Books for Keeps

Our NEW issue is here, #BfK278 with interviews, features & children's book reviews. Includes Brian Moses, Natalia Shaloshvili, Alexis Deacon, Everything with Words, Letterbox Library recommends, new Beyond the Secret Garden AND @michaelrosenyes #KidLit bit.ly/4tIl0fz

Every debut is a door. The 2026 @KlausFluggePr shortlist, revealed today, is a masterclass in how new illustrators invite children into complex emotional and cognitive landscapes. Congratulations to all! Which of these covers is calling to your classroom first?

@anthony_mcgowan booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/birdlan… 4⭐️review in our new issue #BfK278

Birdlands out today (possibly my 55th?). I think it might be my best. A crow, a Jackdaw, and a pigeon, each damaged, on a journey to find salvation. Think Watership Down, about birds, as written by Sam Beckett. Fly my beauties, fly! (Except they can't fly, so they have to walk…)

The State of the Subject 2025-26: online forum Join us to reflect on & respond to the English Association’s State of the Subject Report by Antony Rowland We will use this online forum to hear your thoughts about English Studies in these difficult times. englishassociation.ac.uk/the-state-of-t…

📣 Hello Prescot! 📣 We are bringing Children's Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce to Shakespeare North, Prescot, for the first time this autumn. This is the actual setting for his book The Blockbusters and every child will get a free copy. 👉 tinyurl.com/4u4yztnp

Delighted to be featured in @BooksForKeeps as this month's Authorgraph. Congratulations to @bethan_welby whose cover illustration for 'I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend' is this issue's front cover. Thanks BFK & @Scallywagpress booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/bfk-278-…

Congratulations to Justin Worsley, shortlisted for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize with HENRY THE ARTISTIC DOG @AndersenPress A truly memorable picture book, say the judges, fresh, different & with a unique voice 👏 klausfluggeprize.co.uk

Congratulations to Thekla Priebst, shortlisted for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize with THE VOYAGE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD @QuartoKids. A perfect example of an information picturebook, say the judges, the artwork embraces the text 💐 klausfluggeprize.co.uk

Congratulations to Laila Exboir, shortlisted for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize with WE ARE LIKE BIRDS @HarperCollinsCh . This book takes a difficult topic and makes it joyful, say the judges 💐#illustration klausfluggeprize.co.uk

Congratulations to Becky Colvin, shortlisted for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize with THE GREAT GREEN ISLAND @MacmillanKidsUK. There’s a cinematic quality to this picturebook, a clarity of composition & emotional connection to the characters that marks this out klausfluggeprize.co.uk

Meet the six talented debut picture book illustrators shortlisted for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize 💐 Congratulations to them all! Find out more on our website & watch out for their Shortlist Sketchbook films on our YouTube channel. #illustrationㅤ klausfluggeprize.co.uk

We are delighted to reveal the shortlist for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize 🎉 Congratulations to these talented debut picture book illustrators. "It’s inspiring to see such originality and promise in debut work." Judge Rob Biddulph Find out more klausfluggeprize.co.uk

Announced today, the shortlist for the 2026 #KlausFluggePrize for most exciting newcomer to picturebook illustration. Congratulations to these six talented illustrators! "Inspiring to see such originality & promise in debut work" says judge Rob Biddulph booksforkeeps.co.uk/distinct-visua…

Get involved in CLiPPA 2026! 👉 Teachers: record students’ performances and submit by 12pm, 21 May. 👉 Five schools (one per shortlisted collection) will perform at the National Theatre, London on 9 July. Get involved: clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/…

"We know that we are richer in so many ways through the seemingly simple act of reading." Read more from Ailsa Bathgate, Publisher at @BarringtonStoke on why we launched the new Reader of the Year Award together: bit.ly/4wjuJeQ Make your nominations before 15 May 🧡

Huge congrats to John Agard, shortlisted for this year’s #CLiPPA2026 Poetry Award for 'The Poetry World of John Agard' iilus. by Shirley Hottier & published by @OtterBarryBooks. Explore 80 brilliant poems & join our CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme by 21 May: clpe.org.uk/books/book/poe…

Hopes, dreams, and the alchemy of writing; NEW BfK interview with author Fiona Dixon, who discusses her debut CROW THIEF OF MAGIC with Joanne Owen @HarperCollinsCh bit.ly/48QyYEy

Two favourites in this issue: Aussie Ursula Dubosarsky and British Patric Ness!

Newsletter Live! Free online event this Thursday Join our rapid-fire Reading for Pleasure event with expert voices and authors, packed with practical ideas to boost confidence with information texts and spark pupils’ love of reading. Book now: ow.ly/Pgab50YUYQB