Round-up of 2024
From new books to a new TV show...
It’s been a busy year and I’m sure I say this every year. But it has also been a quiet year in some ways because many of these books that came out have been in production for some time and so happen to land together in one year.
First the books!
These books were published in the UK in 2024.
I had new books come out in the US too!
Ballet Besties series is co-written with Yasmine Naghdi and illustrated by Paula Franco
Nikhil and Jay series is illustrated by Soofiya
It’s Time to Hush and Say Good Night is illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
Garland of Light is illustrated by Amberin Huq
Sona Sharma series is illustrated by Jen Khatun
The launch of It’s Time to Hush and Say Goodnight was made sweeter by getting a reading on BBC Bedtime stories too.
You can catch a snippet here. Or click on this link to watch it on iplayer.
Then of course Nikhil & Jay, the book series adaptation to preschool animation premiered on CBeebies in October this year and I’m so delighted that everyone can see how beautiful the show is. Here is a sneak peek. But you can watch the first 13 episodes on CBeebies on BBC iplayer now.
Nikhil & Jay series is co-produced by King Banana TV and Paper Owl Films and broadcast on BBC.
It’s been an year of celebration and joy, it’s also been a year filled with writing new stories. I visited a number of UK and international schools too!
And some of you might know, I also volunteer (a lot). Along with Sinéad Gosai and Sanchita Basu De Sarkar, I setup SAIL Fest UK, a festival to celebrate South Asian kidlit authors in the UK. Find out more here.
I spoke at the Bookseller Conference on authors remuneration and about SAIL Fest UK and also delivered the keynote address at YLGSE Carnegie Discussion Day.
I also run The Colourful Bookshelf which is a curated list of kids’ books by writers, illustrators of colour in the UK. Visit the website here and the bookshop here.
There is a lot of book news for 2025 too! Some are in the works and I’m waiting for dates on a few others.
I’d love to come to your schools / libraries to share my stories and talk about writing, run workshops. So do get in touch via the website or socials, if you want me to visit your school. I have plenty of availability for 2025, and limited availability during March World book week.
Here’s to a wonderful festive season. May you rest your feet, read loads of books and be refreshed for the new year.