A round-up of the month’s Scottish children’s book news.
February wasn’t just award season in Hollywood, there were prize announcements in the book world too, with Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist, by John Young named the winner of the Scottish Teenage Book Prize. The Kelpies Edge title is the story of Connor Lambert, a terminally ill teenager who sets off on a crazy tour across Scotland with an unlikely friend.
“You’re now looking at the most excited and happy man in Scotland,” said Young, who used his acceptance speech to praise the work of librarians and editors, and finished by saying “remember you’re all important in this world, and be like Skeates, never give up.”
The long-list for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway children’s book medals was announced in February, with This Zoo is Not for You, by Scots author-illustrator Ross Colins featuring on the Kate Greenaway list, for a children’s book that is outstanding in terms of its illustrations. The Family Tree, by Mal Peet – illustrated by Emma Shoard – is longlisted in the same category, and published by Edinburgh-based Barrington Stoke.
Island-based publisher Cranachan books has announced the launch of Gob Stopper, a new imprint for young adults. Its first title, Sonny and Me, by Ross Sayers (who was shortlisted for the Saltire First Book Award in 2017) is a detective story set in a fictitious Stirling secondary school and will be released on May 16th.
Oban-based picture-book publisher Little Door is to launch the first of its Little Door Debuts titles, celebrating new illustrating talent, this year. What Not to Give an Ogre for his Birthday, by Will Hughes will be released in the summer. A crowd-funding campaign is set to raise funds and awareness for the book’s publication.
Events: Schools and groups across the country are busy preparing their costumes and events for World Book Day, on Thursday March 7. All school pupils will receive a £1 voucher which they can exchange for one of this year’s £1 books, and will be encouraged to #Shareastory.
The Scottish Book Trust is hosting a free ‘Bring Picture Books to Life‘ training session on Thursday March 7 at 4pm at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, as part of the WeeWrite Festival. Anyone who works with children aged 3-5 or who leads Bookbug sessions can book a place.
World Book Day is surely one of the best days in the calendar to launch a new book, and Guardians of the Wild Unicorns, by Lindsay Littleson will be the subject of the celebrations at Waterstones Braehead from 6pm. If you know of any other World Book Day launch events, do let us know.
Stirling Libraries’ first children’s book festival Small Print, starts on World Book Day (March 7) and runs until Sunday March 10th. As well as schools events with picture book stars Morag Hood and Alan Windram, the programme includes a writing workshop with Lari Don (Spellchasers), reading and activities with Elizabeth Ezra (Tragic without Magic) and two fun story sessions with Chae Strathie (Gorilla Loves Vanilla).
What Roaring Reads loves about this particular festival programme is how wide-spread the events are – you’re as likely to get the chance to meet a well-known author in a wee village library as in the big towns, and we think that means more families will have the chance to get involved.
– We would love to share your book news in Quick Lit. If you are an author, publisher or reader with an announcement, book launch or a diary date that you would like us to cover, do get in touch @roaringreads or email roaringreads@outlook.com.
Roaring Reads 