A heartfelt retelling of an ancient Irish tale by a master storyteller, paired with the extraordinary style of an award-winning illustrator.

When young Kevin is sent to a monastery to be cared for, he yearns for the freedom of the woods and fields and misses his parents. One day he reaches out through the cell window towards the light and a blackbird lands in his hands and begins to build a nest there. Kevin waits patiently as the eggs are laid and the baby birds hatch. When they spread their tiny wings and fly off, three new wild things gone out into the world, at last Kevin can rest. PJ Lynch’s atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture David Almond’s moving retelling of this ancient Irish tale about the love of nature and a willingness to let go.

The Falling Boy. He could be anyone. He could be you. From the bestselling, award-winning author of Skellig comes a heartfelt, unforgettable story perfect for readers of Michael Morpurgo and The Final Year.

Nothing is the same for Joff this summer. His dad is ill, his mam is working, there’s a new kid in town. He can’t wait to escape each day and explore with his dog Jet.

But there’s one place he’s not allowed to explore. Above the town sits the Chapel of Doom, ancient and crumbling, with its warning signs and the legend of the Falling Boy.

And when Joff’s adventures take him beyond the boundaries he discovers something unexpected, something truly magical …

Intense and compelling, this is a brilliant coming-of-age story about hope, friendship and conquering your fears, from the award-winning author of the bestselling Skellig. David Almond is a ‘master storyteller’ Independent

An enchanting and heart-warming story between a father and son, that will make you want to reach for stars.

Joe wants to find a way to the stars. With the help of his dad, he builds a ladder, a tower, even a rocket to go up, up, up… Oh no! Crash, bang, wallop! What next?

Together, the pair jump on pogo sticks and build sheds to paint their dreams and find a way. An uplifting and magical tale of sky-high courage, imagination and the bond between father and son that will make your heart soar. Written by internationally acclaimed author David Almond and brought to glorious life by award-winning illustrator Gill Smith in their first collaboration.

From Hans Christian Andersen Medal-winning author David Almond comes a heartwarming story that shows anything is possible with imagination and trust.

What should a puppet master do when he’s old and alone, and all his puppets are gone? Sylvester makes one last puppet. But this one is different. When the old man speaks to him, Puppet speaks back. And then he walks…

While Sylvester shows Puppet the town, the playground and the wonders the world holds, Puppet in turn helps Sylvester to make a new friend, and share his puppet-making skills with the next generation in this wonder-filled story of creation and the circle of life.

Illustrated with sequences of wordless spreads by award-winning artist Lizzy Stewart, this is a modern-day classic.

A magical story about finding your identity from one of the most acclaimed storytellers of his generation, richly illustrated in full colour by an internationally renowned artist.

My mother says that all things can be turned to tales. I thought she meant tales like fish tails, but I was wrong. She meant tales like this, tales that are stories. But this tale of mine is very like a fish tail too…

Annie has never been like the other girls. Her mam tried sending her to school when she was small, but Annie couldn’t seem to make words or numbers stick. She prefers instead to be swimming in the sea, or sunbathing on the shore at Stupor Beach, her head full of tales. She should have been a fish, her mam always tells her, and Annie knows the truth of it. Then a stranger who comes to town is struck by the beauty and the wonder of her, and Annie Lumsden realizes that perhaps she really is half a creature from the sea.

‘A tender story, cheerfully illustrated, about unconventional people and the freedom to be yourself. ‘ The Sunday Times

‘David Almond’s glowing prose conjures a magical world, building a picture of a special girl who is very much a creature of the sea. […] Beatrice Alemagna’s beautiful illustrations complement the text perfectly, evoking the sea, the shore, both the everyday and the mysterious: “Annie Lumsden, seal girl, fish girl, dolphin girl…”. The story and the pictures will haunt the reader long after the covers of the book are closed.’ The School Librarian

“Mam, did you think George was,” I say, “a bit … weird?”
“Weird? Yes, I suppose so. But you kids are all a bit weird if you ask me. And to tell the truth, it’d be weird if you weren’t.”

When a new boy joins the class, everyone thinks he’s a bit strange, but he’s brilliant at football and loves crisps, and that’s all that matters to Dan and Maxie. However, the truth about George is stranger than anyone could have imagined … and more sinister, too. Can his new pals help him to become truly free?

Almond takes a thought-provoking look at AI, and what it means to be human’ The Bookseller

‘Almond elevates ordinary moments and experiences into extraordinary ones, and so, along with prompting deep thoughts in his chosen narrator, Daniel, George ultimately comes to an epiphany of his own after gazing at his reflection in a pond. Likely to leave readers thinking deep thoughts of their own. Kirkus Reviews, starred review

‘Cleverly disguised as a heist, Almond ’s moving page-turner ponders nothing less than humanity and free will, and how to have a great time in the woods.’  The Observer

‘David Almond tackles deep philosophical themes with an invisibly light touch in this funny story about George, a new boy at school.’ The Daily Mail, The Irish Daily Mail & The Scottish Daily Mail

‘Like so many of David Almond’s books, this ends up being a celebration of humanity and wonder, and of what it feels like to be young.’ The Times & The Irish Times

Shortlisted for The Little Rebels Award.

A lyrical, captivating and beautiful picture book by Carnegie Medal-winner David Almond, illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal-winner Levi Pinfold.

When a great dam was built by the Kielder Water in Northumberland, the valley below slowly filled with water. But just before this, when the villagers had been moved out, two musicians went back to the abandoned valley. They tore down the boards over the houses, stepped inside and started to play – for this would be the last time that music would be heard in this place. In this astonishing picture book that combines themes of loss, hope and music David Almond pays homage to all musicians, showing the ancient and unstoppable power of creativity.

‘With its every detail—its masterful illustrations, its landscape format, and the elegant text that offers readers a way to see the promise of new life from what has been destroyed—this book triumphs.’ Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

‘With riveting language and moody art, this true story will evoke awe and reverence of place for even very young readers.’ Publishers Weekly (starred review)

‘Perhaps the most extraordinarily lovely and melancholy picture book published this year, The Dam will linger in readers’ minds. But what sticks with you after the book is closed is not desolation and defeat; it’s blue water and open skies, exuberant children, dancing stars and, of course, music.’ BookPage

Winner, The Andersen Prize, Italy.

For fans of Room by Emma Donoghue, an extraordinary novel about a child who is kept incarcerated – from the bestselling, prizewinning author of Skellig

Billy Deane is the child of an illicit relationship between a priest and a young hairdresser. He is born on the very day that terrorists attack his town, and the fact that he survives and flourishes persuades his father that he is a special child with special gifts. Even so, Billy’s birth can’t be made public, and he spends his chidhood in a single room, dreaming of other worlds, occasionally visited at night by his father. When the visits come to a sudden end, his mother decides it’s time for Billy to come out into the world, helped by a couple of friendly townspeople, and soon he finds that his supposed gifts bring him a certain celebrity. But his father hasn’t gone for good, and there’s a terrible reckoning still to be made.
David Almond’s first adult novel is a brilliant account of a child long kept hidden from the world who finally finds that he can establish his place in it – only to be confronted with a past that won’t go away.

‘A lovely book, full of wonderments. Billy’s memories have real lyricism and a beguiling narrative voice.’ Sunday Times

‘Not only dramatically and emotionally suspenseful, it is also vividly drawn and wonderfully well-paced, as we might expect from a master storyteller’ John Burnside, Guardian

‘One of the most critically acclaimed YA authors working today, Almond refuses to rest on his laurels, and here he delivers his finest book in years.’ Booklist, starred review

“The interplay between the characters and their environments results in a stunningly human and humanizing story. This is by far Almond’s best work to date.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

A gentle visionary coming of age in the shadow of the shipyards of northern England, Dominic Hall is torn between extremes. He craves the freedom he feels when he balances above the earth on a makeshift tightrope with the eccentric girl artist next door, Holly Stroud–his first and abiding love. Yet he also finds himself drawn to the brutal charms of Vincent McAlinden, a complex bully who awakens something wild and reckless and killing in Dom. In a raw and beautifully crafted bildungsroman, David Almond reveals the rich inner world of a boy teetering on the edge of manhood.

A warm and witty tale from a master storyteller, author of Carnegie Medal-winning Skellig and internationally bestseller The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas.

Bert and Betty Brown have got themselves a little angel. Bert found him in his top pocket when he was driving his bus.

Bert and Betty’s friends think he’s lovely. So do Nancy and Jack and Alice from Class 5K. What a wonder!

But Acting Head Teacher Mrs Mole is not so sure. Nor is Professor Smellie. Or the mysterious bloke in black who claims to be a School Inspector.

Then there’s Basher Malone – big, lumbering Basher Malone. He REALLY doesn’t like Angelino. And it looks like he’s out to get him…