I absolutely love escaping into the many worlds created by Jess Butterworth, which until recently were middle grade/chapter books for confident readers, and The Adventure Club series has joined my personal collection of Jess' books that I will cherish (many of which have been signed and dedicated to my daughter and myself when we were … Continue reading All things The Adventure Club with author Jess Butterworth
The majority of the work in this book was created digitally, but my process in photoshop is very painterly and textured. I spent a lot of time studying reference and also watching videos on YouTube to understand how each animal moved. I had a constant dialogue with the Welbeck team and authors to ensure that … Continue reading Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks – An Illustrative Insight by Sarah Edmonds
I will hold my hands up and say I don’t know much about space, yes I could name the planets, (but not the order they go in) and I can name a couple of people who have walked on the moon, namely Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. But that’s as far as I go. A … Continue reading How to teach grown ups about Pluto
My latest thriller, Ready or Not, has just been published. Teenager Kat goes missing during a game of hide-and-seek on holiday with a group of three families in Cornwall. I tell the story through the eyes of 15-year-old Millie, who’s devastated by the absence of her best friend, Kat. The remaining teenagers all go back … Continue reading Ready or Not in Five objects by Tracy Darnton
Sister To A Star is a thriller set in the glamorous world of Hollywood movie-making. It takes us behind the cameras – to places where normally only stars and the film crew get to go. We get to see the secret world of the film studio, diving into A-lister dressing rooms, Hair & Make Up, … Continue reading My Favourite Movie Tricks by Eloise Smith
I have had the incredible opportunity to interview Karl J Mountford, illustrator of The Riddle of the Sea, a book originally published in Dutch through the beautiful storytelling of author Jonne Kramer, and now translated into English by Laura Watkinson. I have been admiring Karl's stunning illustrations since The Uncommoners : The Crooked Sixpence by … Continue reading The Riddle of the Sea – Interview with Illustrator Karl James Mountford
Ajay and the Mumbai Sun Written by Varsha Shah Illustrations by Sonia Albert Published by Chicken House Ajay was dumped in the slum as a baby, he is known as a Mumbai railway kid. He sells newspapers to make money but his dream is to be a journalist. He and his friends are lucky enough … Continue reading 2022 Middle Grade Must Reads – May (Part One)
This time last week I had the pleasure of heading to London for my first in-person book event since early 2020, when Covid 19 put a halt to gatherings, and in doing so has played a large part in how book events are predominantly virtual now. I have longed for the opportunity to be amongst … Continue reading My return to in-person book events featured The 100 Story Hotel!
Rumaysa A Fairytale was one of the books you needed to read when it first came out. It is a truly amazing book. Rumaysa Ever After is the sequel to this book, I was so excited to read this as I really enjoyed the first one. This follows straight after the first one. Rumaysa has … Continue reading Rumaysa Ever After
Whether it is a book written by Michelle Paver intended for children, or those that she writes for adults, it is always the case that I instantly warmly recall how my three children all have a literary affinity to the Wolf Brother series, of which Wolfbane is the ninth and final instalment. This is a … Continue reading Wolfbane – The Epic Conclusion to the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series
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