News — M. G. Leonard

M G Leonard Ltd

Golden Scarab Bestseller

To my utter delight, this week The Bookseller, the publishing trade magazine, did a review of the bestselling Children’s books in the first quarter of 2025 and I learned that Hunt for the Golden Scarab is the twelfth bestselling book of the year so far. That’s incredible, especially as it wasn’t available in shops until February.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has purchased, read, reviewed, or recommended my book. It really takes an enormous effort from a team of people to launch a book in such a way that people get to hear of it, especially as i”m not off the tele, and it’s super important when it’s the first story in a new series.

If you enjoyed book one, then the wait for book too is not long, The Legend of Viking Thunder will be sailing into bookshops in September and I’ve just finished writing the third book in the series which will be available from February 2026.

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World Book Day 2025

World Book Week 2025 has been quite dramatic for me. I broke my ankle, walking my dog, four days before the busiest week in a children’s author’s calendar! I’ve had to do my school visits on crutches and deliver events sat on chairs, which is not my usual style.

However, I have been greatly cheered by all the children who have dressed as characters from my books. I do love to see these pictures. Below is a gallery of all the costumes I’ve seen this year. I think they are all absolutely wonderful. I’m truly blown away.

Thank you to all who have sent them over social media or email. If your child would like to be added to this gallery, you can email a picture to info@mgleonard.com

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Waterstones Children's Book of the Month!

It is with HUGE joy that I can share the news that the wonderful Waterstones bookshop has selected Hunt for the Golden Scarab as their Children’s Book of the Month! I am enormously grateful to everyone who is championing my newest Time Keys series, especially those wonderful booksellers who are suggesting my stories to young readers.

Let the HUNT begin! Grab a special sprayed edges signed edition today!

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Signed Independent Bookshop Edition of Hunt for the Golden Scarab with sprayed edges

At the end of January 2025 my brand new time travelling adventure series, TIME KEYS, is launched. I cannot wait for you to read it.

To celebrate the wondrous independent bookshops up and down the country, my publishers are printing a limited run of books will gorgeous sprayed notation edges.

To be sure to get one for you bookshelf, you’ll have to pre-order from your local bookshop.

If you would like a super extra special DEDICATED one, then you can pre-order from my local bookshop, Book Nook Hove. I will be popping into the shop in the week before publication to sign and dedicate all your books.

So if you know a young reader who enjoys non-stop adventures, why not pre-order NOW!

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Hunt for the Golden Scarab - Cover Reveal

The Hunt for the Golden Scarab pack shot

It is with deep gratitude and enourmous delight, that I can finally reveal artist Manuel Sumberac’s incredible cover for my new book, HUNT FOR THE GOLDEN SCARAB, the first in the TIME KEYS series.

I can also share some of Manuel’s dramatic internal artwork, which perfectly illustrates the story. There are around forty of these spectacular illustrations through-out the book. My publishers, Macmillan Children’s Books, have done an amazing job. I’m beyond excited for readers to dive in.

You can pre-order a special SIGNED first edition of this book from Waterstones NOW.

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M. G. Leonard’s new series: TIME KEYS

I am unbearably excited to finally be able to tell you about a top secret writing project that I’ve been working on for the past two years.

Ever since I first learned of string theory, the concept of time travel and music has been linked in my imagination. That was the first seed of an idea that has grown into my newest project.

Next year, I’m launching an epic new adventure series of books called TIME KEYS. The first book will be published in January 2025 and is titled HUNT FOR THE GOLDEN SCARAB.

This is the most ambitious series I’ve ever written and will be illustrated throughout by the incredible Manuel Sumberac. I really hope you’re going to love it.

For all the juicy details please read the official press release below.

Page one of press release

page two of press release

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NFL Reading Challenge 2024

As part of the neev literature festival 2024 in India, I’m taking part in the young readers Reading Challenge. They are reading The Ice Children and I did an online event with them asking me questions about my modern fairy story.

I really enjoyed this event. The readers had some truly great questions to ask me. If you’d like me to read you a short passage from The Ice Children and are interested in my answers, you can watch the thirty minute event here.
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M. G. Leonard at Hay Festival 2024

I had a wonderful time at the brilliant Hay Festival.

I was on the schools programme this year and had the absolute pleasure of talking to nearly 2000 children about birds and books.

I also had the honour of chairing Antony Horowitz’s event, which was so brilliant because everyone in my home loves the Alex Rider books. He’s a bit of hero to us.

My favourite part of the festival was meeting lots of wonderful young readers who really knew their birds, and plenty more who were excited to discover the wonderful world of birds.

I want to thank all the brilliant people who work so hard to make Hay Festival such a celebration of books. It truly is a great festival and I’m proud to have taken part in it.

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Watch M. G. Leonard on BBC Authors Live

I had a lovely time in Glasgow with Scottish Book Trust and the BBC sharing my love of birds and talking about The Twitchers series. If you were unable you tune in to the live broadcast, don’t worry, the program is now on iPlayer and will be for the foreseeable future. WATCH NOW.

If you are a teacher and reading the books in your classroom, you may prefer to access the program via the Book Trust website, where it’s cut into small chunks and accompanied by suggested learning activities and resources connected to the books. LINK HERE.

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The Ice Children Shortlisted for Sheffield Children's Book Award 2024

The Ice Children has made it onto the shortlist for the Sheffield Children’s Book Award Shortlist 2024. This is such a wonderful award, run by the Schools Library service in Sheffield. I’m delighted that t The Ice Children, my frosty magical homage to winter, has been shortlisted in the Shorter Novels for 9-11 year olds category with two other fantastic books. I cannot wait to go to the Crucible Theatre for the award ceremony. Keep your fingers crossed for me and Penny Neville Lee the illustrator.

If you want to find out more about the award, follow this link.

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