Author & Illustrators

David Litchfield Books

Come Back, Gosling

Picturebook

From the creative duo behind A Shelter for Sadness and The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk comes a heartwarming picture book about friendship, flying and the joy of sharing books.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl and a gosling who loved each other very much – and loved reading books together even more. But one day, there is a book the girl will not share. Before Gosling can peek inside, she slams the book shut and says: “I don’t like this book. Let’s play something else.” When their new book mysteriously disappears, the girl and the gosling’s friendship is put to the test.

Then one night, Gosling finds the missing book and leaves. Will the girl be able to put things right before it’s too late?

This reassuring story teaches children that honesty and trust are what help friendships fly and is effortlessly brought to life by David Litchfield’s atmospheric scenes and Anne Booth’s warm and rich storytelling. The perfect bookshelf companion to The Duck Who Didn’t Like Water, I’m Sticking With You and Pip & Egg.

My Friend, Billy Whiskers

David Litchfield

Picturebook

This is a perfect picture book to share with a child who has the everyday childhood worries about making friends alongside the lack of confidence that can accompany this.

David Litchfield, as author and illustrator, conjures up the wonderful Billy Whiskers, the imaginary friend who provides Patrick with companionship in those moments when he most needs it. The illustrations provide a real feast for the eyes and provide endless possibilities for thought provoking questions to share with children and for children to raise for themselves.

The illustration of Partick sharing the book ‘The Bear and the Piano’, (Litchfield’s earlier picture book) and declaring “Oh, I like this story Billy.”, provide some insider humour for the reader, not least as Patrick appears towards the end of the story when he has grown-up and is a grandfather, sharing the book once more but this time, sharing the book, and sharing his imaginary friend Billy Whiskers, with his granddaughter.

What is so delightful in this book is that once Partick has gained confidence enough to make friends, Billy Whiskers is seen slowly leaving his side but returning throughout Partick’s life – at those key life moments, like having a child of your own, when worry and lack of confidence can so often reappear. The imaginary friend is depicted as positive and life affirming, and a normal part of life and this is a reassuring idea for the young child. This is a beautiful picture book that will enthral children and adults alike.

The Shadow Pony

David Litchfield & Olivia Wakeford

Chapter book

This highly recommendable book would be a very worthwhile addition to the school library alongside Olivia Wakeford’s first novel, My Dog. It could be used as a class read, too, in Year 5 or 6, if not considered too long. There are links to history and mining, for schools where the curriculum covers these topics, and the links to Wales will make it particularly popular in Welsh schools.

The lives of quite a disparate group of characters intertwine with imagination and skill, focused around main character Evan, his family, school friends and dog. Evan’s Grandad has dementia (the word isn’t used, but ‘sundowning’ is and it’s clear he lives with this condition) and he does not like to talk about his memory of being a miner along with pit ponies who were put to work in the mines.

We begin to inhabit their world; the world of school museum visits and classroom bullies; of Welsh mining history, auras and ghostly apparitions; of grown-ups struggling to balance work and family; of arguments and reconciliations. There lives are sometimes disturbing, sometimes mundane, sometimes difficult and sometimes puzzling. This is fiction at its best; storytelling which deals sensitively with pertinent issues while still being enjoyable. The inclusion of a ghost pony introduces a magical element.

This is an engrossing read: eye-opening, heart-warming and memorable.

Peace on Earth

David Litchfield & Smriti Halls

Picturebook

From the creators of Rain Before Rainbows comes a beautiful book that lights a path for all those who dare to dream of peace.

A happy band of friends journey together, but dark clouds threaten their friendship and they lose their way in a story that starts in the safety of the happy and familiar, then goes on to explore the difficulty of discord and hurt; what it means to lose and find peace again; the bravery it takes to be a peace-maker; and the jubilance that peace ushers in. From smiles to small gestures, to natural beauty, we discover that while peace isn’t always easy to find, it makes love and friendship whole.

The Dinosaur Next Door

David Litchfield

Picturebook

A beautifully illustrated picture book asking the question: what if your quiet neighbour was secretly a dinosaur? A young girl called Liz knows her neighbour’s secret identity, but none of the grown-ups will listen. After a little gentle sleuthing, Liz uncovers a spectacular, magical world of dinosaurs where her enormous friend truly belongs.

With Litchfield’s expressive illustrations that capture the wonder of discovery, this delightful story explores themes of acceptance and understanding others. Liz learns to embrace others for who they are, making this dinosaur story a wonderful addition to any KS1 library.

My Dog

David Litchfield & Olivia Wakeford

Chapter book

My Dog is a beautiful, poignant tale of a boy coming to terms with the loss of his mum and the fast-moving changes that happen as a result of her death.

When Rhys’s mum dies, he has to move from his home. Life is a whirl, and the adults in control of Rhys’s life are focusing on the practicalities with seeming disregard for this young man’s emotional turmoil. On what turns out to be his final visit to his mother’s bedside, Rhys spots a lonely black Labrador under her hospital bed. The only problem is that Rhys has not asked Dad’s permission, so the dog – named Worthington – is a secret, and a rather difficult secret to keep!

When Rhys makes a series of wrong choices, things reach a crisis point. He takes matters into his own hands and flees from the problems that surround him, all the while supported by Worthington, the sounding board for all of Rhys’s thoughts and feelings.

Whilst there is sorrow in this tale, it has moments of brightness, moments of joy and love and even gentle humour. It is a dog-themed tale of hope and unconditional love. Worthington will pull at your heartstrings and stay by your side long after the last pages have been savoured.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk

Anne Booth & David Litchfield

Picturebook

We’re huge fans of Anne Booth and her books. This is the story of a little boy who makes friends with a ‘troll’ who lives in a cave in the park. He begins to make little drawings outside the cave, always leaving a piece of chalk for the troll. Each day when he returns, he finds that the troll has finished his drawing. Little by little the troll begins to come out of his cave and they become friends.

The perseverance of the little boy is wonderful and it shows how kindness can achieve all kinds of things. We really liked how all of the other children also began to play together, all brought together by drawing. The illustrations are gorgeous and add to the enjoyment of the story.

Grandad’s Secret Giant

David Litchfield

Picturebook

A giant story of belonging and friendship from David Litchfield, author of The Bear and the Piano. Billy doesn’t believe his Grandad when he tells him there’s a giant living in his town, doing good deeds for everyone. He knows that a giant is too big to keep himself hidden. And why would he want to keep himself a secret? But as time goes on, Billy learns that some secrets are too big to stay secret for long.

This delightful heartfelt story of belonging and friendship teaches the importance of tolerance and acceptance to young children.

The Bear And The Piano

David Litchfield

Picturebook

The first book in the best-selling, award-winning ‘Bear and the Piano’ trilogy.

Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Illustrated Book Category for 2016

Over 120,000 copies have been sold of The Bear and the Piano in the UK.

One day, a young bear stumbles upon something he has never seen before in the forest. As time passes, he teaches himself how to play the strange instrument, and eventually the beautiful sounds are heard by a father and son who are picnicking in the woods. The bear goes with them on an incredible journey to New York, where his piano playing makes him a huge star. He has fame, fortune and all the music in the world, but he misses the friends and family he has left behind. A moving tale of exploration and belonging from best-selling and critically acclaimed author David Litchfield.

Kid Christmas

David Litchfield

Picturebook

Celebrated author–illustrator David Litchfield offers a magical and festive picturebook about generosity and Christmas spirit, which could be enjoyed at different levels across the primary age range.

Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop is a fresh take on the origin story of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas). It is heartwarming and charming, while teaching about kindness, compassion and love. The illustrations detail Victorian street scenes and the magic of a toy workshop, as well as capturing facial expressions of delight and joy that allow the magic of Christmas to shine through.

When young Nicky discovers that young children are living on the streets and under bridges, he becomes determined to make sure that every child gets the toy they want for Christmas and to give them all a bit of joy in their lives. With the help of his uncles, he sets out on his mission and soon decides that every child in the world must get their most wished-for toy every year at Christmas. Thus the Legend of St. Nick was born.

Kid Christmas is a beautiful and enjoyable book with stunning, rich illustrations accompanying a unique and thoughtful story that will entertain and delight. Older readers in primary classrooms might go on to research the history of St Nicholas, while younger ones will enjoy all the magic of the toy workshop and present delivery drawn out in David Litchfield’s superbly detailed style.