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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant by Craig Barr-Green
Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant is the second book based around the character of Gina. Author, Craig Barr-Green shares some insights into how he wrote these books and it is a fascinating read. Writers have different starting points. If they are talented enough to be able to draw (I am not), then they might start […]
Writing Tips from Mel Taylor-Bessent
Our blog today is ideal for sharing with budding young writers interested in creating a story. Mel Taylor-Bessent has shared her top five writing for pleasure tips with us and they are brilliant! Follow them and have fun writing. FCBG 5 top Write for Pleasure tips 1) Don’t worry about making your writing […]
Summer Sleuthing Booklist
Every month we put together a booklist based around a theme or style of book for children. We want these to be used by parents, teachers and students so that new authors, genres and styles of book can be discovered and shared. August’s booklist is entitled Summer Sleuthing! Everybody loves a good mystery! There is […]
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 […]
Changing Tides by Julia Moscardo
We welcome Julia Moscardo to the blog today sharing some insights and illustrations from her book, Changing Tides. It is a story of new beginnings, inspired by one image. CHANGING TIDES The idea for Changing Tides started with an illustration. It was an illustration reminiscent of my trips to the sea as a child, with […]
A Feast of Stories Competition Winners
We have a special blog for you today! A special write up from Dudley Children’s Book Group as well as the announcement of the winners of the Design your own potion competition! Congratulations to all 391 entries to this competition. It was both a joy and tricky to shortlist for our guest judge Carrie Sellon! […]
An Ode to Libraries by Daisy May Johnson
Many, if not all, members of the FCBG will resonate with this ode to libraries written especially for us by author Daisy May Johnson! I have always navigated my life by libraries. When I last moved house, I remember asking the estate agent where the nearest library was. It turned out to be in a […]
Marvellous Makers Booklist
We have a brilliant booklist for you to share today with your communities. The Summer Reading Challenge has the theme Marvellous Makers for 2024 and so our booklist has a few extra recommendations suitable for this theme! It can also be downloaded from our website for printing. Booklists
Flame Chasers by Julie Pike
We think today’s blog will resonate with those who love stories and discovering where an author gets their ideas from! Thank you Julie for this lovely guest blog. When I visit schools to chat about being an author, the question I’m most often asked is ‘where do your ideas come from?’ I always say […]