Welcome to the first blog of National Share-A-Story Month 2021, a special post from Diane Gaunt, Chair of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. The Federation of Children’s Book Groups has been inspiring and encouraging the sharing of stories since its inception in 1965. In 1974 the then Vice Chair, Pat Triggs, instigated a National […]
Due for publication tomorrow (29th April 2021) is Sera Milano’s debut YA title This Can Never Not Be Real, which is a gripping story centring around five characters looking to survive in the most uncertain and scariest of circumstances they could ultimately find themselves in. I recently had the opportunity to interview Sera on behalf […]
Guest post by Sue Wallman Five years ago, after the publication of my first young adult thriller, I started a new career as a school librarian. Although untrained, I brought to the role a huge enthusiasm for books and writing, and an interest in young people. In turn, my job has had an interesting influence […]
History of Cars is a new book written and illustrated by Elliot Kruszynski and Published by Cicada Books. It is a brilliant, brightly illustrated look at the history of cars, from BC (before cars) through the age of steam and into the modern cars we use and those we may see in the future. Read […]
A guest post from Julia Golding, author of a new series of books featuring a young Jane Austen as a detective! Read on for a fascinating look at taboo subjects during Jane Austen’s time. What does Jane Austen NOT talk about? Shall we start a list? Sex (in Bridgerton terms), slavery, colonisation, politics, elections, human […]
In 2015, I took part in a Youth Libraries Group (SE) conference in Winchester. The keynote speaker, Julia Eccleshare, began by asking the audience comprised of librarians and participating authors to turn to each other and name the book or books that turned us from someone who read into a reader. With the others at our […]
This is a superb blog post from author Gemma Fowler on world building, and how notebooks and scribbled notes may not make it into the book but shape the characters, the setting and the story. Fantastically written blog post for a fantastically written book, City of Rust! When I was thirteen I realised that […]
A guest post from Ally Sherrick Award-winning children’s author Ally Sherrick reveals the inspiration behind her new middle grade historical adventure, ‘The Queen’s Fool’ … ‘Where do you get your ideas from?’ As you might guess, it’s probably the question authors get asked the most when they visit schools. And of course the answer is […]
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups has its AGM this coming weekend on the 17th of April. As a celebration, and a nod to the missed conference this year, we are pleased to be offering members a chance to take part in a brilliant quiz with the exceptional Christopher Lloyd. Read on for more information […]
The Supreme Lie is an emotional, twisting and intense book- worthy of a dozen prizes! Well thought, well written and brilliantly thrilling, this is one to savour! We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to ask author Geraldine McCaughrean a few questions! A crisis in a book with a supreme ruler running away- an […]
