[mc4wp_form id=”15852″]
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Starting small and thinking big by Mary Auld
In today’s guest blog, Mary Auld the author of new information picture book series about life cycles Start Small, Think Big published by Mama Makes Books, has written about the inspiration for writing information books and the Arctic Tern which is the star of the first title in the series, Small, Speckled Egg. Ever since […]
Who’s Afraid of the Light by Anna McGregor
What lurks at the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean? This is something which fascinates many, including author, Anna McGregor, who introduces young readers to the wonders of the ocean’s ‘midnight zone’ in her book, ‘Who’s Afraid of the Light?’. As sunlight is rapidly absorbed as it travels through water, colours are quickly lost, leaving […]
Everything you know about Sharks is Wrong by Dr Nick Crumpton and Gavin Scott
Today, we are joined by author, Dr Nick Crumpton and illustrator, Gavin Scott, who are the team behind ‘Everything You Know About Sharks is Wrong’. Dr Nick Crumpton No matter where you look in the animal kingdom, every species has amazing stories to tell. Not actual narratives, but astonishing adaptations, evolutionary histories, and behavioural curiosities. […]
NNFN Conference
Saturday 11th November dawned bright and beautiful, if a little chilly, as we made our way to Sidcot School, ready to welcome all the delegates for our one day non-fiction conference. Months of wondering, worrying and preparing – and the day had finally arrived! National Non-Fiction November is the perfect time to celebrate all things […]
Saving the Okavango Delta by Catherine Barr
Author of over 30 books to date, Catherine Barr explains why she chose to focus on the Okavango Delta as habitat for the latest book in her ‘Let’s Save…’ series, The Okavango Delta in Botswana, Southern Africa is one of the world’s most spectacular wetlands. Every year, as floodwaters flow in from the faraway Angolan […]
Learning through Infographics by Andrew Pettie
Our guest post today is from author, Andrew Pettie, who reflects on how using infographics engages readers. Learning through infographics By Andrew Pettie Did you know that around 70 per cent of the way our brain perceives the world is visual? Or that people can identify a picture of a familiar object in just […]
Planet Earth or Planet Water by Ben Martynoga
Ben Martynoga joins us today to consider the importance of water to life on earth. Planet Earth or Planet Water? You drink it, shower in it, cook in it, flush it down the toilet. You only notice it when you’re thirsty, or getting soaked by an unexpected downpour. Water: you probably take it for […]
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 […]
The Train of Dark Wonders by Alex Bell
Spooky Season continues today with a guest blog from Alex Bell, author of The Train of Dark Wonders, an exciting and spooky story! One of the things I enjoyed most about books when I was a child was the tightknit friendships you often found between the main characters. Not only did they go on incredible […]