Smriti Halls: BookTrust Writer in Residence (Sept 2020-March 2021)
A Modern Classic
"Deftly humorous... a lovely book to
cuddle up with" - The Guardian
​
"Comical, bold and tender." - Sunday Times
"Has future classic stamped
all over it." - Daily Mail
​
"Kids will want to stick with this one" - Kirkus
Calendar
​
​
Cambridge Literary Festival
​
​
​
Rebel Rebel: how books and libraries can challenge mainstream narratives
To coincide with Banned Books Week, CILIP and the Youth Libraries Group are hosting this webinar to look at the role and power of books in challenging mainstream narratives and the importance of radical books as part of the UK's publishing and library traditions.
Chair, Jake Hope, will be joined by award winning author and former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen; the co-Director of Letterbox Library and co-organiser of the Little Rebels Prize Fen Coles; and one of this year's Little Rebels shortlistees Smriti Halls, author of The Little Island.
The session is aimed at public and school librarians and anyone with an interest in children's and radical publishing.
What's happening...
Book Trust Writer in Residence
I'm looking forward to the next six months as BookTrust Writer in Residence from September 2020 to March 2021. Find out all about it over on the BookTrust website.
Back to School with Rain Before Rainbows
Absolutely gorgeous to hear how the free e-book is being used by schools up and down the country to welcome children back after lockdown. Head to the Walker website for lesson ideas & activities.
Little Rebels Award
It's an actual dream-come-true to be on the shortlist for the Little Rebels Award!! So happy and so proud of The Little Island. Congratulations to Rob Starling and everyone on this incredible shortlist.
Save the Children partnership for Rain Before Rainbows
Save the Children has partnered with Walker Books to release Rain Before Rainbows as a free e-book ahead of publication. It is read by the fabulous Stanley Tucci for Save the Children's #SaveWithStories campaign to support children most effected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Teach Primary Awards
So pleased that The Little Island has been shortlisted for this important award.
Indie Book of the Month
I'm Sticking With You has been selected as the Independent Booksellers Book of the Month for August 2020
2020 Indie Book Awards
Feeling the Indie bookshop love as I'm Sticking With You is shortlisted for the 2020 Indie Book Awards alongside picture book legends, including Julia Donaldson and Shirley Hughes.
BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour
Delighted to be interviewed on BBC Woman's Hour, talking about the incredible Bedtime Stories prison project. Click the Woman's Hour icon and listen from 12mins in.
Guardian feature on The Little Island
No goose is an island... Was pleased to be interviewed by the Guardian about the themes and inspiration behind The Little Island.
The Times news feature on The Little Island.
Brexit waddles into children’s books... Can't quite believe that there's an article on The Little Island in the News section of The Times. So important that we keep talking - even if that means ruffling a few feathers. NB - this article is behind The Times paywall.