Spring is here, its finally here!! Ok, so its still a bit rainy and windy, but the blossoms are out and the lighter mornings have got us jumping out of bed to bring you these fabulous new crafty and creative books coming out this April. From cooking to crochet to colouring, there is no better time of year to get inspired and make something new this Spring!
The Side Gardener by Rosie Daykin
Appetite by Random House | 9780525612179 | HB | £35.99 | 9th April 2024
The Side Gardener is the story of how Rosie Daykin – a bestselling and award-winning cookbook author who also happens to garden a little on the side – turned a languishing patch of land beside her home into an informal working garden. With love and attention, the garden blossomed with a bounty of fresh vegetables and fruit, a near endless supply of beautiful flowers for cutting, and even a few eggs from three very naughty chickens. Rosie shares her notes on how she designed her garden and nurtured it to life, along with the simple recipes she created to let the freshly grown produce shine. Inside, you’ll find sides and snacks, salads and soups, and desserts, all shown through the captivating lens of revered British photographer Andrew Montgomery. Whether the produce you use is from your garden or local market, Rosie’s elegant recipes will help you celebrate the honest flavours of fruits and vegetables. Filled with witty anecdotes and gorgeous photography, The Side Gardener is all the inspiration you need to create and cook from a garden of your own, no matter the size.
Fantasy Forest Coloring Book by John Bauer
Dokument Press | 9789188369895 | PB | £9.99 | 18th April 2024
Fantasy Forest Coloring Book pays homage to the captivating artistry of the renowned Swedish artist, John Bauer, inviting you to embark on a creative adventure like no other. Immerse yourself in the mystical landscapes and whimsical creatures that have become John Bauer’s signature style. With every turn of the page, you’ll encounter enchanting forests, towering trolls, and mystical fairies, all ready for your creative touch. Fantasy Forest Coloring Book offers you the perfect canvas to let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re an experienced colourist or just starting your colouring journey, these intricate illustrations provide hours of relaxation and creative expression. Each page is a new opportunity to experiment with colours, blending techniques, and bring your visions to life. Bauer’s illustrations have not only shaped the way we visualize fantasy but have also played a pivotal role in the enduring popularity and cultural significance of the fantasy genre in literature, art, and entertainment. Enjoy the magic of John Bauer’s world, and lose yourself in its charm as you rediscover your own inner child.
Cursed Crochet by Editors of Ulysses Press
Ulysses Press | 9781646046294 | PB | £16.99 | 23rd April 2024
What happens when you ask ChatGPT to write an amigurumi pattern? In early 2023, Ulysses Press asked the groundbreaking AI platform to create adorable crochet patterns of beloved characters and our favorite animals. Instead, we were left with charmingly strange versions of these creatures that delighted and horrified, like:
• Squooshward, a confused adaptation of Spongebob’s grouchy neighbour
• Beige Space Baby, a flesh-colored horror in the general shape of beloved Baby Yoda
• Burfy, an even more terrifying version of the cursed 90s children’s toy
• Oopa, a deranged interpretation of Aang’s trusty flying bison
Whether you’re a beginner crocheter or an advanced yarn worker, grab your copy and stitch along with these patterns that are completely wrong, slightly strange, but above all hilariously fun.
Plant Magic by Desiree Nielsen
Penguin Canada | 9780735244900 | PB | £22.99 | 23rd April 2024
In Plant Magic, Desiree shares approachable ways to incorporate plants into your meals, along with how to dial up your pantry and tricks for coaxing the best out of simple foods like beans, grains, and vegetables. Plant-based cooking doesn’t have to be expensive, time consuming, or restrictive. Whether you’re craving morning things, stuff on bread, one pot (or pan) dishes, salads, tasty noodles, really good sweets, or everyday tonics and potions, Plant Magic makes cooking and eating joyful. Get ready to make Earl Grey Breakfast Loaf; An Easy, Cozy Lasagna; Lemony Chickpea and Potato Stew; Cumin Lime Black Bean Burgers; Sunshine Panzanella; Black Olive and Za’atar Focaccia; Tempeh Nachos; Rocky Road Blender Brownies; Carrot Cake with Cashew Frosting; and Hibiscus Lemonade. Featuring gorgeous photography throughout, Plant Magic shows you just how delicious plant-based food can be and that sometimes, healthy eating looks like a kale salad and sometimes, it looks like cake.
1990s Coloring Book by James Grange
Ulysses Press | 9781646046218 | PB | £16.99 | 16th April 2024
Calling all 90s babies! Dust off your scented markers and get ready for a blast from the past —it’s time to celebrate the most bodacious time period of all with the 1990s Coloring Book!
Colour through sixty-four pages featuring all of the greatest pop culture moments from everyone’s favourite decade. Relive the best decade ever with this most excellent colouring book featuring some of the greatest hits of the 90s, including the Spice Girls, Full House, Beanie Babies, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jerry Springer, Baywatch, and more!
