Children's Books North Autumn Blog Tour

 Good morning!

And it's a very exciting day here in the BookWormHole as I have an interview to bring you with Tom Palmer! This is part of the Children's Books North Autumn 2020 blog tour, celebrating new books from CBN members with a tour of Northern and Scottish book blogs.

Children’s Books North aims to connect children's book professionals living in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Scotland. The network seeks to promote their members' work, new books and events. Additionally, CBN is keen to bring focus on the importance of regional diversity in children's books and the industry.

Tom is the author of so many great kids books, including three different football based series for Puffin, Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad and he has written 15 books for Barrington Stoke. His latest book, Rocky of the Rovers, is part of a reboot of the classic Roy of the Rovers series, and focuses on Rocky, Roy's younger sister. It is published by Rebellion Publishing, illustrated by Dan Cornwell with a cover illustration by Lisa Henke.

Tell us about your new book

 

Rocky is the new book in the ‘Roy of the Rovers’ series, but instead of being from her brother’s point of view, it is now coming from Rocky. She began as a minor character intended to wind up her pro footballer brother, but she demanded her own book through force of character.

 

Share your favourite spread/passage from the book

 

I like the first chapter

 

What/who/where inspired this book?

 

Rocky inspired it herself. She wanted to play football and in asking her brother to help her find a team, she was asking me the author, too. I’d just been doing a lot of work in schools about my book Armistice Runner (about a girl fell-runner) and the reaction in the classroom had been so positive that I felt the ‘Roy’ series couldn’t only be about male football any more. Times had changed and the series needed to step up.

 

Nominate one children’s book by a northern or Scottish creative to read this winter.

When the Sky Falls In by Phil Earle is due out early 2021 and is an amazing story about a zoo during WW2. Very moving from the Hull-born, Hebden Bridge-based author.

You've written a lot of books for Barrington Stoke. How do you ensure that your books meet their aims for accessibility?

Great question…

 

I think my writing style fits Barrington Stoke, so I just go with the usual flow. Then – once I have submitted the manuscript – Barrington Stoke make editorial suggestions and I agree. Usually. I have never been so well edited as I am by Ailsa Bathgate at Barrington Stoke.

Thanks Tom, it's been great to have you on my blog.

Check out Rocky of the Rovers, available now from Rebellion Publishing, and be sure to follow Children's Books North and the rest of the Autumn tour.