Things to Teach Your Grown-Up
By Colette Hiller
Illustrated by Corrie Gorman
Published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
4th June 2026
Fiction | HB
ISBN 978-1-3985-4826-8
Ages 3+
Things to Teach Your Grown-Up is the new picture book from poet Colette Hiller – winner of the 2025 CLiPPA prize for children’s poetry and author of Colossal Words for Kids, The B on Your Thumb, and The Elephant and the Piano. Brought to life with illustrations from debut talent Corrie Gorman, it is a testament to what children can teach grown-ups about life!
In Things to Teach Your Grown-Up, kids will learn that adults have feelings too. But their timing is key!
Say they are quietly having a bath – they won’t want to be a spotted giraffe!
With 2026 marking the National Year of Reading, Things to Teach Your Grown-Up is a timely exploration of imagination, play, and enjoyment for people of all ages. With the flick of a wand, children’s vivid imaginations allow them to turn into a cat, a trapeze artist and even make the sofa soar through the air like a magic carpet. Grown-ups, however, can find it difficult to imagine and play and may need a little help remembering how to!
Praise for Previous Works by Colette Hiller
“The B on your Thumb is clever, engaging, educational and fun. I wish I had thought of it.”
- Craig Smith, author of The Wonky Donkey
‘There should be a space reserved on every home and school bookshelf for this.’
- BookTrust (on The B on your Thumb)
‘Clever, engaging, educational.’
– The Wall Street Journal (on The B on your Thumb)
‘Such books are to be treasured…’
– The Telegraph (on Colossal Word for Kids – Book of the Week)
‘If you know a child who loves learning big words, likes funny pictures and enjoys a rhyme then Colossal Words for Kids is a book for them.’
– Just Imagine Reviews
‘A luminous, touching picture book, based on a true story.”
– The Guardian (on The Elephant and the Piano)
‘A heartwarming testament to music’s healing power and the difference one caring individual can make.’
- Kirkus Reviews (on The Elephant and the Piano)
