Bfk 273 July 2025

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This issue’s cover illustration is from The Wood Where Magic Grows by Andy Shepherd, cover illustration by Ellie Snowdon. Thanks to Piccadilly Press for their help with this cover.

Book of the Week

Pencil’s Best Story Ever

Carly Gledhill
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Price: £12.99
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New Talent

On the Edge

Nicola Garrard
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Price: £9.99
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Editor's Choice

The Wood Where Magic Grows

Andy Shepherd
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Price: £7.99
View Review

Articles

A Q&A interview with Jack Mackay
A Q&A interview with Jack Mackay about his chilling debut novel Gloam
A Q&A interview with Mini Grey
Mini Grey answers our questions on her illustrations for The Coming of the Iron Man
Editorial 273
News and comment from the children's book world
Seen and Heard: Young people’s voices and freedom of expression
Nicky Parker introduces an important new project
Endless possibilities: an update on the progress of the GLL Literary Foundation
An update on the GLL Literary Foundation library initiative supporting up and coming authors
Authorgraph 273: Kenneth Oppel
Kenneth Oppel interviewed by Alison Brumwell
Windows into Illustration: Jarvis
Jarvis on creating his new book, Our Pebbles
Picture This: Adventures with Alice
Nicolette Jones looks at illustrations of Alice on the 160th anniversary of her adventures in Wonderland
[There are no] Rules for Reading
Nikesh Shukla argues for reading and against rules
Beyond the Secret Garden: Science and Science-Fiction
Darren Chetty and Karen Sands-O’Connor seek out universal access in science-fiction writing for children
A Q&A interview with author Andy Shepherd
A Q&A interview with the author of The Wood Where Magic Grows
Obituary: Aidan Chambers
Aidan Chambers remembered by Clive Barnes
Good Reads: Hunts Grove Primary Academy
Good Reads chosen by students at the Hunts Grove Primary Academy, Gloucester
I Wish I’d Written: Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Lizzie Huxley-Jones chooses a book by a rollicking good storyteller
Gleanings from Nicholas Tucker
Nicholas Tucker shares notes from 60 years writing about children’s books
Valediction 23: Nursery Rhymes
Brian Alderson opens another rare children’s book as he passes on his unique collection.

Book Reviews

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Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

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Books for Keeps,
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Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

Bfk 272 May 2025