This is one of my most exciting and exclusive posts of the year! I am honoured to be sharing an in-depth interview and behind-the-scene early illustrations by Greg Stobbs, illustrator of the amazing Don't Ask the Dragon, written by Lemn Sissay.
My Top Picks for Mother’s Day 2022!
Mother's Day is a day I cherish every year. I am the very proud mummy of two wonderful girls, and my own mum who passed away some time ago, is my inspiration in life. Spending time with my girls is the best gift in the world, but next on the list is books! So, here are my top picks for Mother’s Day 2022.
Fabulous February Reads
For a short month, February has seen a whole heap of fabulous children’s books published. This month’s roundup includes some of our favourites new illustrated books across fiction and non-fiction.
Joyful January Reads
Children’s publishing has started 2022 with a bang! There have been some incredible books published this year already and my January round-up features some of our favourites, as well as a few books from 2021 that we read over the festive break. It includes my first top pick of 2022!
I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher ~ #PublicationDay #Debut #PictureBook ~ @RachDavisAuthor @BeatrixHatcher @HachetteKids
Debut picture book, I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher is an uplifting twisted fairy tale that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages children to be proud to be themselves.
Celebrating Difference, Overcoming Adversity and Perseverance ~ #Reviews ~ @TomPercivalsays @KidsBloomsbury @cerrieburnell @QuartoKids @Stricolo @MrSteveAntony @OtterBarryBooks
Three wonderful, illustrated books celebrate difference, overcoming adversity and perseverance.
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon ~ #Review ~ @alokvmenon @WorkshopBooks @ashlukadraws
I am a huge fan of Alok. Their podcasts, talks and Instagram are full of joy, inspiration and powerful messages on mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. In Beyond the Gender Binary, Alok gives an honest and heartfelt insight into life as a gender-nonconforming transfeminine person of colour. They eloquently explain what the gender binary is and what it means to be gender fluid.
Little Glow by Katie Sahota & Harry Woodgate ~ #Guest Post ~ @harryewoodgate @KatieKateWrites @OwletPress
In a fascinating illustrator Guest Post, Harry reveals how they created the opening spread. ‘Little Glow’ is a story all about a diverse, multicultural community, and the different festivals of light it celebrates throughout the year. It’s also about the importance of introverts, told through the eyes of a shy candle flame who watches all the celebrations and eventually discovers its own important purpose. It’s very lyrical, very cosy, and I’m very excited to share with you a little bit of the process of how the book came together.
Violet’s Tempest by Ian Eagleton and Clara Anganuzzi ~ #BookTour #PictureBook ~ @MrEagletonIan @CAnganuzzi @lantanapub
When Violet is chosen to play Ariel from The Tempest in the school play, she is overcome with worry. But it isn’t about remembering her words that’s troubling her, it’s having to say them out loud. This beautifully illustrated picture book shines the spotlight on shyness and finding your voice.
Top 10 Books Perfect for School Starters ~ #BackToSchool #FirstDay ~ @MacmillanKidsUK @LittleTigerUK @SweetCherryPub @KidsBloomsbury @BloomsburyEd @LKPChildrens
This September my daughter is starting school. It’s a big step and I’ve been on the hunt for the best books to help prepare her for the transition to school. Here are my top ten fiction and non-fiction books with emotional wellbeing and educational themes that will help children starting school. Plus a bonus bingo game!
Hey You! ~ Mega Author and Illustrator Interview ~ @DapsDraws @PuffinBooks
I am thrilled to be sharing a multi-illustrator interview with the creators of the ground-breaking new picture book, Hey You!, written by the world-class, Dapo Adeola.
Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra & Michaela Dias-Hayes ~ #AuthorInterview ~ @MonSingh @OwletPress
Interview with author of Sunflower Sisters. Thisis a story that follows two best friends, Amrita and Kiki, on their journey through self-love, sisterhood and the power of loving one another.
The Perfect Shelter by Clare Helen Welsh and Åsa Gilland ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @ClareHelenWelsh @LittleTigerUK
It’s paperback publication day for The Perfect Shelter by Clare Helen Welsh and Åsa Gilland. I heard SO many good things about this book and they were all true! This beautiful book about childhood cancer and the bond between sisters pulls at the heart strings. The story is told in first person through the eyes... Continue Reading →
Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate ~ #PictureBook #BlogTour ~ @harryewoodgate @AndersenPress
Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate captures a granddaughter’s visit to see her Grandad, who is mourning the loss of the love of his life, Gramps.
Rita’s Rabbit by Laura Mucha and Hannah Peck ~ #BlogTour #PictureBook ~ @lauramucha @hpillustration_ @FaberChildrens
Rita has one wish: she really, really, really wants a pet rabbit. So, when Grandpa reveals that her birthday present is not a fluffy rabbit, but is in fact a scaly, speckled, spiky bearded dragon called Spike, Rita is not happy.
The Dodos Did It! by Alice McKinley ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @Armckinley1 @simonkids_UK
Jack loves dodos and wishes he had one for a pet. In fact, he wishes he had lots. But he soon discovers that pet dodos can be quite a lot of trouble!
Llama on a Mission by Annabelle Sami with illustrations by Allen Fatimaharan ~ #BlogTour #MG ~ @annabellesami @AFatimaharan @FarshoreBooks
This laugh-out-loud series featuring a magical llama has a super important message about standing up for yourself and finding your voice (literally). Llama on a Mission is the second book in the series (following on from Llama Out Loud) and is perfect for fans of Sam Copeland’s Charlie Changes into a Chicken series.
My Dad Is A Grizzly Bear by Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola ~ #BlogTour #PictureBook ~ @SwapnaHaddow @DapsDraws @MacmillanKidsUK
"Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear." Or is he? And what happens if you meet a grizzly bear out in the wild? A gigantic, terrifying, hungry grizzly bear?
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @peachjamcloset @hughshampoo @FaberChildrens
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole and Karen George is the first picture book to answer a very important question: how do we teach our children, despite any curiosities they may have, to be always be respectful to disabled people?
Step Inside Homes Through History by Goldie Hawk and Sarah Gibb ~ #NonFiction #Review ~ @NosyCrow @NosyCrowBooks
an ingenious book that invites you to step back in history by stepping into traditional homes from different eras. Starting with the grand manor houses of the 13th century right up to a modern day eco-friendly house you might expect to see on Grand Designs.