Laura Dockrill

"This book is much like the author - warm, honest, open, encouraging. I loved it and want to buy a copy for every creative teenager I know." - Louise O'NeillA guide for using creative writing to speak your own truth.You are enough. You are interesting. Tell your story. Celebrated writer Laura Dockrill knows that the best writing comes when you are speaking your own truth, with your own voice. Expressing yourself honestly is a powerful way to know yourself and grow to celebrate the exciting, creative, unique person you are.When you are a teenager, everything feels different. How are you supposed to figure out who you are when it seems like teachers, parents, friends, the rest of the world, are all asking you to be something else? It can be overwhelming but the best way to steer yourself through this crazy, brilliant time is to hold on to your sense of you. Laura's stress-free invitations to creative writing encourage you to find your voice, celebrate it and use it.

No school.No THANKS.No. NO. NO!Laura Dockrill's inimitable style of poetic rap is brilliantly suited to this romp through the house and round and round the playgroup, as one little poodle demonstrates what fun it is to stomp and stamp and pout . . . that is until naptime, when all she really wants is a . . . CUDDLE! There is a funky music video quality to this text, and the eye popping artwork matches the anarchic playfulness of the rap!

This punk rocker poodle is full of attitude - modelled on the average terrible toddler!No school.No THANKS.No. NO. NO!Laura Dockrill's inimitable style of poetic rap is brilliantly suited to this romp through the house and round and round the playgroup, as one little poodle demonstrates what fun it is to stomp and stamp and pout . . . that is until naptime, when all she really wants is a . . . CUDDLE! There is a funky music video quality to this text, and the artwork will match the anarchic playfulness of the rap!

They say they always know you’re up to something when the house goes quiet…Exploring his mother’s bedroom, a little boy discovers THE LIPSTICK. It begins on his lips, where it looks very good – MWAH! But then it goes for a little walk … squiggle, squiggle … on the mirror … scribble scribble … on the shiny floorboards … smudge smudge. And even on the fluffy cat. Uh-oh! What will happen when Mum, Dad and big sister see all this mess? From the team behind Angry Cookie comes a hilarious and joyous story all about artistic expression, self-confidence and supportive, accepting parenting.

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.

Acclaimed author Laura Dockrill sows seeds of hope and community at the flower market in this heartfelt, lyrical tale of family life and change. Blossom has grown up surrounded by the beautiful plants and flowers from her family’s market stall. The stall was started by her grandparents, Tutu and Pops, and passed on to Blossom’s parents after their death. It’s a magical place where customers come to find flowers for all occasions: from celebrating love to offering comfort in times of sorrow. But now the stall is at risk, with tension rising as Blossom’s parents argue about the future. Can Blossom call on the lessons she learned from Tutu and find a way to cope with the dramatic changes that are happening around her. Can she save the flower stall? Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Writer Laura Dockrill's rhyming poem is a bold, brave shout-out for all those children who feel they don't fit in - offering reassurance that it's difference, not sameness, that makes us magnificent. Debut illustrator Ria Dastidar’s collaged illustrations are a riot of colour on every single page. For young readers age 5 and up.

'Such a raw, honest and important book' Giovanna FletcherLike any new mum, Laura Dockrill felt rather overwhelmed after the birth of her son. But a slow recovery, sleep deprivation and anxiety quickly escalated into postpartum psychosis, and she had to spend a fortnight in a psych ward, separated from her family. It was only when Laura began to put her ordeal into words that she began to find herself again, and recovery seemed within reach.This is Laura's raw, honest and life-affirming story of how she made it through one of the most frightening experiences a mother can face. Now, she wants to break down the silence around postnatal mental health, shatter the idealised expectations of perfect motherhood, and show all new struggling parents that they are not alone.'A book to save a whole generation of women' AdeleA pleasure to read...I didn't want to put it down. If anyone is going through a similar experience it will make them feel less alone' Philippa Perry'A humbingly honest and human war report from the front lines of mothering psychosis and recovery; there is no other book like it' Caitlin Moran'An incredibly powerful book' Jessie Ware'This book will give women and their families confidence that the brain and body will heal' Dr Jessica Heron, CEO of Action on Postpartum Psychosis'An amazing read' Fiona Telford, postpartum psychosis survivor

They say they always know you’re up to something when the house goes quiet…Exploring his mother’s dressing table, a little boy discovers THE LIPSTICK. It begins on his lips, where it looks very good – MWAH! But then it goes for a little walk … squiggle, squiggle … on the mirror … scribble scribble … on the shiny floorboards … smudge smudge. And even on the fluffy cat. Uh-oh! What will happen when Mum, Dad and big sister sees all this mess? From the team behind Angry Cookie comes a hilarious and joyous story all about artistic expression, self-confidence and supportive, accepting parenting.

De siger, at de ALTID ved, at man er ude på noget, hvis der bliver for stille ...En lille dreng finder sin mors læbestift.Han maler omhyggeligt sine læber og laver et kys på spejlet – SMASK!Og så tager han læbestiften med rundt i hele huset ...En morsom bog om en lille dreng og en fræk læbestift.

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.

Acclaimed creator Laura Dockrill sews together family, imagination and heart in this lyrical and unique novella. Sequin's mum is a talented seamstress and their little flat is overflowing with beautiful silks, fabrics, buttons and beads. It's a sparkling sanctuary, like a princess's wardrobe. While Mum works at her sewing machine late into the night, Sequin takes care of her baby brother, Stitch, and dreams of a place in the spotlight for her brilliant mum. But when tragedy strikes, their shimmering world disintegrates and Sequin is forced to confront the biggest loss of all … Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

This honest, laugh-out-loud novel brimming with body positivity, bite-sized nuggets of feminism, and commentary on eating will have readers rooting for sixteen-year-old BB as she navigates her world while maintaining her plucky zest for life even in the most trying of times. It's a food diary. I have to tell the truth. That's the point. Sixteen-year-old Bluebelle, also known as BB or Big Bones, lives her life unapologetically. She loves life She loves food When BB has a worse-than-usual asthma attack, her mom insists she go to the doctor. There, she is told that she is overweight (no surprise) and prediabetic (big surprise) and must lose weight, move more, and keep a food diary. To get out of this immediate health crisis, she agrees to make an effort. Then a tragedy occurs in the family, and things get seriously complicated. Suddenly, losing weight and moving more are the least of her worries. As for the food diary, though, BB doesn't just document what she's eating, she documents what she's feeling--and she has a lot to say A CLIP Carnegie Medal Children's Book Award Nominee

Famed spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill's hilarious read-aloud about an outraged baked good Oooohhh . . . not you again AGGGHH It's so bright . . . Close this book this very second, you nosy noodle Cookie has woken up on the wrong side of the bed and is very angry. You want to know why? Well, you'd have to keep reading to find out, but now Cookie's calling you annoying and telling you to mind your own business. If by chance you do stick around, you might hear about a certain roommate's terrible musical skills, why you should never let your barber try out a "new look," how it's impossible to find a hat that fits a cookie, and why an ice-cream parlor that's out of your favorite treat can be a source of desolation. Then there's the matter of a hungry bird who tries to snack on you. . . . Propelled by quirky humor and woes that every young child can relate to, Angry Cookie suggests that sometimes the best way to cheer up a grumpy lump is simply by being there -- and lending your ears.

Prepare to fall absolutely in love with this irresistible cookie, crumbly chocolate chips and all.OH NO! Barbra the cactus won’t stop playing her recorder, the yummy strawberry toothpaste has run out, and now – to top it all off – Cookie has to have his hair cut! Which all makes for one VERY ANGRY little cookie... But perhaps you, the reader, can find a way to turn his grumpy frown upside down? This wildly inventive, interactive, laugh-out-loud tale brings Laura Dockrill's one-of-a-kind voice and Maria Karipidou's hilarious illustrations to the Walker list.

The heartwarming new novel from the sparkling Laura Dockrill, introducing Bluebelle, and her moving, hilarious take on food, body image and how we look after ourselves and others.It's a food diary. I have to tell the truth. That's the point.Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones - is a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she's perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food. Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself. . .Tuck in for best mates, belly laughs, boys and the best Bakewell tart.-----Love for BIG BONES'Big Bones is the book I wish I'd had as a teenager and Bluebelle is a friend I wish I had today. Laura has written a beautiful love letter to some of the most important things in life: friends, family and food.' Linsdey Kelk'Stuffed with lashings of laugh-out-loud loveliness (just wait until you read about Bum Tills...), relatable real-life truths and love in all its complicated, dizzying forms (food-love, friend-love, sisterly-love, boy-love, self-love), this is, quite simply, the best YA book about self-esteem and body image I've ever read' Lovereading

SHORTLISTED for the Scholastic Lollies Awards - My Mum Is A Grown Down is a larger than life collection of poems for a middle grade audience about one wild, hysterical and hilarious Mum.She says 'I've worked so hard for years and I deserve a rest!'As she scribbles with crayons and pours custard down her dress,She's dangling from the banister with her head upside-down!Does your Mum do this?Help! My Mum's growing DOWN!Mum is a gamer, a party animal and a free spirit making life hard work for her nine year old son. These poems are a glimpse into their parent child relationship; their antics and adventures. The poems are bold, brave, funny and some - very moving. This collection shows just how funny, rude and naughty mums can be! It's Dahl meets Dr Seuss meets Colin McNaughton with a sprinkling of Absolutely Fabulous.'The most entertaining poetry collection since Spike Milligan's Silly Verse for Kids.' The i'A rollicking, rib tickling collection of poems.' Carousel'A joyous book.' WRD'Vibrant, hilarious and touching book of well-crafted and original poems. A truly lovely book.' BookTrust'Individuality and eccentricity is expressed through engaging verse.' The School Librarian

Forget what you know about mermaids with Laura Dockrill's hilarious, riotous adventure not to be missed.It has been two years since Rory drowned, and Lorali is in Hastings, living the quiet life of a normal teenage girl. But her safe life on land won't last for long. Life in The Whirl has become a hotbed of underwater politics and as the council jostles to oust the king, one Mer in particular has her eye on Lorali as the key to her own rise to power.Meanwhile, Aurabel, a lowly Mer from the wrong side of the trench, is attacked by sea beasts and left for dead - and without a tail. Raging with righteous anger, she rebuilds herself a mechanical tail and reinvents herself as a fearless steampunk Mer seeking revenge. But she never expected the most important job that was about to drop into her lap.Laura Dockrill makes a dramatic return to the sea set in the same world as the sparkling and magnetic mermaid story, Lorali.

Worst of all, Darcy has to pack up all her things ready for moving house. But Darcy is not going to throw a temper tantrum, as much as she wants to, because she's set herself the hardest challenge of her whole entire life: for the next six weeks, Darcy is not going to be dramatic.