[mc4wp_form id=”15852″]
The Federation of Children’s Book Groups Blog
Children’s Book Award Blog Tour- Gozzle by Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie
Welcome back to the blog tour for our shortlisted titles in the Books for Younger Children category. Today we feature a Q&A with renowned author, Julia Donaldson about her shortlisted book, Gozzle. Gozzle was illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and is published with Macmillan Children’s Books. How does it feel to be nominated for the Children’s […]
Children’s Book Award Blog Tour- Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown
It’s the second day of the blog tour celebrating our shortlisted Books for Younger Children category! Today we welcome both Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown to the blog answering our questions about their shortlisted book, Creepy Pair of Underwear, Published with Simon & Schuster. How does it feel to be nominated for the Children’s […]
Children’s Book Award Blog Tour- The Torto-saurus by Katie Cottle
Today begins the blog tour for the four titles shortlisted in the Books for Younger Children category. Four widely known picture books feature on this shortlist and each day this week, we will bring you a Q&A with the creators of each book. Do watch out for more each day. The Torto-saurus by Katie Cottle, […]
The Children’s Book Award shortlist for 2026
The Children’s Book Award shortlist for 2026 We’re delighted to announce the Children’s Book Award 2026 shortlist today. Children from the 10 FCBG testing groups read almost 500 books submitted by the publishers and registered almost 58,000 votes, from which the Top 10 has been selected. The full shortlist is as follows: Books […]
Stories in the Panels- Our new booklist on Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga
Stories in the Panels – The New Graphics, Comics and Manga Booklist NNFN Co-ordinator, Jasmine Brown and NSSM Co-ordinator, Louisa Farrow, have been collaborating on re-creating our booklists for the National Year of Reading. Stories in the Panels is the newest booklist and we are pleased to say it is ready to download from our […]
National Non-Fiction November Competition Winners
Welcome to the blog today which features an announcement on the winners of the National Non-Fiction November Competition. Our NNFN co-ordinator, Jasmine Brown, has written a piece sharing the news! I am very pleased to showcase some of the entries from the NNFN competition. Thank you to everyone who sent in their entries! The […]
FCBG Conference 2026
Books That Hook: Turning every child into a reader with the right book. Leighton Park School, Reading, 10th to 12th April. For the National Year of Reading we have planned the programme to help our delegates find the books that will inspire children to become readers. We will have panels on crime and mystery novels, […]
Wild Journey by A.M. Dassu
Today, we welcome A.M. Dassu to the blog answering a few questions about her latest book, Wild Journey. Wild Journey is a collection of linked stories – why did you choose starlings to link those stories? What is their significance? I decided starlings would be the perfect connecting link in each story because they take […]
The Cats of Crail: How It All Began by Sarah Rogerson
We welcome Sarah Rogerson to the blog today, sharing more information about The Cats of Crail. The Cats of Crail: How It All Began How do you get inspired to write a series of children’s books about five cats who live in a small Scottish fishing village? It helps to live in […]
Finding Our Harmony: Writing Stories that Bring Us Together By Dr Monika Singh Gangotra
At a time where public discourse often resembles a deafening clash of competing voices, a vibrant new picture book arrives with a timely message about finding harmony amidst the noise. Harmony House by immigrant author, Monika Singh Gangotra (author of Sunflower Sisters), explores what happens when individual expression collides with community living, offering young readers […]
The Story Behind the Story by Sarah Ann Juckes
Welcome to today’s blog where Sarah Ann Juckes shares some insight into her book, Robin. The Story Behind the Story by Sarah Ann Juckes It’s one of the most frequently asked questions I get as a children’s author – “where do you get your ideas?” It’s also one of my favourite questions to answer, […]
An interview with author Francesco Bedini and illustrator Stefano Tambellini, creators of My Cat is Called Odin
We have a brilliant blog today where readers will gain some insight into My Cat is Called Odin by Francesco Bedini and Stefano Tambellini. An interview with author Francesco Bedini and illustrator Stefano Tambellini, creators of My Cat is Called Odin For fans of Loki, Warrior Cats and Percy Jackson comes a new action-packed, […]
About Time by Alom Shaha and Rebecca Struthers
We welcome co-authors Alom Shaha and Rebecca Struthers to the blog in an interview style format! Gain some insight into their work on About Time. Rebecca – What inspired you to write the book? Education has always been very important to me, although I’d only taught at a university level before writing this book. We […]
A Tree for Everyone by Kathy Urban
We welcome Kathy Urban to the blog today sharing her opinion on Why Play Matters! It may help you to remember your own fond memories of playing as a child. Why Play Matters: Play is messy — and that’s a good thing By Kathy Urban I must have been about eight years […]
Storymix Books by Jasmine Richards
We have a fantastic blog today from Jasmine Richards, founder of Storymix and Storymix Books. How it started! This year has been full of milestones for me, including becoming a trustee at the National Literacy Trust at a pivotal time as we prepare for the National Year of Reading 2026. It is also […]
Can Comic-Strips Help to Engage Young Readers with History and Biography by Marcia Williams
Can Comic-Strips Help to Engage Young Readers with History and Biography I have always been fascinated by comic-strips, and their balance between words and pictures. Maybe it has something to do with my brother being allowed a weekly comic when we were younger, but not me. I’m not sure why this was, but […]
Lionborn by Sharique Zea
On the blog today, we have a Q&A with Sharique Zea, author of Lionborn! The great questions and answers may inspire you to pick up a copy of this book. Q&A with Sharique Zea, author of Lionborn Lionborn is the story of 12-year-old Fionn who discovers he has the powerful magical gifts of […]
National Non-Fiction November Competition Details
This year for National Non-Fiction November our theme is Past Puzzles and Timeless Treasures! Our booklist features curious objects, books about historical places, people, and artefacts. We have lots of activities that you can be doing to celebrate non-fiction with children – do take a look at the activity booklet on the National Non-Fiction November […]