Entries by FCBG blog

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 […]

Q&A with Derek Landy, Author of Skulduggery Pleasant

We have a cracking end to Spooky Season with a Q&A with author Derek Landy!  Skulduggery Pleasant is a widely popular series and now has its first graphic novel to read!  Check out our Q&A below and have a safe and happy Halloween. HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE SHIFT BFROM WRITING BOOKS TO GRAPHIC NOVELS? […]

Isn’t it marvellous when things go wrong by Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Jack Meggitt-Phillips is the internationally bestselling author of the monstrously funny The Beast and the Bethany books. The latest book in the series, The Beast and the Bethany: Child of the Beast is out now. Here, Jack talks us through how he sources ideas for his books . . . Isn’t it marvellous when things […]

The Reluctant Vampire Queen Bites Back by Jo Simmons

We have a brilliant guest blog from author Jo Simmons about her spooky books, The Reluctant Vampire Queen and The Reluctant Vampire Queen Bites Back. My recent teen books, The Reluctant Vampire Queen and The Reluctant Vampire Queen Bites Back, published in 2022 and 2023, sit firmly in spooky territory. I mean, obviously! They feature […]

Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters by Ciannon Smart

Spooky Season continues with a new title sure to thrill and chill!  Check out our guest blog from Ciannon Smart, author of Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters. Something Spooky this way comes . . . It might be a relief to learn that I wasn’t always fond of monsters. When I was a […]