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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Dance Just Like So by Annemarie Anang and Natelle Quek
We have a lovely Q&A between author Annemarie Anang, and illustrator, Natelle Quek. As you read you will find some brilliant insights into their work. Author Annemarie Anang and illustrator Natelle Quek first collaborated on a picture book, I Am Nefertiti, in 2022. This year, I Am Nefertiti was featured in the Summer Reading […]
Ayo’s Adventure across the African Diaspora by Ain Heath Drew
We were curious to ask author, Ain Heath Drew about Ayo’s Adventure Across the African Diaspora and the inspirations and research into this beautiful book. Read our Q&A below! Tell us about Ayo, the adventures, and where the idea initially came from. Ayo goes on an adventure through the African Diaspora, learning about just a […]
The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant
Those of us with a passion for books and reading for pleasure will take solace in the blog from Natasha Farrant. We need to promote reading for pleasure more than ever- we couldn’t agree more. Usually, when I write posts around publication of a new book, I want to be upbeat -confident, enthusiastic. But at […]
The Importance of Writing Eco-Adventures by Hannah Gold
Hannah Gold writes powerful eco- adventures for middle grade readers. Winning awards and capturing imaginations, she recently wrote a lovely blog for us about writing eco-adventures. The Importance of Writing Eco-Adventures Hannah Gold My first book, The Last Bear, was never intended to be an eco-adventure. As an animal lover, my initial aim was to […]
Pizza Pete and the Missing Magic by Carrie Sellon
Carrie Sellon’s debut middle grade novel, Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions (2023) was a Times Children’s Book of the Week, won the InspiREAD Book Awards (shorter book category), was longlisted for the SPARK Book Award, and is currently shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards. This September Pizza Pete is back in his second […]
The Skeleton in the Cupboard by Lilija Berzinska
Featuring a community of strange creatures who live along the Livonian coast, in the north of Latvia, these interconnected stories follow the anxieties and existential crises of the creatures, gently satirising their preoccupations and suggesting solutions with empathy and wisdom. These are tales with shades of Tove Jansson’s Moomins and The Summer Book, as well […]
Klaus Flugge Winner- Guest Blog
Congratulations to Kate Winter for winning the Klaus Flugge Prize 2024. We have a wonderful guest blog from Kate to celebrate The Fossil Hunter! Following in the Footsteps of a Fossil Hunter by Kate Winter As an author and illustrator, I always try to find a way to inhabit the characters in my books […]
Celebrating SAIL Fest – the new South Asian Children’s Illustration and Literature Festival
Discover more about the inaugural SAIL Fest that took place recently at The British Library. Celebrating SAIL Fest – the new South Asian Children’s Illustration and Literature Festival by co-founder, Sinéad Gosai SAIL Festival is the exciting new South Asian illustration and literature festival that’s dedicated to celebrating, connecting and empowering South Asian children’s […]
Anticipation by Neil Taylor
AI is certainly no longer a hype but something that both intrigues and concerns the world. Author, Neil Taylor offers some insight into AI as it features in his novel, Anticipation. Myth Busting AI My name is Neil Taylor, and I recently wrote a fictional novel called Anticipation in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays […]
Calm by SJ Baker
This is a brilliant guest blog from author S.J. Baker about dystopian fiction for teens. There is certainly a large appetite for this type of book! The power and popularity of dystopian fiction among young adult readers. “You write well,” said the literary agent in response to my submission, “but YA dystopias are a crowded […]
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow
Matt Goodfellow’s verse novel The Final Year (Otter-Barry Books) is one of the books of the year, winning its category in the Children’s Book Award as well as this year’s CLiPPA, CLPE Children’s Poetry Award. The Final Year draws on Matt’s experience as a primary school teacher but in this special article, he explains that […]
Pernickety-Boo by Sally Gardner
Sally Gardner has written a lovely and honest blog for us about Pernickety-Boo, her latest book. It comes from wanting a place to call home and to feel that sense of belonging. Thank you Sally for your words. The idea of Pernickety-Boo came to me when I was in the middle of writing another book. […]
Someone’s Been Messing with Reality by John Hearne
We are delighted to share a guest blog from John Hearne, author of Someone’s Been Messing with Reality. He writes about his main character and how to avoid the cliche’s around giving characters superpowers! Characters with Special Abilities: Make cliché-avoidance your super power The kid with superpowers is one of most popular tropes in […]
Poo Crew Adventures Q&A
We love a Q&A on the FCBG blog, especially when both author and illustrator get involved. James Turner and Steve May are the duo behind Poo Crew Adventures, a new graphic novel series and we are so pleased they found time to answer our questions. Why poo? Who came up with the initial idea to […]
The Love Dare by Abiola Bello
Author, Abiola Bello shares her inspirations for her books with us in today’s blog. She is surrounded by creativity and we look forward to reading more of her books! The question I get asked the most from readers is how do I seek inspiration for my YA books. A lot of it comes from my […]
The Wild Life of Dinosaurs by Mike Barfield
Mike Barfield has been wild about science and animals from an early age. He is the winner of the Blue Peter Children’s Book Award 2021 in the ‘Best Book with Facts’ category, and has also been shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, the Association for Science Education Children’s Book Prize (twice) and […]
Britfield by C.R. Stewart
Britfield is originally published in the US but has now made its way to where it is actually set, England. Please see below for further details from the publicist and a Q&A with author, C.R. Stewart. This fast-paced adventure novel transports the reader from the smoldering crags of Yorkshire, through the heart of England, and […]
Dungeon Runners by Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd-Stanton
Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd Stanton chat all things Dungeon Runners as they launch this adventurous, fully illustrated new series for young readers with Nosy Crow. In celebration of the publication of Dungeon Runners; Hero Trial, we – Kieran Larwood, and Joe Todd Stanton, are here today to interview… each other! Joe: Let’s start with […]