Includes whole books, book chapters, republished books, translated books, and entries in reference books such as dictionaries and encyclopaedias.
Books with author(s)
Ebook with a single author
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Sannah, E.S. (2018). Systems thinking for sustainable development: Climate change and the environment. Springer. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5254558
Cody, W. J. (1999). Flora of the Yukon Territory (2nd ed.). NRC Research Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=228107
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
A recent study (Sanneh, 2018) suggests that…
Cody (1999, p. 412) described this as...
For examples of ebooks with multiple authors please see below.
Ebook with two authors
Reference
Author, Initials., & Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Jana, T., & Diaz Mejias, A. (2018). Erasing institutional bias: How to create systemic change for organizational inclusion. Berrett-Koehler. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5508508
In-text Citation
For sources with two authors, you should use both authors' surnames in each citation. If the citation is inside brackets, use an ampersand (&) between the names. If they are in the text of your work, use 'and' between them.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
A recent study (Jana & Diaz Mejias, 2018) suggests that…
Jana and Diaz Mejias (2018, p. 45) suggest that…
Ebook with more than two authors
Reference
Author, Initials., Author, Initials., & Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher. URL or https://doi.org/
McCabe, R. E., O'Gara, B. W., & Reeves, H. M. (2010). Prairie ghost: Pronghorn and human interaction in early America. University Press of Colorado. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3039794
In-text citation
For sources with three or more authors, you only need to state the name of the first author, followed by 'et al.'
'et al.' is plural, meaning "and others".
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
Recent research has suggested that... (McCabe et al., 2010).
McCabe et al. (2010, p. 56) suggest that...
Print book with a single author
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher.
Moloney, E. (2007). A secret history of the IRA (2nd ed.). Penguin.
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It could be argued that… (Moloney, 2007).
Moloney (2007, p. 98) states that...
For examples of books with multiple authors please see below.
Print book with two authors
Reference
Author, Initials., & Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher.
Barber, P., & Robertson, D. (2015). Essentials of pharmacology for nurses (3rd ed.). Open University Press.
In-text Citation
For sources with two authors, you should use both authors' surnames in each citation. If the citation is inside brackets, use an ampersand (&) between the names. If they are in the text of your work, use 'and' between them.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It is recommended that… (Barber & Robertson, 2015, p. 94).
Barber and Robertson (2015, p. 94) state that...
Print book with more than two authors
Reference
Author, Initials., Author, Initials., & Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher.
Gaspari, R. J., Sierzenski, P. R., & Fox, J. C. (2006). Emergency ultrasound: Principles and practice. Mosby Elsevier.
In-text citation
For sources with three or more authors, you only need to state the name of the first author, followed by 'et al.'
'et al.' is plural, meaning "and others".
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It could be suggested that… (Gaspari et al., 2006).
Gaspari et al. (2006, p. 78) demonstrate that…
Chapters in edited books
The author of the chapter you are referencing is always given at the start of the reference.
The name(s) of the editor(s) of the book which appear within the reference need to be formatted slightly differently, with their initial before their surname.
If you are using an ebook where no page numbers are available (for example a Kindle book), omit these from the reference.
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book (Ed.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Lumsden, A. (2010). Stevenson, Scott and Scottish history. In P. Fielding (Ed.), The Edinburgh companion to Robert Louis Stevenson (pp. 70-85). Edinburgh University Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=581391
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations please see our guidance here.
A study of his work (Lumsden, 2010) argued that…
Lumsden (2010, p. 73) suggested that…
For examples of chapters with multiple authors, or chapters in books with multiple editors, please see below.
Single author of a chapter in a book with multiple editors
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book & Initials. Editor of book (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Stickells, L. (2013). Swiss cheese and beanbags: producing interior urbanism. In L. Weinthal & G. Brooker (Eds.), Handbook of interior architecture and design (pp. 180-198). Bloomsbury. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1589535
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It can be argued that… (Stickells, 2013).
Stickells (2013, p. 190) suggested that…
Two authors of a chapter in a book with multiple editors
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials., & Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book, Initials. Editor of book & Initials. Editor of book (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Wright, R., & Kelly, W. (2017). Is civilization sustainable? In W. E. Kelly, B. Luke, & R. N. Wright (Eds.), Engineering for sustainable communities: Principles and practices (pp. 29-34). American Society of Civil Engineers. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5164375
In-text Citation
For sources with two authors, you should use both authors' surnames in each citation. If the citation is inside brackets, use an ampersand (&) between the names. If they are in the text of your work, use 'and' between them.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It was suggested that... (Wright & Kelly, 2017).
Wright and Kelly (2017, p. 31) suggest that...
More than two authors of a chapter in a book with multiple editors
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials., Author of the chapter/section, Initials., & Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book, Initials. Editor of book & Initials. Editor of book (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Aron, L., Botella, M., & Lubart, T. (2019). Culinary arts: Talent and their development. In R. F. Subotnik, P. Olszewski-Kubilius, & F. C. Worrell (Eds.), The psychology of high performance: Developing human potential into domain-specific talent (pp. 345–359). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000120-016
In-text citation
For sources with three or more authors, you only need to state the name of the first author, followed by 'et al.'
'et al.' is plural, meaning "and others".
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It can be argued that... (Aron et al., 2019).
In their study of this, Aron et al. (2019, p. 348) suggested that…
Introductions in edited ebooks
If you are using the introduction to an edited book, this should be treated as a chapter. The author and editor will most likely be the same.
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Introduction. In Initials, Editor of book (Ed.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Erkkila, B. (2011). Introduction. In B. Erkkila (Ed.), Ezra Pound: The contemporary reviews (pp. viii-lvii). Cambridge University Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=807259
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It can be argued that... (Erkkila, 2011).
In their study of this, Erkkila (2011, p. viii) suggested that…
The author of the chapter you are referencing is always given at the start of the reference.
The name(s) of the editor(s) of the book which appear within the reference need to be formatted slightly differently, with their initial before their surname.
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book (Ed.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher.
Graham, J. (2012). Artistic inspirations. In E. Prettejohn (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to the Pre-Raphaelites (pp. 32-46). Cambridge University Press.
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It could be argued that… (Graham, 2012).
Graham (2012, p. 33) states that...
For examples of chapters with multiple authors, or chapters in books with multiple editors, please see below.
Chapter by a single author in a book with multiple editors
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book & Initials. Editor of book (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher.
Siengthai, S. (2014). Human resource management in Thailand. In A. Varma & P. S. Budhwar (Eds.), Managing human resources in Asia-Pacific (2nd ed., pp. 150-165). Routledge.
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It can be argued that… (Siengthai, 2014).
Siengthai (2014, p. 153) suggested that…
Chapter with two authors in a book with multiple editors
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials., & Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book, Initials. Editor of book & Initials. Editor of book (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher.
Bennett, D., & Thompson, P. (2017). Use of anthropomorphic brand mascots for student motivation and engagement: A promotional case study with Pablo the penguin at the University of Portsmouth Library. In H. Fallon & G. Walton (Eds.), Librarian as communicator: Case studies and international perspectives (pp. 119-131). Routledge.
In-text Citation
For sources with two authors, you should use both authors' surnames in each citation. If the citation is inside brackets, use an ampersand (&) between the names. If they are in the text of your work, use 'and' between them.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It was suggested that... (Bennett & Thompson, 2017).
Bennett and Thompson (2017, p. 122) suggest that...
Chapter with more than two authors in a book with multiple editors
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials., Author of the chapter/section, Initials., & Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of chapter/section. In Initials. Editor of book, Initials. Editor of book & Initials. Editor of book (Eds.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher.
Berkeley, N., Jarvis, D., & Noon, D. (2017). Funding economic regeneration. In R. Granger, H. Sykes & P. W. Roberts (Eds.), Urban regeneration (2nd ed., pp. 71-86). Sage.
In-text citation
For sources with three or more authors, you only need to state the name of the first author, followed by 'et al.'
'et al.' is plural, meaning "and others".
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It can be argued that... (Berkeley et al., 2017).
In their study of this, Berkeley et al. (2017, p. 77) suggested that…
Introductions in edited books
If you are using the introduction to an edited book, this should be treated as a chapter. The author and editor will most likely be the same.
Reference
Author of the chapter/section, Initials. (Year of publication). Introduction. In Initials. Editor of book (Ed.), Title of book (pp. page numbers of chapter/section). Publisher.
White, C. & Williams, S. R. (1998). Introduction. In C. White & S. R. Williams (Eds.), Struggle or starve: Women's lives in the South Wales valleys between the two World Wars (pp. 9-34). Honno.
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It can be argued that... (White & Williams, 1998).
In their study of this, White and Williams (1998, p. 13) suggested that…
Edited books
In the majority of cases, when using an edited book, you should reference each individual chapter you use. This is to ensure you give credit to the authors of these chapters, who are likely to be different people in each case.
Please follow our guidance for chapters in edited books for these.
If the edited book you are using is a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopaedia or other reference work, please follow our guidance for entries in reference works.
Very occasionally, you may come across an edited book where the authors of individual chapters or sections are not provided. In this case you can reference and cite the whole edited book.
If you have used an ebook version, include the DOI or URL at the end of your reference as you would for any other ebook.
Reference
Editor of book, Initials. (Ed.). (Year of publication). Title of book (Edition number if it is not the first edition). Publisher.
Wood, D., Bradshaw, S., Dickens, T., Parker-McLeod, J., Simpson, F., & Weaver, G. (Eds.). (2022). Blackstone's handbook for policing students 2023 (17th ed.). Oxford University Press.
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
Recent guidance (Wood et al., 2022) suggests that…
Wood et al. (2022, p. 25) describe this as...
Translated books
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of translated publication). Title of book (Initials, Translator of book, Trans.). Publisher. URL or https://doi.org/. (Original work published Year of initial publication)
Jaroszyński, P. (2007). Science in culture (H. McDonald, Trans.). Brill. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=556771. (Original work published 2002)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for translated works require both the initial and translated publication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
A recent study (Jaroszyński, 2002/2007) suggests that…
Jaroszyński (2002/2007, p. 22) suggests that…
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of translated publication). Title of book (Translator name, Trans.). Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Hiraide, T. (2014). The guest cat (E. Selland, Trans.). Picador. (Original work published 2001)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for translated works require both the initial and translated publication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
The scene describes… (Hiraide, 2001/2014).
Hiraide (2001/2014, p. 87) describes...
Books in a language other than English
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title in original language [English translation of title]. Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Duběda, T. (2013). Études de prosodie contrastive: Le cas du Français et du Tchèque [Contrastive prosody studies: The case of French and Czech]. Karolinum Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=2012934
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
A recent study (Duběda, 2013) suggests that…
Duběda (2013, p. 56) suggests that…
Note: Students submitting assignments in the School of Languages and Linguistics (SLAL) do not need to provide the English translation of the title when the original is in the language they are studying.
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title in original language [English translation of title]. Publisher.
Ruiz Zafón, C. (2011). El prisionero del cielo [The prisoner of heaven]. Planeta.
In-text Citation
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
The scene describes… (Ruiz Zafón, 2011).
Ruiz Zafón (2011, p. 57) describes this as...
Note: Students submitting assignments in the School of Languages and Linguistics (SLAL) do not need to provide the English translation of the title when the original is in the language they are studying.
Republished or reprinted books
Republished or reprinted ebook
Use this format when the book is a reproduction of an original work, which has not been edited or had anything added.
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of reprint or republication). Title. Publisher. URL or https://doi.org/. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Stoker, B. (2014). Dracula. Open Road Integrated Media, Inc. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1799873. (Original work published 1897)
Shakespeare, W. (2008). Much ado about nothing. Floating Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=390906. (Original work published 1623)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
The character was described as... (Stoker, 1897/2014, p. 66).
It could be argued that Stoker (1897/2014) uses…
For information about citing from plays including those by Shakespeare, please see the guidance here.
Republished ebook with editor
Use this format if the original work has been edited. In some cases, several shorter works with different original publication dates are combined by editors into one larger one. You can use a date range in the reference and citation to show this.
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of republication). Title (Initials. Editor of book, Ed.). Publisher. URL or https://doi.org/. (Original work published Year of original publication).
Hawkshaw, A. (2014). The collected works of Ann Hawkshaw (D. Bark, Ed.). Anthem Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1665606. (Original works published 1842-1871)
Shakespeare, W. (2006). Much ado about nothing (C. McEachern, Ed.). Thomson Learning. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781408160220.00000052 (Original work published 1623)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
For information about citing from plays including those by Shakespeare, please see the guidance here.
Use the original author in the in-text citation.
This can be seen in her early poems including... (Hawkshaw, 1842-1871/2014, p. 93).
Hawkshaw (1842-1871/2014) used these techniques to...
Republished ebook with new foreword or introduction by another author
Use this format when a person other than the original author has added a new part to the work, such as a foreword or introduction, but they are not listed as an editor.
Provide the author of the whole book in the main author element of the reference. Then provide the name of the person who wrote the foreword, introduction, or other new part, in brackets, after the word “with.” In the example below, Eltis wrote a new introduction to the book by Williams.
Reference
Author, Initials. (with new Author, Initials.). (Year of republication). Title. Publisher. URL or https://doi.org/. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Williams, G. (with Eltis, D.). (2004). History of the Liverpool privateers and letters of marque with an account of the Liverpool slave trade, 1744-1812. McGill-Queen's University Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=3331452. (Original work published 1897)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
When citing the main book, include only the name of the book author in the in-text citation.
When citing the foreword or introduction, include the name of the author of that part in the in-text citation as well - you can do this either parenthetically or narratively.
Williams (1897/2004, p. 165) described this as...
It was later suggested (Williams, 1897/2004, introduction by Eltis, p. xvi) that...
Eltis argued that Williams (1897/2004) saw this as...
Republished ebook with new foreword or introduction by another author and a separate named editor
Use this format when a person other than the original author has added a new part to the work, such as a foreword or introduction, and there is also a separate named editor.
Reference
Author, Initials. (with new Author, Initials.). (Year of republication). Title (Initials. Editor of book, Ed.). Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Barnard, E. E. (with Dobek, G. O.). (2011). A photographic atlas of selected regions of the Milky Way (E. B. Frost & M. R. Calvert, Eds.). Cambridge University Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/portsmouth-ebooks/detail.action?docID=807130. (Original work published 1927)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
When citing the main book, include only the name of the book author in the in-text citation.
When citing the foreword or introduction, include the name of the author of that part in the in-text citation as well - you can do this either parenthetically or narratively.
Barnard (1927/2011, p. 44) demonstrates that...
It was later suggested (Barnard, 1927/2011, foreword by Dobek, p. ix) that...
Dobek argued that Barnard (1927/2011) used this to...
Republished or reprinted book
Use this format when the book is a reproduction of an original work, which has not been edited or had anything added.
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of reprint or republication). Title. Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Pevsner, N. (2011). Pioneers of modern design: from William Morris to Walter Gropius. Palazzo. (Original work published 1936)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
It could be argued that… (Pevsner, 1936/2011).
Pevsner (1936/2011, p. 102) states that...
Republished book with editor
Use this format if the original work has been edited. In some cases, several shorter works with different original publication dates are combined by editors into one larger one. You can use a date range in the reference and citation to show this.
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of republication). Title (Initials. Editor of book, Ed.). Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Tyrwhit, E. (2008). Elizabeth Tyrwhit's morning and evening prayers (S. M. Felch, Ed.). Ashgate. (Original works published 1574-1582)
Marlowe, C. (2009). The Jew of Malta (J. R. Siemon, Ed.). Methuen Drama. (Original work published 1590)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
For information about citing from plays including those by Shakespeare, please see the guidance here.
Use the original author in the in-text citation.
...can be shown by her use of language (Tyrwhit, 1574-1582/2008, p. 47).
Marlowe (1590/2009) uses these techniques...
Republished book with new foreword or introduction by another author
Use this format when a person other than the original author has added a new part to the work, such as a foreword or introduction, but they are not listed as an editor.
Provide the author of the whole book in the main author element of the reference. Then provide the name of the person who wrote the foreword, introduction, or other new part, in brackets, after the word “with.” In the example below, Eltis wrote a new introduction to the book by Williams.
Reference
Author, Initials. (with new Author, Initials.). (Year of republication). Title. Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Dickens, C. (with Page, F.). (1953). Great expectations. Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1861)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
When citing the main book, include only the name of the book author in the in-text citation.
When citing the foreword or introduction, include the name of the author of that part in the in-text citation as well - you can do this either parenthetically or narratively.
Dickens (1861/1953) described the character using...
It was later suggested (Dickens, 1861/1953, introduction by Page, p. 12) that...
Page argued that Dickens (1861/1953) used this technique to...
Republished book with new foreword or introduction by another author and a separate named editor
Use this format when a person other than the original author has added a new part to the work, such as a foreword or introduction, and there is also a separate named editor.
Reference
Author, Initials. (with new Author, Initials.). (Year of republication). Title (Initials. Editor of book, Ed.). Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Brontë, C. (with Shuttleworth, S.). (2000). Jane Eyre (M. Smith, Ed.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1847)
In-text Citation
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
When citing the main book, include only the name of the book author in the in-text citation.
When citing the foreword or introduction, include the name of the author of that part in the in-text citation as well - you can do this either parenthetically or narratively.
Brontë (1847/2000) described this as...
It was later suggested (Brontë, 1847/2000, introduction by Shuttleworth, p. 17) that...
Shuttleworth argued that Brontë (1847/2000) used this technique to...
Illustrated children's books
References for children’s books should follow the format for books, but include the illustrator’s name in addition to the author’s name. Both names are included because the author and illustrator of a children’s book work together creatively to tell the story. A children’s book illustrator helps create the entire work.
Although other types of books may include illustrations, these illustrations generally have a different purpose. For example, a young adult novel may include decorative illustrations, but the essence of the book would usually remain without them, meaning the purpose is supportive. Likewise, a textbook may include illustrations such as medical diagrams or photographs, but the purpose is functional. Thus, only the authors, not any illustrators, appear in references for young adult novels or textbooks.
You do not need to provide series titles or numbers for children's books which are part of a series.
There is no test for whether a book is a “children’s book.” Some cases may be ambiguous, and you will need to use your judgment when referencing these sources.
Children's books with an author and illustrator
Reference
When an illustrator is prominently credited (i.e. on the cover), include the illustrator’s name after the title. Provide the illustrator’s name or names and the abbreviation “Illus.” in brackets, separated with a comma. The name of the illustrator of the book needs to be formatted slightly differently, with their initial before their surname.
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Initials. Illustrator of book, Illus.). Publisher.
Davies, N. (2012). Just ducks! (S. Rubbino, Illus.). Walker.
In-text citation
If you mention the title of the artwork in your sentence, use italics for this.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
In Just ducks! (Davies, 2012) this technique is used to...
Davies (2012) uses this technique to...
Children’s books written and illustrated by the same person
Reference
When the author and illustrator are the same, credit that person twice: once as author and once as illustrator. Note that the name needs to be formatted slightly differently for the illustrator component, with their initial before their surname.
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Initials. Illustrator of book, Illus.). Publisher.
Garton, S. (2015). Otter loves Halloween (S. Garton, Illus.). Balzer & Bray.
In-text citation
If you mention the title of the artwork in your sentence, use italics for this.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
In Otter loves Halloween (Garton, 2019, p. 6) the characters are shown...
Garton (2019) describes this...
Republished children's books
Reference
Classic children’s books are often republished. If you are using a republished version, include the year of this version in the main date element of the reference, and include the original year of publication at the end of the reference in brackets. When the republication is part of an anniversary edition or other special edition, include the edition information in brackets after the title and after information about the illustrator. Adjust the wording as needed to reflect the information on the work.
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Initials. Illustrator of book, Illus., edition details if applicable). Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Kerr, J. (2020). Mog the forgetful cat (J. Kerr, Illus., 50th anniversary ed.). HarperCollins. (Original work published 1970)
In-text citation
If you mention the title of the artwork in your sentence, use italics for this.
In-text citations for republished works require both the initial publication and republication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
In Mog the forgetful cat (Kerr, 1970/2020, p. 11) the pet cat is depicted as...
Kerr (1970/2020) shows her central character...
Children's books which have been translated
Reference
If the book has been translated from another language, include the name of the translator in the reference. This should be placed after the illustrator details, separated from them with a semicolon.
Author, Initials. (Year of translated publication). Title of book (Initials, Illustrator name, Illus.; Initials, Translator name, Trans.). Publisher. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Minne, B. (2017). Witchfairy (C. Cneut, Illus.; L. Watkinson, Trans.). Book Island. (Original work published 2000)
In-text Citation
If you mention the title of the artwork in your sentence, use italics for this.
In-text citations for translated works require both the initial and translated publication dates, in numerical order.
For information about the use of page numbers within in-text citations, please see our guidance here.
In Witchfairy (Minne, 2000/2017) this is shown by...
Minne (2000/2017, p. 10) demonstrates this by...
Anthologies including poetry
An individual poem from an anthology should be referenced in the same way as a chapter in an edited ebook or print book.
A whole anthology by single or multiple authors should be referenced in the same way as an ebook or print book with single or multiple authors.
Use the editor(s) as the author part of your reference and citation, and use your sentence to mention the poet or author by name if required, as shown in the example below.
Reference
Bell, I. (Ed.). (2006). Selected poems. Penguin.
In-text Citation
In this poem Donne uses the technique to... (Bell, 2006, p. 57)
Plays and scripts
Reference
Most modern plays and scripts should be referenced in the same way as books.
If you are using a copy of a play or script which has been republished or reprinted, such as a classical play (e.g. a recent edition of a Shakespeare play), please follow the specific guidance for these.
If you are using a live performance of a play as a source, see the guidance here.
In-text Citation
Cite the act, scene, and line(s).
(Author, Date, Act.Scene.Lines).
In the following example, “1.3.36–37” refers to Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 36 and 37.
“In the meantime / let me be that I am and seek not to alter me” (Shakespeare, 1623/2008, 1.3.36–37)
Audiobooks
Audiobooks should be referenced in the same way as ebooks, but with the narrator added in brackets after the title, and the format noted in square brackets.
Reference
Author, Initials. (Year of publication). Title of book (Initials, Narrator name. Narr.) [Audiobook]. Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL
Haig, M. (2020). The midnight library (C. Mulligan, Narr.) [Audiobook]. Canongate Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Midnight-Library/dp/B085LJ5BVY/ref=zg_bs_audible_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TASMD30CT92VYXB369FX
If the audiobook was released in a different year to the text version, treat this as a republished ebook, adding the narrator in brackets after the title, and the format in square brackets.
Author, Initials. (Year of audiobook publication). Title of book (Initials, Narrator name. Narr.) [Audiobook]. Publisher. https://doi.org/ or URL. (Original work published Year of original publication)
Hodges, A. (2012). Alan Turing: The enigma (G. Griffin, Narr.) [Audiobook]. Audible Studios. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alan-Turing-The-Enigma/dp/B008E72LYY/ref=zg_bs_19394001031_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8FC86PJAFVVTB01PD3WC. (Original work published 1983)
In-text Citation
You can cite a specific part of an audiobook by providing a time stamp for the start of the section.
This was described as... (Haig, 2020, 16:22)
Hodges (2012, 2:33:00) describes...