Steve Augarde Books In Order

Publication Order of Barnaby Shrew Books

Publication Order of Touchstone Trilogy Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Chapter Books

Publication Order of Picture Books

About Steve Augarde

Working as both an illustrator and as a writer, the British novelist Steve Augarde is well known for his bright and colorful stories. Illustrating many of his books himself, he has produced over seventy picture books for younger children, along with a series of novels too. Bringing his stories to life in a way that instantly leaps off of the page for the reader, he really knows how to capture the readers imagination. Whether it be a series of books that he’s writing for older children, or a straight-forward picture books for early readers, he always manages to engage in an entertaining manner. This is something that is all set to continue for quite some time to come, as his style has become singular all to himself.

Early and Personal Life

Born in Birmingham in the United Kingdom, Steve Augarde would grow up with a keen passion for both reading and writing. With a strong creative streak, he would begin as an illustrator, he would spend a lot of his early years in the West Country, which would come to influence his work greatly. Always looking to express himself in new ways, he would also spend some time as a jazz musician, reaching a semi-professional level. This would all be fed back in to his work, informing the way in which he would come to tell stories, providing him with a wealth of material to work with. Working in television and animation too, he would spend some time at the BBC, providing both animation and music for some of the series there.

It was on the 3rd of October in 1950 that he was born, as he would later go on to attend Yeovil School of Art, followed by Somerset College of Art. Graduating from Rolle Teacher Training College too, he would quickly gain an academic background in his specific field. He would then go on to write and illustrate numerous books for children, including pop-books that were both bright and engaging. Still writing to this day, he continues to write for a young audience, now putting out work for older children and young adults too.

Writing Career

Starting out writing picture books, Steve Augarde would produce and publish his first book back in 1975 titled ‘Pig’. Following this he would produce a number of other books in a similar vein, such as ‘Barnaby Shrew, Black Dan and the Mighty Wedgewood’, and ‘Bump’s Umbrella’. These would allow him to make a name for himself as an author with a lot to say, relating to his young readers in a way that was unique and interesting. Reaching critical acclaim worldwide too, he would quickly become a publishing sensation, with readers from all across the world buying his books. This success would also see him go on to write for television too, as he would go to work at the BBC for a period of time.

Later in 2005 he would go on to write his first full fantasy novel for children, it being titled ‘The Various’. This would also be the first in the series of novels titled the ‘Touchstone Trilogy, as he later followed it up with ‘Celandine’ in 2006, and ‘Winter Wood’ in 2008. He would also write the stand-alone novels ‘X Isle’ in 2009, as well as ‘Lifelines: Leonardo da Vinci’ that very same year. Gaining critical acclaim too, he has won the ‘Smarties Award’ in 2003 for ‘The Various’, along with being shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award, leading the way for a lot more books to come yet.

Winter Wood

Making up book three in the ‘Touchstone Trilogy’ series of books, this would originally come out in 2008 on the third of January. Preceded by ‘Celandine’ in 2005 and ‘The Various’ in 2003, this would see all of the loose ends come together for the final time. Initially released through the ‘David Fickling Books’ publishing label, it would set about developing both the world and the characters. It would also further establish the story too, picking up from where the last left off, giving the long-time readers and fans more of what they had now come to expect from the series.

Drawing the trilogy to a final conclusion, both the present and the past come together, as a series of revelations finally come to light. Having apparently forgotten about the existence of the hidden tribes, Midge sees them as a distant memory fading into the past, but now it seems that they’ve returned. Not only that, but it seems that the desperation of The Various has made them extremely dangerous and volatile to be around. Needing to travel to Elysse with it being essential to their survival, Midge can only help them by locating her great-great-aunt Celandine. Is she dead though? Can she help them get to where they need to go? What will become of The Various as they reach the Winter Wood?

X Isle

Brought out through the ‘David Fickling Books’ publishing house once again, this would be a stand-alone novel for Steve Augarde. First published in 2009 on the 1st of September, it would be a Young Adult thriller with comic elements, set in a post-apocalyptic world. Fusing fantasy with thriller, it would create for a compelling and fun read, engaging readers from all across the world.

With most of the world having been washed away by floods, the survivors now hope of winning a place on the fabled X Isle, where life is supposedly better. Young Ray and Baz both dream of this and, one day, finally do win the chance to live on the island, but it isn’t as they’d expected. Ruled over with an iron fist by Preacher John, they find themselves at odds with him and his authoritarian system. Hatching a plan, they aim to create a weapon of defence in secret, but can they possibly hope to do it in time and stop him? What is the plan they have? Can they ever hope to live a happy life in safety? Will they ever escape the X Isle?