I am super excited to be sharing an interview with Robert Tregoning, debut picture book author of Out of the Blue, illustrated by Stef Murphy. This extraordinary picture book is one of my top picks for 2023!
22 Children’s Christmas Books for 2022
I look forward to my festive post each year, and this time I am sharing 22 Christmas books for 2022. It includes 14 new children’s books out this year and some of our family favourites published in recent years.
Ten Fantastic Children’s Books on Family Life
I am delighted to share a special feature on children’s books on “families”. Every family is unique. The ten illustrated (fiction and non-fiction) books in this post cover: new siblings, adjusting to divorce, family relocation separation anxiety, adoption, different family structures and multi-cultural families.
2022. What a year it’s been ~ Antoinette Brooks ~ Guest Post
I am delighted to be sharing a guest post by children's author and illustrator, Antoinette Brooks. When Antoinette got in touch with me, I felt so inspired by what she's achieved in just 12 short months. But I'll let her fill you in...
Where Are All The Instruments? West Africa by Nathan Holder & Charity Russell ~ Author Interview
I am delighted to be rounding off Black History Month 2022 with a fabulous interview with Nathan Holder, the author of Where Are All The Instruments? West Africa, illustrated by Charity Russell. The best-selling music educational series Why Books encourage kids to ask questions, learning about music alongside diverse characters and a diverse range of musical styles. The latest book in the series is launching in November and introduces young children to many traditional instruments from West Africa!
Brilliant Books Celebrating Black Culture
To celebrate Black History Month, I want to share six fabulous books for children published in 2022 that celebrate Black culture in one way or another, from our hair to history and the power of names.
A World For Me and You by Uju Asika and Jennie Poh ~ Blog Tour ~ Guest Post
It’s my stop on the blog tour for A World For Me and You by Uju Asika and Jennie Poh which celebrates the beauty and joy of living in a wonderfully diverse world. I am delighted to be sharing a very important guest post by Uju about why diversity in children’s books is so important.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Five Exceptional Children’s Books with LGBTQ+ Themes ~ @OwletPress @QuartoKids @AndersenPress @KidsWelbeck
Five exceptional children’s books with LGBTQ+ themes. Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton and James Mayhew; RuPaul by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Wednesday Holmes; Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate; Princess Kevin by Michael Escoffier and Roland Garrigue; Have PRIDE by Stella Caldwell, Sue Sanders and Season of Victory
Musical Truth by Jeffrey Boakye and Ngadi Smart ~ #ListeningParty #BLM ~ @jeffreykboakye @NgadiSmart @FaberChildrens
This unique book for teens and adults provides a musical history of Modern Black Britain in 28 songs.
My Daddies by Gareth Peter & Garry Parsons ~ #AuthorInterview ~ @PurpleHuskey @ICanDrawDinos @PuffinBooks
Interview with author Gareth Peter. My Daddies is a funny, heartfelt picture-book celebrating same-sex parents and shared story time, perfect for introducing children to the different kinds of family in the world today.
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.
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?
What About Me? Said the Flea by Lily Murray & Richard Merritt ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @lilymurraybooks @Richarddraws @BusterBooks
When a little girl decides to write a story, she ponders and puzzles over whom to write about. Then she hears a loud voice, lots of loud voices in fact, coming from would-be picture book characters, all vying for the lead role in her story.
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes & Gordon C James ~ #PictureBook #Review #FebYOUary ~ @Author_DDB @GordonCJamesArt @egmontbooksuk
Recently published in the UK by Egmont, this USA bestselling picture book is a statement to all young Black boys around the world: you are worthy and you are loved.