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  • Published: 16 February 2027
  • ISBN: 9781761049187
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $21.00

Brigitta's Bicycle



A girl, a war and a basket full of hope. From the author of Granny McFlitter comes a powerful and beautifully illustrated story of courage, resistance and new beginnings, following one remarkable bicycle from wartime Netherlands to a new life in New Zealand.

From the author of Granny McFlitter comes a moving story of bravery, resilience and new beginnings – and of one remarkable bicycle that carries memories across generations.


Brigitta worked and worked for her beautiful red bicycle. She never imagined where it would carry her.
When war comes, Brigitta joins the Dutch Resistance and rides through the darkness with a basket full of secrets and hope.

And when the war is over, Brigitta’s journey is just beginning.

Inspired by the vital role bicycles played in the Dutch Resistance during World War II, Brigitta’s Bicycle follows Brigitta from the Netherlands through war and its aftermath, and across the world to a new life in New Zealand. Her cherished bicycle carries not only people and precious supplies, but memories of courage, loss and hope — memories that will one day be passed on to a new generation.

Gorgeously told by Heather Haylock and illustrated by Lily Uivel, this moving historical picture book for ages 5–10 offers a sensitive way into conversations about war, displacement, migration and starting over.

  • Published: 16 February 2027
  • ISBN: 9781761049187
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $21.00

About the authors

Heather Haylock

As a child, Heather Haylock could often be found reading a book while sitting on her horse, or perched way up high in a tree. Nowadays Heather loves the challenge of knitting words into stories of her own. She is the author of the popular and award-winning Granny McFlitter series - Granny McFlitter the Champion Knitter (2018), which won a Storylines Notable Book Award 2019 and was shortlisted for the Best Picture Book category of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults; Granny McFlitter: A Country Yarn (2019); Granny McFlitter: The Knit Before Christmas (2022); Granny McFlitter's Eggcellent Easter (2023); all of which are recipients of Storylines Notable Picture Book awards. Granny McFlitter Stitches Up a Storm (2025) is the crafty character's latest adventure. Thanks to all Heather's research for the Granny McFlitter stories, she is able to knit yarn into jumpers and other clever shapes. And if you want to find her, try looking up. She may be reading, writing or knitting way up high in a tree.

Lily Uivel

After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Lily found herself doing lots of odd jobs. But since before she can remember, she loved telling stories more than anything else. She would spend all of her spare time sketching and studying illustration. When Lily and her partner Rory left their life in London and came home to New Zealand, Lily decided to give freelance illustration a chance. She is now the illustrator of many children’s books, and the author of Big Bang Bread, the first picture book which she has both written and illustrated. Lily lives in Eastbourne with her assistant, She-Ra the dog, Rory and their little boy Reed.