Author & Illustrators

Tom Percival Books

Dive into the enchanting world of Tom Percival, a much-loved children’s author and illustrator known for his vibrant and emotionally resonant picture books.

Before embarking on his successful career in children’s literature, Percival worked in animation and design, skills that shine through in his distinctive and captivating illustrations. He is celebrated for creating stories that tackle complex emotions and challenging situations with sensitivity and humour, making them accessible and relatable for young readers.

His picturebooks, typically aimed at children aged 3-7, often explore themes of resilience, self-acceptance, overcoming fears and celebrating individuality. Among his popular titles are the Big Bright Feelings series, including Perfectly Norman, Ruby’s Worry, Ravi’s Roar, and Meesha Makes Friends, which have garnered critical acclaim and resonated with children and adults alike.

Some of his books are more suited for older primary readers, such as The Wrong Shoes, which is an upper KS2 chapter book about child poverty. The Wrong Shoes was one of two of Percival’s books to be awarded the BooksForTopics Book of the Year 2024 Award (the other one being Bea’s Bad Day).

These books, and others like The Invisible, frequently appear on primary school recommended reading lists, including BooksForTopics selections for EYFS and KS1 book lists, picturebook recommendations, children’s books about mental health, books about feelings, and books to support children’s PSHE lessons. Many of the books also have downloadable teaching resources and activity sheets, making them a popular choice for the classroom.

If you’re searching for engaging picture books, books about feelings or books to help children understand and manage their emotions, explore the heartwarming and beautifully illustrated works of Tom Percival.

Author’s Website: www.tom-percival.com

If you are new to Tom Percival’s books for children, we recommend Ruby’s Worry as a good book to start with.

Sammy Feels Shy

Tom Percival

Picturebook

An uplifting book about tackling shyness, from the bestselling creator of the Big Bright Feelings series.

Be open, be honest, be you! Big Bright Feelings for little people.

Sammy LOVES having fun. But at school there are so many people . . . and he doesn’t always know what to say. When a whole load of things go wrong and Sammy feels like EVERYONE is staring, he starts to go pink, and then pinker . . . until he’s bright pink ALL OVER! Can Sammy learn how to tackle his feelings – and go back to his usual colour?

This reassuring and funny book is the perfect springboard for talking to children about shyness and feeling self-conscious.

Tom Percival’s Big Bright Feelings series is the ideal starting point for discussions about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence and managing feelings. Every child’s bookshelf should contain his books.

Also available in the Big Bright Feelings series: Ruby’s Worry, Perfectly Norman, Ravi’s Roar, Meesha Makes Friends, Tilda Tries Again, Milo’s Monster, Finn’s Little Fibs and Bea’s Bad Day. Collect them all!

Where Did She Go?

Cariad Lloyd & Tom Percival

Picturebook

The perfect book for opening up honest conversations with young children about grief and death, whether they have lost a loved one, or are simply curious and at the age of asking questions.

When a little girl hears people saying how sorry they are that she’s lost her very special grandma, she only has one question . . . where did she go?

Grandma’s not under the sofa, behind the flower patch, or even at their favourite spot in the park, so where is she?

Perhaps Mum can help her daughter to understand what has happened and find comfort in the memories left behind.

Written with gentle humour and a lightness of touch by comedian and creator of Griefcast, Cariad Lloyd, and illustrated by Tom Percival, creator of the bestselling Big Bright Feelings series.

The Sea Saw

Tom Percival

Picturebook

A beautiful, emotionally satisfying look at how nothing is ever truly lost if you keep it in your heart…

When Sofia loses her beloved teddy after a day at the beach, she is heartbroken. But the sea saw it all, and maybe, just maybe, it can bring Sofia and her teddy back together. However long it may take…

Exquisite collage artwork is paired with an assured, moving text in this very special picture book.

Finn’s Little Fibs

Tom Percival

Picturebook

Finn has always loved going to stay with his grandma . . . until one day, he tells a little fib that gets out of control! A book about telling the truth, from the bestselling author of the Big Bright Feelings series.

Be open, be honest, be you! Big Bright Feelings for little people.

When Finn accidentally breaks his grandma’s precious clock, he tells a teeny tiny little lie – and blames it on his sister instead! Soon, Finn’s little fib is OUT OF CONTROL, and it’s getting in the way of everything! Can he find a way to tell the truth?

This reassuring and humorous book is the perfect springboard for talking to children about the importance of honesty.

Ravi’s Roar

Tom Percival

Picturebook

A brilliant picture book about dealing with difficult emotions, from author and illustrator Tom Percival, creator of the bestselling Big Bright Feelings series

Be open, be honest, be you! Big Bright Feelings for little people.

Most of the time Ravi can control his temper but, one day, he lets out the tiger within …

Being a tiger is great fun at first – tigers can do ANYTHING they want! But who wants to play with a growling, roaring, noisy, wild tiger who won’t share or play nicely? Ravi is about to discover something very important about expressing his feelings and making amends.

A clever and engaging book about temper tantrums, dealing with emotions and learning to express and understand your feelings. From Tom Percival’s bestselling Big Bright Feelings series, this is the perfect book for helping with bad days and noisy outbursts.

Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable

Tom Percival

Chapter book

Hilarious illustrated fiction about unlikely friends Squirrel and Duck. Laugh as they outwit bungling burglars, with only the help of their pet cactus! Perfect for fans of the Dog Man and Grimwood series.

From the bestselling author of the Big Bright Feelings picture book series

Squirrel and Duck might seem strange housemates but they are drawn together by their secret – they are the only two talking animals in the world. When bulldozers arrive to redevelop the abandoned theme park they call home, they flee with nothing but Mr Spikes, Duck’s beloved ‘pet’ cactus. Overhearing a conversation between two nincompoop art thieves puts them on the trail of untold riches (according to Squirrel) or a great deed to help the nation (as far as Duck’s concerned). Only some surprisingly unhelpful woodland creatures and a temporary lack of transport stand in their way! Young readers will love this zanily brilliant story, full of unlikely scenarios and laugh-out-loud moments.

Bea’s Bad Day: A Big Bright Feelings Book

Tom Percival

Picturebook

Tom Percival has the knack of using words and drawings to distil the deep feelings of childhood. It’s a formula, but one that works so well. In this latest book to join the series that began with Ruby’s Worry, he addresses the disappointment of ruined plans.

Bea is brimming with excitement that she will be celebrating her birthday with her whole extended family. It will all be perfect! But first, a little snowfall means the postman can’t deliver her presents and then more and more snow means her family can’t make it to her party. As her plans are shattered, jagged lines splinter across the illustrations, symbolising very visually how Bea’s happiness has been broken by disappointment. The rest of the book shows how Bea, helped by the kindness of her family, finds a way to move forward and appreciate that there is more than one way to perfection.

It’s a sweet and hopeful book – fun to read in its own right, but also a great way to discuss uncomfortable feelings with young children. While reassuring the reader that furious misery is normal following disappointment (the emotion is shown so well through the picture of Bea’s face, rather than in words!), embedded in the story is a wise lesson about looking around for small pleasures to stop it ruining a whole day.

The Bridges

Tom Percival

Picturebook

When a mysterious package arrives at Mia’s house, her life changes beyond recognition. Gone is the monochrome dullness, no longer is she alone with a sad face and eyes that look downwards. Soon the package takes her to a world of hope and curiosity. The package is a book and with each word and every age, Mia’s adventures extend. Her smile radiates and her eyes look upwards at the new horizons stretching before her.

Tom Percival uses the metaphor of bridges throughout the book to demonstrate how reading, words and books can lead us to new worlds and can help us to make incredible connections. Mia follows bridges which grow stronger the more she reads. She visits magical worlds, discovers new facts and makes friendships all because of the power of reading. Now a confident, volitional reader, Mia knows how to help others who look lost and alone – she offers her book to them and continues to build even more bridges.

This is a beautiful story in every sense. The illustrations draw the eye, colour is used to show the contrast between Mia’s sadness and her joy at the discovery of story worlds.

This book bangs the drum for reading and all of its rewards. A library must have!

The Wrong Shoes

Tom Percival

Chapter book

In this collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, Tom Percival has written a book that should be in every school library in the country. For Will, things just keep going wrong. Bullied for having cheap shoes, misunderstood by his teachers, and struggling to come to terms with the bleak and hungry life he leads after his dad lost his job, life seems to be pushing him down a path of self-destruction.

The love of his family, the persistence of his friends, and a freak encounter with nature keep filling him with just enough hope to keep doing the next right thing. Will is living on the poverty line, and this will be a sensitive issue for some children. Life for Will is hard, but he learns that he is still powerful and in a position to make choices about his future and the path he wants to take.

The Wrong Shoes is a story that will increase empathy in children whose lives are easier than Will’s and empower those who relate to him. Suitable for Upper KS2 and beyond.

Go! Go! Chichico!

Geraldine McCaughrean & Tom Percival

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Chichico is thrilled when a talent scout spots him during a kick-about with his friends Davi and Ana, and he is asked to try out for Santos Brazil. But without a pair of football boots, how will Chichico ever been taken seriously? Loyal Davi steps in and sets out on a mission to solve Chichico’s problem. But Davi’s actions soon risk ruining Chichico’s dreams forever…

A little football story with a big heart from award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean.

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