Children’s Literature News July 2026
Children’s book news for July 2026: Beth O’Brien wins the Carnegie and UKLA awards, Patrice Lawrence becomes Children’s Laureate, John Agard takes a third CLiPPA, and Little Smith launches.
Beth O’Brien author page
Beth O’Brien biography
Beth O’Brien is a children’s author and poet. She is represented by Becky Bagnell at Lindsay Literary Agency. O’Brien holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Birmingham, with doctoral work focused on fairy tales and disability.
Alongside her writing, O’Brien founded Disabled Tales, a website that examines disability in fairy tales and folklore. In adult poetry, she is the author of multiple collections, including I Left the Room Burning (Wild Pressed Books, 2021).
O’Brien’s debut middle grade novel, Wolf Siren, was published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in March 2025.
Biography writer: Joanna Nance-Phillips
Children’s literature expert and primary school teacher with 30+ years of experience running a primary school library, teaching literacy and tutoring in the UK and abroad. Articles and reviews by Joanna Nance-Phillips Children’s Literature News June 2026
Children’s book news for June 2026: reading enjoyment rises but gaps widen, with IBC book boxes, Bookstart picks, AI findings, awards, festivals and new inclusive school resources.
Children’s Literature News April 2026
Children’s book news for April 2026: Michael Rosen wins the Hans Christian Andersen Award, CLiPPA and UKLA shortlists arrive, and Puffin launches its new picture book list, Puffin Studio.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2026
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Children’s Literature News March 2026
Children’s book news for March 2026: Carnegies shortlists, London Book Fair inclusion work, new school library awards, big festival changes, plus prize winners and World Book Day reading events.
Carnegies 2026 Shortlisted Books
Shortlists for the Carnegie Medal 2026 for fiction and the Carnegie Medal 2026 for illustration – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
Bestselling books by Beth O’Brien
Browse Beth O’Brien books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Beth O’Brien books on Waterstones.com
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