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The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Open Wide by Letizia Diamante
Letizia Diamante’s passion for science is infectious and this interest has led her to write fun, informative books. Here, she shares her thoughts about the power of information texts. Taking the fear out of things with non-fiction books While I was writing “Open wide!” – a scientific book for children about the teeth, tongues […]
This is Skateboarding by Neil Ellis
Neil Ellis is a lifelong skateboarder who oversees all communication at Skateboard GB. He is involved in many grassroots skateboarding projects around the UK, and he was the Skateboard Media Manager for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics. I first picked up a board when I was 14 – a basic skateboard from a […]
Feeding the enthusiasm and interests of young readers with magazines by Chris Routh
Feeding the enthusiasm and interests of young readers with magazines Promoting and supporting reading for pleasure requires a wide range of reading options to suit all ages, abilities and interests. National Non-Fiction November provides an ideal opportunity to not only highlight and celebrate examples of great information books, but also to explore other text types […]
Raising the Roof by Jack Pepper
Raising The Roof Author Jack Pepper – one of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers and youngest-ever national radio presenter – takes us inside his debut book… One of the joys of writing a book about the lives of the people who make and made classical music is… they tell a great story! Think of Joseph […]
Green Science at Home by Susan Martineau
Susan Martineau is an editor and author, writing books which spark curiosity in her readers. Today, she explains why she wrote her ‘Science Experiments’ books. I haven’t really grown up much since being a child who loved making mud pies, adopting ‘pet’ snails and mucking around in the kitchen making home-made volcanoes. My mother actively […]
Information Book Awards 2024
Reflections on the Non-fiction scene, viewed from the Information Book Awards 2024 I find it difficult to believe that I have been involved with this award for six years, five of them as chair of the judging panel. Over this time, we have looked at approximately 1000 information books; these range in age […]
Needle Felting with Karin Celestine
Karin Celestine is an artist and author, who creates beautiful needle felted animals, some of which star in their ‘Celestine and Hare’ books published by Graffeg. Their passion for making is infectious! I have been making since I was old enough to pick something up and have never stopped since. I taught chemistry, art and […]
This book will make you an artist by Ruth Millington
Art is a wonderful hobby which has many benefits. It can help to relieve stress, encourage creativity, develop concentration and allow you to lose yourself in the pleasure of producing something. In today’s post, Ruth Millington, author of ‘This Book Will Make You an Artist’ (Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839944758) shares some ideas for having a […]
Death to Non-Fiction!
Author of factual books, Andy Seed, challenges us to consider what we call these books in today’s post, which he calls ‘Death to Non-Fiction! In today’s post, Andy Seed explains why he feels so passionately about the need for some change… Death to Non-fiction! There, that got your attention, didn’t it? But, don’t panic, […]
Dinosaurs with Andy Day
In a special blog today, we welcome Andy Day, Cbeebies presenter and author, to answer a few questions. His knowledge and passion for dinosaurs has really come across in his books- proof of how important non-fiction can be for authors! You are widely known for your CBeebies shows and we wonder whether you had […]
Bell Ringing with Sarah McIntyre
Sarah McIntrye is well-known for being a talented artist and author whose books delight children and adults alike. Whether writing with Philip Reeve or adding illustrations to her own stories, her bright, colourful pictures are full of charm and character. However, since moving to Devon, Sarah has taken up a new interest- campanology, the ancient […]
Lottie Loves Nature by Jane Clarke
Jane Clarke is the author of more than 130 children’s books, including the Lottie Loves Nature and Al’s Awesome Science chapter book series, which feature twins that love to explore and engage with the world around them through their fascination with science and nature. Here, Jane talks to us about her own lifelong love of […]
National Non-Fiction November- The Beginning!
To start this year’s celebrations, the FCBG Chair, Jane Etheridge explains how National Non-Fiction November came into being. In 2010 Adam Lancaster, the then Chair of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, announced the launch of National Non-Fiction Day (NNFD) with support from Scholastic to be held on the first Thursday in November. As a […]
Shiver Point by Gabriel Dylan
The Shiver Point series is a brilliant spooky read for the season. We are thrilled to share author, Gabriel Dylan’s recommendations for other books that are perfect for the spooky season!! Aliens. Scarecrows. Werewolves. In the first three books of my middle grade horror series, Shiver Point, the Shiver Squad have had to face monsters […]
The Lost Dogs by Patricia Forde
A heartwarming book inspired by a heartwarming tribute to a beloved family dog, Ben! We think you will love reading our guest post from Patricia Forde! The Lost Dogs At the end of March 2024, our dog Ben passed away. I had finished writing The Lost Dogs by then and was waiting for it to […]
Q&A with The Brothers McLeod
Knight Sir Louis has been entertaining readers for several adventures now. We were recently offered the chance to ask creators, The Brothers McLeod a few questions! Check out their brilliant replies! Knight Sir Louis has taken the book world by storm and now has a popular following – did you ever expect such a […]
Murdle Junior by G.T. Karber
Mysteries have intrigued readers for decades and now readers can have a go at solving the crimes and mysteries themselves through books like Murdle Junior! We have a brilliant blog from author, G.T. Karber about creating this book for children. For as long as I could remember, I’ve loved mysteries. As a child, my […]
Within the Heart of Wicked Creatures by Rima Orie
Within the Heart of Wicked Creatures sprung from a deep love for the country where my parents are born, as well as the idea to blend history and fantasy in a novel speculative story. I am a lover of fantasy, and fantasy elements and mythological stories have always had my interest. But I am also […]