What a treat to have author Hannah Foley on the blog today, generously sharing her experience of writing the dual timeline in her latest book – The Tiger Who Sleeps Under My Chair. The writers among us will be heartened to hear that, while stories and their structures don’t always come easily, an unexpected image…
How the daily walk in the covid months not only helped me in those challenging months – but also gave me the idea for the Wildsmith series. Do you remember what you were doing in the summer of 2020? I…
From the very beginning of the novel, I was able to relax into Zillah Bethell’s confident storytelling, safe in the knowledge an interesting story was going to unfold – and I was not disappointed. I loved the developing friendship between a two girl who, on the surface, appear very different. One is a nameless…
Celebrated by more than 2 billion people around the world, this ultimate guide to the Lunar New Year, by author Kevin Tsang and illustrator Linh Nguyen, has everything you need (and more) to join in this year’s celebrations. With an eye-catching red and gold cover embodying the colours of the festival, this book…
What could a boy and an alien chicken from planet Nurgle-7 possibly have in common? Quite a lot as it turns out. Stuck on a stinky farm, alone and far from home, Bertie and Nugget’s chance encounter has earth-shattering repercussions; unless Bertie can help Nugget find the world’s greatest resource, the whole planet will be…
This graphic novel was immediately sequestered by my 9-year-old daughter and hoovered up in one sitting. And despite the strong thread of grief and loss running through the story, she would frequently call out to me to share the lines that had made her giggle! That is one of the most astonishing things about this…
Thrilled to be sharing this Q&A with author Lucy Ann Unwin for Day 4 of The Octopus, Dadu and Me blog tour. This book was a very emotional read for me as Sashi’s close relationship with her Dadu, the slow decline of a beloved granparent, and the sharing of a different culture is something that is…
With a title like this, you already know Darwin’s Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular is going to be an entertaining read, and it does not disappoint. With its mix of fun facts and engaging illustrations, this non-fiction picture book is sure to be a hit with nature lovers, and, let’s face it, poop is a pretty…
Delighted to one kicking off the New Year with something SUPER! We’ve been catching up with author Kate Thompson and quizzing her about her new picture book Superheroes Always Fight Back…Or do they? Read on to find out what Kate has to say about kindness and cat-butlering! Tell us about you in 25…
In the powerful foreword to Frozen Planet II, Chris Packham reminds us that, although Earth’s frozen kingdoms seem far-removed from our everyday lives, they are essential parts of our global ecosystem. With stories from the iconic BBC series, Leisa Stewart-Sharpe’s compelling words and Kim Smith’s gorgeous illustrations do a brilliant job of showing…
Alfie Wright, also known as Alfie Wrong to his bullying classmates, is an instantly endearing character who will tug at your heartstrings. A so-called outsider with a less-than-sympathetic mother, Alfie welcomes the wartime evacuation that sees him billeted to a farm in rural Devon. Indeed, under “Auntie” Bell’s motherly wing, Alfie flourishes, despite getting…
With Christmas around the corner, I wanted to share some recently published gift books that would make wonderful presents for a range of readers, and can be enjoyed all year round. Wild Animals of the World by Dieter Braun My two children ( 6 & 9) loved paging through this gorgeous hardback with its…
Feeling very lucky to have the wonderful Katharine Orton on the blog today, sharing a piece she has written about the theme of nature and the natural world in her latest novel, Mountainfell. The majestic mountain in this magical story is as much a character as misfit-protagonist Erskin. And the journey towards its summit is…
I’m delighted to welcome the wonderful Pip Jones to the blog today as part of the Faber Book of Bedtime Stories tour. It’s our turnWe’ll hear more about it from the author herself, and about the stories Pip loved as a child! The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories is a beautiful collection of modern tales, all…
Thrilled to be able to share an interview with author Philip Caveney as part of his Stand And Deliver blog tour today. I found the premise and setting of this historical high-stakes adventure refreshingly original, and thoroughly enjoyed being whisked back in time by Philip’s smooth and immersive storytelling. Stand And Deliver is the story…
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