in a bad mood I can still put on a smile for them
If you could ask Cathy Cassidy one question right now what would it be?
If she had to write about me what would it be about?
Do you have any plans for Best Friends Day in 2011?
I was thinking of having an all night movie marathon?!
What is your favourite part of Cathy Cassidy’s website and why?
The part about her books- its the most imaginative!
Angel Cake review:
When I first picked up Angel Cake I could NOT put it down. Anya is just a normal Polish girl but with a lot of worries about moving to England and also using the English language.
At first, Anya is the centre of attention but it slowly fades away and that is when her feelings for the school become very ill and she is yearning to go back to Poland.
But when she spots a boy wearing angel wings and giving away cakes, well, it might just have been a miracle.
Letters to Cathy review:
Letters to Cathy is a really wonderful way of calming yourself down and finding out that there is hope out there when you think all is lost. The way that Cathy has reviewed the situation is really wonderful and builds up your confidence lots
Beth
What was the best idea you’ve ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy’s books?
I think that giving out copies of Love, Peace and Chocolate to my friends was a good idea, because now they all love Cathy Cassidy :)
What was your favourite part of the Dream Team Party?
The best part of the dream team party was meeting Cathy Cassidy and other dream team members! And of course going all the way down to London.
How are you going to make 2011 the year you show your friends how much they matter (like Cathy writes in the January newsletter)?
I’m going to show my friends how much they matter to me by listening to their problems and trying to help sort them out, by having lots more laughs and obviously loads of sleepovers!
Do you have any plans for Best Friends Day in 2011?
I think I’ll have a big sleepover with all my friends; that would be fun.
What is your favourite part of Cathy Cassidy’s website and why?
I like the super fans secret page, it’s so cool!
Chloe
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Crazy, caring and funny.
What's your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why?
My favourite Cathy Cassidy book has to be all of them as they are all FABULOUS!!!
What did you do for National Best Friends' Day on July 4?
Sleepovers!!
What did you say when you found out you were a member of the Dream Team?
Oh. My. God!! I won!!
What does being a member of the Dream Team mean to you?
It means the world to me because: I love Cathy Cassidy and I love planning stuff.
My review of Angel Cake:
I thought Angel Cake was a magnificent book. Everyone thinks Dan is a bad-boy but deep down he's charming and sweet - that's just what Anya needs in a difficult situation. I love the fact that it is like the saying - never judge a book by its cover. Overall I would give the book a 10/10. It's a real romantic story!
Somerset
What is your New Year’s resolution for 2011?
To spend more time with my friends!
What is your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why? (Has it changed since last time you answered the questionnaire?)
Cherry Crush because it is so good (I know boring reason!).
Who is your favourite sister from The Chocolate Box Girls series and why?
Summer because she is fantastic!
Do you have any plans for Best Friends Day in 2011?
Not really but I do know that I want to have a sleepover!
What did you do for National Best Friends' Day on July 4?
For NBFD I hosted a picnic in the woods. I made angel cakes, had a treasure hunt with Cathy Cassidy goodies for prizes, a design an angel cake competition and we all wrote our wishes on dream flags and tied them on a tree!
What is your favourite part of Cathy Cassidy’s website and why?
I love the secret page because it is exiting!
Cherry Crush review:
I loved Cherry Crush and it is now my favorite Cathy Cassidy book! The characters were so believable (I just wanted to slap Honey!) and my favorite character was Summer, I like stories about step-families because I am in a similar situation myself and this was an especially good one. I loved the Chocolate festival and I now really want a box of chocs from The Chocolate Box!
Dream Teamer Somerset's NBFD picnic
Zoe B
What is your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why? (Has it changed over time?)
Ginger Snaps is still my No.1 favourite. Although I do love Cherry Crush and adore the cover – Beautiful!
What was the best idea you ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy’s books?
Bake cupcakes with Cathy’s web address on them. Not only would it spread the word but also be incredibly yummy!
Are you going to enter the 2011 My Best Friend Rocks competition?
I think I will, Even if we don’t win – My best friends are still the best!
If you could ask Cathy Cassidy one question right now what would it be?
What made you think up Curry Truffles in Cherry Crush? Hopefully it wasn’t from experience – Urgh!
What did you say when you found out you were a member of the Dream Team?
I didn't say anything... I was too gobsmacked to even think than to say something!
What is your favourite part of Cathy Cassidy’s website and why?
Very difficult to choose, but it would have to be the Groovy page. I love all those freebies to jazz up my computer and the recipes are scrumptious!
Cherry Crush review
Cherry feels she is a misfit. She has no friends and lives with her dad and her fish Rover in a flat in Glasgow. Her mum died when she was only four, leaving Cherry with very few memories of her. The only way she seems to cope with life is by telling ‘imaginative stories’ which is basically lying – Which is never a good idea. Then Cherry’s life changes, forever. Her dad falls in love and they both move to Somerset where a brand new mum and four new sisters await. But then she meets Shay Fletcher, who Cherry instantly falls for. But Shay is Honey’s boyfriend, the eldest of her sisters. If she made the wrong move, it could destroy everything. But does that mean she’ll stay away? This is a brilliant book. There is no other way to say how much I enjoyed it. Cathy writes, the way every writer should, about something they love – For Cathy, that has to be chocolate! The story line got you pined ’till the end. The most amazing descriptions, that made your mouth water – apart from the curry truffles...
A must read, one of Cathy’s best!
Zoe S
What is your New Year’s resolution for 2011?
My new year’s resolution is to try and be less clumsy and to be more eco friendly.
What is your favourite CC book and why?
My favourite CC book is Driftwood because I think it has a really deep message and also shows that some people have stories to tell and need help without always asking for it. This book shows the true power of friendship.
What was the best idea you ever had to spread the word about the CC books?
The best idea I ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy’s books was writing articles for the school’s library magazine about Cathy Cassidy and creating fashion pages based on characters from Cathy’s books such as Scarlet, Joey and Indigo.
What was your favourite part of the Dream Team party?
My favourite part of the Dream Team party was getting to know the other Dream Teamers and meeting Cathy.
Are you going to enter the 2011 My Best Friend Rocks competition?
Yes but I find it hard to choose just one best friend as all my friends mean a lot to me.
What did you do for National Best Friends' Day on July 4?
On National Best Friends Day, I came down to London to meet Cathy. I also went sight-seeing around. I had a great time and I would just like to say thank you to Cathy everyone at Waterstones who made the day really special and exciting. Although the pictures of me with Cathy have unfortunately not come out, I do have some photos of me in London.
The day before, I gave each of my best friends a present and handed out loads of the stickers you sent me. Everybody was so happy! I also stuck up posters all around school advertising the event in London. I have some photos of the presents. The photo of me in London is at horse guards parade. The other photo is of the presents I gave my friends.
If you could ask Cathy Cassidy one question right now what would it be?
I play guitar and sing in a band. Do you play any musical instruments?
What is your favourite part of Cathy Cassidy’s website and why?
My favourite part of Cathy Cassidy’s website is the groovy section because I love customising my computer with cool Cathy Cassidy backgrounds and baking yummy cupcakes and muffins using Cathy’s recipes.
Cherry Crush Review
I thought Cherry Crush was an amazing book. The plot and characters were so believable that every page had me hooked. Life for Cherry isn't easy. She lives in Scotland with her Dad and has no friends at school. In an attempt to fit in, Cherry lies about her life- but it all backfires when the truth is revealed. One day, her Dad meets up with an old art school friend and they fall in love. Cherry's Dad has dreams of running a chocolate business instead of working at McBean's Chocolate Factory and he and his new partner, Charlotte are going to make those dreams a reality. Cherry and her Dad move to Somerset to live with Charlotte and her four daughters, Honey, Skye, Summer and Coco. But, when Cherry falls for Honey's boyfriend, Shay, and her Dad proposes to Charlotte, there's trouble. Will Cherry's new life come crashing down? Will Cherry's wishes come true? Will life for Cherry be sweet or sour? Cherry Crush is a brilliant book full of drama, love, friendship and chocolate. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read. 10/10.
Emily
Did you enter the 2011 My Best Friend Rocks competition? Who is your best friend and why does she ROCK?!
I can't just pick just one Best Friend! I have too many amazing ones they are always their for me and we have so many great memories together, From Zoë who I have been friends with since we were three to Aimee who I have been friends with for five months, You all ROCK!!!
What is your favourite part of Cathy's website?
My fave part of the website is the comp part because I have had so much fun writing stories to enter into competitions there!
If you had one wish in the whole world, what would it be?
That everyone could live together happily with no wars or fights and everyone just living peacefully and all at peace with themselves and each other. (I am a dreamer, I know)
What is your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why?
My favourite Cathy Cassidy book is Ginger Snaps because I love the way it is put together! I can relate to Ginger in so many different ways, she's like my twin! I have read the book four times; I could really understand the ways Ginger felt and all her emotions every time I read it.
Jane (Irish Dream Team)
How did you react when you found out you'd won the Dream Team 2011 competition?
I screamed, ran down the hall in my pyjamas . . . and tripped in my fluffy slippers!
Who is your favourite sister from The Chocolate Box Girls series and why?
Skye because of her happy-go-lucky personality and her epic dress-sense.
If you could ask Cathy one question right now what would it be?
Can I have a hug?
If you had one wish in the whole world, what would it be?
Like Jess and Kady: Love, Peace and Chocolate!
Do you have any plans for Best Friends Day this year?
To have a huge sleepover with a load of friends.
What is your favourite part of Cathy's website?
I like the pages where you can see all the great writing/photos/pics people send in
Leila (Irish Dream Team)
How did you react when you found out you'd won the Dream Team 2011 competition?
Well first I screamed and then I started to hop around and I ran in to tell my mummy and Nanny and I was shaking. It was so awesome. I called everyone I know and I was hopping around my living room singing. People outside were all looking at me dancing so I just did a few hops for them! Oh and I screamed some more! I was so shocked in an awesome way. I still can't get over it.
Who is your favourite sister from The Chocolate Box Girls series and why?
Well I love Skye because I'm so much like her I love vintage and floppy hats and also car boot sales!! I love her so much and I'm quite bubbly too so yeah!!! I love Coco too because I'm like her too. We both love animals and climbing I'm also quite messy!
What was the best idea you ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy's books?
Well I like the idea I got that there could be a kind of day in a local library and all the kids could sit and Cathy would be on Skype and the kids could ask Cathy questions and learn about her books. So, that means if Cathy is busy she can still chat with her fans.
How are you going to make 2011 the year you show your friends how much they mean to you?
Well this year I'm moving to secondary school but I'm going to make sure I keep in touch. I love my best friends they're awesome and me and my bff are going to a Cathy event so yay!!! And I'll make sure to have a great laugh and have fun!
If you could ask Cathy one question right now what would it be?
Do you prefer mushy peas or curry sauce?
If you had one wish in the whole world, what would it be?
I would wish for unlimited wishes!!!
Nada (Irish Dream Team)
What is your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why?
My favourite Cathy Cassidy book is Cherry Crush because the story is about Cherry trying to fit in with a new family and about finding happiness. Who wouldn't love a book about chocolate?! Whenever I read it I feel like I'm there with the characters and I think the story itself is quite quirky and cool.
What was the best idea you ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy's books?
I think my best idea was to set up a Facebook page about Cathy and her books and also to make posters and stick them around my school that had information about Cathy's books on them.
How are you going to make 2011 the year you show your friends how much they mean to you?
By throwing them a huge sleepover a making them a scrapbook with pictures of all of our memories and writing what I love about them.
If you could ask Cathy one question right now what would it be?
When did you realise that you had enough talent to be a famous writer and what advice would to young aspiring writers?
What is your favourite part of Cathy's website and why?
My favourite part would be the writing competitions because I feel it is a way that I can express myself and show my talent.
If you had one wish in the whole world, what would it be?
To be as famous as Cathy Cassidy.
Nora (Irish Dream Team)
How are you going to make 2011 the year you show your friends how much they mean to you?
I'm going to invite them round to make friendship bracelets and give them to each other and often tell all of them how much they mean to me.
What is your favourite part of Cathy's website and why?
Mine is the "You" section because it's the place where fans can put in their own pictures and thoughts.
What is your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why?
My favourite book is Lucky Star because it's amazingly written and there are loads of surprises, the first one being that it was written from a boys perspective which was strange but ended up being great. I honestly couldn't put it down. I'd be reading it first thing in the morning and thing at night.
Who is your favourite sister from The Chocolate Box Girls series and why?
My favourite sister is Skye because she's sweet and friendly and really tries to make Cherry feel welcome.
Alice B
What is your favourite Cathy Cassidy book and why?
I love them all, but Scarlett is my favourite because she is out of her comfort zone and is fierce, but lovely inside.
How did you react when you found out you'd won the Dream Team 2011 competition?
Well I first read the email on my phone and I read it and thought this can't be real, but then ran to my mum screeching "DREAM TEEEAAAM!"
How are you going to make 2011 the year you show your friends how much they mean to you?
By making them friendship bracelets, making them things, or just sending them a nice text or giving them a compliment, anything to make my besties feel happy! :)
What is your favourite part of Cathy's website and why?
Definitely the super secret fan page - I love the password entry and also the mini comps she runs there! So much fun!
Alice S
What is your favourite CC book and why?
Definitely Angel Cake, because it's really enlightening to hear Anya's point of view, and you can really understand how it'd feel, in a brand new country, with a confusing bad-boy who seems to have stolen your heart.
Who is your favourite sister from The Chocolate Box Girls series and why?
Honey, because I know that I would react in an identical way to her if I got a stepdad and a stepsister. I really felt angry at Shay and Cherry when they upset her – and she's not bad inside, just angry – and anyone would be, if someone took their boyfriend.
What was the best idea you ever had to spread the word about Cathy Cassidy's books?
To print out extracts from Cathy Cassidy's books, and hide them in places where people would find them. For instance, hide a laminated extract from Angel Cake and hide it in a cupcake or a cake, or hide an extract from Driftwood in a bottle and send it out into the sea.
What is your favourite part of Cathy Cassidy's website and why?
The blog, of course! I love reading all about what Cathy's up to – and getting the latest news about books, events and so on! I also love the groovy page because – well, it's groovy!
Dream Team Party!
In September 2010 the Dream Team had a special party at Puffin Towers so they could meet me and each other.
The Dream Team are my 9 top superfans who let other readers know about my books - It was brilliant seeing them! There was food, music, goodie bags and a special CC quiz. Of course all the Dream Team got top marks in that!
There on the day were Beth, Zoe S, Somerset, Amber and Chloe. I’m looking forward to meeting up with Zoe B, Charlotte, Alessandra and Lisa soon!
CC x
Cathy and her Dream Team
Cathy reads questions from the CC Quiz
Cathy talks to the Dream Team
Cathy's Dream Team and their friends
The Dream Team and their friends and family take the CC quiz
