Date With Destiny

Julia Chapman

WEDDING bells might be ringing for Yorkshire Dales detective duo Samson O’Brien and Delilah Metcalfe but some harsh realities, and secret doubts, are casting a shadow over their forthcoming nuptials.

And when a shocking murder rocks their small community, the chalk-and-cheese couple’s personal worries and reservations have to be set aside while they concentrate all their efforts on finding a brutal killer.

Welcome back to drop-dead gorgeous Bruncliffe, the not-so-sleepy Dales town where murder, mystery and malice are only ever a heartbeat away. Date With Destiny is the tenth and final novel in Julia Chapman’s brilliantly entertaining Dales Detective Agency series which stars the irresistible private investigator Samson and his delightful fiancée and sleuthing partner Delilah, owner of the Dales Dating Agency. These enchanting whodunits have become a hot favourite with readers seduced by the stunning scenery, ingenious plotting, superb characterisation, and Chapman’s (pictured below) fine line in earthy Yorkshire wit. And in our last visit to Bruncliffe – just when things should be going smoothly for Samson and Delilah – there seems to be another storm to weather.

After an impulsive proposal to Delilah (who said yes!) Samson had seen nothing but bliss ahead of them but the woman he worships seems to be reluctant to actually commit to getting married. What started out as a niggling worry has turned into ‘fully fledged anxiety’ because three weeks from the wedding date, invitations have not been sent out and Delilah hasn’t even chosen a dress for the big day.

Beset with worries, the last thing Samson needs is handsome and charismatic reality TV star Jake Ramsbottom (now known to his adoring fans as the single name Tyke) comes knocking on the Dales Detective Agency’s door, seeking their services.

Tyke, who has family connections to Bruncliffe, has been receiving menacing death threats and is willing to pay a large sum of money to find the culprit. Samson is initially reluctant to help for many reasons, not least a bit of jealousy because Delilah seems star-struck by his arrival.

But things quickly escalate following a shocking murder at the town’s Fellside Court retirement complex and, as one of their friends comes under suspicion, Samson and Delilah must set aside their own problems to catch a killer. It’s a case that will bring so many of Bruncliffe’s secrets out into the open, and this final investigation for the Dales Detectives has the potential to wreak irreparable damage.

Chapman pens her clever stories with the lightest of touches but there always remains a layer of gritty reality beneath the wryly funny double act of Samson and Delilah, and the likeable, down-to-earth residents of Bruncliffe. And it is the timeless charm of her writing, the ability to immerse readers in the everyday lives of ordinary country folk, and the endless joys of observing the rollercoaster relationship between Samson and Delilah that have made this series such a memorable delight.

With an intriguing murder mystery to solve, an exquisitely imagined cast of characters both familiar and not-so-familiar, the rolling hills and rural delights of the Dales providing a luscious backdrop, and a wedding that was always destined to see our romantic heroes complete ‘a perfect circle,’ this is a thoroughly satisfying farewell to what has been a quintessentially Yorkshire reading treat.
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Deadly games, ancient stories and a chiller-thriller

Feast your imagination on a brilliant, brand new Hunger Games adventure, get lost in the mists of time with a thrilling account of Britain’s rich myths and legends, go down to the woods with a bunch of spiky classmates who have a killer mystery to solve, and find out what life as an ancient Egyptian was actually like in a super, sparkling collection of new books

Age 12 plus
Sunrise on the Reaping
Suzanne Collins

IF you have an insatiable appetite for more of Suzanne Collins’ phenomenal dystopian adventure series The Hunger Games then feast your eyes and your imagination on this spectacular, thrill-packed prequel set in the sadistic world of Panem twenty-four years before we met the unforgettable Katniss Everdeen. Sunrise on the Reaping – the fifth book of a blistering series that has taken the world by storm – opens on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and what happens next is guaranteed to fascinate, horrify, amaze, and break your heart.

It all began with a 16-year-old girl whose life changed forever when she was selected to fight to the death in the terrifying Hunger Games but rewind the story – Collins’ unique and inventive blend of the worst excesses of reality television, the savagery of ancient Rome and the chilling oppression of communism – and we discover the formative days of characters we have come to know across the first four books. When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for? As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He is torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes... a young friend who is nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

It’s no wonder that film producers can’t wait to get their hands on new Hunger Games books. Full of heart-stopping action and terrifying violence, these white knuckle adventures are just ripe for big screen treatment so no surprise to learn that this new addition is already earmarked for cinemas in November next year. But each futuristic story carries with it life lessons for young readers about the dangers of tyranny and control, and features the same moral choices and dilemmas that face people on planet Earth. With plot twists galore, a relentless pace that keeps the nerves tingling without over-egging the action, Sunrise on the Reaping is another master class in suspense fiction.
(Scholastic, hardback, £19.99)

Age 9 plus
Storyland: Britain began with myths...
Amy Jeffs

IMMERSE yourself in mist and magic, and discover heroes and monsters right on your doorstep, with a thrilling book that was created for adults but has now been retold for children so they too can marvel at Britain’s fascinating and age-old myths and legends. Based on her bestselling Storyland: A Mythology of Britain, Amy Jeffs – an author, printmaker and art historian specialising in the Middle Ages – brings youngsters a beautiful book packed with landscapes which they can recognise but populated with everything from goddesses, Trojans and giants to runaway servants and power-hungry kings. Many of us have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules... but what about the myths which are closer to home? Learn about the Trojan heroes who wrestled giants, the Syrian sisters who found refuge on our lands, the dragons who slept in hollow hills, and the kings who communed with the dead. Travelling across the wildest of landscapes – as far north as Orkney and way down to Cornwall in the south – children will learn how Britain got its name, build Stonehenge with the young Merlin, chase hounds up the mountains of Wales, ride stags into the forests of Scotland, and sail with Trojans along the rivers of Britain, discovering a land bursting with thrilling adventures. Full of enchantment, beauty and discovery, and brimming with Jeffs’ striking lino cut illustrations, this stunning book is the perfect way to dazzle children with home-grown tales of magic and adventure... and introduce them to an unforgettable array of dragons and demons, kings and princesses, giants and prophets. Simply wizard!
(Wren & Rook, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods
Jennifer Killick

WLECOME to Hazard, an ordinary town where strangeness is a way of life... a town where sink holes appear with no warning, where people go missing way too often, and where things really DO go bump in the night! Queen of chills-and-thrills Jennifer Killick – author of the spine-chilling Dread Wood and Crater Lake series – makes a welcome return with all those super-spooky vibes that kids love... horrors galore, a delicious dollop of black comedy and a bunch of spiky classmates with a killer mystery to solve. Horror stories are what Killick does best and Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods delivers horror and humour in perfect harmony in this brilliant new story filled with big dollops of menace, malevolence and mystery. To teenager Travis and his classmates, Zayd, Seline and Danielle, Hazard is home. But when they are set a school project to investigate the history of the town, they decide to look into the local urban legend of Blood-Eyed Mary, hoping for nothing more than a good grade. But when they head straight into the heart of Mary’s lair in the woods at night, what they find there changes everything, not least that something strange and alien lies beneath Hazard. What can they learn from their investigations into the mysterious witch in the woods? And – if the witch really does exist – will they make it home to tell the tale? Killick is a slick and sassy storyteller… she knows just how far to take her heart-stopping tales of cool comedy and scary horror as she pumps up the action and lets loose her rich imagination. Just be prepared to read this gorgeous, gigglesome and unputdownable chiller-thriller in one sitting!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
What It Was Like
to Be an Ancient Egyptian
David Long and Stefano Tambellini

FIND out what life as an ancient Egyptian was actually like, both for pharaohs and ordinary people, alongside Blue Peter Award-winning author David Long in the fourth book of his enthralling What It Was Like to Be... series which introduces children to the daily life, culture and legacy of some of history’s most extraordinary civilisations. From sacred cats to the invention of toothpaste, calendars and door locks, Long takes readers to the beating heart of the ancient Egyptian civilisation which lasted for an incredible 3,000 years. Ruled over by pharaohs, the Egyptians developed agricultural skills and trading partnerships that enabled them to build a rich and powerful nation centred on the River Nile. Far more advanced than any European countries at the time, the Egyptians achieved incredible feats of building, created a new way of writing, and revolutionised farming. The pharaohs’ powerful armies were undefeatable for generations so how did such an impressive empire suddenly disappear? Long’s concise and thoroughly entertaining account brings the ancient Egyptians’ fascinating civilisation into focus, allowing a deeper understanding and appreciation of their culture. With all the intriguing facts and mysteries of their lives brought to vivid life by Stefano Tambellini’s rich artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a dazzling addition to a top class series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The World at Night: Discover the world that wakes when you sleep
Ben Lerwill and Paula Bossio

HAVE you ever wondered what goes on around the world in the deepest, darkest depths of night? The truth may well surprise you because while we sleep, our planet is transforming and thriving! Dip into this amazing and informative book and you’ll find that at night, magic is all around in the natural world, from bioluminescent seas in the Caribbean to the Northern Lights on Arctic winter nights. Discover how wild animals embark on awe-inspiring journeys or hunt stealthily under the cover of darkness, while some people wake to work through the hours of darkness. Packed full of incredible facts and brought to life by Paula Bossio’s beautifully quirky illustrations, The World at Night takes readers to the ends of the Earth and everywhere in between to uncover the hidden wonders of our nocturnal planet. Young readers will love exploring the lives of animals who tread a different path under the cover of darkness, not least the perilous moonlight journey taken by baby turtles and the global migration of bearded pigs. Discover nocturnal plants that have evolved to only bloom in the moonlight, and wild mushrooms that depend on their glow-in-the-dark superpower for survival. Follow the people who work hard through the night... hospital staff, fishing crews, bakers, firefighters, postal workers and security guards. Learn about our reliance on electric light across the world, and the human body clock’s vital connection to light and darkness. With a glossary of all notable terms at the end of the book, The World at Night is the ideal way to learn, discover and watch our planet come alive in ways you have never seen before!
(Buster Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
Bronte Tempestra and the Weather Witch
Bex Hogan and Hannah McCaffery

A PLUCKY girl is not afraid to show the knights just how brave a princess can be! Enjoy a feminist twist on the traditional tales of brave knights and trembling princesses in this fun-filled fantasy quest series from author Bex Hogan and illustrator Hannah McCaffery. The delightful and daring Bronte Tempestra is an unforgettable heroine, the first ever princess to train as a knight, and here we join her for her third adventure at Sir Sebastian’s School for Squires! Bronte and the other trainee knights are visiting the Stones of Forgotten Secrets with the princesses from POOP (The Palace of Obedient and Outstanding Princesses). But the joint school trip is plagued by mysterious mist which Bronte believes is the work of a weather witch. When the mist turns dark and dangerous, and with the camp in peril, it’s up to Bronte and her friends to discover the witch’s intentions... a quest that leads them to question history itself. Can Bronte uncover what is truly behind the chaos at camp and succeed in saving the day, like her hero Sir Pen Tine? Tradition is well and truly turned on its head in this funny, all-action romp, packed with secrets, sorcery and sabotage, and the quirkiest creatures you’re ever likely to meet. Add on McCaffery’s imaginative illustrations bringing Bronte’s exciting fantasy world to life, it’s a glorious gallop from start to finish.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Toby and the Pixies: Best Frenemies!
James Turner and Andreas Schuster

BUCKLE up and get ready to rock as illustrator, cartoonist and comic writer James Turner and German-born cartoonist Andreas Schuster return for another unstoppable rollercoaster ride into side-splitting silliness! Toby and the Pixies: Best Frenemies! is the second book of a hilarious graphic comic book series full of chaotic energy and pixie mayhem that was originally published in the hugely popular The Phoenix comic. So head off to an ordinary town where shy and anxious Toby Cauldwell is an ordinary schoolboy who just wants life to stay normal... but the magical pixies have other ideas. King to a colony of pixies living in his garden, Toby’s life is NOT regal as their every attempt to help goes horribly wrong. A trip to the dentist, going on holiday, learning to cook... the mischievous pixie ‘help’ he receives causes complete and utter chaos! With tormentor Steph on his case, Toby is desperate to get through the school day in one piece. Will pixie advisers Toadflax. Mouldwarp and Gatherwool come to his aid or do they have other plans? It’s total pandemonium with the pixies around! Brimming with all the zany slapstick fun that young readers expect from their comic book anti-heroes, this anarchic series delivers unlikely friendships, madcap antics and laugh-out-loud pixie-themed magic. Everything you could wish for when two superstar comedy creators let their imaginations run wild!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Bunny vs Monkey:
The Whopping World of Puzzles
Jamie Smart

BRACE yourselves for a rollercoaster ride with a devilishly funny puzzle book that will not just keep your brain engaged but also deliver giggles galore. Yes, Jamie Smart – creator of the bestselling Phoenix Presents Bunny vs Monkey series – is bouncing back with a magnificent activity book brimming with interactive fun! When Bunny, Monkey and the gang discover a secret theme park lost deep in their woods, with rides just waiting to be ridden, so begins a new competition in which YOU are at the heart of the adventure. With wordsearches, puzzles, mazes and, of course, lots of fun, this is a puzzle book guaranteed to create giant waves of laughter across a sea of young readers!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 6 plus
BEANO Betty and the Yeti:
Friends at First Fart
Hugh Raine

MAKE a new friend at first fart in the funniest, messiest and smelliest new graphic novel series! Young mischief-makers will be laughing out loud when they get their hands on the first book of a hilarious illustrated series from author and illustrator Hugh Raine. Betty and the Yeti are the best of friends, but Yeti is, well… a yeti, and Betty isn’t supposed to have a yeti living in her room – not that she’s asked! What the ‘groan-ups’ don’t know won’t hurt them, right? Well, just their house, their garden and their bank accounts! But shh! You wouldn’t tell them about Yeti, would you? Readers will be blown away by Betty and Yeti as they get to grips with being room-mates and Yeti learns how to act like a human to blend in. Will it end in disaster or will they become friends at first fart? Find out in this laughter-filled story which includes awesome activities to complete including puzzles and a wordsearch.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 6 plus
Ballet Besties: Dante’s Winning Dance
Yasmine Naghdi, Chitra Soundar and Paula Franco

PUT on your dancing shoes and pirouette your way into the Shimmer & Shine dance studio where the ballet besties are ready to put on a show! Dante’s Winning Dance is the third book of a heartwarming and inclusive series from Yasmine Naghdi, a Principal with the Royal Ballet, storyteller and author Chitra Soundar, and Argentinian illustrator Paula Franco. Brimming with rich and authentic detail about the world of ballet, and brought to vibrant life by Franco’s enchanting artwork, this is a super series that puts young ballet fans in a spin. Dante loves nothing more than scoring goals on the football pitch then racing to Shimmer & Shine to ace his pas de chats. But when his football friends start to tease him for his passion, Dante struggles to find the confidence to keep doing the two things he loves most. Will encouraging Miss Diamond to enter their class into a dance competition be just what Dante needs to prove how fantastic dance can be? Will their adaptation of Beauty and the Beast win over his friends, or will Dante have to put his own modern spin on things to truly shine?  By featuring characters of all ages, genders, ethnicities and body size, the exuberant Ballet Besties adventures break down the traditional idea of what a ballet dancer looks like and bring the joy of classical ballet to young readers. Dancing delights for everyone!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Meet The Mubbles
Liz Pichon

PUT some added colour, fun and sheer unadulterated joy into your spring with Meet The Mubbles, an outrageously entertaining new 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 when they head off to the Isle of Smile, a beautiful island that runs on sun, wind and flower power. Welcome to the island where everyone – including the Wibbles of Wobble Mountain, the singing Earworms and the one-eyed Drib Drabs – lives in perfect harmony... well, most of the time! But when the Clouds of Joy bump together to make a wonky rainbow, it means one thing... someone or something is coming to visit. Who could it be? Time spent with The Mubbles on the Isle of Smile makes everything better... see for yourself! Packed full of colourful characters, boundless fun and lots of adventures, this series is guaranteed to be a number one hit with youngsters who like their stories to come with bags of eye-catching artwork. Add on a QR code that will take you to a website packed with extra content, including arts and crafts and many fun songs from The Mubbles world and The Isle of Smile, and the result is a fabulous, all singing, all dancing book of joy!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)

Age 5 plus
Adventuremice: Mice, Camera, Action!
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, an exciting letter has arrived at Mousebase from Hollybush. A famous producer is making Adventuremice: The Movie. Pedro and the team travel to the film set where there’s glitz, glam, and an out-of-control otter! It’s up to the Adventuremice to save the day... and the movie. Get those cameras rolling! 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)

Age 5 plus
Call the Puffins: Tiny and the Cave Ghost
Cath Howe and Ella Okstad

WHEN a rescue is needed, call in team puffin! Author, teacher and self-confessed puffin enthusiast Cath Howe works her word magic on the fourth book of a sparkling series starring a stellar group of young puffins. So welcome back to the island of Egg where Muffin, Tiny and the rest of the trainees are busy learning the skills they need to become rescue puffins. The friends are delighted to be taking part in a special day of celebrations called Puffin Power where they can practise all the things they have learned. But when a chick goes missing, the young rescuers must put their training into practice, and before long they are deep in the cave network searching for the lost chick. It’s dark and spooky... what if the legend of the ghost puffin that haunts these caves is true? Muffin, Tiny and the others need to gather their courage and work as a team to rescue the chick and lead everyone to safety! Brought to life by the enchanting artwork of illustrator Ella Okstad, this gorgeous series celebrates teamwork, belonging and resilience as the new puffin team get in the swim for their exciting rescue roles. Add on an irresistible helping of fluttery fun and high-flying mischief, and youngsters are in for another perfect puffin fest!   
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Gozzle
Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie

SAY hello to a VERY cute little gosling! A funny and heartwarming tale about mistaken identity, family and growing up from one of the best teams in picture books is set to steal the hearts of readers young and not-so-young. Written by the brilliant, much-loved author Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie – creators of the bestselling The Detective Dog – Gozzle is a fabulous flight of fancy full of youthful joie de vivre. It's springtime, Bear has woken up hungry and finds a lost egg outside his cave. Breakfast? Definitely not! Tap, tap, tap and out hatches Gozzle, a very sweet little gosling who is convinced that Bear must be her daddy – and that she should be able to climb, dig and eat honey just like him. Follow Bear on his journey from reluctant carer to parent in this loving and joyous picture book which reminds us all what family truly mean. Prepare to laugh out loud and have your heart totally captured!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
I am Emily the Owl
Pam Ayres and Nicola O’Byrne

TAKE flight with Emily the Owl in a heartwarming and inspirational new picture book from much-loved poet Pam Ayres and award-winning artist Nicola O’Byrne. Written in Ayres’ moving rhyme and gloriously illustrated by O’Byrne, youngsters witness one owl's extraordinary journey, unveiling the fascinating world of these secretive and enchanting creatures. Did you ever see us, in these fields and grassy places? Sensed our silent wings; glimpsed our exquisite heart-shaped faces? From the loss of her cherished barn to finding hope and a new home, young children will love discovering the resilience and beauty of barn owls like Emily. Learn what sustains these graceful hunters, from their search for voles and mice to the snug boxes that become their sanctuaries. Bursting with natural facts interwoven throughout the story, and with an information spread at the end that includes tips on how to spot these majestic creatures, I am Emily the Owl is the third book in Ayres' Animal Stories series, following on from I Am Oliver the Otter and I Am Hattie the Hare.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
A Home is a Nest
Emma Carlisle

WELCOMING a new baby into the family is always a special time and here’s a beautifully created book that puts all that emotion and love into lyrical verse and stunning artwork. A Home is a Nest – a comforting picture book which explores the idea of ‘home’ and ‘family’ through nature’s lens – is the work of award-winning artist and Waterstones Prize shortlisted author Emma Carlisle. From the cosiness of winter dens to the arrival of spring and a young bird’s first flight, this gorgeous gift book draws parallels between the way animals care for their babies and how humans nurture their own. With its gentle narrative and exquisitely tender illustrations, the book is an ideal choice for reading aloud at bedtime, or to simply snuggle up with and share. A heartwarming celebration of the precious early days of parenthood and the love between parent and child.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Ten Whizzy Racers: Chaos at Crackling Creek
Timothy Knapman and Richard Merritt

‘Here, at the start line, they wait to begin,
Engines go vroooom! Who’s going to win?’ 

WHO could resist joining in the speedy fun of a new racing themed countdown picture book series from author Timothy Knapman and illustrator Richard Merritt? We’re ready and waiting, the countdown’s begun... join ten whizzy racers for super-fast fun! Zoom through Fairytale Forest with the racers as they all compete to win the Beanstalk cup. Watch out as they avoid the temptation of gingerbread forests, pass through the scarily named Troll booth and dodge angry fairies on their quest to be number one! Even the most reluctant readers will enjoy reading along with Knapman’s bouncy rhyming text. Add on Merritt’s vibrant illustrations, a colourful collection of wacky cars, and a high energy race, and you have the perfect countdown picture book adventure for little ones who love cars and counting.
(Ladybird, paperback, £7.99)

Age from birth
Hello Bunny! & Hello Bee!
Sharon King-Chai

COLOUR, reflection, fun and learning! This gorgeous new mirror board book series for babies and toddlers – from talented designer and illustrator Sharon King-Chai – comes complete with a unique illustrated mirror landscape format. Babies and toddlers will love finding the colourful creatures on every reflective page which has a printed mirror right through to a high quality mirror on the final spread in which the little readers can see themselves. 

The shiny mirror and bold, bright colours are perfect for baby brain development and sensory play, catching the eye and keeping little ones engaged as they say hello and bye-bye, and then spot themselves in the mirror at the end! Mirrors on every page extend the lush and immersive landscape... simply hold the book upright to create a magical mirror world to explore. Every Mirror Magic also book includes a free audio download via the QR code on the back. Listen along and learn new words as the book is read out loud, then read again to enjoy a bonus audio spotting game!
(Two Hoots, board books, £8.99 each)

Same Time Next Week

Milly Johnson

LIFE brings many changes but for women of a certain age, the ‘middle years’ too often usher in changes that will challenge them both physically and emotionally.

Take Amanda Brundell… her old dreams and ambitions have long been consigned to the bin, she’s single, childless, cares for her elderly mother, and is struggling with the effects of the menopause.  Her very understandable fear now is that she will never escape the grim, continuous loop of work and duty.

What is it about Barnsley born-and-bred author Milly Johnson’s entertaining and highly anticipated novels that each and every one of them wins a special place in the hearts of her army of adoring readers? Could it be the feeling that you personally know her cast of exquisitely imagined and authentic characters, is it her ability to zone in so precisely on to life’s fears, frustrations, triumphs and tragedies, or is it quite simply that she captures the zeitgeist of real women with all too recognisable real-life dilemmas?

Whatever your reasons for loving Johnson’s (pictured left) gloriously uplifting novels, you can guarantee that her empowering stories – liberally sprinkled with Yorkshire heart and humour – will nail the importance of female friendship, the precious bonds of family and community, and the magic that springs from kindness and caring.

Welcome to Spring Hill in a corner of South Yorkshire, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and the newest venture, Ray’s Diner... it’s here that a group of local women will soon be meeting once a week over a cup of something warming.

Middle-aged Amanda is primary carer to her elderly, truculent mother and with a half-brother who has proved himself useless but is still favourite child, she feels like she’s been second-best all her life. Her day job is in marketing but she’s fed up with her company ‘managing’ women out so is pleasantly surprised when the boss asks her to draft a report on supporting staff through menopause.  

Spurred into action by the fact that her own menopause has hit her ‘like a sledgehammer,’ Amanda decides to set up a weekly discussion group at her local diner (where owner Roy happens to be a rather gorgeous Texan owner) to gather as much information as she can.

In walk four women who are about to change her life... Sky, Mel, Erin and Astrid are also at a crossroads. Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But Sky’s heart beats for the shop owner, a man who is over twenty years older than herself, married and strictly off-limits.

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years but when he goes to his old school reunion, and meets an old flame, life as she knows it will never be the same again. Erin is trying to get over a traumatic death but her guilt weighs more than her grief. She can’t start healing and ‘regrouping’ until she has conquered the ‘self-protective’ instincts’ getting in her way.

Cleaner Astrid, meanwhile, is in need of a change and a challenge. She feels as if ‘life was a big orange and she hasn’t squeezed enough juice out of it’ but when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk? Can these women find acceptance, courage, support... and the answers to their worries?

It’s staggering to think that Same Time Next Week is Johnson’s 22^nd novel... another dazzling reminder of how this talented and empathetic writer remains constantly in tune with women’s emotional struggles and how the unique support and understanding that women offer to each other is the panacea and the glue that helps to keep their lives on track.

And in true style, Amanda and her disillusioned gang’s chequered path through emotive themes like divorce, bereavement, the heavy burden of guilt, caring responsibilities, the blossoming of self-worth, and the discovery that it’s never too late to start again is liberally sprinkled with the author’s delicious Yorkshire-flavoured wit and warmth.

Life throws at us both light and darkness and Johnson is never afraid to tackle those two imposters with her native wisdom, her deep understanding of the extraordinary challenges many women face, and her unwavering conviction that female friendships have an extraordinary transformative power. So if you’re looking for an inspirational, uplifting and utterly charming escape, head off to Yorkshire and enjoy romance and reality in springtime’s most seductive reading package!
(Simon & Schuster, hardback, £16.99)

Hadrian’s Cycleway

Coast-to-coast cycling from Ravenglass to South Shields
Carl McKeating
and Rachel Crolla

WHAT better way could there be to explore Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Empire’s most northerly frontier, than as part of a stunning coast-to-coast bike ride suitable for cyclists of all abilities?

Showcasing the fascinating vestiges of Roman Britain, this spectacular 174-mile west to east cycle route begins at Glannaventa Roman Fort in Ravenglass, follows quiet roads and cycle paths, takes in the best of the Cumbrian coast, Northumberland National Park and the Tyne Valley, and finishes at Arbeia Fort in South Shields. Published by Kendal-based Cicerone Press – an enthusiastic publisher specialising in outdoor activities guidebooks – and with passionate outdoor pursuits all-rounders Carl McKeating and Rachel Crolla as your personal guides, Hadrian’s Cycleway describes a suggested three-day ride of 50-60 miles per day, and outlines shorter and longer options for differing abilities.

The route predominantly uses peaceful minor roads and cycle routes on dismantled railways, picturesque coastal paths and riverside tracks. There are also more leisurely four- and five-day options, a 100-mile, two-day cycle tour along Hadrian’s Wall only, and an alternative stage that rides closer to the Wall than the official route.

The guide gives clear route descriptions with 1:100,000 mapping, city-centre detail maps, elevation profiles, facilities listings, local history, travel details to and from the start and finish, and advice on preparing your kit, your bike and yourself for the adventure. The route can be cycled all year round, but is preferable from April to October, and takes riders to the main centres of Ravenglass, Whitehaven, Maryport, Silloth, Bowness-on-Solway, Carlisle, Brampton, Haltwhistle, Once and Twice Brewed, Hexham, Corbridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and South Shields.

Along the way, cyclists can take time to explore the Wall and its associated settlements, and stop off to view several forts within Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, including Vindolanda, Birdoswald, Housesteads, Chesters, Glannaventa and Segedunum. There is also the opportunity to visit other landmark sites like the 12^th century Lanercost Priory, Carlisle Castle, the Edward I monument at Burgh by Sands, Carlisle, Steel Rigg which offers one of the best viewpoints of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Army Museum at Brampton in Cumbria, the famous Tyne Bridge, and the Conversation Piece art sculptures installation at South Shields.

So load up your bike, head north, and get ready to explore one of the wildest, most exhilarating and truly historic corners of the British Isles.
(Cicerone Press, paperback, £11.95)

Murder at Gulls Nest

Jess Kidd

THE name’s Nora... Nora Breen to be precise. She’s a former nun with more history than she should have, possesses the observational skills of Hercule Poirot, and you are almost certainly destined to meet her again, and again, and again.

Nora Breen Investigates, the charming new murder mystery series from much-loved author Jess Kidd (pictured below), has landed at ‘dead centre’ of the cosy crime scene in a burst of glorious 1950s seaside sunshine and with the promise of some stellar super-sleuthing.

Murder at Gulls Nest is the first case for the adorable Nora who has cast off her nun’s habit and been released from her holy vows so she can track down her missing friend and finally find an outlet for her renowned powers of intuition… and satisfy what some might call her downright nosiness. But don’t be fooled into thinking that sharp-eyed Nora is all sweetness and light…there are dark shadows in her past which play into her current life and – like the deceptively astute Miss Marple – she is determined enough and brave enough to dig deep into territory far more unsavoury than a nun would normally experience.

For thirty years she has lived as Sister Agnes in a convent in the north but now Nora Breen is relishing the lightness of her head and the novelty of all-round vision without her wimple and veil as she heads to a new beginning at Gore-on-Sea in Kent.

Her destination is Gulls Nest, a once grand place but now an ageing and unsettling boarding house where ‘the dreamers and schemers wash up.’ It’s also where Nora’s fellow nun – a much-loved and gentle young novice called Frieda Brogan – was living after leaving the convent on health grounds and who has since disappeared without trace.

It’s up to Nora – who is haunted by a line in one of the girl’s last letters – to find Frieda and put to good use her inquisitive nature, judged to be ‘disrespectful’ at the convent and her cleverness, regarded by Mother Superior as ‘the sin of pride.’

So she takes a room at Gulls Nest, hides her identity and settles in to watch and listen. Over frosty housekeeper Irene Rawlings’ dubious – and sometimes inedible – dinners, Nora gathers evidence about the other lodgers and immediately senses an undercurrent of tension.

When one of the lodgers is found dead, Nora – to the frustration and amusement of local police Inspector Rideout – decides she must find the murderer. Nora suspects the victim knew Frieda... could solving this mystery help her to understand what has happened to her friend?

The first of Kidd’s fast-paced and immersive mystery series sparkles like the ocean on the beautiful Kent coast and star of the show is undoubtedly the enchantingly inquisitive and intelligent Nora whose almost childlike joy and humour at rediscovering the wide world and its many wonders outside her convent is a delicious side dish to the main event. But this is an author who bestows only the very best character studies to each and every one of her unique players, and accolades should also be awarded to her likeable partner in crime and dry wit, Inspector Rideout, and what is surely the motliest bunch of guest house boarders this side of Gore-on-Sea.

Brimful of Kidd’s dazzling writing and perfect plotting, and with an exquisite sense of time and place, the rundown, seedy Gull’s Nest proves to be a veritable vipers’ nest of shocking secrets, and with Nora holding on tightly to her own, there is never a dull moment for readers as tensions run high and the murders mount up. Add on the backdrop of a class-conscious nation still emerging from the ravages of six years of war, plus Nora’s entertaining and moving emergence from dowdy nun to dynamic detective, and you have the makings of a very special new crime series!
(Faber & Faber, hardback, £16.99)

Death on Ice

R.O. Thorp

WELCOME aboard the Dauphin, a state-of-the-art ship on its way to the Arctic with a passenger list that includes scientists on a marine research voyage... and a mixed bunch of wealthy passengers looking for a sea adventure with a difference.

What no one had counted on was a murder on the ice, miles from anywhere and in the middle of a freezing wilderness. And with almost everyone on board under suspicion, it’s going to be a very ‘cold case’ for the only two people with a (literally) watertight alibi.

Batten down the hatches and set sail with an irresistibly compelling cosy crime caper from R.O. Thorp (pictured below), an Australian currently living in Cork in Ireland who was a Clarendon Scholar at Oxford, won the London Short Story Award in 2011, and is also a lyricist and librettist with works commissioned by the Arts Council, the Wellcome Trust and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Death on Ice is her first foray into murder mysteries and this killer cruise to the frozen north is pure escapism packed full of chills, thrills, shocks and sharks, and a coruscating cast that includes twin brother and sister scientists, the craziest passenger list this side of the Arctic Circle, and a tight-knit crew harbouring their own dark secrets. Add on a thread of gay romance, a two-person ocean submersible, and you have a murderously fun romp set against a breathtaking (in every sense) backdrop.

Meet the Blanchard twins, both marine biologists... Rose is practical, sharp, protective of her less worldly brother, and her speciality is manta rays, while Finn – whose speciality is sharks – is too sweet and kind for his own good.

They are both aboard the Dauphin on a research mission, with two laboratories at their disposal and the use of a small two-man submersible to travel down to the sea bed and lay camera-traps in the hope of viewing the habitats of the Greenland shark, one of the longest-lived animals in the natural world. At the helm of the Dauphin is Captain Anders Johannsson, a man of many parts who is secretly unsettled about this voyage because of ‘a floating feeling out-of-kilter strangeness’ that hit him as he left port in England. Also on board is

Our Sweet Violet

Rosie Goodwin

AS the nation waits for our long-awaited spring to blossom, Rosie Goodwin, one of Britain’s favourite saga queens, conjures up her warm and wonderful storytelling magic for the third and final book in her much-loved Flower Girls series.

A former social worker and foster mother, four-million-copy bestselling author Goodwin (pictured below) has penned over forty dazzling historical romances, exploring life and love in days gone by. She was also awarded the rights to follow three of the late, great Tyneside writer Catherine Cookson’s trilogies with her own sequels.

And now she’s back to win our hearts with another gritty and drama-filled tale which stars a young woman whose fate and fortunes change almost overnight when her father dies and secrets from the past turn her life upside down.

In Hull in1905, Violet Stroud has had a comfortable, happy childhood as the much doted-on daughter of William Stroud, the local doctor... and that’s despite a distinct lack of love from her cold-hearted mother Anna.

But when her father unexpectedly dies, Violet’s life changes in an instant and when secrets about the family come to light, Violet finds herself homeless and with no one to turn to apart from Edie Thompson, the family's gentle, loving and long-serving housekeeper. 

Violet and Edie set out on their own to run a café by the docks and life, while humble, starts to settle down. Perhaps, Violet may find happiness again... and even love? But when Violet’s brother, Oliver, comes back on the scene, chaos follows at every turn and while walking home alone one night, something unthinkable happens. With her contented existence and her chance at true love under threat, Violet must summon all the strength she has to put her life back together. Will she ever find the peace that she so desperately desires?

It’s no surprise that Goodwin is one of the most borrowed authors from UK libraries and here she packs in all those human events and emotions – births and deaths, loves and losses, good people and bad people – that have made her novels so beloved by readers over the decades.

Violet’s journey from the comfort of a happy home with her loving father through unexpected change, misery and hardship proves to be a gripping emotional rollercoaster ride with plot twists aplenty and a story full of intrigue and heartache but also friendship, family, resilience and love.

Full of Goodwin’s wisdom and warmth, Our Sweet Violet is a sweeping and romantic page-turner and the perfect ending to a sweet and heady series... and for those already eager for another Rosie Goodwin special, she has a sparkling new series planned for later this year!
(Zaffre, hardback, £14.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Iconic queens, monster hunting and epic adventures

Discover the real lives of Henry VIII’s six wives in a lavish new illustrated guide, step into a magical school where monsters are more than just fairy tales, set sail on a jaw-dropping adventure with a famous German explorer, and find out how a kid ended up being the boss of the Underworld in a dazzling selection of new books

Age 7 plus
Six Queens:
An illustrated guide to the iconic queens of Henry VIII
Lydia Monks

THE notorious life, times and big names of the Tudor dynasty have always been a firm favourite in classrooms... none more so than the stories of Henry VIII and his six wives. But despite the fact that these six women changed the course of history, surprisingly little personal detail about their lives has been recorded for the history books. In a special tribute to these unforgettable queens, bestselling picture book artist Lydia Monks brings young readers this spectacular, fully-illustrated account of the lives of the six queens... without King Henry hogging the limelight! Everyone knows the rhyme ‘divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.’ But how much do we know about the women behind it? From loyal and devout Katherine of Aragon to the elegant Anne Boleyn, through the young and capricious Catherine Howard to the scholar and survivor Catherine Parr, youngsters learn all about six fascinating women who had one thing in common... a difficult husband. With a foreword from Tudor historian, author and broadcaster Suzannah Lipscomb, fascinating snippets of history, and gorgeous illustrations which bring the queens and their world to colourful life, Monks adds her own passionate interest in Henry’s wives to this revealing exploration. With immersive storytelling, imaginative artwork, and the women themselves firmly at centre stage, this is their stories as they would want them to be told.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99, published on March 6)

Age 11 plus
Robin Hood: Fury, Fire & Frost
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 ninth book of an enthralling series that delivers the same spectacular and sure-fire formula of fun, action, terrific twists and thrills galore. Here we find teen rebel and social-media star Robin Hood continuing his epic struggle against a new threat to the rebellion. Robin’s father may now be Sheriff of Nottingham and working hard to root out police corruption and the remains of Guy Gisborne’s criminal empire, but the Sherwood rebel's problems are far from over. Former sheriff Marjorie Kovacevic has been elected national president, promising to round up illegal refugees and migrants and use the army to wipe out the rebels and bandits who control Sherwood Forest. But she needs to pass a new law before she can send in the troops to recapture Robin’s home, Sherwood Castle. Meanwhile Robin’s half-brother John is living the high life in the presidential palace with his mother and becoming increasingly worried about the ruthless tactics she is employing to destroy the rebels. With tensions rising, war seems inevitable. Brimming with guts, gusto, gags and gripping adventures, this is Robin Hood and his merry men as you’ve never before seen them… enjoy!
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Vanya and the Wild Hunt
Sangu Mandanna and Kristina Kister

WELCOME to the magical school of Auramere where monsters are more than just fairy tales! Youngsters will be monstrously excited to get their hands on the first of a thrilling new fantasy series inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore. Written by Sangu Mandanna – who was born in India and also writes romantic fantasy for adults – and beautifully illustrated by German artist Kristina Kister, these inclusive adventures are set in a world of talking books, runes and spells, and star an inspirational neurodivergent British-Indian girl. Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen can talk to books. But more importantly, the books talk back. When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in legends, Vanya discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets, and that monsters do exist. Soon, she is whisked off to the enchanted school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists. Auramere is full of magic... and monsters. And the Wild Hunt is on the prowl. It’s up to Vanya to unmask its leader and stop them from destroying the only place she has ever truly belonged. Mandanna creates a brilliantly immersive and richly detailed magical world of monsters and ancient secrets where a brave and determined girl with ADHD faces a high-stakes peril. And what a captivating adventure it is, packed with fantastical, fast-paced action and plot twists, and with some heartfelt, reassuring messages about family and friendship, and accepting who you are no matter what others might think. Expect flying stags, spectral wolves, talking books and mythical swans, and then begin the countdown to Vanya’s next spellbinding adventure!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99, published on March 6)

Age 9 plus
Beastlands: Legend of the Crystal Caves
Jess French

LET your imagination run wild because the Beastlands are back! A magical world in which the winds of prophecy are whispering awaits young adventurers as zoologist, vet, author and BBC Children’s TV presenter Jess French returns with the second instalment of her epic fantasy trilogy featuring weird and wonderful creatures inspired by her experiences with animals. Tingling with magic, danger and mystery, and with a timely environmental twist, Beastlands is both a thrilling journey into a forbidding other-world and a celebration of conservationism and the idea that adventure and exploration together provide a form of subtle education. Before there were people, there were beasts... The island of Ramoa was once luscious and populated with mighty beasts. Now it is home to barren cities where nature is locked out and the realms have never been more divided. Alethea, Kayla and Rustus are the only ones standing in the way of the evil Professor Penn who is raising an army of beasts. Desperate to protect their home, they split up to find a way to defeat the professor. Kayla tries to uncover Penn’s plans in the ruthless Southlands as Rustus hunts for prophecies within the hidden Crystal Caves. Meanwhile, Alethea must journey to a new realm to unite the people against the danger ahead. But the island is changing... plants and beasts are dying, volcanoes are erupting and waterways are drying up. Could it all be linked? The intrepid young trio will have to trust the people and beasts they meet to help them on their way. And listen to the whispers on the wind that warn of an ancient legend ready to rise... Alethea, Rustus and Kayla are the perfect young heroes for a fantastical stage set that cannot help but remind readers of our threatened planet. Their courage and their heart-poundings adventures amongst the most amazing creatures display the depth and vision of French’s knowledge and imagination. With lots of twists and turns along the way, this is a truly magical storytelling journey and one that will have youngsters counting down to the final, fantastic Beastlands adventure!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99, published on March 13)

Age 9 plus
Knutz + Boltz and the Cosmic Code
Tim Collins and Louise Forshaw

JOIN a thrilling top-secret mission to stop a huge asteroid hurling through space, and test out your own science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills to help save planet Earth! Written by Tim Collins, illustrated by Louise Forshaw, and developed with a specialist STEAM consultant, this is the second wickedly clever comic-style book in an exciting puzzle adventure series which takes readers on all-action adventures in the company of Knutz, a STEAM whizz-kid, and canine super-inventor Boltz. Knutz and Boltz are blasting off to a top-secret space station. A huge asteroid is hurtling towards Earth and the World Space Agency needs four astronauts to embark on an urgent mission to destroy it. With time running out and a rival team of astronauts – a girl and her cat sidekick – sabotaging their every move, Knutz and Boltz will need to use all their STEAM skills to halt the asteroid and save the world. Featuring an innovative mix of graphic-novel pages, zany prose and integrated puzzles, this fast-paced adventure steeps youngsters in STEAM subjects whilst delivering fun and entertainment on every page. Across six chapters, readers develop key science, technology, engineering, art and maths skills as they help Knutz and Boltz work their way through the challenges. All STEAMed up and ready for action!
(Buster Books, paperback, £7.99, published on March 13)

Age 8 plus
Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer of the Americas and Beyond
Rocío Martínez

SET sail on a voyage of discovery with Alexander von Humboldt (1799 to 1804), the renowned German naturalist, scientist and explorer, on his epic adventure from the Canary Islands to the Amazon rainforest and beyond! Celebrated as a polymath and one of the founders of modern geography, Humboldt is the star of this dynamic, entertaining and illustrated account of his travels to and in the Americas, published by Prestel in an eye-catching long-book format which features 24 pages folding out into six spectacular double-spread maps. Written and superbly illustrated in full colour by Rocío Martínez, this spectacular book is overflowing with fascinating facts and vibrant illustrations and is the perfect fit for young readers interested in nature, geography, history, adventure... and the many ways in which the world is connected. Alexander von Humboldt’s childhood curiosity and love of nature led him to some of history’s most groundbreaking expeditions, scientific theories, and observations about weather, climate, and ecology. Between 1799 and 1804, he travelled extensively in the Americas, exploring and describing them for the first time from a non-Spanish European scientific point of view with accounts of his journey written up and published in several volumes over 21 years. 

Those exciting adventures and highly influential discoveries are documented in this extraordinary book which features an engaging and highly detailed text and maps documenting his expeditions to the Orinoco, the Andes and Peru, Mexico and the USA, the Canary Islands, Italy, and Russia. Readers learn about the Humboldt Current, his observations on volcanoes and mines, his thwarted ascent of Mount Chimborazo, the discovery of the Casiquiare canal, his invention of isotherms, and much more. Each page is a treasure trove of information and a stepping-off point for conversation and further study. And best of all, Humboldt’s life and achievements provide timely inspiration for budding environmentalists and explorers who want to learn about the remarkable interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. Discovery and learning at your fingertips!
(Prestel, hardback, £14.99, published on March 4)

Age 8 plus
The Marvellers: The Deadly Fates
Dhonielle Clayton

DHONIELLE Clayton, an American author whose first love is magic, returns to whisk us away to her specially and lovingly created Marvellerverse, a fantastical world for all youngsters who, like her, have grown up feeling ‘invisible’ but crave magic and adventure. So if mesmerising magic is your first love, too, immerse yourself in the third thrilling and empowering Marvellers adventure. It’s Year Three at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors – the global magic school in the sky – for Ella, Jason, and Brigit. But not everyone is happy that Ella has returned, and when an illness begins affecting the students’ marvels, she is in the spotlight once more. As tensions between Marvellers and Conjurors reach an all-time high, Ella and her friends are determined to unlock the secrets of the Arcanum Training Institute’s past. Why is the truth about the Conjure architect who founded the institute being kept hidden? To discover what mysteries their school holds and stop a collision between two worlds, they will need to track down the stolen memories. Clayton’s Marvellverse is a wondrous, world-building invention, a place full of exciting characters where secrets abound, all cultural traditions mix together and Ella must work hard if she is to fit in. Enjoy enthralling adventures filled with courage, love, wit and warmth whilst exploring themes of family, prejudice, bullying, acceptance, and learning to take responsibility... and prepare to be swept away!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Boss of the Underworld:
Shirley vs the Green Menace
Tor Freeman

HOW did a kid end up being the boss of the Underworld? It’s a kind of weird story and comes from the eclectic, electric imagination of award-winning author and illustrator Tor Freeman who goes above, beyond and a long way below in the first hilarious book in a fast-paced, funny and accessible new graphic novel series. Discover the fun and laughter for yourself as we join Shirley and her giant cockroach friend, George, on a strange adventure through the Underworld. Will they triumph over scary foes, resist eating delicious things in the forest, navigate the Bog of Intense Emotions, and find their way into the dark sewers to confront the Green Menace? There are many ways into the Underworld... but there’s only one way out! Fizzing with charm, energy and the silliest comedy this side of the Underworld, this is one Boss that youngsters will be happy to obey!
(Hodder Children's Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Bad Panda: For Sale!
Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey

HURRAY! Bad Panda is back for another laugh-yourself-silly adventure. Boo! This is the final instalment of a series that has won everyone’s hearts. Youngsters will be chewing through bamboo leaves to get their hands on the final, fantastic zoo outing for precocious panda Lin who is sick of being labelled cute, and tired of being cuddled and hugged. Guaranteed to make readers of every age giggle and guffaw, this hilarious Bad Panda series has been a winner for outrageous queens of comedy, author Swapna Haddow and her illustrator team-mate Sheena Dempsey.  But now the zoo is going to close and all the animals will be sent back to where they came from! Lin – who has been on an unstoppable mission to change her cute panda image – is happy about the idea of being returned to the panda sanctuary from where she came. She can’t wait to be reunited with her beloved brother, Face-Like-A-Bag-Of-Potatoes. But Lin is definitely NOT happy about being separated from her new-found zoo family. Surely all the animals should be kept together? This is a job for the baddest of pandas. Lin will need rage and bad behaviour. Only then will she be able to keep her zoo family in one place! Packed full of slapstick fun, outrageously bad behaviour and panda pranks, Bad Panda is the perfect go-to comedy for emerging readers. Packed with Haddow’s warmth and wicked, laugh-out-loud wit, and Dempsey’s irresistibly funny black, white and red illustrations, this super series from one of the most inspired partnerships in children’s comedy fiction ends as it began... with tears of laughter!
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £7.99, published on March 13)

Age 3 plus
Again! A Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Adventure
Britta Teckentrup

PRICKLE and tickle your youngsters into a slyly charming story about friends, playing, and doing the same fun thing over and over and over again! Again! is the adorable new Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog adventure from award-winning illustrator Britta Teckentrup and – with its gentle story about the joy that can be found in repetition and the glories of the natural world, plus a gallery of gloriously atmospheric illustrations covering dawn sunshine to evening dusk – it is guaranteed to tenderly guide your little ones into the land of sleep. It’s finally spring and Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog are ready to explore the world after having slept all winter. Everything looks the same, but also new. Over the course of a lovely day they run into old friends and take part in fun activities – swinging, teasing, jumping around – and each time Little Hedgehog wants to do the same thing again and again until it’s time for home and bed.

The lovable and relatable Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog are just two of German-born Teckentrup’s many marvellous characters who embody human emotions that young readers can recognise and easily understand. In this new adventure, little ones will enjoy the repetition of Little Hedgehog’s plea ‘Again!’ and parents will appreciate the gentle humour and unending patience of Big Hedgehog. Teckentrup’s signature softly coloured artwork beautifully conveys the pleasures of the natural world – trees, flowers, clouds and a moonlit sky – while cleverly depicting a wide variety of animal friends including owls, turtles and ladybirds. Perfect reading for bedtime!
(Prestel, hardback, £11.99, published on March 4)

Age 3 plus
Evie & Dr Dino: Will We
See a Mermaid?
Rosalind Spark and Kate Anfilova

ASKING the right questions can lead to unexpected adventures in the latest book of the fascinating and fun Evie & Dr Dino picture book series from author Rosalind Spark and illustrator Kate Anfilova. So climb aboard a very special Ocean Explorer vessel and discover secrets of the deep with inquisitive Evie and her best friend Dr Dino. Evie asks lots of questions and luckily, Dr Dino is there to answer them all. Evie really, really wants to meet a mermaid so she and Dr Dino set out on an ocean adventure. Along the way they encounter amazing creatures in rock pools, learn curious facts, like what anchovies eat and how dolphins talk to each other, find out about the importance of protecting our oceans, and discover what it really means to be a mermaid. And the voyage doesn’t end there because youngsters will discover a fold-out section at the end, packed with lots more amazing facts about the oceans! And when you surface, make sure to look out for more adventures with Evie and Dr Dino in Can We Go to Space Today? and Can We Meet a Dinosaur?
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99, published on March 6)

Age 3 plus
Little Dino Boo-Boos!
Sophie Aggett and Jannie Ho

A BAND of little dinosaurs aren’t well... can you help them to feel better? Open the pages of author Sophie Aggett and illustrator Jannie Ho’s delightful interactive board book and enjoy a colourful ‘lesson’ in first aid. ‘We love to stomp on rainy days. We're splashing through the trees. We love to play without our coats... until it makes us sneeze.’ The little dinos have tummy aches, sniffly colds and bumps and grazes! They will need some help to find the right remedy to make them feel better. Children will love finding the right remedy sticker for each familiar childhood illness or injury in this dinosaur adventure which comes with reusable stickers and a fold-out first aid kit at the back of the book. With Ho’s adorably cute illustrations full of dino fun and mishaps, and Aggett’s sweet and funny rhyming text, this is the perfect ‘first aid kit’ for budding young medics, or as a fun-filled pick-me-up for little ones who are unwell at home!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99, published on March 6)

Age 3 plus
There’s a Gorilla at the Door!
Clare Helen Welsh and Sam Caldwell

WHAT do you do when a gorilla arrives for your family party? Blended families are now a familiar part of contemporary life but it can be an anxious time of change for young children. So invite them to share the fun of this riotous animal romp, written with love and understanding by Clare Helen Welsh, and brought to life by the talented Sam Caldwell in this enchanting picture book. Daphne’s mum and stepdad, Anthony, are throwing a family party as the little girl had to leave behind her friends when they moved to a new home. But Daphne is convinced it’s going to be boring! It’s only when a gorilla knocks on the door, a rhino rolls in and a kangaroo pops up that Daphne realises that this party is going to get... wild! In Daphne’s big animal family, everyone is different but they all love to dance to the same beat. Children will love the charismatic cast of animal characters as they hop and bop through every page of this colourful, high-energy story which cleverly and joyfully explores and celebrates the sense of belonging and interconnected nature of animal families that we all, as humans, share. Fun to read aloud, and delightful to look at, There’s a Gorilla at the Door! is destined to be a firm family favourite.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Armadillo Who
Came for Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dreidemy

YOUNGSTERS will love getting their teeth into the sixth tasty picture book in Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dreidemy’s heartwarming and hilarious The Lamb Who Came for Dinner series. The Armadillo Who Came for Dinner positively rolls and bounces with Smallman’s wit and warmth and French illustrator Dreidemy’s striking and characterful artwork as we meet up again with Wolf, Hotpot the lamb and their pet crocodile Omelette one lazy, hazy summer afternoon. There they are, having a picnic as the bees buzz and the birds twitter when what they think is a boulder rolls right through their food and into a tree with a thump. But it’s not a rock, it’s an armadillo called Dizzy and kindly Hotpot asks if he needs a hug. Dizzy is a tough armadillo and he definitely doesn’t need a comforting hug. Yet, when disaster strikes at the Fun Fair, the embrace of a friend could be just what this tough armadillo needs. Smallman’s clever, comical and cautionary tale encourages young readers to challenge stereotypes and expectations and look beyond the surface because someone who looks tough on the outside can sometimes be soft, and more vulnerable, on the inside. The perfect book to share with your own special family and friends!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
There’s a Bear on My Chair
10th Anniversary Edition
Ross Collins

FOR those with memories that stretch back ten years, the witty and wonderful rhyming tale of a bear who famously hogged a mouse’s chair might be recalled with love and laughter. For those who do (and those who don’t!) here is an anniversary edition of Ross Collins’ comic masterpiece picture book, There’s a Bear on My Chair... a special gift book with shimmering blue and gold foil cover. Meet poor Mouse! A bear has settled in his favourite chair and that chair just isn’t big enough for two. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to shift Bear but nothing works and tired old Mouse eventually gives up. Once Mouse has gone, however, that cheeky Bear just gets up and walks home! How dare he? But what's that? Is that a MOUSE in BEAR’s house?! It’s easy to see why this joyful tale was recently adapted into a play by the Fuel theatre company in a commission by the Southbank Centre in London. A hilarious story of sweet and satisfying comeuppance, brought to life by Collins’ quirky and characterful illustrations, this is the perfect book for sharing at bedtime... or any time you need a cheery pick-me-up!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Winnie and Wilbur:
Winnie’s Witchy Bedtime
Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul

THE adventures of Winnie the Witch and her black cat have provided spellbinding, bite-size stories for over 36 years and the two madcap stars take centre stage again in this super new picture book. Written by the ever-inventive Valerie Thomas and brilliantly illustrated in Korky Paul’s distinctive and charismatic style, Winnie and Wilbur’s escapades are always mad, bad and dangerously hilarious, and in their latest colourful adventure there are laughs galore and a wide-awake adventure that – funnily enough! – is perfect for bedtime reading. It’s midnight and bedtime for witches. Wilbur is soon snoring but Winnie just can’t get to sleep! She decides to try some sleepy spells to help her nod off and soon there are frogs leaping around her bedroom and a rather pongy potion brewing. Nothing seems to work... until Winnie remembers her Big Book of Spells. Can she find the right spell before Wilbur wakes up for breakfast? Thomas’ exuberant and warm-hearted story reminds youngsters about the importance of bedtime routines and sleep, while Paul’s richly detailed and playful artwork is full of fun, mischief, magic and mishaps. A cracking chaotic caper that’s guaranteed to cast a spell!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99, published on March 6)