{"id":148,"date":"2016-05-17T22:58:58","date_gmt":"2016-05-17T22:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/?page_id=148"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T10:25:17","slug":"news-and-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.barbarahenderson.co.uk\/?page_id=148","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(The latest news will appear at the top of the page)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spring 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh my word, it has been busy! 2 new books out in the world, as well as a ton of events and travelling! Goodbye Day Job<\/a> and Enter Eddie Shakespeare<\/a> are out! On top of that, I finished my Scottish Book Trust Residency with Stornoway Primary and got my hands on the Australian copy of Rivet Boy. The Turkish edition is out too!<\/p>\n\n\n

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January<\/h2>\n\n\n
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January 2026 began with a cover reveal for #EnterEddieShakespeare<\/a>, out from Luath Press in April. I was grateful for new boots (\"\ud83d\ude0d\"), trips to Lewis and Perth thanks to Scottish Book Trust funding, and for a chance to be part of the National Library of Scotland’s Perth Museum exhibition of Mary Queen of Scots’ last letter, and the Robert Burns Day at Perth’s AK Bell Library. Other than that, I loved meeting friends and fellow writers I rarely see in person, too. Last but not least, we contested our annual, fiercely competitive family snowman competition across Europe. I didn’t win. \"\ud83d\ude01\" Wonder why!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am very excited about 2026 – not only have I got some wonderful events and travels planned, but I am getting ready to celebrate two brand-new books in February and April. Buzzing!<\/p>\n\n\n

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December<\/h2>\n\n\n
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And breathe! December was a busy one, but some of my plans were waylaid by the weather – and a good thing too. I did enjoy my annual birthday trip to Glasgow (any excuse to catch up with my daughter’s rabbits!). The KILTS (Kidlit Scotland) advent calendar was fun to be involved with, and I enjoyed meeting booksellers on my travels. And then there was the baking. You can take the girl out of Germany, but…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

November<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Very grateful for a wonderful November, beginning with the wonderful and warm A Write Highland Hoolie book festival in Mallaig and ending with the fab St Andrew’s Book Festival in London. Sandwiched in between: meeting with writer pals, Book Week Scotland, school visits, gorgeous skies, bookshops and Museum visits…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October<\/h2>\n\n\n
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My October: A brilliant trip to Caithness (inclusive of spectacular Northern Lights), catching up with illustrator Deborah Spence, Storylands Workshops and a fun trip to the Isle of Lewis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you September!<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Thank you, September! Collaborations with heritage organisations including National Trust for Scotland, a new book in the world (To War with Wallace), a bunch of school events for the Andrew de Moray Project, part funded by Scottish Book Trust , a return to the Forth Bridge (where I used to be writer-in-residence) for some book signing, making the most of our Historic Environment Scotland membership, a trip to London and my regular haunt, Shakespeare’s Globe , and a bit of kitchen witchin’ into the bargain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Books Are HERE!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teaching Resources To War with Wallace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am so relieved to have finished the teaching resources for To War with Wallace. You can download them from the resources page of this website, or take a look at the flipbook at https:\/\/www.yumpu.com\/en\/document\/read\/70668694\/to-war-with-wallace-teaching-resources<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Young Quills 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am well chuffed: The Boy, the Witch and the Queen of Scots<\/a><\/em> has been chosen as a runner up for this year’s Young Quills Awards. The winner in its category was Birdie<\/em> by JP Rose. One or two books from the shortlist receive the Highly Commended runner-up stamp – and my book was one of them, alongside Tony Bradman’s Roman Boy<\/em>. I love the Young Quills Award as the shortlist is based entirely on young people’s reviews. Adult judges only get involved at the shortlist stage. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Here are some of their reviews for my book: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

William<\/strong>: I found the time period the book was set in very interesting because it was a time of big changes in England when the religion changed during the Reformation and the story reveals some of the hostility by people at the time towards Catholics. I also found it interesting that people believed in witches and witchcraft alongside their religious beliefs. My favourite character was Mary Queen of Scots who is portrayed as someone with good qualities, and I was more sympathetic towards her. I liked her because she seemed fun and playful despite being a Queen. The character of the cloak would be even better if the reader learnt more about him as he was quite an interesting character especially after what the reader learns about him later in the book! I think the plot was gripping and what stood out about the book to me was it was able to teach the reader quite a bit about what the 16th century was like. I would definitely recommend the book to others as I think most readers would love the setting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eno<\/strong>: If you like books full of mystery and tension, you are really going to love this. This is a book about a boy called Alexander who must go to Edinburgh to spy on the queen of Scots. I loved Alexander because he was really brave and courageous to go and spy on the Queen. I would recommend this book to other mystery and suspense lovers. I loved this book. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loie<\/strong>: This book made me feel tense in a way that I didn’t want to breathe! I really loved it because Alexander is so relatable! My favourite character is Mr Kerr because he has such a unique part. I thought Alexander was the most interesting character because he was only a 12-year-old boy, and he was sent on a very dangerous quest. I would describe this book as tense, gripping and unputdownable!  I would recommend this book to children between the age of 8 and 11 who like adventure stories because this book has just that.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To War with Wallace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My next book is another medieval adventure, called To War with Wallace and published by Luath press on 23rd August. Buzzing! More very soon…<\/p>\n\n\n

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Summer 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am ultra chuffed to have been chosen for a year-long Scottish Book Trust residency with Stornoway Primary. I can’t wait to meet the kids!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Spring 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Crathie School – Always lovely when schools send pics and feedback after a visit. Ignore my facial expression!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Paisley Book Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I loved catching up with old friends and meeting the wonderful kids from six different schools in Foxbar Library and at Paisley Town Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tour with Glowworm Books, April 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was privileged to join the lovely Katrena and Marion of Glowworm Books to visit five schools in the Central Belt with I Don’t Do Mountains!<\/em> The weather was glorious and Queensferry, Linlithgow, Polkemmet, Carmondean and Broxburn Primaries were welcoming hosts. Thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n

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World Book Day Launch and other events \ud83d\ude42<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Fort William Mountain Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The FIRST official outing for I Don’t Do Mountains<\/a><\/em>: a pre-launch at the fab Fort William Mountain Festival! It was lovely to see the book in the hands of young readers at last. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n

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I Don’t Do Mountains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s here! The new cover has been revealed, and I LOVE IT! Hopefully this little animation will work on the website \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n