New Release Books by Sophie Blackall

A lavish and moving tribute to a beloved place in the vein of Hello Lighthouse from two-time Caldecott Medallist, Sophie Blackall Step inside the dollhouse-like interior of Farmhouse and relish the daily life of the family that lives there, rendered in impeccable, thrilling detail. Based on a real family and an actual farmhouse where Sophie salvaged facts and artefacts for the making of this spectacular work, page after page bursts with luminous detail and joy. Join the award-winning, bestselling Sophie Blackall as she takes readers on an enchanting visit to a farmhouse across time, to witness the way that history spins stories. 'Hums with life and the joys and tribulations of a large family ... The story itself is told in lilting text which reads so well aloud, and the accompanying illustrations are colourful and joyous. I loved this book without reservation' Readings PRAISE FOR SOPHIE BLACKALL: 'Painted with the featherlight touch that distinguishes Caldecott Medallist Blackall's work, this graceful account of a lighthouse keeper's life celebrates a lost era ... A jewel of a creation and a gift to those who dream of retreat' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Two-time Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall spins a winning tale about Max, a feline whose behavior doesn't win any raves, except from the boy who believes in him and finds a way to turn a negative into a positive. When a boy is FINALLY allowed to get a cat, he has no doubts about which one to bring home from the shelter. But Max the cat isn’t quite what the family expected. He shuns the toy mouse, couldn’t care less about the hand-knitted sweater, and spends most of his time facing the wall. One by one, the family gives up on Max, but the boy loves his negative cat so much, he’ll do anything to keep him. Even the thing he dreads most: practicing his reading. Which, as it turns out, makes everything positive!

A beautiful picture book about hope, change and the passing of time. Winner of the Caldecott Medal 2019. On the highest rock of a tiny island at the edge of the world stands a lighthouse. From dusk to dawn, the lighthouse beams, sending its light out to sea, guiding the ships on their way. As the seasons pass and the waves rise and fall, outside, the wind blows; inside, the lighthouse keeper writes, and the rhythms of his life unfold. But change is on the horizon... With beautiful illustrations from Sophie Blackall - the artist behind New York Times bestseller, Finding Winnie. "I will be surprised if a more exquisite picture book is published this year" - New York Times "A jewel of a creation" - Publishers Weekly

Cleverly revealing the basics of reproduction in an age-appropriate way, award-winning Sophie Blackall has created a beautiful picture book full of playful details to amuse and engage readers. Sooner or later, every child will ask, Where do babies come from? Answering this question has never been this easy or entertaining! Join a curious little boy who asks everyone from his babysitter to the mailman, getting all sorts of funny answers along the way, before his parents gently set him straight.

In her first book for adults, the artist Sophie Blackall creates a deeply felt, poignant book about love—a book that captures the mystery, the yearning, at times the cosmic humor behind the “what if?” of a missed connection. Like a message in a bottle, a “missed connection" classified (usually posted on a website) is an attempt however far-fetched, by one stranger to reach another on the strength of a remembered glance, smile, or blue hat. The anonymous messages are hopeful and hopeless, funny and sad. Ms. Blackall, award-winning illustrator of Ruby’s Wish and Big Red Lollipop, has turned some of the most evocative (or hilarious) of them into exquisite paintings. Missed Connections is a collection of illustrated love stories. There’s “We Shared a Bear Suit.” “If Not for Your Noisy Tambourine.” “Hairy Bearded Swimmer.” Each is told in the shorthand of a “missed connection,” and then illustrated in Chinese ink and watercolor. The paintings are extraordinary: delicate yet full of feeling, each springing from one little detail of the post into a fully imagined world. Each brings the voyeuristic pleasure of watching love at first sight, and the pleasure of watching an artist discover a fresh new way to tell a story. And not all the connections are missed. Hidden in the book are three pieces that conjure up the magic of love found.

Edward can’t fall asleep, and like most children, he has a million questions burning to be answered even though it’s way past his bedtime. In this funny picture book about the all-familiar bedtime negotiations between child and parent, Edward and his mother talk about everything from yellow dogs to corn on the cob. Most children (and parents) will recognize themselves in this gentle ode to bedtime.

In this seventh entry in the New York Times–bestselling series, two unlikely best friends get creative as they prepare for the Science Fair. It’s the Science Fair, and the second grade is all over it! Some kids are making man-eating robots. Some kids are holding their breath for a very, very long time. Some kids are doing interesting things with vacuum cleaners. The theme, obviously, is global warming. But what should Ivy and Bean do? Something involving explosions? Or ropes? Something with ice cubes? Or maybe . . . maybe something different. Praise for What’s the Big Idea? “This seventh episode about unlikely best friends Ivy and Bean may be the most ambitious and triumphant yet . . . . Barrows and Blackall know just how to expose situations that are familiar to second-graders—with empathy and a light touch.” —Shelf-Awareness

In the fifth entry in the New York Times–bestselling series, two friends come up with a crazy plan to lure wild animals home. Bean’s day is going downhill, and it’s only nine in the morning. Is it her fault she licked syrup off her plate? Is it her fault Nancy’s yarn got used up? Yes. Bean wonders if being good is worth the effort. Ivy says yes, that if you’re really good, animals will love you and follow you home. Wow! Ivy and Bean decide they’re going to be the best kids in town. They’re going to be kind, they’re going to be generous and pure of heart and—Wait a second! How did they end up muddy, wet, and in trouble? Praise for Bound to Be Bad “Barrows and Blackall deliver another laugh-out-loud Pancake Court romp that derives its humor from the very believable characters and chemistry of the neighborhood children. Any child who’s had to suffer a time-out will relate to this one.” —Kirkus Reviews

In the sixth entry in the New York Times–bestselling series, two best friends learn about ballet, promises, and how to be a squid. Finally! After months of begging their parents for ballet lessons, Ivy and Bean finally get what they want . . . well, not exactly. Much to their surprise, it turns out ballet lessons do not cover karate chops and roundhouse kicks. The girls have no interest in learning how to dance gracefully, but they promised their parents they would finish the entire ballet course! When it comes time for Ivy and Bean to participate in the ocean-themed class recital, the girls must figure out a way to get out of it without breaking their promises. Praise for Doomed to Dance “Another pleasing adventure, engagingly illustrated and fun for new readers.” —Booklist “The story is solidly written, and the expressive black-and-white illustrations, some full page, add to the humor. Early chapter-book readers will appreciate and relate to the friends’ dilemma.” —School Library Journal

In long-ago China, as a young princess prepares to leave her parents' kingdom to travel to far-off Khotan where she is to marry the king, she decides to secretly take with her a precious reminder of home.

Provides instructions for performing such tricks as floating the needle, the rising pushpin, exchanging wine for water, and bottling a hard-boiled egg.

In this picture book, a boy writes a letter to an imagined alien, explaining all the things he will need to know about Earth and the people who live here--and adding a postscript asking what the alien might look like.