Lauren O'Connor-May is a Catholic, Capetonian, journalist, wife, mother of seven daughters and a fanatical reader who loves crafts and snacks. She grew up in Mitchells Plain and spent her youth trekking all over the city - by public transport - to school, work and for leisure. Her debut, Dream House Adventures, is based on real adventures with her large family and is partly influenced by the imagination of her second youngest daughter, Verity.