Age 5 plus
Beauty of Letters
The Most Awesome, Brilliant, and
Comprehensive Alphabet Book
Tom Schamp
LEARNING letters from A to Z has never been as exciting, colourful and wildly imaginative as the journey through this dazzling alphabet book from Brussels-based children’s author and illustrator Tom Schamp. But Beauty of Letters isn’t just an ABC book, it’s a glorious celebration of letters, a comprehensive and exciting treat that explores language, typography and visual storytelling, and is overflowing with clever details, quirky humour, and surprises at every turn. A is for astronaut, alpaca, and atlas… and that’s just the beginning. Youngsters are invited to visit Letterland, a place where every letter leads to a world of playful discovery in which interactive look-and-find adventures are filled with hidden treasures and unexpected delights.
Each page
teems with whimsical scenes, surprising characters, and layered visual storytelling
which turn learning the alphabet into a joyful exploration. Can you spot the
animal alphabet, the musician alphabet, and the construction alphabet? As
readers follow Otto and the mysterious Letterman on their journey, they will
uncover curious objects, secret words, and dozens of clever connections… all
woven into a rich tapestry of pattern, colour, humour and imagination. Using his distinctive style and creative flair, Schamp has
designed a vibrant and layered visual narrative in which young readers can find
something new every time they pick up the book. So whether children are discovering
the alphabet for the first time, or simply seeing it in a whole new light,
Beauty of Letters is a book to return to time and time again.
(Prestel, hardback, £22.50)
Locked in the Museum
Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Acapulco Studio
MORE than100,000 museums are scattered across the world so it
seems impossible that you could visit them all… but then again, what if you
could? Welcome to the Most Marvellous Museum where, on one special night, it’s
rumoured that the globe’s most amazing artefacts can be found all together. And
stranger still, it’s said that the museum quite literally comes alive! Step
inside a magical adventure, discover some of the world’s oldest, rarest and
most fascinating items and find out who from the past you might meet while
locked in the unique and exciting museum. Locked in the Museum, written by children’s author Leisa
Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Warsaw-based designers Acapulco Studio, takes
young readers on a journey through a museum that houses everything from the
Mary Rose and the Sistine Chapel to robots and modern art installations. Meet
ancient Egyptian mummies, avoid a woolly rhinoceros with a Neanderthal, and explore
the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. But please don’t touch the displays because
some of them bite! This behind-the-scenes tour opens a portal to the past,
unlocks a treasury of knowledge, and whispers the museum’s secrets to those who
dare to listen. Uncover the stories behind incredible exhibits from around the
world, find out how ancient artefacts are preserved, and learn about the
passionate people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring history to
life. History made real… don’t miss the ride!
(Templar Books, hardback, £16.99)
Robin Hood: War & Peas
Robert Muchamore
HE might be a modern-day Robin Hood… but he’s still out to
catch the villains who are cheating the poor and vulnerable! Welcome back to
international bestselling author Robert Muchamore’s contemporary take on the
old legend of Sherwood Forest in the tenth and final explosive chapter of an
enthralling series that has delivered a spectacular and sure-fire formula of
fun, action, terrific twists, and thrills galore. Here we find teen rebel and social-media star Robin Hood in
exile in Holland and limited to public campaigning for the rebel cause. In the
meantime, the Sherwood Forest rebels have been waging a long bitter war against
President Marjorie Kovacevic’s troops. And hundreds of thousands of civilians,
women and children have been locked up in squalid open-air prisons. But if the
President wants to remain in power, she must do whatever it takes to completely
destroy the rebels in the forest. Robin gets a chance to rejoin the rebels and
is smuggled in by a hair-raising sea crossing to team up with his old band once
more. His plan to destroy a military weapons factory turns into a plot to
foment a popular uprising and stage a massive prison breakout. Soon a
last-ditch effort to break the deadlock of never-ending fighting and oppression
is gaining momentum like an out-of-control rollercoaster. The stakes could not
be higher. What ensues is the mother of all battles that reaches a cataclysmic
finale in which the outcome remains on a knife edge until the very last page.
Brimming with guts, gusto, gags and gripping adventures, this is Robin Hood and
his merry men as you’ve never before seen them… don’t miss this epic last
battle!
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £7.99, published on March 12)
Detectograms®: The Parrot
Who Knew Too Much
Tim Collins and Steven Wood
CALLING all young super sleuths… test your brain cells with
this fun and immersive crime-solving adventure which has forty-six mystery
puzzles to crack! The Parrot Who Knew Too Much is the first of a brilliant new
series and comes from the inventive mind of Tim Collins, author of the
bestselling Sherlock Bones series, and is superbly illustrated throughout by Steven
Wood. The thrilling mystery story is told in mini-chapters
containing an innovative mix of narrative text and a puzzle called a
'Detectogram®' for readers to solve and keep the mystery unravelling. Police
Inspector Cross and her officers have been called out on a mysterious case.
They have traced the notorious Dempsey Gang to a warehouse, but they have
arrived too late! The gang have raced off into the distance with stolen bars of
gold. All they’ve left behind are a few stray scraps of paper and a very noisy
parrot who seems to be squawking cryptic clues about where the gang went next.
Now it’s up to the reader to crack the case, solving one Detectogram® at a
time. Packed with a mix of logic, visual and text-based puzzles, and with clues
to unravel, maps to navigate, suspects to examine and codes to crack, there are
plenty of fun and perplexing puzzles to be solved in this brain-busting,
interactive mystery. Missing all the fun just wouldn’t add up!
(Buster Books, paperback, £9.99, published on March 12)
Locomotion
Alastair Steele and Ryo Takemasa
ALTHOUGH railways are commonplace in many parts of the world
– snaking around coastlines, zipping across countryside and transporting people
and goods every day – it is strange to think that they have only been around
for about two hundred years. In his spectacular exploration of the history of
trains, railway historian, author and expert woodworker Alastair Steele celebrates
the ingenuity and usability of trains past, present and future. From early steam engines through to the modern
high-speed trains of today, Locomotion charts the history of trains throughout
the world, and the wonder and escapism they evoke. Brought to life by the beautiful
and atmospheric retro-inspired illustrations of award-winning artist Ryo
Takemasa, this fascinating pictorial journey takes in famous icons of the
railway world, along with some of the more ‘off the beaten track’ railways,
such as narrow gauge and industrial lines. Packed full of iconic trains
including the famous Flying Scotsman and the grand Orient Express, stopping off
at famous stations like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai and
the massive Grand Central Terminal in New York, as well as encompassing scenic
journeys like the majestic Trans-Siberian railway and the spectacular
long-distance California Zephyr service, Locomotion makes a stunning gift or
reference book for train lovers of all ages.
(Big Picture Press, paperback, £10.99, published on March 5)
Nature’s Dance: The Captivating Choreography of Birds, Fish & Insects
Núria Solsana
DISCOVER the secret choreography of the natural world in
this stunningly illustrated exploration of the astonishing ways in which birds,
fish and insects travel, communicate, and survive together. With six fold-out
pages and fabulous illustrations, Nature’s Dance is an eye-catching,
long-format book providing a cinematic look at nature’s most impressive
spectacles. Endlessly engaging and informative, the book reveals the hidden
rhythms and synchronised patterns of collective movement in the natural world.
Celebrated Spanish illustrator Núria Solsana’s vibrant artwork captures geese
flying in energy-saving V-formations, starlings shifting shape in mid-air to
confuse predators, and sardines swimming in dense, synchronised spirals.
Readers learn how bees vibrate and dance to share information, ant colonies
join together to build bridges, and penguins form rhythmic chains in their icy
environment. Alongside vivid depictions of these instinctive patterns, Nature’s
Dance provides fascinating insights into the subtle, interconnected systems
that shape animal life. It also acts as a stunning celebration of movement, co-operation,
and the profound intelligence of the natural world… a reminder that even the smallest
creature plays a part in nature’s grand and intricate choreography. Whether it
is used as an educational resource or as a work of art, this is the ideal book
for curious observers and budding environmentalists.
(Prestel, hardback, £14.99)
Age 8 plus
Dragon Girl and the Awakened Flames
Jenny Moore
(Maverick Arts Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
Death by Chocolate
Anna Brooke and Emily Jones
IF you’re dying for some chocolate this Easter, tuck into
this tasty murder mystery which is packed full of fun, laughter, clues… and a
liberal coating of chocolate! Written by the multi-talented Anna Brooke, and
with illustrations by Emily Jones, Death by Chocolate stars a deliciously
offbeat girl called Coco Bean who gets caught up in a cosy and exceedingly chocolatey
murder mystery. Coco’s parents have poured everything into a struggling
French hotel. But the hotel is haunted by a bitter old ghost, Monsieur
Framboise, a chocolatier who met a sticky end. He agrees to share his legendary
skills with Coco and her new friend Louis in exchange for their help in
uncovering the truth behind his murder. Can Coco and Louis save the family
hotel and solve the mystery by Easter? With yummy recipes and lots of sweet
treats, this is the perfect accompaniment to feasting on this year’s Easter
eggs!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99, published on March 12)
Cruise Ship Kid: Kidnap At Sea!
Emma Swan and Katie Saunders
IF you need a breath of fresh sea air to dispel the winter blues, set sail with the Cruise Ship Kid, the high seas star of a sparkling maritime detective series from debut author, West End actress and award-winning comedian Emma Swan. Harnessing her own childhood experiences aboard P&O cruises, where both her parents worked, Swan uses her insider knowledge of every part of a cruise ship (including out-of-bounds spaces!) to bring youngsters exciting adventures which navigate the trials of growing up, the fine art of making friends, and lessons in how to be a crime-solving superstar. Written in diary form and filled with Katie Saunders’ brilliant doodle-style illustrations, these charming and interactive stories include activities to enjoy along the voyage and lots of space for youngsters to add their own scribbles and doodles.
So jump on board and meet Silver! Hi, I'm Silver (yes, really) and I'm back! Here are four more things you should know about me: 1. I still live on a cruise ship. 2. But two days ago we moved to a brand-new ship! 3. I’m now definitely a detective! 4. And I need your help investigating my second case! Since my last diary, Mum has been promoted and we now live on a cruise ship with a mini-golf course, an ice-cream parlour and a mega slide! And The Gang, my amazing friends who are all over 80, have come along too! I thought my biggest challenge this cruise would be to convince Mum to buy me a phone. But now a super famous influencer has been kidnapped, The Gang unhelpfully keep taking over my investigations, and we still can’t find her. So, do you want to be definitely-a-detective too and help me solve the kidnap at sea?
With crime-solving and friendship playing equal roles,
Cruise Ship Kid is a super, sunshine treat which packs in lots warm-hearted fun
whilst exploring the importance of forming intergenerational relationships.
Don’t miss the boat!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99, published on March 12)
The Mubbles: The Good, the Bad and the Perky
Liz Pichon
BE warned… this book is seriously funny! Put some added
colour, fun and sheer unadulterated joy into the last days of winter with The
Mubbles: The Good, the Bad and the Perky, the third book in an outrageously
entertaining graphic novel series from the multi-talented Liz Pichon,
bestselling creator of the global phenomenon Tom Gates books. Youngsters – and
their parents – will be laughing all the way on a welcome return trip to the
Isle of Smile, a beautiful island that runs on sun, wind and flower power, and
is home to the colourful, fun-loving Mubbles… Berry, Dash, Cheery and the gang.
The Mubbles love their island, especially the mysterious
Uncertain Curtain which always delivers an unexpected surprise. What will it be
today? It’s a karaoke machine… which the Mubbles love for singing their
cheerful songs! This makes the Doomongers on the Isle of Gloom grumpy, and
desperate to stop the karaoke fun. Will sending the Clouds of Doom, the Whiff
of Woe or the Beastly Bugs to the Isle of Smile keep the merry Mubbles quiet
once and for all? Packed full of colourful characters, boundless fun and lots
of adventures, this is the ideal series for youngsters who like their stories
to come with bags of eye-catching artwork. Add on a QR code that takes you to a
website packed with extra content, including arts and crafts and many fun songs
from The Mubbles world, and the result is a fabulous, all-singing, all-dancing
book of laughter. And why not join the ever growing Mubbles community which
already has over 150,000 subscribers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £10.99, published on March 12)
Dave Pigeon (Dave vs Dave!)
Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey
YOUNGSTERS (and their grown-ups!) will be all of a-flutter
when author Swapna Haddow and illustrator Sheena Dempsey’s return with the
grand finale of their high-flying, bestselling Dave Pigeon comedy adventure
series. With a laugh guaranteed on every page, this much-loved, award-winning
chapter book series has shown the outstanding queens of comedy at their very
best and received rave reviews since first publishing ten years ago. In the
last adventure, another pigeon turns up looking a bit like Dave! What on Earth?
The Human Lady has brought home another injured pigeon… and the imposter looks
a little bit like Dave! Can Dave prove himself to be most worthy of the name?
When fierce competition erupts between the two birds, it’s up to Skipper to
find a way to prove who is more Dave, once and for all. Packed with Haddow’s
warmth, sense of fun and wicked, laugh-out-loud wit, and Dempsey’s irresistibly
hilarious black and white illustrations, the final flight for this funny,
energetic and addictive series from one of the most inspired partnerships in
children’s comedy fiction will be winging its way into the hearts of all Dave
fans!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99, published on March 12)
Adventuremice: Of Mice and Mummies
Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
YOUNGSTERS love these meeces to pieces! The dream team of
author Philip Reeve and illustrator Sarah McIntyre pool their talents for the
new book in a simply delightful early reader series which has all the fun of TV
hit Paw Patrol, and the charm and whimsy of classics like The Wind in the
Willows. With its focus on fun, friendship and kindness, Adventuremice features
Pedro, a timid little mouse who has proved himself to be brave enough to join
the heroic team who protect the Mouse Islands from danger. In this new outing, the
intrepid Adventuremice make a HUGE discovery! When Meepie the mermouse finds an
ancient stones covered in strange pictures, the Adventuremice start another big
adventure. The symbol points the way to the tomb of the famous pharaoh, Queen
Neferteacake. But a naughty mouse gets his paws on the stone and wants to steal
the queen’s treasure. What follows is a race against time to reach a secret
island, full of incredible mouse sphinxes, pyramids, palaces… and the tomb of
Queen Neferteacake. This might be Little Pedro’s most exciting mission ever! Reeve’s
lively, heartwarming and fun-filled storytelling delivers all those ingredients
that children love – immersive adventures, lovable heroes, reassuring
friendships, exciting action and plenty of smiles – and all brought to vibrant,
colourful life by McIntyre’s exquisitely characterful illustrations. A warm and
whiskery favourite with mouse lovers of every age!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)
Five Minutes’ Peace
Jill Murphy
PARENTS who grew up on the stories of Jill Murphy’s adorable
Large Family picture books have a treat in store with this gorgeous 40th
anniversary edition of her much-loved classic, Five Minutes’ Peace. Murphy, who
sadly died in 2021, began drawing and writing stories at a very early age and
made her first book by the time she was only six years old. Her books about the
lovable Large family have sold more than ten million copies worldwide and
become firm family favourites over the decades. Meet Mrs Large the elephant who
just needs five minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! Taking
refuge in the bathroom, she fills herself a hot, foamy bubble bath and takes in
a tray of her favourite breakfast and the morning paper. But there’s never a
dull moment with the Large family and it soon becomes clear that mum’s quiet
time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this
warm, funny and exquisitely illustrated story which is wrapped in love and
comes with a shiny gold foil cover making it ideal for Mother’s Day gifting.
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)
Whack a Moley
Bethan Clarke and Anders Frang
GET ready to have your brain befuddled and your funny bone
tickled as exciting debut author Bethan Clarke and rising star illustrator
Anders Frang from Denmark combine their creative talents on another
outrageously anarchic picture book. Following on from the success of Holey
Moley comes this laugh-out-loud sequel which will have young readers giggling
and guessing as rhymes and wordplay put the comedy and complexity of language
at centre stage. Meet the delightfully mismatched friends Gus the Goat and Mavis
Mole. Gus is bursting with energy but Mavis not so much. So when Mavis suggests
a calm game of tiddlywinks, Gus has other ideas. Bigger ideas, bolder ideas…
whack a moley! If bonkers humour is a prize-winner for young readers, then this
wonderfully nonsensical story is topping the shortlist as Clarke blends her
rollicking, razor-sharp rhyming skills with the deadpan humour of Frang’s
stylish, contemporary illustrations. Perfectly created to inspire a love of
language, nonsense and puns, and with a delightful final twist at the end, this
is a story to share and enjoy time and time again.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Raindrops
Robin Boyden
COME rain (well, particularly rain!) or shine, Mouse is on a
journey to deliver a very special parcel. Prepare for oohs and aahs as author
and illustrator Robin Boyden brings little ones a beautiful picture book that
will make them fall in love with even the rainiest of days. When a drop of rain
turns into a storm, a small mouse on a mission must find courage, ingenuity and
resilience to make it home safely and put a smile on someone’s face. But what
will happen to the very special parcel he is carrying… and who is it for?
Packed with Boyden’s emotive illustrations, plus a unique mouse’s-eye view of
the world, and a simple text that lets adults and children explore the story
together, this stunning picture book and its heartwarming ending will enchant
readers of every age.
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
No More Nappies Sticker Activity Book
Illustrated by Marion Cocklico
and Marie Kyprianou
SAY goodbye to nappies! If you’re on the hunt for some
helpful tips on potty training, look no further than this delightful sticker
book which is based on the bestselling book, No More Nappies, and is packed
with over 300 fun stickers, colouring-in, puzzles and a reward chart to help
your little ones on their potty training journey. With simple potty-training
tips for learning while you play, the book is an ideal way to introduce potty
training to little ones in a fun and relatable way. Featuring Millie and Mo
from the bestselling No More Nappies flap-and-slider book, and with bright and
bold illustrations by Marion Cocklico and Marie Kyprianou, the book can be used
either at home or when you’re on the go.
(Campbell Books, paperback, £6.99, published on March 19)
Our World: Spain
Susanna Isern and Teresa Bellón
LITTLE ones are transported to faraway
countries in three bright and colourful new board books in Barefoot Books’
educational Our World series for very young readers. In Our World: Spain,
youngsters spend a day in Spain, playing veo veo in the park, eating tortilla
española for lunch, and taking a siesta under the trees. They can even learn
words in Spanish with pronunciation guides throughout the story. Spanish author
Susanna Isern and illustrator Teresa Bellon draw on their own lived experiences
to create this beautiful, playful story which includes educational endnotes providing
more insights into life in Spain.
(Barefoot Books, board books, £7.99 each)
Pasta, Pasta, Pasta!
Sarah Finan
THRER'S only one thing this baby loves to eat… pasta, pasta,
pasta! Little ones will love winding their way through twisty spirals, bouncy
bows, or long, slurpy strands in the third board book of Post Wave’s Yum, Yum,
Yum! pre-school board book series which introduces tots to favourite foods and
all the tasty ways they can be eaten. Written and illustrated by award-winning
designer and illustrator Sarah Finan, this bright and bold book about the joy
of eating pasta 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)
