The Midnight Rose

Lucinda Riley

GET ready to be swept away by a haunting romance that spans one century, two continents and four generations as the account of an Indian girl’s life in the heyday of the British Raj unfolds over 670 pages of compulsive storytelling.

When Lucinda Riley (pictured below) tragically died from cancer in June of 2021, she left behind a dazzling legacy of novels, not least her groundbreaking Seven Sisters series. Her gift was to write adventures transporting readers from the pedestrian realities of everyday life to worlds past and present, and on wild adventures in diverse, exciting and colourful locations.

And The Midnight Rose, her enthralling and newly republished 2014 novel, is epic in every sense… a vast, multi-layered story which glides from the glittering palaces of India to the majestic stately homes of England, and encompasses lush landscapes and life-changing events of 20^th century history. Weaving backwards and forwards through time to unpick a tumultuous and tragic tale full of powerful emotions and complex themes, The Midnight Rose delivers pride, passion, prejudice and a vibrant cast of eclectic characters portraying human beings at their best and worst.

When her father dies in 1909, nine-year-old Anahita Chavan and her widowed mother, from a noble but impoverished family, are forced to move into the communal society of the Moon Palace in Jaipur in the service of their wealthy relatives.

Anni, as she is known, has inherited her mother’s feminine gifts of sight and healing and has a sound education in English, history and science thanks to the radical ideas of her late poet-philosopher father.

In 1911, at the Coronation Durbar for King George V, Anni meets Princess Indira, youngest daughter of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and his wife Ayesha, a woman famous for her beauty and the unprecedented informality of her royal court.

Anni forms a close friendship with the headstrong Indira and is allowed to leave her home in Jaipur to become the princess’s official companion at the Cooch Behar Palace in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. When the girls are 14, Anni accompanies Indira to school in England but on the outbreak of war, they are evacuated to Astbury Hall in Devon, home of the widow of a former British official in Cooch Behar. Feeling isolated by a distinct cooling in her friendship with Indira, Anni finds consolation in a mutual attachment with young Donald Astbury, a blond Adonis and reluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estate. But as their relationship blossoms, his scheming, cold and arrogant mother Lady Maud Astbury is appalled, and will do anything to keep them apart...

Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet but when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she is relieved that her latest role will take her away from the glare of publicity to England. Shortly after filming begins at crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anni’s great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly on a quest for his family’s past. And what he and Rebecca discover will unravel the dark secrets that still haunt the blighted Astbury dynasty.

Think Downton Abbey but with more grit and gravitas, and with the added excitement and exoticism of scenes played out against a breathtaking Himalayan backdrop, as readers are immersed in Anahita’s action-packed passage from rural India through 100 years of history and unprecedented personal, political and social change. Blending high emotions with rich period detail, romance, drama and social awareness, Riley’s atmospheric novel paints pictures with words and effortlessly transports us between historical periods and far-flung continents.

From the pressures of celebrity and a 21^st century film set to the cloistered intensity of the women’s quarters in an Indian palace, The Midnight Rose is beautifully written and impeccably researched. Romantic fiction at its most memorable and captivating.
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A wild mission, a toilet disaster and a canine comedy

Return to a wild dystopian world full of danger and disease, share giggles with a boy tasked with making a queen laugh, join a fox and a girl who are hunting for a missing granny, and enjoy adventures with a detective dog as he races against time to defuse a bomb in a super spring selection 

Age 9 plus
When the Wild Calls
Nicola Penfold

HAVING escaped their sterile city, Juniper Green and her brother Bear have settled in Ennerdale with their dad and his family but her mission to save her grandmother and beloved best friend will lead her into terrible danger. Travel back to the thrilling dystopian world created by Nicola Penfold in this eagerly awaited sequel to Where the World Turns Wild, a thought-provoking ecological adventure which won the hearts and minds of readers, and was inspired by American author Richard Louv’s rallying cry to save our children from ‘Nature-Deficit Disorder.’ In this new story, time is running out for the city’s residents and Juniper decides she must leave her beloved Wild and head back and save her family from a city hit by disease and social breakdown. Every day the Wild introduces them to a new wonder, but Juniper can’t stop worrying about her grandmother and best friend left behind. When she hears news that disease has entered the city, she is determined to bring her loved ones to safety. Trapped in a city riddled with disease and run by a ruthless leader, Etienne longs for the Wild. With the guards becoming more aggressive to counteract the growing rebellion, Etienne is prepared to fight for his freedom. But will he be able to protect himself and keep those around him safe until Juniper returns from the Wild? Penfold has created another beautiful, ecological, and breathtakingly imagined other-world exploring friendship and bravery within an exhilarating, fast-paced adventure, and highlighting how our world is becoming dangerously disconnected from nature. With its cautionary reminder of the fragility of nature, and our duty to guard the planet for generations to come, this is a timely book written with genuine affection, and with a big helping of hope at its heart.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Day I Fell Down the Toilet
Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan

IT'S no joke to be at the centre of a case of mistaken identity... unless you’re called Timothy and turn out to be a rather surprising (and very welcome) superhero! There will be giggles galore and loo-fuls of laughter as the sensational sibling team of much-loved actor Stephen Mangan and his talented artist sister Anita roll out a toilet tale that is guaranteed to be flushed with success. Hot on the heels of their wild and wonderful joint novels, Escape the Rooms, The Fart That Changed the World and The Great Reindeer Rescue, the dynamic duo return with a madcap adventure that is positively overflowing with chaos and comedy. Disaster! The Queen of Dunny, the land where jokes come from, has lost her sense of humour and banned fun of any kind. Her subjects have one final shot at making her laugh otherwise no new jokes will be created ever again! Enter the hero the world needs... Timothy Trench, a straight-talking, uber-decisive child genius. Oh, wait... in an unfortunate case of mistaken identity, the wrong Timothy – a boy who finds it impossible to make decisions – is fetched to make the Queen laugh. Can he work out what will tickle Her Majesty's funny bone and save the day? Anita Mangan’s quirky and comical illustrations are the perfect pairing for her brother’s warm, fun-filled and witty story which reminds youngsters that you should never underestimate underdogs... and that you don’t have to be royal to be a superhero. Add on a spectacular surfeit of outlandish puns, silly limericks, dancing ogres and the worst dad jokes ever, and you have the perfect read for mischief-makers of all shapes and sizes!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Oh Mummy Mia!
Maz Evans

FRESH from the runaway success of her Who Let the Gods Out? books – which took young readers to new heights of all-round entertaining storytelling – Maz Evans is back with the second book of her brilliant Gods Squad spin-off series which started with Oh Maya Gods! The stars of these adventures set in Ancient Egypt are Vesper – the football-mad, bossy and a teensy bit grumpy daughter of Elliot Hooper, the original hero of Who Let the Gods Out? – and Constellation Virgo’s son, Aster, who is super-smart, a bit nervous and with a secret all of his own. In their new mission, the Egyptian gods are up to no good. Seth, the god of war, has kidnapped Ra, the sun god... and now Earth is on the brink of total destruction. It’s up to Vesper and Aster to bravely descend to the Egyptian underworld to find Ra and save the world because if they don’t, they could soon become mummies! Evans once more lets loose her prodigious imagination as our two heroes tackle the world's worst behaved immortals. Packed full of real Ancient Egyptian mythology, outrageously funny antics, and spine-tingling danger, this hilarious tale of misbehaving immortals will leave youngsters dying for the next ungodly adventure!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Shadow Fox
Carlie Sorosiak

GET lost in a magical tale of loss and belonging from Atlanta, Georgia-based  author Carlie Sorosiak whose novel, I, Cosmo, was a Waterstone's Children's Book of the Month. Shadow Fox is told through the eyes of a wild, affectionate, prickly fox who has a love of collecting shoes and not a small amount of magic. Bee’s family runs a lakeside inn, offering rest and sustenance to weary travellers. Bee’s Nan has gone missing, possibly drowned, but Bee knows that can’t be true. And so does the hungry fox that her grandmother was feeding. Shadow is cross that her supply of salmon has dried up and is determined to do something about it. Soon both fox and child – who discover that they can communicate with each other through telepathy – are on an adventure to find Nan... an adventure in which they uncover sinister happenings and secret islands on the Great Lake, and learn just how far magical powers can take you. This beautiful, enchanting and fantastical story has a warm, loving and generous heart, and reminds readers, both young and old, about the importance of friendship and being kind to each other, as well as taking care of the natural world in all its many forms.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Agent Harrier: This Book Will
Self-Destruct
Ben Sanders

TOP secret! This book will explode in just FIVE minutes... Expect equally explosive giggles when youngsters get their hands on this ticking-time-bomb graphic novel, first in a brilliant new comedy series from the award-winning author and illustrator Ben Sanders. There’s no time to lose for Agent Harrier who must follow the red wire and defuse the bomb before it’s too late. Will our canine spy extraordinaire save everyone from being blasted to smithereens.... AND catch then culprit who planted the wretched bomb in the first place?! Be careful not to bark up the wrong tree, Harrier... it looks like something very fishy could be waiting for you! With oodles of canine comedy chaos and a pun-filled twist on traditional spy capers, this super-stylish series is the perfect fit for early readers transitioning from picture books.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Dinosaur Pie
Jen Wallace and Alan O’Rourke

WHO would have thought that eating Dinosaur Pie would make turn you into an (actual!) dinosaur? Irish debut author Jen Wallace – who likes to weave stories from a child’s perspective – zones in on autism and celebrating difference in her heartwarming and funny tale which is brought to life by Alan O’Rourke’s delightfully dynamic black-and-white illustrations. Rory is having a weird week... a really weird week. And it wasn’t really Rory’s mum’s fault. She just bought Dinosaur Pie for a change and gave it to Rory for his dinner. The next morning he was a dinosaur, a ridiculous, small, feathered dinosaur. Not dressed up as a dinosaur... actually a dinosaur. It’s not all that funny really. Rory can’t talk, he can’t bear the thought of eating an apple, and in his new carnivore body he can’t stop craving sausages. All he wants to eat is sausages and it doesn’t wear off. The supermarket that sold the pie doesn’t want to know and the doctor isn’t all that helpful. What are his friends – who finally take his embarrassing situation seriously – going to do to get Rory out of dino-mode and back into a human boy? With its clever, intertwining blend of real life, fantasy and friendship, this is a sparkling, fast-paced adventure for youngsters ready to move on to chapter books.
(Little Island Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Tree
Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft

DISCOVER the wonderful world of a magnificent tree – from its roots to the tips of its uppermost branches – in this stunning new picture book from the dream team of Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft, creators of the award-winning Iceberg. Published with a stunning fold-out spread showing the full length of the tree and its habitat, this is the perfect book to lure children into the great outdoors this spring and see nature in action for themselves. Can you see the forest on this misty-morning mountain? Can you see where the tree stands? It is the tallest in this forest of tall trees. This tree is older than those who find it, but younger than the land it grows from. Between sapwood and heartwood, water rises and energy flows. Listen to the leaves bustle. Smell the forest air. This is the world of the tree. Blending scientific research, Saxby’s lyrical prose and Racklyeft’s evocative and atmospheric illustrations, the dynamic duo focus their talents and imaginative powers on a land environment, following the growth of a mighty tree – a 300-year-old mountain ash –from the bottom of its roots right up to the top branches. The world of the tree in one beautiful book.
(Allen & Unwin, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends
Rose Lihou

JUST because you’re a tiny dog doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy BIG adventures! Join a little girl as she moves house in the first book of an enchanting new series which has been perfectly created by dog-lover Rose Lihou, a debut children’s author and illustrator. Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends stars four delightfully tiny dogs who share fun and adventures with a little girl who is feeling lonely as she settles into her new life in a small village, far away from the big town that she has always known. Bea and her mum are moving in with her grandparents which will mean a new school, new friends, and big changes for Bea. All Bea can remember about Granny and Grandad’s house is their big, beautiful garden with its colourful flowers and secret hide-and-seek spots, but when Bea and her mum arrive, the garden has grown sad and neglected. The wild garden feels like the perfect place for Bea to hide away from all the changes in her life but when she hears a strange noise in the long grass she can't quite believe what she finds... four tiny dogs, no bigger than mice! Follow the adventures of Bea and the tiny dogs – Sorrel, Willow, Pepper and Clover – as they become friends and work together to save the garden! With Lihou’s emotive and colourful illustrations,  reassuring messages about building confidence, finding your voice, and discovering the joys of friendship and nature, little ones will already be tugging on the lead for the next Tiny Dogs adventure!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
There’s Nothing Cuter
Than a Puppy
Tom Nicoll and Ross Collins

A RATHER fetching little puppy is the hot favourite to win a Cutest Creature Contest... or is he? Author Tom Nicoll and illustrator Ross Collins – the award-winning duo behind There’s Nothing Faster than a Cheetah – are back to bewitch and beguile us with  brilliant laugh-out-loud, read aloud adventure featuring a wildly competitive gang of alliterative animals taking part in a beauty pageant. From slugs in Santa suits to warthogs in wedding wear, this fun and imaginative picture book delivers glitz, glamour and giggles galore with special cameo appearances from some familiar faces! Donkeys in dungarees, walruses in woolly waistcoats, hyenas in hoop skirts... the Cutest Creature Contest is full of tough competition! But there can only be one winner and surely there’s nothing cuter than a puppy?! Prepare to have expectations turned upside down as a parade of cheeky creatures strut their stuff in the wildest wardrobe wear on the ‘cat’ walk!  Factor in a gallery of Collins’ hilarious illustrations and some fascinating animal facts – like llamas spitting partially digested food over three metres, geese that can sleep while floating on water and rabbit teeth that never stop growing – and you have an all-round winner for animal and fun-lovers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
This is the Ship that Jack Built
Peter Millett and Sam Caldwell

FEEL the rhythm of the verse and enjoy the rolling of the waves in a rollicking picture book adventure from Peter Millett, an award-winning children’s book author who lives in New Zealand, and Glasgow-based illustrator Sam Caldwell. There are pirates, treasure, sea creatures and fun to enjoy as little ones set sail with Jack and his precious cargo of gold, which has been stored in the hold. What Jack doesn’t know yet is that a whole host of thieves are out to snatch the gold from under his nose. From the squid that opens the lid and the seal that tries to steal, to the cat and the rat and the whale with its splashy tail, Jack really has his hands full on this smashing, splashing voyage! Millett’s joyful and jaunty rhyming text is full of repeated lines – every child’s favourite formula – with the comical, cumulative tale building and building to an epic crescendo. Brought to colourful and vibrant to life by Caldwell, this picture book odyssey is one that little readers will want to revel in again, again and again!
(Buster Books, paperback, £7.99)

Be a Scribe!

Working for a Better Life in Ancient Egypt

Michael Hoffen, Christian Casey and Jen Thum

While most of us were huddled up at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, and thinking of different ways to keep the kids (and ourselves!) amused, a teenage student in New York spent the time avidly learning all about ancient Egypt and launching his debut writing career.

The result of 16-year-old New York student Michael Hoffen’s labours is Be a Scribe!: Working for a Better Life in Ancient Egypt, a beautifully produced, vibrant, informative and sophisticated non-fiction children’s book – pitched at the eight and over reading age – which provides rich and fascinating detail about life in ancient Egypt.

The book was written with Dr Jen Thum, an Egyptologist and curator at Harvard Art Museums, and teacher and mentor Dr Christian Casey, a postdoc at the Freie Universität Berlin, who met regularly with Hoffen, helping him translate a work of ancient Egyptian literature and learn about hieroglyphs. Under Dr Casey’s guidance, Hoffen (pictured below) meticulously translated and wrote the narrative whilst helping to shape the book’s fascinating graphics, typography and imagery. Their unwavering commitment and weekly meetings over the course of three-and-a-half years breathed life into the remarkable artefacts and stories.

The dazzling joint venture is based on an Egyptian text, known as The Instruction of Khety, which tells the tale of a teenage boy called Pepi who wonders what career path he should choose... an important life matter which is still contemplated by millions of teenagers forty centuries after Pepi. 

The guidance passed from father to son 4,000 years ago is just as relevant today as we follow Pepi and his father on a long journey up the Nile to enrol the boy in a school far away from home where Pepi will learn to read and write.

As well as navigating a world filled with pyramids, hieroglyphs and stunning images, Pepi’s journey explores countless tomb scenes, statues, artefacts and paintings, sheds a light on daily life in ancient Egypt, proving that working for a living has never been easy, and reveals the delightful humour of those 4,000-year-old Egyptians. Children aged eight and over – and their parents – will love learning about the Egyptian people and their unique culture, the work of a scribe and all the benefits that came with it, as well as the many other jobs in ancient Egypt and all the challenges that came with them.

We are also given a compelling glimpse into the geography and rich landscapes of Egypt, and young readers can learn Egyptian words written in hieroglyphs, paired with a guide to help them read aloud. Ideally timed for this year’s opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (Egypt’s billion-dollar museum in Cairo which took 20 years to complete and has been described as the ‘largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilization’), this spectacular book promises to be 2024’s most exciting and revealing reading journey into the ancient past!
(Callaway Arts & Entertainment, hardback, £19.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Online safety, an island mystery and dinosaur danger

Meet a teenager finding it hard to fit in at school, set sail for some sea-soaked adventures, share fun with a 65million-year-old baby dinosaur, become well versed with a stunning collection of nature poems, and fall in love with a dog who looks after orphaned chimpanzees with a springtime selection of children’s books

Age 10 plus
Like a Girl
Rebecca Westcott

YOU can’t run and you can’t hide when you’re online... so where do you go? Rebecca Westcott, an author and a deputy head working with children and teenagers with autism and social, emotional and mental health problems, addresses some of the most pressing problems facing young people today in this powerful, honest and hard-hitting teen novel. Like a Girl speaks loudly to teenagers about finding the courage to be yourself in the face of online and in-school peer pressure in this sharp and perceptive, and yet grippingly entertaining and moving story starring a fourteen-year-old who finds it hard to fit in at school.

Eden McCoy is struggling at Woodford High. All she’s good at is running and she doesn’t even dare join the track team. Her priority is to stay in the shadows and avoid the Glossies, a ruthless clique of girls who use social media to punish and humiliate their targets, led by their queen Bea and her sidekick Mikki. But one day, Eden breaks her vow to stay unnoticed... she beats track star Mikki in a race. This bold move captures the attention of Bea who decides Eden needs to either prove her loyalty and become one of the Glossies... or suffer the consequences. And so The Testing begins. As Eden is challenged to play a cruel prank on another kid or have that same act inflicted on her, her will is pushed to the limit. The only thing keeping her afloat is an unexpected connection with a boy called Riley, a fellow runner who messages her online. But how deep does The Testing run? And how long until Eden breaks?

Inspired by research into real teen opinions about the risks and benefits of social media, Westcott explores the joy to be found in running, sports and exercise... as well as the rewards that come from a sense of community, real friendship and solidarity. Through the medium of storytelling, readers observe the different ways that girls can be ‘put in boxes’ and the pressures placed on them to act in a way that society or their peers expect of them. Leavened by a touching mother-daughter relationship at its heart, Like a Girl also delivers an empowering message about being true to yourself and seeking true friends. Top class teen reading...
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Mysteries at Sea: The Royal Jewel Plot
A.M. Howell

A MYSTERY at sea, a race against time, and a plot involving the King of England make for a thrilling, sea-salted adventure on the ocean wave in the second book of a twisting, turning and heart-pounding maritime series from one of middle-grade’s most exciting authors. Inspired by her own childhood travels on the ocean waves, including crossing the equator, sailing the Atlantic several times, and inching through the Panama Canal, award-winning author A.M. Howell sets sail in fine fashion with these gripping adventures which unravel mysteries aboard ships crossing the globe in the 1930s. It’s 1936 and Alice and Sonny, who are now part of the same family, are excited for their summer trip, sailing on the luxurious steam yacht, the Lady Rose. They’re even more excited when they find out the King of England is going to be on board too with his American friend Mrs Wallis Simpson! There’s also a precious jewel on the boat... a rare opal, kept in a tank protected by a poisonous octopus. Until one morning, Alice discovers that the opal and octopus are both missing. The search is on to retrieve the priceless gem, before the ship reaches its destination, and everyone on board finds themselves in serious trouble. As Alice and Sonny's investigations take them closer to the truth, they realise that everyone on the Lady Rose seems to have a secret, maybe even the King himself...

Set against the alluring backdrop of life at sea, and featuring real ships, historical figures and events, Howell brings the history of the period to vivid life in another wind-lashed story brimming with atmosphere, authentic detail and derring-do. With sparkling artwork by Marco Guadalupi, a plot involving secrets, searches and subterfuge, a captivating cast of characters, and Howell’s gift for breathless, fast-paced action, youngsters will be looking forward to the final port of call for this dazzling nautical adventure series
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Island at the Edge of Night
Lucy Strange

WHO doesn’t love a chilling, thrilling adventure, set on a remote, windswept island, and featuring a load of spooky secrets and menacing mysteries? The Island at the Edge of Night is the stunning new action novel from highly-acclaimed, Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author Lucy Strange whose gift is to bring us gorgeous but gritty Gothic tales threaded through with magical realism, and fizzing with surprises and suspense. In this stunning new adventure, inspired by the wild, otherworldly magic of the remote islands of Scotland, we meet Faye Fitzgerald who has been abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak, treeless and remote Scottish island. Faye soon discovers that she and the six other pupils are the first to attend Auk Island School and have been sent there for doing something wicked. It’s a desolate and battered place, seemingly at the world’s end, but what is it that Faye has done? She remembers so little of the night everything changed, the night that robbed her of being able to speak. Faye might be bold enough to explore the sinister mysteries of the prison-like island but has she the courage to face the secrets deep within herself? Strange is a master of atmospherics and this dazzling magical realist tale simmers and shimmers, and twists and turns against a truly spine-tingling and irresistible backdrop. With messages about family, friendship, love, facing your fears, and the healing power of nature, this green-themed odyssey is a must for middle-grade readers.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Alex Neptune, Zombie Fighter
David Owen and George Ermos

INDIANA Jones meets Pirates of the Caribbean in another ultimate treasure-hunting, puzzle-solving ocean adventure from David Owen, the exciting author whose YA debut novel, Panther, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Zombie Fighter is the spooky new adventure in Owen’s thrilling, all-action and fun-filled Alex Neptune series which was inspired by his self-confessed love for nail-biting heists, fantastical monsters and heartfelt friendships. At its core is Alex, the boy born with the power of the ocean in his hands and here we find that a creepy fog has rolled into Haven Bay which leads to Alex, and his friends Zoey and Anil, being ambushed by terrifying crab-riding zombies. The zombies are controlled by the evil spirit of Brineblood the pirate and the only weapon that can stop Brineblood’s zombie army is a powerful trident... but it has been broken into three pieces. Alex, Zoey and Anil must enter three deadly worlds, which have been magically trapped in bottles to retrieve the hidden pieces, all before the zombies can catch them. But with some penguins, an octopus and a frozen dragon on their side, how can they go wrong? With the power of the sea at the centre of a fast-flowing story, 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, this sparkling maritime odyssey is must reading for all adventure lovers!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Me and Aaron Ramsey
Manon Steffan Ros

WHEN an accident shatters a family’s footballing dreams, picking up the pieces proves to be harder than schoolboy Sam could ever have imagined. Welsh novelist, playwright and screenwriter, Manon Steffan Ros, Carnegie-winning author of The Blue Book of Nebo, pulls on our heartstrings again with this moving middle-grade story about family, misfortune and football. Sam and his dad both love football, which is always there for them however tough real life becomes. But when Dad’s dreams of football stardom go horribly wrong, Sam’s love for the Welsh footballing legend Aaron Ramsey becomes tangled with his troubled relationship with his father. With the one interest they share taken away from them, what will emerge from the complicated relationship between father and son? Ros’s insightful novel explores themes of family relationships, football, friendship, physical disability and illiteracy with warmth and understanding. An emotive story with hope at its heart.
(Firefly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Mission: Microraptor
Philip Kavvadias and Euan Cook

WHAT happens when you bring back a microraptor from extinction? The answer lies in this brilliantly funny new series from exciting debut author Philip Kavvadias who is not just passionate about getting kids reading, but actually knows how to do it! Billed as Jurassic Park meets Wimpy Kid, Mission: Microraptor is packed full of humour, action and adventure, and stars two twelve-year-old boys, a tiny flying dinosaur, and a seemingly mission impossible to keep her safe. Falling behind their classmates on a school trip to the Alps, Finn and Milo stumble on an egg buried in ice. Later that night, they are amazed when it hatches and a 65million-year-old baby is born! Artemis (Arty) is a microraptor, a small, winged dinosaur brought back from extinction. She’s amazing, what could possibly go wrong? But keeping her safe proves hard because wicked scientists will do anything to get their hands on her, and soon Finn and Milo must run for their lives in a dark, mysterious forest and with a squad of army-trained mercenaries searching for them... There are giggles and guffaws galore to enjoy from first page to last in this high-tech, fast-paced, eco-themed adventure which has a secret dinosaur at its heart, explores some real-life survival skills, and is brought to life by the atmospheric illustrations of Euan Cook.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Outside In: Nature Poems
Daniel Thompson and Julia Murray

AS Spring starts to finally spring, encourage your children to connect with the joys of nature and the great outdoors with this stunning collection of nature poems. Outside In: Nature Poems is written by poet, storyteller, film maker and musician, Daniel Thompson, author of Being You: Poems of Positivity which was the 2023 City Kids Green Awards Winner and selected for the Reading Agency’s 2023 summer reading challenge. Thompson has been an Amazon bestseller in both humorous poetry for children and children’s philosophy, and is passionate about encouraging children to explore the philosophical principles behind self-belief and inner positivity. This new warm-hearted and endearing collection of 50 poems aims to spark a love of nature, bring calm and happiness and let the outside in. Beautifully illustrated by New Zealand artist Julia Murray, the poems are ideal for children to read alone or enjoy with the whole family. And with enchanting verse about the seasons, senses, wildlife, weather and the joys of mud, it’s the perfect gift book for children to treasure.
(Collins, hardback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Jack-Jack, A Dog in Africa
Ben Garrod and Charli Vince

ENJOY a dog’s eye view of his amazing world in the first book of delightfully cute and funny new fiction series written by Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia. Garrod was inspired to pen The Adventures of a Dog Called Jack-Jack after filming the hit BBC2 series, Baby Chimp Rescue in Africa, falling in love with Jack, and bringing him back to the UK where the two are now inseparable. So meet Jack-Jack who is not just any old dog... he’s the world’s coolest dog, looks after orphaned chimpanzees in Africa and he’s about to embark on his biggest adventure ever! Jack-Jack spends his days playing with baby chimps but when he meets Ben, he suddenly has more baths than ever (after previously none), waves goodbye to his pet fleas, and prepares to fly thousands of miles. I’ve never been on a lead or in a car, so what will an aeroplane be like? With the richly detailed and fun-filled black and white illustrations of Charli Vince on every page, Jack-Jack’s adventures as a snack-loving, exercise-shy hound like no other are set to win the hearts of all young (and old!) animal lovers!
(Zephyr, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Island Vet: Pirates and Sea Monsters
Gill Lewis and Irina Avgustinovich

A NEW school and a new island home far away from the big city may sound daunting but when your mum’s a vet anything can happen! Acclaimed, award-winning children’s author and former vet Gill Lewis works her special brand of animal magic on the first book of an illustrated Island Vet series following Tia and her mum’s exciting new life on Gull Haven Island. Tia’s mum finds there are a lot of animals who need her help on the island and when she’s called away to help a sickly cow on a nearby island and gets trapped there in a storm, Tia has to step up and care for the animals staying in the surgery. It’s a big responsibility and then she has to deal with a mysterious creature that washes up on the shore after the storm. Their new life on the Haven Islands is clearly going to be full of adventures! Teamed with the beautifully emotive illustrations of Irina Avgustinovich, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this series is ideal for young animal lovers and is sure to delight readers of every age.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Porky Pies
Ross Montgomery and Marisa Morea

THE pig who cried wolf finally gets his comeuppance in a hilarious twist on two classic fairy tales from bestselling children’s author and master of comedy Ross Montgomery. Filled with Marisa Morea’s colourful and characterful illustrations, an addictive sense of fun, and messages about the consequences of getting caught in a lie, Porky Pies is the latest book in publisher Barrington Stoke’s super-readable Little Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators. Porky Pies is always telling lies, trying to terrify his brothers and sisters into believing that the Big Bad Wolf is back. But when the biggest fibber in the litter tries to plan his most daring prank yet, the joke is on him this time. So who will have the last laugh? This action-packed adventure, which delivers a witty and wonderful twist on The Three Little Pigs and The Boy Who Cried Wolf, includes some extra giggles inside the cover and comes with a host of clever design and finishing techniques, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, to create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a format ideal for little hands. A fun-filled escapade which – without needing to tell a lie – guarantees readers will have the last laugh!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

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, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
High Top: Sole Mates
Tom Lacey

KIDS will be laughing their socks off when they get their hands on the new adventure in a simply shoeper comedy series! The High Top books are the brainchild of Tom Lacey, the pseudonym of a group of creative ‘sole’ mates who, between them, have written and illustrated numerous bestselling books on both sides of the Atlantic. So welcome to Shoe Town where the residents are all footloose, and meet High Top, the sneaker who is everybody’s friend. High Top just LOVES love and he knows how to show it...  in increasingly creative ways! But when the irrepressible young sneaker embarks on a plan to ensure his friends are left in no doubt of his feelings for them, will the course of true love run smooth? Or will High Top be left with his laces in a knot? Giggles and guffaws are guaranteed as High Top’s hilarious antics land him in a knot with his footwear friends. With an irrepressibly energetic hero striding out on a series of madcap adventures, and a gallery of colourful shoes, pumps and boots keeping young readers on their toes, this series is destined to run and run! 
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Heavy Metal Badger
Duncan Beedie

SOMETIMES you just have to let the music out! Creative author and illustrator Duncan Beedie has fun with a rock-and-roll-loving badger in this strumming, thrumming, thumping good picture book which is alive with the sound of music. Badger is ready to ROCK! The music inside him is ready to burst out. He just needs to find a band. But a recorder class isn’t right and neither is the church choir. And as for the marching band, he has to beat a hasty retreat. Will Badger ever find his musical tribe? Maybe, just maybe, it’s been there all along! With Beedie’s funny and playful illustrations keeping perfectly in tune with the beat of his rhyming story, all the laugh-out-loud chaos to enjoy as Badger looks for a musical home, and tons of rock-themed references, puns and visual jokes, this empowering rock anthem is the perfect celebration of identity, self-expression... and the sheer joy of music!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure
Maren Morris, Karina Argow
and Kelly Anne Dalton

JOIN an adventurous Ant as she leaves her cosy home in the Tomato Bed and steps out into the brave new world beyond the garden shed in a beautiful picture book that celebrates the glories of nature. Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure is co-authored by acclaimed US singer-songwriter Maren Morris and her best friend, former schoolteacher Karina Argow, and lavishly illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton. Set in a vast and magical garden full of insect friends, vegetables, blooming flowers and the abundance of nature, this delightful story charts one little ant’s journey for independence and all the while learning when to ask for help. Addie Ant travels from one garden bed to another on her first solo adventure. But as she forges her own path, she gets lost along the way and finds help and advice from her trusted garden pals, Lewis Ladybug, Beatrix Butterfly, and Cleo Cricket, in finding her way back home. A visual and verbal celebration of friendship, this imaginative and entertaining book is a stunning collaboration between Morris and Argow, combining clever wordplay alongside themes of independence, friendship and inclusivity, and all brought to life by Dalton’s enchanting, full-colour illustrations. A dazzling book that does exactly what the authors aimed for... instils in children ‘a deep love for the world around them.’
(Chronicle Books, hardback, £13.99)

Age 2 plus
How Many Dinosaurs
Is Too Many?
Lou Peacock and Nicola Slater

‘One day, I got a dinosaur, but very soon I knew one dinosaur was not enough and so I wanted... two!’ 

MEET a riotous bunch of cheeky dinosaurs in an adorable cautionary tale about friendship, fun and counting to ten! Author Lou Peacock and illustrator Nicola Slater work their special magic on this colourful and comical picture book which comes with a jaunty rhyming text and bright, stylish artwork full of zingy neon detail. When a dinosaur comes to play, you’re sure to have lots of fun. But wouldn’t 2...3...4 ...or even 10 dinosaurs be better still? Or would they be too big, too messy and just a little bit too naughty? Perhaps one very special dinosaur is just perfect after all! Little ones will love watching the increasing chaos as each favourite dinosaur joins the party and with giggles galore guaranteed right through to the last page, and a free Stories Aloud QR code audio recording to enjoy, this is a dinosaur get-together your youngsters won’t want to miss!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Jane Foster’s I Love Yellow
Jane Foster

I LOVE yellow! Yellow is the best! I have yellow shorts and a matching yellow vest! Add colour to your child’s life – and maybe even your own! – with this stylish and humorous board book celebration of all things yellow. Perfect for teaching little ones about colours, I Love Yellow is the creation of acclaimed artist and leading textile designer Jane Foster and with a rhyming text, adorable characters and sunshine-bright artwork, this eye-catching book is guaranteed to appeal to readers of all ages... whatever their favourite colour. Early learning fun that is perfect for sharing, and a stylish alternative to traditional first board books.
(Templar Publishing, board book, £7.99)

The Revels

Stacey Thomas

‘I am no witch... I have not sold my soul to the Devil for powers. What I am has never openly been whispered of, yet it is enough that people would hang for it.’

IN 1645, England was a country torn apart by escalating tensions between Catholics and Protestants, and a bitter civil war pitting Parliamentary forces against the Royalists who supported King Charles I.

But just as deadly were the suspicions, fears and rumours that abounded about the evil powers of witchcraft. And in a land already notorious for its witch trials, one young man must carefully guard his dark secret... an ability to communicate with the dead.

Welcome to the thrilling and atmospheric world of 17^th century England conjured up by debut historical novelist Stacey Thomas, an exciting new author who was awarded the Clare Mackintosh Scholarship for Black Writers and was one of the three winners of HarperCollins’s 2021 inaugural Killing It Competition for Undiscovered Writers. Thomas (pictured below), who was inspired to pen The Revels by her research into in King James I’s unhealthy obsession with witchcraft and demonology, adds an inventive twist, and an alluring thread of supernatural, to a period of history that was steeped in political upheaval, superstition and religious bigotry.

The result is a chilling and thrilling rollercoaster journey into the life and loves of aspiring young playwright Nicholas Pearce who is apprenticed to a former witch-hunter and faces the moral dilemma of heeding the voices of the dead... or ignoring them and failing to save other innocents.

When his half-brother Francis dies fighting for the Royalist cause – much to the dismay and chagrin of their wealthy merchant father – 17-year-old Nicholas Pearce is forced to give up his hopes of becoming a playwright and is instead apprenticed to assizes Judge William (Will) Percival.

Although witch-hunting was abolished by King James I nearly twenty years ago, there are still influential men who believe that women who seek too much independence, power and influence are witches and Parliament, which is currently waging war on King Charles, feels duty-bound to enforce England’s religious beliefs.

For Nicholas – now heir to the Pearce family fortune – the rising political tensions and the desire of the old witch-hunters to see off the Devil in his many forms, bring a danger that he has always

The In Crowd

Charlotte Vassell

THE discovery of a woman’s body floating face down in the Thames is just the start of a police investigation that will open up two cold cases.

With a two-pronged missing persons mystery to solve – and the romantic frissons of a new relationship bringing a welcome distraction – Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp will need all the help he can get from his trusty murder investigation team.

If you like your crime mysteries to have all the complex detective work and exquisitely drawn characters of Agatha Christie, but with an original and insightful voice, an acidly satirical edge, and a decidedly 21^st century vibe, then treat yourself to the second of Charlotte Vassell’s fun, original and entertaining whodunit series.

And after the runaway success of her debut novel, The Other Half, Vassell (pictured below) delivers another gripping, high-energy police procedural mystery set within a London super-rich and powerful milieu in which only a chosen few born into staggering wealth can comfortably exist, and which is pretty much unimaginable to the ‘oiks’ who live on the other side of the class divide. It’s a tale of two worlds rubbing shoulders, full of wickedly incisive social commentary, plenty of twists and turns, and a cast of goodies and baddies that could only have been conjured up by a writer who also trained to tread the boards.

On the last Saturday in August, politicos, socialites and other members of the in crowd are trading tidbits of gossip and sips of Pimm’s under the tasteful bunting of a Richmond garden party. They would never guess that the police are just a stone’s throw away, pulling a body out of the river Thames.

A men’s rowing team discovered the body and the drowning appears to be a tragic accident until Detective Caius Beauchamp gets an unexpected tip. It seems the victim, Lynne Rodgers, had enemies in high places, so did being on the wrong side of them get her killed?

Many years before, the chief executive of a clothing manufacturer walked off with a multi-million dollar corporate retirement fund and disappeared without a trace. But finding Lynne’s body has reopened that cold case.

Meanwhile, Caius has his own evening at the theatre – and an auspicious meeting with beautiful young society milliner Calliope (Callie) Foster – turned upside down by the discovery of a dead body just a few seats away. Martin Hartley was an amateur sleuth who was investigating the mysterious disappearance two decades ago of Eliza Chapel, a 14-year-old student at a girls’ boarding school in Cornwall. It means a second cold case will have to be reopened.

As Caius – along with his chirpy fellow officers, DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes – investigates these parallel missing persons cases, he soon finds himself ensnared in the

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Heather Morris

OUT of one of the worst periods of human history comes an inspirational story of love, hope and survival… a beacon of light amidst the dark ruins of the Holocaust.

For three years before his death in 2006, Lale Sokolov poured out his incredible and heartbreaking account of life and love in the Auschwitz concentration camp to New Zealand-born author Heather Morris… a tale of the best and worst of humanity, and one that he had kept hidden for 60 years.

It’s a story that Morris (pictured below) brought to the world in 2018 as The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a remarkable novel that has been loved by over 13 million readers across the world and is soon to be a major Sky Original TV series starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey and starting on May 2. At its heart is Lale Sokolov (born Ludwig Eisenberg to Jewish parents in Slovakia) who was assigned to an unenviable but privileged job… the camp’s Tätowierer, the tattooist charged with marking his fellow prisoners with a number that they would carry on their arm forever, and which would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.

And waiting in line one day in 1942 – terrified and shaking – was a young woman with beautiful, dark brown eyes who caused his heart ‘simultaneously to stop and begin beating for the first time.’

She was Gita Fuhrmannova, also from Slovakia, and she would become the love of Lale’s life, the two surviving against all odds to spend the rest of their lives together.

I tattooed a number on her arm, she tattooed her name on my heart, he later told Morris.

After Gita’s death in 2003, Lale became part of Morris’ family in Australia as he shared his haunting memories, and for 12 years his story existed as a screenplay but now it has been released as an extraordinarily moving novel, giving power and immediacy to real people and real events.

Lale was a courageous, determined and remarkable man who used his privileged position at the camp to help others… saving part of his extra rations to feed starving prisoners, employing his multi-lingual talents, and giving hope and strength where there was none.

When he entered the grim portals of Auschwitz on the first transport from Slovakia in the spring of 1942, Lale Sokolov was a well-dressed charmer, a ladies’ man who had freely offered himself to

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Magical gargoyles, funny friendships and double drama

Enjoy a heart-stopping adventure in the weird world of gargoyles, marvel at some of nature’s fascinating friendships, meet a drama-loving boy torn between school and home, and join two super sleuths for chaos, comedy and calamities with a sparkling springtime collection 

Age 9 plus
Gargoyles: Guardians of the Source
Tamsin Mori

‘Magic is neither good, nor bad – it simply multiplies the dreams you feed it. Be careful what you wish for...’

GET ready to make your own magic with a boy called Callen and a feisty gargoyle named Zariel as Tamsin Mori – who won the hearts of readers with her mesmerising Weather Weaver debut series – returns with another heart-stopping adventure. Guardians of the Source is the first of a simply magical new series which blends realism with fun, fantasy, chills and thrills, and comes from the talented Mori whose writing is inspired by fabulous myths and legends of her mother’s native Shetland Islands. At the centre of this brilliantly entertaining and original story is eleven-year-old Callen whose Dad has always been secretive about his past. Even so, when the family have to move into Gargoyle’s Rest, his father’s mysterious childhood home, the last thing Callen expects is a boarded-up mansion covered in gargoyles.

Dad says all the house needs is ‘a bit of energy’ to bring it back to life but it’s enormous, the doors are nailed shut and the gardens are overgrown. What’s more, this crumbling mansion isn’t what it first appears to be and soon its long-forgotten magic starts returning. And when a disgruntled gargoyle wakes up in front of him, Callen must befriend Zariel and earn her trust before it’s too late because a dark threat is growing in the shadows and only a Gargoyle Guardian can stop it. Packed with magical realism, danger and fast-paced action, the first of these wild and wonderfully imagined Gargoyles stories delivers excitement and adventure all the way, but Mori also gently explores universal themes like protecting the planet, and the importance of family, friendship, remaining true to yourself. Beautifully written, and wrapped up in the magic of our precious natural world, this is an unmissable new series.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 10 plus
Moving Up
Christian Foley

MOVING up from primary to secondary school can be a daunting experience for many kids. The transition from being the bosses of the benches to the youngest in a massive playground can be a tough rite of passage. Add on the fact that classrooms are bigger and older students look like adults, the piles of homework, stressful exams and complicated friendships, and there could be some misgivings ahead. But whether you’re heading to secondary school later this year, or you've already started and are still adjusting, Moving Up – written by Christian Foley, educator, poet-in-residence, musician and all-round creative – is here to help you on your journey. From choosing your new school and facing your first day, right through to your final exams and your leaving party or prom, this handy guide book will be the perfect companion for transitioning to secondary, and help to make you feel confident, build strong friendships, achieve great things and generally be the greatest that you can be. Topics covered include leaving primary school, going to big school, getting lost, homework, exams, new challenges, older kids, friendships, relationships, bullying and social media. The perfect guide to a new world of learning.
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Nature’s Fascinating Friendships
Mike Hills and Kerry Hyndman

THERE'S teamwork at every turn in this doubly delightful visual and verbal exploration of how animals, plants and microscopic organisms develop fascinating friendships to survive and thrive in the natural world. Nature’s Fascinating Friendships is the stunning creation of writer and journalist Mike Hills and his map-maker and illustrator partner Kerry Hyndman who live on the west coast of Scotland with their daughter, and together enjoy exploring islands, lochs and mountains, and discovering fairy bridges and waterfalls. Full of fascinating facts and extraordinary artwork, the book takes readers on a colourful and informative journey to show the natural world in all its glory and demonstrate how plants and animals work together. Did you know pom pom crabs wear sea anemones as boxing gloves to fight off enemies, that greater honeybirds guide humans to hidden beehives and that bats use pitcher plants as sleeping bags? From ravens and wolves to trees and fungi, youngsters learn how these unlikely alliances are formed and find out all the incredible, funny, weird and disgusting reasons why these partnerships work. Every page and spread is beautifully illustrated by Hyndman, who says she loves making pictures that spark a sense of wonder in the natural world, while Hills packs in lots of intriguing and fun facts that are guaranteed to both surprise and inspire young readers. Nature at its most magnificent!
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Bigg School: Double Drama
Lisa Williamson and Jess Bradley

MOVING from primary to secondary school is a big leap for youngsters and brings with it many fears and anxieties, and highs and lows. It’s a topic that award-winning author Lisa Williamson tackles with warmth, enthusiasm, humour and empathy in the second book of her Bigg School series which follows a group of children starting life at the Henry Bigg Academy. Life isn’t easy for Dan Littleton since starting at the academy even though it appears that nothing much bothers him. He has made friends with a big group of lads, enjoys playing on his Xbox and likes teasing his desk neighbour Lola. But at home, his mum is chronically ill, his dad works all the hours he can and his little twin sisters Nia and Nelly drive him up the wall. Dan is constantly torn between his school life and being needed at home and worst of all, his mates are starting to notice. So when he wins the coveted part in the school’s production of The Wizard of Oz, he is thrilled. Finally, he has found a subject he really loves and seems to be really good at but it isn't long before his home and school life clash again and he must make some hard decisions if he’s to follow his heart. With Jess Bradley’s emotive illustrations expressing the conflicted inner world and worries of mixed-up Dan, this funny, relatable, tender and sometimes painfully honest story is a moving reflection of an ordinary youngster navigating friendships, home life and the ups and downs of growing up. Entertainment and reassurance in one perfectly created book.
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Podkin and the Singing Spear
Kieran Larwood

KINSHIP comes first in the seventh stunning adventure in master storyteller Kieran Larwood’s The World of Podkin One-Ear, a spectacular rabbit world fantasy series which has readers longing for each new book as it appears. And it’s pleasing to report that Podkin and the Singing Spear once more delivers all those ingredients that children love... adventure, magic, danger, thrills and friendship. It’s two years since the Battle of Sparrowfast and Podkin, son of a rabbitkind warrior chieftain, is now Keeper of the Gifts... a tremendously important job but just a tiny bit boring. It doesn’t help that there are still three gifts missing and Podkin can’t stop himself from thinking about that. So when the Godseye Mirror begins to shimmer and shift revealing a motley crew of travellers is approaching, Podkin sees it as a sign that his world is about to be upended all over again. And it’s not long before Podkin and Uki finally meet... united in their hatred for the world of Scramashank, they have much in common. But what will these young warriors make of each other, and can they work together to unite the forces of good against terrible evil? In a restless world still under threat, we encounter the terrifying Crowskins who have hold of the Singing Spear, find out whether two rival clans will lay down their differences, and how kinship matters more than ever. Written with Larwood’s unique storytelling magic, and encompassing a breathtakingly imagined world full of memorable rabbit characters, this is middle grade fiction at its very best.
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Animal All-Stars
Clare Balding and The Boy Fitz Hammond

ON your marks, get set, go! Join the animal kingdom as some of their most amazing creatures go head-to-head in an all-stars competition. Children’s author, TV presenter and commentator Clare Balding teams up with illustrator The Boy Fitz Hammond to bring youngsters this hilarious guide through some incredible animal facts and figures. Who would win in a race... the Australian tiger beetle or the peregrine falcon? Who is the strongest... the extraordinary ant or the grumpy gorilla? Who has the best superpower... the headless cockroach or the jet-powered squid? From speed, agility and strength to hidden skills, such as problem-solving, endurance and super-sensory prowess, witness these Animal All-Stars compete to become champions in their field. Animal All-Stars is full of facts, stats and world records, all brought to life by rib-tickling illustrations and is the perfect gift for sport and animal lovers. So what are you waiting for... let the Games begin!
(‎Wren & Rook, paperback, £10.99)

Age 7 plus
Agents of S.U.I.T: From Badger to Worse
John Patrick Green, Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis

SOUND the horn and clear the way because the Agents of S.U.I.T. are back for another side-splitting, super-sleuthing adventure! From Badger to Worse is the second book in a hilarious, full-colour graphic novel series from John Patrick Green – creator of the much-loved InvestiGators adventures – along with co-writer Christopher Hastings and illustrator Pat Lewis. Packed with fast-paced action, giggles on every page and a simply adorable bunch of animal characters, these stories are ideal for your young mischief-makers and reluctant readers. Here we join Bongo and Marsha, the super-spy Badgers (better known as the B-Team), who are on the case... and way over-budget! When S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams) realises just how much money the Badgers waste with their gadgets, spy vehicles and custom toys, they are sent to Bora Bora to investigate a case the old-fashioned way. The bees – that’s ‘bee-ee-ee’ like the insect – who run the resort are hiding something under the tropical sands, and Marsha and Bongo are just the bumbling agents to crack this pineapple-flavoured case wide open. It’s time for the B-Team to show why they are so un-Blievably B-loved! If corny one-liners, chaos, comedy and calamities are your child’s idea of reading heaven, then this high-energy daffy detective series is the perfect gift book!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Make Art with Nature
Pippa Pixley

CALLING all young artists and nature explorers... author and artist Pippa Pixley wants to put you in the picture! Pixley, whose work is inspired by nature, works her creative magic on this beautiful, hands-on book which shows children how to make amazing art with materials found in nature. Art through nature encourages children to explore outside and find natural materials to make art. Youngsters learn how to make incredible pieces of art using rocks, wood, berries, flowers, and leaves in this imaginative nature craft book. Find out how the earth beneath your feet can be used to make paints and pastels, and how flowers can be repurposed to create inks. Learn how to pour paint on to a canvas, how to put pencil to paper and draw, how bits of old paper can make a beautiful collage, and how different mediums can come together to create incredible prints through nature. A clear layout is divided into different art forms including drawing, collaging, painting and printing, so children can easily find the section they are looking for. Pixley also takes youngsters into the outdoors and shows them a wide range of artistic techniques from understanding basic colour theory to creating texture, movement and fluidity in their own work. Children will love learning how to master different art forms but also how to make their own art supplies whilst getting outside and exploring nature. And with easy-to-follow instructions and plenty of tips and techniques on how to draw, paint, print and collage, this is art with an outdoor flavour!
(DK Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Looshkin: Honk if You See It!
Jamie Smart

YOUNGSTERS will be grinning and guffawing from first page to last with the wildest, craziest cat ever in the third turbo-charged book in comic genius Jamie Smart’s laugh-out-loud Looshkin comic-strip adventure series. Smart, one of the shining stars of a partnership between David Fickling Books and The Phoenix comic, is the extraordinarily talented illustrator behind the vibrant comic-strip Bunny vs Monkey books and now loopy Looshkin, the wonderfully accident-prone cat, is causing a fresh wave of laughter. You may think that your cat is mad, but it has got nothing on Looshkin! Here we meet up again with the maddest cat in the world as he defeats vampires with chicken nuggets, accidentally turns into a duck, becomes a high-flying entrepreneur and gets caught in a time warp... sometimes all at the same time! The result is an explosion of pure comic comedy joy. Guaranteed to make readers snort with laughter and packed with Smart’s ingenious illustrations, these manic, high-energy stories deliver a cat basket of furry sniggers and are ideal for fidgety readers who like their books to come with plenty of bold and busy pictures. Cat-astrophic cat antics at a stroke for your action kids!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 5 plus
Ivy Newt and the Swamp Dragons
Derek Keilty and Madga Brol

ENTER the magical world of Miracula... and discover a truly bewitching adventure! Master storyteller Derek Keilty from Belfast weaves his world-building wonders in the third all-action adventure of his enchanting Ivy Newt chapter book series which stars an unstoppable and lovable young witch, and her shape-shifting familiar, a skinny grey wolf called Tom. Highly illustrated throughout by Polish-born Madga Brol, this exciting and entertaining adventure series is perfect for sharing or as a first reading book. Ivy Newt’s parents are the King and Queen of the Sand Witches and in this new adventure, Gran’s magic bubble bath accidentally creates pesky Ivy and Tom lookalikes who are intent on some serious mischief! All too soon, they have made dangerous doubles of the swamp dragons who launch a fiery attack on Miracula. Can the real Ivy and Tom stop them before everything goes up in smoke? Get ready for lots of laughs, pages of fast-paced action, a cast of superbly imagined characters, and themes of justice, helping each other, standing up to bullies and environmental awareness. Add on the extra zing and zest of Brol’s comical illustrations to enhance the atmosphere of wizardry, peril and fun, and you have the perfect book to launch youngsters into a lifetime of reading enjoyment.
(Scallywag Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Tell Me About: Space
Tell Me About: Planet Earth
Emily Dodd and Chorkung

YOU'RE never too young to start learning about science! Little readers with curious minds will love getting to grips with some big science concepts in these clever and entertaining books from the book boffins at Templar Publishing. So add extra fuel to their knowledge with a fun exploration of space. Did you know that planet Earth spins like a spinning top, or that our Moon isn’t the only moon in the sky? 

And did you know that stars glow because they are burning really hot? And while we’re out in space, let’s also explore planet Earth! Did you know that water on planet Earth can turn into an invisible gas, that our Moon makes the ocean move, and that Earth is made from moving puzzle pieces? Space, and our own planet Earth, are pretty amazing so sit back and let expert scientist and CBeebies writer Emily Dodd tell you all about them. 

With bite-sized text, facts to make you say wow, and easy-to-understand explanations, big science topics are delivered in just the right size for readers aged four and over in these two fascinating books. Brilliantly illustrated by Chorkung, the books are ideal for readers who are starting to discover just how amazing the world is!
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £9.99 each)

Age 3 plus
Detective CATZ and the Missing Nut
Marjoke Henrichs

CATZ has all the gear he needs to be an ace detective... but will that be enough to find his friend’s most prized possession? Artist and theatre designer Marjoke Henrichs, whose sparkling debut picture book, No! Said Rabbit, was shortlisted for the Booktrust Storytime Prize, is back to steal our hearts with another beautifully created tale full of youthful joy, inspirational messages and exquisite illustrations. Catz is determined to prove himself as a detective and to find his friend Flossy the squirrel’s prize possession...  her biggest and best nut. But when Catz fails to find it, he also fails to notice all the good he has done along the way. And luckily our hero does not give up. Cheered on by his friends, a combination of new evidence and new determination enable him to focus and finally fulfil his dream! With its confidence-boosting storyline, and reminders of the rewards of patience and the power of kindness, little ones learn that being mindful of, and caring for, other people is just as important as personal success. And in her now trademark style, Henrichs brings humour to both her words and a gallery of lively, expressive and gorgeously colourful illustrations, creating an uplifting and exquisitely told story. 
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99) 

Age 3 plus
When I Feel Brave
Britta Teckentrup

‘I am scared. I’m feeling numb. I am full of fear. What’s to come?’ 

AFTER her exploration of anger and rage in enchanting picture book, When I See Red, prolific children’s books author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup sets her perfectly honed sights on bravery and its constant companion, fear. Employing her trademark brand of wisdom, creativity and sensitivity, Teckentrup looks at what it means to be brave. Filled with evocative collage illustrations and dynamically positioned type, this new book features a young girl wandering through a forest and being startled by a bear. At first the bear is terrifying... it is huge and unknown but, as the girl moves through the forest, she becomes the bear’s companion and, by the time they reach the end of the forest, she is its friend. With a beautifully imagined narrative, and a gallery of stunning, atmospheric illustrations adding extra piquancy and power to the story, this gorgeous book offers important insights into the nature of fear, helps young readers understand why things are scary, and cleverly reveals the satisfaction to be gained from making friends with the very things that make them feel afraid. Picture book perfection.
(Prestel, hardback, 12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Library Mouse
Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O'Connor

DREAM team Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O'Connor – whose wonderfully descriptive and atmospheric The Bear and her Book series won hearts and minds – return with an adorable new picture book to inspire a new generation of readers. Star of the show is a little mouse called Quill who is a dreamer. He longs to write stories and share them with children in his beloved library but getting his words noticed seems impossible for such a small creature. Can he and his spider friend, Leggsy, find a way to make his voice stand out from the crowd... or will Quill’s stories remain forever unheard? Author Tosdevin’s beautifully emotive and lyrical rhyming story celebrates the power of words and books, and inspires everyone to write their own special story in their own words. Add on O’Connor’s gallery of stunning, hand-drawn illustrations, colourfully painted in loose, tonal brush strokes, and this is a journey of perfectly written discovery guaranteed to delight all budding young authors!
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Girl and the Mermaid
Hollie Hughes and Sarah Massini

MARVEL at the exquisite combination of pictures, words and imagination in this beautiful picture book from the bestselling creators of The Girl and the Dinosaur. Author Hollie Hughes and illustrator Sarah Massini work their special magic on The Girl and the Mermaid, an instant classic featuring an inspirational underwater adventure and a moving homage to the beauty and power of memory.  Alina and her granny live in a lighthouse by the sea... a home filled with the warmth of Granny’s magical stories. But Alina is worried. Granny’s memories and stories are starting to fade away, and she doesn’t know how to bring them back. Then one day, Alina meets a mermaid on the rocks near the lighthouse and she’s swept into a magical deep-sea adventure that will change everything. With Hughes’ rhyming narrative and Massini’s spectacular artwork, this is a gift book for all the family to enjoy.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
A Little World of Ants
Cara Rooney

LITTLE ones will be flipping and flapping with delight when they turn the pages of this busy and beautiful picture book from prize-winning debut talent Cara Rooney. An author and illustrator whose work portrays her own fascination for the natural world and childlike curiosity, Rooney explores the life of ants in the most colourful, vibrant and hands-on way. So get ready to meet some adorable ants in this entertaining lift-the-flap adventure which uses simple language and charming illustrations full of comical detail to tell the story. Ideal for encouraging exploration and a deeper understanding of these intriguing insects, A Little World of Ants is full of imaginative storytelling and pictures, and intriguing flaps, and is sure to be an instant hit with young children. The ideal gift for any nature-obsessed youngster who loves the amazing world of minibeasts.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Night Flight
Katie Cottle

LIGHT up your child’s story time with this breathtakingly beautiful and inspirational picture book which puts the wonderful world of wildlife at centre stage. Night Flight is the creation of Katie Cottle, a freelance illustrator and author who enjoys telling stories through drawing and finds her inspiration in nature. When Ellie moves from her quiet village to a bustling city, she finds that the many different birds she loves to watch are missing. She stares out of her window and searches the skies on walks but they are nowhere to be found. Then one night, she is visited by a giant starling which asks for her help. The birds are lost because of the shimmering glow from the city’s bright lights. Can Ellie help the birds find their way home? Using a palette of exquisite and earthy colours, Cottle reminds us of the harm to inflicted on birds by light pollution, and encourages youngsters to use their voice to help and preserve local wildlife. An empowering tale for all young eco-warriors.
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Science Words for Little People:
Our Bodies & Coding
Helen Mortimer and Cristina Trapanese

YOU can rely on Oxford University Press to engage and entertain youngsters with brilliant books like this Science Words for Little People series which makes learning both friendly and inspirational. The books aim to build children’s confidence with vocabulary and ideas around various topics, and provide a foundation for learning in a way that feels good. Written by Helen Mortimer and illustrated by Cristina Trapanese, the same winning team that brought us Big Words for Little People, the books are special not just because they focus on science subjects in a child-friendly way, but because the Oxford book boffins pack them with educational goodness that helps children develop and grow. In Our Bodies, little ones will love exploring a day at the swimming pool and learning all about the human body from their head right down to their toes! 

From bones to brain, and from muscles to senses, there are all the words here that young children need to be able to explore the science of the body confidently. And in Coding, youngsters will love learning all about coding through familiar games and activities. From sequencing to puzzles, and from chain reactions to debugging and talking in code, little ones will learn all the words they need to be able to explore the science of coding. Filled with colour, fun and creativity, these super-clever books are specially designed to introduce children to the world of science and science-related vocabulary, giving them key words to talk about the different topics. Published in sturdy hardback, packed with fun characters, engaging questions and activities, and Trapanese’s playful artwork, the books are the perfect size and shape for reading together whilst exploring and enjoying the different concepts of science.
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £5.99 each)