Children's Books North Network
@cbnnetwork.bsky.social
Children’s Books North Network (CBNN) connects and supports published children’s writers, illustrators and publishing professionals living in the North and Scotland.
Co-leads Emma Layfield and Beatrice Cross
www.linktr.ee/childrensbooksnorth
Co-leads Emma Layfield and Beatrice Cross
www.linktr.ee/childrensbooksnorth
A few snippets from our brilliant 1-1 Portfolio Reviews with Tom Ashton-Booth last night, an exclusive opportunity to get industry advice on your CBNN Prize entry ahead of the submission deadline. We loved seeing all of your amazing ideas and designs for Fabulous Frank! 📚
January 30, 2026 at 9:09 AM
A few snippets from our brilliant 1-1 Portfolio Reviews with Tom Ashton-Booth last night, an exclusive opportunity to get industry advice on your CBNN Prize entry ahead of the submission deadline. We loved seeing all of your amazing ideas and designs for Fabulous Frank! 📚
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Kara McHale, a designer and illustrator based in Southport, Merseyside. Kara tells us a bit about her upcoming book, Bodie and the Ghost Showdown: An Emetophobia Story. Link in bio for full interview 📚
January 27, 2026 at 12:07 PM
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Kara McHale, a designer and illustrator based in Southport, Merseyside. Kara tells us a bit about her upcoming book, Bodie and the Ghost Showdown: An Emetophobia Story. Link in bio for full interview 📚
It’s now 1 month to go until the CBNN Prize deadline closes!We’re so excited to see all your submissions, follow the link in our bio for full information on how to enter 🥳📚
January 26, 2026 at 3:48 PM
It’s now 1 month to go until the CBNN Prize deadline closes!We’re so excited to see all your submissions, follow the link in our bio for full information on how to enter 🥳📚
Submissions for the CBNN Prize close 26th February and our judges can’t wait to meet up in Manchester and look at the entries together! If you are an unpublished illustrator living in the North, please do enter! For all the info, go to: childrensbooksnorth.co.uk/cbnn-prize 📚
January 15, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Submissions for the CBNN Prize close 26th February and our judges can’t wait to meet up in Manchester and look at the entries together! If you are an unpublished illustrator living in the North, please do enter! For all the info, go to: childrensbooksnorth.co.uk/cbnn-prize 📚
As part of the CBNN Prize, we have 3 FREE events coming up for aspiring Northern picture book illustrators.
Follow the link in our bio for full information and tickets for these events 📚
Follow the link in our bio for full information and tickets for these events 📚
January 12, 2026 at 4:37 PM
As part of the CBNN Prize, we have 3 FREE events coming up for aspiring Northern picture book illustrators.
Follow the link in our bio for full information and tickets for these events 📚
Follow the link in our bio for full information and tickets for these events 📚
🎉 New members announcement 🎉
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Emma Kate, Emma Whitehall, Salomey Doku, and Dawn Machell. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚 @salomeydraws.bsky.social
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Emma Kate, Emma Whitehall, Salomey Doku, and Dawn Machell. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚 @salomeydraws.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 11:39 AM
🎉 New members announcement 🎉
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Emma Kate, Emma Whitehall, Salomey Doku, and Dawn Machell. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚 @salomeydraws.bsky.social
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Emma Kate, Emma Whitehall, Salomey Doku, and Dawn Machell. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚 @salomeydraws.bsky.social
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Lisa J Allen, an author based in south Liverpool. Lisa tells us a bit about her debut middle grade novel, Undercover Angel : Crash Landing. Link in bio for full interview 📚 @lisajallen.bsky.social @tinytreebooks.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 9:42 AM
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Lisa J Allen, an author based in south Liverpool. Lisa tells us a bit about her debut middle grade novel, Undercover Angel : Crash Landing. Link in bio for full interview 📚 @lisajallen.bsky.social @tinytreebooks.bsky.social
The CBNN office will be closed from the 10th December until the 5th January. We can’t wait to see you all in 2026! Wishing you a restful break 📚
December 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The CBNN office will be closed from the 10th December until the 5th January. We can’t wait to see you all in 2026! Wishing you a restful break 📚
For our final CBNN Reads of 2025, CBNN’s Co-Lead & Publicist Beatrice Cross has chosen Come What May by Debi Gliori. Published by Bloomsbury. Link in bio for full review 📚 @debigliori.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
For our final CBNN Reads of 2025, CBNN’s Co-Lead & Publicist Beatrice Cross has chosen Come What May by Debi Gliori. Published by Bloomsbury. Link in bio for full review 📚 @debigliori.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Skye McKenna, a writer based in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She talks to us about Stonewitch, the fourth book in the Hedgewitch series. Link in bio for full interview 📚
November 24, 2025 at 12:51 PM
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Skye McKenna, a writer based in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. She talks to us about Stonewitch, the fourth book in the Hedgewitch series. Link in bio for full interview 📚
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Mike Edwards, an author based in Teesside. He talks to us a bit about Riverskin, his debut novel. Mike is also working on his second book The Voice in the Flames! Link in bio for full interview 📚 @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Mike Edwards, an author based in Teesside. He talks to us a bit about Riverskin, his debut novel. Mike is also working on his second book The Voice in the Flames! Link in bio for full interview 📚 @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social
In this Guest Northern Highlight, Sara tells us about Stockroom, which is Stockport’s new creative and cultural space and town centre library. Sara is the Library Project Manager. Link in bio for full interview 📚
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
In this Guest Northern Highlight, Sara tells us about Stockroom, which is Stockport’s new creative and cultural space and town centre library. Sara is the Library Project Manager. Link in bio for full interview 📚
Our Co-Lead & Director Emma Layfield and Network Champion & Social Media Lead Georgina Bulga had a brilliant day representing CBNN yesterday at The Reader in Liverpool for our second CBNN Prize Roadshow, what an amazing turnout! We loved meeting you all 📚
@newwritingnorth.bsky.social
@newwritingnorth.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Our Co-Lead & Director Emma Layfield and Network Champion & Social Media Lead Georgina Bulga had a brilliant day representing CBNN yesterday at The Reader in Liverpool for our second CBNN Prize Roadshow, what an amazing turnout! We loved meeting you all 📚
@newwritingnorth.bsky.social
@newwritingnorth.bsky.social
We’re looking forward to meeting lots of illustrators at Manchester Animation Festival and chatting about the CBNN Prize. If you’re an aspiring illustrator and interested in finding out more, come and find us on Wednesday 12th November, we’re looking forward to meeting you all 📚
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
We’re looking forward to meeting lots of illustrators at Manchester Animation Festival and chatting about the CBNN Prize. If you’re an aspiring illustrator and interested in finding out more, come and find us on Wednesday 12th November, we’re looking forward to meeting you all 📚
🎉 New members announcement 🎉
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Megan Blount, Ruby Allen-Cadman, Steph Bellwood, and Hannah Welch. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Megan Blount, Ruby Allen-Cadman, Steph Bellwood, and Hannah Welch. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚
November 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
🎉 New members announcement 🎉
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Megan Blount, Ruby Allen-Cadman, Steph Bellwood, and Hannah Welch. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚
We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Megan Blount, Ruby Allen-Cadman, Steph Bellwood, and Hannah Welch. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚
The #CBNNPrize is NOW OPEN for entries!
Submissions close on Thursday 26 February 2026
For more information on how to enter and full eligibility criteria, please visit the CBNN Prize website - link in bio
#CBNN #CBNNPrize #ChildrensBooksNorthNetwork
Submissions close on Thursday 26 February 2026
For more information on how to enter and full eligibility criteria, please visit the CBNN Prize website - link in bio
#CBNN #CBNNPrize #ChildrensBooksNorthNetwork
November 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The #CBNNPrize is NOW OPEN for entries!
Submissions close on Thursday 26 February 2026
For more information on how to enter and full eligibility criteria, please visit the CBNN Prize website - link in bio
#CBNN #CBNNPrize #ChildrensBooksNorthNetwork
Submissions close on Thursday 26 February 2026
For more information on how to enter and full eligibility criteria, please visit the CBNN Prize website - link in bio
#CBNN #CBNNPrize #ChildrensBooksNorthNetwork
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Miranda Moore, an author based in the Scottish Borders. Miranda tells us a bit about her second novel that she has recently been working on. Miranda’s debut YA novel, A Beautiful, Terrible Thing, published earlier this month! Link in bio 📚
October 28, 2025 at 1:22 PM
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Miranda Moore, an author based in the Scottish Borders. Miranda tells us a bit about her second novel that she has recently been working on. Miranda’s debut YA novel, A Beautiful, Terrible Thing, published earlier this month! Link in bio 📚
Join us at on the 18:30 on Wednesday 14th January 2026 for a free practical and inspiring workshop, led by acclaimed designer, judge, and picture book specialist Ness Wood, offering a comprehensive introduction to creating picture books for children. Link in bio for tickets 📚
October 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Join us at on the 18:30 on Wednesday 14th January 2026 for a free practical and inspiring workshop, led by acclaimed designer, judge, and picture book specialist Ness Wood, offering a comprehensive introduction to creating picture books for children. Link in bio for tickets 📚
We’re looking forward to meeting lots of illustrators at @ Thought Bubble and chatting about the CBNN Prize. If you’re an aspiring illustrator and interested in finding out more, come and find us at Bubbleboy Hall D5a! 📚 @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social @newwritingnorth.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
We’re looking forward to meeting lots of illustrators at @ Thought Bubble and chatting about the CBNN Prize. If you’re an aspiring illustrator and interested in finding out more, come and find us at Bubbleboy Hall D5a! 📚 @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social @newwritingnorth.bsky.social
In this week’s Northern Highlight, we speak with Sian Wheatcroft. She is an Illustrator based in Doncaster and tells us about a picture book called All the firsts by Toni D'Alia she recently worked on. Link in bio 📚
October 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
In this week’s Northern Highlight, we speak with Sian Wheatcroft. She is an Illustrator based in Doncaster and tells us about a picture book called All the firsts by Toni D'Alia she recently worked on. Link in bio 📚
For our October CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Designer Abby Haddad has chosen I’ll Be There by Rosalind Beardshaw and Karl Newson, published by Nosy Crow. Link in bio for full review 📚 @nosycrow.bsky.social @karlnewson.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
For our October CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Designer Abby Haddad has chosen I’ll Be There by Rosalind Beardshaw and Karl Newson, published by Nosy Crow. Link in bio for full review 📚 @nosycrow.bsky.social @karlnewson.bsky.social
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Moniza Hossain, a writer based in Manchester. She talks to us about her debut picture book, Street Puppy, Masjid Cat, which came out on the 8th of October, and is illustrated by Wastana Haikal. Link in bio 📚 @monizahossain.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:38 AM
In this Northern Highlight, we interview Moniza Hossain, a writer based in Manchester. She talks to us about her debut picture book, Street Puppy, Masjid Cat, which came out on the 8th of October, and is illustrated by Wastana Haikal. Link in bio 📚 @monizahossain.bsky.social
In Conversation with… Lydia Monks
3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social
3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 3:50 PM
In Conversation with… Lydia Monks
3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social
3:00pm-4:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @grimmandco.bsky.social @lydiamonks.bsky.social
Picture Book Illustration Workshop with Bethan Woollvin
12:30pm-2:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚
12:30pm-2:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚
October 15, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Picture Book Illustration Workshop with Bethan Woollvin
12:30pm-2:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚
12:30pm-2:00pm, Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: £10 / 5 free bursary places available
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚
CBNN Portfolio Review 1-1 Sessions
10am-11:30am Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: Free (Advanced booking is essential)
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @grimmandco.bsky.social
10am-11:30am Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: Free (Advanced booking is essential)
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @grimmandco.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
CBNN Portfolio Review 1-1 Sessions
10am-11:30am Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: Free (Advanced booking is essential)
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @grimmandco.bsky.social
10am-11:30am Saturday 29th November, Grimm&Co
Tickets: Free (Advanced booking is essential)
Please follow the link in our bio for full information on this fantastic event, limited tickets available 📚 @newwritingnorth.bsky.social @grimmandco.bsky.social