book cover

Lights on Cotton Rock

by David Litchfield

Interest age: 8 to 12
Reading age: 6+

Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2020

  • Picture books
  • Short stories

About this book

Late one night, Heather sneaks out of her house, into the woods and down to Cotton Rock. She loves the idea of going into space and visiting the stars, but most of all she wants to meet an alien. Sitting on the rock and signalling into the sky with her torch, her dream comes true when a friendly alien arrives in its multicoloured spaceship. But they soon have to say goodbye and although Heather goes back to Cotton Rock many times, the alien never comes back… Until one day, many years later, it does – and then Heather must decide whether or not her place really is among the stars.

This quite grown-up picture book veers towards graphic novel territory with its atmospheric illustrations, wordless sections, and pages where the story is told in individual panels. It’s a heartfelt story and a story of adventure and discovery and figuring out the things that matter and that make a difference. A book where the pictures can be pored over and offering lots of opportunity to think about the nuances of the story and feed readers’ imaginations.

About the author

David first started to draw when he was very young, taking inspiration from his greatest companions: books and comics. His first endeavours into illustration were the Star Wars and Indiana Jones 'mash up' comics he created for his older brother and sister as a child. David's ideas all start in his sketchbook, and usually with a doodle. That's how his first picture book The Bear and The Piano came about. It went on to win 'Best illustrated book' at the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2016. As well as creating wonderful children's books, he also spends one day a week lecturing students in illustration, graphic design and animation. David's work has appeared across a range of different media, magazines, newspapers, books and on t-shirts.

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