Shy Ones

He’s not the type to stand out. In fact, unless you were looking for him, you wouldn’t know he was missing at all. But you know us, the shy ones, we can always spot one another.

This delicate picture book about a quiet little octopus that keeps to himself in a school of lively fish explores the topic of shyness and friendship. Stunningly illustrated by bestselling creator of Hug Me, Simona Ciraolo, this book is sure to resonate with young children across the world, particularly those who are just starting school.

Simona Ciraolo is a Sardinian-born author and illustrator whose witty and endearing tales recently won her the Sebastian Walker Award. Ciraolo studied animation at the National Film School in Turin, Italy, before moving to the UK where she undertook an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. She has also worked as a freelance 2D animator for children’s TV shows and illustrated five picture books for an independent Italian publisher.