NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT Eleanor Cullen   Why did you become a children’s writer? I believe that the stories we read as children help shape who we are as adults. They teach us empathy and kindness and help us grow up believing in things, whether those things are magic or myths or simply the importance of being good people.    They also have the chance to let kids see themselves, or people like them or different to them, be represented. This can prevent feelings of alienation when they find themselves in a room full of people who make them feel different, and can help them grow up with the knowledge that not everybody is like them, and that fact is something to be celebrated.  Children’s books are so much more powerful than a lot of people realise, and I hope that I can be responsible for helping even just one child feel more seen, or less alone, with my books. Tell us about where you live.   I live in gorgeous New Brighton, which is my favourite part of the Wirral

  NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT Laura Horsley, Editorial Director Why did you want to work in the  children's  book industry? I have always loved children’s books and come from a family of book lovers too. One of my early memories is going to the local library with my dad over the summer holidays and taking part in their reading challenges. I went on to study History and English Literature at the University of Glasgow and by far my favourite course was on British Children’s Literature. I am very passionate about the roles children’s books have in empowering young readers, building confidence and sparking the imagination. Working in children’s publishing is quite possibly the best job I could have asked for.  Tell us about where you live. I moved from North-East London to Edinburgh during the third lockdown, which was a bit of a bizarre experience. But it’s been lovely to see the city come alive over the past few weeks.  It’s hard not to feel inspired by a place like Edinburgh. It has such a g

CHILDREN'S BOOKS NORTH FESTIVAL OF ILLUSTRATION T he Children's Books North 'Festival of Illustration'  was held on    Wednesday 11th August on Instagram. The evening showcased the very best talent in  the North and Scotland and we couldn't be happier! We were thrilled that so many Children's Books North members took part in the event and shared their amazing work with us. There was a lot of interaction from other creatives and publishing professionals too so really great to see the profiles of our members flying high. Here's a peek at some of the AMAZING illustrations shared during the event:     From left to right: Adam Walker-Parker, Aimee Wright, Alison Brown, Anjan Sarkar, Anneli Bray, Becka Moor, Cally Johnson-Isaacs, Carly Gledhill, Chris Jevons, Emma Reynolds, Emmeline Pidgen, Esther Kent, Francis Martin, Gill Smith, Gillian Flint, Gillian Gamble, Helen Shoesmith, Jenny Bloomfield, Jon Davis, Kirsti Beautyman, Lisa Stubbs, Louise Fors