Barbara Throws a Wobbler

Where is came from

Nadia Shireen is a British author and illustrator who has become known for her witty and empathetic picture books. As a child she enjoyed creating homemade magazines and comics, and after studying law at university she worked in magazine journalism. This creative background ultimately led her back to illustration; in 2007 she was accepted onto the Master’s programme in Children’s Book Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. 

Her debut picture book, Good Little Wolf, received a mention in the BolognaRagazzi Opera Prima Award and won the UKLA Book Award. 

Barbara Throws a Wobbler was published in 2021. The book depicts young Barbara experiencing an overwhelming tantrum (“wobbler”) and learning to understand and manage her feelings in a humorous and relatable way.

The book was widely acclaimed: it won the UKLA Book Award in the 3–6+ category, was shortlisted for the Oscar’s Book Prize, and was a contender for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG) Children’s Book Award. It was also highlighted among The Observer’s Best Children’s Books of 2021. 

Where It Went Next

Following the success of Barbara Throws a Wobbler, Nadia Shireen created a follow-up mini-book titled Barbara’s Very Useful Guide to Moods. This shorter title was released as part of the World Book Day 2025 programme and explores a day filled with different emotions in Barbara’s life, offering young readers further insight into feelings and coping strategies. 

Associated Stories

Readers who enjoy Barbara Throws a Wobbler may also appreciate other works by Nadia Shireen, including:

• Geoffrey Gets the Jitters, a humorous picture book about understanding and coping with anxiety.
• The Bumblebear, Billy and the Beast and Billy and the Dragon, which similarly blend humour with emotionally resonant themes in engaging, illustrated stories.