This is a model of how an author’s website should be constructed. It doesn’t use frames and is much more than a static repository of information about the author and his titles.

Best known for his witty picture books, Colin Thompson used the site to post chapters of a novel in progress.

Dav Pilkey. www.pilkey.com.

Includes a cartoon autobiography and lots more background information on the creator of Captain Underpants.

Libby Hathorn. www.libbyhathorn.com.

The streaming video interview with this Australian author suffers from the inevitable et congestion at times, but it’s good to see an author site making maximum use of the medium.

Shoo Rayner. www.shoo-rayner.co.uk.

One of the first authors to use Flash animations, Shoo Rayner publishes original story projects on the site and much, much more.

Regularly updated, and now including teacher tips and educational activities.

Bernard Ashley. www.bernardashley.cwc.net.

A bright, easy-to-navigate site. Unassuming, but with all essential features (author factfile, and so on) in place.

MICHAEL THORN Michael Thorn is deputy head of Hawkes Farm primary school, Hailsham, East Sussex.