Author & Illustrators

Jim Field Books

The Turtle Who Turned the Tide

Picturebook

A heartwarming tale of adventure, bravery and one baby turtle who changes her world for good – from the bestselling and award-winning creators of The Lion Inside.

On a midnight-black beach, it’s time for a grand hatching. A rowdy crowd of animal onlookers have gathered to see which baby turtle will win the great race to safety in the sea.

But when Tula’s brother loses his way, this baby turtle faces a difficult choice: will she choose to win the race or will she turn back to rescue her brother? And will the other animals stay on the sidelines, or will Tula’s brave decision inspire them to join the rescue mission?

An inspiring and funny rhyming story of how we all have the power to change things for the better.

Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake!

Jim Field & Julian Gough

Chapter book

Gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit and a bear … and how friends can manage in a not-quite-perfect world. Ideal for readers moving on from picture books.

Rabbit is fed up. Spring has come, but it’s not as perfect as he thought it would be.

Bear thinks that if they work hard, they can make it better. But Rabbit has a Plan. He sets off across the lake in search of a perfect world.

Crossing the water together, Rabbit and Bear learn many things, and discover that their perfect world may be closer at hand than Rabbit had thought.

A story of hope, friendship, and an entire island made of bird droppings.

The Camel Who Had the Hump

Jim Field & Rachel Bright

Picturebook

A charming picture book about Cuthbert, a camel having a very bad day (relatable to any children who have ever been said to have “the hump”). Fortunately for Cuthbert, a new friend helps him discover how a shift in perspective can brighten even the gloomiest of mornings.

Rachel Bright‘s rhyming text and Jim Field’s characterful illustrations create a funny story with an uplifting feel. This is a perfect read for preschoolers exploring their feelings and the power to turn things around when the day is going wrong.

The Parent Agency

David Baddiel & Jim Field

Chapter book

The Parent Agency is an epic wish-fulfilment adventure for every child – and for the child in everyone.

Barry said, a third time, “I wish I had better parents!” And then suddenly the entire room started to shake…

Barry Bennett hates being called Barry. In fact it’s number 2 on the list of things he blames his parents for, along with 1) ‘being boring’ and 3) ‘always being tired’.

But there is a world, not far from this one, where parents don’t have children. That’s far too random for something so big and important. In this world, children are allowed to choose their parents.

For Barry Bennett, this world seems like a dream come true. Only things turn out to be not quite that simple…

AniMalcolm

David Baddiel & Jim Field

Chapter book

From David Baddiel, the brightest new star of children’s books and winner of the LOLLIES award, comes a laugh-out-loud adventure for every child who ever wondered what it might be like to be a bit of an animal…

Malcolm doesn’t like animals.

Which is a problem because his family love them. Their house is full of pets. What the house is NOT full of is stuff Malcolm likes. Such as the laptop he wanted for his birthday.

The only bright spot on the horizon is the Year Six school trip, which Malcolm never thought his parents would pay for. And yet there he is, on the bus, heading to… oh no. A farm.

Over the next days, Malcolm changes. He learns a lot about animals. More, in many ways, than he would like. He learns what it’s really like to be an animal. A whole series of animals, in fact…

It does make him think differently. And speak differently. And eat differently. And, um, smell differently. But will he end up the same as before?

Because sometimes the hardest thing to become is… yourself.

Birthday Boy

David Baddiel & Jim Field

Chapter book

A hilarious rollercoaster ride of pure entertainment for 9+ readers everywhere, Birthday Boy is the new Baddiel Blockbuster: featuring David’s inimitable and award-winning combination of wish-fulfilment, heart and hilarity, all brought to life by regular collaborator Jim Field’s witty, stylish illustrations.

What if it was every day?

This is the story of Sam Green, who really, really, really loves birthdays. He loves the special breakfasts in bed. The presents. The themed parties. Blowing out the candles on his cake. Everything.

He is so excited about his 11th birthday, in fact, that he wishes it was his birthday every day.

So, at first, it’s quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. And again…

But it’s not long before things start to go wrong. Soon, disaster strikes, threatening something Sam loves even more than birthdays.

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for…

Only Children

David Baddiel & Jim Field & Steven Lenton

Short story collection

MEET ALFIE… THE BOY WHO COULD DO WHAT HE LIKED!
Previously published for World Book Day 2016
Alfie has a routine. To be honest he has a lot of routines.
But then one day Alfie’s babysitter is unavailable, and Alfie’s parents get Mrs Stokes instead. Mrs Stokes doesn’t do routines. Instead, she just tells Alfie to do what he likes. And that’s when things start to go weird.
Does everything get hilariously out of control? Yes.
Does Alfie learn a valuable lesson? Nah. This isn’t that kind of story…

DISCOVER CHRISSIE… THE GIRL WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ON A TRAIN!
Chrissie loves trains. She has train books, train pictures – and, of course, model trains. But Chrissie has never been on an actual train. In part, because Chrissie doesn’t find getting around as easy as other people. Then, Chrissie finally gets on a train, with her Grandpa Henry, to go down to London for an important operation. Her parents and Henry hope the journey will take Chrissie’s mind off things.

And they’re right: but in a way they couldn’t possibly imagine. Because Chrissie’s trip from Scotland to London turns out to be quite literally magical – and changes her life forever.

MARVEL AT ARIEL… THE CHILD WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ON HOLIDAY!
Every year, Max, Lily and Jack are taken to Snoring-On-Sea for their holiday – quite possibly the most boring town in the world. There’s nothing to do and nothing to see – even the beach at Snoring-on-Sea is dull and grey.

But this year, something DOES happen. The children meet someone on a tiny island out at sea – a mysterious child called Ariel. Ariel claims to have never left their tiny island, and to Ariel, everything about Max, Lily and Jack’s lives is amazing – fish and chips, fizzy drinks… even the view of the brick wall out of their bedroom window.

And their new friend forces Max, Lily and Jack to see Snoring-On-Sea in a whole new light…

Three hilarious, heart-warming and adventure-filled stories that will have you laughing out loud!

Oi Dinosaurs!

Jim Field & Kes Gray

Picturebook

Oi Dinosaurs! by Kes Gray and Jim Field brings back the beloved Oi Frog and Friends crew for a hilariously rhyming dino-themed adventure. Frog, Cat, and Dog debate what dinosaurs didn’t sit on, leading to comical scenarios like Pterosaurs avoiding bendy straws. It’s a guaranteed giggle-fest for young dinosaur fans.

It’s hard not to be impressed by and amused at the rhymes in this latest addition to a bestselling series – unlike frogs and dogs, dinosaur names are not the easiest words to rhyme with, after all!

Jim Field’s vibrant illustrations perfectly capture the joyful silliness. This book is ideal for shared reading with little ones, offering laugh-out-loud fun and encouraging a love for language.

The Rainbow Boots

Chris Powling & Jim Field

Chapter book

All the kids in school have a pair of Rainbow Boots – well, all of them except Denzil! So he pretends that his are being customised and soon he’s trapped in a web of lies. But are the Rainbow Boots really worth all this hassle? A hilarious school comedy from popular writer Chris Powling with illustrations from the brilliant Jim Field.

Bloomsbury High Low books encourage and support reading practice by providing gripping, age-appropriate stories for struggling and reluctant readers, those with dyslexia, or those with English as an additional language. Printed on tinted paper with a dyslexia friendly font, Rainbow Boots is aimed at readers aged 9+ and has a manageable length (64 pages) and reading age (7+).

Produced in association with reading experts at Catch Up, a charity which aims to address underachievement caused by literacy and numeracy difficulties.

The Pandas Who Promised

Jim Field & Rachel Bright

Picturebook

Rachel Bright and Jim Field deliver another triumph with The Pandas Who Promised, part of their highly successful series that began with The Lion Inside.

This rhyming, animal story is an absolute joy to read aloud, and it beautifully explores the vital importance of keeping promises, building trust and staying safe. Family bonds are explored, and most children will relate to one or other of the panda cubs, with Popo wishing to stay safe in his family nest and Ketu itching to explore and seek adventure.

Animal lovers will be drawn to this story, and it is likely to spark an interest in finding out more about red pandas and their mountainside habitat.