'Once, in a place at the bottom of the ocean that is deeper, darker, further, wetter, colder, lonelier . . . than anything you can imagine, lived a piglet squid . . .' From Joyce Dunbar, author of Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep and illustrator Tim Hopgood, (WOW Said the Owl), comes this acclaimed picture book about the wonder of just being alive. Piglet Squid spends all day smiling his big, dreamy, happy smile . . . but his friends in the deep are always so woebegone. One day, Piglet Squid embarks on a quest to find something magical to show them all . . . A quirky deep-sea adventure about a plucky little creature, determined to show his friends that there are wondrous things to smile about . . . if you look hard enough. Destined to be a storytime classic for children aged 3 and up. Perfect for everyone who loved The Monster Who Ate Darkness and Mouse & Mole. "Stunning illustrations make this story quite delightful" (BOOKTRUST) "Hopgood's quirky illustrations bring the playful text to life and you can't help but love the optimistic Piglet Squid" (THE BOOKSELLER) "A classic picture book in the making" (PRIMARY TIMES) "An ideal bedtime read" (THE BOOKBAG) “Joyce Dunbar’s joy in words is matched by Tim Hopgood’s exuberant rendering of the inky marine depths inhabited by stranger-than-fiction creatures…” (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH) Joyce Dunbar has written more than eighty books for children including the bestselling Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep and the much performed Shoe Baby and This is the Star. Her series of short funny novels, Mouse & Mole, has been animated for television. She also teaches a creative writing course on the Greek island of Skyros!
We all need a bit of magic in our lives. Working with fabulous illustrators, Joyce creates her own magic - with the even more magical thought that her stories have been enjoyed in many languages by children worldwide. Joyce's stories will make you laugh, cry, think, ask questions, go to sleep – and best of all -help you to create your own stories. She thinks that stories have the magic power to help you shape and understand your own life - and to make it better.
Children may not be able to explore the big wide world out there, but the world inside their heads is just as exciting - with a sprinkling of imagination.
Tim Hopgood is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator.
His first book,'Our Big Blue Sofa' won the Cambridgeshire 'Read It Again!' Award in 2007. This was followed by 'A Dog Called Rod' which was shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book of the Year Award 2008 and the British Book Design Awards 2007. In 2008, Tim won the Booktrust Early Years Award for Best Emerging Illustrator for 'Here Comes Frankie!'. Tim's first book for younger readers,'Wow! Said The Owl' was shortlisted for the Booktrust Early Years Award 2009 and was his first book to be published in the USA. Tim has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal five times and his picture books have been featured on Bookaboo (ITV) and Cbeebies Bedtime Story (BBC).
As a freelance illustrator, his work has appeared in Tatler Magazine, Harpers & Queen, GQ and Joyce. Other clients include: The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Court Theatre, Kyle Cathie Publishers, Quadrille Publishing and the Soho House Group.
