CHILDREN'S BOOKS: World-saving zombies, a killer weekend and sad ghosts

Discover how zombies turn into modern-day heroes in an exciting, action-packed debut novel, book in at a spooky castle and steel yourself for a killer weekend party, find your kindred spirits when you visit the Sad Ghost Club, go wild with a brilliant Bigfoot adventure and join a group of daring youngsters on a dangerous mission at sea in a dazzling selection 

Age 11 plus
The Zombie Project
Alice Nuttall

WHOEVER would have thought that zombies could be the good guys? Daring debut novelist Alice Nuttall turns the stars of age-old horror stories into modern-day heroes in an action-packed adventure about bees, big business and the future of the planet that will have readers buzzing with excitement. The Zombie Project – which imagines a world in which the bees have died out – packs a real punch with its topical themes of saving the environment, the power of youth activism and fake news vs Science... plus a wickedly clever twist on the ever-fascinating concept of zombies.

When the world’s bees die out, a new pollinator arrives. Death-flies help grow crops but there’s a nasty side-effect... zombies. Death-flies need bodies... lots of them. And bodies mean zombies. Laying their eggs in people, death-flies turn them into dangerous zombies when they die. The world must adapt or there won’t be enough to eat. Merian understands this, but others are afraid. Can Merian and her scientist mum convince others to save the zombies because they are the future... or will the big corporations succeed in convincing people to kill them? And just what does it mean when a docile zombie shows up? Nuttall, who writes children’s stories and webcomics, has fun with this terrific tale which delivers age-appropriate chills and thrills whilst presenting zombies in a new and very different light, and giving them a vitally important role in a world that is struggling to survive. The powerful and resonant messages threaded through this gripping and original adventure speak loudly to a planet in peril... and make for a story that is enlightening, educational and thoroughly entertaining!
(Chicken House Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 14 plus
The Party
Natasha Preston

IF your new year has fallen flat so far, book in at a spooky castle and prepare for a killer weekend party! With bestselling, gritty thrillers like The Lake, The Fear, The Twin, The Haunting, The Island and The Dare already under her belt, Natasha Preston springs more dark and deadly surprises in a heart-racing, twisting and turning murder mystery that will leave readers gasping  at every turn of the page. In the heart of the English countryside, sixth former Bessie and her closest friends from boarding school gather at a remote castle for a secret party destined to make this the best spring break ever. They have all told ‘a little lie’ to their parents about where they are spending the long weekend because an abandoned castle – in a village miles from anywhere – would never have passed muster. But when one of the friends dies, the party takes a lethal turn. Trapped inside as a deadly storm rages, and with nobody knowing their whereabouts, it soon becomes clear that Bessie and her friends are being stalked by a killer. As the body count rises, and secrets about the past unravel, Bessie begins to suspect that she doesn’t know her friends quite as well as she thought. And as the party turns into a hunt, the question now is whether Bessie can make it out alive? Preston throws in all those favourite ‘locked room’ murder mystery tropes as the list of victims grows apace, the sense of suspicion and distrust becomes electrifying, and a killer runs amok. With its nod to the Golden Age classics, a cast of soon-to-be wickedly warring schoolfriends, and an ending that will take your breath away, there could be no better start to your crime reading year!
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 12 plus
The Sad Ghost Club: A Hopeful Guide to Getting Through Bad Days
Lize Meddings

EVERYBODY has to ask for help sometimes! Welcome to the Sad Ghost Club... a club for anyone who has ever felt sad or lost. We can all feel anxious and alone sometimes... like you’re almost invisible. But at the Sad Ghost Club, you can find your kindred spirits and know you’re not alone. In this fully accessible graphic novel – written by Lize Meddings, creator of the online Sad Ghost Club – readers discover the club’s rules for taking things one day at a time. The helpful guide is based on the Sad Ghost Club community, which has over 600,000 followers on Instagram, and is a place where everyone is accepted and everyone belongs. With the help of heartwarming and very relatable comic illustrations, learn how to make it through the day, grow through ‘the hard stuff,’ and look out for your fellow ghosties. And if you like what you read here, you can join the community of ghosties on Instagram @theofficialsadghostclub
(Wren & Rook, paperback, 12.99)

Age 9 plus
Bigfoot and the Wild Boys
Jenny Pearson and Aleksei Bitskoff

YOU can always rely on award-winning author Jenny Pearson to create giant waves of giggles and guffaws, and young readers are guaranteed to go wild when they get their paws on this brilliant Bigfoot adventure! The great outdoors beckon as Pearson – whose debut novel, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book of the Year in 2020 – brings us this thoroughly heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure starring schoolboy Joe who is tired of being called average. Joe hates other kids at school calling him Average Joe, being middle of the class in most subjects and feeling completely forgettable. So when he hears that a Bigfoot-like beast has been spotted in some nearby woods, he senses an opportunity. Surely capturing Bigfoot will make him stand out from the crowd and bring him the popularity he longs for? With no real plan or survival skills, Joe and his best friend Tiago set off on what turns out to be an unforgettably hilarious quest with some very unexpected results! Joe’s journey from feeling left behind to school legend is both inspirational and laugh-out-loud funny as Pearson delivers important messages about friendship, honesty, and the rewards that come from believing in your own self-worth. Brimming with the author’s special brand of imaginative storytelling and brought to life by Aleksei Bitskoff’s richly detailed and comical illustrations, Bigfoot and the Wild is published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format and is sure to delight readers looking for a truly wild adventure!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Mission: Manta Ray
Philip Kavvadias and Euan Cook

WHAT happens when your mission ship is torpedoed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? The answer lies in the second book of a brilliantly funny series from exciting debut author Philip Kavvadias who is not just passionate about getting boys reading, but actually knows how to do it! Billed as Jurassic Park meets Wimpy Kid, these seemingly mission impossible adventures are packed full of humour, action and suspense – the perfect ingredients for reluctant readers – and feature two twelve-year-old boys and their ‘rescue pet,’ a tiny flying dinosaur. Good friends Finn and Milo, and new RAPTOR junior agent Tasi, have been sent to investigate reports of deep-sea disturbances in the Pacific Ocean. Along with 65million-year-old microraptor Artemis – a small, winged dinosaur rescued from evil hands by Finn and Milo on their first outing in Mission: Microraptor – the team head off on their new mission. But soon after their arrival, their mission ship Nausicaa is torpedoed... by a giant submersible shaped like a manta ray. Action stations! It’s time for the daring trio to paddle for their lives... There are lots of laugh-out-loud moments to enjoy from first page to last in this high-tech, fast-paced, and drama-filled adventure which has important environmental themes at its heart, explores the joys of friendship and some real-life survival skills, and is brought to life by the atmospheric and inventive black-and-white illustrations of Euan Cook.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb
Nicky Smith-Dale and Sarah Horne

BETTY Steady, the Guardian of Wobbly Rock, is back and the fun factor is off the scale! As the daughter of two knights, Betty is blessed with unmatched strength and speed but due to a horrid shrinking spell by a wicked Toad Witch she’s now really, really tiny. Fortunately she is still the shining star (well, most of the time!) of a funny illustrated fiction series from the top team of author Nicky Smith-Dale and talented illustrator Sarah Horne. And in her second adventure, Betty and her Wobbly Rock pals are off to celebrate the famous Turnip Festival in the neighbouring kingdom of Upper Crust. What could possibly go wrong THIS time? The Wobbly Rock VIPs can’t wait to attend Queen McNiff’s legendary festival but when Betty meets a fashionable forest sprite called Misty Jamjar, it dawns on her that perhaps her old pals aren’t as sophisticated as she once thought. Misty convinces Betty that being small isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If Betty can help Misty break into the Queen’s heavily guarded vault, they might just be able to gain access to the Orb of Ogg. This legendary Orb has the potential to change Betty back to her original stunning height. Golly Gherkins! It’s not as if Misty Jamjar is a secret baddy or anything and Betty isn’t going to accidentally become as tall as a massive giant. That would be ridiculous... With madcap humour at every turn of the page, a cast of the weirdest characters this side of Wobbly Rock, and a lead player who is just a teensy bit too big for her boots, this rollicking romp is joyful, big-hearted and serves up extra dollops of youthful exuberance for readers new to chapter books.
(Farshore, paperback, £6.99)

Age 7 plus
Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt
Stephen Davies and Núria Tamarit

DISCOVER the thrilling myths and magic of Ancient Egypt in a spectacular comic-strip style retelling by children’s author Stephen Davies and illustrator and comic artist Núria Tamarit who is based in Spain. The ancient Egyptian myths are some of the oldest and most famous stories ever told and this vivid and contemporary comic book collection is the perfect introduction to them. Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt features six striking tales full of mythical creatures, gods, pharaohs and adventure, and explores traditional themes like love, loss, greed, envy and bravery. Set sail with Prince Naneferkaptah on his quest to find the magical book of Thoth, join Seth and Horus as they battle for the throne of Egypt, and meet a pharaoh called Khufu who wanted to have the most magnificent tomb ever. Bursting with detail and humour, and Tamarit’s funny and fascinating comic-strip illustrations, this fully accessible and entertaining retelling of ancient myths is a delight for readers both young and old.
(Big Picture Press, paperback, £10.99)

Age 7 plus
Where’s Loki?
Marvel Entertainment International Ltd

DON'T miss out on all the fun packed inside this simply marvellous search-and-find activity book... the latest in a fantastic Marvel and Disney series which is brought to life by stunning, full-colour original illustrations! And if super-heroes are top of your favourites list, then you need to get your hands on the all-action Where’s Loki? which finds Loki, the Asgardian God of mischief, on the loose and up to his old tricks! He’s searching through time and space for an ancient artefact that will let him hide from his brother Thor... but can he hide from you? Track the tricky villain through intricately detailed landscapes from New York to Wakanda, and Jotunheim to Asgard... and be sure to look out for a host of familiar heroes and villains along the way, including Spider-Man, Hulk, Kang and many more! Perfect for Marvel and Disney fans young and old, these beautifully created search-and-find books guarantee hours of entertainment!
(Studio Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Guardians of the New Moon: Ming and Miaow’s Great Race
Eric Huang and Phùng Nguyên Quang

THERE will be no outfoxing the adorable stars of a fun and full-throttle new illustrated series from London-based podcaster, writer and lecturer Eric Huang and Vietnamese illustrator Phùng Nguyên Quang. Huang – who says his mother’s ancestral home in Shanghai was haunted – has always been fascinated by legends, lore and magical creatures, and promises that every book in this Guardians of the New Moon series will feature an epic adventure about friendship, celebrating differences, and loving your authentic self. In the first book of the series, we meet black-and-white cat Miaow who only wants is to enjoy his peaceful, solitary life as a temple guardian catching mice. But when the Jade Emperor invites all creatures on Earth to compete in a Great Race, the reserved cat finds himself reluctantly entering... and worse, socialising! Nine-tailed fox Ming is a spirited and fiery shapeshifter and Miaow’s polar opposite, and she’s determined to make him her new best friend. But she hadn’t counted on Miaow making other friends too. As the race heats up, things start to unravel… Can the pair (and their friendship) make it to the finish line?

In Book Two, Year of the Rat, Ming and Miaow are now officially Guardians of the New Moon and eager for more adventure! Their first mission is to take home race winner, cheeky rat Su, and help her prepare for the inaugural Year of the Rat. Ming is keen to get started but Miaow finds himself distracted. Things are tense with Su since the rat tricked Miaow during the Race, and the two just can’t seem to be in the same room without causing chaos. It gets even messier when their squabbling catches the attention of a furious sea goddess who is determined to teach Miaow and Su a lesson. Can the long-time frenemies learn to work together, or is the Year of the Rat doomed to disaster? With a menagerie of magical creatures, unpredictable divinities, fantastical lands to discover and Quang’s richly detailed illustrations, these delightfully light-hearted and easy-to read-adventures are sure to fascinate and inspire young readers while introducing the lunar new year and other fascinating East Asian traditions and folklore.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99 each)

Age one plus
Tractors Have Wings!
Becky Davies and Gareth Lucas

TRACTORS have wings, don’t they? And trains sail through the sea? Surely that can’t be right! Turn the peep-through pages of this ingenious board book and see how vehicles transform back to how they should look. Little ones will hoot and toot with laughter at the mixed-up pairings... from lorries that have just ONE wheel to cars that zoom through outer space! With a dry, humorous text by Becky Davies, Gareth Lucas’s bold and colourful illustrations, lots of intriguing cut-outs, and a surprise flap on the final page, this is a delightfully entertaining and interactive introduction to first concepts.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
The Story of Taylor Swift
Nicola Edwards and Lindsey Sagar

FROM country pop princess to fearless feminist megastar, Taylor Swift has become a record-breaking global phenomenon... and now even the youngest Swiftie fans can get in on the act! This fun board book – the latest in Little Tiger Press’s bestselling The Story of... series – introduces little ones to Taylor’s squad and her greatest love story – the one with her fans. Author Nicola Edwards charts Swift’s musical evolution and how she has taken on the industry in groundbreaking ways while Lindsey Sagar’s vibrant illustrations bring extra colour the music icon’s life. This unofficial fan guide is the perfect book for all the family’s Swifties!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

The Teacher of Auschwitz

Wendy Holden

IN the hellhole of Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943, one inspirational and selfless young man was determined to create ‘a little piece of heaven’ for the children caught up in the horrors of the Holocaust.

It was a simple wooden hut, complete with cartoon wall paintings... a place known as the ‘children’s block.’ Its purpose was to provide a small oasis of caring and safety where the camp’s youngest prisoners were not just isolated from the terrors around them, but could experience ‘some of the best days of their lives in the worst place imaginable.’

And the extraordinarily brave man who managed to being hope where there was none was Alfred ‘Fredy’ Hirsch, a gay German Jewish teacher who did all he could to protect hundreds of children... and is now the hero of a powerful, heartbreaking and unforgettable novel from historian and biographer Wendy Holden.

Holden (pictured below) – author of more than thirty-five non-fiction titles and three novels featuring remarkable men and women – has dug deep into the history of the Holocaust to bring readers Fredy’s incredible and uplifting true story, ensuring that his legacy will live on for generations to come.

Drawn from archives and survivor testimonies, and with only a few scenes and characters created for narrative and dramatic purposes, The Teacher of Auschwitz takes us up close not just to Fredy’s awe-inspiring courage but to those other innocent victims of Nazi atrocities.

Born to Jewish parents in the German city of Aachen in 1916, Fredy soon discovers the pain and inequity of hate and prejudice, but he also learns that to counter hatred, it is best to stand up to the haters and show them that their words or actions don’t you hurt you. ‘That,’ says a wise teacher, ‘takes away their power.’

It is a lesson Fredy takes through life and one that he will need in the coming years as the insidious rise of the Nazis brings one of the greatest and deadliest threats the world, and particularly the Jews, have ever faced. Having decided to centre his life around drama, sport and the outdoors, Fredy works with a Jewish youth movement called the Maccabi, leaving Aachen and moving to Czechoslovakia where he becomes a recognised figure, teaching sports, organising summer camps and extolling the virtues of community, responsibility and fitness.

But soon Fredy becomes a victim of Germany’s anti-Jewish laws and finds himself a prisoner in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp and at the dark heart of the Holocaust. But, as always, it is the fate of the children that becomes his first priority.

Using his skilful diplomacy with the guards, he wins a hut assigned specially to children and it is here that they sing, stage plays and write poetry. Safely inside, but still in the shadow of the chimneys, they are given better food, kept free of vermin, and are even taught meditation to imagine full stomachs and a day without fear. But being a teacher in such a brutal concentration camp is no mean feat. And whether it is begging the SS for better provisions, or hiding his homosexuality from his persecutors, Fredy risks his life every day for one thing... to protect the children from the mortal danger they all face. And time is running out for Fredy and the hundreds of children in his care. Can he find a way to teach them the one lesson they really need to know... how to survive?

By the very nature of its time and place, this heart-wrenching and yet unexpectedly uplifting tale was always going to have few happy endings, and Fredy died aged 28 in Auschwitz in 1944. And yet reflecting on his life – full of youthful enthusiasm, relentless optimism, unquestioning compassion, and an ability to fill the children’s days with love, laughter and learning – cannot help but fill your own heart with a piquant joy.

Determined to always make the best of whatever situation he found himself in, combined with an ability to tread a perilous fine line that won respect from both his fellow prisoners and their ruthless guards, Fredy – with his ‘toothpaste advertisement’ good looks – drew on his own love of physical exercise to inspire the children and give their restricted lives some structure and purpose.

Holden does a magnificent job of bringing Fredy’s world to vivid and haunting life, shedding light on one of history’s darkest chapters and reminding us that after his death, Fredy was either forgotten or denigrated by Communists and homophobes who accused him of being a coward and a collaborator. But to hundreds of children, Fredy was a hero and ‘a guiding light.’ Those who survived were always immensely moved when recalling his kindness, his ‘spirit of morality,’ his ability to accomplish ‘a real miracle’ and his ultimate gift as the saviour ‘who built a wall against suffering in their hearts.’

Before her death aged 90 in 2017, the world-renowned Czech musician and indomitable Auschwitz survivor Zuzana Růžičková only cried twice during extensive interviews with Holden, once when recounting how her father died in the Terezín death camp, and secondly when she talked of Fredy Hirsch. ‘He was unique. He was goodness... we all learned from Fredy a sort of hope that even in a terrible situation you can arise from the dead.’ And take my word for it... reading Fredy’s story without shedding your own tears is nigh on impossible.
(Zaffre, hardback, £14.99)

The Violinist’s Secret

M.J. Hollows

FOR years, Hamburg University student Charlotte Weber has watched the insidious rise of the Nazis who now control every aspect of life in Germany... and when she gets the chance to work as a double agent, she is ready and willing to subvert the regime that she has grown to hate.

After the success of his bestselling wartime novels, The German Nurse and The German Messenger, M.J. Hollows (pictured below) returns with The Violinist’s Secret, a hard-hitting, heart-thumping spy thriller set in the strategically important city of Hamburg, and starring a young woman who uses her cover as an orchestra’s violinist to infiltrate the Nazis’ inner sanctum.

Tingling with danger and suspense, and featuring a perilous cat-and-mouse game that puts Charlotte and her friends in mortal danger, Hollows’ gripping novel includes many plotlines based on real events and explores some of the terrible atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis. At the heart of the story is Charlotte who, with a German father and a Swedish mother, is the ‘child’ of two nations and as such is not viewed as fully Aryan by those in authority in Germany in 1939. But she is a conscientious student at Hamburg University, regards herself as ‘a good German,’ and has a passion for music and playing the violin.

Her father died several years ago and with war on their doorstep, her mother Linnea has returned to her native Sweden while Charlotte shares a flat with her friend Hilda in the city. Their lives are centred on their studies and they have a close circle of student friends who visit regularly.

The outsider of the group is Kurt, Charlotte’s boyfriend, who is from a wealthy family and eager to marry her, and although his parents treat her like their own child, Charlotte is not sure of Kurt’s political views and whether she can live up to his family’s expectations.

When her friend and fellow violinist Greta fails to meet up for a violin practice, Charlotte goes to her apartment and is horrified to find her body inside. The police declare that Greta’s death is a suicide but Charlotte knows that it’s murder. Desperate to discover who killed her friend, but not knowing where to turn, Charlotte is approached by Nazi spies who recruit her to their ranks.

Caught up in the middle of the Nazi web, Charlotte is determined to use her position to undermine the regime and find out the truth about Greta once and for all. But as the horrors escalate, and she witnesses first-hand the brutality of the Gestapo, Charlotte uncovers hidden truths within her closest circle of friends, all of whom have something to hide... something that would put them directly in the Nazis’ firing line.

Intrigue, romance, deadly danger and the terrifying realities of living under the dark shadow of Nazi rule spring to vivid life in this gripping spy adventure which focuses on a young woman who must dance to the Nazis’ tune if she is to save both herself and her friends. In a world of espionage where ‘even a word spoken in haste could cause problems,’ and increasingly unsure of who she can trust, Charlotte’s life in Hamburg makes her feel ‘more shut-in and claustrophobic’ with the passing of each perilous day.

Knowing that the Nazis could decide that her dual citizenship rendered her ‘not German enough,’ and trying to stay invisible whilst delivering secret messages in the city’s clubs and bars, the young spy’s path was always going to be full of danger... but as the risks become greater, the tension mounts to boiling point. Chilling, thrilling, and packed with edge-of-the-seat drama, The Violinist’s Secret will have readers hooked from start to finish!
(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Goblin dreams, brilliant brains and an ocean finale

Share spooky thrills with a boy whose horrible nightmares have a bad habit of coming true, take a close-up look at the workings of the incredible human brain, set sail with the final adventure of an epic treasure-hunting, puzzle-solving ocean series, and join a girl and her detective cat on their mission to find a missing birthday cake in a glittering New Year line-up

Age 10 plus
The Nightmares
of Finnegan Quick
Larry Hayes

BY night, Finnegan Quick has horrible nightmares... by day, they come TRUE! If the joyful warmth of Christmas has left you longing for some fun with a decidedly chillier edge, dive head first into this super-cool, thrill-a-minute adventure, first of a scintillating new series from Larry Hayes, a children’s author with a gift for writing both comedy and horror stories. With a plot that grips from start to finish – and plenty of wisecracks to leaven the creeps – this supernatural stunner delivers grans, grins, gore, ghosts and a rare kind of Goblin Dream that cannot help but capture you in its nightmare loop!

Finn is haunted by nightmares. They are so bad that he’s terrified of going to sleep... because Finn’s dreams change the waking world, too. He has already lost his mum, his dad, his dog, even his shadow, and now they are coming for his gran, the only family he’s got left. But then a mysterious girl starts appearing in his dreams, helping Finn fight back against the creatures in his nightly adventures. And on the first day of the new term, she turns up at school, right there in real life, in the lunch queue! Cass tells Finn that she has come to solve the mystery of Finn’s missing parents and together with Finn’s geeky best friend Squid, they travel through the nightmare world, battling goblins, ghosts and zombies. Finn, Cass and Squid prove to be a sparky, wisecracking trio but even together, can they prove to be a match for the creatures of the night? If Finn is to save the people he cares about most, he has to remember the lesson his gran has been teaching him all his life. He must learn to face his fears... or be destroyed by them!

Hayes, who has also performed stand-up comedy, was inspired to write this gorgeously ghostly series after a strange happening in an old, empty house in Ireland left him wondering what would happen if your dreams and nightmares came true. The result was Finnegan Quick, the star of dream adventures that are guaranteed to keep young horror fans turning the pages, turning the lights on, and tossing and turning until Finn’s next escapade, The Fate of Finnegan Quick, hits the shelves later this year!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 12 plus
Explodapedia: The Brain
Ben Martynoga and Moose Allain

SCIENCE and the natural world certainly aren’t boring when you take lessons from the fun-filled pages of an amazing exploding encyclopedia! Explodapedia is a unique non-fiction science series from David Fickling Books which delivers everything you need to know... one book at a time. This exciting, innovative approach takes key topics and presents them in a way that is hugely entertaining and readable, whilst still providing reliable, serious, in-depth information that will help readers gain a true and lasting understanding of crucial subjects. Packed with accessible and funny cartoon illustrations, and superb double-page spreads which seamlessly integrate facts and art, these touchstone books are the work of Dr Ben Martynoga, a neuroscientist and science writer, and artist and cartoonist Moose Allain.

In Explodapedia: The Brain, this dynamic author and illustrator team take an inspiring look at the human brain which, we learn, is utterly unique. We have 180 billion brain cells which are constantly controlling our bodies, grappling with world-changing ideas and predicting the future. They keep us safe, curious and creative, whilst gifting us incredible powers of memory and bamboozling brilliant imaginations. Readers meet the pioneer scientists who first peered inside our skulls, explore how social media impacts our mental health, and delve into other amazing brains... think football-playing bees and octopuses which can talk with their skin! These richly detailed and thought-provoking books offer an appealing and fully accessible way to learn about fascinating discoveries as well as inspiring young readers to enjoy a lifelong love of science and nature. The perfect way to maximise your understanding of our miraculous minds!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Alex Neptune, Dragon Champion
David Owen and George Ermos

INDIANA Jones meets Pirates of the Caribbean in the fifth and final ocean adventure of an epic treasure-hunting, puzzle-solving ocean series from David Owen, the exciting author whose YA debut novel, Panther, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. These thrilling, all-action and fun-filled Alex Neptune books were inspired by Owen’s self-confessed love for nail-biting heists, fantastical monsters and heartfelt friendships. Star of the show is Alex, the boy born with the power of the ocean in his hands, and here he crosses swords again with his arch enemy, Brineblood the pirate, who is back on the high seas with a dastardly plan... he’s going to steal every drop of sea magic and use it to raise an all-powerful monster from the bottom of the ocean. If Alex and his pals Zoey and Anil can’t stop him, the monster will flood the entire world. Teaming up with the water dragon, they set out in their home-made submarine to journey deep into places no human has been before. But they have one crucial and very scary problem... Alex has lost his magic. Can he still lead his crew to victory, or will Haven Bay – and the rest of the world – be lost for good? With the power of the sea at its centre, this final, fast-flowing story is awash with the weirdest cast of characters this side of the tide, eco themes that speak as loudly as the crashing of the waves in Haven Bay, and the fantastic illustrations of George Ermos. The perfect ending to a maritime odyssey which has become a must-read for all adventure lovers!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Bunny vs Monkey: Bunny Bonanza!
Jamie Smart

MONKEY and the gang are on a hunt to find Bunny, after he mysteriously disappeared... on their search they’ll be bamboozled by Old Bunny, Neanderbunny, the mysterious Shadow Bunny and the always-confusing Not Bunny. Will they ever find their faithful friend? It’s a rollicking race in this cornucopia of chuckles! Buckle yourself in and get ready for an exciting rabbit rumble! Yes, Bunny and Monkey are back in their exhilarating remastered series which delivers all the comedy and chaos of the daffy duo’s helter-skelter world! This outrageously funny ninth book in the super-popular series features an abundance of bunnies, 216 pages of fast and furry-ous exuberant fun, and a draw-it-yourself activity. Bunny and Monkey are part of the Phoenix Presents series, published by David Fickling Books in partnership with The Phoenix comic, which goes from strength to strength. And much of that success is due to the genius of the extraordinarily talented illustrator Jamie Smart whose ingenious comic-strip Bunny vs Monkey books create giant waves of laughter across a sea of young readers. These manic, high-energy stories are perfectly created for fidgety readers who like their books to come with plenty of comic-strip illustrations and loads of snorts and sniggers. Madcap antics for action kids!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
The Island Vet: Devil Bird Island
Gill Lewis and Irina Avgustinovich

A NEW school and a new island home far away from the big city have transformed Tia’s life... and when your mum is a vet anything can happen! Acclaimed, award-winning children’s author and former vet Gill Lewis works her special brand of animal magic on this inspirational illustrated Island Vet series which follows Tia and her mother’s exciting new life on Gull Haven Island. In this third conservation-themed adventure, a camping trip to count puffins on Devil Bird Island turns into a real drama for Tia and her friend Nat. First, they have to rescue a mysterious marine animal which has been caught in a fishing net off the coast and swept very far from home. Then, when it gets dark, they hear strange wailing and something white and ghostly flies at their tent. Safely back home, they unravel the mysteries of the previous night and learn some important lessons about how everyone on the planet needs to look out for the wildlife around them. Teamed with the beautifully emotive illustrations of Irina Avgustinovich, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this heartwarming and inspirational series is ideal for young animal lovers and is sure to delight readers of every age.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
The Bold Kitten
Holly Webb and Sophy Williams

MUCH-LOVED author Holly Webb is enchanting young readers with the incredible 60^th heartwarming adventure in her delightful Animal Stories series which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies since the first book hit the shelves in 2006. Webb has written over 100 adorable books for youngsters. In this new story, we meet nine-year-old Hana and her family who have recently fled Syria to stay with a boy called Oscar and his family in the UK. Hana is confused and lonely when she first arrives... she doesn’t speak much English and while her host family seem kind, she misses her friends back home. Then Oscar introduces her to the litter of cats his family are fostering, and Hana falls in love with the brave tortoiseshell kitten named Amal. The more time Hana spends with Amal, the more confident she begins to feel until her mum reveals that the kittens are ready to be adopted, including Amal. Hana doesn’t want her to go... can she find a way for them to stay together? Sophy Williams provides the gorgeous black and white illustrations for this beautifully created adventure which is guaranteed to capture the heart of any child who can’t resist the magic of animals!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
The Moonlight Mystery Agency
Vashti Hardy and Agnes Saccani

JOIN a little girl and her detective cat on their mission to solve the mystery of a bionic unicorn’s missing birthday cake in the first book of a marvellously magical series from Blue Peter award-winning author Vashti Hardy and illustrator Agnes Saccani. The Birthday Cake Thief launches The Moonlight Mystery Agency series and is part of publisher Barrington Stoke’s super-readable Little Gems series which comes with a host of clever design and finishing techniques, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, to create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a format ideal for little hands. So meet Hana who has always longed to have a pet of her own. When a cat turns up at her bedroom window one night, she thinks her dream has come true... but Ace is no ordinary cat. He’s a detective cat who has come to invite Hana to work with the Moonlight Mystery Agency! Join Hana and Ace on their magical adventure to solve the mystery of Spark the bionic unicorn’s missing birthday cake. Wordsmith Hardy conjures up her world-building magic while Saccani’s illustrations bring the adorable characters and their fun-filled adventures to colourful life. Add on some spot-the-difference fun and a maze puzzle inside the front and back covers, and you have the perfect early reading package.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Amazing Baby
Alison Brown

AMAZING babies are EVERYWHERE... and here’s a picture book that celebrates all the magic, mischief and heartwarming moments that a newborn brings. Talented author and illustrator Alison Brown – who won hearts with her gorgeous books Amazing Mum, Amazing Dad, Amazing Brother and Amazing Sister – turns the spotlight on babies with another of her super-cute picture books. Babies can be sleepy, noisy, adventurous, cuddly and so much more... and though they can be hard work, there’s nothing better than seeing them grow. From late nights and food fights to bathtime, nappy-changes and first steps, Brown’s beautifully illustrated and exuberant rhyming romp – starring a whole host of irresistible, relatable and quirky animal characters – is the ultimate celebration of bouncing babies and their unique identities, likes and dislikes. A joyful way to share new baby love... and perfect for new parents!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
A Midsummer Night’s Drama
Louie Stowell and Isobel Lundie

WELCOME to a drama like no other at The Glade Theatre... a special place where budding bards can hone their skills and discover that all the world’s a stage! A Midsummer Night’s Drama is the first picture book in a brilliantly creative Shakesbearean Tales series from the top team of children’s author Louie Stowell and talented illustrator Isobel Lundie. These charming books, based on Shakespeare’s plays, introduce a cast of lovable animal characters and offer an endearing introduction to the world of theatre. So meet star of the show Bill Bear who loves staging plays with his friends in their woodland theatre. Bill writes brilliant plays for The Glade Theatre and his latest play is a huge success, but then the problems start... Bill’s brain is so busy that he just can’t sleep! Can his animal friends come up with a plan to get him off to sleep? Stowell’s comical and clever story encapsulates the ups and downs of dealing with drama of every kind while Lundie’s atmospheric and richly detailed illustrations bring The Glade Theatre to life. Parents everywhere will recognise the drama of getting an over-excited little bear off to dreamland while the funny and reassuring story addresses some of the big emotions felt by little ones. The second act can’t come soon enough!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Love is in the Little Things
Stella J Jones and Jane Massey

WHAT better way to celebrate the little ways we show our love than a picture book brimming with warmth, kindness, friendship... and that very special ‘aaah’ factor? Love is in the Little Things – a heart-melting fusion of Stella J Jones’ beautiful words and Jane Massey’s emotive illustrations – is the perfect gift book for parents welcoming home a new baby or to share with a loved one on a memorable occasion. ‘Love is in the little things. A kiss, a smile, a cup of tea. Just me and you sitting quietly. A song, a hug, a helping hand that lifts us up so we can stand.’ Join Big and Small (a cuddly bear and an adorable young child) as they journey through the moments that make a relationship... from blowing bubbles in the bath and a goodnight kiss to saying a heartfelt ‘sorry’ after a fight. Perfectly created for adults to read and share with little ones, Jones’ gentle, rhythmic, reassuring narrative inspires expressions of love and emotion, all brought to life by Massey’s stunning artwork in enchanting pastel shades.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes

AAAH… gifts for don’t come more special and genuinely touching than this gorgeous picture book which celebrates the eternal and loving relationship between parent and child. This is the third book in this adorable series from top team author Amelia Hepworth and illustrator Tim Warnes and comes packed with the same beautiful words, heartfelt emotions and endearing illustrations. ‘I love to see the sun come up, and melt the winter snow. I love to see your wonder as the spring shoots start to grow.’ As the hope of spring turns into the warm days of midsummer, the story follows Big Bear and Little Bear who share their love and gratitude for one another across the seasons. Toddlers (and their parents) will love turning the pages of this uplifting celebration of love and togetherness which was tailor made for cuddling up close at bedtime!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
My Path
Jana Curll

EVERY path is special. So choose yours... and keep going! Making choices and deciding on the right path in life might seem like a mountain to climb when you are a young child so help little ones to have confidence in both themselves and their choices with this beautiful, empowering picture book from Canadian author and illustrator Jana Curll. Featuring an adorable snail as the star player, My Path invites readers to follow the snail’s sparkly silver trail on every page and join its amazing adventures. Every morning, the little snail sets off on its chosen path. There are mountains to climb, rushing rivers to cross and, sometimes, when the path ahead seems impossible, it needs to ask for help. But as long as it feels like the right path, the determined snail keeps going! Youngsters will instantly recognise that the adventurous snail decides not to follow the crowd and is ready to face unexpected challenges. Filled with Curll’s stunning artwork, and the distinctive silver trail, this inspiring and joyful journey helps little ones understand that ANYONE can defy the odds and find their own unique way forward. So choose your own special path... and just keep going!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
The Bed Book
Sylvia Plath and Cindy Wume

WHEN is a bed not just any old bed? When it’s a bed dreamed up by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Sylvia Plath! Written for American-born Plath’s own children, Frieda and Nicholas, this perfect bedtime read has been created in picture book form for the first time and exquisitely illustrated in full colour by Taiwan-based artist Cindy Wume. ‘A Tank Bed’s got cranks, And wheels and cogs, And levers to pull, If you’re stuck in bogs. Or a Jet-Propelled Bed, For visiting Mars, With mosquito nets, For the shooting stars.’ Beds come in all shapes and sizes, and need not be boring beds at all. There are submarine beds for nosing through water like a sardine, beds for fishing, and jet-propelled beds that take you all the way to the stars. Playful, comforting and bursting with imaginative power, this magical poem demonstrates Plath’s eye for imagery and arresting language, and is brought to life by the vibrant artwork of Wume who works in gouache, ink, dip-pen and coloured pencils. Bedtime wind-down doesn’t get better than this!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Girls Book of Friendship
Lauren Ace and Jenny Løvlie

FRIENDS are for life, not just for childhood! Learn about the joy, fun and beauty of friendship in this heartwarming and gorgeously illustrated board book based on author Lauren Ace and illustrator Jenny Løvlie’s award-winning picture book The Girls. Back in 2019, this partnership’s extra special debut picture book packed a resonant and inspirational message for youngsters just embarking on the adventure of life and this new format carries the same empowering feminist message. ‘There is nothing better you can have than a good friend, and nothing better you can be. Friends are the family you choose for yourself.’ Follow four girls as they grow up together, celebrate their differences, and embrace kindness, resilience and the courage to forge their own unique paths in life. Løvlie’s lovingly imagined illustrations are fresh and appealing and are the perfect match for Ace’s warm and wise words, creating a stunning harmony between words and pictures, and a book sure to be treasured by readers of any age.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
Croc’s Cooking Day
Nicola Kent

CAN you help a little Croc make some pancakes? Join Croc and his friends Bear and Hippo as they get hands-on with some cooking in the second adventure of an interactive Busy Chores for Little Paws board book series that lets tiny tots playact grown-up tasks. Youngsters will love lifting flaps, turning wheels and pulling and pushing sliders as they help the animals to measure flour and milk, add the egg, mix the ingredients and finally toss the pancakes! These charming and engaging hands-on introductions to familiar household chores are the work of award-winning author and illustrator Nicola Kent. So roll up your sleeves, turn up the gas and get your little ones ready for some ‘cracking’ fun!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Murder Mindfully

Karsten Dusse

‘First off, I’m not a violent man. Quite the opposite. I’ve never once gotten into a fight. And I didn't even kill anyone until I was forty-two.’

THERE surely couldn’t be a more ‘arresting’ start to your new year of reading than to indulge in the sheer comic joy of Murder Mindfully, German lawyer and debut novelist Karsten Dusse’s dark and sublimely entertaining crime romp which has sold over two and a half million copies and is now a major Netflix series.

In a translation from the German by Florian Duijsens, which expertly picks up Dusse’s complex nuances and black humour, this satirical gem achieves what might seem to be the impossible... the melding of a riotous killing rampage with a perfectly authentic guide to the calming power of mindfulness.

Dusse (pictured below)  has been writing for television formats for a number of years, and has won the German Television Award and the German Comedy Prize several times, and he has a ball with this murderously clever plot using his legal background and eye for visual drama to dish up a wickedly brilliant dance of death.

Björn Diemel is an overworked but definitely not underpaid criminal lawyer who works for a prestigious city law firm and specialises in representing ‘utter lowlife.’ But Björn is soon to discover that inner peace, being here in the now, and taking a deep breath are the simple steps to being a ruthless killer.

Until then he is making his money ‘doing good for bad people’ and has learned over the years to master it perfectly. His long-time principal client is gang boss Dragan Sergowicz, a ‘violent lunatic,’ and his bunch of acolytes... and however morally reprehensible his work may be, the money has provided an expensive home for Björn, his wife Katharina and their two-year-old daughter Emily. But he never sees his child because he’s always working, and Katharina doesn’t understand him and hates his job and his absences... so much so that she has given Björn an ultimatum; he must repair his work-life balance or she will leave him and take their precious daughter with her.

Despite his reservations, he reluctantly signs up for one-to-one Mindfulness for Managers sessions to demonstrate his willingness to change... and to his surprise, they are a revelation. He becomes calmer, more focused, and soon starts to understand what’s really important in life.

Time with little Emily is now sacrosanct and his client Dragan has been made aware of this so when Björn’s make-or-break weekend away at a lake house with Emily, while Katharina enjoys a spar weekend, is rudely interrupted by the crime boss, stressed-out Björn remembers his new-found goal to find serenity... and kills him.

The murder means Björn can deepen his mindfulness practice, seek inner peace and stay calm in dangerous situations, but it also means that he has a new – and very different – role to play when it comes to handling his criminal clients...

Murder Mindfully is a triumph of twisted storytelling as Dusse immerses readers in the bizarre and increasingly brutal life of Björn Diemel... a life that should, in theory, be disturbing but instead dishes up a feast of feelgoods, and humour with a deliciously dark flavour. To leaven all the chaos, bone-crunching violence and fast-paced action, each chapter begins with a mindfulness exercise, a reminder of the stresses that bedevil modern life and that it was the author’s own rewards from practising self-help and mindfulness that inspired this razor sharp satire.

With a host of useful meditation and mindful tips, suspense at every turn of the page, and a lead player with a killer line in comedy, it would be a crime to miss the fun!   
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £9.99)

North is the Night

Emily Rath

WHEN a teenage girl is kidnapped from the shores of a fishing lake in Finland by a cruel goddess, her friend is determined to rescue her. But legend says the land of the dead is a terrifying place... and no one has ever returned.

Welcome to this spectacular imagining of the world of Finnish folklore where warring gods abound, dark magic casts a thrilling spell, and two daring young women are ready to defy the living and the dead, the gods and mortals, and the patriarchal expectations of human society.

North is the Night – first book of the Tuonela Duet, a fabulously feminist fantasy duology – is the stunning creation and new venture of Florida-based author Emily Rath (pictured below), best known for her chart-topping ‘sex-positive, queer-inclusive’ fantasy and romance novels. After achieving phenomenal success as a self-published author, Rath used her lifelong love of mythology, her own Finnish family heritage, and the medieval Finnish epic saga the Kalevala, as inspiration for this remarkable story of love, courage, friendship and magic.

Sharing themes with the Greek legend of Hades and Persephone, the author’s breathtaking world-building sweeps us away to the wintry wilderness of pagan Finland as it struggles to stay true to its ancient gods in the face of Christian invaders from Sweden, and on to a mesmerising underworld packed with magic, mayhem and malevolence.

Best friends Aina and Siiri live in the harsh interior of the Finnish wilderness, and are inseparable despite their opposite natures. Aina is gentle, cautious, and hopes for marriage, a loving husband and children, while Siiri is headstrong, brave and would rather be free to spend her life with Aina. Their families make a living from fishing the nearby lake but young women have been going missing from the lake’s shore with reports of ‘creatures with eyes that glow red’ and ‘a lingering stench of death in the air.’ But since the arrival of Swedish settlers – who have uprooted thousands of families, stolen their farmland and threatened their way of life – there is talk of a ‘new god’ and the old Finnish gods have abandoned them.

And when, one terrifying evening, Aina is kidnapped by an evil death goddess whose breath smells of ‘moist decay’ and ‘sour rot,’ and taken to ‘dark oblivion’ in the mythical underworld of Tuonela, the girls’ friendship is put to the test.

Determined to save Aina, Siiri embarks on a dangerous journey north to seek out Väinämöinen, the only mystical shaman to travel to Tuonela and return alive. As the dark winter looms, Siiri uses all the strength she possesses to survive her journey, which is plagued by trappers, a band of roving wolves, and a cunning snow witch on her own quest for power. But finding Väinämöinen is only the beginning... Siiri must convince him to share his magic so she can sneak into Tuonela and save Aina.

In Tuonela, meanwhile, Aina is forced to play the sadistic games of Tuonetar, the cruel queen of the underworld, alongside other captured girls. But Aina’s kindness allows her to make allies in the harsh environment and she soon discovers that Tuoni, the deposed king of Tuonela, is also a victim of Tuonetar’s spells that can only be broken when he remarries. To save him and the other girls, Aina offers herself as his bride... but what she doesn’t know is that her fearless friend is on the way and plotting a daring escape.

Siiri and Aina face an enthralling battle on all sides in this fantastical feast of powerful storytelling as they grapple with their own sexual identities, the arrival of the new and unwelcome religion, the expectations of society that they will marry and have children, and the vindictive gods who have only death in their sights. But it is the two very different girls’ fiercely feminine friendship – and the trials that it will undergo – that lies at the dark, beating heart of Rath’s magical, malign and multi-faceted adventure which cannot help but hold you fast within its wintry and wonderful depths.

Life, death, the love of both friends and family, and a slow-burn Sapphic romance, which threads a dangerous path through the icy chills of the mythical Finnish underworld, all come under Rath’s watchful eye as this epic odyssey wends its majestic way through despair, dread, determination, awe-inspiring bravery and self-discovery.

With a fast-paced plot, plenty of twists and turns, a cast of characters straight out of a pagan playbook, and the promise of resolution in the second gripping adventure, South is the Sea, the grisly realm of Tuonela still has one more extraordinary story to tell!
(Arcadia, hardback, £20)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Dive into 2025 on an impressive wave of exciting new titles

Get hands-on with the creative mysteries of art, learn about the ages-old relationship between humans and birds, discover the weird and wonderful world of jellyfish, and enjoy a snow-filled winter adventure with two lovable friends, courtesy of a newly formed independent publishing house on a mission to make every child a reader. 

Post Wave Children’s Books is a children’s imprint and UK subsidiary of Post Wave Publishing China, a leading privately owned publishing house, and aims to ‘translate original, beautiful, fun, clever books that visually delight, entertain, inspire and help children discover the world around them.’ They believe that being a reader brings opportunities and opens up the world, and are committed to publishing books – showcasing diverse voices, excellent design and award-winning illustration – which will encourage youngsters to become lifelong readers. And here is a selection of some of their first impressive books which are already causing waves.

Age 5 plus
Art’bracadabra
Discover the Magic of Art with a Surprise on Every Page!
Raphaël Garnier

TOUCH, feel and observe closely the mysteries of art with this magnificent and magical book which invites young readers and budding artists to explore colour, shapes, perspective and texture. Art’bracadabra – itself a poetic and playful work of art – is adapted from a series of short films called Mon Oiel (My Eye) displayed at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France, by renowned modern artist and creative director Raphael Garnier. Using organic and dreamlike language, Garnier’s show introduced children to the fundamentals of art in an interactive and child-friendly way. Highly interactive throughout, this sumptuous book includes different elements on every page, including a pop-up wheel, special inks, flaps to lift and a variety of textures. Youngsters will love getting hands-on by lifting flaps, spinning wheels, pulling tabs, marvelling at the pop-ups, and touching the different textures as they embark on a journey filled with creativity and discovery. Changing the images helps to unlock the secrets of art and introduces the ten basic elements and principles of art... the dot, the line, the shape, the material, the tools, the colour, volume, composition and perspective. A perfectly imagined and unforgettable art lesson!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £25)

Age 7 plus
The Call of the Birds
How We Can Help Birds Everywhere
Séraphine Menu and Fleur Oury

TAKE flight with a superbly created and illustrated book that reveals the unique relationship between humans and birds, from the impacts made by early settlers right through to the modern-day challenges of climate change. The Call of the Birds: How We Can Help Birds Everywhere – translated from the French by Michele Hutchison – is the work of French author Séraphine Menu, who enjoys exploring how nature and people interact, and is gorgeously illustrated in vivid colour and rich detail by Fleur Oury who has ‘a very special place in her heart for nature.’ Both the dodo and the moa have already disappeared from our world... could the sparrow, the swallow or the robin be next, and what can be done to save them? In recent years, ornithologists have been sounding the alarm with bird populations declining all over the world and some species on the verge of extinction. In recent times in the UK alone, five new species have been added to the red list of most concern. This timely book helps readers to understand the vital role birds play in our world by presenting key scientific findings in a clear and child-friendly way. By offering helpful advice and easy, actionable steps, The Call of the Birds inspires and empowers future generations to protect our bird populations. On a wing and a prayer for tomorrow’s world of birds...
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £16.99)

Age 6 plus
The Jellyfish Garden
Explore Their Curious World
Paola Vitale and Rossana Bossù

FROM the deepest, darkest oceans to shallow coastal seas, warm tropical waters and the cold Arctic Ocean, jellyfish bring colour, mystery and endless fascination to our underwater world. But what do we really know about jellyfish? Are they poisonous, can you eat them, is it true that they are immortal, can they really indicate climate change? Welcome to The Jellyfish Garden – written by Paola Vitale and exquisitely Illustrated by Rossana Bossù – where the intriguing and awe-inspiring world of jellyfish is revealed in all its colourful glory. Brought to life by Bossù’s extraordinarily detailed artwork, and accompanied by Vitale’s treasure trove of information, the Italian pair’s must-have book is ideal for children who love exploring nature’s star players. Identified by The Guardian as 2024’s unexpected style icon, jellyfish have been described as ‘really weird and really beautiful’ and this book reveals both sides of these fascinating creatures. Discover the enormous lion’s mane jellyfish which featured in a Sherlock Holmes story, the huge and very poisonous Drymonema dalmatinum, and the many-ribbed jellyfish which glows in the dark.  The beautiful illustrations include cross sections, top views and elegant graphics, all providing a visual feast. There is also a jellyfish spotter’s guide, the anatomy of a jellyfish, the importance of jellyfish in a biodiverse ecosystem, and an in-depth look at their varying superpowers, not least their ability to self-heal and to glow in the dark. The final pages detail the Turritopsis nutricula, also known as the immortal jellyfish, which appears to have the ability to regenerate itself, a fitting tribute to a book that itself captures the endless appeal of these amazing underwater creatures!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

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Age 3 plus
Tiger, It’s Snowing!
Daishu Ma

LOVE might make the world go round but friendships are the glue that keeps us all together! And what could be more heartwarming than the wintry tale of the very special bond between a little girl and a tiger? Tiger, It’s Snowing! is a gorgeous, snow-filled picture book from Daishu Ma, a London-based Chinese illustrator and graphic artist whose work expresses her keen interest in science and nature, and is the first book in an enchanting new series starring two lovable characters, Tiger and Mei.  Mei’s exuberant Tiger wants to play in the snow but Mei isn’t quite so sure. It’s cold and it’s wet! But Mei soon changes her mind when she tastes delicate snowflakes for the first time, makes fresh footprints in the pristine snow, and enjoys a fun snowball fight with Tiger. As the day draws to a close, the good friends return to the warm embrace of home – a perfect conclusion to a day filled with wonder and delight. Little ones will love joining this delightful duo as they welcome every new day, navigate fresh experiences, solve problems and enjoy a world full of fun, adventure and friendship, and still manage to get home in time for tea... tea for two, that is!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
A Little Sailing Lesson
Sara Stefanini

LIFE'S ups and downs can sometimes make little ones feel all at sea... so steer them to calmer waters with this comforting and poetic picture book which makes clear that what matters most is the voyage and not the destination! A Little Sailing Lesson – created by author and illustrator Sara Stefanini who was born in Sorengo, Switzerland – is a perfect reflection of the old adage that not all of life is plain sailing. Aldo is an experienced sailor and knows that the first thing to do when sailing is to set a destination... a destination that can be reached even though there will be unexpected challenges and a level of ingenuity required along the way. As Aldo says, you will always get somewhere! Little ones will be more than happy to climb aboard with Aldo and his young companion in this gentle story of resilience and adaptability which blends Stefanini’s enchanting artwork with a beautifully a simple text full of words of encouragement for any young ‘sailor’ unsure of life’s ebb and flow. Don’t miss the boat!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age from birth
Who Ate the Little Bug?
Hector Dexet

WHO ate the little bug? Not me, not you, so who? French author and illustrator Hector Dexet has fun with a funny and playful board book that has been ingeniously created for curious little hands and eyes! Dexet, who creates books which are designed to surprise and awaken the curiosity of youngsters by adding interactive elements, asks young readers to guess who ate the little bug. Was it the polar bear? The pelican? The lion? The snail? A gallery of colourful animals all deny their involvement right through to the delightfully funny twist at the end. With a succession of holes that get smaller and smaller, tiny tots will love getting their hands on this bold and engaging book. Each vivid double-page spread features a different brightly coloured animal, introducing children to a whole spectrum of colour and creatures whilst fostering a joy of reading. With giggles guaranteed at the final turn of the page, and robust enough to withstand the attentions of the most enthusiastic little hands, Who Ate the Little Bug? will be consumed over and over and over again!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £9.99)