Summer Reading Challenge has started!!!

Both myself and author Margi McAllister are very excited and proud to have '15 Things Not to do with a Baby' included in this year's list for the Summer Reading Challenge run by The Reading Agency. This is the UK's biggest reading promotion for children. Those participating could have the opportunity to become a Guinness World Record title holder.

You can sign up for this year's challenge by popping into your local library, selecting six books of your choice, collecting stickers and other awards along the way.

If you live in Sunderland, you can check out See it do it, to stay up-to-date with events taking place at libraries across the city.

And don't forget to grab a read of '15 Things Not to do with a Baby', of course.  :)

Happy Reading!! x

The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday

On a journey from Sunderland to Liverpool last Sunday, I was extremely happy to receive messages on social media telling me that I was in The Independent, with 15 Things Not to do with a Baby being listed as one of the '12 Best Children's Books of 2015'.

I've been totally overwhelmed with people's responses to my first picture book and this news has absolutely topped it off... with a full spread in the paper and a HUGE image from the book. It is such an honour to be amongst talent such as David Walliams, Tony Ross, Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt and Sally Gardner.

Here is the review of the book in the article...

Review by Rebecca Davis, Saturday 28 March 2015

Older brothers and sisters will appreciate Margaret McAllister and Holly Sterling’s 15 Things Not to Do with a Baby (Frances Lincoln, £11.99), a humorous take on the conflicting emotions that younger siblings can inspire.

The 15 illustrated tips range from not letting the baby play with an elephant to more worryingly-plausible suggestions, such as not wrapping the baby in brown paper with a view to popping him or her in the post. It also offers a few handy hints about what you should do with a baby and will prove a useful tool in teaching toddlers the benefits of caring and sharing.

15 Things Not to do with a Baby's list of achievements to-date: 

• Books for Keeps - Book of the week in January
• Books for Keeps - New Talent
• Book Trust - Books we like: February 2015
• The Reading Challenge - Listed book for the Summer Reading Challenge
• The Independent - Listed as one of the 12 Best Children's Books of 2015

Included in the Summer Reading Challenge 2015

I am happy to announce that my first picture book, 15 Things Not to do with a Baby (written by Margaret McAllister and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books) has been selected for this year's book collection for the Summer Reading Challenge 2015, Record Breakers.

There are two lists - one for younger children and one for older readers. You will find 15 Things in the collection for younger readers (ages 4-7).

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK's largest reading event for children and is organised by the charity The Reading Agency. If you would like your children to be involved in this year's challenge, pop into your local library, sign up, select your six book titles and collect stickers and other rewards along the way. You can do all of this for FREE... so go and get signed up!!!

Happy reading!