Rocket Bird Books 2024 Catalogue

New Titles 2024 ROCKET BIRD BOOKS

Welcome to the second Rocket Bird Books catalogue. We are almost a year old! And what a year it’s been, from launches to reviews, events and even our first awards. We need to say a huge thank you to the artists, authors, librarians, booksellers, teachers, parents and international publishers who have helped us make our first year putting books into children’s hands so successful and so much fun. 2023 has taught us that, by working together, we really will turn children into book-lovers before they can read a word.

Now 2024 brings new adventures: from meeting misunderstood minibeasts to exploring the magical world of word-collecting. We discover the power of star stories and meet Lionel the giant rhino –the only thing bigger is his enthusiasm! We can’t wait to share them all with you.

Libby Hamilton, Publisher

General enquiries: rocketbirdbooks@harpercollins.co.uk

PR enquiries: Emma O’Donovan emma.odonovan@harpercollins.co.uk

UK trade customers:

HarperCollinsPublishers, Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, G64 2QT

T: +44 141 306 3100

uk.orders@harpercollins.co.uk quotes@harpercollins.co.uk (new accounts)

Rights enquiries:

Full contact details for all territories: www.rocketbirdbooks.co.uk/rights

International sales enquiries: Asia: collins.asia@harpercollins.co.uk

Australia: orders@harpercollins.com.au

Europe: collins.europe@harpercollins.co.uk

Middle East: collins.middleeast@ harpercollins.co.uk

Rest of World: collins.international@ harpercollins.co.uk

If you would like to start working with us, email Rob Thompson, Sales Director rob.thompson@harpercollins.co.uk www.

SLUG LIFE

by Moesha Kellaway

Out in hardback 14th March 2024

280 x 240mm • 32pp • 2+ years

£12.99 • 978-1-915395-09-2

Meet Stevie, the world’s grumpiest slug, and find out why.

In this first book in the Misunderstood Minibeasts series, meet Stevie the slug. Sent by his mum to slug self-esteem class, Stevie’s about to discover why he and his slimy kin are kind of awesome. (Here’s one reason: their slime is liquid crystal!)

Moesha’s work is the perfect mix of detail and humour. She draws inspiration from her childhood in Somerset, her love of exploring nature and people watching. Slug Life is her debut book. Location: London, UK.

Out in paperback 11th April 2024

280 x 240mm • 32pp • 2+ years

PB £7.99 • 978-1-915395-12-2

HB £12.99 • 978-1-915395-01-6

Out in paperback 14th March 2024

250 x 260mm • 32pp • 2+ years

PB £7.99 • 978-1-915395-11-5

HB £12.99 • 978-1-915395-00-9

ANIMAL CRACKERS

by Ruby Wright

A wish for a pet comes true in the funniest, stinkiest way.

Maisie dreams of pets, but Mum says their flat is too small. So when the animal crackers monkey comes to life, things are about to get interesting! An amazing debut.

CAN I COME TOO?

by Owen Davey

Just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you know better.

Teddy’s off fishing and Cub wants to come too. But cubs get in the way. Luckily, they can also surprise you. Join the siblings on a hilarious, heartwarming adventure.

Owen is an internationally-celebrated non-fiction creator and also a dad to three superb girls who inspired this story. Location: Worthing, UK.

INVISIBLE DOGS

by Ruby Wright

Out in hardback 9th May 2024

280 x 240mm • 32pp • 2+ years

£12.99 • 978-1-915395-06-1

Starting school is tough but Ida is getting pet power!

At home she never stops talking but at her new school Ida is silent. Luckily Grandpa knows a game to cheer her up, but since only we and Ida can see her new dogs, it’s canine chaos. Can Idea share her imaginative inner life and make new friends?

Ruby studied sculpture, which influences her illustrations but does not explain why she plays the musical saw. She lives with her Mr, children and absolutely no pets. Animal Crackers was her first picture book. Location: London, UK.

Out in paperback 4th July 2024

250 x 250mm • 32pp • 2+ years

PB £7.99 • 978-1-915395-08-5

HB £12.99 • 978-1-915395-05-4

Out in paperback 6th June 2024

240 x 280mm • 32pp • 2+ years

PB £7.99 • 978-1-915395-13-9

HB £12.99 • 978-1-915395-03-0

DORIS by Lo Cole

What if you longed to blend in but were born to stand out?

Being a bright red elephant, Doris is VERY easy to spot. Can you see her? Exactly. But Doris dreams of losing herself in a colourful crowd. Come on a journey of discovery as one little elephant comes to love being herself.

SAM FRANCISCO, KING OF THE DISCO

by Sarah Tagholm & Binny Talib

Discover the toe-tapping secret world of cats.

DJ Sam Francisco’s party is the event of the year, but Buzzkill Bill wants to shut it down. Sam must use music to win over his enemies.

Sarah lives by the sea. Her cat, Envelope, inspired this story. Location: Cornwall, UK. Binny illustrates books, toys and even wallpaper. Location: Sydney, Australia.

LIONEL

by Lo Cole

Out in hardback 1st August 2024

250 x 250mm • 32pp • 2+ years

£12.99 • 978-1-915395-21-4

The only thing bigger than Lionel is his enthusiasm!

Lionel loves joining in with what his friends are doing. He’s so keen to play, he often leaps before he looks, which leads to disaster (including punching a REAL hole in his own book!). Only when Lionel seeks out a quiet space does he discover his own game, and invite his friends to join in with him.

Lo regularly creates editorial illustrations for The Guardian and The Economist. Growing up Lo’s dad wrote children’s books and his mum was an illustrator, so making picture books feels like destiny. Location: Gloucestershire, UK.

GRANDAD’S STAR

by Frances Tosdevin and Rhian Stone

Out in hardback 4th July 2024

275 x 235mm • 32pp • 2+ years

£12.99 • 978-1-915395-10-8

What if your guide to the cosmos starts to forget his way?

Grandad is a famous astronomer and one little girl’s guide to the stars. But then he starts forgetting. Eventually he can’t even remember her name, but they can still connect through their star stories. This book, gloriously illustrated by debut artist Rhian Stone, proves that love reaches across galaxies.

Frances is a picture book author with the heart of a poet. Her first two books have already been shortlisted for five UK prizes. Location: Bedfordshire, UK. Rhian grew up on a diet of magic, folklore and myth. This is her debut book. Location: Kent, UK.

Out in paperback 12th Sept 2024

275 x 235mm • 32pp • 2+ years

PB £7.99 • 978-1-915395-12-2

HB £12.99 • 978-1-915395-14-6

BABOO THE UNUSUAL BEE by Lliana Bird & Aysha Tengiz

Whoever heard of a hip-hop loving, bright pink bee?

The only pink bee in his hive, Baboo dances alone until he meets Lee, the green ladybird. Celebrate all of our differences with this vibrant debut.

Lliana is a writer, director, DJ, actress and charity-founder who is also hilarious. Aysha’s an award-winning illustrator and animator. Location: both London, UK.

My Self, Your Self by Esmé Shapiro

What is a self? Is it inside of us? Outside of us?

Join whimsical forest creatures as they bake, sing silly songs and explore their individuality. Every reader will get to know and love their wonderful self.

Out in paperback 1st August 2024

267 x 210mm • 48pp • 3+ years

PB £7.99 • 978-1-915395-16-0

HB £12.99 • 978-1-915395-07-8

Esmé grew up amongst the succulents and coyotes of Laurel Canyon, California and Ontario, Canada.

Location: Brooklyn NY, USA.

by Gaynor Andrews and Marie-Alice Harel

Discover the magic of finding words and forging stories.

Pandora is an explorer, a collector of words (even ones that misbehave), a forger of stories and weaver of tales. Come with her and you will never see words in quite the same way again.

Out in hardback 12th Sept 2024

210 x 260mm • 32pp • 4+ years

£12.99 • 978-1-915395-17-7

Gaynor grew up in Wales and taught around the world. This is her adept debut. Location: Scottish Highlands, UK. Marie-Alice trained as a scientist before beginning her award-winning illustration career. Location: Edinburgh, UK.

Gaynor Andrews Marie-Alice Harel