GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING CORINNE BAILEY RAE DEBUT PICTURE BOOK
PENGUIN YOUNG READERS TO PUBLISH DEBUT PICTURE BOOK BY GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING SINGER/SONGWRITER CORINNE BAILEY RAE
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY HERE
June 11, 2025 – New York, NY – Corinne Bailey Rae, Grammy® Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, will publish her debut children’s picture book with Rocky Pond Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Inspired by her award-winning hit song and featuring magical illustrations by Gillian Eilidh O'Mara, PUT YOUR RECORDS ON celebrates the emotional resonance of music and the power of song to transform any moment—and to comfort, hold, and accompany us like a trusted friend. In this story we watch a young Bea’s world expand when her great aunt Portia introduces her to her cherished record collection, hidden away in the attic. Together, the two listen, dance, and laugh through a range of songs, leaving Bea excited to continue learning about herself and her world through music. The book is slated for release March 3, 2026 with an announced first printing of 150,000 and is available for pre-order now HERE.
Corinne Bailey Rae said, “When I was a child, music helped me find myself. Through songs I discovered that others felt what I felt. Playing music grew my confidence and writing and performing my own music allowed me to fully express myself. I want every child to know that they have music in their heart and a voice that should be heard.”
Lauri Hornik, President & Publisher, Rocky Pond Books added, “Corinne Bailey Rae is a singular talent, including now as a picture book author – her lovely story speaks volumes about the importance of both music and family to comfort and inspire.”
British singer/songwriter/musician Corinne Bailey Rae first shot to stardom with her self-titled #1 debut album in 2006, featuring the global hits "Put Your Records On" and "Like A Star." Over the course of her career she has released four critically acclaimed studio albums — and earned two Grammy Awards, two MOBOS, two Mercury Music Prizes, and a BET Award for Best International Act. She has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mary J. Blige, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Paul McCartney, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Questlove, RZA, Stevie Wonder, Tracey Thorn, Pharrell, and many more. In 2026, Corinne will celebrate 20 years in her career, a significant milestone that reflects her enduring impact and dedication. She currently resides in Leeds, England with her husband and two daughters.
Gillian Eilidh O’Mara was born and raised in Scotland. A self-taught artist with a master's degree from the University of St. Andrews, she has illustrated several children's books, including The Night Whale by Bryher Mackenzie, and has co-founded several social ventures, including a poetry festival, children’s literacy projects, and a tea company supporting girls’ education. She lives in Durham, England, where she wanders the countryside with her two daughters and their boisterous dog.
Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson. As of April 1, 2020, Bertelsmann is full owner of the company. With more than 300 imprints and brands on six continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- German- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and more than 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 80 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.
Photo Credit Ulrike Rindermann)
