When we first moved to Wales, over 20 years ago now, there were red kites nesting in the trees above the house. I grew to love them, for their wildness and their beauty, but only later discovered how rare they were. Recently I heard that all the kites in Wales could be traced back to one single breeding female. And so my story was born.
I was hoping for an illustrator who could capture nature and landscape, past and present, and the warmth of the relationship between Lowri and her Granny. It's a tall order, but I'm sure you'll agree that Petra Brown's done it magnificently.

‘A stunning new picture book. This delightful story shows three generations and their concern for the natural world.’   North Wales Living

‘A brilliantly wide-ranging book, deeply heartening whilst being empowering at the same time. The red kite here evokes far more than mere ornithological interest. Vested within it is the sense of special accord Lowri feels for the stories from her Granny Sarah's past, for her Granny Sarah's house and its surroundings and ultimately of course for her Granny Sarah too! Childhood nostalgia and Malachy Doyle's awareness of the importance of stories combine to make this a particularly heart-warming book. The story is empowering in that it stimulates recognition that as part of the community we can all play a role in conserving the diversity of our countryside and the heritage of our land. The red kite is a perfect and inspiringly powerful motif to capture this, and Petra Brown's soaring illustrations fully realise it’   Jake Hope, Achuka

‘Malachy Doyle's latest work conjures up images from a grandmother's childhood, ably assisted by evocative illustrations from Petra Brown. It will show children the value of bravery, courage and respect for their nation's creatures.’   Andy Maxwell, The Big Issue

‘A simple and appealing story, which celebrates a conservation success story and introduces early readers to ideas about the environment.’   Andrea Rayner, The School Librarian

‘A carefully crafted story. The dialogue is both simple and convincing, the characterisation both endearing and amusing.’   Chris Stephens, Gwales

‘'The eavesdropping reader is immediately absorbed by the cosy relationship and the sense of intrigue and excitement. The pictures are gentle on the eye and carefully observed, with precise attention to detail.’   ' Lorna Herbert Egan, Gwales

Pont Books (UK)
Also available in Welsh: Mam-gu Penrhiw a'r Barcud Coch Olaf (Gwasg Gomer)

I found myself singing this out of nowhere, walking along the beach below my house one evening. Good rhyming picture book texts are fiendishly difficult to write, but when they work, they really work, and I was thrilled when Penny Walker at Doubleday took this one on and even more thrilled when Joel Stewart's wonderful Moomin-ish illustrations started appearing. I love this book. It's all about joy and friendship and the good things in life.

‘My heart was won over… Joel Stewart delightfully captures this quirky tale of two lonely souls in search of a friend. Doyle's words dance and the story is a joy to read aloud.’    Niamh Sharkey, Irish Times

‘Quaintly stylish… Doyle's verse text has a satisfying rhythm, as if demonstrating in its very structure that variety can be harmonious.’    Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times (Book of the Week)

‘A lovely verse story, with a neat ending - children will be cheering.’    Lorna Bradbury, Daily Telegraph

‘Text and illustrations are perfectly matched in this hugely endearing humorous story about overcoming difference. The simply conveyed - though profound - storyline, alliterative text and softly coloured illustrations will ensure a wide audience for this elegant book.’   Anne Faundez, Carousel

‘Malachy Doyle's simple but offbeat tale turns into an unexpected love story. The theme of acceptance and belonging will appeal to young readers.’   Junior (Book of the Month)

‘A beautifully judged and truly delightful book about friendship and love, written in gentle, funny rhyme. Perfect for reading aloud and for children to join in. Joel Stewart's inky and quirky drawings are simply wonderful.’   Jayne Howarth, Birmingham Post

‘If you love Dr. Seuss, you'll love this crazy tale. The rhyming verse makes it a pleasure to read and there are some subtle messages about how friends come in all shapes and sizes. The pictures are simple but enchanting, making this a perfect bedtime read for children up to seven.’    Stacia Briggs, Norwich Evening News

Doubleday/Picture Corgi (UK)
Matar (Israel)
Blume (Spanish/Catalan)
Hemingway (Korea)

I grew up with the Andrew Lang coloured fairy books, so I was delighted when Barefoot asked me to follow my Tales from Old Ireland with a collection of some of my favourite classic fairy tales. I've selected some of the best loved, like Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, but mixed in some lesser known stories that I've come across on my travels, from China, Ukraine and Argentina, for example. The magical and very beautiful illustrations are by Nicoletta Ceccoli, and Barefoot have given it the full gift-book treatment, including gold-embossed lettering and a ribbon bookmark - I've always wanted a ribbon bookmark! And not only that, but the paperback edition includes the whole thing on CD. What a bargain!

‘There are many books of fairy tales available but this one really stands out from the rest. Each story has been captivatingly retold by Malachy Doyle whose creative use of language breathes new fire into these world favourite tales. Combined with enchanting illustrations, this magical book will last not only a lifetime but will surely be passed on through the generations. A perfect Christening or new baby gift.’   Family Interest

‘A very special book indeed. The illustrations are exquisite.’    Reading Time

‘More evidence of our golden age of children's illustration… Malachy Doyle's text is lilting and clear.’   Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

‘Retold by the bardic Malachy Doyle. Nicoletta Ceccoli's vivid colours are attractive… kids will love the way they swirl, bound or swoop across every page.’   Amanda Craig, The Times

‘Doyle's retellings are swift and lively. He maintains the original brutality of the stories, but also knows the details that will leave kids chortling. Like Doyle's text, Ceccoli's acrylic and pastel artwork stays close to traditional images, while also injecting a modern vibrancy. Comprehensive source notes conclude this handsome, energetic and accessible collection.’   Gillian Engberg, Booklist

‘Twelve beautifully written and magically illustrated classic fairy tales from cultures around the world. Likely to become a firm favourite with many families.’   The Bookseller

Barefoot Books (UK/USA)
Egmont (Estonia)
Il Castello (Italy)
Ucila International (Slovenia)

Big Pig's too big to live in the farmhouse any more, but every time John Henry finds him a new place to live, Big Pig just plods on home. Will John Henry let him stay? Will Big Pig stop feeling cold and lonely every time he's left on his own? Will John Henry fall down a deep dark hole? Who knows?

‘A heart-warming story about independence - and about how sometimes parents can have a hard time pushing their little ones (or their big pigs!) from the nest. With lively, lyrical text by Malachy Doyle.’   Publishing News (starred choice)

‘Warm and giggly.’   Daily Express

‘An instant hit with my three year-old tester.’   Sunday Business Post

‘The language has a homely feel and a rise and fall cadence not unlike music. The watercolour illustrations are sympathetic and playful, but it's Doyle's lyrical voice that sings.’   Niamh Sharkey, Irish Times

‘This delightful story has watercolor and crayon illustrations of the English countryside. The characters' postures speak volumes. A warm wonderful story to share one-on-one or at storytime.’    Linda Staskus, School Library Journal

‘Young readers will be comforted to know that they can always waddle home, even when they're grown to be big critters themselves…'’   Kirkus Reviews

‘There is something instantly appealing about this tale of a pig who has no desire to grow up. Young readers will enjoy looking at and listening to this amusing tale again and again, while slightly older children will enjoy reading and re-reading it.’   Barbara Sherrard-Smith, The School Librarian

Simon and Schuster (UK /Australia)

I was over the moon when Martina Challis bought this for Simon and Schuster. I'd written it as a poem many years before, and it had been anthologised a few times, but I always hoped it might one day become a picture book. The illustrators, Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher have captured the magic of the little girl, dancing with a tiger, quite magnificently.

‘Memorable poetry that scans is rarer than it should be in picture books, …but the rhyming stanzas of The Dancing Tiger stir the hairs on the back of the neck. The gentle tiger, high-kicking in the woods, becomes a little girl's secret friend and dancing partner. He represents imagination, joie de vivre, and even love; when the girl grows old, she passes the tiger on to her great-grandchild, who takes over the dance. This resonant, graceful poem about the link between generations is complemented by tender paintings full of glowing moonlight and the splendour of the countryside. The different shades of blue alone… are exhilarating enough to inspire some foot tapping.’    Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times (Children's Book of the Week)

‘The luminous paintings convey a magical night-time atmosphere full of dreams, hopes, possibilities and a sense of 'forever', even when things are changing. The illustrations create a dreamy background against which the bond between the little girl, her great-grandmother… and the tiger is powerfully formed. A quiet book, but one to savour.’   Julia Eccleshare, The Guardian

‘From the first page, The Dancing Tiger had me mesmerised. Discerning girls and grown-ups will be entranced.’   Kate Kellaway, The Observer

‘This kind of alchemy is all too rare, where the spaces between the words hold layers of meaning, and the images expand, expound and explode the text in lovely ways. The oil-on-paper paintings fill the pages with velvety, luminous images, the tiger himself is as winsome and charming a beast as can be imagined, and one close-up of his surprised face will take your breath away. The dancing tiger might be a metaphor for many things, but its sweet power is undeniable. Magical.’   Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

‘Lyrical verse text and atmospheric illustrations beautifully evoke a little girl's night-time adventures.’   Robert Dunbar, Irish Times (Books of the Year)

Nestlé Children's Book Prize, Silver Award, 2005
Shortlisted, Irish Children's Book of the Year, 2005
Shortlisted, Highlands Book Award, 2006
Nominated, Ladybug Picture Book Award (New Hampshire), 2006

Simon and Schuster (UK)
Viking Penguin (USA)
Koala Books (Australia)
Prumi Dongsamo (Korea)
Komine Shoten (Japan)
Editorial Juventud (Spain)

I was thinking about all the lovely old rhymes and chants we used to use in the playground - bouncing a ball, skipping rope, counting people out - and that it might be fun to use them to tell a ten-in-the-bed type story. So here we have the ten O'Leary children (based very loosely on my ten brothers and sisters!) bouncing out of bed, one by one. Will Hillenbrand's illustrations are delicious.

‘A delightful collection of unusual rhymes with a wonderful Irish flavour. The funny and stylish pictures show a big, bouncy family of children rollicking along in time with the chants and words. Great for little ones just getting to grips with language.’   Rosalind Kerven, Northern Echo

‘Irresistible… In spite of the high-energy, this has a comfortable feel, and because the rhymes - or at least their infectious rhythms - are likely to be familiar to a wide range of children, the collection, with plenty to look at on each page, should easily attract children's attention.’   Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

‘Doyle skips down memory lane for this dandy collection of ditties culled from his childhood in Ireland. The ten O'Leary kids seem a cute and cuddly bunch, but the peace and quiet do not last long before the brood shows its rambunctious side. …Most reader will easily identify with the bouncy nursery-rhyme / childhood-game style.’   Publishers Weekly

‘A great fun, boisterous bedtime story. Featuring crisp, bold colours, the collage and mixed-media illustrations show this family enjoying a rip-roaring good time. The tongue-twisting text will have children laughing out loud.’   School Library Journal

‘Chockablock with tongue-twisting rhymes, this book is a natural for young children having fun with language. The rhymes are delightful to the ear and children will have great fun reproducing the rhymes along with an adult. Teachers who are searching for books of language play as they address phonemic awareness will be glad to know of this book.’   Joan Kindig, Children's Literature

Simon and Schuster (UK / Australia)
Margaret K. McElderry Books (USA)

Sing along with the disappearing teddybear blues, and see if you can spot him in every page of Christine Bretschneider's joyful illustrations.

‘This is essentially a song of devotion, a kind of upbeat chant to a beloved blue bear sung by a small girl narrator. A playful exhuberance springs from the scenes, which portray very much a child-centred view of things. Young children love helping to spot the elusive ted hiding in each double spread. Both Teddybear Blue and his child are enormously appealing.’   Jill Bennett, Books for Keeps

Frances Lincoln (UK)

My great-nephew Joshua comes to stay with me every summer, and I usually get a story out of him. This one is based on the time he took me down the water slide in our local swimming pool. I became the Granny and Joshua became, well, Joshua - a little boy who loves nothing more than splashing. The bright, happy pictures are by the wonderful Ken Wilson-Max.

‘Bright blocks of colour on every page, with exceptionally vivid drawings and wonderful poetic language, make this account of a simple trip to the swimming pool a tremendous sensual adventure, which ends with Joshua safely and cosily wrapped in a warm towel.’   Martina Evans, Irish Post

‘Doyle's rhythmic, repetitive language celebrates water with all its dripping, splishing and, yes, splashing in this cheerful read-aloud romp.’   Karin Snelson, Booklist

‘Very young children who are fascinated with water will enjoy hearing about Joshua's day. The words flow with easy-on-the-tongue phrases. The bright, saturated illustrations are eye-catching in their colourful simplicity.’   School Library Journal

‘A lovely soft story about Joshua and his day out with Granny. The illustrations are large and uncluttered, bright and colourful. A warm and cosy atmospheric tale.’   Armadillo

Bloomsbury (UK / USA)

Martin can't believe his eyes when a strange girl staggers from the sea, after a storm. 'How can I go home now my sea-cloak is in tatters?' she cries. Martin decides to help her repair it but has to search far and wide for silver grasses from faraway boglands, tiny green feathers from a silent mountain lake and rare sparkling shells from a remote windswept island, before Una can return to her home under the sea. I wove this story from traditional Irish folk motifs and in it Alison Jay takes us on a hauntingly beautiful imaginary tour of my homeland.

‘When a much-honoured storyteller and a highly acclaimed illustrator collaborate, one expects something of distinction. In this minimalist story, the combination of word and image is precise and perfect. Malachy Doyle tells the story with no emotional fuss and a rare imaginative exactness. Alison Jay's illustrations communicate a wonderful seaside clarity of colour and wash. Una and the Sea-Cloak is a very distinguished picturebook for young readers, ideal either for sharing with an adult or for private reading. Truly memorable.’   Victor Watson, Inis

‘A traditional-style tale beautifully drawn from the template of magic and the rewards of goodness. The fittingly happy-ever-after conclusion will appeal to read-alouds and read-alones.’   Mary Arrigan, Sunday Tribune

‘This tale, expertly told by Malachy Doyle, evokes an ethereal quality that is perfectly captured by Alison Jay's hauntingly bold and magical illustrations.’   Folk and Fairy Tales Guide (Booktrust)

‘This engaging story, that feels like a folk tale, is beautifully illustrated. The pictures, as rich as a Northern landscape, help to place the tale firmly in Ireland.’   Ed Milano, Irish Times

‘Altogether delightful: swift and chaste.’   Kevin Crossley-Holland

Frances Lincoln (UK/USA)
Walker Books (Australia)

When Antonio goes to visit his lovely gran on the other side of the world he has a whale of a time, but unfortunately, because he misses his mum, he keeps shrinking. So he sets off home, and has a load of adventures on the way. I suppose what the story’s about is how, when you’re away from the people you love, no matter what a great time you’re having there’s this niggly feeling inside that eats away at you until there’s nothing for it but to pack your bags and head off home.
The pictures are by the phenomenally talented Mr. Carll Cneut, and I love them to bits.

‘A delightfully dotty tale of a little boy who goes to visit his gran. The zany adventures on the return journey are great fun and the building-up process is a riot of colour.’   Carousel

‘With a straight face and even tone, Doyle unspools an outlandishly picaresque plot. Cneut’s paintings present a world filled with circus-like energy and whimsy. The distinctive illustrations lend it a unique appeal.’   Publisher’s Weekly

‘Doyle’s bright silly storytelling… Cneut’s lively illustrations offer up delectable details and a playful sense of scale.’   Booklist

‘A simple but strangely compelling story about homesickness and missing your mum, beautifully and fascinatingly illustrated.’   The Children’s Bookshow

‘Magnificently illustrated in a surreal, retro style, this book makes real the nature of love.’   The Independent

‘Beautiful, intricate drawings and a text celebrating mother love.’   The Guardian

Walker Books (UK / Australia)
Candlewick Press (USA)
Also available in France (Pastel), Belgium (De Eenhoom), Denmark (Sesam), Portugal (Edicoes Kual) and Germany (NPDV).

This is dedicated to my three cats, Celeste, Bracken and Milo. I sleep above the kitchen and I was woken up one stormy night by the sound of a major cat-fight in the room below. A visiting cat had come in through the flap to escape the weather, and was being told, in no uncertain terms, to leave. So the next morning I got up and wrote this story.

‘Doyle reflects a genius in offering a simply rhythmic, rhyming text, perfectly directed to his intended audience. The appealing tale warmly counts the many ways pet owners love cats, slowly introducing the pets and their owners and then picking up the pace to the culminating sweet end.’   Kirkus Reviews

‘A soothing, reassuring, tale for stormy nights or when pets are lost.’    School Library Journal

Simon and Schuster (UK / Australia)
Margaret K. McElderry Books (USA)

Llyn y Fan Fach is a magical lake, high in the Black Mountains of Carmarthenshire, and the tale of the mysterious woman from the bottom of the lake has long been my favourite Welsh folk tale, full of passion and tragic inevitability. I based my retelling on the version of Sir John Rhys in his Celtic Folklore (1901), which is why I’ve called my main character Rhys.
Jac’s illustrations are quite, quite wonderful. Oh, and did you find the fish on every page?

‘Malachy Doyle brings great freshness to the language. A fresh, strong retelling of a magical story that continues to hold its impact in the contemporary world.’   School Librarian Journal

‘A plaintive and vivid retelling… Doyle’s text carries the rhythms of the oral storytelling tradition - romantically tinged but clear and conversational. Jones’ pictures present a pastel Arcadia which blurs into the submerged perils of the supernatural. This combination provides a very attractive and enjoyable book.’   Books for Keeps

‘…captures all the bewitching love, the fairy magic and the tragedy of loss.’    Carousel

‘This is a picture book with hidden depths. Malachy Doyle's retelling has great charm and humour, and also prompts deeper thoughts about the nature of the relationships between men and women. Jac Jones' illustrations strike just the right note, bringing out the humour and pathos of the story's twists and turns.’   Folk and Fairy Tale Guide (Booktrust)

Shortlisted for the Tír na nÓg Award 2003 (Welsh Children’s Book of the Year).

Pont Books (UK)

I sat in the middle of a field by the river, and all the cows gathered round me. I thought about what it must be like to be a cow, and wrote it all down in my little notebook. So here it is - a day in the life of a cow. I love cows, and you can tell that Angelo does too. His illustrations are simply stunning.

‘…the nearest thing to meeting a real cow in a field that children could ever get within the pages of a book.’   The Observer

‘a perfect evocation of the cowness of a cow. Sumptuously illustrated by Angelo Rinaldi with gorgeously detailed oil paintings’   Independent on Sunday

‘Exquisite. This is a book not to be missed’   School Library Journal (book of the week)

‘A melding of the commonplace into classic status.’   School Librarian Journal

Winner of the English Association Award 2002 (Non-fiction)

Simon and Schuster (UK / Australia) and Margaret McElderry Books (USA)
Also available in France (Hachette), Finland (Karisto), Germany (Gerstenberg) and Korea (Piaget)

A little girl goes out down the alley and finds a wee pup. He’s got flippy-flop ears and a fluffy little tail, but try as she might, she can’t get him to open his eyes. I was thinking about my cat, Bracken, when I wrote this. I found her as a tiny kitten, miles from anywhere, and carried her home in my sock. I was over the moon when Walker suggested Julie Vivas. She’s a superb illustrator and she’s done a wonderful job.

‘This winning volume captures all the excitement and mystery of a child bonding with a new pup. Doyle’s word play heightens the exuberant fun, the story brims with energy, and Vivas portrays a heroine with warmth and gusto to spare’   Publishers Weekly

‘Chock full of warm sentiment and playful language, this charmer will draw smiles from even the most stonehearted. Parents will be irresistibly tempted…’   Kirkus Reviews

‘A glorious wonder of a book. So refreshing and warm…’   School Librarian Journal

‘Warmth and vivacity shine from the pages of this delightful book. Vivas’ distinctive artwork harmonises beautifully with Doyle’s exuberant text.’   The Age

Walker Books (UK / Australia) and Candlewick Press (USA)
Also available in Holland (Niddernacht)

In Ireland if someone says you’re a‘bold boy’, it means you’re naughty. People were always saying it to me, so The Bold Boy is a child after my own heart. He’s full of spirit, and he’s not too respectful of the rules. It feels like a folk tale, this book, but actually I made the whole thing up. I was thrilled to work with Jane Ray, one of my very favourite illustrators, and she and the team at Walker have made a really delightful book.

‘An inspired double act.’   Times Educational Supplement

‘Beautifully realised… A book which may well be nudging its way into those timeless favourites which we all recognise as little miracles’   Carousel

‘This original folktale about a cheeky child’s comeuppance has all the brio of a joyful jig’   Publishers Weekly

‘Absolutely fabulous. Highly recommended.’   Children’s Literature

Walker Books (UK / Australia) and Candlewick Press (USA)
Also available in Germany (Urachaus), Denmark (Sesam), Sweden (Sjostrands), France (Gautier-Languereau), Japan (Tokunia Shoteu) and in Scots Gallic (Acair)

This is my second ‘flip-the-flaps’ book with Britta Teckentrup. On one side of the page we see different animal babies interacting with their parents. Under the flaps we find our human baby having bundles of fun with Mum and Dad. I enjoyed linking human and animal behaviour, and making sure I chose enough animals where the father plays a key role in raising their young. Lovely illustration and great paper engineering.

‘For a first book experience for a baby, this could be a real winner. There is such a lot to talk about as the pages are lifted or turned. Good to see Doyle writing for such a young audience.’    Books For Keeps

‘The lively illustrations give the book a very contemporary feel. Children will delight in lifting the flaps to reveal the baby underneath.’   Children’s Books in Ireland

‘An ingenious lift-the-flap, oversized board book explores the similarities between animal and human babies.’ Kirkus Reviews

Frances Lincoln (UK)
Putnam (USA) (retitled as Baby See, Baby Do!)

I love this book. It’s my second with Paul Hess, and he’s such a fantastic illustrator. Whenever I’m out and about, visiting schools and libraries, I nearly always finish my readings with this one. It’s about a ravenous goblin, who’s turned up at a little boy’s house and won’t be happy till he’s had something good to eat. I act the goblin, one of the children does the little boy, and everyone joins in the chorus - HUNGRY! HUNGRY! HUNGRY! It’s a riot!

‘A brilliant book to read aloud…’   Irish Post

‘…will make kids scream with delight.’   Houston Chronicle

‘Children… will just love it.’   Daily Telegraph

‘Hess’s outlandish perspectives contribute to the sense of distorted reality in this very enjoyable picture book.’   The Big Guide to Irish Children’s Books

‘Get this quirky, highly entertaining book - it really is a gem.’   Early Years Educator

White Ravens Award 2002

Oxfam 'Appreciation of Diversity' booklist

Andersen Press (UK). Peachtree (USA). Random House (Australia).
Also available in Danish (Alma) and Dutch (Zirkoon) editions.

I was delighted when Barefoot asked me to retell my favourite Irish folk tales, and even more delighted when I heard that Niamh Sharkey was going to illustrate them. I chose some of the best-loved stories, like the Children of Lir and Oisín in Tír na nÓg, and mixed in a few less well-known ones. It’s also available on CD, read by Maura O’Connell, and a selection of Niamh’s illustrations can be bought as greetings cards.

‘Doyle is a born storyteller and his writing crackles with wit and energy, perfectly matched by Sharkey’s inspired artwork.’   Irish Times

‘This comic tender collection will give adults as much pleasure to read aloud as it will give children to hear. The storytelling is a delight…wonderfully idiomatic dialogue…truly special.’   Sunday Times (Book of the Week)

‘As fresh as a cool sea breeze…sure to please young and adult listeners alike’   Parents’ Choice

‘The writing is spare and beautiful.’   School Library Journal

‘Pure magic spills from every page.’   Junior Education

‘This is a sparkling, wonderful book worthy of a place in anybody's fairy tale library. An enchanting collection with utterly marvellous illustrations, which are visually breathtaking in their composition and originality.’   Folk and Fairy Tales Guide (Booktrust)

Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner 2001
IBBY Honour Award 2002
Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice Award 2003
Shortlisted for the Bisto (Ireland) Children’s Book of the Year 2001

Barefoot Books UK/USA. Also available in Dutch (Christofoor)

This was the first picture book I wrote. It was originally called Ravi and the Mountain, about a small boy and his grandfather climbing a hill in the Himalayas. Eventually I reset it in Wales, where I live, and the mountain became Cader Idris, my favourite mountain. After four years and an incredible number of rewrites, Bloomsbury published it. Giles Greenfield, who did the original Harry Potter illustrations, came and walked up the mountain with me. He took loads of photographs, and I was delighted to find, when I saw his illustrations, that he’d recaptured the spirit of the place beautifully.

‘A moving text and beautiful illustrations combine in this simple but profound picture story about rising to a challenge and the special affection between young and old.’   Northern Echo

‘A gentle and cosy book, ideal for bedtime. Its beautiful illustrations and lilting text lend themselves to quiet contemplation and sharing of experiences with a child.’    Church Times

‘This is a wonderful book which really portrays the special relationship a child has with a grandparent and shows how a difficult task can be achieved by working together. A delightful story.’   School Librarian Journal

‘A warm, loving lesson in never underestimating ourselves’   Birmingham Post

Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award 2001.
Shortlisted for the Tír na nÓg Award 2001 (Welsh Children’s Book of the Year).

Bloomsbury (UK). Also available in the Netherlands (Christofoor) and in Welsh (Owain a’r Mynydd: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

Jac Jones, the wonderful Welsh illustrator, has surpassed himself in this tale of a child stolen by the fairies. Jac wanted to draw fairies, elves and pixies, imps and sprites and goblins, so I read up on my Welsh folk tales and came up with this.

‘An outstanding picture book…beautifully written…there is magic in both text and illustration…quality leaps from every page.’   Books For Keeps

‘A delightful tale of family love and magic…an outstanding book, with fascinating pictures.’    School Librarian Journal

‘Jac Jones's pictures evocatively enhance the text, wonderfully illuminating the interface between human and fairy worlds.’    Folk and Fairy Tales Guide (Booktrust)

‘I loved reading it. ’   Alice, St. Asaph

‘My favourite character was Ifan because he's very fair and I like little boys with fair hair.’   Emily, St. Asaph

Pont Books (UK)

I love growing things — plants, cats, teenagers. My favourite sight in the garden is the runner beans in full flower — a mass of bright scarlet, with the prospect of tasty meals to come. I’m very fond of Judith Allibone’s delicate illustrations. They capture beautifully a young child’s joy in discovering for the first time the wonders of nature.

‘Highly recommended. A delightfully understated book about nurture and fruition.’    Carousel

‘Gentle, thought-provoking, and a real delight to read and read again. A book to truly warm your heart … the language is lyrical and the pictures are enchanting. Can a book really be that perfect?’   The Guardian

‘The natural, easy pace of the text will invite youngsters to linger, and the information embedded here is dependable, too. …Winningly spare narration. A (green) thumb’s up.’   Publisher’s Weekly

‘Lovely watercolour illustrations accompany this delightful story which is sure to strike a chord with young children.’   Children’s Literature

Walker Books (UK / Australia). Candlewick Press (USA).
Also available in Danish (Forlaget Flachs) and Japanese (Hyronsha) editions.

Children often ask me which is my favourite of my books. It’s an impossible question to answer, but I often say this one, as it was my first picture book and it gives me a chance to read it, and show off Paul Hess’s wonderful illustrations. It’s about a little boy who goes to stay with his Grandaddy for the very first time and discovers that he’s the strangest of men, with the funniest names for things. I had great fun with the language in this book — my daughter, Hannah, helped me with the funny words.

‘I cannot resist picking up…this marvellous book…to look at again and again. If there’s a better picture book this year, I’ll eat my brainbox banana.’   Literary Review

‘Wonderfully bizarre… A book to treasure.’   Sunday Tribune

‘The blunt, colourful, hilarious pictures reflect the manic cheer of this heady yet dreamlike experience.’   Times Educational Supplement

‘My favourite picture book of the year. A marvellously oddball tale.’   ACHUKA

‘A unique and remarkable book, whose text is a joy to read and whose illustrations are a pleasure to behold. A superb mix of quirky yet musical rhymes and equally quirky illustration that come together most successfully. ’   Barnardo's Guide to Books

Andersen Press (UK)
Also available in France (Kaleidoscope), Germany (Esslinger), Holland (Sjaloom), Finland (Makela), Denmark (ABC), Spain (Vicens Vives) and Korea (Korean Child Academy).

I got the idea for this ‘flip-up flaps and pop-up tricks’ book from watching animal documentaries on TV. In the book we see children trying to do some of the amazing things animals can do, and then at the end thinking about the things they can do that animals can’t. I didn’t write it as a pop-up book but I was thrilled when Frances Lincoln suggested the idea. Britta Teckentrup’s collages are great fun, and Sophie Pelham’s paper engineering is brilliant!

Sadly, this book is now out of print in the UK. Copies may still be available on Amazon.

‘Delightful… a book that children will read again and again.’    Early Years Educator

‘Funny and full of life.’    School Library Journal

White Ravens Award 2000

Frances Lincoln (UK). Millbrook Press (USA, Canada).
Also available in Australia and New Zealand (Viking), Japan (Hyronsha) and in Spanish and Catalan (Elfos Ediciones) editions.

If you want to find out more about Carll Cneut, the amazing illustrator of Antonio on the Other Side of the World, Getting Smaller, go to www.carllcneut.com.