ANNE FINE
This is the official web site of Anne Fine, the second Children's Laureate and a distinguished prize-winning writer for children of all ages, with over forty books to her credit. She has also written for adults to considerable critical acclaim. This site has news and information about Anne, and showcases her books.
New books
Whether you're looking for a completely new story from Anne Fine, or just waiting for one of your favourites to be published in paperback, this is the place to find out what's new. Click the titles to find out more about each book:
There's a brand new story for beginning readers. Anne explains: "One of the things that young disabled readers often remark upon (and their parents often deplore) is the fact that most books that feature such children tend to be 'issue' books. So I wrote Big Red Balloon: Pip's in a wheelchair, but that only shows up in Kate Pankhurst's wonderful illustrations as we see all the pupils at Sunnyside Primary let off a helium balloon to celebrate the school's 100th year anniversary."
Whose balloon will travel furthest? Read more to find out!
Under A Silver Moon is half a fairy tale and half the sort of story that you might find in The Arabian Nights - and it is beautifully illustrated by Lotte Klaver. It's now available in a paperback edition.
Julia Eccleshare included Under A Silver Moon in her round-up of recommended Easter reading in The Guardian, and called it "a gem of a story which is simle to read and very satisfying."
Some old favourites return this summer: Walker Books are reissuing some stories for younger children. Even if you weren't born when How to cross the road and not turn into a Pizza was first published, you can catch up in June when this title - and Nag Club, the first two 'Jamie and Angus books, and more - are reissued with a colourful new look.
After that... well, look out for trouble - especially if you live in Toadpool!
Don't Cut Libraries!
Anne Fine has joined the campaign to persuade local councils not to cut library servoces. She told The Teesdale Mercury that making libraries a target for spending cuts is "almost immoral."
"In a recession libraries become even more important. They are a haven for older people, a focus for families, and for unemployed people it's a place where people can try to get their lives back on track. To cut library services is short-sighted and in the long run it will cost more than it will save. There will be more depression and vandalism. In social care it will cost so much more."
Happily Ever After
Radio 3's series of short talks, The Essay, has been looking at children's books, and how they represent the family. On Tuesday 7th February, Anne Fine talked about some old favourites, from Peter Pan and Wendy to The Tiger Who Came To Tea, and asks how adults can pass on the books they loved as children without also passing on some attitudes we'd rather leave behind. Her talk is currently available to Listen Again.
Anne has also written (for adults and for children) about why she has revised some of her own books in updated editions.
Anne Fine answers some questions...
- At the Book Base
- in the September issue of She magazine, where she names three books that shaped her life,
- and in The Guardian, where she answers the question: "Who is your favourite living children's author?".
Oh, Spider!
There's an exclusive new story by Anne Fine on the Tesco Kids' Book Club website; it's called Oh, Spider!, and anyone who loves the Jamie and Angus stories will enjoy it (and don't forget to leave a review!)
