The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Mystery Writing with Sophie Cleverly
A wonderful guest blog from mystery writer Sophie Cleverly!! The Violet Veil Mysteries began on a dark and stormy night… I know, we’ve all heard that one before. But in this case, it was about a decade ago, and I was lying in bed trying to think of ideas for new stories. For some reason, […]
Paris Cat
A Joint Blog with Author Dianne Hofmeyr and Illustrator Piet Grobler MYTH, MAGIC AND MAYHEM – PARIS CAT by Dianne Hofmeyr Story encompasses all three… so what a delight FCBG have chosen to celebrate National Share a Story Month under this banner. Every story ever written is part MYTH, part MAGIC, part MAYHEM. Modern stories […]
Myths, Magic and Mayhem: A Dyslexic Author and the Fantasy World of Presadia
Welcome to a wonderfully written guest post from Luke Aylen, author of the Presadia series pictured below! I love the FCBG theme this year. I’ve always been mad for the mythical and marvellous worlds of fantasy books. There is something about magical realms that make us prepared to suspend our assumptions about the world and […]
A mythical, magical and mayhem filled interview!
Read on for a fantastic interview with Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai, authors of The House on Hoarder Hill and The Magician’s Map. A special interview with the authors of The Magician’s Map and The House on Hoarder Hill! Written by Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai, Cover Illustration by Maxine Lee-Mackie, Published by Chicken House […]
Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain
Myths, Magic and Mayhem by Margaret Bateson-Hill Written by Margaret Bateson-Hill, Illustrated by Francesca Pelizzoli, Published by Alanna Max Books. There is wildness and anarchy in a blank piece of paper. Anything can happen – a story, a drawing, a recipe, a letter! Over the years of working with my story, Lao Lao of Dragon […]
Circus Maximus by Annelise Gray
The Need for Speed Annelise Grey’s Circus Maximus: Race to the Death transports us back to greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world with the thrill and mayhem of the real-life chariot races. The reader is right there amidst the action, hearing the thunder of hooves, the roar of the crowd, and the pulse-pounding race to […]
Mammoth by Anna Kemp
A fabulously written and illustrated tale of finding your herd! Read on for a special blog post from author Anna Kemp! I remember my first day at a new school: new uniform, new ‘Hello Kitty’ lunch-box, and the terrifying knowledge that I’d have to find new friends, and fast. Other children were pairing up, or […]
Gender Swapped Fairy Tales- Q&A
This book is a huge hit for all fairy tale loving children and adults! This creative couple have created something special in this book and while the stories are familiar, the characters and illustrations are wonderfully unique. Do either of you have a favourite tale in the book? Well, they’re all like our babies but […]
Myths, Magic and Legends by Tamsin Mori
The Weather Weaver has taken the world by storm and is a brilliant book full of myths and legends- ideal for our theme of Myths, Magic and Mayhem! Of all the stories we tell, myths and legends are amongst the most magical – they offer a glimpse of the extraordinary, hiding just beneath the everyday. […]
The Natural History of Fairies- Q&A with Emily Hawkins and Jessica Roux
We were thrilled to have a read of The Natural History of Fairies by Emily Hawkins and Jessica Roux. Choosing some questions, both creators have taken the time to answer these giving us a unique look into the creation of this delightful book. Many reviews claim this to be the perfect book for fairy fascinated […]
National Share-A-Story Month Launches…
Welcome to the first blog of National Share-A-Story Month 2021, a special post from Diane Gaunt, Chair of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. The Federation of Children’s Book Groups has been inspiring and encouraging the sharing of stories since its inception in 1965. In 1974 the then Vice Chair, Pat Triggs, instigated a National […]
This Can Never Not Be Real – Author Interview with Sera Milano
Due for publication tomorrow (29th April 2021) is Sera Milano’s debut YA title This Can Never Not Be Real, which is a gripping story centring around five characters looking to survive in the most uncertain and scariest of circumstances they could ultimately find themselves in. I recently had the opportunity to interview Sera on behalf […]
How My Work as a School Librarian Has Influenced My Writing
Guest post by Sue Wallman Five years ago, after the publication of my first young adult thriller, I started a new career as a school librarian. Although untrained, I brought to the role a huge enthusiasm for books and writing, and an interest in young people. In turn, my job has had an interesting influence […]
History of Cars by Elliot Kruszynski
History of Cars is a new book written and illustrated by Elliot Kruszynski and Published by Cicada Books. It is a brilliant, brightly illustrated look at the history of cars, from BC (before cars) through the age of steam and into the modern cars we use and those we may see in the future. Read […]
What does Jane Austen NOT talk about?
A guest post from Julia Golding, author of a new series of books featuring a young Jane Austen as a detective! Read on for a fascinating look at taboo subjects during Jane Austen’s time. What does Jane Austen NOT talk about? Shall we start a list? Sex (in Bridgerton terms), slavery, colonisation, politics, elections, human […]
Emma Shevah on writing for independent readers!
In 2015, I took part in a Youth Libraries Group (SE) conference in Winchester. The keynote speaker, Julia Eccleshare, began by asking the audience comprised of librarians and participating authors to turn to each other and name the book or books that turned us from someone who read into a reader. With the others at our […]
Gemma Fowler on World Building
This is a superb blog post from author Gemma Fowler on world building, and how notebooks and scribbled notes may not make it into the book but shape the characters, the setting and the story. Fantastically written blog post for a fantastically written book, City of Rust! When I was thirteen I realised that […]
