Blue’s Planet Competition with Sweet Cherry Publishing

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups is excited to be partnering with Sweet Cherry Publishing to launch a special competition inspired by the environmental theme of National Share-a-Story Month 2025.

Blue’s Planet by Lucy McRobert has been selected for our booklist partly because it’s a rollickingly good story with appealing illustrations. We also liked the positive way that it introduces the issues of climate change – a way that encourages young people to do what they can locally to improve their own environment, rather than simply worrying about problems which are out of their control.

As the book opens, Blue is still at school in England and trying to rescue a hedgehog that has been trapped in the chain-link fence that surrounds the school playground:

‘This was not how Blue had pictured her lunch break: lying flat on her stomach on the cold, damp grass that had been churned up by wind and rain. Fallen leaves, now turning to mulch, were stuck to her clothes, and both her knees were dirty…’

After the struggle that makes her cold, wet and dirty, she succeeds in disentangling it only to face a new challenge. How can she ensure that it recovers from its ordeal and is able safely to survive the coming winter? And how can she keep a smelly hedgehog secret from adults who might not approve of her rescue attempt?

In keeping with the spirit of Blue’s passionate determination to protect the natural world around her, we’re inviting children and young readers to become environmental reporters and shine a light on real-life environmental issues in their own communities.

We are on the hunt for short news reports by young people aged seven to twelve about a local or personal environmental concern they have experienced first hand. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is: it could be an initiative to reduce or tidy plastic waste, a community garden project, a local wildlife conservation issue or something unique to their school or location. It could be a written report or a video documentary or a podcast. What we’re looking for is thoughtful, observant reporting that reflects a genuine connection to the environment.

Let’s inspire the next generation of nature lovers, storytellers and changemakers – just like Blue.

For further information on the competition including how to enter, visit the National Share-a-Story month page of the Federation website: https://fcbg.org.uk/national-share-a-story-month-resources-2025/