Children’s Book Award Blog Tour- The Torto-saurus by Katie Cottle
Today begins the blog tour for the four titles shortlisted in the Books for Younger Children category. Four widely known picture books feature on this shortlist and each day this week, we will bring you a Q&A with the creators of each book. Do watch out for more each day.
The Torto-saurus by Katie Cottle, Published with Little Tiger.
How does it feel to be nominated for the Children’s Book Award? This is the only book award that is voted on solely by children across the UK.
It’s such an honour to be nominated for this award – especially when the voters are children! When working on picture books, you hope that your story/illustrations will be enjoyed by at least one kid out there! So I’m so happy that the Tortosaurus has left an impression.
Tell us more about your book.
‘The Tortosaurus’ follows Dot as she starts a new school, and struggles to make new friends. She ends up hiding behind a big stressful lie when all she needs to do is be herself! Luckily, Monty the Tortosaurus gives her the courage to do so.
What do you hope that readers will take from reading your book?
I hope they’ll take away the message that it’s always cool to be yourself!
Where do you find ideas and inspiration for your books?
I like to doodle and daydream, and combining those things often leads to ideas for me! The Tortosaurus started with a drawing of a tortoise dressed as a dinosaur. I started to imagine who this tortoise was.. why was he dressed up? Was he happy, grumpy, showing off? And sometimes ideas just hit you when you least expect it!
Are you working on anything exciting that you can tell us about?
I’m working on illustrations for some brilliant new books! I’ve been drawing lots of planets, a lovely family of wolves and some interesting habitats. Really excited to share more about those soon…
What advice would you give children keen to be an author or illustrator in the future?
Have fun! When you enjoy what you do, that magic will flow through your stories and pictures.
Children across the UK are encouraged to get involved. Copies of the books can be purchased at a discount from our partner supplier Heath Books here https://www.heathbooks.co.uk/federation-of-childrens-book-groups-childrens-book-award-2026/ and online voting will be opened on Monday 23rd March here https://fcbg.org.uk/childrens-book-award-2026/
The deadline for voting is 12 noon on Friday 8th May and category winners and the overall winner of the most popular children’s book published in 2025 will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 13th June, attended by representatives from all our local groups and livestreamed on the FCBG YouTube channel.
