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123 Tea Party Packs
We sent out our Tea Party Packs through the Reading Agency to Chatterbooks groups to 50 lucky libraries around the British Isles and just look at...READ MORE
Behind the Scenes of Santa's High-Tech Christmas
See behind the scenes of Santa's High-Tech Christmas with a note from the author Dumbleton and artwork video by illustrator Angela Perrini.December 3rd, 2018READ MORE
Wenda Shurety on her debut picture book Eva's Imagination
Meet Wenda Shurety, author of Eva’s Imagination and learn all about the inspiration behind the book.November 7th, 2018READ MORE
Lucia and Lawrence - Capturing the Magic of Friendship
Joanna Francis, author and illustrator talks about the nature of relationships and finding the characters and concept for her book Lucia and Lawrence.July 9th, 2018READ MORE
10 Tips for Struggling Readers with author Candice Lemon-Scott
Here are my 10 top tips for struggling readers, drawn from my own experience, and from observing other children as I share my books with them in school and libraries.June 19th, 2018READ MORE
Pugs Sensation: Are Pugs Planning World Domination?
Are pugs taking over the world? Michelle Worthington investigates.June 11th, 2018READ MORE
Is It The Way You Giggle? author Nicola Connelly on the importance of celebrating individuality
Author Nicola Connelly on the importance of celebrating individuality and how It It The Way You Giggle? embraces the unique qualities that make everyone specialMay 24th, 2018READ MORE
Watch Annie White illustrate Is It The Way You Giggle?
Watch Annie White as she illustrates Is It The Way You Giggle?May 23rd, 2018READ MORE
New Frontier Publishing is looking for UK based authors and illustrators to expand their UK list
New Frontier Publishing is looking for UK based authors and illustrators to expand their list in the UK.May 16th, 2018READ MORE
Edward and The Great Discovery selected for the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge is an annual event run by the Reading Agency to encourage children to read in the summer months.“Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays. The annual Summer Reading Challenge helps get three quarters of a million children into libraries each year to keep up their reading skills and confidence. Because everything changes when we read.”January 10th, 2018READ MORE
Children across the UK review Jake in Space
In September 2017, the first two books in the Jake in Space series by Candice Lemon-Scott were released in the UK - Jake in Space: Moon Attack and Jake in Space: Robot Games. Following the success of the series in Australia, the team at New Frontier was keen to find out what the children in the UK thought of Jake and his adventures. With the help of The Reading Agency, we embarked on a nationwide review of the books from children aged 7-11 years. The results were charming, honest, humorous and above all extremely helpful. The children loved the story and characters and we thought we would share just a few of the reviews we received. We would like to say a big thank you to the Reading Agency for all their help and hard work.Below you can see the locations of all the children throughout Britain who have read and sent in reviews of Jake in Space.January 10th, 2018READ MORE
Interview: Karen Erasmus
Karen Erasmus moved to Australia from the UK in 2004 with her husband and two tiny children, and settled on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Previously a primary school teacher, she returned to studying art at Chisholm Institute after her third child.A long admirer of illustrators like Freya Backwood and Emily Gravett, Karen was delighted to illustrate her first children’s picture book in 2011, and has now completed more than ten books. She works in watercolour, ink and pastel, and aims to create images that are engaging and lively for young readers.
When she isn’t drawing and painting, Karen loves to visit schools to read stories to young audiences. She also loves cycling, swimming, crochet, and hearing her children’s laughter. Karen's latest book is Santa's Tight Squeeze. You can buy the book in the UK here and in Australia here.
What do you try to achieve when illustrating a picture book?
I focus on a sense of fun, interesting characters that are engaging, and action that supports the words
Do you illustrate at home or do you have a studio?
I’m very lucky that I have my own room to work at home.
Which illustrators do you look up to?
Emily Gravett, Polly Dunbar, Freya Blackwood, Matt Phelan
Tell us about your latest picture book?
Santa’s Tight Squeeze is a light-hearted story of Santa travelling all around the world and enjoying all the treats that have been left out for him. It’s a story with a gentle message about the importance of sharing. I’ve illustrated Santa before so I had to change his look a bit from the traditional Santa. He’s got a bit of a ‘40s fighter pilot look and his sleigh has been updated.
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
Draw every day and keep learning.November 28th, 2017READ MORE
Join Mr Darcy and celebrate Stir-up Sunday with family and friends
The festive season is here and to mark the start of the season we have a special Sunday coming up. This is the first big day prior to opening the first window on your advent calendar on December 1.This Sunday, 26 November 2017 is ‘Stir-up Sunday’, so put on your apron and gather family or friends to make a Christmas pudding. It’s the day when wishes come true, so get stirring!
According to tradition every person in the household including the children take a turn to stir the Christmas pudding mixture and make a wish.
The Christmas pudding is one of the essential Christmas traditions and is said to have been introduced to Britain by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.
Stir-up Sunday is the basis for Mr Darcy’s latest adventure in Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding. All his friends take a turn stirring the mixture. Can you guess Mr Darcy’s wish?
Join in the fun and get cooking with family and friends this Sunday. Good luck!November 22nd, 2017READ MORE
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