Wednesday 2 February 2022

New February Picture Book Releases

Check out a selection of our February releases below! 

Saving the Butterfly
by Helen Cooper and illustrated by Gill Smith


A poetic, powerful story about a little brother and a big sister finding a new home and new hope.

A little brother and his big sister try their best to settle in a new home, where they have nothing left from before except each other. The little one makes new friends and quickly learns to laugh again but his sister remains haunted by the shadows of their past and hides away in their broken house. Trying to help his sister, the little one catches a butterfly for her and brings it inside the house. His sister knows that she needs to set the butterfly free ... but that would mean going outside. In taking the first steps to face her fears and save the butterfly, she also begins the process of saving herself.

We will have guest blog posts with Helen Cooper and Gill Smith coming over the next few weeks!

I Am Not An Octopus
by Eoin McLaughlin and illustrated by Marc Boutavant

Terry is not an octopus. He's just a regular guy with a few extra arms. Yes, he loves tuna and yes, he'd love to visit Super Octopus Fantasea Adventure World. But octopuses live in the sea. And Terry is afraid of water. Maybe he should learn to swim?

A very silly story about being brave, facing your fears and accepting who you really are.

I Kissed the Baby!
by Mary Murphy


"I saw the baby! Did you see the baby?" "Yes! I saw the baby, the teeny, weeny thing." "I tickled the baby! Did you tickle the baby?" "Yes! I tickled the baby, the wriggly, giggly thing!" Join in the fun in this shout-out-loud board book for the very youngest of children. Now available as a board book.

Little Fish's Ocean
by Lucy Cousins


Explore the ocean with Little Fish and meet new friends along the way! Swim in shallow rock pools and lush kelp fields; dive down to the ocean depths and play in cold seas before finally heading home to Mummy Fish in the colourful coral reef. With large flaps that open out to reveal panoramic underwater scenes, this book is a perfect way to share the wonderful diversity of marine life with the very young.

Chirp
by Mary Murphy


We all have a voice and a song to sing! In this joyful, rhythmical picture book, Mary Murphy brings to life the beauty of the dawn chorus and shows that even the smallest of birds – and the littlest of readers – have a powerful voice. With stunning graphic artwork set against a rainbow of sky colour, Chirp heralds a new day and new beginnings.

Apple and Magnolia
by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Patricia Metola


Britta’s two favourite trees, Apple and Magnolia, are best friends. Britta can't explain how she is so sure about the friendship, but deep down in her heart, she knows it is true. Then, one day, Magnolia’s branches start to droop. Her bark grows patchy. Her leaves turn brown… Can Britta find a way to help Magnolia survive the cold winter months? With glowing illustrations from illustrator Patricia Metola, this gentle story explores the mystery of trees, the magic of nature, and one girl’s hope, determination and nurturing spirit.


The Midnight Fair
by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio


Far from the city, but not quite in the countryside, lies a fairground. When night falls, and the fair is empty, something unexpected happens. Wild animals emerge from the trees, a brave raccoon pulls a lever, and the rollercoasters and rides explode back into bright, neon life. Now it’s time for the woodland creatures to have some fun…
Now available in paperback.

Click here to read our Q&A with Gideon Sterer!


The Lipstick
by Laura Dockrill and illustrated by Maria Karipidou


Exploring his mother’s bedroom, a little boy discovers THE LIPSTICK. It begins on his lips, where it looks very good – MWAH! But then it goes for a little walk … squiggle, squiggle … on the mirror … scribble scribble … on the shiny floorboards … smudge smudge. And even on the fluffy cat. Uh-oh! What will happen when Mum, Dad and big sister see all this mess? From the team behind Angry Cookie comes a hilarious and joyous story all about artistic expression, self-confidence and supportive, accepting parenting.
Now out in paperback.

Click here to read our Q&A with Maria Karipidou and here for our activity sheets!


Can Bear Ski?
by Raymond Antrobus and illustrated by Polly Dunbar

This new paperback edition includes an illustrated BSL alphabet.
Boy Bear cannot hear Dad Bear coming to wake him up in the morning but he can feel the floor vibrate with his heavy footstepsHe can only grasp little bits of what his teacher says to him at school. He cannot catch what his friends are laughing at. And, all the time, Boy Bear keeps hearing the question, “Can Bears ski?” What does it mean? With the support of Dad Bear, Boy Bear visits an audiologist and, eventually, he gets hearing aids. Suddenly, he understands the question everyone has been asking him: "CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

Click here to read our Q&A with Polly Dunbar!



All of our February releases are now available from all good booksellers.