Sam McBratney
The 1943 born Northern Ireland native started writing children's books when he was a teacher in his thirties, with the aim of helping out students who had trouble reading. But he continued writing for a more-personal reason: "the act of imagining simply makes me feel good," he says. The fifty-seventh book of Sam McBratney's career, and his first book with Candlewick Press, was the much-loved GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, which has sold an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide, and is available in 37 languages. "This is not the sort of thing you expect when most of your books have been remaindered," the author admits. "But, as the frog trapped in the milk discovered, if you keep going, sometimes you find yourself walking on cream cheese." Where does Sam McBratney get his inspiration? "I told my children stories when they were young," he says, "so when I write I try to think of what they would have liked." But there may be another source guiding his writing as well. The author's father--who worked as a type compositor with the BELFAST TELEGRAPH, and whose favorite books were westerns--is the person Sam McBratney credits for giving him his love of the English language. "Most of my picture books--GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, JUST ONE!, and JUST YOU AND ME--explore the relationship between a big one and a wee one," the author notes. "The big one is not called the father in the stories, but that's what he is. Although my dad died before I became a writer, the father in my stories has a voice and a presence that he would have recognized and understood." In addition to authoring many books for children, Sam McBratney wrote radio plays for adults and a prize-winning collection of short stories. He received a degree in history and political science from Trinity College, Dublin, and worked for many years as a teacher.
30 Books Written
Children and parents worldwide have cherished the heartwarming tale of Little Nutbrown and Big Nutbrown Hare so much that it has become one of the most enduring bedtime classics of our time."I love you right up to the moon – AND BACK!"Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure! Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story, beautifully rendered in Anita Jeram’s exquisite watercolors, captures the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books.
Mommy and Daddy Bear convince three worried cubs that there's plenty of love to go around in this comforting new tale from the incomparable team of Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram.So that night the three baby bears asked their Daddy Bear, "Which one of us do you like the most?Who is your favorite?We can't all be the best."Every night, while tucking in their three cubs, Mommy and Daddy Bear tell them they're the most wonderful baby bears in the whole wide world. But one day the three little bears start to wonder: How do Mommy and Daddy know this is true? And even more worrisome to each sibling: What if my parents like my brother or sister better than me? From the team who brought us the beloved Big and Little Nutbrown Hare comesa tale that answers a timeless question with the ultimate reassurance — and offers the perfect way for parents to remind their own little cubs how very much each one is loved.
From the bestselling author of Guess How Much I Love You , Sam McBratney When Little Roo wakes up, he just feels grumpy. His mother tries everything to make him feel better, but nothing she does makes any difference. Until…she finds the perfect hole. How will a deep, wide, and muddy-at-the-bottom hole make Little Roo smile? Well, Mom always knows best! From Sam McBratney and Charles Fuge comes a story perfect for parent and child story time that will guarantee a smile and a laugh from even the grumpiest reader.
From legendary author and illustrator duo Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram comes the delightful sequel to the heartwarming picture book classic Guess How Much I Love You.Little Nutbrown Hare is out exploring on his own. Off he hops along the path and through the grass until he reaches Cloudy Mountain, where something extraordinary happens: he discovers a new friend! Now the fun can really begin.Twenty-five years after we met the Nutbrown Hares, this enchanting new tale about friendship is bound to capture the hearts of Guess How Much I Love You fans—and everyone else—the world over.
Big & Little Nutbrown Hare, from the best-selling 'Guess How Much I Love You', return in these four stories. Each captivating tale is seasonally themed and beautifully illustrated - perfect for sharing with your little ones, no matter the time of year!
Little Roo and his friends usually have a great time playing together, but not today. They are too busy making fun of each other. When everyone is left in bad moods, Little Roo's wise mother comes up with an idea that might just help the threesome make amends. Sam McBratney, bestselling author of guess how much i love you, shows the importance of celebrating individual talents in this adorable tale of fun and friendship.
The beloved Nutbrown Hares hop back in four exciting new stories from the author of the best-selling Guess How Much I Love You stories.Just like young children everywhere, Little Nutbrown Hare likes to explore, play, venture out into the world, and sometimes just savor the comfort of being at home with loved ones. But whatever he does, and wherever he goes, Big Nutbrown Hare is always there to cheer him on. In a beautiful jacketed Guess How Much I Love You storybook, here are four heartwarming new stories that little readers (and their bigger companions) will instantly relate to.
For the first time in twelve years, the Nutbrown Hares hop back for a brand-new GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU story. Happy spring!Out in the fresh spring air, the two Nutbrown Hares see a tiny acorn growing. "Someday it will be a tree," says Big Nutbrown Hare. Then they spy a tadpole that will grow up to be a frog, a caterpillar that will turn into a butterfly, and a nest of eggs that will one day be birds. Suddenly Little Nutbrown Hare turns to Big Nutbrown Hare and laughs. "What does a little brown hare like me turn into?"
Simplified Chinese edition of There, There by Sam McBratney. Little bear Hans was injured and daddy bear would tell him, "There, there" and give him a hug and a kiss. And is well. So when daddy bear got a splinter in his foot, Hans knew exactly what to do. In Simplified Chinese. Annotation copyright Tsai Fong Books, Inc. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.
An enchanting board book edition of the winter-themed picture book from the creators of Guess How Much I Love You.A gorgeous padded board book edition of this snowy story, from the creators of the global bestseller, Guess How Much I Love You, and featuring the same characters. Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare are playing a game of "I Spy" in the snow. As the game gets more tricky, Big Nutbrown Hare gives Little Nutbrown Hare a clue - it's his favourite thing in the whole world ... and Little Nutbrown Hare certainly knows the answer to that! For activities, games, newsletters and more, visit www.guesshowmuchiloveyou.com
The Nutbrown Hares hop back in a playful new GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU storybook — perfect for curious little ones everywhere.The Nutbrown Hares are playing I Spy as they hop through the snow. They spy something that belongs to a tree, a bird, a spider, and even something that belongs to Little Nutbrown Hare that is only there when the sun comes out. But what does Big Nutbrown Hare spy that belongs tohim and is his favorite thing of all?
Three young mice, determined to find out if there truly is a monster living at the top of the cellar stairs, recruit one of their elders for guidance and go on an adventure to discover who, or what, really lives up there.
Down by the river on a bright summer’s day, Big and Little Nutbrown Hare are lazily looking at all the colors around them.Down by the river on a bright summer’s day, Big and Little Nutbrown Hare are lazily looking at all the colors around them. It’s so hard to decide which ones they like best! Big Nutbrown Hare’s favorite blue is the blue of the sky, while Little Nutbrown Hare’s favorite green is the green of the leaves. But which of the many lovely shades of brown will the Nutbrown Hares decide is the best of all?
What a concept! The beloved Nutbrown Hares hop into a new board book, enticing the youngest of readers to explore colors.Is there a color that Little Nutbrown Hare doesn’t like? Here’s a beautiful red flower to sniff, a blue-winged bird to make friends with, yellow daisies to pick, and a leaping green frog to chase. But when it comes to brown, that’s a color to love, not just like — especially if it’s related to Big Nutbrown Hare!
"I'm sorry" is one of the hardest things to know how to say. This lovely, sensitive picture book can help show kids the power of these two simple words. Having a best friend makes life so much better. But even best friends fight, and when that happens, "I'm sorry" can feel impossible to say. From internationally acclaimed author Sam McBratney and award-winning illustrator Jennifer Eachus comes a emotionally attuned picture book that will strike a chord with every child who has quarreled with a friend. (Works for adults as well!) Sam McBratney is the author of many popular and incisive picture books, including the classic Guess How Much I Love You.
Little Goosey and Big Gander Goose are out walking by the river. When a storm approaches, they must find a warm, dry place to shelter them. But other small animals have claimed each of the nooks and crannies they try, and Little Goosey doesn't want to hide with anyone else but Big Gander Goose.Small children will know just how Little Goosey feels and be comforted by Big Gander Goose's understanding approach.
Book by Mcbratney, Sam
A mother's friendship never ends. . . When Mother Fox says it's time to stop playing and go home, her little fox says, "I'm not your friend anymore," and scampers off. But as daylight fades and dark shadows loom, the little one starts to have second thoughts.With his usual keen eye for the emotions of young children, Sam McBratney perfectly captures the trust between a child testing out his independence and his mother, who reassures him, "I'll always be your friend."
An enduring keepsake that shows just how much a baby is loved, Guess How Much I Love You Baby Book is the perfect gift for parents to be! Illustrated pages allow moms and dads to record memories of the pregnancy, the baby's first days, and more. Full color.
A charming new story from the author of Guess How Much I Love You offers an original—and heartening—take on childhood anxiety.Once there was a girl called Mindi who was afraid of something that no one else could see. This thing that she was afraid of, this thing that no one else could see, was a big goose. It came into her room as quietly as a thought comes into your head. . . .When a little girl named Mindi says she is being visited by a big goose—a scary creature that is visible only to her—her devoted dad and mom try everything they can think of to drive it away. But maybe some outside assistance is warranted from their wise friend Austen, a farmer who knows what is needed to help Mindi turn her mind to something new. In a sensitive exploration of childhood fears, Sam McBratney, the author of Guess How Much I Love You, narrates with charm, wit, and a touch of whimsy, while Linda Ólafsdóttir’s delicate illustrations enhance the modern fairy-tale feel in a story that is sure to become a bedtime favorite.
It's summer and Little Nutbrown Hare learns all about the different colours there are - the red of the berries, the green of the leaves, the blue of the sky - but can he guess what the loveliest colour of all is?
From the creators of Guess How Much I Love You comes a brand-new, lovable, huggable novelty book featuring a soft plush puppet.Little Nutbrown Hare wants to know if Big Nutbrown Hare is ticklish. "Can I tickle your ears? Is your nose tickly, too?" Tickle, tickle, tickle! Little ones can join in too, tickling the soft and snuggly puppet that pops through each page, or — just maybe — being tickled themselves by Little Nutbrown Hare! A sweet interactive book-and-toy combination makes storytime even more fun — and tickly.
A charming adventure starring Big and Little Nutbrown Hare -- based on the animated TV series "Guess How Much I Love You." When Little Nutbrown Hare sees a blue butterfly in the meadow fly away, Big Nutbrown Hare urges him to search for other blue things. He finds robin shells and bluebells and blueberries -- but what is the "Big Blue" that Big Nutbrown Hare finds for "him"?
"There were caterpillow thumps and caterpillow whacks on caterpillar tummies and on caterpillar backs."All the little caterpillars have gone to bed, with their caterpillows for their little heads. But in the middle of the night, one caterpillar decides to wake all the others for a thumping, whumping caterpillow fight! With fresh, exuberant illustrations by Jill Barton, Sam McBratney's delightfully tongue-tangling tale will have lap-sitters giggling and wiggling and ready for a romp.
Four 'Guess How Much I Love You' stories in one volume, featuring adventurous Little Nutbrown Hare and wise Big Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare begins to explore the world with the help and guidance of Big Nutbrown Hare, but after all his adventures he finds that coming home is best of all.
A Surprise for the Nutbrown Hares: A Guess How Much I Love You Storybook
by Sam McBratney
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
Little readers will love being in on the surprise in this enchanting new Guess How Much I Love You Storybook starring Big and Little Nutbrown Hare.On a windy day, the Nutbrown Hares have been playing and chasing leaves, and now Big Nutbrown Hare has to rest. Imagine his surprise when he opens his eyes and sees . . . a box monster hopping toward him! Is he dreaming? Should he run away? And what will Big Nutbrown Hare’s response be when the box monster sheds his convincing disguise?
How does a money hat work? How does a stone make soup? Why doesn’t the hound catch the hare? Find the answers to all of these questions and more in this collection of short tales from past and present, near and far. Told with the spark and skill of Sam McBratney and illustrated with whimsical line drawings by Russell Ayto, these stories amuse while imparting bits of wisdom to live by, making a great resource to liven up any story hour. But for the duration of the telling, shhhhh —- one voice only, please!
Growly Bear and Mary Rose do everything together. Until, one day, Growly Bear is left behind on a train.He's sure that Mary Rose will come back for him. However, as the days turn to weeks and the weeks turn to months, Growly Bear's fur gets worn, his eye comes loose and his Growl starts to fade. Then, a child picks him up! But it isn't the child he was expecting...Will Growly Bear ever find his way back to Mary Rose? Or will this be the start of his biggest adventure yet?The Most-Loved Bear is a charming story of friendship from the bestselling Sam McBratney, author of picture book classic, Guess How Much I Love You . With beautiful, characterful illustrations from talented illustrator Sam Usher, this is sure to become a favourite.
Bestselling author Sam McBratney recreates the magic of Celtic legends in this fascinating retelling. The stories encompass tales from English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh folklore.
The three mischievous Sweet children discover that their new home is home to three eccentric ghosts who want only to be left alone. The ghosts of Hungryhouse Lane are a little strange. There's fluttery Lady Cordelia, who makes her home in a wastepaper basket; odd Sir James, with his impossibly high hairdo; and quiet little Bobbie; who haunts the chimney. They've always been perfectly happy on Hungryhouse Lane.The Sweet kids, on the other hand, are not sweet, in fact they're horrible. Charlie Sweet turns Sir Jame's home into a tadpole jar. Zoe Sweet makers her friends pay to see "live spooks". Even little Bonnie Sweet thinks it's fun to blow-dry the ghosts to pieces.The spooks agree that something has to be done. But just how the ghosts win over their unruly foes is a surprise to everyone - especially the Sweets.