Suzanne Carnell, Publisher at Macmillan’s still quite new Two Hoots picture book list says: ‘What a thrill to be publishing the legendary artist Lane Smith under my new imprint! The bold, beautiful images in A Perfect Day were inspired by a raid on his bird-feeder by a big brown bear . . . apparently such things really happy in Connecticut. Then from star of the future Morag Hood (the genius behind Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea), comes the very funny When Grandad Was a Penguin, a swapping places story told with wonderful deadpan humour. Finally, another book to make you smile is Daddy Long Legs, written by Natalie Brun Cosme, with rich, stylishly retro illustrations by Aurélie Guillerey. Focusing on a father’s relationship with his child, it has the lightest of touches, and the warmest of hearts.’
Venetia Gosling, Fiction Publishing Director, Macmillan Children’s Books says: ‘We start the year with a new and very timely novel from the acclaimed Elizabeth Laird. Welcome to Nowhere is a moving portrayal of a family in Syria, forced to leave their homeland for the safety – or not – of a refugee camp. The Lotterys Plus One is the first children’s novel from Emma Donoghue – the bestselling author of Room – a wry and entertaining look at a diverse family with four co-parents and seven children, and what happens when one very traditional elderly grandparent moves in with them. We also have two brilliant and very different debuts we can’t wait to share, A Girl Called Owl, by Amy Wilson, which is the beautifully drawn story of a girl who
discovers her father is Jack Frost – perfect
for hunkering down with by the fireside these winter nights. And the hilarious Llama United by Scott Allen is the tale of a team of llamas who accidentally eat the ashes of a famous footballer and are transformed into cup level football players . . . Illustrated by Sarah Horne throughout, you’re going to love this very funny llama drama!’
‘We’ve got an exceptionally good teen and YA list for 2017, including several debuts’, says Rachel Petty, Editorial Director, Macmillan Children’s Books. ‘New to the list are Rachael Lucas, author of The State of Grace – an incredibly touching coming of age story about a girl with Aspergers – and Carlie Sorosiak, author of If Birds Fly Back: a sun-drenched romance set in Miami. We’re very proud to be publishing Windfall, the new book by Jennifer E. Smith (author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight) about a girl who buys her crush a winning lottery ticket, and A Quiet Kind of Thunder, the second book by Sara Barnard, which is a romance between a girl who doesn’t talk and a boy who can’t hear. Last but not least we have A Skinful of Shadows, the eagerly awaited new title from Costa-award-winner Frances Hardinge, which is just as dark and exquisitely written as The Lie Tree.’
‘It’s difficult picking selected titles when really you love them all’ says Roy Johnson, commercial director, at New Frontier Publishing, ‘But I’ve chosen picture books, which illustrate the diversity of stories, characters, and illustration that New Frontier are very passionate about publishing. Edward and the Great Discovery is a story about a boy who comes from a long line of archaeologists. Edward has never discovered anything until one rainy night he stumbles upon what could be his first great discovery. An uplifting story about the excitement of finding things, developing friendships, and learning about extinct animals. Aura Parker’s whacky, colourful illustrations are the perfect visual realisation of a magical story of a boy who grows a jelly bean tree, My Magnificent Jelly Bean Tree. Written in rhythm and verse this is a wonderful story exploring themes of fantasy, childhood and family. The eponymous Mr Darcy is a rather reserved and genteel duck. He likes to tip his hat and say good morning but would never want to bother anybody. He frets over an invitation to tea from Lizzy and her friends. Will Mr Darcy accept the invitation and
admit that maybe he is lonely sometimes? A charming witty take on Pride and Prejudice for a younger audience which explores themes of pride, family life and tolerance.’
Sam Arthur, CEO/Co-Founder of Nobrow Ltd/Flying Eye Books says: ‘I’m really excited about our whole list, but books you should definitely look out for are The Secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd Stanton and Big Hid by Roisin Swales. Joe’s illustration is so beguiling we used it on the front cover of our catalogues this season! If you like detailed drawings and stories full of adventure, you will love Joe’s books. Roisin’s book Big Hid was part of her degree show last year and it literally stopped me in my tracks when I saw it. It’s hilarious and touching in equal measure and its ease of reading belies an important and timely theme. Both books are beautiful and are bound to stand up to lots of repeat reads!’
Janetta Otter-Barry is excited to announce Otter Barry Books’ debut title from the amazing duo Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom. ‘Books! Books! Books!, published in April, is an exploration, in words and pictures, of the greatest library on earth − the British Library. From the Lindisfarne Gospels and Beowulf, by way of the biggest atlas in the world and the tiny prayer book carried by Lady Jane Grey to her execution, to Shakespeare, the Brontes, Jane Austen, Alice in Wonderland and Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, this is a unique and thrilling history of the book. In September we present a wonderful and extraordinary picture book collaboration between Jackie Morris and James Mayhew – Mrs Noah’s Pockets. How Mrs Noah secretly saves those ‘troublesome creatures’, the unicorns and other
mythical beasts, from being left behind when the ark sails, is delightfully told by Jackie, and James’s paintings are a visual feast.’
Natalie Doherty, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House Children’s UK says: ‘I’m excited about some fantastic debuts coming this summer. Juniper Lemon’s Happiness Index is the story of a girl who’s coming to terms with her big sister’s death. She finds a mysterious letter in her sister’s handwriting, to an unknown love − written the very day she died. It’s a gripping mystery and a heartbreaking, powerful love letter to the complicated relationships between sisters. I can’t wait for Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson – sparky, rainbow-hued colour fiction that’s perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Liz Pichon, and is already a multi- award-winner in the US. And I’m always excited about new books by the brilliant Robin Stevens! As well as two books from the world of Murder Most Unladylike, we’re publishing The Guggenheim Mystery – a sequel to the late Siobhan Dowd’s wonderful and bestselling London Eye Mystery. It’s a fiendish puzzle with a hectic New York backdrop and the return of the most wonderfully unique narrator in Ted Spark, whose brain works on a ‘different operating system’ to everyone else’s.’
D.J. and his friend Gina are totally normal kids. Until a mysterious boy comes crashing from the sky and nearly blows up their shed. . . ‘I couldn’t be more excited to be publishing The Boy Who Crashed to Earth, the first book in Judd Winick’s incredible HILO series’ says Ben Horslen, Publisher, Penguin Random House Children’s. ‘It’s kind of like Superman rebooted by Pixar: a full-colour, fast- paced adventure that both boys and girls will love, this series has friendship, action, excitement, robot ants, ninja cats, burp jokes and so much heart that it makes me glow with happiness every time I think about it. What else? It’s got a really pleasingly diverse cast (one of our heroes is Asian-American, another is black) and it challenges gender stereotyping well. Basically, it feels very much like a series for 2017 and I cannot wait for kids to get their hands on it!’
Books for Keeps No.222 January 2017 5
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