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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Tide Magic Series by Clare Harlow
Author Clare Harlow shares some insights into her series, Tide Magic and her three incredible characters on the blog today! Three is the magic number: Clare Harlow talks about how Ista, Nat and Ruby – the trio of friends at the heart of the ‘Tidemagic’ series – came into being. We don’t need to […]
The Wood Where Magic Grows by Andy Shepherd
Andy Shepherd writes about the magic of sharing a story and shares some excellent book recommendations for our readers. The Magic of Sharing a Story – Andy Shepherd author of ‘The Wood Where Magic Grows’ and ‘The Boy Who Grew Dragons’ series I was seven years old when I really became a reader, […]
Our World England by Sumana Seeboruth
We are delighted to welcome Sumana Seeboruth to the blog to share insights into writing Board books for our youngest readers. Our World – England As a girl, I could sit for hours writing stories, imagining adventures for my characters to pursue. Back then, my […]
Entirely Emmie by Terri Libenson
We recently asked graphic novel creator, Terri Libenson a few questions about her Emmie & Friends series! This is the ninth book in the series and it is really popular in schools and libraries- how do you continue to come up with ideas and life events for the characters? I’m so glad to hear! I […]
Colossal Words for Kids crowned winner of CLiPPA!
Colette Hiller has been crowned the winner of the prestigious CLiPPA Award for her book, Colossal Words for Kids! The judges, including ‘patron saint of poetry’ Roger McGough and last year’s winner Matt Goodfellow, have chosen Colossal Words for Kids (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books) written by former actress and BBC education producer Colette Hiller. In Colossal Words for Kids, which is illustrated by […]
Giant by Judith McQuoid
A charming blog today from Judith McQuoid, author of Giant, a book that celebrates friendship! Books Build Bridges by Judith McQuoid When I was 7, my dad read The Chronicles of Narnia to me. With a full cast of voices, it was quite the performance! We had recently moved from Ireland to […]
I Hear the Trees by Zaro Weil
I Hear the Trees is the latest collection of poems from Zaro Weil. She shares a special blog post with us today and it is delightful to read. POETRY Where Slow and Cosy Go Wild and Woolly by Zaro Weil In a hoopla of flashing colours and clicks, a child’s everyday […]
The Bear Out There
The Bear Out there is a colourful take on a familiar story! Creator, Jess Hannigan, has taken the time to answer a few of our questions! Tell us about The Bear Out There! The Bear Out There has been called a “cozy thriller” by people smarter than me, and I love that description. In […]
My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle
Today we welcome Fidan Meikle to the blog to introduce us to her journey with Samim, the main character in her book, My Name is Samim. My Journey with Samim’s Story A few years ago, I came across an article about an Afghan refugee boy who, along with his brother, made the dangerous […]
Q&A with Nadia Shireen
The fifth book in the hilarious Grimwood series, Rock the Vote will be out on 31st July, just in time for the summer holidays. We managed to catch up with author-illustrator, Nadia Shireen, to discuss the process of writing the books and the inspiration behind them. The Grimwood books are hugely fun to read. Is […]
Run Away with Me by J.L. Simmonds
Author J.L. Simmonds has written a guest blog about Run Away with Me, a new YA thriller set in the US. Hi everyone, I’m Jo, author of Run Away With Me – a YA thriller about two girls who are running away from their home in Seattle, Washington. I haven’t made a big secret of […]
Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan
Today we welcome Maisie Chan to the blog to tell us more about her new book, Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past, which published last week! ANTS and the CHINESE LABOUR CORP in NATE YU’S BLAST FROM THE PAST Now, I must admit that I am not a fan of ants crawling over my […]
Q&A with Frances Stickley
We have a Q & A with author Frances Stickley about her delightful new book and character, Wanda the Warthog who Worried. Where did the idea for Wanda the Warthog come from and was the main character always going to be a warthog? The book was originally actually called, The Peacock Pig And it featured […]
Winner Announced for the 2025 FCBG Children’s Book Award
Winner Announced for the 2025 FCBG Children’s Book Award The Federation of Children’s Book Groups is thrilled to announce that I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery has been voted the Overall Winner of the 2025 Children’s Book Award. Now in its 45th year, the Children’s Book Award is proud to be one of the leading champions of children’s voices in […]
Meet The Wycherleys by Annaliese Avery
Meet The Wycherleys. Annaliese Avery I consider myself to be a very lucky writer when it comes to my characters. Thanks to my writing process – which is quite fluid and open, I often find that my characters appear in my imagination in the same way that a stranger does in real life. I am […]
Greek Myths just won’t die by Jennifer Claessen
Author Jennifer Classen shares some insights into her book, Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime! Greek myths just won’t die by Jennifer Classen I had the idea for the book which is now the snappily-titled ‘Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime’ on 1st September 2021. It is the first book of a trilogy and is […]
Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns
Shadow Thieves is to debut middle grade book from Peter Burns. He shares some insight into where it all began in our blog today! Ten years ago, I was on holiday in Highland Perthshire with my two oldest kids. We were staying in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, high on a hill surrounded […]
My Rice is Best by Selina Brown
Today’s blog features a Q&A with Selina Brown, author of My Rice is Best, a colourful celebration of food and friendship! Can you tell us where the idea for this story came from? The idea for My Rice is Best! came from the playful, long-standing debate between Caribbeans and Africans about who makes the […]