Tom and Giovanna Fletcher among authors at Ladybird and Puffin’s Picture Books Showcase

Tom and Giovanna Fletcher, Laura Henry-Allain MBE and Lydia Bright were among authors and illustrators at Ladybird and Puffin’s Picture Books Showcase in central London on Tuesday (30th January). 

The event at Carousel restaurant celebrated the publishing programme from Ladybird and Puffin Picture Books for children aged up to seven years old, showcasing some of the major upcoming titles, featuring both established picture book creators and new voices for 2024.

Around 100 guests attended the showcase which was hosted by author and podcaster Anna Mathur. The line-up of authors and illustrators in attendance included: "JoJo & Gran Gran" creator Henry-Allain, talking about her new book Maya and Marley, designer and author Chris Chatterton, launching his new board book series Uh Oh, Niko and Waterstones Prize winner Kim Hillyard talking about her new book Frida the Rock-and-Roll Moth.

There was also a panel discussion with Kelechi Okafor (Strong Like Me), Bright (Mummy and Me) and Lanisha Butterfield (Flower Block), discussing their debut picture books, Rachel Morrisroe on her latest book in the successful How to Grow series, and Tom and Giovanna Fletcher in conversation about picture books.

Welcoming guests to the event, Francesca Dow, m.d. of Penguin Random House Children’s, said: “We believe in the power of books to help shape the future. And that starts with picture books, for our very youngest readers. Joyful, fun, magical books; books that inspire, educate and entertain, and also that reflect society and enable our youngest of readers to see their experiences and communities represented on the pages of their very first books. We all know the magic and joy of sharing stories and how vital it is to creating a lifelong love of reading." 

She also discussed Puffin’s Libraries for Primaries campaign, alongside the National Literacy Trust and other partners, which are on track to transform 1,000 libraries in primary schools by the end of the year, taking Puffin and Ladybird books into schools across the country and supporting children with reading and literacy.