Ian Whybrow has written over 60 books for children, has been translated into 21 languages and published in 24 countries. His books are known for their humour and child-friendliness and range from picture books, to novels, short stories and poetry. His humour is wacky and original and his books are all good to read aloud. An animated version of the very popular LITTLE WOLF’S BOOK OF BADNESS was the 2003 Christmas Special on Channel 4. The HARRY AND THE DINOSAURS titles, illustrated by Adrian Reynolds are currently important titles on the Puffin list.

THE BASICS:
Born: Gilliam, Kent- date confidential!
Jobs: Teacher and writer
Lives: Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex and
Almeley Wootton, Herefordshire
First Book: The Sniff Stories, 1989

THE BOOKS:
Ian recently gave up teaching to become a fulltime writer and is now extending the Little Wolf series of short, very funny novels (Collins) and the Harry picture books as well as publishing new picture books and contributing poems to anthologies. All the titles featuring Harry and the Dinosaurs are now to be published by Puffin. These books have huge appeal for the under sixes as Harry’s behaviour reflects real life – and dinosaurs seem to have a timeless appeal.

WHAT HE SAYS...

“I loved being read to when I was a child and I loved the sense that my mother and father were enjoying themselves too. For me that’s the acid test for any good book – that there’s something in it for everyone to enjoy.”

His passions are (apart from his wife and daughters): The Herefordshire Marches – where he retreats to write in an idyllic Victorian villa; digging; running; walking with friends; swimming; cycling (especially in France); the poet Stevie Smith; the theatre; books, films and hedgehogs.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT IAN WHYBROW...
“A major talent has arrived.” The Times on the publication of THE SNIFF STORIES in 1989.

“Are you sitting comfortably? Then you’re in for a treat. Between them Ian Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds can work magic – and they do.” The Liverpool Echo of HARRY AND THE DINOSAURS MAKE A CHRISTMAS WISH – their first title in this series for Puffin.

“A wonderful book that will help children build their skills”
The Bookseller of HARRY AND THE DINOSAURS TELL THE TIME

AWARDS:

QUACKY QUACK QUARK! was nominated for the Smarties Prize
A BABY FOR GRACE was nominated for the Carnegie Medal
LITTLE WOLF’S BOOK OF BADNESS won the TSB Birmingham Book Award, an UKRA Award for making a substantial contribution to literacy, the Talkie Award for the Best Children’s Book and Tape, a nomination for the best TV movie, and was a finalist for the Best Children’s Programme in the Broadcast Awards and the Best TV Special in the British Animation Awards. The book has also won awards in Italy and the USA.
HARRY AND THE BUCKETFUL OF DINOSAURS was shortlisted for the Children’s Book Award and won both the Sheffield Children’s Book Award and the Norfolk Libraries Children’s Book Award
WHIFF was nominated for the Blue Peter Award for the Best Picture Book to Read Aloud
WHERE’S TIM’S TED has won prizes in France and Italy.

HARRY AND THE DINOSAURS
AT THE MUSEUM

A great new Harry adventure featuring dinosaurs, a museum and what to do if you get lost.

Harry goes to the museum and finds out all about his ancestors but he and the dinosaurs soon get bored with the ancient artefacts and suddenly they’re lost. But Nan knows exactly where to find them, in the prehistoric hall where Harry is introducing his dinosaurs to their ancestors!

Harry and the Dinosaurs At the Museum is an exciting new addition to the already popular series of books. Packed with all the things that will appeal to young readers, irresistible illustrations, and a little lesson about what to do if you get lost.

Ian Whybrow & Adrian Reynolds’ first hit was Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs, a beautifully illustrated story about one boy who by the power of his imagination, and his mastery of their names, has brought to life a whole bucketful of plastic dinosaurs to be his friends. Puffin Books fell in love with Harry and his dino-mates and bought the entire backlist from Gullane and have gone on to publish many more of their adventures.

HARRY AND THE BUCKETFULL OF DINOSAURS have a new home at Puffin.

Puffin has bought full publishing rights and assets in Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs and all related Harry titles from HIT Entertainment PLC. Previously published by Gullane Children’s Books (owned by HIT Entertainment PLC) bestselling Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs and the six related Harry titles have sold over half a million copies. The books are successfully published in ten language editions. Created by Ian Whybrow and illustrator Adrian Reynolds, the seven titles are Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs; Harry and the Dinosaurs Say Raahh!, Harry and the Dinosaurs Romp in the Swamp, Harry and the Robots, Harry and the Snow King, Harry and the Dinosaurs Play Hide and Seek and Harry and the Dinosaurs Have a Very Busy Day. The books exist in various formats and gift sets. An animation option is in development.

The backlist acquisition follows Puffin’s three-book deal with Ian Whybrow and Adrian Whybrow earlier in the year for future Harry titles, the first of which will be published in hardback on 6th November 2003, Harry and the Dinosaurs Make a Christmas Wish. Mandy Suhr, Picture Book Publisher at Puffin, who originally developed and published the books at Gullane, says ‘We are thrilled to be publishing all of the Harry titles at Puffin and plan to develop and expand the series with new picture books, novelty titles and audio’.

This acquisition reinforces the new role of picture books as an integral part of Puffin’s future, since Francesca Dow took over last year as Managing Director. ‘Harry and his Dinosaurs are an important addition to Puffin’s new picture book list, and are just the sort of warm, playful and commercial book we need to be publishing. We have strong characters with Angelina Ballerina and Meg and Mog and are delighted to welcome Harry and his highly successful backlist to Puffin.’

IAN WHYBROW TITLES
AVAILABLE FROM PUFFIN:

Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs
Harry and the Dinosaurs make a Christmas Wish
Harry and the Dinosaurs at the Museum
Harry and the Dinosaurs say Raahh!
Romp in the Swamp
Harry and the Robots
Harry and the Snow King
Harry and the Dinosaurs have a Very Busy Day
Harry and the Dinosaurs play Hide and Seek
Harry and the Dinosaurs Tell the Time
Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs (boardbook)

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