Top new picture book picks!

We have some fabulous new picture books to share with you. Check out our top picks below with everything from playtime rhymes to trains and diggers, we have plenty of new stories for you to discover!


The Dam by David Almond, illustrated by Levi Pinfold

A lyrical, captivating and beautiful picture book by Carnegie Medal-winner David Almond, illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal-winner Levi Pinfold.

This astonishing picture book combines themes of loss, hope and music as David Almond pays homage to all musicians, showing the ancient and unstoppable power of creativity.

Time Now to Dream by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

“This must be among Helen Oxenbury’s most beautiful work … exquisite” The Times 

When Alice and Jack are out playing, they hear a strange noise. Alice wants to know what it is, but Jack is afraid. He thinks it might be the Wicked Wolf with big, bad claws and snap-trap jaws. But Alice takes his hand and they follow the noise, right into the heart of the forest… Just what will they discover there? Timothy Knapman's atmospheric narration alongside Helen Oxenbury’s spectacular illustrations skilfully convey Jack’s growing fear and Alice’s curious excitement, all the while building towards the reveal of that mysterious sound…

Big Digger Little Digger by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Daron Parton

A story about a little digger with a very big heart, perfect for all fans of construction site stories!

Little Digger loves to work hard, digging holes all day long. “Little digger, little digger, little digger,” he hums happily as he digs. But, one day, an especially BIG hole needs to be dug, and so in comes … BIG DIGGER. He begins to dig the biggest hole that anyone on the building site has ever seen… With the arrival of Big Digger, will there still be a place for Little Digger on the building site? A heart-warming read-aloud story about the power of hard work, teamwork and positivity.

Follow the Track All the Way Back by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Ben Mantle

Today is a big day for little Train ... he's going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time!

Little Train is going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time! But before he goes, his mummy and daddy remind him: “When it’s time to come home, no matter how far you are, just follow the track all the way back, where we’ll be waiting.” So Little Train heads off into the unknown with a clickety-clack… But, when night falls and the track runs out, will he remember what to do? Taking its place beside the classic The Little Engine That Could, young readers will share Little Train’s trepidation and excitement in this uplifting and extraordinary read-aloud adventure, and rejoice in the gorgeously atmospheric artwork of illustrator Ben Mantle.

             

His Royal Tinyness by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by David Roberts

A new baby story that turns the sibling lament into a hilarious memoir. Meet the rightful heir to the throne: the big sister!

Marianna, the most beautiful, ever so kindest princess, lives happily with her mum, dad and gerbil. Happy, that is, until the new baby comes along. His Royal Highness King Baby is so smelly. He’s so noisy. And all the talk in the Land is about him – non-stop. ALL THE TIME! 

New York Times bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones’ hilarious narrative voice is brought exquisitely to life by David Roberts in this home-grown fairy tale about a little girl with a new baby brother.

Wiggly Wiggly by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Chris Riddell

Wiggle, jiggle and giggle along with this board-book of playtime rhymes.

A board-book collection of playtime rhymes from not one but two Children's Laureates. Join a band of mischievous monkeys, tigers, lions, elephants and bears as they tippy-tap, boing-boing, wiggle-wiggle and wave hello – and goodbye! The most energetic poems from the award-winning anthology A Great Big Cuddle have found the perfect new home in this friendly format. Michael Rosen has adapted his rhymes so that even the very littlest readers can join in; Chris Riddell's vibrant, extraordinary pictures fizz off the page. Pairing two of the biggest names in the world of children’s books, Wiggly Wiggly is a small book that contains a lot of action!

Guess How Much We Love Playing Outdoors

Haven’t we had a beautiful summer? 

Here at Walker, we have spent lots of time enjoying the sunshine. Now that it’s September the autumnal chill will soon be creeping in, but don’t despair – our favourite pair of nutbrown hares are here to keep the sunshine coming! Here I Am! is a beautiful new finger puppet book from Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, inspired by the well-loved classic Guess How Much I Love You.  

The book follows Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare as they play a game of hide-and-seek. Reading about the adorable duo playing through fields and in the ferns has made us all nostalgic about our favourite outdoor memories. Here’s a lovely selection from the team!

Nghiem Ta, Art Director

As a special treat, my brother and I would visit a nearby playground. I used to love the swings and the slide! My brother and I would take turns to sit on the swings and push each other. Near the park was a river, so after we played, we would go and feed the ducks. I think it’s wonderful that sometimes the best outdoors things are free!

Mara Alperin, Creative Commissioning Editor

I have always loved playing games outside. In the woods behind my house, there was an old pine tree, and from its branches hung a rope swing. My Dad used to push me in the swing so I could pretend that I was flying. “Don't forget your fairy dust,” he would say, and I would sprinkle the “dust” to enact the magic (sometimes I even wore fairy wings as well!). “I can fly, I can fly,” I would sing.

Ruby Constable, Assistant Editor

My parents often took my whole rabble of siblings on long country walks when I was little. Wherever we went, we’d soon find the tallest trees to climb and make up elaborate games to play, giggling and squabbling as we went. Looking back, we must have been a bit of a shock to the mild-mannered country ramblers and Sunday morning dog walkers. We never had to call “Here I Am!” because everyone knew we were there.

What do you love doing outside? Do you have a particular favourite place, an excellent hiding spot or a special memory you’d like to share? Let us know below! And don’t forget to go looking for Here I Am! (hopefully not hiding) in bookshops near you.

Picture Book of the Month - Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill

What happens when a little cookie gets up on the wrong side of bed?

Prepare to fall absolutely in love with this irresistible cookie, crumbly chocolate chips and all. 

OH NO! Barbra the cactus won’t stop playing her recorder, the yummy strawberry toothpaste has run out, and now – to top it all off – Cookie has to have his hair cut! Which all makes for one VERY ANGRY little cookie... But perhaps you, the reader, can find a way to turn his grumpy frown upside down? This wildly inventive, interactive, laugh-out-loud tale brings together Laura Dockrill's one-of-a-kind voice and Maria Karipidou's hilarious illustrations.

Watch the Angry Cookie trailer below! Plus you can see Laura read part of the book.

        
        

Laura Dockrill, a graduate of the Brit School of Performing Arts, is a performance poet, an author and an illustrator. At the age of twenty-two, she was named one of The Times’ "Top Ten Literary Stars". She is the author of the bestselling Darcy Burdock series and Lorali. Angry Cookie is her debut picture book. Find her online at lauradockrill.co.uk and on Twitter and Instagram.  

Maria Karipidou studied Communication Design, and has since illustrated a number of children's books, working mostly with French and German publishing houses. In 2015, she received the Leipziger Lesekompass Award at the Leipzig Book Fair. Find her online at www.mariakaripidou.de.

To enter the competition just enter your name and email address below.   

WIN

The competition is now closed. Good luck!