Smriti Halls
Smriti Halls is an award-winning, critically acclaimed children's author, published in more than 30 languages worldwide. Her books include #1 bestseller I Love You Night and Day, I'm Sticking with You, Elephant in My Kitchen and The Little Island.
With a cast of characters as varied as mischievous monsters and disgruntled geese, she explores relationship and identity; the personal and the political; how it feels to be in your own skin - and in someone else's. Her books, often fast-paced and funny or lyrical and tender, are always full of heart and hope and speak to the child in all of us.
Smriti also creates bold board books to engage the very smallest readers, young fiction for newly independent readers and beautiful, highly illustrated non-fiction for older readers including the award-winning The Ways of the Wolf.
The Little Island is currently shortlisted for the 2020 Little Rebels Award and the 2020 Teach Primary Awards, while I'm Sticking With You was the Independent Bookshops Children's Book of the Month for August 2020. Her forthcoming picture book Rain Before Rainbows (illustrated by David Litchfield) has been made available ahead of publication in partnership with Save the Children as a free e-book to support their work with families most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Smriti works widely with children and adults in schools, libraries, festivals, bookshops and prisons to bring a love of reading and stories to the widest possible audience. She lives in London and is also published as Smriti Prasadam-Halls.
Books
Bun on the Run
Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Chris Jevons
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 7+
Bernard the bun leaves the baker’s shop to explore the world. But can he escape the hungry animals who want to have him for their tea? A brilliant, interactive story.
Don't Call Me Sweet!
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Angie Rozelaar
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 3-5
The rhyming text bowls the story along, accompanied by illustrations veering between dark chaos and demure pastels to express visually Little Monster's inner contradictions. Great fun for small monsters wishing they were bigger!
I Wish I Were a Pirate
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Sarah Ward
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 2-5
A wonderfully chunky, rhyming board book about pirates, with exciting things to spot on every page, thanks to the colourful and jolly illustrations. An ideal book for even the youngest toddler to enjoy.
Kiss it Better
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Sarah Massini
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 3-5
Mummy bear shares plenty of kisses with her cubs, each one carrying a special message of love, in this heart-warming tale with delightful illustrations.
Let’s Stick Together
Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Steve Small
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 4-5
Squirrel and Bear are the best of friends, but sometimes they don’t see things in quite the same way. For instance, when Squirrel decides they should have a party, Bear is very into the idea until anxiety strikes and he starts to feel that perhaps it would be better for everyone if he just went to bed.
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Name Your Numbers
Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Edward Underwood
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-3
Reading age: 4+
A brilliantly colourful rhyming board book which introduces first numbers through eleven different animals and includes a surprising (snappy) pop-up!
Pairs! In the Garden
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrator: Laura Scobie
Publisher: FrancesLincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 3+
This busy, colourful book flows with fun, rhyming text that is great for reading aloud. The detailed illustrations can be used to help identify many types of bugs, colours and flowers, making it a great learning tool for early readers.
Peace on Earth
Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: David Litchfield
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Peace on earth – what a wonderful idea that would be! The idea of a sparkling, joyful world is a beautiful one. Yet, sometimes, we can hurt each other, and feel the fires of rage burn deep within us. At times like that, it’s hard to find a sense of peace.
Santa Baby
Author: Smitri Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Ada Grey
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 5+
Having been told they're too young to join Santa on Christmas Eve, Santa Baby and Roo discover two presents left behind and decide to chase Santa round the globe. This exciting Christmas adventure story is jam-packed with colour and rhyme.
The Ways of the Wolf
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Jonathan Woodward
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+
A big, stunning hardback that pays tribute to a misunderstood animal: the wolf. There's a nice middle-ground, conservational message here that the wolf is just looking to survive, like everything else – including us.