Picture book of the month

From double Olympic gold medallist, national treasure and father of four Mo Farah, bestselling author Kes Gray and illustrator Marta Kissi, comes Ready Steady Mo!, a fun and action-packed picture book debut that will get kids reading...and running too!

So, what are you waiting for? Warm up, do the MOBOT, and then...

Run on the pavement

Run on the grass

Run in the playground

Perhaps not in class!

Mo Farah says, "I'm very excited to be working with Hodder Children's Books to create something really special – a book that will hopefully capture the imagination of kids across the world and build their sense of adventure and fun. Many children struggle with reading so it's important we make books as exciting as possible. I love to see my kids enjoying a good book and now I can't wait to find out what they think of mine!"

Kes Gray says, "When I got the call from my publisher, I did a lap round my wife, two laps round my kids, three laps round the kitchen and eight and a half laps round the coffee table. What an honour!"

Mo Farah is a middle- and long-distance runner who is one of the most decorated track athletes in history, winning double gold medals at the Olympic, World and European Championships. He recently became the first athlete to win three long-distance doubles at successive World Championships and has been described by experts as "the greatest male distance runner that Britain has ever seen." Born in Somalia, Mo moved to Britain at the age of eight speaking little to no English. He grew up in west London and began running at school after being spotted by his PE teacher. Mo's achievements were recognised by the Queen when he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013. Mo currently lives and trains in Portland, Oregon, with his wife Tania, their three daughters and his newborn son.

Kes Gray lives in Witham, Essex, with his wife, young family and assortment of animals. Voted by the Independent as one of the top 10 children's authors only a year after publishing his first book, he is the author of the bestselling Oi Frog series and is a 2016 World Book Day author.

Ready Steady Mo! is published by Hodder Children's Books and is available online and from all good booksellers.