M. G. Leonard has a Bug Hunt on BBC1's Countryfile

I've done quite a bit of tele, but the bug hunt with Ellie Harrison on Countryfile must be one of my favourite pieces. It was a beautiful day, and the lupin field was a heavenly place full of fascinating bugs. I was in my element, and I'm delighted with the way the show turned out.

I was also pleased that they included some of the wonderful illustrations that Carim Nahaboo has done for The Beetle Collector's Handbook, published in September. You get a sneak peak at how marvellous they are.

You can watch it on the iplayer on catch-up for the next month.

M. G. Leonard tells Sky News about the Phantom Midges at the World Cup

Did you catch me on Sky News? It was the hot and humid day after England won their first match in the World Cup and so I arrived at the studio with my hair all in a frizz and was asked if I could talk about the Phantom Midges that were annoying the football players. I'm the first to hold up my hand when I don't know about something, but whilst I was in hair and makeup, I was allowed to phone a friend. Luckily Max Barclay from the Natural History Museum was on the other the other end of the telephone and he told me all about what wonderful creatures Phantom Midges are, so I only managed to squeeze a sentence or two in about beetles, but I did get to big up National Insect Week on the news, so job done. Weird hair though, eh? I won't be letting anyone give me a central parting again that's for sure.

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National Insect Week 2018

I was absolutely honoured to be invited by the Royal Entomological Society to be a part of launching National Insect Week 2018 at RHS Wisley this week. It was a wonderful occasion and I go the opportunity to finally meet Carim Nahaboo the talented illustrator who I've worked with on my non-fiction book The Beetle Collector's Handbook, which is published in the UK in September by Scholastic.

There were speeches, and wonderful artwork by Carim, the oppertunity to eat bugs (yummy) and see some of my favourite entos. I was even given a present by the delightful Chris Jeffs, a stag beetle from Indonesia to add to my collection.

I'm so proud to be a part of this initiative. If you want to find out about Bug related fun for National Insect Week happening near you there's information here. The celebration doesn't last just a week you know, it lasts a lifetime.

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Beetle Boy Trilogy Optioned For TV - Screenplay will be written by M. G. Leonard

I have some very exciting news. I am delighted to be able to announce that my beetle books have been optioned for TV. And, even better than the news that they will be coming to your home screens in the near future, is that I am the screenwriter on the project. I will be ensuring all your favourite characters, both human and coleopteran, burst onto your screen in true dramatic style, like they do in the stories.

I am so excited about the production team on this project.

Watch this space for news and further updates.

Bring on the BEETLEMANIA!

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READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Beetle Boy wins the Golden Cowbell Book Award in Switzerland

I’ve just been informed that Beetle Boy has won The Golden Cowbell Book Award 2017. It is voted for by the readers in all the Swiss International Schools. Thank you to everyone who voted and the librarians who organise the award. I'm delighted to have won.

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M. G. Leonard will be appearing on Countryfile BBC1

I will be appearing on the BBC1 programme, Countryfile, at 7pm on 24 June. I take Ellie Harrison on a bug hunt for beetles through a beautiful lupin meadow in West Sussex. We chat about beetles and insects to celebrate National Insect Week. If you miss it on the telebox you can always catch up on the iplayer.

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Insects Through the Looking Glass - An Exhibition at the Story Museum

June is the month when we celebrate National Insect Week and the wonderland of insects on this planet.

This year the Royal Entomological Society and The Story Museum in Oxford are curating a wonderful exhibition to explore the insects that inspired children's fiction, featuring Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl & ME!

Can you imagine just how delighted and terrified I am in equal measure? It's going to be wonderful.

I'm opening the Exhibition with events on 16th & 17th of June with illustrator Carim Nahaboo. Check my events calendar for these events. They are free with the exhibition ticket entry price. YOU MUST COME!

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FIND OUT MORE

Hay Festival 2018

Me with wonderful author James Nicol, one of my favourite pictures from Hay 2018

The Hay Festival is one of my favourite literary festivals. I always stay as long as possible and see other author's events if I can. This year was fantastic.

I was extraordinarily honoured to be able to bring the eminent coleopterist, and good friend, Max Barclay to the Hay Festival this year. He brought with him a selection of drawers from the Natural History's Coleoptera Collection, including a drawer that featured beetles collected by Charles Darwin himself. Max Barclay is a font of beetle knowledge and a true inspiration to me. I also sneaked some slides into my event from my new non-fiction book The Beetle Collector's Handbook, which is published in September and features a section by Max. Those who were patient enough to brave the signing cue were rewarded with both mine and Max's signatures on their books. A treat indeed.

The second event I did at Hay was with Lauren St John, Jackie Morris and Nicola Davis to spread the message about Authors4Oceans and what the book community can do to support the reduction of plastic waste. It was an absolute treat to get to an event with these wonderful women.

I was lucky enough to see lots of great events. The one I enjoyed most, was watching my colleague and friend James Nicol, author of The Apprentice Witch, talk about his new book A Witch Alone, which is on my beside table and I'm eager to read.

Here is a gallery of images from my time at Hay Festival. A big thank-you to all who came to my events or waved at me in the campsite.

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