The author was repeatedly told that no one wanted to read fun books with disabled heroes. Now she has won the £5,000 Waterstones children’s book prize for her debut, A Kind of SparkWhen Scottish author Elle McNicoll was first trying to enter the publishing world, she was repeatedly told that people didn’t want to read about an autistic heroine. “In job interviews, I was saying that I wanted to see more books with disabled characters in them that were not traumatic, boring or educational, but fun and full of life. A lot of the reactions were, ‘Waterstones don’t like books like that’,” she says.Now McNicoll’s debut novel A Kind of Spark has won the Waterstones children’s book prize. Published by tiny independent Knights Of, it follows Addie, an 11-year-old autistic girl, as she campaigns for a memorial to the witch trials that took place in her Scottish village. The novel has been praised by Waterstones’ booksellers as “eye opening, heart-wrenching, sad [and] inspiring”. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2021-07-01 05:01:05 UTC ]
If you’ve ever opened a children’s book and thought this should be my wallpaper, know you’re in good company. Bruce Handy, the critic/journalist/humorist and multi-genre author, has been obsessed with inside covers for a while. So much so that this month, he puts on a new hat—curator. His... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-17 18:11:13 UTC ]
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The Georgia senator’s new children’s book series based on biblical tales kicks off this month with Leo’s Lunch Box about a generous boy whose inexhaustible lunch box recalls the miracle of loaves and fishes that fed a multitude. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Set in the recent past, Austin Kelley's debut novel centers on a magazine underling who becomes entranced with a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2025-04-14 10:00:06 UTC ]
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Find Ariel Courage’s successful query to agent Samantha Shea for her debut novel Bad Nature, which includes what Shea liked in the query. The post Successful Queries: Samantha Shea and “Bad Nature,” by Ariel Courage appeared first on Writer's Digest. Continue reading at Writer's Digest
[ Writer's Digest | 2025-04-12 16:00:00 UTC ]
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On May 2nd, the U.S. Postal Service will unveil a new stamp to kick off Children’s Book Week. The newest honoree to be cast Forever in adhesive is Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon. The new pane will pay tribute to your favorite bedtime story via Clement Hurd’s beloved illustrations. Letter... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-10 16:39:17 UTC ]
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Find London Sperry's successful query to agent Lily Dolin for her debut novel Passion Project, which includes what Dolin liked in the query. The post Successful Queries: Lily Dolin and “Passion Project,” by London Sperry appeared first on Writer's Digest. Continue reading at Writer's Digest
[ Writer's Digest | 2025-04-09 01:30:03 UTC ]
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It wouldn’t be wrong to call Kate Folk’s debut novel Sky Daddy a marriage plot. The protagonist, Linda, has had numerous lovers, but she wants to settle down. She’s looking for a “fine gentleman” who’s sleek, strong, and ready to commit, and she already has her dream wedding planned: hurtling to... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2025-04-08 11:00:00 UTC ]
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The unnamed narrator of Zee Carlstrom's debut novel is full of anger at their AWOL dad, but over the course of a road trip home begins to question his certainty about their diverging views Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2025-04-04 10:00:40 UTC ]
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Publishers for Palestine, a global solidarity collective of nearly 600 publishers across 50 countries, has condemned the ongoing silence of the world’s largest children’s book fair on the slaughter of children in Gaza. In a press release issued earlier today, the advocacy coalition took the... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-04-03 18:45:12 UTC ]
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Babe is a film with real heart, based on a richly drawn children’s book which advocates for brains over brawn, respectful communication and common decency. Continue reading at The Conversation
[ The Conversation | 2025-04-02 16:17:08 UTC ]
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An unprecedented IPA collaboration is created with for the 2026 congress, by a book fair that has IPA membership. The post Bologna Children’s Book Fair To Partner With IPA on Malaysian Congress appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-04-02 08:19:38 UTC ]
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French author Marion Brunet is the winner of the 2025 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world’s largest children’s book prize. The award was announced live from Stockholm on April 1 and broadcast simultaneously at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-04-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Mariam Rahmani’s debut novel is both charmingly familiar and totally unpredictable. Continue reading at The Atlantic
[ The Atlantic | 2025-03-26 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Booksellers take stand against influence of conservative billionaire by limiting orders of his company’s books and placing them on lower shelvesA conservative Catholic billionaire and media owner is facing an independent bookshop rebellion in France over his influence in the publishing... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2025-03-22 06:00:42 UTC ]
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Chinese children’s publishers are creating original works, quality translations, and tweaking their programs to meet rapid market changes. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Growing consumer caution and uncertainty surrounding federal government support for education resulted in results falling below expectations at the children’s book publisher’s last quarter. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Chinese children’s publishers are creating original works, quality translations, and tweaking their programs to meet rapid market changes. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Barbara Marcus, one of the most prominent and influential figures in children’s book publishing for decades, will step down as president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books on May 1. She will be succeeded by Mallory Loehr, currently EVP and publisher of the Random House Books for... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
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During Bologna Children's Book Fair, IBBY's annual International Children's Book Day will be observed, this year sponsored by the Netherlands. The post At Bologna: IBBY’s International Children’s Book Day appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-03-19 23:32:04 UTC ]
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Two Dollar Radio has been quietly rocking the publishing world since its inception in 2005. The Ohio-based indie publisher and “family outfit” turns twenty this year, and we at Lit Hub want to extend a hearty happy birthday. In a literary landscape that’s often knocked for a fear of risk-taking,... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2025-03-14 18:01:37 UTC ]
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