Chris

About Chris

Chris Callaghan is a children's author of The Great Chocoplot, who enjoys visiting schools and spreading news about The Chocopocalypse - the end of chocolate! He was once an aircraft engineer in the Royal Air Force and an environmental scientist. It was during his time as a Stay at Home Dad that stories in his head turned into stories on paper - and then real books!

FREE Webinar Coming Up …

 in Events  tagged reluctant readers / webinar by

Join me for a FREE webinar about ‘Turning Reluctant Readers into Reachable Readers‘

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Thursday 7th December 2023 at 4pm (GMT)

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I didn’t engage with books as a child, and I will be talking about my own experiences on this subject.

I’m also going to bang on about the importance of stories, the problems with book snobbery and I’ll also try to dispel the myths that some ‘readers’ may have about ‘non-readers’, while hopefully offering some practical solutions.

I’ve been very lucky. Stories (if not books) have ALWAYS played an important part of my life. Anyone who knows me through my various career incarnations will know I’ve always had my head in the clouds. Eventually becoming a reader made a university education possible for me, as a mature student. And now, working in a world of stories is still unbelievable.

ALL children, regardless of upbringing, should have the same opportunities as everyone else – whether or not they decide to take them.

It would be lovely if you joined me. Please click on the link here for more information and to register.

Working Class Heroes in Teach Primary Magazine

 in Articles  tagged Education / Teach Primary / Working Class by

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Delighted to have written an article for Teach Primary Magazine about how children can improve their enjoyment and understanding of books written by authors from diverse cultures – in this case, a working class background.

I’m especially happy to be included in the same issue as one of my favourite authors and cover star, Cressida Cowell, who has written a fabulous feature about creating a sense of suspense in writing.

My article was previously published online, and can be found here.

Huge thanks to Teach Primary and HarperCollins for giving me the platform to talk about something so close to my heart.

Little Big Book Club with Extra Chaos!

 in Groovy Stuff by
Chris Callaghan holding Shinoy and the Chaos Crew Mission: Pirate Puzzle as part of The National Literacy Trust and HarperCollins Little Big Book Club

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I am absolutely thrilled that one of my ‘Shinoy & the Chaos Crew’ graphic novels – Mission: Pirate Puzzle – has been chosen to be part of The National Literacy Trust & HarperCollins‘ Little Big Book Club.

A fantastic scheme that allows children to choose free books to keep and read. More details here.

It’s alongside such literary greats as Paddington, Barry Loser, Michael Morpurgo and *dramatic pause* … Ant & Dec!

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Chaos Crew Artwork by the fabulous Amit Tayal

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The Little Big Book Club with Chris Callaghan
The Little Big Book Club with Chris Callaghan

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Get a sneaky peak into ‘Mission: Pirate Puzzle’ here.

Mission: Pirate Puzzle by Chris Callaghan and Amit Tayal

Scary Faced Author!

 in School Visits by


I didn’t realise how scary my face was on virtual school visits! Or how much time I spend waving!
Huge thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School for inviting me into their classroom last week. It was great (and terrifying) to see this compilation of pictures from the opposite view of what I normally get.

The Great Chocoplot Author, Chris Callaghan, virtually visits Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School


Unfortunately, due to medical issues, I’m not able to do in-person events just now (although I’m hopeful that will change in the next few months), but it’s great fun to be able to connect with keen young readers and writers via whizzy technology.
I’m very grateful to Mrs Hodge and classes 4H and 4S for being such a friendly and enthusiastic audience.

(Photo taken from Twitter and used with permission)

Roald Dahl and The Great Chocoplot??

 in Groovy Stuff by
Books For Topics Roald Dahl Branching Out Poster featuring The Great Chocoplot by Chris Callaghan
Books For Topics Branching Out Poster Roald Dahl and The Great Chocoplot by Chris Callaghan

There’s been a lot of talk about the Roald Dahl stories lately, so here’s a polite reminder that

OTHER BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE!


But if you are after a Dahl-esque vibe (without the controversy!) then it is delicious of The Reader Teacher and Books For Topics to include ‘The Great Chocoplot’ in their ‘BookMatch’ & ‘Branching Out’ selections.

Download these marvellous posters from The Reader Teacher here and from Books For Topics here.


There are so many more books beyond the publicity displays and hype!

Chaos in Japan!!

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Chaos / Japan by
Shinoy and the Chaos Crew by Chris Callaghan hits Japan!


It’s been amazing to see my ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ books spreading chaos throughout the world. And especially fantastic to see one of the graphic novels, ‘Mission: Weird Weather’ breaking into the Top 100 in Japan’s Foreign Language Books for Children!


Also great to see the Japanese symbol for my name. That’s a first!!


Thank you to all the brilliant readers in Japan. I am honoured.

‘Which Way to Anywhere’ Book Launch

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Book Launch / Cressida Cowell / Reading is Magic by


It was fabulous to be at the launch of Cressida Cowell’s latest book, ‘Which Way to Anywhere‘ a while back (I’ve been behind with my site admin duties lately!!).
In a funny and moving speech it was lovely to hear the story behind the story, where this book came from an idea that began 25 years ago. So cling onto those ideas, people!!
Cressida was so generous with her time and it was great to have a chat her and my headteacher wife about the importance of reading for pleasure and all the good work that teaching staff do in schools.

Read the book too … it’s fantastic!

Cressida Cowell and Chris Callaghan at the launch of Which Way to Anywhere

An Ambassadors Party!

 in Awards  tagged Ambassador / Children's Book Award by
Chris Callaghan, Ambassador, Children's Book Award

It’s an honour to be an Ambassador for the new Children’s Book Award alongside SF Said, Andy Seed and Christina Gabbitas (who is also the creator and organiser of the award).

It is especially lovely as this is an awards scheme that will be judged by children from ten primary schools, teachers and libraries in less privileged areas. More details to follow soon.

Exciting times ahead ….

Chocoplot’s World Travels

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Australia / book stack / global by
The Great Chocoplot, Chris Callaghan, Australia, itsalibrarianlife

It’s always exciting to see where in the world my books turn up.

Here is a fantastic pile of books in a beautiful school library in Perth, Western Australia. They have been selected by librarian and huge book champion, Michelle. Please check out her Instagram account, @itsalibrarianlife, which is packed with great book recommendations and general library fun.

And look at what is at the top of this epic stack – The Great Chocoplot!!

Thank you, Michelle, for bringing such marvellous variety into your library and for choosing Chocoplot. It is an honour to be there!

Shepherd.com: The New Site to Find Great Books

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged book reviews / website by
Shepherd.com Chris Callaghan Reluctant Readers Recommendations

Delighted to have a page on the Shepherd.com site, which is a fantastic & friendly way to discover & review all kinds of books.

Each author is invited to choose a topic and select some books to recommend.

I chose books that encourage reluctant readers to find a love of reading, which include Jennifer Killick, Swapna Haddow, Sheena Dempsey and Dan Smith, but also a couple of old favourites too.

Please check out my page here and join in with the booky fun to find new stories and new authors.

Little Big Book Club

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Book Club / HarperCollins / Literacy Trust by
Shinoy and the Chaos Crew by Chris Callaghan graphic novel Harper Collins

Mega thrilled that one of my graphic novels will be included in the HarperCollins and Literacy Trust’s Little Big Book Club.
The club is about fostering a love of reading in children from low socio-economic backgrounds by giving them access to books. Something very close to my heart.
Five students from each school choose four books from a catalogue of 25 titles selected and donated by HarperCollins.
I’m delighted that my Shinoy and the Chaos Crew adventure, Mission: Submarine Scare, will be part of the project.
Hoping this brings lots of fun and chaos to those young readers.

Artwork by the awesome #AmitTayal

Find out more details from The Bookseller website here.

Reading Aloud

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged reading for pleasure by

Delighted to have been asked to say a few words about reading stories out loud to children for Little Wandle’s Everybody Read! Campaign.

Reading out loud is not something that comes naturally to me, but after reading to my daughter and then to whole school audiences as a visiting author, I found that I really love it. I hope my short video, which you can see here, will help encourage other parents and teaching staff to find a love of reading to their children.

Thank you, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds for the opportunity.

World Book Day Best Seller!!

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Best Seller / World Book Day by

The Great Chocoplot was first released on World Book Day 2016.

Exactly six years later, on World Book Day 2022 it was back in a Number 1 Best Seller slot!!!
I’m thrilled and amazed that it continues to sell (and sell better than ever!).
Eternally grateful to everyone who has ever bought a copy or borrowed it from a library. I very much appreciate all the schools who use it as part of topic work or as their class novel.


Thank you, thank you. It’s a dream I still haven’t woken up from yet!

Please buy your books from your local bookshop whenever you can ?

And yes, it is a best seller in a slightly unusual category – but I’m still counting it!! ?

Teachers’ Pick

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Amazon / Primary School / Teachers' Pick by
The Great Chocoplot, Amazon Teachers' Pick

The Great Chocoplot is a ‘Teachers’ Pick’ on Amazon!

What a wonderful start to a new year as the schools go back.


Huge thanks to all the teaching staff who have nominated and recommended Chocoplot for this honour. I am already in touch with a number of classes who are starting Chocoplot this term, which is hugely exciting.

Good luck to all staff and pupils for what I’m sure will be a difficult term. I hope my silly story brings some light relief and some sneaky chocolate.

PS Please consider getting your copy of The Great Chocoplot from your local bookshop or library if you can.

The Story Corner from Bookmark

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Bookmark / Magazine / The Story Corner by
Chris Callaghan, Children's Author, The Story Corner from Bookmark

Thrilled to get my hands on the latest edition of Bookmark‘s The Story Corner.

Such an honour to have written the introduction (with my dog, Milo) to this fabulous magazine which is specially created to encourage those who don’t normally engage in books to find a love of reading. These copies are packed with stories and activities and are heading out into schools across the UK. I’m sure they will be snapped up by pupils keen to get started in this new year.

Bookmark do so much to inspire our young readers and you can download a FREE copy from the link here.


Front cover and page layouts by the fantastic Sarah Harrison.

Teach Primary Awards Shortlist Chaos!!!

 in Awards  tagged awards / shortlist / Teach Primary by

Utterly delighted to see my ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ series shortlisted in Teach Primary‘s 2021 Awards!

With huge thanks to the ever-awesome Zoë Clarke, our amazing illustrator Amit Tayal and all the team at Big Cat Collins & HarperCollins Children’s Books UK for their endless sense of fun and adventure.

We have some tough competition, but it’s great to be in there fighting!

The winners will be announced in October.


Call to action … Chaos Crew ?