Rocket Bird Books 2026 Catalogue

2026 catalogue

Dear Reader, Welcome to the 2026 Rocket Bird Books catalogue.

I can’t believe it has been three years since we sent our first books out into the world. A huge thank you is due to all the artists, authors, booksellers, teachers, librarians, families and of course children who have made our adventures in picture books so special.

Whether you love the magic of imagination (like Solo, page 3) are incurably curious (like Pandora, page 9, and our heroine of Llama Library, page 6) or simply the biggest fan of great stories (like Otto on page 17) this year is packed with treats. And yes, definitely a few tricks (pages 13-16).

So grab a cup of tea, sit comfortably and we will begin.

Libby Hamilton Publisher, Rocket Bird Books

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contents Page 3 Page 19 Page 23

Frontlist Backlist Information

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march frontlist

Solo

by Neil Clark Can an introvert and an extrovert be friends?

When things get noisy do you ever long for quiet time to let imagination flow?

Jesse and his new friend Solo are very different. She can’t always join in with the busy, whizzy crowd.

But if he joins her peaceful place, an adventure like no other awaits.

Out in hardback 12th Mar 2026 Ages 3+ | £12.99 32pp | 250 x 250mm 978-1-915395-35-1

3

There’s Jesse. He looks so happy.

“Are you ok Solo?”

But I don't feel like he feels.

Not at all.

“No . . . I mean, yes? I’m not sure.

I’ve really enjoyed playing but . . .”

“. . . we’re going to fly there in our rocket submarine!”

Neil Clark is a sought-after designer, who has found his happy place writing and illustrating for children. His books have been televised on the BBC’s CBeebies and feature in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Location: N. Yorkshire, UK.

april frontlist

Llama Library

by Holly Ryan and Ella Bailey Visit the library where you CAN’T borrow a book.

Take a llama home today!

The library has a llama for every subject: history, art, science fiction, even romance! Just find the right section and pick your llama.

The librarian will stamp your card and you can take it home . . . and that’s where things get messy!

Out in paperback 9th April 2026 Ages 3+ | £7.99 32pp | 275 x 235mm HB 978-1-915395-29-0 PB 978-1-915395-30-6

5

Well, Betty made food the Italian way, so she was the llama I borrowed that day.

But, just before lunchtime, that troublesome Betty covered the kitchen in homemade spaghetti!

Then danced on the table with hardly a care, waving a frying pan high in the air!

I handed my card to the lovely Miss Joyce, who zapped it and said,

“What an excellent choice!”

So, off we all went on the big yellow bus, back to the library, with barely a fuss.

Holly Ryan grew up in a Cornish fishing village. After a career in the big city she now lives by the sea with her family.

Location: Plymouth, UK. Ella Bailey has worked with many prestigious publishers to create amazing children’s books.

Location: Milton Keynes, UK.

may frontlist We could rock ourselv es to sleep inside a conker case.

I Can’t Sleep

by Emma Farrarons a bed Two brothers: one of mo ss . . . fast asleep, one wide awake!

Or in

We could rock ourselves to sleep inside a conker case.

I hope it When Magnus can’t fall isn't slimy.

Or hide asleep, big brother Kasper from the lets him climb into bed. raindropsBut under a NO talking. Little brothers toadstool. can’t help talking though, and one little question is going to lead them both on a big adventure: why do we sleep in beds?

. . . or an empty shell.

Out in hardback

empty shell.

7th May 2026

Ages 2+ | £12.99 32pp | 280 x 220mm hope it 978-1-915395-37-5

sn't slimy.

We could rock ourselv es to sleep inside a conker case.

7

Or in a bed of moss . . .

Or from raind un toad

We could sleep on the mountains and count the shooting stars.

What about Luna?

She's warm and soft and furry.

. Let’s A mountain peak makes a bad pillow prickly . . . choose something less windy and

But night-time is when she goes outside to do her exploring.

Emma Farrarons was born in the Philippines and grew up in Paris. After working as a picture book designer, she took the leap to focus on making her own incredible books. In 2025 she won the Klaus Flugge Prize for best new illustrator.

Location: London, UK.

may frontlist

Pandora and the Story Forge

by Gaynor Andrews and Marie-Alice Harel Her magic will make you a weaver and forger of tales.

ANDREWS . HAREL

Pandora is an explorer, a collector of words (even the ones that misbehave) and a forger of stories. Come Pandora wades pastworld the ripples a into herout magical and you’ll see wordstrail in She watches thenever word-fishes bub quite the same way again.

PANDORA and the STORY FORGE

AND THE STORY FORGE

£7.99

.co.uk

Gaynor Andrews Marie-Alice Harel

GURGLE and GIGGLE and WHISPER

“A dreamy book that feels like a They dart in and classic.” out; they and t modern – Theswirl Scotsman

Out in paperback 7th May 2026 Ages 4+ | £7.99 32pp | 250 x 250mm HB 978-1-915395-17-7 PB 978-1-915395-22-1

“A celebration of imagination and creativity.” – Books for Keeps “This picture book is a treasure for the eyes” – Children’s Books Ireland

Pandora, adorer of beautiful words, ng birds. that flicker above her like flutteri MAGIC and MISCHIEF and MUSIC and MIST. They circle around her;

they twirl and they twist.

and reeds.

bble-beads.

R and WISH.

they swish.

She craw The words gently flicker, like soft

as tin

Pandora sits watching.

GNARLY

candlelight.

Dancing like fireflies deep in the night.

MOONGLOW and STARSHINE and SEAFOAM and SPRAY. The hours tick away.

She scoo

Gaynor’s childhood in the epic Welsh landscape and her adventures around the world can be seen in her incredible fictional worlds and love of language.

Location: Buckie, UK. Marie-Alice won the Folio Society Prize in 2019. Her ethereal watercolours capture the imagination.

Location: Edinburgh, UK

july frontlist

Scooter Dog

by Lo Cole

What do you miss when you always go super-fast?

11/12/2024 21:40

Out in paperback 2nd July 2026 Ages 2+ | £7.99 32pp | 250 x 250mm HB 978-1-915395-33-7 PB 978-1-915395-34-4

11

Eddie is a scooter dog and scooter dogs always go SUPER-FAST! But when he crashes Eddie has to (gulp!)

WALK! Luckily his friend Thelma is there to help Eddie finally notice all the things he missed as he rushed along. What will you spot on this scooter dog’s adventure?

MEND-A-SCO0TER

Eddie leaves his scooter at the repair shop and the two friends up the hill. make their way slowly back As they walk, Thelma spots

...

a gnome with a snail on its head,

a window-box with a paper windmill in it,

and three ducks perched on a rooftop.

. . . a cat with a bow tie,

a lemon tree on a roof terrace,

a fish in a bowl,

a door knocker shaped like an elephant,

Eddie spots a cloud that looks just like a dog biscuit.

Also available:

phant, o spot. e you can.

if you were born o blend in?

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05/01/2023 15:28

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“CRUMBS!” says Eddie. “There’s so much to see.”

Lo Cole’s dad was a writer and his mum an illustrator, so he was destined to make great picture books! His books have been nominated for a Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Sheffield Book Award.

Location: Glos., UK.

MISUNDERSTOOD MINIBEASTS SERIES

Fly Life

by Moesha Kellaway Are flies pesky pests or the world’s worst super-villains?

Constantly in danger of being swatted by humans or eaten by plants, Frank the fly is angry. But Uncle Freddo gives him a way to channel that anger: Fly Club, a secret super-villain organisation. Discover why you shouldn’t underestimate the power of flies.

Out in hardback 13th August 2026 Ages 3+ | £12.99 32pp | 280 x 240mm 978-1-915395-45-0

Ant Life

by Moesha Kellaway Discover the amazing jobs ants do.

Anita is the only ant in her colony who isn’t working. Is she lazy, or has she not found the right job? At the anthill job fair, Anita starts to discover all the amazing jobs ants 9do, in the nest and far beyond.

MOESHA KELLAWAY

FANTAST IC FARMERS

APHID MILKER This job is sweet! Rub an aphid

Chantal, guess what? We were farmers of years before humans! The ants don’ millions t scouting for food, they make it at home.go ROCKET BIRD BOOKS

MILLITANT

, BRILLIANT

!

AND IMPORT ANT

MILKING FUNGUS FARM Our ant hill has whole chambers that are fungus gardens, tucked up snugly underground.

28/10/25 10:19 PM

I could keep exploring forever, but Chantal needs me at the anthill.

HERDING

Co

py

ant. There are lots

We feed our I might be more of an outdoor The first ones we rig fungus the most ht leaves, of sisters working hard out here. delicious Their job is to only let so itetastes d meet are the anthill guards. amazing.m ate in ants from their own colony. ria l

Hurry! s We drone for only live

Buzz off Ladybird!

If you of ell don’t sm you’re PROTECTING en, our que ing in. not com

What’s your job?

Door.

DOOR HEAD ANTS Some colonies’guards really use their heads... huge heads that block and hide the anthill entrance!

.

And they a few days fight off creatures that want to eat their aphid herd.

be a I am not stern enough to disco guard, so I ask to join the above the nest instead. But apparently it’s only for ants and with wings like queens drones (boys). Rude.

day of s my last spend It’ I’ll freedom! my life of the rest ands laying thous. of eggs -

987-1-915395-28-3

ANITA, COME HOME AS SOON AS YOU CAN. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHY. LOVE, CHANTAL X

-

Also available:

Aphid farmer-ants take their herd to the juiciest part of the plant.

-

Out in paperback 4th June 2026 Ages 3+ | £12.99 32pp | 280 x 240mm PB 978-1-915395-25-2 HB 978-1-915395-20-7

with your antenna and they poo out honeydew.

NUPTIAL DANCE This is when new queens and male ants meet.

Then the queens can make a brand-new colony.

Flying ants have an extra heart at the base of each wing. No wonder love is in the air!

Moesha’s work is the perfect blend of detail and humour. Inspired by her childhood in Somerset, she loves nature, people watching and exploring the outdoors. Slug Life was her debut.

Location: London, UK.

september frontlist

Willa’s Monster Muddle

by Fabi Santiago

Monstrous mix-up comedy from a master printmaker.

Willa and her mum decide to wear witch costumes to Trung’s fancy-dress party.

But when she muddles up her mum with a real witch, Willa enters a real haunted house party! Luckily our oblivious heroine causes carnage wherever she goes in this slapstick celebration of the silly and spooky.

Out in paperback 10th Sept 2026 Ages 2+ | £7.99 32pp | 280 x 220mm HB 978-1-915395-18-4 PB 978-1-915395-23-8

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Fabi was born in Rio and brought up in the Brazilian countryside. Her debut picture book, Tiger in a Tutu was shortlisted for the prestigious Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

Location: London, UK.

october frontlist

Night Night, Otto

by Lo Cole

One story, two, three, four, Otto must be asleep now!

New chick Otto fits in at the Bird Family’s bedtime, until they snuggle down and close eyes. Ping! Eyes open, Otto is wide awake. Readers know what Papa Bird does not: Otto is an owl, and owls are nocturnal. Discover the night from a different point of view, in this funny and heartwarming tale.

Out in hardback 8th October 2026 Ages 2+ | £12.99 32pp | 265 x 230mm 978-1-915395-39-9

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Three more.

“That’s done the trick,” says Papa Bird.

So he reads one more . . .

“Hmmm,” says Papa Bird. ” “Maybe Otto wants another story?

ping

Two more . . .

But it hasn’t!

Otto is so noisy, he wakes all the

birds

in his nest, all the birds in his tree and the next tree and the next!

Otto wakes the whole forest, excep t for Mama and Papa Owl. Being noctu rnal, they are already awake.

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Also available:

Being a bright red elephant, Doris is VERY easy to spot. you see her? Of course you can.

Scooter dogs love to go FAST. Eddie whizzes through the world, the wind in his ears . . .

s also very shy. What if you were born and out, but longed to blend in?

. . . until the thinkable happens. Now Eddie is going to have to WALK. Discover the things we all miss in the rush of everyday life.

£12.99

£12.99

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.co.uk

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05/01/2023 15:28

.co.uk

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Lo Cole’s dad was a writer and his mum an illustrator, so he was destined to make picture books! He has been nominated for a Carnegie Medal, shortlisted for the Sheffield Book Award and toured Portugal.

Location: Glos., UK.

backlist

TAGHOLM • TALIB

Sam Francisco King of the Disco

by Sarah Tagholm & Binny Talib

SAM FRANCISCO KING OF THE DISCO

Discover the toe-tapping reason why cats are out all night and sleep all day!

26/09/2022 17:06

Ages 3+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 240 x 280mm HB 978-1-915395-03-0 PB 978-1-915395-13-9

Brenda’s Revenge

by Sarah Tagholm & Laurie Stansfield Brenda’s owner is determined to help her dress up, eat nicely and trampoline!

Ages 3+ | £7.99 32pp | 275 x 235mm PB 978-1-915395-19-1

e,

ge?

19/03/24 8:58 PM

Grandad’s Star

by Frances Tosdevin and Rhian Stone What happens when your guide to the cosmos forgets his way?

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 275 x 235mm HB 978-1-915395-10-8 PB 978-1-915395-27-6

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SHORTLIST

Animal Crackers Ruby Wright

Have you ever wished for a pet? For Maisie, her wish turns into a whole zoo!

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 280 x 240mm HB 978-1-915395-01-6 PB 978-1-915395-12-2

Invisible Dogs

by Ruby Wright

New-girl Ida is about to make some important (and invisible) new friends.

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 280 x 240mm HB 978-1-915395-06-1 PB 978-1-915395-15-3

Slug Life

by Moesha Kellaway Meet the world’s grumpiest slug and find out why you’ve misjudged slugs.

Ages 2+ | £7.99 32pp | 280 x 240mm PB 978-1-915395-28-3

20

backlist Doris

by Lo Cole What if you longed to blend in but were born to stand out?

05/01/2023 15:28

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 250 x 250mm HB 978-1-915395-05-4 PB 978-1-915395-08-5

Lionel

by Lo Cole The only thing bigger than Lionel is his enthusiasm!

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 250 x 250mm HB 978-1-915395-21-4 PB 978-1-915395-26-9

Can I Come Too?

by Owen Davey

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you know better . . .

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 250 x 260mm HB 978-1-915395-00-9 PB 978-1-915395-11-5

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My Self, Your Self

by Esmé Shapiro

What’s a self? Is it inside of us? Outside?

Your self is lovely, so let’s get to know it.

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 267 x 210mm HB 978-1-915395-07-8 PB 978-1-915395-16-0

Baboo the Unusual Bee

by Lliana Bird and Aysha Tengiz Whoever heard of a hip-hop loving, bright pink bee?

Ages 2+ | £7.99 / £12.99 32pp | 275 x 235mm HB 978-1-915395-14-6 PB 978-1-915395-12-2

Professor Goose Debunks: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

by Paulette Borgeouis and Alex G. Griffiths

Fact-check the favourite fairy tale in this STEM-filled story!

Ages 2+ | £7.99 40pp | 280 x 203mm PB 978-1-915395-02-3

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www.rocketbirdbooks.co.uk

Discover more about our books Great picture books turn children into booklovers before they can read a word.

If you’d like to know more about doing an event, publishing one of our titles in another language or anything else, you can find detailed contact information on our website.

rocketbirdbooks@harpercollins.co.uk www.rocketbirdbooks.co.uk www.rocketbirdbooks.co.uk/funstuff rocketbirdbooks books_rocket

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