Northern Highlight Clare Mackie Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I’m based halfway up a hill in a pretty cottage near Kinross and my studio looks out onto trees and my garden, and not a wall with a hint of sky which was my previous view. In 3 words: squirrels, verdant, peace. What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it? I love it when the pencils are done and the book is visually making sense. Prepping the paper for the paintings in anticipation of bringing all the hard work and discussions to life feels alchemical. Once the book is published it’s so endearing hearing children’s feedback – good and bad! And it is fun getting their versions of my artwork, which I prefer to my own illustrations. Tell us about the most recent book you've worked on or come across in your job.  I have to confess I’ve been mainly painting private commissions, ceramic designs, hairbrush designs, greeti

  Bookshop of the Month (January) The Children's Bookshop (Lindley, Huddersfield) Interviewee: Nicola Lee (Owner) Can you tell us more about The Children's Bookshop? The Children’s Bookshop recently moved property (just down the road) so we have a lovely bright colourful space full of books for children of all ages. We also sell some games and toys. Our aim is to provide the best quality books for children and young people in a safe and fun environment, and encourage children to read for pleasure. We consider ourselves a welcoming space for all people and wish to be a friendly presence in Lindley.  We organise author events in schools, and in-house events and activities; we host pre-schools for story sessions and school children who have earned a reward or are choosing books for their school; we do half-termly book bonanzas for schools; we supply books to schools for libraries and reading corners; we do bookstalls at reading/teaching conferences. If we can encourage children to

   Northern Highlight Caroline Deacon Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I live in Edinburgh, and for me it’s stunning, stimulating and small enough so you can walk  everywhere. But you need to keep looking up  –  the statues and incredible stonework  everywhere are easy to miss! What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it? My childhood and teenage years are the ones which are freshest and most vibrant in my mind, and drawing on those memories and feelings to create something scary, gripping and entertaining is just the best thing ever. I love plotting and I love editing –  it’s the bit in the middle which is hardest. Tell us about the most recent book you've worked on or come across in your job.  I always have several projects on the go, but the one that is dominating me right now is a  battle between science and nature, land management and re-wilding, and hopefully will get  reader