New January Picture Book Releases

Kick off the new year right with a selection of our January releases below! 

Baby, Sleepy Baby
by Atinuke and illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

Baby, sleepy baby, I'll sing down the stars

Till they dance right into your room.

A beautiful and lyrical book that celebrates the warmth and tenderness of wrapping baby in night-time's embrace. Based on a Nigerian lullaby sung to Atinuke by her father, this story delights in the magical moments shared with a whole family and their baby at bedtime.

Isabelle and the Crooks
by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Chris Mould

Isabelle Crook is a very good little girl who would never dream of breaking the law. Her family, on the other hand, are the stealthiest, most cunning burglars around! Can Isabelle ever feel like one of the gang – a true Crook – while staying true to herself? Irreverent and adventurous, this picture book comedy sees everyone tip-toeing about at night and is brought to life by Chris Mould's expressive, gloriously detailed illustrations.

The Think Ups
by Claire Alexander

It's a rainy day, and Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors, wondering what to play next. Suddenly, Kiki has an idea for a new game. "All you have to do," she explains, "is think up a Think-Up, and it will appear!" And she thinks up … BUNNIES! Then they conjure up the most marvellous, magnificent MOOSE! And octopi! And nine HUNGRY koalas! Hmm … is it possible to UN-think a Think-Up? With half-cut pages that make for funny surprises at every turn, this is a fresh celebration of imaginary play for the youngest of children.

I am Hungry
by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Robert Starling

Look out, this squirrel is HUNGRY. So hungry it could eat boiled rice, chocolate mice, a gingerbread man ... even a frying pan! Is there anything it WON'T eat?

A rollicking ride of increasing absurdity and imagination, this hilarious picture book captures the occasional outlandishness of toddler moods. Based on the popular poem from A Great Big Cuddle, I Am Hungry is a terrific read-aloud from the master of rhyme, Michael Rosen, coupled with brilliantly bold illustration from Robert Starling.

Tales from the Inner City
by Shaun Tan

Where can we live if not in each other's shadow?

World-renowned artist Shaun Tan applies his extraordinary talent to a reflection on the nature of humans and animals and our urban co-existence. From animals as disparate as crocodiles, tigers, bees and whales, this is a dark and surreal exploration of the perennial love we feel and destruction we inflict – and shows how animals, whether domestic, feral or really wild, can save us, and how we are entwined, for better or for worse. Tales from the Inner City is a truly masterly work, bearing all of Shaun Tan's trademark wit and poignancy in both its prose and exquisite illustrations.

Lion Lullaby
by Kate Banks and illustrated by Lauren Tobia

The sun begins to set on the savannah, and ten little lions must find their way home before dark. One by one, lion cubs emerge from trees, past bouncing monkeys and braying zebras. They cross a stream, watch a herd of thundering wildebeest, and explore the darkening beauty of the landscape. As the moon rises, ten little lion cubs curl up together just in time for bedtime, under their mothers' watch in a space that is cosy and warm. Kate Banks's gorgeously melodic text, paired with Lauren Tobia's charming illustrations, create a lullaby to ensure the sweetest of dreams.

Anthony and the Gargoyle
by Jo Ellen Bogart and illustrated by Maja Kastelic

Anthony wakes up one morning to find his favourite rock has cracked open – and it's hollow! He discovers a strange-looking hatchling inside, and the two become fast friends. When Anthony asks his mother where the rock came from, she shows him photos from their trip to Paris, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, with familiar-looking forms perched on top. Could Anthony's new friend be a gargoyle?

This magical wordless story is brought to life in stunning, silent, hand-painted panels and is a touching tale of true friendship and letting go.

Owls Are Cool
by Timothy Knapman and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

Oscar is an owl, a COOL owl. And cool owls DO NOT fly – they RUN. ZOOOOOOOOOM! So when snowy owl Reggie comes along, swooping and swooshing through the sky, Oscar's not impressed at all. But when Reggie crashes into a tree, Oscar discovers that maybe they are not so different from one another after all…

A funny and heartwarming story about how being different is cool. It introduces the burrowing owl and their spectacular legs and beautiful burrows to small children.

Jelly-Boy
by Nicole Godwin and illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

What happens when a jellyfish falls in love with a plastic bag she mistakes for a jelly-boy? Jelly-Boy is different. He is big and strong. And not as wobbly as the other Jelly-Boys. By the time Jelly-Girl discovers the dangerous truth about her new friend, it may already be too late.

This is an inventive approach to tackling a conservation issue that is plaguing our world: too much plastic in the ocean. Told in a kid-friendly and humorous way, this is a story with the potential to encourage dialogue around an important issue.

Some Dinosaurs Are Small
by Charlotte Voake

Some dinosaurs are small, and some dinosaurs are BIG. Some dinosaurs have tiny teeth for munching leaves, and some dinosaurs have pointy teeth for munching … OTHER dinosaurs! UH-OH. Some dinosaurs need to RUN!

In pure pantomime spirit, children will want to cry out, "He's behind you!" in this bright, bold and thrilling picture book from one of the most acclaimed contemporary children's bookmakers, Charlotte Voake.

Now out in paperback.

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All of our January releases are now available from all good booksellers.