For more information, visit www.flyingeyebooks.com
Follow us on social media: For press and marketing enquiries, please email: marketing@flyingeyebooks.com
For rights enquiries, please email: rightsandlicensing@flyingeyebooks.com
For sales in Australia and New Zealand, please email: sales@flyingeyebooks.com
For all US and Canada enquiries please contact our distributor: Penguin Random House Publisher Services
E: customerservice@penguinrandomhouse.com
W: penguinrandomhouse.com
For UK and export queries, please contact:
Abrams & Chronicle Books
1st Floor, 1 West Smithfield
London EC1A 9JU
T: 020 7713 2060
E: info@abramsandchronicle.co.uk
W: www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk
Cover illustrations: Bear Heart / Hoang Giang
You will find this icon next to books which have won or been shortlisted for prestigious book awards @FlyingEyeBooks
NEW TITLES
CAN I SLEEP HERE? BABY MONKEY | BABY PENGUIN
Ella Bailey
2+ | 9781838742218 | 2nd Jan
BB |
£7.99 | 10pp | 175 x 175 mm
2+ | 9781838742225 | 2nd Jan
BB | £7.99 | 10pp | 175 x 175 mm
These baby animals have been playing all day long and need to find a safe place to sleep at night. Can you help find the perfect spot?
This brand-new lift-the-flap board book series is perfect for babies and toddlers. Each title in the series has five spreads with sturdy flaps for little hands.
• Based on award-winning illustrator Ella Bailey’s bestselling, One Day On Our Blue Planet series
• Large fun flaps to turn and discover different animals throughout
• The bedtime theme makes them perfect night-time reads
Check out our backlist for more from the creator!
Ella Bailey is a freelance illustrator currently living in Devon, in the UK. She studied illustration at Falmouth University, and has since gone on to work for clients such as Hodder Children’s Books, Simon and Schuster UK, and Flying Eye Books.
COMET
Joe Todd-Stanton
From the award-winning Joe Todd-Stanton, comes an exquisite and heartfelt picture book touching on the bewildering experience of moving house. When Nyla has to leave her home all she can think about is everything she misses from before. So when a comet comes crashing through the city streets and starts to glow and grow, Nyla can’t resist a chance to head somewhere that feels closer to home.
• “A luminously beautiful picture book, full of bittersweet farewell feelings, about learning to welcome the new.” - The Guardian
• A universal topic of a child moving to a new home and learning to settle, but with a fresh approach
• Touching on themes of creativity and communication through art
• From award-winning author Joe Todd-Stanton, creator of The Brownstone Collection series of books
Joe Todd-Stanton is from Brighton and grew up drawing with his mum. He studied Illustration at the University of the West of England, afterwards moving to London where he currently lives. His children’s book, The Secret of Black Rock, won the 2018 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
EARTH’S INCREDIBLE PLACES: THE SAHARA
Christina Webb and Muti
7+ | 9781838741808 | 2nd Jan
HB | £14.99 | 80pp | 290 x 232 mm
50999
A perfect introduction to one of the wildest habitats on Earth, from the next in the captivating illustrated series, Earth’s Incredible Places
Touching every corner of North Africa is the Sahara Desert, a land of singing sand dunes, barren plains, mirages and glistening oasis pools. Against all odds, life thrives here. Discover river crocodiles, scorpions and foxes, ancient pharaohs, nomadic tribes and camels surviving in this land of extremes.
• The series combines science with history, myths and legends and more to offer a holistic view on a place
• Previous titles have been shortlisted for the World Illustration Award and the UKLA book awards
Christina Webb is a writer and editor based in Oxfordshire. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Surrey, and is passionate about diverse storytelling and unusual wildlife.
Muti is a studio of 18 illustrators, animators, letterers and designers based in Cape Town, South Africa.
WRONG TIME ROOSTER
Michael Parkin
3+ | 9781838742249 | 6th Feb
|
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!
Ronnie the rooster arrives at Farmer Tony’s farm to help wake up the animals. But something isn’t right– Ronnie just cannot tell the time! The animals band together to help teach Ronnie and soon his COCK-A-DOODLEDOOs are perfectly on time... Mostly!
• This is Michael’s debut picture book as a writer and illustrator
• A brilliantly funny picture book that can be used as a tool alongside helping children learn how to tell the time
Michael Parkin grew up in the countryside around Hampshire and Surrey. He graduated from Kingston University in 2014 and has since been working as a freelance illustrator. He has been shortlisted for the AOI Awards multiple times and winning 2nd prize in the Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica graphic short story prize.
DETECTIVE STANLEY AND THE MYSTERY AT THE MUSEUM
Hannah Tunnicliffe & Erica Harrison
5+ | 9781838742119 | 6th Feb
PB | £9.99 | 64pp | 225 x 163 mm
Chaos at the Art Museum, can Detective Stanley solve the case?
The Narlybone Museum has been raided on the opening day of the Bleat Mondrian show and Detective Stanley has been called to investigate. But nothing has been stolen! Now Stanley finds himself in a tight spot even his powers of deduction could not detect. Can he get himself out of trouble and can he solve the mystery of the museum?
• Bringing together brilliant illustration and hilarious crime-fighting antics, Detective Stanley is the perfect graphic reader
• Erica and Hannah bring many years of experience working within publishing, but this will be their debut project as a duo
• First in a three book series
Hannah Tunnicliffe's work has featured in The New York Times Book Review and she is the founder and host of the podcast, Bod Almighty.
Erica Harrison is an illustrator from a small village in Norfolk. She completed her art foundation at Norwich Art School, then a degree in graphic arts at Leeds Metropolitan. She currently lives in Auckland, NZ.
FELIX FOUND AN EGG
Charlie Miller
3+ | 9781838742294 | 6th Mar HB | £12.99 | 32pp | 270 x 230 mm
Felix and his grumpy cat Gary discover that sometimes things that seem scary aren’t what they appear to be...
Felix loves to play in the garden, but he’s always avoided the stinky compost bin – he is sure there’s a monster lurking in there! Determined to take back his garden, Felix musters up some courage and approaches the smelly heap. But instead of a monster, Felix finds... an egg! What could be waiting to hatch?
• A light-hearted story with a gentle message about sharing
• Charlie Miller’s debut picture book
Charlie Miller attended the Bristol School of Animation. With over a decade of experience in the animation industry, his path includes collaborations with Disney, Aardman and Lucasfilm, and co-founding Scribble Room Animation, where he leads a team focused on creating animations for various platforms.
HUPO AND THE WONDER THIEF
Billy Partridge
7+ | 9781838741624 | 6th Mar
HB | £12.99 | 64pp | 225 x 163 mm
51799
A story about being yourself even if you’re told you’re ‘too much’ and finding joy in the darkest of places.
Hupo loves to amble through the bustling streets, recounting tales of the Great Humdingo — much to the annoyance of everyone else. But when mysterious, zombifying mists creep into town, Hupo’s on a mission to set everything to rights… Can he hold onto who he is when everything around him seems so terrible?
• A beautiful and funny graphic reader about the joy of sharing stories and staying true to who you are
• A perfect story for young adventurers
• Rich style perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli
• A debut and first in a spellbinding series
Billy Partridge grew up in Nottingham, surrounded by a family of painters, designers and wood carvers. He studied illustration at Leeds Arts University and was the recipient of a merit in 3x3 Magazine’s 2022 illustration awards, and has been nominated for a V&A illustration award.
STEMVILLE: THE FAST LANE
Ben Newman
7+ | 9781913123246 | 6th Mar
|
|
The annual Big Race has arrived in STEMville!
Frankie Thunderfoot comes from a family of trophy winners, while Wilbur Hardshell’s race team are slow, steady and mathematical. When Frankie’s need for speed causes her to crash, Wilbur must decide whether he should forfeit his position to help her or secure first place. Learn all about how race cars are built and how they work, from acceleration to g-force and quick-fire pit stops.
• The newest book in the STEMville series, bringing scientific topics to children through the world around them
• Based around the popular subjects of science, engineering and mechanics
Ben Newman is an award-winning illustrator who has racked up an impressive list of clients including Penguin, the BBC, and The New York Times, amongst many others. He is the illustrator of the Professor Astro Cat series.
PICOPACO
Mocculere
3+ | 9781838742027 | 3rd Apr
HB | £12.99 | 32pp | 270 x 230 mm
A sweet and heart-warming picture book about celebrating differences and working together. Woodpeckers are known for making perfectly O-shaped holes to build their nests in. All, except Picopaco who chooses to live in a little wooden house with a red roof. The other birds laugh, until one day a storm arrives ruining all the nests. They must rebuild their homes, but not one of them knows how to build a house – all except Picopaco.
Through the night, Picopaco drew a plan. She drew houses, for every bird in town.
She was so excited that she couldn’t sleep.
“Picopaco,
• A stunning, soft and colourful picture book from Mocculere
• A charming story about choosing your own path, being yourself and sharing your passions with others
• Picopaco touches on sensory issues, anxiety and feeling lonely
Mocculere was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She studied Educational Sciences and East Asian Cultures at the University of Arts in Ljubljana. With a sketchbook and pencil in hand, she started freelancing as an illustrator in 2020.
AVERY AND THE FAIRY CIRCLE
Rowan Kingsbury
5+ | 9781838741983 | 3rd Apr
PB | £9.99 | 56pp | 225 x 163 mm
While exploring the forest next to her new home, Avery stumbles into a wondrous fairy world.
Avery loves exploring nature until one day she stumbles into a magic fairy circle. Shrinking to the size of a teeny tiny fairy she meets Birch who agrees to help her reverse the magic, but only if Avery helps her complete some fairy chores! Hopefully, Avery can befriend Birch and complete the tasks required if she wants to return home before her parents discover she is missing...
• A gorgeous young graphic reader based in nature and magical realism
• Rowan Kingsbury's debut and first in a new series
• Endmatter contains Avery's plant guide notes with details of the plants she encounters along the way
Rowan Kingsbury is a Portland, OR based illustrator and storyteller creating work full of wonder, warmth and whimsy. She has a BFA in Illustration from the Pacific Northwest College of Art and has always loved living there, letting her childhood running through its forests influence her art.
THIEVES
YA | 9781838742737 | 3rd Apr PB | £14.99 | 208pp | 225 x 170 mm
What happened last night?
Ella can’t remember a single thing from the party and she sure as heck doesn’t know why she’s woken up in her bed surrounded by objects that aren’t hers. And she can’t stop thinking about her huge crush on Madeleine, who she definitely can’t tell about her sudden penchant for kleptomania… Can they piece together that night and fix the mess of their chaotic personal lives in time to form a normal, teenage relationship?
Lucie Bryon
• 'An adorable sapphic romance about two teens who steal! Such a sweet and funny story with complex, flawed characters that you can't help but love, along with gorgeous, emotive artwork.' – Alice Oseman, Heartstopper
• LGBTQIA+ representation and issues dealt with in a normalising way and with a light touch
• Draws on the shōjo manga tradition with the character archetypes They’re strong and unique, which makes for a really engaging read
• Winner of the Entente Littéraire Prize 2024
Lucie Bryon is a cartoonist and illustrator. She studied graphic design in Orléans, France and comics at the ESA St Luc Brussels, Belgium. She now lives in France and works for children’s publishing, video game companies and various publications as an illustrator and comic artist.
WATCH ME GROW: BUTTERFLIES
Sara Forster & Bianca Austria
5+ | 9781838741969 | 3rd Apr
HB | £10.99 | 32pp | 270 x 230 mm
9
Learn all about the life cycle of a butterfly in this beautiful introduction to the natural world! This book will take the reader on a journey through a butterfly's life cycle, learning about how it eats, its habitat and how it grows and defends itself.
WATCH ME GROW: FROGS
Sara Forster & Bianca Austria
5+ | 9781838741976 | 14th Aug HB | £10.99 | 32pp | 270 x 230 mm
In this companion title, learn all about the life cycle of a frog.
This book will take the reader on a journey through a frog’s life cycle, learning about how it eats, its habitat and how it grows and defends itself.
• Colourful and engaging illustrations and simple text split each spread into two levels of reading ability
• Life cycles are a core part of early years science curriculum
• The next title in the series will explore the life cycles of a chicken
Sara Forster is an author and editor based in West Sussex. She spent much of her childhood in the Middle East and South Africa, where she developed a love of wildlife from a young age.
Bianca Austria is a painter, illustrator and designer. As a way of expressing her pride and joy in being a Filipina, she particularly enjoys subjects inspired by her own memories of the Philippines.
GUESS WHO? IN THE JUNGLE | IN THE OCEAN
Owen Davey
2+ | 9781838742492 | 8th May
BB | £8.99 | 10pp | 175 x 175 mm
2+ | 9781838742539 | 8th May
BB | £8.99 | 10pp | 175 x 175 mm
Lift the flaps to reveal playful clues and then guess which animal is hiding behind them.
Get ready for a journey filled with surprises and giggles! Can you guess who’s waiting to say hello?
• A lift-the-flap guessing game series from award-winning illustrator Owen Davey
• Guess Who? In the Forest and Guess Who? In the Desert to follow next year
• Simple text with bright, colourful illustrations
• 3 sturdy flaps and a gatefold per spread
Owen Davey is a freelance illustrator, living and working from Leicester, UK. He graduated with a degree in Illustration from Falmouth University and his work has since been published in every continent except Antarctica.
Check out our backlist for more from the creator!
Ella Bailey
The newest title in Ella Bailey’s One Day on our Prehistoric Planet series
Join this little Tyrannosaurus Rex as he spends the day on the prehistoric planes with his brother, sister and mother. He’ll meet different dinosaurs and encounter strange creatures, splash through swamps, sniff out yummy scents and hunt for dinner before he snuggles with his family for a cosy night’s sleep.
• A follow-on from our bestselling series One Day on our Blue Planet
• A perfect accompaniment for KS1, this narrative non-fiction provides a gentle introduction to dinosaurs
• Features endpapers with pronunciation guides to help children and parents confidently learn and say the names of their favourite dinosaurs
Check out our backlist for more from the creator!
Ella Bailey is a freelance illustrator currently living in Devon, in the UK. She studied illustration at Falmouth University, and has since gone on to work for clients such as Hodder Children’s Books, Simon and Schuster UK and Flying Eye Books.
THE ART OF DRAG
Jake Hall, Sofie Birkin, Helen Li & Jasjyot Singh Hans
YA | 9781838749767 | 8th May
PB | £ 18.99 | 136pp | 270 x 210 mm
781838 9 52199
749767
Lights. Glamour. Action!
The history of drag has been formed by many intersections: fashion, theatre, sexuality and politics – all coming together to create the show stopping entertainment millions witness today. In this lusciously illustrated guide, journalist Jake Hall delves deep into the ancient beginnings of drag, to the present day and beyond.
"Wigs have never looked taller, nor eye shadow so excessive. The result is a truly fabulous combination history and gift book." - Publisher's Weekly
Jake Hall is a freelance writer. They have written for Dazed Digital, i-D, VICE, Highsnobiety, INTO, Refinery29 UK and British Vogue, among others.
Helen Li is an Australian illustrator based in Warsaw, Poland. She has worked with Google, Facebook, Dropbox and Redbull.
Sofie Birkin is a British illustrator based in Denver, USA. She has worked with Cosmopolitan UK and BOA Technology.
Jasjyot Singh Hans is an Indian illustrator based in Chicago, USA. He has worked with Google, New York Times and Vogue India.
Ella Bailey
A sweet and touching story about finding your place in the world, wherever that may be. When tiny Fern hatches from a lone egg deep within a prehistoric forest, she sets out to discover her destiny. Surely among all these dinosaurs, some small and quick, some big and tall, there must be an answer to her question. Will Fern ever find out who she is and where she came from?
• Themes of growing up, discovering your own special talents, and following in your parents' footsteps
• 'The cutest little dinosaur you'll ever meet. Beautifully illustrated ... a warm and tender story.' - Chris Haughton, A Little Bit Lost
Check out our backlist for more from the creator!
Ella Bailey is a freelance illustrator currently living in Devon, in the UK. She studied illustration at Falmouth University, and has since gone on to work for clients such as Hodder Children’s Books, Simon and Schuster UK
YELP! YETI! CHAOS IN KATHMANDU
Sneha Pradhan & Promina Shrestha
5+ | 9781838742256 | 5th Jun
PB | £9.99 | 64pp | 225 x 163 mm
Dev and his pet cat Tuna spot a Yeti in the city, but no one will believe them! Fun packed action and adventure set in Nepal. Dev and his best friend Tuna are ready for a summer of sleepovers, endless games of cricket and sweet mangos, until they discover there’s a Yeti loose in Kathmandu! No one believes all the mess and chaos is caused by the Yeti, leaving Dev to take the blame. Now, with his parents threatening to send him to his strict Ranu Aunty’s house, Dev is on a mission to prove his innocence.
• A fresh take on a universally recognised character set in Nepal, by a Newari author and illustrator
• Includes footnotes with translations of Nepali words and explanations of Nepali culture
• Book 2 coming soon!
Sneha Pradhan is a lover of all things story and is passionate about creating brave, whimsical characters that bring a smile to her audience. She was born and raised in Kathmandu and now lives in Chicago.
Promina Shrestha is an illustrator, comics artist and researcher in the field of visual arts. She currently directs her creative energy towards personal projects while residing on a rural farm in Nepal.
COSMO PARK
Madeleine Finlay & Tom Dearie
7+ | 9781838749477 | 5th Jun PB | £10.99 |
| 225 x 163 mm
The Universal Nature Reserve is a place of wonder and scientific adventure, but watch out – there are mysterious and nefarious plots afoot, and it’s not all fun and learning when the Universe is at stake…
This colourful comic informs and explains some of the key tenets of cosmology in an engaging and accessible way, following a narrative and packing in fascinating facts and concepts along the way.
• An exciting scientific adventure with lots of true science throughout
• Female protagonists working in science throughout
• Madeleine Finlay is an expert author who has been working as a scientist and science communicator for many years
• Encourages STEM learning in a fun and highly visual way through an exciting narrative viewpoint
Madeleine Finlay has a first-class Undergraduate Master’s in Physics, Honours Astrophysics, a Master’s in Science Communication. She now works with clients such as the BBC and New Scientist, among others.
Tom Dearie is a British Illustrator and cartoonist working from a desk in the east end of London or sat on a rock somewhere out at sea.
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET
Madeleine Finlay & Jisu Choi
7+ | 9781838743321 | 5th Jun
PB | £12.99 | 88pp | 290 x 230 mm
Fancy biting into a beetle burger?
Or heating your home with poo?
How about using plants to light your bedroom?
We all know that climate change is having a huge impact on our planet –but what we don’t all know are some of the genius – but sometimes strange – ways scientists are working to find practical and imaginative answers to this and other Earth-altering problems.
• Covers a range of STEM topics from biology to technology, society and the environment through the lens of exciting and quirky new technology that can help us save the planet
• Forward-thinking and positive take on the issue of climate change and environmental activism
Madeleine Finlay has a first-class Undergraduate Master’s in Physics, Honours Astrophysics, a Master’s in Science Communication. She now works with clients such as the BBC and New Scientist, among others.
Jisu Choi is an illustrator based in South Korea. Having started studying art from a young age, she’s worked with many clients on a range of products including packaging design and murals.
THE UNEXPLAINED: UFOS
Adam Allsuch Boardman
9+ | 9781838749477 | 5th Jun PB | £10.99 | 96pp | 225 x 170 mm
Mysterious lights in the sky. Alien abductions. Government cover-ups.
The mysterious history of flying saucers is explored in-depth, from potential alien visitors as far back as Stonehenge to the secrets of Area 51. Uncover the history of UFOs in this illustrated guide, which separates the science fiction from the facts.
Ever wondered what lies beyond? Find out in this brilliant book of ghosts, ghouls and mysteries.
Whether it’s shadowy figures in dark hallways, objects that move on their own or unexplained chills in an abandoned place, ghosts have fascinated people for centuries. A bump in the night, the creak of floorboards and the uneasy coldness of a room has kept investigators and mediums asking one big question… Are ghosts real?
Check out our backlist for more from the creator!
• Fascinating discussions on all things UFO and Ghosts
• Adam Allsuch Boardman's bestselling topics reworked for a younger age group
• Bright, colourful and detailed illustrations
• First titles in a new series on all things unexplained
Adam Allsuch Boardman grew up in the Yorkshire Dales in England, and studied BA Illustration at Leeds Arts University. He is currently a freelance illustrator, doing jobs for national museum exhibits, educational publications and historic businesses.
THAT’S NOT STELLA
Donna Fredin
3+ | 9781838743314 | 3rd Jul HB | £12.99 | 32pp | 270 x 230 mm 743314 781838 9
How well do you really know your pets?
Milo is convinced that his cat pet Stella is an imposter! Is Stella just trying some new things or is she a completely different cat altogether? A humorous story of the bond between a young boy and his pet.
• A hilarious debut picture book with a fun twist
• The purrrfect gift for cat lovers and pet owners
• A fun summer holiday read, perfect for those travelling or staying at home
Donna Smith Fredin is a British illustrator/author/designer with a lifelong obsession with creating things. Having a librarian for a mother she spent most of her childhood in bookshops and libraries. She studied ceramics at Bath University and then moved into a career in digital design and Illustration.
THE GOOD NIGHT GARAGE
Tori Kosara & Meg Hunt
3+ | 9781838743376 | 3rd Jul PB | £7.99 | 32pp | 230 x 270 mm
9
A bedtime picture book celebration of everyday heroes and non-traditional working patterns for little vehicle lovers.
As night falls on Motor Isle, the residents finish up their day and settle down for sleep. But why are Fire Truck, Ambulance and the rest of The Good Night Garage just waking up? Follow these busy vehicles from dusk to dawn as they drive about town carrying out important night jobs that keep Motor Isle running smoothly. As the morning light appears, tuck them in and say sweet dreams.
THE GOOD NIGHT AIRPORT
Tori Kosara & Natalia Rojas
Castro
3+ | 9781838742447 | 3rd Jul
781838 9
PB | £7.99 | 32pp | 230 x 270 mm 742447
A bedtime picture book following everyday heroes, perfect for little airplane, aircraft and airport lovers.
As night falls on Motor Isle, travellers and pilots finish up their journeys and settle down for sleep. But why are Air Ambulance, Cargo Truck and the rest of The Good Night Airport just waking up? Follow these busy vehicles from dusk to dawn.
• Takes children on a journey of wonder as little vehicle-lovers learn about their communities and non-traditional working patterns
• Vehicles are a hugely popular topic with young children
• The Good Night Garage is also available in hardback
Tori Kosara is a children’s book author and editor from New York and she now lives in East London with her husband, two vehicle-obsessed sons, and a story-time-loving Labrador named Biscuit.
Meg Hunt has lived by the ocean, in the desert, and among the trees, Meg now resides in Providence, Rhode Island, with her husband and their dog Laszlo.
Natalia Rojas Castro is an illustrator from Bogotá, Colombia. She studied visual arts at the Javeriana University in Bogotá and since then has worked as a freelance artist in various visual fields such as illustrated books, magazines and social projects in Colombia..
CRAZY ABOUT CATS
Owen Davey
7+ | 9781838742522 | 3rd Jul
This captivating and stunningly illustrated guide will teach you everything you need to know about our feline friends.
Did you know that the fishing cat has partially webbed paws for catching fish? Or that pumas can leap up over 5 metres into trees? There are roughly 38 species of cats today, each one superbly adapted to their environment – whether that be in the rainforest or the desert!
• A paperback edition from Owen Davey’s bestselling non-fiction series
• An educational resource for KS1&2
Check out our backlist for more from the creator!
Owen Davey is a freelance illustrator, living and working out of Worthing, UK. He graduated with a First Class Degree in Illustration from Falmouth University and his work has since been published in every continent except Antarctica.
Walshe
A POND FULL OF PALS
7+ | 9781838742195 | 14th Aug
PB | £9.99 | 136pp | 225 x 163 mm
Froggy is just a small, slimy guy trying to navigate the big wide pond, and there’s no end of sticky situations for him to get caught up in!
Making friends with local wizards, falling foul of picnicking humans, and befriending giant fish are all in a day’s work for this slimy guy. Learning how to deal with big feelings, big magic spells, and big fish in the big world can be a lot for a little frog, but he’s not giving up any time soon.
Paige
• A magical debut comic about a very popular frog (with a 54.5k Instagram following)
• Froggy also has a 68k Webtoon following with 3.4 million views
• A completely original story for Froggy fans and future Froggy fans
Paige Walshe is an illustrator from Montreal, Canada currently working as a character designer at Laughing Dragon Studio. Her previous work includes Lemons, a 3-part comic that was published as part of Webtoon’s Heart Anthology –a collection of the top heartwarming and tear-jerking entries to the 2020 short story contest.
VERN: CUSTODIAN OF THE UNIVERSE
Tyrell Waiters
YA | 9781838742744 | 14th Aug
A thought-provoking and hilarious romp through time and space that explores what it means to be human in a world that is becoming more confusing and frightening by the day. On the edge of burnout, Vern decides to start over. But things aren’t entirely what they seem at Quasar, and when Vern accidentally plugs in a mysterious machine and finds himself standing on the brink of the destruction of every planet in the Multiverse, he finds himself presented with the greatest question of all: what is the point?
• Debut graphic novel initially published for adults, but now reissued for the YA audience
• Sci-fi themes will appeal to a wide audience, but also fits into timely, current questions about global warming, space exploration and space colonisation
Tyrell Waiters is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer from Palmetto, Florida. After graduating he turned himself to working as an apparel graphic designer for children's clothing. Now currently living in on the East Coast with his wife and their many cats, he works in a huge range of industries ranging from marketing to music and entertainment.
THE GREAT OAK TREE
Zoë Armstrong & Amélie Videlo
3+ | 9781838742171 | 11th Sept HB | £12.99 | 32pp | 270 x 230 mm
Discover the enchanting world of nature's resilience and the unbreakable bonds between a curious blackbird, a wise owl and a steadfast guardian tree.
A little blackbird questions why an old oak tree just stands there doing nothing, but the tree is, in fact, very busy. We learn about how central the tree is central to its ecosystem – the many ways in which it offers shelter and sustenance to the wildlife all around.
• This book offers a lyrical and captivating journey through the natural world, making science and ecology accessible and engaging for young readers
• It not only tells a heart-warming story but also imparts knowledge about photosynthesis, seasonal changes, and the vital role trees play in their ecosystems
Zoë Armstrong grew up in Oxford and Paris. She trained as a journalist and has worked as a reporter, a teacher and as a publicist for a large animal charity. Currently, Zoë lives in Brighton with her young daughter.
Amélie Videlo is a French-Mauritian illustrator based in the United Kingdom. Family and nostalgia from her childhood inspire her most. She is a prolific illustrator in her home country, where she has published dozens of books.
BEAR HEART
Louise Greg & Hoang Giang
3+ | 9781838749491 | 11th Sept
Who has a heart big enough to hold a lion?
Earnest is a bear with a big heart. He keeps all his favourite things inside his heart. When Earnest's heart is full, he feels as though he can do anything! But is his heart big enough to hold a lion? If we make room in our hearts for love, it leaves us feeling better and braver with bigger hearts than ever, even if love has to leave.
• A tale of love and friendship and lions
• The perfect gift
• We cannot be held accountable for your happy tears
Louise Greig lives in Aberdeen where she writes picture books and poetry. Her first picture book, The Night Box was nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Teach Primary Book Awards and the Klaus Flugge Prize. Louise is profoundly deaf.
Hoang Giang is a Vietnamese illustrator. Hoang graduated from the Cambridge school of Art, UK in 2019 with an MA in Illustrations and Book Arts.
WISH UPON A STAR: THE SCIENCE, MAGIC AND MEANING OF STARS
Catherine Ard & Wenjia Tang
7+ | 9781838742102 | 11th Sept HB | £14.99 | 64pp | 290 x 232 mm
A beautifully illustrated non-fiction book about stars, covering the science, their various forms in nature, and the myths, stories and symbolism that they have inspired.
Covering their various forms, including constellations and galaxies, how we study stars and our connections to stars, including navigation, astronomy, art and mythology from around the world.
• Covers a range of STEM topics
• Focuses on the science alongside the history, culture and significance of astronomy and how stars have inspired creatives through time
Catherine Ard is a writer and editor with over 20 years’ experience in children’s books, bringing scientific and vocational subject matter to life in an engaging way for toddlers through to tweens.
Wenjia Tang is a Chinese-born illustrator who graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Illustration in 2017. Some of her clients include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic and Airbnb. Wenjia lives in Nanjing, China.
Mark Wordsworth & Ruby Wright
3+ | 9781838743420 | 9th Oct
HB | £12.99 | 32pp | 230 x 270 mm
9
A heartwarming read out loud picture book celebrating the daily joys of a growing child.
Today tenderly celebrates the daily joys and milestones a parent or guardian observes in their growing child. With its universal themes, this heartwarming book captures the warmth, wonder and delightful moments of watching a young one navigate their world with curiosity and love.
• A beautiful gift for new parents and carers
• Children will relate to the milestones celebrated in this book and return to it again and again
Mark Wordsworth is a creative storyteller with a background in Genetics from the University of Leeds and filmmaking from the Northern Film School. He’s spent years directing music videos, producing projects for brands like Apple and Adidas.
Ruby Wright grew up in Dorset. In 2024 she was selected for the Bologna Illustrator’s Exhibition and shortlisted for the Shirley Hughes Sketchbook award in 2024. Her first book, Animal Crackers was longlisted for the Klaus Flugge prize.
THE NOTTED ISLAND
Katherine Child
9+ | 9781913123147 | 9th Oct
HB | £16.99 | 144pp | 225 x 170 mm
A story of kindness and determination, night sky salesmen, nebulous wildcats and Tisky, who wants to be an owl.
Before 1861, the world was black and white. As Colour reached the end of his job, world weary he stopped to rest on Last Island: the last uncoloured place. To make matters worse, the islands Nott - a deity responsible for drawing the curtain of night - begins to make more and more mistakes. It falls to Umbertiska Lupp, a young islander with pockets full of cake, to bring unity (and Colour) to Last Island.
• With undertones of Aiken, this is an incredibly exciting debut that reads like an instant modern classic
ASTRAL PANIC
Katie Hicks
YA | 9781913123147 | 9th Oct
HB | £16.99 | 144pp | 225 x 170 mm 742089 781838 9 52199
Gale has tried everything to master his anxious self, and when the happy-golucky Aiden stirs a little chaos into his life, Gale has to decide if stepping out of his comfort zone is really worth it.
Gale’s hoping the latest wonder-cure “Simply Pear” can help. Oh, it’s definitely not working. His plan is thrown into chaos by the bubbly Aiden, who needs a buddy to help him get a job. Can this colourful and heartfelt romp through shoddy parttime jobs help Gale out of his anxious bubble? There’s only one way to find out.
• Hicks touches on the topic of mental health and wellness in a unique way that connects to a YA audience
• Gale is our male protagonist, bringing male mental health to the fore
Katie Hicks is a comic artist and illustrator; she was raised in St. Catharines, Ontario and is now living just outside of Toronto. Having struggled with anxiety and depression most of her life, Katie explores those themes in her art through a comedic and whimsical lens. She’s inspired by the cartoons she grew up with as a kid as well as the punk and emo music she listened to as a teenager.
RUNE: THE TALE OF THE OBSIDIAN MAZE
Carlos Sánchez
9+ | 9781838741631 | 6th Nov
PB | £10.99 | 160pp | 225 x 163 mm
781838 9 51599
741631
Levelling up their magic and sword fighting skills deep in the kingdom of Puddin’, Chiri and Dai are about to receive a spooky invite to their most terrifying trial yet. Can they face the deepest darkness ever to exist, and save both each other and the kingdom from doom?
After defeating the Shadow King, Chiri and Dai are settling into their new lives in the magical land of Puddin’. However, there is always more evil to fight against, and this time, the evil is coming to them.
• Accessible high fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Studio Ghibli, and Trollhunters
• Chiri is a deaf protagonist who uses sign language to enhance her spell-casting ability, Rune's storyline and characters have been created in discussion with two consultants
Carlos Sánchez grew up, with a pencil in his hand, in Barcelona. When he was very young a comic fell into his hand and that changed his life forever. He studied Design in EINA, and a master in Creative Illustration from BAU, Barcelona. He loves to draw, read comics, eat cereal and play videogames. Nowadays, he works as a designer, illustrator and comic artist in Barcelona, Spain.
Also in the series!
Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces is the winner of the 2025 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Younger Readers category
HILDA & TWIG: WAKE THE ICE MAN
Luke Pearson
5+ | 9781838742928 | 6th Nov
HB | £12.99 | 56pp | 279 x 202 mm
9 51799
Join Twig and his best friend Hilda on a slightly icy adventure in the Wilderness, where even the warmest, cosiest cups of cocoa are about to freeze!
Hilda and her new friend, Burku the giant are enjoying playing together in the Wilderness. There is just one thing that would make everything more fun... snow! It just so happens that Twig has accidentally woken the Ice Man, unfortunately, that means there's a lot more than a snow flurry headed straight for Hilda!
• The next Hilda adventure for younger readers, features another romp from Twig's perspective
• Speaks to the feelings of frustration that kids feel when things don't go their way, and fear of loneliness when their friends move away
Luke Pearson is the creator of the Hildafolk comic series. He is also a writer and co-executive producer of the BAFTA award-winning animated series of the same name. Outside of his work on Hilda, Luke has been an illustrator, a storyboard artist and has drawn a range of other comics.
Froggy: A Pond Full of Pals / Paige Walshe
CAN I SLEEP HERE? BABY LION
Ella Bailey
BB | 10pp | 175 x 175 mm | £7.99 2+ | ISBN 9781838748944
748944 781838 9 50999
CAN I SLEEP HERE? BABY DOLPHIN
Ella Bailey
BB | 10pp | 175 x 175 mm | £7.99 2+ | ISBN 9781838748937
748937 781838 9 50999
CAN I SLEEP HERE? BABY MONKEY
Ella Bailey
CAN I SLEEP HERE? BABY PENGUIN
Ella Bailey
| 10pp | 175 x 175 mm |
Simona Ciraolo
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Ella Bailey
Ciraolo
Ella Bailey
Sandra Dieckmann
Sandra Dieckmann
Adriena Fong
Emily Ann Davison & Adriena Fong
Emily Hughes
Emily Hughes
Tori Kosara & Meg Hunt
Tori Kosara & Natasha Rojas Castro PB |
Charlie Miller
| ISBN 9781838742027
Michael Parkin
Sarthak Sinha
Sarthak Sinha
Briony May Smith
Martin Stanev
Joe Todd-Stanton
Joe Todd-Stanton
Joe Todd-Stanton
Joe Todd-Stanton
Joe Todd-Stanton
Hannah Tunnicliffe & Erica Harrison
JUNIPER MAE:
Sarah Soh
JUNIPER MAE: SECRETS
Sarah Soh & Tim Fraser
Rowan
Sneha Pradhan & Promina Shrestha
Laura Suárez
Laura Suárez
7+
Billy Partridge
AGE 7+
COSMO PARK
Madeline Finlay & Tom Dearie
Emmanuel Guerrero
Isabel Roxas
Isabel Roxas
Paige Walshe
Sam Bosma
Marlyn Spaaij
Sam Bosma
Sam Bosma
Carlos Sánchez
Marguerite Abouet & Mathieu Sapin
Marguerite Abouet & Mathieu Sapin
AKISSI:
Marguerite Abouet & Mathieu Sapin
AGE 12+
CURSE OF THE CHOSEN VOLUME 1
Alexis Deacon
PB | 216pp | 225 x170 mm | £14.99
12+ | ISBN 9781910620830
DITCHING SASKIA
John Moore & Neetols
PB | 192pp | 225 x 163 mm | £14.99
12+ | ISBN 9781838741556
CURSE OF THE CHOSEN VOLUME 2
Alexis Deacon
PB | 216pp | 225 x170 mm | £14.99 12+ | ISBN 9781910620441
Lucie Bryon
Katie
Tyrell
Waiters
Katherine
Kel Duckhouse
Luke Pearson
Luke Pearson
Luke Pearson
Luke Pearson
Luke Pearson
Luke Pearson
ONE DAY ON OUR BLUE PLANET … IN THE ANTARCTIC
Ella Bailey
Ella Bailey
ONE DAY ON OUR BLUE PLANET … IN THE OUTBACK
Ella Bailey
ONE DAY ON OUR BLUE PLANET … IN THE RAINFOREST
Ella Bailey
ONE DAY ON OUR BLUE PLANET … IN THE SAVANNAH
Ella Bailey
ONE DAY ON OUR PREHISTORIC PLANET ... WITH A DIPLODOCUS
Ella Bailey
ONE DAY ON OUR PREHISTORIC PLANET … WITH A T.REX
Ella Bailey
Sara Forster & Bianca Austria
WATCH ME GROW: FROGS
Sara Forster & Bianca Austria
WONDERFUL WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET Madeleine Finlay & Jisu Choi
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Owen Davey
Nazzy Pakpour & Owen Davey
Helen Scales, Kate Hendry & Rômolo D'Hipólito PLEASE DON'T BITE
Helen Scales & Rômolo D'Hipólito SCIENTISTS IN THE
