New MMS Catalogue for Diversity & Inclusion 2025 by MMS for the best in independent publishing

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CATALOGUE 2025

Cover artwork used with the kind permission of FIVE QUILLS

Introduction

Many of us are highly aware of the significant shortage of inclusive children’s books on the market. The CLPE’s latest 2024 annual report on ethnic representation in children’s literature, Reflecting Realities, records the first ever drop since their landmark 2017 survey. This is highlighted by a fall from 30% to 17% of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic protagonists in children’s books by 2023. These figures are even more woefully unrepresentative of the 2.5 million ethnically diverse schoolchildren in the UK that make up one-third of the national total.

For too long, books with diverse characters, writers and illustrators have come up against barriers in publishing. But the fact remains that these books remain sorely needed. BookTrust has been quick to recognise the benefits of ‘windows’ and ‘mirrors’ in books, where children can gain insights into different ways of life, whilst also finding reflections of themselves and their environments.

Own-voices are key in maintaining cultural sensitivity and accuracy within stories and whilst themes of social justice are important, every child deserves to see themselves inhabiting spaces of adventure, comedy and fantasy too. For children who struggle to find representation in books, the risk is that they are less inclined to read for pleasure – a practice with proven long-term benefits.

The Reflecting Realities reports can only serve as a catalyst for change if they are used to inform action with tangible outcomes. Collating, reporting and sharing these findings each year with publishers, teachers and wider stakeholders is only the first part of a much wider chain of actions necessary to effect change in this space.

In previous reports we have provided detailed recommendations to support the development of quality ethnically inclusive and representative literature. These continue to remain valid and applicable and we would encourage anyone interested in furthering the aims of this work to take all previous guidance into consideration along with the wider signposting referenced in this report. In this year’s report we have three simple recommendations:

Overall Output

5,884 children’s picturebooks, fiction and non-fiction titles published in the UK in 2023 were eligible for the consideration of this study. This is a marked increase in the volume of eligible titles compared to the previous report. Of these titles, 999 featured racially minoritised characters. This indicates that 17% of the children’s picturebooks, fiction and non-fiction titles published in 2023 featured racially minoritised characters, compared to 30% in 2022, 20% in 2021, 15% in 2020, 10% in 2019, 7% in 2018 and 4% in 2017.

To enable the publication of the sixth report, we reviewed 954 titles published in 2022. For the purposes of this, our seventh report, we have reviewed 999 titles published in 2023. There is very little distinction between the number of eligible titles reviewed for this report compared to the number of eligible titles reviewed for the report published last year. However, the ﬁgure for the overall number of titles published in this cycle is far greater than the overall number of titles reported in last year’s survey. The overall number of published titles we have seen in this year’s report is more aligned with the ﬁgures reported in the 2020 and 2021 reports. This suggests that although the industry output hasn’t entirely resumed pre-covid levels there is a steady return towards this.

1. Recognise that inclusive literature can simultaneously be responsive to social injustice whilst not being solely defned by this. Inclusion can be a central component of a text whilst not being its deﬁning feature. If inclusive literature is solely regarded as a type of text designed to explore either suffering, subjugation, struggle or success, it will only be deemed necessary and appropriate for exclusive purposes such as, for speciﬁc audiences or to mark or respond to particular events. Whereas if efforts are made to ensure that the content of the literature we consume is inclusive as a basic standard requirement then it will forever be the case regardless of what happens to be going in the world beyond the book shelf.

Most significantly for the purposes of this study, the 17% figure marks the first ever drop in the overall

what happens to be going in the world beyond the book shelf. The range of types of realities being conveyed in the literature we have encountered through this work as categorised in the sixth report in the series highlight the breadth of story worlds that an inclusive approach can create access to.

2. Make the principle of inclusion integral to every stage of the publishing process.

Take time to consider the following key questions:

• How can we be more inclusive to help alleviate barriers to access and pathways into the industry?

2. Make the principle of inclusion integral to every stage of the publishing process.

So we hope that this curated selection of MMS publisher titles will reflect their readers and contribute in a small way in finding a book every child can see themselves in.

Take time to consider the following key questions:

• How can we be more inclusive to help alleviate barriers to access and pathways into the industry?

• How do we ensure that our practices in cultivating talent are inclusive?

• How do we ensure consistency in our application of professional rigour and critical reﬂection when working with creatives of colour to develop concepts?

Reproduced with the kind permission of the CLPE. To read their full report please visit: clpe.org.uk

• How do we consistently work closely with creatives of colour to develop an authentic publication that is true to their vision and executed to the highest quality?

ooks featuring Racially Minoritised Characters over the last Seven Years (FIG. 3)

• How do we ensure equitable distribution of investment in supporting and promoting the works of all creatives to ensure that their books reach as wide an audience as possible and stand the best possible chance of succeeding in the market place?

• How do we ensure that our practices in cultivating talent are inclusive?

production of representative titles. The number of published children’s books featuring racially minoritised characters has dropped by 12 percentage points. In the last reporting cycle fewer titles were published overall but the proportion of representative titles that made up this overall output was not compromised. In this, the seventh reporting cycle, we have seen the opposite to be the case. We have observed an increase in overall output and a decrease in the number of representative titles published.

• How do we ensure consistency in our application of professional rigour and critical reﬂection when working with creatives of colour to develop concepts?

How do we consistently work closely with creatives of colour to develop an authentic publication that is true to their vision and executed to the highest quality?

How do we remain mindful that our work in promoting (new) writers of colour relates to the larger project of addressing historical racism and exclusion in children’s literature?

3. Understand the value and remain committed to the principle of inclusion. The ethical imperative should go without saying. But beyond this the principle of inclusion simply makes books better. Through every review process of the last seven years we have had the privilege of being treated to stories, characters, writing and worlds

The range of types of realities being conveyed in the literature we have encountered through this work as categorised in the sixth report in the series highlight the breadth of story worlds that an inclusive approach can create access to.

We review titles aimed at a 3-11 readership. We note the target audience for each title submitted as part of the review process. It has been interesting to observe that since the second report in this series, titles aimed at the older age range of 8 (+) have consistently made up the largest proportion of the submissions, with titles aimed at 5-8 year olds coming in second and titles aimed at 3-5 year olds making up the smallest proportion of the submissions. It is unclear why there isn’t more parity across the age groups particularly given the drive to increase the output of representative literature over this period. The drop in volume of representative titles combined with the presence that is available being skewed towards titles aimed at older readers could delay the opportunity for younger readers to encounter racially minoritised protagonists and casts of characters. This reduces the scope for books to serve as sources of afﬁrmation, education and insight as well as supporting critical thinking.

• How do we remain mindful that our work in promoting (new) writers of colour relates to the larger project of addressing historical racism and exclusion in children’s literature?

3. Understand the value and remain committed to the principle of inclusion.

The ethical imperative should go without saying. But beyond this the principle of inclusion simply makes books better. Through every review process of the last seven years we have had the privilege of being treated to stories, characters, writing and worlds that have elevated the literary landscape, enriched the culture and transformed reading experiences. This can only be a good thing for the publishing industry and with the appropriate investment can have positive commercial and reputational implications. We encourage the industry to take the lessons learned and remain steadfast in their commitment to reﬂecting realities and serving their readership.

Fingers

BUSY TOES & BUSY FINGERS

“I

Beautiful chalk illustrations by Fred Willingham depicting a wonderful diversity of children learning and playing with their toes and fingers.

Perfect for toddlers who will love turning the pages and imitating the busy fingers and toes with their own.

Simple text ideal for reading aloud and doing all the actions

Great books for sharing

Perfect illustration of diversity and inclusion for early years

From finger-painting, to the ‘itsy-bitsy spider’, to waving goodbye and signing ‘I love you’, and in Busy Fingers little ones will learn all that their tiny fingers can do.

Babies and toddlers are usually fascinated with their toes and in Busy Toes it shows all the fun things that they can do. You can rub doggy bellies with your toes, you can put miniature clothes on your toes, you can draw with your toes and you can even make shadow puppets with your toes!

Stories and Music for All Eyes and Ears!

14 traditional songs from Ireland

Hardback + QR Code / Full colour / 32 pp / 9.5”x 9.5” / £11.99

Recordings available on all major streaming platforms

20 traditional songs from Ukraine

Hardback + QR Code / Full colour / 36 pp / 9.5”x 9.5” / £11.99

Recordings available on all major streaming platforms

AUDIO PICTURE BOOK

ISBN 9782898360985

Hardback / Full colour / 48 pp

23 cm x 23 cm

Video online (9 minutes)

Age 5 to 9 years

BIC/Thema Code B1M79 / C1M79

CBMC Code YBCS

Price £11.99

Pub date 1 OCTOBER 2025

SALES

MMS 50 Godfrey Avenue

Twickenham TW2 7PF

info@mms-publishing.com

Ph: +44 20 8898 5211

www.mms-publishing.com

DISTRIBUTION

COMBINED BOOK SERVICES (CBS)

Unit D

Paddock Wood Distribution Centre

Paddock Wood, Tonbridge Kent, TN12 6UU

orders@combook.co.uk

Ph: 44 (0) 1892 837171

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

Illustrations by

Marie Lafrance

Unit D

A touching portrayal of a young visually impaired boy who opens his heart to others.

KEEP YOUR EARS WIDE OPEN

Knock! Knock! Choo! Choo! Vroom! Vroom! As Russell awaits a visit from his brother, with every sound he wonders: Is Angus here? No, not yet. But with his ears and his heart wide open, Russell responds to the calls of a series of strangers who become his friends. Good thing because... Ting-a-ling! Ting-a-ling! Did you hear that? It sounds like Angus needs to be rescued!

Marie Lafrance

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT / MODES OF TRANSPORTION / FRIENDSHIP / SHARING

A touching portrayal of a young visually impaired boy who to others.

A recording of the narrated story can be accessed with a QR code printed in the book.

Céline Claire is the author of many books published for children and young readers. Formerly a schoolteacher, she has collaborated over the past 20 years with several established French publishing houses, including Bayard, Milan and Circonflexe. She resides in a small village in northeastern France with her family.

Knock! Knock! Choo! Choo! Vroom! Vroom! As Russell awaits a visit from his brother, with every sound he wonders: Is Angus here? No, not yet. and his heart wide open, Russell responds to the calls of a series of strangers who become his friends. Good thing Did you hear that? It sounds like

Marie Lafrance studied graphic arts, etching, and worked as a printmaker before going on to illustrate children’s books. Over her career she’s earned three nominations for the Governor General’s Literary Award, and she recently received the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award for “A Hen for Izzy Pippik.” She resides in Montreal.

KEEP YOUR EARS WIDE OPEN

SALES

MMS

A recording of the narrated story can be accessed with a QR code

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT / MODES OF TRANSPORTION / FRIENDSHIP / SHARING

A touching portrayal of a young visually impaired boy who

Play by Hélène Ducharme

is the author of many books published for children and young she has collaborated over the past 20 years including Bayard, Milan and with her family.

studied graphic arts, etching, and worked as a printmaker before children’s books. Over her career she’s earned three and she recently received the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award for “A Hen for Izzy Pippik.”

A recording of the narrated story can be accessed with a QR code

is the author of many books published for children and young she has collaborated over the past 20 years with several established French publishing houses, including Bayard, Milan and Circonflexe. She resides in a small village in northeastern France with her family.

AMONDO, SON OF THE BAOBAB

Paddock Wood, Tonbridge Kent, TN12 6UU orders@combook.co.uk

Stories and Music for All Eyes and Ears! www.thesecretmountain.com

Paddock Wood Distribution Centre

50 Godfrey Avenue Twickenham TW2 7PF info@mms-publishing.com

Ph: 44 (0) 1892 837171

Illustrations by Judith Gueyfier

Ph: +44 20 8898 5211 www.mms-publishing.com

DISTRIBUTION

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

COMBINED BOOK SERVICES (CBS) Unit D

A tale passed down from generation to generation music from Mali, about a boy's heroic quest to save his village from drought.

Ph: 44 (0) 1892 837171

Paddock Wood Distribution Centre Paddock Wood, Tonbridge Kent, TN12 6UU orders@combook.co.uk

In West Africa, a magnificent baobab presides over a village beset with a terrible drought.

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

One Who Unites", villagers by freeing the water from the spell cast by the sun. But in order to succeed, he must complete four difficult tasks… T

• Based on a play performed throughout the world over 800 times!

INCLUDES 7 SONGS IN BAMBARA

Stories and Music for All Eyes and Ears! www.thesecretmountain.com

has been Artistic Director of the company Théâtre Motus for the udith Gueyfier has illustrated more than 30 picture books including “Chandra’s Magic Light”, published by Barefoot

Hélène Ducharme is a playwright, director, actress and puppeteer, and has been Artistic Director of the company Théâtre Motus for the past 25 years. Judith Gueyfier has illustrated more than 30 picture books including “Chandra’s Magic Light”, published by Barefoot Books.

Stories and Music for All Eyes and Ears! www.thesecretmountain.com

has been Artistic Director of the company Théâtre Motus for the has illustrated more than 30 picture books including “Chandra’s Magic Light”, published by Barefoot

SHADE OF THE BAOBAB

Nursery Rhymes

Grosléziat

Warm sunsets, family mealtimes, laughter and motherhood, are woven to music creating this picture book’s unique ambience.

Pub date 1 January 2024

A wellspring of traditional African lullaby and nursery rhyme performances come to life in 11 languages giving delight to the senses. The 29-song set conveys universal bonds between mother and child while capturing Africa’s grandeur. Spanning 10 countries in Central and West Africa including Senegal, Ivory Coast and Rwanda, it’s an ideal addition to a child’s playlist. Vivid artwork and homegrown instruments offer a poetic yet relaxing feel to the listener.

production

Lyrics appear transcribed in their original language and translated to English. Also included are notes on the cultural background of each song.

LITTLE BELOVED FLOWER

FRENCH CREOLE SONGS FROM HAITI AND REUNION

Collected by Chantal Grosléziat

Illustrations by Laurent Corvaisier

MUSICAL TRADITIONS / MATERNITY / CULTURE / COMMUNITY

12 traditional French Creole lullabies and nursery rhymes from Haiti and Réunion pay homage to community, family ties, work, love and life’s passages.

Imagine a daily island hubbub with warm breezes, salt water, music flowing through towns and countryside. The melodies included celebrate history, language and culture with sounds of indigenous instruments alongside performances of women, men and children. Colourful illustrations of tropical animals, magical characters, people and places complete this title, giving fanciful transport to the listener.

Songs collected and illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Recordings by Grupo Cántaro

A really wonderful way to introduce children to American cultures and to get the whole family dancing

An extraordinary collection of traditional nursery rhymes that have withstood the test of time. Warm, colourful backgrounds provide the setting for this endearing repertoire songs from 17 different countries. Solid musicianship performances transport the young listener into a playful, by singing frogs and dancing skeletons!

INCLUDES A MAP OF LATIN AMERICA AND COMPLETE LYRICS IN SPANISH WITH studied fine arts and illustrations published several books for children as an author and Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States 2015, she “Silent Book Contest” at the prestigious Bologna Children’s Sleep Tight vocal that is dedicated to composing, arranging and performing have released seven albums

It’s dance class day, and Gran has promised to teach Kwesi and the neighbours her trophy-winning dance, the Shooby-Doo Mambo! They tap their feet to the boogielicious beat – just like so! But then Gran hurts her knee . . . How will Kwesi learn the special dance now?

When the new music teacher shortens Nefertiti’s name to ‘Nef’, she starts to shrink. Without Nefertiti to keep the beat, the band is in disarray. “I am Nefertiti!” she whispers. Drawing on her inner strength, Nefertiti helps Miss Potts recognise the importance of honouring her name.

• An Empathy Lab 2024 Title • Shortlisted for The Teach Early Awards

• A Summer Reading Challenge Selection

• Shortlisted for the Little Rebels Award

• Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award

• An Empathy Lab 2025 Title

“A deft empathy fostering exploration of the importance of name and respect” – The Guardian

Now in a New Audio Edition read by the author

• Featured in The Bookseller Black Focus issue

9781912923489 Price: £8.99 Rights sold: Dutch

“A heartwarming and empowering story of identity and belonging.”

– The Bookseller

Nefertiti’s story will inspire children to assert their individuality and take pride in their names introduction to instruments and the power of music, played by a diverse group of children

Author regularly tours the UK, promoting I AM NEFERTITI and encouraging children to stand up and believe in themselves

“It’s hard not to feel inspired by the pictures and rhythm of the story and it is likely to lift your mood and make you want to get up and dance.” – School Reading List

Dutch

“Get moving and grooving with this amazing, uplifting book all about the power of dance! . . . a perfect addition to any bookshelf.” – Inclusive Children’s Books

• An Empathy Lab 2024 Title • Shortlisted for The Teach Early Awards

• A Summer Reading Challenge Selection

• Shortlisted for the Little Rebels Award

It’s dance class day, and Gran has promised to teach Kwesi and the neighbours her trophy-winning dance, the Shooby-Doo Mambo! their feet to the boogielicious beat – just like so! But then Gran hurts her knee . . . How will Kwesi learn the special dance now?

• Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award

“A deft empathy fostering exploration of the importance of name and respect” – The Guardian

• An Empathy Lab 2025 Title

• Featured in The Bookseller Black Focus issue

“A heartwarming and empowering story of identity and belonging.”

– The Bookseller

children to assert their individuality and take pride in their names and the power of music, played by a diverse group of children promoting I AM NEFERTITI and encouraging children to stand up and believe in themselves

“It’s hard not to feel inspired by the pictures and rhythm of the story and it is likely to lift your mood and make you want to get up and dance.” – School Reading List

£8.99 E-Book ISBN: 9781912923403 Price: £5.99

Now in a New Audio Edition read by the author

“Get moving and grooving with this amazing, uplifting book all about the power of dance! . . . a perfect addition to any bookshelf.” – Inclusive Children’s Books

An empathetic journey of perseverance and love between a young child and his youthful Gran Promotes a positive image of elderly role models and non-traditional families

• An Empathy Lab 2025 Title • Featured in The Bookseller Black Focus issue

This heartwarming story features a diverse community of neighbours that reflects the realities of today's world feature traditional Ghanaian Kente cloth clothing and textiles, celebrating the characters’ heritage and identity

“It’s hard not to feel inspired by the pictures and rhythm of the story and it is likely to lift your mood and make you want to get up and dance.” – School Reading List

ISBN: 9781912923403 Price: £5.99

ANNEMARIE ANANG, a Londoner born to Ghanaian parents, is an actress and former primary school teacher. She began writing for children after struggling to find books for her daughter that featured main characters who reflected the reality of the diversity of children in our world. Annemarie is in continuous demand for her outstanding events and storytime sessions. Her theatrical musical performances engage young readers in joyful exploration of the key themes of empathy, identity, kinship, family and belonging featured in her books.

born to Ghanaian parents, is an teacher. She began writing for books for her daughter that featured reality of the diversity of children continuous demand for her outstanding theatrical musical performances exploration of the key themes of empathy, belonging featured in her books.

and love between a young child and his youthful Gran role models and non-traditional families diverse community of neighbours that reflects the realities of today's world Ghanaian Kente cloth clothing and textiles, celebrating the characters’ heritage and identity to Ghanaian parents, is an teacher. She began writing for her daughter that featured of the diversity of children demand for her outstanding theatrical musical performances the key themes of empathy, featured in her books.

“Get moving and grooving with this amazing, uplifting book all about the power of dance! . . . a perfect addition to any bookshelf.” – Inclusive Children’s Books

Titles: DANCE JUST LIKE SO I AM NEFERTITI

Author: Annemarie Anang

Illustrator: Natelle Quek

perseverance and love between a young child and his youthful Gran elderly role models and non-traditional families diverse community of neighbours that reflects the realities of today's world Ghanaian Kente cloth clothing and textiles, celebrating the characters’ heritage and identity

Author: Annemarie Anang

Format: Paperback 250 mm x 260 mm

Extent: 32 pp

Illustrator: Natelle Quek

Weight: 192g

BIC: YBCS

• Festival appearances at Black British Book Festival 2023 & 2025, Cheltenham Literary Festival, Bath Children’s Literary Festival

Titles: DANCE JUST LIKE SO I AM NEFERTITI

CBMC: A3M79

Format: Paperback 250 mm x 260 mm

Author: Annemarie Anang

• School & Library and Bookshops Book Tours: over 30 appearances across Southern UK for I AM NEFERTITI and over 15 appearances in South East England for DANCE JUST LIKE SO !

THEMA: YBCS

Illustrator: Natelle Quek

Age: 3+

Format: Paperback 250 mm x 260 mm

• Online Storytimes & Interviews: Book Trust Story Time; Kinship Web (Book Trust); Empathy Lab Book Trust video for Story Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf3A7RRCtlI

Extent: 32 pp

Sales Rights:

Weight: 192g

BIC: YBCS

Foreign Rights:

NATELLE QUEK is a Malaysian born illustrator. Natelle loves to use bold colours and cinematic perspectives. Her

Black British Book Festival 2023 & 2025, Festival, Bath Children’s Literary Festival Book Tours: over 30 appearances across Southern UK for appearances in South East England for DANCE JUST LIKE SO ! Trust Story Time; Kinship Web (Book Trust); Empathy Lab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf3A7RRCtlI

British Book Festival 2023 & 2025, Bath Children’s Literary Festival

Weight: 192g

CBMC: A3M79

Distribution:

THEMA: YBCS

BIC: YBCS

Age: 3+

Tours: over 30 appearances across Southern UK for

e: orders@booksource.net

t: +44 (0) 141 642 9192

Sales Rights: World (excluding N. America)

Foreign Rights: Petulachaplin@aol.com

CBMC: A3M79

Sales: MMS

Distribution: BookSource

e: orders@booksource.net

e: info@mms-publishing.com

t: +44 (0) 141 642 9192

THEMA: YBCS

t: +44 (0) 20 8898 5211

Sales: MMS

e: info@mms-publishing.com

t: +44 (0) 20 8898 5211

Defnitely one to add to the bookshelves of those with toddlers be that at home or

Anna McQuinn continues to capture the gentle, everyday moments of childhood.

– Erin on Goodreads

Full of warmth, reassuring, and as with all the books in this series, inclusive and beautifully portrayed.

in a nursery setting.

Anna McQuinn continues to capture the gentle, everyday moments of childhood.

– Erin on Goodreads

Defnitely one to add to the bookshelves of those with toddlers be that at home or in a nursery setting.

– Red Reading Hub

toddlers just love looking at images of other babies like themselves and will enjoy seeing their everyday world in a story.

ANNA MCQUINN RUTH HEARSON

Full of warmth, reassuring, and as with all the books in this series, inclusive and beautifully portrayed.

Defnitely one to add to the bookshelves of those with toddlers be that at home or in a nursery setting.

When you are one year old, every day brings a new experience and when you are little, even small things are big adventures. Zeki greets every new experience with a sense of adventure and a smile! Babies and toddlers just love looking at images of other babies like themselves and will enjoy seeing their everyday world in a story.

– Red Reading Hub

Anna McQuinn is the creator of successful inclusive series Booky Girl Lulu and Zeki Books. She has written over 30 picture books and is

ANNA MCQUINN RUTH HEARSON

Booky Girl

Lulu is one of the busiest and most positive little girls in picture books and her every adventure is prompted by a story. Then she’s off... to the library to research, to the dressing-up box to play, to read to her new baby brother, to plant flowers or to show her mother she’s responsible enough to look after a cat. Even though she’s excited she is well prepared for her first day at school. She tries new things with her cousin on her first sleepover...

Anna McQuinn is the creator of successful inclusive series Booky Girl Lulu and Zeki Books. She has written over 30 picture books and is published worldwide in many languages in the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, USA, Canada, China, Brasil, Korea. www.annamcquinn.com

Rosalind Beardshaw’s favourite subject in school was art, so it was an easy decision to become an illustrator. Since then she’s gone on to illustrate more than 30 picture books. www.rosalindbeardshaw.com

Grandpa Kuma has travelled a long way to meet his granddaughter and everyone is excited about the visit.

But it soon becomes clear that things may not go to plan. Kuma has plenty to say...but no one understands him. So is it possible to get along and have fun before he has to fly home?

Ann Grifalconi echoes the oral storytelling tradition in this award-winning picture book with its inspiring tale from the history of the Yao people of East Africa.

Window on the World is a series of titles aimed at giving very young children a basic knowledge and understanding of how children live around the world. Each title contains minimal text and stunning photographs featuring children from all over the world in everyday situations.

Encourages

ISBN: 978-1-907825-545

Publication Date: October 23

Bethlehem has never been so busy! Leah, the innkeeper’s daughter is rushed off her feet. Then in the starlight miracles begin. This beautiful, fresh new telling of the Nativity story, through the eyes of a young girl, brings a wonderful humanity to this familiar tale.

BIC: YBCS

CBMC: B3M79

Price: £12.99

Format: Hardcover

‘Tall Tales’ are beautifully told traditional stories.

260 x 210mm

Extend: 32 pages

Ages: from 4 years upwards

Explores: The Nativity; the birth of a child; helping strangers; empathy; wonder at mysterious things; material poverty and spiritual riches; universal human experience; sharing.

Key selling points:

• Perfect gift book for Christmas and all times.

Margaret Bateson-Hill is an author and a storyteller. She has travelled to tell stories as far aﬁeld as Beijing and Moscow. This storytelling brings the freshness of performance to her writing as well as the surest touch in terms of understanding her audience. www.margaretbateson-hill.co.uk

• Vibrant and emotive artwork.

Now with stunning new design covers

• The Nativity seen from a child’s perspective.

• Free audio book

Karin Littlewood Karin Littlewood lives and works in London. Originally from Yorkshire, she studied graphic design and has produced work for numerous newspapers and magazines, design and packaging companies and has illustrated over forty children’s books published in the UK and worldwide.

What a wonderful book, it feels a very fresh, compassionate and contemporary retelling and Karin’s illustrations are, as ever, stunning.

TRADITIONAL TALES

young from

Key sellingpoints

• Stories inspired by well-known proverbs that convey thoughtprovoking messages

• Introduces Gond tribal art, Nordic folk rt and Chinese ink and wash painting

PICTURE BOOKS

APRIL

Juvenile Fiction

Historical / Holocaust

JUV016060

$21.95

ISBN: 978-1-77260-368-2

Hardcover, full color, 32 pages, 8.5x11, ages 9–12

ebook: 978-1-77260-376-7

KEYWORDS: JEWISH CHILDREN HOLOCAUST, HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, HOLOCAUST TRUE STORY, JEWISH WOMEN, BERGENBELSEN

secret: Hélène is pregnant. But there is very little food in the camp, and even less hope. Hélène and her baby are in grave danger. Remembering the chocolates, Francine realizes she may be able to help.

A

Francine’s act of kindness will make ripples in their lives for decades to come.

KATHY KACER’s books have won many awards, including the Silver Birch and the Jewish Book Award. A former psychologist, Kathy now travels the globe speaking to children and adults about the importance of keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. Kathy lives in Toronto with her family.

MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK

ISBN 9782925108466

FEAST BENEATH THE

BERTIE AND FRIENDS HIT THE

Illustrat

Narration by Mischa Cheeseman

GABRIELLE GRIMARD uses various media to research and create the illustrations for a book, but her favorite aspect will always be color. She uses mainly watercolors, gouache, and oil. She adds a touch of wooden pencil for the details. She has illustrated dozens of books and has been nominated for several awards. She lives in Waterville, Quebec.

Hardback / Full colour / 48 pp

28.5 cm x 21 cm

Story and songs by Christian Duchesne

Performances by Clerel and Geneviève

Once upon a time there were four oodles of fun together.

See more of Kathy Kacer’s books and our Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers on pages 14–15, and Gabrielle Grimard’s picture books on page 17 and 21.

After their last adventure full of surprises, Bertie and gang to take shelter atop they encounter an extraordinary girl small at the snap of her fingers. Together, singing and dancing under the moon

Everyone is Welcome WRITTEN BY PHUONG TRUONG, ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE WEI

A little girl hears that her grandma’s friend, Mrs. Lee, was pushed on her way to the Asian market. A book to begin a conversation about the reality of antiAsian hate, while also celebrating Asian families and cultures.

“An important book around how anti-Asian hate impacts a community. In the story, readers witness discriminatory incidents but also see how the community comes together to take actions to ensure the safety and belonging of all. A timeless book that reinforces the importance of remembering each other’s shared humanity and living compassionately.” —

A sequel to , this imaginative with four beloved traditional songs and pizzazz and emotion

Christiane Duchesne is the author of more time winner of the Governor General’s Literary the Hans Christian Andersen Award, among born in Venezuela and immigrated to Canada College for illustration and design, she completed at She and A Story about Cancer (With a Happy

These interactive and bright board books include flaps and a shiny mirror on the last page. Lift the flaps to find out more!

VRLFM04

KEY SALES POINTS:

• Adventure-led engaging child-centred graphic novel to support kids’ mental health and wellbeing. It is story focused, fun and accessible to reluctant readers

• The creative team are a Clinical Psychologist and experienced children’s illustrator/comic book creator, working with a NHS mental health transformation strategist

• All illustrations are hand drawn with care using AstroVista’s own IP. We are human

the Emotoneers & their faithful friend Puck the Mutt, as they learn the skills they need to navigate the Emotosphere, ﬁnd the treasure that is all

This is the book about emotional wellbeing that will WANT to read. It’s a fun adventure story, humour, which they’ll enjoy reading & talking

Featuring the 7 Cosmic Powers – a range of evidencebased strategies to help kids make space for feelings, including mindfulness & gratitude.

Developed by a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Susannah Redhead & children’s author and illustrator former PlayStation games artist, Russ Daff.

Make

All Go Away

MARKETING AND

★ Pitching to: neurodiverse publications and podcasts

★ Posts and newsletters for Neurodiversity Awareness week, World Autism Awareness Week, Sensory Awareness Month, and more.

★ Pre-order campaign with door hangers and sen-approved sensory toy.

★ Endorsements received from Naomi Jones, Lisa Varchol Perron, Sally J Pla, Phyllis Harris and Allie Millington.

★ Interactive downloadable / printable activity guide (10 pages).

A hilarious and colourful picture book debut about an introverted child’s unique journey to (reluctantly) making new friends – with an important post-pandemic message of being social as an neuro-divergent introvert.

PUBLICATION: 25 November 2025

FORMAT: Hardback 253 x 204 mm

PAGE COUNT: 32

ISBN: 9781786788375

PRICE: £12.99

FINISHES: embossing and spot UV

THEMA CODE: YFQ

PUBLICATION: 25 November 2025

AGE RANGE: 3–6 years

FORMAT: Hardback 253 x 204 mm

PAGE COUNT: 32

FINISHES: embossing and spot UV

THEMA CODE: YFQ

AGE RANGE: 3–6 years

This Book is About Nothing

Marco Anderson

Illustrated by Erica Salcedo

This Book is About

This Book is About Nothing

Marco Anderson

Illustrated by Erica Salcedo

I Don’t Want To Read This Book Middle Of The Book

I Don’t Want To Read This Book meets The Wall In The Middle Of The Book

This book is about NOTHING! nothing. Rio is adamant that their and uninterrupted. The only thing characters want to come into the course, chaos!

I Don’t Want To Read This Book meets The Wall In Middle Of The Book

This book is about NOTHING! Zilch, zero, absolutely nothing. Rio is adamant that their story will be peaceful and uninterrupted. The only thing is ... more and more characters want to come into the book, leading to, of course, chaos!

From dragons with magician’s hats play the piano, this hilarious and important post-pandemic social message as an introvert and having fun with

From dragons with magician’s hats to unicorns who can play the piano, this hilarious and colorful story has an important post-pandemic social message of making friends as an introvert and having fun with others.

NOVEMBER 2025

MARCO ANDERSON is a 14 year in San Francisico, California. He now his labradoodle, Hunter, and the is an aspiring ﬁlmmaker and loves everything! This Book is About Nothing

ISBN: 9781786788375

PRICE: £12.99

PUBLICATION: 25 November 2025

FORMAT: Hardback 253 x 204 mm

PAGE COUNT: 32

ANDERSO

ERICA SALCEDO is an illustrator prevoius books include Kid Normal Greg James, All Bodies are Good Bodies and 50 Times Football Changed the

From dragons with magician’s hats to unicorns who play the piano, this hilarious and colorful story has important post-pandemic social message of making friends as an introvert and having fun with others.

MARCO ANDERSON is a 14 year old boy who was born in San Francisico, California. He now lives in London with his labradoodle, Hunter, and the rest of his family. Marco is an aspiring ﬁlmmaker and loves telling stories about everything! This Book is About Nothing is his ﬁrst book.

FINISHES: embossing and spot UV

THEMA CODE: YFQ

AGE RANGE: 3–6 years

OK IS ABOUT NO

ERICA SALCEDO is an illustrator based in Spain. Her prevoius books include Kid Normal by Chris

and Greg James, All Bodies are Good Bodies by

and 50 Times Football Changed the World by

MARCO ANDERSON is a 14-year-old boy who was born in n London H of his fa Marco i d stories

MARCO ANDERSON is a 14 year old boy who was in San Francisico, California. He now lives in London his labradoodle, Hunter, and the rest of his family. Marco is an aspiring ﬁlmmaker and loves telling stories about everything! This Book is About Nothing is his ﬁrst book.

ERICA SALCEDO is an illustrator based in Spain. prevoius books include Kid Normal by Chris Smith Greg James, All Bodies are Good Bodies by Charlote Barkla and 50 Times Football Changed the World by Gary Lineker.

“All

This Book is About Nothing is his first book.

and under the jacket, a second cover mimicing “everything”.

With it’s playful take on the concept of “nothing,” Marco hopes this book will inspire young readers to think outside the box, sparking their imaginations and encouraging them to see the endless possibilities in the simplest ideas.

Smith

Charlote Barkla

Gary Lineker.

INCLUSION, SELF-ESTEEM

The Worry Warthog Lucy Pickett

DIVERSE FICTION

BALLER BOYS

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ecnis

D Amazon Teachers Pick 2021

BALLER BOYS VS THE BULLDOZERS

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by Venessa Taylor Illustrated by Kenneth Ghann

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Shay and Frankie are best friends and football crazy! AC United is the best club and Shay and Frankie want to play for them Can their friendship survive the competitiveness of football?

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Best friends Shay and Frankie realise that n ever stays the same, and change is a part o whether they like it or not With new te members, the threat of losing their precious turf, and changes afoot in their family lives t the boys work together to stay on track

CHILDREN'S 64-0-5

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TLUDA :NBSI 0-538319-1-879 8£ 99

THE TWIG MAN

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by Sana Rasoul

CHILDREN'S ISBN:978

World Ri

It's been a year since nearly-twelve-year-old Ari's older sister, Lana, ran away. Except Ari knows what really happened. She was taken by the Twig Man, the creepy monster that's haunted the woods for a hundred years. No one will listen, so it's down to Ari to save her. But he had better hurry, as Ari finds himself next on The Twig Man's list...

assistant headteacher, to the creation of the Baller Boys series vine, e, He Daily Express and many more

SANA RASOUL

Sana is a Kurdish Politics graduate and teacher in the heart of London. She never misses a Formula One race and when she isn't teaching or writing she is busy drinking gallons of coffee and watching anything horror-related

*Longlisted for The Juniper Book Award 2023

*Featured in VIP November Book Box

*4-5 star reviews and glowing endorsements

“Mary, Georgia, 1851

My Momma always told me that, one day, remarkable things would happen to me.

‘No, Mary,’ I hear her say, voice dripping like treacle, ‘not happen to you; you will do remarkable things.’

Not now though, trapped and with no room to properly breathe – nowhere to look even but the sky above and the earth under my feet pressed fat on the ground from working and walking from dawn until the sun sets low in a stretched wide sky of cerise and crimson. For now, my space to breathe is inside. In that little pocket deep within my chest or heart or something – the bit they can’t touch.”

Clover has felt so alone since her mother passed away - there was only ever Mum and Clover and they were a team. That is until Clover discovers a box of old letters, dating back to 1851, where the voice of a young woman will tell Clover about her true heritage and the dark secrets that Mum hid from her.

SANA RASOUL

Frankie Jamie Shay

Instagram: @abiolabello

Facebook: A.BelloAuthor

Online press folder: https://bit.ly/AbiolaBelloMedia ,

AT LAST IT’S HERE ………

The Concluding Fourth Book in the prize-wining, best-selling, Emily Knight series

The trailblazing fantasy series by award-winning author Abiola Bello concludes in the page-turning, explosive, jaw-dropping manner Emily Knight readers have grown accustomed to! The eagerly anticipated fourth book follows the incredible success of Emily Knight I am... Becoming, Emily Knight I Am... Awakened (which received a prestigious Carnegie nomination and enjoyed first place in the London’s BIG Read 2019) and the debut – Emily Knight I Am.

Website: www.a-bello.com X: @abellowrites

Instagram: @abiolabello

Facebook: A.BelloAuthor

November 2022 and was an Amazon's Editor's Choice and was featured in Guardian's Children's and Teens Best New Novels. Only For The Holidays second YA book with S&S, followed by The Love Dare, which released in summer 2024. In March 2025, Abiola’s “Wild Magic” children’s fiction series will launch with S&S) its first title: Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion.

Abiola is a finalist for The Black British Business Awards 2023 for Media, she won The London Book Fair Trailblazer Awards 2018 and is the of Hashtag Press, Hashtag BLAK, The Diverse Book Awards and Ink! as well Ink Book Prize. She has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Female First Magazine, Mirror, BBC1XTRA to name a few. As well as being a writer, Abiola is a professional dancer. She performed for more than a decade in prestigious venues including Royal Opera House, The Barbican, Sadler's Wells, Hammersmith Apollo and Theatre. Abiola has also appeared on BBC's The Apprentice, Got To Dance Dance AllStars The Movie.

Abiola wrote her first novel at the age of eight – when she fought monsters and dragons on a daily basis – and experienced her first taste of ‘being published’ winning a school poetry competition at the age of 12. Seeing her words in print a passion for writing that remains to this day.

ISBN:

Pub date:

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Bic:

Of Serpent Skins

Writen by J. Zacharias

Of Serpent Skins

Writen by J. Zacharias

9781857144987

ISBN:

Pub date:

9781857144987

SELLING POINTS

KEY SELLING POINTS

Age range:

12+

Format:

Extent:

Pub date:

ISBN:

Price:

Bic:

Of Serpent Skins Writen

31st July 2025

12+

Paperback 197 x 130mm 140pp

Pub date:

Rights:

Age range:

Format:

Extent:

Price:

Rights: Bic:

ISBN: Pub date: Age range:

Format:

£7.99

by J. Zacharias

9781857144987

31st July 2025

12+

Paperback 197 x 130mm 140pp

£7.99

World

World YFB / YFH

Age range: 12+

Paperback

Paperback 197 x 140pp

YFB / YFH

£7.99

World YFB / YFH

The third novel in a trilogy with further profound adventures for Anitha, who travels to Kerala, India to stay with her grandmother and learn more about their magical powers. Anitha become embroiled in a conﬂict with a corporaton who seek to develop an ancient sacred woods. Through telepathy and her paranormal powers, Anitha faces incredible challenges, including technologies. A fascinating tale exploring the emergence of matriarchal power coming out of traditional patriarchal themes and parallel timelines. J. Zacharias has written another enchanting story in this, her third novel.

Extent: Price: Rights: Bic: YFB / YFH

The third novel in a trilogy with further profound adventures for Anitha, who travels to Kerala, India to stay with her grandmother and learn more about their magical powers. Anitha embroiled in a conﬂict with a corporaton seek to develop an ancient sacred woods. Through telepathy and her paranormal powers, Anitha faces incredible challenges, including technologies. A fascinating tale exploring emergence of matriarchal power coming of traditional patriarchal themes and parallel timelines. J. Zacharias has written another enchanting story in this, her third novel.

AUTHOR: J. Zacharias was born in Singapore, has a BA in Southeast Asian Studies, Political Science and Ancient Philosophy from The National University of Singapore. Zacharias subsequently went on to train as a Secondary School teacher the National Institute of Education. Her hobbies are dancing, chanting and walking in the countryside of Yorkshire where she lives.

A fascinatng

• A fascinatng story which examines ramiﬁcatons of AI technology for humans

The third novel in a trilogy with adventures for Anitha, who travels India to stay with her grandmother their magical powers. embroiled in a conﬂict with a seek to develop an ancient sacred Through telepathy and her paranormal faces incredible challenges, technologies. A fascinating tale emergence of matriarchal power of traditional patriarchal themes timelines. J. Zacharias has written enchanting story in this, her

Highly imagina

The third novel in a trilogy with further adventures for Anitha, who travels India to stay with her grandmother more about their magical powers. embroiled in a conﬂict with a corporaton seek to develop an ancient sacred Through telepathy and her paranormal Anitha faces incredible challenges, technologies. A fascinating tale exploring emergence of matriarchal power of traditional patriarchal themes timelines. J. Zacharias has written enchanting story in this, her third

• Highly imaginatve novel which includes themes of inclusion, transformaton and the supernatural

• Highlights environmental issues and ecology which are relevant to our current aﬀairs

• Third novel about a character which many readers will identfy with

• A look at typical challenges which teenagers face today

The third novel in a trilogy with further profound adventures for Anitha, who travels to Kerala, India to stay with her grandmother and learn more about their magical powers. Anitha become embroiled in a conﬂict with a corporaton who seek to develop an ancient sacred woods. Through telepathy and her paranormal powers, Anitha faces incredible challenges, including AI technologies. A fascinating tale exploring the emergence of matriarchal power coming out of traditional patriarchal themes and parallel timelines. J. Zacharias has written another enchanting story in this, her third novel.

SALES & MARKETING: MMS e: info@mms-publishing.com www.mms-publishing.com RIGHTS ENQUIRIES: HELEN BINNS e: helen@helenbinns.com

Highlights environmental

AUTHOR: J. Zacharias was born in Singapore, has a BA in Southeast Asian Studies, Political Science and Ancient Philosophy from The University of Singapore. Zacharias subsequently went on to train as a Secondary School teacher the National Institute of Education. Her hobbies are dancing, chanting and walking in the countryside of Yorkshire where she lives.

t: 01892 839802

AUTHOR: J. Zacharias was born has a BA in Southeast Asian Studies, Science and Ancient Philosophy University of Singapore. Zachari went on to train as a Secondary the National Institute of Education. are dancing, chanting and walking countryside of Yorkshire wher

Third novel • A look at typical

DISTRIBUTION:

AUTHOR: J. Zacharias was born in has a BA in Southeast Asian Studies, Science and Ancient Philosophy from University of Singapore. Zacharias went on to train as a Secondary School the National Institute of Education. are dancing, chanting and walking countryside of Yorkshire where she

fascinatng story which examines ramiﬁcatons of AI technology for humans

• A fascinatng story which examines ramiﬁcatons of AI technology for humans

AUTHOR: J. Zacharias was born in Singapore, and has a BA in Southeast Asian Studies, Political Science and Ancient Philosophy from The National University of Singapore. Zacharias subsequently went on to train as a Secondary School teacher in the National Institute of Education. Her hobbies are dancing, chanting and walking in the countryside of Yorkshire where she lives.

imaginatve novel which includes themes of inclusion, transformaton and the

• Highly imaginatve novel which includes themes of inclusion, transformaton

18 | SECOND STORY

Indigenous Picture

Vee in Between

Phoenix Gets Greater

WRITTEN BY VALERIE KAIYANG WOOD, ILLUSTRATED BY ANGELA POON

WRITTEN BY MARTY WILSON-TRUDEAU WITH PHOENIX WILSON, ILLUSTRATED BY MEGAN KYAK-MONTEITH

Juvenile Fiction

$21.95

A story about transracial adoption.

ISBN: Hardcover, full color, 24 pages, 8.5x8.5, ages 6–8 ebook:

Juvenile Fiction

ebook: 978-1-77260-311-8

Muhammad to choose between competition and women like Mary Two-Axe Earley to lose their official they married white men, these women made change

Written with PRIDE!

When Em's best friend, Carla, is cursed to become a hag for all eternity, Em helps her hunt for the perfect prince to kiss her and break the spell But soon the girls will move to different colleges, and Em is running out of chances to tell Carla how she really feels. Something is getting broken at the fairytale ball: either Carla's curse or Em's heart

BOOK 3:

WRITTEN

“A good choice for those looking for collective biographies women not often covered in school curricula.” —

But Isobel has no between finishing April from their cope—until their Ranch, a survivalist Isobel meets Dane, doesn’t feel as control of her future. her sister—and

REBECCA

A hilarious rom-com debut celebrating queerness, magic and first love.

TALKING POINTS:

Wish Upon a Satellite

APRIL

Young Adult Fiction

BY ANNE DUBLIN

SOPHIE LABELLE

Young Adult Fiction

She’s a Mensch! Ten Amazing Jewish WRITTEN

Social Themes / Death, Grief, Bereavement

YAF058050

PHILLIPS night. Oh, and sometimes novels Faking Perfect Girl You Thought family, which includes

A queer romcom with a royal twist perfect for fans of Red, White & Royal Blue and Heartstopper

Representation meets romantic chaos a must-read for LGBTQ+ teens who want more joy in their fiction

Ten Jewish women and their inspiring tales of activism

$14.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-257-9

$15.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-371-2

KEYWORDS: DOOMSDAY PREPPERS, SURVIVALIST COMMUNITY, LOSS OF A PARENT, MENTAL HEALTH, FAMILY GRIEF, CONTEMPORARY YA

From crown crushes to real connection this is not your average fairytale.

Paperback, 216 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+

Paperback, 272 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+

978-1-77260-258-6

ebook: 978-1-77260-379-8

A debut bursting with heart, humour, and heat from a writer shaping the future of inclusive YA and a publisher committed to under-represented stories by under-represented writers!

“Appended with glossary, sources, acknowledgments, She’s a Mensch! should be a first pick for Judaica make a worthwhile addition to larger public and school recommended.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

AWARENESS DATE HOOKS:

LGBTQ+ History Month (UK) - OCTOBER

22 | SECOND STORY

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

World Kindness Day - NOVEMBER 13

BOOK 4:

The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life

) is the author of How (Not) To Kiss A Prince, a joyful queer YA romcom mour, and a touch of the unexpected She’s passionate about writing stories for teen readers often with a speculative twist that challenges the tres LGBTQ+ voices

WRITTEN BY DANI JANSEN

27 The Year Shakespeare

WRITTEN BY DANI JANSEN

Pride and Persistence: Stories of Queer

WRITTEN BY MARY FAIRHURST BREEN

WINNER OF THE GOLDIE AWARDS FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE AND DEBUT NOVEL

Young Adult Fiction

$13.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-121-3

Paperback, 304 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+ 978-177260-122-0

Written with

« WINNER OF THE GCLS LITERARY AWARDS, Alison, desperate to be high school play and must navigate Charlotte, the star of the play.

Midlands, B Wheeler runs an LGBTQ+ youth group and regularly volunteers writing workshops for young people. Her work is driven by a desire to help ebrated, and inspired especially those navigating identity, selfonging When she’s not writing, you’ll find her enjoying musicals, soaking in running for fun (sometimes), or heading to the seaside for a creative

“In the words of the Bard himself,

Young Adult Fiction

Prince is her debut novel and will launch at YALC in 2025, with a special Love Lit Fest in September 2025.

$13.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-121-3

Every day, people face discrimination because of identity. The people between these pages have stood community, whether on their own behalf or in support Some made a difference by confronting injustice; themselves.

Audiobook available

Paperback, 304 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+

& book review enquiries to info@literallypr.com please

ebook: 978-1-77260-122-0

 Audiobook available

“It includes a useful historical timeline of LGBTQ the U.S. as well as an excellent glossary.” —The Globe

The Stone Rainbow

WRITTEN BY LIANE SHAW

WINNER OF THE MANITOBA YOUNG READERS' CHOICE AWARD (MYRCA) NORTHERN LIGHTS AWARD, 2021, CANADA

978-1-77260-108-4

Paperback, 256 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+ 978-1-77260-109-1

WRITTEN « OLA BEST Juvenile

$12.95

“We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”

The breakfast club

Something More

Jackie Khalilieh

Featuring a Palestinian teenager coming of age in a different culture

£8.99 paperback 9781913835347

Diagnosed as autistic just before joining a new school, 90s- obsessed Jessie is determined to make a fresh start. She plans to keep her diagnosis a secret and creates a list of goals to keep her on track– from acquiring two distinct eyebrows to getting a magical first kiss. But when two very different boys steal her heart, Jessie finds herself re-writing her plans.

Perfect for fans of Adiba Jaigirdar, Attiya Khan & Jenny Han

Steele

been over a year since that night and Amani hopes that starting all over again will help her move on from the past So, when she moves to a

Yousra Imran

Sara and her family move from London to the Arabian Gulf, it feels like every door is being closed on Sara's future Can Sara find her voice again? Will she ever be

Yan Harris is VERY EXCITED.

Rights

9781916204232 / Paperback / £9.99

9781919627618 / Ebook / £3.99 195mm x 130mm / 320 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After 17 years in a sleepy village where everyone knows her as The Chinese One and her best friend Chelsea as The Brainy One, it’s time for a trip to London. Time for Yan to scope out art colleges, see the sights, go clubbing, get off with random people, kick scumbags in the shins, shoplift and run around literally screaming. It’s all good summer fun.

Isn’t it?

Yan is beginning to develop hypomania, the “up” side of bipolar – a disorder she doesn’t yet know she has.

In the desperate battle of Yan vs. bipolar, does the poor disease really stand a chance?

“Cleverly written, fast-paced and engaging. I rattled through it, desperate to know what happened.”

Nicola Morgan, author of Blame My Brain

While Chelsea’s distracted by the fascinating Ras and war in the online Nordhelm fandom,

14 year-old Max only has one person he can really talk to. Her name is Ana - also known as anorexia, his eating disorder.

“Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Holly Bourne and Sara Barnard.”

Emma Sufﬁeld, SLA UK School Librarian of the Year, 2018

“E”. Could it be the Evie, the new girl at school, playing tricks on him?

Rights available: UK, Commonwealth (excluding Canada) and Ireland

Max writes to Ana every day. She feeds on his fears, encouraging him to lose more and more weight.

In the midst of a family crisis, Max’s eating disorder quickly deteriorates. Ana pulls him further and further away from his family and friends, until he feels totally alone. Can anyone help him ﬁnd a way out?

worked variously as a secretary, a magazine assistant, a live TV subtitler, a newspaper sub-editor, and a government media monitor before settling down to edit children’s and YA books at publishers such as Hachette and Egmont. In 2021 she published her ﬁrst novel, Rapids, which is about a girl with bipolar disorder who has no intention of letting that - or anything else - slow her down.

ANNA BOWLES worked variously as a secretary, a magazine assistant, a live TV subtitler, a newspaper sub-editor, and a government media monitor before settling down to edit children’s and YA books at publishers such as Hachette and Egmont. In 2021 she published her ﬁrst novel, Rapids, which is about a girl with bipolar disorder who has no intention of letting that - or anything else - slow her down.

For Christmas, Max gets an unusual present from his older brother Robin: a geocache. He hides it in the forest near their house, thrilled by the anonymity it gives him. Anyone can leave Max a note – and soon, he gets one from the mysterious

9781999863357

A GIRL BEHIND DARK GLASSES

Age: 12–18

by Jessica TaylorBearman

Rights available: UK, Commonwealth (excluding Canada) and Ireland

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Drawing on debut author Samuel Pollen’s own experiences, this is an unforgettable, uplifting story of one boy’s battle with anorexia.

“The Year I Didn’t Eat by Samuel Pollen is an unforgettable novel about a boys battle

SAMUEL POLLEN grew up in Cheshire, United Kingdom, and now lives in London. His debut novel is an enthralling, touching and uplifting book, based on his own experience with anorexia. When he’s not writing books, Sam works as a copywriter. And when he’s not writing at all, he runs, bakes, and crochets.

A GIRL IN ONE ROOM

by Jessica TaylorBearman

‘Karl is a fantastic ambassador for poetry and literacy. He has such a warm and infectious energy … an especially powerful and positive voice in 2020.’

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of

the National Literacy Trust

Karl Nova

Fronting the Premier League Writing Stars poetry competition, inspiring over 7,000 entries with his poem Beautiful Ambition and returning to his old primary school to deliver an assembly and individual poetry workshops to Key Stage One and Key Stage Two classes, as well as officially opening the school's new library

Being an ambassador for National Poetry Day, sharing a new poem, ‘see through my eyes’ to celebrate the day and inspire children and young people to get involved

Delivering creative writing workshops in person and digitally to children and young people all over the UK and internationally including at Hay Festival and Bradford Literature Festival

Karl’s second anthology is a collection of very personal poetry and is based on his own unique story. From the UK to Nigeria, and back again, Karl seeks to share his life journey, and explain how it has shaped who he has become today.

What would you do and how would you feel if you were suddenly taken away from all that you know? Read on, and you will find out how Karl responded, in this very particular and curious case Winner of the 2018 CLiPPA

Hip Hop artist, author and poet Karl Nova has won the coveted Ruth Rendell Award for his outstanding contribution to raising literacy levels in the UK in 2020.

e c e n t l y w o n i o u s l i t e r a r y a w A w a r d 2 0 2 0 ” H e i s a

Karl’s unwavering commitment to continuing and furthering his work to inspire young readers and writers through his creative writing workshops, talks and poetry continued during lockdown through digital channels which enabled him to reach children and young people all over the UK and beyond. o v a r e c e n t l y w o n p r e s t i g i o u s l i t e r a r y a w A w a r d 2 0 2 0 ” . H e i s a P r e m i e r L e a g u e R e a d i n h i s d e b u t b o o k , R h y t h m 2 0 1 8 C L i P P A p r i z e

The Curious Case of Karl Nova

Danah’s

c o m p u t e r .

Young Adult Fiction

$12.95 ISBN: 978-1-927583-96-8

Paperback, 248 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 12+

RECOVERY

Combatting Hate

Maddy keeps a journal as she struggles with

Breaking Faith

WRITTEN BY E.

GRAZIANI

What Does Hate Look Like?

Young Adult Fiction

$11.95 ISBN: 978-1-897187-62-3

Paperback, 272 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+

 Audiobook available þ Teacher’s Guide available

WRITTEN BY SAMEEA JIMENEZ & CORINNE PROMISLOW WITH LARRY SWARTZ

Real kids share their stories to help start a conversation about hate: what it looks like, what it means, and why it happens.

“…[the authors] help us see how bias, prejudice, violence, discrimination and exclusion affect us all.” —

Juvenile Nonfiction

$21.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-290-6

Heroines, WRITTEN Nine

"These understand went

Paperback, duotone illustrations, 112 pages, 6.5x8, ages 9–12

ebook: 978-1-77260-291-3

þ Teacher’s Guide available

Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell WRITTEN BY LIANE SHAW

See more on pages 1 and 3

WRITTEN BY LIANE SHAW

Heroines, Rescuers, Rabbis, Spies: Unsung Women of the Holocaust

"A moving Holocaust story for younger readers about a young boy sent to Auschwitz and befriended by a magician...A poignant, inspiring story of friendship, hope and survival.”

WRITTEN BY SARAH SILBERSTEIN SWARTZ

Faith navigates childhood trauma, addiction, and mental health issues after witnessing a violent incident.

Young Adult Fiction

Young Adult $19.95 ISBN: Paperback, ebook: 978-1-77260-263-0

The Second WRITTEN BY

The Magician of Auschwitz Kathy Kacer

A young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder navigates the disappearance of a friend.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HATE

Nine ordinary women who took extraordinary measures to save lives during the Holocaust.

$12.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-024-7

Paperback, 272 pages, 5.5x8.25 þ Teacher’s Guide available

Kirkus Starred Review

Young Adult Fiction

Sadie tries to forge an identity outside of being a “fostergirl.”

"These personal stories are illuminating and powerful, offering ways for readers to connect with and understand the past. Swartz writes from a feminist perspective, questioning why these heroic figures went unsung and frequently even unmentioned while male heroes received praise and recognition.... Phenomenally done and more necessary than ever."

$12.95 ISBN: 978-1-927583-95-1

Young Adult Nonfiction

$19.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-262-3

Paperback, 272 pages, 5.5x8.25, Ages 12–16

Paperback, b&w illustrations, 160 pages, 6x9, ages 13+ ebook: 978-1-77260-263-0

þ Teacher’s Guide available

INFORMATION - Fall 2012

of Dandelions

WRITTEN BY

SHENAAZ NANJI

GOVERNOR-GENERAL FINALIST

Young Adult Fiction

$11.95 ISBN: 978-1-897187-90-6

Paperback, 264 pages, 5.5x8.25, Ages 13+

The Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers

15-year-old Sabine’s life changes forever South Asians are expelled from in 1972.

Fiction

Hidden on the High Wire

WRITTEN BY KATHY KACER

FINALIST MANITOBA YOUNG READERS’ CHOICE AWARD (MYRCA), SUNDOGS AWARD,

by Karen Levine

It is never easy reading a book about the Holocaust, especially one targeted speciﬁcally for young readers...The challenge for any writer telling children about this horriﬁc Wme is balance... truth without all the terrifying details. rises to this challenge and knows how important it is that children learn about this tragic Wme in history. She manages the daunWng task to not glorify, sensaWonalize or sugarcoat all the facts... to young people about serious and sad issues...In fact, educators can use books like this as an entry point to discuss what life might have been like for young people at this Wme and use it as a opportunity and a vehicle to draw upon current events for other examples of situaWons today that threaten the well-being of other ethnic groups. "Infused with hope and a message about human capacity for good in the face of evil."--Publishers Weekly

FINALIST THE CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK

CENTRE’S GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, During

ISBN: Paperback, 216 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 13+

“Though

Price CAD: $24.95

Trim:

Page Count:

Juvenile Fiction

$13.95 ISBN: 978-1-77260-251-7

WRITTEN BY E. GRAZIANI

Paperback, 262 pages, 5.25x7.5, ages 9–12 978-1-77260-252-4

ISBN: 978-1-926920-36-8

"Newland's haunWng illustraWons feature an appropriately muted paleKe dominated by light grey, muddy brown, and greyish indigo. Paired with Newland's realisWc style, the impression of looking at old photographs...A wonderful springboard for discussion about the Second World War and the atrociWes commiKed during the Holocaust, and should be considered an essenWal purchase for every public and school library.”

Audiobook available Teacher’s Guide available

Young Adult Nonfiction 978-1-927583-71-5

The Holocaust Remembrance

$11.95

þ Teacher’s Guide available

« 2011 WHITE

Young Adult

þ Teacher’s Hidden WRITTEN «FINALIST CHOICE 2024 «FINALIST CENTRE’S HISTORICAL 2023

ISBN: Paperback, 320 5.5x8.25, Ages

During WWII, artist hides sight of the

Paperback,192 pages, 5.5x8.25, ages 12+

“Though this is a more than most.... power of kindness during antagonisticBooklist

succeeds as a testament to the strength community under extraordinary circumstances, and as little-known fragment of the Second World War.” —Quill

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Introduction and CLPE Data

Busy Toes & Busy Fingers

The Secret Mountain books with music

The Secret Mountain audio book and book with music

The Secret Mountain books with music

The Secret Mountain books with Music

Page 8 ‘I Am Nefertiti ‘ and ‘Dance Like So’ by Annemarie Anang

Page 9

Zeki Books by Anna McQuinn

Page 10 Lulu Books by Anna McQuinn

Page 11

Page 12

Lenny Books by Ken Wilson-Max

Catch! by Trish Cooke and two picture book classics

Page 13 Window on the World

Page 14 Tall Tales by Margaret Bateson-Hill and Traditional Tales

Page 15

Page 16

StorySeekers and Global Kids Picture Books

Picture Books

Page 17 Learning Emotions

Page 18 Tales of the Emotosphere

Page 19 Make It All Go Away

Page 20 This Book Is About Nothing

Page 21 Inclusion, self-esteem and overcoming anxieties

Page 22

Page 23

Diverse Fiction

Page 24 Emily Knight by Abiola Bello

Page 25 Serpent Series by J Zacharias

Page 26

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Page 29

Identity and inclusion

Written With Pride

Diverse YA

Diverse YA and being different

Page 30 Karl Nova – Poetry

Page 31 Black History/The Consequences of Hate

Page 32 Contents and ordering details

Publishers Featured

Alanna Max, Caboodle Books, Cherrytree Books, Five Quills, Hashtag Press, Moon & Bird, North Parade Publishing, Second Story Press, Ragged Bears, Starfish Bay, The Secret Mountain, Toran Press, Wacky Bee Books, Zero To Ten, and Zuntold

Diversity and Inclusion Catalogue Order Form – www.mms-publishing.com

Sales information: info@mms-publishing.com Tel: 020 8898 5211

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