Thursday 7 October 2021

New October Picture Books Releases

 The Queen in the Cave
by Júlia Sardà

One night, Franca has a dream about a marvellous queen, who lives in a dark cave, deep in the forest. She cannot sit still until she knows if her dream is true! So, together with her younger sisters, Carmela and Tomasina, she ventures into the forest at the end of their garden. As they travel deeper through nettles and thickets, drawing closer and closer to the cave, the world shifts ... everything shrinks and expands at the same time. They are somewhere new now, somewhere different. Here, they meet beasts and creatures that shock and delight them, and escape horrible things that utterly frighten them. They learn how to be brave, to be bold, to face their darkest fears. And what of the queen? Well, what they find in the cave is perhaps the most unexpected thing of all...

Click here to read out behind the scenes piece with Júlia. 

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost
by Flavia Z. Drago


THE WINNER OF THE KLAUS FLUGGE PRIZE 2021
"A great story about making friends by being yourself and the illustrations are a constant visual delight" Malorie Blackman

Gustavo is a ghost. He is good at doing all sorts of paranormal things, like walking through walls, making objects fly and glowing in the dark. And he loves playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo also has a problem. He is SHY. Which means some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye-scream or talking to the other monsters. But Gustavo longs to be a part of something, he longs to be seen. More than anything, he wants to make a friend. So, plucking up all his courage, he sends a very special letter: “Dear Monsters, I would like to invite you to my violin concert at the Day of the Dead party…”

You can read our Q&A with Flavia here and download our activity sheets here!

Now out in paperback!

It's Mine!
by Emma Yarlett

Once there was a mysterious thing. Nobody knew how it got there, it just was. “It’s mine, all MINE!” say Mouse, Frog, Fox and Bear. But is it a piece of fruit, a wheel, a ball, a chair or something else altogether? And who will get to keep it in the end?

 Everyone Sang: A Poem for Every Feeling
by William Sieghart and illustrated by Emily Sutton

This exquisite gift-book contains over a hundred poems, chosen by creator of the bestselling The Poetry Pharmacy, William Sieghart, and illustrated in sensational style by picture-book star Emily Sutton. Divided into four thoughtfully-curated sections, including Poems to Make You Smile, Poems to Move You, Poems to Give You Hope and Poems to Calm and Connect You, the poems originate from an extraordinary and diverse range of sources, from Maya Angelou to Roger McGough, Lemn Sissay, Jackie Kay, Carol Ann Duffy, Joseph Coelho, Kae Tempest, W.B. Yeats, Christina Rossetti and Emily Dickinson, among many others. Combining traditional favourites with recent gems, here are poems to delight, inspire, entertain, intrigue, console and uplift readers of all ages.


Monsters Play... Counting!
by Flavia Z. Drago


Eat like a monster! Eat like Simone. Simone has ONE TONGUE for licking tasty cones.

Count from 1-10 with ten funny and flamboyant monsters! As little ones discover one tongue, two ears – and a lively monster with three eyes! – they'll be inspired to shake and move, and learn the names for their different body parts, too.

With monstrously bright and bold illustrations, rhyming words, and a sturdy feel, this interactive board book is the perfect gift for a new arrival, and a stylish addition to a toddler’s first library. A first counting book has never been wilder or such fun!

 Monsters Play... Peekaboo!
by Flavia Z. Drago


Hidden beneath seven flaps, seven silly monsters are waiting to be discovered! Arh-wooh! It's Winston the hairy werewolf. Clackety clack! That must be Mr Bones, the handsome skeleton. Little ones will love making the noises, lifting the flaps, and of course – shouting PEEK-A-BOO! – in this interactive board book full of surprises.

With monstrously bright and bold illustrations, read-aloud sounds, and a sturdy feel, this is the perfect gift for a new arrival, and a stylish addition to a toddler’s first library. A first game of peek-a-boo has never been wilder or such fun!

BANG!
by Katherine Halligan and illustrated by Amy Grimes


 In the beginning there was nothing, and then – BANG! – the universe was born. Discover the incredible story of billions of years of life on Earth, from the first tiny cells, through the age of dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts, all the way to the first humans. With playful text and stylish illustrations, this awe-inspiring history is perfect for curious young minds.

 Round and Round the Garden
by Shirley Hughes

This classic collection features 60 beautifully illustrated nursery rhymes from Shirley’s childhood to inspire a new generation to discover their own favourite rhymes – and sing them wherever they go. Parents and children can enjoy these rhymes all through the day: from walking to the park on a cold and frosty morning with “Here we go round the mulberry bush”, splashing about in a tub singing “Rub-a-dub-dub” or going to bed with “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. This collection is the perfect addition to any child's bookshelf.

My Big Book of Transport
by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Bryony Clarkson


Come and hitch a ride in vehicles of every shape and size – from family cars to double-decker buses, chugging tractors to speedy supercars, and gigantic monster-trucks to noisy fire engines. With bounce-along rhythms and fascinating facts from author Moira Butterfield, and bright, lively pictures by rising star Bryony Clarkson, any single reading of My Big Book of Transport is sure to result in a victory lap or two!

The History of Everywhere
by Philip Parker and illustrated by Liz Kay


Did you know the woolly mammoths were still around when the Egyptians built their pyramids? Or that Leonardo Da Vinci lived at the same time as Henry VIII and the Aztecs? Welcome to The History of Everywhere, a fascinating guide to all the stuff you never knew happened at the same time! In lively maps, see the whole world of history: from ancient times to the modern day, watch civilizations rise and fall, spot fascinating connections and coincidences, and discover the people and events you never learnt about in school. Prepare for a fascinating journey around the world that will change the way you see history!

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Our October releases will be available this month from all good booksellers!