Many parents out there would agree that it’s hard to find time to become a published author in amongst juggling work and children, but two mums from Bucks have done just that.

Kate Peridot, from Wooburn Green and Jenny Davis, from Buckland Common won a competition hosted by Mumsnet to write a short children’s story with an animal theme.

Ten winning stories were chosen from more than 600 entries by a celebrity judging panel and turned into a book, The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories.

Kate, who penned The Elephant Carnival, said: “I have always been interested in the idea of writing for children as I have two of my own. I have never won a competition before and I was really excited when I saw this one.

“A chance to write a children’s story doesn’t come around too often, so I sat down and wrote my story about an elephant especially for it.” 

Jenny, who wrote Little Miss Wolfy Good, said: “I had wanted to sit down and see if I could write a story for children for a while but just hadn't found the time.

“When the competition was announced on Mumsnet, my youngest was only five months old and my husband had been working abroad for three months.

“I was so desperate to do something for myself after a few very difficult months, that I just knew I needed to find the time and finally do it. I wrote it on a train journey in to London, the only time I had had away from the children in months.”

The competition was judged by Guardian journalist Lucy Mangan, Miriam González Durántez and Anthony Browne, a former Children’s Laureate, as well as Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet.

Despite the daunting prospect of being judged by professional authors, Kate and Jenny both agree that the experience was worth it.

Kate said: “It was daunting, but brilliant at the same time, especially Anthony Browne. I met him at the book launch and he gave me some fantastic advice to keep writing and don’t give up.” 

Jenny, a novice writer who admitted that she hadn’t written a story since she was at school, said: “It was really exciting.

“To know that my story had been liked by people in the industry, it doesn't get better than that.”

Both Kate and Jenny were thrilled with the finished book, which was released on October 2.

Jenny said: “It was such a wonderful experience to see the words brought to life by Mel Howells’ gorgeous illustrations. I still can’t stop looking at the book to check my name is still on there.”

Kate agreed, praising the work of her Illustrator, Briony May Smith: “It’s fantastic to see the story in print. With children’s stories, the writer and the illustrator get to work closely and I really love the illustrations for my story; they really make it come alive.”

The competition has paved the way for a bright future in children’s writing for both the winners.

Kate said: “Walker Books, who published The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories, want to look at some more of my writing, so I am working hard on that.

“It’s really exciting.”

Jenny, who has three children, aged six, four and one said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the process though and it has become a bit of a hobby.

“Since the competition, I have attended a Guardian masterclass on children's writing and try to now carry a notebook with me at all times.”

However, in case Jenny’s new status as published author left her feeling over-excited, there’s nothing like the honesty of children to put you in your place.

She said: “I didn't read (the book) to (my children) until I had been printed in the book as I wanted to save it and make it as special as possible.

“I read it to my eldest two in bed, the day I received a copy of it. I was close to tears as I read it.”

“They were completely quiet until the end, and then I waited for their reaction and my daughter said... 'What's the next story about?' I was brought back down to earth with a bump.”