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Martin Waddell

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Martin Waddell

  • 5 stars across 210 books
    Martin Waddell Biography
    Irish author Martin Waddell is one of the most popular children's author, best known for writing picture books, most notably the Little Bear series illustrated by Barbara Firth. The first book in the series, Can't You Sleep Little Bear? won the Smarties book prize in 1988. He's also won the Kurt Maschler Award for The Park in the Dark and the Best Book For Babies Award for Rosie's Babies

    Martin writes for a range of ages from read-aloud picture books for the very young to books for teenage and young adult readers, which he often writes under the pseudonym Catherine Sefton. 

    Martin lives with his wife, three sons and their dog in Northern Ireland.

    Our favourite Martin Waddell Book Characters
    Pig - from The Pig in the Pond
    Sarah, Percy and Bill - from Owl Babies
    Little Bear - from You and Me, Little Bear

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    8th September 1994

    Owl Babies

    A gentle tale of three baby owls reassures young children that Mummy will always come home. A gentle tale of th... More

    (106 reviews)
    Review
    5th September 2013

    Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?

    Celebrate 25 years of Big Bear, Little Bear and their cosy cave in this gorgeous anniversary edition of a classic be... More

    (30 reviews)
    Review
    4th September 1995

    Farmer Duck

    A hardworking duck is rescued from life with a lazy farmer in this award-winning picture book classic from Owl Babies au... More

    (18 reviews)
    Review
    1st October 2011

    Snow Bears

    Reissue of a seasonal family favourite. Imagine - three little bears, a game of snowballs, and hot toast by an open fir... More

    (10 reviews)
    Review
    4th April 2005

    You and Me, Little Bear

    While Big Bear works, Little Bear patiently plays his bear games all by himself. What he really wants, though, is for Bi... More

    (8 reviews)
    Review
    3rd July 2006

    The Pig in the Pond

    Pigs don't swim ... or so it's said. A classic, much-loved picture book following the exploits of a hot and bothered pig... More

    (6 reviews)
    Review
    7th September 2009

    The Big Big Sea

    A beautiful reissue of a timeless classic. A child and her mother walk in the moonlight beside the sea. This ni... More

    (5 reviews)
    Review
    7th May 2001

    Once There Were Giants

    Once there was a baby in the house - and to that baby, Mum and Dad and Jill and John and Uncle Tom were giants. But litt... More

    (4 reviews)
    Review
    7th April 2008

    Cup Final Kid

    A sparkling soccer story about an eight-year-old superstar by one of the greatest children's authors. Herbie Bazooka ma... More

    (3 reviews)
    Review
    1st February 2006

    Kitten Called Moonlight

    A little girl and her mother rescue a stranded kitten from a rock on the seashore. Each night the little girl gets her m... More

    (3 reviews)
    Review
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    Recent Reviews

    • Owl Babies

      Owl Babies

      by Ithica

      My son really enjoys reading this book together. The illustration are lovely and the story about a mothers love is heartwarming. However, as an adult...

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      A family favourite, I have fond memories of my Nanna reading me this book, and I enjoy reading it to my daughter. A lovely story about two bears, baby...