• Children who read daily can focus for longer on a range of other activities, concentrating 49% longer on arts and crafts, 22% longer on imaginative play, and 39% longer on homework, compared with children who read less than once a week – according to a new national study by leading children’s publisher, Nosy Crow
• Children feel happy, calm, relaxed, focussed and inspired/creative after independent reading, while they feel happy but overstimulated after using a mobile phone or tablet, report parents
• Regular reading at home builds reading stamina: children who read every day can focus on reading for twice as long as children who read less than once a week
• Boys and girls are equally likely to read with an adult daily, but girls are 23% more likely to read independently
• Daily independent reading peaks at age 10, while reading with an adult peaks at age 4
• Children in the South East are most likely to read independently at home daily, whereas children in the North East are the least likely

Children who read daily are more likely to have sustained attention spans for a huge range of other tasks – including playing with other children, doing homework, playing imaginative games, participating in sports, taking part in arts and crafts, and completing puzzles – compared with children who read less than once a week.

According to a new study¹ by pioneering independent children’s publisher, Nosy Crow, commissioned in the National Year of Reading and Nosy Crow’s 15th anniversary, daily readers aged 0-12 have double the reading stamina of children who read less than once a week, meaning they are able to focus on independent reading for more than twice as long as irregular readers.

Additionally, daily readers had significantly improved attention spans for other tasks, including being able to focus on homework for 39% longer, arts and crafts for 49% longer, playing with a peer for 12% longer, and playing sports for 18% longer, compared with children who read less than once per week. Children who read independently every day could stay focussed for longer on all activities measured in the report, apart from using a mobile device. Children who read less than once per week were able to focus on mobile scrolling for 23% longer than children who read daily.

The national survey of parents and carers found that daily independent reading peaks at age 10, before decreasing sharply. Meanwhile, reading with an adult at home (such as a bedtime story) peaks at age 4, with over half of respondents with children in this age group reading with their kids daily (57%), while only 8% of parents and carers read daily with 12 year-olds.

While boys are often reported as reading less than girls, the Nosy Crow study found that this is only true of independent reading, with boys just as likely as girls to read daily if reading with an adult, highlighting the power of parent/carer support at home.

When asked how children feel after taking part in different activities, parents and carers reported children feeling happy (31%), calm (31%), relaxed (27%), focussed (21%) and inspired/creative (16%) after independent reading, while they reported children feeling happy (24%) yet overstimulated (21%) after using a mobile phone or tablet.

Kate Wilson, MD and co-founder of Nosy Crow, said: “As well as this being the National Year of Reading, 2026 is also Nosy Crow’s 15th Anniversary.  To mark these events we are delighted to share the findings of our report which digs deeper into the importance of independent reading as a foundation for a range of other skills.  Our findings are hopeful and definitely warrant further study. It is encouraging to see a clear correlation between building reading stamina by reading every day, and a wide range of creative, play and learning activities. For parents and carers seeking to support their children with building their reading stamina – whether they’re at the beginning of their reading journey, or somewhere along the way – we’ve created a free resource with our top tips to support reading at home.”

Focusing on children aged 0-12, key findings in Nosy Crow’s report include:

Compared with children who read less than once per week, children who read independently every day can focus on:

• Listening to an audiobook for 70% longer
• Taking part in arts and crafts for 49% longer
• Doing a puzzle for 45% longer
• Completing homework for 39% longer
• Listening to an adult read a story for 33% longer
• Playing an imaginative game for 22% longer
• Playing sports for 18% longer
• Playing with another child for 12% longer
• Playing with a toy for 10% longer

• Children who read every day have double the reading stamina of children who read less than once per week, with daily readers able to focus on independent reading for 109% longer
• Boys and girls are equally likely to read daily with adult support – but girls are 23% more likely to read daily independently than boys
• Daily independent reading peaks at age 10 (36%), before starting to decline (26% of 11 year-olds read daily, and 22% of 12-year-olds) – whereas children’s stamina for watching TV or using mobile devices continues to increase
• Daily reading with a parent or carer peaks at ages 3 and 4 (54% and 57% respectively), thereafter declining sharply year-on-year, down to just 8% of 12-year-olds reading daily with a parent or carer
• Overall, 26% of parents and carers reported that their children read independently daily, while 80% of children read independently on a weekly basis
• 32% of children read with an adult daily, with 83% of children reading with an adult on a weekly basis
• Over 30% of parents and carers said they are concerned about their children’s ability to concentrate on reading (33.55%)
• When asked what helps children concentrate on reading, ‘reading books about topics they enjoy’ and ‘reading before bed’ were the top responses amongst respondents (41%)
• When asked how children feel after taking part in different activities, parents and carers reported children feeling happy (31%), calm (31%), relaxed (27%), focussed (21%) and inspired/creative (16%) after independent reading, while they reported children feeling happy (24%) yet overstimulated (21%) after using a mobile phone or tablet

Nosy Crow is a multi-award-winning children’s publisher known for its child-focussed, parent-friendly approach to publishing for children aged 0-12, across print, audio and eBooks. From its distinctively colourful interactive board books, to its much-loved series for early and older readers including Pip & Posy and Unicorn Academy, Nosy Crow has been named Children’s Publisher of the Year three times at the British Book Awards in its 15-year history.

For parents and carers seeking to support their children with reading at home and get children ready for school in the final weeks of the summer holidays, Nosy Crow’s in-house team of literacy experts has compiled their top 10 tips to support children with reading at home for the National Year of Reading:

10 Simple Ways to Get Kids Reading →

ABOUT KATE WILSON, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF NOSY CROW 

Kate Wilson has worked in publishing for forty years, mainly in children’s books. With a global perspective based on starting her publishing career in international rights, she ran Macmillan Children’s Books and Scholastic UK, publishing The Gruffalo, Horrible Histories and The Hunger Games along the way. She believes in the power of reading to change children’s lives. She is committed to publishing books that engage children in reading for pleasure, and that you can’t start sharing the joy of books too young.  

A Scot, she has a degree in English from Oxford University. She has two grown-up children, a husband, and a dog and lives in London. 

Source information

1. Nosy Crow’s national reading survey was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 UK parents/carers, aged 18+, of children aged up to 12. The data was collected between 17.07.2026 – 23.07.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge; it adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles ︎

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More than just a nice way to pass the time, creative activities are a powerful tool for your child’s development. If you’ve ever watched your child lose themselves in a drawing or craft project, you’ll know how much fun they can have creating!

But did you know they can also really help a child’s development?

3 benefits of drawing and crafts:

1. Creativity and imagination

Creative play teaches children to think outside the box. Our activity books, Pen, Pad, Play!, encourage children to exercise their imagination, with creative prompts that are playful and stimulating.

By deciding how to approach the prompt, what to draw and which colours to use in their drawing, children are exercising their imagination, making independent decisions, and problem-solving – all skills that will benefit them as they grow.

Tip: Try turning activity time into a team effort where your child is in charge. Show them how much you value their creativity by following their ideas and decisions, encouraging their self-expression to nurture their confidence.

2. Emotional expression and wellbeing

Drawing how they feel, creating characters in a story, or making a gift for someone they love all support emotional intelligence and mental wellbeing, giving children a safe space to express feelings they might not yet have the words for. They will also feel the boost in self-esteem when they finish their picture or craft, knowing they created something from scratch.

Going outside can also be a wonderful way to engage with crafts, with the added benefit of fresh air, physical activity and learning about the world around us. National Trust: Rewild This Book encourages children to get messy, learn about nature and embrace imperfections through play.

Tip: Embrace messy play and focus on the experience rather than the finished creation. Encourage your child to make a mess, test new ideas and play with different materials, keeping them immersed in creative play for a grounding and mindful activity.

3. Language and development

Creative activities can spark natural conversation. Children often love to describe what they’re making, invent characters, narrate stories and ask questions. This rich verbal interaction helps to expand their vocabulary and develop their narrative skills.

Our Pen, Pad, Play! activity books are full of exciting prompts where children can invent their own narrative around what they’re drawing

Tip: Use drawing time as a conversation starter. Ask open-ended questions like “What’s happening in your picture?”, “Who are these characters?” or “What happens next?” to encourage kids to share their ideas with you.

Building a love of books

You may be surprised to learn just how closely linked creative activities are to literacy, but through creative play with activity books, children develop a positive relationship with books from an early age.

Whether they’re colouring, completing puzzles or following drawing prompts, this enthusiasm for sitting with a book, turning pages and engaging with what’s inside helps children to build their reading confidence.

What next?

The good news is that you don’t need lots of time or expensive materials to help them get started. Our activity books often only suggest things you’ll already have around the house, or affordable items like crayons, pencils and felt-tip pens.

Feeling inspired? Explore our list of the Best Children’s Colouring & Activity Books.

The post Why creative activity books make great gifts for children (and what they’re really teaching them) appeared first on Nosy Crow.

Reading books about spring, nature and the outdoors helps children make sense of these real-world discoveries. As they notice new colours, sounds, and patterns around them, stories give shape and meaning to what they see — strengthening early language, comprehension and confidence, and growing their love of nature along the way.

Indulge Their Curiosity

Spring is a time of growth, colour and life — and for children exploring their world, a change of season brings plenty of questions: Why are there more bees? Where do baby birds come from? How do flowers grow?

Books that reflect these outdoor moments help children connect stories to real-life experiences. When a child sees blossom on a tree and then encounters the same word or image in a book, they begin to understand how stories relate to the world around them.

These connections are an important part of early comprehension. Children start to:

• Recognise familiar settings and concepts
• Predict what might happen next
• Understand cause and effect in simple narratives

Talking together about what you can see in the illustrations — and linking it to what you’ve spotted outside — strengthens understanding and builds the foundations for confident, independent reading later.

This is why books about spring are so effective: they mirror the sights and sounds children notice outdoors, helping them build early comprehension skills through meaningful connections.

Grow New Words Through Real-Time Experiences

Vocabulary development is one of the strongest predictors of later reading success, and spring provides a wealth of meaningful new language.

Seasonal books introduce descriptive words such as blossom, sprout, bud, nest, puddle, sunshine and seeds — often supported by clear illustrations and repeated phrasing that helps children remember them.

When a word is connected to a real experience — spotting a ladybird crawling along a leaf or planting seeds in the soil — it becomes easier to understand and recall. Children are not just hearing new vocabulary; they are experiencing it.

Revisiting those same words in stories helps deepen understanding, extend language and build confidence in recognising and using new terms.

Venture Outside for Hands-On Learning

Spring-themed books pair beautifully with outdoor exploration and play, offering opportunities to reinforce story concepts in active, memorable ways.

After reading together, children might:

• Search for signs of spring
• Listen out for birds
• Plant seeds in the soil
• Splash in muddy puddles
• Collect leaves, sticks, or flowers

When these experiences are paired with spring books about nature, these experiences bring story ideas to life. When children can see growth, weather or wildlife for themselves, abstract concepts become concrete. This strengthens comprehension, supports memory and deepens engagement with the text.

Linking reading to real-life exploration helps children see books as meaningful — not separate from their world, but part of it.

Make Spring Part of Your Story Time

Positive emotional connections play a big role in motivating young children to read.

A basket of spring books by the sofa, a blanket in the garden on a sunny afternoon, or a favourite story after a muddy walk all help children associate reading with comfort, connection and curiosity.

At Nosy Crow, we create books that reflect children’s real experiences and support their early learning journey — combining storytelling, strong visual cues and carefully chosen language to nurture confident young readers.

Our favourite spring books for young nature lovers →

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Poetry has a way of speaking directly to the heart, and few books capture that magic as beautifully as This Is Not a Small Voice. Edited by Traci N. Todd and illustrated by Jade Orlando, this anthology brings together over 100 poems by Black poets from across the globe, spanning generations and genres. From classic voices like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou to contemporary writers like Alicia D. Williams and Arena P.A. Busia, the collection celebrates identity, heritage, and the joy of expression.

In this blog post, “A Spotlight on Poetry”, we take a closer look at six featured poets and their poems from the collection — including James Weldon Johnson’s Lift Every Voice and Sing and Maya Angelou’s I Love the Look of Words. 

Alongside vibrant illustrations, these poems offer children, families, and educators a rich, immersive reading experience. Whether you are discovering poetry for the first time or introducing it to young readers, this anthology reminds us that every voice matters, and that words can inspire, comfort, and connect us all.

A message from Traci N. Todd

“We all start out loving poetry. A bold statement, I know, but hear me out. The songs that lull us to sleep. The rhymes we learn on the playground. The way we recite the English alphabet. 

Then somewhere along the way, poetry gains a capital “P.” Something straight-backed and intimidating, for people who like to brood. Probably somewhere between Shakespeare and Walt Whitman.

It happened to me. Even though I grew up with Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks. And I knew who Phillis Wheatley was in elementary school. And my father recited Mari Evans around the house. And I could recite Dudley Randall’s “Booker T. and W.E.B,” and Eloise Greenfield’s “Harriet Tubman.”

In school, when I was introduced to poetry with a capital “P,” I met very few Black poets. That absence was reinforced year after year. Eventually, I fell in love with Sylvia Plath, and became so enamoured of Emily Dickenson, I wanted to attend Amherst College just like her. Even though Gwendolyn Brooks was still living, just a few neighbourhoods away from me! But her life wasn’t romanticized the way Emily’s was. And I didn’t remember that Black poets raised me. 

When Nosy Crow invited me to select the poems for This Is Not A Small Voice, all those memories came flooding back. I dreamed of creating something with enough resonance to stay with children all through their learning, so that when they meet Keats, they remember Zephaniah. That is why the simple and the challenging sit side by side. The playful near the true. All helped mightily by Jade Orlando’s magnificent art. And no brooding! Only an exuberant celebration of being Black.

Of course, Black poetry is much more accessible now than when I was growing up. We recognize the poetry in rap and hip-hop, and young slam poets abound. Perhaps there is no longer a moment when poetry dons a capital “P.” But just in case, there will always be This Is Not a Small Voice. And I’m very proud of that.”

Poets featured in this stunning collection:

Langston Hughes — The Dream Keeper

Langston Hughes (1901–1967), a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, is known for his accessible, musical verse. His poetry often celebrates dreams, hope, and the dignity of everyday life.

In This Is Not a Small Voice, Hughes provides a framing presence, bookending the collection with poems that invite reflection and imagination.

James Weldon Johnson — Lift Every Voice and Sing

James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) was a poet, songwriter, and civil rights activist. He is best known for Lift Every Voice and Sing, a poem-turned-song that celebrates resilience, hope, and unity.

In Todd’s anthology, Johnson’s inclusion with this iconic poem introduces children and families to a piece of history that remains profoundly relevant today.

Arena P.A. Busia — Mawu of the Waters

Arena P.A. Busia is a contemporary poet whose work brings depth, rhythm, and reflection to young audiences. Her poem Mawu of the Waters evokes heritage, identity, and the power of ancestral memory.

Alicia D. Williams — I Write

Alicia D. Williams is a poet and author known for her nuanced storytelling and lyricism. Her poem I Write celebrates the act of writing as a tool for self-expression, identity, and discovery.

In the anthology, Williams’ poem encourages children to see poetry as an extension of their own voice.

Maya Angelou — I Love the Look of Words

Maya Angelou (1928–2014) remains one of the most celebrated voices of the 20th century. Her poem I Love the Look of Words expresses her lifelong delight in language itself — the visual beauty, rhythm, and music of words.

Al Young — For Poets

Al Young (1939–2021) was a poet, novelist, and songwriter whose work often reflected on African American life, music, and culture. His poem For Poets celebrates creativity, mentorship, and the legacy of words passed from one generation to the next.

Why This Anthology Matters

This Is Not a Small Voice is a bridge between generations and geographies, connecting the past, present, and future of Black poetry. The poems span the diaspora and speak to joy, struggle, hope, and pride.

For parents and educators, the anthology is a tool for teaching empathy, identity, and literary appreciation. Together, children can explore:

• Reading one poem aloud each day and discussing its meaning.
• Pairing poems with drawing or music inspired by the text.
• Using the anthology as a springboard for conversation about heritage, dreams, and creativity.

The combination of Todd’s careful curation and Orlando’s illustrations makes poetry tangible, immediate, and relatable. Children can see themselves reflected in the words, while adults are reminded of poetry’s enduring power to connect, uplift, and inspire.

A Call to Listen and Share

Each poem in This Is Not a Small Voice carries the weight and lightness of being heard. From Hughes to Johnson, Busia to Williams, Angelou to Young, readers encounter voices that celebrate life, resilience, and imagination.

Families reading together will notice themes of hope, community, and identity threading through the collection. For educators, it is a treasure trove of material to encourage literacy, discussion, and creative expression.

This is not a small love you hear is a large love, loud as a drum…

A love that resonates long after the last page is turned.

Explore This Is Not a Small Voice
Learn more about the book →

The post Nosy Crow Blog: A Spotlight on Poetry: Inside “This Is Not a Small Voice” appeared first on Nosy Crow.

Packed with sparkle, secrets and adventure, this fun mini diary invites young readers to step inside the world of Unicorn Academy and discover more about Sophia, Wildstar and their friends. It’s a fun and fantastic way to encourage creative play and inspire children to start writing their own stories too.

To help you make the most of World Book Day – whether at home, in school or out and about – we’ve pulled together fun activities, creative crafts and an extra special outdoor adventure to keep the magic alive off screen!

Step inside Unicorn Academy

Unicorn Academy: My Secret Unicorn Diary feels just like a real unicorn rider’s notebook.

Readers can explore diary entries, doodles, and notes for a look inside the life at Unicorn Academy.

The diary is great for sharing together, reading independently, or as a starting point for creative activities in the classroom or at home.

Whether children already love Unicorn Academy or are discovering it for the first time, this book tells of friendship, bravery and sparkling adventure.

A magical treasure hunt for World Book Day

World Book Day is also bringing magic outdoors with an official World Book Day treasure hunt 2026, created in partnership with High Street Safari.

Across communities in the UK, families can enjoy a fun, augmented reality trail that runs from February half term through to World Book Day itself on March 5, 2026.

The trail invites children and grown-ups to explore their local area, discovering clues and interactive characters along the way. Each stop unlocks a little story moment – a playful way to turn a walk into a storytelling adventure.

And the best part is that you don’t need to download anything to take part! Simply visit participating locations, scan the QR codes you find and watch the tale unfold in front of you. It’s a magical way to celebrate stories, get outside together and see familiar places with fresh eyes.

World Book Day activity ideas

World Book Day is a wonderful chance to turn reading into a day of celebration. These simple activities work well in schools, libraries and at home, and can be adapted for different ages and group sizes.

Make your own unicorn diary!

Inspired by My Secret Unicorn Diary, invite children to create a diary of their own, using:

• Folded paper or small notebooks
• Coloured pens, pencils and crayons
• Stickers, glitter pens and washi tape

Encourage children to imagine their first day at Unicorn Academy, invent a unicorn companion, or write about a magical challenge they have overcome. There’s no right or wrong – drawings, lists and short sentences are all part of the fun.

Design a Unicorn Headband

A simple craft that doubles as World Book Day dress-up!

Children can decorate with colours, foil, sequins or tissue paper to create their own unique unicorn look. 

Once finished, everyone can parade their designs or role-play a day at Unicorn Academy.

You can download our FREE and exclusive Unicorn Academy: My Secret Diary Activity Pack for children to create their very own Headband and Unicorn Rider Badge set! 

Create a unicorn character profile

Ask your child to design a unicorn and rider pair. Here are some questions for them to think about:

• What are their names?
• What are their special powers?
• What do they like to do?

This is a great way to build storytelling skills and encourage imaginative thinking.

Colour & Craft

Set up a colouring station using Unicorn Academy colouring pages and activity books. This can be a quieter option alongside more energetic crafts and works well as an independent activity.

Keep the magic alive with more Unicorn Academy books

For readers who want to explore more, we have curated a Unicorn Academy TV tie-in book list featuring all the storybooks, activity books and creative companions in one place. 

The collection includes:

• Magical storybooks ranging from ages 3+ to 9 years, following Sophia, Wildstar and their friends on new adventures.
• Colouring books, sticker activity books, plus press-out and decorate books and more for hands-on fun and games!

Together, these books offer a mix of reading, creativity and play – a great way to build a Unicorn Academy bookshelf that children can return to again and again.

A celebration of stories and imagination

At Nosy Crow, we believe in creating books that invite children into stories, encourage curiosity and support a lifelong love of reading.

World Book Day is a chance to share that love widely – and Unicorn Academy is a magical, sparkly and inspiring way to do just that.

Whether children are writing secret diary entries, exploring a World Book Day treasure hunt, designing unicorn headbands, colouring favourite characters or discovering a new story, we hope this year’s celebration is filled with creativity, imagination, and moments of magic.

Happy World Book Day from everyone at Nosy Crow! 

The post Celebrate World Book Day 2026 with Unicorn Academy: My Secret Unicorn Diary  appeared first on Nosy Crow.

You can continue to connect with us through our other channels, where we can maintain a welcoming and secure environment for everyone:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Threads
• LinkedIn
• Bluesky
• YouTube
• Pinterest

Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we focus on safe and responsible ways to connect with our community online.

— Nosy Crow

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What are the Speakies? 

The British Audio Awards – a.k.a ‘The Speakies’ – is a prestigious new awards dedicated to celebrating excellence in audiobooks and audio drama, created by The Bookseller and The Stage. It is the first such dedicated awards for audiobooks and drama in the UK, and a tribute to the format’s rise and listeners’ enthusiasm for the art.

Our Choose Your Own Evolution audiobook was shortlisted in the category Best Audiobook: Children’s. This was the only children’s category, and we were up against fierce competition, including Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart; Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Making Enemies by Louie Stowell; and the winner, Miffy Story Time Collection by Dick Bruna and produced by Yoto. Although we didn’t win the award, we were absolutely delighted to be highly commended in our category! 

The team, from left to right: Alex Brown (Strathmore); Viola Ugolini and Kate Wilson (Nosy Crow); Jules Howard (author); Elizabeth Jenner (Nosy Crow). Photo credits: David Monteith-Hodge. 

The judges said: “Narrated by voice actor, Glen McCready and produced in-house by Meg Meloy, this audiobook took an innovative approach to text adaptation with features like tracking and auto-play to put children in charge of their listening. 

Nosy Crow has always been ahead of the game in audio and with this they’ve tried to do something new and exciting. It’s refreshing – a different kind of audio experience.” 

This is quite an honour! It is the first time that one of our audiobooks has been shortlisted for an award, and Choose Your Own Evolution is Nosy Crow’s first foray into the production of non-fiction audiobooks. 

Transforming Choose Your Own Evolution into an Audiobook

Choose Your Own Evolution is a pick-your-own-path adventure through the story of life on Earth. Your journey starts as a tiny blob creature, millions and millions of years ago, and it’s up to you to make the decisions that will lead to your next evolutionary step – but will it end in survival or extinction? The print book features funny and accessible science from zoologist, Jules Howard and stunning illustrations by Gordy Wright. 

The Audio team was faced with the challenge of turning a non-fiction book into an engaging audiobook that could do justice to the text and illustration – but that could also work on its own. We decided to implement an immersive soundscape throughout the audiobook, and to rearrange the tracks so that the auto-play feature could generate a cohesive path for listeners who only want to engage minimally. Each choice was adjusted to be a maximum of 20 tracks to facilitate smoother engagement.

The final audiobook includes bespoke theme music, ‘survival’ and ‘go extinct’ fanfares composed by Aaron Lampert. Glen McCready narrated expertly and with aplomb. The immersive soundscape is by Alex Brown, with additional music by Luke Summers. 

The audiobook was recorded at Strathmore Studios, Nosy Crow’s esteemed and treasured partner in audiobook publishing. To prepare, the Audio team created a ‘mind-map’ (with yarn!) in the office to make sure that all the tracks would lead in the right direction. 

Choose Your Own Evolution has been an exciting new experiment for Nosy Crow, and it is the product of real and dedicated teamwork across the company and beyond. We are so proud and happy to see it receive this industry recognition.

Find out more about Choose Your Own Evolution here. 

Available online at our list of retailers or in bookshops.

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Last week, something remarkable happened. The Nosy Crow production team were awarded “Highly Commended” at the prestigious The Bookseller 2025 FutureBook Awards, a moment that felt like the culmination of years of passion, creativity, and dedication. This award holds special significance as it is the first publishing industry accolade to specifically recognise the integral role that production teams play—showcasing the innovation and hard work that goes into every single book.

The Nosy Crow Production team, from left to right: Charlotte Garcia, Anastasiia Smischchenko, Karina Stevens, Seyhan Yagmurlu, Kat Tungate, David Brine, Jo Jordan, Anna Pauletti, Sophie Banks. (Additional team members Nik Ginelli and Jude Crozier)

Of course, we would have loved to take home the top prize (there’s always next year!), but receiving the “Highly Commended” accolade for Production Professional(s) of the Year was a truly thrilling moment for everyone involved. It’s an honour that reflects not only our team’s internal dedication but also the strong, collaborative partnerships we cherish with our wonderful suppliers.

But how did we get here? This story doesn’t start with an award; it begins with a small team and a big dream.

The Spark: A Belief in Better Books

Nosy Crow was founded in 2010 with a clear mission: to create brilliant, innovative children’s books that would delight young readers and stand the test of time. From day one, the vision was to be different—to combine the agility of a new company with the experience of seasoned publishers.

In those early days, the production team was lean, wearing many hats and learning the ropes of a new, rapidly evolving industry. Our workspace was cramped, but our ambitions were boundless. We weren’t just focused on getting books printed; we were obsessed with the feel of the paper, the vibrancy of the ink, the robustness of the binding, and the environmental footprint of every single decision we made.

Building a Foundation of Excellence

Over the years, the team grew, but the core philosophy remained: excellence in every detail. We adopted a pioneering approach to sustainability long before it was standard industry practice. We meticulously researched eco-friendly materials, reduced plastic in our packaging, and sought out suppliers who shared our ethical vision. This wasn’t a marketing gimmick; it was embedded in our DNA. We believe that caring for the planet is just as important as crafting a beautiful story.

Our work became characterized by collaboration. The production team is not a back-office function at Nosy Crow; we are at the heart of the creative process. We sit side-by-side with editors and designers, brainstorming how a story can be elevated by the physical object of the book.

We produced picture books with innovative formats, non-fiction that sparked curiosity, and story books that became bedtime staples across the nation. Each project was a labour of love, pushing boundaries of what a children’s book could be.

The Big Achievement: Recognition for a Job Well Done

Fast forward to the FutureBook Awards ceremony. 

The judges from The Bookseller were effusive in their praise, highlighting the very values we hold dear:

“The judges want to award a “Highly Commended” for their pioneering of sustainable, world-class children’s publishing through creativity, collaboration, and excellence in every detail. The Highly Commended for Production Professional(s) of the Year is the Nosy Crow Production Team.” 

Hearing those words was incredibly validating. It was public recognition that our commitment to pioneering sustainable, world-class publishing had made a tangible impact on the industry. The judges saw the countless hours spent perfecting finishes, the late nights ensuring deadlines were met, and the dedication to crafting physical objects that children would cherish.

This award belongs to every single person on our team, but it also belongs to our incredible network of suppliers who partner with us to turn creative visions into reality.

Looking to the Future

This “Highly Commended” plaque on our office wall is more than just an award; it’s motivation. It energises us to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable publishing, to innovate further, and to keep striving for that top spot next year.

We are the Nosy Crow Production Team, and we’re just getting started. Here’s to many more stories, many more books, and many more wins—for our team, our authors, and most importantly, our young readers around the world.

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The Story Behind Refuge

Ten years ago on 2 September, the world was shocked by a photograph of the body of a little boy, just two years old, on a Turkish beach. He was called Alan Kurdi. He was Syrian, of Kurdish ethnic heritage. He died with his mother and brother when his family tried to travel in a small boat from Turkey to Greece, after moving between various cities in northern Syria to escape the civil war and ISIL. They hoped to settle in Canada. 

The image was a terrible encapsulation of the consequences for some asylum seekers of the events of 2015 that meant that an estimated 1.3 million people sought to escape their home country to seek asylum in Europe. While some people felt that the image of the little boy was exploitative, Nick Logan of Global News argued on 4 September 2015, “Photojournalists sometimes capture images so powerful the public and policymakers can’t ignore what the pictures show.”

The image was certainly in my mind when I read the text that Anne Booth’s agent sent into Nosy Crow three weeks later. It was a simple retelling of the Christmas Story and the Flight to Egypt from the point of view of the nameless donkey. Joseph was simply, “the man”. Mary was simply, “the woman”. Jesus was simply “the baby”. It described a family in danger, already on the move because of the requirements of an invading regime, who could not return to their hometown, but had to travel to another country to find… refuge.

Anne had been inspired to write the story as she followed the news of refugee journeys and the tragedies that both prompted and attended them. We decided to publish the book. We worked with illustrator Sam Usher, who had himself visited a refugee camp in Calais, and agreed to an extraordinary schedule of work that meant that the book could be published just seven weeks after our receipt of the manuscript. We donated all profits to War Child, to support their work protecting, educating and standing up for the rights of children living through conflict. Since then Refuge has raised over £30,000, which was our target.

The Enduring Impact of Refuge

I have told the story behind the publication of Refuge. While we were not naïve enough to think that we would ever see a world without refugees, it felt, at the time, like a response to a very particular crisis – a crisis that we hoped was time-limited.

This year, to mid-September, 32,000 people have attempted to cross the English Channel to the UK in small boats. It’s not a number that, in my view, represents the “invasion” that some politicians and billionaires would have us believe. But on September 15, four people died, including two children. As we know now, 2015 was not the only year that desperate, frightened people – and their children, including babies – have taken risky journeys in pursuit of refuge. Sometimes they have not managed to arrive alive. Sometimes they have encountered the kindness of strangers. Sometimes they have not. 

We have decided to reissue Refuge for this year and beyond, donating £1.00 for every book sold to War Child. We’ve redesigned the cover and reformatted the book. We hope that it’s read by many people, and that its timeless and relevant message, its moving text and its beautiful illustrations help to shift perspectives and engender empathy.

It’s a book we are proud to have on the list.

To our readers who have already welcomed a copy into their home, thank you so much for your support. If our story has touched your heart, you can find the book in your favourite bookshop or you can order your copy.

A Message from the Author, Anne Booth:

I wrote Refuge originally in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, which drew media attention worldwide in 2015, and for all refugee children who were suffering. I tried to write a tender version of the story of ‘The Flight into Egypt’ to remind people at Christmas that the child Jesus was a refugee who looked for, and found, refuge and welcome. 10 years on, I still feel so helpless in the face of the refugee crises all over the world, so it is wonderful that Nosy Crow is publishing a book telling an often forgotten but essential part of the Christmas story. Refuge celebrates the universal values of compassion and kindness – and we need them now more than ever.

Nosy Crow is partnering with War Child UK to raise vital funds and awareness for their work to support children affected by conflict through the release of the 10th anniversary edition of Refuge. £1 from every War Child copy sold is being donated to support their life changing work around the world.

About War Child

War Child is the only specialist charity supporting children whose lives have been torn apart by war.

Nearly 1 in 5 children around the world are growing up surrounded by violence, fear, and loss, facing trauma no child should ever have to. War Child work in the hardest to reach places to support those who are hardest hit, to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children, when they need it most.

War Child delivers its vital work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Find out more at warchild.org.uk.

War Child UK is a registered charity in England and Wales. Registered charity number: 1071659.

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Stepping into Clays: The Journey Begins 

Recently, I was given the incredible opportunity to visit Clays printers in Bungay, Suffolk to see my debut, middle grade novel, THE DOUGHNUT CLUB, become an actual BOOK! 

To say this was a dream come true moment is a complete understatement.

On the day of the visit, I woke up smiling, just imagining what this experience was going to be like, and that smile got bigger and bigger throughout the day.

I met my editor, Zoe, and Karina, Head of Production, at Liverpool Street station early that morning. The publishing industry is completely new to me, so I usually come to meetings with an endless list of questions. Fortunately, I couldn’t have been in better company for this trip. Both Zoe and Karina answered all my publishing questions, along with an excellent array of random chat – the hour and a half train ride flew by.

When we arrived at the station, we were met by a local taxi driver. He had lived in the area for years and explained how most of his family members had worked at Clays at one time or another. Which is understandable, when I learnt that Clays has been printing books in its Suffolk based factory for over 200 years.

Before coming on this trip, I did a bit of research, and came across an episode of the BBC programme, Inside the Factory, where the presenters were given a tour of Clays. There were some amazing aerial shots of the factory which showed how vast it is, so when we arrived at the entrance, I was a little confused.

The front door looks like an average, unassuming office, nestled in the pretty village of Bungay. We were greeted by our guide for the day, Zuaira Islam, and kitted out in our high vis vests, safety trainers and ear plugs for the noisy sections. 

Ink, Paper, and Excitement: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Book Production 

While we waited for the tour to begin, I scanned the huge shelf in the meeting room of some of the books that have been printed at Clays. The fact my story was soon to be added to this shelf made my smile grow that little bit more.

The time then came for us to head into the factory.

Zuaira led the way, taking us briefly outside. We then walked through some regular looking offices, where customer service, account managers and the IT teams all sit. After this, we went through another door and that’s when the noise hit.

I knew then, we must be entering the building which was part of the vast factory I remembered from the aerial shots on TV. Once inside, we dutifully stuck to the green path on the floor, being careful to always look both ways when crossing, as any number of small forklifts could be passing by.

It was hard to get my bearings as we walked from area to area. Each section performed a different stage of the printing process. Machines spun, churned, cut, and whizzed around me. Zuaira and Karina did a great job of talking me through all the different elements. My mind fizzed with information, while the surroundings set off all my senses.

Each section we walked through was full of different smells and noises. The tour was so wonderfully planned, Zuaira took us through all the stages of a book’s creation in the order of how they happen.

During any one time, there could be 100s of different titles being printed at Clays. As Zuaira walked us through the early stages of the process, I saw the pages of other people’s books being printed before my eyes, which was exciting, but nothing compared to what I was about to feel.

From Manuscript to Machine: Seeing My Words in Print

Zuaira took as to where all the separate pages of a newly printed book start to come together. There was a row of about 20 small, red machines lined up next to each other, with a little window you could peer into on each. When Zoe appeared at my side and said, “That’s your book in there,” I gasped.

She was right.

Leaning closer to the little window of one of these machines, I focused my eyes on the pages whizzing past, and there it was. 

The image of a doughnut with my name on it.

Now the emotions kicked in. I knew I would be excited to see my book being printed, but nothing could have prepared me for how it made me feel. 

There had been a few stories before this one that I had written, but this was the story that meant the most to me. 

This was the story I quietly got on with at a desk in our spare room, hoping it might be the one to get me that elusive publishing deal. 

This was the story that won me the PFD Queer Prize in 2024 and started me on this journey to publication. 

And, with the help and hard work of so many people, this is the story now being made into a book in front of my eyes. 

Every machine that followed for the rest of the tour was working to produce my book. I saw pages be gathered, glued and cut. I saw gorgeous, glossy covers shoot past me and be folded around my printed words. 

Then came the moment where my eyes sprung a leak. 

Looking down from a step, I saw a conveyor belt flow beneath me, carrying endless copies of my finished book.

My mind was officially blown.

This whole experience opened my eyes as to how many people are involved in a story making it from an author’s brain and getting it onto a bookshelf. It’s incredible and I’m grateful to every person who has worked on making my book become a reality. 

A gratitude I couldn’t help but show as I threw my arms around the lovely Clays employee who handed me one of the first books which came off the production line.

My smile didn’t leave my face for the whole journey home and it’s back with me now as I relive the day to write this blog post.

Thank you to Nosy Crow for this truly unforgettable experience and thank you to Zuaira and all the team at Clays for everything that you do. 

Watch the video of my day out at Clays printers on Instagram here

The Doughnut Club publishes 08 May and is available wherever you buy books. 

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