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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
National Non-Fiction November Competition Details
This year for National Non-Fiction November our theme is Past Puzzles and Timeless Treasures! Our booklist features curious objects, books about historical places, people, and artefacts. We have lots of activities that you can be doing to celebrate non-fiction with children – do take a look at the activity booklet on the National non-fiction November […]
The Fossil Keeper’s Treasure by Amy Atwater
Welcome to another National Non-Fiction November blog post. Today Amy Atwater tells us more about her book and the inspiration behind it! The Fossil Keeper’s Treasure Amy Atwater Every scientist starts out as a curious kid. My book, The Fossil Keeper’s Treasure, is an ode to all the children out there who are inspired […]
The Merry Christmas Murders by Alexandra Benedict
We welcome Alexandra Benedict to the blog today answering a few of our questions about her debut middle grade mystery, The Merry Christmas Murders. Was it challenging to move from writing adult mystery to middle grade? I was really aware when I started writing this book that I’d have to think even more […]
Owl King by Bex Hogan
We welcome Owl King author, Bex Hogan to the blog today sharing insights into fairytales and how they inspired her writing. Once upon a time, fairy tales weren’t for children. They were dark and terrifying, filled with content that would make modern day parents’ toes curl. They were told to reflect grim realities, stories shared […]
Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature by Caroline Brewer
Caroline Brewer, author and illustrator of Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature explains why she wrote Harriet’s biography using poetry! I wrote Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature in poems because Harriet herself was/is poetry. When I think of Harriet, I think imagery. I think of word association and sound. Her life, like poetry, bursts with rhetorical […]
Luna Grace by Julie Sykes
We recently sent a few questions to Julie Sykes about her new series, Luna Grace! Check out her answers below! Where did you get the idea for this new series? I love the idea of having moving magic and I really wanted to create a book with a character that could move things by thinking […]
The Horse Dreamer by Holly Surplice
We have a beautiful blog from Holly Surplice, author of The Horse Dreamer, about her story and characters. The Horse Dreamer first appeared in a sketchbook over a decade ago. My youngest was just one at the time and I just knew I didn’t have the brain capacity then to write the story I […]
Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop by Krystal Sutherland
“Time Lions began with an accident”, what a great first line to our blog today. Author Krystal Sutherland shares how the book and concept, Time Lions, came about! Time Lions began with an accident. I (Krystal) was researching something for another book. I went to search for “Ancient Greeks” on Google, but I made a […]
Squirrel and Bird by Laura Baker
We have a lovely blog today from Laura Baker, author of Squirrel and Bird. She shares some inspiration behind the book with us! WE ARE MORE THAN LABELS: THE INSPIRATION BEHIND SQUIRREL AND BIRD Have you or any of your children/pupils ever been labelled as ‘the quiet one’? ‘The loud one’? Maybe even ‘the cheeky one’? Does that limit how other people see you, […]
The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson
Simon Stephenson shares his inspiration behind writing books for children. The Snowman Code is now available in paperback ahead of the Christmas season. What Inspired Me to Write Children’s Books The Snowman Code is my first book for young readers. It tells the story of the unusual friendship that develops between Blessing, a […]
My Book of Classic Nursery Tales by James Mayhew
Many of us will have grown up with familiar tales and nursery rhymes. James Mayhew shares his insights into the importance of storytelling and voice but also in sharing these tales from childhood. Like so many children, I grew up with traditional folk tales, in particular the Ladybird series of “Well-Loved Tales”, and […]
Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children, Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara
We welcome Lauren O’Hara to the blog today answering a few questions about her latest project, Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children. It’s a fantastic collection of popular stories brought to a new generation of reader! Why did you choose this collection of stories? What appealed about Oscar Wilde? I grew up with Wilde’s […]
And the River Drags her Down by Jihyun Yun
On the blog today, we welcome Jihyun Yun sharing some insights about her book, And the River Drags her Down. Why YA needs a touch of darkness – and how writing about loss and grief helps young people confront their own emotions within the safety of fiction Last year, I attended a dinner […]
Dead Yard Seeds of Doom by P.J. Kilburn
We welcome author, P.J. Kilburn to the blog today sharing some personal insights into her book, Dead Yard Seeds of Doom. The first dead yard I remember attending was for my grandmother. I was 12 years old and in Year 7 at the time. I had probably attended ones before that age; growing […]
The Rise of Neptune by Scott Reintgen
Author Scott Reintgen shares a blog with us today about his books and how they may inspire boys aged 10-15 to pick up a book! Hoping for a Rise in Reading: The Dragonships Series and Its Complicated Audience The Rise of Neptune is out/launches worldwide this week. It is the sequel to The […]
Catching up with Emma Farrarons, Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize
We are delighted to welcome Emma Farrarons, winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize to the blog today, answering questions about winning this prestigious award. Catching up with Emma Farrarons, winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize Emma Farrarons has just been announced winner of the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize, awarded to the most promising and […]
The History of We by Nikkolas Smith
We welcome Nikkolas Smith to the blog today sharing answers to a few questions about The History of We, published by One World Publications. The History of We takes us all the way back to humanity’s beginnings in Africa. What inspired you to tell this story? Growing up, the textbooks I had in school […]
A Poem for Every Question by Brian Bilston
Recently, we sent a series of questions to poet, Brian Bilston about his new book, A Poem for Every Question. Check out his answers below! Where did the idea come from to create a book of poems around questions? If truth be told, the publisher – Farshore Books – approached me with the idea. It’s […]