Cottonball Colin

Colin is the smallest of his ten brothers and sisters and oh, how his mother worries about him! She won’t let him run and play. She insists that Colin sit quietly indoors — until Grandma suggests wrapping him up tight in cotton.

But not even cotton can protect Colin when he is finally allowed out into the world...

This clever tale about growing up and letting go will delight and entertain readers of all ages.

Publishers Weekly

In another winner from a standout British team (Willis and Ross were previously paired for Tadpole's Promise), Colin's worrywart mother, seeing danger at every turn, insists he stay indoors. He can't run, lest he fall; he can't go out in spring, lest he get wet, nor in autumn, lest "a chestnut fall on his head." Finally his grandmother wryly suggests that his mother wrap Colin up in cotton, an idea his mother accepts with alacrity. Virtually mummified in downy cotton, Colin finally goes outside-inadvertently setting in motion a series of heart-stopping adventures that ultimately convince his mother that he really can survive in "the great, wide world." Ross's elegant watercolor and ink drawings take Colin from domestic comedy to thrilling action-adventure without a hitch, and make his transformation from nebbish to cool dude totally believable. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Tony Ross has worked as a cartoonist, graphic designer, and art director, and has illustrated hundreds of children's books. Tony lives in Cheshire, England.

Willis and Ross have collaborated on several picture books, including the acclaimed Misery Moo (Henry Holt) and Tadpole's Promise (Atheneum), which was awarded the 2003 Nestlà Smarties Book Prize (Silver Award).