The Big Bang
by Rose Ayling-Ellis
Written in collaboration with Katie Blackburn
Illustrated by Paddy Donnelly
Uh oh! Where did Casper go?
When a noisy storm scares Halo and Rocky, they don’t realise their friend Casper can’t hear the thunder. But when lightning flashes, Casper dashes off! Can Halo and Rocky be brave, find Casper, and learn a new way to talk to their friend?
Author video
Illustrator video
Author video
About the author
Rose Ayling-Ellis
BAFTA ‘Breakthrough Brit’ Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE recently became the first deaf presenter of live sport when she presented at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. She has also received the Stage Debut Award for ‘Best West End Debut’, an Olivier Award nomination for ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’, and a prestigious Ian Charleson Award nomination. Her documentary Signs for Change was nominated for a BAFTA Craft Award, and in recognition for her services to the deaf community, Rose was awarded an MBE in the King’s 2024 Birthday Honours.
About the writer
Katie Blackburn
Katie Blackburn is the author of various humour titles, including Where the Wild Mums Are, and Where the Wild Dads Went and several picture books for children, including the bedtime story Dozy Bear and the Secret of Sleep. By day, she is better known as Leah Thaxton, Children’s Publisher at Faber & Faber. Leah loves reading and painting, and lives in London.
About the illustrator
Paddy Donnelly
Paddy Donnelly is a bestselling, award-winning author illustrator from Ireland. He now lives in Belgium and has published many children’s books, including Badger Books, The Vanishing Lake, Ava and the Acorn and Wolves In Helicopters. He has twice been nominated for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration and his picture book, The Golden Hare, was awarded the Children’s Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2024.
His hugely popular book, Fox & Son Tailers, was chosen as one of the official books for World Book Day 2025 and won the Literacy Association of Ireland Biennial Children’s Book Award in 2023. Paddy grew up on the beautiful north coast of Ireland, surrounded by mythical stories of giants, magical creatures and shape-shifting animals. His storytelling reflects his love of nature and animals. He wishes that Pluto was still a planet.
Alternative formats
The £1/€1.50 books are also available in braille, large print & audio via Guide Dogs, Vision Ireland, RNIB and Calibre Audio. If you require one of these formats, please find out about diversity and inclusion.
