Thread about children’s books:
1Children’s books are important. Important economically (Harry Potter is worth more than most industries). Important culturally (name a better expression of our best side than the Paddington movies) But most of all it’s important TO OUR CHILDREN.

2However children’s books get very little attention in the arts media. And when I say very little … well the smallest and worst movie I ever made got more coverage than all of my children’s books added together.

3This is important because it means that busy parents and teachers default to a few well-known names. Those names are brilliant and we are blessed to have them. But they are not the whole story.

4It’s not just the big names of the present by the way. New children’s books compete for shelf space with the giants of the past in a way that new adult books don’t because classic adult books go into a section called Classics. Whereas Roald Dahl sits next to me on the shelf.

5What publishers call “the mid-list” is where you'll find bold, innovative, diverse work that is sometimes just biding its time for the right moment.

6It’s a hard thing for a writer to face but as a kid I loved to read a book that I thought no one else had read. I felt like that book belonged to me and I belonged to it. The book in question was The Finn Family Moomintroll by the way. Now a phenomenon. See what I mean?

7This is where good critics come in: To quote Ratatouille, “There are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defence of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends.”

Children's literature does have HEROIC friends such as @NicoletteJones,
@ImogenRW at the Guardian, and @AmandaPCraig
What they don't have is space, in the papers or review programmes such as @BBCFrontRow

So this is my resolution - to clear a tiny space to say thank you and to share what I see. I’m going to use my Instagram to post reviews if and readings from brand new and beloved older children’s books

And info about events and festivals etc
Please feel free to bring information and send links to blogs etc

I’m hoping that over the months it will build into a useful and joyous place to visit.

I’m going to start with @MGLnrd’s cracking new release Highland Falcon Thief

So get on my insta and come for the ride

I know there are other people doing this already. I just think the more space we clear the better. Please post any blog suggestions here