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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Flying High by Cao Wenxuan
We welcome Jake Hope, one of the translators of Flying High by Cao Wenxuan, to the blog today to share insights into this picture book! ‘In China, kites are more than just traditional toys; they are symbols of culture. During traditional Chinese festivals, such as Qingming and Mid-Autumn Festival, kite flying is an important activity. […]
Time Travellers by Sufiya Ahmed
Sufiya Ahmed is no stranger to our blog and we are really pleased to welcome her back with this guest post about her new series, Time Travellers! It’s publication week as I write this, and I am a little nervous about the reception from young readers for my new book Time Travellers: Adventure Calling. […]
Launch of 2024 Read for Empathy Book Collection
Empathy Lab launched their new book collection for 2024 on social media last week! It caused quite a stir as educators, parents, authors, illustrators and librarians joined in to celebrate this new collection. Please read below for all the details! Launch of 2024 Read for Empathy book collection sees major authors & illustrators help […]
How to find a rainbow by Alom Shaha
Rainbows are something that all ages look at with awe and wonder. In this blog by author, Alom Shaha, we can “unweave” rainbows for greater understanding. It’s a lovely blog post. I recently rescued an old overhead projector from a store cupboard full of disused equipment at the school where I work. OHPs used to […]
The Cat who Couldn’t Be Bothered by Jack Kurland
As it is Children’s Mental Health Week, it is an ideal opportunity to share a guest blog from Jack Kurland who shares the background to his book, The Cat who couldn’t be bothered. There are often days when I can’t be bothered. To do anything at all. On one of these doing nothing days I […]
The Second-Hand Boy by Jennifer Lane
A moving guest blog that shares the inspiration behind a story! It is always wonderful to hear from authors about events in their lives that brought about a story needing to be told. The darker side of The Second-Hand Boy When you’re in Year Five, there is nothing more important than having a best friend. Or maybe the […]
Brontë Tempestra by Bex Hogan
Today we welcome Bex Hogan to the blog sharing some insights about her new book, Brontë Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds. A different direction for this author widely known for her YA titles. Fantasy has always been my true love. I wasn’t the kind of child who read to see my reality reflected back at […]
Read it Forward by Mark Thornton
We are sharing a guest blog today celebrating a new partnership that aims to get books into the hands of children. How to support indie bookshops AND BookTrust this February with Read It Forward! Bookshop.org, the online bookselling website that supports independent bookshops, has launched its first ever charitable collaboration with BookTrust called Read It […]
Dreamstalkers Q&A with Sarah Driver
We were given the chance to read Dreamstalkers and pose some questions for author, Sarah Driver about her book and main character, Bea. Do check out her answers in today’s blog. Sarah, can you tell us a little bit about your latest book, Dreamstalkers? Dreamstalkers: The Night Train tells the story of Bea Grimspuddle […]
Q&A with Krystal Sutherland, author of The Invocations
We have a treat to share with readers today- a Q&A with author, Krystal Sutherland. Her latest book, The Invocations, is a thrilling and mysterious story. Can you tell us about your new book, The Invocations? The Invocations is a gothic thriller about a supernatural serial killer loose on the streets of London – and […]
Branford Boase Longlist Announcement
25th anniversary of the Branford Boase Award, celebrating the most talented debut writers for children and their editors 25 vibrant new writers celebrated on the award’s 25th longlist The longlist for the 2024 Branford Boase Award is announced today. Set up in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, one of the founders of […]
Children’s Word of the Year 2023
Oxford University Press are sharing the exciting announcement of their children’s word of the year. Read on for the full details! Climate Change is Children’s Word of the Year for 2023 · A third of children (33 per cent) choose climate change as their word of the year · Research shows impact of current affairs […]
An Unexpected Destination by Stuart White
Today we welcome author Stuart White to the blog to share the journey his writing has taken him on. It’s an inspiring blog, especially for aspiring authors! An unexpected destination In 2009, I decided that I wanted to finally write my first great novel. Something epic, along the lines of Lord of the Rings. But, […]
Jennifer Killick on being a World Book Day author
We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Killick, Queen of Middle Grade horror to the blog today to chat about having a World Book Day title! When my editor called to tell me that my story, ‘Creepy Creations’ had been chosen as a World Book Day 2024 title, I honestly couldn’t believe it. I used […]
Fairytale Ninjas by Paula Harrison
Fairytale Ninjas is a series written by Paula Harrison and we were recently given the opportunity to ask her a few questions about this series for younger readers! Tell us about Fairytale Ninjas. Fairytale Ninjas sees three well-known heroines – Red Riding, Snow White and Goldie Locks – ditch their usual storylines and head […]
Play by Luke Palmer
Happy New Year and welcome to our first blog of 2024, aptly written by Luke Palmer about New Years resolutions. We have also included the Reading group discussion notes as produced by publisher, Firefly Press. I’ve never held much truck with new year’s resolutions. They seem too complete, too final, a big list of monolithic […]
Congratulations to Libby Allman, Plymouth Group Member
We wanted to end 2023 on a celebratory note with the wonderful news that one of our longest standing members and tireless supporter and promoter of books and reading has been honoured by Plymouth Marjon University. The Federation of Children’s Book Groups would like to congratulate Libby Allman on her award of an honorary Master’s […]
Raise a Reader Report from Oxford University Press
We all know the importance of reading and this report published by Oxford University Press impresses on this point even further. Their research and partnership with key organisations will help families and schools to address the on-going need to promote reading for pleasure. 4 in 10 Pupils Have Fallen Behind in Vocabulary Development, According to […]