The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Q&A with Caryl Lewis about Seed
The story starts like a real life read but changes subtly through the book to become more fantastical – was that always the plan, or did it evolve that way? It was always my intention to make the book a mix of the ordinary and the more magical. As a child, I was always drawn […]
Belonging by Simon Packham
I often think of the 1960s housing estate that I grew up on in Brighton; the swing park where I scored my first goal in a kickabout, Dwelly’s the sweet shop where me and Simon Denyer deliberated over our penny chew selections, the lino-floored public library that helped fuel my love of reading. It was […]
Belonging by Lisette Auton
Photo Credit: Paperboat Photography by Laura Tindall Belonging for me is fitting in, that sense of comfort and being able to be entirely you and accepted for that. Comfy pyjamas, cup of tea, I am absolutely and utterly at home here sort of feeling. Bookshops and libraries need to give us that comfy feeling too. […]
Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms
Love Grows Everywhere began in 2018 as little more than a rhythm in my head, calling for words that might fit with the beat. Back then, it was called ‘Love Lives Everywhere’, a loose idea about love being welcome in all homes. I soon hit a creative block, however, and had to change direction. The theme […]
A Sense of Belonging by Sharon King-Chai
It was almost 10 years ago that I turned myself into a ladybird. But not just any ladybird. A ladybird with no spots. A ladybird who looked different to the others, who knew she did not belong. This was the first story I wanted to share with the world – Lucy Ladybird (Templar, 2013). The story may […]
Ben Andrews’ Better Places
Ben Andrews author of Better Places Picture Books published by Tiny Tree Children’s Books Books help us feel a sense of belonging. A belonging to a writing or reading community, through stories we can relate to or characters we identify with. Children’s literature is no exception and likely more significant in this regard, with books […]
Belonging in a Broken World by Anne Cassidy
The story in my new novel THE DROWNING DAY takes place in the year 2052. The world has been devastated by rising waters and the survivors live in a fractured and cruel society. Jade, Bates and Sansom are three twelve years–olds who are struggling to survive in the Wetlands; another flood threatens and they must […]
Finding your People by Simon James Green
The world can be a big, lonely place, so the need to feel like you belong somewhere is natural. Belonging can mean different things to different people – a home to call your own, people who love you, or a local community who pull together through thick and thin. If you’re lucky, you have a […]
Q&A with Sharon Creech
Sharon Creech has kindly taken the time to answer our questions about her latest book, One Time. Many of your books are taken from your own life experiences. Does writing bring back a sense of nostalgia about those family trips, settings or family members? I do enjoy revisiting those family trips and settings, and […]
The Belonging of Books by Laura Mucha
I spend a lot of my time thinking about the importance of feeling welcome, feeling accepted, feeling like you belong. But sadly, very, very sadly, not all children are born into situations where this is the case. Many are born into abusive or neglectful homes. Many are born into homes with severe substance abuse. Many […]
Similarity, Difference and Everything In-Between by Ziggy Hanaor
Similarity, Difference and Everything In-Between Alex and Alex is a book about friendship and tolerance aimed at pre-schoolers, ages 2+. The premise is really simple – Alex and Alex are friends who like lots of different things. They have a bit of a falling out with one another and have some alone time, but […]
Belonging by Michael Mann
Michael Mann has written a wonderful and personal piece about his own sense of Belonging, which ties in perfectly with our theme! As a person of mixed heritage, I feel mixed about belonging. Part of my identity is about not fitting the category – being in between. And I was proud of this growing up. […]
Noodle the Doodle by Jonathan Meres
It will come as no major surprise to anyone who follows me on Twitter, that I’ve ended up writing a series of books about a dog. Because that’s pretty much all I ever tweet about these days. More specifically, my labradoodle, Pablo, who’s lying by my side as I write this and whose photos and […]
Being a Branford Boase Award Judge by Struan Murray
We were in awe of the books shortlisted for this year’s Branford Boase Award and are so pleased to share a blog from the previous winner, Struan Murray, about being a judge! Best of luck to the judges and to the shortlisted authors and editors for their brilliant books! This year’s shortlist is overflowing with […]
National Share a Story Month Book Lists
Today is the 1st of May and we are thrilled to begin National Share a Story Month 2022! Our theme this year is Belonging and we hope that all readers can feel a sense of belonging when they read books. Whether they feel at home within the setting, can empathise with the characters or feel […]
The Hunt for David Berman by Claire Mulligan
Claire Mulligan is an Irish debut author, whose children’s stories have been published in The Caterpillar magazine and she has written and recorded for RTE Radio 1’s Sunday Miscellany. In 2018 she won third place in the RTE Radio 1 Francis McManus Short Story Prize. The Hunt for David Berman is her first middle grade […]
Q&A with Chris Haughton
It is the 10th birthday of the lovable George, one of Chris Haughton’s most well known books! We sent some questions across to Chris about this book, character and illustration. He has sent back the most brilliant answers! Your picture book Oh No, George is 10! Congratulations. Your lovable dog has proved reallypopular with young readers […]
The Great Fox Illusion by Justyn Edwards
The Great Fox Illusion is a fantastic glimpse into illusions and magic. We are so pleased to share a guest blog from Justyn Edwards, the author of this super book! The Process Behind the Novel: How The Great Fox Illusion Came About As a child, my parents would sometimes take me to Hamleys toy […]
