I am so pleased to be a part of this project which sees a whole bunch of my favourite authors writing stories about kickass girls and heroic women to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. Needless to say, my story will have bugs in it, after all #BugsR4Girls. Read below what Nosy Crow - the publisher - has to say about the book, Make More Noise! which will be available in bookshops on the same day as Battle of the Beetles is published, February 1st 2018.
Tom Fletcher chooses Beetle Boy to be a part of his new WHSmiths Children's Book Club
Tom Fletcher and WHSmiths have joined forces to create a children's book club, which is wonderful news. The best bit of the story is that Tom loves Beetle Boy and chose it to be one of the first ten titles in the book club. As if this couldn't be topped, he's made a BRILLIANT video about the book club which meant he had to dance around with a giant Beetle Boy! Honestly, I can't tell you how happy I am right now.
You can read more about Tom Fletcher's Book Club, the exclusive content and the other brilliant books on the list here.
Edinburgh Festival was a blast!
I did three days of events at Edinburgh Book Festival this year and I had the best time. Thanks to all the girls, boys and grown-ups who came to meet the beetles, and a special big thankyou to Callum from Cool Creatures for bring the beetles. It's not every day you get to see a giant African fruit beetle flying in a tent in Scotland! Here are some pictures from the festival, but my favourites are of course when I got to do my official portrait with a PYTHON! Thanks Callum for the loan of your beautiful albino python.
Cover reveal: Revenge of the Beetle Queen - American edition
MEGA NEWSFLASH!
My second book will be published by Scholastic USA on 27th of February 2018 with the slightly amended title Revenge of the Beetle Queen and a gorgeous red and black cover.
NEWSFLASH! New Non-Fiction Book Announcement
Finally, I'm able to tell you about The Beetle Collector's Handbook.
I am writing a non-fiction companion to the Beetle Trilogy. You'll discover all the wonderful facts that Darkus finds in his Beetle Collector's Handbook and read his, and his father's, annotations in this book, which will be reminiscent of the nature books from the early 20th Century, with lyrical writing and romantic (but anatomically correct) illustrations, as well as helpful hints on how you can become a Beetle Girl or Boy.
The book will be published after the Battle of the Beetles, next summer. Read more here.
I appear in a new BBC1 documentary on Entomophagy
Next Monday evening at 7.30pm on BBC1 - and on the iplayer - I'll be part of a documentary about Dr Sarah Beynon (scientific consultant to the Beetle Boy books) and Andy Holcroft's (bug chef extraordinaire) mission to get the UK eating bugs.
My Hay Festival event with Sarah and Andy was filmed for the documentary, and will feature in the film, when we got the audience munching insects, and I'll be chatting about the wonderful work Sarah and Andy do, and why we fear insects.
Personally, I'm very excited to see it! This is the iPlayer link.
Beetle Boy nature trail at Dorothy Clive Gardens, in Shropshire
It is literally my utmost pleasure to tell you about this...
An educational family based ‘Beetle Mania’ trail will be hosted by The Dorothy Clive Garden, inspired by children’s book Beetle Boy written by M.G. Leonard.
The trail, which will wind its way around the garden, is free of charge and will start on Monday 24th July and will be available for families to take part in every day over the summer holidays from 10am to 5:30pm daily. It aims to educate families and other visitors about Beetles, other insects, and wildlife that lives within the twelve acre hillside garden, and is part of the charities ongoing commitment to promoting horticultural education and environmental sustainability.
Latitude Festival
Last weekend I was at Latitude Festival doing a bunch of beetle filled events.
Sam (my partner in crime) and I arrived nice and early on the Thursday, so that we could get our wristbands, pitch our tent and scope out the festival site.
On Friday I had a blast teaching children how to write their own story about beetles, and talking about my own beetle-y stories. I met some truly wonderful Beetle Girls and Beetle Boys.
On Saturday I performed a reading from Beetle Boy and fed everyone roasted insects. The children were very adventurous and most had a try, but the grown-ups were a bit more scared. It's always the way. That's why so many heroes in stories are children. Children are brave and curious.
After the events I got to hang out with a bevy of beautiful authors and meet up with a few old friends.
It was the first time I had ever been to Latitude, but I LOVED it. I will definitely coming back.
Here are some of my pictures from the weekend.
CBBC Summer Social
This past weekend I brought my beetles to Salford Quays to meet the wonderful children who'd come to have fun at the CBBC Summer Social. We all had a blast. In the morning I did an event in the yurt, where everyone gamely tried eating my edible insects.
In the afternoon I did a big event in the BBC building, and then we all headed, pied-piper like, to the bookshop for beetle handling and book signing. I met so many fantastic readers and I even managed to fit in a cuddle and a catch-up with Blue Peter's Lindsey Russell, who I am a bit in love with.
The Bolton Book Awards 2017
Reading Beetle Boy to the boys and girls of Bolton
I had a wonderful time attending the Bolton Book Awards yesterday, which was won by the marvellous Jessica's Ghost by Andrew Norriss.
The children had made a book trailer for Beetle Boy, which I think is brilliant, and I'm posting here so that you can watch it too.
This is a picture of me watching the video at the Bolton Book Awards.
Beetle Boy wins the Branford Boase Award for outstanding first novel
I am delighted and honoured to be able to announce that Beetle Boy won the Branford Boase Award. This is a prize which is awarded annually for an outstanding first novel to a first-time writer of a book for young people and marks the important contribution of the editor in identifying and nurturing new talent. It is recognised as one of the most important awards in children’s books thanks to its impressive record in identifying authors with special talent at the start of their careers.
I am so proud to share this award with Barry Cunningham and Rachel Leyshon, my Chicken House editors. I also want to acknowledge the important role my scientific advisor, Dr Sarah Beynon plays in proof reading my books for scientific accuracy.
This is actually the first award I have won in my entire life and I will treasure it forever.
'M.G. Leonard is a classic storyteller, in the tradition of Roald Dahl or Dodie Smith, but an original voice. We predict that once again the Branford Boase Award judges have recognized an author who will be thrilling young readers for decades to come.'
Julia Eccleshare, chair of judges
Read articles about the award
The Bookseller
Foyles
Watch M.G. & Her Beetles On Springwatch Unsprung
Yesterday a dream of mine came true. I got to sit on hay bales with Chris Packham and talk about beetles! How good is that? Me, my beetles and my books were all featured on Springwatch Unsprung (June 14th). If you want to see how our chat went you can watch it on the iPlayer.
My fellow guest on the programme was the lovely Stephanie Coles. She is an utterly wonderful human being.
Me and Stephanie Coles on Springwatch Unsprung
As well as the main show, I also got to appear on Brett Westward's red button programme in the afternoon, when Hector, my rainbow stag beetle, decided to show off and fly about the studio. You can watch that programme here.
The whole experience was a dream come true, but my favourite bit was Chris Packham's enthusiastic endorsement of the beetle books. I've watched him on TV since I was a teenager and he's a wildlife hero. Here are his hands clutching my book and meeting my beetles.
M.G. Leonard is going to be on Springwatch Unsprung!
I'm very excited to be able to announce that my beetles and I will be appearing on Springwatch Unsprung on 14 June. Please do tune in, send in questions online and be a part of the show.
Hay Festival 2017
On the Starlight Stage at the Hay Festival 2017
I love the Hay Festival. This year we put together a very special event with Dr Sarah Beynon and her Bug Farm beetles and insect chef Andy Holcroft. Together the three of us put on a bugtastic show to a sold out audience including Germaine Greer! The BBC were there, filming for a documentary on entomophagy, and every member of the audience got to try a cricket cookie and other delicious bugs. Truly a day to remember.
