The Bookseller Conference - CBN panel event On Monday 2nd October 2023, Children’s Books North were at The Bookseller Children’s Conference and took part in a panel event - Northern networking: Creating Connections through Children's Books North. The Bookseller Children’s Conference is an annual event, aimed at bringing together those working across all areas of children’s publishing. CBN co-founder Tilda Johnson was joined by CBN members Ashley Thorpe, Hiba Noor Khan and Penny Neville-Lee, and discussed the growth of the CBN network; from conception and the need to fill a gap in Northern networking opportunities, to real-world outcomes and individual career benefits of engaging with a regional network.  We had such a great day talking about creating connections outside of London! Hiba Noor-Khan, Tilda Johnson, Ashley Thorpe and Penny Neville-Lee. Hiba Noor-Khan, Ashley Thorpe, Penny Neville-Lee and Tilda Johnson.  Panel moderated by Philip Jones.

   Northern Highlight Bethan Clarke Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I’m based in a small village just outside Macclesfield in Cheshire. I would describe it as quiet, green and friendly. What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it? All of the magic! To me, especially as I’ve grown older and now see it through a ‘grown up’ lens, childhood is a time where the possibilities are endless, where things are viewed and experienced for the first time, and as a child a lot of that can be magical. The world can also feel huge and scary, and books and stories can help to make sense of all of it. Or can take you out of the world entirely and transport you to a place that only you can experience in a particular way. Picture books are essentially magic in print. The words and the illustrations all come together and create stories to make readers laugh or help them understand something, to l...

Northern Highlight Jennie Roman Editor Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I work from a chilly outbuilding at home, which is a thimble-sized cottage in a village near York. Working from home feels special to me and I'd sum it up as calm, colourful and cosy. It's a good backdrop for thought. What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it? I never stopped reading children's books and I love to advocate for their importance for readers of all ages to anyone who will listen, but their central magic is of course how they can affect children and broaden their imaginative horizons and instil in them all the good stuff that modern life perhaps threatens to erode. To be part of the process that puts books in children's hands – and working hard to make them as good as possible – has never got old for me. Tell us about the most recent book you've worked on or come across in your jo...

Looking North:  An indispensable di rectory of Children's Books North members We are delighted to be launching our Directory of Members, which lists published children’s authors, illustrators and publishing professionals based in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Scotland.   Tilda Johnson said: ‘ The Directory is a key resource in our aim to connect the children’s book professionals living in our regions, to promote our members' work, and to champion the importance of regional diversity in children’s books and the publishing industry.’ Members are listed along with their details, short bios and recent covers, enabling booksellers, librarians, schools, festivals, literacy organisations, agents and publishers to easily get in touch. The Directory is also a valuable resource for authors and illustrators looking to connect with other creatives working in their region and to forge new networks. Our plan is to update the Directory annually, as the network grows. It wi...

  JUST SO FAMILY ARTS FESTIVAL/CHILDREN'S BOOKS NORTH   On Sunday 20th August 23, Children's Books North was back at 'Just So' Family Arts Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire.   'Just So' is an annual, intimate, weekend-long festival – an imaginative outdoor family adventure like no other. With a love of stories and childhood escapades at its heart, Just So Festival enables families to step out of their day-to-day lives and into a wonderland of creative pursuits together, in a beautiful natural environment.     We were delighted to be joined by four CBN members - Andy Ruffell, Gabrielle Kent, Hiba Noor Khan and Rachel Morrisroe - who held fabulous interactive, no-tech events with snowballs, dragons, fruit and even a dodo! We had great crowds and even sunshine!     (Rachel Morrisroe)                                            ...

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS Lina Langlee Where are you based, and how would you sum up the place in three words?  I’m based in Edinburgh – somewhere beautiful, bookish and… blustery. What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it?   Working with children’s books is absolutely joyous! The whole reason I work in publishing is because I discovered a love of books when I was young. Really - hopefully without sounding too highfalutin- having access to great children’s books in my childhood in many ways set the course of my future. Coming across a book, as an adult, where you feel that same spark as you did as a child is a magical thing – and one that feels very worthwhile looking for and help make available to young readers. Easily my favourite thing. Tell us about the most recent book you've worked on or come across in your job.   Oh, I am working on quite a few exciting things at the moment! I had two books out in ...