WIN a signed copy of Lots by Nicola Davies

Lots is a stylish non-fiction picture book that conveys the magnificent diversity of life on this planet.

From the award-winning team behind Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes comes Lots, a beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of biodiversity for younger readers. There are living things everywhere: the more we look, the more we find. There are creatures on the tops of the tallest jungle trees, at the bottom of the coldest oceans, even under the feathers of birds and in boiling volcanic pools. So how many different kinds are there? One, two, three ... lots! 

With beautiful words from Nicola Davies and exquisite illustrations by Emily Sutton, this groundbreaking book is certain to enchant and inspire children.

WIN

Here at Walker HQ we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the launch of Lots than by giving away a copy signed by both Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton! Plus a beautiful limited edition Lots print. Five runners up will also get a limited edition print. To enter, just email competitions@walker.co.uk with 'Lots' in the subject line before 31st May 2017. Terms and conditions apply.

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author, whose many books for children include Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes, A First Book of Nature, The Promise, Ice Bear, Big Blue Whale, Just Ducks! and the Heroes of the Wild series. She graduated in zoology, studied whales and bats and then worked for the BBC Natural History Unit. Nicola lives in Crickhowell, Wales. Visit Nicola at nicola-davies.com, or follow her on Twitter under the handle: @nicolakidsbooks.

Emily Sutton graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a degree in illustration. As well as illustrating picture books, she paints, sculpts and designs prints. Emily's first picture book, Clara Button and the Magical Hat Day, was published by the V&A. Emily lives in York. Visit Emily at www.emillustrates.com

"For five- to eight-year-olds, there’s another love song to the natural world from Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, the team behind Tiny. Lots: The Diversity of Life on Earth counts up from a single human child to species-rich spreads of submarine, jungle and desert landscapes – and warns that without due care, humanity will erode the world’s biodiversity down from “lots” to “one”. Clear, direct, involving text, coupled with vivid, delicate illustrations make for a truly special work of non-fiction." - The Guardian

Fantastic reviews for Walker picture books

We are delighted to see three fantastic reviews of Walker picture books appear on The Guardian this week.

Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis.

“This story is written in “bug language”, an idea that borders on lunacy but is in practice a joy and a quirky triumph. It is enormous fun reading this book aloud and trying to decipher exchanges between talkative insects.” - The Guardian

Patrick and the President by Ryan Tubridy, with illustrations by PJ Lynch.

“The story of President Kennedy’s visit to County Wexford in Ireland in 1963 ... what makes it winning is the sense that it is a true story and the tremendous sense of the period brought home in Lynch’s accomplished, emotionally acute illustrations.” - The Guardian

Penguin Problems by Jory John, with illustrations by Lane Smith.

“A small philosophy manual for readers of all ages is provided by the wonderfully original Penguin Problems.” - The Guardian

All of these brilliant picture books are out now, and you can find them at your local bookshop.

Top picture book picks for April

April showers bring...our top five picture book picks! Add some sunshine to your children's bookshelves with a forgetful mole, a hungry cat, and some beautifully-illustrated tales of the flora and fauna of our world. Check out our top picks for this month here!

Mrs Mole, I’m Home!

From Jarvis, the creator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, comes another unmissable, hilarious adventure about a daddy mole who has mislaid his spectacles. Morris can’t find them anywhere. So, he decides to go on without them, trusting his instincts to lead him home to his waiting family and delicious dinner of worm noodles. “Mrs Mole, I’m homeeee!” he sings, as he burrows right into some poor unsuspecting rabbit family’s hole. Oh dear. Without his spectacles, Morris really can’t see a thing – how will he ever get home? Jarvis will have all readers rooting for Morris and rejoicing in the idea that – glasses or no glasses – you can always make your way back to home sweet home.

Trees

Trees change through the seasons – springing to life, bearing fruit and losing their leaves. They clean the air we breathe, provide seeds and homes for creatures and extend their shade to everyone equally. Trees is a poetic picture book that invites the reader to take a closer look at the magnificent trees that surround us.

Lots

From the award-winning team behind Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes comes Lots, a beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of biodiversity for younger readers. There are living things everywhere: the more we look, the more we find. There are creatures on the tops of the tallest jungle trees, at the bottom of the coldest oceans, even under the feathers of birds and in boiling volcanic pools. So how many different kinds are there? One, two, three... lots! With beautiful words from Nicola Davies and exquisite illustrations by Emily Sutton, this groundbreaking book is certain to enchant and inspire children.

Town Is by the Sea

Stunning illustrations by Sydney Smith, the award-winning illustrator of Footpath Flowers, show the striking contrast between a sparkling seaside day and the darkness underground where the miners dig. The ever-present ocean and inevitable pattern of life in a mining town will enthral children and move adult readers, as a young boy wakes up to the sound of the sea, visits his grandfather's grave after lunch and comes home to a cosy dinner with his family, but all the while his mind strays to his father digging for coal deep down under the sea.

Can’t Catch Me!

A wicked, wild read-aloud romp from Timothy Knapman, author of Soon, and Simona Ciraolo, winner of the Sebastian Walker Prize, this is the story of Jake, the fastest mouse there ever was. NO ONE can catch him. Not the fox, not the wolf, not even the bear. “Can’t catch me,” teases Jake. “I’m the fastest mouse in the world!” But cunning Old Tom Cat has his eye on that sweet, young mouse for his dinner and he’s got a plan…








You can get your paws on all these books at your local bookshop. Happy reading! 

Win the picture book of the month, Mrs Mole, I’m Home!

From Jarvis, creator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, comes another truly unmissable, hilarious adventure about a daddy mole who has mislaid his spectacles. 

Morris can’t find them anywhere. So, he decides to go on without them, trusting his instincts to lead him the right way home to his waiting family and delicious dinner of worm noodles, with laugh out loud consequences!

Behind the scenes with Jarvis

We’re excited to welcome Jarvis to the Picture Book Party blog for a behind-the-scenes on the making of Mrs Mole, I’m Home!

“MRS MOLE, I’M HOOOOME! was the first line I wrote, and it all fell into place from there. The concept is very simple, a lost mole popping up in the wrong home, but it had lots of scope for jokes. I had in mind a kind of American sitcom, with a live audience, and after touring Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth in schools around the country I wanted to make a book that had funny lines, and jokes peppered all the way through. It’s a book that I made to read aloud…with lots of silly voices.

If the words came ‘easy’ the visuals were definitely not. Every book for me has lots of challenges and choices, and it took me a long time to get the right direction, not so much with the characters but more so the environments and technique. I didn’t want the book to be gloomy, muddy and brown…even if half of the book is underground. So the challenge was to make it feel dirty, earthy and natural but using a bright, full-on colour palette.

The environments were really important to this book, each place needed to feel very different than the last, there were no short cuts! But, with help from the gang at Walker, and by following my (big) nose, I got there in the end.”

WIN Mrs Mole, I’m Home!

To celebrate the launch of Mrs Mole, I’m Home! we’ve got five copies of the book with exclusive posters to give away! To enter just answer this question:

In Jarvis’ new book what has Morris Mole lost?

a)       His spectacles

b)       His bow tie

c)       His waistcoat

To enter, just email competitions@walker.co.uk with 'Mrs Mole, I’m Home' in the subject line, before 30th April 2017. Terms and conditions apply.

Join in the fun and download these free Mrs Mole, I’m Home activity sheets and pick up a copy of Mrs Mole, I’m Home at your local bookshop. Plus, take a look at this brilliant animated trailer that the talented Jarvis has created!

     

Jarvis studied graphic design and previously worked as both a record sleeve designer and an animation director before becoming a children's book illustrator. Alan's Big, Scary Teeth was met with great acclaim, the New York Times writing: "The witty Jarvis makes all the right moves". About his picture book inspiration, Jarvis says, "The way I work is always visual. I will have an image or character in mind and I pull a story out of it. I doodle and doodle and doodle until I get it right."