What the Dickens? Making the Classics accessible to Young Readers – Guest Post by Catherine Bruton

I will never forget the first time I saw a teacher cry. I think it shaped the writer I became. And it is certainly at the heart of the book I’ve just written – ‘Another Twist in the Tale’, a sequel to Charles Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’ set in Victorian London and featuring Oliver’s long lost … Continue reading What the Dickens? Making the Classics accessible to Young Readers – Guest Post by Catherine Bruton →

The Creature Keeper – Blog Tour Q&A with Damaris Young

One of my favourite reads last year was Damaris Young's debut The Switching Hour, so when attending a Scholastic event at the start of this year that showcased books being published by themselves during 2020 I heard of Damaris' new title The Creature Keeper and have been looking forward to being able to get my … Continue reading The Creature Keeper – Blog Tour Q&A with Damaris Young →

The Book of Timeless Memories – A Poem by my Mum, inspired by Jackie Morris’ Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes

Earlier this week I shared a blog about Jackie Morris' Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes, which was very personal to me in content and context, and since writing the blog I gave the book to my mum - curious as to which nursery rhymes were significant to her, and the memories they would remind her … Continue reading The Book of Timeless Memories – A Poem by my Mum, inspired by Jackie Morris’ Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes →

Big Bright Feelings by Tom Percival

Bloomsbury have a gorgeous series by talented author and illustrator Tom Percival consisting of four titles, and known as the big bright feelings collection. Each has been assigned a vibrant coloured cover, and focuses on its own main character - Norman, Ruby, Meesha and Ravi. Each book focuses on feelings relevant to younger audiences in … Continue reading Big Bright Feelings by Tom Percival →

If You Come to Earth – Sophie Blackall

Although I generally tend to write overviews of picture books such as my most recent Peeking At Picture Books (see here) I read If You Come to Earth and knew it deserved an entire blog celebrating the gorgeous combination of text and illustration that instantly gives the reader so much to consider, appreciate, and enjoy. … Continue reading If You Come to Earth – Sophie Blackall →

The importance of sharing Nursery Rhymes

In September of this year Otter-Barry Books published an incredible collection of Nursery Rhymes that have an important message behind their stunning existence, and that is to promote them to the latest generation of parents and children alike. Who else but Jackie Morris in her talents of both an author and illustrator could do this … Continue reading The importance of sharing Nursery Rhymes →

Peeking At Picture Books – October (Part Four)

As children move from Board Books to Picture Books is a huge milestone in the journey to becoming a fluent reader, and one that reads for pleasure, it gives me such joy to bring attention to titles that will definitely grab younger audiences' attention from the get go, make them laugh and smile, ensure they … Continue reading Peeking At Picture Books – October (Part Four) →

Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town – Acrobats of Agra Blog Tour

James Bond’s been, Indiana Jones has been, Charlie Chan’s been, Hetty Feather’s been, Asterix has been, Paddington’s been and caused chaos. Of course he did. A trip to the circus has proved impossible to resist for so many writers and film-makers ever since the cry of “Roll-up, roll-up” echoed from the first big top. I’ve … Continue reading Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town – Acrobats of Agra Blog Tour →

Peeking At Picture Books – October (Part Three)

As children move from Board Books to Picture Books is a huge milestone in the journey to becoming a fluent reader, and one that reads for pleasure, it gives me such joy to bring attention to titles that will definitely grab younger audiences' attention from the get go, make them laugh and smile, ensure they … Continue reading Peeking At Picture Books – October (Part Three) →

Peeking At Picture Books – October (Part Two)

As children move from Board Books to Picture Books is a huge milestone in the journey to becoming a fluent reader, and one that reads for pleasure, it gives me such joy to bring attention to titles that will definitely grab younger audiences' attention from the get go, make them laugh and smile, ensure they … Continue reading Peeking At Picture Books – October (Part Two) →