YA novel The Territory shortlisted for 2018 schools award
The Territory, the first novel in the chilling dystopian YA trilogy by Sarah Govett, has been shortlisted for the Trinity Schools Book Award 2018 (TSBA). The theme for the Award for 2017-18 is A New World.
New release Fug and the Thumps by Malachy Doyle coming to Firefly Press soon
For the third in our series featuring our Dragonfly authors for younger readers, we talk to Malachy Doyle, author of Pete and the Five-a-Side Vampires, which was selected for the Summer Reading Challenge 2016. Malachy's new book Fug and the Thumps, an adventure story for 8-11s perfect for reluctant readers, will be publishing with Firefly Press in February 2018.
Read the Q&A with Malachy Doyle.
Arthur and Me by Sarah Todd Taylor selected for the BookTrust Letterbox pack
For the second in our series featuring our Dragonfly books for younger readers we talk to Sarah Todd Taylor, author of Arthur and Me, which won the Firefly Children’s Book Prize 2014 and has recently been selected for the BookTrust Letterbox pack.
Read the Q&A with Sarah Todd Taylor.
Thimble Monkey Superstar shortlisted for Laugh Out Loud Awards 2017
Thimble Monkey Superstar by Jon Blake, illustrated by Martin Chatterton, has been shortlisted in the 6-8-year-olds category in the Laugh Out Loud Awards 2017.
Narrated by ten-year-old Jams, Thimble Monkey Superstar tells the story of how Thimble comes to stay and manages to outwit Jams' hapless father on just about every occasion, destroying his favourite furniture and creating mayhem at the local school, zoo and police station, before coming to the rescue in spectacular fashion.
The shortlist was decided by Michael Rosen, children’s novelist, poet and former Children’s Laureate, and his judging panel, consisting of CBBC presenter Katie Thistleton and The Sunday Times’ Children’s Books Editor, Nicolette Jones.
Watch CBBC presenter Katie Thistleton announcing the shortlist with Thimble Monkey Superstar here.
Schoolchildren across the UK will now be given the chance to vote for their favourite shortlisted book until December 8, with the winner being announced at a ceremony in January 2018.
See the whole shortlist and cast your vote here.
Jon Blake, who lives in Cardiff and has had several bestselling titles in his 30-year-career as a children’s writer, said he was delighted by the shortlisting.
Martin Chatterton, who lives in Ludlow added: 'Being shortlisted for The Lollies brought a smile to my face. I think it did for Jon too although truth be told, it's hard to tell with Blakey. Good luck to all the other nominees.
To celebrate the shortlisting we are offering £1 off a signed copy of Thimble Monkey Superstar when you buy through our website and a free Thimble sticker!
Thimble is one of our exciting Dragonfly Series stories for younger readers, and to celebrate the Lollies shortlisting we are offering all other Dragonfly titles at HALF PRICE and free P&P on our website for a limited period only.
We will also be featuring a Dragonfly book and author with special offers each week, starting with our Q&A with Jon Blake here.
We will also be publishing the second adventure of Thimble, Thimble Holiday Havoc, also illustrated by Martin Chatterton, on 9 November 2017. Available to pre-order here.
Ladybirds Fly into Top Spot
Aubrey and the Terrible Ladybirds by Horatio Clare is Children's Book of the Week in the Sunday Times. And to celebrate we are offering £1 off both Horatio's Aubrey books on our website this week, with free post and packing.
Children's Books Editor Nicolette Jones says: 'Clare’s debut, Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot, which dealt magically with the subject of depression, won the Branford Boase award for a first children’s book. This sequel, again about Aubrey, who can talk to animals, tackles big themes, too, in the guise of a fantastical adventure. But it manages to impart its important messages entertainingly. The story celebrates wildlife, compassion, the exhilaration of flight and travel, and has a cast of lively characters.'
For the full review and a chance to read the first chapter click here.
The book of the week spot follows high praise from young readers on the Lovereading4kids website, including the following:
Erica Motoc, age 11 - 'This book is awesome and gave me a different view about insects and I loved all the different things like ‘The Great Hunger’. They were great!'
Josh Parcell, age 9 - 'I would give this book a rating of 10 stars, because it was full of adventures and about animals two of my most favourite topics!'