Benji Davies Releases Latest Book, GRANDAD'S ISLAND; UK Bookstore Decorates

June 29th 2015 - Award-winning author and illustrator Benji Davies has teamed up with Waterstones in Hampstead to create a bespoke window in celebration of the publication of his latest book - Grandad's Island.

The window features a stunning array of handmade birds and characters from this beautiful new picture book, which is a gentle story about a little boy coming to terms with the loss of his much-loved grandfather. Subtly told, this beautiful and comforting book uses lush, vivid illustrations full of detail and wonder to show how those who are dear to us remain near to us - however impossibly far away they may seem. Tackling a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth Grandad's Island is an extremely powerful read, yet due to Davies' gorgeous artwork it remains completely accessible to the youngest of readers. Davies' has recreated the front cover of the book for the Waterstones window, with handmade birds of paradise and jungle plants, making a colourful and vibrant display that is bound to catch the attention of the residents of Hampstead.

Davies is the author and illustrator of The Storm Whale, winner of the Evening Standard Oscar's First Book Prize and a shortlisted title for The Booktrust Best Book Awards in 2014. The Storm Whale was published to critical acclaim in the UK in August 2013 and has sold 30,000 copies on Bookscan. Grandad's Island publishes on 2nd July and is currently shortlisted for Association of Illustrators World Illustration Award 2015.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and non-fiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.co.uk.

About Waterstones

Waterstones is the UK and Eire's leading high street bookseller with 276 shops. It employs over 3,000 booksellers. Waterstones is the only national specialist book retailer of scale in the UK, with the average sized shop carrying a range of around 30,000 individual books and with over 200,000 titles in the largest shop. Waterstones was acquired by A&NN Group, an investment subsidiary of the family trust associated with international investor and businessman, Alexander Mamut, from HMV Group PLC on 29th June 2011.