Marmelade: New picture book by Walliams, illustrated by Adam Stower


HarperCollins Children’s Books will kick off 2022 publishing from bestselling children’s author David Walliams with the publication of a brand-new picture book, Marmalade, publishing on 17 Feb 2022, in hardback (£12.99) with simultaneous e-book and audio editions.

Marmalade is the ninth picture book by David Walliams and the second collaboration with Adam Stower. Adam first worked with David on Little Monsters, which has been David’s fastest-selling picture book, achieving more than 78,000 copies through TCM since publication in October 2020.

David’s picture books, including seven stellar collaborations with the legendary illustrator Tony Ross, have now sold over 1.1 million copies in the UK alone and have sold in more than 20 territories around the globe.

This release will make the second collaboration with David Walliams following the bestselling Little Monsters in 2020.

One morning, deep in the forest, a beautiful baby panda is born. This panda is different to all the others, as he has dazzling orange fur. His mummy calls him Marmalade . . . And so begins the tale of a little panda who goes on a big adventure when he sets off alone to find out where he belongs.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be igniting a glorious year of David’s publishing in 2022 with the arrival of his delightful new picture book, Marmalade. This heart-warming tale – beautifully written with the biggest heart – will delight readers young and old in a book that celebrates belonging, love and family. Adam Stower’s illustrations are just joyful and the perfect complement to David’s warm and witty storytelling. What a wonderful way to start a stellar year of Walliams publishing!”

Ann-Janine Murtagh

“This book is like an early spring, colourful, light and joyous. Adam Stower has done a marvellous job on the illustrations, which bring my story to life. It tells the tale of a baby panda named Marmalade, who thinks he doesn’t fit because his fur is orange. Marmalade goes on an epic journey through the forest, meeting all the weird and wonderful creatures along the way, to find out where he belongs.”

David Walliams

David Walliams’ story is full of warmth and the little orange panda at its heart is as determined as he is cute. It was a pleasure to illustrate the lush and colourful world of Marmalade, packed as it is with wonderful characters from moon bears to pangolins and many more besides. What a joy!”

Adam Stower

The author


David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and has become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel, The Boy in the Dress (2008), Walliams has seen unprecedented growth with global sales exceeding 45 million copies, and his books translated into 55 languages. Collectively across his titles, David has celebrated over 70 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the overall book charts and more than 200 weeks (non-consecutive) at number one in the children’s charts – an unprecedented achievement for a children’s writer. In 2021, David released two fiction titles – Megamonster and his first ever sequel, Gangsta Granny Strikes Back. Both titles went straight to number one in the children’s and overall bestseller charts. David has held the children’s chart number-one position for 18 weeks and held the overall market number one for seven weeks during 2021. David’s publishing has evolved into one of the biggest multi-media entertainment brands in the UK today, engaging and delighting children across a multitude of platforms.

The illustrator


Adam Stower is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. Adam’s most recent accolade includes winning the 2020 Alligator’s Mouth Award for Illustrated Early Fiction with King Coo and the Curse of the Mummy’s Gold. Adam was born in England, grew up in Switzerland and has loved drawing ever since he was old enough to hold a crayon. He went to art school in Norwich, and Brighton too, where he still lives beside the sea with his wife and a cat called Murray

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