As a household filled with little readers who compulsively resist bedtime, we were intrigued by this book as soon as we saw the title. Imagine if you really couldn't get to sleep – ever. David C Flanagan's young fiction story introduces Harry, a boy who has never even been tired, and explores what now sleeping... Continue Reading →

This book is a rare thing: a picture book with words and illustrations which are equally beautiful. The story of a boy who rescues and cares for an abandoned fawn, it is a lyrical celebration of Scotland's landscapes and wildlife which conveys the atmosphere of its setting perfectly. As a summer unfolds, we see the... Continue Reading →

Sixteen-year-old Dolly Shepherd loves living life on the edge, and while her weekdays are spent working in her aunt's Ostrich Feather Emporium, one weekend she seizes a thrilling opportunity – to parachute from a hot air balloon. It the first leap in what will prove a daring, dangerous and fulfilling career. Karen McCombie's story re-imagines... Continue Reading →

In our regular Q&A, we ask a Scottish author to share some stories about their own life. This month, we welcome Hannah, who has dazzled us with her debut middle-grade story, The Spellbinding Secret of Avery Buckle. We're hoping to uncover the secrets of how she came to create Avery's fantastical world.  News story: What... Continue Reading →

This is our favourite read of the year, so far - a fast-paced, magical adventure that takes readers to iconic settings in the company of characters who are memorable, endearing, and so much fun! Avery's daily life seems quite normal (apart from her shimmering guardians and the fact that she is half cat) until, at... Continue Reading →

Spring 2021 looks set to be a bumper season for children's books, with scheduled stories heading out on to shelves alongside launches that were paused by the pandemic. Our 'to be read' pile is already teetering with treats – and there's much more on the way. As usual, this preview is shaped around a wee... Continue Reading →

In the concluding notes of After the War, Tom Palmer observes that this was a difficult book to write. It is a difficult book to read too - not for the language, which is as clear as you expect from this author and publisher - but because of the enormity of the events it explores... Continue Reading →

This is a remarkable book that draws attention to a bleak situation, yet still resonates with kindness, love, and even a little fun. A child's experience of visiting a food bank might not be the most obvious topic for a picture book, but - though we might wish otherwise - it is a relevant and... Continue Reading →