'The new master of books for children' The Times
The theme for the Federation of Children’s Book Group’s booklist this National Share-A-Story-Month (May) is “Saving the World One Book At A Time”, and I’m delighted that The Wild Before has been included, along with some other excellent reads.
FCBG said:
“A hauntingly beautiful story of survival, hope, and the untamed wild. The Wild Before takes readers into a world where nature is both fragile and fierce, exploring themes of environmental change and the urgent need to protect our planet. 🌍 This powerful tale reminds us that the wild places we love are worth fighting for, and the creatures within them, too.”
Visit the FCBG website to get your copy of the full NSSM 2025 booklist.
My ninth book for children, Letters to a Dog is out today!
It’s my debut novella with the wonderful Barrington Stoke, who specialise in accessible, inclusive, dyslexia friendly books for all children, and is gorgeously illustrated throughout by Alice McKinley.
Jamie is in hospital waiting for a life-changing operation on his heart. But if that wasn’t tough enough, he’s also fallen out with his dad Winston and refuses to speak to him. In fact, Jamie and his dad haven’t spoken properly since his mum died. To cheer him up, nurse Shirley suggests he writes a letter to the dog he desperately wants to adopt from the local dogs home. But imagine his surprise when Dog writes back…
Now available in all good bookshops and libraries near you!
Delighted to announce that The Last Wild is going to be a play, in a new version for primary school audiences, adapted by Jude Christian from the award-winning novel by Piers Torday, will be directed by the Unicorn Theatre’s Artistic Director and former Peter Hall Associate, Rachel Bagshaw, in a co-production with The National Theatre.
Opening at the Unicorn Theatre in February 2027, the production will tour to venues and schools in areas across England, doubling the reach of previous National Theatre primary tours.
For more details see the full announcement by The National Theatre here.
BREAKING: I have a new book! I have long envied Barrington Stoke’s list of incredible books not just for their accessibility and concision but also their astonishing range of voices and stories.
So today, I am jumping up and wagging my tail to announce that I will be joining that list with
LETTERS TO A DOG in May 2025!
When I was little, I sometimes wrote postcards from holidays or birthday cards to my pets, but they never wrote back. What if one did?
This story follows Jamie, who begins writing to a longed-for pet while awaiting an operation.
“Piers Torday has delivered something uplifting, heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny, which demonstrates his remarkable ability to weave storytelling magic!” – Ailsa Bathgate, Barrington Stoke.
I can’t wait to share this amazing story with you all! 🐶 The completely gorgeous artwork and interior illustrations are by Alice Mckinley.
The final finished copies of my new book, MIDNIGHT TREASURE, are here!
And they are a thing of beauty. Look at that wolf! Those eyes!
But to appreciate all the detail you will have to get hold of a copy in store. Don’t forget to see what’s under the dust jacket or the endpapers…
All the artwork, including a map and the fabulous cover, is by the brilliant Alla Khatkevich.
In shops from September 5th, available for pre-order now.
The proofs have dropped for my new book, MIDNIGHT TREASURE, which will be published by @hachettechildrens on September 5th.
It is the beginning of a new fantasy series for children, inspired by a hand-drawn map of a mysterious fantasy land by my Dad, which led to exploring my family connections to Transylvania, and an extraordinary train trip to that magical place, where I have stayed with a real Count, been washed down a mountain and attacked by a pack of wild dogs.
And if I have learned anything on my travels, it is this :
IF THERE IS ONE THING VAMPIRS CRAVE AS MUCH AS BLOOD, IT IS TREASURE . . .
Tibor is a werwolf, adopted
by his guardian, a powerful vampir. He and his friend Roza are on the deadliest of quests, and one that will test their very immortality.
But they’re not the only ones hunting for the Midnight Treasure. Battling with bears, wrestling with vampirs and racing against the clock, Tibor and Roza must decide who to trust. And whether they will dare reveal the secrets . . . of the Midnight Treasure.
A few very kind people were generous enough to read early copies, and I am both blown away by and enormously grateful for their words:
“Stop the hunt for your next epic read because this is a treasure of a fantasy book. High stakes, big heart, frightfully good.”
A. F. STEADMAN
‘A brilliant fantasy adventure.’
ANTHONY MCGOWAN
‘One of my favourite children’s books ever.’
LAUREN ST JOHN
‘Breathless, bold and endlessly imaginative’
JONATHAN STROUD
‘This is storytelling at its very best.’
ELODIE HARPER
‘Epic, glorious, enchanting and dangerous: a writer at the height of his powers.’
EMMA CARROLL
‘An unmissable tale’
ABI ELPHINSTONE
‘A triumph of storytelling.’
POLLY YO-HEN
‘I loved this epic quest
adventure full of surprising twists and turns.’
H S NORUP
‘Lush, cinematic,
deliciously dark and
compelling . . . A thrilling treasure trove’
ROSS MONTGOMERY
‘Wildly inventive fantasy’
MIRA BARTOK
If you would like proof, send me a vial of your blood. Otherwise, you can pre-order an actual book here.
Cover illustrations © Alla Khatkevich 2024
The Last Wild was published ten years ago, and I’m hugely grateful to everyone – agents, publishers, fellow authors, reviewers, teachers, librarians, bloggers, and parents – who have read, reviewed, blurbed, taught and promoted these books to young readers.
The paperback edition of The Wild Before is finally here! It is just as sustainable as its big hardback brother, with vegetable inks and uncoated cover, and all the same story and pictures inside…
And, with a fabulous new review, from The Sunday Times, which chose it as one of their Best Children’s Books of 2022:
“A magical and lyrical adventure”
Signed copies are available from Waterstones.
I am over the moon to announce that the fabulous Sophie Thompson will be recording The Wild Before!
The unabridged audiobook of The Wild Before will be available as a digital download at £21.99, releasing on 2 December 2021.
I am such an admirer of Sophie’s work on both stage and screen. I can’t wait to hear such an accomplished and versatile actor bring the animals of Dandelion Hill to life – and just in time for Christmas too, what a treat!
Sophie said: “It’s been my pleasure to give Little Hare and his animal friends a voice and to bring their wild community to life. The Wild Before is a critically important story about climate change, friendship and hope for young children and I really hope that families enjoy listening to it together.”
Sophie Thompson is a British actress who has worked in television, film and theatre. A six-time Olivier Award nominee, she won the 1999 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the London revival of Into the Woods. Her film and TV appearances include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Detectorists, Coronation Street and Sex Education. She was also winner of Celebrity Masterchef in 2014.