Books of the Year 2021: Abrams – Faber
Whatever 2021 holds in store, there are lots of excellent books in the pipeline. As we do at this time of year, we asked leading editors to tell us about the book (one only) they are most excited to be publishing in the year ahead.
Abrams
Combining the talents of Newbery Honor winner Shannon Hale and Caldecott Honor winner LeUyen Pham, Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn invites the very youngest of readers to celebrate the magic of friendship, of being exactly who you want to be and of seeing one another for who we truly are. Kitty and Unicorn are wonderful role models for confidence and kindness, and a magical duo that is impossible to resist. Bursting with adorable illustrations, humour, charm, emotional depth and a childlike spirit, this is a book that instantly captured our hearts—and we know it will capture yours from the very first page! Emma Ledbetter, Editorial Director of Picture Books
Alanna Max
This year we are thrilled to publish Zeki Loves Daddy, from Anna McQuinn’s inclusive Zeki Books series. It is perfect for very young ones to enjoy with their grown-ups. Zeki and Daddy fill their days with tickles, pancakes, dancing, playing and reading – it’s always nice to see caring dads in picture books. This sweet companion to Zeki Loves Mummy is a perfect celebration of daddy love for every day, as well as for special days like Father’s Day. Ken Wilson-Max, Publisher
Allen and Unwin
Iceberg (October) is a stunning, lyrical story for our times, from renowned picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft. In this sumptuous narrative nonfiction book, we follow the life cycle of an iceberg as it is born into spring and travels through the seasons before dying in a new spring. Saxby’s poetic and evocative prose is balanced by Racklyeft’s lushly detailed watercolours in an expert merging of knowledge with grace. This is a hopeful tale of renewal, wonder and appreciation of Antarctica – an environment worth fighting for in a time of climate emergency. Nicola Santilli, Editor
Amulet Books
A moving YA debut novel from non-binary author Ray Stoeve, Between Perfect and Real (April) follows a trans boy finding his voice – and himself. As a former high school theatre nerd, I was hooked by Ray’s book, which captures that awkward, exciting, sometimes painful time so perfectly. There are so many ways to be queer and trans, and I want publish books that speak to all different types of experiences. You’ll fall in love with Dean, just as I did, as he explores how we find and become our fullest selves. Maggie Lehrman, Editorial Director of Fiction
Andersen Press
Dreams for Our Daughtersby Ruth Doyle, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay (February) is the book I’ve always wanted to give my daughter. It speaks of the world as we want it, where girls can be fearless, be who they want to be, where they are leaders and fulfil their potential. As I read Ruth’s exquisitely-chosen inspirational words for the first time they had the most profound, powerful effect on me which has never diminished. Paired with Ashling’s illustrations it is one of the most outstandingly beautiful books I’ve ever worked on. Forget fairy tale endings, this book is about making hopes and dreams reality. A timeless, keepsake book that every daughter should have.Sue Buswell, Editorial Director Picture Books.
I have an unusual and beautiful book to rave about: We were Wolves, written and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. Jason is an award-winning illustrator but it turns out he’s also an incredible storyteller. And the story he has to tell is about a boy living in a caravan, alone in the woods, waiting for his father to be released from prison. It’s about children who try to save their parents, it’s about parents who can’t save their children; it’s about the wildness out there, of nature red in tooth and claw. And it is stunning. Charlie Sheppard, Editorial Director Fiction
Barrington Stoke
Onjali Q. Rauf is one of the most exciting authors at work in children’s publishing today, able to address pressing social issues in a way that makes them accessible to younger readers and encourages discussion. We are therefore thrilled to be publishing The Great (Food) Bank Heist (July), in which she gives a heart-rending child’s-eye view of the growing problem of food poverty. As with all Onjali’s stories, she provides relief through her unique ability to combine empathy with humour in this madcap adventure that sees a group of enterprising friends using their ingenuity to expose a shameful heist targeting their local foodbank. Ailsa Bathgate, Editorial Director
Big Picture Press (Bonnier)
My pick for 2021 is the impassioned Art of Protest by De Nichols and featuring art from multiple artists including illustrations from Diana Dagadita and Olivia Twist (September). Part educational, part narrative non-fiction, this book takes a look at some of the most memorable and striking protest artwork from across the world and throughout history. Author De Nichols was inspired to become an ‘artivist’ after an unarmed teenager was shot by police in her hometown, sparking the 2014 Ferguson Uprising. She tells her own story through the text, alongside a collective of five international illustrators. We hope this book will guide readers through this important time in our history and can be used to spark positive change. Joanna McInerney, Publishing Head
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Written by Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter, best friends and co-founders of the Black Girls’ Book Club, and illustrated by Dorcas Magbadelo, GROWN: The Black Girls’ Guide to Growing Up and Showing Out (September) is the ultimate guide to navigating the beautiful and complex reality of Black British girlhood. It’s packed with stories, wisdom and practical advice relevant to all the intersecting parts of female identity, from how to lay the perfect edges or dealing with microaggressions to consent, financial literacy and career ambitions. It’s also peppered with contributions from inspirational Black women, including some very special guest writers. Aspirational, life-affirming and full of Black Girl Magic, GROWN will ensure young Black women everywhere feel seen. Isobel Doster, Commissioning Editor Non-Fiction
Ben Bailey Smith’s Something I Said (June) is my standout novel for 2021. Car Taylor is a kid who always sees the funny side of life – which makes him popular with his fellow students, less so with his teachers and parents. When his impromptu stand-up routine at the school talent show goes viral, a once in a lifetime opportunity to find fame and fortune beckons. But if you alienate everyone who loves you, who can you rely on when life gets less funny? Car is a magnetic personality – brilliantly drawn and instantly relatable. I roared with laughter on his journey of self-discovery, but ultimately this exceptional middle grade debut is all about the love. Commissioning Editor Fiction Ellen Holgate
Boxer Books
The book I’m most excited about publishing next year is The Magic Hug by Fifi Kuo. This is an outstanding story about the emotion of anger. When the little dragon gets angry and sees red, he doesn’t always know why. He ends up hurting the people he loves and sometimes he even hurts himself. Luckily his mother knows just what to do about it – something special and something magic – a big hug. Fifi Kuo is a master at emotional storytelling and creating empathy. This is a truly special book where the illustrations work perfectly with the text. Leilani Sparrow, Managing Editor
BSmall
This year we published to great acclaim a critical literacy skills book called Question Everything! In 2021, we’ll publish the second title in this series, How to Question Everything in Science. Written and illustrated by Blue Peter Award-winning team, Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker (for Real-life Mysteries) this book will be essential for kids (and adults!) to understand the science that is communicated to us in everyday life. What does that graph mean? Why have they done the study in that way? Scientific literacy is a crucial skill and we can’t wait to share this one with you! Sam Hutchinson, BSmall
Cameron Kids Books
I found and fell in love with Shirin Bridge’s first manuscript, the award-winning Ruby’s Wish, illustrated by Sophie Blackall, when I was an editor for Chronicle Books. I wanted to publish her on our list at Cameron, too. Shirin comes from a really interesting family and has a beautiful way of writing about history – especially stories of powerful women – that brings it to life. In addition to being an author, Shirin is something of a history buff, and she’s wickedly funny. And that’s what we love about Get Up, Elizabeth! (February): it combines history and humour in a beautifully simple way. Amy Novesky, Children’s Book Editorial Director at Cameron Kids
Chicken House
If I can cheekily add two books rather than one… I am very excited about acclaimed novelist and nature-writer Melissa Harrison’s first book for children, By Ash, Oak and Thorn (May). A story of tiny hidden folk, guardians of nature, it is both magical and inspiring. And also publishing in May, is Efua Traoré’s Children of The Quicksands, winner of our Times/Chicken House Fiction Competition. Set in rural and urban Nigeria, this is a stunning debut of family and myth, and for Efua the beginning of a brilliant career. Rachel Leyshon, Editorial Director
Child’s Play
This year we are delighted to publish I See the Sea, a new book by Julia Groves. With beautiful illustrations and simple, thought-provoking text, I See the Sea offers the reader a chance to consider the life of creatures that are rarely seen, yet are an intrinsic part of the ecological balance of our planet. Non-fiction information about each creature complements the mindful text, and discussion about the impact of humans on our oceans will help each of us to think about how we can change our behaviour and help preserve this unique environment. Sue Baker, Editor, Child’s Play
Chronicle Books
It’s So Quiet (March) by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tony Fucile is a rollicking bedtime book from the bestselling author of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site that will engage even the most rambunctious readers. Sherri Duskey Rinker’s rhymes are as delightful and silly as ever and will have parents and children squealing, croaking and laughing along – before settling themselves down for a quiet night’s sleep. This book reminds me of Sesame Street and the Muppets—the musicality and momentum of those skits, as well as their wonderful, innocent hilarity. I was sure that it would be tremendous fun for families to read aloud – full of humour and warmth. Melissa Manlove, Senior Editor at Chronicle Books
Egmont Fiction
It’s an incredibly exciting year of blockbuster titles and it’s impossible to choose between them! Focusing on debuts and new series’, I must start with Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. Publishing this month, it’s a thrilling MG fantasy adventure that fans of Nevermoor will adore. Monster for Hunting for Beginners by Ian Marks is a joyous spin on traditional fairy tales and will have readers in stitches. And Rainbow Grey by Laura Ellen Anderson, for slightly younger readers, introduces a fantastical world of weather magic that will enchant fans of Amelia Fang and new readers alike! Lindsey Heaven, Fiction Publishing Director
Egmont Picture Books
Favourite fairy tales get a uniquely silly and rebellious twist in a brand-new series for fearless little readers! First to demonstrate her derring-do is Rabunzel the Rabbit, whose exceedingly long ears cause her worried mother to lock her in a high tower, safe from hungry predators. But when Flash Harry the Hare rushes to the rescue, calling ‘Rabunzel, Rabunzel, let down your ears!’, he is surprised to discover that Rabunzel does NOT need rescuing. Laugh-out-loud storytelling, andstrong messages of resilience, courage and being true to yourself – along with fabulously foiled covers – will delight readers of all ages! Melissa Fairley, Picture Books Publishing Director
Electric Monkey (Egmont)
We have some devastatingly brilliant titles launching on our YA imprint, Electric Monkey. But for the sheer fact it showcases not one, not two, but SIX incredible talents, I have to highlight Blackout which is set to be the YA blockbuster of summer 2021. Celebrating Black teen love stories, this incredible collection of interlinked stories – set during a blackout in New York city enduring an intense heatwave – is written by six of the biggest, award-winning voices on the YA scene: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon. We’re so excited about this launch. Liz Bankes, Fiction Editorial Director
Faber Children’s Books
2021 is set to be a huge year for Faber Children’s with incredible new books from Emma Carroll, Kieran Larwood, Jason Reynolds and Francesca Simon, to name just a few. I feel particularly privileged and excited to be publishing Jeffrey Boakye’s Musical Truth: A Musical History of Modern Black Britain in 27 songs. Black British history is woefully under-represented in the mainstream curriculum and Musical Truth has the intelligence and power to change this. Jeffrey Boakye is a phenomenal talent we feel very lucky to publish. We’ve paired him with illustrator Ngadi Smart – her electric colour palette and dynamic line work is a brilliant match for this extraordinary retelling of Black British history that will dazzle readers of all ages. Leah Thaxton, Faber Children’s Publisher
