Book review: Picture perfect books from Maverick Arts Publishing

Set up in 2008 by Steve and Karen Bicknell to market animal calendars, Maverick, based in Horsham, West Sussex, has found a new and imaginative line in their ever-expanding range of quirky children’s picture books.

As well as marketing a wide selection of greetings cards, children’s puzzles and educational and environmentally friendly toys, Maverick has a books list which goes from strength to strength with new titles produced every year.

Their latest collection features a perverse little princess who refuses to go to sleep and two adorable hedgehogs with a very prickly problem.

Princess Stay Awake by Giles Paley-Phillips and Adriana J. Puglisi

Giles Paley-Phillips, award-winning author of Tamara Small and the Monsters’ Ball and his perennially popular The Fearsome Beastie – soon to be a CG Short Animation starring Alison Steadman and Brian Blessed – knows a thing or two about what kids love.

His rhyming picture books and nonsense poetry capture the curiosity and exuberant spirit of childhood and here he sets his sights on Layla, ‘a princess who’d never go to bed. She didn’t like to sleep at all, so stayed awake instead.’

Brought to life by the chirpy, charming pictures of illustrator Adriana Puglisi, Princess Stay Awake is the ideal ‘lights out’ read for little girls who need a gentle push into the land of nod.

Layla is determined she’s not going to sleep and when sleeping spells, an extra comfy bed and a course of vigorous exercises fail to work any magic, only one person can outsmart this smartest of princesses… her Grandma!

A fun-filled, join-in rhyming text, lively illustrations and larger-than-life characters are guaranteed to make Princess Stay Awake another firm family favourite… especially at bedtime!

(Maverick Arts Publishing, paperback, £6.99)

Hedgehugs by Lucy Tapper and Steve Wilson

Meet a husband and wife team who have merged their creative talents and come up with an enchanting picture book about two hedgehog friends.

Steve Wilson is a British television presenter who has worked on CBBC and This Morning and has now turned his hand to writing children’s books. He created the concept of Hedgehugs along with his talented illustrator wife Lucy Tapper, and their first book is already proving a big hit.

Horace and Hattie hedgehog are the very best of friends. There are so many things they like to do together but there is one thing they can’t do… they can’t hug because they are just too spiky. After trying everything they can think of to resolve their dilemma, they find the solution… on a washing line!

Lucy Tapper created the characters and backgrounds for Hedgehugs from old baby clothes, and her husband came up with a heart-warming story to bewitch and beguile young readers.

Don’t miss the ‘cuddly’ adventure…

(Maverick Arts Publishing, paperback, £5.99)