Our Parakeet subscribers are kicking off the year with a fantastic, swashbuckling adventure story, brilliantly illustrated by Mark Elvins and combining two of our favourite themes for this age group: pirates and detectives! Here author Derek Keilty tells us what inspired his new series and which other pirate books for kids he would recommend you read next.
This month we sent our Parakeet subscribers the first book in a delightful new series by Sally Gardner, The Tindims of Rubbish Island, which explores our impact on the environment and inventive ways to recycle. Illustrated by Sally’s daughter, Lydia Corry, the book introduces a fun new world of characters and adventures perfect for keen young ecologists. Here we talk to Sally about what inspired the book.
The book we sent our Cockatoo subscribers this month is a magical adventure story with a fascinating historical setting, packed with atmosphere, drama and intrigue. We loved it! Here we quiz author Jenni Spangler on what inspired the book and which other books with historical settings she would recommend you read next.
The book we sent out Parakeet subscribers this month is a lovely, gentle tale about life in a lively Indian family and the very relatable feelings Sona has about becoming a big sister. It was an easy pick for our boxes, not least because it has the most beautiful cover! We asked author Chitra Soundar to tell us more about what inspired the book and which other books set in India she would recommend for kids and parents.
This month we sent our Cockatoo subscribers a brilliant book starring a pair of super-sleuth twins who set about solving a medical mystery. Here author and real-life doctor Roopa Farooki tells us what inspired the book and which other crime books for kids she recommends you read next.
Author and illustrator John Kelly tells us how he created The Monster Doctor and all about his own favourite books for kids. Packed with quirky illustrations, it's almost like a graphic novel. It's funny, super silly and a little bit gross - what's not to like?
The book we sent our Cockatoo subscribers this month is an exciting adventure story set in the Amazon rainforest that puts kids front and centre, celebrating their bravery, resilience and sense of what is just and fair. We asked author Emma Rea to tell us all about what inspired the book, the incredible cast of characters, and her travels to the Amazon.
We love a good puzzle, so the codebreaking in Mickey and the Animal Spies by Anne Miller went down a treat at Parrot Street HQ. Here Anne tells us all about the book and recommends some of her own favourite detective books for kids.
The book we sent our Cockatoo subscribers in August is a cracking sci-fi adventure, starring a brilliant cast of characters and providing the perfect jumping off point for discussions about the role of AI in our lives. We asked author Alastair Chisholm about what inspired the book and which other sci fi books for kids he would recommend.
This month we sent our Parakeet subscribers the fantastic Super Happy Magic Forest and The Humongous Fungus by author and illustrator Matty Long. Super Happy Magic Forest started out as a series of picture books, which Matty has evolved into a companion series of highly illustrated chapter books for young readers – our favourite kind of fiction! Here Matty tells us what inspired the series and about his favourite childhood reads.
This month we sent our subscribers off to Paris with The Pear Affair, a wonderful adventure story that roams across the French capital, from the deepest, gloomiest underground tunnels to the smartest haute couture boutiques. We were completely gripped by the mystery of Nell’s past and were excited to find out more about what inspired the book from author Judith Eagle.
In April we sent our Cockatoo subscribers the brilliant The International Yeti Collective by Paul Mason and we were thrilled when the Books.Ink team chose it as their Book of the Month for June. They asked us to put them in touch with Paul so they could interview him and they’ve kindly allowed us to repost that interview here.
