Dressing Up for World Book Day 2020

This year I spent World Book Day at Sketchley Hill school in Hinkley. We all had a fabulous day, sharing a love of stories and all things Beetle Boy.

Every year, I like to share the pictures I get sent of the children who dress up as characters from my books as a way of saying thank-you, and letting the children know that I’ve seen them children and think they’re amazing (and you parents too).

This year there have been some corkers. It’s a delight to see the first Harrison Becks and Lennys popping up on my social media feeds.

If your child dressed up as one of my characters, it’s not too late to send it to me. I’ll be adding all the pictures I get sent to this gallery.

World Book Day - Share A Story Event in Middlesborough

On Monday 2nd of March, Sam Sedgman and I performed to 1200 children in Middlesborough. We introduced them to the Highland Falcon Thief, and we all had a riot.

This is the second World Book Day event I’ve been a part of and I love them! Taking the selfie from the stage was brilliant. I counted to three and got all the children in the theatre to throw their hands in the air and shout ‘pizza!’ I hope you agree, the photograph perfectly captures the spirit of this joyous celebration of reading.

The Highland Falcon Thief steams into the Children's Bestseller list

After only three days on sale, The Highland Falcon Thief has steamed into the Children’s Bestseller list at number 17. My heartfelt thanks go to every single person who has bought, read, sold, and recommended our book. To say we are chuffed to bits really is an understatement.

The Highland Falcon Thief is Waterstones Children's Book of the Month

I am over the moon to be able to tell you that The Highland Falcon Thief is the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for February. People are being so kind about our book, and I’m delighted that our series is getting this kind of a launch. The support of Waterstones is what turned Beetle Boy into such a huge success.

Book two will be coming to a bookshop near you in February, but if you are curious the first chapter of Kidnap on the California Comet is hidden in the back of the Highland Falcon Thief. Keep your eyes peeled for it.

PUBLICATION DATE brought forward to 30 January

The Highland Falcon Thief will be steaming into shops earlier than expected! The anticipation for this book has been heightened by lovely comments from other childrens’ author such as Frank Cottrell Boyce who said it was ‘Like Murder on the Orient Express only better…’

On top of this, the Times Newspaper who has made The Highland Falcon Thief it’s Children’s Book of the Week! Read the review below.

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COVER REVEAL for Rex the Rhinoceros Beetle

In June 2020 you’ll be able to get your hand on this beauty, Rex the Rhinoceros Beetle. I penned the story and the absurdly talented Duncan Beedie has done all the illustrations and this marvelous cover. It’s available for pre-order now on the Waterstones website and Amazon but won’t be published until the first week of June, which also happens to be when National Insect Week is taking place. Why not introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of beetles with Rex and his boastful friend Buster, two rhinoceros beetles having adventures in the rainforest.

Article on research for the Beetle Books

If you’re curious about how I went about doing the research for the Battle of the Beetles trilogy and my non-fiction book, then pick up a copy of the January edition of Writers’ Forum. There’s an interview inside with me on the subject.

Bookseller makes The Highland Falcon Thief it's Book of the Month

Suitcase Trains

Exciting NEWS regarding our festival events for Adventures On Trains next year.

We’ve commissioned the wonderful Suitcase Trains to make us a case based on The Highland Falcon Thief.

If you come to see us, you’ll also see our train set in a suitcase too 🧳 🚂 How cool is that?! They are sourcing a A4 Pacific and everything.

COVER REVEAL for The Highland Falcon Thief

I am proud to share with you the book covers for the UK and the US editions of The Highland Falcon Thief, my newest chapter book co-written with Sam Sedgman. Both were created by the wonderful illustrator Elisa Paganelli, and she does all the astonishing internal illustrations too. I hope you like them. If you’d like to see the animated version click play on the video below.

Coming to a book shop near you in March 2020.

COVER REVEAL for THE TALE OF A TOOTHBRUSH

COVER REVEAL! I've written a picture book inspired by my work with #Authors4Oceans called The Tale of a Toothbrush. It is published by Walker Books on 2nd Jan 2020 and focuses on plastic in the oceans through the story of Sammy - a cheerful yellow toothbrush. It's illustrated by wonderful Daniel Rieley and here's a sneak peek. I’m very proud of this beautiful book and can’t wait for children to read it. There are some facts about the problem with plastics at the back. I hope you like it.

The Highland Falcon Thief proof copies arrive!

You may have missed my announcement last year that I am co-writing writing a new series of children’s books, Adventures on Trains, with a friend and colleague of mine from the National Theatre called Sam Sedgman. The first book is called The Highland Falcon Thief and will be published in March 2020 with the second book following swiftly in September 2020. This week the advance reader copies arrived, and it’s a special moment for an author because it’s the first time your story feels like a real book. The picture above is of me and Sam celebrating getting our ARC copies in Kings Cross station, which is where the adventures begin. I’m bowled over by its beauty and shiny foil. Macmillan have done an amazing job.

The ARCs are for booksellers, book reviewers and other people in the trade. If you are one of these people then you should get in touch with Macmillan children’s books to request one.

Now begins the countdown to publication. I can’t wait for you all to read this book. The series and final book cover will be illustrated by the very talented Elisa Paganelli. The illustrations are a central feature of this book because our protagonist Harrison Beck is someone who draws, and it’s through the pictures in his sketchbook that he solves the case of The Highland Falcon Thief.

Battle of the Beetles wins Your Choice category at STEAM book prize.

I’m delighted that Battle of the Beetles has won the ‘Your Choice’ category of the STEAM Children’s Book Prize 2019, which is voted for by the young readers taking part in the award. The awards that are voted for by children always mean a lot to us authors, because it is you we write the books for. A big thank-you to everyone who voted, and huge congratulations to Christopher Edge who took home the big prize for his wonderful book The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day.

M. G. Leonard appearing at Grand Designs Live with Authors4Oceans

From Beach Cleans to Ocean Dreams:

Authors4Oceans is thrilled to announce that M. G Leonard, Dougie Poynter, Lauren St John and Christopher Vick will be appearing at Grand Designs Live, in London on 5th of May at 2pm, talking about the collective and our initiatives to save our seas.

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