CBNN’s Bookshop of the Month for August is The New Bookshop in Cockermouth, Cumbria. They tell us about their Book of the Month, The Beatrix Potter edition of the Little People Big Dreams. They even had the illustrator, Sara Rhys, visit the bookshop and paint some artwork on the window!

For our July CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Cuppas Lead Brooke Smith has chosen Maudie & Chip The Perfect Day Out by Rosalind Beardshaw. Published by Farshore Books. Link in bio 📚 @farshorebooks.bsky.social

In this special Guest Northern Highlight, we speak with Satomi Yamamiya, the winner of the inaugural CBNN Prize! Satomi tells us what it means to have won, and what she is hoping to learn from her mentor, Carly Gledhill. Link in bio 📚

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Jack Jackman, an author based near Edinburgh in Scotland. Jack tells us a bit about how he is currently working the next book in his ‘Maisie Vs’ series! Link in bio 📚

🎉 New members announcement 🎉 We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Karen MacAllister, Jess Rose, Nishani Reed and Victoria Gatehouse. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Katja Kaine, an author based in Otley. Katja tells us about how she is working on a new standalone young adult fantasy adventure inspired by women pirate Cheng I Sao. Katja’s debut publication, Blood of Gods and Girls, published on 2nd July 2026! Link in bio.

The CBNN Prize would not be possible without the incredible support of our amazing Northern sponsors and partners💛 Your support made it possible for us to bring our vision for the inaugural CBNN Prize to life and we are hugely grateful to you all.

In this Guest Northern Highlight, Ness Wood talks to us about the CBNN Prize. Ness is an award winning Art director, designer and co-owner of Orange Beak Studio. Link in bio 📚

Congratulations to Lauren Sharples for being highly-commended for the inaugural Children’s Books North Prize! As part of her prize, Lauren will recieve £1000 prize money, jointly sponsored by Simply Books and Children’s Books North Agency, and mentoring from author/Illustrator Jarvis!

Congratulations to Satomi Yamamiya for winning the inaugural Children’s Books North Prize! As part of her prize, Satomi will recieve £2000 prize money, sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University, and mentoring from Manchester-based author/Illustrator Carly Gledhill!

For our June CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Prize Champion Katie Siddall has chosen Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton. Published by Starboard. Link in bio for full review📚 @hachettechildrens.bsky.social

Meet the Shortlist! Satomi Yamamiya is a Japanese artist based in the North East of England. She is a self-taught artist who enjoys telling stories through her drawings, often creating gentle and playful scenes that evoke warmth and curiosity.

Meet the Shortlist! Matilda Robertson is a designer/illustrator from Northumberland. She likes to use bright colours and textures inspired by risograph printmaking and enjoys creating funny characters that aim to make people chuckle!

Meet the Shortlist! Lauren’s work is narrative-driven and rooted in nostalgic, often humorous childhood memories. Using expressive linework and traditional printmaking techniques, she creates warm, character-led illustrations that celebrate everyday life and relationships.

Meet the Shortlist! When telling stories through illustrations, Lauren loves to add lots of details and interesting side characters for readers to spot and to delve deeper into. She hopes to create art which can encourage imagination as well as helping readers to feel understood.

Meet the Shortlist! Kate Muldowney is an illustrator and designer for animation living in Burnley, Lancashire. She graduated from the University of Lancashire with a degree in Animation and moved onto complete an MA in Animation at Nottingham Trent University.

Meet the Shortlist! Based in Lancashire, Anna Billington is working towards an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at UCLan . Anna’s work explores nature and connection, as Anna hopes to inspire children’s curiosity in their local environments, through storytelling and engaging characters.

Children’s Books North Network have announced the shortlist for the Children’s Books North Network Prize. The CBNN Prize is in partnership with New Writing North and is part of the Northern Writers’ Awards, launched to support and celebrate emerging Northern talent in children’s picture books.

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Susan Baker, an author based in Beverley, East Yorkshire. Susan tells us a bit about how she is currently working on a book from the point of view of a young teenager dealing with a grandparent’s dementia. Link in bio 📚 @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social

In this Guest Northern Highlight, we interview Tita Berredo for a Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) focused blog! Link in bio for full interview 📚 @titaberredo.bsky.social

For our May CBNN Reads, CBNN’s Blogger Extraordinaire Isobel Dixon has chosen Monkeypig by Huw Aaron. Published by Puffin. Link in bio for full review 📚 @puffinbooksuk.bsky.social @huwaaron.bsky.social

🎉 New members announcement 🎉 We are delighted to welcome four new members to CBNN. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to: Annie Booker, Genevieve Carver, Janet Aspey, and Katja Kaine. We are so excited to have you all on board 📚

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Steph Bellwood, an author based in Gosforth, Newcastle. Steph tells us a bit about how she’s recently finished writing the third instalment of her four-book series. These books follow the adventures of an intrepid group of female motorcycle-riding Wrens 📚

Today the CBNN Prize judges Lydia Monks, Dapo Adeola, Emma Layfield and Ness Wood gathered at Waterstones Manchester to select the shortlist! It was such a tough decision as so many great entries from unpublished picture book illustrators across the North. Shortlist to be announced early June! 🏆

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Shauna Darling Robertson, an author based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Shauna tells us a bit about how she’s currently working with poet Stephen Lightbown on editing his second poetry collection for children. Link in bio 📚

Applications for the CBNN Mentor Scheme close today at 11:59pm! If you're based in the North or Scotland, don't miss your chance to apply. Use the link in our bio to complete the application form, good luck!

Looking for more specific publishing career advice? Apply to the Children's Books North Mentor Scheme before Friday 1 May 2026! All CBNN mentees will be connected with a publishing professional to learn more about the industry and how they can land a new role. Apply using the link in our bio!

In this Northern Highlight, we interview Kelly Zou, a visual artist and illustrator based in Edinburgh. Kelly tells us a bit about her most recent project, Maeve’s First Science Experiment. Link in bio 📚

Meet the Mentors! After working as Desk Editor and then Managing Editor on HCG’s Wren & Rook non-fiction team, Victoria is now Editorial Operations Manager for picture books and non-fiction. Apply for our mentor scheme using the link in bio.

Meet the Mentors! Based in Manchester, Louise is the Key Account Manager and Northern Rep at Bounce Sales and Marketing. Before this she spent a decade as a bookseller. Apply for our mentor scheme using the link in bio.