15 Short Walks in the Ribble Valley

Mark Sutcliffe

AS spring – and the joys of the great outdoors – start to loom enticingly on the horizon, why not map out some walks in the Ribble Valley, a stunning corner of rural Lancashire that is widely recognised as a genuine walker’s paradise.

With its gentle rolling countryside, wooded river valleys and some more challenging hill walks for those with an appetite for adventure, this unspoiled area has it all. Criss-crossed with footpaths and bridleways, there is a huge selection of circular walks, ranging from riverside rambles and afternoon ambles through scenic villages, to mini-mountains like famous Pendle Hill.

So if fertile pastureland, riverside paths and wooded valleys – home to the likes of kingfishers, dippers, egrets, pied flycatchers, hen harriers and even occasional passing osprey – tugs at your imagination and heartstrings, then look no further for a walking companion than the brilliant new guidebook from Cicerone Press which steers you through fifteen of the best short walks in the Ribble Valley.

Cicerone – an enthusiastic publisher based in Kendal and specialising in outdoor activities guidebooks – has over 400 books for walking, trekking, climbing, mountaineering and cycling, covering the UK, Europe and other regions of the world.

And like the other books in their super pocket-sized guide series, 15 Short Walks in the Ribble Valley contains crystal-clear OS mapping and directions, and has been written by Mark Sutcliffe, (pictured left) an experienced outdoor writer and editor. These hand-picked walks involve no complicated navigation or challenging terrain, come with clear route descriptions, GPX files available for download, lots of images, plus information on local beauty spots, towns and tasty refreshment stops.

Most of the walks in this new guide are circular, under three hours in duration, and from three to six miles in length, and although there may be some climbs, there is no challenging terrain and the guide includes both easy and moderate walks.

Walking routes take in Ribchester, Longridge, Dinckley, Whalley, Pendle, Clitheroe, Waddington and Downham, and can be safely completed all year round, although some are trickier in winter. Along the way, walkers can explore Clitheroe Castle, enjoy a gentle ramble beside the River Ribble, find Roman remains in Ribchester, follow in the footsteps of Hobbits on the Tolkien Trail, hike to the summit of mighty Pendle Hill, and discover welcoming country inns and cosy cafes that are just perfect for a post-walk treat.

No complicated navigation and no specialist gear means walks can be enjoyed by everyone and the guide includes details of public transport, facilities, parking and the highlights to look out for on every route. So whether you’re new to walking, looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family, or eager to pay walking visits to bustling market towns, picturesque villages and some of the best gastropubs in Britain, grab your handy guide and let the adventures begin!
(Cicerone Press, paperback, £9.95)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Women in history, scary science and a speedy sport

Turn back the clock and discover 900 years of women’s history, have your spine well and truly tingled by a terrifying sci-fi thriller, strap yourself in for a ride along Formula 1’s fast lane, and enjoy the final, fantastic chapter of an epic series starring a boy with no memories in a fabulous February selection

Age 12 plus
Normal Women: Making History for 900 Years
Philippa Gregory and Alexis Snell

IF you thought women’s history was all about big dresses and bonnets, crinolines and stagecoaches, then you’ll be having second thoughts with this eye-opening women’s history from award-winning and number one bestselling author Philippa Gregory. Adapted from Gregory’s critically acclaimed and ground-breaking book, Normal Women – which tells the story of England over 900 years but, for the very first time, puts previously ignored and invisible women’s history at its beating heart – this super teen edition sets the record straight for younger readers. Today, when we think of women of the past, we often think of the 1800s and 1900s, a time when women were told they were naturally inferior to men, and must stay at home while men went out to work and have fun.

But that is a huge mistake, says Gregory, because there is so much more to women’s history than the manners and mores of more recent centuries. Ordinary English women have been doing extraordinary things FOREVER – it just didn’t make the history books (written by men, of course!). Women have, in fact, been making history for 900 years. Meet farmers, highwaywomen, pirates, ‘female husbands,’ slaves, soldiers, criminals, writers, inventors, rioters and lots more who spent their lives protesting, working, playing, taking risks, getting rich (and getting even!). Some women were outstandingly brilliant and some were outstandingly bad, and now at last we can their stories can be heard... stories of ingenuity, diversity, rebellion, survival, and sisterhood. With illustration throughout by award-winning printmaker Alexis Snell, Normal Women is no ordinary book and is a must-read for women of every age.
(Red Shed, paperback, £14.99)

Age 11 plus
The Night House Files: The Deadsoul Project
Dan Smith and Luke Brookes

GET ready to have your spine well and truly tingled as award-winning author and master of creepy sci-fi, Dan Smith, returns with the first book in a super-charged new Night House Files series full of thrills, chills and some seriously scary science. At the heart of this gripping and gruesome opener is a secret organisation called The Night House which exposes the horrifying ‘truth’ behind the Alpine Heights disaster. The year is 1977 and Alpine Heights is a tower block where Kyle and Lauren Dempsey live with their mum and bullying stepdad Connor. Only a few days ago, they were told that Connor, a soldier, has been killed in action in Northern Ireland. But then he turns up at their flat in Alpine Heights and is terrifyingly changed. Following a secret military experiment, he has been infected with some kind of alien life form which is using him as a host to pass on a mysterious virus seems to be running rampant through the building leaving many residents dead. Fast forward through the decades and nobody has ever discovered what really happened... until now. With a twisting, time-travelling and heart-pounding plot, some blood-curdling alien bodysnatchers, Brookes’ wonderfully graphic and atmospheric black and white illustrations, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a brilliantly imaginative adventure which will hook in readers from the first page… and is best read in daylight hours!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Falling Boy
David Almond

BE transported into an ethereal world with a young boy coming to terms with a change of school and his father’s battle with cancer in a moving and beautifully written novel from multi-talented master storyteller David Almond, author of the million-copy selling novel Skellig. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting, inspirational and innovative children's authors writing today, Almond was awarded an OBE for services to literature in 2021 and The Falling Boy is another middle grade gem full of warmth, wisdom, and an exquisite blend of real life and fantasy. Nothing is the same for Joff this summer. Next term, he moves up to secondary school, his dad is ill, his mum is working, and there’s a new kid in town. The days are long and hot, and change is in the air. He can’t wait to escape the tensions at home each day and goes off with his dog Jet to explore the countryside. But there’s one place he’s not allowed to explore... the Chapel of Doom. It sits above the town, ancient and crumbling, with its warning signs and the legend of the Falling Boy. He's always believed the Falling Boy is just a story, told to make the kids do what they’re told. And when Joff’s adventures take him beyond the boundaries, he discovers something unexpected, something truly magical... Written with intensity, insight and compassion, Falling Boy is another masterpiece from Almond as he brings us an ethereal and yet earthy coming-of-age odyssey about hope, friendship, conquering your fears, and making youthful sense of a mixed up, muddled up world.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
How To Roller-Skate with One Leg
Ella Dove and Jennifer Jamieson

MAYA Bright might have lost her leg in a road accident a year ago... but she’s determined not to lose her famous sense of humour. Welcome to a funny and uplifting story about friendship and living your best life from journalist and amputee Ella Dove whose life changed forever when a freak accident meant that she had to have her leg amputated. Now an inspirational speaker and novelist, Dove’s delightful debut children’s novel is a thoroughly heartwarming celebration of friendship, family, and overcoming adversity, and will delight young readers with its honesty, playfulness and raw courage.

‘Hi! I'm Maya Bright. Last year was the worst... I lost my leg in a road accident. But I’m still me, and I’m not going to let anything – or anybody – stop me from living my best life!’ 

When Maya finds a list she made before losing her leg, she decides she’s still going to do everything on it... even though her former bestie has ditched her for the cool kids. Before she turns 13, she’s going to... get her ears double-pierced, learn how to roller-skate, stay up all night at a sleepover, go viral, have the best birthday party ever, AND make her ex-best friend Sophie realise what she’s missing! Dove – who is a trustee for the Limbless Association – proved herself to be a master storyteller with her riveting novel for adults, Five Steps to Happy, which was written straight out of the toughest of ordeals, and she brings the same acute observations and insight to this entertaining and enlightening adventure for younger readers.
(Orchard Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Jayben and the Dragon Stone
Thomas Leeds

WELCOME back to Elf World and the final, fantastic chapter of an epic series starring Jayben, a boy with no memories, fast fading powers, and a mammoth task to complete! Brimming with action and a searing insight into a life lived with seizures and memory loss, the Jayben adventures are written by debut author Thomas Leeds who was inspired by his own unique personal experience of memory-loss after an accident when he was nineteen left him with no memories of his childhood and severe epilepsy. Jayben is the Ninth Dreamer and the only one who can defeat Null, the evil villain who has been making everyone in the Elf World forget. But the crystals that give Jayben his power are quickly fading, and he needs to uncover the missing words from the Book of Dreamers to finally free everyone from Null’s curse. When Jayben finds an electrifying blue stone, he quickly learns that it can transport him anywhere in the blink of an eye... but it can be dangerous unless used properly. Hearing of a magical elixir that can restore his crystals to full strength, Jayben sets out on a quest with his friends to find it and the missing words. But Null's ally is racing to get to the elixir first and the words are scattered across the five realms of the Elf World. And it seems as if something – or someone – is preventing Jayben from succeeding. He needs to work out who he can trust, and fast, as he prepares to battle Null in a final showdown. Jayben’s world-saving and inspirational adventures have gripped young readers from start to finish with one boy’s bravery, determination and refusal to give in to his afflictions taking a starring role. Add on an immersive fantasy world full of danger and jeopardy, and you have a modern classic with an unforgettable hero.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Drive to Victory: Incredible True Stories from the Fastest Sport in the World
Karun Chandhok

STRAP yourself in and get ready for an amazing trip to Formula One’s fast lane with real-life racing driver Karun Chandhok... part of a very exclusive club of only two Indian F1 drivers! How fast do Formula 1 cars really go, how do you become a racing driver, what track is the hardest to drive in the world? Discover the most amazing stories and incredible stats and facts about the fastest and most exciting sport on the planet with this informative guide. From trackside to podium, leading Sky Sports Grand Prix commentator and former F1 driver Chandhok showcases the best teams, drivers, tracks, cars, jaw-dropping moments and more. Drive to Victory features the top drivers on the circuit today – Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and George Russell – plus iconic drivers from the past like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button. Learn about the trailblazing female drivers Maria Terese de Filippis and Lella Lombardi, and take a look at the great teams and impressive tracks that push drivers to their limit. Young F1 fans can also discover lots of fascinating facts like racing cars go so fast that they are able to drive upside down, an F1 car has around 11,000 parts, and an F1 team was once brought for the huge sum of... £1. Chandhok takes readers behind the scenes and under the bonnet to unearth spectacular stories and stats, and show what it really takes to drive to success in the world of F1.
(Wren & Rook, paperback, £9.99)

Age 8 plus
The Cheat Book (vol.2)
RAMZEE

WARNING, if you’re a grown-up... look away! Prepare for your youngsters to giggle and guffaw when they get their mischievous paws on the second book in the hilarious Cheat Book series from RAMZEE (aka author and illustrator Ramsey Hassan). Star of the show is Kamal and he’s off on another madcap adventure with tips and tricks from his cheat book to guide him along the way. Wish you could hunt down a ferocious beast? Ever wondered what a REAL night sky looks like? Do you want to embrace your wild side? Join Kamal as he attempts to survive the wild! Kamal has promised to track down the infamous Beast of Criggily Wood. He throws himself into the wilderness with nothing but his two best friends, his wits and the mysterious Cheat Book. The Cheat Book promises its reader life hacks for literally any occasion. But can it help Kamal track down the beast lurking in the shadows, dodge all the poison ivy and make it home in one piece? With eye-catching black-and-white illustrations throughout, a hero who would like to be – sorry, IS – the coolest guy in the class, and packed to the brim with fun, friendship, youthful energy and laughter, this hilarious series hits all the right notes for anarchy-loving youngsters.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 4 plus
Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit
Molly Golden and Paola Escobar

EVER since it was first published in 1922, Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit – the warm and beguiling tale of a toy rabbit who longs to be real – has been an instant favourite for generations of children. And now – for the first time – this warm and lovingly detailed picture book tells how this beloved character came to be and the true story of its creator. As a young child, Margery Williams lived in London but when the father she adored died, she had to move with her family to far away New York City. Consumed by sadness, Margery found solace visiting the animals in the wild and wonderful Central Park zoo near her new home, and in her toys—toys that became real to her. As an adult, and now author of numerous books for adults and children, she watched her own youngsters use their imaginations to work through difficult times and, inspired by their play, she wrote The Velveteen Rabbit. Beautifully and sensitively written by Molly Golden, and with gorgeous artwork by Colombian graphic designer and illustrator Paola Escobar, the story of Margery’s life celebrates the healing power of the imagination and childhood play, and will resonate with anyone who has ever wished their beloved toys would become real.
(Clarion Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Wiggling Words
Kate Rolfe

STEP inside the creative mind of a neurodivergent reader and discover a wild and wonderful world of words! This inspiring picture book story – which will resonate with those with dyslexia and every child who struggles to read – is the prizewinning creation of dyslexic author and illustrator Kate Rolfe. Wiggling Words is a V&A Award winner as well as the winner of two World Illustration Awards and is the perfect go-to book to encourage problem-solving and build confidence. Everyone loves a story but when the words starts wiggling and jiggling all the way out of the book it takes some clever thinking to discover the animals, build the castle, and sail a boat across the water. Oh, and look out for the crocodile! Verbs, also known as action words, can be pesky things to master and nobody understands the struggle better than this inspiring story about a child lost in a forest of letters. Skip, trip, fumble and fall with them as they discover that even though words can be tricky, they can be fun too! Designed with both simplicity and empathy, and brought to life by Rolfe’s stunning two-tone artwork, Wiggling Words is ideal for children with reading difficulties.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
One Cheeky Octopus
Alastair Chisholm and Alex Willmore

MEET Sylvester... he’s ONE CHEEKY OCTOPUS, and youngsters are going to welcome him with (eight!) open arms! Prize-winning author Alastair Chisholm and illustrator extraordinaire Alex Willmore ‘pool’ their imaginations for this hilarious counting tale filled with underwater friends and one very big TICKLE! Sylvester reckons he’s the cleverest, the sneakiest, the bestest and the beakiest but he’s also bored and when sees his friends having fun, he decides to have some of his own! Using his looong arms, Sylvester GRABS and NABS all the games and toys. Oh no, will this cheeky octopus ever learn to share? Chisholm has laugh-out-loud fun with an ocean of words and numbers while Willmore puts life, mischief and mayhem into a colourful array of sea creatures. ‘Armed’ and ready to capture young imaginations... and teach a few life lessons!
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Bunny’s New Brakes
Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwels

YOU'RE never too young to join in the fun of Eastertime so dish up this delicious concoction of fun, friendship and a fast-moving bunny with a chocolate-flavoured picture book from author Caroline Crowe and illustrator Jess Pauwels. Taking the starring ‘roll’ is Blaze the bunny whose top-speed scooter crash threatens to ruin Easter unless there’s a way to make more chocolate eggs in time? ‘A perfect day, no clouds and sunny, And look here comes a little bunny... Oh dear she’s coming rather fast, She’s heading for the egg display, My brakes won't work, quick out the way!’ Poor Blaze is not like all the other bunnies. Instead of lolloping around peacefully, she likes to travel FAST on her scooter. But disaster strikes when she crashes into the chocolate eggs that the Easter bunnies need for Easter morning! How will Blaze find a fix in time? Perhaps instead of chocolate eggs, she can create a chocolate bunny mould? Crowe’s rhyming romp is a delight to read to little ones and Pauwels adds extra mouthwatering madness with her richly detailed and colourful illustrations. Magical mayhem for readers of every age!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Come What May
Debi Gliori

‘Love stays like the sky, when the clouds move away. Love stays forever, unchanged, come what may.’ 

STEEP yourself in the beautiful words and pictures of award-winning writer and illustrator Debi Gliori’s Come What May, a heartfelt companion book to her much-loved No Matter What, a timelessly reassuring and irresistible story about unconditional love which has been comforting little ones for over 25 years. This new picture book odyssey is a lyrical, moving and humorous story about enduring love and once again features the beloved foxes, Large and Small, as they head out on a picnic in the countryside to wind down after a rather trying afternoon attempting some baking. As their walk takes them across flower-strewn meadows, through cool woods and eventually up on to a gentle hill from which they can see their cosy home below, they reflect on all the moods a single day can hold. And as a squall of rain briefly threatens their picnic, they eventually decide that moods may change like the weather, but their love for each other will always remain constant. Soothing, sensual and uplifting, Gliori’s beautifully told and illustrated story is brimming with worldly wisdom and genuine affection, and is sure to delight readers both young and old.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age one plus
Long Dog
James Davies

LONG story cut short... you’d be barking mad to miss this laugh-out-loud tale of a boy and his unbreakable friendship with a very loooong dog! Talented illustrator and author James Davies works his animal magic on the unfolding story of a boy called James and his faithful, long-suffering dog. Everybody longs to have a dog of their own… but what if it’s a very long dog? James and Long Dog are inseparable, the best ever friends, and they think being long is awesome, even if nobody else agrees. For James, it means spaghetti hugs and extra-long walks. Luckily, the other pets in the park don’t seem so perfect either... and when they mysteriously go missing, there’s only one dog (one exceedingly long dog!) in the whole world who is long enough to rescue them. With a madcap adventure to enjoy, a surprise fold-out page, and messages about friendship, difference, being yourself (and digging very deep holes!), this doggie delight is guaranteed to capture everyone’s heart!
(Templar Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Mummies Love Hugs
Lara Bryan and Asa Gilland

WITH Mother’s Day on the horizon, celebrate the power of hugs and love with this cosy and colourful interactive board book which puts the spotlight on the special bond between a mother and her child. Mummies LOVE hugs – from big, brave hugs to soft, snuggly one – and young children will delight in turning the inventively shaped pages to bring mummies and their little ones together for a cuddle. With Lara Bryan’s simple rhyming text and the adorable illustrations of Asa Gilland, Mummies Love Hugs offers a gentle exploration of how hugs can help with all kinds of feelings, and make you feel loved. The perfect gift for Mother’s Day... or any time of the year!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £7.99)

Age from birth
Match the Shape
Ruth Symons and Susie Hammer

HERE'S an inventive board book that teaches more than just first words! Match the Shape – written by Ruth Symons and illustrated in vivid colours by Polish artist Susie Hammer – doubles up as a brilliant shape-sorter in an ingenious design that lets toddlers place three chunky shapes into matching slots. The circle, triangle and rectangle – attached to the book with colourful ribbons – create an engaging shape-sorter game on each colourful page with each slotting into cut-outs with satisfying ease, and each completing a variety of images, from a rocket ship to a colourful butterfly. Matching the shapes aids children in their fine motor skills, hand-eye co-ordination and problem-solving skills, and each spread also introduces popular first words, making this the ideal book to learn from while having fun. Perfectly shaped for readers of the future!
(Templar Books, board book, £7.99)

Age from birth
I’m a Dinosaur & I’m a Car
Ruth Symons and Matthew Scott

ROAR, stomp, beep and toot! Little hands will love exploring these dazzling, dinky shaped board books packed with their favourite dinosaurs and cars. Featuring illustrator Matthew Scott’s bright colours and friendly faces, the adorable toy-like pages of I'm a Dinosaur and I’m a Car are sure to hold the attention of the youngest babies while author Ruth Symons’ simple facts are perfect for toddlers. 

Each uniquely-shaped page reveals a new dinosaur or car, alongside a simple fact and a playful sound to join in with. Get ready to ROAR, STOMP and SCREECH along as they meet dinosaurs big and small, from a stomping T.rex to a soaring Pterodactyl. And BEEP, TOOT and NEE-NAW as they meet cars, trucks, trains, boats, and even a helicopter. Fun and learning at the turn of every sturdy page!
(Templar Books, board books, £6.99 each)

From London With Love

Katie Fforde

WHEN two young women find themselves sharing a beautiful Chelsea town house and a friendship in London in 1968, they are eager to enjoy life, love and all the excitement of being alive in the Swinging Sixties.

What they hadn’t reckoned on was that the expectations, limitations and sense of duty to their parents and families would impact on their choices and their freedom...  and that life has a way of throwing a spanner into the smooth workings of your hopes and dreams.

The current cold weather is the perfect time to cosy up with one of Katie Fforde’s (pictured below) warm and welcoming novels – gorgeous books that serve up romance, fun and home-spun wisdom in the most delightful ways.

So draw the curtains, throw another log on the fire, and escape into the vibrant world of Sixties London for a romantic odyssey spawned from Fforde’s much-loved series of standalone novels which focused on a different girl from a group of three friends who met at a cookery course in London. And at centre stage here is Félicité de Belville, half- English, half-French stepdaughter of the lovely Alexandra (Lexi) who we met in A Wedding in Provence. Felicity (as she will be known in London) has arrived in Chelsea from her father’s chateau in Provence to live with Lucinda, her straitlaced English mother whom she hardly knows.

The plan is that Felicity will improve her English, do a secretarial course... and meet a suitable man. However, she is already missing her home, her father and her stepmother Lexi and their extended family. But it’s only for a year, she tells herself, and then she can go back to France and do what she really wants... become a painter.

Her greatest comfort is finding friendship with Violet who lives in the flat at the top of the large Chelsea house and works in a bookshop. 

Violet’s father recently inherited both a peerage and a large amount of money through the unexpected death of a family member, and Violet is worried that he is now being targeted by one of his gold-digger neighbours. And then Felicity bumps into handsome Oliver Ward who is the most interesting man she has ever met. He lives on a barge on the Thames for one thing and has a collection of jobs, but his passion is looking for hidden treasures along the banks of the river.

In a word, he’s a mudlarker... and before long Felicity is mudlarking, too. She is also pursuing her artistic dreams and painting scenery for Oliver’s bohemian actor friends. But is Oliver, along with his wild lifestyle, suitable enough to win her mother’s approval? Felicity fears he won’t match up to Lucinda’s exacting standards but she can’t imagine a future without him now... until he puts both of their lives in danger on a mudlarking adventure. Can she ever forgive him?

Fforde lives up to her well-earned reputation as the queen of uplifting romantic fiction as she serves up a gorgeous feelgood feast in which the bonds of family and friendship play leading roles, and the clocks wind back to the days when mudlarking on the banks of the Thames was an unlicensed joy.

Peopled with the author’s trademark cast of lovable characters – not least Oliver and his eclectic group of artists and barge dwellers – a large helping of sparkling storytelling, and with surprises at every turn for the young women setting out on their exciting journey into life and love, readers can expect tangled relationships, heartfelt emotions and some real-life adventures. Warm, wise, witty and with a wonderful retro flavour, From London With Love is a trip to the city you won’t want to miss!
(Century, hardback, £16.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Dark days, wild frozen wonders a crime-busting romp

Meet a blind girl on a mission to save the world, fasten your seatbelts for the ride of a lifetime, wrap up warm for a journey through the wild wonders of Antarctica, and enjoy a chilling and thrilling ghostly tale from a master storyteller with a collection of fabulous February children’s books

Age 9 plus
Ella Jones vs The Sun Stealer
Lucy Edwards with Katy Birchall

WHEN a sudden darkness plunges the world into chaos, there’s just one person who can save the day... a 12-year-old blind girl who doesn’t need light to see a way forward. Welcome to the blistering debut novel from Lucy Edwards, a broadcaster, journalist, content creator, speaker and disability activist who lost her full eyesight at just 17 due to a rare genetic disease but, undaunted, has made it her mission to share her experiences and raise awareness about living with a disability. She is now one of the leading voices in diversity, equality and inclusion, and an ambassador and commercial model for global haircare giant Pantene. Written with Katy Birchall, a bestselling author in her own right – and brought to life by the rich and atmospheric illustrations of Caroline Garcia – Ella Jones vs The Sun Stealer is a an all-action and empowering mystery thriller which celebrates the strength and resilience of young people and proves that disabilities are no barrier to greatness.

Twelve-year-old Ella Jones has been blind for two years and is navigating her new world with the help of her guide dog Maisie, her sister Poppy and her best friend Finn. One day, on a visit to central London with her family, a light in the world is suddenly extinguished, causing panic and chaos as people are plunged into pitch black. A pagan god of light, Lugh, has been released from his millennium-old prison by a shadowy villain and, out for revenge on humans, has brought darkness down on the world. But Ella is the hero the world needs... she is used to living her life in darkness every day, and is able to keep calm and work out a plan to defeat Lugh and return light to the world. Brimming with edge-of-your-seat tension, and unexpected twists and turns, this empathetic adventure story shows young people that disabilities do not have to hold you back and that power of goodness is in the hands of anyone with the determination to succeed.
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

 Age 9 plus
Speedwheels 3000: The Race Against Crime
Jenny Pearson, Katie Kear and Nick East

FASTEN your seatbelts and hold on tight for the ride of a lifetime in the thrill-a-minute, top speed new adventure from award-winning author and primary school teacher Jenny Pearson whose much-loved books are based on a wonderful mix of all the children she has ever taught. Speedwheels 3000: The Race Against Crime is a fabulous crime-busting romp packed with Pearson’s trademark humour and heart, and the brilliant illustrations of Katie Kear and Nick East, and is guaranteed to kick-start your own race to the start of spring reading. Evie Clutterbuck is on the starting line of the most famous, most extraordinary car race in the whole world... the Speedwheels 3000. The challenge involves driving through seven countries and Evie’s dad will be competing in his trusty car, Toots. There are just two small problems... Evie is not supposed to have sneaked into dad’s car boot, and four million pounds worth of stolen gold isn’t supposed to be in there, either. With both cops and robbers on their tail, can Evie and her dad solve the mystery of the missing gold before it’s too late? Or are their hopes of becoming the Ultimate Speedwheels Racing Champions about to go speeding by... Fast and furious fun on wheels is the order of the day in this coruscating crime caper which sees Pearson driving in top gear all the way to the finishing line while her eager ‘passengers’ enjoy a journey full of high-octane antics, laugh-out-loud comedy, and hilarious illustrations. Don’t miss the ride!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica
Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch

WRAP up warm, pull on your snow boots, and journey through the wild wonders of Antarctica alongside author Alison Lester and illustrator Coral Tulloch, two of Australia’s bestselling children’s books creators. Into the Ice – packed with fascinating facts, stunning artwork and revealing journal entries – is an intriguing and very personal exploration of the stories, people and history that make Antarctica such a special place. Lester and Tulloch celebrate their passion for Antarctica as readers travel from the early age of exploration right through to the present day using the medium of snippets of text, illustrations, photographs, sketches, writing, paintings and journal entries, both their own and others. Both author and illustrator have an authentic connection to Antarctica and their ‘scrapbook’ of writing and images inspired them to create this topical and timely book which shines a light on the effects of climate change in the Antarctic, and the frozen wonderland’s history, amazing sea creatures – not least the Emperor penguins – and intrepid explorers such as Sir Douglas Mawson, Roald Amundsen, and Captain Robert F. Scott who pioneered the way to the South Pole. With intriguing information about Lester and Tulloch’s own experiences, this is a perfect gift book for explorers and dreamers of all ages, and for anyone who wants to be inspired by the wonder of Antarctica.
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
The Boy at the Window
Lucy Strange and Rohan Eason

WINTER is not over yet so enjoy the spooks and spectres in a chilling and thrilling ghostly offering from master storyteller Lucy Strange. The Boy at the Window – published in a dyslexia-friendly format and with the atmospheric illustrations of Rohan Eason – is guaranteed to make your spine tingle as Strange’s gothic masterpiece captures heart, mind and imagination. Hugo’s life is empty, lonely and sad... his mother refuses to accept that his father is not coming back from the war and spends her days trapped in grief. On cold autumn nights, thick fog gathers round their old house and shuts out the whole world. Folk say the fog plays tricks... that it shapes itself into little hands and frightened faces which press at people’s doors and windows, desperate to come inside. But Hugo is convinced that the ghost he has seen at their window is no trick of the fog. The boy’s pale face and pleading, hollow eyes are haunting him. What would happen if Hugo were to open the door and let him in? Strange unleashes her powerful imagination on this haunting, harrowing story which explores grief and loneliness with subtlety, insight and immense compassion. Brought to life by Eason’s stunning artwork and with a heart-thumping and heartbreaking twist that remains long in the memory, this wintry, wonderful story is destined to be a gothic classic.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 10 plus
Growing Up
Sam Baer and Julia Dürr

WHY do I feel different, what’s happening to me, why is my body changing? These are just some of the concerns and questions of youngsters beginning their journey into puberty. In this new edition of Usborne’s classic book, Growing Up, children are given a clear and simple guide to adolescence, body changes and sex. With cartoon style artwork and diagrams by Julia Dürr, this invaluable book – written by Sam Baer – explains puberty in a simple, clear and friendly way. It is designed to help reassure readers that what they are going through is normal, whether that’s coping with a changing body, mood swings, new emotions and even questions about their sexuality and identity. The writing and art style, and the level of detail given in each topic, has been tailored to be suitable for children aged ten and over who most likely haven’t started puberty yet. Topics covered include growing taller, getting hairier, bras, periods, shaving, sexual organs, sex, sexuality, love, relationships, friendships, hormones, looking after yourself, staying safe and keeping healthy... all written with input from experts in sex education, medical doctors and gender specialists.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Wink, Murder: A Bletchley Park Mystery
Rhian Tracey

IT'S wartime in England and with treachery afoot on home soil, a young girl with a gift for languages is dispatched from Bletchley Park to help track down the hidden enemy. Steep yourself in a gripping adventure that explores the work of the MI5 network in London, the wartime role of the Ritz Hotel, and the importance of learning foreign languages to gather information from Japan and Germany in the third book of a gripping adventure series full of secrets, spies and subterfuge from Welsh author Rhian Tracey. She was inspired to write this exciting series by trips to Bletchley Park – one of the most secret places in Britain during the Second World War – and her aunt’s role in the breaking of Japanese naval codes at the renowned centre. Mary, a Black girl from Liverpool, has a gift for languages and codes that has brought her to the attention of the adults working at Bletchley Park. She finds herself drawn into their undercover operations, learning Japanese in order to decode enemy messages... but the operation she is a part of remains cloaked in mystery. As tensions on the Home Front escalate, Mary is forced to face the realities of warfare because the enemy is operating amongst them. Posing as a waitress amidst the glamour and bustle of the Ritz Hotel, Mary uncovers secrets and lies amongst the people she is working mostly closely with. Can Mary steer clear of danger and thwart the devious mission unfolding around her? There is just one thing she knows for sure... trust no one. Packed with intrigue, mystery, and excitement, and featuring a feisty young heroine and famous real-life figures like Sir Winston Churchill, this heartwarming and inspirational story packs a real punch. Add on the dramatic and authentic wartime backdrop, and an old-fashioned, addictive sense of adventure, and you have the perfect history/mystery for young thrill-seekers!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary: Tight Squeeze
Jim Smith

BRACE yourselves for ‘number two’ outing with the Poopies, aka best friends Pedro, Olga and Ozzy... their initials just happen to spell the word POO and they are the stars of a smelly (but hilariously funny!) graphic novel series from the master of mischief himself, Jim Smith. Smith – creator of the bestselling Barry Loser books – has his finger firmly on the pulse of what makes kids (and grown-ups!) laugh… and the pages of his books buzz with energy, madcap antics, and a joyful sense of managed mayhem that is as addictive as it is entertaining. And he is on top form in this crazy, laugh-out-loud series which is packed full of friendship, fun and toilet jokes galore... all expertly delivered in witty bite-sized stories brought to life by Smith’s vibrant artwork. So hold your noses, tag along with our terrible threesome, and help them to navigate their loo roll business venture, a granny showdown at the supermarket, and storm Pedro which is blowing a STINK in the town. Positively fizzing with Smith’s wild and wonderful wit and perfectly pitched toilet jokes, My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary: Tight Squeeze is organised chaos for your fun-lovers and mischief-makers!
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
The Notwitches
Gary Panton and Dotty Sutton

GET ready to be bewitched and beguiled by a brilliant new illustrated adventure series from the spellbinding team of author, editor and doodler Gary Panton and talented new illustrator Dotty Sutton. Brimming with magical moments, loathsome villains, unexpected heroes, and an almost-talking cat, The Notwitches has a big heart, and the spirit and effervescence of Roald Dahl. While lots of children have one or two problems, Melanda Notwitch has three... her horrible aunts who treat her more like a servant than a niece. They really are the absolute WORST! Melanda’s life seems hopeless until she strikes lucky when an older girl called Mitch knocks on her door and offers the chance of freedom. Mitch is a young witch who knows a thing or two about magic, not least a magic spell that might make everything better. All they have to do is find one special ingredient for a special spell. How hard can it be? Action, fun, laughter and adventure at every turn of the page!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Searching for Treasure
Johanna Bell and Emma Long

A WALK along the beach becomes a joyful journey of discovery in a bold and colourful picture book odyssey from the Australian team of author Johanna Bell and illustrator Emma Long. With flaps to lift, wildlife to explore and the ocean never far away, youngsters will love unearthing the treasures that can be found on the high tide line. ‘Searching for treasure on the high tide line. One step, two steps, what can you find?’ What has the sea washed up? Can you find its hidden treasures? Find sea urchins and shark’s eggs, ghost crabs and cuttlefish, limpets and barnacles, as the book trail reveals the often hidden wonders of the sea and the sand. Ideal for reading aloud and sharing with young children, Searching for Treasure is destined to be a family favourite.
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

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

ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with a gorgeous new interactive hide-and-seek board books series with an adorable new character called 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 in the tree, in the pram, in the house maybe, or could that be Dot in the chair? Is Dot in the House? is part of a range of joyful pre-school books by author Reid, and teamed with Gledhill’s distinctive and stylish illustrations, these are the perfect introduction to the joys of reading for your babies and toddlers.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99, published on February 20)

The Frozen People

Elly Griffiths

WHEN bestselling author Elly Griffiths signed off on a high last year from her long-running and critically acclaimed Ruth Galloway Mysteries, starring a forensic archaeologist, her army of adoring fans always anticipated that she would return with a new writing venture.

What no one could have imagined was that her comeback crime opener would not just rewind the clock to the year 1850, but feature a feisty, feminist police detective able to time-travel back to London’s murky Victorian past to solve a dark and disturbing mystery.

The Frozen People – first book of the ambitious and daringly original Ali Dawson Mystery series – delivers a fascinating cold case conundrum with an exciting blend of chills, thrills and satirical humour, and a brilliantly conceived genre twist which allows a simmering mystery to unfold between two very different worlds. Staying one step ahead of the game, in both the present and the past, is the ostentatiously 21^st century Ali Dawson, a sassy and smart-talking 50-year-old detective sergeant with hair dyed the same shade as a London bus, a nose ring, a serious caffeine habit, three ex-husbands, a son who works in politics, and a much-loved but perpetually angry Siamese cat called Terry.

Ali’s job is to investigate cases that are ‘so cold they are frozen’ and travel back in time – via an ingenious process that ‘moves atoms in space’ – to dig out the truth on murders that ‘can’t be solved in just one lifetime.’ 

So hop aboard time and space and join Ali and her team in the early days of their time-travelling capabilities as they tackle a case dating all the way back to 1850 and involving the great-great grandfather of the current Tory justice minister Isaac Templeton.

Ali – a self-confessed inverted snob firmly entrenched in her working class roots – ostensibly spends her days in the Department of Logistics but what most people don’t know is that she is part of a top secret special team which travels back in time to complete their research... a process pioneered by the mysterious Italian physicist, Serafina Pelligrini.

Pelligrini – known within the team as Jones – has found a way of juggling atoms in space and time and filling the created gap with a chosen person.  So far, the team has only ventured back a few years or decades but Ali’s boss, DCI Geoff Bastian, has a new and more far-reaching assignment for her. He wants her to step back to the heart of the Victorian age to try to clear the name of Cain Templeton, the eccentric

When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed

Nicholas Litchfield

It’s 1996, and handsome American actor Dominic Graves, now 31 years old, hasn’t lived up to his insulting agent’s lofty expectations.

Bernie Finkelman, possibly the meanest acting agent in Los Angeles, often tells his least favourite client that he has ‘a great set of teeth and a smile that might lure a casting director to the couch.’ But despite Bernie’s optimism, film and TV roles have dried up, leaving Dominic only able to land local TV commercials.

Everything changes when a renowned South American film director approaches Bernie, seeking Dominic for the coveted lead role in his gritty exploitation film, A Bullet for Silver Face. Dominic’s dreams of stardom are finally within reach... he just has to stay focused and professional, keep his libido in check, and avoid antagonising the notoriously volatile director. Fans of edge-of-the-seat thrillers filled with exotic settings, non-stop action, and a cast of ambitious artistes battling fears, egos, insecurities, and daily disasters, will relish Nicholas Litchfield’s pulse-pounding novel, When The Actor Inspired Chaos and Bloodshed.

Litchfield (pictured left), a British-born journalist and magazine editor living in Western New York, is a regular crime and thriller book critic who has contributed to more than twenty volumes of classic noir and mystery novels from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. This is his second international thriller and features a preposterously good-looking and unapologetic rogue whose quest for stardom is just as disastrous and inept as his hammy acting.

Buoyed by his agent’s belief that this movie role will lead to fame, fortune, and accolades, Dominic travels to Montevideo in Uruguay, eager to embark on his journey towards acting immortality.

But his days on the film set quickly become a chaotic blur of frantic activity which intensifies with every scene. Mornings are brutal, filled with endless retakes, and afternoons stretch into the night. His off-camera romance with his striking co-star Sofía Prodova, whose personality swings between sexual insatiability and explosive contempt, is equally

The Pearl Button Girl

Annie Murray

THE city of Birmingham may not now be much-loved saga writer Annie Murray’s home territory but its people, its streets and its fascinating past have become an integral part of both her life and her writing.

It’s nearly 30 years since Murray (pictured below) captured readers’ hearts with Birmingham Rose, her first Birmingham-based novel, and now she’s back with The Pearl Button Girl, the first of a gritty new Children of Birmingham series which opens in 1851 and follows the trials and triumphs of the Fletcher family.

Working at a pearl button factory, Ada Fletcher – eldest child of Richie and May Fletcher – is doing her best to make ends meet in trying times. When tragedy strikes and her four younger siblings, Elsie, Dora, John, and Mabs, are taken to a workhouse orphanage, Ada is saved from a similar fate by neighbour Sarah Connell.

But the roof over Ada’s head doesn’t come without a price... the Connells have too many children, not enough money, and Sarah’s reliance on drink means that it isn’t long before Ada needs to escape, and she decides to strike out on her own.

Taking her chances in the teeming industrial city, Ada is determined to be more than just a factory girl. But as well as her quest for work, Ada is desperate to reunite with her sisters and brother and embarks on a journey to track them down.

But will she be able to find her long-lost family as well as a home and life to call her own?

Murray, whose home was in Birmingham when she began her writing career, invests hours of local research and her own powerful gift of imagination into her action-packed, family-based stories, and her genuine affection for the city and its people always shines through in her powerfully authentic sagas. 

And this hard-hitting and yet warm-hearted new series packs in all those ingredients – close family bonds, romance, drama, human emotions and the struggles and uncertainties of life amidst the hardships of an industrial city – which make her stories such a treat for all saga fans.
(Pan, paperback, £8.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Mighty marvels, an epic ending and a spooky school

Travel back through time to meet the world’s most enormous animals, brace yourself for the final fantastic adventure in a turbo-powered series, share ghost stories at a seriously spooky boarding school, and enjoy friendship, fantasy and sweet dreams with a magical new series in a fabulous February line-up 

Age 7 plus
MEGA: The Most Enormous Animals Ever
Jules Howard and Gavin Scott

BIG animals need a BIG book and this terrific tome featuring the planet’s mightiest creatures is guaranteed to go down MEGA-BIG with animal-loving youngsters! Open the pages of MEGA and enjoy a fascinating, full-colour celebration of the world’s most enormous animals alongside zoology correspondent, science-writer and broadcaster Jules Howard whose expertise and passion for the natural world shines out of this captivating compendium. Brought to life by the richly detailed illustrations of Gavin Scott, these larger-than-life creatures stomp, swim and slither off the page as readers join a journey to unearth the secrets of the mighty megafauna of the past and see how they compare to the largest creatures that roam the earth today. From colossal crocodiles to massive marsupials, this is the natural world at its biggest and best, and children can marvel at the wonders of evolution, discover ingenious feats of animal engineering, and learn how, for some gentle giants, their size could be both a blessing and a curse! 

Discover the magnificent creatures that have shaped our planet, from the mighty megalodon, sabre-toothed cats and giant birds that existed millions of years ago, to the elephants, giraffes and whales that live today. Find out why some of the largest creatures on Earth became extinct, what we know about their lives from the clues they left behind and how we can protect the megafauna that roam our planet today. Howard’s friendly and absorbing text explores these mega-creatures in an entertaining and accessible way and, after exploring an astounding array of mighty megafauna from both the past and present, the cover jacket folds out to an epic poster of one of the largest animals featured in the book. BIG, beautifully created and with a treasure trove of MEGA fauna facts, this is a must-have reading adventure for all young zoologists!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £20)

Age 9 plus
Mega Robo Bros: Final Form
Neill Cameron

BRACE yourself for the final fantastic adventure in a turbo-powered graphic novel series that has thrilled thousands of readers and has appeared courtesy of David Fickling Books’ highly popular The Phoenix Presents series… and comic books creator Neill Cameron. Part of an amazing all-colour story strip series, Final Form is the last book in a republished version of Mega Robo Bros which has been fully remastered and adapted into a chunky format with lots of extra bonus content. Packed with all-action fun, exhilarating drama and comedy, these supercharged tales of two robot brothers fighting evil enemies have delighted young readers and helped to encourage a love of books and good storytelling.

So travel to London in the future and meet Alex and Freddy who are just like any other brothers. They are always squabbling and forever finding new ways to drive their adoptive parents crazy. There’s only one difference... they are also the most powerful robots on Earth. In this epic finale, we find that after nearly causing a devastating catastrophe under the influence of the evil Robot 23, Freddy and Alex’s lives will never be the same again. Evil plans are coming to fruition, and the grand schemes of the Mega Robo Bros' nemesis are finally revealed. The brothers will have to face their ultimate test... and their success or failure will decide the fate of all humans and robots, everywhere! With explosive action, family drama, and two madcap brothers saving the day, these superhero thrillers guarantee laughs on every page and are ideal for your own young techno wizards. An epic series and the perfect ending!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
Shadowhall Academy: Ghost Story Society
Phil Hickes

DON'T whisper it too loud but there’s something seriously spooky going on in the second book of the thrilling, chilling Shadowhall Academy series from Phil Hickes, a writer with a self-declared passion for horror, ghosts, and all things that go bump in the night! Hickes is at his ghostly, gothic best in these hair-raising adventures which blend boarding school fun with perfectly pitched scary escapades. So enter (if you dare!) Shadowhall Academy, a creepy establishment where spectres abound and spirits haunt the halls. It’s the perfect night for a ghost story... or is it a little too perfect? As if Shadowhall Academy wasn’t creepy enough, Lilian Jones and her friends have started a Ghost Story Society. It’s all harmless fun, until one girl warns of a sinister book hidden somewhere in the school that can bring your darkest secrets to life. So when Lilian finds a mysterious book that seems like the one from the story, her friends warn her not to mess with dark magic. But she’s never been one to resist an adventure. And when Lilian writes her deepest secrets in the book, she unleashes a danger far worse than she could ever imagine... The spook factor bar is raised high in this exciting adventure but there is also the joy of getting into the thick of it with Lilian and her friendship group as they join forces to track down the dark secrets hidden in the book that seems to have a life of its own. Fast-paced, and packed with scary surprises and dark discoveries, this super-spooky series is must reading for all youngsters who like their adventures to be deliciously and devilishly dark!    
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
King Coo: The Secret in the Woods
Adam Stower

FORGET Tarzan and branch out with the new kid on the treetops… a girl with a spear, a pet wombat, and a beard! Author and illustrator Adam Stower swings into action in this fantastic forest farce full of chaotic capers, hilarious adventures, perilous plop pits, sloshy springs and mucky mats, the first book of a hit series that is being republished for young readers. Orchestrating all the outrageous antics is King Coo, a tree-swinging, wombat-owning, trap-building, fully-bearded girl whose inventive mind creates a wonderful world of fun, laughter and marvellous mishaps. Packed throughout with Stower’s bold, busy and eye-catching black-and-white illustrations, this raucous romp will have youngsters giggling out loud as they encounter low-down baddies and high jinks on every page.

Meet young Ben Pole, a rather small and skinny boy who has been cruelly nicknamed Bean-Pole by Monty Grabbe, the short, fat school bully. Ben might be small but he’s smart and spends his days slinking through the shadows to keep out of sight of Monty and his unpleasant goons, Bertie and Gertie Plank, the remarkably huge and lumpy twins who are about as brainy as a baked potato. But on the last day of term, Monty spots Ben in the playground and chases after him with the terrible twins at his side. Ben only just manages to escape by falling down one of the mysterious sinkholes that have been appearing all over the town.  And to his amazement he discovers a forest with treetop swings, waterslides, catapults, Wombatifier 2000s and best of all, the bearded King Coo. However, Ben and his new friend Coo have got a fight on their hands! They will need cow-pat-a-pults and slug pulps aplenty as there’s a sinister pest controller on the prowl, Monty and his gang have a dastardly plan and a particularly wild creature is roaming the forest… This is a gloriously anarchic story for all youngsters who love their adventures to come with plenty of smelly, squelchy frolics and funny one-liners, but there are also important messages about having confidence in who you are and standing up to the bullies. Hair-raising adventures for girls and boys!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Dungeon Runners: Sky Battles
Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd-Stanton

HEROES come in all shapes and sizes... and everyone deserves the chance to prove it! Blue Peter Award-winning author Kieran Larwood and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner Joe Todd-Stanton pool their considerable talents for the second Dungeon Runners adventure, part of a fully illustrated and action-packed fantasy quest series which is perfect for newly independent readers. The Guardian Kit – who dreamed of being a Dungeon Runner all his life – can hardly believe he’s now achieved his goal and is a professional Dungeon Runner. With his team-mates Sandy and Thorn (the youngest team in history!), they fly off on the back of a dragon to a city in the clouds to compete. But with new dangers at every turn, Kit and his friends will need their wits and bravery to take on enemies as well as monsters. Can this band of unlikely heroes keep their winning streak with the odds stacked against them, and are they ready for the big leagues? There’s only one way to find out... have you got what it takes to survive the Dungeon? Now is your chance to prove it! Young readers and action fans are loving the world of the Dungeon Runners, a magical land of heroes where bullies are challenged by an unlikely but plucky trio of friends who are willing to enter tough competitions and fight their way to the top. With its uplifting tales of underdogs winning through, this super series is ideal inspiration for children finding their feet in the big, wide world. So what are you waiting for... there’s always space for a new team of heroes at the Dungeon!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Dream Keepers: Secrets of Moon Wood
Rebecca Lewis-Oakes and Anastasiya Kanavaliuk

IF you long for adventures full of friendship, fantasy and sweet dreams then head off to Moon Wood, a magical world beyond even your wildest dreams! Make your youngsters’ dreams come true with the first book of an adorable new series from author Rebecca Lewis-Oakes, and Belarusian illustrator Anastasiya Kanavaliuk who is based in Poland. Bella and her friends live in the sleepy, happy town of Sunny Wood and they're excited about the mysterious apothecary shop that has just opened. Inside, Bella discovers a beautiful pink feather, and her friends find their own unique tokens too. They tuck them under their pillow before bed, hoping for sweet dreams. To Bella's surprise, she and her friends are whisked away in their sleep to the magical world of Moon Wood, a dream version of Sunny Wood. There Bella meets Skye, a pink-winged pegasus, and the girls discover that they are Dream Keepers! But their arrival in the dream realm has awakened the Queen of Nightmares. Can they work together to banish her and her shadows in time? Filled with exciting adventures, fantastical characters and creatures, and magical moments, this is destined to be a winner with all fantasy fans!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Gruff Justice
Ross Montgomery and Marisa Morea

CAN Big Goat Gruff prove his innocence before he’s turned into goat pie? Gruff – the inveterate naughty nibbler of fairytale fame – takes centre stage in a wonderfully tasty and witty tale from bestselling children’s author Ross Montgomery. Filled with Marisa Morea’s colourful and characterful illustrations, an addictive sense of fun, and subtle messages about the risks of jumping to the wrong conclusion, Gruff Justice is the latest book in publisher Barrington Stoke’s super-readable Little Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators. Big Goat Gruff is always in trouble for eating things on the farm. So when the farmer discovers that the birthday cake he made for his wife has a huge bite taken out of it, he’s FURIOUS and Gruff is naturally the first suspect. But he didn’t do it! Can Gruff find the culprit and clear his name before the farmer and his wife get home and turn him into goat pie?! This delightful adventure, with an unexpected twist in its tail, includes some extra activity fun inside the cover and comes with a host of clever design and finishing techniques, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, to create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a format ideal for little hands. A laugh-out-loud, easy-to-read cake escapade which will go down well with all young mischief-makers!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Little Explorers: Food & Weather
Dynamo Ltd

CALLING all little explorers... it’s time to lift the ‘lid’ on some exciting discoveries! With over thirty flaps to lift and fascinating facts to enjoy, these brilliant Little Explorers board books open up a world of learning at every turn of the page. In Little Explorers: Food, youngsters take a bite into the world of food and get a taste of delectable ingredients from around the world while learning how food travels from farms and factories to get to our plates. 

Lift the flaps to feast on yummy dishes, discover how food is made, find out what the different food groups are, and be amazed at the different foods that have been eaten through time and at celebrations and festivals. Bite-size facts for little ones hungry to learn! And in Little Explorers: Weather, we unravel the wonderful mystery of the world’s weather patterns and climate. Find out why we have seasons, how winds evolve into cyclones and storms, how the Sun powers our seasons, the water cycle and Earth’s awesome atmosphere. Come rain or shine, this is the perfect book to share fun and learning! With bold, child-friendly artwork and a clear, simple text, these Little Explorers books are the perfect introduction to new concepts and vocabulary for curious young minds.
(Templar Books, board books, £10.99 each)

Age 3 plus
Tweedy: The Clown Who Lost His Nose
Tweedy the Clown and Daniel Duncan

CAN the show go on when the star clown loses his big red nose? Find out in this delightful, interactive picture book which transports youngsters into the exciting Big Top adventures and misadventures of Tweedy the Clown. Written by the real-life Tweedy – best known in the UK for his role in Giffords Circus, the Cheltenham Everyman pantomime, and appearances on Cirque Berserk which included runs in London's West End – and illustrated by Daniel Duncan, this vibrant and fun-filled story encourages children to read along and spot the hidden character. The circus is sold out, the big top is packed, the ringmaster is about to introduce the first act but… oh, no! Tweedy the Clown has lost his red nose. He is absolutely sure nobody will laugh if he’s not wearing it, so he sets out to find his missing nose... wherever can it be? Little ones will love following Tweedy as he chases after his elusive nose and causes laugh-out-loud chaos for the other performers trying to present their amazing acts. And there’s the fun of helping Tweedy spot the culprit… a little intruder who has come into the circus and is hiding in the background! With a large helping of whimsical humour, Duncan’s  playful illustrations on every page, the sheer magic of the circus, and the simple message that the best thing you can be is yourself, this is a ‘performance’ guaranteed to win lots of encores! 
(DK Children, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Penguin and Pup: The Perfect Egg
Hazel Gardner and Nikki Dyson

EASTER isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when two (very different!) friends can’t decide whose egg will be the best. Get ready for some springtime fun as BFFs Penguin and Pup take centre stage again in the second heartwarming and laugh-out-loud picture book from Preston author Hazel Gardner and bestselling illustrator Nikki Dyson. Penguin is thoughtful, kind and loyal... he can be a bit cautious with new things, and he’s very sensible. Pup, on the other hand, is a fun-loving whirlwind! She always thinks big and sometimes gets a bit carried away... And like lots of friends, Penguin and Pup like very different things, especially when it comes to Easter. All Penguin wants is a perfectly sized chocolate egg to enjoy in the garden. Pup, on the other hand, is thinking... why stop there? What about a Rocket Egg, an Eggycopter or even an Eggshell Pirate Ship? It's a recipe for disaster... and lots of laughter! The yoke is definitely on Pup in Gardner’s delicious rhyming romp which is packed with chaos and comedy, giant giggles and fabulous fun, and brought to life by Dyson’s colourful and characterful illustrations. High on energy and with an addictive sense of fun, this exuberant, sunny-side-up picture book is perfect for reading aloud and if you're not sure if you’re more Penguin or more Pup, you can find out with the quiz at the end.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Mrs Owl’s Forest School:
The Wet Welly Day
Ruth Symons, Seb Braun and Lizzie Noble

IF you go down to the woods today... you’ll find fun at a very special forest school! The joys of the great outdoors spring to glorious (and fascinating!) life in the latest adventure of an inspirational picture book series which aims to get youngsters into the wild and wonderful world of nature. Deep in the woods, beneath the trees, the animals are gathering. It’s time for Mrs Owl's Forest School. Join Mouse, Squirrel, Fox and Rabbit for a little forest school adventure. Out in the woods, they can learn about the weather, try something new, make friends and even get creative with mud! And, most important of all, they will learn that you can have fun whatever the weather. Written by author Ruth Symons in consultation with Lizzie Noble, a forest childcare provider with experience of running creative, play-based forest school sessions for families, and featuring richly detailed and colourful scenes created by French artist Seb Braun, these beautiful books will have little ones itching to explore their local woodland. And with exciting, fact-packed stories to share, and lots of activities to try for yourself, the Mrs Owl’s Forest School books are the perfect accompaniment for your own spring and summertime adventures.
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Greatest Gift
Emma Dodd

‘If I could, I’d give you the best that life can bring. The freedom to dance and the voice to sing.’ 

READERS young and old will fall in love with another beautiful and heartfelt book from award-winning author and illustrator Emma Dodd which celebrates the power of love, the greatest gift of all. ‘I’d give you all I have, each smile of surprise, each beat of my heart, and the twinkle in my eyes.’ A little zebra is taught by its parent that every happy moment gives us a memory to keep and a love to treasure. Dodd spreads a golden glow over a book that works its magic through the stunning foiled cover and pages, an inspirational rhyming story, and a gallery of beautiful, emotive illustrations. Exquisitely created and brimming with love, The Greatest Gift is written with a large helping of warmth and wisdom, and makes the perfect gift for any time of year.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Baby on Board: Boat & Bus
Ruth Symons and Seb Braun

GET your babies and toddlers on the go with two super interactive board books which put little ones in the driving seat! Baby on Board: Boat and Baby on Board: Bus are part of an adorable new novelty slider series for young movers and shakers who will love getting their hands on the push, pull and slide tabs at the turn of every page. 

So climb aboard the baby boat and raise the sails to catch the breeze. And in Baby on Board: Bus, little ones hop on the baby bus as the doors SWISH shut and then it’s time to go! The fun rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud to babies and pre-schoolers, and full of sounds which let youngsters join in. With tabs to slide and wheels to spin, and a cast of adorable animal characters, the books help little ones to learn observation and language skills and develop their fine motor skills while illustrator Seb Braun creates friendly, action-packed scenes, full of detail, colour and warmth. Hours of entertainment at your fingertips!
(Templar Books, board books, £6.99 each)