CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A secret school, a dangerous gift and incredible journeys

Enter a breathtaking alternate world where dark forces are at work, enjoy a spellbinding adventure featuring witchfinders and a young Isaac Newton, join a real-life explorer on a spectacular mission to discover history’s most daring pioneers, and climb aboard for a steam train romp full of spooks, spectres and thrills in a sparkling new selection

Age 10 plus
Shadow Thieves
Peter Burns

IF you’re looking for a truly ‘epic’ read this summer, your journey’s end has to be Shadow Thieves, a brilliant blockbuster of a novel and first of a thrilling new middle grade series from author of ten critically acclaimed non-fiction sports books Peter Burns… whose secret dream of also writing children’s books has finally come true! Shadow Thieves, billed as Oliver Twist meets Ocean’s Eleven, is a heart-pounding adventure set in a breathtakingly imagined alternate world and stars a young shoe shiner and street thief called Tom Morgan who is propelled into a perilous, all-action adventure far, far away from all he has ever known on the mean streets of London.

Thirteen-year-old Tom and his friends scrape a living by shining shoes and picking pockets… until one day Tom’s pals are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse. Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tom lets himself be whisked away to the snowy Alps in a zeppelin. Swept into a thrilling world of danger and intrigue, the more secrets he learns about the Shadow League, the harder it becomes for Tom to leave. But there are dark forces at work and real danger is coming. Can Tom save his fellow pupils from disaster... and will he ever be able to get home again to rescue his friends? Inspired by a family holiday in Highland Perthshire, in a cottage surrounded by mountains and forests, Burns’ foray into the life of daring, brave and sometimes reckless Tom Morgan started to take shape. The result is rip-roaring debut which follows Tom’s journey from orphaned street kid to the heady, mysterious and privileged world of the Shadow League, and an adventure that explores class, community and the concept of identity, and plunges him into the dangers of a complex secret society. Destined to be every youngster’s must read!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Elixir
Lindsay Galvin and Kristina Kister

A SPELLBINDING adventure featuring witchfinders, mystery and a young Isaac Newton take centre stage in a thrilling and magical new tale from Lindsay Galvin, a former science teacher who has become one of our most exciting middle grade authors. The Elixir – a history lesson of fascinating facts wrapped up in a high-stakes adventure – blends mystery with elements of real science and the terrors of the plague, all set against the gripping backdrop of the 17^th century witch trials. Published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark, dyslexia-friendly format and given life and atmosphere by Kristina Kister’s fabulous illustrations, The Elixir is brimming with action, danger and powerful emotions. With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann Storer and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention. Ann has inherited her grandmother’s mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family’s apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers. But 17^th century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town. So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them? And will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for the talented young healer? Galvin’s richly descriptive writing, her vibrant imagination and her ability to deliver adventures full of peril, pathos and powerful messages has made her a go-to author and The Elixir has been perfectly blended for success both in homes and classrooms.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Incredible Journeys
Levison Wood and Sam Brewster

FROM our earliest ancestors in Africa to Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon, we humans have always been explorers. And now real-life explorer, adventurer and author Levison Wood has donned his trusty rucksack and is ready to take youngsters on a spectacular journey around the world to meet some of history's most daring pioneers. Wood specialises in documenting people and cultures in remote regions and post-conflict zones and his work has seen him leading expeditions on five continents so get ready to embark on twenty epic expeditions as he recounts true tales of exploration from the likes of Captain Cook, Charles Darwin, Christopher Columbus, the Vikings and Amelia Earhart. Incredible Journeys – brimming with Sam Brewster’s richly detailed colour illustrations – takes youngsters from the famous Silk Road and medieval pilgrimages to the Holy Land to fearless 19^th century American journalist and daring traveller Nellie Bly's trip around the world and recent missions to the Moon and the Mariana Trench. Along the way, Wood shares his own insights into adventuring, telling readers what it’s REALLY like to follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Illustrated with maps showing the routes and filled with detail bringing the cultures of each region to life, this is a book to treasure from one of our greatest living explorers.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £10.99)

Age 9 plus
Nature Heroes
Lily Dyu and Jackie Lay

DIVE into this inspirational collection of short stories celebrating twenty pioneers working with nature to save the world… and discover how the smallest of actions can make a difference. The natural world is a rich web of animals, plants and other organisms but this delicate balance is at risk, facing challenges such as climate change, pollution and destruction caused by humans. While the threat of the biodiversity crisis may feel impossible to overcome, individuals from all over the world have dared to fight for nature, and their astonishing stories prove that change really is possible. From cleaning up the mighty Mississippi and protecting the wonders of the Amazon rainforest to farming coral and inventing plastic alternatives made from seaweed, it only takes one person to stand up for their beliefs and inspire others to join them. And the message is that when we stand together, we can start to change the world. Written by Welsh author Lily Dyu, and with artwork by American illustrator Jackie Lay, Nature Heroes has been produced in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, these positive stories take readers around the world and introduce planet-saving trailblazers like Jane Goodall, Titouan Bernicot, Txai Suruí, Hamza Yassin, Sylvia Earle, Quannah Chasinghorse, Pierre Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez. The perfect gift for all aspiring nature activists!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
The Scream of the Whistle
Emily Randall-Jones

CLIMB aboard, take a seat, and get ready for a steam train romp full of spooks, spectres and thrills galore as Emily Randall-Jones, the 2024 Branford Boase-longlisted author of The Witchstone Ghosts, takes youngsters on a time-travel adventure. Twelve-year-old Ruby (Ru) is miserable. Her parents have split up, she’s finding it hard to accept, her brother Sam hardly leaves his room, and now she’s stuck her in her grandmother’s cottage in Melbridge, a creepy and long-dead railway village. One night, she decides to escape and follow the ancient train track home. But her journey has barely begun when she hears the eerie scream of a whistle and an old steam train appears out of the darkness. She can’t resist stepping aboard but it’s May Day Eve, when the veil between the worlds is thin, and Ru soon realises that she is on the ghost ride of her life! Prepare to meet spooky ghosts, a spine-chilling train conductor, oodles of child-friendly horror, and an intriguing helping of ancient English mythology… and enjoy every minute of the ride!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Secret Lives of Women Spies
Charlotte Philby

ARE you ready to step into a secret world of espionage? The Secret Lives of Women Spies – a collection of incredible true stories of daring and bravery from the most amazing female spies – is the debut children’s book of Charlotte Philby whose grandfather, Kim Philby, was the most infamous British double agent in history, betraying both his country and his friends. Inspired to find out about his clandestine world, author and spy watcher Charlotte Philby discovered that there were plenty of extraordinary and untold stories of courage, secrets and daring… and many involved female spies. From daredevil skiers delivering top-secret information and clever codebreakers taking down the world’s biggest criminals to brave undercover agents fighting alongside the French Resistance, these brave women hid in the shadows but now deserve to be in the spotlight. Featuring Edith Cavell, Elizebeth Friedman, Noor Inayat Khan and many more, the stories in this book explore the hope, courage, fear, loves and lives of these remarkable women. This informative and fascinating account includes top-secret spying info and imagined newspaper articles covering some of the most incredible spy stories. The book is also linked to the school curriculum as it explores interesting periods of history including the Second World War and is a perfect non-fiction read for middle grade youngsters.
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Elements of the Day
Samantha Lewis and Hao Hao

WHY is breakfast cereal magnetic? Could you turn wee into gold? How does sand help us see? The answers to all these questions have one thing in common – elements! Have fun, and discover amazing stories and fascinating facts with science writer and author Samantha Lewis as she takes readers on a learning journey through the periodic table. Lavishly illustrated by Chinese artist Hao Hao, Elements of the Day explores the science behind the elements that make every moment of the day possible. Elements are the building blocks that make up EVERYTHING we see, touch and taste. Youngsters will be amazed at how many there are to explore from the moment you wake up to the second you drift off to sleep (no matter how long past your bedtime it is!). Inside everything from cereal, cars and cakes to toilet paper, pencils and torches, Lewis introduces readers to the extraordinary elements that make their day. From the sunlight that wakens you in the morning to those wall decorations that glow in the dark at bedtime, every chapter of this brilliant book guarantees an ‘element’ of surprise!
(Red Shed, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Astrid and the Space Cadets:
Danger at the Black Lagoon!
Alex T. Smith

BLAST off on the third thrilling adventure with the supersonic Space Cadets! It’s another mission seemingly impossible for Astrid Atomic and her pals, Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink, in a new space outing with much-loved author and illustrator Alex T. Smith. This fast-paced, out-of-this-world, early reader series, which takes youngsters on wild, fun-filled journeys through the Milky Way, is filled with Smith’s bold, funny and quirky illustrations. Astrid Atomic is a six-year-old human girl but unlike other six-year-olds who go to bed to sleep, Astrid gets up again when the lights are off, the coast is clear and she hears the Space Cadet siren, puts on her Astrid uniform and blasts off on board the spaceship Stardust. And in this new adventure, Astrid and the gang are excited to help two scientists track down a mysterious, never before seen fish rumoured to be living on an underwater planet. But it isn’t long before things take a shocking turn when Astrid and the Space Cadets discover that they have been tricked… the scientists are actually infamous Intergalactic Sea Bandits! Can the gang catch the Sea Bandits and rescue the treasure? It’s going to prove a difficult job especially when they find themselves swallowed whole by one of the Guard Sharks! Ideal for kids who love all-action adventures and are ready to read by themselves.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Gordon Wins It All
Alex Latimer

GORDON the goose is back and he’s still honkingly funny! Gordon Wins It All is the third highly illustrated yarn in a hilarious debut chapter book series from bestselling author and illustrator Alex Latimer. Now Gordon, the meanest goose on earth, is trying to change his ways and be a good goose. The trouble is, it's really tricky to be kind and patient and good, especially when you’ve always been mean. But grumpy Gordon decides he wants to be good at EVERYTHING, so he arranges Grover Garden's first-ever grand tournament. He’s determined to win every event and prove he’s the best goose around, even if that means cheating with the help of his old friends at the Meanest Goose Society. But will Gordon’s selfish scheme be everything he dreamed of? Perfect for emerging readers, these funny tales of redemption and about finding the courage to change your ways are packed with laugh-out-loud edgy humour and brought to life by Latimer’s striking black and red illustrations on every page.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
My Magic Hamster: Cheeky Wishes
Leah Mohammed

WHAT little mischief-maker could resist a very naughty magic hamster? Children’s author Leah Mohammed has always loved stories with magic at their heart, and there’s lots of heart and magic to enjoy in this sparkling new series which includes two stories in each book and stars a mischievous hamster called Frank. Sana has always wanted a hamster but when she buys Frank, she gets a bit more than she'd bargained for. Because Frank is a special hamster… a magic hamster. In fact, he’s a very naughty magic hamster who keeps getting Sana into all kinds of trouble! Sana is thrilled when she discovers Frank can grant wishes. But she quickly learns magic isn’t as easy as it seems when Frank wishes her cool new bedroom into a hamster paradise. And in story number two, Animal Antics, Frank turns himself into a cat so he can play with the cats next door and gets into even more trouble! Can Sana find a way to get him back, or will Frank be stuck as a cat forever? Frank’s fun-filled adventures full of magic, mayhem and mischief look set to run and run!
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Wild Robot On The Island
Peter Brown

WHAT happens when the natural world collides with technology? Bestselling author and illustrator Peter Brown’s heartfelt novel, The Wild Robot, has become a modern classic since it was first published in 2016. Described by one critic as a ‘fable for our age,’ the story has been adapted as a major DreamWorks animation film starring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal and Kit Connor. And now little ones can venture into robot Roz’s wild world in this gorgeously illustrated picture book that brings to colourful life all the adventures in Brown’s much-loved book. Roz is not where she's supposed to be, she wasn’t designed to live in the wilderness. But when she washes up on a remote island, Roz must learn from the animal inhabitants and adapt to her new, natural surroundings. And before long, the seasons change and the island begins to feel like home. Filled with Brown's stunning artwork, this moving picture book – which gently explores important themes like caring for the environment, motherhood and technology – is the perfect gift for readers new to the modern classic or for long-time fans of the series that sparked a global phenomenon. An unmissable tale of our times!
(Piccadilly Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Robin Hood
Bethan Woollvin

THERE will be guaranteed smiles all round when big-hearted youngsters head off into the woods alongside a rebel with a cause! Multi-talented author and illustrator Bethan Woollvin – beloved for her uniquely humorous twist on classic fairy tales – performs more of her picture book magic in this fiercely funny adventure starring Robin Hood, a fabulous gender-flipped, fearless and feisty heroine. In the heart of the woods by the oldest oak tree, you might find a fierce little girl. Her name is Robin Hood, and she is about to go on a rollicking adventure full of mischief and mayhem. The Sheriff is taking something from everybody – from the farms, the village and the forest itself! Can Robin protect her people from the thieving Sheriff? With striking graphic artwork in a vibrant palette of black, grey, red, and two shades of green, Woollvin’s bold, daring and comical reimagining of the traditional English folktale conveys important messages about  being brave and standing up for what's right. The perfect book to empower your daughters!
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
I Hear The Trees
Zaro Weil and Junli Song

‘I love you says the sea to the Earth
As Earth says I love you to Everyone.’

JOURNEY into the wilds of Mother Earth with this enchanting collection of ‘untamed poems’ which celebrate nature and the beauty of the world around us. Written by France-based Zaro Weil – whose poems appear in many anthologies and magazines – and colourfully illustrated by Junli Song, who works across a range of media, I Hear The Trees is full of dazzling words and pictures.  Sigh as a mother wolf teaches her cub how to howl, laugh with bamboozled berries and a ruby-wonderful beet, feel the thrill of Tyranno’s terrifying tale and play with ten on-the-run haiku mice. Young imaginations will soar as a hullabaloo of creatures and plants, moon, sun and stars make their way word by word and picture by fantastical picture into readers’ hearts. Ideal as a teaching tool in schools, and guaranteed to encourage children of every age to explore the power, enchantment and sheer wonder of poetry and nature.
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £14.99)

Age one plus
Is Dot in the Tree?
Camilla Reid and Carly Gledhill

ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with the latest in a gorgeous interactive hide-and-seek board books series starring the adorable animal character Dot. Written by Camilla Reid – a writer and deviser of award-winning books for early years children, including the much-loved Pip and Posy stories – this delightful Dot & You series features easy-to-use push and pull tabs, eye-catching neon colour detail by illustrator Carly Gledhill, and a surprise mirror ending which puts the young reader into the centre of the story. And there’s lots of fun and smiles to be had along the way as youngsters try to find out where Dot is hiding. Is Dot on the box, on the rug, in the shed maybe? These delightful Dot books are part of a range of joyful pre-school books by author Reid, and teamed with Gledhill’s distinctive and stylish illustrations, they are the perfect introduction to the joys of reading for your babies and toddlers.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
First Stories: The Jungle Book
Illustrated by Miriam Bos

WATCH little faces light up as they enjoy a bright and colourful interactive introduction to Rudyard Kipling’s classic story The Jungle Book. Push, pull and slide the scenes to bring the wild adventures of Mowgli to life and meet his famous animal character friends like Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear. This sturdy board book is the perfect introduction for toddlers who like to play as they read, with a gentle rhyming text, easy-to-handle mechanisms on every spread and the fun of spotting the bee that buzzes across every double-page spread. This much-loved classic, and its host of animal characters, has been beautifully imagined and brought to vivid life for a new generation by illustrator Miriam Bos. And as an added extra, youngsters can listen along to an audio recording of the story by scanning the QR code on the back cover.
(Campbell Books, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
Banana, Banana, Banana!
Sarah Finan

HOW many ways can you eat a banana? Little ones will love mashing, mixing and munching their way through Banana, Banana, Banana!, the second title in Post Wave’s Food, Food, Food! pre-school board book series which introduces little ones to favourite foods and all the tasty ways they can be eaten. Star of the story is a baby who wants only one thing to eat… bananas, bananas, bananas! Mashed in a bowl, mixed with porridge, smothered in honey… always yummy. Written and illustrated by award-winning designer and illustrator Sarah Finan, this bright and bold book has a sweet rhyming text, vibrant artwork and clever peep-through pages. With rounded corners and sturdy pages, the book is ideal for little hands and is a joy to read aloud. A delicious treat that will be relished again and again and again!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

The Tarot Reader of Versailles

Anya Bergman

WHEN two young women – both born with the extraordinary gift of ‘sight’ – become caught up in the terrors of the French Revolution, they discover that their fates could be forged or broken by the simple turn of a card.

Thrilling tales of rogue women practising their ‘dark arts’ in times of mortal danger are always destined to be a winner and Irish writer Anya Bergman (pictured below) – author of spellbinding bestseller The Witches of Vardø set in 17th century Norway – finds new and rich territory for her dazzling storytelling talents in the blood-soaked streets of Paris, and the untamed countryside of rural Ireland.

Encompassing both Revolutionary France and the Great Rebellion in Ireland, The Tarot Reader of Versailles is a sweeping, fantasy-fuelled tale of allegiances, betrayals, love and intrigue, and was inspired by the amazing true story of Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand who famously set up her own secret – and illegal – tarot salon in Paris where she read the cards for both royalists and radical revolutionaries like Robespierre, Marat and Saint-Just.

Her story was one which Bergman – who has been reading tarot cards professionally for over thirty years – felt compelled to write as she has long been curious about Lenormand’s rise from a poor orphan girl raised in a Normandy convent to the most sought-after fortune teller not just in Paris but amongst the royal residents of the Palace of Versailles.

Add on the author’s fascination with the little-known Irish involvement in the French Revolution, and the growth of the United Irishmen in Paris which eventually led to French troops invading Ireland during the Great Rebellion of 1798, and you have a pulsating plot packed with peril, passion, magic and intrigue.

Raised in a Normandy convent, orphan girl Lenormand always knew that she had a special talent which would take her far from the oppression of her early life… by reading her tarot cards, she can see what the future holds and commune with the dead. Her mother’s spirit has assured her that her destiny lies in Paris and that her future is bright, and after bribing a coachman to take her to the glittering city, she soon establishes herself as a tarot card reader and although her trade is illegal, her growing list of privileged clients keep her out of jail because ‘who would risk disclosure of the secrets they have shared with her?’

With ardent revolutionaries and the aristocracy alike seeking her out to divine their fortunes, Lenormand is soon reading the cards at the Palace of Versailles where she is fiercely loyal to Queen Marie Antoinette and her young son Louis Charles, the dauphin of France. But Lenormand has seen the queen’s future in the cards and must take care that it doesn’t become her own. And then, one fateful day, she comes across Cait Molloy, a scullery maid from County Kerry who has travelled to Paris in search of her love, a young Irishman looking to garner French support for a rebellion back home in Ireland.

Cait has powers, too… she can read people’s pasts just as Lenormand can read their futures. The two women share an electrifying connection, drawn to each other’s abilities but Cait is hiding something. And when the Terror of the French Revolution takes hold, what will she do – and who will she betray – to bring revolution to the shores of her own beloved Ireland? And will the women’s supernatural ‘powers’ save them… or damn them?

Travelling back in time to the opulence and excesses of the glittering Palace of Versailles was always going to be a thrill ride but The Tarot Reader of Versailles is also a fantastical adventure full of simmering Sapphic romance and dangerous necromancy… all powered to perfection by Bergman’s evocative storytelling and breathtaking scene-setting.

Fate and fortune prove to be the most important drivers in this heady and compulsive exploration of violent uprisings in two countries which might be many miles apart but together face the ever-growing threat of explosive discontent and the compulsive, unstoppable desire for irrevocable change. Caught up in the epic struggle are two bold and brave women in possession of dangerous powers which could see them facing a death sentence if they make one false move. With their destinies linked, they must negotiate a path first through the salons of Versailles and then through the heady but deadly events of the French Revolution and the Great Rebellion in Ireland.

Plunged into the centre of palace politics, magic and mystery, Lenormand and Cait find themselves adrift in a world turned upside down, struggling with the tensions of an unspoken love for each other, torn apart by betrayal, and facing a future that even the tarot cards cannot foretell. With lashings of seductive mysticism, layers of rich and intoxicating historical detail, and set against the bone-chilling, blood-curdling terrors of the French Revolution, and the darkest of days in restless Ireland, this is a gripping tale of female empowerment you won’t want to miss!
(Manilla Press, hardback, £16.99)

Some of Us Are Liars

Fiona Cummins

TRAGEDY, betrayal and the simmering menace of long-held resentments are just some of the delicious ingredients that combine to make Essex-based writer Fiona Cummins’ gripping new thriller one of this summer’s best reads.

Some of Us Are Liars is the third book starring Cummins’ brooding, anti-hero detective Saul Anguish, a complex man whose deeply emotional and empathetic skills have won the hearts and minds of readers in his two previous outings, Into the Dark and All Of Us Are Broken.

Set against the backdrop of a terrible tragedy, and the slow unfurling of a family’s hidden history, deceptions and secrets, this tension-packed new case for young Detective Constable Anguish comes with Cummins’ now trademark ‘never saw it coming’ twist which will leave readers gasping for breath. When Jen Miller entrusts her youngest child – four-year-old Teddy – to the care of her beloved sisters for ‘the party to end all parties’ in celebration of Jen’s recent wedding, their parents’ golden wedding and her youngest sister’s fortieth birthday, she has no idea of the devastating tragedy that is about to unfold.

The lavish party is in the hands of Jen’s eldest sister, the renowned beauty and global superstar Winter Kellaway, who is pulling out all the stops at her luxurious beachside estate in Essex after filming a lucrative television series. Winter (real name Deborah) has always been generous to a fault to her two sisters, Jen and youngest sibling Alyssa, telling them, ‘All for one and one for all.’

And so the decorations are flawless, the champagne is on ice and the guests start arriving for what Winter promises will be ‘the greatest weekend of our lives.’ But one misstep will have heartbreaking consequences that will rock this close-knit family to their core. With her life in pieces, how can Jen ever begin to forgive?

Enter Saul, the brilliant but tormented Essex police detective who is called in to investigate and uncovers a long-buried and shocking family secret. As the trail to find the truth takes a dramatic turn, they must now all face the reality that you can never truly leave the past behind…

Cummins (pictured above) a former journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy, delivers one of her most intriguing and heart-rending thrillers yet… a deep, dark, devastating and immaculately plotted tale full of powerful emotions, unique and compelling characters, and nail-biting suspense.

With a drip-feed of shocking revelations, a sense of dread that permeates every page, and a mystery that explores some of humanity’s shadowy corners, Some of Us Are Liars is an unforgettable whodunit and destined to be another winner for an exciting author.
(Macmillan, hardback, 18.99)

No Man’s Land

Simon Gaul

ONE heist, one ocean, two men… historical fact and fiction is always a heady mix and Simon Gaul – a writer, businessman and ocean traveller – puts his own dazzling spin on this compulsive conspiracy theory thriller which blends a real-life, unsolved art robbery with a white-knuckle survival adventure.

It’s 35 years since the notorious theft of thirteen priceless works of art – including a Vermeer, Rembrandts, Flinck and a Manet – from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston during the early hours of the St Patrick’s Day revelries in March of 1990.

Security guards had admitted two men posing as policemen and claiming that they were responding to a disturbance call. The thieves then bound the guards and looted the museum over the next hour. The case remains unsolved, no arrests have been made, and no works of art have ever been recovered.

Harnessing this slice of intriguing crime history, Gaul (pictured below) brings readers No Man’s Land, an action-packed thriller – with a cast of brilliantly drawn characters – and a haunting portrait of a disappearing American frontier as he weaves together themes of survival, redemption and the brutal price of silence.

Stunned by the heist at the Boston museum, which has seen the theft of works of art valued at hundreds of millions of dollars by the FBI and art dealers, museum officials offer a $10million reward for information leading to the art’s recovery, the largest bounty ever offered by a private institution. But with no leads for the police to follow, it seems as though the priceless works have all but evaporated into a bleak New England night.

Meanwhile, on the South Fork of Long Island – one hundred and fifty miles away – Jake Dealer is amongst the last of a three-hundred-year tradition of America’s seafaring history. A fisherman born with an innate ability to read the Atlantic’s unforgiving waters, from which he ekes out a living, his horizons are defined only by his family and the ocean. But a plot has been set in motion in Boston – where money and power hold different meanings – and it is set to change the course of Jake’s life. And when, in the wake of a devastating tragedy, Jake is unwittingly ensnared in the greatest unsolved art theft in history, he’s left fighting to cling on to the only certainties he has ever known.

Gaul charts new territory in the American literary seascape, creating an unforgettable portrait of both a vanishing way of life and the depths of human resilience as he asks just how far will someone go to protect what matters most.

It’s the story of one of history’s most daring, and still unsolved, robberies brought to life through powerful and imaginative storytelling, an exploration of the dying days of America’s maritime traditions, and a brilliant intertwining of fact and fiction. Addictive reading from first to last!
(Whitefox Publishing, hardback, £20)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Words of comfort, a secret world and puzzles galore

Cuddle up close and discover comfort, warmth and reassurance with a stunning book of uplifting poems, discover the magical world that lies beneath your feet, enjoy a new graphic novel series which blends storytelling and puzzling, and meet the hidden heroes of science in a super summertime selection 

Age 7 plus
Words Can Fly
Donna Ashworth and
Eirinn McGuinness

‘No matter your fear, no matter your worry
Reading this book will calm your hurry
And remind you that magic’s around you right now
Settle down, get comfy, I’ll show you how…’ 

FIND comfort, warmth and reassurance with this glorious book of mindful and uplifting poems for children from bestselling author Donna Ashworth who wholeheartedly believes in the power of poetry to better everyone’s mental health and clear space within our minds. Words Can Fly – billed as a toolkit for the heart and mind – aims to serve as a compassionate guide through the journey of childhood and with the stunning illustrations of Eirinn McGuinness on every page, and a luxurious cloth cover adorned with gold foil, this dazzling book is the perfect gift for any parent to share with their child. Each poem explores what is most important in young lives – family, friendships, school and the world around us – and  encourages a growth mindset that fosters empathy and builds resilience. Through the heartfelt verses, children are inspired to celebrate their unique identities, embrace curiosity, connect and share ideas with their family, and discover the transformative power of kindness and compassion. As Ashworth herself notes, ‘poetry is permission to feel everything we as humans are absolutely supposed to, knowing we are not alone, never alone. Poetry is not folly for the fancy; it is using words to shift perspectives, heal wounds and let in light again.’ A timeless addition to any young reader's bookshelf, Words Can Fly is a treasure trove of verse that will be cherished, revisited and shared for years to come.
(Templar Books, hardback, £16.99) 

Age 12 plus 
Letters from Wonderland
Josie George and Becky Thorns 

‘I am a little strange, but warm like porridge and sunshine. I grow things and find treasures. I know the names of the birds and the trees. My body and my mind work differently to most. I am full of surprises. Will you join me?’ 

HERE'S a book that lets readers into a dazzling and delightful secret… in the cracks between the pavements, in overgrown gardens and down amongst the weeds, there’s a magical world just waiting to be discovered! Follow the trail, see the world with new eyes and find the confidence to forge your own path with Letters from Wonderland… a unique book that is part mystery, part guide, and part manifesto for hope. Written by Josie George – author of the acclaimed memoir A Still Life, a well-being influencer and a regular columnist for the Guardian Country Diary – this collection of sumptuously illustrated letters leads readers on a journey into the magical, mindful and mysterious places that exist in neglected urban spaces, upturned flower pots and the deepest, darkest corners of nature. Becky Thorns, an illustrator based in Cornwall, provides the beautifully detailed artwork as the collection of letters take us on a journey of discovery into witchy, wonderful Wonderland which exists outside of stories and which is waiting for you… and needs you. If where you live feels grey and boring, if you’ve ever felt different or alone, doubted yourself or wondered if you really matter, if you’ve found yourself feeling sad that magic isn’t ‘real’ or longed to feel like someone special in a real story, this book is the perfect breath of fresh air.
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99) 

Age 7 plus
Pandora in Puzzlevale: The Secret Town
Paul Duffield, Siobhan McKenna and Poqu 

IF you have a yearning for an addictively intriguing and brain-bending comic book full of puzzles and adventure, look no further than this new graphic novel series which features an exciting interactive blend of storytelling and puzzling. The creation of Paul Duffield, Siobhan McKenna and Poqu, and straight from the pages of The Phoenix comic, the star of the series is mystery-mad Pandora who enters the strange and mysterious town of Puzzlevale after losing her parents at a petrol station and will need to solve riddles, puzzles and brain-bending clues to be reunited with them. With the help of the residents of Puzzlevale and Detective Crow, Pandora will unearth the truth. But to do this she needs YOU to become part of the story and assist her in discovering what is hidden. With its interactive storytelling, all the magic of a Studio Ghibli film, stunning artwork, and puzzles to keep eager eyes occupied, Pandora’s adventures are guaranteed to keep youngsters glued to every page!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £10.99) 

Age 7 plus
The Hidden Heroes of Science 
Peter Gallivan, Robbie Cathro and The Royal Institution 

SCIENTIFIC knowledge is full of trailblazers who made some of the world’s most important discoveries… think Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Marie Curie. But now it’s time to meet the lesser-known, unnamed heroes who contributed to some of the miraculous things we find all around us but have been missing from the spotlight. If you ever find yourself curious about who created the science behind some of our most impressive structures or wonder who it was that invented the equipment you find in your classroom, you need wonder no more. This groundbreaking book covers all the lost names connected to the most important scientific discoveries and it’s thanks to the boffins at The Royal Institution – world leaders in science – who have partnered DK books on this fascinating project. Find out who created coding and how on earth the Egyptian Pyramids were built so long ago and yet still look brand new. With an exciting introduction to lesser-known scientific figures such as Maria Merian, Gregor Mendel and Percy Julian, inspirational stories from pioneering scientists who faced adversity, and background on the unsung innovators who paved the way for modern advancements, this is fun and learning all the way.
(DK Children, hardback, £14.99) 

Age 7 plus
Supa Nova
Chanté Timothy

PUT some colour, fun, dynamism and oh yes, whisper it, a bit of scientific knowledge, into your youngsters’ reading with this new graphic novel series from a rising star in children’s books. Chanté Timothy, an illustrator who loves experimenting with movement, vibrant colour, character design and storytelling, brings us Supa Nova, a young Black girl who is bold, got brains, and is soaring high with her fun-filled adventures. Meet Nova! She’s a scientist. Some people say she’s a genius. Some people even call her Supa Nova… get it? Like a supernova. Basically she’s a huge star, exploding right at you with her adventures. When Nova invents a plastic-eating monster, she thinks she has solved the world’s pollution problem. What she doesn’t expect is to see is Chomp, her monster, rampaging through the city and eating everything in sight. Can Nova find a way to save the day, will the world’s plastic problem ever be under control, and can she keep her big sister Cassi out of her secret lab? It will take a genius to figure it out! Zinging with colour, fizzing with energy, and full of invention and creativity, the adventures and antics of Super Nova are set to make for an explosive series!
 (Nosy Crow, paperback, £8.99) 

Age 4 plus
Punch! A Story about Kindness
Michael Hall 

WHEN Badger hurts his friends, do they hurt him back… or do they do something completely unexpected? Creator of numerous acclaimed picture books, American author and illustrator Michael Hall delivers a funny, clever and emotionally powerful lesson for little ones in this terrific tale of a troubled little Badger who turns to bullying. Badger, Frog, Moose, Elephant, and Bear are best friends. But when Badger experiences a personal loss and his emotions are too big to contain, he goes looking for trouble and takes his sadness out on his friends. He trips Frog, shoves Moose, kicks Elephant, and pokes Bear with a shovel. So Bear gathers the others, and they come up with a plan to teach Badger a lesson. Only that lesson is not what Badger – or readers – expect. In fact, Badger’s friends treat Badger with kindness, offering him what he needs the most to soothe his raw emotions… a surprising turn of events that Badger takes to heart when Bear needs a little comfort in return. In a world where it's easy to punch back, Badger's friends choose to patch things up and teach him an unforgettable lesson about empathy, kindness, and forgiveness. Illustrated in Hall’s signature cut-paper collages, Punch! is packed with inventive wordplay, rhythm, repetition, homonyms, suspense and action… and is ideal for little ones navigating their own big emotions!
(Greenwillow Books, hardback, £12.99) 

Age 4 plus
The Bear Out There
Jess Hannigan 

KNOCK, knock! Before you can even ask who’s there, you need to know that there’s a BEAR OUT THERE! Canadian illustrator and author Jess Hannigan has lots of scary fun with a brilliant picture book full of her bold graphic artwork and a story that is an absolute scream. Enjoy the tension, don’t scream, but be aware that there’s something scary out in the forest. Fortunately you’re in good hands in this delightful fairy tale twist from the multi-tasking Hannigan, author of the wryly silly debut picture book Spider in the Well. Just make sure you keep a cool head, and watch out for any intruders. You’re lucky to be safe in this cabin in the woods, with a host who is level-headed, trustworthy, and smart about bear safety. There’s certainly no need to worry about any dark shadows or sneaky schemes in this book…RIGHT? With a wildly wonderful and brazen tale that’s not too silly, not too scary, but just right, and a reassuring final discovery that will have little ones giggling, this is another picture book winner from an exciting new talent.
(Quill Tree Books, hardback, £12.99) 

Age 3 plus
Follow the Swallow
Julia Donaldson and Thomas Docherty 

THE seasons might change… but friendships stay strong and true! Multi-award-winning author Julia Donaldson’s classic picture book story about the friendship between a swallow and a blackbird makes a welcome return in this new edition with the stunning and brightly coloured illustrations of award-winning artist Thomas Docherty. Chack the blackbird and Apollo the swallow are friends. But when Apollo tells Chack that he will soon be flying to Africa, Chack doesn’t believe him. And when Chack tells Apollo that the blossom on his favourite tree will one day turn into orange berries, Apollo doesn't believe him either! But as the seasons change and autumn arrives, Chack and Apollo are both in for a big surprise! Little ones will love joining Chack and Apollo on a round-the-world adventure meeting a host of other creatures in this delightfully funny story. With a cast of birds, dolphins, camels and crocodiles, an adventure brimming with heat and humour, this beautiful book is destined to fly off the shelves!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99) 

Age 2 plus
Kerfuffle Bird
Helen Docherty and Gwen Millward 

MEET the Hushling family... they’re quiet, ever so polite and prefer to keep their feelings tightly shut away. They all seem happy with this arrangement… well, all except Maeve who secretly longs to let some of her Big Feelings out! Will the arrival of a VERY noisy bird change everything for the Hushlings or will silence reign once more? Bestselling author and illustrator duo, Helen Docherty and Gwen Millward, raise the roof and the tempo with this joyful and fun-filled story about self-expression which will have youngsters giggling and guffawing at the frantic antics of the adorably chaotic Kerfuffle Bird. When the noisy Kerfuffle Bird hatches in Hushville, it shatters the peace of their quiet community, but Maeve is overjoyed to have someone to whoop and shriek with. And when Kerfuffle Bird’s squawking and flapping, warbling and wild jigs become too much for the Hushlings, they discover the importance of expressing their feelings. Millward’s wildly energetic illustrations are the perfect match for Docherty’s riotously funny, rhyming story about introversion and extroversion, and how to strike a healthy balance between expressing yourself and taking time out to rest and recharge. Guaranteed to win the hearts of readers young and old, quiet… and not so quiet!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99) 

Age 2 plus
The Rock Family Band
Robert Tregoning and Laura Brenlla

GET ready to rock with a family that likes to make a CRASH wherever they go… but spare a thought for youngest member Sam who much prefers to live a quiet life! Award-winning author Robert Tregoning teams up with star illustrator Laura Brenlla on this loud and lovely picture book story about accepting your family for who they are… despite your differences. Meet the Rocks... Dad is a rock guitarist, Pops is the singer, Liv is the drummer, and Bo is keyboardist and writes the lyrics. Oh, and Nan and the dog are in the band too. It’s a household of big shoes, big hair, and GLAM ROCK. Except for youngest child, Sam. Sam is a flautist who likes peace, quiet and classical music. He doesn't feel like he fits in and he’s dreading his end-of-year school recital. Can he trust his family to sit and listen? But when stage fright hits, maybe Sam’s rocking, grooving, clanging family might be just what he needs. Tregoning, winner of the Indie Book Awards 2024, celebrates individuality, the joys and comforts of family bonds and the importance of accepting difference in this exuberant story which springs to glorious life through Brenlla’s gallery of colourful, vibrant and high-octane illustrations. A musical masterpiece!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99) 

Age one plus
Weather Tots: Sunny Starts School & Breezy’s Beach Day
Caroline Crowe and Nia Gould 

RAIN or shine they’re here to play, what will the weather tots do today? Say hello to the Weather Tots, the lovable stars of a new series of picture books about a charismatic group of young weather characters who are discovering their incredible powers through fun-filled and informative adventures. Written by Caroline Crowe and illustrated by Nia Gould, this is the perfect series to intrigue young children to the different types of weather. 

First to shine is Sunny who has a rocky start to her first day at Weather School. She’s desperate to impress her classmates but – from melting Frosty’s frozen yoghurt to ruining Mizzle and Drizzle’s games by drying up the puddles in the playground – everything keeps going wrong. Will she get her chance to shine? And in Breezy’s Beach Day, the Weather Tots learn all about wind during their day at the beach! All the class are excited… except for Breezy. He accidentally blows over Sunny’s sandcastle and sprays sand into the sandwiches. But when it's time for a class trip on a sailing boat, can Breezy make it up to his friends? The Weather Tots don’t always realise the strength of their powers but their wise teacher, Professor Cloud, is always on hand to guide them. Set in a school environment, the stories and characters are highly relatable for young children and each, book includes a make-and-do activity at the end, linked with the story, and a weather fact from Professor Cloud. A series that’s forecast to be an all-weathers winner!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99 each)

Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages

Jenny Colgan

IT'S a small town that sits on the very northern edge of Britain – higher even than the Highlands – a place where the swirling waters of the Atlantic and the North Sea meet and do their best ‘to whack the earth to bits.’

If you have adored every minute of your reading time with Scottish author Jenny Colgan’s (pictured below)  dazzling novels, The Summer Skies and Close Knit, then get ready to fall in love again with Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages, set on her stunningly imagined island of Carso, an enchanting destination where romance, drama, heart and humour have a habit of ruling those crashing waves.

And there’s certainly plenty to enjoy in this new slice of Highland-flavoured, feel-good escapism which stars a newly divorced mother and her prickly daughter who freely admit to having a strained and complex relationship. Reunited by unexpected circumstances at a time when they are both feeling alone, adrift and looking for new beginnings, they are about to prove that home really is where the heart is. Fifty-five-year-old Janey Munroe has a lot to be grateful for… she has a beautiful cottage by the sea in Carso which she renovated herself, a job as an audiologist that she loves, two children, Essie and Alasdair, and a network of kind and supportive friends.

But since her husband left her for another woman, and after a bitter divorce, Janey had to find another smaller home on the island and her confidence has taken a nosedive. Her friends are eager for her to get on dating sites but for the first time in a long time, Janey is sailing ‘in peaceful waters’ and enjoying living alone. And then, out of the blue, her ‘funny-contrary’ 25-year-old daughter announces that she is moving back home. Janey loves Essie dearly but they only just made it out alive from her adolescence

Hessman’s Necklace

Nicholas Litchfield

BY the summer of 1957, Ray Stokes, an expert in ‘little matters like burglary, trickery, and cruelty,’ has become the most skilled cat burglar for Chicago mob boss Walter Cartwell. 

Walter is an underworld kingpin who relies on Ray to steal priceless artefacts from the homes of private collectors, and Ray has never let him down. As a result, Walter has amassed an incredible private museum filled with rare and precious objects lost to time.

Now, Walter has become fixated on obtaining a famous emerald-studded gold necklace that was stolen from a museum thirty years ago. It’s rumoured to be in the possession of the ‘eloquent and persuasive’ Reverend Arnold Sinclair, a clergyman in South Boston.

But the ‘boyishly handsome’ reverend is not the virtuous spiritual leader he appears to be… he is, in fact, a ‘habitual thief and philanderer’ with a ‘beautiful mistress,’ a ‘church vault full of lost treasures,’ and an ‘endless supply of money and merchandise and willing buyers.’ Readers who enjoy retro thrillers featuring unique characters, witty dialogue, relentless suspense, and exciting action will be captivated by Hessman’s Necklace, an exceptional noir novel by author Nicholas Litchfield.

This is the third novel by Litchfield (pictured left), a writer currently living in Western New York but whose roots trace back to the UK. In addition to penning gripping novels, Litchfield has written insightful introductions to twenty-three fiction collections, exploring the shadowy realms of noir and mystery from the notorious eras of the 1940s, ‘50s, and ’60s.

His latest book is an enthralling caper set in the late 1950s against a backdrop of gritty streets, diners, and seedy motels, and featuring an unscrupulous scoundrel who readers can’t help but root for.

Our roguish protagonist, Ray, has a reputation as a ladies’ man. Walter considers him ‘a sort of aphrodisiac’ to women, noting that ‘the Chicago River is mostly made up of the tears of broken-hearted young beauties who still pine for you.’ As such, Walter believes Ray is the ideal person to send to Boston to exploit a potential flaw in the reverend’s trafficking operation… Merriam Woolcroft, the church secretary. Outwardly, Merriam is a ‘sweet, angelic-faced young

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A magical mystery, relic hunting and an epic game

Fly high with a fantasy series set in a magical but dangerous world, join a thrills-and-spills race to find hidden treasure in an ancient land, test your mind and your mettle in a heart-racing gaming adventure, and meet a young footballer battling problems in her home life in a glittering new selection

Age 9 plus
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow
Jessica Townsend

WHEN an author’s debut children’s series wins the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the film rights are sold to Fox, you know that here is a writer with that special magic touch… and magic is certainly what you get in the joyful and wildly imaginative Nevermoor adventures. Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow is the fourth book in the series and once again showcases the talents of its creator, Jessica Townsend, who lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and admits to a fascination with – among others – ancient cities, Halloween, opera singers and secret societies. Our leading lady is Morrigan Crow who was cursed and destined to die on her eleventh birthday until, when the clock struck midnight, she was whisked away to the secret city of Nevermoor and invited to join the Wundrous Society. Mystery, magic and protection could now be hers… if only she can pass four impossible trials, using an exceptional talent. In her new adventure in Nevermoor, long-buried secrets are coming to light, and Morrigan’s life is about to turn upside down.

Invited into Nevermoor’s wealthy Silver District, she discovers a world of extravagance and a family mystery she’s eager to unravel. But she could never imagine where it will lead… a white wedding, a golden dragon and a red pool of blood. Embroiled in suspicion and danger, Morrigan leaps head first into a murder investigation, while also grappling with her ever-growing Wundersmith powers. And although her friends are there to help, she fears that could change if they learn she is keeping a terrible secret of her own. As shadowy forces awaken in Nevermoor, can Morrigan find a killer and solve the mystery in her own past ... before the clock strikes midnight?Youngsters will be turning the pages at top speed as they meet up again with the delectable Morrigan as she faces a perilous choice in the dazzling but dangerous world of Nevermoor. Sprinkled liberally with humour, drama, warm-hearted fun and incredible world-building, the thrilling adventures of Morrigan Crow continue to fly high in a spectacular series.
(Orion Children’s Books, hardback, £16.99)

Age 9 plus
The Amulet of Hath
Vashti Hardy and Rebecca Sheerin

THINK Indiana Jones with a big serving of steampunk and a delicious helping of archaeology, and you have the second thrills-and-spills adventure in bestselling author Vashti Hardy’s fantastic world-building Relic Hunters series. With her prodigiously inventive imagination and storytelling talents, Hardy delivers another reading treasure with action at every turn, the richly detailed illustrations of Rebecca Sheerin, and an adorable cast of characters as we step into a spectacular steampunk world of wonders and fantastical technology. In this new mission for Mabel and Will Greystone – led by their Aunt Lucy, a famous relic hunter – the siblings embark on an action-packed race to find lost gold. A long-lost amulet holds the secret to finding the ancient land of Hath and its hidden treasures. But just as Aunt Lucy is about to retrieve it, the amulet falls into the hands of nefarious glory hunter Byron Cogsworth. Now the race is on to be the first to uncover the location of Hath and its gold. But how can Mabel and Will help their aunt when they only have access to half of the clues, and can they stop Cogsworth before his dirty tricks lead to the treasure being lost for ever? Produced in a super readable format, and especially suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers, The Amulet of Hath is an exhilarating reading experience, full of amazing inventions, bold characters, and intriguing mysteries, and is an exciting addition to a brilliantly entertaining and educational fantasy series.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Escape Room: Game Zero
Christopher Edge

ARE you ready for the challenge of a brain-twisting, heart-racing, high-stakes adventure that will test both your mind and your mettle? Enter Christopher Edge’s gripping new Escape Room mission and join a daring young girl faced with the ultimate game of jeopardy in a world packed with puzzles and peril. Award-winning author Edge, who grew up in Manchester, likes nothing better than to set young minds in motion and he is back to enthral and educate readers with an edge-of-the-seat quest which pulses with danger and breathtaking challenges. When the sky turns black with a huge murmuration of birds, Eden thinks it’s the end of the world. But as the swirling flock forms an endlessly spinning circle, she is transported into The Escape. It’s the ultimate virtual escape room, a game no one else knows exists, where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. In this amazing world packed with puzzles, challenges and danger, she meets Ted. Together they travel through epic landscapes of forests, mountains and deserts, facing bigger and bigger obstacles as they search for the keys to unlock this world, progress to the next level, and reveal the secrets of The Escape. But what if she's not playing the game? Maybe the game is playing her... There is so much to enjoy in this fabulous middle grade novel as Edge fuses games, play and fun into one great big adventure full of surprises, suspense and mystery, and empowers children to be the heroes of their own stories. So what are you waiting for… it’s game on!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Seeing Red
Eve Ainsworth and Luna Valentine

BATTLING problems at home, young footballer Amelia risks her place in the squad when she lashes out at her team-mates in this warm-hearted and insightful sports tale, the third in the much-loved Lightmoor Lionesses series from acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth. The Carnegie Medal-nominated writer has used the exciting story of Lancashire’s real-life Dick, Kerr Ladies FC – the team of ordinary factory girls from Preston who made footballing history during the First World War – in her creative books. Seeing Red is a sensitively told, contemporary tale about a girl dealing with her parents’ marriage breakdown and her mother’s worsening mental health – and once again Ainsworth looks to female footballers as her inspiration. Football used to be a way for Amelia to escape when her parents were arguing, but now that her dad has moved out and her mum is struggling to cope, it’s just another source of stress. Amelia is late for practice while trying to help her mum and finds it hard to concentrate during important matches. Her Lightmoor Lionesses coach and team-mates are all worried about her, but it’s difficult to help when Amelia lashes out in anger. Can she find a way to get the support she needs before her temper pushes everyone away? Published in Barrington Stoke’s dyslexia-friendly format, the tale of Amelia’s troubled life promotes messages about kindness, empathy and teamwork, and includes helpful tips for managing anger. Luna Valentine’s heartfelt illustrations add extra emotive power and the story will certainly score a winning goal with football fans and any youngsters facing their own challenges both at home and on the sports field.

(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky
Pari Thomson and Elisa Paganelli

RETURN to the secret world where the wilderness is alive and the magic is real in the third and final epic adventure of the fabulous, prize-winning Greenwild debut series from Pari Thomson, editorial director for picture books at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Thomson’s aim was to write ‘a love letter to the beauty of the natural world’ and she ended up with this thrilling eco-adventure trilogy which has all the hallmarks of a Harry Potter-style classic and is brought to life by Elisa Paganelli’s stunning illustrations, delivering an alluring brand of botanical wizardry. Starring an intrepid young girl desperately trying to track down her missing mum, these spellbinding tales of magic and mystery are breathtaking in the sheer power of their world building, characterisation and imaginative storytelling.

With the support of the Iffenwilders and their mighty water magic, Daisy Thistledown and her friends are finally setting off to rescue the Botanists held prisoner in the heart of the Amazon rainforest… including Daisy's Ma. At her side is Max Marina, the boy king of the magical ocean kingdom of Iffenwild. But when an unexpected attack sends the rescue mission spinning off course, Daisy and Max are separated, and Max is shipwrecked on an impossible shore with no way of escape. Even Daisy's arrival in Amazeria – the stunning Amazonian pocket of the Greenwild, teeming with green magic – is in jeopardy as the mysterious Great Reaper draws ever closer. In the shadows of the great rainforest, it's impossible to know who to trust. Daisy and her friends must draw on every ounce of courage they have to fight for Daisy’s Ma, for the Greenwild, and for everything they hold most dear.

Thomson’s astonishing botanical wonders are a fantastical creation, the products of people who care deeply for a natural world that is wild and strange, but hidden inside these unforgettable escapades are real concerns about the future of our forests and oceans, and a joyful celebration of the magic, beauty and excitement that is out there in the wild if we only take the time to pause, enjoy it, and value it. Written in Thomson’s elegant, descriptive prose, and with an addictive sense of adventure, fantasy and fun, Greenwild is a fantastic finale to an exceptional trilogy which can be enjoyed and treasured by readers from nine to ninety!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Nautical: A Visual History of Boats
Matt Ralphs and Dieter Braun

HAUL up the anchor and get ready to sail the high seas as you embark on a spectacular visual journey through the glorious history of ships! Written by children's non-fiction author Matt Ralphs and illustrated by award-winning German artist Dieter Braun, who is recognised for the distinctive geometric worlds he creates, with a touch of retro aesthetic, this super-stylish book is a stunningly illustrated tribute to all things maritime, celebrating the ingenuity of boats, ships and submarines past, present and future. From the first canoe carved from a single tree trunk nearly 10,000 years ago, through to enormous warships capable of carrying over 75 aircraft, Nautical is packed full of daredevil explorers, bloodthirsty pirates and ingenious inventors, and the extraordinary vessels they designed, built and sailed, including Viking dragonboats, the Mary Rose, the Cutty Sark, RMS Titanic, and many more. The trip of a lifetime for maritime enthusiasts of every age, Nautical is the fourth book in a compelling, non-fiction series on vehicles which has included Automotive, Locomotion and Aviation.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age 7 plus
The Shell Keepers
Truly Johnston

ENTER a world of tiny people on a BIG mission to save our precious oceans! Truly Johnston, an exciting debut author of Sri Lankan and English heritage, gives full flow to her rich imaginative powers in an enchanting, sun-soaked adventure with all the magic and mystery of Mary Norton’s The Borrowers. When Corrine picks up a shell on the beach, she doesn’t expect to see a tiny girl inside it. Kauri lives below the sand and sea, travelling with her family on the tides. But now their miniature world is in danger, and they need a shell keeper to keep them safe. Johnston was winner of the Bath Children’s Novel Award in 2022 and this heart-warming tale about a family of miniature people cast adrift in the human world aims to open children’s minds to the magic of the world around us. With themes of belonging, identity, environment and activism, all beautifully wrapped up in a sunny adventure and a treasure hunt set in a coastal haven, is ideal for summertime reading.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Football Skills
Katie Daynes and Simon Tudhope

KICK off your sport-loving youngsters’ summer reading with this must-have manual covering all the football skills every fan and player needs to know. Featuring photographs of real young players, and shot on location at a Football Association ground, Football Skills has been written by Usborne author Katie Daynes in collaboration with professional footballers and the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card. Perfectly timed for this year’s UEFA Women’s Euros, the book combines photographs of a diverse range of talented boys and girls from Oadby Owls, a progressive Leicestershire football club with Fran Bueno’s colourful illustrations and instructions in a clear, concise and highly-visual format. Football fans can learn everything from perfecting their first touch to scoring the winning goal… with plenty of freestyling along the way. Difficulty ratings, top tips and a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion make this book the perfect way for everyone to enjoy the beautiful game.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Isadora Moon: Bumper Activity Book
Harriet Muncaster

JOIN half-vampire, half-fairy Isadora Moon – the much-loved creation of author and illustrator Harriet Muncaster – as she takes flight on a host of sparkly adventures in this bumper activity book packed with 100 spellbinding puzzles and magical ways to get creative! Brought to life by Muncaster’s trademark pink and black illustrations, this super-fun, sparkly book features activities to draw, colour in, and write about, all designed to promote numeracy and literacy skills, problem-solving, play and creativity. And with the adorable Isadora – complete with her fangs, wings and crazy family – leading the way, this is the perfect book for youngsters who enjoy their magic and sparkle with a bite!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £9.99)

Age 3 plus
The Tantrum
Louie Stowell and Isobel Lundie

WELCOME to a drama like no other at the Glade... a special woodland theatre where budding bards can hone their skills and discover that all the world’s a stage! The Tantrum is the second picture book in a brilliantly creative Shakesbearean Tales series from the top team of children’s author Louie Stowell and talented illustrator Isobel Lundie. These charming books, based on Shakespeare’s plays, introduce a cast of lovable animal characters and offer an endearing introduction to the world of theatre. So get ready for meltdowns and bawling bards as Bill Bear and his friends stage a new play at The Glade. But it’s not long before things start going wrong and Bill throws a full-blown tantrum which includes shaking fists, cries, howls and the gnashing of (bear) teeth! However can they stage the show now? Parents everywhere will identify with Bill’s friends as they try to calm him down and persuade him that the show must go on in this comical depiction of Bill and his huffy histrionics. Stowell’s comical and clever story encapsulates the ups and downs of dealing with drama of every kind while Lundie’s richly detailed illustrations bring The Glade Theatre and its actors to life. Add on a gentle introduction to the concept of theatre, a story split into three acts with a list of dramatis personae and a location map, plus a page of fun facts about William Shakespeare, his plays, and the Globe Theatre, and this is a production you won’t want to miss!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Snarky Sharky
Bethan Clarke and Nikolas Ilic

WATCH out, there’s a shark about and he’s a lean, mean snark machine! Children’s author Bethan Clarke and award-winning artist Nikolas Ilic have lots of bitingly witty pun fun in this laugh-out-loud picture book with a villainous anti-hero at its heart. Forget about small fry fish and meet Snarky Sharky… he claims to be the greatest fish on the reef. No fish can hide from his wicked wit. No clam is safe from his biting jokes. Can you handle this snappy customer? As the book is called Snarky Sharky, does he really need to explain what it's about? Told with tons of underwater puns and added snark from Clarke, and illustrated with Ilic’s dry humour, this is a brilliant story for anyone who has ever felt a little… well, snarky! Children will drown in giggles as they spot Snarky Sharky’s sarcastic side-eyes and exaggerated eye rolls, and will love exploring an underwater world packed with hilarious sea creatures. A picture book overflowing with fun!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Welcome
Alison Green and Axel Scheffler

CELEBRATE friendship and togetherness with this charming and joyful book from author Alison Green and illustrator Axel Scheffler, best known for his artwork in the Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog. Perfect for reading together, Welcome has a simple, appealing text and is full of Scheffler’s trademark adorable animal characters, seen here in everyday relatable scenarios, showing children how everyone can be a good friend and how we can all help others to feel welcome. Would you like to come inside this book? You’re very welcome. In fact, everyone is welcome here, whether you're big or small, flappy or jumpy, noisy or quiet. With its simple text and endearing animal characters, Welcome shows how everyone can be a good friend, and how we can all help others to feel welcome. Scheffler's fabulous, funny animals are the perfect ambassadors to display friendship and togetherness… how to laugh together, play together – and most importantly – how to make friends again after a quarrel! A donation from every copy of Welcome sold goes to Three Peas, a charity which supports refugees who have had to flee their homes because of war or persecution.
(Scholastic, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Uh-Oh, Niko: The Beach
Chris Chatterton

EVERY toddler needs a helping hand when they are learning about all those recognisable daily routines. Whether it’s bathtime, bedtime, a visit the park or going to nursery, this gorgeously illustrated and interactive board book series, starring adorable little bear Niko, from author and illustrator Chris Chatterton puts your toddlers at centre stage. In his new adventure, we join Niko at the beach and have fun with push-and-pull sliders and flaps as we help little Niko build a sand castle, have a refreshing treat, and play in the sea. As we see, Niko sometimes gets things a little wrong – a sandcastle built too tall! – but whatever happens, he always tries again and learns new skills along the way. Children will love joining in with the fun-filled rhyming text and playing along with the story and if they want more, this super series also includes Uh-Oh, Niko: Bathtime, Uh-Oh, Niko: Bedtime, Uh-Oh, Niko: The Park, Uh-Oh, Niko: Nursery and Uh-Oh, Niko: Birthday Party.
(Ladybird, board book, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
I Really, Really Need a Wee
Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie

DYNAMIC duo Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie work their magic on your ‘wee’ ones in this hilarious board book starring a bush baby in an all-too-familiar fix! Hold on tight for laughs all round as we learn of the perils of leaving home without first visiting the loo as award-winning children’s author Newson and creative illustrator Beedie give their imaginations free flow on a raucous romp that is destined to be everyone’s number one. Bush Baby is in a fix. She didn’t need a wee before she left home… now she needs one right away! Uh-oh! But what will she do if there's just nowhere to go? It’s a wee-wee emergency! Giggles galore are guaranteed in this clever, comical board book which delivers lessons about the importance of self-awareness and always taking that last-chance toilet trip before leaving home. With Newson’s fun-filled rhymes, Beedie’s bold, vibrant illustrations, and a terrific twist in its tail that will tickle young readers, I Really, Really Need a Wee is simply bursting with fun… and perfect for little ones starting out on potty and toilet training.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £6.99)

Age one plus
We Love Veggies!
Becky Davies and Ailie Busby

IT might sound strange but... here’s a tasty book that gives little ones full permission to play with food! Tots will love pulling out the sliding tray in the cover of this ingenious board book to reveal eight removable, double-sided press-out-and-play veggie characters. And wait for the miles of smiles as they follow the clues to match the correct board piece to each page. Do you know which veggie doesn’t need light to grow? And which veggie is really a flower? Written by Becky Davies and colourfully illustrated by Ailie Busby, We Love Veggies! cleverly combines an interactive guessing game with an early learning concept. With simple facts to share along the way, it’s the perfect book to encourage balanced, healthy eating habits through play, and is guaranteed to leave your toddlers hungry for more!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £8.99)