Nosy Crow's Blog, page 122

A beautiful new activity format from Nosy Crow – Press Out and Colour!

Next month we’ll be launching an incredible new activity series – Press Out and Colour, illustrated by Zoe Ingram. Make your own beautiful 3D decorations with these board books of press-out ornaments – each press-out design is intricately decorated with foil and perfect for all ages to colour in. Featuring 10 unique designs in each book, the press-out pieces can be slotted together to create bright and cheerful hanging ornaments.

The first book in the series will be Press Out and Colour: Birds – and it’ll be in shops from the beginning of September!  These gorgeous birds are perfect to hang around the home and add sparkle to any setting, and the Christmas book features festive decorations, ideal for adorning the Christmas tree.

You can pre-order Press Out and Colour: Birds here. And if you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter at this page, or with the form below.

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If looks could kill…

This October we’re publishing an an absolutely brilliant new book: Murder in Midwinter, by Fleur Hitchcock, author of Dear Scarlett and Saving Sophia – atmospheric, hard-boiled crime for 9-12 year olds.

And today you can read an early preview of the book – and win a proof copy!

When Maya takes a photo from the top of a bus, she has no idea of the trouble it will bring. The bright shop window is gorgeous but the couple arguing in front of it look as if they want to kill each other. And when her flash goes off, they look as if they want to kill her too…

Then a body turns up. The police suggest that Maya should go away for a while – somewhere remote, somewhere safe. Her aunt’s farm in the Welsh mountains is the perfect place to hide, and soon it’s snowing hard enough to cut them off completely. No one can get in and no one can get out. But does that mean there’s nothing to fear?

A tense, snowy drama that keeps you guessing until the very last page, this is thrilling, gripping middle-grade reading.

You can take an early look inside Murder in Midwinter below – here are the opening chapters:

And you can also win an exclusive proof copy of the book! To be in with a chance of winning one of five Murder in Midwinter proofs, just sign up to our books newsletter at this page or with the form below, and send an email to tom [at] nosycrow [dot] come with Murder in Midwinter in the subject heading, including your postal address. This competition is open to residents of the UK and Ireland only.

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Today’s the last chance to get tickets for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon at our bank holiday weekend sale discount!

We’ve been celebrating the bank holiday weekend with a special offer – a discount on tickets for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon at a new Bank Holiday price!

The next Illustrator Salon is taking place on Monday, October 17, with the FANTASTIC Sam Usher as our special guest – the highly-acclaimed illustrator of Refuge, written by Anne Booth. And the sale is almost over – you can buy tickets for the Salon with 30% off until the end of the day!

Just enter the promotional code SUMMER at the checkout page.

Join us for the evening and discover how Sam creates his artwork, find out who and what his inspirations are, how he built a career as a children’s book illustrator, his process of creating a picture book from start to finish, how he collaborates with authors and publishers, his advice for illustrators, and more!

The Salon will be taking place at The Book Club in Shoreditch – after an interview with Sam, there’ll be a Q&A with the audience, followed by a book signing and drinks.

Booking in advance is essential – and our unbeatable Bank Holiday sale ends at midnight tonight! You can book your place (with 30% off the regular ticket price) here, or with the form below, using the promotional code SUMMER.

Here’s a look inside Refuge:

Happy Bank Holiday – and we hope to see you at the Salon!

A bank holiday weekend sale for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon!

We’re celebrating the bank holiday weekend with a special offer – from now until Tuesday, we’re offering a discount on tickets for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon at a new Bank Holiday price!

The next Illustrator Salon is taking place on Monday, October 17, with the FANTASTIC Sam Usher as our special guest – the highly-acclaimed illustrator of Refuge, written by Anne Booth – and for a limited time only, all tickets for the Salon are available with 30% off the standard price!

Just enter the promotional code SUMMER at the checkout page.

Join us for the evening and discover how Sam creates his artwork, find out who and what his inspirations are, how he built a career as a children’s book illustrator, his process of creating a picture book from start to finish, how he collaborates with authors and publishers, his advice for illustrators, and more!

The Salon will be taking place at The Book Club in Shoreditch – after an interview with Sam, there’ll be a Q&A with the audience, followed by a book signing and drinks.

Booking in advance is essential – and our unbeatable Bank Holiday sale ends on Tuesday! You can book your place (with 30% off the regular ticket price) here, or with the form below, using the promotional code SUMMER.

Here’s a look inside Refuge:

Happy Bank Holiday weekend – and we hope to see you at the Salon!

A bank holiday Summer sale for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon!

We’re celebrating the bank holiday weekend with a special offer – from now until Tuesday, we’re offering a discount on tickets for the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon at a new Bank Holiday price!

The next Illustrator Salon is taking place on Monday, October 17, with the FANTASTIC Sam Usher as our special guest – the highly-acclaimed illustrator of Refuge, written by Anne Booth – and for a limited time only, all tickets for the Salon are available with 30% off the standard price!

Join us for the evening and discover how Sam creates his artwork, find out who and what his inspirations are, how he built a career as a children’s book illustrator, his process of creating a picture book from start to finish, how he collaborates with authors and publishers, his advice for illustrators, and more!

The Salon will be taking place at The Book Club in Shoreditch – after an interview with Sam, there’ll be a Q&A with the audience, followed by a book signing and drinks.

Booking in advance is essential – and our unbeatable Bank Holiday sale ends on Tuesday! You can book your place (with 30% off the regular ticket price) here, or with the form below.

Here’s a look inside Refuge:

Happy Bank Holiday weekend – and we hope to see you at the Salon!

Watch a teaser trailer for our next app – Fairytale Play Theatre

Our next app is nearly ready.

It’s a brand new kind of app for Nosy Crow: unlike our previous story apps, this one doesn’t have any text, or any voice audio – it’s up to you to create the story.

Fairytale Play Theatre will allow you to make your own stories, using the wonderful characters, artwork, props and music from our award-winning fairytale apps. The app features over 60 characters to choose from, along with dozens of scene backgrounds, props and musical scores to bring your story alive – you can tell your own brand new stories, or re-tell our fairytales in your own words (and voices!).

The app will be available on the App Store very soon – and in the meantime, here’s a very first look at our teaser trailer for Fairytale Play Theatre.

If you’d like to find out exactly when Fairytale Play Theatre is released, sign up to our apps newsletter, either at this page or with the form below, and you’ll be the first to hear when it becomes available on the App Store.

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Take a look inside A Piglet Called Truffle by Helen Peters – and win a proof copy!

This October we’re incredibly pleased to be launching a FANTASTIC new series for younger readers, written by Helen Peters, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted The Secret Hen House Theatre and The Farm Beneath the Water, and illustrated by Ellie Snowdon.

And today you can read an early preview of the first book in the series, A Piglet Called Truffle – and win a proof copy of the book!

Hattie’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Hattie spends a lot of time caring for animals and trying to keep them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means getting herself out of difficulty, too…

In A Piglet Called Truffle, Hattie rescues a tiny piglet from certain death. But Hattie’s parents don’t believe in farm animals being pets and insist that Truffle must be sold as soon as she’s big enough. So Hattie begins a campaign to keep her – one that doesn’t seem to be going very well as Truffle gets older and ever-closer to market… In the end, it takes two lost guinea pigs and one cold, frosty night-time adventure to save the mini piglet from disaster…

Brilliant story-telling that will make you laugh and cry, and beautifully illustrated by Ellie Snowdon, this is James Herriot for a new generation.

You can take an early look inside A Piglet Called Truffle below – here’s the first chapter:

And you can also win an exclusive proof copy of the book! To be in with a chance of winning one of five A Piglet Called Truffle proofs, just sign up to our books newsletter at this page or with the form below, and send an email to tom [at] nosycrow [dot] come with A Piglet Called Truffle in the subject heading, including your postal address. This competition is open to residents of the UK and Ireland only.

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New books for the Autumn!

Next month will, I think, be our biggest EVER publication month – we have more fantastic books coming out than I can fit into a photograph. From brilliant new board books, to wonderful picture books; beautiful and innovative activity titles, to funny and exciting fiction – there’s something for everyone! Here are all of the new Nosy Crow books that you’ll be able to find in shops from September.

We are VERY happy to be publishing a brand new board book in the brilliant Bizzy Bear series illustrated by Benji Davies – Bizzy Bear: Spooky House. The ever-intrepid Bizzy Bear has come for a visit to a super-spooky Halloween house. As he climbs the rickety stairs and walks the cobwebby corridors, all sorts of creepy characters appear from doors and hidey holes. But where could he be going and what will he find there? Here’s a very quick look inside the book:

You can pre-order the book here.

We’ll be publishing I Saw Anaconda, written by Jane Clarke and illustrated by Emma Dodd, next month – a very funny, very silly lift-the-flap story in a great big format that’s PERFECT for 2+ year olds! Full of odd animals and ingenious flap reveals, this is the story of one little boy who watches as ALL SORTS of animals are swallowed up by a very hungry anaconda. With a flap on every spread,you can watch as every character gets gobbled up.. and thrown back up again in a final pop-up reveal. It’s funny and a little bit icky!

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You can pre-order the book here.

There are two new books in our Listen to the… sound book series out next month  – beautifully illustrated by Marion Billet, and with six amazing real-life sounds in each book, adults and children alike will be enchanted by these charming board books. Here’s a look at the latest two titles – Listen to the Countryside and Listen to the Pets:

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Pre-order the book here.

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Pre-order the book here.

Jannie Ho’s Halloween ABC will be out next month: with smiling faces, bold shapes and bright contrasting colours to engage and hold the attention of inquisitive older babies and toddlers, this sturdy little board book is an excellent, gentle introduction to letter sounds and the alphabet sequence – perfect for read-aloud spooky fun.

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You can pre-order the book here.

We are incredibly proud to be publishing a brand new edition of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams next month – a treasured classic, revisited for a new generation with heartwarming illustrations from Sarah Massini.  Margery Williams’ classic tale is the first in a new series of highly collectible Nosy Crow Classics – created with lavish illustrations, these beautiful books will bring old favourites to a new generation. When the Velveteen Rabbit first arrives in the nursery, he is snubbed by the other toys. But the Rabbit soon makes friends with the Skin Horse who explains how toys can become “real”, if only they are loved enough. Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

Nothing Can Frighten a Bear, written by Elizabeth Dale and illustrated by Paula Metcalf, is out next month – a wonderful picture book by a brand new author-illustrator pairing. Snuggled up in bed one moonlight night, Baby Bear is sure he hears a monster outside. Daddy Bear insists there’s nothing scary in the forest and, anyway, nothing can frighten a bear. But as the family of bears set out to make sure, and all vanish one by one, it looks like Daddy Bear might not be as brave as he seems… This is an absolutely FANTASTIC picture book: beautifully illustrated, with a lovely rhyming text, and a gentle, reassuring message that’s perfect for young children. Here’s a look inside:

Pre-order the book here.

The first paperback edition of Wish…, by Emma Dodd, is out now – with flurries of foil throughout and featuring a tenderly-told rhyming text and heartwarming illustrations, this beautifully-designed picture book will soon become a bedtime favourite. Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

We’ll also be publishing the first paperback edition of The Mystery of the Haunted Farm by Elys Dolan next month – a brilliantly clever, hilariously funny picture book that’s perfect for sharing. Down on the farm, something isn’t quite right, so Farmer Greg takes refuge in a hotel and calls out the Ghost Hunters to investigate. After encountering the likes of Donkula and Frankenhorse, the Hunters declare this to be one of the most interesting cases of their career. Meanwhile, after experiencing the worst shower ever at Bates Motel, Farmer Greg returns to his farm and discovers that the monstrous creatures were, in fact, his animals, who’d dressed up to scare off a beast. But CREEPERS! What’s THAT? The beast’s true identity is revealed when the moon rises and a certain farmer sprouts a tail and great, BIG teeth… Featuring incredibly illustrative detail and Elys’ trademark wit, this is a smart, spooky treat from a major picture book talent. Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

And the final picture book in our trio of new paperback releases for next month is Ross Collins’ There’s a Bear on My Chair – a joyously illustrated picture book, with a clever single rhyme echoing Dr Seuss, and the recipient of the inaugural Amnesty CILIP Honour. Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

We’re publishing two new books in the excellent Rounds illustrated narrative non-fiction series by Barry Tranter and Emma Tranter – Olive Owl and Parker Penguin. Each book in this innovative series takes the reader on a journey through the animal’s life, explaining how they eat, grow, defend themselves, and reproduce. With a strong, clear narrative, friendly characters, fascinating facts and graphic illustrations, these are a fun and informative introduction to animal life cycles. Here’s a look inside each book:

Pre-order the book here.

Pre-order the book here.

And there’s an app for Parker Penguin, too! If you like the book, you can find out more about the innovative story app that inspired it here – and here’s the app trailer:

We’re thrilled to be a launching a brand new two-colour illustrated fiction series starring everyone’s favourite canine duo, Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, next month, with Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Spooky School, written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Steven Lenton. Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam don’t just make amazing cakes – these two brave bakers solve wacky mysteries too! Halloween at St Spectre’s school brings out the cheekiest of ghosts! And who is to blame when the weather goes CRAZY? A power-grabbing red panda maybe? Certainly not the racoon gang fixing the museum’s toilets – they’ve got dastardly plans of their OWN! With three hilarious read-aloud stories, and beautiful two-colour illustrations, this is a fantastic book for 6+ year olds – it’s perfect for young children ready for the next milestone after picture books, and great for both independent reading and sharing. Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

The latest book in the brilliant Zoe’s Rescue Zoo series, written by Amelia Cobb and illustrated by Sophy Williams, is out next month – The Sleepy Snowy Owl. Oscar is a very sleepy snowy owl. He just can’t seem to keep his eyes open during the day and so he’s missing all the fun. So Zoe comes up with a night-time plan guaranteed to keep Oscar happy! Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

There’s a brand new paperback edition of The Grunts on the Run, written by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, available in shops next month – the final book in the hilarious Grunts series. Over the years, the Grunts have managed to upset a lot of people. Some of them are angry and want REVENGE, even if it means breaking out of jail to get it. So Mr and Mrs Grunt and Sunny must go into hiding, and that means leaving behind Fingers, Sunny’s hard-to-hide elephant. But their enemies are hot on their (rather grubby) heels… Here’s a look inside the book:

Pre-order the book here.

The Colouring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Christmas, illustrated by Rebecca Jones, is out next month – another amazingly innovative colouring book, full of beautifully-designed cards and envelopes to tear out and colour. The twenty-four beautiful festive designs include stockings, snowmen, snowflakes and more and are perfect for all ages to decorate and send to family and friends. With enough blank space inside for a message, envelopes to customise and cute stickers to seal your card – this is the complete creative package!

Pre-order the book here.

And finally, next month we’ll be publishing Press Out and Colour Birds, illustrated by Zoe Ingram – the first book in an incredible new activity series! Make your own beautiful 3D decorations with these board books of press-out ornaments. Each press-out design is intricately decorated with foil and perfect for all ages to colour in. Featuring 10 unique designs in each book, the press-out pieces can be slotted together to create bright and cheerful hanging ornaments. The gorgeous birds are perfect to hang around the home and add sparkle to any setting, and the Christmas book features festive decorations, ideal for adorning the Christmas tree.

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Pre-order the book here.

If you don’t want to miss any of our book news, you can up to our books newsletter at this page, or with the form below.

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The next Nosy Crow Reading Group is almost here – we’re discussing Pax by Sara Pennypacker and Jon Klassen

The Nosy Crow Reading Group will soon be returning after a summer break – we’ll be discussing Pax, written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Jon Klassen.

And if you’re interested in coming along, there are just a couple of places remaining!

We’ll be meeting on Wednesday, September 21st at 6.30pm, here at the Nosy Crow offices – 10a Lant Street, London, SE1 1QR – for a discussion of the book (along with wine and crisps).

If you’d like to come along, just register for a place with the form below, or at this page – if the reading group becomes fully booked, you can add your name to our waiting list, and we’ll notify you if a place opens up.

You can order Pax online from Waterstones here – and here’s an NPR interview with Pennypacker about the book:

We hope to see you there!

Brand new Zoe’s Rescue Zoo – take a look inside The Sleepy Snowy Owl!

Next month we’re publishing Zoe’s Rescue Zoo: The Sleepy Snowy Owl, the latest brilliant story in the phenomenally successful Zoe’s Rescue Zoo series written by Amelia Cobb and illustrated by Sophy Williams. Finished copies have just arrived in the office, and they look BEAUTIFUL – and today you can take a look inside the new book for the first time.

Oscar is a very sleepy snowy owl. He just can’t seem to keep his eyes open during the day and so he’s missing all the fun. So Zoe comes up with a night-time plan guaranteed to keep Oscar happy!

These are a great introduction to chapter books for 5-7 year olds – brilliantly-written series fiction with a fantastic premise. Zoe loves living at her uncle’s rescue zoo because there’s always something exciting going on. And Zoe also has an amazing secret… She actually TALK to the animals.

Here’s a look inside the book:

The Sleepy Snowy Owl will be in shops in September – you can find out more about the book, and pre-order your copy, here. And if you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter at this page, or with form below.

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