The Reading Room

Author Cathy Cassidy Celebrates Best Friends!

Following on from the success of last years My Best Friend Rocks 2008 competition, author Cathy Cassidy and Mizz teamed up again earlier this year to launch My Best Friend Rocks 2009!

This competition is now closed but when the 6 lucky finalists are chosen they will be invited to attend a fabulous award ceremony in London where the winners will be announced! This will be held on 4th July - National Best Friends Day! The first prize for the best friend winners include, a sleepover of their dreams, the chance to meet Cathy Cassidy herself at the awards ceremony, a signed copy of Cathy's new book Angel Cake as soon as its out, their competition entry published in Mizz and last but not least a very special and rare My Best Friend Rocks trophy.

Visit www.www.cathycassidy.com/friendship_awardsfor more information.

Why not celebrate National Best Friend Day with your best friend(s)!?! Maybe bake them cake, or write them a poem, have a picnic - something to show that you think your best friend ROCKS!

Back to top Added: 20th May 2009

Are you ready for an eco challenge?

If you've read any of Lauren St John's wonderful stories set in Africa, you'll be aware of some of the huge dangers faced by animals in the wild. Now her publisher Orion Children's Books has joined forces with an international wildlife charity The Born Free Foundation to raise awareness of the plight of these wild animals.

The charity are challenging all under 12s to enter their exciting model-making competition. The winner will be awarded with a special visit to their school from Lauren St John and Born Free, tickets to a very special event in London in the autumn, and £650 worth of Orion children's books. To be in with a chance of winning this spectacular prize you have to create a model of an endangered animal out of items that would usually be thrown away or recycled. So put on your thinking caps and get creative by the 15th June 2009!

Visit www.animalsarenotrubbish.co.uk for more information.

Back to top Added: 30th April 2009

Stephenie Meyer triumphs at the Galaxy British Book Awards!

Breaking Dawn by the sensational Stephenie Meyer has been named Children's Book of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards. The fourth novel in the phenomenally successful Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn triumphed over books from authors such as J.K. Rowling, Eoin Colfer and Francesca Simon to win the prestigious award.

Stephenie said winning the award was "amazing and phenomenal", and went on to say how overjoyed she was and how thankful she was to all the people who read her books.

The Twilight Saga has already sold over 47 million copies worldwide, and the film of the first book in the series, Twilight was a smash hit. The movie version of New Moon is due for release this November.

To give you an idea of how successful Stephenie's books are in the UK, this year a copy of one of her titles has been sold every 6 seconds!

Back to top Added: 27th April 2009

Roald Dahl Funny Prize - The Winners!

We have been eagerly awaiting the results of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize to see which of our favourite rib-tickling books have been chosen to win this prestigious new prize. Judges Michael Rosen, Chris Riddell, Sophie Dahl, Kaye Umansky and Dara O'Briain have finally ended their deliberations and have revealed that the worthy winners are...

The Witch's Children Go to School by Ursula Jones and illustrated by Russell Ayto (Aged Six and Under.)

And one of Redhouse's particular favourites...

Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton and illustrated by David Tazzyman (Aged Seven to Fourteen)

Back to top Added: 19th November 2008

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight hits cinemas!

Here at Red House we've already fallen in love with Stephenie Meyer's mysterious, immortal Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, and now we are about to see them on the big screen!

The anticipation will end on the 19th December when Twilight hits the UK cinema. Get ready for excitement, adventure, love and vampires but make sure that you read the books first and check out the trailer!

Back to top Added: 19th November 2008

Queen of Teen Winner- Finally Revealed!

We've got a huge congratulations for Louise Rennison - The Queen of Teen winner!!

Red House were thrilled when they were invited to the inaugural Queen of Teen award. The award, where under-18s nominated and voted for their favourite female author of teenage fiction, was won by Red House favourite, Louise Rennison.

Over 15,000 votes were cast and some lucky teenagers were invited to the coronation ceremony, travelling in pink limousines with their favourite authors to the ultra-glamorous and utterly pink awards ceremony. Authors present included Cathy Cassidy, Lisa Clark, Grace Dent, Cathy Hopkins, Sarra Manning, Karen McCombie, Joanna Nadin, Louise Rennison and Jacqueline Wilson who were each presented with a tiara and pink sash. On being crowned Queen, Louise Rennison said: "The whole thing's been gorgeous... I've never won anything - I was never even a school prefect. I've got a crown and a throne. How could it be more perfect?!"

Back to top Added: 27th October 2008

The Tales of Beedle the Bard Launch Finally Revealed!

JK Rowling is well known for thrilling the book world with her gripping Harry Potter novels, and we've all been on the edge of our seats desperate to get our hands on her next novel The Tales of Beedle the Bard. On 4th December the wait will finally be over! JK Rowling is set to host an Edinburgh tea party for local school children at the National Library of Scotland. During this charity event these lucky children will witness Rowling reading extracts from her new book which will reveal the four remaining tales, translated from the original rules by Hermione Granger, alongside notes by Professor Dumbledore and illustrations by JK Rowling herself.

JK Rowling says: 'Hundreds and thousands of vulnerable children in Eastern Europe are living in appalling conditions in large residential institutions. Contrary to popular belief, fewer than 4% of them are orphans, but are in care because they are considered disabled or their families are poor or from ethnic minorities. The charity is publishing The Tales of Beedle the Bard to raise money to fund our work in helping these children out of institutions and in to loving families and community care homes...

'I hope that The Tales of Beedle the Bard will not only be a welcome present to Harry Potter fans, but an opportunity to give these abandoned children a voice. It will encourage young people across the world to think about those who are less fortunate and help change many young lives for the better.'

Back to top Added: 23rd October 2008