Sammy Striker workshops with Arsenal FC Community Team – December 2023
On 1st December I was delighted to work with the Arsenal Football Club Community Outreach Team to deliver workshops to KS1 pupils from Argyle Primary School at the Arsenal Hub in the Emirates Stadium.
‘The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly’ is Long-listed for the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Picture Book Prize
Absolutely delighted that ‘The Dodo Show Dreamed She Could Fly’ by me and Claire Powell has been long-listed for the brilliant James Reckitt Hull Children’s Picture Book Prize!
Sammy Striker hits the News! – July 2023
Beth Mead’s endorsement of Sammy Striker hits the news! Sammy was featured in 188 (!) articles in outlets such as The Independent, The Evening Standard and on THE BBC NEWS! Not only that, but The BBC News actually tweeted about my little book!
Beth Mead MBE backs Sammy Striker and the Football Cup! – July 2023
Beth Mead MBE, Lioness, Euro 2022 winner and Golden Boot winner has very kindly said that ‘Sammy Striker and the Football Cup’ is ‘an absolutely fantastic book – just the thing to inspire future Lionesses!’
Simon & Schuster Children’s scoops two ‘uplifting’ picture books from Emmett and Powell – Feb 2023
FEB 9, 2023 BY KATIE FRASER
Simon & Schuster Children’s has scooped two “empowering” picture books from Catherine Emmett and illustrator Claire Powell.
Editorial director Polly Whybrow acquired world rights for the text from Mandy Suhr at Miles Stott and for the illustrations from Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson Illustration Agency. The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly will be published in August 2023 with The Rainbow Flamingo following in Spring 2024.
The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a “hugely encouraging story about how the very best things can happen if you give something a go”. An excerpt reads:
“Delilah did not often talk of her dream,
in case others laughed at how daft it might seem.
For like all those others, this small dodo knew,
there never had been any dodos who flew.”
But what if one day Delilah said, ‘This is the day I am going to TRY!’
Helen Mackenzie Smith, publisher, commented: “We are seeing more and more that what children need most to help them to flourish is a sense of agency. The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly and The Rainbow Flamingo are hugely uplifting, commercial stories featuring strong leads with motivational messages to encourage power and resilience. Catherine Emmett and Claire Powell have created something that will inspire children everywhere and we are hugely proud to publish this brilliant new partnership on our flourishing picture book list.”
The Pet is Hull SLS’s World Book Day Book 2023! – Jan 2023
I am DELIGHTED to reveal that The Pet is Hull School Library Service’s World Book Day book for 2023!
More details can be found here.
Oscar’s Book Prize Shortlist – April ’22
The Pet is shortlisted for The Oscar’s Book Prize – the biggest prize in picture books!
King of the Swamp viewed over 80,000 TIMES! – March ’22
A wonderful reading of King of the Swamp on You Tube by the lovely ‘Storytime with Hannah and Patrick’ has over 80,000 views!
Coventry Inspiration Book Award – March ’22
Over the moon that ‘The Pet’ was chosen as the winner of the ‘Coventry Inspiration Book Award’ in the ‘What’s the Story?’ picture book category!
St Helen’s Book Award – March ’22
Delighted that ‘King of the Swamp’ won the ‘St Helen’s Book Award 2022’ in the 5+ category!
World Book Day 2022 – March ’22
Absolutely delighted that a King of the Swamp potato made by a very talented little boy made the Daily Mail’s ‘Best World Book Day Outfit’ list!
And also that the lovely Year 1s at Dilkes’ Academy made a World Book Week door of The Pet!
Wishing everyone a day full of cosy reading nooks and brilliant funny books!