2016: The Books to Watch! (publishers A – M)

Roald Dahl celebrations, Harry Potter on stage, a Winnie the Pooh sequel, Goosebumps on stage, Beatrix Potter at 150: 2016 promises all sorts of opportunities to revisit old favourites and indulge in literary nostalgia. But what are the hot new books of the year? We asked leading children’s books editors to tell us about the books that are making them excited.

Susan Van Metre, Publisher, at Abrams: ‘The team of Andrea Beaty and David Roberts have produced some of the most popular and encouraging picture books for small kids with big dreams. Their latest is Ada Twist, Scientist, a companion to the bestsellers Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer. Our big fall memoir for teens is Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee, the absolutely gripping true story of a boy’s harrowing escape from North Korea with the help of his long-lost grandfather. And on a much lighter and wholly delightful note, our big fall YA novel is The Romantics by Leah Rowan, which follows the travails of a lovelorn teenage boy and is narrated from the perspective of Love herself, who might be just a bit too invested in the tale.’

Alanna Books is celebrating in 2016. Publisher Anna McQuinn: ‘On the 10th anniversary of the publication of the first Lulu title, Lulu Loves the Library, Alanna Books is excited to publish Lulu Loves Flowers in paperback for the first time. When Lulu reads a book of garden poems, she is inspired to grow some flowers of her own. Books for Keeps gave the hardcover five stars. Shortlisted for the 2015 Green Earth Book Award, it will inspire little gardeners everywhere. Also in 2016, Lulu’s baby brother Zeki meets up with his friends from Zeki Loves Baby Club and goes to swimming class. First, they learn about water safely, then off they go Kick! Kick! Kick!’

Alessandro Gallenzi of Alma Books says: ‘One of the main themes of our 2016 schedule is children’s fiction in translation, and in the first half of the year we are publishing three children’s classics for English readers. The first is Dino Buzzati’s The Bears’ Famous Invasion of Sicily, translated by Frances Lobb – a much-loved Italian classic which Lemony Snicket called his “favourite book”. Luis Sepúlveda’s The Story of a Seagull and The Cat Who Taught Her to Fly, has already sold over five million copies in Europe, where Sepúlveda is a household name. The Adventures of Pipì, the Pink Monkey by Pinocchio creator Carlo Collodi, is a rediscovered gem of Italian literature featuring new illustrations by Axel Scheffler.’

At Andersen Press Libby Hamilton (Editorial Director, Picture Books is looking forward to Odd Socks, an epic love story that starts in a sock drawer, from award-winning author Michelle Robinson and up-and-coming illustrator Rebecca Ashdown. There’s an unforgettable twist on the adoption/sibling theme, captured in vibrant and stylish illustrations, in Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dykeman and Zachariah OHora, and she’s excited too about ‘a (literally) magical debut from author-illustrator Meg McLaren: Houdini the bunny is the over-enthusiastic magician’s assistant in Life is Magic.’

Charlie Sheppard (Editorial Director, Fiction) says: ‘If I’m forced to choose between my children again then I’d best start with Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt. If you want to make grown men weep then give them this book. It’s the story of a 14-year-old boy from the wrong side of the tracks who falls in love and becomes a father. But when he is forced to sign the baby over for adoption, his world falls apart and he will do anything to find his lost daughter. It’s a book of loss and hope and my thirteen-year-old son said it was the best book he’d ever read. We cried together over it. Also coming up: Julian Clary’s second novel about the extraordinary Bold family – The Bolds to the Rescue. The laughter and madness continue in this brilliant sequel. I’m proud to be able to say that by the end of 2016 we will have 3 Susin Nielsen paperbacks on the list:We are All Made of Molecules, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen and Word Nerd. Trust me if you read one you’ll devour them all – the Pringles of teen books but not as fattening.’

For Atom Sarah Castleton says: ‘We’re starting our year with a makeover. We are currently backstage in hair and make-up, but will be emerging from the wings very soon with a snazzy new colophon and website to set the stage for a year of ravishing books. I’d love to shine the spotlight on two debuts for the first half of 2016. First up on Valentine’s Day is Raziel Reid’s debut When Everything Feels Like The Movies. It tells the story of gay cross-dresser Jude – flamboyant, funny, filthy, beautiful and broken, Jude goes down in a blaze of glory. His story will break your heart. And then in June comes My Favourite Manson Girl by Alison Umminger. This begins as a story about a girl who runs away from home to stay with her sister in Hollywood, but it becomes a book about the ways that teenage girls become dangerously lost. It’s a strikingly contemporary coming-of-age novel. Alison and Raziel have written two very truthful teenage voices. They are more than ready for their close up.’

Sam Hutchinson, publisher at b Small: As activity book publishers, we find there’s nothing better than inspiring little minds to explore the world around them. A what a world! With such a lot of noise… So for 2016 our book covers are working overtime to get noticed and to spark creativity. Here are a few of our favourites.

Boxer Books David Bennett: ‘How Much Does a Ladybird Weigh? is an extraordinary and stylish debut picture book by Alison Limentani. It’s a fascinating exploration of numbers, weight and wildlife for young children. In Grumpy Feet, Lisa Stubbs explores the feeling we all get when nothing goes right for us – another adventure for the critically acclaimed Lily and Bear. In September, we have an exciting new picture book from Jane Ray, The Elephant’s Garden. This is a new style for Jane – vibrant, fresh, bold and colourful – like nothing you’ve seen before! And finally, A Home for Hare and Mouse by Rosalinda Kightly (October), with its own die-cut hole as Hare (and Mouse) search for somewhere to live. Clever peek-a-boo book for the very young.’

‘Two of Chicken House’s new books stand out for me this year’, says Barry Cunningham, ‘The “I-know-its-a-classic” moment when I first read M.G. Leonard’s Beetle Boy has grown – with each edit it has become funnier, more exciting and more charming, making our editorial job inspiring and important. The darker side of life is movingly brought to life in Rose Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall. A book drawn deeply from the author’s own personal experience, it imagines a growing romance despite issues of agoraphobia and OCD – a brilliant and brave first novel.’

Ginee Seo, Children’s Publishing Director, Chronicle Books says: ‘It’s always a thrill to have a new book from Herve Tullet on our list. Let’s Play is a companion to the ground-breaking bestseller Press Here that will take readers on an unforgettable emotional journey as they follow the yellow dot through Tullet’s fantastical terrain.With Flora and the Peacocks, Molly Idle tackles another tricky problem in friendship – the dynamics of a trio. The exuberant colours and surprising narrative twists make this title her best Flora book yet.The Sandwich Thief is a deliciously funny chapter book that won Canada’s Governor General’s Award for Illustrated Fiction. Marin must solve the mystery of his disappearing school lunches, lovingly prepared by his foodie parents and stolen by a gourmet thief!’

There’s an abundance of riches at David Fickling Books says Bella Pearson: ‘Among the many gems is The Nest, a hugely original novel from Kenneth Oppel illustrated by Kate Greenaway winner Jon Klassen. A haunting coming of age story that will hold you captive, The Nest is lyrical, surreal and one of the most moving stories you’ll read this year. The Call by Irish author Peadar O’Guilin is likely to be the most talked-about novel of the year, a hard-hitting book with the ability to change the landscape of UKYA, and Liz Flanagan writes of friends, love and survival in her debut YA novel, Eden Summer. Not least of all, the paperback editions of The Art Of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson and Jon Walter’s My Name’s Not Friday will also be hitting the shelves.’

‘It’s thrilling when a bold new talent explodes on to the scene as Katherine Woodfine did with The
Mystery Of The Clockwork Sparrow in 2015’ says Sarah Hughes, Publishing Director, Fiction at Egmont Publishing. ‘Katherine’s second novel, The Mystery Of The Jewelled Moth is even better. She’s a new star who is here to stay. Kevin Brooks’s Elliot will be one of the most talked about YA titles of 2016. This Carnegie winner is writing at his absolute best. Thought-provoking, pacey, intelligent and shot through with a delicious black humour that will surprise some, it’s a treat not to be missed.’

Her colleague Stella Paskins is excited to be publishing the legendary Robin Jarvis: ‘I cannot wait to unleash The Power of Dark, which is deliciously spooky and magically inventive. Moving on to YA, Michael Grant has blown me away with Front Lines, an epic reimagining of WWII in which women are drafted into the army. Two of Electric Monkey’s finest debuts from last year follow up with crackingly good second titles: Lisa Heathfield with the heart-wrenching Paper Butterflies and Rachel McIntyre’s bittersweet The Number 1 Rule for Girls. And newcomer Eugene Lambert’s futuristic The Sign of One will get readers’ hearts thumping – then possibly counting their fingers!’

Leah Thaxton at Faber Children’s Books: ‘Rebel of the Sands is a sensational, rich blend of Wild Western days and Arabian nights. Beautifully soothing, Dozy Bear and the Secret of Sleep, guarantees a stress-free bedtime. I can’t wait to see Where’s Macavity? our first (and utterly joyful) lift the flap. Summer Evening, The Shrew that Flew and Building Boy are three more picture book beauties I wouldn’t want anyone to miss. Alongside Squishy McFluff we have Hendrix, an equestrian fable that I adore. In the autumn look out for another enormously exciting YA novel from us, The Graces, alongside Podkin One Ear, a Tolkienesque triumph. Master storyteller Emma Carroll is back with Strange Star,and lastly, oh my word, The Smell of Other People’s Houses – devastatingly utterly brilliant.’

Rachel Denwood, Publishing & Creative Director, HarperCollins Children’s Books: ‘David Baddiel’s star is on the rise in 2016 with his World Book Day title, The Boy Who Could Do What He Liked, coming in March, followed by yet another hilarious novel. We can’t wait to share the third instalment of the amazing Darkmouth series by exciting new talent Shane Hegarty, and Sarah Lean is back with a beautiful new novel, The Last Snow Leopard, and a brand new younger fiction series, Tiger Days. We’ve also got a brilliant new picture book about a very special dog coming from everyone’s new favourite illustrator, Rob Biddulph! If that wasn’t enough, 2016 will be the Year of Dr. Seuss, with a colourful new look for his classic titles, as well as beautiful gift editions for those special moments in life when Seuss says it best.’

Rachel Wade, at Hodder Children’s Books says: ‘The book I’m most excited about in 2016 has to be Cherub: New Guard. It’s something completely new, and yet at the same time it’s the end of an era, since it’s the last ever Cherub book to be published (sob!). It has a starring role for James Adams and his friends, up against the new guard of agents like Ryan Sharma. And for younger readers, I’m proud that we’re publishing Rabbit’s Bad Habits this month, the first in a new series called Rabbit and Bear – illustrated by Jim Field, it’s the perfect next step for readers of the bestselling Oi Frog. I love it because it’s hilarious, and because parents will enjoy it as much as their kids.’

Kate Agar, Senior Commissioning Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is excited about Jenny Colgan’s second children’s book Polly and the Puffin: The Stormy Day. ‘Jenny has a perfect sense of timing and brings gentle humour to everyday events and feelings. Combined with Thomas Docherty’s beautiful illustrations, which we print in black and orange (quite possibly my favourite way to produce a book!), the whole package is incredibly special. This time, Polly is waiting for her fisherman daddy to come home and finding it hard to be patient. Luckily she has her puffin friend Neil to keep her company, and a wonderful mum who knows that eating a sticky cinnamon bun can make a long wait easier . . .’

Venetia Gosling at Macmillan has a new book from Frank Cottrell Boyce: ‘Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, illustrated by the brilliant Steven Lenton, is a really moving and funny novel about a foster child who opens the door to a chameleon-like alien who helps him to speak up, join in and save the world on the way… Kieran Crowley’s The Mighty Dynamo is about a boy so desperate to play in the schools’ football world cup, he joins the local girls’ team. Full of humour and heart and illustrated throughout by Marta Kissi, this is a book which will surprise and charm you, footie-fan or not! And finally we are proud to be the UK publisher of New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist, The Thing About Jellyfish, by uber-talented Ali Benjamin – a tender and touching debut about a young girl trying to rationalise the death of her best friend, and in the process discovering a thing or two about life – and jellyfish…’

Her colleague Rachel Petty says: ‘We’re publishing two outstanding debut UKYA novels in the first half of next year: Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard, a gorgeous, heart-breaking ode to female friendship, and The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood, which has one of the most touching examinations of first grief and first love I’ve ever read. I’m ridiculously excited about Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky which is Heathers via Harry Styles (a very dark, very funny reminder that you should never tangle with a fangirl) and David Levithan and Nina LaCour’s You Know Me Well which is such a celebration of love and acceptance that your face will hurt from smiling as you read it.’

Continues (publishers O – Z)