Welcome to our 2025 autumn list, from the team at Magic Cat.
It’s five years since our very first book, Slow Down, was published, and what a journey it has been. From a launch list of five books and a team of five staff members, we’ve come a long way –all thanks to our team at Abrams and you, the fantastic booksellers who put our books in the hands of readers.
We now have a remarkable frontlist of more than 50 new titles planned for 2025, and our team has grown to over 28 members. Last year, we were thrilled to be crowned Children’s Publisher and Independent Publisher of the Year at the IPAs, as well as Small Press of the Year at the Bookseller Nibbies. But our story is just getting started. . .
So, dive into our catalogue for some exciting new series launches in autumn 2025. Foster your youngest cooks with the world’s best loved chef, Jamie Oliver, in his first learn-to-cook series for children. Make kitchen science magic with The Wizard’s Guide to Magical Experiments from bestselling author AJ Wood, creator of the million-copy bestselling Ology books. And from two of the UK’s most celebrated book creators, Robert Macfarlane and Luke Adam Hawker, comes the breathtaking first installment of a trilogy designed to ignite wonder in readers of all ages.
From food to kitchen science to fireflies, there’s something for every book lover to discover!
Jenny and Rachel
Autumn’s Highlights:
We are delighted to publish new books from some of the best authors from around the world this autumn.
Look out
for blockbusters
from:
AJ WOOD creator of the multi-million-copy selling Ologies
JONATHAN DRORI bestselling author of Around the World in 80 Trees
JAMIE OLIVER celebrity chef, bestselling author and advocate for childhood nutrition
ROBERT MACFARLANE bestselling author of The Lost Spells and Underland
Written by Jamie Oliver
JAMIE’ S Little
Food Library
Learn about food with Jamie Oliver!
is perfect for preschoolers, with all the ingredients for little cooks everywhere. board book to see and say.
Lift the flap to follow the action : mash the banana, squidge the butter and mix in the oats. . .
Then add them altogether and in 5 simple steps you’ll have made your first recipes.
by Adrian Johnson
NIGHT CREATURES:
Publishing 23 rd October 2025
Written by Robert Macfarlane
Illustrated by Luke Adam Hawker Ages 5+, £14.99
Hardback, 256 x 185mm, 32pp
Linen cover and copper foiling
A book to ignite wonder, from the Sunday Times bestsellers
Robert Macfarlane
and
Luke Adam Hawker
Follow one sun-seeking child who discovers a meadow illuminated by fireflies: “fallen constellations” that dance like stars among the summer grasses, setting fears to flight.
ENCHANTING TO READ ALOUD and EXQUISITE TO HOLD in the hand, each scene is rendered in spellbinding detail, showing the power of hope in a world steeped in darkness.
978-1-917044-65-3
Publishing 11 th September 2025
Written by Amanda Wood
Illustrated by Jo Rioux Ages 7+, £20.00
Hardback concertina bound pages, 290 x 235mm, 30pp with more than 40 paper novelties
Case with graining, gold foil and 30mm jewel embedded in front
Welcome to the Touchwood Academy of Magical Thinking, where magical abilities are a must.
Kids will discover the MAGIC OF SCIENCE with hands-on experiments from THE CREATOR OF THE BESTSELLING OLOGY
BOOKS, A.J. WOOD . As a First Class Wizard, Wood guides wizards-intraining through 40 science tricks that are actually age-appropriate science experiments, and
Mini-booklets andfold-out experimentson everypageadd to the excitement anddiscovery!
Publishing 25 th September 2025
Written by Jonathan Drori
Illustrated by Raxenne Maniquiz Ages 7+, £16.99
Hardback, 310 x 256mm, 64pp
Case with imitlin and 5th colour
the stuff that stuff is made of
Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated, bestselling science communicator Jonathan Drori brings life to the science of plants, revealing how their worlds are entwined with our own.
Did you know that there’s seaweed in ice cream, cork in spacecraft and dandelion in tyres? Have you wondered how paper or thread are made, or why the mandrake is so mysterious?
from Waterstones
prize-winning author
Discover
the
wethingsmake with plants!
“Drori’s writing is exquisite, abounding in discoveries.”
– The New York Times
“Drori’s deep-seated love of nature is contagious.”
– Wired Magazine
ivy Bearlock & olmes
Publishing 3 rd July 2025
Written and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Ages 6+, £8.99
Paperback, 228 x 152mm, 80pp
Cover with matt lam, raised spot UV and french flaps
FIRST IN A COZY FULL-COLOUR CHAPTER BOOK SERIES ABOUT THE ADVENTURES OF IVY AND HER GRANDPA BEARLOCK HOLMES.
When the rare AGAVE FLOWER goes missing from Bearona’s botanic gardens, it’s up to super-sleuth Ivy and her grandpa Bearlock Holmes to crack the case. But with
Blending mystery with REAL WORLD SCIENCE AND NATURE, this is a puzzle-filled adventure for emerging and newly independent readers
Each book features 15 PUZZLES search games – that are woven into the action, so readers can play detective alongside Ivy and Bearlock.
THE CASE OF THE MISSING FLOWER
978-1-917044-14-1
Publishing 11 th September 2025
Illustrated by Ella Beech
Ages 5+, £20.00
Hardback, 310 x 256mm, 24pp + pop
Case with imitlin and foil, 8x10second sound chips (touch-activated)
ORLD’S A STAGE
Relive the theatre of the world’s best-loved stories, set to classical music.
Be swept away with the world’s best-loved stories for the stage, set to classical music, with a POP-OUT STAGE to discover at the end.
Press the musical note on every page and be transported on a classical adventure with CHOPIN , WAGNER, DEBUSSY and many more.
* t o hear the orchestr a *
Norse myths The
978-1-917044-17-2
978-1-917044-81-3
Publishing September 2025
Written by Honor Cargill-Martin
Illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi
Ages 7-9, £16.99
25 th September 2025 7+, £16.99
Hardback, 280 x 240mm, 80pp
Case with imitlin and holo foil
red-bronze foil
Discover your favourite Norse myths – with a twist. This time you’ll hear from the female characters in their own words.
Using the Prose Edda as her source, classicist Honor Cargill-Martin’s insightful storytelling of Norse myths and legends will mesmerize young readers as she breathes new life into well-loved stories.
FREYJA’S STORY
The goddess who brought magic and harmony to Asgard
IDDUN’S STORY
Includes backmatter profiling the featured goddesses and a full synopsis of each story, giving context to the history behind the myths
The goddess of eternal youth who was kidnapped by Loki for her life-giving apples
S KADI’S STORY
The bowhunting giantess who avenged her father’s death
H ER v OR ’S STORY
The shieldmaiden who challenged her father Angantýr’s ghost for his sword
GEFJON’S STORY
The entrepreneurial goddess who creates her own island
FRIGG’S STORY
The Queen of Asgard’s attempt to protect her beloved son Baldur
GRIDR’S STORY
The jötunn who helps Thor survive a deadly encounter with the Giant Geirrod
BRYNHILDR’S STORY
The vengeful Valkyrie who was betrayed by the man she loved
“Lavishly
illustrated and dynamic collection of retellings”— The Guardian
978-1-917044-84-4
Publishing 23 rd October 2025
Written by Helen Mortimer
Illustrated by Lars van de Goor and Gabriella Barouch
Ages 2+, £16.99
Hardback, 310 x 256mm, 64pp
Case with imitlin and gold foil
tales, where best-loved stories are brought to life.
With breathtaking real-world artwork from Lars and illustrated characters by award-winning artist Gabriella Barouch, this is a giftable collection of classic tales reimagined with nature’s magic for a young reader.
With vibrant, luminous photographs from renowned artist LARS VAN DE GOOR illustrated by GABRIELLA BAROUCH
WITH EIGHT READ-ALOUD STORIES
Including: Little Red Riding
Hood • The Snow Queen
Hansel & Gretel • The Frog
Prince • Rapunzel
Cinderella • The Ugly Ducking
978-1-917044-00-4
Publishing 6 th November 2025
Illustrated by Amy Adele
Ages 3+, £20.00
Hardback, 310 x 256mm, 24pp
Case with imitlin + gold foil + 8x10-second sound chips (touch-activated)
An interactive story book with 8 SOUNDS including LULLABY and other classical masterpieces.
Sing along to “LULLABY” and discover seven other iconic pieces of classical music as the mice have a bath, clean their teeth and get cosy in bed with The Bedtime Music Book. Simply press the stars on the pages to hear the songs in this interactive sound book, which also includes simple musical notation for budding musicians.
SING AND PLAY ALONG WITH THESE FAMOUS PIECES OF MUSIC: Satie’s “Gymnopodie”, Borodin’s “Nocturne”, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune”, Mozart’s “Concerto for Flute and Harp”, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, Saint Saens’ “The Swan”, Brahms’ “Lullaby”, Holst’s “Venus”
With eight touch-activated sound chips, join three little mice as they get ready for bedtime.
978-1-915569-81-3
Publishing 14 th August 2025
Written by Steven McRae
Illustrated by Margaux Carpentier Ages 7+, £14.99
Hardback, 270 x 210mm, 80pp
Case with matt lam, bronze foil and 5th colour pantone
This is ballet: but bigger, braver and bolder than you’ve ever experienced.
Enter the studio with Steven McRae, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.
Master everything from the basic positions to performing the most expressive of jumps with stepby-step instructions and glorious illustrations throughout.
Steven’s journey through the world of ballet has been anything but ordinary and this is a companion book with a difference.
Woven through the personal anecdotes on self - care , resilience and selfbelief is the book’s central message: anything is possible with ballet !
An inclusive, accessible and comprehensive first book on ballet!
Watch Steven McRae’s incredible story in the feature documentary: A Resilient Man.
“Mine!”
978-1-917366-28-1
Publishing 28 th August 2025
Written by Frances Stickley
Illustrated by Stefano Matinuz Ages 3+, £7.99
Paperback, 280 x 240mm, 32pp
Cover with matt lam and spot UV
The next book in the HIT SERIES, Stories from the Swamp.
Goblin has everything. Trinkets and treasures, nick-nacks and stuff –he has it all . . . and yet, it’s never enough. So, when a band of unlikely companions turn up and Goblin actually FEELS something, things
start to shift. Could it be that friendship, not possessions, is what Goblin really needs?
A wonderfully funny and powerful story about the magic of human connection.
978-1-915569-67-7
978-1-917044-15-8
Publishing 11 th September 2025
Written by Anne and Steve Brusatte
Illustrated by Enrico Lorenzi
Ages 3+, £7.99
Paperback, 280 x 240mm, 40pp
Cover with matt lam and spot UV
D I NOSA URS
Meet one plucky chicken and discover her roarsome secret: she is descended from dinosaurs . . . And no fox is going to make a meal out of her!
Travel through time and uncover the unlikely truth of how of the humble hen is related to the terrifying T-Rex in this fantastic read-aloud picture book.
Written by the bestselling dinosaur duo Steve and Anne Brusatte, it packs 250 million years of history into a single sitting and contains a fascinating fact packed section at the back.
Steve Brusatte’s book, The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, was a SundayTimes and New York Times bestseller.
YOU LOOKING FOR
TROUBLE ?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TROUBLE ?
A fantastically funny picture book, this is the perfect read aloud story to share with your little one.
Publishing 31 st July 2025
Written
by
Michaël Escoffier
Illustrated by Delphine Durand Ages 4+, £7.99
Paperback, 254 x 254mm, 32pp
Case with matt lam and spot UV
978-1-917044-06-6
Publishing 14 th August 2025
Written
by Colette Hiller
On the banks of the river walks a crocodile... and he’s looking for trouble!
“Are you looking for trouble?”
The and the
Illustrated by Nabila Putrinda Ages 4+, £7.99
Paperback, 280 x 240mm, 40pp
Cover with matt lam and spot UV
Embark on an incredible journey following the true story of pianist Paul Barton and the elephants who loved to hear him play.
In a sanctuary in Thailand, lived an elephant called Bonti. Short-tempered and destructive, Bonti was alone – the other elephants (and humans) knew to keep their distance. But when a musician came to play the piano for him, something incredible happened. . .
Empowering and magical, this book is a brilliant insight into the healing power of music.
A year of
978-1-917366-00-7
Publishing 25 th September 2025
Written by Jamia Wilson
Illustrated by Jade Orlando Ages 7+, £9.99
Paperback, 228 x 178mm, 112pp
Cover with matt lam
Whether you read an entry a week, or dip into it whenever you are feeling in need of joy, this is a book to treasure all year round. Now in paperback!
An uplifting anthology of joyful contributions from 52 contemporary Black voices including chef Andi Oliver, author Patrice Lawrence and space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
Divided into months, each piece is tied to a particular season, event, international day or week, and sits alongside a nonfiction component.
of
Written by the inspirational Maurice Ashley, the world’s first African American Grandmaster.
978-1-917044-83-7
Publishing 25 th September 2025
Written by Maurice Ashley Illustrated by Denis Angelov Ages 7+, £12.99
25 cards with leaflet, 140 x 95 mm Box with graining
Discover twenty-five chess strategies with this boxed deck of cards that’s perfect for budding chess players.
Step-by-step instructions for 25 epic tricks, including flips, grabs and slides, from the very basics to more advanced moves.
ALSO AVAILABLE
Learn how chess pieces move and how to set up your board, tactics to trap your opponents and how to checkmate like a Grandmaster!
Jade Orlando Jamia Wilson
G reek of
M yths
978-1-917044-82-0
Publishing 9 th October 2025
Illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte
Ages 2+, £8.99
Board book, 189 x 189mm, 24pp
Case with matt lam and foil
Introduce little ones to the legends of Greek mythology with this fashionable first alphabet book.
With simple text and Kathleen Marcotte’s charming illustrations, This gentle first-concepts book introduces little ones to the alphabet while exploring the fascinating world of Greek myths.
b ox, c irce, d emeter, e ros, the f ates, g aia, h ercules, i carus, j ason, k ratos, the l ion of Nemea, m edusa, n emesis, o dysseus, p oseidon, q uick-witted Athena, Apollo’s r avens, the s irens, the t rojan Horse, u rania, v ictorious Nike, w itchy Hecate, x anthe, y outhful Hebe and z eus. From
A phrodite, Pandora’s
Publishing 3 rd July 2025
Marie Curie; by Ana Sanfelippo Frida Kahlo; by Farimah Khavarinezhad
Jane Goodall; by Anneli Bray Maya Angelou; by Julia Bereciartu Ages 6+, £7.99, Paperbacks, 280 x 216mm, 32pp including 8 sticker sheets, Matt lam
Discover some of the world’s most inspiring people in this new sticker biography series. Complete each illustration with stickers as you uncover the amazing stories of famous scientists, artists, activists and more.
Written by Kristen Lee Illustrated by Martin Stanev Ages 5+, £16.99
From the roaring racing cars of Indiana to the soaring space shuttles of Florida, travel with vehicle expert Kristen Lee and uncover more than 500 facts that showcase the vehicles, history, and spirit unique to each of the 50 states of the U.S.A.
978-1-915569-62-2
Publishing 14 th August 2025
Illustrated by Rob Hodgson Ages 2+, £9.99
Hardback, 210 x 195mm, 16pp + 2 plastic eyes (35mm diameter) Case with matt lam and spot UV
This easy-to-follow format is a lovely introduction to the world of comedy for little jokers.
Meet a host of cat’s friends in comedic costumes and join in the Halloween fun in this stylish yet commercial novelty series.
is coming to town n Bear Wood
978-1-917044-32-5
Publishing 17 th July 2025
Illustrated by Freya Hartas Ages 3+, £12.99
Hardback, 203 x 178mm, 16pp
Case with matt lam, gold foil and red ribbon tie
LIFTFLAP ADVENT BOOK
Count down to Christmas with Bear and his woodland friends in this spectacular ADVENT CALENDAR BOOK – with surprises hidden under 24 doors, festive activities to enjoy as a family and a magical fold-out frieze to display.
BACKLIST
Little Word Whizz: Tell an Interesting Story illus. Monika Forsberg
The Handbook of Forgotten Skills Natalie Crowley and Elaine Baptiste illus. Chris Duriez
978-1-913520-84-7 112pp /
978-1-9161805-0-5
978-1-913520-12-0
978-1-913520-02-1
The Little Book of Joy Joanne Ruelos Diaz illus. Annelies Draws
978-1-913520-03-8 368pp / 210 x 128mm / £12.99 / 2021
978-1-9161805-4-3
978-1-913520-11-3
978-1-913520-33-5
The Little Book of Words That Matter
Joanne Ruelos Diaz illus. Annelies Draws
978-1-915569-07-3 208pp / 210 x 128mm £12.99 / 2023
978-1-9161805-9-8
978-1-915569-08-0
978-1-913520-95-3
978-1-915569-40-0 978-1-915569-01-1
978-1-913520-18-2
978-1-913520-24-3
978-1-913520-19-9
978-1-913520-23-6
The Little Box of Words That Matter
Joanne Ruelos Diaz illus. Annelies Draws
978-1-915569-57-8
30 cards / 145 x 98mm/ £12.99 / 2024
The Little Box of Joy Joanne Ruelos Diaz illus. Annelies Draws
978-1-913520-74-8
30 cards / 145 x 98mm/ £12.99 / 2022
978-1-913520-28-1
978-1-913520-49-6
978-1-913520-34-2 978-1-913520-35-9
The Little Book of Love
Ruelos Diaz illus. Annelies Draws
978-1-915569-30-1
Lessons From Our Ancestors Raksha Dave
Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong
Dyan Sheldon
Leave the Trees, Please Benjamin Zephaniah illus Melissa Castrillon
Don’t Laugh at Giraffes! Dyan Sheldon illus Alex Wilmore
UK, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA:
Abrams & Chronicle Books 1st Floor, 1 West Smithfield London EC1A 9JU www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk info@abramsandchronicle.co.uk T: 020 7713 2060
DISTRIBUTION
All orders supplied via Macmillan Distribution Ltd, Swansea
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Thames & Hudson Australia 11 Central Boulevard Portside Business Park Port Melbourne VIC 3207
UK sales inquiries: info@abramsandchronicle.co.uk
International sales inquiries: internationalsales@abramsand chronicle.co.uk
New business: newbusiness@abramsandchronicle.co.uk
FAR EAST
Japan
Tim Burland tkburland@gmail.com T:03 3424 8977
Korea
Soohyun Jin Information & Culture Korea cs.ick@ick.co.kr T: 82 2 3141 4791
Philippines & Micronesia
Tony P. Sagun
CRW Marketing Services for Publishers tonysagun@crwbooks.com T: 632 584 8448 and 632 660 5480
India
Roli Books
enquiries@thameshudson.com.au T: +61 3 9646 7788
US BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
SALES DIRECTOR: Nettie Dal Jensen a.daljensen@magiccatpublishing.co.uk
UK SALES MANAGER Antony De Rienzo a.derienzo@magiccatpublishing.co.uk
EXPORT SALES MANAGER: Helen Sperling h.sperling@magiccatpublishing.co.uk
PUBLICITY MANAGER: Sophie Griffiths s.griffiths@magiccatpublishing.co.uk
MARKETING MANAGER: Ella Stoodley e.stoodley@magiccatpublishing.co.uk
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