Milly McCarthy: The writer and illustrator behind Cork's answer to Wimpy Kid

Irish kid-lit's new sensation came from a throwaway remark asking why popular kids' books didn't feature Irish kids - Sara Colohan meets the author and illustrator who brought her to life

Milly McCarthy: Irrepressible Corkonian youngster is the protagonist of an emerging series of books for young readers, by Leona Forde and Karen Harte (centre).

It was a throwaway remark from her child that planted the seed. 

Why, Leona Forde’s daughter wondered, was there no Diary of a Wimpy Kid style story about Irish children? And just like that, Milly McCarthy was born.