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Posted by Tom, July 3, 2018

Making a Splash in The Observer

This week we’re delighted to be publishing Splash, by Charli Howard – a hugely exciting debut with a classic underdog story, a wonderfully relatable protagonist, and an important message of friendship, body positivity, and celebrating who you are.

And just ahead of publication on Thursday, the book has received a fantastic review in The Observer’s round-up of the best recent fiction for children!

Kitty Empire writes: “Some of the greatest children’s books are set firmly in the everyday […] Splash is the fiction debut from the model turned campaigner turned author Charli Howard and tackles the eternal issue of changing bodies and bitchiness, as girls hit the primary/secondary cusp. Molly is built like the swimmer she is, but that’s not the body shape de rigueur at school, where her former BF, Chloe, leads the tormentors against her. Howard is great on the push-me-pull-you phenomenon of the female “frenemy”, who’s close enough to really wound. Sometimes, the freshest writers for girls are those who have only recently left girlhood behind.”

You can read the full round-up here.

Jacqueline Wilson has called Splash “a much-needed book that will help readers dare to be different”, and with a natural, authentic voice, which tackles complex themes of body dysmorphia, absent parents and childhood trauma with sensitivity and a light touch, this is a heart-warming and important story. Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book online.

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