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Nicola Colton
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Originally from Ireland, Nicola is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator based in Bristol.
Growing up in rural Offaly, her childhood was steeped in superstitions and stories, and a love of storytelling grew from there. Nicola's first picture book won the Irish Literacy Association award and was Hodges Figgis' bestselling children's book of the decade. Jasper & Scruff, Nicola's first fiction series as author and illustrator, was a Guardian book of the month. The second title in her new full-colour fiction series, Bertha and Blink published recently. She is passionate about events for children and loves to hold space for creativity. Nicola is neurodivergent and was late diagnosed with ADHD. Though there are some challenges, she is proud of her fizzy, busy brain and ability to think in a non-linear way.
Pronouns:she/they
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Originally from Ireland, Nicola is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator based in Bristol.
Growing up in rural Offaly, her childhood was steeped in superstitions and stories, and a love of storytelling grew from there. Nicola's first picture book won the Irish Literacy Association award and was Hodges Figgis' bestselling children's book of the decade. Jasper & Scruff, Nicola's first fiction series as author and illustrator, was a Guardian book of the month. The second title in her new full-colour fiction series, Bertha and Blink published recently. She is passionate about events for children and loves to hold space for creativity. Nicola is neurodivergent and was late diagnosed with ADHD. Though there are some challenges, she is proud of her fizzy, busy brain and ability to think in a non-linear way.
Pronouns:she/they
Published Works
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Recommended Irish Reads 2024 Guide
Join Bertha and Blink on an adventure full of friendship, with a sprinkling of science and a nod to nature. The perfect new series for fun-loving readers!
When a rumble in the jungle disturbs super-star inventor Bertha’s work, she has to leave her peaceful home and investigate. To help her, she creates Blink – an excitable robo-bird sidekick who can’t wait to explore! How will the unlikely pair cope in the wilderness? And will they be able to discover the secret behind the strange noises?
“Blending friendship, science, and nature, Rumble in the Jungle is an accessible text that newly independent readers will enjoy.”
- School Reading List
“A bite sized adventure for 5+ with such character! Full of bright pictures, colourful personalities and inventive inventions, it’s a great launch into reading.”
- Rachel Delahaye, author of Mort the Meek
“With speech bubbles aplenty and lots of noises off as the story unfolds, readers just starting to fly solo, will delight in the amalgam of words and pictures Nicola Colton (author/illustrator of the Jasper and Fluff books) has created in this series opener.”
- Red Reading Hub
“This gorgeous full colour chapter book from Nicola Colton is adorable. I love Bertha! Gorgeous illustrations of a beautiful friendship between a bear and her clever invention.”
- Sheena Dempsey, illustrator of Pablo and Splash
“With bright and lively colour artwork putting all the fun and fascinating bite-size facts into focus, this is the perfect, accessible chapter book series to help build confidence in new readers, and to introduce them to various concepts of science, nature and ingenious inventions!”
- Lancashire Post
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Smart kitty. Mucky pup. Here comes trouble...
Jasper and Scruff’s latest venture, Paws Diner, is a big success. Customers come from far and wide to sample their Salted Caramel Cake and the place is always packed. Until, that is, The Sophisticafé opens across the street.
Determined not to be outdone by their old enemies, The Sophisticats, Jasper sets to work on a fancy new menu. But while Jasper hopes to gain a coveted three paw rating from the great restaurant critic Gaspard le Skunk, Scruff worries that his friend is forgetting about their loyal regulars. Worse still, The Sophisticats have heard that Gaspard is paying the diner a visit and have cooked up a fiendish plan…
A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship, with colour illustrations, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books, and fans of CLAUDE, RABBIT AND BEAR, SQUISHY MCFLUFF and HOTEL FLAMINGO.
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Smart kitty. Mucky pup. Here comes trouble...
As Jasper and Scruff prepare for a day in their new bookshop, a mysterious package is delivered, containing a rare book written by the great seafaring cat herself, Black Whiskers. Inside, they discover a treasure map, and together the friends set out on a quest to find the legendary golden bone. But little do they realize that their old enemies, the Sophisticats, might have a paw in things…
A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship with colour illustrations, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books, and fans of CLAUDE, RABBIT AND BEAR, DIXIE O'DAY, SQUISHY MCFLUFF and COWBOY PUG.
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Smart kitty. Mucky pup. Here comes trouble...
As Jasper and Scruff prepare for a day in their new bookshop, a mysterious package is delivered, containing a rare book written by the great seafaring cat herself, Black Whiskers. Inside, they discover a treasure map, and together the friends set out on a quest to find the legendary golden bone. But little do they realize that their old enemies, the Sophisticats, might have a paw in things…
A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship with colour illustrations, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books, and fans of CLAUDE, RABBIT AND BEAR, DIXIE O'DAY, SQUISHY MCFLUFF and COWBOY PUG.
“Adorable illustrations, snappy dialogue and outrageous puns make it the cat’s pyjamas.”
- The Guardian
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Smart kitty. Mucky pup. Here comes trouble...
Jasper has everything he could want – a fancy apartment, bow ties in every colour and a large book collection. The only thing he’s missing is the right type of friends! Jasper wants to become a member of ‘The Sophisticats’, a society for exceptional felines, more than anything. When they accept Jasper’s dinner invitation, he knows his chance to impress has arrived. But a boisterous puppy called Scruff follows Jasper home and his evening doesn’t quite go to plan…
A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship with colour illustrations, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books, and fans of CLAUDE, RABBIT AND BEAR, DIXIE O'DAY, SQUISHY MCFLUFF and COWBOY PUG.
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Want to travel in a rocket? Search for a grumpy dragon? Make your very own monster?
Visit a higgledy-piggledy farm? Well, hop into Zim Zam Zoom - for fun and adventures galore! Colours, animals, space, music, fairytale fireworks...! Here is a collection of poems especially written for performance. With delightful illustrations by a talented new illustrator, this is a brilliant introduction to poetry for young children.
Selected for the UKLA Book Awards 2017
Short-listed for the CLiPPA Award
“This catchy title captures the spirit of this collection of sixteen poems which are to be read ALOUD by children to children.”
- Carousel
“The excellent full-page illustrations are just as zappy as the poems.”
- Inis
“A brilliant introduction to poetry for young children,”
- Dolphin Books
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
A fun, heartwarming and humorous story, ideal for children practising their reading at home or in school.
Fizzy wants a dog. Not just any dog though - a golden dog with a black nose and very curly hair. So when a dog called Bandit who looks just like this appears in her neighbour's garden, Fizzy will stop at nothing to keep him - even if it means hiding poor Bandit in the laundry basket...
This delightful comedy from Ireland's Children's Laureate Sarah Crossan is perfect for children who are learning to read by themselves and for Key Stage 1. It features illustrations from Nicola Colton and a feisty heroine children will love.
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Bloomsbury Young Readers are the perfect way to get children reading, with book-banded stories by brilliant authors like Julia Donaldson. The series is ideal for both home and school, with gorgeous colour illustrations, tips for parents, and fun activity ideas. Online guided reading and teaching notes, written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), are available at bloomsburyreaders.com.
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
A delightfully funny story, ideal for children practising reading at home or in school.
It's time for Fizzy to go to bed, but next door, Mrs Crumbleboom and her band are having a party. Fizzy is desperate to join in the fun. Will Mum let her stay up just a little bit longer? This family comedy from Ireland's Children's Laureate Sarah Crossan, starring the characters from Fizzy and Bandit, is perfect for Key Stage 1 (KS1) children who are learning to read by themselves. It features illustrations from Nicola Colton, creator of the Jasper and Scruff books, and a feisty heroine children will love.
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Bloomsbury Young Readers are the perfect way to get children reading, with book-banded stories by brilliant authors like Julia Donaldson. The series is ideal for both home and school, with gorgeous colour illustrations, tips for parents, and fun activity ideas. Online guided reading and teaching notes, written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), are available at bloomsburyreaders.com.
“Every child needs a Bloomsbury Young Reader. Fun, stretching, just the right length, full of adventurous vocabulary and punctuation.”
- Julie-Ann McCulloch, Teacher
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
To Orla, Christmas means Gran, so when it looks like Gran won’t make it this year, everything feels a lot less festive. And with Christmas spirit everywhere at an all-time low, the whole of Dublin is in darkness.
But then the fairy lights on Orla’s Christmas tree come to life and take her on an enchanting adventure to the National Library, Grafton Street, Stephen’s Green and the GPO. Together, Orla and her new friends attempt to restore the meaning of Christmas and holiday cheer…
A heart-warming festive story that brings Dublin at Christmas to life.
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Once upon a time there was a little girl called Fiona who lived in Dublin. But Dublin is full of colourful characters and creatures from the fairytale realm.
Often not seen or heard, they reside in some of Dublin’s most famous locations and landmarks! Fiona’s on a journey to Granny’s house ....but who’s that following her through the streets of Dublin? Travel across the city with Fiona and her fantastic friends in this modern Dublin fairytale. With beautiful quirky illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Nicola Colton.
“In this charming story, Fiona (dressed in her red coat) encounters snakes, trolls, a wolf and many other unusual inhabitants of the city - who knew Dublin was home to all these? Look closely at the illustrations and you will meet hosts of familiar characters in this lovely and unusual story.”
- Parents In Touch“With its simple but quirky illustrations, this year’s treat for young Dubliners is, unquestionably, illustrator Nicola Colton’s first picture book, A Dublin Fairytale.”
- Claire Hennessy, The Irish Times“A playful and colourful retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Irish style. - Sarah Webb, Irish Independent.”
- Children's Books of the Year
Author: Nicola Colton
Genres: Children’s
Join Bertha and Blink on an adventure full of friendship, with a sprinkling of science and a nod to nature. The perfectseries for fun-loving readers!
Bertha and Blink wake up one morning to find a strange smog surrounding them – it’s their nemesis Finnius Fink’s new factory and it’s destroying the jungle! The duo are determined to stop him and Bertha has an idea that just might work… With brilliant inventions, the help of new friends and some tricks in their toolbox, can the pair put a stop to the destruction and save their home?