Moon Bear by Clare Helen Welsh

Wordless books are an engaging resource for children and families of all ages. Clare Helen Welsh has a wordless book published now and she shares some tips and reasons to why we should be sharing wordless books.   WORDLESS WONDERS – Getting the Word Out about Wordless Picture Books By Clare Helen Welsh   In […]

The importance of place and landscape in Ettie and the Midnight Pool by Julia Green

Julia Green recently attended our annual conference and her workshop was a huge success. Read on for her guest blog about the inspirations behind Ettie and the Midnight Pool. The importance of place and landscape in Ettie and the Midnight Pool by Julia Green My earliest encounter with the Lake District was in a book. […]

How to write a funny picture book by Sean Taylor

Looking for some brilliant tips to help you write a funny picture book?  Look no further- author Sean Taylor has shared 7 tips with our readers today!   HOW TO WRITE A FUNNY PICTURE BOOK by Sean Taylor Sean Taylor is the author of over 60 books for young readers – many of them picture […]

Oddney’s Otherland by Rodney Matthews and Sarah Matthews

Fans of fantasy books and world building are in for a treat with the guest blog from Sarah Matthews, wife to acclaimed fantasy illustrator, Rodney Matthews. She shares some insights and illustrations into Oddney’s Otherland.     Oddney’s Otherland: Chronicles from Beneath the Shed In Search of the Two-Headed Firedrake As a child I loved […]

Terra Electra by

Can you imagine a world without electricity? Or a world where electricity is more dangerous than you can think? Check out Antonia Maxwell’s guest blog about her book, Terra Electra!     Lights out! A world without electricity? As a child of the 1970s, I remember not only cheesecloth shirts, Spangle sweets and denim flares […]

Creating Characters for Mabel and the Big Wide World by Jane Porter

We are delighted to share a blog from illustrator, Jane Porter about her illustrations in Mabel and the Big Wide World, published with Otter Barry Books.   Creating characters for Mabel and the Big Wide World, Otter Barry Books When I was invited to illustrate Paul Stewart’s touching and tender text for Mabel and the […]

How Author Events Have Changed by Erika McGann

Many readers will identify with Erika McGann’s thoughts on author visits in schools and bookshops. It’s lovely for everyone to get a glimpse into the experience of the author.   How Author Events Have Changed Erika McGann   I’ve been doing author events in schools and libraries since my first book was published in 2012. […]

Branford Boase Award Winner- Nathanael Lessore

Last evening, Nathanael Lessore was crowned the winner of the Branford Boase Award on its 25th anniversary. Congratulations Nathaneal!  We are honoured he has written a piece for us around his tips for writing!   Writing what you know … by Nathanael Lessore The winner of the 2024 Branford Boase Award winning, Steady For This, […]

The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan

This book has been compared to Bridgerton and The Hunger Games, miles apart in genre! Intrigued? Then read on for our guest blog from author, L.M. Nathan.   The Virtue Season has been compared to both Bridgerton and The Hunger Games, which might seem like an odd pairing at first glance, but these two seemingly […]

Bear vs Dragon by Marcela Ferreira

We have an interesting and fascinating blog about language and whether humour is translatable from author, Marcela Ferreira.  While the book will make you laugh, this blog will make you think!   Bear Vs Dragon is my third picture book, but my first official ‘funny’ book. The story is about conflict, resolution and friendship, with […]