'Taking the Long Way Home' was partly inspired by reading and the journeys of imagination that start when we open a book and partly by taking my nieces home from school!
Massive thanks to @brianfitzer and @Scallywagpress for making this such an amazing book!
ALT Shows the cover of 'Taking the Long Way Home' written by Jake Hope and illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. The cover image shows an uncle in a long jacket and jazzy green jumper, he is accompanied by a girl and a boy who are walking through a forest where there are crows and squirrels alongside a pterodactyl and a tiger peeping out from long grasses!
Join Andy Shepherd, author of THE BOY WHO GREW DRAGONS, for a 45 minute Grow Your Own Story school event on 2 July!
Your class will explore the magic of stories and nature ๐ฑ
The first 5 schools to sign up get two of Andyโs books.
๐ bit.ly/49jzCe1
ALT In blue, bold writing copy says The Reading Agency Presents Grow Your Own Story With Andy Shepherd. Blue book jacket of The Wood Where Stories Sing and photo of author Andy Shepherd.
Last week, our five fantastic judges selected the 2026 CLiPPA shortlist! โจ
Weโll be announcing the shortlist event this week โ sign up to our mailing list so you donโt miss the reveal of the five shortlisted collections: r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/1Rโฆ
Very excited to be part of the judging panel for this year's CLiPPA! Such an important award with an impressive history. Definitely one to watch out for!
Weโre so excited that @Jake_Hope will be on this yearโs CLiPPA judging panel! A champion of childrenโs books, Jake brings huge expertise from his work with the Carnegie Medals. Register your school for the shadowing scheme: r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/1Rโฆ
Visiting the @LondonBookFair? Don't miss the new Disability Inclusion and Accessibility hub with Alex Strick and Beth Cox @InclusiveMinds. Authors/illustrators, book a consultation offering inclusion/accessibility advice on a published or forthcoming title bit.ly/3Nh0vr9
ALT Photos of Beth Cox and Alex Strick, of Inclusive Minds, who will be hosting the new Disability Inclusion and Accessibility hub at this year's The London Book Fair.
CLiPPA Poetry Award 2026 Judges Announced...
This year's CLiPPA was launched last week and ACHUKA was delighted to see @Jake_Hope on the panel of judges - see post for shortlisting and award ceremony dates #awards#prizesachuka.co.uk/blog/clippa-poeโฆ
Illustrated stories can offer safe means to explore and empathise with the complicated emotions and ethics that surround war and conflict.
Author @Jake_Hope recommends some top stories for starting conversations about conflict: bit.ly/43hsETP
This is really lovely to see, a big thank you @ACHUKA for selecting and for the incredible ongoing commitment you show to children's books and reading.
For Black History Month, we celebrate stories that shine with courage, creativity and strength.
From the heroes of history to the storytellers of today, we honour voices that uplift, empower and inspire โ keeping their light shining all year round!
Happy Publication Day to Ming The Panda! ๐ผ
A true story of courage and hope from World War II and the London Blitz, with London Zooโs first
panda at the centre.
Congratulations to @Jake_Hope and Yu Rong ๐คฉ
#MingthePanda#bookpublication#publicationday#kidsbooks
๐๐Check out my OCTOBER 2025 Childrenโs Books Iโm Most Excited About video on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe!
๐๐Each month, I put together #ComingSoon videos previewing my most anticipated childrenโs books releases to bump up your TBRs!
โก๏ธ youtu.be/zy-fiy-d_-w?featureโฆ
โฆ@Jake_Hopeโฉ and #YuRong dressed up for their picture book #MingThePanda A True Story of Courage and Hope, about the first ever panda to come to the U.K, publishing 16 October. Pre-order now. โฆ@bouncemarketingโฉ โฆ
"I like to start with speedy loose pencils on large A2 sheets, exploring different angles & perspectives inspired by the text."
New in #BfK274@KlausFluggePr winner Emma Farrarons on creating the #illustration for MY HAIR IS AS LONG AS A RIVER
booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-conteโฆ
We have a treat on the YLG blog, Simon Lamb @approx21words has written a brilliant blog piece on the length of poetry which introduces his new book 'Mat o'Shanter'.
Unmissable!
cilip.org.uk/blogpost/163734โฆ
ALT The image shows the cover design for 'Mat o'Shanter: A Cautionary Tale' by Simon Lamb. The image is by muralist Ross MacRae who has created illustrations for the book. It shows a tempestuous seascape with Mat and his bicycle caught in the sand of an hourglass as a storm rages around the sea that ensnares the timer. Forked lightning and heavy rain creates added drama!
"The buzz and excitement from the first festival has been tough to beat."
We are delighted to welcome co-founders of #SAILfest to the YLG blog to talk about the 2025 festival.
cilip.org.uk/blogpost/163734โฆ
ALT SAILfest co-founders Sinead Gosai, Chitra Soundar and Sanchita Basu De Sarkar are pictured sitting together smiling in front of bookshelves.