To keep a crowd of nine-year-old girls riveted for an hour is no mean feat and that’s exactly what happened at Canberra Girls Grammar School on Tuesday as the best-selling author spoke about her writing career, her childhood and her Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose series of books.

But then Harvey knows a lot about what interests young girls. Both Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose are primary school aged girls; their lives are full of horrible teachers, best friends, mysteries and adventures.

She also has the benefit of a 20-year teaching career to call on for story ideas. She was most recently director of development at Abbotsleigh, an independent girls’ school in Sydney, before quitting in November 2012 to dedicate herself to full-time writing.

She has written 10 books in the Alice-Miranda series since the first was published in 2010, the latest Alice-Miranda Goes to Camp is out this month, and Clementine Rose, for younger readers, has made seven appearances since it was first published in 2012.

Harvey plans several more books in each series. She has also just published an activity book and a diary to accompany the books.

Harvey is also excited that the television rights for Alice-Miranda have been optioned by SLR Productions.

Harvey is buoyed by the idea that children are reading her books. That children are reading, full stop.

“In the doom and gloom surrounding the book industry the one real shining hope is children’s books,” she says.

“In my experience children are still reading and they are reading books.

“They enjoy the physical aspect of holding a book. I’ve had a couple of children say they’ve got my books on their e-readers, I was even asked to sign the back of a Kindle once, but for the best part kids still like books.”

Sales of children’s books have jumped 12 per cent in the last year, according to the Australian Booksellers Association. They account for 31 per cent of total sales in bookshops across Australia.

Harvey loves visiting schools to meet her young readers.

“It’s always fun to meet the kids and see what they enjoy about the stories,” she says.

“When you write for children you hope your books are read and enjoyed and that the children want to keep reading.

“Sometimes the questions they ask you are really surprising and insightful, sometimes I really have to think about my answers. It just shows that they are paying attention when they’re reading and that’s a great thing.”

Harvey also visited Burgmann Anglican College, St Monica's, Brindabella Christian College, Radford College, Yarralumla Primary and Southern Cross Early Childhood School in Scullin during her two-day visit to Canberra.

“I’d love to hear from any school at teachers@randomhouse.com.au who are keen to have me come and meet their class.”

On Thursday afternoon there was also a book signing at Paperchain Bookstore in Manuka.

“They do the best cupcakes at Paperchain,” Harvey laughs, looking forward to being surrounded by the things she loves most – children and books.

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