Nosy Crow's Blog, page 55

Out now in October!

It’s our October publication day!

We’ve got some wonderful new books out this month – from brand new board books and wonderfully wintery picture books, to fascinating illustrated non-fiction and gripping new fiction, there’s something for everyone!

Here’s a closer look at what you can find in bookshops from Nosy Crow this month.

Listen to the Classical Music, by Marion Billet:

Buy the book.

Just Right for Christmas, written by Birdie Black and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw:

Buy the book.

There’s a Bear On My Chair, by Ross Collins (now available in board book):

Buy the book.

Snow Still, by Holly Surplice:

Buy the book.

The Best Kind of Bear, written by Greg Gormley and illustrated by David Barrow:

Buy the book.

Mouses’s Night Before Christmas, written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Sarah Massini:

Buy the book.

Pip and Posy: The Christmas Tree, by Axel Scheffler:

Buy the book.

Little Robin Red Vest, by Jan Fearnley:

Buy the book.

British Museum: The Legend of Troy, written by Goldie Hawk and illustrated by Esther Aarts:

Buy the book.

Incredible Jobs You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of, by Natalie Labarre:

Buy the book.

Earth Heroes, by Lily Dyu:

Buy the book.

National Trust: 2020 Almanac, written by Alison Wilson and illustrated by Elly Jahnz:

Buy the book.

A Pony Called Secret: A True Champion, by Olivia Tuffin:

Buy the book.

Rose Campion and the Christmas Mystery, by Lyn Gardner:

Buy the book.

Unicorn Academy: Violet and Twinkle, written by Julie Sykes and illustrated by Lucy Truman:

Buy the book.

Max the Detective Cat: The Disappearing Diva, written by Sarah Todd Taylor and illustrated by Nicola Kinnear:

Buy the book.

Max the Detective Cat: The Phantom Portrait, written by Sarah Todd Taylor and illustrated by Nicola Kinnear:

Buy the book.

Max the Detective Cat: The Catnap Caper, written by Sarah Todd Taylor and illustrated by Nicola Kinnear:

Buy the book.

FloodWorld, written by Tom Huddleston and illustrated by Manuel Šumberac:

Buy the book.

Congratulations to all of today’s authors and illustrators!

What is the ideal incredible job for you? Take the quiz to find out!

In just a few days we’re excited to be publishing Incredible Jobs You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – a fantastic new non-fiction book from Natalie Labarre, celebrating unusual or unexpected jobs you never knew existed.

Do you know what you want to do when you grow up? Why not work as a babysitter . . . for sloths? Or become a farmer . . . of corpses? You might even grow up to be someone who gets paid to actually sleep on the job! From taste testers to dinosaur dusters, there are all kinds of incredible jobs that you’ve probably never heard of . . . and one of them might be just right for you!

Now it’s your turn to find out what INCREDIBLE job (that you’ve probably never heard of) is right for you with our quiz! Have a go at the quiz below:

And here’s a preview inside the book:

You can pre-order a copy of Incredible Jobs You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of from Waterstones here, The Hive here, or Amazon here. 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, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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Icarus Was Ridiculous soars at the British Museum!

Icarus Was Ridiculous, written by Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Thomas Flintham, and published in collaboration with The British Museum – was launched last night in the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery at the British Museum! Kirsty Stansfield, Head of Fiction and the editor of the Izzy series, recaps the evening below.

—

The last time I found myself in front of the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, it was with a bunch of excitable Year 3s on a school trip. The slab of rock didn’t interest them much, impatient as they were to get to the really old dead people in bandages in the next room. So what if it unlocked a world of language and stories? It hadn’t had its brain pulled out through its nose with a hook. They made a good point and we moved on.

I was thinking about this last night, listening to Pamela Butchart give her (excellent, funny, moving, and for me, literally rewarding – more of my hamster cruet set later) speech at the launch of ICARUS WAS RIDICULOUS, the latest Izzy adventure illustrated magnificently by Thomas Flintham and produced in conjunction with the British Museum.

In it, Izzy retells four Greek Myths for the benefit of her friends and 7+ readers everywhere – unique interpretations featuring multiple perms, a ferret in a toga and a stolen cappuccino machine. All the drama of the originals but with more headless teddies! Pamela spoke about not being taught the Myths at school and missing out such great stories and I thought about those Year 3s – without the Rosetta Stone, how would anyone know about the brains and the mummies? Without Izzy, how would a new generation know about the siege of Troy and the massive BBQ they had or the warning Narcissus represents for those who take just one more selfie than is good for them? Exactly.

It was a brilliant night, not least because I got the BEST PRESENT EVER. (Thank you, Pamela! SaltnPeppa4eva!)

And it was lovely to see everyone celebrating with Pamela and Thomas as the massive ancient heads watched on. (But enough about Kate Wilson!) Thank you to the British Museum, and to Claudia and Beth for being so brilliant to work with. And now everyone has to buy the book so Izzy can spread her love for the ancient world far and wide! ιστορίες για όλους!

—-

Thanks, Kirsty!

Here’s a preview of this RIDICULOUSLY funny new book:

Order your copy of Icarus Was Ridiculous from the Nosy Crow shop here, from Waterstones here, or from your local independent bookshop via The Hive here.

 

I Am The Seed and Where’s Mr Duck have both been selected as winners in the 2019 Junior Design Awards!

The 2019 Junior Design Awards winners have been announced – and we’re thrilled to see that both I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree: A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year and Where’s Mr Duck have both been selected as winners!

The Junior Design Awards are run by parenting magazine Junior and celebrate ‘the very best and most beautiful products on the planet’ – so we’re delighted to have been shortlisted and now selected as winners!

I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree has been awarded Gold for Best Designed/Illustrated Book for Children. Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon and collected by Fiona Waters, is a lavishly illustrated collection of 366 nature poems – one for every day of the year, including leap years. Filled with familiar favourites and new discoveries, written by a wide variety of poets, this is the perfect book for children (and grown-ups!) to share at the beginning or the end of the day, or just to dip into.

‘Utterly gorgeous in every way. So nice to enjoy poetry with children from a young age, too!’ – JDA19 judge Hollie de Cruz, author and founder of yesyesmum cards

Here’s a look inside the wonderful collection:

Where’s Mr Duck? has been awarded Bronze for Best Baby/Pre-Schooler Book 0-4 Years. Part of the best-selling Felt Flaps board book series for babies and toddlers, with easy-to-grasp felt flaps, a repetitive refrain, and beautiful bold artwork from Swedish homewares designer, Ingela P Arrhenius.

‘Loved the use of the felt and colour.’ – JDA judge and interiors blogger Reena Simon, founder of Hygge for Home

‘I absolutely adore this book. I’m a big fan of Ingela P Arrhenius’ designs and her drawings in this book are particularly gorgeous.’ – Bonita Turner, Junior Editor

And here’s a video about the latest books in the series:

You can find out more about the awards, and view the full list of winners, here. Congratulations Fiona, Fann, and Ingela!

Dogs everywhere are going barking mad for I, Cosmo!

I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak is a moving, funny, and tender story for 9-12 readers, with a wonderfully unique hero and an incredible voice.

Currently being championed as Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month, I, Cosmo is Charlotte’s Web meets Little Miss Sunshine – a beautiful and heartwarming story of one dog’s attempt to save his family, become a star, and eat a lot of bacon.

Narrated by Cosmo himself, this book has struck a chord with people and pups alike! And today we thought that we’d share some of the wonderful dogs that have gone barking mad for I, Cosmo!

 

I was an inspiration for I, COSMO. I can tell. That funny moment with the raccoon? Ha! I love raccoons.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen a dog do?

– @carliesorosiak‘s dog#InternationalDogDay #ICosmo pic.twitter.com/MGmjLCjwt0

— Walker Books US (@walkerbooksus) August 26, 2019

Biscuit insists the #ICosmo by @carliesorosiak should leap straight to the top of my TBR pile and of course I have agreed. (How could I not?) Review to follow in @uksla School Librarian magazine. @Joyisreading @NosyCrowBooks pic.twitter.com/trm6VLYjpH — Emily Marcuccilli (@EmilyMarcu) August 9, 2019

Oh my goodness!! Dogtastic #Bookpost!!

As a mama of two furbabies I’m looking forward to reading #ICosmo @carliesorosiak & from the looks of it my #greyhound approves with a moody pensive pose!!

Thank you so much @becmason26 @NosyCrowBooks @NosyCrow pic.twitter.com/HeQg5z3fGJ

— Lily Fae (@faeryartemis) May 20, 2019

Sometimes a dog needs a day off from being a hero. Buddy thinks ball & picnic were a fab idea. ‘I, Cosmo’ by @carliesorosiak is so close to publication! I have a competition coming up for you to get your hands on a copy so keep your eyes peeled & paws ready. #gifted #icosmo pic.twitter.com/l576xZbq3m — Delly

Four Nosy Crow books longlisted for the 2020 UKLA Book Awards!

We’re delighted to announce that four Nosy Crow books have been longlisted for the 2020 UKLA Book Awards! Now in their 12th year, the UKLA Book Awards are the only awards judged entirely by teachers.

What Does An Anteater Eat?, by Ross Collins, The Suitcase, by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, and The Rabbit, the Dark, and the Biscuit Tin, by Nicola O’Byrne, have all been longlisted in the 3-6 category. The Middler, by Kirsty Applebaum has been longlisted in the 7-11 category.

A delightfully silly picture book from award-winning author Ross Collins, What Does An Anteater Eat? combines comic misunderstanding with wonderful illustrations. Here’s a look inside:

Buy the book.

A touching and timely story about the importance of kindness, The Suitcase is a picture book that will stay with readers young and old, long after the final page is turned. Here’s a look inside:

Buy the book.

From the award-winning author-illustrator Nicola O’Byrne, The Rabbit, the Dark, and the Biscuit Tin is perfect for any little one who doesn’t want to go to bed – or might be a little bit afraid of the dark! Here’s a look inside this magical tale:

Buy the book.

Set in a near-future world, The Middler is a gripping story for 9-12 year olds, which perfectly captures the trials and frustrations of being the middle child, the forgotten child, the child with no voice – even in your own family. Here’s a look inside:

Buy the book.

You can find out more about the UKLA awards, and read the full longlists, here. The shortlists for the awards will be announced in April next year, and the overall winners will be announced in July at the 2020 UKLA International Conference.

Congratulations Ross, Chris, Nicola, and Kirsty!

Take a look inside Earth Heroes!

In October we’re thrilled to be publishing Earth Heroes, an inspiring new non-fiction book celebrating the work of climate change activists around the world, written by the wonderful Lily Dyu. From Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough to Isatou Ceesay, each tale is a beacon of hope in the fight for future of our planet!

When faced with climate change, the biggest threat that our planet has ever confronted, it’s easy to feel as if nothing you do can really make a difference… but this book proves that individual people can change the world. With twenty inspirational stories celebrating the pioneering work of a selection of Earth Heroes from all around the globe, this book proves that one person, no matter how small, can make a difference. And that above all, working together is how we solve the climate crisis.

Here’s a sneak peek inside this fascinating and timely new book – read an extract below:

Earth Heroes will be flying the crow’s nest on October 3rd – you can pre-order your copy from Waterstones here or from The Hive here.

Don’t forget to sign up to our books newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of our books news at this page, or with the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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Take a look inside two new Felt Flaps books – Where’s Mrs Bear and Where’s Mrs Witch

Earlier this month we published two brand new books in our best-selling, award-winning Felt Flaps series, illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius – Where’s Mrs Bear? and Where’s Mrs Witch?

Today you can take a look inside the two new books! You can watch the video preview of Where’s Mrs Bear? and Where’s Mrs Witch? below:

With bold, graphic artwork, these vibrant board books are perfect for sharing with babies and toddlers. Peek behind the bright felt flap on every spread to see who’s hiding – and then enjoy the fantastic mirror reveal on the final page.

We’re also delighted that the series has recently been shortlisted for the 2019 British Book Design & Production Awards – you can read more about it here.

You can buy your copy of Where’s Mrs Bear? here, and Where’s Mrs Witch? here. If you’d like to stay up-to-date with all our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter with the form below.

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Earth Heroes fronts The Bookseller’s eco special!

Last Friday, The Bookseller published it’s first ever sustainability special – and we’re delighted that Earth Heroes is their cover star for this amazing and timely issue. It was also listed as a category highlight for their ‘Sustainability & Climate Change Spotlight’ along with The Wide, Wide Sea, a picture book by Anna Wilson and Jenny Løvlie, publishing in April 2020 in collaboration with the National Trust.

Publishing on 3rd October, Earth Heroes is an inspiring collection of stories about people saving our planet, from Greta Thunberg to David Attenborough and Isatou Ceesay to Yin Yuzhen. Beautifully written by Lily Dyu and with black-and-white photographic portraits, this is an essential read for any young person who cares about our world.

We will be publishing Earth Heroes within four months of its acquisition, due to the timely and critical environmental message that we know young readers are passionate about. The Bookseller’s Caroline Sanderson explains, “Just as it has taken young people to underline the urgent need to address climate change, it is children’s publishers who have the most creative range of titles in this area.”

Hester, Nosy Crow’s Senior Marketing Executive, explains how we got involved with The Bookseller’s green issue:

“Shortly after booking the cover advert for Earth Heroes a few months ago, The Bookseller landed on my desk in its usual plastic wrapper. I suddenly winced at the thought of Earth Heroes, a book about people helping protect the planet that we have worked hard to print in an environmentally conscious way, being presented to the world wrapped in single-use plastic.”

“I got in touch with The Bookseller to ask if the wrapper was essential and if they’d consider an alternative. The good news, they replied, was that they were already researching green initiatives for their business, including a compostable wrap. A few weeks later, I had the fantastic news from The Bookseller that the wheels were in motion for a sustainability special and that this would be the issue that they would launch their move to a compostable wrap, with Earth Heroes as their cover star!”

“Like many others in the industry, I’ve become increasingly aware of my own impact on the environment – for example, I’ve become really conscious of how we print and distribute marketing materials. The BA’s recently published Green Bookselling Manifesto is a brilliant resource with lots of practical tips for those in the book industry.

“Working to promote Earth Heroes, which is packed full of incredible, inspiring stories about people who have petitioned for change, has really brought it home that it’s everyone’s responsibility to look after the world – and that small changes to how you live and work really can make a difference.”

You can take a look at the first chapter below:

You can pre-order Earth Heroes from Waterstones here, The Hive here, or Amazon here. 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, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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Watch Carlie Sorosiak introduce I, Cosmo – and bookshop sightings!

This month we’re talking all things I, Cosmo – the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for September! We’re delighted that so many bookshops are championing I, Cosmo with wonderful displays spotted all over the country – as seen below. If you spot an I, Cosmo display in a bookshop near you, please share it with us on Twitter or Instagram!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Waterstones Cambridge (@waterstonescambridge) on Sep 1, 2019 at 2:42am PDT

Cosmo’s family is falling apart. And it’s up to Cosmo to keep them together. He knows exactly what to do. There’s only one problem – Cosmo is a Golden Retriever. I, Cosmo is a moving, funny, and tender tale for 9-12 year olds, with a wonderfully doggy hero and a unique voice, perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Kate DiCamillo.

Here’s Carlie introducing her book:

And you can read the first chapter below:

You can pick up a copy of I, Cosmo at Waterstones here or The Hive here – and there are also a limited number of signed copies available with Waterstones, here.

Thank you again to all the booksellers and readers who have been championing this book!