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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Windrush and the Windies by Cheryl Diane Parkinson
Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the arrival of the ship, HMT Empire Windrush into the UK. With nearly 500 passengers aboard, these people would become known as the Windrush generation. We have a fascinating blog from author, Cheryl Diane Parkinson about the Windrush arrival and her book, Last Girl In. Windrush and the Windies […]
Greenwild Q&A with Pari Thompson
Q & A’s allow us the opportunity to “meet” an author or illustrator and hear the background to their work, the inspirations and sometimes the challenges. It also allows us to hear their hopes for their books. Recently, we asked debut author, Pari Thomson about her book, Greenwild. Tell us about Greenwild! Greenwild is the […]
Debut Feature- Introducing Karin Akesson
Welcome to our inaugural Debut Feature! The world of children’s literature is a welcoming and bustling community of talented authors and illustrators. Being a new author or illustrator in this community is something special and we want to highlight new voices each month! This month, we welcome Karin Akesson, author and illustrator of The Rainbow […]
The Winners of the Children’s Book Award 2023
Today is an exciting day for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups! The winners of the Children’s Book Award have been announced today in a special and exciting event held at the CLPE Library in London. The live-streamed event can be watched back via the link. https://www.youtube.com/@federationofchildrensbookg8427 The Children’s Book Award is the only national […]
Away with Words by Sophie Cameron
Away with Words by Sophie Cameron is one girl’s story of moving to a country where the language is new and unfamiliar. Sophie Cameron shares her own experiences of learning a new language and culture in her guest blog for the FCBG today. Catalan culture recommendations Away With Words is about an 11-year-old […]
The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi
Published in May, The Kingdom over the Sea, was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. We are excited to share a guest blog from author, Zohra Nabi about her debut book. I love reading authors’ first books. There’s something electric about a debut novel, not written to a deadline, or with a clear idea of […]
Reading is Magic Festival 2023
Back for 2023, the Reading is Magic Festival was announced today! We are thrilled to share exciting details about this brilliant festival, set to take place 2nd-6th of October 2023. The Reading is Magic Festival, inspired by Cressida Cowell’s Waterstones Children’s Laureate Charter and programmed by Bath Children’s Literature Festival, returns for a 4th year […]
Where the Light Goes by Sara Barnard
A weekend treat for you in the form of a wonderful blog from author Sara Barnard. Her book deals with suicide and she is often asked about her fear in writing about this topic. There’s this question that I keep getting asked about writing Where the Light Goes: Weren’t you scared? Weren’t you scared about […]
Q&A with Dean Lomax
An opportunity to chat to a palaeontologist and author was too good to pass up! We asked Dean Lomax a few questions about his job and his books! Dinosaurs are forever a favourite subject area for young readers- was that where your interest began as well? When did you decide this could be a career […]
Non-Fiction Booklist
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups has always spent time creating and curating booklists. We are now in the process of updating these and ensuring we have the classics represented as well as the brilliant new books that have been published in the past few years. As we update them, we will be adding them […]
Call the Puffins by Cath Howe
Today marks the end of a brilliant month long celebration of stories based around our theme of Sail Away in a Story! We end with a cracking blog and book from Cath Howe! I’m so pleased to be asked to share a story for National Share a Story Month. My book “Call the Puffins!” is […]
The Tide Singer by Eloise Williams
I’ve always loved the sea. When I was young, anytime the weather forecast gave the hint of a storm, my mum and dad, me and my sister, would pull on our cagoules and head for the beach. Our favourite place was Porthcawl in south Wales. The waves would crash up and soak us. It was […]
Sail Away in a Story by Derek Keilty
We may be nearing the end of National Share A Story Month but there are still some brilliant blogs to read! Today’s blog is written by Derek Keilty about his series Flyntlock Bones! Sail Away in a Story Ahoy there, me hearties! May is National Share a Story Month- a celebration of stories and reading […]
Books to get swept away in by Clare Weze
Our theme of Sail Away in a Story brings to mind so many stories that could sweep you out to sea. Author Clare Weze shares insight into her new book and she then recommends some of her favourites to “get swept away in”. Books to get swept away in Clare Weze My second children’s book, […]
Sail Away in a Story by A. Connors
We have a brilliant blog this morning from A. Connors all about his YA debut, a terrifying and thrilling story set in the depths of the ocean. A. Connors regales us with the ideas behind this story. Sail Away In A Story A. Connors Sail away in a story… What a lovely […]
Sail Away on a Story by Judith Eagle
Another book that suits our theme perfectly is Judith Eagle’s The Accidental Stowaway! Set aboard a ship, there is action, adventure and miles of ocean. Check out our guest blog from Judith Eagle about this book. Sail Away on a Story by Judith Eagle A good story is made up of three very important things: […]
Delegates at our annual conference in April will have been gifted a copy of this new story thanks to the generosity of Owlet Press. We are delighted to welcome author Barbara Slade as writes about her inner child and the impact on her writing. For nearly three decades, I’ve been blessed with a solid career […]
Alex Neptune by David Owen
Our theme Sail Away in a Story is perfect for the stories David Owen has been writing. Set around a seaside town and then out to sea, Alex Neptune is an exciting new hero. Read on for David Owen’s thoughts on writing sea-based tales. There’s a reason children’s authors can’t stop writing about the […]