NNFN Conference

Saturday 11th November dawned bright and beautiful, if a little chilly, as we made our way to Sidcot School, ready to welcome all the delegates for our one day non-fiction conference. Months of wondering, worrying and preparing – and the day had finally arrived! National Non-Fiction November is the perfect time to celebrate all things […]

Saving the Okavango Delta by Catherine Barr

Author of over 30 books to date, Catherine Barr explains why she chose to focus on the Okavango Delta as habitat for the latest book in her ‘Let’s Save…’ series, The Okavango Delta in Botswana, Southern Africa is one of the world’s most spectacular wetlands. Every year, as floodwaters flow in from the faraway Angolan […]

Learning through Infographics by Andrew Pettie

Our guest post today is from author, Andrew Pettie, who reflects on how using infographics engages readers.   Learning through infographics By Andrew Pettie Did you know that around 70 per cent of the way our brain perceives the world is visual? Or that people can identify a picture of a familiar object in just […]

Planet Earth or Planet Water by Ben Martynoga

Ben Martynoga joins us today to consider the importance of water to life on earth.   Planet Earth or Planet Water? You drink it, shower in it, cook in it, flush it down the toilet. You only notice it when you’re thirsty, or getting soaked by an unexpected downpour. Water: you probably take it for […]

Sharks! Sharks! Sharks! by Susan Martineau

In today’s post for National Non-Fiction November 2023, author, Susan Martineau, shares her fascination with sharks and why she was delighted to be asked to write a book all about them! SHARKS! SHARKS! SHARKS! “That’s a mermaid’s purse,” said my grandpa when I showed him the funny-looking, dried-up pod that I’d just found tangled in […]

The Importance of High Quality Non-Fiction Books by OUP

National Non-Fiction November is all about celebrating the importance and diversity of information books available to children. In today’s post by Emily Lawrence, Development Editor in the OUP Home Learning division, and Sam Armstrong, Head of Home Learning, explain why it is important to offer high quality non-fiction books to our young readers. We know […]

Eau so wonderful by Dr Sai Pathmanathan

Join Dr Sai Pathmanathan below as she discusses the importance of water in cooking and celebrates her new cooking book for children ‘Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure!’ Eau so wonderful! Water is important for life on Earth. Every single cell in our body contains water, and it’s vital for so much, from keeping our body […]

NNFN Competition Details

As part of the NNFN celebrations, the FCBG holds a competition to encourage young readers to get involved. This year, we have partnered with Otter-Barry books, taking inspiration from their book, ‘Sea Change: Save the Ocean’, edited by Tobias Hickey of the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society at Worcester University.   This is […]

Fact books- No robot thinkers here by Moira Butterfield

Today, we are delighted to welcome Moira Butterfield, author of many non-fiction titles, including ‘The Secret Life…’ series to the FCBG blog.   Facts books – No robot thinkers here! Moira Butterfield, author of The Secret Life…series Is a fact book just that – a straight and possibly somewhat predictable setting out of factual material […]

Welcome to National Non-Fiction November 2023

Welcome to National Non-Fiction November 2023 To kick off this year’s celebrations, last year’s NNFN co-ordinator, Chris Routh takes a look at what’s in store this November! National Non-Fiction November is one of FCBG’s three annual initiatives that offer a range of opportunities to engage young readers in reading for pleasure & personal interest. This […]