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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Totally Deceased by Sue Cunningham
Tell us about the concept of your debut Totally Deceased? Totally Deceased is a funny supernatural YA murder mystery where seventeen-year-old Jess wakes from an emergency heart transplant to find she’s being haunted by her donor. High-maintenance trust fund teen Tilly is convinced she was murdered and refuses to rest in peace until Jess agrees to […]
The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson
Author and illustrator, Giselle Clarkson shares some insights into her new book and why she was inspired to create it. Over the past year, when people asked my what my upcoming book was about I would struggle to summarise it. As the title suggests, The Observologist is primarily about being observant – but it’s not […]
Nature Writing for Children by Elena Mannion
Today we welcome Elena Mannion to the blog talking about Nature Writing for children and her passion for the British Countryside. Nature Writing for Children My passion for nature made it a delight to create a small patch of British countryside as the setting for The Happy Hedgerow – idealised perhaps, but in its essence […]
Dyslexia Awareness Week
As its Dyslexia Awareness Week we have a guest blog from Naomi Jones and Rebecca Ashdown, author and illustrator of the picture book Thunderboots. They kindly sent each other a few questions to answer! Rebecca asked Naomi … Naomi, I know you’re really passionate about dyslexia being a superpower. I’m really interested in how being […]
Cotton Cloud Refuses to Rain by Elizabeth Hill
From wondering “What if…” to the publication of Cotton Cloud, this Q&A with Elizabeth Hill will allow readers a rare glimpse into an authors life and writing! Check out her favourite books list below as well! Can you tell us a bit about your new book? Cotton Cloud Refuses to Rain is the story of […]
The Dress in the Window by Robert Tregoning
Sitting down to create what would become, The Dress in the Window, I set myself a goal – to write a story that challenged a gender stereotype with zero shame in it whatsoever. Great! But being the theatrical person I am, I wanted some drama in the story and if that wasn’t going to come […]
Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
We are thrilled to welcome Kayvion Lewis to the blog today, answering a few questions about her book, Thieves’ Gambit. Thieves’ Gambit is about nine teen thieves from nine different countries who are all invited to compete in an international, underground thieving competition. It’s a round-the-world adventure full of glamorous galas, car chases, backstabbing, first […]
Where Can We Go by Dai Yun
We are delighted to welcome Dai Yun to the blog with a Q&A that shares some brilliant insights into the story and how schools may choose to use it. Can you tell us a bit about your new book? Where Can We Go? follows the home-searching journey of a polar bear family: Papa, Mama, Masha […]
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 […]