Northern Highlight Kate Pankhurst Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I’ve made my home in Leeds (I’m originally from Liverpool way ) and I work from a studio space in an old Spinning Mill at a mill site which is now home to an array of creative businesses (Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley). Three words – surprising, buzzy and … pigeons! (If you leave a window open overnight the mill pigeons like to come inside and make themselves comfortable.) What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it? I enjoy the feeling of amazement that a small doodle (all my books start with small sketches that seem quite throwaway) can grow, take on a life of its own, and become a finished book. When you get to the end and look back it feels a little like some sort of magic has happened, and I’m never entirely sure how I did it. The magic of the creative process!   (I usually need a little time t...

Children’s Books North We Are Four! Children's Books North is four today! We have grown so much since our first social event in Manchester, and it has been an incredible journey  –  connecting publishing professionals in the North and Scotland, promoting regional diversity and championing the creativity of our members. Take a look at some of our highlights from last year! Launching Looking North: the CBN Directory In 2023 we successfully launched our Directory of Members, which lists published children’s authors, illustrators and publishing professionals based in the North and Scotland. Including CBN members’ details and recent works, the Directory is a valuable resource for members to forge new networks with each other, as well as for booksellers, festivals and other organisations to easily get in touch.  We will be updating the Directory annually as the network grows. You can download a PDF of Looking North: Children's Books North Directory of Members here . Hosting our...

   Northern Highlight Andy Ruffell Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I live in North Yorkshire, on the edge of the fabulous North York Moors, about 15 minutes south of Teesside. It's friendly, wild and open. What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it? While children are our key audience, I love the fact that children’s books are there to be read and enjoyed by everyone. They are such a special genre of books because they don’t just open young people’s eyes to worlds beyond their own, but also welcome adults back to worlds they thought had passed them by. My favourite part of the creative process is the moment at which an idea or character drops into your thoughts. Sometimes they sidle in without much of a fanfare, and sometimes they appear with a bang, but however they arrive, they are always welcomed as new friends. They never fail to trigg...

   Bookshop of the Month (February) Pritchards Bookshop Interviewee: Amy Wright (owner) Can you tell us more about Pritchards Bookshop? Pritchards has been in Crosby village since 1975, and I bought it in 2021 once original owner Steve Pritchard retired. We have recently moved to a bigger premises and are going from strength to strength. I have been able to build on this local institution and bring new customers in on top of our very loyal existing customer base. What, for you, is so special about children's books?  I love children’s books and have fond memories of my favourites as a child: Roald Dahl, Goosebumps, Babysitter’s Club, Point Horror. And my own children, who are 6 and 8, love books. Myself and my husband read to them both every night before bed since they were born, so now they read to themselves before bed which brings me such joy, knowing we helped instill that love of reading. There’s nothing I love more in the shop than when a child comes in super excited...