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BookTrust: Getting children reading
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Have some fun
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Competitions
- Discover How the Stars Came to Be by winning a stunning book
- Fifteen beautiful board books by Ingela Arrhenius up for grabs
- Go on a magnificent adventure with Mr Gumpy's Rhino
- I Am A Story: enter your class into our creative writing competition to win a free school visit from Cerrie Burnell
- Win a bookful of animal poems
- Win a celebration of the African continent, country by country
- Win a set of The Wizards of Once books by Waterstones Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell
- Win a signed copy of beautiful true story The Bear Who Went to War
- Win all the books shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2020
- Win an awesome almanac
- Win two amazing books for budding adventurers
- Win two fairy tale books given a modern makeover for a new generation
- Win the COMPLETE Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, including the brand-new Wrecking Ball book
- Win the latest Asterix book
- Win the stunning Mythologica plus three technicolour prints from the book
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Quizzes
- BookTrust's 100 Best Books: 0-5
- BookTrust's 100 Best Books: 12+
- BookTrust's 100 Best Books: 6-8
- BookTrust's 100 Best Books: 9-11
- Celebrate Father's Day with this quiz about dads in books
- Do you know your Dracula from your Frankenstein?
- Fantastic football facts: how much do you know?
- Fascinating facts about space
- Find out how much you really know about the United Kingdom
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - the quiz!
- Harry Potter in translation: can you take a guess?
- How much do you know about your amazing human body?
- How well do you know the Famous Five?
- How well do you know your nursery rhymes?
- Lesser Spotted Animals: How well do you know these wild and wonderful creatures?
- Lonely Hearts – which book characters are looking for love?
- Reading the Roald Dahl menu
- Roald Dahl: how many fantastic facts do you know about the legendary storyteller and his books?
- So this is Quizmas: the ultimate Christmas books quiz on those childhood classics
- Test your knowledge of His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
- Try this Matilda quiz to see how well you remember the book by Roald Dahl
- The epic teen romance couples quiz
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Stories for kids online and fun games to play
- A Hole In The Bottom Of The Sea
- At the Seaside
- Baby's Day
- Colouring Pages
- Do the Animal Bop
- Faces and Feelings
- Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
- If You're Happy and You Know it
- Jigsaws
- Jungle Picture Maker activity
- Letterflies interactive game in English and Welsh
- Lulu Loves Stories
- Make your mark drawing tool for children
- Open Very Carefully
- Pob Un Bwni'n Dawnsio!
- Read along with Oh No, George online
- Read our online, interactive Owl Babies storybook
- Rumble in the Jungle
- Shape Game
- Share the Fun
- Some Dogs Do
- The Boy on the Bus interactive storybook
- The Dragon Machine
- Ugly Duckling and Friends interactive story and games
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Competitions
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Reading tips and advice for families and schools
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Writing tips
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Writing tips from authors
- 25 rules for writing a novel, by Matt Haig
- Advice to young writers, by Sarah J Maas
- Blog your head off, by Jean Hannah Edelstein
- David Vann's advice on writing short stories
- Finding a publisher, by Louise Walters
- Five mistakes I made whilst trying to get published
- Five-second secrets to being a writer, by Anna McKerrow
- How technology can help you write, by Nikesh Shukla
- How to turn your memories into a story
- How to write comedy, by Tiernan Douieb
- Joyce Dunbar's guide to writing picture books
- Michèle Roberts' three big tips
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Patrick Ness's guide to writing
- Getting published: Are you ready?
- Getting published: What to submit
- Getting published: Where to send it?
- Getting started on your writing
- It talks! How does your book sound?
- Laying out a structure
- Patrick Ness' guide to writing: Freedom from tyranny
- Patrick Ness' guide to writing: On finding time to write
- Patrick Ness's guide to writing: Compare and despair
- When to let others read your writing
- Researching your family tree
- Seven motivational tools every writer needs
- Successful storytelling, by Vera Waters
- What makes a good poem?
- Why there are no rules, by Clare Wigfall
- Writing historical fiction, by Cora Harrison
- Writing short stories, by Stuart Evers
- Writing tips to include diversity
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News and features: What's happening in children's books
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BookTrust news
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BookTrust news 2019
- BookTrust announces judges line up for Blue Peter 20th Anniversary Book Awards
- BookTrust Storytime Prize shortlist unveiled in search for best book for sharing
- BookTrust teams up with Cyberjammies for Pyjamarama
- Candy Gourlay takes the reins as new BookTrust Writer in Residence
- Cressida Cowell announced as new Waterstones Children’s Laureate
- Floella Benjamin and James Mayhew join top librarians to judge BookTrust Storytime Prize
- Funny children's books are celebrated as the Lollies 2018 winners are unveiled
- Galw pob dosbarth Derbyn yng Nghymru.. Mae anturiaethwyr Pori Drwy Stori angen eich help!
- Gweinidog Addysg yn lansio rhaglen newydd i roi hwb i sgiliau siarad a gwrando 10,000 o blant meithrin
- Gweinidog Addysg yn lansio rhaglen newydd i roi hwb i sgiliau siarad a gwrando 10,000 o blant meithrin
- Here are the 2020 Blue Peter Book Awards contenders – and there's something for everyone
- Jan Pienkowski honoured with BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award
- Jump into you PJs with BookTrust's Pyjamarama
- Just one book can brighten a vulnerable child's Christmas: BookTrust launches festive fundraising campaign
- Leeds City Council and BookTrust sign exciting partnership to launch the Leeds Year of Reading
- Less than 2% of published authors and illustrators in the UK are British people of colour says new BookTrust research
- Mae 2019 yn flwyddyn arbennig iawn i ni – rydyn ni’n falch iawn o ddathlu pen-blwydd y Clwb Blwch Llythyrau yn 10 oed yng Nghymru.
- Mae’r gyfres cartwn newydd Caru Canu yn helpu plant i ganu ac odli
- Michael Rosen unveils the hilarious books on the Lollies Awards 2020 shortlist
- New BookTrust Writer in Residence, Cerrie Burnell, to share the magic of storytelling
- oeddi teitlau Dechrau Da newydd ar gyfer 2019
- On the same page conference about reading for children in Northern Ireland
- Parents swap books for tech at bedtime, new BookTrust research discovers
- Patrice Lawrence, Chitra Soundar and more stars join BookTrust Represents' first training events
- Patronus art auction for BookTrust kicks off celebrations marking 20 years of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Poetry and big issues take the lead in children's books as Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals announce 2019 longlists
- Pyjamarama: Etiquette expert William Hanson shares his top tips for wearing PJs out and about
- Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards unveils 2019 shortlist in fiercest competition yet
- Sarah McIntyre gets school kids bubbling with creativity
- Time to Read 2019 book is The Cave by Rob Hodgson
- The Boy at the Back of the Class and The Colours of History win 2019 Blue Peter Book Awards
- The Duchess of Cornwall has hosted a tea at Clarence House yesterday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate
- Verse novels lead the way as Carnegie and Greenaway Medal shortlists are unveiled
- Ymunwch â BookTrust Cymru i ddathlu Amser Rhigwm Mawr Cymru 2020
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News 2017
- Bardd Plant Cymru yn cyfansoddi cerdd i ddathlu 25 mlynedd o Dechrau Da
- Bath, Book, Bed: Exhausted parents lose over 650 hours of sleep a year
- Blue Peter Book Awards shortlist: fiction favourites flaunt strong female leads
- Bookbuzz: 17 books to make reading fun for your class
- BookTrust teams up with Lego to give families free Duplo
- Children meet author Sheena Wilkinson at Belfast Harbour
- Children want books about gaming this Christmas, according to new polling
- Children’s Book Club makes way for brand-new BookTrust website
- 'Children's books should be taken seriously', says Lauren Child
- Chris Riddell becomes BookTrust
- Chris Riddell visits Belfast pupils to encourage doodling, drawing and visits to school libraries
- Eluned Morgan AC yn dathlu 25 mlynedd o Ddechrau Da
- Faber titles win 2017 Blue Peter Book Awards
- Fabulous judges sign up for this year's Blue Peter Book Awards
- Lauren Child becomes the tenth Waterstones Children’s Laureate
- Lauren Laverne reads a new online story your child will love
- New research shows parents sideline story time for social media
- New Writer in Residence Taran Matharu bridges gap between video games and reading
- Raymond Briggs wins BookTrust 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sainsbury’s joins forces with reading charity BookTrust to celebrate books and stories
- Snap up special discounted theatre tickets to a showing of The Lorax
- The Bumblebear: every reception child in England will get this book
- Young readers dive into a Titanic book event in Belfast
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News 2018
- ‘Every child should have access to literature and creativity,' say two Children’s Laureates
- 123 Splosh, All About Me! and Max the Brave unveiled as brand new Bookstart titles
- Alex T. Smith visits Belfast schools to help inspire a love of reading
- Aneirin Karadog yn ymweld â phlant ysgol yng Ngheredigion
- Author Sarah Crossan makes an 'inspiring' visit to Northern Ireland students
- BookTrust celebrates 20 years of the Waterstones Children’s Laureate
- BookTrust NI and SONI celebrate their continued partnership in Armagh
- BookTrust partners with ClearVision Project to bring Braille books to children
- 'Boredom and staring into space must be allowed,' says Lauren Child at BookTrust NI event
- 'Denying children books dumps them into a cultural wasteland,' says Baroness Floella Benjamin at BookTrust Annual Lecture
- Fake news not fooling kids who read, says BookTrust and leading developmental psychologist
- Free books for toddlers as BookTrust NI and SONI celebrate their ongoing partnership to get more children reading
- How books can help toddlers to develop vital life skills
- Is fiction actually stranger than fact? Decide for yourself as the 2019 Blue Peter Book Awards contenders are revealed
- John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury win double BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award
- Keeeeeep reading! Strictly star Ore Oduba teams up with BookTrust for National Bookstart Week
- Local children boogie with the birds to celebrate National Bookstart Week in Northern Ireland
- Louise Pentland, Alex T Smith and Darren Chetty to judge Blue Peter Book Awards 2019
- Mae Amser Rhigwm Mawr Cymru ar y Ffordd
- Mae BookTrust Cymru’n cefnogi miloedd o blant meithrin yng Nghymru i ddatblygu sgiliau iaith a llafaredd cynnar
- Mae BookTrust yn cefnogi teuluoedd yng Nghymru i weld bod ‘Amser i Siarad, Gwrando a Chwarae’
- Michael Morpurgo gets knighthood for services to literature and charity
- Monkeying around with reading: every reception child in England to get this free book
- Nadia Shireen announced as the new BookTrust Writer-Illustrator in Residence
- Nadia Shireen announces winners of Me, Myself and I writing competition
- Perthynas ramantus pobl Cymru’n dioddef oherwydd nosweithiau di-gwsg
- Putting poetry in the picture
- Sainsbury's Children's Book Awards 2018 shortlist is revealed
- Tales of unexplained phenomenon and magical witches and warriors win 2018 Blue Peter Book Awards
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea named Children's Classic at Sainsbury's Book Awards
- Winners announced for the first international Lauren Child Poetry Illustration Prize
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BookTrust news 2019
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Features
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2013
- 30 things to tell a book snob
- 30 Things to tell a Grammar Snob
- A Comfortable Hammock for Boobs
- A character I have loved unswervingly since I was seven years old...
- Alan Johnson: 'We must get books into children's hands'
- Ask BookTrust - Why does my son re-read the same books?
- Boys, books and football
- Celebrating forgotten favourites
- Creating a book-loving school
- Disability in classic children's literature
- Giving the girls elbow room
- How to make books more popular
- How writing saved my life
- Inside the Book Fort
- Leigh Bardugo: The Grisha Honour Guard
- Mary Hoffman - My favourite books
- My favourite books from childhood
- Pollockmaniacs: Anne Plichota and Cendrine Wolf
- Researching The River Singers
- Ros Asquith: Keeping difference in mind
- Selecting Book Trust’s 100 Best Books
- The Book Corner
- The root
- The Seven Writing Myths
- 'We are all works in progress'
- What is the opposite of a troll? A fairy, obviously
- What's in a name?
- Why people don't read books
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2014
- 15 things I learnt from judging the Blue Peter Book Awards 2015
- 5 Minutes with Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis
- 'A book is like medicine, they make me feel better.' - Read for My School winner Alex Hewett
- Alex as Well
- Bookmark interviews Yasmeen Ismail
- BookTrust gifts books to neonatal units
- Childhood books, games and memories, and a slightly pompous elephant
- Disabled characters and the need for authenticity
- Emma Thompson opens new Peter Rabbit library: In pictures
- Emma Thompson talks to BookTrust
- Ensuring inclusive images
- Getting to know me
- In defence of unhappy endings (‘you just have to read it to understand’)
- Just give me the facts!
- Katherine Rundell talks about winning a Blue Peter Book Award 2014
- Laura Wall takes a gander at Goose
- Lemn Sissay & Sheena Wilkinson visit Northern Ireland for Foster Care Fortnight
- Line of Fire: Diary of an unknown soldier - author Barroux visits school
- Notes from the Drawing Board Starting stories with a picture
- Notes from the Drawing Board: Drawing with Conté crayons
- Notes from the Drawing Board: On a Quest with White Wizard (Neil) Gaiman
- Notes from the Drawing Board: There will be alligators
- On writing and needing diverse books
- On writing characters who aren't like me
- Red Squirrels - dyslexia friendly picture books
- Research Digest: December
- Research Digest: October 2014
- Research Digest: September 2014
- Rhyming 'maroon' with 'baboon'
- Sensing change: creating 'Off to the Park!'
- Sheena Wilkinson: Winner of the CBI Book of the Year
- Tony Robinson on winning a Blue Peter Book Award: 'If happiness is usually the size of a tennis ball, I feel the size of Tasmania!'
- The Five of Us: 'a gesture of solidarity'
- Valentine Joe: telling the story of the short life of a real person
- Vanessa Curtis on writing inclusive books
- Writing from the perspective of a bully
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2018
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April blogs on BookTrust
- 10 illustrations that will make you laugh
- 11 excellent Bath, Book, Bed tips that work - from parents
- 5 books to steal your imagination - by authors from around the world
- 5 brilliant books about eco-warriors: 'You're never too young to make a difference'
- Be brave and dive in with Eric Makes A Splash
- Best Bedtime Books: See inside our favourite stories for Bath, Book, Bed 2018
- Cerrie Burnell: 'Bath, Book, Bed is a great way to get calm and snuggly!'
- Daddy Pig shares his Bath, Book, Bed tips: 'The trick is not to fall asleep first!'
- Emma Shevah: Why I write about non-traditional families
- Fiction with facts: the best formula for children’s books?
- Get buzzing for this gorgeous new picture book about bees
- Hello Hot Dog: Meet the silly sausage having the wurst day of its life
- How to tell stories... when you have no time for stories
- Interview with The Mac - Kwame Alexander
- Knit your very own pom-pom baby with The Woollies
- Meet Spyder: the arachnid agent on a mission
- Nadia Shireen: Getting started in picture books and unhappy endings
- National Bookstart Week: top tips for planning your Bird Boogie events
- Nimesh the Adventurer: when a walk to school turns into an epic adventure
- Six of the best retellings of Shakespeare for young people
- Snuggle up with these gorgeous Bath, Book, Bed illustrations
- Using the School Library Pack: The BIG School Read
- Wacky Bees and Second-hand Dogs: Translating Children's Books
- What to Read After... Beast Quest
- Why bedtime stories are so important - and how schools can help
- Why I love Bookbuzz, by a school librarian
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BookTrust blogs for May
- 10 thrilling books for budding explorers, chosen by Vashti Hardy
- 7 enchanting children's books based on fairy tales
- 8 of the most inspiring real-life women in children's books
- A little history of the suffragette movement: in 8 pictures
- Ade Adepitan on his children's book: 'This generation can dare to dream'
- Discover fascinating flora with Plantopedia
- Feed their minds with Chicken: learn all about this free newspaper for children
- Get ready for the childhood treehouse of your dreams
- Here's how a Ted Talk inspired a school to love its library
- How books can help a child to talk about difficult feelings
- How to make a Bookstart Bird Boogie funky flamingo
- How to write poems on the beach
- Let's get Bonkers for Beetles
- Look at this story about one boy's dream to have a garden
- Louise O’Neill: 'I’m writing the books I needed to read when I was younger'
- Meet the 5 best new children's book illustrators on the Klaus Flugge shortlist
- National Bookstart Week: A week of activities that can last a lifetime
- Snuggle up and get cosy with You're Safe With Me
- Spreading love and acceptance: Why I wanted to write Hats of Faith
- What to Read After... Horrid Henry
- Why asking how to get boys reading might be the wrong question
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BookTrust's August 2018 blogs
- 5 best children's books about mermaids, chosen by Sibéal Pounder
- 5 best children's books set on islands, chosen by Cat Doyle
- 'Fairytales are timeless': Chris Riddell on his favourite magical stories
- Go on a beautiful magical journey with The Night Dragon
- How books could help mental health and ease anxiety in children
- How books help children discuss difficult feelings - and feel less alone
- John Burningham's Would You Rather sequel poses more dastardly dilemmas
- Nadia Shireen: What I got up to while Writer in Residence (and a goodbye music playlist)
- Short chapters and tight plotting: how Sarah Govett wants her book to appeal to struggling readers
- Talking about the refugee crisis: 'For the first time, I truly understood the need to write'
- The most majestically magical horse pictures you will see today
- What to read after... Enid Blyton
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BookTrust's features from November 2018
- ‘We can find wildness all around us’: Gill Lewis on her new book, environmentalism and her favourite books as a child
- 10 kids' books about war: 'A journey and a sense of hope'
- 5 science fiction stories that are perfect for children
- Anna James on the book characters from your childhood that never leave you
- Badlands author JR Wallis: How learning Anglo-Saxon brought my books to life
- Bursting the bubble: Beverley Naidoo on how books help children explore other worlds
- Compassion, patience, empathy and kindness: why we need to write more about disability
- Corey's Rock: Get inspired to create your own beautiful illustrations with Sita Brahmachari and Jane Ray
- Could you live in a House with Chicken Legs? Take this quirky quiz!
- Dara Ó Briain: Why reading non-fiction to children could help them find their passions
- Favourite facts about the human body: from the crew of Professor Astro Cat
- How to become a time traveller when you write, with these storytelling tips
- How to get children to use your school library
- How to write a fascinating fantasy story, by author Catherine Fisher
- 'I had no positive female role models': Caryl Hart on her inspirational new book Girls Can Do Anything
- 'I hope Big Bear looks after you': How A. F. Harrold found comfort from Barbara Firth's bears
- Incredible artist Shaun Tan on illustrating 'the kind of cities you walk through in dreams'
- Jacqueline Wilson interview: 'It makes me feel so proud if my books help a child'
- Linda Newbery: How I ended up writing the follow-up to the children's classic, Flambards
- Mae gan rigymau a hwiangerddi Cymraeg hanes cyfoethog a lliwgar
- Rhigymau mewn plentyndod cynnar
- Shirley Hughes: How my wartime memories inspired my new book
- Top ten facts about colour and their role over the centuries
- Toy guide 2018 – and the best children’s books to go with them
- Try-at-home-science: Can you solve the case of the cunningly concealed carbon?
- Using your Mind Banks: How to create a new world from the one you live in right now...
- What to Read After... Tintin
- Why I love Enid Blyton: Famous fans like Nicola Sturgeon and Jacqueline Wilson share their favourite stories
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BookTrust's features from October 2018
- 10 best kids' books about dragons, chosen by Liz Flanagan
- 5 funny books for mid-grade readers, aged 8-12
- 6 fantastic voyages in kids' books, chosen by P.G. Bell
- 6 kids' books to inspire mindfulness, happiness and well-being
- A story from Syria: How books bring children together
- A Story is a two-way thing | Michael Foreman on his new book Stubby, the importance of sharing stories and his love for true tales
- Accepting the loss of your vision: an author's tender tale of resilience
- Alex Wheatle: What happens when diverse readers see themselves reflected in fiction
- Another story to tell: writing about cultural appropriation in Candy Gourlay's book Bone Talk
- Author Fleur Hitchcock: My favourite mystery books for children
- Baroness Floella Benjamin gives the BookTrust Annual Lecture
- Celebrate Paddington's 60th anniversary with these glorious illustrations
- 'Every princess has a name, a life': Jessie Burton on The Restless Girls, her feminist retelling of a Brothers Grimm fairytale
- Frann Preston-Gannon on illustrating I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree - with a new baby and a wrist injury
- Here's a special poem from Writer in Residence Nicola Davies for National Poetry Day
- How to draw Squashy, the pet pumpkin from the Amelia Fang books
- How to get autumn to inspire your writing
- 'It was hard to do his story justice': How Catherine Johnson told the tale of an incredible hero
- Poems to Live Your Life By: Peek inside Chris Riddell's glorious new anthology
- Read this exclusive poem from the first-ever official anthology for National Poetry Day
- What to Read After... Goosebumps
- Wisp: How Zana Fraillon wrote a picture book about refugees
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BookTrust's July 2018 blogs
- 5 brilliant circus stories chosen by Juman Malouf
- Adding colour to the world: see this picture book about an unlikely garden
- 'An army carrying pencils and notebooks': Telling the story of Cuba's brigadistas
- Be more badger with this sweet new picture book
- Crossing the divide: 5 wonderful children's books about war and peace
- 'Have a little daydream': Jacqueline Wilson shares her tips for budding writers
- Have some fun and draw a cat in pants
- Here is the silliest picture book you'll read this summer
- How Bookstart has helped my daughter - in so many ways
- How to draw a VERY naughty bank-robbing baby
- How to draw Nadia Shireen's hilarious character Fatcat
- Me, Myself & I: Here are the winners of our writing competition
- The Girls: A gallery of illustrations from the gorgeous new picture book
- What to Read After... Gone
- Why inclusive picture books need to think about class and poverty, by Anna McQuinn
- Writing about epilepsy: 'I hope it’s not epilepsy that defines Jamal, but his determination'
- Writing about outsiders: 'It’s important to tell stories that reflect the diversity of humankind'
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BookTrust's June 2018 blogs
- 5 fantastic fictional fathers, chosen by Rob Biddulph
- A loving look at the bond between dad and daughter
- BookTrust Cymru's Lehanne Thornton shares her family's favourite books about birds
- Enjoy a Bookstart Bird Boogie with these fantastic illustrations
- Forgotten women: meet Joan Procter, the amazing dragon doctor
- Gary's Banana Drama: See inside Jane Massey's new picture book about a hungry gorilla
- Get ready to laugh out loud with the 2018 Lollies Award shortlist
- How Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman created the Worst Book Ever
- How You Choose empowers children - and celebrates difference
- 'I found myself staring at whitewashed bookshelves': Ruby Lovell on the importance of diverse reading
- Immortalising beautiful characters: How Emma Shoard illustrated Mal Peet's The Family Tree
- Myths and stories behind beautiful trees from all over the world
- Nadia Shireen: How to make the most of your book nook or school library
- Removing the blinkers: Beverley Naidoo on discovering Cinderella of the Nile
- Time for a giggle: Joe Berger picks 5 fantastically funny books
- The Day War Came: telling the story of child refugees
- What Does an Anteater Eat? See inside Ross Collins's brilliant picture book
- What it's like to love and lose a granddad as a child
- What to Read After... David Walliams
- Why I made this funny children's book about a Muslim family
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BookTrust's September 2018 features
- 5 brilliant must-read children's books by Russian authors
- 5 ways to have a lot of fun reading with your child
- A little history of libraries and why they are so magical
- Author Andy Briggs on books: our secret weapon in stirring interest in STEM subjects
- Could you be a genius?
- Child I author Steve Tasane: 'These children could be any one of us'
- Children's author and BookTrust Writer in Residence Nicola Davies wants every child to look at the nature where they live
- 'Give me a chuckle alongside my chills every day of the week' Curtis Jobling
- Go to the seaside with author Nicola Davies and get inspired to write and draw
- How to draw... a roly-poly flying pony called Kevin
- 'I didn’t know that women were allowed to be writers': Jill Murphy on the magic of making your own worlds and why Mildred Hubble is just like her
- Karen McCombie 'Shh… don’t tell my daughter!'
- Look inside The Last Wolf: a picture book masterpiece by Mini Grey
- Marta Altés shows children how to draw a Little Monkey
- Marta Altes, author of Little Monkey: 'Picture books are magic because the real story is made up in your mind'
- Moby Dick with a twist: Discover Patrick Ness and Rovina Cai's gorgeous new book
- My Name is Not Refugee named Klaus Flugge Prize winner: take a look inside
- 'Passion makes the best books': Why finding new children's authors is so important
- 'Poetry is the piano of literature': Jason Reynolds on his his life, work and everything in between
- Refugee children at school: How the classroom can be a place of healing, by Onjali Q Raúf
- Robin Stevens on writing a very unusual book
- Sita Brahmachari's Song Diary
- Stephen Davies on writing Hilda: the fearless girl character that everyone's talking about
- Tom Palmer 'if I can be frightened, it means I am more likely to be able to frighten you'
- The best of both worlds with Marianne Levy
- The Dam: a celebration of music and place by David Almond and Levi Pinfold
- 'The experience was magical': Why I take my Year 7 students to a bookshop
- The story behind Bus Stop Baby
- 'Until I was nine years old, I didn’t like books' Ross Mackenzie
- What to Read After... The Chronicles of Narnia
- 'You don’t need to dumb down for children in any way whatsoever': Cressida Cowell on her new book, writing for children and Einstein's quotability
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January
- 5 virtual reality books for your gaming-mad tweens and teens
- 5 ways social media can connect students with authors they love
- Beautiful night-time illustrations
- Bookbuzz Design a Book Cover 2018 Winner and Runners Up
- Cressida Cowell on how to create your own fantasy world
- 'Every person with autism is unique': why this dad made a book about his daughter
- From Woof to Dogger: 5 of the best ever dogs in children's books
- Get Creative!
- Help this little firefly find its way out of the darkness
- How reading helped me bond with my baby boyHow reading helped me bond with my baby boy
- How to engage with aliterate readers
- How to make a really successful comic like Corpse Talk
- 'I didn't think kids would read Diary of a Wimpy Kid!': Jeff Kinney on his books' success
- It's never too early: here's how to do yoga with your baby
- 'Kids of all ages respond to pictures'
- Make your inner ten-year-old laugh: how to write funny fiction
- Meet Max the Brave: the kitten on a mission to be read by 600,000 children this year
- Say hello to Little Red Reading Hood
- Snuggle up and learn how to draw Siba & Saba with Sandra Van Doorn
- Start the Story highlights
- Stori ar lafar: Sut i rannu dawn adrodd stori
- What To Read After... Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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March 2018 blogs on BookTrust
- 10 amazing facts about Nadia Shireen – and hear her latest story read by someone special
- 5 ways to engage students with the School Library Pack from BookTrust
- A slice of picture-book pizza fun with Jon Burgerman
- Bend me, shape me: The best shapeshifters in books
- Don't worry about your wobbles: Sophy Henn's top five tips for believing in yourself
- Fictional mothers that I love
- Greenaway Medal: see the outstanding children's illustrations in the running for 2018
- Ground-Breaking Women, from mathematicians to pirates
- 'I wanted a deaf character who could do things no one else in the book could!'
- King Coo: meet the hilarious girl who has a beard and guards the woods
- Laura Dockrill on expectations, Big Bones and body positivity
- Lauren Child: Why I've set up a fabulous new award for young illustrators
- My favourite children’s books set in the North
- My favourite misunderstood baddies
- Patrice Lawrence: Make More Noise
- Sir Michael Morpurgo interview: 'We must not talk down to children'
- Something Fishy: Get a sneak peek at Polly Dunbar's very grumpy cat
- 'Something for all readers': Meet the eight great books on the Carnegie Medal shortlist
- Super illustrations of a Superhero Mum
- Tallest Tower, Smallest Star: Blow your mind with these amazing facts
- Trish Cooke on 10 diverse books that are total classics
- The Strongest Mum: see inside Nicola Kents beautiful debut picture book
- Watch out, The Red Dread is about! See inside this brilliant new children's book.
- What to Read After... Jacqueline Wilson
- Why I love drawing in the great outdoors, by Petr Horacek
- Why I Wrote Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
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Read BookTrust's fun features on children's books from December 2018
- 5 wonderful wintry reads to snuggle up with, chosen by Catherine Fisher
- 7 classic picture books to share with your child this Christmas
- 8 books for children about stories of survival
- 8 cracking Christmas stories featuring animals
- Gorgeous wintry wonderlands to explore - and the book that made me fall in love with them
- 'Having animals as characters gives you freedom': The story of Armadillo and Hare
- Here's the REAL Jungle Book you've been waiting for
- Nicola Davies: Some things to think about to help you write about winter
- Stories that remind us to think about EVERYONE at Christmas – not just those that love it
- The best kids' books of 2018, chosen by top authors and illustrators
- The children's books you need to read before they become 2019 movies and TV shows
- The One in the Wheelchair – a look at children's books and disability
- 'We need strong girl heroes in books': Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton on creating Emily Brown
- What to Read After... That's Not My board books
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April blogs on BookTrust
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Blogs 2015
- A great children's book about communicating differently
- A year in the life of a Poet in Residence
- Attitudes to learning disability and how children's books can help
- Autumn storytime inspiration
- Author and father Malcolm Judge on encouraging his boys to read
- Bird's song: Viv Bird bids farewell to Book Trust
- Books are not just about reading!
- BookTrust CEO Diana Gerald: 'It’s not just education and life chances at stake: it’s also the well-being of families and children.’
- Breakthrough books for reluctant readers
- Bring happiness with books!
- Can you still fly... if you can't walk? Jacqueline Wilson on her new book, Katy
- Celebrating women illustrators
- Celebrity book reviews?
- Cerrie Burnell: ‘Not just a story about someone with one hand’
- Championing reading for pleasure in schools
- Children's books and speech, language and communication needs
- Chris Riddell on Goth Girl and the Fete Worse than Death, and the Blue Peter Book Awards 2015
- 'Dads aren’t reading enough to their children'
- David Almond - 'A humble giant of a writer'
- Diana Gerald on BookTrust's Summer of Love Reading
- Diana Gerald on the impact of our book gifting programmes
- Diana Gerald: How Bookstart Bear helped a father read to his son
- Diana Gerald: 'No two days are ever the same in this job'
- Diana Gerald: Relax and read this summer
- Diana Gerald: What makes an eager reader?
- 'Dreams of Freedom'
- Dyslexia support with Picture Squirrels!
- Engaging children in books
- Five minutes with Jennifer Niven
- Getting ready for school!
- How reading helps and inspires military families to connect
- How to celebrate books in schools
- How to get inspiration from inclusive books around the world
- How to make books the star of Christmas
- Independent Bookshop Week
- Is there an age up to which happy endings are required?
- James Bowen writes about sleeping rough in London and how meeting Bob changed his life
- Jandy Nelson: ‘I found both my individuality and humanity in books’
- Learning Through Touch
- LGBT representation in children's and YA Books
- Libraries have never been more important
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: is the film as good as the book?
- Meeting the writers you love
- New Year’s resolutions that you will make you read more
- Northern Irish pupils judge the Blue Peter Book Award
- Nursery rhymes in a digital world
- Our favourite teachers in children's books
- Our Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Shirley Hughes
- Pippa Goodhart on 'A Dog Called Flow'
- Reading Harry Potter fosters empathy? Find out more in our research roundup
- Refugee Week 2015: 15-21 June
- Regrets, I've had a few… My final Book Trust blog
- Sharing books: a mum’s point of view
- Shirley Hughes interview
- 'To Be Invisible is an Awful Thing'
- Treating little monsters to spooky stories
- The ABC of YA
- The importance of Bookstart in Northern Ireland
- The importance of including all children in books
- Thoughtful picture books
- 'What? The Real Jane Ray in our house?'
- What’s the issue with Issue Books?
- When author school visits turn bad
- World Vegetarian Day: Smriti Prasadam-Halls on T-Veg - her vegetarian children's book
- World Voice Day
- 'Writers are the authors of empathy' says Miranda McKearney OBE, founder of Empathy Lab
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Blogs 2016
-
April
- Chris Riddell's and Steve Cole's favourite funny books for children
- Danny Wallace and Jamie Littler: Writing funny books for children
- Dwarfism, dyslexia and discovering the world through books
- Here are the UK’s best book jokes
- Phil Earle's top 5 funny books
- Seriously Funny: Steve Cole on funny books
- So, why did the book cross the road?
- August
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December
- 11 towns, 48 schools, 1,500 children - The Children's Laureate Northern Tour
- An inspiring year of reading - and it's all thanks to you
- Authors' Best Middle Grade Books of 2016
- Authors' Best Picture Books of 2016
- Authors' Best Teen Books of 2016
- Creative inspiration for the Christmas holidays
- Drawing Hiccup and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon
- Exclusive Jackie Morris illustrations
- Jacqueline Wilson: you can make wonderful friends when you read
- Nick Sharratt in Lebanon
- Take an exclusive peek at Abi Elphinstone's Christmas story
- Ten things I learned from judging the Blue Peter Book Awards
- The wonder of maps
-
February
- Help your child love books this Valentine's Day
- Homework for Hogwarts – a short history of magic
- How to make the ideal inclusive library
- Love for Books: Children's book character Lonely Hearts
- Love for Books: The best independent bookshops we love!
- Love for Books: Why it's OK to love the books you love
- Love for Books: Your pictures
- Love for Books: Your pictures part 2
- Phil Earle on his new book, Superhero Street
- Phil Earle talks to Tom Palmer
- Read what you love: vlog
- Seven things you need to know about the books on the Blue Peter shortlist
- 'This book is for all the young people who feel different'
- January
-
July
- 10 things you didn't know about Roald Dahl
- Beatrix Potter was a trailblazer – and here’s why
- BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award: In pictures
- Giving a voice to selective mutism
- How to use books to talk about depression with your child
- Listen to a great book this summer
- Liz Pichon: 'I can honestly say I feel like I have the best job in the world!'
- Phil Earle on the best audiobooks for children
- Philip Reeve on YA and sci-fi
- Roald Dahl: what the world needs now is ‘zozimus’
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June
- 5 women writers who broke the mould
- Here are the best book tote bags you'll ever own
- How to help your child get ready for a new baby
- How to make knickers bunting for the Queen in 5 easy steps
- Klaus Flugge Prize: here are the best up-and-coming illustrators
- Sophy Henn: 'There are so many great reasons to share books with young children'
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March
- 7 ways you talk Shakespeare and don’t even know it
- CEO Diana Gerald: Top 5 tips for choosing a book for your child
- Clare Furniss interview: 'It's never possible to know what all the consequences of any decision will be'
- Phil Earle on the Letterbox Club
- Phil Earle with Darren Shan: 'The biggest teacher is yourself’
- Reasons why you love Read for My School
- Sharing books - as well as chocolate - this Easter
- The most read Read for My School books of 2016: 1-5
- The most read Read for My School books of 2016: 6-10
- This is what you asked the Children's Laureate to draw
- World Book Day: Your pictures
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May
- 10 crazy things you need to know about Alice in Wonderland
- Bath, Book, Bed: In illustrations
- Bedtime reading with Leigh Hodgkinson
- Francesca Simon talks about The Monstrous Child
- How to get that festival feeling with your family – at home
- Hugless Douglas author talks bedtime stories with his children
- Phil Earle interviews Neill Cameron
- Tired parents and tired children is a recipe for disaster
- The Bolds with Julian Clary and David Roberts
- What happens when two Laureates meet for the first time
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November
- Authors' favourite children's book
- BBCYWA writers - what they loved to read
- Children’s Book Week: a chance to read for fun and not just for tests
- Gill Lewis, thoughts on conflict
- Hurrah for translators: why we need to translate more children’s books
- I'm in LA for the filming of How to Train Your Dragon
- Let's help every child love books, whatever their needs
- Michael Grant: what if women had fought in the Second World War?
- 'No wrong book' - how to get your child genuinely loving reading
- Pamela Butchart - embracing your 'inner weirdness'
- S J Maas interview: 'Reading still plays a huge part in my writing process'
- Tips for reluctant readers
- Tips for writing graphic novels from Boffin Boy author David Orme
- The Song from Somewhere Else: illustrations and pictures
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October
- Amazing reasons to read as a family - whatever their age
- Floella Benjamin on Coming to England and its impact 20 years on
- Here are 8 amazing books to read this Black History Month
- How books start the most wonderful conversations with your child
- Lara Williamson, goodbye isn't always the end
- Marcus Sedgwick on Saint Death
- My writing shed
- Still loving storytime with my 10-year-old boy
- Tahereh Mafi's Futhermore: 'I couldn't get this girl out of my head'
- The beginnings of The Bear and the Piano
- When Ideas Collide!
- Wordless books: how to step into the picture with your child
- Writers' writing sheds
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September
- BBCNSSA - The shortlist and their stories
- Ben Faulks and Ben Cort talk children's books, muddy puddles and children's TV
- Clare Balding interview
- Chris Routh on the joy of being read to
- Christopher Edge on Science and Wonder
- Dan Freedman: Breaking down the walls
- Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman talk cats in space
- Frances Hardinge: Who wants to embroider when you can dig up prehistoric monsters?
- From baby to boy: how to use books as childhood milestones
- Harry Potter and the surprise you're never too old for storytime
- It's always Time to Read
- Lydia's story: back in the world of Pride and Prejudice
- Mary Hoffman: why children need more diverse books in the world
- Nick Butterworth: why reading with your child is a 'win-win'
- Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston interview
- Prue Goodwin: 'A positive relationship with books as early as possible is what creates a reader'
- Siobhan Curham talks new friends and chasing dreams
- Want to raise a reader? Cut down on that screen time
-
April
-
Blogs 2017
-
April
- Abi Elphinstone: writing with dyslexia
- Bath, Book, Bed: Candy Gourlay's 10 books to read with your eyes shut
- Bring Back Bedtime Stories! One school's campaign to get kids reading
- Celebrating Roma, Gypsy and Traveller stories
- Drawing hands
- Have a sneak peek at the illustrations for Jon Klassen's new book
- How to draw a pirate penguin (you know you want to)
- Jo Frost picks her favourite bedtime books
- Jo Frost: Are you setting a bad bedtime example?
- Let's set off our characters on their own adventures
- My inspiration for A Berlin Love Song: The forgotten holocaust, the Persecution of Roma and Sinti in the Third Reich - Sarah Matthias
- Sweet dreams: Jo Frost's top tips on keeping children in bed
- The perfect bedtime story: Top authors choose their favourites
- Watch out! The Chocolate Monster's about...
- Why Old Bear's Jane Hissey wants to Bring Back Bedtime Stories
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August 2017 blogs
- A Big Box of Random Stuff in my Mind
- Adam Frost - How to make your facts awesome!
- BookTrust Research Digest - August 2017
- Celebrating incredible children’s books with Sainsbury's books of the year
- Check out illustrations from The Adventures of John Blake
- Fleur Hitchcock - How I wrote Murder in Midwinter
- Have summer fun with Jarvis's Things to Make and Do
- Here are the human rights we love - in pictures
- How these adorable dogs are helping children love reading
- Imagination and fun: Lauren Child dreams big as the new Children's Laureate
- Johnna Rizzo - A big, fat thank you to fish
- Katy Birchall’s creative writing tips
- Look at the beautiful new book from the late Siobhan Dowd
- Miriam Moss - Turning real life into a book
- Polly Ho-Yen - On Memory
- Q&A with David O’Doherty
- Q&A with R. J. Palacio
- Read all the classics to your grandchild? Here are the books to try next
- S.F. Said - The epic story of Phoenix
- The Adventures of Dumpling the Unicorn!
- The Top 10 detective novels, picked by Robin Stevens
- Viv Schwarz - Making 'Is there a Dog in this Book?'
- Watch Laura Dockrill read the ultimate poem about mums
-
December
- ‘We need children to see disability as part of the norm – not a weird phenomenon’
- 10 real-life mysteries that no one has ever solved
- Best books of the year for children - all picked by authors
- Cuddle up and get cosy with the best Christmas reads, chosen by authors
- Discover a future festive classic with One Christmas Wish
- Fantastical illustrations of Fantastic Beasts
- Five super snowy stories to make you feel cosy
- Get a sneak peek at Quentin Blake's gorgeous new Three Little Owls illustrations
- Here are the best books to match your child's interests this Christmas
- How to get your gaming-mad kids reading at Christmas
- I Killed Father Christmas: See Chris Riddell's gorgeous illustrations for this festive tale
- Jason Segel and Kirstin Miller on Otherworld: what happens when gaming goes too far
- Look out for this update of A Christmas Carol
- See the pictures behind a fairy tale set in 13th-century Venice
- Snuggle up for storytime with Liam Neeson and The Polar Express
- Take part in some festive fun with 100 Christmas Colouring Book
- Twelve days of Christmas illustrations
- This is your weekend sorted: make easy Christmas biscuits and have storytime
- Want less festive cheer and more festive fear? Meet Christmas Dinner of Souls
- What To Read After... Wonder
- What's happening in children's books in 2017? Your complete guide to festivals, anniversaries, awards and events
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February
- Bookbuzz Design a Book Cover 2017 Winner and Runners Up
- Eight tips to make picture books more (naturally) inclusive
- How To Draw A Worm: A complete guide, by Will Mabbitt
- How The Hobbit can change your world and get you writing
- Inside the special illustrated world of Raymond Briggs
- Jellicle Cats: See T.S. Eliot's fantastic felines brought to life in brand new illustrations
- Naturally inclusive Picture Books
- Time to draw unicorns
- Welcome to Sarah McIntyre's Big Red Book Show
- 'Why I love Raymond Briggs': famous fans of the author-illustrator
- World Book Day ideas: quick and easy wins with a paper plate
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January
- Alex Wheatle: Without libraries I would have never become a writer
- Are you sitting comfortably? Then here's The Jackanory Story
- Cressida Cowell's dragon training inspiration
- Getting kids into reading – tips from Blue Peter judging schools
- Hints and tips for storytellers
- How comics are made: from the author of Lost Tales
- Interview with Frank Cottrell-Boyce
- See the illustrations that reach for the stars
- Top 10 books (sort of) about Egyptology
- Top 10 Fictional Deserts
- Top 10 Fictional Diaries
- Why dyslexia shouldn't stop you from being an author
- Why making these braille books is the best thing I've ever done
- Why we should all celebrate World Braille Day
- Why Winnie the Pooh is the wisest bear in the woods
- Writing about OCD: ‘It can show itself in so many ways’
- Zana Fraillon Interview: Books give people a way of entering another existence
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July
- Anna McQuinn – let’s have a world full of stories for everyone
- Captain Underpants' Dav Pilkey on how he learned to love reading
- Dave Pigeon: How to write a book with your best friend
- Fall in love with Cinnamon with these delicious illustrations
- 'Long may it continue': how books are getting better at writing disabled characters
- Olaf Falafel teaches us how to draw Old MacDonald - with a rap!
- Roller Girl gallery: a graphic novel full of girl power and grit
- Sarah McIntyre on drawing by the beach
- See inside Chris Riddell's brand new book Travels with my Sketchbook
- Tips for talking about drawing with children
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June
- 'A voice to the voiceless': Why children need books in troubled times
- Arts Council NI Stories Tour 2016/17 in pictures
- Check out these wonderful illustrations by Lauren Child
- Chris Riddell on being Children's Laureate - 'a humbling experience'
- Ed Vere reads his new book, Grumpy Frog
- Exciting new tactile books that everyone can enjoy
- Harry Potter's 20th: Levi Pinfold's beautiful illustrations cast a spell
- Have a look at the illustrations from Lucy Cousins' new book
- How to draw Edie's dog, by Edie (and Sophy Henn)
- Lollies Awards 2017 shortlist: Discover the funniest books of the year
- National Bookstart Week: How to draw dancing bunnies, by Ellie Sandall
- National Bookstart Week: See the gorgeous illustrations that Explore Outdoors
- Optimists Die First's Susin Nielsen: 'All young people feel like they don't fit'
- Sarah McIntyre on illustrating The Prince of Pants
- See how the new Waterstones Children's Laureate medal was made
- Sita Brahmachari: How books can change the world, one reader at a time
- Take the 20-minute book challenge
- Tom Fletcher talks his new book, reading to his children, and his favourite bedtime reads
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March
- #Herewestand - why we're calling for more diverse books
- 22 inspirational Dr Seuss quotes that you really need in your life
- A book that shows and celebrates a world full of difference
- Dear diary - 6 stories told in letters, emails and journals
- Dream big with these magical images from Silver
- Exploring the Kate Greenaway shortlist with judge Jake Hope
- Here's the Carnegie shortlist - but who should win the top prize?
- How film can support and inspire reading at school
- 'I love you, Natty': sharing our experience of Down’s Syndrome
- Jessica Ennis-Hill - 'Having my son really reinforced the power of reading'
- Let's draw together
- Let's embrace our bad drawings
- Like daughter, like mother - what happens when you write together
- Perdita and Honor Cargill: 'People think we're weird for writing together!'
- Shirley Hughes & Clara Vulliamy: 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!'
- Take a peek at the illustrations on the Kate Greenaway shortlist
-
May
- A book for every child: how a love of reading helps over a lifetime
- Fun and accessible for all: how Bookbuzz can help your school
- Growing up is hard to do - Katie Thistleton is the nation's new agony aunt
- How Story Hunters makes a difference: 'There's a real buzz'
- Insects are the new sushi! MG Leonard on eating creepy crawlies
- Kiran Millwood Hargrave picks her top 5 butterfly books
- Klaus Flugge Prize 2017: see drawings by the most exciting new illustrators
- Lauren Laverne – how to make reading fun (even when you're exhausted)
- Pictures Mean Business: 7 ways you can support illustrators
- Rachael Lucas on the many layers of the autistic experience
- Rae Earl: 'Cats and books go together like tea and cake!'
- Reeve & McIntyre: 7 reasons why it's awesome working with a co-author
- Research digest: May 2017
- 'Smallness is no hindrance to strength': David Almond tells us his favourite tiny characters
- Strong women can change the world: a booklist
- The best natural worlds in fiction
- The Tale of Angelino Brown: Meet the stars of David Almond's new book
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November 2017 blogs from BookTrust
- 7 of the best graphic novels for reluctant readers
- A New Frontier
- A teacher's guide to the books that help children being bullied
- Ali-A and Taran Matharu on the books you'll love if you're a gamer
- Andy Stanton's hilarious reasons why reading is great
- Award-winning Kiran Millwood Hargrave reads from her latest book
- Building blocks for readers: Why EVERY child needs access to books
- Crazy about cats? You'll love these pictures
- 'Dangerous men tried to silence me': See Malala's beautiful new picture book
- Enter the magical world of Stardust by Jeanne Willis and Briony May Smith
- Harry Hill's best (and tested) tips for all future comedy stars
- Have a look at hauntingly beautiful illustrations from Hortense and the Shadow
- Here are some of the best stories from video games
- How a pop-up bookshop got this primary school reading
- How Bookstart Rhymetimes helped me become the mother I am
- How to draw a disco sheep: your in-depth guide
- How to draw Kiki and Bobo: two very lively animals
- If you like dogs and libraries, you'll love this new picture book
- 'It's not just good to be yourself - it's perfect!' Tom Percival on celebrating uniqueness
- Meet Invisible Emmie: our new graphic novel heroine
- 'My poetry wasn't accepted at first': Roger McGough turns 80
- Read Wonder? Now meet the gorgeous picture book We're All Wonders
- Sara Ogilvie and Garth Jennings on The Wildest Cowboy
- Top tips to make your Bookstart Rhymetime a success
- Toy guide 2017 – and the best children’s books to go with them
- The Children Who Loved Books
- The Gritterman
- The power of funny books for children who don't like reading
- Want a spooky Victorian adventure? Meet the S.C.R.E.A.M team!
- What To Read After... Harry Potter
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October
- 10 of the best feminist books for children
- 'Bookstart is the thing I am most proud of': Founder Wendy Cooling on how it all began 25 years ago
- BookTrust Annual Lecture 2017 and Bookstart 25th anniversary celebrations: Relive the evening in pictures
- Discover a brand new Cruella de Vil in The Hundred and One Dalmatians
- Don’t be afraid of fear!
- Everything you need to know about The Book Of Dust: La Belle Sauvage and The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman
- Exclusive: See the brilliant front cover for Philip Reeve's final Railhead book
- From writing online to a publishing deal: six Wattpad sensations
- Get utterly spooked with these pictures from Juno Dawson and Alex T Smith's Grave Matter
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: See Jim Kay's stunning illustrations
- Illustrations of adventure and discovery amongst the Egyptian Pyramids
- John Agard on the importance of poetry: 'Language can control our thoughts'
- Learn something new with Adam and Lisa Murphy (and a bucket load of zombie scientists)
- Meet Amelia Fang: the perfect Halloween heroine
- 'People always assume it's awful': Cerrie Burnell on her life with dyslexia
- Six super-spooky books to scare you
- Teacher top tips: how to get every child reading for pleasure
- 'The magic of libraries': Why we need them, by Joseph Coelho
- What To Read After... How To Train Your Dragon
- Writing on Wattpad versus publishing “real” books
-
September blogs
- Are you fascinated by monsters? Do you dream of solving crimes? Could you laugh in the face of danger?
- Books to reassure little ones about starting school
- Cressida Cowell is back: Read the opening to her brand new book The Wizards of Once
- Check out the little library in a very big shopping centre
- Check out these beautiful illustrations from the new 'Mary Plain' series
- Frances Hardinge: 'I always get a bit obsessive'
- How to find little pockets of time to fill with family reading
- 'Humanity behind the headlines': Books about poverty and compassion, picked by Bali Rai
- 'I'm partial to warthogs!': The Gruffalo creators' on their new book The Ugly Five
- Introduction to YA in 9 books
- Learn how to draw super-cute pugs from Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve
- 'Maybe I didn't eat ALL the chocolate cake...': Michael Rosen on his classic poem
- My inspiration for the Summoner Series
- National Poetry Day: Read poems by three brilliant rising stars
- New school rules
- Read the brilliant opening to Katherine Rundell's new book The Explorer
- Top authors share the most gripping 10-minute reads to enjoy with children
- 'The balancing act': how to keep reading fun in a busy family
- These people are all taking on the Time to Read Challenge - will you?
- Watch Taran Matharu talk video games and website book deals
- Why I'm Taking Inclusive Book Fairs Into Schools
- You're going to love the new Charlie and Lola book from Lauren Child
-
April
-
BookTrust Features in 2019
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April 2019 features and blogs
- ‘For me it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I’m trying to manipulate the reader into’ - Alex Wheatle on fictional world building, creating new language and seeing yourself in a book
- 5 top tips for parents dealing with their child's mental health
- 7 magical realism books for children
- 8 funny books that will make your child laugh out loud
- 'Black books matter too': Atinuke on the power of stories
- 'Books are absolutely crucial in getting us to think about new worlds': we speak to the award-winning author, Onjali Q Rauf
- Frank Cottrell Boyce on why reading for pleasure is the most important thing you can pass on to a child
- Gwneud cadwyn bapur Pyjamarama ffynci
- How a picture book about a cat could help teach children about consent and boundaries
- How books build empathy and help children see other points of view
- 'I hope she is an inspiration to girls and boys alike': Anthea Simmons on Lightning Mary
- 'I want to write books that have hope in them': Patrice Lawrence on tackling heavy themes with light
- Mini Rabbit Not Lost: Join this little bunny on his big adventure
- Pyjamarama in your community: ideas for practitioners
- Rose Robbins: 'Books like this can comfort young carers'
- Step back in time with this fun and informative look at the history of fashion
- Time machines, airships and lots of magic: 6 of the best inventions in children's books
- The 10 most unlikely villains in books (... and a bonus egg)
- The Book That Made Me: Patrice Lawrence
- 'The soothing power of uncomplicated pleasures': Why we should treasure comfort reading
- What to Read After... You Choose
- Why I wrote a tribute to my daughter's curly hair - and more stories to try
- Zanib Mian’s top 5 books with families
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August 2019 blogs, features and interviews about children's books
- 10 of the best dogs in children's books
- Andy McNab: 'Reading absolutely changed my life - so now I'm writing for children'
- Bringing books to life: How to use props, songs and costumes to tell stories on stage
- Catherine Doyle on new book The Lost Tide Warriors, a children's adventure full of Irish myth and magic
- Dragons and rabbit pie: Should we be scared of danger in picture books?
- Drone's Eye View
- Drones: How writing about this technology can create some exciting new stories
- Fantastic Football Fun
- Five tricksy things about starting secondary school, according to Karen McCombie
- If a child is not into books, how can we help books find their way to the child?
- Jo Cotterill: I’m going to ask you a really personal question.
- 'Kids ARE reading - just in a different way': What social media and gaming can teach us
- 'Libraries have a power to shape lives': Why they're the lifeblood of our communities
- Q&A with Kwame Alexander
- Robin Stevens, author of Murder Most Unladylike, on how her main character Daisy is coming out as a lesbian
- Sam Wu has been a brilliant series for me to work on
- Show and Tell: Rob Biddulph's favourite books from his childhood
- Starting a new school: What every child needs to know
- Stories are hardly ever about just one thing
- Superbat!
- 'Telling the story of my homeland': How Akissi shows a different view of Africa
- Top baby names from classic children's books that you'll absolutely love
- The Book That Made Me: Sophy Henn
- The books and women that will inspire a lifetime of loving STEM subjects
- The Two Reasons I Write About War
- There's a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom: How YOU can help save orangutans
- What to Read After... Mr Gum
- 'Why I write for children', by author Rashmi Sirdeshpande
- Why the rights of children have never been so important
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BookTrust blogs, features, interviews, galleries and news from June 2019
- ‘Dyma ble mae hadau cariad plentyn at lyfrau a darllen yn cael eu plannu:’ Katrina Charman ar hudoliaeth straeon cyn cysgu
- ‘The Suitcase is a book about being more trusting and open – as well as migration’
- 10 gardens in children's books that will make you want to step outside and go on an adventure
- 'A reminder of the true art of storytelling': Celebrating Henrietta Branford's powerful novel Fire, Bed & Bone
- Beep! Beep! Make your own Pyjamarama car
- Candy Gourlay: The fantasy worlds of my childhood books
- 'Every one of my students is a potential hero in the making': How Muhammad Khan's class inspired his award-winning book
- 'Is this my story to tell?' Catherine Bruton on telling the tale of a Syrian refugee
- 'It's okay to feel sad sometimes': Why children need books about difficult emotions
- Pyjamarama: celebrate the wonder of bedtime stories at home
- Sarah Roberts’ Guide to Saving the Planet for children (and adults)
- Sharing stories to build empathy: Tom Percival on putting yourself in someone else's shoes
- Squeak squeak! 10 of the best rodents in children's books
- Ten amazing space (and Earth) facts from astronomer Dr Sheila Kanani
- The 10 best grandmothers in children's books, chosen by Bad Nana's Sophy Henn
- The Book That Made Me: Katherine Rundell
- The Missing Bookshop: A charming tale about the power of stories
- 'These missing voices are vital': Bali Rai and Patrice Lawrence on writing hidden histories
- What to Read After... Michael Morpurgo
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BookTrust's May 2019 features, blogs and interviews
- ‘If I’m feeling down, I get out Elmer': David McKee on what it's like to create an inspirational little elephant for children
- 5 books that will make you want to save the world
- 7 brilliant mystery books to keep you guessing, chosen by A Good Girl's Guide to Murder author Holly Jackson
- Bookbuzz behind the scenes
- Candy Gourlay shares creative top tips for children wanting to enter her writing and drawing competition
- Discover magical worlds and fabulous creatures with Storytime
- Emily Windsnap author Liz Kessler: 'How books can hold hidden messages - that even the authors don't know about'
- Girl In The Window: What it's like to have ME or Chronic Fatigue when you're young
- 'He reaches the child in all of us': Authors and illustrators pay tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jan Pienkowski
- Here's how to stop our kids feeling scared and powerless about the world
- How Bookbuzz encouraged independent reading in my school
- 'I treated myself to a vintage outfit!' Jacqueline Wilson on time travelling to the 20s for her new book Dancing the Charleston
- 'It never occurred to me that I'd do anything else': BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jan Pieńkowski on a life in books
- Look inside this new picture book that's like a Harriet the Spy for little ones
- Oh I do like to be beside the seaside... 5 middle grade books to enjoy this summer
- Pete Kalu on stereotypes: ‘I do not represent the whole of the deaf or black experience’
- Song For a Whale: the story of a deaf girl and a whale both searching for connection
- Tom Gates activities: Try these fun ideas and banish the half term boredom
- The 2019 Klaus Flugge Prize shortlist is unveiled: peek inside these wonderful books
- The Book That Made Me: Nicola Davies
- What to Read After... Noughts & Crosses
- Why we all need to see faces that look like us in the arts
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February 2019
- #HookedOnBooks: your recommendations
- 8 of the best Irish children's books as chosen by author Sinead O'Hart
- 8 of the best witches casting a spell in children's books
- 'A good horror story starts in the backyard': Goosebumps legend R.L. Stine on why fear is good for children
- Bestselling teen author Holly Smale: 'I want to give young people hope and belief in themselves and the world'
- Books to help talk about death and loss with children
- Fear with a safety net: Why children should read scary books
- Flights of Fancy: discover stories, pictures and inspiration from all ten Children's Laureates in the brand-new book
- Grobblechops: a new take on monsters under the bed
- Heartstopper: a boy-meets-boy graphic novel romance that will win your heart
- Heavens above! 6 super stories about gods and deities
- Here are the super-talented children who won our poetry writing competition for schools
- 'I wanted to capture the essence of India': How Jasbinder Bilan's childhood diaries helped her write a novel
- 'If an adult steps into the room, their job isn’t to be judgmental' - Jason Reynolds on his work in schools, his new books, and finally getting recognition in the UK
- 'It felt impossibly remote': Beth Waters on exploring the magical world of St Kilda
- 'Like adding an extra shot of espresso': The powerful impact of reading aloud (and the science behind it)
- 'Opening our eyes': Why war stories are so important for children
- Pencil Dog: Take a peek inside this beautiful book
- Steve Antony: Why I've made the picture book they said would never sell
- Two Sides: Discover this lovely tale of friendship and fall-outs
- The Bluest of Blues: look inside a beautiful picture book biography of botanist and photographer Anna Atkins
- The Book That Made Me: Christopher Paolini
- What to Read After... The Gruffalo
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January
- #HookedOnBooks: 31 great books that could help get your child reading
- ‘Anrheg fendigedig i blant’: mae Jan Mills, ymgynghorydd addysg a chyn-athrawes, yn esbonio pam ei bod hi’n teimlo’n gyffrous ynglŷn â’n rhaglen Feithrin newydd yng Nghymru
- 10 brilliant book illustrations that you need to check out right now
- 5 tips for creating a fun and engaging book award in your school
- 7 of the best middle grade books with CATS
- 7 twisted fairy tales to send shivers down your spine
- 7 things I learned reading a bedtime story every night of 2018
- 'A unique skill can go a long way': Why we need both STEM AND arts subjects
- Amber Lee Dodd: How telling stories changed my life (and why it could do the same for your child)
- Girls of the Crescent: Meet the two teenagers fighting for better representation in books
- How comedy (and books) can save the day for geeky tweens
- How to make the most of January: Fun activities for you and your children
- Pictures and words can change the world: here's how to help save the whales
- Start January well with this seasonal poem by top poet Joseph Coelho
- The Book That Made Me: Jacqueline Wilson
- The Letterbox Club in schools: 'It's important for all children to have aspirations'
- What to Read After... Mortal Engines
- Why bedtime stories will soon be your favourite time of the day (if it isn't already)
- Why you should try non-fiction audiobooks
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July
- 7 super summer reads for teens
- Boys Do Cry: How books could help young boys to express their emotions
- Defeating our demons: Writing difficult stories for our little ones
- Discover the best lighthouses in children’s literature
- 'Every child has the right to...' Read Cressida Cowell's giant to-do-list as the new Waterstones Children's Laureate
- Exclusive: Chris Riddell and Jim Kay reveal their beautiful Patronus on a Postcard artwork
- How to read again: Falling back in love with books
- 'I thought a lot about how dogs sort people’s lives out.'
- Look inside this beautiful underwater story that talks about grief and courage
- Making stories available for everyone: The book award for children with little or no sight
- 'Sometimes being a person is hard': How books can help children explore grief and loss
- Time for Netflix? The best TV shows and movies based on children's books
- Times really ARE changing: How YA books are becoming more inclusive
- The Book That Made Me: James Mayhew
- What to Read After... Dr Seuss
- When did we get so wasteful? Anne Fine's top tips to save the planet
- Why I love chimps and want you all to feel the same
- Windows to Other Worlds: Here are the winning entries, full of the wonderful worlds you've explored in books
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March 2018 features and blogs
- 'A world of walls': How a ham sandwich led to a story of outsiders and breaking down barriers
- Andy Stanton: Why I wrote the heartfelt When I Was A Child
- Celebrate Holi with Nadiya Hussain's recipe for delicious rainbow fudge
- 'Children see themselves in Kipper': Mick Inkpen on 30 years of The Blue Balloon
- Get lost in this beautiful love letter to camping, exploring and the great outdoors
- Girl 38: Telling the story of the Polish experience in the Second World War
- How reading books can make you adventurous and brave
- 'I just hope that it can help': Susan Varley on her iconic book about grief, Badger's Parting Gifts
- Join new Writer in Residence Candy Gourlay in opening up windows to other worlds through reading
- Matt Brown's top 5 school stories for kids
- Meet Little Badman
- Meet some Fantastically Great Women Who Worked Wonders in our sneak peek at the book
- Meet some truly incredible Young Heroes on International Women's Day
- Sheds, ginger biscuits and secret passwords: How Pamela Butchart is continuing Enid Blyton's Secret Seven series
- The Book That Made Me: David Almond
- What to Read After... Tom Gates
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November
- Andrea Beaty on getting kids engaged in politics
- Cerrie Burnell: 'We are all made of stories'
- Dr Sheila Kanani: 'My top five space jobs and why they'd be so fun'
- Dyslexia at school: When the words don’t make sense
- Hilary McKay on historical fiction: 'History is our roots, it grounds us'
- Ideas for school projects about invention – using Wildspark and other inventive books
- Lou Kuenzler's favourite funny-spooky reads
- Rise Up by Amanda Li – discover ordinary kids with extraordinary stories
- Samantha Baines on challenging hearing loss stereotypes in her book Harriet Versus the Galaxy
- 'Stories enable us to remember': Lisa Thompson on the power of tales about war
- 'The children's delight was heartwarming': The power of the Special School Library Pack
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October
- Africa Amazing Africa
- Brexit and The Little Island: Why we should talk to little people about big issues
- Cressida Cowell recommends her top witchy books for children
- Damaris Young: My top spooky middle grade reads
- Five ways to get the whole school reading with your School Library Pack
- Giraffe stories: Introduce your child to this incredible animal
- How we use School Library Pack in our school
- How we use School Library Pack in our school
- Seven Girls with Incredible Talents
- Top ghost stories for children with spooky settings
- The Book That Made Me: Philip Reeve
- The idea of a flooded city is one that's fascinated me for as long as I can remember
- The importance of funny stories: Why kids need books that make them laugh
- The Man With (Over) 50 Library Cards
- Things get dark in the Hildaverse
- What to Read After... Mog
- Why you should be obsessed with Ada Lovelace (just like me)
- Writing fiction about ADHD: 'I want children to see that it doesn’t have to be a negative thing'
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September
- 25 years since Handa's Surprise: here's why Eileen Browne thinks her picture book has been so loved
- 5 ways reading together can support children’s wellbeing
- A new generation will fall in love with the latest edition of The Wind in the Willows
- Author Sophie Anderson: The power of telling stories from memory or imagination (or a bit of both)
- BookTrust NI talks to Omagh-raised author-illustrator Clive McFarland
- Canaries in the coalmine: Why Marcus Sedgwick is writing about Chronic Fatigue and other illnesses we all need to better understand
- Candy Gourlay: Looking back as Writer in Residence and exploring worlds with BookTrust
- Cerrie Burnell on how fairy tales can help every child to love storytelling
- Cracking open the classics: Here are Kiran Millwood Hargrave's modern retellings of stories for middle grade readers
- Charlie Changes Into a Chicken: How I accidentally wrote a book about childhood anxiety
- Children's author Chen Jiatong: 'Translation removes language barriers, it makes stories borderless'
- Elizabeth Acevedo on why she's writing verse novels (that keep winning awards)
- How to help your child keep a level head about going back to school
- Meet Rob Hodgson, our new Time to Read author
- Michael Morpurgo on how a classic tale inspired him to write the story of a young refugee
- Renée Watson interview: 'No character should be all good or all bad'
- Sophie Green’s top 7 favourite mystery stories for a middle grade audience
- Top authors on the best stories to help children talk about their feelings
- The Book That Made Me: Catherine Johnson
- 'This is someone I don’t know whose life I’m now a part of because they’ve read my book.'
- What to Read After... The Crossover and Rebound
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April 2019 features and blogs
-
BookTrust features pre-2012
- Anthony Browne: My Life in Picture Books
- Are you sitting comfortably? Why podcasts are perfect for short stories
- Bali Rai: It's time to talk about honour-based violence
- 'Before Their Very Eyes'
- Breaking your back
- 'Constellation' - a poem
- Daydream Diaries
- Distractions
- Don't Write the X
- Evie Wyld on why she's proud of her terrible writing
- Five things that have scared me
- Hello from Polly
- Ideas Everywhere | How to write a Children's book
- Invisible Disabilities
- Jennifer Donnelly: Take Another Little Piece of my Heart
- Jim Carrington: Getting boys into books
- Little red marks, thousands of them
- Lyn Gardner: How book sharing with my children helped me write my novel
- Matters of the Mind
- Of diamonds and cavorting skeletons
- Patrick Ness says hello as our first-ever Writer in Residence
- Penny Dale: Picture books and gender
- Rude Writing
- Shaun Tan: On 'The Bird King'
- Someone's a mother... and a bright yellow chicken
- Ten Best Illustrators
- Terry is my New Name
- 'The Bookstart pack has encouraged my son to read with his baby brother.
- The Gruffalo
- The Plosives
- The thrill of victory, the agony of my feet
- The Wheelchair
- What Haruki Murakami keeps prattling on about
- Why Tactile Books Make Sense
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2013
- Press
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Writer in Residence at BookTrust: Cerrie Burnell
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Previous Writers in Residence for BookTrust
- Candy Gourlay: former BookTrust Writer in Residence
- Nadia Shireen: former BookTrust Writer in Residence
- Nicola Davies: former BookTrust Writer in Residence
- Sarah McIntyre: former BookTrust Writer-Illustrator in Residence
- Taran Matharu: former BookTrust Writer in Residence
- Writer in Residence Bali Rai
- Writer in Residence Clare Wigfall
- Writer in Residence Cressida Cowell
- Writer in Residence Chris Riddell
- Writer in Residence Evie Wyld
- Writer in Residence Hannah Berry
- Writer in Residence Laura Dockrill
- Writer in Residence Matt Haig
- Writer in Residence Nii Ayikwei Parkes
- Writer in Residence Patrick Ness
- Writer in Residence Polly Dunbar
- Writer in Residence Phil Earle
- Writer in Residence Philip Ardagh
- Writer in Residence Sita Brahmachari
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Previous Writers in Residence for BookTrust
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BookTrust Represents
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Join our BookTrust Represents training events
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Waterstones Children's Laureate for 2019-21
- Celebrating 20 years of the Waterstones Children's Laureate
- Cressida Cowell biography
- Everything you need to know about the Waterstones Children's Laureate
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Meet the former Children's Laureates
- Anne Fine's time as Children's Laureate
- Meet Children's Laureate 2005-2007 Jacqueline Wilson
- Meet Children's Laureate 2007-2009 Michael Rosen
- Meet Children's Laureate 2009-2011 Anthony Browne
- Meet Children's Laureate 2011-2013 Julia Donaldson
- Meet Children's Laureate 2013-2015 Malorie Blackman
- Meet Children's Laureate 2015-2017 Chris Riddell
- Meet Children's Laureate 2017-2019 Lauren Child
- Meet Children's Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo
- Meet the first Children's Laureate Quentin Blake
- Waterstones Children's Laureate events
- Waterstones Children's Laureate supporters