Choose-your-own-adventure type of books are not new, but a picture book that offers the same sort of interactive thrill is. Where the Bugaboo Lives gives little readers the chance to direct what happens to the two sibling protagonists Floyd and Ruby as they bravely navigate their way through a dark valley purportedly full of scary things, in particular the terrible Bugaboo — and it’s a fabulously fun romp that kids will want to read over and over again to vicariously experience all the alternate possibilities (and monster encounters, of course)! The fun illustrations, unexpected twists in the various story threads and witty humour help to keep things fresh even on repeat reads, making this frightfully original picture book a must for Halloween season! 👻🕷😈 p.s. Get a sneak peek in our Instastory! #wherethebugaboolives #neallayton #seantaylor #walkerbooks #walkerbooksuk #ptbooksonmonsters #halloweenbooks #picturebooks #childrensbooks #kidlitart #kidlit #littlebookworm #kidsbookreview #kidsbookstagram #readtome #littlereader #raisingreaders #readtoyourkids #raiseareader #bookaday #bedtimestory #childrensliterature #絵本 #picturethishalloweenbook #picturethisbook

A photo posted by Picture This Book (@picturethisbook) on Oct 22, 2016 at 8:21pm PDT

A lovely response to my book The Invincible Tony Spears from #thebooksniffer !!!! 😊 Thank you! Repost @thebooksniffer with @repostapp ・・・ Blasting into my top ten illustrated fiction faves #TonySpears by @neal_layton published by Hodder Children’s Books 🚀🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰

A photo posted by @neal_layton on Oct 13, 2016 at 7:41am PDT

TONIGHT in Portsmouth there will be a fundraising auction held at St Jude’s School with some Tony Spears goodies as Lot 44, and lots of other lovely *ahem* lots…

Get down there and help a local school!

Enjoying the ink I bought from #atlantisartmaterials drawing the cover of the new Tony Spears book… ✏️🚀✨😄 #inkdrawing #TonySpears #artwork #bookcover #neallayton #hodderchildrensbooks @hodderbooks #kidslit #youngfiction #bookstagram #childrensbooks

A photo posted by @neal_layton on Oct 6, 2016 at 9:24pm PDT

Much excitement in the Layton household with the arrival of the 1st copy of ‘Danny McGee Drinks the Sea!’ A new picture book made with the amazing, and very silly Andy Stanton… 😄 #dannymcgeedrinksthesea #andystanton #neallayton #hodderchildrensbooks @hodderbooks #picturestorybook #kidslit #new

A photo posted by @neal_layton on Oct 6, 2016 at 2:11am PDT

The Invincible Tony Spears has just gone up on my website…  click HERE to read more about the book and have a peep inside!

Designing the interior of Tony Spears’ spaceship for my latest book. Now where should I put those super-mega-rockets…?🚀✨ #theinvincibletonyspears #neallayton #hodderchildrensbooks #kidslitart #illustration #childrensbooks #spaceship #childrensauthor #kidslit #youngfiction #chapterbooks #new

A photo posted by @neal_layton on Sep 27, 2016 at 10:47pm PDT

Lovely insta-review of Bartholomew and the Bug by @thestoriesweread … #Repost @thestoriesweread with @repostapp ・・・ We have a bit of a fascination with bugs going on at the moment. Our observant two year old squeals as he spots flies or ants outside and crouches down low to watch what they do. I love seeing his curiosity and finding books to encourage it. This oldie is one that we have been reading again and again lately. . In Neal Layton’s “Bartholomew and the Bug,” Bartholomew the bear meets a bug with one day to live and a very strong desire to go see the lights of the city. The kind bear quickly realizes this poor bug will not be able to make it to the city on his own and decides to guide him. Adventure ensues as they descend down the mountain, cross rivers and valleys, and hitch a ride to the big city. Upon arrival, the city isn’t as bright as it looked from the mountain top. But, as day turns to night, the entire city is lit in the brightest lights either of them have ever seen- and many other bugs join the party. They dance the night away and have the time of their lives. Bartholomew is forever changed by the experience and the memory of his bug friend. . This book is so silly and serious at the same time. A bug that is constantly saying things like “Wow Crazee!” And “Wild!” teaches us the importance of living each day as if it were your last, taking risks, and how new experiences can change your life. The grizzly bear was enjoying his day to day life of lounging around, but allowed himself to step outside of his comfort zone. His kind act and open mindedness led him to a wonderful life experience. . The author notes at he end of the book that the story was inspired by a camping trip in Nevada. There are real facts about grizzly bears and crane-flies which the story is built around. This is lovely book for learning about these creatures, for finding the joy in each day, and for seeing the beauty that can be found in the unexpected adventures of life.

A photo posted by @neal_layton on Sep 25, 2016 at 8:40am PDT

Some wonderful reviews of  ‘The Tree’ from Books for Keeps and Inis Magazine. Huge thanks to both publications, I’m so glad you enjoyed this book… 🙂

Uncle Gobb and the Dread Shed by Michael Rosen has been shortlisted for the Sheffield Children’s Book award!