Forest Xiao – illustratör

One Thursday morning, a box of babies arrived at this door...The perfect gift for any new parent who will quickly understand that one baby is as busy and chaotic as having seven! Babies need a lot of feeding, changing, entertaining, bathing ... and don't forget ALL that laundry. But, luckily, seven babies means ... seven times the love! With a simple read-aloud text and hilarious pictures with a sweet ladybird family to search and find throughout, Seven Babies is also a cosy, funny bedtime read - ideal for getting little ones into books for the first time."Joyous […] The babies’ expressive round faces recall Helen Oxenbury ’s drawings, but Xiao’s art has a zingier colour palette and a wildness of its own. It’s one of the cutest, and perhaps best, picture book portrayals of new parenthood that I’ve ever read – the exhausting babies barrel across each page, pulling books from shelves, chewing the rug and escaping the bath." - The Observer"A wonderfully joyful picture book for introducing children to the concept of having a sibling." - Waterstones

Praise for Forest Xiao:"Joyous […] The babies’ expressive round faces recall Helen Oxenbury ’s drawings, but Xiao’s art has a zingier colour palette and a wildness of its own. It’s one of the cutest, and perhaps best, picture book portrayals of new parenthood that I’ve ever read." Observer on Seven Babies"Xiao’s delightful debut, exploring the everyday chaos that comes with having a baby in your life, has a similar look (and as much warmth) as Helen Oxenbury’s A First Book for Babies series." Bookseller on Seven BabiesA must-have for any baby's first library and a delicious first board book ideal for sharing with teething little ones who will love seeing themselves reflected on the page through Forest Xiao's wonderful, happy babies.Everything in this board book is as delicious as the book itself. Banana is yummy, watermelon is yummy, air is yummy, my friend is yummy, Daddy's socks are NOT yummy (sorry, Daddy) and what is the yummiest of all? Mummy, of course.With bright, clear graphics and images full of gentle, playful humour, this is a delectable bite-sized book for all babies from Forest Xiao, a thrilling new talent on the Walker Books list.

Praise for Forest Xiao:"Joyous […] The babies’ expressive round faces recall Helen Oxenbury ’s drawings, but Xiao’s art has a zingier colour palette and a wildness of its own. It’s one of the cutest, and perhaps best, picture book portrayals of new parenthood that I’ve ever read." - Observer on Seven Babies"Xiao’s delightful debut, exploring the everyday chaos that comes with having a baby in your life, has a similar look (and as much warmth) as Helen Oxenbury’s A First Book for Babies series." - Bookseller on Seven BabiesWith irresistible, graphic paintings and happy, bouncy text, this board book is a must-have for a new baby's library as well as an ideal present for any new parent or carer to share and read aloud with their child - together you can learn to count all the way to ten!Babies love to look at pictures of other babies. And babies have never been sweeter, rounder and happier than in Forest Xiao's counting concept board book which gently introduces little ones to first numbers through objects and situations they're familiar with. Count to ten with babies on a see-saw, babies in a shopping trolley, fast asleep babies (but for how long?) and so much more.

Ever wondered what life would be like with seven babies? Wonder no longer!In this joyful and heartwarming debut picture book, Forest Xiao captures all the chaos, comedy and love that come with having a new baby in the family and then …multiplies it by SEVEN! Follow seven busy babies as they crawl, dribble, cry, chew, explore, play and turn everyday life upside down in the most delightful ways.Perfect for sharing with babies, toddlers, this charming story celebrates family life, sibling relationships and the wonder of early childhood through Forest Xiao's bold, graphic illustrations and irresistible visual humour. Packed with funny details and expressive characters, it's a book families will enjoy reading time again and again. - A PERFECT gift for 2–4-year-olds or for families expecting a new baby.- A joyful celebration of babies, family life and the everyday adventures of early childhood.- Helps young children explore feelings about new siblings in a warm, funny and reassuring way.- Forest Xiao's clear, graphic illustrations make it easy for little ones to follow the action and spot details on every page.- Encourages interaction, discussion and repeated reading as children identify favourite babies and follow them through the story.- The award-winning book that introduced readers to Forest Xiao's unforgettable cast of seven babies. Discover more happy, busy babies from Forest Xiao:Yummy YummyHow Many Babies? PRAISE FOR SEVEN BABIESSeven Babies is shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize and was shortlisted in the Picture Book category for the 2026 Indie Book Awards.“A wonderfully joyful picture book for introducing children to the concept of having a sibling” – Waterstones “The babies’ expressive round faces recall Helen Oxenbury ’s drawings, but Xiao’s art has a zingier colour palette and a wildness of its own. It’s one of the cutest, and perhaps best, picture book portrayals of new parenthood that I’ve ever read” – The Observer“Xiao’s delightful debut, exploring the everyday chaos that comes with having a baby in your life, has a similar look (and as much warmth) as Helen Oxenbury’s A First Book for Babies series.” – The Bookseller

Babies are always hungry! Forest Xiao’s playful board book celebrates the lovable nom-nom monsters among us. Some things are yummy, like a banana or a juicy watermelon. When you’re a baby, other things are yummy, too, like a leaf. Or your own foot. And watch out, little friend sitting nearby! These delightful babies will captivate their audience in a board book sure to cause giggling all around.