Celebrating Independent Bookshop Week with Maisy

It’ll be no surprise to learn that Walker’s Maisy team have always loved bookshops. We asked the Editors to share some of their favourite childhood memories from browsing the shelves for their favourite stories.

Mara – Senior Editor, Character Publishing

Every year, my grandparents would come to look after my brother, my sister and I for a week. One of the first things we always did was drive to our local bookshop – Aunt Louise’s Bookshop – where each of us was allowed to pick out our very own book!

I was very lucky to grow up near a wonderful library, where I spent many afternoons… but still there was something so special about choosing my own book – to keep!
Like Maisy, I would start by wandering down the aisles, perusing the books and reading about hippos and ducklings and caterpillars. I gave all the potential candidates to my grandmother to hold, and then I would plonk myself down on the cosy beanbag chairs while sorting into piles of “yes” and “maybe next time”. When my brother and sister and I had finally chosen that one special book, we would snuggle up and read our new books together over and over again. Just as Maisy and her friends do!

This year for Independent Bookshop Week, I plan to go to my lovely local bookshop The Alligator’s Mouth, where I will be found meandering among the bookcases and up and down the stairs until I find that one special book to take home with me!

Ruby – Assistant Editor, Character Publishing

I have a big, busy and very loud family, so reading books when I was younger was always an opportunity to escape the noise and enter into my own world. Going to bookshops meant getting to choose where to escape to next… A pirate ship! A fairy castle! An alien planet! The choices were endless. Just like Maisy, I spent a lot of time dreaming up new places to explore and things to be with my friends.

I still get the same rush of excitement when I go into a bookshop today: that feeling that anything is possible. There must be some magic spell that all bookshop owners are in on, because I think no matter where you are or where you go, bookshops have this wonderful mix of tweed and fairy dust in the air. You walk in, and you feel immediately like you’ve entered a secret treasure cave, or the hallowed halls of some ancient place of learning. And then you dive in! I could – and have – got lost between the stacks for hours, torn between giant tomes of bizarre historical goings on and beautiful, bright picture books. That’s why I love Independent Bookshop Week so much; it’s the perfect excuse to explore some of the world’s most magical shops, new and old, and find my next favourite story. Just like Maisy does.

Visit the bookshop with Maisy and her friends in Maisy Goes to the Bookshop – out now! And don’t forget to look for Maisy events at your local bookshop for Independent Bookshop Week.

Top picture book picks for summer

We've officially reached summer, so what better way to celebrate than by telling you all about our lovely picture books out this month, all delightful summer reads. 

Ellie and Lump's Very Busy Day

In this big-hearted and bouncy read-aloud story about a special day in the life of two adorable elephants, Ellie and Lump are bubbling with energy from the moment they wake up – they’re just ready to explode! There’s a lot to do: boing-boing-bouncing on beds, split-splatting eggs for breakfast, whizz-whooshing around on supermarket trollies and blowing up balloons. They’re planning a big birthday surprise … but who is it for? Illustrator Becky Palmer captures the joy and excitement of a day out with mum and the thrills of planning a party, while the read-aloud text with wonderfully rhythmical sound effects makes this a fizzy first reading experience perfect for sharing with toddlers.

A Brave Bear

In this joyful story about children and their parents from the author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise, a daddy bear and a baby bear spend a very special day together. It's as hot as hot can be, and Dad Bear says, "I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world." So Little Bear suggests that they go to the river to cool down. But what will happen when Little Bear tries to impress his dad by doing a big jump across the rocks? The perfect present for Daddy Bear and Baby Bears alike, all readers will rejoice in the gorgeous characterization, the warmth of the storytelling and the deliciously detailed artwork of illustration star, Emily Hughes.


Elsie Piddock Skips in her Sleep

Elsie Piddock is a born skipper. By the age of seven, news of her skipping talents has reached the fairies and they invite her to Mount Caburn for lessons. The High Skip, the Slow Skip, the Skip Double-Double, the Long Skip, the Strong Skip, the Skip Against Trouble… Elsie Piddock learns them all, and soon there’s not a mortal or fairy to touch her. Many, many years later, a greedy Lord buys Mount Caburn and threatens to build factories on its land. Can Elsie Piddock save the skipping ground for the next generation? Sparkling with charm and a liberal sprinkling of fairy dust, Elsie Piddock's story is one to be cherished.

All in One Piece

"If you are not familiar with these stories, you really have not lived ... you just couldn't get better" Guardian 
A hilarious tale of family life, this is a beautiful new edition of a modern picture book classic in the Large Family series, Mr and Mrs Large the elephants are putting on their best suit and dress – they're going to a dinner-dance! But, with Lester, Laura, Luke and the baby determined to help Mum and Dad get ready, will they make it out all in one piece? With a foreword and gorgeous foil lettering on the cover and spine, this is a beautiful book to treasure.

Mr Large in Charge 

The perfect Father's Day gift! Mrs Large isn't feeling too good. So Mr Large sends her back to bed. "I'll take charge," he says. Mrs Large settles down for a nice rest while Mr Large and the children get busy hoovering, dusting and tidying. But Mrs Large's day doesn't turn out to be quite as restful as she had first hoped! With a foreword and gorgeous foil lettering on the cover and spine, this is a beautiful book to treasure.

Pick up a copy of all these books in your local bookshop.

Join in the fun and download our free A Brave Bear and Mrs, Mole, I'm Home! activity sheets.

Top picture book picks for Father's Day

It’s Father’s Day and an occasion to rejoice wonderful daddies and papas everywhere. We've hand-picked some of our favourite picture books which involve Dads.

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for in Jabari Jumps. Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swimming test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board...

Morris the mole can’t find his glasses 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. “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 single thing – how will he ever get home? With perfect comic timing and a whole lot of heart, Jarvis will have all readers rooting for daddy Morris to find his family, and rejoicing in the idea that – glasses or no glasses – you can always make your way back to home sweet home.

What is the bravest thing in the world? A brave bear, of course! And who is the best at helping a little bear be brave? His dad, of course!

Sean Taylor and Emily Hughes’ perfectly pitched picture book story of a father and child sharing an adventure is the ideal read to share with your child. A Brave Bear is about the beginning of a child becoming independent and fending for themselves and it’s about a father taking a gentle step backwards (but close enough to step in if needs be) to afford his child the freedom and space to do that.

"Captures the easy rhythms of a sweet father-child connection" New York Times 

Can a young boy figure out how to turn an obstacle into an opportunity in this nearly wordless picture book?

A morning of fun with Dad takes a turn for the boring when a long to-do list interferes. At first content to let Dad cross things off his list, the boy in the story soon realizes that the whole day will be spent on chores — unless he can come up with a solution. In Things to Do with Dad, with a singularly expressive, kid-friendly style, author-illustrator Sam Zuppardi crafts a colorful celebration of the fun that can be had with just a little imagination — and a trusty green crayon.

Pick up a copy of all these books in your local bookshop.

Join in the fun and download our free A Brave Bear activity sheets.

Celebrate Father's Day and WIN a copy of A Brave Bear and a £100 John Lewis gift voucher

Father's Day is just around the corner and there are so many fantastic Dads in the world, we decided to give away some fantastic prizes to six of our lucky readers. One winner will receive a copy of A Brave Bear and a £100 John Lewis gift voucher, with five runners-up receiving a copy of A Brave Bear.

What is the bravest thing in the world? A brave bear, of course! And who is the best at helping a little bear be brave? His dad, of course!

From the author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise and the illustrator of Wild, comes a story of a daddy and a baby bear, on a day that's as hot as hot can be. When Dad Bear says, "I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world," Little Bear suggests that they go all the way to the river to cool down. But what will happen when Little Bear tries to impress his dad by doing a big jump across the rocks? Told from the perspective of Little Bear and capturing his determination to be big and brave just like his dad, the youngest of readers will rejoice in the gorgeous characterization, the warmth of the storytelling and the deliciously detailed artwork of illustration star, Emily Hughes.

To enter, just email competitions@walker.co.uk with the subject line FATHER'S DAY.
Hurry, competition closes soon! Just in time for Father's Day on 15/06/17.
Terms and conditions apply.

Pick up a copy of A Brave Bear at your local bookshop, and join in the fun and download our free A Brave Bear activity sheets here.

“The text perfectly catches some of those special interactions between parent and child, and illustrator Emily Hughes makes the bears particularly endearing.” Andrea Reece, LoveReading
        

WIN a copy of Mrs Mole, I’m Home! and a Going to the Zoo Gro to Bed bedding set!

We’ve teamed up with baby sleep experts The Gro Company to celebrate the joy of sharing a book at bedtime.

June sees the next instalment of our Bedtime Book Club; so burrow away this summer with a copy of Mrs Mole, I’m Home! and a snuggly Going to the Zoo Gro to Bed bedding set.

Mrs Mole, I’m Home! by Jarvis

"Jarvis, master of fabulous foolery, returns with Mrs Mole, I’m Home! … featuring a short-sighted earth-dweller who, mislaying his glasses, tunnels into several erroneous lairs, this delightfully retro book boasts perfectly judged repetition … and a running joke about the whereabouts of the missing specs; reading it aloud should trigger instant cries of “Again!” The Guardian

Author-illustrator Jarvis has just won the prestigious V&A Illustration Award for Best Illustrated Book for his previous picture book, Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, and he’s guaranteed to have you and your little ones in stitches at bedtime!

Going to the Zoo Gro to Bed

Have fun with all the animals at the zoo with this Gro to Bed bedding set. It’s great for toddlers making the transition from cot to bed or Grobag to bedding. This Going to the Zoo Gro to Bed bedding set is sized for single beds.

WIN a copy of Mrs Mole, I’m Home! and a Going to the Zoo Gro to Bed bedding set!

We’ve got three Bedtime Bookclub goody bags to give away this month, each including a Going to the Zoo Gro to Bed bedding set and a copy of Mrs Mole, I’m Home! Five runners up will win a copy of the book and a poster.

To enter, just email your name and address to competitions@walker.co.uk with ‘Mole Grobag' in the subject line for your chance to win.

Competition closes on 6^th July 2017. Terms and conditions apply.

Pick up a copy of Mrs Mole, I’m Home! at your local bookshop, and browse The Gro company’s sleep products on their website.

Join in the fun and download our free Mrs Mole, I’m Home! activity sheets here.

Win the picture book of the month, Ellie and Lump's Very Busy Day

Join Ellie and Lump – two toddler elephants – on their very busy (very noisy) day!

In this big-hearted and bouncy read-aloud story about a special day in the life of two adorable elephants, Ellie and Lump are bubbling with energy from the moment they wake up – they’re just ready to explode! There’s a lot to do: boing-boing-bouncing on beds, split-splatting eggs for breakfast, whizz-whooshing around on supermarket trollies and blowing up balloons. They’re planning a big birthday surprise … but who is it for? 

Illustrator Becky Palmer captures the joy and excitement of a day out with mum and the thrills of planning a party, while the read-aloud text with wonderfully rhythmical sound effects makes this a fizzy first reading experience perfect for sharing with toddlers.

WIN

We have five copies of Ellie and Lump's Very Busy Day give away! To enter, just answer this question:

What animal are Ellie and Lump?

a) Flamingos

b) Giraffes

c) Elephants

Email your answer along with your name and address to competitions@walker.co.uk with ‘Ellie and Lump' in the subject line for your chance to win. Competition closes on 7th July 2017. Terms and conditions apply.

Pick up a copy of Ellie and Lump's Very Busy Day in your local bookshop.

Join in the fun and download our free Ellie and Lump's Very Busy Day activity sheets.

Dorothy Clark left art school just after the Second World war beginning work as an illustrator in an advertising studio. As a pleasant change from her day job, she would make Christmas card designs for the Gordon Fraser Gallery. But her break into the children's publishing world began as the artist on a series of cloth books about Rupert Bear and friends. And, after a chance meeting with the assistant editor of Nursery World magazine on an Italian holiday, Dorothy would provide column fillers for the publication for years and years to come. Her picture book Grandpa's Handerkerchief - illustrated by Siobhan Dodds - was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize. Dorothy lives in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.


Becky Palmer is an illustrator, author and comics artist. She graduated from the Cambridge School of Art with an MA in Illustration in 2012, and was awarded the inaugural Sebastian Walker prize. Since then, she has continued to work on narrative projects as an illustrator, alongside further postgraduate study into picture books and comics. She lives in the wilds of Herefordshire and teaches illustration at the University of Worcester. Find Becky online at www.beckypalmer.co.uk.