Lanisha Butterfield – författare

Winner of the 2025 Children’s Wainwright Prize for Nature WritingWinner of Derby Book Festival's - Derby Children's Picture Book Award 2025Shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize 2025Illustrator Hoang Giang longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025When Jeremiah plants a packet of sunflower seeds, the very last thing he expects is for the vines and leaves to grow overnight and burst through the ceiling of his apartment!As Jeremiah and his brother chase the magical plant up through the floors of their tower block home, they discover an array of curious neighbours who join in the adventure. But what could be waiting for them at the top of the building? And will Jeremiah find his voice to help the neighbours discover the true magic hidden within these sunflower seeds?A glorious celebration of the power of nature to bring communities together, from talented debut author Lanisha Butterfield and illustrator Hoang Giang.“An utterly stunning debut picture book about community, nature and the things that bring us together. Warmly written and gorgeously illustrated, Lanisha and Hoang are a perfectly synced storytelling duo.” - Dapo Adeola, illustrator of LOOK UP!Selected for Book Trust’s Great Book Guide 2024-2025Shortlisted for the Teach Early Years Awards 2024

An uplifting and empowering story about the joy of swimming and following our dreams.Silver has loved swimming since her very first lesson and dreams of one day becoming... a MERMAID!There's just one problem: her dad can't swim.They bake mermaid-tail cupcakes together, build mermaid caves and read underwater stories, but he can't join her in the pool like the other dads.Silver worries she'll have to give up on her dream and quit swimming - how can she possibly leave her dad behind when she's a mermaid?!But one day, Dad has a surprise for her, one that will help Silver to see that she should never give up on her mermaid dreams...Swimming should be for everyone, but it's reported that 95% of Black adults and 80% of Black children in England do not swim.This important and joyful story demonstrates the freedom and excitement of swimming, empowering little ones to pursue their passions without fear.Written by swimming (and mermaid!) enthusiast Lanisha Butterfield with stunning artwork by Raissa Figueroa.