Picture Books
A selection of Emily Sutton’s published picture books.
Emily has illustrated dozens of books for publishers including The V&A, Walker Books and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and for authors such as Michael Bond, Nicola Davies and Julia Golding.
You can purchase these books from any good bookstore or by searching on Amazon for Emily Sutton. See below for details and highlights from Emily’s books, and links to buy each one:
King Winter’s Birthday by Jonathan Freedland.
An achingly beautiful, timeless picture book by bestselling author Jonathan Freedland and illustrated by Emily Sutton, inspired by a story from Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, author of The Passenger
It's King Winter's birthday, and he wants his party to be really special. He asks all of his brothers and sisters to be there: Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn.
But the wind and the trees whisper a warning, and as the four play magical games, something strange begins to happen outside.
Inspired by a story from Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, written while he was interned on the Isle of Man during the Second World War, this timeless fairy tale is a celebration of nature's rhythms, and of a chaotic world restored to balance.
The World To Come by Johnny Flynn and Rob Macfarlane.
This stunning picture book collaboration comes from bestselling author Robert Macfarlane and actor Johnny Flynn, with illustrations by Emily Sutton.
”On my way through the wood wound a thread through the dream...”
Take a lyrical journey with a father and son who walk together through an ever-changing landscape and discover a world to come that's filled with hope.
This beautiful book sings with a love of words and rhythm, and vividly conjures the magic of nature.
Royal Animals
A beautifully illustrated history of royal animals in Britain from 1066 to the present day, with a foreword by Sir Michael Morpurgo.
Why do the three lions on the British crest look so much like leopards? When did the first elephant set foot on British soil? Was there really a polar bear who fished in the river Thames?
The perfect sumptuous gift for animal lovers, this large hardback includes a jacket with elegant red foil detailing, gold corgi endpapers and hand-painted illustrations on every page from artist Emily Sutton. Full of astounding facts and amazing true animal stories, delve in to discover royal giraffes, elephants, spaniels, parrots, ravens, pelicans and, of course, Queen Elizabeth II's corgis.
This fascinating exploration of 1000 years of royal animals is written by Julia Golding, the author of The Queen's Wardrobe.
Protecting the Planet: The Season of Giraffes
An ultimately inspiring story of how giraffes have dealt with modern climate change, beautifully told and illustrated – and marking the launch of an exciting new series.
Once, this season of rains was the season of giraffes... In this powerful picture-book, bestselling children's author Nicola Davies writes in collaboration with conservationist Kisilu Musya to explain how one of the world's best-loved animals has dealt with the challenges of climate change. Giraffes were once a part of daily life in Niger – but after severe droughts one year, when the rains eventually return, the giraffes are nowhere to be seen. However, as award-winning artist Emily Sutton's magnificent illustrations capture, The Beauty of Giraffes ultimately has a hopeful, celebratory story to share ... and an important point to make about how human beings can change for the better.
"Nicola Davies is one of the best children's writers in the business." - The Huffington Post
"Emily Sutton is one of our greatest children's illustrators." - The Times
Betty and the Mysterious Visitor
A touching celebration of nature by debut author Anne Twist, illustrated by Emily Sutton.
Betty loves visiting Grandma and playing in her beautiful garden, Acorn Hollows. But when a mysterious creature starts destroying the Hollows, Betty must come up with a plan to save it. Whatever will she do?
Jumbo: The Most Famous Elephant Who Ever Lived
This is the deeply touching story of an elephant who captured the world's imagination, brought beautifully to life with enchanting storytelling and gorgeous artwork. Follow Jumbo's amazing journey from his remote home in the rugged mountains of East Africa and the time he spent delighting visitors with elephant rides and comedy routines at London Zoo. Be amazed by his spectacular stint in P.T. Barnum's 'Greatest Show on Earth' and how he led a herd of elephants across the newly-built Brooklyn Bridge to test its strength. Discover how Jumbo's remarkable life and legacy transformed our understanding and treatment of these magnificent creatures.
With a page-turning narrative by Alexandra Stewart and breathtakingly beautiful artwork by Emily Sutton, the true story of Jumbo's incredible life will fascinate young and old alike.
GROW - Secrets of our DNA
"Vibrantly illustrated, this is a fascinating and accessible introduction to the concept of DNA for five- to eight-year-olds" - The Guardian
A beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of DNA for younger readers. All living things grow – every plant and every animal, including human beings. Some things grow fast and others grow slowly; some things grow by tiny degrees, while others grow to be enormous. Yet there's something about the way we grow that links us all together. Ever since you were the size of a dot, your body has been following a set of instructions: a code, which connects you with every creature on the planet... With words from Nicola Davies and exquisite artwork by Emily Sutton, this groundbreaking book is certain to enchant and inspire children.
"Explaining the concept of DNA to young children sounds an impossible task but this book succeeds beautifully." - The Sunday Express
Everyone Sang: A Poem for Every Feeling
This exquisite gift-book contains over a hundred poems, chosen by creator of the bestselling The Poetry Pharmacy, William Sieghart, and illustrated in sensational style by picture-book star Emily Sutton. Divided into four thoughtfully-curated sections, including Poems to Make You Smile, Poems to Move You, Poems to Give You Hope and Poems to Calm and Connect You, the poems originate from an extraordinary and diverse range of sources, from Maya Angelou to Roger McGough, Lemn Sissay, Jackie Kay, Carol Ann Duffy, Joseph Coelho, Kae Tempest, W.B. Yeats, Christina Rossetti and Emily Dickinson, among many others.
Combining traditional favourites with recent gems, here are poems to delight, inspire, entertain, intrigue, console and uplift readers of all ages.
Penny and the Little Lost Puppy
Moving home can feel a bit lonely, so Penny can’t believe her luck when she finds a new friend right in her garden: a puppy who wants to play all day long! But the next morning, Penny's playmate is nowhere to be seen ... wherever can she have gone? To find out, Penny and Dad will have to get to know their new town a little better.
With this charming tale, the award-winning artist behind The Christmas Eve Tree and the critically acclaimed Tiny series makes her debut as an author-illustrator: here is a story about making friends and finding ways to belong, matching a gentle text with spectacular, detailed artwork. The result is a book to pore over – perfect for any young dog fans.
The Tale of the Castle Mice by Michael Bond.
The Earl’s Castle is home to a magnificent doll’s house, and inside lives a family of mice. Mr and Mrs Perk and their thirteen children live happily together and work hard to maintain their splendid home. But one day their beloved doll’s house is taken away . . .
Full of humour and warmth, this nostalgic tale by Michael Bond, the author of Paddington Bear.
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A First Book of the Sea by Nicola Davies
From Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, the multi award-winning team behind Tiny and Lots, comes a spellbinding collection of poems about the oceans of the world and their shores. With this book, children can swim alongside dolphins and flying fish, pore over rockpools and sail from pole to pole and back, learning about everything from phosphorescence and plankton to manta rays and puffins – all in the comfort of their bedroom. Emily Sutton's watercolours capture the breathless excitement of a child's first glimpse of the sea, the majesty of ancient trading ships and the sheer, staggering wonder of the humpback whale.
The perfect companion to international bestsellers A First Book of Nature and A First Book of Animals, this book is sure to enthrall and inspire readers of all ages.
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LOTS: The Diversity of Life by Nicola Davies
There are living things everywhere: the more we look, the more we find. There are creatures on the tops of the tallest jungle trees, at the bottom of the coldest oceans, even under the feathers of birds and in boiling volcanic pools. So how many different kinds are there? One, two, three ... lots! From the award-winning team behind Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes comes Lots, a lavishly illustrated introduction to the concept of biodiversity for younger readers.
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TINY: The Invisible World of Microbes by Nicola Davies
There are living things so tiny, millions could fit on a dot. Although they are invisible, they are everywhere and they multiply very quickly. They are vital for life on earth, and do all sorts of things – from giving us a cold and making yoghurt to wearing down mountains and helping to make the air we breathe.
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Clara Button and the Magical Hat Day by Amy De La Haye
Clara Button loves hats, and when her older brother Ollie breaks her favourite, Mum takes them on a special hat day out. While visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum, Clara gets lost and embarks on an exciting journey of discovery. Meanwhile, Ollie is having adventures of his own, with swords and tigers! The lovely paperback edition includes a free set of Clara Button stickers.
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Clara Button and the Wedding Day Surprise by Amy De La Haye
Clara Button returns - alongside her brother Ollie - in another charming and beautifully illustrated story. After the postman delivers their invitation to a wedding, Clara and Ollie begin careful preparations. Clara imagines what the bride might wear, and might have worn in the past, but disaster strikes the night before the big event! Can Ollie and his inventions - and a visit to the haberdashery - save the day? Playful and whimsical while packed with beautiful details from the V&A, this wonderful story is sure to enthrall and enchant.
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The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy
A illustrated Christmas story, with words by Delia Huddy. When the ugly little fir tree is taken to the city, no one wants to buy him; they prefer the big tall trees. But a homeless boy asks the shopkeeper if he can take the tree, and down by the river in a cardboard box, decorated with a few candles, the tree finds itself at the centre of a magical Christmas Eve it will never forget. A Christmas tale with a classic feel but a modern theme at its heart.
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One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell
It's Christmas Eve and Theo - left at home with a babysitter - sees an odd-looking star out of his window and decides to make a wish. He wishes that he had some friends to keep him company. Moments later, the Christmas decorations begin to disentangle themselves from the tree behind him, ready to wreak a little havoc...
Written with generous helpings of warmth and humour, this is a story about treasuring the people and values that really matter at this time of year, from master storyteller and bestselling children's author Katherine Rundell, creator of Rooftoppers and The Wolf Wilder.
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Doll’s House Colouring Book for the V&A
This delightful colouring book brings one of the V&A's favourite collections into your home. Drawn by Emily Sutton, illustrator of the bestselling Clara Button books, each page is based on a dolls' house from the V&A Museum of Childhood and is ready for you to personalise. The book is a journey through the rooms of a perfect dolls' house, from front door and reception to bedroom, via toy room, bathroom and pantry, and there is plenty to explore and make your own. Designed to be by turns charming, witty and fun, this is a perfect present and a fantastic souvenir.
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Ernestine’s Milky Way by Kerry Madden- Lunsford
Every morning, Ernestine shouts out of her window to the Great Smoky Mountains, "I'm five years old and a big girl!" When Mama asks Ernestine - who helps with chores around the farm while Papa is away at war - to carry two mason jars filled with milk to their neighbour, Ernestine isn't sure she can do it. After all, she'd need to walk through thickets of crabapple and blackberry by the creek, not to mention past vines of climbing bittersweet. But Ernestine is five years old and a big girl, so off she sets. Along the way, one mason jar slips from her arms and rolls down the mountainside into the river, and Ernestine is sure it's lost forever. . . until her neighbour's son shows up with a muddy jar - and there's a surprise inside!
With tons of flavour and a can-do spirit, here is a celebration of American history and a plucky girl who knows that helping a family in need is worth the trouble.
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Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Girl Lighthouse Keeper
An inspiring and beautifully illustrated picture book biography based on the life of Kate Moore, a twelve-year-old lighthouse keeper in the 19th century who saved the lives of twenty-three sailors.
With an evocative text and stunning illustrations, travel back to the stormy, rocky shores of 19th century Connecticut and meet an unforgettable heroine-- at a time when girls were considered anything but. Fayerweather Island had seen blustery blizzards and rip-roaring tides, but it had never seen a pint-sized hurricane until Kate Moore claimed that tiny island as her own. Little Kate was supposed to be the lighthouse keeper's daughter, but she thought of herself as Papa's assistant.
The thirty-three spiraling lighthouse stairs finally took a toll on Papa's body, and so twelve-year-old Kate stepped up. Over the years, she kept the flame lit to guide ships to safety, listened for cries for help, and, time and again, pulled men to safety--twenty-three of them in all. At the age of forty-seven, Kate received word--she had been named the official lighthouse keeper of Fayerweather Island. This girl-power picture book introduces a small heroine, who, with her can-do attitude and incredible spirit, is sure to inspire.
