It’s my stop on the blog tour for An Artist’s Eyes by Frances Tosdevin and Clémence Monnet and I’m delighted to be sharing a fascinating guest post by Frances on the inspiration behind the book. This exquisite picture book feels like a piece of art. In every spread, we get a glimpse into the world the way the Mo the artist sees it. But Jo can’t see the world the way Mo does no matter how hard he tries.
Get Creative on National Crayon Day with Natasha Biebow, author of The Crayon Man, illus. Steven Salerno
Happy National Crayon Day 2022! What child doesn't love to hold a crayon in their hands? But children didn't always have such magical boxes of crayons allowing them to draw in colour... I’m delighted to be sharing an inspiring hands-on guest post from Natascha Biebow, author of The Crayon Man, illustrated by Steven Salerno. This gloriously illustrated picture book biography tells the inspiring story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most beloved toys.
Six Reimagined Fairytale Books for National Tell A Fairy Tale Day 2022 ~ GIVEAWAY!
It’s National Tell A Fairy Tale Day 2022 and I am delighted to be sharing six re-imaged fairy tale books as well as hosting an EPIC giveaway bundle.
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.
My Top Picks of 2021! ~ #ChildrensBooks ~ @AndersenPress @FarshoreBooks @QuartoKids @PuffinBooks @simonkids_UK @harryewoodgate @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @RachelCIp @Laura_A_Hughes @DapsDraws @LarryHayesAuthr @Doonkris @auralewis
For my final feature of 2021, I want to look back at my top picks of the year. There have been so many incredible children’s books published in 2021.
Our Favourite 2021 Books Featuring Black Children ~ #RepresentationMatter ~ @FaberChildrens @PuffinBooks @MacmillanKidsUK @FarshoreBooks @lantanapub @AndersenPress @QuartoKids
I have reviewed lots of wonderful, inclusive books and I want to finish off the year by recommending 12 more outstanding picture books featuring characters of colour and/or about racism
How Does Chocolate Taste on Everest? by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe & Aaron Cushley ~ #BlogTour #AuthorInterview ~ @Leisa_Stewart @CushnDoodle @wrenandrookbook
Does Chocolate Taste on Everest? Speaking directly to the reader, Leisa and Aaron take us on a captivating expedition of the world’s most extreme places through sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. I’m thrilled to be sharing an interview with the author as well as a first look at this spectacular non-fiction book.
Magical Books Perfect for Christmas Gifts ~ #Reviews ~ @QuartoKids @MacmillanKidsUK @NickSharratt1 @jessicasroux
Christmas is a magical time of year and so it seems only fitting to have a feature post on some truly magical illustrated fiction and traditional fairy tales.
Celebrating Difference, Overcoming Adversity and Perseverance ~ #Reviews ~ @TomPercivalsays @KidsBloomsbury @cerrieburnell @QuartoKids @Stricolo @MrSteveAntony @OtterBarryBooks
Three wonderful, illustrated books celebrate difference, overcoming adversity and perseverance.
How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T Smith ~ #AdventBook #Review ~ @Alex_T_Smith @MacmillanKidsUK
Alex T Smith has created ingenious, creative advent calendars in the form of exquisite, illustrated books that will become a part of the family Christmas traditions for years to come.
Scissorella: The Paper Princess by Clare Helen Welsh and Laura Barrett ~ #GuestPost #Review ~ @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @AndersenPress
Scissorella is one of the most spectacular re-imagined fairy tales we’ve ever read, blending the magical world of Cinderella with a real-life female inspiration: German film director Lotte Reiniger. It is one of my top picks for 2021.
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.
What a Wonderful World by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Lydia Hill ~ #BlogTour #AuthorInterview ~ @Leisa_Stewart @lydiakahill @templarbooks
From oceans to mountains, deserts to grasslands, What a Wonderful World gives you the world’s best illustrated tour of our planet through the eyes of 35 Earth Shakers. Interviewed by author, Leisa, these inspirational scientists, eco-warriors and activists share their remarkable stories.
The Woolly Bear Caterpillar by Julia Donaldson and Yuval Zommer ~ #PictureBook ~ @yuvalzommer @MacmillanKidsUK
I am excited to be sharing a new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Yuval Zommer that really captivated my daughter’s attention. The Woolly Bear Caterpillar is a cross between The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Ugly Duckling with a fabulous non-fiction bonus!
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!
Activity Books ~ Perfect for the Summer ~ @LittleTigerUK @QuartoKids
It’s the summer holidays but for many of us, this year is about finding the fun in local places and staycations. Here are some brilliant activity books that are perfect to keep little ones entertained and also explore the best of Britain.
The Viking Who Liked Icing by Lu Fraser & Mark McKinley ~ #BlogTour #GuestPost ~ @_lufraser @KidsBloomsbury
It's my stop on the blog tour for The Viking Who Liked Icing by Lu Fraser and Mark McKinley and I’m delighted to have a guest post from Lu about her favourite spreads in the book. His skills don’t lie with a sword… but a whisk!
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.