Babar turns 80

19 minutes ago by David Maybury · No Comments

Jean de Brunhoff's Babar turns 80 this year (or 82 if you're counting from French publication) And to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Babar the Elephant being first published in English -  Egmont are on the hunt for original Babar fans from the 1930’s onwards.

The Anniversary will be marked with events across the year, with events designed for a multi-generational army of Babar fans - young and old - as well as new audiences who haven't, yet, met one of the worlds most famous…

CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal 2013

1 day ago by David Maybury · No Comments

It's that time again. Where some of the best books of year are placed head-to-head and given the chance to, well, be judged by the best in the business. It's the Oscars of the UK children's books world. We'll announce the winner later today... but to whet your appetite, here's a reminder of the shortlist for both the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals: 

Carnegie:

• A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle
• Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
• The Weight of…

Chaos Walking Short Stories

2 days ago by David Maybury · No Comments

I'm not sure how this snuck passed by a month - but in case you have missed them too, you can read three Chaos Walking short stories online! 

And a word from Patrick Ness about the three shorts: "They're  set  firmly  in  the  world  of  Chaos  Walking  and  star  characters  you  already  know  –  Viola,  Mistress  Coyle,  Wilf,  Lee  –  telling  you  a  little  bit  more  about  them  and  hopefully  being  exciting  in  their  own  right." 

It's 7.10am and I've already read the first…

Teen fiction without pictures? ppfffttt to that!

6 days ago by David Maybury · No Comments

Teen fiction has a new heroine. Cathy Brett, who, admittedly is no stranger to us, Brett is on her fourth novel, but swept in this week with a great article in The Guardian defending artwork in teen fiction. 

"Don't get me wrong. I liked words. I liked reading. No, I love reading. But I really love pictures too and I don't mind telling you that the day I discovered grown-up books didn't have pictures was shocking. I wanted my toast with butter… and marmalade."

Can't recommend any stronger…

Eoin Colfer: PW KIDSCAST

13/06/2013 by David Maybury · No Comments

Eoin Colfer talks to PW Children's Editor John Sellars about Artemis, influences (so great to hear Eoin wax lyrical about Douglas Adams and writing his Hitchhiker book), writing for adults, touring the US and his new series WARP. And there are sneak peeks into what Eoin is working on next, including a new book with Oliver Jeffers, a musical and some other new projects.  

Have 19 minutes and 32 seconds to spare? This is one great way to spend it!