I spoke with Tanja Nathanael from the Children’s Literature Association about the hot topic of being a BAME author. You can read the full interview here.
Happy New Year, readers!
It’s 2019 and we have a whopper year coming up here at Swapna Haddow HQ.
Look out for Little Rabbit’s Big Surprise, illustrated by Alison Friend and published by Little Tiger Press, hopping onto bookshelves from February 7th. I’m so proud to announce that the book has also sold to Poland, Russia and USA.
Next up is Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!), illustrated by Sheena Dempsey and published by Faber & Faber, flying into bookshops and libraries on March 7th, in time for World Book Day UK. This is our shiniest one yet!
And I’m so chuffed to let you know I have something rather special planned for Alice’s Day to celebrate over 150 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland but more on that soon!
Happy Holidays from the Haddows!
It’s been an incredible year for adventures and new beginnings. We couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome here in New Zealand. We wish you all a peaceful and restful break as we sign off for the year and will see you in 2019 for royal pigeons, little rabbits and more.
Happy Holidays from the Haddows!
The Books of My Childhood: an essay for The Sapling
I’m so proud to have written a piece for The Sapling, a brilliant online zine which focuses on conversations about children’s books for those who love children’s books. My essay started as a piece about funny books but took a different direction as I looked at the books that shaped me as a writer.
Do have a read of Swapna Haddow: The Books of My Childhood and bookmark The Sapling to keep your finger on the pulse of children’s publishing here in New Zealand.
Little Rabbit hops to Poland
I’m so pleased to introduce the Polish co-edition of Little Rabbit’s Big Surprise, ‘Wielki dzień Małej Króliczki’,
published by Wilga, illustrated by Alison Friend.
And we have our first glowing review for the book from Magiczny Kociolek which you can read here!
BOOKTRAILERS4KIDSANDYA reviews Dave Pigeon
The very lovely New Zealander Desna Wallace of BookTrailers4KidsAndYA has given the Dave Pigeon series the thumbs up. This means so much to me coming from a school librarian, fellow author and esteemed blogger. Have a read of the full review here.
Sneaky peek at Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!)…
It’s just three months until Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) publishes and I have an exclusive look inside for you!
Sheena Dempsey has done the most brilliant job (as ever) of illustrating this newest addition to the Dave Pigeon family and I can’t wait for this book to wing it’s way into the world.
Little Rabbit’s Big Surprise copies in the warren!
I’ve just been sent early copies of Little Rabbit’s Big Surprise, illustrated by Alison Friend, published by Stripes and they are utterly gorgeous.
The hard copies are to die for and Alison’s work is divine. I’m chuffed to bits to see this story in the flesh and so proud that Team Stripes trusted me with their Little Rabbit. It’s a complete departure from the chaos of Dave Pigeon’s world and was a dream project to work on.
The book is out in February 2019 and I can’t wait to hear what you all think. In the meantime, enjoy these lush pics:
Dave Pigeon roosting on shelves in New Zealand
Dave Pigeon’s been making himself right at home here in Christchurch. So far, he’s joined the library shelves…
Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre library
… He was spotted at a local bookshop by brilliant school librarian, Zac…
PaperPlus in Hornby
… And pigeontastic children’s book blogger Bob Docherty has given Dave Pigeon two dazzling reviews!
I think Dave is loving the Kiwi life.
Joining the Christchurch Library Family
It’s a couple of days until Halloween and I’m pleased to say that rather than an interview with a vampire, (90’s must-see film for all you young’uns), I had an interview with a librarian. Have a read of the full interview here and find out all about the time I fell into a canal.
Thank you so much to Christchurch City Libraries and the lovely Donna Robertson who took the time to chat with me.