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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Spooky booklist
On the first of each month we share a booklist compiled by FCBG Members. As we head into darker evenings and a spookier time of year, these books are sure to delight many readers! This list is available for downloading from our website along with other recently published lists. Booklists
Klaus Flugge Winner- Mariajo Illustrajo
Earlier this month, Mariajo Ilustrajo was named winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. She won for her book Flooded, published by Frances Lincoln. Flooded is a funny but powerful demonstration of the impact of climate change in which animals attempt to carry on with […]
Channel Fear by Lisa Richardson
We love promoting debut authors through the FCBG blog! Today we welcome Lisa Richardson, author of Channel Fear, a thrilling YA novel. She shares a bit about her inspiration with us! With a long-held dream to see my book on a shelf in my local bookstore, Channel Fear is my chilling YA […]
Butterfly Wings by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude
We are sharing a lovely Q&A today with both the author and illustrator of Butterfly Wings. You can get a great sense of the time and energy that both author and illustrator have into the process of creating a book, one that deals with climate anxiety. Butterfly Wings – a guest blog from author Samuel […]
The Magic of Forests by Vicky Woodgate
The MAGIC OF FORESTS and all things non-fiction BY VICKY WOODGATE I just LOVE the beginning of an idea, followed by the research and then its pitch time! It might be my favourite part of the book making process. I love the seed of an idea, pun intended J and with The Magic of Forests, […]
The Wolf Twins by Ewa Jozefkowicz
Book recommendations are always welcome from authors. Ewa Jozefkowicz has chosen several titles that feature twins as characters which is inspired by her own set of twins. Double trouble – Top children’s stories featuring twins Twins have always held a unique and intriguing place in children’s books as they bring with them a sense of […]
Wolf and Bear by Kate Rolfe
Kate Rolfe is a brilliant new talent whose strikingly beautiful debut picture book, Wolf and Bear, publishes this month. Kate sat down with her editor, Suzanne Carnell, Publisher of the Two Hoots imprint at Macmillan Children’s Books, to discuss her work. Full of heart and hope, Wolf and Bear will strike a chord with children […]
Norse Folktakes, Myths and Legends by Anika Hussain
We have another brilliant guest blog around our theme of Myths and Legends this week. Anika Hussain delves into her history and relates this to the stories she retells in her book, Norse Folktales, Myths and Legends. Imagine curling up with a roaring fire, hot drink and this book! It doesn’t matter where you go, […]
Hideki Smith by A.J. Hartley
Myths and Legends week continues with a guest blog from A.J. Hartley about new novel and character Hideki Smith but also about the Japanese traditions and deeply rooted stories that inspired him. When I was a teenager I stumbled on a collection of tales from Japan set down by a foreign traveler at the […]
Ancient Love Stories by Emily Hauser
As part of our on-going Myths and Legends Week, we are sharing a guest blog from Emily Hauser about her book Ancient Love Stories, many of which readers will be familiar with and are rooted in myth and legend. Check out her blog below! Love Stories from History that are Truer than Fiction Ancient Love […]
Irish Mythology by Sinéad O’Hart
Today marks the start of our Myths and Legends Week. So many stories are rooted in myths, legends, folklore and oral storytelling passed on for generations. We want to celebrate recent publications that have links to myths and legends. Today we host Sinéad O’Hart and her story, The Silver Road. Irish Mythology by Sinéad O’Hart […]
The Council of Good Friends is a new book from author Nikesh Shukla and Knights Of. We are thrilled to share a Q&A with Nikesh below! Can you tell us a bit about your new book? The book is about a group of friends, a group of male friends, a group of male friends […]
From School Librarian to Children’s Author by Angela Kecojevic
We are pleased to share a fantastic guest post from school librarian Angela Kecojevic on becoming a children’s author. Angela Kecojevic: From School Librarian to Children’s Author Books have always been an important part of my life. My mother had a bookshop when I was a child, so my nose was often buried in the […]
FCBG Booklist- Going Solo
Our Going Solo Booklist celebrates the newly independent reader! Every child develops at their own rate and should be allowed to enjoy the stories which appeal to them whatever their reading stage or age. This selection offers titles which are perfect for sharing and for newly independent readers to tackle themselves. Many are highly illustrated, […]
Real Life Snakes and Ladders by Victoria Williamson
Snakes and Ladders is a board game that’s been around for a long time. The game originated in India, and is thought to have been played as early as the second century AD. The original idea of the game was that it represented a journey through life, with ladders symbolising good deeds like kindness, generosity, […]
Q&A with Bia Melo
Can you remember your dreams? What do you think happens in your imagination as you sleep? Bia Melo has created a book inspired by dreams. We recently sent Bia some questions to answer around The Dream Book! Where did the inspiration for The Dream Book come from? The inspirations for this book, came, […]
Nowhere Island by Tania Unsworth
Tania Unsworth has written a blog for us that will have us reminiscing about favourite books growing up and the joys of reading the same titles again and again. Writing to be read – and read again. When I was a child, my family didn’t have much money to spare for buying books. I went […]
Grapefruit Moon by Shirley-Anne McMillan
YA titles can be intense and hard to write! Shirley-Anne McMillan has devised some thoughtful tips on writing relevant characters that will resonate with YA readers today. Check out her suggestions below. Writing Characters that Resonate with Young People Today By Shirley-Anne McMillan Lately I’ve been thinking more and more often about those Leonard Cohen […]