The Roots We Share by Susie Dent Illustrated by Harriet Hobday (Signed by the Author)

From £16.99

Susie Dent, bestselling author, broadcaster and word expert, is on a mission to find 100 words and phrases that bring people together. Your copy will be signed by the Author.

Published 9 Oct 2025 (Preorder)
£16.99
£19.99

About The Book

There are times when the world feels more divided than ever. But it is important to remember the things that unite rather than divide us. Susie has searched far and wide to unearth words and phrases – old, new, and long-forgotten – that celebrate harmony, unity, and the universal languages that connect people across the world.

Whether you want to conjobble (chat with a friend over some food), to be goodwilly (kind, generous, and cheerful), to atone for a mistake (become ‘at’ ‘one’ with someone again) or simply head off on a coddiwomple (a journey with no destination), this joyous collection of words celebrates the things in life that bind us together, from friendship, love and peace, to community, music and even the stars. These are the roots we share.

Reading age: 8 – 18 years

About the Author & Illustrator

Susie Dent is a writer and broadcaster on language. She recently celebrated 25 years as the resident word expert on C4’s Countdown, and also appears on the show’s comedy sister 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown. Susie comments regularly on TV and radio on words in the news. Susie answers notes and queries about words and phrases in weekly columns in the Radio Times and The Week Junior. She has written for the Independent on Sunday, the Telegraph, and the Times, and is the author of several books, including her latest, Dent’s Modern Tribes. She is a spokesperson for Oxford University Press, and has been a judge on the Costa Book Awards and on the Academy Excellence Awards. Susie regularly delivers key-note speeches to both small companies and major corporations on language and communication.

Harriet Hobday is an extraordinary new talent, a recent graduate of the MA Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. Currently based in Edinburgh, she was highly commended in the Macmillan Prize 2015 and runner-up for The Batsford Prize 2018.
Binding

Paperback

Author

ISBN

9780241717820

Page Count

128

Publisher

Puffin

Published

9 Oct 2025

Optional Extras

We have lots of bookish add-ons available! From Bookmarks to mini wax melt burners, book holders, book baskets, coffee and chocolate – we have plenty of items to add something a little special. Take a look at all of our options here.

* Gallery images of our book boxes show an example of what may be included – treat and gift content may differ. If a wax melt bar is included, scent is subject to availability and may differ. If you have any dietary needs or allergies please add a note at checkout.

SignedComing Soon