Books On Board

David Litchfield Books in Order

  • 7 Books
  • 2015 – 2020 Published

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Reading order
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Where to Start with David Litchfield

If you are new to the beautiful, glowing worlds of British author and illustrator David Litchfield, there is one undisputed starting point: The Bear and the Piano. Published in 2015, this award-winning debut story set the stage for Litchfield's signature style—blending rich, luminous textures, heartwarming characters, and poignant explorations of ambition, home, and belonging. It is the perfect introduction to his work before you explore the rest of his series and standalone books.

The Bear and the Piano Series in Order

While most of Litchfield's books are standalone stories, his flagship creation is a wonderful three-book series that follows a musical bear and his journey through fame, friendship, and family. We recommend reading these in order of publication to follow the emotional and chronological growth of the characters:

  • The Bear and the Piano (2015) – The book that started it all. A young bear cub finds a strange instrument in the woods, teaches himself to play, and eventually travels to New York City to become a famous pianist. However, he soon realizes how much he misses his forest home and friends.
  • The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle (2019) – This follow-up expands the universe. Hugo the dog learns to play the fiddle from his owner, Hector. When Hugo gets the chance to join the famous Bear's band, the story beautifully explores themes of jealousy, loyalty, and celebrating the success of those we love.
  • The Bear, the Piano and Little Bear's Concert (2020) – The final chapter in the trilogy. The Bear is now older and has retired back to the forest, where his piano lies silent. But when his daughter, Little Bear, discovers his musical past, she determines to bring the music back to the forest one last time.

Standalone Picture Books (Written and Illustrated)

Outside of his bear trilogy, David Litchfield has written and illustrated several stunning standalone picture books. When reading these, be aware of minor title variations depending on your local publisher:

  • Grandad's Secret Giant (2017) – Also published in some markets as The Boy and the Giant. A touching tale about a boy named Billy who discovers that his grandfather's stories about a giant helper in their town are actually true, prompting a warm lesson on acceptance and overcoming fear.
  • Lights on Cotton Rock (2019) – Also published under the title Lights on Wonder Rock. A cosmic adventure about a girl named Heather who wishes to meet aliens in the woods, only to learn that the most precious connections in the universe are often the ones we leave behind on Earth.
  • Kid Christmas: Of the Claus Brothers' Toyshop (2022) – A magical reimagining of the Santa Claus origin story, focusing on Nicky Claus, who works with his uncles in their magical toyshop and seeks to bring a toy to every child in the city.
  • The Dinosaur Next Door (2024) – A delightful tale about a young girl who discovers a hidden world of dinosaurs right in her neighborhood, blending Litchfield's love for prehistoric wonders with a heartwarming theme of unlikely friendships.
  • My Friend, Billy Whiskers (2025) – A moving story about a boy named Patrick who uses his imaginary lion friend to cope with social anxiety and build the courage to make real-life friends at the playground.

Key Collaborative Works (As Illustrator)

Litchfield's distinctive artistic style—often featuring dramatic lighting and digital collage elements—has also graced the pages of books written by other renowned children's authors. Some of his most notable collaborative series and novels include:

The "Our Universe" Series (with Stacy McAnulty)

Litchfield illustrated several entries in Stacy McAnulty's popular non-fiction series, where celestial bodies tell their own stories. His illustrated entries include:

  • Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (2018)
  • Ocean! Waves for All (2020)
  • Our Planet! There's No Place Like Earth (2024)

Illustrated Novels with David Almond

For slightly older readers, Litchfield collaborated with award-winning author David Almond to create beautifully illustrated middle-grade novels:

  • War Is Over (2018) – A moving historical story set during World War I.
  • Island (2023) – A modern tale of friendship and mystery set on a wild island getaway.

Picture Book Collaborations with Smriti Halls

Litchfield paired with Smriti Halls to create two deeply comforting and visually arresting picture books:

  • Rain Before Rainbows (2020) – A story of hope and resilience in difficult times.
  • Peace on Earth (2023) – A beautiful plea for global friendship, peace, and shared spaces.

What to Know Before You Start

David Litchfield's books do not have complex chronologies or hidden reading orders. Apart from The Bear and the Piano trilogy, you can read any of his standalone books in whatever order you please. Many readers enjoy starting with his debut work and reading chronologically to watch his signature lighting and texture styles evolve over the years. Be sure to check alternative titles if you are ordering online, as UK and US editions often differ slightly (such as Cotton Rock vs. Wonder Rock and Grandad's Secret Giant vs. The Boy and the Giant).

Frequently Asked

Do you need to read David Litchfield's Bear and the Piano books in order?

Yes, we recommend reading The Bear and the Piano trilogy in order (The Bear and the Piano, followed by The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle, and ending with The Bear, the Piano and Little Bear's Concert) to fully appreciate the narrative arc, character development, and emotional payoff.

Are Grandad's Secret Giant and The Boy and the Giant the same book?

Yes, Grandad's Secret Giant and The Boy and the Giant are different titles for the exact same picture book, published with regional title differences in the UK and US markets respectively.

What is the difference between Lights on Cotton Rock and Lights on Wonder Rock?

They are the same book. The story about Heather and her cosmic encounter was published as Lights on Cotton Rock in the UK and under the title Lights on Wonder Rock in the US.

Can David Litchfield's standalone books be read out of order?

Absolutely. Books like Kid Christmas, The Dinosaur Next Door, and My Friend, Billy Whiskers are completely independent stories and can be enjoyed in any order.

What age group are David Litchfield's books for?

Litchfield's self-authored picture books are ideal for children aged 4 to 8 years old, though the emotional depth of his stories and the detail in his illustrations make them beloved by readers of all ages.