Gwen Millward – illustratör

A joyful rhyming picture book exploring neurodiversity that's perfect for EVERY young reader. There’s a drummer in my head. They are tiny, but they’re there. And they tap-a-tap-tap and pa-rum-pa-pum-pum All day without a care… Sounds distracting? It can be! When this little girl is overwhelmed, her little drummer beats fast and loud. She taps out a rhythm when she’s trying to concentrate… And the little drummer knows just how to make her smile…Debut children’s author Sian Radford shares her experience of neurodivergence in this playful, imaginative picture book that celebrates imagination, creativity and connection. Featured in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge Official Book Collection: ‘Read to the Beat’ 🥁Perfect for ALL readers🥁Bouncy rhyming text🥁Positive and reassuring

“This book is one of the most beautiful and magical stories I have ever read. I had my first child 16 years ago so I have read A LOT of children's books over the years!" - a 5 star parent review Winner of the Book Trust Early Years Award, The Bog Baby is a heartwarming story – perfect for inspiring young minds to think about nature, lifecycles and the environment.When two small sisters go fishing to the magic pond, they find something much better than a frog or a newt. They find a bog baby. Small and blue with wings like a dragon, the girls decide to make him their secret. I won't tell if you won't. But the bog baby is a wild thing, and when he becomes poorly, the girls decide they must tell their mum. And she tells them the greatest lesson: if you really love something, you have to let it go. "It has really captured my little girl’s imagination and every time we go for a walk, she earnestly looks for her own 'bog baby' so that she can record its details on the specific page in the back of the book!” - a 5 star reader review Jeanne wrote her first book when she was five years old and hasn't stopped writing since. She has now written over eighty titles, including picture books, novels and television scripts. She has also won numerous awards, including the Children's Book Award, the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the Silver Smarties Prize. Her teen novel, Naked Without a Hat, was shortlisted for the Whitbread Award in 2004. She often takes inspiration from dreams and interesting conversations with strangers.Gwen Millward studied illustration in Edinburgh and now spends all of her time painting and writing stories for children about her favourite subject, beasts. Her first book for Puffin, Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood, published in April 2007.Other wonderful books by either of the two include:The King of Tiny Things; Guess what I found in Dragon Wood; Happy Birthday in Dragon Wood; Sing a Song of Bottoms; Bottoms Up!; Silly Cecil and Clever Cubs; The Wheels on the Bus; Delilah Darling is in the Library; There's an Ouch in my Pouch!; Who's in the Loo?; The Monster Bed; Tadpole's Promise; The Beasties

How much bamboo can a giant panda eat?Do aliens exist?What we would do if we didn't have a prime minister?Why do hammerhead sharks have such strange-shaped heads?Find out the answers to these curious questions and much, much more!Ponder where ideas come from with award-winning illustrator, Rob Biddulph. Find out why you taste things differently when you have a cold with Michelin star chef, Heston Blumenthal. Learn about everything from how astronauts see in the dark to what the biggest dinosaur was with experts from the Natural History Museum.Fascinating facts are accompanied by gorgeous illustrations making the perfect gift for Christmas. Whether you read a question a day, or dip into it whenever you are feeling curious, this is a book to treasure and share all year round.Illustrated by Momoko Abe, Kelsey Buzzell, Beatrice Cerocchi, Alice Courtley, Sandra de la Prada, Grace Easton, Manuela Montoya Escobar, Richard Jones, Lisa Koesterke, Gwen Millward, Sally Mullaney, and Laurie Stansfield.

"The only thing better than the questions, in this delightful and informative book, is the answers." - Neil Gaiman"This book is GLORIOUS. It's heart-and-soul fabulous, page after page." - Stephen Fry"One of the best kids books I have ever had the pleasure of reading" - Pandora Sykes"This book is heaven on a stick" - Sophie DahlA wonderful new paperback edition of 366 curious questions asked by children from around the world, based on the award-winning podcast by original QI Elf, Molly Oldfield. How much bamboo can a giant panda eat?Do aliens exist?What we would do if we didn't have a prime minister?Why do hammerhead sharks have such strange-shaped heads?Find out the answers to these curious questions and much, much more!Ponder where ideas come from with award-winning illustrator, Rob Biddulph. Find out why you taste things differently when you have a cold with Michelin star chef, Heston Blumenthal. Learn about everything from how astronauts see in the dark to what the biggest dinosaur was with experts from the Natural History Museum.Fascinating facts are accompanied by gorgeous illustrations making the perfect gift for Christmas. Whether you read a question a day, or dip into it whenever you are feeling curious, this is a book to treasure and share all year round.Illustrated by Momoko Abe, Kelsey Buzzell, Beatrice Cerocchi, Alice Courtley, Sandra de la Prada, Grace Easton, Manuela Montoya Escobar, Richard Jones, Lisa Koesterke, Gwen Millward, Sally Mullaney, and Laurie Stansfield.Praise for Everything Under the Sun:"Trivia fans will relish Everything Under the Sun" - The Guardian"A brilliant book for any child, but particularly those who don't love reading stories" - David Walliams"A wonderful gift for families" - Evening Standard"A wonderful collection of 366 curious questions about everything from science to nature, dinosaurs to space" - Scottish Sun"Simply mesmerising compendium" - Waterstones"As cute as it is educational" - Babyccino Kids "This is a book to treasure all year round" - My Baba"An absolute delight" - David Walliams

"The only thing better than the questions, in this delightful and informative book, is the answers." - Neil Gaiman"This book is GLORIOUS. It's heart-and-soul fabulous, page after page." - Stephen Fry"One of the best kids books I have ever had the pleasure of reading" - Pandora Sykes"This book is heaven on a stick" - Sophie DahlA wonderful new paperback edition of 366 curious questions asked by children from around the world, based on the award-winning podcast by original QI Elf, Molly Oldfield. How much bamboo can a giant panda eat?Do aliens exist?What we would do if we didn't have a prime minister?Why do hammerhead sharks have such strange-shaped heads?Find out the answers to these curious questions and much, much more!Ponder where ideas come from with award-winning illustrator, Rob Biddulph. Find out why you taste things differently when you have a cold with Michelin star chef, Heston Blumenthal. Learn about everything from how astronauts see in the dark to what the biggest dinosaur was with experts from the Natural History Museum.Fascinating facts are accompanied by gorgeous illustrations making the perfect gift for Christmas. Whether you read a question a day, or dip into it whenever you are feeling curious, this is a book to treasure and share all year round.Illustrated by Momoko Abe, Kelsey Buzzell, Beatrice Cerocchi, Alice Courtley, Sandra de la Prada, Grace Easton, Manuela Montoya Escobar, Richard Jones, Lisa Koesterke, Gwen Millward, Sally Mullaney, and Laurie Stansfield.Praise for Everything Under the Sun:"Trivia fans will relish Everything Under the Sun" - The Guardian"A brilliant book for any child, but particularly those who don't love reading stories" - David Walliams"A wonderful gift for families" - Evening Standard"A wonderful collection of 366 curious questions about everything from science to nature, dinosaurs to space" - Scottish Sun"Simply mesmerising compendium" - Waterstones"As cute as it is educational" - Babyccino Kids "This is a book to treasure all year round" - My Baba"An absolute delight" - David Walliams

*2024 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List**2024 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year: STEM**2023 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year**2023 Science Friday Best Science Book For Kids Selection**2023 Book Riot Must-Read Picture Book**2023 Amazon Top 20 Children’s Books of 2023: Ages 6-8!**2023 Smithsonian Top 10 Best Children’s Books*Learn the funny and fascinating story of Charles Darwin and the groundbreaking discoveries that resulted from his love of the humble worm in this hilarious, illustrated children’s book.Charles Darwin is widely known for his Origin of Species book, yet Darwin had another great love, and that was for worms.Told for the first time for children, this is the silly and fascinating true story of how Charles Darwin came to discover that the humble earthworm is the most important species on our planet.Darwin suspected worms were special but his scientist friends laughed at him. In a quest to find out the worms’ special talent, Darwin played the bassoon to the worms to see if they could hear, laid out a picnic treasure hunt for them to see how well they could smell, among many other bizarre but entirely true experiments. But so far Darwin didn’t find anything extra special about worms. Until, one day he realised that worms do have a superpower. They POO! Without their life-sustaining, nutrient-rich poo, there would be no plants and no animals on earth. Darwin’s 40 years studying worms is still essential to our understanding of worms today, and ever since, scientists have taken him VERY seriously, and never again laughed at his love of worms. The story of Darwin and the worms not only centres around the perennially brilliant subject of poo, it: Teaches children about a key historic figure, the food cycle and deductive scientific thinking.Is also a heartwarming story of the triumph of a zany underdog who won’t let bullies get in the way of his love for worms.Is told in a humorous and engaging way, with nonfiction information on each page to help educate alongside the story.Features charming and humorous full-colour illustrations.Curious minds will love this fact-filled, laugh-out-loud book.

*2024 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List**2024 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year: STEM**2023 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year**2023 Science Friday Best Science Book For Kids Selection**2023 Book Riot Must-Read Picture Book**2023 Amazon Top 20 Children’s Books of 2023: Ages 6-8!**2023 Smithsonian Top 10 Best Children’s Books*Learn the funny and fascinating story of Charles Darwin and the groundbreaking discoveries that resulted from his love of the humble worm in this hilarious, illustrated children’s book.Charles Darwin is widely known for his Origin of Species book, yet Darwin had another great love, and that was for worms.Told for the first time for children, this is the silly and fascinating true story of how Charles Darwin came to discover that the humble earthworm is the most important species on our planet.Darwin suspected worms were special but his scientist friends laughed at him. In a quest to find out the worms’ special talent, Darwin played the bassoon to the worms to see if they could hear, laid out a picnic treasure hunt for them to see how well they could smell, among many other bizarre but entirely true experiments. But so far Darwin didn’t find anything extra special about worms. Until, one day he realised that worms do have a superpower. They POO! Without their life-sustaining, nutrient-rich poo, there would be no plants and no animals on earth. Darwin’s 40 years studying worms is still essential to our understanding of worms today, and ever since, scientists have taken him VERY seriously, and never again laughed at his love of worms. The story of Darwin and the worms not only centres around the perennially brilliant subject of poo, it: Teaches children about a key historic figure, the food cycle and deductive scientific thinking.Is also a heartwarming story of the triumph of a zany underdog who won’t let bullies get in the way of his love for worms.Is told in a humorous and engaging way, with nonfiction information on each page to help educate alongside the story.Features charming and humorous full-colour illustrations.Curious minds will love this fact-filled, laugh-out-loud book.

*2024 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List**2024 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year: STEM**2023 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year**2023 Science Friday Best Science Book For Kids Selection**2023 Book Riot Must-Read Picture Book**2023 Amazon Top 20 Children’s Books of 2023: Ages 6-8!**2023 Smithsonian Top 10 Best Children’s Books*Learn the funny and fascinating story of Charles Darwin and the groundbreaking discoveries that resulted from his love of the humble worm in this hilarious, illustrated children’s book.Charles Darwin is widely known for his Origin of Species book, yet Darwin had another great love, and that was for worms.Told for the first time for children, this is the silly and fascinating true story of how Charles Darwin came to discover that the humble earthworm is the most important species on our planet.Darwin suspected worms were special but his scientist friends laughed at him. In a quest to find out the worms’ special talent, Darwin played the bassoon to the worms to see if they could hear, laid out a picnic treasure hunt for them to see how well they could smell, among many other bizarre but entirely true experiments. But so far Darwin didn’t find anything extra special about worms. Until, one day he realised that worms do have a superpower. They POO! Without their life-sustaining, nutrient-rich poo, there would be no plants and no animals on earth. Darwin’s 40 years studying worms is still essential to our understanding of worms today, and ever since, scientists have taken him VERY seriously, and never again laughed at his love of worms. The story of Darwin and the worms not only centres around the perennially brilliant subject of poo, it: Teaches children about a key historic figure, the food cycle and deductive scientific thinking.Is also a heartwarming story of the triumph of a zany underdog who won’t let bullies get in the way of his love for worms.Is told in a humorous and engaging way, with nonfiction information on each page to help educate alongside the story.Features charming and humorous full-colour illustrations.Curious minds will love this fact-filled, laugh-out-loud book.

When two small sisters go fishing to the magic pond, they find something much better than a frog or a newt. They find a bog baby. Small and blue with wings like a dragon, the girls decide to make him their secret. I won't tell if you won't.But the bog baby is a wild thing, and when he becomes poorly, the girls decide they must tell their mum. And she tells them the greatest lesson, if you really love something, you have to let it go.

The Hushlings are always quiet and polite, and that's the way they like it. Except for Maeve who longs to let some of her Big Feelings out!When the noisy Kerfuffle Bird arrives, Maeve is overjoyed to have someone to whoop and shriek with. But when Kerfuffle Bird's squawking and flapping, warbling and wild jigs become too much for the Hushlings, they discover the importance of expressing their feelings. Can they find a way for Maeve and Kerfuffle Bird to live in harmony with the community in Hushville?A joyful and fun-filled story about self-expression from bestselling author and illustrator duo, Helen Docherty and Gwen Millward!

Clinical social worker Jen Daily helps kids understand the science behind feelings, taking them on a lively tour of the brain to see where anger, anxiety, sadness, and joy start, and offering activities for calming emotions. Where do feelings come from? Are they magic? No, they're science! There is a reason our tummies feel funny when we are worried, and why we want to stomp and clench our fists when we feel mad. With endearing illustrations, the parts of the brain come alive as friendly characters who explain how emotions like happy, sad, mad, worried, and overwhelmed are created in the body. Along with clear explanations about the origins of feelings, author and clinical social worker Jen Daily provides creative coping skills and activities (playfully called emotion potions) that help build a child's ability to reflect, cope, calm anxious thoughts, and welcome greater joy. From dancing to storytelling and meditation, the coping skills are accessible and effective for a wide range of social-emotional needs and learning styles.

A FCBG CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD PICK OF THE YEAR!There once was a dot, who was really quite small,walking along and not minding at allthat it wasn't that big or that bold or that tough,for this dot was KINDNESS and that was enough.Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes and in this uplifting and inspiring book, it starts out as a dot and morphs into all sorts of different forms as it spreads joy wherever it goes. The power of kindness is explored in a distinctive and deceptively simple way as we witness kindness overcoming anger and sadness.A beautiful book with a strong and important message.

A hilariously relatable story about learning to share and tantrums with bright, bold and quirky illustrations from Gwen Millward. It all started with a GROWL. Poppy and Max are brother and sister. And brothers and sisters are supposed to share . . . except Poppy was playing with MAX'S truck! Max was cross. Poppy was cross. And then suddenly . . . CRASH! FLASH! FIZZ!THEY WERE WILDLINGS!Can mum and dad find a way to get the less wild and much less hairy Poppy and Max back? Or will the children find a way to work together before it goes from bad to worse?This fantastically funny story represents a blended family and gives voice to how tricky sharing can be as well as how to process the anger, frustration and jealousy that comes with it. Inspired by Maurice Sendak's well-loved characters from Where the Wild Things Are, Meet the Wildlings is the perfect addition for fans of the I Really Want to series, Barbara Throws a Wobbler, Tiny Tantrum and Sharing a Shell.

On Superhero Day, Super Milly helps out her school friends with the best superpower of all . . . her super-kindness!It's Superhero Day at school, and Super Milly can't wait to wow everyone with her costume and amazing powers! The only problem is she can't actually fly, climb buildings or do force fields. But when Superhero Day doesn't go to plan, Milly realises she only needs her super-kindness to save the day!With its superhero theme and energetic and hilarious main character, this upbeat and very funny picture book about the power of kindness will inspire children to help others and have confidence in themselves.Stephanie Clarkson creates books for children including the popular Hello Happy! Mindful Kids activity book.Illustrator Gwen Millward has illustrated and written many picture books, and won awards including the Booktrust Early Years Award for The Bog Baby (written by Jeanne Willis).Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free "Stories Aloud" audio recording. Just scan the QR code and listen along!

Learn how to squeak, roar and hoot like the animals do with this bright, fun and silly book aimed at younger readers to engage them in exploring sound!Hoot like an owl, howl like a wolf, and sing like a whale. Everyone needs to get their message and feelings across, animals included! Meet a collection of 12 animals from around the world and discover the sounds they make, and why. The book features a different creature on each spread, along with dynamic type design and illustrations to help the kids mimic each animal noise.The perfect book to read aloud one-to-one, or as a fun activity to engage a group of young children and get them stretching, hopping, wriggling and jumping!

Today I'm a baby bear I want to hug. I wouldn't mind a cuddly squeeze. I'm baby bear, so yes, please! Developing emotional and social intelligence is a huge part of young children's development, and parents are often left grappling with how best to discuss feelings of shyness, social anxiety and physical boundaries with their children. In Sometimes I'm a Baby Bear, Sometimes I'm a Snail, author Moira Butterfield deftly broaches the many different feelings children face – from feeling cuddly like a baby bear or playful like a puppy, to wanting some peace and quiet alone, like a snail curled up in its shell. Through these charming animal comparisons, we see that all feelings are valid and are given tools for how to respect boundaries. Gwen Millward's lively illustrations bring every emotion vividly to life. A final spread provides extra tools to parents and carers to help young children express their feelings in a calm and constructive way.

Discover the most DISGUISTING and world-changing discoveries in the history of science! Did you know ancient surgeons used hungry leeches and maggots to help heal wounds? Or that a mysterious ingredient used in perfume comes from whale vomit? From parasites and pus to mould, maggots and poo, many of history's greatest scientific breakthroughs began with something bizarre. Award-winning author Polly Owen introduces 29 scientists who found answers in the most unexpected – and disgusting – places. Told through hilarious comic-style storytelling, fascinating facts and vibrant illustrations, Super Disgusting Science Discoveries proves that curiosity, creativity – and, most importantly a strong stomach – can change the world. This is the perfect read for curious kids who love science, history and all things gross!

If Roald Dahl had written A Monster Calls . . . A very special picture book from two rising stars.Everyone is always shouting at Gus to stop leaning back in his chair - but does he care? No way! Then sure enough, the chair falls, he cracks his head and has to spend all summer in bed. Out of the crack escape his memories, dreams and imagination ... and a beautiful little butterfly guide. Gus must follow the butterfly to recapture all he's lost, including that locked box he doesn't seem to want to touch ...Together they remember fish fingers, snapping bubble wrap, cracked pink soap and the leaky tap; they go wild, stomping around in the joy of imagination and happy dreams - but they can't go any further if Gus won't gather all of his memories. His butterfly will die unless Gus is ready to hear about his mum ... A delightful and moving exploration of grief and the joy that makes us human, from the effervescent voice of Laura Dockrill, with heartwarming full-colour illustrations from Gwen Millward.

If Roald Dahl had written A Monster Calls . . . A very special picture book from two rising stars.Everyone is always shouting at Gus to stop leaning back in his chair - but does he care? No way! Then sure enough, the chair falls, he cracks his head and has to spend all summer in bed. Out of the crack escape his memories, dreams and imagination ... and a beautiful little butterfly guide. Gus must follow the butterfly to recapture all he''s lost, including that locked box he doesn''t seem to want to touch ...Together they remember fish fingers, snapping bubble wrap, cracked pink soap and the leaky tap; they go wild, stomping around in the joy of imagination and happy dreams - but they can''t go any further if Gus won''t gather all of his memories. His butterfly will die unless Gus is ready to hear about his mum ... A delightful and moving exploration of grief and the joy that makes us human, from the effervescent voice of Laura Dockrill, with heartwarming full-colour illustrations from Gwen Millward.

Rex doesn't say much but that's OK because Sparky is always on hand with a cup of tea to enjoy on the sofa, set up outside like an outdoor living room. And in Sparky's garden, hidden under the canopy of the willow tree, is the Dream House: a lovingly created space just for Rex, to dream, to play, to think, to be.

Everyone needs somewhere to dream. The stunning new book from one of the most original and interesting voices in children''s literature.Rex has gone to stay with his godfather, Sparky. Rex doesn''t say much but that''s OK because Sparky is always on hand with a cup of tea to enjoy on the sofa, set up outside like an outdoor living room. Rex has his sketchbook, and he draws how he feels even if he doesn''t talk about it. And in Sparky''s garden, hidden under the canopy of the willow tree, is the Dream House: a lovingly created space just for Rex, to dream, to play, to think, to be. A place he''s loved all his childhood. But to go inside now Rex must summon his strength for revisiting the ghosts of his past . . .An evocative sketchbook novella revealing a boy''s inner world, accessing his feelings through drawing and reconnecting with the people who love him, told through Laura Dockrill''s vivid storytelling. Fully illustrated throughout by Gwen Millward.