Ten years ago - this week - Beetle Boy crawled into bookshops.
The past decade has been creative, educational, challenging and rewarding. I’ve met the loveliest people, authors, editors, PRs, publishers, illustrators, booksellers, teachers, librarians, event planners, as well as readers young and old.
If you have supported me in anyway over the years, whether it be by recommending my books, writing reviews, creating content, borrowing them from libraries, or buying them from a bookshop, I want to thank you. An author’s life is a precarious one, with no safety net. It can play havoc with your head and your bank balance. The fact that I am writing books ten years later is a miracle to me. I love what I do and I’m proud of my books.
To celebrate my 10th anniversary as an author, I took part in Rankin Live, and had my portrait taken by @rankinarchive - one of my favourite photographers. It was a lot of fun and I love these pictures of me and my fountain pen. ✒️
Ta Da! Surprise COVER REVEAL for Time Keys 4! Check out this stunning cover from @manuelsumberac for ATTACK OF THE SEA DOGS, a Tudor time travel adventure where our heroes, Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson, climb aboard Sir Francis Drake’s ship Elizabeth Bonaventure and find themselves at war with Spain!
You can find an extract from the fourth Time Keys story at the back of THE IMPOSSIBLE GLADIATOR.
ATTACK OF THE SEA DOGS will be published 17 September 2026.
From 7am on Tuesday 17 Feb until 23.59 Friday 20th February Waterstones are running a special online offer. You can get 25% off RRP if you enter FEB26 at the checkout. The offer is exclusively available on the Waterstones website and the Waterstones app and available to all customers. PRE-ORDER NOW (link in bio)
Today is my birthday. Each year the body gets older, but inside I’m this girl, who climbs trees and makes up tall tales. This photo is of me with my brother and cousins. I am 8 or 9, I think. When I reflect upon my journey so far, all I can conclude is that I am a lucky soul. I love this planet and the people I’ve encountered on it. A huge hug and gratitude to every one of you out there who have made my days interesting. 🥰
To celebrate the National Year of Reading, we asked M.G. Leonard and Polly Dunbar to share their love for The Wind in the Willows and how it got them into reading! 📚
Follow the adventures of little otter Portly in with The Adventures of Portly the Otter, and revisit favourite characters such as Mole, Ratty and Toad, in this charming and adventure-filled The Wind in the Willows spin-off novel for a new generation. 🦦🌳
#GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearOfReading2026 #WindintheWillows #PortlytheOtter
Our Teacher Book Club book of the month for May & June is:
‘The Adventures of Portly the Otter’ by @mglnrd 🦦🪷
As voted for by YOU our members, we are so excited to be reading ‘Portly the Otter!’
See our stories today for a little bit more about the book 🤩📖
BOOK BOXES:
You can also SUBSCRIBE to our @_teacherbookclub book boxes with @vipreading and receive a box including the book, a signed book plate from author MG Leonard, extra goodies and with reading resources dedicated to the book in collaboration with @grammarsaurus for this amazing box! It is NOT one to miss 🥳
READING TEACHERS:
We read each book for TWO months to give everyone plenty of time to enjoy reading the book at their own pace 😊 This way, hopefully lots of people will be able to read along with us and can join us for the chat at the end! Make sure you’ve become a member of our club for free on the @bookclubshq app - see the link in our stories/bio❣️
BOOK CLUB CHAT:
Near the end of June, we will have a discussion about the book in a group chat!💬 If you’ve already read this book and would like to be a part of it all, please look out for more posts in June so you can join in with the chat and reviews!! The more the merrier ☺️
So for now, happy reading❣️
Please use the hashtag #TeacherBookClub and tag us all @_teacherbookclub , @vipreading & @_tarasteaching in your book photos to show us you’re joining in! 📸🎉
#BookClub #NewRead #NewBook #MiddleGradeBookClub
Happy 100th Birthday to the ultimate beetle boy 🪲. It will not be a surprise to learn that David Attenborough is an inspiration to me and someone I deeply respect and admire. To be honest, I’ll be surprised if he isn’t the same for you. We are lucky to have him as a part of our species. 💚
Why can only kids HEAR time travel? 🤔👂⏳️🚪✨️
Author of #TimeKeys series @mglnrd reveals their secret which is more fact than fiction!
Listen to the full episode on Valhalla Conversations Podcast.
#ChildrensBooks #TimeTravel #Vikings
Did you know a pair of Viking Age GOLDEN horns were stolen? Did you know that future replicas and even plans were stolen?!
Learn more as I chat to @mglnrd about the real life mystery she wove into her book, The Legend of Viking Thunder! Listen to the full episode on the Valhalla Conversations podcast.
#Vikings #Mystery #ChildrensBooks #Podcasts
We’re very excited to be welcoming M.G. Leonard to Alleyns on 9th May for an interactive, engaging and packed with adventure event, perfect for young explorers 🏛️
During the event M.G. will share a dynamic reading from the book, blending the high-stakes tension of Gladiator with the imaginative, time-twisting energy of Doctor Who. Along the way, you’ll uncover fascinating historical facts and surprising insights about Ancient Rome that are sure to delight curious minds 💫
Book your tickets via link in our bio 🎟️
@mglnrd@dulwichfestival@alleynsschool #mgleonard #dulwichfestival #alleynsschool #whatsonatalleyns
I’m excited that Hunt for the Golden Scarab is included in #Bookbuzz Primary this year!
Bookbuzz Primary is a fantastic initiative from @BookTrust to get Year 3-6s reading for pleasure and I’m so pleased to be part of it.
Find out more and sign up for Bookbuzz Primary here: https://bit.ly/4tqHvqw
I had a lovely day filming with @rickyboleto and the Newsround crew, talking about The Adventures of Portly the Otter and how much The Wind in the Willows means to me. It aired today, so perhaps your younglings will have seen it at school. 💚🦦
