CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Summer of soccer, awakening magic and terrific tennis

Enjoy learning football tips, tricks and skills as kick-off approaches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, marvel as the animal and human worlds collide in spectacular fashion in the first of a thrilling new fantasy series, explore Wimbledon, the world’s most famous tennis championships, and meet nature’s weirdest, cutest and scariest animal families in a super sunshine selection

Age 10 plus
Marcus Rashford:
World of Football
Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka

WITH the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to kick off across the United States, Canada and Mexico next week, here is the perfect companion book for all young fans of the ‘beautiful’ game! Marcus Rashford: World of Football, written by Rashford with London-born journalist and broadcaster Carl Anka, is a complete guide to the game, from the greatest players to the biggest stadiums and everything in between. Enjoy learning Rashford’s handy footballing tips and tricks to improve your own game, read about tournaments around the world (including the World Cup!), discover the history of the game, meet the GOATs  (the Greatest Of All Time),and find out how YOU too can get into football. World of Football dishes up everything there is to know about football, including top player stats, fun facts about your favourite clubs and the rules of the game. Whether you’re a footballing pro or new to the game, this guide is perfectly on goal for young footie fans!
(Rocket Fox, paperback, £9.99)

Age 10 plus
Strike
Mitch Johnson

CHARTING the highs and lows of football is all part of a boy’s life as he chases his dreams of one day being a professional… but there’s a murky side to the beautiful game and is he brave enough to try to bring change? The 2026 World Cup will soon be prime viewing for football fans but in a story that goes beyond the pitch to explore the hidden human stories away from the limelight, critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning author Mitch Johnson encourages youngsters to stand up for what they believe in. Strike is set ten years after the events in Kick, Johnson’s debut novel which was endorsed by Amnesty International UK for its portrayal of children’s rights. Place the ball. Pick your spot. Three steps back. Breathe. Owen is closer than ever to achieving his dream of becoming a professional footballer. All he has to do is stay focused. No distractions… just football. But when a hidden note tucked inside his new boots reveals a cry for help from the factory workers who made them, Owen discovers the beautiful game might be hiding some ugly secrets. Suddenly, chasing his dream doesn’t feel so important. It’s time to decide which path he really wants to take. Packed with football action and high emotions, and exploring themes of fairness, resilience and social justice, Strike delivers the sporting attractions of soccer without losing sight of the human price of its international success.
(Usborne Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 8 plus
Save Like a Keeper
Ben Lyttleton

SO you think saving goals sounds simple? Definitely not! Step between the goalposts for the second book of this brilliant action-packed football series for kids from Ben Lyttleton, a bestselling author who uses football as an exciting tool for education. And Lyttleton – who is also a penalty coach and football club co-owner – is plum on goal here as he teaches young fans how to dive, block and save like their favourite players… just in time for the 2026 World Cup kick-off! Watch the ball as it flies towards you and stop it from getting over the line then fall to your knees in relief knowing you’ve just saved another epic goal! The truth is that saving goals is not really that easy. So how do your favourite goalkeepers like Alisson, Hampton and Courtois do it? There are LOTS of ways to make a save – whether you’re going to make a fingertip save from a powerful shot or an unbelievable dive to stop a penalty kick – and this accessible book will give you the key skills, techniques, tactics and mindset needed to be a top keeper and improve every aspect of your game. With an easy-to-follow text, lots of diagrams and illustrations, and helpful tips, drills and insider gems to discover, there couldn’t be a more pitch-perfect time to pull on your gloves, adopt the ready position and save some goals!
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Renegades: The Magic Awakens
Erin Hunter

THE animal and human worlds collide in spectacular fashion in the first book of a thrilling new fantasy series from master storyteller Erin Hunter, author of the blockbuster Warriors series which followed the adventures of clans of wild cats. In this fresh and thrilling new Renegades series, Hunter, who is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world, focuses on two orphaned cat sisters who discover a secret world of magical creatures… and the humans who are out to control them. Willow and Luna have been on their own since they were kittens. After their mother’s death, they settled into a scrappy life in the heart of the city. But when a mysterious fire rips through their makeshift shelter, they are left searching for a new home. Luna is immediately drawn in by the strange, secretive animals they meet in the park… animals who unlock her ability to perform magic. Willow is less sure about these so-called ‘attuned’ animals and has no interest in joining their world… or their fight against the human witches who seek to ‘bind’ the animals to them. As Luna and Willow come to realise their own unique magic, they find themselves at odds, separated by destiny, with the fate of the whole city in their paws... Set against a richly descriptive and atmospheric urban backdrop, and laced through with myths and magic, this daring, high-stakes story explores themes of freedom, loyalty, belonging, power and sisterhood. Packed full of action, secrets and the feats of two fantastic felines, this is the purrfect new series for cat fans!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls
Peter Burns

IF you’re looking for a truly ‘epic’ read this summer, your journey’s end has to be Island of Skulls, the second brilliant blockbuster novel in the thrilling Shadow Thieves series from Scottish author of ten critically acclaimed non-fiction sports books Peter Burns. These heart-pounding adventures are set in a breathtakingly imagined alternate world and star a young shoe shiner and street thief called Tom Morgan who has been propelled into perilous, all-action adventures far away from the mean streets of London. Thirteen-year-old Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island… as well as a terrifying weapon. And this is their mission set by the mysterious Corsair… in teams, they must find the treasure. Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are sabotaging everything? Trust no one… this is not a game. The daring, brave and sometimes reckless Tom Morgan proves to be an alluring hero in this rip-roaring Indiana Jones-style adventure in the heady, mysterious and privileged world of the Shadow League. Themes of class, community and the concept of identity all come under the spotlight as Tom is once more plunged into the dangers of a complex secret society. A must read for young action fans!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Wimbledon: From Tennis Action to Courtside Fashion
Jessica Bumpus

WIMBLEDON, the world’s most famous and popular tennis championship, is celebrated in style in this beautifully created pocket-sized gift book packed full of stunning full-colour photographs and intriguing facts. Written by Jessica Bumpus, a freelance fashion journalist and the former Fashion Features Editor of British Vogue online, this brilliant book explores Wimbledon’s greatest moments, from dramatic sporting action to notable outfit choices both on and off the court. Since its inception in 1887, Wimbledon has become the most prestigious tennis championship in the world. But it’s much more than a sporting spectacle… it’s also one of the most highly anticipated events in the celebrity calendar, providing everyone from royals to Hollywood A-listers with the perfect backdrop to show off their latest sartorial looks. Included is a carefully curated collection of the most notable and dramatic on-court events, as well as memorable celebrity and fashion occasions. Relive the longest match in Wimbledon history, the 2002 Williams vs Williams final and Andy Murray’s momentous win, and scrutinise an array of celebrity outfits, from Zendaya’s striking suits to a roster of outfits worn by the Princess of Wales. Illustrated throughout with photographs, this the perfect ‘love’ match for tennis players and fans of Wimbledon.
(Studio Press, hardback, £13.99)

Age 9 plus
Honey, I Ate the Kids!
Mike Hills and Kerry Hyndman

SOME families are truly wild! Marvel at this colourful collection of nature’s weirdest, cutest and scariest animal families as husband and wife team – writer and journalist Mike Hills and illustrator Kerry Hyndman – take youngsters on a trip across the world. From babysitter giraffes to orphaned chameleons, every animal family is unique. Did you know that komodo dragons eat their babies, that those cute capybaras eat their own poo, that glass frogs use ninja kicks to protect their eggs, and that velvet spiders eat their own mum? If there’s one thing we DO know about the animal kingdom it’s that the families that roar, howl, croak, chirp and squeak come in all different shapes, sizes and colours. Find out how different animals find food, stay safe and even just get a moment of peace and quiet. Whilst some families are loving, there are others whose relationships are most definitely a lot more dangerous! Every page of this beautifully created book is gorgeously illustrated and packed full of facts, quizzes and activities that will surprise, entertain and disgust! Destined to be a (human!) family favourite…
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 8 plus
America's Founding Myths...
And What REALLY Happened
Christy Mihaly and Marta Sevilla

HAVE you ever wondered if Christopher Columbus REALLY did discover America? Youngsters will enjoy playing a game of fact or fiction with this interactive book which questions all the facts – and some myths! – about the founding of America. Written by award-winning poet and author Christy Mihaly to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and fabulously illustrated in full-colour by Marta Sevilla, this entertaining and educational book empowers young people to ask questions, think critically and check sources.  Many of us have heard about the Boston Tea Party, the first Thanksgiving, and Paul Revere’s ride. But what REALLY happened and where did the commonly told myths about these events come from? This brilliant, interactive fact-or-fiction book allows children to uncover the truth behind well-known stories about the founding of the United States, from the ‘discovery’ of the ‘New World’ to the Constitution. Mihaly’s amusing text and Sevilla’s vibrant artwork combine with infographic design and interactive extras like collages, fold-outs and lift-the-flaps, making learning about American history both fun and engaging for children. The ideal book to tackle the complex history of the founding of the United States… without shying away from some hard truths.
(Barefoot Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Dragon Girl and the Graveyard of Doom
Jenny Moore

NOTHING about Emba Oak is normal… from the scales on her arms and legs, to the shocking discovery that she hatched out of a dragon’s egg, her old life has gone up in flames! Welcome back to the wild and wonderful world of Dragon Girl in the second book of an action-packed fantasy series from Devon children’s author Jenny Moore. Currently being developed for a TV series, these exciting tales of magic, friendship and dragons explore the importance of loyalty, caring and bravery. It was the thwump of a dragon’s tail at the entrance to her cave that set in motion of a journey of self-discovery for Emba. And after defeating her cruel, dragon-obsessed father, Necromalcolm, Emba is returning to the cave she calls home. But her nights are haunted by strange dreams with beckoning dragons calling her to faraway mountain peaks. With an ever-flowing stream of questions about her nature, her dragon fire and fury, Emba knows she must go. But can she control the growing powers inside her, or will everything fall apart along the way? Moore lets her imagination run wild on this electrifying, and yet adorably whimsical, four-book adventure series. With magical creatures, ancient prophecies, hidden secrets and the author’s stunning world-building, this is a dazzling dragon fest with added firepower!
(Maverick Arts Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Riley Wright is Always Wrong
Mel Taylor-Bessent and Sr. Sanchez

MEET Riley Wright… she might be a Wright but she always seem to wrong! Mel Taylor-Bessent – author of the much-loved Christmas Carrolls adventures – is on her best storytelling form for the first book of a hilarious new diary series for younger readers. Think Lottie Brooks and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and these super-funny, super-cool ‘junior’ stories are the perfect precursors. Riley Wright is starting at Heverton Junior School with one awkward disadvantage… her MAJORLY embarrassing dad is the new head teacher! So new school, new friends (hopefully!)… Riley just has to work out how to fit in, pin down a talent for the talent show, look out for her unpredictable new BFF Emmie and face down super-mean girl Harper. As someone who gets a lot of stuff wrong, when will Riley finally get something RIGHT? Illustrated by Spanish artist Sr. Sanchez, this fun-filled, diary-format romp is cleverly pitched for younger readers and full of the humour, warmth and high-octane energy that we have come to expect from Taylor-Bessent. If only school could always be this much fun!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
All in the Mind: A guide to your brilliant brain!
Gill Arbuthnott and Lauren Humphrey

DIVE inside your mind and discover just how our amazing brains work! Brains do some incredible things… they control our moves, thoughts, opinions, personalities and make us who we are! And if you want to know how, the answers are in All in the Mind, a brilliantly colourful and educational book from children’s author Gill Arbuthnott and illustrator Lauren Humphrey who is inspired by vibrant cartoons. Shrink down to discover how messages whizz past at synapses, see neurons deliver signals from our head to our toes and back, be amazed at how our brains are wired differently and marvel at how some creatures have no brain at all. Plus, put your brain to the test with some intriguing teasers to show how your brain works (and sometimes doesn’t) in real time! Featuring text in bite-sized chunks from Arbuthnott, who loves mixing scientific fact with anecdotes of people and places, and Humphrey’s bold and playful illustrations, All in the Mind is packed full of mind-bending facts and mind-boggling activities which aim to set young brains on fire!
(Templar Books, paperback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
How to Train Your Dragon School: Fight of the Flamestrike
Cressida Cowell 

TWENTY-ONE years ago, author, illustrator and Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell, penned her first How to Train Your Dragon novel and created a magical world that became a global bestselling phenomenon. And now she’s back and delighting her fans – and a new generation of young readers – with this dazzling spin-off series which delivers the same winning ingredients of adventure, heroes and dragons, and stars Hiccup, Toothless, Fishlegs and other favourite characters from the original books. So step into the How to Train Your Dragon School where Viking and Dragon Heroes are made! Join Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third and his dragons, Toothless and Windwalker, for more of their hilarious, hair-raising adventures at the Isle of Berk’s Training School for Vikings and Dragons… where they are BOTTOM in pretty much everything! Disastrous Lesson Number Two: Boarding-An-Enemy-Ship-At-Sea… Hiccup and his fellow Vikings are SUPPOSED to be learning about enemy ships at sea but when they come across a mysterious vessel, with a ripped sail and nobody driving it, Hiccup’s heart sinks. There is something deeply spooky about this ship. They really, really shouldn't get on board  but, like on so many occasions in Hiccup’s life, they are going to do it anyway! Cowell’s gift for mesmerising world-building and her creation of quirky characters you can see and almost hear is central to this fun-filled, action-packed series which comes with a Dragonese dictionary and the author’s trademark wit, humour, and richly detailed imaginative powers. Perfectly created for even the most reluctant of readers!
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Mighty Mega Pets: Freaky Food Fiasco!
Gary Northfield

WHAT if your pet had superpowers? Get ready to laugh out loud as the master of zany comedy – author and illustrator Gary Northfield – conjures up a magical, turbo-powered feast of pets, superpowers, silliness and lots of action! A Phoenix comic creator, Northfield’s MEGA funny, full-colour new graphic novel will have you looking askance at your own beloved, but seemingly ordinary, pets. A strange magical substance has seeped into a pet food warehouse, and now dogs, cats, bunnies and fish all have freaky superpowers… whether they want them or not! The newly-formed Mighty Mega Pets are determined to get to the bottom of the pet food mystery in order to ... no pressure ... save the world! Action-packed, and with giggles galore on every page, this hilarious romp reminds youngsters about the perils of power, and the importance of teamwork, friendship and standing up to bullies. And with invaluable tips on how to deal with a cranky tortoise, you’d be barking mad to miss all the fun!
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
World of Sport
Lawrence Alexander and Violeta Noy

THE wonderful world of sport awaits you! From football to fencing and even the wacky Dutch sport of fierljeppen (a combination of long jump and pole vault!), explore the most exhilarating sports played throughout history. Written by author and freelance journalist Lawrence Alexander, and gorgeously illustrated by Spanish artist Violeta Noy, this brilliant book is bursting with colour and fascinating facts, and is part of the World of... series which looks at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences. Discover mind-boggling records from around the globe and meet the sport superstars who turned ordinary games into extraordinary triumphs. Find out which sports were played at the very first Olympic Games, what the different colour jerseys mean in the Tour de France, and how to throw a gumboot. Everywhere on our planet where people can be found, there are different sports that we love to play and compete in. Learn about ball sports, gymnastics, athletics, water sports, extreme sports and how each sport came to be, where in the world it originated and, most importantly, how to play. Featuring more than 100 adrenaline-pumping sports from every corner of the globe, this high-energy, inspirational book is guaranteed to make you work up a sweat!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £9.99)

Age 3 plus
Again! said Rabbit
Marjoke Henrichs

RABBIT is off to the seaside for the day… but what will happen when a big wave knocks him over? Say hello AGAIN to the adorable little rabbit we met in No! said Rabbit and Ready! said Rabbit, the sparkling picture book series from debut artist and theatre designer Marjoke Henrichs which explores the emotions and experiences in a young child’s world. Full of youthful joy and playfulness, and exquisitely illustrated throughout, these relatable adventures are guaranteed to strike a chord with harassed parents everywhere. Rabbit is excited to be going to the seaside with his mum and dad. As usual, he prepares for all the activities he wants to do… building sandcastles, playing football and flying a kite. Rabbit demands to do all these beach activities again and AGAIN! His long-suffering parents take him paddling but he’s surprised by a sudden big wave... plus the sun goes in. Will his day be ruined? Rabbit learns that all days at the seaside have their ups and downs, their highs and lows… a universal experience for both adults and children. Rabbit’s rollercoaster emotions are handled gently by his parents while young readers will love joining in with toddlers’ often repeated and favourite refrain… again! Henrichs brings a winning brand of ironic humour to both her words and a gallery of lively, expressive and gorgeously colourful illustrations, while simple lines and clever gouache washes bring to vivid life this winning tale of fun, drama and parental patience.
 (Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Do You See the Tiger?
Philip Ardagh and David Melling

LOOK out, there’s a tiger about! Experience the joy, join in the fun rhyme, and delight your little ones with this glorious celebration of young imaginations from Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winner Philip Ardagh and internationally successful illustrator David Melling. Penny can’t believe what she’s seeing in a packed underground carriage… a tiger’s tail… a tiger’s paw… a really big stripy tiger! When the tiger makes a sudden, marvellous leap across the seats, Penny joins in the action, and forms an unexpected friendship with the tiger as they join forces to return a baby’s lost teddy. Full to the brim with action, Ardagh’s wry, heartwarming humour, Melling’s dazzling array of illustrations, and a rhyme that is just made for reading aloud, this is picture book perfection for all the family to relish!
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Old MacDonald on the Move
Philip Ardagh and Maria Karipidou

AND more fun is guaranteed as Philip Ardagh teams up here with talented Germany-based illustrator Maria Karipidou for a full-on, madcap picture book rendering of the traditional family favourite Old MacDonald nursery rhyme. This action-packed and super-silly twist will have your little ones rolling around in laughter, hollering ‘E-I-E-I-O!’ Old MacDonald’s farm is falling apart! The piggies’ sty is sinking in the mud and it’s raining on the cows. Surely Old MacDonald won’t move the animals to a nearby fancy hotel? The cows would order grass in the restaurant, the pigs would splash in the pool and the sheep would have a pillow-fight. It could all just be... TOO MUCH FUN! Ardagh’s riotous rhyming romp featuring a happy farmyard in total chaos is brought to vibrant life by Karipidou’s bright and punchy artwork. You’d be moo-moo mad to miss it!
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Bunnies in a Rocket
Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle

‘Bunnies in a rocket! Bunnies flying high! Bunnies heading for the Moon, they streak beyond the sky!’

IF barmy bunnies are the stars of a super-funny space odyssey then it has to be another outing with Philip Ardagh! Enjoy sky-high giggles and picture book mayhem as Ardagh teams up once more with illustrator Ben Mantle for another Sunny Town Bunnies adventure which this time takes little ones to the Moon and back. Hop, skip, blast off! It’s launch day in Sunny Town, a rocket is about to soar into space, and a team of panda astronauts are ready. But wait, something is happening on the runway. Before anyone can stop them, those cheeky bunnies have sneaked on to the launch pad, scrambled up the rocket ladder and … pressed GO! They’re zooming into space… what could possibly go wrong?! It’s one small step for a human but one giant LEAP for bunnykind in this comic cosmic caper brimming over with wild space bunny fun from the dream team of Ardagh and Mantle. With hilarious details to spot, visual subplots to follow, search-and-find elements, non-stop on-the-move action, and rhyming, read-aloud texts inviting repeated join-in refrains, this is ideal for sharing with littles ones.
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Bunnies in a Boat
Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle

ALSO in the Sunny Town Bunnies series is this joyful, rhyming board book for reading with babies and toddlers. And this time, it’s zip, zoom, whoosh as the bunnies have commandeered a boat! All across Sunny Town beach, the Bunnies are dashing and a-splashing on a speedboat frenzy. They whoosh past the sail-boats, and zoooom across the sand, then it’s up on to the jetty where the silly billy Bunnies get all covered in spaghetti. This sturdy board book has rounded corners for reading (and chewing!) when you’re out and about this summer, and is ideal for lively, wriggly kids who love rhyming books, animals, and all things-that-go!
(Walker Books, board book, £7.99)

The Repentants

Kate Foster

A CHURCH minister’s order that two women, from opposite sides of the tracks, must don sackcloth and publicly repent their sins sparks an unexpected bond between them… and launches a sea voyage which will take them to an inhospitable land in one of the coldest and remotest parts of the world.

Kate Foster, the feminist author whose debut, The Maiden, won the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year and was longlisted for the Women’s Prize, returns with The Repentants, her fourth coruscating novel, which retrieves a little-known slice of 18th century Scottish history and reimagines women whose fates were at the mercy of a turbulent age of exploration, exploitation and even banishment.

Foster’s mission is to give a voice to time’s forgotten women and their very real, lived experiences. And in this chilling (on all counts!) tale of betrayal, exile and survival – which moves from the east coast of Scotland to the wild wonders of Iceland – she found her inspiration in a proposal by Scottish merchants to annex Iceland as a remote British penal colony. It was a plan which did not ultimately amount to anything but its existence was the fuel that fired up Foster’s (pictured below) fertile imagination and laid the foundations of this riveting historical novel which transports readers back to the world of 1790 when strict, male-dominated kirk doctrine ruled people’s lives… leaving women fearing the actions of men more than they did the threats of the Devil.

Only two years into what is already a loveless and passionless marriage with Jonny Aitken, ambitious owner of both a coalworks and a lucrative salt business, 21-year-old Florrie knows that in the small settlement of St Monans on the Fife coast you can’t be too careful because ‘walls have ears’ and ‘windows have eyes.’ But enough is enough for Florrie and, putting aside her initial reservations, she is breaking all the rules to enjoy a ‘day of pure bliss’ with a transient Danish fisherman in a local inn. What she didn’t anticipate was to be caught in the act and dragged before St Monans kirk session to be judged and punished.

The minister’s judgment is that Florrie wear sackcloth and be publicly paraded in church as a repentant alongside Eliza Wood, one of her husband’s bonded salt serfs… a beautiful, outspoken young woman whose sin is failing to attend sabbath services, and whose open defiance is not something that Florrie has ever dared to ‘dabble’ with.

Despite their different social status, Florrie and Eliza form a quick and unusual bond over their mutual humiliation. Recognising that Eliza is a woman who can’t be intimidated, Florrie insists that she must come along as her maid when Jonny leaves Scotland for a potentially lucrative salt trade venture in Iceland.

Far from home, isolated and fearful in the freezing temperatures of Reykjavik, the two women grow ever closer and join forces with Hallgerd who, along with her absent brother, owns the biggest homestead in the town, but fears that all she has is under threat from a Danish count who is eager to open up a new Icelandic salt works with the help of Jonny Aitken. And then Jonny reveals his sinister ultimate plan… he will leave Florrie in Iceland, banished for the shame she has cast upon him. Knowing she must escape, Florrie turns to her resourceful friend Eliza for help… only to discover that nothing is quite as it seems.

The Repentants unfolds through the alternating voices of Florrie and Eliza, a powerful and insightful format which provides readers with an emotionally-charged understanding of how the often debasing experiences of two women from very different social classes might not be as far removed from each other as one might initially have suspected.

Foster shows us that despite the yawning societal chasm between what is essentially the master’s wife and the salt serf, both women face the same misogyny, the same daily restrictions, and even the same cruel punishments when they are deemed to have somehow ‘transgressed.’ Employing her trademark elegant prose, which belies the menace and darkness of Florrie and Eliza’s stories, Foster sweeps us into the shadowy corners of 18th century Scotland with its patriarchal privations, humiliations and bullying, and then on to the remote, freezing and unforgiving shores of Iceland where the two women join forces with the hardy Hallgerd… and the fightback begins.

In a world where women had few rights, and were virtually the property of their husbands with little say over their own bodies, it is this trio of indomitable survivors who steal our hearts, refuse to surrender to the bullies, and act as a beacon of hope and strength in an age of intimidation and female repression. Packed with danger and determination, revelations and revenge, suspense and plot twists, The Repentants sees Foster at her masterful storytelling best!
(Mantle, hardback, £18.99)

Secrets at the Dover Café

Ginny Bell 

A GRAND coastal house on the Kent coast, which played a vital role in Britain’s fight against the Nazis during the Second World War, takes a starring role in the sixth book of Ginny Bell’s compelling, drama-packed saga series.

Bell (pictured below), whose home town is Dover, knows both the place and its people well, and once again she sweeps us away to wartime and into the lives of the brave souls who spent the war years in or around the Kent port which was virtually demolished by enemy shelling and lost more than half of its population, mostly due to evacuation.

And in this new visit, we learn about the role of the Royal Navy’s Wrens in the Western Approaches Tactical Unit, set up in Liverpool by Captain Gilbert Roberts in 1942 to devise manoeuvres and tactics to evade and defeat German U-boats which were inflicting heavy losses on the Allies in the Atlantic.

But it is the unit’s satellite centre at Abbotts Cliff House on the high cliffs at Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone, whose task was to listen in on German shipping communications, which becomes a feature of this new and exciting chapter for the assorted families and residents who readers have come to know and love. 

In January of 1942, the war is closing in on every shore, and when Marge Atkinson, an officer in the Wrens, is assigned to an elite group chosen to teach war games to naval officers, it seems like the perfect distraction from her heartbreak over Rodney Castle, the man she loves but also the man who let her down.

But then Marge, who has been assigned to Abbotts Cliff House for a new top-secret wargame that could turn the tide against the U-boats, discovers who her new commanding officer is. Years ago, Captain Thomas Bennett destroyed her family, and now she vows that she will get her revenge on him… no matter what the consequences may be.

Meanwhile, at Castle’s Café, widowed matriarch Nellie is trapped in a dangerous bargain. Allowing local Lou Carter to stash black-market contraband in her café basement before the war seemed harmless enough at the time. But when a sinister man arrives, threatening her family and demanding she store some mysterious boxes, she has no choice but to agree. Because if she doesn’t, Nellie’s grandchildren could pay the price...

Bell’s pride and affection for the town she knows so well shines through in this heartwarming saga series as the charismatic Castle family and their friends spring to vibrant life once again and we share in their dramas, secrets, laughter, tears, and fears during the war years when Dover endured so many bombing raids that it became known as Hellfire Corner.

And 1942 is turning out to be a turbulent year as past decisions catch up with perilous results for the unsuspecting Nellie, and Marge faces a battle for revenge that could tear everything apart.

Well researched, written with Bell’s trademark warmth and insight, brimming with emotion, humour and some little-known corners of real-life wartime history, and starring a cast of superbly drawn characters who touch the hearts of readers everywhere, the Dover Café series continues to be a firm favourite with saga fans.
(Zaffre, paperback, £9.99)

The Cormorant Hunt

Michael Idov

AFTER brazenly exposing the CIA’s undercover scheme to try rigging Russian elections and kill anyone who gets in the way, young CIA intelligence officer Ari Falk is now on the run in the Republic of Georgia and unsure of how the land lies.

For some, Falk is a hero for blowing the lid on a massive conspiracy, but others brand him a traitor… so who can he trust when the CIA begin a hunt to track him down for a perilous mission which they consider is perfectly suited for someone as jaded and unpredictable as him.  

If sophisticated espionage, bone-crunching thrills and spills, a cast of authentic characters, and a storyline full of sparkling dialogue and geopolitical intrigue floats your boat, then set sail with this all-action spy thriller from novelist, director and screenwriter Michael Idov (pictured below), a Latvian-born American who was raised in Riga under Soviet occupation. The Cormorant Hunt is the follow-up to The Collaborators, Idov’s dazzling debut novel which introduced us to the intrepid agent Ari Falk and a truly globetrotting adventure which criss-crossed both classic and surprising locations from Berlin and Portugal to Latvia, Belarus, and a 1980s Jewish refugee camp near Rome. 

Pitting present-day Russia against the CIA, Idov opens a tantalising door into a secretive world and the what-ifs of espionage as we follow Ari, a brilliant operator who works on cases linked to Russia… work which plunges him into the murky depths of some shadowy political schemes, and now the added complexities of a war in Europe.

Disheartened by events since the spectacular outing of the CIA’s unethical scheming two years ago, Ari Falk is hiding out in Tbilisi in Georgia and living off both his well-honed wits and his self-protection keyword, ‘careful.’ But his quiet, low-key exile is shattered when he discovers from the TV news that Alan Keegan – founder of an open-source intelligence portal and the man with whom Ari collaborated on the public exposure of the whistle-blowing dossier on the CIA – has been assassinated in Prague.

Keegan was ‘his last real friend’ and news reports are implying that Ari is wanted for a suspected role in the murder plot. It appears that the CIA are working hard to frame Ari, and deliberately publishing a photo of him leaves him ‘out in the open,’ far from home and in constant danger. But ulterior motives abound in the world of espionage and Asha Tamaskar – the CIA’s brilliant and neurodivergent new head of Covert Activities and a woman with secrets of her own – believes Ari to be the ideal candidate for a role as double agent in a perilous mission to track down Felix Burnham, a former CIA agent who was born in Russia, and is now a chilling antagonist with radical alliances which could change the global balance of power.

Known as the Cormorant, Burnham has a shadowy presence but is believed to be behind a string of murders stretching back decades and most likely responsible for the recent targeting of Keegan. It’s Ari’s most dangerous mission yet but one he can’t refuse because ‘the only way not to go down as Keegan’s killer was to find out who killed Keegan.’ All he needs to do now is to work out how he’s going to do that…

Idov – who has worked on numerous film and TV projects including Londongrad, Deutschland 83, Leto and The Humorist – uses his screenwriting talents to create another explosive, fast-paced and superbly plotted thriller which is as visually exciting as it is verbally entertaining. Working perfectly as a standalone – although it would be a shame to miss out on the exhilarating first outing with Ari in The Collaborators – this breathless race against time to track down a megalomaniac oligarch, determined to destabilise Europe’s delicate balance of power, is a thrill ride from start to finish.

With the clever and cunning new covert activities boss Asha providing a thread of romantic tension, as well as carrying some carefully protected secrets, there is plenty of dangerous subterfuge to relish, intriguing character dynamics to enjoy, and authentic questions to ponder about humanity’s dubious role in the realms of geopolitics.  And not content to impress us with his dazzling cinematic scenarios and heart-thumping action, Idov provides fascinating insider intelligence work detail, and a host of devilishly clever twists to keep the pages turning and readers on their toes.

Moving at breakneck pace from Tbilisi to Prague and Andorra to Bethesda, and encompassing everything from crypto and conflict to vote-rigging and extremism, this is an exhilarating, contemporary take on the age-old spy game, and with an electrifying dénouement that leaves readers gasping for breath in anticipation of Ari’s return!
(Scribner, hardback, £18.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Forbidden romance, a grief encounter and cute facts

Enjoy the romantic vibes of two star-crossed classroom lovers, meet a girl coping with the death of her beloved brother, follow an ingenious, winding trail of 200 super-sweet facts, and laugh out loud at the adventures of schoolgirl queen of friendships in a sunshine selection 

Age 14 plus
Sweet Heartbreak
Alexandra Moody

FORGET Romeo and Juliet, and meet Noah and Isobel, another pair of star-crossed lovers whose worlds collide at the country’s most elite boarding school, reigniting an ‘ancient grudge’ and setting in motion a deliciously romantic and utterly dazzling new ‘mutiny.’  Sweet Heartbreak is the swoon-worthy and heart-stopping first book of Australian author Alexandra Moody’s sensational Weybridge Academy trilogy, featuring a school for the kids of billionaire parents, and a place where two youngsters from opposite sides of the tracks find themselves freewheeling into a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, dramas… and forbidden romance. Isobel – the new kid on the block at Weybridge Academy – recognises straightaway that Noah Hastings is everything she’s not. Their worlds should never have collided but when her long-lost father reappeared, her life was flipped upside down. It turned out that he’s ridiculously wealthy, and without warning he plucked her from her simple life and threw her into a world of excess. Isobel’s father has only sent her to the most elite boarding school in the country where money and status mean everything. 

He gives her just one rule while she’s there… stay away from Noah Hastings. It should be a simple request. Noah is the king of Weybridge Academy, the heir to an empire and a serial heartbreaker. She’s just the new girl who grew up waiting on tables… she doesn’t fit into Noah’s world, and he could never be a part of hers. There’s more to this boy than Isobel expected, though, and he seems just as drawn to her as she is to him. But it’s not only their differences that stand between them… it’s the secrets they keep. Think popular boy with filthy rich parents, and a girl more used to serving up bacon in her mum’s beach café than riding round in luxury sports cars, and you have the simmering, shimmering backdrop for an unmissable and seductive romance. Tingling with teen angst and emotion, relatable characters, fun friendships, and billionaire youngsters, this is a classroom drama with more twists than a snakes and ladders board, and the perfect addictive series for romantics to fall in love with!
(Electric Monkey, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
Tadpole Summer
Catherine Bruton

‘IN the midst of life we are in death’ says the Bible… it’s a concept hard for children to fully understand, let alone accept. But as spring bursts out all around, a moving and inspirational story from multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria Catherine Bruton reminds us all of the power of nature to heal, comfort and bring hope, even in the face of a cruel loss. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, Tadpole Summer explores sibling love, the wonders of nature and the pain of bereavement and grief as a young girl struggles to cope with her terminally ill brother’s last months and to face the reality that their days together are numbered. Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (called SMA-PME for short) but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, Frog happy to do whatever Tad needs. But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sounds and smells of nature and a space of her own that she’s never had before.

When Tad comes home, their bedroom has to change to accommodate all his hospital equipment and Frog isn’t sure where she fits in their family any more. She retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp-out for charity. But as Tad’s condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him. Working to bring the small wonders of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this last summer together unforgettable? Bruton excels in this exquisitely imagined tale of a girl who faces her brother’s death by immersing herself in the sights, sounds and smells of the natural world, finding solace and calm in summer breezes, the scent of fresh green grass and the buzzing of the bees. With its rich gamut of emotions, feast of sensual vibes, and the green shoots of nature providing light in the darkness, this is an unforgettable story from a master storyteller.  
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Dragonborn: The Twilight Child
Struan Murray

SOMETIMES children are born to be dragons… and sometimes an epic fantasy series is born to set imaginations on fire! Scottish author Struan Murray – whose debut novel, Orphans of the Tide, won the prestigious Branford Boase Award – plays his best card yet with this electrifying fantasy adventure series which stars a fiery girl striving to master her powers as a dragon and takes world-building to dizzy new heights. The Twilight Child is the second Dragonborn book and returns to the perilous life of Alex Evans who has discovered her true identity as a dragon and is now embarking on a dangerous quest to stop Drak Midna, the greatest dragon of all, who is waging a war against humanity. And when tragedy strikes the legendary island of Skralla, Alex and her friends journey north to the magical heart of Scotland where dark plots are in motion, and humans and dragons fight side-by-side against a rising storm of ancient demons. Sinister forces are growing stronger every day and as friendships fall apart and enemies, old and new, strike from the shadows, Alex must master her own awesome power and unravel a mystery that might just be the key to victory… the legend of the Twilight Child. Murray has given us a true, inspirational hero… a thrilling young girl on a journey of self-discovery who is ready to sideline her fears and emotions and take on dragon skulls, ferocious battles and a fiery, fearsome enemy in order to save the world. Littered with fire-breathing danger, an endless layer of mind-blowing secrets, and an emotional intensity that will burn its way into young hearts, Dragonborn is a daring, dazzling and dizzying delight!
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Cute FACTopia!
Kate Olesin and Andy Smith

WHEN you are invited to follow an ingenious trail of 200 super-sweet facts about extremely small teddy bears, teeny tiny ants, pygmy hippos and chilled-out capybaras, it can only mean one thing... FACTopia! is back and this time it’s adorably CUTE! Written by writer, editor and professional fun fact finder Kate Olesin, and brought to life by amazing photographs and award-winning Andy Smith’s fabulously witty collage artwork, Cute FACTopia! is the newest and cutest title in the best-selling FACTopia! series which was featured in this year’s official World Book Day book selection. Cute FACTopia! is published in What on Earth! publisher’s irresistible new pocket-sized format, making it ideal to keep children entertained during journeys and holidays. So choose your own path to meet the pygmy hippo called Moo Dheng whose ears wiggle when she sleeps, and marvel at the world’s tiniest teddy bear. Learn how elephants dance in the rain, and babies hiccup inside the womb, and then jet off into space to discover a comet shaped like a rubber duck and a dwarf planet with a huge, heart-shaped ice field on its surface. Every fact in the book is linked to the next in funny and surprising ways. And there isn’t just one trail through these pages… sometimes your path branches and you can choose to jump to a totally different (but still connected) part of the book. Where will your curiosity take you? Connecting topics as diverse as animals, plants, dinosaurs, art, architecture and even space – all through the lens of cuteness – this is a perfectly sweet treat for reluctant or struggling readers.
(What on Earth!, hardback, £9.99)

Age 8 plus
Nina Peanut: Major Drama Alert
Sarah Bowie

HANDS up if you want another Nina Peanut adventure with the schoolgirl queen of friendships, frenemies and big dreams? Fans of the one and only megastar mystery-solver Nina will be racing to get to grips with her outrageous new antics as Irish writer and illustrator Sarah Bowie makes a welcome return with her fabulous full-colour illustrated series. Nina Peanut: Major Drama Alert is the fourth outing for everyone’s favourite naughty schoolgirl who also happens to be a superstar frozen pizza chef, ghost hunter, mystery solver, jet-setter, creative genius and now (drum roll!) drama queen. As Nina tells us, I CANNOT believe Mum is making me show the new boy at school around town. Ethan shoved an ice cream in my face when we were four years old, annoying! But wait... he's older now and... quite cool. Wears a leather jacket, into skating, the best looking boy who-is-not-in-a-boyband I’ve ever seen. Why have I gone bright red? We’re putting on some random play… Romeo and Juliet? I don't expect you've heard of it… it’s at the end of term and I want the starring role opposite Ethan. But of course my arch-enemy Megan BUMFACE is also set on the part… the race to be the ultimate drama queen is ON! With fun, laughter, mega mishaps and drama all the way, there’s never a dull moment when Nina is on the case!
(Scholastic, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
A Mermaid’s Rescue
Chris Riddell

MERMAIDS, Moondays, secrets and seahorses... the Costa Award-winning and ever-inventive author and illustrator Chris Riddell makes a welcome return with the second book of a sea-soaked series that sheds a ray of sunshine on every youngster’s summer reading. Full of Riddell’s richly detailed and intricate black and white illustrations, these utterly charming and comedy-infused fantasy adventures deliver a seductive blend of friendship, underwater fun and imagination as we follow a mermaid who loves to record the escapades of her weird and wonderful friends in her diary. When timid Atalanta Scrimshaw notices strange footprints in the sand at Sleepy Cove she knows something is wrong. Her best friend, Creech (a creature from the Blue Lagoon), has vanished! Atalanta raises the alarm, and she and her mermaid friends begin a thrilling chase through Mer City. Can Atalanta and her friends pull off a daring rescue from the aquarium lair of a wicked industrialist before it’s too late? With its cast of incredible characters, all the magic of a dazzling underwater world, and Riddell’s trademark wit, inventiveness and exciting storytelling, A Mermaid's Rescue is must reading for all fantasy fans... and guarantees waves of fun all the way to Sleepy Cove!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
Pen, Pad, Play! Over 50 Amazing Ideas for Drawing and Designing
Elliot Ryan

OPEN your pad, pick up your pen… and let’s PLAY! It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been drawing for years or you’re just getting started, here’s the chance to set free your creative side and let your imagination run wild with a brilliant new activity book series written and illustrated by experienced art teacher Elliot Ryan. Pen, Pad, Play! is packed with over 50 surprising and inspiring design-themed drawing activities to get brains buzzing with new ideas. Packaged in an eye-catching, portable drawing pad with tear-out sheets and a sturdy backboard for use on the go, every child can have fun feeling creative without any pressure to come up with perfection. Written and illustrated prompts help to build children’s confidence and artistic literacy, and spark their imaginations, and as no previous drawing experience is required, anyone of any skill level can enjoy feeling creative. Each book in this innovative series focuses on a different drawing theme, features two different bright pantone colours and is guaranteed to keep kids (as well as teens and adults!) entertained for hours on end. So whether you’re a daring doodler, a budding artist, or want to inspire your youngsters, simply pick up a pen, open the first page of your pad and get creating!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives
Jennifer Bell and Sarah Horne

CLIMB aboard for the funniest sea voyage you will take this year… and while you’re giggling, spot the hidden clues to solve a pirate mystery! Children’s author Jennifer Bell and award-winning illustrator Sarah Horne blend their talents on the first fabulous book of a hilarious new series that is crammed full of madcap adventures, and entertaining puzzles and clues for readers to solve. Your ‘hosts’ on this laughter-filled seafaring odyssey are Buck and Ears (a boy and his loyal rabbit!) who are officially the worst pirates on the Seventy Seas but now angling to be the best ocean-going super-sleuths. It all begins when Buck and Ears bump into the terrifying Captain Bloodfang and she gives them an ultimatum… follow CLUES to find her missing chef or else be turned into pirate stew! Along with their misfit crew, can Buck and Ears solve the case and save themselves from a horrible fate? Join the fun and spot the clues as you try to solve the mystery before the two pirate detectives! Kids will love doing their own detective work in Bell’s cleverly created and decidedly fishy world of Buck and Ears as they spot the clues, follow the twisting, turning puzzle trail, and enjoy giant waves of laughter with the cast of zany characters who spring to life through Horne’s brilliant illustrations. Chaos ahoy!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Salty Dog and Pals
Katie Chappell and Helen Stephens

THE fun, warmth and joys of friendship are explored in four colourfully illustrated stories perfectly created to encourage youngsters setting out on independent reading. The bright, happy and laugh-out-loud seaside adventures of Salty Dog and Pals have been co-written and illustrated by another pair of best pals, Katie Chappell and Helen Stephens. Join Salty Dog and his best friends Kitty (the cat) and Bernard (the duck) who all live together in a little upside-down boat house by the sea. It’s a windy day on the island and Kitty LOVES windy days! They’re perfect for flying a kite. But what happens when an unsuspecting Bernard gets a little caught up in the kite? And on bath night, Kitty is going to make it extra special for her best pals… bubble bath, disco lights, bath bombs and – shhh! – Bernard’s extra special shampoo. But it’s looking VERY bubbly, maybe Kitty has used just a bit too much! It’s a stormy night on the island but Salty is on hand to sing everyone some sea shanties. But then the lights go out and there’s a mysterious knock on the door… Now it’s a foggy night on the island. Kitty has knitted a jumper for Bernard but it’s MUCH too big. Bernard is upset, Kitty is upset so it’s a good thing Salty has just the right solution. Filled with sea shanties, Highland dancing, howling storms and extravagant bath time routines, life on the island is certainly NEVER dull! With cosy stories to enjoy and Stephens’ stunning four-colour illustrations, all set in a beautifully imagined and utterly charming seaside world, this lovely book is ideal for bedtime sharing and building confidence in early readers.
(Walker Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall
L.M. Wilkinson and Lavanya Naidu

CAN a gallant mouse find the Gems of Harmony and save her homeland from destruction? Award-winning Australian author of more than twenty books for young people, L.M. Wilkinson teams up with Melbourne-based artist Lavanya Naidu for the third escapade in a fully illustrated and super-readable adventure series packed full of magic, prophecies, quests, heroics and loyal friendships. It’s a story that’s the stuff of legend and Titch knows that she must find the Gems of Harmony if she is to have any hope of fulfilling the prophecy of Bravepaw. If only she knew where to begin her quest! The magnificent Library of Lexhelm seems to hold the answers, or at least its books can help Titch and her friends ask the right questions as they journey into danger. But prophecies can be twisted, enemies can be slippery, and sometimes the person it is hardest to trust is yourself. With all of Alluria on the line, can Titch make the right decision? With an against-all-odds mission full of powerful crystals to complete, a battle between good and evil to win, and friendships to foster and treasure, this all-action mouse ‘tail’ is the perfect fit for every child who loves heroes and whisker-raising adventures!
(Allen & Unwin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Magpie and the Sparkling Words
Lucy Rowland and Craig Shuttlewood

WORD power is at play on every page of this uplifting, rhyming, vocabulary-rich picture book from award-winning author Lucy Rowland and artist Craig Shuttlewood whose vibrant illustrations sparkle with colour, character and joy. In a MYSTICAL wood stood a MAGICAL tree… the home of BRILLIANT Magpie. From her nest, Magpie listens to the wonderful words of her fellow woodland animals. Words with a sparkle, a shimmer, a shine, entwined in her nest in the tree. She gathered them up and giggled, ‘They're mine – these sparkling words just for me!’ But eventually, the other animals stay quiet so their words aren’t being whisked away. Only then does Magpie realise that the silent wood doesn’t glitter in the same way as before. After a storm destroys Magpie’s nest, and sends her stash of sparkling words zooming back out into the forest, she finally learns that it is unity, kindness and sharing language that makes the words sparkle. And words certainly speak just as loud as actions in this joint celebration of the natural world and the fun to be found in literacy. Rowland’s lyrical story effortlessly weaves an exciting vocabulary alongside important themes of sharing, kindness and teamwork, encouraging readers to find enjoyment in literacy and share sparkling words with each other. The perfect picture book for story time… and to give children’s language development a helping hand.
(Templar Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Nell and Beany: The Big Fish
Camilla Reid and Kate Hindley

GET ready to meet a lovable new board book duo destined to be a favourite with toddlers and pre-schoolers! The Big Fish is the first adventure for Nell and Beany, an enchanting and lovable cat and dog pairing from the top team of author and specialist pre-school books creator Camilla Reid and award-winning illustrator Kate Hindley. Friends Nell and Beany love to go on adventures together and today they are going on a fishing trip. But what will they catch? With Reid’s fun, read-aloud rhyming story, the cute cat and dog duo’s antics to enjoy, tabs to pull and a wheel to push, slide and turn, plus Hindley’s bright, charming and colourful illustrations, little ones will find plenty to do and see along the way on this entertaining voyage of discovery!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
The Waiting Room
Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner and Danamarie Hosler

SITTING in the waiting room is boring for Roscoe… fortunately his sister Ivy knows just what to do to make waiting fun! Join the siblings as Roscoe’s antics get noisy and disruptive in their latest adventure in the delightful Roscoe & Ivy board book series. This clever and accessible series focuses on the daily life of a neurodivergent family and is the creation of neurodivergent author and illustrator team, Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner and Danamarie Hosler, who draw on their own lived experiences. Roscoe and Ivy have to wait for Mama. The only toy in the waiting room has beads that go up…then down…then up…then down. It’s too boring for Roscoe would rather sing a song or bang-bang-BANG on the fish tank. Can his patient big sister keep the peace until Mama comes back? Helpful endnotes offer gentle guidance on tolerating boredom and the strategies that can be used to distract an impatient child. The perfect travelling companion for neurodivergent families!
(Barefoot Books, board book, £7.99 each)

Age one plus
Tomato, Tomato, Tomato!
Sarah Finan

THERE'S only one thing this baby loves to eat… tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes! Little ones will love slurping their way through the juicy slices, tangy pops and saucy spoonfuls of delicious tomatoes in the fourth board book of Post Wave’s Yum, Yum, Yum! pre-school board book series which introduces tots to favourite foods and all the delicious ways they can be eaten. Written and illustrated by award-winning designer and illustrator Sarah Finan, these bright and bold books about the joys of eating nutritional foods feature a sweet rhyming text, vibrant artwork and clever peep-through pages. With rounded corners and sturdy pages, the book is ideal for little hands and is a joy to read aloud. A tasty treat that will be relished again and again and again!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)