For a short month, February has seen a whole heap of fabulous childrenโs books published. This monthโs roundup includes some of our favourites new illustrated books across fiction and non-fiction.
Fabulous February Reads
One Camel Called Doug by Lu Fraser & Sarah Warburton ~ Author Interview
I am delighted to be sharing an interview with the one-and-only Lu Fraser about her latest picture book, One Camel Called Doug, illustrated by Sarah Warburton. My girls and I have HIGH expectations whenever we read a new book by Lu Fraser. We are huge fans of Gertie from The Littlest Yak, illustrated by Kate Hindley, as well as cupcake-loving Nut from The Viking Who Liked Icing, illustrated by Mark McKinley. But now, we have another favourite picture book character to add to this list: Doug, a camel with one hump who is about to have a whole heap of fun!
Joyful January Reads
Childrenโs publishing has started 2022 with a bang! There have been some incredible books published this year already and my January round-up features some of our favourites, as well as a few books from 2021 that we read over the festive break. It includes my first top pick of 2022!
I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher ~ #PublicationDay #Debut #PictureBook ~ @RachDavisAuthor @BeatrixHatcher @HachetteKids
Debut picture book, I am NOT a Prince by Rachael Davis and Beatrix Hatcher is an uplifting twisted fairy tale that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages children to be proud to be themselves.
My Top Picks of 2021! ~ #ChildrensBooks ~ @AndersenPress @FarshoreBooks @QuartoKids @PuffinBooks @simonkids_UK @harryewoodgate @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @RachelCIp @Laura_A_Hughes @DapsDraws @LarryHayesAuthr @Doonkris @auralewis๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
For my final feature of 2021, I want to look back at my top picks of the year. There have been so many incredible childrenโs books published in 2021.
2021 Christmas Picture Books ~ #Reviews ~ @NosyCrow @MacmillanKidsUK @FaberChildrens @QuartoKids @crowehoho @Jesspauwels @TraceyCorderoy @StevenLenton๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
New Christmas picture books for 2021: Squirrel's Snowman by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler; Santaโs New Sleigh by Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwels; Santa's Stolen Sleigh by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton; The Toysโ Christmas by Claire Clรฉment and Genevieve Godbout
Magical Books Perfect for Christmas Gifts ~ #Reviews ~ @QuartoKids @MacmillanKidsUK @NickSharratt1 @jessicasroux๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
Christmas is a magical time of year and so it seems only fitting to have a feature post on some truly magical illustrated fiction and traditional fairy tales.
Celebrating Difference, Overcoming Adversity and Perseverance ~ #Reviews ~ @TomPercivalsays @KidsBloomsbury @cerrieburnell @QuartoKids @Stricolo @MrSteveAntony @OtterBarryBooks
Three wonderful, illustrated books celebrate difference, overcoming adversity and perseverance.
How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T Smith ~ #AdventBook #Review ~ @Alex_T_Smith @MacmillanKidsUK
Alex T Smith has created ingenious, creative advent calendars in the form of exquisite, illustrated books that will become a part of the family Christmas traditions for years to come.
The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @burstofbeaden @WalkerBooksUK
This five-part epic picture book contains Jon Klassenโs iconic illustrations and deadpan humour.
Scissorella: The Paper Princess by Clare Helen Welsh and Laura Barrett ~ #GuestPost #Review ~ @ClareHelenWelsh @laurabarrettuk @AndersenPress
Scissorella is one of the most spectacular re-imagined fairy tales weโve ever read, blending the magical world of Cinderella with a real-life female inspiration: German film director Lotte Reiniger. It is one of my top picks for 2021.
Frog Goes on Holiday by Carly Gledhill ~ #PictureBook #Review ~ @carlygledhill @MacmillanKidsUK
Frog isnโt like other frogs, he wants to see the world and sets off on a holiday adventure. Perfect for 1-2 year olds
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John & Pete Oswald ~ #Halloween #PictureBook ~ @IamJoryJohn @peteoswaldart @Harper36
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by the genius picture book duo Jory John and Pete Oswald. Their wicked sense of humour makes every book a joy, but a Halloween-themed book based on The Bad Seed was too good to miss!
Little Glow by Katie Sahota & Harry Woodgate ~ #Guest Post ~ @harryewoodgate @KatieKateWrites @OwletPress
In a fascinating illustrator Guest Post, Harry reveals how they created the opening spread. โLittle Glowโ is a story all about a diverse, multicultural community, and the different festivals of light it celebrates throughout the year. Itโs also about the importance of introverts, told through the eyes of a shy candle flame who watches all the celebrations and eventually discovers its own important purpose. Itโs very lyrical, very cosy, and Iโm very excited to share with you a little bit of the process of how the book came together.
The Bear and Her Book by Frances Tosdevin & Sophia O’Connor ~ #BlogTour #IllustratorSketches ~ @FrancesTosdevin @SOCillustration @publishinguclan
This gorgeous rhyming picture book features a book-loving bear who sets off to see the world. I have some of Sophiaโs absolutely incredible early sketches to share with you.
Violet’s Tempest by Ian Eagleton and Clara Anganuzzi ~ #BookTour #PictureBook ~ @MrEagletonIan @CAnganuzzi @lantanapub
When Violet is chosen to play Ariel from The Tempest in the school play, she is overcome with worry. But it isnโt about remembering her words thatโs troubling her, itโs having to say them out loud. This beautifully illustrated picture book shines the spotlight on shyness and finding your voice.
The Happy Hedgerow by Elena Mannion & Erin Brown ~ #BlogTour #GuestPost ~ @erinbrownillo @pikkupublishing
It's my stop on the blog tour for The Happy Hedgerow by Elena Mannion & Erin Brown and I have five hedgerow facts to share thanks to Pikku Publishing.
The Woolly Bear Caterpillar by Julia Donaldson and Yuval Zommer ~ #PictureBook ~ @yuvalzommer @MacmillanKidsUK
I am excited to be sharing a new picture book by Julia Donaldson and Yuval Zommer that really captivated my daughterโs attention. The Woolly Bear Caterpillar is a cross between The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Ugly Duckling with a fabulous non-fiction bonus!
Top 10 Books Perfect for School Starters ~ #BackToSchool #FirstDay ~ @MacmillanKidsUK @LittleTigerUK @SweetCherryPub @KidsBloomsbury @BloomsburyEd @LKPChildrens
This September my daughter is starting school. Itโs a big step and Iโve been on the hunt for the best books to help prepare her for the transition to school. Here are my top ten fiction and non-fiction books with emotional wellbeing and educational themes that will help children starting school. Plus a bonus bingo game!
How to Survive Without Grown-Ups by Larry Hayes, illustrated by Katie Abey ~ #BlogTour #MG ~ @LarryHayesAuthr @simonkids_UK
Itโs my stop on the blog tour for How to Survive Without Grown-Ups by Larry Hayes, illustrated by Katie Abey and Iโm super excited to be sharing an interview with Larry. I knew from the moment I heard about this book that I was going to love it, but it beat every expectation I had. This is one of my top picks for 2021!
Picture Book Perfect 