How Book Censorship Creeps into UK Schools and How to Respond | Series 1, Episode 38
Season 1, Episode 38 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for February 2026 and how book censorship is creeping into UK schools.
Emma Green author page
Emma Green biography
Emma Green is a British children’s author whose work is aimed at middle-grade readers. She grew up in Dorset and, after many years working for the police, moved into writing for young audiences.
Green’s debut children’s novel, The Not-So Great Escape, is published by Usborne. The story centres on two friends whose impulsive road trip involves an alpaca and forces them to confront difficult truths. The book draws on Green’s experience of keeping three alpacas, which informed details in the narrative.
Usborne announced the acquisition of The Not-So Great Escape in October 2025, introducing Green as a first-time children’s author. The novel was scheduled for release at the start of 2026 and positioned for readers aged 9+.
The Not-So Great Escape was published by Usborne on 1 January 2026 (ISBN 9781836045663).
January 2026 book club picks
January 2026’s book club includes titles by Smriti Halls, Nicola Davies, Ella McLeod, Javi De Castro, Craig Steele, Rowan Foxwood, Sufiya Ahmed, Rebecca Orwin, Emma Green, C. M. Lewis, Steve Cole, Monique Turner, Katie Bernet, Sarah Brill, and Sam Prentice-Jones.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in spring 2026
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in spring 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock, illustrated by Nich Angell
Tiny Hercules is a laugh-out-loud graphic novel where a jam jar sized hero is banished to Earth to complete twelve tasks, starting with a lion that turns out to be a cat.
The Not-So Great Escape by Emma Green
The Not-So Great Escape is two stories in one – a runaway alpaca caper and a sensitive exploration of grief, bullying, counselling and the fragile friendship between Hedley and Aiden.
Bestselling books by Emma Green
Browse Emma Green books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Emma Green books on Waterstones.com
Browse Emma Green books on Blackwells.co.uk
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops, or Waterstones.com, or Blackwells.co.uk.
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