Search Results for: Neal Layton

A new year at the Mammoth Academy and this time there are some new faces – Simon and Simone, the pygmy mammoths! And they’re not your usual pygmy mammoths either – they’re cool surfer dudes from Paradise Island!
No sooner have they arrived however, than trouble begins. After receiving news from home that Paradise Island is under threat from some fearful new inhabitants – identified by the Oscar as HUMANS, the brave band of pals venture to the far-off island on an intrepid rescue mission on the high seas.

Clever and wonderfully original – a celebration of friendship, kindness and living life to the full with a gentle message about loss, to bring comfort to both children and parents.

A reissue of this award-winning picture book by Neal Layton. Winner of the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Bronze Award.

Bartholomew leads a quiet life. But he is a kindly sort of bear, so when his new friend, the Bug, is in a tremendous hurry to find the bright lights, he decides to help him on his way. Bear soon finds himself in the big city, which is like nothing he’s ever known before. But why is Bug in such a hurry?

‘A life-affirming story, gloriously illustrated’ Julia Eccleshare

‘Wonderfully messy, child-friendly drawings against hip, graphic backgrounds’ Daily Mail

Perfect for every child who has ever dreamed of travelling to space…

Making new friends is never easy, but seems impossible when Tony moves to a new town and school mid-term. But when he finds a round red button hidden in a cupboard, all his worries are forgotten. The button transforms his dull kitchen into a spaceship, called The Invincible. There’s nothing more exciting than cruising the universe for adventure, but what about school and his mum?

Tony Spears’ epic-galactic-space-adventures and his earthly life begin to converge. The universe is in danger, ‘Sports Morning’ is looming at school and Tony’s mum won’t have a messy kitchen!

Will Tony find a way to save the universe, and also deal with the difficulties in his ‘real’ life?

Inspired by Tim Peake and Major Tom …

Overcome back-to-school worries with this charmingly funny tale.

What’s good about Sundays? Walking the dog, splashing in puddles, visiting Auntie Vera and yummeroony food! So why has Steve got Sunday Blues? Could it be because Monday morning is just around the corner…

This gently funny tale about overcoming back-to-school anxiety is perfect for anyone who finds Monday mornings worrisome.

From Neal Layton, the award-winning illustrator behind the much-loved Emily Brown series.

Every animal and plant on earth is part of an incredible WEB OF LIFE. But living things are disappearing all over the world, and it’s a big problem. Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to introduce the concept of biodiversity to younger readers, explaining what it is, why it’s so important, and how the actions of humans are hurting it. But he’s also FULL of ideas for how you can help! From building a bug hotel to growing flowers on a windowsill and eating more organic food, A World Without Wildlife will get young readers excited about how they can make a difference to keep the web of life bursting with energy.

This brilliant non-fiction picture book is perfect for readers aged 5-7 who love nature and want to help the environment.

Also available in this series:
A Planet Full of Plastic
A Climate in Chaos

What would you do if a red button in your kitchen cupboard could transport you to a spaceship? Press it, of course! Created by the award-winning author and illustrator Neal Layton.

When things get too much, Tony climbs aboard his spaceship called The Invincible to chill amongst intergalactic life. But this time, Tony hears some strange noises over his communicator – is it an alien trying to communicate with him, or his new baby sister?

Whatever it is, the something is controlling the movements of the spaceship and Tony is sent hurtling towards a parallel universe inhabited by strange creatures called the Blue Bloos.

If he has any way of getting home, he will have to work with his friends, old and new …

Discover the mind-blowing story of how everything came to be with award-winning illustrator and author Neal Layton.


With a unique collage art style, and quirky, engaging text, The Story of Everything explores big ideas in a way that will grip even the most reluctant reader. From the Big Bang theory and the beginnings of life on Earth, through to the evolution of humans, the Ice Age and the building of towns and cities, children will be gripped by the real-life action adventure that is EVERYTHING!

Wherever you go, there are lots of people and no one looks quite the same. But they are all ALIVE. YOU are alive too. But what actually makes something ALIVE?

There are three things that all living things have in common: they GROW, they REPRODUCE and they are made of trillions of tiny, but mightily important, organisms called CELLS.

Find out all about them in this fresh, funny and fact-filled book from author and illustrator Neal Layton, you’ll discover why being alive is totally AMAZING.

Take a fascinating journey through time ­to explore a world full of ideas, inventions, discoveries and many, many … things!


Have you ever wondered how us humans came to have so many ‘things’?

Starting with the early humans who had very few things, through to the jam-packed world we live in today, discover how from the very beginning we humans have had the urge to invent and create! From the creation of Stone Age tools and the first handwritten book through to amazing inventions including the steam engine and the laptop computer, find out how things have transformed our world.

With fun illustrations and witty text by award-winning author and illustrator Neal Layton.

Tony has settled into his new school, but things never stay the same for long – Tony’s mum announces that he is going to have a new little brother or sister.

When things get too much, Tony likes to press the red button in the kitchen cupboard, and climb aboard The Invincible spaceship to chill amongst intergalactic life. This time, Tony notices a lonely looking blob hanging around space. Against the computer’s warnings, Tony takes the lonely blob ‘Dot’ back to planet Earth so they can keep each other company.

It’s fun playing space games with Dot. But, Dot is has very peculiar food habits. The school has a plumbing malfunction, does it have something to do with Dot?

Will Tony be able to come up with a plan to calm Dot down before his school presentation and the fancy dress disco? And can Dot help Tony realise how fun caring for a small creature can be?

An easy-to-understand picture book explaining AI to young readers, whilst celebrating how amazing human brains really are!

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence – and we all have LOTS of questions. What exactly is it? Why is it such a big deal? Are there any risks? And how is it going to transform our lives?

Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to explain all there is to know about AI, from the early computers that could only solve sums to the AI programs of today that can recognise human speech and recommend TV shows – and what AI might be able to do in the future. Along the way, readers will learn just how incredible their human brains really are, and what intelligence is all about.

This entertaining non-fiction picture book, illustrated in Neal Layton’s trademark zany collage style, is perfect for readers aged 6+ who are always asking HOW something works, and for parents wanting to help their kids make sense of a subject that everyone is talking about.

You’ve probably heard about climate change. At least I hope you have – because it’s REALLY IMPORTANT. It affects all of us living on Planet Earth right now, and everyone and everything that will live on our planet in the future.

Our world is warming up, and it’s a big problem. Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to explain what climate change is, what’s causing it and why it’s dangerous for animals and humans alike. But he’s also FULL of ideas for how you can help! From eating lots more veggies to walking and cycling and thinking carefully about what we need to buy, A Climate in Chaos will get young readers excited about how they can make a difference to keep Planet Earth happy.

This brilliant non-fiction picture book, illustrated in Neal’s trademark collage style, is perfect for readers aged 5-7 who love nature and want to help the environment.

Also available in this series: A Planet Full of Plastic.

Everything is made of stuff. Some things are made of paper, like this book. And some things are made of PLASTIC. If you look around you, plastic is everywhere. Even in places where it’s not meant to be. If it drops to the ground, it doesn’t rot away – it sticks around for ever.

Our world is drowning in plastic, and it’s a big problem. Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to explain where plastic comes from, why it doesn’t biodegrade, and why that’s dangerous for animals and humans alike. But he’s also FULL of ideas for how you can help! From giving up straws in juice cartons to recycling all we can and taking part in a beach clean, A Planet Full of Plastic will get young readers excited about how they can make a difference to keep Planet Earth happy.

This brilliant non-fiction picture book, illustrated in Neal’s trademark collage style, is perfect for readers aged 4-7 who love nature and want to help the environment.

Each night as the sun goes down and the sky grows dark, STARS come out. But what are stars? Where are they? And what role have they played throughout history?

Over thousands of years humans have gazed up curiously at the stars, wondering why the sky looks the way it does. Step back in time and see how these theories have changed over the years, and what we now know about these sparkling celestial objects.

From the stars, to solar systems to galaxies and beyond, this bold and funny book from Neal Layton tells you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the night sky.

Stinking, rubbish-infested rivers to swim in, nature walks minus the nature and Giant Sloth cooking dinner. This can only mean one terrible thing for the Academy students on their school trip. Humans are about! And now Oscar’s gone missing. Professor Snout and the other students are about to embark on a rescue mission which goes swimmingly!

Stanley’s Stick is a teaming-up of hefty talents – glorious poet John Hegley and award-winning illustrator Neal Layton. Stanley’s stick is not just a stick. With a stick in hand, Stanley’s options are endless – he flies to the moon, writes in the sand, goes fishing, plays a whistle and rides a dinosaur – and his imagination takes over and the magic begins.


Hegley’s lyrical prose captures the free-wheeling expressiveness of childhood, and Layton’s deceptively simple illustrations are full of wit and character. Sweet, magical and thoroughly entertaining, this is Hegley and Layton’s first collaboration.

A hilariously anarchic tale from the inimitable Andy Stanton, author of Mr Gum, and much loved illustrator Neal Layton.

Can a boy drink the sea? Surely it’s impossible! But Danny McGee does just that – and now he has his sights on other things. Soon he’s swallowing trees, flies, fleas, peas, mountains … where will it end?!

Andy Stanton has won a string of awards for his Mr Gum books, including the Red House Children’s Book Award, the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, and the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Book With Pictures.

Neal Layton is the multi-award-winning illustrator of the Emily Brown books.

A stunning reissue of this classic picture book. When the Queen steals Emily Brown’s favourite toy and erstwhile companion, a toy rabbit called Stanley, Emily sets out to get him back and teach that naughty queen a valuable lesson!

Winner of the 2006 Nestle Gold Award, chosen for the Richard & Judy Christmas book party, a Bookaboo Book Club book as seen on CITV and read by Amanda Holden.

‘Charming, funny and gets my vote as the best picture book of the year.’ – Financial Times

Written by Cressida Cowell, the bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. http://www.cressidacowell.co.uk/

Illustrated by award winning Neal Layton, creator of Stanley’s Stick.
http://www.neallayton.co.uk/

A classic Emily Brown bedtime story about being scared of the dark. From Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell.

Emily Brown and her rabbit, Stanley, are trying to sleep. But a Splish-Splosh noise is keeping them awake…
It’s a Thing! And this Thing just won’t go to sleep. Emily Brown and Rabbit try everything, but nothing works. Just what could be the matter?

This warm and witty picture book is perfect for sharing with children who may be afraid of the dark. With a gentle message that things are never quite as scary as they first seem.

“It’s funny, it’s got twists and turns, and shows us, among other things, that we can spend too much time nurturing our fears rather than trying to conquer them.” The Guardian

Emily Brown and her side-kick rabbit, Stanley, are back and this time they’re on a mission to cheer up one very unhappy teddy bear. But, no matter what they try, the teddy bear is STILL miserable. Emily Brown has had ENOUGH!

With an important message that children will understand, this is storytelling at its best, from an exciting creative team in children’s books.

‘Will both delight fans, and give them something to reflect on. Layton’s illustrations are a joy, matching the text perfectly.’ – Bookseller

Written by Cressida Cowell, the bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. http://www.cressidacowell.co.uk/

Illustrated by award winning Neal Layton, creator of Stanley’s Stick.
http://www.neallayton.co.uk/

Emily Brown, Stanley the bunny and Matilda the elephant are busy going on adventures, but every time they get to a particularly exciting part . . . Ring! Ring! goes the Emergency Telephone and it’s Matilda’s mummy on the end worrying that Matilda isn’t wearing her wellies, or eating properly or almost anything. How can Emily Brown persuade her that sometimes adventures are good?

This brilliant title from this award-winning team is a witty and poignant book about the importance of spending quality time with your children and allowing them to explore the world around them.

‘A sensitive and witty handling of fears that has a valuable lesson for adults too. Great fun.’ – Daily Mail

Written by Cressida Cowell, the bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. http://www.cressidacowell.co.uk/

Illustrated by award winning Neal Layton, creator of Stanley’s Stick.
http://www.neallayton.co.uk/

Emily Brown and Stanley are back in this fun-filled Christmas picture book. By the author of the bestselling How to Train Your Dragon series.

It’s Christmas Eve, and who’s that outside the window? It’s Father Christmas! In his shiny new turbo-charged sleigh, complete with sat-nav. But things aren’t going quite to plan…

Can Emily Brown and Stanley save the day? They’ll just need some emergency reindeer, a star map and … MAGIC!

A charmingly funny adventure about cherishing traditions, this is classic Christmas storytelling at its best. *With a shiny gold cover!*

Written by Cressida Cowell, the bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series.

Illustrated by Neal Layton, the artist behind Stanley’s Stick and Danny McGee Drinks the Sea, shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Picture Book Award.