As Christmas draws ever closer, we wanted to share with you all some of our picture book highlights from 2020, all perfect gifts for the little ones in your life!
Santa Post
by Emma Yarlett
Santa receives letters of Christmas wishes from children all over the world. But this year there's one that just doesn't make sense. What does this child want for Christmas? Santa is determined to find out! An irresistible festive follow-up to the internationally bestselling Dragon Post and Beast Feast. This joyous novelty book sparkles with Emma Yarlett’s vibrant illustrations and quirky humour, and is full of lots more hilarious letters to open.
Click here to download our Santa Post activity sheets and watch our trailer below!
Honey For You, Honey For Meby Michael Rosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell
Flying pigs, wobbling plates of jelly and a giant with a terrible fear of mice: welcome to the topsy-turvy world of nursery rhymes. Inspired by his lifelong fascination with these wonderful, riddling rhymes, Michael Rosen has placed familiar playground songs beside forgotten gems for a seminal new collection, which Chris Riddell has brought to vivid life with his magnificent, exuberant pictures. Expect familiar faces, from little Jumping Joan to Miss Mary Mack-Mack-Mack – but also plenty of mischievous surprises. With over thirty rhymes to choose between, this is a book for families to share and treasure.
Join Michael as he reads from his new collection of nursery rhymes, Honey For You, Honey for Me below!
The Midnight Fair
by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio
A spectacular, surreal and cinematic wordless picture book about the secret life of animals.
Far from the city, but not quite in the countryside, lies a fairground. When night falls, and the fair is empty, something unexpected happens. Wild animals emerge from the trees, a brave raccoon pulls a lever, and the rollercoasters and rides explode back into bright, neon life. Now it’s time for the woodland creatures to have some fun…
A spectacular, surreal and cinematic wordless picture book about the secret life of animals.
Ella's Night Lights
by Lucy Fleming
Ella has always dreamed of seeing the sunrise. But with her delicate gossamer wings, she can only come out at night. So, when the moon is high, she collects as many shimmering beams of light she can find – a twinkle from a star, the glow from a lamp post. With her light, she guides lost and lonely animals and finds friendship in Fox and Owl. And, together, Ella’s animal friends know just how to return her kindness... A gentle, tender storybook about friendship and the power of kindness.
Click here to download Lucy Fleming's Ella's Night Lights activity sheet.
Julian at the Wedding
by Jessica Love
Julian and his nana are attending a wedding. Better yet, Julian is in the wedding along with his cousin Marisol. When wedding duties are fulfilled and with a new dog friend in tow, the pair takes off to roam the venue, exploring everywhere from underneath tables to enchanting willow trees to ... muddy puddles? After all, it wouldn’t be a wedding without fun, laughter and a little magical mischief. With ingenuity and heart, author-illustrator Jessica Love tells a charming story of friendship, acceptance and celebration.
Click here to download our Julian at the Wedding activity sheets!
Norse Tales: Stores From Across the Rainbow Bridgeby Kevin Crossley-Holland and illustrated Jeffrey Alan Love
Enter an ancient world of green glades and glaciers, where gods and goddesses spread their magic whilst rock-giants and mountain-trolls roam. This astonishing new collection of Norse tales from the award-winning Kevin Crossley-Holland – with Jeffrey Alan Love’s arresting illustrations – will enthral readers of all ages.
Will You Be My Friend?
by Sam McBratney and illustrated Anita Jeram
You fell in love with the Nutbrown
Hares in Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram’s classic picture book, Guess
How Much I Love You, and now they’re back in a brand new story, Will
You Be My Friend?
Little
Nutbrown Hare sets off exploring on his own. Off he hops along the path
and through the grass until he reaches Cloudy Mountain, where something
extraordinary happens: he discovers a new friend. This gentle story of
burgeoning independence and first friendship will resonate with readers of
all ages. Told with the sweetness and simplicity that are the hallmark of
Sam McBratney’s writing, and illustrated in Anita Jeram’s signature style,
it’s destined to become another beloved family read-aloud.
Rain Before Rainbows
by Smriti Halls and illustrated by David Litchfield
Rain before rainbows. Clouds before sun.Night before daybreak. A new day’s begun.
A girl and her companion fox travel together from a place of loss and despair, through uncertain times, towards the hope of colour, light and life. Along the way, they find friends to guide and support them. Together, they build a glorious future and discover there is a way out of the darkness, into the light of the rainbow. A book with immense hope at its heart, this is a positive message for anyone who’s ever gone through a tough time.
Click here to download our Rain Before Rainbows activity sheets and to watch a very special reading from the one and only Stanley Tucci!
Rain before rainbows. Clouds before sun.
Night before daybreak. A new day’s begun.
A girl and her companion fox travel together from a place of loss and despair, through uncertain times, towards the hope of colour, light and life. Along the way, they find friends to guide and support them. Together, they build a glorious future and discover there is a way out of the darkness, into the light of the rainbow. A book with immense hope at its heart, this is a positive message for anyone who’s ever gone through a tough time.
Where Snow Angels Go
by Maggie O'Farrell and illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazinni
Where Snow Angels Go is the extraordinary and compelling modern fairy tale from award-winning storyteller Maggie O'Farrell, with gorgeous illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. Read more about this perfectly wintery tale below, and make sure to watch our snowy trailer, and try our snowflake-filled activity sheets.
Sylvie wakes one night, suddenly, without knowing why. Then she sees the most spectacular sight – a pair of wings, enormous in size, made of the softest snow-white feathers imaginable. An angel in her bedroom … a snow angel.
Where Snow Angels Go has been chosen as the Independent Bookshops' Children's Book of the Month for November. Read more here.
Click here to download our Where Snow Angels Go activity sheets, watch our trailer below and click here to watch our launch event with both Maggie and Daniela!
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All of these wonderful picture books are now available from all good booksellers!