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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Branford Boase Longlist Announcement
/by FCBG blog25th anniversary of the Branford Boase Award, celebrating the most talented debut writers for children and their editors 25 vibrant new writers celebrated on the award’s 25th longlist The longlist for the 2024 Branford Boase Award is announced today. Set up in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, one of the founders of […]
Children’s Word of the Year 2023
/by FCBG blogOxford University Press are sharing the exciting announcement of their children’s word of the year. Read on for the full details! Climate Change is Children’s Word of the Year for 2023 · A third of children (33 per cent) choose climate change as their word of the year · Research shows impact of current affairs […]
An Unexpected Destination by Stuart White
/by FCBG blogToday we welcome author Stuart White to the blog to share the journey his writing has taken him on. It’s an inspiring blog, especially for aspiring authors! An unexpected destination In 2009, I decided that I wanted to finally write my first great novel. Something epic, along the lines of Lord of the Rings. But, […]
Jennifer Killick on being a World Book Day author
/by FCBG blogWe are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Killick, Queen of Middle Grade horror to the blog today to chat about having a World Book Day title! When my editor called to tell me that my story, ‘Creepy Creations’ had been chosen as a World Book Day 2024 title, I honestly couldn’t believe it. I used […]
Fairytale Ninjas by Paula Harrison
/by FCBG blogFairytale Ninjas is a series written by Paula Harrison and we were recently given the opportunity to ask her a few questions about this series for younger readers! Tell us about Fairytale Ninjas. Fairytale Ninjas sees three well-known heroines – Red Riding, Snow White and Goldie Locks – ditch their usual storylines and head […]
Play by Luke Palmer
/by FCBG blogHappy New Year and welcome to our first blog of 2024, aptly written by Luke Palmer about New Years resolutions. We have also included the Reading group discussion notes as produced by publisher, Firefly Press. I’ve never held much truck with new year’s resolutions. They seem too complete, too final, a big list of monolithic […]
Congratulations to Libby Allman, Plymouth Group Member
/by FCBG blogWe wanted to end 2023 on a celebratory note with the wonderful news that one of our longest standing members and tireless supporter and promoter of books and reading has been honoured by Plymouth Marjon University. The Federation of Children’s Book Groups would like to congratulate Libby Allman on her award of an honorary Master’s […]
Raise a Reader Report from Oxford University Press
/by FCBG blogWe all know the importance of reading and this report published by Oxford University Press impresses on this point even further. Their research and partnership with key organisations will help families and schools to address the on-going need to promote reading for pleasure. 4 in 10 Pupils Have Fallen Behind in Vocabulary Development, According to […]
Who Do We Care About by Bali Rai
/by FCBG blogBali Rai has written a passionate piece for us today about the the greater need for empathy and representation in books for children and teens. Aptly titled; Who do we care about? You may find yourself nodding along to his statements. Who Do We Care About? There are many reasons why representation matters in books […]
Scary Fairies by Anna Kemp
/by FCBG blogThe Hollow Hills is the second book in the Goblyn Wood Adventure series. We are delighted to welcome author, Anna Kemp to the blog to share her guest post entitled, Scary Fairies! Scary Fairies I used to think fairies were small, sparkly creatures that lived at the bottom of the garden, or sat […]
My Emotions and Me by Art-Mella
/by FCBG blogEmotions and mental health in young readers is such an important topic at the moment. Author and illustrator, Art-Mella has taken some time to answer our questions about her book, My Emotions and Me. 1. What research did you undertake before beginning to write and draft your book? Actually, my research into emotions wasn’t in […]
All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri
/by FCBG blogWe have a heartfelt and lovely guest blog from author Blessing Musariri about her childhood and how it translates into her book, All that it Ever Meant. My dad used to take us on road trips. An older cousin used to take us on excursions and day trips. I had a lot of fun growing […]
Writing Anti-Hero Romance by Alexandra Christo
/by FCBG blogWe are excited to share a brilliant guest blog from romantasy author, Alexandra Christo. Check out her thoughts on creating her stories and characters! Writing Anti-Hero Romance by Alexandra Christo When sitting down to write a new fantasy book I always ask myself two questions: 1) what are the main flaws of my heroes? […]
Oxford Revise Guides for Students
/by FCBG blogOxford University Press created a range of revision guides for students studying for GCSE and A levels. We were given the opportunity to ask a few questions about these guides! 1. Tell us about the revision guides you have created? Oxford Revise is a new series of revision guides for GCSE and A Level that […]
I loved you in another life by David Arnold
/by FCBG blogWe have a brilliant guest post from author, David Arnold about his “ro-mantasy”, I loved you in another life. It’s a wonderful blog! THAT’S WHAT THERAPY IS, I THINK: WORKING TOWARD ZERO GRAVITY In the fall of 2019, I landed in the ER with chronic heart palpitations and panic attacks, a cycle in which […]
Imagination is like a muscle by Danyah Miller
/by FCBG blogWe have a brilliant guest post from storyteller Danyah Miller all about stretching your imagination! IMAGINATION IS LIKE A MUSCLE…. ….and like any muscle it needs exercise. Just as our limbs weaken when we don’t use them, so it is with our imagination. Storytelling starts with the imagination. I know from my experience that oral […]
Educating for Empathy by Miranda McKearney
/by FCBG blogEmpathyLab are hosting their first ever conference and it is sure to be brilliant. Check out the details below and use the links to book your space! Educating for Empathy – a landmark online conference With the concerning rise in children’s mental health and behavioral problems after Covid, and society becoming increasingly polarised, many are […]
Bhorta Bhorta Baby by Jumana Rahman
/by FCBG blogAuthor Jumana Rahman talks about creating her new baby board book, Bhorta Bhorta Baby! Send the DM! What’s the worst that could happen? The worst possible situation. I’ll be rejected, but I’ll learn. What’s the best possible situation? I could have a publisher take on my little story and give it a life of its […]