CELEBRATIONS August 2020

Summer is officially here and whether you're on a vacation or a staycation we have got the hottest summer vibes to brighten your screens. Join B B Taylor as she grabs her shades and heads out into the sun! 

New Releases 

Patrice Lawrence welcomes in the summer with her newest Young Adult book Eight Pieces of Silva, published by Hachette Kids. Described as an addictive mystery that refuses to let you go, this thrilling read is sure to have you thinking long after you turn that final page and still can't put it down! 

Never Show a T-Rex a Book  that's the advice from author Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrator Diane Ewan in their brand new picture book, all about the power of curiosity, reading and libraries. Guaranteed to cause some giggles. Published by Puffin and roaring onto your shelves now!

Can you smell something? No it's not Clare Helen Welsh, but it is her latest book Poo! Is That You? This fun and informative offering was published on 9th July. It’s Clare’s first non-fiction picture book with Macmillan, illustrated by Nicola O’Byrne. Lenny the Lemur is on holiday in the Amazon rainforest. He's just settling down for a nice snooze, when a very yucky smell wafts past... Poo-ie! What or who could it be?

Dom Conlon's new book Leap, Hare, Leap! captures the mythic beauty of hares and introduces children to ideas of bio-diversity, environment and predators. Illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou and published by Graffeg Publishing this stunning creation brings nature to our shelves in its truest beauty 

Barbara Henderson is storming into Celebrations as The Siege of Caerlaverock is now out! It's miraculously sitting at No1 in a couple of Amazon categories and Barbara's celebrating with a Zoom launch party. The best bit about the book apart from its amazing author is that it's set in a castle now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. Published by Cranachan Publishing it is sure to stampede onto our shelves!

Tracey Mathias is so awesome that Scholastic have relaunching her epic Young Adult Novel Night of the Party with a new title and cover, and a more romantic thriller feel. Retitled Silence is Also a Lie, this will be one to watch!

Emma Rea is sailing along on the winds of Celebration this month as her Middle Grade adventure story My Name is River has been released by Welsh publisher Firefly Press. Amazingly, it was the Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week on July 26, and was chosen by Amanda Craig in her round-up of best new children’s books for the summer in the New Statesman. Set in the wilds of Wales and in Brazil, in a poor district of a sprawling city and up the Amazon river and in the rainforest, this heart warming story is now swinging its way on to shelves.

Eva Wong Nava is celebrating with her third picture book launching on the 31st of August. The Accidental Doctor. This is Eva's first non-fiction picture book biography, published by World Scientific. It's the first in a series that celebrates amazing women who have shaped Asia.

Coming Soon 

Tiny Tree Publishing is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a brand new junior fiction series from Bonnie Bridgman The Clara Claus Series Illustrated by Louise Forshaw will be jingling its way to our shelves in 2021.

Another acquisition from Tiny Tree publishing this time for picture book duo Fiona Barker and Howard Gray. Setsuko and the Song of the Sea, will be splashing our way in 2021. Here's a sneak peek at the stunning illustrations.

Keep your eyes peeled here for all the upcoming books and newest signed deals, we'll make sure you don't miss out!

Agents 

Have you got a new agent? Don't be shy. Let us know so we can celebrate with you too! 

Awards 

Exciting news this month is that Sue Lancaster has won first place in the Writers' Weekend/Bright Agency Picture Book competition with her story The Animal Alphabet Mix-up. The prize was £500, a Zoom consultation with The Bright Agency, and a certificate. Sue is over the moon and so are we!

Good News 

Celebrations come in all shapes and sizes and we like to try and celebrate as many as possible with our members! Debbie Edwards is very excited and proud to have won a Summer Service Award from SCBWI, having been nominated by Natascha, Kathy and Catherine for her dedication hard working and support to SCBWI British Isles. Her prize for receiving the award was a scholarship to the fabulous SCBWI Summer Spectacular.

Share your good news with us and brighten our day!

*All images courtesy of authors mentioned above. 

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Have you got good news to share? New book? New agent? Award nominee or winner? Are you a new member? Say hi and let us know. Why not send an email over with your good news at celebrations@britishscbwi.org, a picture and any links so we can celebrate too :)