Are you curious about Beetle Boy? Perhaps if I read you the first chapter you might be interested in reading the rest of the book…
Homeschool Resources
With most children at home, us parents are looking for activities to occupy and educate our kids. So, I thought I’d pull together all the marvelous resources that have been created over the years that relate to my books.
Here you will find lots of fun activities for readers of all ages.
THE TALE OF A TOOTHBRUSH
Stay Home with Walker Books - activity sheets
ADVENTURES ON TRAINS
Activity sheets and classroom activities.
BATTLE OF THE BEETLES
ENJOY!
Maya
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The Book of Hopes
I’m proud to have written a contribution to The Book of Hopes. This collection of work from children’s authors and illustrators is edited by Katherine Rundell, and freely available from the National Literacy Trust’s website from Monday 27 April.
The aim of the project is to gather a selection of hopeful words and pictures for all children (and their grown-ups) in this strange time where we find ourselves confined to our homes due to the coronavirus.
My contribution is a short piece of nature writing about the charismatic dung beetle and is accompanied by a fabulous illustration by Carim Nahaboo. I hope it provides a welcome distraction from the human realm and a delightful dip into the wonderful world of beetles.
A peculiar publication day for The Tale of a Toothbrush
Today, the paperback of my debut picture book The Tale of a Toothbrush is published. This would ordinarily be cause for celebration, except that every book shop in the land is closed.
If you feel this book would be a lovely addition to your child's bookshelf, and I promise it's a delightful story that gently introduces the topic of the problem with single-use plastic, then help an author out in these strange times and order one from Waterstones or Amazon. A review on either of these websites would be a big help too.
STORYTIME
Listen along as I read The Tale of a Toothbrush live on my Instagram IGTV at 6pm on Friday the 3rd of April. Gather the family around and marvel at the faces I pull and my silly voices as I read you a charming bedtime story.
SPOILER ALERT - this book has a happy ending.
MAKING ACTIVITY
If you're at home with little ones for the foreseeable then why not try making a trash monster from plastic found in the bin?
You can find a video of me doing this on Authorfy. You have to register (for free) but there are lots of other great writing and creative activities there too. M. G. Leonard's 10 Minute Challenge »
Cover Reveal for Kidnap on the California Comet
Ta da! Here is the cover of the second book in the Adventures on Trains series, Kidnap on the California Comet. It will be published on September 3rd 2020.
Board the California Comet and help Harrison Beck to solve another heart-stopping mystery in the second Adventures on Trains story, Kidnap on the California Comet.
After the excitement of his adventures aboard the Highland Falcon Thief, Harrison Beck can't wait for the opportunity to go on another amazing train journey. So when his Uncle Nat invites him aboard the California Comet, the iconic three-day train journey from Chicago to San Francisco, he leaps at the chance to travel. But when the daughter of billionaire entrepreneur August Reza goes missing en route, Hal finds himself with another mystery to solve. Can he uncover the kidnapper before the journey's end?
An adrenaline-fuelled journey across America from bestselling authors M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman.
You can read chapter one of Kidnap on the California Comet at the end of The Highland Falcon Thief.
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.
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.