Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer will be released in ‘Summer 2025’
A story of invention and resilience set in an alternative history, steampunk Leeds.
Lindsay Littleson is the winner of the 2014 Kelpies Prize, also nominated for the Carnegie Medal and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tiny Tree Books is excited to announce that we have acquired a new novel from award-winning author Lindsay Littleson. Worldwide rights to the book were acquired directly from the author by Tiny Tree publisher James Shaw following a round of open submissions.
Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer follows 12-year-old orphan Linnet Hill — a young girl who dreams of a life filled with imagination, adventure, and invention. None of that will happen inside the walls of the convent, but when Linnet is sent to work at Periwinkle’s Bazaar, her world changes forever.
“I am delighted that Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer has found a home with Tiny Tree”, says Lindsay. “ The idea was sparked in Scotland when I discovered the replica of Percy Pilcher’s wonderful Victorian flying machine, the Bat, in Glasgow’s Riverside Museum. The insubstantial but incredible Bat was constructed by Pilcher and his sister, Ella, and successfully tested in Helensburgh and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park. Percy’s courage and inventiveness were so inspiring, and Ella’s quiet but important contribution made me keen to put a female inventor at the centre of my story. As well as its STEM/historical themes of Victorian inventions, early flight and disease and vaccination, Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer also focuses on themes of friendship and found family.”
“Lindsay’s imagination has run wild — just like Linnet in the story — and the result is fantastic”, says James Shaw, publisher at Tiny Tree.
Slated for publication in Summer 2025, Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer is a tale of resilience, invention and discovering where you really belong, set in the steampunk and soot-streaked streets of Victorian Leeds.
Based in Scotland, Lindsay Littleson’s work includes the Carnegie-nominated novel Guardians of the Wild Unicorns, and Kelpies Prize-winning The Mixed-Up Summer of Lily McLean, which was also longlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Books Prize. Most recently, Lindsay’s novel Ice Cream Boy was shortlisted for the Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award 2025 and the Peters Children’s Book of the Year 2025.
We’re excited to share more about Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer in the coming months.
ENDS
About Lindsay Littleson
Lindsay Littleson is an award-winning children’s author based in Scotland. A former primary school teacher, Lindsay took early retirement to focus on writing for children.
Lindsay’s achievements include winning the 2014 Kelpie’s Prize, as well as nominations for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal. Her work has also been shortlisted for the Stockton Children’s Book Prize, the East Sussex Children’s Book Prize, and the 2022 Spark! School Book Award.
A lover of all things historical, Lindsay loves researching people and events of the past – even when she’s discovering grim facts about Victorian orphanages and deadly smallpox pandemics.
Lindsay has four grown-up children and lives in the village of Uplawmoor near Glasgow with her lovely partner Ian and their cat, Roo.
About Tiny Tree Books
Tiny Tree Books is an imprint of Andrews UK Limited. From its creation, the imprint has gone from strength to strength, producing high-quality picture books, junior fiction, middle-grade fiction, and YA titles. Tiny Tree looks to champion new voices and talent whilst producing unique stories for children of all ages.
