Huge congratulations to Julie Pike who has seen her sizzling magical adventure novel for 9-12s – Flame Chasers burn its way through the competition to land in The Times Best Children’s Books of 2024 list.
Julie, who hails from a Neath council estate, has carried out many events with the town’s schools and libraries with Flame Chasers, and is delighted with the accolade for her second children’s novel, and the first with Wales-based Firefly Press.
Published in June 24, Flame Chasers is described as, “an exquisite story that burns brightly,” by Times children’s reviewer Lucy Bannerman who also made it a Times Children’s Book of the Week on publication.
‘It sizzles with imagination,’ she says. ‘Impossible Creatures was the hit that everyone was chasing last year, but this magical adventure feels like a sparky younger sibling to Katherine Rundell’s bestseller.”
Flame Chasers tells the story of Ember, whose only wish is to fly with the golden flamebirds who stop every year at her hometown of Bright Beacon before heading west across the seas to their mysterious home. Their fiery arrival is also the signal for the waiting flame chasers in the harbour below to get ready to follow the birds, whose glowing tail feathers grant the finder a wish for their heart’s desire. But wishes have consequences… and when Ember’s father is lost at sea on the flame chase, she must find a ship that will set sail with her to find him.
Firefly publisher Penny Thomas said: ‘Flame Chasers is a superb, magical, middle-grade title, swirling with rich colours, wish-magic, mysterious golden flamebirds and daring deeds on the high seas. It’s a thrilling adventure that doesn’t leave out hot chocolate and heart-warming moments. We’re so delighted for Julie that this sparking adventure has been recognised in this way!’
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Michael the Great Globetrotting Sausage Dog for7–9-year-olds by Terrie Chilvers, from Amber Caravéo at Skylark Literary Ltd, once again illustrated by Tim Budgen.
The first book, Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog, (Firefly, June 23) saw Michael confirmed as a star when he was selected as the first-ever title in the new Blue Peter Book Club. Following on from his successful search for stardom in book one, Michael the Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog took Hollywoof by storm once again last year.
In this third instalment, Michael and Stanley are embarking on the race of a lifetime as they compete to win the TV show, Chase Around the World! Michael is determined to get his paws on the glitter-globe trophy. But with Stanley Big Dog intent on having fun, can they come out on top?
Firefly Editor, Hayley Fairhead said: ‘With all the wit and charm of the previous two Michael books, Michael the Great Globetrotting Sausage Dog is another laugh-out-loud read from Terrie Chilvers. Michael has conquered Hollywoof; now it’s time to conquer the world!’
Terrie Chilvers said: ‘Anyone with mind-reading powers will already know that I’ve been itching to write another Michael book … and here it is! This time, Michael and Stanley Big Dog will be racing around the world! Super excited to be working with the fabulous Firefly team and illustrator extraordinaire, Tim Budgen again.’
And Amber Caravéo of Skylark Literary said: ‘The Michael books are so much fun, and I couldn’t be more delighted that Terrie will now be sending Michael and Stanley Big Dog on a new globetrotting adventure with Firefly alongside as the very best of travel agents!’
The book is slated for publication in September 2025.
Welsh Giants, Ghosts & Goblins by Claire Fayers has been announced as Waterstones Welsh Book of the Year 2024. Huge congratulations to Claire!
In this beautifully presented volume, Claire Fayers takes a fresh look at the rich history of storytelling in Wales. Featuring seventeen adventures, fairy tales and ghost stories from across the country, Claire Fayers breathes new life into these traditional Welsh stories by reimagining them for contemporary younger readers. Claire Fayers grew up in south-east Wales where, thanks to her local library, she developed a lifelong obsession with myth and magic.
Leonie Lock, Bookseller, Waterstones Newport, describes Welsh Giants, Ghosts & Goblins as: “a magical collection that brings Welsh legends to life, reconnecting us to the stories that permeate our culture and history”.
Jasmine Lawson, Bookseller, Waterstones Aberystwyth, adds: I couldn’t put this book down and when I had to, it was all I could think about. I have been and will continue to shout about this book from the rooftops at our store. I sincerely cannot recommend Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins by Claire Fayers enough!”.
Claire Fayers comments: “I’m over the moon that Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins is Waterstones Welsh Book of the Year. The support I’ve had from booksellers and readers has been overwhelming. I’ve been in love with the strange and magical world of Welsh folklore for many years and it’s pure joy to see people discovering and sharing these stories. Thank you all.”
Claire Fayers will be signing copies of Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins at Christmas shopping events at Waterstones Aberystwyth on Saturday 2nd December and Waterstones Swansea on Thursday 5th December. For further event information and timings please check the Waterstones website.
Penny Thomas, publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights in debut poetry collection Fresh by Rhiannon Oliver.
Folded-up socks not yet stretched out by feet,
Snow without footprints, beds with fresh sheets.
Ice-cream un-scooped, a freshly mowed lawn,
Curtains not open, paper undrawn
Keep finding beginnings and open your heart –
Each moment’s a chance to make a fresh start.
Taking inspiration from everything from cat fleas to cloud gazing, Fresh is a lively collection of poems written for children ages 8-12. And as well as the ‘fun stuff’ many of the poems touch on mental health and wellbeing, covering subjects such as shifting friendships, sadness, loss, coping with worry, and being left out. They explore starting over, the natural world, expressing your feelings, and kindness. The collection varies in tone and style with many of the poems serving as models for young people’s own creative writing.
‘I really admire the brilliant books that Firefly Press publishes and I am so excited to be joining the Firefly family to bring my first collection of poetry for children into the world!’ said Oliver. ‘Fresh is full of poems about feelings, family, friendship, and fun stuff. While there are lots of poems that explore wellbeing and mental health, there’s also a decent dose of silliness – look out for cheeky seagulls, disgusting soups, and super-speedy snails!’
Penny Thomas said, ‘Rhiannon’s poetry is perceptive, joyful, empathetic and deceptively simple, and will reach out to primary school audiences wherever she goes. Already published in Firefly’s And I Hear Dragons anthology and other poetry publications, we are really delighted to be bringing out her first collection!’
Penny Thomas, publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights to LIVE, a third book by Carnegie longlisted and Branford Boase shortlisted poet and novelist Luke Palmer from Jane Finigan at Lutyens & Rubinstein Literary Agency.
Sixth-former George leads the school’s coolest band – no party is complete without them. But when tragedy strikes, how can he, and the rest of his year group, rediscover the bright future they’d all planned?
This stunning coming-of-age novel for anyone who ever wanted to be in a band is due to land in bookshops June 2025.
Luke’s first novel Grow dealt with white, right-wing radicalisation among schoolchildren. It was longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal in 2022 and was a Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week. His second novel Play, is a superb and deeply moving story of four boys growing up together.
Play has just been nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2025.
Penny Thomas said: ‘Luke Palmer is such a talented writer, and we are really delighted that he is publishing his third novel with Firefly. Luke’s insight and writing about the lives of teenagers, particularly boys, is second to none, and this homage to the love of music and the teenage dream confirms him as an outstanding YA novelist.’
Luke Palmer said: I’m delighted to be working with Firefly press again for my third novel. This one’s a real heart book for me and, like all things of the heart, it’s meant to be shared. It’s a book about music and the power of song, which pretty much got me through my teens. But music’s a collaborative thing, and there’s plenty of space in the book for people to bring their own sounds along, too!
CONGRATULATIONS to Firefly authors, Luke Palmer, Nicola Davies, Alex Wharton and Manon Steffan Ros as FOUR Firefly titles are nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2025!
The Carnegies are the UK’s longest running children’s book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing and illustration in books for children and young people.
Read on to find out more about these brilliant nominated books…
Four boys grow up together at school, itching to get out of their small town. They play games, scoring points from each other, anything to pass the time until they’re free.
Matthew slips into his imagination, Luc pushes his body to the limit, and Johnny … well who knows what Johnny’s up to. But when Mark starts running errands for his older brother’s mysterious associate, he thinks he’s found the best game of all. There’s money in his pocket and his friends have started looking at him differently.
Then Mark breaks a rule, and quickly realises that the penalties in this game far outweigh the prizes. Can they all make it to the finish line before someone loses more than just face?
PLAY is a superbly written, tense and moving drama – a terrific second YA novel from Luke Palmer, whose debut title, Grow, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase first novel award and longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022.
From Children’s Laureate Wales Alex Wharton comes an innovative poetry ‘how to’ collection aimed at school pupils. Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees is packed full of fun poems, limericks, haiku, song and rap from Alex Wharton, all illustrated by Rhiannon Smith.
From 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal winner Manon Steffan Ros, Me and Aaron Ramsey tells the story of Sam and his dad who both love football, which is always there for them however tough real life becomes. That is, until Dad’s dreams of football stardom go horribly wrong. Sam’s love for the footballing legend becomes tangled with his relationship for his father as things go south in their family life.
From Nicola Davies, the Wales Book of the Year children’s winner and Wainwright Prize shortlisted prequel to the Song that Sings Us, Skrimsli, illustrated by Jackie Morris, makes the Carnegie nominations today.
This epic tale of tiger sea captain Skrimsli, and his friends, Owl and Kal is a ‘must-read’ adventure! Skrimsli must escape the clutches of the tyrannical circus owner Kobret Majak, and his twin assassin-acrobats, then stop a war and save the ancient forest, where the Tiger, and the Owl are sacred guardians. Skrimsli and his friends are helped by the Palatine – a desert princess, a chihuahua who thinks she’s a wolf, a horse with heart of gold and the crew of a very unusual ship.
This is a story full of excitement and danger, that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, identity and love, in the context of some of humanity’s toughest problems.
