News: childrens

PRH Children’s tackles toxic masculinity with ‘eye opening’ YA

Penguin Random House has acquired a YA novel tackling teen mental illness and toxic masculinity by debut author and mechanic James Goodhand. Read more
Beanstalk joins the Coram Group

National literacy charity Beanstalk has joined the Coram group of children’s charities. Read more
HCG expands on Oseman’s graphic novel series

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has acquired two more volumes in Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series, Heartstopper. Read more
Vicky Barker joins b small publishing as art director

Independent publisher b small has hired Vicky Barker, formerly a freelance illustrator and designer, as art director. Read more
HarperCollins Childrens signs multi-book deal with Michael Morpurgo

HarperCollins Children's executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh has acquired world rights to four books—two novels, a novella and an illustrated gift title—by Michael Morpurgo.... Read more
Templar acquires illustration prize winner

Templar Publishing, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has signed Emma Chadwick, the illustrator who won a competition launched by the publisher last year.... Read more
Walliams targets 7+ readers with new ‘daft story’

David Walliams’ next publication, a funny story entitled Fing, "dovetails seamlessly" with his short stories and middle-grade novels, according to his publisher HarperCollins Children’s Books.... Read more
Kate Manning returns to Bonnier Books UK

Bonnier Books UK has hired Kate Manning to the newly created role of group director of sales, marketing and publicity of children’s trade.... Read more
Children’s publishers predict significant rise in popularity of non-fiction titles

Books about mental health, the environment and space look set to dominate the children’s non-fiction landscape this year, according to publishers, who predict that the... Read more
PRH Children’s acquires hotly anticipated David Yoon YA

Penguin Random House (PRH) Children’s has acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights to Frankly in Love, the debut YA by David Yoon that was at... Read more
Asher files lawsuit against SCBWI after sexual harassment claims

Jay Asher, the author of several YA novels including Thirteen Reasons Why (Penguin), has filed a lawsuit against the US branch of the Society of... Read more
HCG harnesses environmental trend with plastic pollution book

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has acquired a book about plastic pollution by author-illustrator Neal Layton. Read more
TV presenter Helen Skelton signs with Walker

Walker Books will this September publish a non-fiction book by TV presenter Helen Skelton. Read more
Firefly sparks investment deal with Bennett

Welsh independent Firefly Press has secured investment from entrepreneur Robin Bennett of Quarto Translations to boost its publication of children’s and YA titles.... Read more
Amson-Bradshaw joins Quarto Kids as associate publisher

Georgia Amson-Bradshaw has joined Quarto Kids as associate publisher, specialising in non-fiction and novelty for Wide Eyed Editions and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.... Read more

Children’s blogs

From blog to bookshelf

By Estelle Maskame

Author at Black & White Publishing

YA author Estelle Maskame shares her experience of going from writing on Watppad to publication with Scottish indie Black & White Publishing. Read more
Announcing the Oscar's

James Ashton Chairman at Oscar's Book Prize
Always look to the future

Vanessa Harbour Author at Firefly Press
Reflecting Realities: why so surprised? An open letter from a small press

Katrina Gutierrez Director of projects and communications at Lantana Publishing
'You don’t need to be a superhero to change the world'

Angie Thomas Author at Walker Books