TWITCH is long-listed for the James Cropper Wainwright Prize 2022

It is with utter delight, I can tell you that TWITCH has been long-listed for the Wainwright Prize for Children’s writing on nature and conservation! This prize is a special one. Every year I read the shortlists and grow.

This means such a lot to me - and I’m humbled to be included. Massive congratulations to all the other long listees!

This long list features writers I respect, admire and - to be honest - fangirl over. I don't know how anyone picks a winner. I certainly couldn't.

You can find out more about the prize and the other books that are long-listed here.

KEY DATES: 

• The Prize shortlists will be announced on 28th July at Foyles, London.

• The Prize winners will be announced live on 7th September at the London Wetlands Centre.

Audible commissions a winter fairytale from M. G. Leonard!

I’ve got deliciously wintery news for audiobook fans. I’ve been working with Audible to create a magical Christmas present for you. You’ll be able to make a cup of hot chocolate, settle by the fireside and listen to The Ice Children with your family from November 2022. I cannot wait for you to hear it.

In 2023, Macmillan will be transforming this story into an exquisite book ready for Christmas stockings.

More exciting news concerning the project will be coming soon, so watch this space!

It's Insect Week 2021, AND Independent Bookshop Week!

This week we’re celebrating the little things that run the world - insects! As the Vice President of Buglife and the writer of five (count them) books about beetles, you can guess that this is one of my favourite weeks of the year. To big up our brilliant beetle buddies and their invertebrate friends I will be sharing great facts, classroom resources and videos about beetles (and my books!) on social media all week. But hang on . . . insects are not the only thing we’re celebrating this week!

This week is also Indie Bookshop Week! So why not pop into your local book shop and grab a copy of Beetle Boy, Beetle Queen, Battle of the Beetles, The Beetle Collector’s Handbook, or for the little ones - Rex the Rhinoceros Beetle.

Independent bookshops are the lifeblood of many communities, and we are lucky to have so many deeply invested, well-read, downright likeable, and enthusiastic booksellers. So do your bit this week and support them by having a browse and a buy something . . . it doesn’t even have to be a book about bugs!

The Highland Falcon Thief WINS the Books Are My Bag Reader Awards 2020 - Children's Fiction

We are super delighted to announce that The Highland Falcon Thief has won the Children’s Fiction Category of the Books Are My Bag Reader Awards 2020!

Booksellers are the best, and so, a HUGE thanks goes to all the wonderful independent bookshops and the stella booksellers for nominating The Highland Falcon Thief for this award, and to every single person who voted for it to be their winner. Books are nothing without readers. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!