Still looking for stocking-fillers to satisfy the demanding little people in your life?

A local mum might just have the solution, as she releases her fantasy children's adventure story set in the town where was was born and raised.

Louisa Clarence-Smith chats to author Larisa Villar Hauser about her book, UMA & IMP.

Tell us about the plot.

UMA & IMP is a fantasy adventure for boys and girls aged 8-11. Uma isn't like other kids: her parents mysteriously died in Peru and her best friend is an invisible imp with attitude. When Uma has the chance to find out what happened to her mum and dad, she begins a journey that leads to the uncovering of a family secret and takes her to a mystical temple where she discovers that her parents' death is even more mysterious than imagined.

Why did you decide to set the story in Wimbledon?

I was born in Wimbledon and lived there when I was Uma's age. The streets and landmarks resonate on a deep level that seemed to draw me back when it came to writing this story.

Do any familiar landmarks feature?

Uma lives on a street off Gap Road, although neither are named in the book. She goes to Parkside Hospital to try and locate the mysterious Professor Harris. Eventually Uma tracks him to a place called Fir Lodge, which is an amalgam of Cannizaro House and a big house on Arthur Road just near Leopold Road. There is an escape through Wimbledon Common ... all these places are etched in my childhood memory.

Do you ever get writer’s block and if you do, how do you overcome it?

I get writer's block if life is moving too fast. But as soon as I make the time to slow down the ideas come. At least, so far that's always worked!

Are you a member of a book club?

No, sadly! But I am a member of SCBWI, the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators, which is basically a big writer's club!

Do you have children? If yes, how do you encourage them to read instead of watching TV?

I started reading to my daughter when she was only a few months old and she seems always to have had an enormous affinity to books. One of our daily bickers is at lights out when she doesn't want to stop reading - no matter how much time she's already had! Of course, she likes watching TV too, but well, I just turn it off. Mean mummy.

Where can readers buy the book?

By order from any bookshop, online from Waterstones or Amazon, or through the website www.ImpPrintBooks.com.