Children’s Literature News May 2026
Children’s book news for May 2026: Reading Rights, the Children’s Booker, Michael Rosen at 80, the Klaus Flugge and Branford Boase shortlists, BookTrust winners, LitUp results and shared reading data.
Matt Goodfellow author page
Matt Goodfellow biography
Matt Goodfellow is a British poet and author specialising in children’s literature. Based in Manchester, he spent over a decade as a primary school teacher before transitioning to a full-time writing career.
Goodfellow’s work spans poetry collections and verse novels, often drawing on themes from his teaching experience and personal background. His debut collection, Carry Me Away (2016), was self-published while he was still teaching. Subsequent works include Chicken on the Roof (2018), Bright Bursts of Colour (2020), and Let’s Chase Stars Together (2022), each catering to different age groups and exploring a range of emotions and experiences.
In 2023, Goodfellow published The Final Year, a verse novel following a Year 6 pupil navigating personal and academic challenges. The book received critical acclaim, winning the 2024 CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award) and being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing.
Beyond writing, Goodfellow is a National Poetry Day Ambassador and regularly conducts workshops and performances in schools across the UK, aiming to inspire a love for poetry among young people.
He continues to reside in Manchester with his family, dedicating his time to writing and engaging with educational communities.
Website and social media
Book lists featuring Matt Goodfellow
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 
School Reading List Children’s Book of the Month
The School Reading List compiles this list of recommended books monthly. This children’s and YA books of the month list highlights new releases and editions of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults aged 2-16.
Poetry books for 7-11-year-olds
Children’s poetry for 7-11-year-olds with collections and anthologies by Michael Rosen, Joseph Coelho, Carol Ann Duffy, Brian Moses, Benjamin Zephaniah, Zaro Weil, Kate Wakeling, Neal Zetter, John Agard, T.S Eliot, Maya Angelou, Kaye Webb and more.
Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
Six Weeks is a beautifully written verse novel about grief, family and hope, following Alfie through a summer of loss and difficult conversations as friendship helps him begin to look ahead again.
Year 6 reading list for children aged 10-11
Suggested reading books for Year 6 children, aged 10-11. A selection of exciting titles aimed at boys and girls of all abilities in upper KS2. Highlighted authors include David Almond, Malorie Blackman, Nina Bawden and Charlie Higson.
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 September 2025
Children’s book news for September 2025: Prizes, lists, roles, and dates crowd the calendar, with UKLA longlists, Wainwright and Klaus Flugge results, WBD 2026 titles, new roles, a City Lit exhibition, and a new charity drive.
Investing in Your School Library Can Boost Your School Inspection Grade | Series 1, Episode 30
Season 1, Episode 30 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for May 2025 and Investing in Your School Library Can Boost Your School Inspection Grade.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2025
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Art topic books for children and teens
Art topic books for 4-16-year-olds – our recommendations. This list includes how to art guides and real-life stories about children and adults inspired by art. Writers include Julia Donaldson, Allan Ahlberg, Andrea Beaty, Kari Herbert, David Hockney, Akwaeke Emezi and Tracy Chevalier.
April 2025 book club picks
April 2025’s book club recommendations feature titles by Tracy Curran, Laura Dockrill, Maudie Powell-Tuck & Duncan Beedie, Dan Abdo & Jason Patterson, Ben Garrod, Helen Rutter, Matt Goodfellow, Eve Wersocki Morris, Graci Kim, Alexia Casale, Grainne O’Brien, & Patrice Caldwell.
Carnegies 2025 Shortlisted Books
Shortlists for the Carnegie Medal 2025 and Kate Greenaway award 2025 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
The First Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
The First Year is a powerful and engaging novel, particularly relevant for Year 6 pupils facing their own imminent move to secondary school, as well as those who may be struggling to fit in once they reach Year 7.
Caterpillar Cake by Matt Goodfellow
Caterpillar Cake is a bright and fun-filled poetry collection that will appeal to fans of Michael Rosen and Joseph Coelho with playful rhymes and madcap concepts that will engage even the most reluctant of readers.
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
The Final Year is a highly relevant book that would serve as a great support for year five and six pupils who are facing their own imminent move to secondary school. The verse format makes for an accessible read and the illustrations enhance the realistic setting.
How To Organise An Effective Quiet Reading Time | Series 1, Episode 14
Season 1, Episode 14 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for September 2023 and how to organise quiet reading time.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2023
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Are classroom wall displays a good idea? | Series 1, Episode 2
Season 1, Episode 2 of the School Reading List podcast. With new book post, 30 great books for August 2022, a step back in time to the science fiction of Nicholas Fisk and ‘Should classrooms have wall displays?’
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2022
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2022. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2021
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2021. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Bestselling books by Matt Goodfellow
Browse Matt Goodfellow books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Matt Goodfellow books on Waterstones.com
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
- Books for EYFS | Books for Reception
- Books for KS1 | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2
- Books for KS2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6
- Books for KS3 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9
- Books for KS4 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11
- Books for 6th Form
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