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Colin’s Castle by Holly Swain

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Colin’s Castle

A Colin and Duck Story (Related to this series)

Author
Holly Swain
Narrator
Clementine Medforth, Alan Irving
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Publish Date
6 August 2026
Run Time
8 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Genre
Picture storybooks, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Celebrations, holidays, festivals and special events, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Humorous stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Nature and animal stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Vampires, werewolves and shapeshifters

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What to expect

WINNER! The English Association 4–11 Picture Book Award 2024

WINNER! Oxfordshire Book Awards Best Picture Book 2025

LONGLISTED! UKLA Book Awards 3-6 Category 2026

NOMINATED! Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025

A Children's Book Club pick for Spooky Halloween Books – BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

When a vegetarian vampire moves into his dream castle, he soon discovers he has an unwanted house guest …

Colin’s new castle is perfect in every way – apart from the DUCK.

The duck pops up when Colin’s in the bath. When he’s watching telly. When he’s ON THE LOO. QUACK!

But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Colin has a PLAN. Will he succeed in banishing Duck from his castle and leading the bird-free life that he dreams of?

• The perfect book to share or gift during spooky season!

• A brilliantly funny readaloud story that will have kids hooked.

• Fun-filled artwork is packed with detail and humour.

Critics Review

  • “Hilarious” – The Sunday Times
  • "[a] superbly humorous picture book” – V's View from the Bookshelves blog
  • “Full of humour and beautifully illustrated, young readers will enjoy the duck's antics and Colin’s attempts to live a bird-free life" – RTÉJr
  • “The illustrations of Colin and his duck are delightful and the details of the castle are brilliant! […] This is definitely a book to enjoy together in the autumn term.” – Scope for Imagination Blog
See more reviews
  • “Colin's Castle is gentle and hilarious, and the illustrations are full of so many wondrous little details. Colin is a utter DELIGHT.” –LoveReading4Kids
  • "A perfect autumnal treat, Colin’s Castle is a story which will have children laughing hysterically before bedtime or in their classroom." – Check ‘Em Out Books blog
  • “With a fiendishly funny adventure to enjoy, two unlikely adversaries, and a whole castle full of laughs, you won’t want to duck out of this rollicking romp!” – Lancashire Evening Post
  • “With clever tongue twisters and lively illustrations, Colin’s Castle is a fiendishly funny story that will have children giggling, while also thinking about what truly makes a home.” – Jersey Evening Post
  • “This very ducky story gets top billing from us.” – Kirkus
  • “a hilarious and quirky tale which is sure to be enjoyed by all ages.” – SLA’s The School Librarian magazine

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Details
Author
Holly Swain
Narrator
Clementine Medforth, Alan Irving
Duration
8 minutes
Release Date
6 August 2026
ISBN
9780008806781
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Genre
Picture storybooks, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Celebrations, holidays, festivals and special events, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Humorous stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Nature and animal stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Vampires, werewolves and shapeshifters

Synopsis

WINNER! The English Association 4–11 Picture Book Award 2024 WINNER! Oxfordshire Book Awards Best Picture Book 2025 LONGLISTED! UKLA Book Awards 3-6 Category 2026 NOMINATED! Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025 A Children's Book Club pick for Spooky Halloween Books – BBC Radio 4's Today programme. When a vegetarian vampire moves into his dream castle, he soon discovers he has an unwanted house guest … Colin’s new castle is perfect in every way – apart from the DUCK. The duck pops up when Colin’s in the bath. When he’s watching telly. When he’s ON THE LOO. QUACK! But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Colin has a PLAN. Will he succeed in banishing Duck from his castle and leading the bird-free life that he dreams of? • The perfect book to share or gift during spooky season! • A brilliantly funny readaloud story that will have kids hooked. • Fun-filled artwork is packed with detail and humour.

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