This year, we’ve got some exciting new picture books to refresh your bookshelf, about alligators with false teeth, dogs with very silly names and rapping bears, plus the latest from favourites including Sean Taylor, Jill Murphy and Anita Jeram – and much, much more! For the best children's books, look for the bear.
How to find Gold
Out 5 January 2017
I Am Bear
Out 5 January 2017
Lucky Lazlo
Out 5 January 2017
This is the Kiss
Out 5 January 2017
Frog and Beaver
Out 5 January 2017
The Hamster Book
Out 5 January 2017
Also an Octopus
Out 5 January 2017
Animal Counting
Out 5 January 2017
Du Iz Tak?
Out 3 November 2016
In her follow-up to the internationally acclaimed Home,
Carson Ellis invites readers to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found
in the natural world ... even the humblest back garden! With gorgeous,
exquisitely-detailed illustration that will appear to children and art-lovers
alike, and a wonderfully playful invented language, we soon find ourselves
speaking "Bug" ... Du iz tak? What is that?
Blue Penguin
Out 3 November 2016
A heart-warming fable about a friendship and belonging from
the award-winning illustrator Petr Horacek. "I feel just like a
penguin," says Blue Penguin. "But you're not like us," said the
other penguins and they left him all alone. Poor Blue Penguin. Will he be able
to convince the other penguins he is one of them after all? A moving and
beautifully illustrated story from Petr Horacek, an illustrator described by
the Washington Post as "the thinking tot's Eric Carle".
Penguin Problems
Out 3 November 2016
In this hilarious first collaboration from Jory John and
Lane Smith, a penguin levels with human readers about what penguin life is
really like ... and it isn't all fun and games! Have you ever considered
running away to Antarctica? Of course you have! Because it's a land free of
worries and responsibilities! Think again, my friend. This penguin has come to
tell you that his life down there is no picnic. For starters, it is FREEZING.
Also, penguins have loads of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to
find your mum in a big crowd of identical penguins? This book is sure to tickle
all funny bones, and will elicit appreciative sighs from the adults reading it
aloud, too!
We Found a Hat
Out 11 October 2016
Hold on to your
hats! From the Kate Greenaway-winning creator of I Want My Hat Back and This
Is Not My Hat comes the much-anticipated conclusion to the celebrated
hat trilogy. Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on
both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat... Evoking
hilarity and sympathy, the shifting eyes tell the tale in this perfectly paced
story in three parts, highlighting Jon Klassen’s visual comedy, deceptive simplicity
and deliciously deadpan humour.
The Christmas Eve Tree
Out 6 October 2016
A poignant,
exquisitely illustrated Christmas story, with words by Delia Huddy and pictures
by rising star Emily Sutton. When the ugly little fir tree is taken to the
city, no one wants to buy him; they prefer the big tall trees. But a
homeless boy asks the shopkeeper if he can take the tree, and down by the
river in a cardboard box, decorated with a few candles, the tree finds
itself at the centre of a magical Christmas Eve it will never forget. A
Christmas tale with a classic feel but a modern theme at its heart.
Time Now to Dream
Out 6 October 2016
From Helen Oxenbury and Timothy Knapman comes the story of a brother and sister, and their adventure in the woods. 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 powerful, atmospheric narration alongside Helen Oxenbury’s
spectacular illustrations skilfully convey Jack’s growing fear and Alice’s
curious excitement, all the while building toward the reveal of that mysterious
sound…
A First Book of Animals
Out 6 October 2016
Nicola Davies, the award-winning author of A First
Book of Nature, presents a spellbinding treasury of poems about the animal
world, illustrated in breathtaking detail by Petr Horacek. Polar bears playing
on the ice, tigers hunting in the jungle, fireflies twinkling in the evening
sky and nightingales singing in the heart of the woods – there are animals
everywhere. From blue whales to bumblebee bats and everything in between, A
First Book of Animals takes you all over the planet to visit all kinds
of different creatures. This book is a glorious celebration of life in the wild
in all its variety and splendour, and belongs on every child's bookshelf.
The Little Adventurers: Leafy the Pet Leaf
Out 15 September 2016
From the award-winning Philip Ardagh, and rising
illustration talent Elissa Elwick, comes a brand-new picture book series! Meet
the Little Adventurers – Finnegan, Sprat, Floss and Peanut. Each week they meet
in their top-secret shed HQ, ready to share their fun with you! This week,
Sprat can’t seem to find his cat, Shadow, anywhere. And he absolutely has to
have a pet – it’s bring in a pet day! So, instead, he finds a leaf, draws a
little face on it and… Ta-Da! Sprat has a pet: Leafy! But can you really have a leaf as
a pet? With an activity idea and an information page with every story in the
series, the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and
will ignite the imagination of curious adventurers everywhere.
A Child of Books
Out 1 September 2016
From New York Times
bestselling author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers and typographical artist
Sam Winston comes an exceptional new picture book. In this inspiring, lyrical tale about the rewards of reading and sharing
stories, a little girl sails her raft "across a sea of words" to
arrive at the house of a small boy. There she invites him to come away with her
on an adventure. Elegant
illustrations by Oliver Jeffers are accompanied by Sam Winston’s astonishing
typographical landscapes, beautifully shaped from excerpts of children’s
classics creating a gorgeous gift book perfect for
readers of all ages, and this year’s must-have Christmas gift.
The Singing Bones
Out 1 September 2016
Artist Shaun Tan is world renowned for his singular vision
and storytelling abilities. This art book showcases his sculptural talent,
applied here to fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm. Tan captures the essence
of these tales as he brings traitorous brothers, lonely princesses, cunning
foxes, honourable peasants and ruthless witches to life in surprising – and
illuminating – ways. Introduced by author Neil Gaiman and fairy-tale scholar
Jack Zipes, The Singing Bones is a feast for the eyes, a
profound, powerful celebration of the world's most beloved stories.
Goodnight Everyone
Out 4 August 2016
From the multi
award-winning picture book maker of A Bit Lost, Oh No, George! and
Shh! We Have a Plan, comes the ultimate bedtime book. A series
of exquisitely coloured cut pages of increasing size introduce woodland
families – bears, deer, rabbits and teeny, tiny mice – who are all beginning to
feel really ... rather ... tired ... YAWN! With sublime,
starry night time scenes and an infectious yawny "Good night"
refrain, Chris Haughton creates a lulling bedtime read, perfect for parents and
children to share together.
How to Find Gold
Out 7 January 2016
From the award-winning creator of There are Cats in This Book
comes a story of imaginative play and of two friends, Anna and
Crocodile, who are on the hunt for gold. But finding gold isn’t easy. Oh
no! It’s dangerous and difficult and requires planning. First, they must draw the whole world together, with an X that marks
the spot, before sailing off in their boat. What will the two friends
discover? Teeming with adventurous spirit and boasting wonderfully funny
dialogue, this story introduces two unforgettable characters in a
gorgeous, classic new art style from Viviane Schwarz.
I Am Bear
Out 21 January 2016
If there's trouble, one thing is certain: Bear was there. In (and out)
of his outrageous purple outfit, Bear can do anything – steal honey from
the bees, do magic tricks, steal doughnuts from a police officer, and
annoy a certain pesky squirrel. This hilarious picture book debut of
actor Ben Bailey Smith (aka rapper Doc Brown) and artist Sav Akyuz will
keep young mischief-makers in stitches.
Alan's Big, Scary Teeth
Out 4 February 2016
Meet Alan, an alligator with a secret. Famed for his big, scary teeth, he sneaks into the jungle every day to scare the jungle animals. Then at the end of the day, Alan likes nothing better than to run a warm mud bath and take out
his FALSE TEETH! But what will Allan do when his teeth go missing? What will Alan do now? Scaring is the only thing he knows how to
do! Can he still be scary without them? A goofy comedy of
self-discovery, witty, warm-hearted storytelling and bright graphic art
will make this (and Alan!) a firm children’s book favourite.
Don't Call Me Choochie Pooh!
Out 4 February 2016
From Sean Taylor, author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise, and illustrator Kate Hindley
comes a hilarious new picture book comedy starring a very small fed-up
dog... This dog doesn't want to be carried in a handbag (how
embarrassing!) or eat heart-shaped Mini Puppy Treats (I mean, come ON!)
and under no circumstances does he ever want to be called Choochie Pooh!
If only his owner understood. All he wants to do is play with the big
dogs in the park – chase sticks, jump in muddy puddles and be an
ordinary, proper dog.
Five Minutes' Peace
Out 4 February 2016
A stunning 30th anniversary edition of a family picture book favourite,
this is the story of Mrs Large the elephant – who just needs five
minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! But
there’s never a dull moment with the Large Family, and it soon becomes clear
that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is
beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill
Murphy, one of Britain's most treasured author-illustrators.
How to find Gold
Out 5 January 2017
From the award-winning picture book creator of There Are
Cats in This Book comes a story of imaginative play and of two friends, Anna
and Crocodile, who are on the hunt for gold. But finding gold isn’t easy. Oh
no! It’s dangerous and difficult... Just what will the two friends discover?
Teeming with adventurous spirit and boasting wonderfully funny dialogue, this
story introduces two unforgettable characters in a gorgeous, classic new art
style from Viviane Schwarz, one of the most innovative and creatively inspired
picture book makers of today.
I Am Bear
Out 5 January 2017
If there's trouble, one thing is certain: Bear was there. In
(and out) of his outrageous purple outfit, Bear can do anything – steal honey
from the bees, do magic tricks, steal doughnuts from a police officer, and
annoy a certain pesky squirrel. This hilarious picture book debut of actor Ben
Bailey Smith (aka rapper Doc Brown) and artist Sav Akyuz will keep young
mischief-makers in stitches.
Lucky Lazlo
Out 5 January 2017
From Steve Light, comes a riotous romp backstage at the
theatre! Lazlo is in love. So, with the perfect red rose in hand, he sets off
to the theatre, where the girl of his dreams is starring in Alice in
Wonderland. But when a cat snatches the flower and dashes backstage, Lazlo is
in for a bit of bad luck. And it’s no wonder, since, at the Peacock Theatre,
they’ve broken every superstitious rule in the book. The chase is on – past the
tailor, into the orchestra, over the prop table … Will Lazlo catch the cheeky kitty in time to present the flower to
his lady love?
This is the Kiss
Out 5 January 2017
A charming and lyrical picture book that celebrates the
timeless bond between parent and child. You've had a fun day and you're ready
for bed. This is the wave that led to the smile, that led to the giggle and the
kiss goodnight. A delightful story from Claire Harcup with beautiful
illustrations by Gabriel Alborozo, perfect for sharing at bedtime.
Frog and Beaver
Out 5 January 2017
Frog and his friends all live happily together on the river.
At least they do until Beaver comes along. Beaver is determined to build the
biggest and best dam that anyone has ever seen, but it's so big that it stops
all the water and Frog and his friends are forced to move. Frog tries to warn
Beaver that his dam is too big, but inconsiderate Beaver just won't
listen... A charming picture book with
an environmental message from the acclaimed and award-winning Simon James.
The Hamster Book
Out 5 January 2017
If you have always wanted a pet, but your parents have never
let you ... this is the book for you. Because, inside the pages of this book,
your new hamster awaits. Isn’t she cute? Just look at her ruffly fur! From minibombo, the
creators of The White Book and Black Cat, White Cat comes a playful picture
book that cleverly encourages you to interact with the physicality of the page
itself, and a book that will, with your imagination, bring a sunflower
seed-eating, fuzzy furball of a hamster to life. Squeak!
Also an Octopus
Out 5 January 2017
From Benji Davies comes a metafictive story about ... how to build a story!
First, a story needs a character. So why not a ukulele-playing octopus? And
since this is a story, the octopus has to want something – maybe it dreams of
travelling to faraway galaxies in a purple spaceship. But every character needs
an obstacle to overcome, and when the octopus sets out to build its own
spaceship out of glue, umbrellas, glitter and waffles ... well, he doesn't have
much luck. Could there be another character that could help? Debut author
Maggie Tokuda-Hall sets up a funny, smart and warm-hearted story all about
storytelling, then hands the baton to imaginative readers, who will be more
than prepared to take it away.
Animal Counting
Out 5 January 2017
Turn the pages, lift the flaps and see animals of all shapes
and sizes bring the numbers one to ten to life. This bright, simple first
numbers book is perfect for helping to develop early numeracy with its
interactive pages and fun illustrations by award-winning artist Petr Horacek.
Du Iz Tak?
Out 3 November 2016
In her follow-up to the internationally acclaimed Home,
Carson Ellis invites readers to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found
in the natural world ... even the humblest back garden! With gorgeous,
exquisitely-detailed illustration that will appear to children and art-lovers
alike, and a wonderfully playful invented language, we soon find ourselves
speaking "Bug" ... Du iz tak? What is that?Blue Penguin
Out 3 November 2016
A heart-warming fable about a friendship and belonging from
the award-winning illustrator Petr Horacek. "I feel just like a
penguin," says Blue Penguin. "But you're not like us," said the
other penguins and they left him all alone. Poor Blue Penguin. Will he be able
to convince the other penguins he is one of them after all? A moving and
beautifully illustrated story from Petr Horacek, an illustrator described by
the Washington Post as "the thinking tot's Eric Carle".Penguin Problems
Out 3 November 2016
In this hilarious first collaboration from Jory John and
Lane Smith, a penguin levels with human readers about what penguin life is
really like ... and it isn't all fun and games! Have you ever considered
running away to Antarctica? Of course you have! Because it's a land free of
worries and responsibilities! Think again, my friend. This penguin has come to
tell you that his life down there is no picnic. For starters, it is FREEZING.
Also, penguins have loads of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to
find your mum in a big crowd of identical penguins? This book is sure to tickle
all funny bones, and will elicit appreciative sighs from the adults reading it
aloud, too!We Found a Hat
Out 11 October 2016
Hold on to your
hats! From the Kate Greenaway-winning creator of I Want My Hat Back and This
Is Not My Hat comes the much-anticipated conclusion to the celebrated
hat trilogy. Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on
both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat... Evoking
hilarity and sympathy, the shifting eyes tell the tale in this perfectly paced
story in three parts, highlighting Jon Klassen’s visual comedy, deceptive simplicity
and deliciously deadpan humour.Out 6 October 2016
A poignant,
exquisitely illustrated Christmas story, with words by Delia Huddy and pictures
by rising star Emily Sutton. When the ugly little fir tree is taken to the
city, no one wants to buy him; they prefer the big tall trees. But a
homeless boy asks the shopkeeper if he can take the tree, and down by the
river in a cardboard box, decorated with a few candles, the tree finds
itself at the centre of a magical Christmas Eve it will never forget. A
Christmas tale with a classic feel but a modern theme at its heart.Time Now to Dream
Out 6 October 2016
From Helen Oxenbury and Timothy Knapman comes the story of a brother and sister, and their adventure in the woods. 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 powerful, atmospheric narration alongside Helen Oxenbury’s
spectacular illustrations skilfully convey Jack’s growing fear and Alice’s
curious excitement, all the while building toward the reveal of that mysterious
sound…A First Book of Animals
Out 6 October 2016
Nicola Davies, the award-winning author of A First
Book of Nature, presents a spellbinding treasury of poems about the animal
world, illustrated in breathtaking detail by Petr Horacek. Polar bears playing
on the ice, tigers hunting in the jungle, fireflies twinkling in the evening
sky and nightingales singing in the heart of the woods – there are animals
everywhere. From blue whales to bumblebee bats and everything in between, A
First Book of Animals takes you all over the planet to visit all kinds
of different creatures. This book is a glorious celebration of life in the wild
in all its variety and splendour, and belongs on every child's bookshelf.Out 15 September 2016
From the award-winning Philip Ardagh, and rising
illustration talent Elissa Elwick, comes a brand-new picture book series! Meet
the Little Adventurers – Finnegan, Sprat, Floss and Peanut. Each week they meet
in their top-secret shed HQ, ready to share their fun with you! This week,
Sprat can’t seem to find his cat, Shadow, anywhere. And he absolutely has to
have a pet – it’s bring in a pet day! So, instead, he finds a leaf, draws a
little face on it and… Ta-Da! Sprat has a pet: Leafy! But can you really have a leaf as
a pet? With an activity idea and an information page with every story in the
series, the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of immersive play, and
will ignite the imagination of curious adventurers everywhere.A Child of Books
Out 1 September 2016
From New York Times
bestselling author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers and typographical artist
Sam Winston comes an exceptional new picture book. In this inspiring, lyrical tale about the rewards of reading and sharing
stories, a little girl sails her raft "across a sea of words" to
arrive at the house of a small boy. There she invites him to come away with her
on an adventure. Elegant
illustrations by Oliver Jeffers are accompanied by Sam Winston’s astonishing
typographical landscapes, beautifully shaped from excerpts of children’s
classics creating a gorgeous gift book perfect for
readers of all ages, and this year’s must-have Christmas gift.Out 1 September 2016
Artist Shaun Tan is world renowned for his singular vision
and storytelling abilities. This art book showcases his sculptural talent,
applied here to fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm. Tan captures the essence
of these tales as he brings traitorous brothers, lonely princesses, cunning
foxes, honourable peasants and ruthless witches to life in surprising – and
illuminating – ways. Introduced by author Neil Gaiman and fairy-tale scholar
Jack Zipes, The Singing Bones is a feast for the eyes, a
profound, powerful celebration of the world's most beloved stories.Goodnight Everyone
Out 4 August 2016
From the multi
award-winning picture book maker of A Bit Lost, Oh No, George! and
Shh! We Have a Plan, comes the ultimate bedtime book. A series
of exquisitely coloured cut pages of increasing size introduce woodland
families – bears, deer, rabbits and teeny, tiny mice – who are all beginning to
feel really ... rather ... tired ... YAWN! With sublime,
starry night time scenes and an infectious yawny "Good night"
refrain, Chris Haughton creates a lulling bedtime read, perfect for parents and
children to share together.How to Find Gold
Out 7 January 2016
From the award-winning creator of There are Cats in This Book
comes a story of imaginative play and of two friends, Anna and
Crocodile, who are on the hunt for gold. But finding gold isn’t easy. Oh
no! It’s dangerous and difficult and requires planning. First, they must draw the whole world together, with an X that marks
the spot, before sailing off in their boat. What will the two friends
discover? Teeming with adventurous spirit and boasting wonderfully funny
dialogue, this story introduces two unforgettable characters in a
gorgeous, classic new art style from Viviane Schwarz.I Am Bear
Out 21 January 2016
Alan's Big, Scary Teeth
Out 4 February 2016
Meet Alan, an alligator with a secret. Famed for his big, scary teeth, he sneaks into the jungle every day to scare the jungle animals. Then at the end of the day, Alan likes nothing better than to run a warm mud bath and take out
his FALSE TEETH! But what will Allan do when his teeth go missing? What will Alan do now? Scaring is the only thing he knows how to
do! Can he still be scary without them? A goofy comedy of
self-discovery, witty, warm-hearted storytelling and bright graphic art
will make this (and Alan!) a firm children’s book favourite.Don't Call Me Choochie Pooh!
Out 4 February 2016
From Sean Taylor, author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise, and illustrator Kate Hindley
comes a hilarious new picture book comedy starring a very small fed-up
dog... This dog doesn't want to be carried in a handbag (how
embarrassing!) or eat heart-shaped Mini Puppy Treats (I mean, come ON!)
and under no circumstances does he ever want to be called Choochie Pooh!
If only his owner understood. All he wants to do is play with the big
dogs in the park – chase sticks, jump in muddy puddles and be an
ordinary, proper dog.Five Minutes' Peace
Out 4 February 2016
A stunning 30th anniversary edition of a family picture book favourite,
this is the story of Mrs Large the elephant – who just needs five
minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! But
there’s never a dull moment with the Large Family, and it soon becomes clear
that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is
beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill
Murphy, one of Britain's most treasured author-illustrators.
Out 3 March 2016
From masterful storyteller Sean Taylor and celebrated graphic
artist Jean Jullien comes the laugh-out-loud tale of Hoot Owl. Hoot Owl
is no ordinary owl – oh no! – he’s a master of disguise! And he
will use his expert camouflage powers to trick his unsuspecting prey
into succumbing to him! But, somehow, Hoot Owl's prey keeps escaping... Hmmm, perhaps he isn't quite
as masterful as he believes. Will he ever succeed in catching himself
some dinner? Hilarity, ridiculousness and very bad costume changes
abound in this wildly inventive new title.Alphonse, That Is Not Ok To Do!
Out 3 March 2016
From the remarkable new talent behind The Girl With the Parrot on Her Head
comes a story about two monster siblings, Natalie and Alphonse. Natalie
mostly loves her little brother Alphonse being around – they name the
pigeons, bounce things off the bunk beds, have stories in the chair and
make lots of fun stuff together. But, when Natalie catches Alphonse eating her most favourite book, well … that is not OK!
Daisy’s expressive, bold illustration and unique picture book voice
will enchant and charm all readers in this truly original new title.A Brave Bear
Out 7 April 2016
From the author of Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise and illustration star Emily Hughes
comes a story of a daddy and a baby bear, on a day that's as hot as hot
can be. 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.