Rob Biddulph - Author
By day Rob Biddulph is the award-winning art director of the Observer Magazine. By night he makes up silly stories for his three daughters, and draws pictures to go with them. His first picture book, Blown Away, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2015, his second, GRRRR! was nominated for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal and just released is the wonderful Odd Dog Out.
He lives with his wife and daughters in London,
April 2018 Book of the Month Rob Biddulph’s new picture book is another typically happy reading experience. Nine dinosaur eggs (count them) are ready to hatch: out pop Otto, Winnie, Hector, Sue, Nancy, Martin, Wilf and Boo. But what about egg number nine? Greg (short for Gregosaurus) hatches a week late, and by then the other little dinosaurs are already settled in their friendship groups and busy playing. Poor Greg is down in the dumps (there’s even a little raincloud over his head in the illustrations) but don’t fear, he’s in for a lovely surprise. There’s so much to enjoy in this wonderful picture book - a story that is both funny and cheering, a clever rhyming text that is great fun to read aloud, glorious illustrations, and things to count on every page. It’s just brilliant and this Cretaceous crew deserve to be loved as much as Spot, Kipper or the Gruffalo. ~ Andrea Reece
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2018 Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s warm-hearted story is both a celebration of imaginary friends and a cautionary tale about how best to manage them. When things go wrong around Sid there is always someone else to blame – his imaginary friend Kevin. But then Sid becomes Kevin’s imaginary friend and he soon realises that friendship is better if everyone takes responsibility for their own actions. Rob Biddulph’s rhyming text strikes as sure note in a story about the delights of imagination and the importance of taking responsibility. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for February 2018 Kevin by Rob Biddulph
August 2017 Book of the Month Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s warm-hearted story is both a celebration of imaginary friends and a cautionary tale about how best to manage them. When things go wrong around Sid there is always someone else to blame – his imaginary friend Kevin. But then Sid becomes Kevin’s imaginary friend and he soon realises that friendship is better if everyone takes responsibility for their own actions. Rob Biddulph’s rhyming text strikes as sure note in a story about the delights of imagination and the importance of taking responsibility. ~ Julia Eccleshare
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | No child’s bookshelf is complete without one, and preferably more than one of Rob Biddulph’s joyful, dazzling picture books. Sunk! is a new adventure for Penguin Blue, star of the award-winning Blown Away. He’s been given a pirate costume and sets out on a nautical adventure with his penguin friends and Clive the polar bear. They sail the seven seas – beautifully illustrated on a map in which the seas are helpfully and stylishly numbered – before running into trouble. All ends wonderfully well of course and they sail home with a new friend and something very special to play on. This has all the hallmarks of Biddulph’s brilliance: each cleverly designed page is full of things to look at; the story is told in lively, witty rhyme; and the whole story exudes fun and warmth. And readers all get to shout ‘Thar she blows’ too – what more could you ask? ~ Andrea Reece Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s swashbuckling adventure is perfect for all those who’d love to sail the high seas with – Pirates! Penguin Blue and his friends Cutlass Jess, First Mate Flo and Wilbur Seal the cabin boy, set out to hit the treasure trail. There’s a map, a sunken wreck and old sea dog names Captain Plank all of whom add to the glorious escapade. Rob Biddolph’s stunning illustrations create a magical watery world. ~ Julia Eccleshare
March 2017 Book of the Month | No child’s bookshelf is complete without one, and preferably more than one of Rob Biddulph’s joyful, dazzling picture books. Sunk! is a new adventure for Penguin Blue, star of the award-winning Blown Away. He’s been given a pirate costume and sets out on a nautical adventure with his penguin friends and Clive the polar bear. They sail the seven seas – beautifully illustrated on a map in which the seas are helpfully and stylishly numbered – before running into trouble. All ends wonderfully well of course and they sail home with a new friend and something very special to play on. This has all the hallmarks of Biddulph’s brilliance: each cleverly designed page is full of things to look at; the story is told in lively, witty rhyme; and the whole story exudes fun and warmth. And readers all get to shout ‘Thar she blows’ too – what more could you ask? ~ Andrea Reece Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s swashbuckling adventure is perfect for all those who’d love to sail the high seas with – Pirates! Penguin Blue and his friends Cutlass Jess, First Mate Flo and Wilbur Seal the cabin boy, set out to hit the treasure trail. There’s a map, a sunken wreck and old sea dog names Captain Plank all of whom add to the glorious escapade. Rob Biddolph’s stunning illustrations create a magical watery world. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | Odd Dog Out has all the qualities that made Blown Away and Grrrrr! so popular with critics and readers! The pages - filled with dazzling displays of stylishly-dressed dogs on the move – are simply wonderful to look at; there’s a witty rhyming text; and it delivers an important message too. In a world full of suited, bowler-hatted dachshunds one dog stands out, eschewing pinstripes for a bright woolly hat: ‘someone on this busy street/ is dancing to a different beat’. But being different isn’t easy and the little dog decides she’ll leave home for somewhere where there’ll be ‘a hundred others just like me’. It takes a meeting with another ‘odd dog out’ to make her realise that being who you are is the best way to be. Every page is a treat to behold and the message is as important today as it ever has been.
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Odd Dog Out has all the qualities that made Blown Away and Grrrrr! so popular with critics and readers! The pages - filled with dazzling displays of stylishly-dressed dogs on the move – are simply wonderful to look at; there’s a witty rhyming text; and it delivers an important message too. In a world full of suited, bowler-hatted dachshunds one dog stands out, eschewing pinstripes for a bright woolly hat: ‘someone on this busy street/ is dancing to a different beat’. But being different isn’t easy and the little dog decides she’ll leave home for somewhere where there’ll be ‘a hundred others just like me’. It takes a meeting with another ‘odd dog out’ to make her realise that being who you are is the best way to be. Every page is a treat to behold and the message is as important today as it ever has been. ~ Andrea Reece Click on the picture below to download an activity sheet where you can create your own odd dog. out.
Winner of the 2015 Waterstones Children's Book Prize A brilliant adventure for a bold Penguin who gets swept up, up and away on a brand new kite on a windy day. Penguin’s original and richly-imagined adventure is beautifully told and wonderfully illustrated in this attractive and stimulating picture book. ~ Julia Eccleshare Melissa Cox, head of children’s buying for Waterstones, said about Blown Away:”It is always challenging to judge picture books against pieces of fiction for older children, but choosing the overall winner from among the categories proved quite easy. The judges all agreed that Blown Away was a classic in the making and would live in the hearts and minds of children for years to come.”
One of our Books of the Year 2015 -Andrea Reeces's Pick of the Year 2015 Rob Biddulph’s prize-winning picture book Blown Away is near perfect, and his new book Grrrrr! is too! It’s the story of Fred, who is champion bear in the wood. You name it, Fred excels at it – fish-catching, hula-hooping, human scaring – but he’s best known for his super Loud-Grrrr. All that training means that there’s not much time for friends, but Fred decides his trophies more than make up. He’s proved wrong when his Grrrrr goes missing and his friends come to the rescue, in a very surprising way! The rhyming text is a joy, the illustrations are full of visual jokes – watch those rabbits falling in love, spot the underpants on the deer’s antlers, notice how well Fred fits in with the forest’s trees – and every composition is fresh and effective. If this doesn’t win more awards I’ll eat Fred’s headband! ~ Andrea Reece
One of our Books of the Year 2015 -Andrea Reeces's Pick of the Year 2015 Rob Biddulph’s prize-winning picture book Blown Away is near perfect, and his new book Grrrrr! is too! It’s the story of Fred, who is champion bear in the wood. You name it, Fred excels at it – fish-catching, hula-hooping, human scaring – but he’s best known for his super Loud-Grrrr. All that training means that there’s not much time for friends, but Fred decides his trophies more than make up. He’s proved wrong when his Grrrrr goes missing and his friends come to the rescue, in a very surprising way! The rhyming text is a joy, the illustrations are full of visual jokes – watch those rabbits falling in love, spot the underpants on the deer’s antlers, notice how well Fred fits in with the forest’s trees – and every composition is fresh and effective. If this doesn’t win more awards I’ll eat Fred’s headband! ~ Andrea Reece
Winner of the 2015 Waterstones Children's Book Prize A brilliant adventure for a bold Penguin who gets swept up, up and away on a brand new kite on a windy day. Penguin’s original and richly-imagined adventure is beautifully told and wonderfully illustrated in this attractive and stimulating picture book. ~ Julia Eccleshare Melissa Cox, head of children’s buying for Waterstones, said about Blown Away:”It is always challenging to judge picture books against pieces of fiction for older children, but choosing the overall winner from among the categories proved quite easy. The judges all agreed that Blown Away was a classic in the making and would live in the hearts and minds of children for years to come.”
The first series from the bestselling and award-winning picture book genius Rob Biddulph! A brand new, creatively cretaceous story from the bestselling Rob Biddulph - and the first book in his first ever series! Meet Otto, Winnie, Greg(osaurus) and all the other dinosaur juniors, as they traverse life's first ups and downs - all in Rob's trademark rhyme filled with warmth and humour. This first book is perfect for Rob's youngest fans, with colourful, detailed artwork and a simple rhyming text perfect for reading aloud.
It's no peas please for Nancy, in this second title in the Dinosaur Juniors series from picture book genius Rob Biddulph! The second creatively cretaceous story from the bestselling Rob Biddulph in his brand new series about the first time moments that every (dinosaur) junior enjoys! It's dinner-time for Nancy.. but oh no... PEAS! Not-so-keen-on-peas Nancy needs to come up with a way to ditch those little green balls. Luckily, she's got a peas-plot up her sleeve... But is she quite as clever as she thinks? Meet Nancy, Otto, Winnie and all the other dinosaur juniors, as they traverse life's first ups and downs - all in Rob's trademark rhyme filled with warmth and humour. Perfect for Rob's youngest fans, with colourful, detailed artwork and a simple rhyming text just right for reading aloud.
It's bedtime, but Winnie is wide awake... Get your young ones to sleep with book three of the incredible Dinosaur Juniors series from the award-winning Rob Biddulph! This is the spectacularly sleep-inducing third story from the bestselling Rob Biddulph in his delightfully Dinosaur-y series about all the first-time moments every junior enjoys. It's bedtime for these Tyrannosaurus twins, and Otto is sleepy - but Winnie is not. In fact, she's wide awake! She wakes up poor Otto to help her drift off... and from lullabies to counting dino-sheep, he'll try anything to help Winnie off to sleep. But will they ever get there? Meet Winnie and Otto and all the other dinosaur juniors, as they traverse life's first ups and downs - all in Rob's trademark rhyme filled with warmth and humour. Perfect for Rob's youngest fans, with colourful, detailed artwork and a simple rhyming text just right for reading aloud.
The first series from the bestselling and award-winning picture book genius Rob Biddulph! A brand new, creatively cretaceous story from the bestselling Rob Biddulph - and the first book in his first ever series! Meet Otto, Winnie, Greg(osaurus) and all the other dinosaur juniors, as they traverse life's first ups and downs - all in Rob's trademark rhyme filled with warmth and humour. This first book is perfect for Rob's youngest fans, with colourful, detailed artwork and a simple rhyming text perfect for reading aloud.
It's no peas please for Nancy, in this second title in the Dinosaur Juniors series from picture book genius Rob Biddulph! The second creatively cretaceous story from the bestselling Rob Biddulph in his brand new series about the first time moments that every (dinosaur) junior enjoys! It's dinner-time for Nancy.. but oh no... PEAS! Not-so-keen-on-peas Nancy needs to come up with a way to ditch those little green balls. Luckily, she's got a peas-plot up her sleeve... But is she quite as clever as she thinks? Meet Nancy, Otto, Winnie and all the other dinosaur juniors, as they traverse life's first ups and downs - all in Rob's trademark rhyme filled with warmth and humour. Perfect for Rob's youngest fans, with colourful, detailed artwork and a simple rhyming text just right for reading aloud.
April 2018 Book of the Month Rob Biddulph’s new picture book is another typically happy reading experience. Nine dinosaur eggs (count them) are ready to hatch: out pop Otto, Winnie, Hector, Sue, Nancy, Martin, Wilf and Boo. But what about egg number nine? Greg (short for Gregosaurus) hatches a week late, and by then the other little dinosaurs are already settled in their friendship groups and busy playing. Poor Greg is down in the dumps (there’s even a little raincloud over his head in the illustrations) but don’t fear, he’s in for a lovely surprise. There’s so much to enjoy in this wonderful picture book - a story that is both funny and cheering, a clever rhyming text that is great fun to read aloud, glorious illustrations, and things to count on every page. It’s just brilliant and this Cretaceous crew deserve to be loved as much as Spot, Kipper or the Gruffalo. ~ Andrea Reece
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month February 2018 Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s warm-hearted story is both a celebration of imaginary friends and a cautionary tale about how best to manage them. When things go wrong around Sid there is always someone else to blame – his imaginary friend Kevin. But then Sid becomes Kevin’s imaginary friend and he soon realises that friendship is better if everyone takes responsibility for their own actions. Rob Biddulph’s rhyming text strikes as sure note in a story about the delights of imagination and the importance of taking responsibility. ~ Julia Eccleshare Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for February 2018 Kevin by Rob Biddulph
August 2017 Book of the Month Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s warm-hearted story is both a celebration of imaginary friends and a cautionary tale about how best to manage them. When things go wrong around Sid there is always someone else to blame – his imaginary friend Kevin. But then Sid becomes Kevin’s imaginary friend and he soon realises that friendship is better if everyone takes responsibility for their own actions. Rob Biddulph’s rhyming text strikes as sure note in a story about the delights of imagination and the importance of taking responsibility. ~ Julia Eccleshare
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | No child’s bookshelf is complete without one, and preferably more than one of Rob Biddulph’s joyful, dazzling picture books. Sunk! is a new adventure for Penguin Blue, star of the award-winning Blown Away. He’s been given a pirate costume and sets out on a nautical adventure with his penguin friends and Clive the polar bear. They sail the seven seas – beautifully illustrated on a map in which the seas are helpfully and stylishly numbered – before running into trouble. All ends wonderfully well of course and they sail home with a new friend and something very special to play on. This has all the hallmarks of Biddulph’s brilliance: each cleverly designed page is full of things to look at; the story is told in lively, witty rhyme; and the whole story exudes fun and warmth. And readers all get to shout ‘Thar she blows’ too – what more could you ask? ~ Andrea Reece Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s swashbuckling adventure is perfect for all those who’d love to sail the high seas with – Pirates! Penguin Blue and his friends Cutlass Jess, First Mate Flo and Wilbur Seal the cabin boy, set out to hit the treasure trail. There’s a map, a sunken wreck and old sea dog names Captain Plank all of whom add to the glorious escapade. Rob Biddolph’s stunning illustrations create a magical watery world. ~ Julia Eccleshare
March 2017 Book of the Month | No child’s bookshelf is complete without one, and preferably more than one of Rob Biddulph’s joyful, dazzling picture books. Sunk! is a new adventure for Penguin Blue, star of the award-winning Blown Away. He’s been given a pirate costume and sets out on a nautical adventure with his penguin friends and Clive the polar bear. They sail the seven seas – beautifully illustrated on a map in which the seas are helpfully and stylishly numbered – before running into trouble. All ends wonderfully well of course and they sail home with a new friend and something very special to play on. This has all the hallmarks of Biddulph’s brilliance: each cleverly designed page is full of things to look at; the story is told in lively, witty rhyme; and the whole story exudes fun and warmth. And readers all get to shout ‘Thar she blows’ too – what more could you ask? ~ Andrea Reece Award-winning Rob Biddulph’s swashbuckling adventure is perfect for all those who’d love to sail the high seas with – Pirates! Penguin Blue and his friends Cutlass Jess, First Mate Flo and Wilbur Seal the cabin boy, set out to hit the treasure trail. There’s a map, a sunken wreck and old sea dog names Captain Plank all of whom add to the glorious escapade. Rob Biddolph’s stunning illustrations create a magical watery world. ~ Julia Eccleshare
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | Odd Dog Out has all the qualities that made Blown Away and Grrrrr! so popular with critics and readers! The pages - filled with dazzling displays of stylishly-dressed dogs on the move – are simply wonderful to look at; there’s a witty rhyming text; and it delivers an important message too. In a world full of suited, bowler-hatted dachshunds one dog stands out, eschewing pinstripes for a bright woolly hat: ‘someone on this busy street/ is dancing to a different beat’. But being different isn’t easy and the little dog decides she’ll leave home for somewhere where there’ll be ‘a hundred others just like me’. It takes a meeting with another ‘odd dog out’ to make her realise that being who you are is the best way to be. Every page is a treat to behold and the message is as important today as it ever has been.
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Odd Dog Out has all the qualities that made Blown Away and Grrrrr! so popular with critics and readers! The pages - filled with dazzling displays of stylishly-dressed dogs on the move – are simply wonderful to look at; there’s a witty rhyming text; and it delivers an important message too. In a world full of suited, bowler-hatted dachshunds one dog stands out, eschewing pinstripes for a bright woolly hat: ‘someone on this busy street/ is dancing to a different beat’. But being different isn’t easy and the little dog decides she’ll leave home for somewhere where there’ll be ‘a hundred others just like me’. It takes a meeting with another ‘odd dog out’ to make her realise that being who you are is the best way to be. Every page is a treat to behold and the message is as important today as it ever has been. ~ Andrea Reece Click on the picture below to download an activity sheet where you can create your own odd dog. out.
One of our Books of the Year 2015 -Andrea Reeces's Pick of the Year 2015 Rob Biddulph’s prize-winning picture book Blown Away is near perfect, and his new book Grrrrr! is too! It’s the story of Fred, who is champion bear in the wood. You name it, Fred excels at it – fish-catching, hula-hooping, human scaring – but he’s best known for his super Loud-Grrrr. All that training means that there’s not much time for friends, but Fred decides his trophies more than make up. He’s proved wrong when his Grrrrr goes missing and his friends come to the rescue, in a very surprising way! The rhyming text is a joy, the illustrations are full of visual jokes – watch those rabbits falling in love, spot the underpants on the deer’s antlers, notice how well Fred fits in with the forest’s trees – and every composition is fresh and effective. If this doesn’t win more awards I’ll eat Fred’s headband! ~ Andrea Reece
Winner of the 2015 Waterstones Children's Book Prize A brilliant adventure for a bold Penguin who gets swept up, up and away on a brand new kite on a windy day. Penguin’s original and richly-imagined adventure is beautifully told and wonderfully illustrated in this attractive and stimulating picture book. ~ Julia Eccleshare Melissa Cox, head of children’s buying for Waterstones, said about Blown Away:”It is always challenging to judge picture books against pieces of fiction for older children, but choosing the overall winner from among the categories proved quite easy. The judges all agreed that Blown Away was a classic in the making and would live in the hearts and minds of children for years to come.”
One of our Books of the Year 2015 -Andrea Reeces's Pick of the Year 2015 Rob Biddulph’s prize-winning picture book Blown Away is near perfect, and his new book Grrrrr! is too! It’s the story of Fred, who is champion bear in the wood. You name it, Fred excels at it – fish-catching, hula-hooping, human scaring – but he’s best known for his super Loud-Grrrr. All that training means that there’s not much time for friends, but Fred decides his trophies more than make up. He’s proved wrong when his Grrrrr goes missing and his friends come to the rescue, in a very surprising way! The rhyming text is a joy, the illustrations are full of visual jokes – watch those rabbits falling in love, spot the underpants on the deer’s antlers, notice how well Fred fits in with the forest’s trees – and every composition is fresh and effective. If this doesn’t win more awards I’ll eat Fred’s headband! ~ Andrea Reece
Winner of the 2015 Waterstones Children's Book Prize A brilliant adventure for a bold Penguin who gets swept up, up and away on a brand new kite on a windy day. Penguin’s original and richly-imagined adventure is beautifully told and wonderfully illustrated in this attractive and stimulating picture book. ~ Julia Eccleshare Melissa Cox, head of children’s buying for Waterstones, said about Blown Away:”It is always challenging to judge picture books against pieces of fiction for older children, but choosing the overall winner from among the categories proved quite easy. The judges all agreed that Blown Away was a classic in the making and would live in the hearts and minds of children for years to come.”
Come on an unexpected journey with a fearless blue penguin in the most captivating picture book debut of the year! Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Meet Penguin Blue, in this Waterstones Children's Book Prize winning tale! It's a windy day, and he has a brand new kite - but where's he going on this maiden flight? Penguin Blue and his friends go on a gloriously illustrated adventure full of good ideas, homesickness and the perils of kites, from the sparkling new talent Rob Biddulph.
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