Cardiff Publisher Launches New Children’s Book to Encourage Reading

CARDIFF PUBLISHER HOPES HILARIOUS NEW BOOK WILL GET CHILDREN READING AGAIN

A Cardiff publisher is hoping to encourage more children to pick up a book this summer with the release of a new comedy adventure from former children’s television producer Chris McGuire

Published by Candy Jar Books, Crooks and Nannies Too follows a secret organisation of highly unusual nannies as they take on the world’s worst villains. Aimed at readers aged six to nine, it’s the second book in the series but can also be read as a standalone story.

The release comes as concerns remain about children’s reading for pleasure, with many teachers and literacy organisations encouraging families to make reading a bigger part of everyday life.

Chris, who previously produced programmes for Disney, Nickelodeon and CBBC, says making children laugh has always been at the heart of what he does.

“It’s basically just me turning everything up a notch. The first book introduced the world, but this one lets me have even more fun with it. It’s bigger, sillier and probably even more ridiculous.”

The new book contains more chaos, new characters and the return of the N.A.U.G.H.T.Y. agency, short for Nannies Against Underworld Gangsters, Hoodlums, Tyrants & Yobs.

Chris says the series is inspired by his own life as a dad, as well as years working in children’s television.

“I spend a lot of time trying to entertain my kids at home anyway,” he says. “Writing just feels like an extension of that. If I can make my own children laugh, I figure other families might enjoy it too.”

Chris is also aware of the wider conversation around children’s reading habits, with recent reports suggesting that while there have been small signs of improvement in 2026, reading for pleasure among young people remains significantly lower than in previous years.

“That’s something I think about a lot,” he says. “Kids have so many distractions now, so if a book can genuinely make them laugh and pull them in, then that’s a win. I’m not trying to compete with screens. I just want to make reading feel fun.”

Keren Williams, Head of Marketing at Candy Jar Books, says the new title continues the publisher’s focus on energetic, accessible children’s fiction.

“The great thing about Crooks and Nannies Too is that it absolutely works as a standalone story, so new readers can jump straight in without having read the first book,” she says. “At Candy Jar we’re actively trying to produce books that are fun, a bit silly, and most importantly get children reading and enjoying stories again.”

Before becoming an author, Chris worked on children’s programmes including Me:TV and Pet School. He has also written official books based on the classic animated series The Raccoons.

Crooks and Nannies Too is published by Cardiff-based Candy Jar Books and is available now from bookshops across Wales and the UK thanks to the Books Council of Wales.