Category: Books

Midnight Treasure shortlisted for Children’s Book Cover of the Year

Posted on June 4, 2026 by - Awards, Books

Congratulations to the brilliant Alla Khatkevich or being shortlisted for the The Week Junior Book Awards 2026 Children’s Book Cover of the Year, for her wonderful cover illustrations for Midnight Treasure. I also want to pay tribute to Quercus Children’s/Hachette design genius Bhavini Jolapara and my editor Rachel Wade whose vision this fantastic cover is.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted illustrators and books, and good luck – the trophy will be awarded to the cover that children deem to be the most creative, eye-catching and appealing to its intended audience.

Children can vote here!

NEW BOOK: Books According to Dog and Owl

Posted on March 5, 2026 by - Books, Non Fiction

Delighted to announce my non-fiction debut, publishing with Orchard for Hachette Children’s this autumn, on October 22nd.

BOOKS ACCORDING TO DOG AND OWL, specially commissioned to celebrate the National Year of Reading, is a lyrical celebration of the joy and magic of reading, illustrated by Tim Smart.

Join Girl, her loyal companion Dog and new arrival Baby Brother on a magical journey to discover books. Together, they explore the many joys of reading: for happiness, adventure, empathy and even future success. From the quiet magic of libraries to the warmth of sharing stories at home, their world, reflections, adventures and questions celebrate the beauty of a childhood shaped by books. But when the world feels full of distractions and the magic of books starts to fade, the arrival of the Story Owl reminds them – and us all – of the extraordinary power of reading…

Books have been a constant companion throughout my life, gifting me the privileges of literacy, empathy and confidence. But above all, for me, reading has been about love. Taking the time to read or share a story, investing in the journeys of fictional characters and understanding the lived experiences of others – these are all acts of love. [In] this National Year of Reading, I cannot wait for readers to meet Dog and Owl – so stunningly brought to life by Tim Smart – and to discover the love that reading of any and every kind can bring to their lives.

 

Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month! 🎃

Posted on October 1, 2025 by - Books

I am beyond THRILLED to announce that Waterstones have chosen Midnight Treasure to be their Children’s Book of the Month for October!

The exclusive edition with gorgeous digitally sprayed edges will be available in their stores for the whole month, and I will be visiting branches all over the country for signings and events. Check my socials for details!

Happy Halloween!

INTRODUCING: WOLF CROWN!

Posted on June 9, 2025 by - Books

If you could destroy all the vampirs in the world just like that … would you?
This October, return to a fantasy world of daring werwolves and vampirs, with
An epic treasure hunt, my follow-up to Midnight Treasure, is bursting with magic, courage and hope!

 

Letters to a Dog is OUT

Posted on May 8, 2025 by - Books

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!

The Last Wild – the play!

Posted on April 30, 2025 by - Books, Plays

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.

Introducing – Letters To A Dog!

Posted on December 6, 2024 by - Books

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.

Midnight Treasure final copies! 🧛🏻‍♂️

Posted on August 29, 2024 by - Books

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.