Michael Winkler: Griefdogg Join us for a conversation about a new novel set in Mildura, written by Miles Franklin-shortlisted author Michael Winkler, interviewed by Donata Carrazza.

Taking Griefdogg to where it was written and set. Tell your Mallee mates! Raising bucks for the mighty Mildura Writers Festival.
events.humanitix.com/michael-wink...

In the pre-launch weeks before #MusicPlantsHope hits shelves, I'm offering this #BackMatterBlitz where I share behind-the-scenes tidbits, trivia, back matter bits and more. Out May 26, 2026. You can request it at your local bookstore and/or library!

Today is the debut of my Young Adult novel, A MILLION TINY MISSILES ALL AT ONCE!
Thank you to @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social for everything, I cannot express how much it means to have this out there in the world!
www.waterstones.com/book/a-milli...

Photo of author and illustrator of Kid Rex to the Rescue. Both stand, arms around each others' backs and smile to camera. Author Mayo Agard-Olubo, on the right, is a Black man with short black hair; he is dressed all in black, including a black jacket with shiny lapels and a black-patterned handkerchief in left breast pocket. Illustrator Diane Ewen, on the left, is a woman of colour with long black hair. She wears a bright red shirt tucked in to dark blue turn up jeans with black boots. They stand in front of alphabet letter gold balloons which spell out KIDREX. Right corner is a stand with a copy of the picture book on it. Background is a window. Nighttime so window reflects back the room.

1/2 A event last week celebrating the launch of debut author @mayowrites.bsky.social and illustrator @creativedy.bsky.social ‘s Kid Rex to the Rescue at the @hachettechildrens.bsky.social offices.

#KidLitUK

I would have loved this very much ❤️

I had the time of my life at the Griefdogg launch. Thanks everyone who braved the rain to attend. Thanks to my mates who performed a song we wrote for the night, Michael Heyward and Robert Skinner who spoke, MC Silas Moir and my choir buddies. Now going to hide away a while and think about it all.

#BackMatterBlitz Day 6 Lots of great string quartet trivia in today's post! Pre-orders of #MusicPlantsHope are available at all major retailers online. Links here: www.tonnyefletcher.com/music-plants...

Looks like the best night!

All welcome, bring your mates.

The legend Chong, outside Brunswick Bound bookshop.

Congratulations Helen! 🥳

Is it cringe to recommend my own book? Absolutely.

Will I still do it? Yeah.

Ahh amazing news!! It sounds incredible! I can't wait to read. Love the cover too 💙

THRILLED to share the UK cover of THE SEA HIDES ITS DEAD!

TSHID is a cult aquatic horror about a group of academics trapped in a sea cave who must reckon with cosmic horrors as they're forced to atone for their greatest sins.

Cover design by Charlotte Stroomer, cover art credit by Andreea Dumuta.

Left it too late to book an author for World Book Week? Don't worry - you can catch me talking about The Night I Borrowed Time in a FREE 45-minute webinar this Friday 27 Feb, 13:30. You've got till tmw to ping questions. Link for details and registering:

www.puffinschools.co.uk/events/virtu...

The cover for The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance by Chiara Bullen. The tagline reads: "Behind every hero, there's a historian." The cover is framed by icons; two open books at the bottom, green quills and thistle leaves above. Two golden daggers frame the title, and thorns lead up to two dragon heads. Above the title there is the image of a mountain and a small dragon. Below the title, there is an image of the white inn, a stag behind it and a path leading to the front door. The colour palette is mostly light gold, a teal green and black.

The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance is included in the Waterstones pre-order sale! 25% off with the code FEB26

Cosy fantasy inspired by my love (and fear…) of Scotland’s mountains, misadventures in academia, and time spent adventuring in Dungeons and Dragons

www.waterstones.com/book/the-inn...

It’s beginning to feel real! Our graphic novel Wilomina:The Land of Dreams and Nightmares has been selected for an exclusive Waterstones offer if you preorder it this week! Just use code FEB26

Feel free to share this! Out in August.

www.waterstones.com/book/wilomin...

#WPreorder

25% off a pre-order of my debut YA, A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once! Thank you @waterstones.bsky.social
www.waterstones.com/book/a-milli...
@chickenhousebooks.bsky.social

Graphic with the cover of AT THE COOKOUT with the following excerpt from Kirkus Reviews: The joy is palpable in Fisher’s bright, warm artwork and her jaunty, dialogue-heavy text as this loving Black family gathers, bonding over food and music, greeting each other with laughter, hugs, and elaborate handshakes. Warm and inviting.

Kirkus review part one: “A youngster reconnects with a favorite cousin at a get-together. It’s summer break, and for Cici, that means making time for family cookouts at Grandma’s house. Cici has a bunch of cousins to play with—and we see them taking part in balloon water fights in the backyard, jumping double Dutch, and playing horseshoes—but there’s one cousin in particular whom the child is searching for, and he’s looking for Cici. At Cici’s lowest point (“Still no sign of Chase”), the little one is compelled to check under a table, where Chase has been hiding with a handful of Grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. Their reunion means the party can finally start in earnest as they join everyone else in cutting up the dance floor until the food is ready to be eaten.”

Kirkus review part 2: “Plates full of chicken, burgers, mac and cheese, greens, and more feed the whole family, but Cici and Chase are nourished by each other and the love they share. The joy is palpable in Fisher’s bright, warm artwork and her jaunty, dialogue-heavy text as this loving Black family gathers, bonding over food and music, greeting each other with laughter, hugs, and elaborate handshakes. The author/illustrator employs a variety of panel sizes and vibrant pastel backgrounds, making for an accessible picture book filled with smiling brown faces, as dynamic as the event itself. Warm and inviting. (Picture book. 4-8)”

I’m so happy to share this great review of AT THE COOKOUT from Kirkus!
I wanted to write a book that was full of joy & love, & I’m so happy that I get to share it with you when it releases this April.

See below for preorder options #kidlit

@jemiscoe.bsky.social
@starlingliterary.bsky.social

Such satisfying heft to them!

Writers and illustrators in Scotland, don't miss the chance to enter this year's #KelpiesPrize! We're especially interested in entries from people who are historically under-represented in children's books. @scotbpocwriters.bsky.social
Sounds like you? Full details: discoverkelpies.co.u...

I continue to love your dad!

The Year of Reading – January As we have now embarked on ‘The year of Reading’ for 2026, I felt compelled to add something (hopefully of value) to the conversation each month. A mixture of recommendations, genre foc…

The Year of Reading 2026 has commenced so I’ve added my voice to the chat with a monthly blog. Recommendations, teacher ideas and resources. Probably nothing groundbreaking but hopefully there’s something useful tomsbookcorner.wordpress.com/2026/01/17/t...

Submissions for the CBNN Prize close 26th February and our judges can’t wait to meet up in Manchester and look at the entries together! If you are an unpublished illustrator living in the North, please do enter! For all the info, go to: childrensbooksnorth.co.uk/cbnn-prize 📚

just fantastic news. several staff members booking annual leave as we speak.

Book cover for Loki by Louie Stowell

Book cover for Freddy vs School by Neill Cameron

Book cover for My Brilliant Plan to Fix Everything by Ben Davis.

Book cover for Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure by Alex T. Smith

I had intended to take this week off #KidsBooksFriday, but somehow I feel a sudden urge to celebrate funny, readable books by folk who are not despicable humans. Please do join me with your recommendations.
#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit

So here they my favourite 40 picturebooks of 2025 (actually there are 42). Merry Christmas!

#FavePicturebooks25 #PicturebookPage

I really feel like I'm shouting into the void on here, but my debut is available for pre0rder for just 0.99. If you like slow burn romance and a ton of yearning, you might love it. 💜

Just published a book.

Think it's good.

People say it is.

But really need to sell more copies.

Please grab one. Cheap!

davidziggygreene.bigcartel.com/product/vint...

My cozy fantasy novel inspired by my love (and fear…) of Scotland’s mountains, misadventures in academia, and time spent adventuring in Dungeons and Dragons, will be out next July!!