A Village Scandal

Diane Allen

LEFT alone to run a popular pub in the Yorkshire Dales countryside when her husband signs up to fight in May of 1941, Flora Whitaker finds herself caught up in an old secret which still has the power to cause ripples in the close-knit village of Giggleswick.

The rural beauty and wild charms of the Dales once again form the alluring backdrop to a compelling tale of family bonds, hidden truths and courage from popular storyteller Diane Allen (pictured below) who was born in Leeds but raised at her family’s farm deep in the Yorkshire Dales.

Using the stunning countryside surrounding her home near the historic market town of Settle as her inspiration, Allen’s gritty and heartfelt novels are proof that she has her finger firmly on the pulse of northern saga writing, and the hardy Yorkshire folk who have for centuries made their home amongst the hills and dales. Flora Whitaker is a familiar face at the Cunning Vixen Inn, a small pub in the centre of Giggleswick. 

When her husband, Bill, re-enlists with his regiment from the last war, despite being over forty and still suffering pain from old battle injuries, he leaves Flora to run the pub with help from their 18-year-old cleaner May, the next-door neighbour’s daughter.

Flora, a typical landlady with her winning smile and a twinkle in her eye, has several money-saving and illegal schemes running to keep them afloat, and when young May starts courting local policeman, PC Trevor Whinray, he seems to show interest in Flora’s illegal activities.

Trying to alleviate their seemingly endless money troubles, Flora decides to let a room at the pub to Matt Walker, who has arrived on behalf of the War Office to oversee the smooth transfer of Italian prisoners of war to Whitefriars, a large house in Settle. Flora finds out that Matt’s mother, Maisy Walker, was once the landlady of the Cunning Vixen and they become good friends, even though her own down-to-earth mother, Mary Towler – who never approved of Flora marrying Bill – and the rest of the town do not welcome Matt’s presence.

Meanwhile, Bill – notorious for his jealous streak – hears from sources about Matt staying at the pub and becomes increasingly suspicious. Matt has a big secret, and he is about to share it with the unsuspecting Flora. Will it shatter her world, or will it bring her and her mother closer together?

Allen, an observant and insightful writer, brings us a fascinating cast of authentic northern characters in an intriguing, mystery-laced tale set in the picturesque and historic village of Giggleswick.

Packed with emotion, drama and the realities and struggles of everyday life during the Second World War, A Village Scandal sees Allen at her best as she uses her natural compassion and understanding of human frailty to shine a light on the warmth and joy that comes from family, friendship and community, and the power of love to heal both hearts and minds.
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Horse healing, making wishes and murder night

Enjoy summer vibes, drama and humankind’s eternal bond with horses alongside a girl with a secret, discover whether being able to make all your wishes come true is as good as it sounds, tag along at a party night which turns out be murderously funny, and battle through the heatwave with a chilling folk-horror fantasy in a sizzling July selection 

Age 12 plus
Wild Horse Summer
Lauren St John

RECUPERATING after an accident that has left her scarred inside and out, an American teenager’s long-haul trip to stay with little-known relatives in a small seaside town in North Devon is a daunting prospect. And little does she suspect that it is destined to be a summer of romance, adventure, mystery… and horses! Wild Horse Summer – a clean teen novel bursting with summer vibes, drama and humans’ eternal bond with horses – comes from award-winning author Lauren St John who grew up on a farm and game reserve in Zimbabwe and is a passionate conservationist.

When sixteen-year-old Morgan Taylor arrives from New York to spend the summer with her British cousins, all anyone knows is that an accident has left her vulnerable and troubled. But Morgan is also hiding a secret that she will do anything to keep. And when the town’s hottest surfer, Cal Heyward, saves her life, the truth about her past suddenly feels harder than ever to hide. To escape, Morgan takes a job at a stable yard, hoping that horses will heal her as they have done so often before. But everything changes when she is asked to help Night Dancer, a horse with his own dark history... In the scorching summer heat, attraction swirls and tensions rise. Out on the moors, meanwhile, Morgan, Night Dancer and Exmoor pony Mouse must confront their greatest fears if they are to survive a 100-mile journey across one of the toughest wildernesses on earth. With a compulsive, edge-of-the-seat story full of romance, heartbreak, healing, resilience and second chances, all explored through St John’s lyrical and atmospheric storytelling, the heat will be on this summer when teens get their hands on this fabulous, horse-powered odyssey! 
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 12 plus
Song of the Saltings
Rachael King

FIGHT off the summer heat with a chilling folk-horror fantasy about a girl who must defy tradition to save her beloved island from the monstrous forces that are tearing it apart. Song of the Saltings, a powerful novel tingling with suspense and atmospherics, is the work of Rachael King, a writer, reviewer and former literary festival director from New Zealand, and was inspired by King’s visit to St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides, and her own passion for Scottish folklore. On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an ancient bargain… every year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the creature that haunts the salt marshes. Once, it demanded children. Eight years ago, it should have taken Lotta. Instead, the monster spared her and claimed her pony, shattering tradition and anointing her both folk hero and object of suspicion. Now sixteen, Lotta tends the Council’s sacrificial horses, keeping her distance from the islanders who whisper about her fate. But something is stirring. The island hums beneath her feet, and a song threads through her dreams. Is the Glimm calling Lotta back? When she crosses paths with Moss – a boy once hidden from sacrifice – a daring bog rescue sparks a chain of events which forces them both to question the Council’s rule and the lore that binds their people. As crops and animals are blighted and uncanny weather plagues the community, Lotta and Moss must decide whether to obey the Council or risk everything to uncover the island’s deepest secrets… because on Brack, monsters come in many forms. Exploring community, politics, manipulation and myth, and set against a stunning backdrop brought to visceral life by King’s lyrical prose and imaginative prowess, Song of the Saltings is a haunting, enthralling and unforgettable read. Don’t miss it!
(Guppy Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Murder on a Midsummer Night
Lucy Strange and Hannah Peck

PARTY night turns out be murderously funny in the first of the dazzling Mulberry Hall Mysteries, a young readers’ cosy crime series from award-winning author Lucy Strange and illustrator Hannah Peck. Packed with puzzles to solve, a cast of quirky characters to love and laugh at, and a youthfully enthusiastic detective team, this fresh and fun series promises to be a true killer thriller. It’s the night of Sir Percy’s midsummer costume party, and Mulberry Hall has been turned into an enchanting wonderland… but a murderer stalks the grounds of the hall and the evening takes a dark turn when grumpy guest Magnus Cooper is mysteriously poisoned. The bumbling village policeman, Inspector Plum, is baffled so it’s down to quick-witted Eliza and her brother Bram Rose, who live with their parents in the gatehouse, and Sir Percy’s great-nephew Krish to solve the mystery. Can they find out who had access to the bottle of poison? Did a demon really appear in the maze? And what on earth is going on down in Sir Percy’s cellar? Strange, who admits to having loved murder mysteries since she was a child, blends mayhem and mischief to perfection as she sets her imaginations loose on an atmospheric midsummer adventure which delivers all the spooky vibes that children love, but with a big helping of heart and humour. Teamed with Peck’s darkly funny illustrations, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a classic whodunit… with a smile on its face!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Summer My Wishes Came True
Radhika Sanghani

IMAGINE what fun it would be if everything you wished for came true! But would it really make you happier? It’s a fascinating concept that is explored in a fun and relatable new novel from Radhika Sanghani, an award-winning journalist, author and body positivity campaigner. Ayesha can’t wait for summer camp, it’s going to be the best two weeks ever with her best friend Nikki. But Nikki has changed over the summer and things don’t feel the same between them. When Ayesha overhears Nikki telling their roommates she’s immature, Ayesha is embarrassed and wishes her life could be different. The next day, Ayesha realises everything she wishes for is coming true. Lie-in in the morning? Tick! Pizza for lunch? Tick! Nikki to be her best friend? Tick! Suddenly Nikki's hanging out with her again, and then Ayesha wishes for Nikki to get a part in the camp’s musical… and now she’s playing the lead role. But their friendship still isn’t the same. Ayesha thinks she needs a part in the musical too so she makes another wish, even if her actions have taken a role in the musical from someone else who would really love it. She’s got everything she has ever wished for, but will Ayesha’s wishes really make her happy? This summer isn't turning out to be everything she hoped for... With its empowering messages about self-esteem and being true to yourself, Ayesha’s journey to discovering what really makes her happy is ideal for tweens facing the all-too-familiar challenges of friendships. With its irresistible a sprinkling of magic and an emotion and drama-packed storyline, The Summer My Wishes Came True is the perfect fun read for your tweens.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Colour Your Streets: London

PUT some colour into a tour of the UK’s capital city with this brilliant, interactive colouring book full of quizzes, fun facts and even a treasure hunt! This entertaining insight into London’s landmarks comes from Colour Your Streets, a family-run business created by husband and wife team, the entrepreneur Jeremy Weil and broadcaster Emma Barnett, who were inspired by their two children wanting to learn more about their local area in a screen-free way. From the famous London Eye and Big Ben to less familiar sites like Crystal Palace Park Dinosaurs and St Katharine’s Dock, youngsters can bring the capital city’s landmarks to life with their favourite colours. With over 40 landmarks in the book, readers can also learn fascinating facts about each place… and there are plenty of puzzles (and even a quiz) to do. So if you are planning a sightseeing visit to London this summer, searching for a souvenir, or looking for something to keep your child occupied at home or even while riding on one of the city’s eye-catching red buses, climb on board to discover this amazing city!
(Puffin, paperback, £9.99)

Age 8 plus
Royalslinger
Graci Kim

RETURN to a dazzling world in which there are two different versions of the truth as Korean Kiwi diplomat turned bestselling author Graci Kim brings us the second and final book of her thrilling Slinger fantasy duology which is international in its scope but inspired by Korean mythology and culture. Kim, who lives in New Zealand, writes about the magic she wants to see in the world so enjoy being swept away to another fantastical adventure in which dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul, meals magically appear based on your mood, and your wildest dreams – or your darkest nightmares – come to life before your eyes! After successfully passing the Annual Royal Slinger Trials, Aria Loveridge – one of a group of children born with genetic mutations which transport them to a powerfully magical realm while they sleep –is about to kick off her second year of training at the Royal League of Dreamslingers. All she and her bloom dragon, Rio, have to do is pass the last Fellowship exam and finally become fully-fledged Fellows. But before training can begin, the king of Royal Hanguk cancels the exam, and instead commands Aria and the other novices to reclaim the Touch of Death… a powerful ancient relic that was stolen from the kingdom… by Aria’s mother no less! If that wasn’t bad enough, Aria experiences a devastating loss and considers going to horrific lengths to cope… even potentially joining the freedom slingers, a rogue and dangerous faction of dreamslingers. How will Aria choose to deal with her grief? And will her decisions result in the end of the League?

Kim delivers a fabulous finale to this magical series with its original premise, a heroine to adore and admire, and a gripping story which explores the different ways of looking at truth, and the courage it takes to embrace the complexities and challenges in a world in which our dreams affect our reality. A dream read for fantasy fans!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
BobLand
Matt Lucas and Begoña Fernández Corbalán

JUMP on the merry-go-round and join actor, comedian, presenter and author Matt Lucas for a wild ride in a theme park called BobLand! This madcap tale of comedy and chaos is the second hilarious children’s adventure story of family and friendship from one of TV’s most recognisable personalities and Spanish illustrator Begoña Fernández Corbalán. What’s better than the best theme park in the world – in your own garden! Bob Grubb and his family live on a ramshackle smallholding backing on to the world-renowned theme park, Happey World, run by Arthur Happey and his dreadful granddaughter, Maisie. When Bob accidentally gets into Maisie’s bad books, he is banned from Happey World… FOREVER. What is an entrepreneurial boy to do? Build his own theme park in his back garden, of course! With the help of friends and family, BOBLAND is go! But with Arthur and Maisie doing everything in their power to derail Bob’s plans, will they make it to the Grand Opening (where they are due to meet the king himself !) in one piece? And what is the big family secret that lurks beneath it all? Lucas is on his best form for this funny, joyful and heart-warming adventure which shines a light on the rewards of creativity, learning to be resilient, and simply being yourself. Corbalán’s characterful illustrations put extra vigour and charm into the thrills and spills of Bob’s story making this the perfect read for your own young adventurers.
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Paddock Grove: Runaway Horse
J.P. Rose

WHAT could be better than boarding school adventures… with horses taking the starring role? Pony lovers will be in seventh heaven as award-winning author J.P. Rose returns with the third book in her much-loved series about friends and their horses at Paddock Grove school. Ever since her parents sold her last horse, Tabitha Bailey has yearned for the chance to build that special bond with another. Now she finally has the chance to do this with Rusty, an ex-racehorse from her parents’ training stables. Even though Rusty is a handful to ride, Tabitha isn’t about to admit that she’s in over her head… not if it means her parents might take Rusty away. When the Paddock Grove gang enter a competition where they must navigate a complex route across unfamiliar moorland, Tabitha is determined to not let her control over Rusty slip. Packed with excitement, dramas, and the ups and downs of school days spent alongside some characterful horses, youngsters will be galloping to the shops to saddle up with some now familiar school pals!
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Weather, Camera, Action! 
Liam Dutton and Giordano Poloni

GRAB your coat, sunglasses, umbrella and snow boots for an action-packed adventure through every kind of weather! Channel 4 News weather presenter, author and meteorologist Liam Dutton has had nearly two decades of experience in explaining the weather and proves the perfect guide through some of the planet’s wildest weather in this big, colourful and fascinating book. Lavishly illustrated throughout by Giordano Poloni, an award-winning freelance illustrator based in Milan and known for his cinematic vistas, Weather, Camera, Action! is globetrotting heaven for all young weather watchers. Discover whirling planetary jet streams, catastrophic hurricanes, torrential monsoons, blinding dust storms, volcanic lightning and other amazing phenomena all through the lens of Dutton’s knowledge and experience. From super-rare iridescent clouds to rainbows created by the smallest raindrops, this adventure through the atmosphere shows off the splendour of our skies in their most fierce and dramatic states and uncovers the science behind weather events. With important reminders about the impact of climate change and extreme weather, this fact-filled book proves that what’s going on around us has never been more important to understand. Sky high lessons for budding meteorologists!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £10.99, published on July 30)

Age 7 plus
Mix and Match: Inventors
Jane Wilsher and Mar Hernández

IF you could invent anything, what would it be? Join some amazing inventors and dream up your own mind-boggling creations in a brilliant flip format book which puts young readers in the driving seat to tomorrow’s world! There are over 450 possibilities to create your own incredible inventions as you flip the split pages and let your imagination soar! If there were no limitations to your creativity, how far would you go? Mix and Match: Inventors makes the reader the inventor and the sky is the limit when it comes to the contraptions you can create. From star-powered submarines to dream-powered space rockets, and flush-powered bicycles to solar-powered toilets, you can create the wildest, most unbelievable inventions ever seen on planet Earth. With bright, bold illustrations by Mar Hernández, and page after page of brilliant facts dug out by author and editor, Jane Wilsher, you could even become the inventor of your own future!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Bunny vs Monkey: Intergalactic Monkey Business!
Jamie Smart

HOLD on to your hats and watch out for trouble… Bunny and Monkey are back in their exhilarating remastered series which delivers all the comedy and chaos of the daffy duo’s helter-skelter world, and is published for the first time in book form! This outrageously funny new adventure in the super-popular series features 213 pages of fast and furry-ous exuberant fun… plus some entertaining draw-it-yourself activities. Bunny and Monkey are part of the Phoenix Presents series, published by David Fickling Books in partnership with The Phoenix comic, which goes from strength to strength, and much of that success is due to the genius of the extraordinarily talented illustrator Jamie Smart whose comic-strip Bunny vs Monkey books cause giant waves of laughter.

So welcome back to the Woods where chaos reigns supreme once more with the arrival of a new mischief-maker… Little Monkey, a smaller, cuter and even stranger Monkey than our beloved chaos-causer. But as Bunny and friends try to work out his motives, they are led far from the woods and into outer space. And on Planet Monkey, the laughs are positively intergalactic! Laugh-out-loud comical and ingeniously addictive, these manic, high-energy stories were just made for fidgety readers who like their books to come with plenty of comic-strip pictures and loads of turbocharged snorts and sniggers. Madcap antics for a new generation of action kids!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 5 plus
Fairytale Fiasco: Jack and the Beanstalk
Myles McLeod and Evgenia Golubeva

MEET Cleo! She has a special power and with the help of her friend, Book Mark, she can launch herself into any fairy tale each bedtime and try to fix all the things that go wrong. The problem is that it tends to turn into a fiasco and she has to use her courage and quick wit to save the day! This clever, colourful and enchanting comic-form series is the creation of husband and wife team, author Myles McLeod and illustrator Evgenia Golubeva, and with contemporary, fresh retellings of familiar favourites, each with a brilliant twist, the books dish up everything to entice and entertain newly independent readers. Poor Jack has been tricked into swapping his favourite cow for a handful of beans, and here comes Cleo to save the day! ZIP and BOOM and FLASH and KAZAM! Even Cleo has met her match in the cruel giant at the top of the beanstalk. Luckily she’s brilliant at coming up with clever plans! But can Cleo help Jack grab the golden-egg-laying chicken, harp and coins without getting caught, and be home in time for her bedtime story? Packed full of McLeod’s empathetic storytelling and Golubeva’s endearing and inclusive colour illustrations, and published in a small size book that is tailor-made for little hands, early reading has become a whole lot of fun!
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99 each)

Age 3 plus
Enchanted Beach
Esther Freud and Emma Chinnery

WHO can forget those magical childhood seaside holidays? There is something very special about being beside the sea and this captivating illustrated story about family memories of beaches, sunshine and fun encapsulates all those experiences we treasure. Enchanted Beach – the perfect travelling companion for youngsters heading off on their own summer breaks – is the first picture book from acclaimed novelist Esther Freud and is brought to life by the stunning illustrations of Emma Chinnery. From treasure hunts in spring, summer days spent playing on the beach, flying kites in autumn and walking through buffeting winter storms, the magic of the beach is that it changes with the seasons… and we change with it. Whether it’s brief moments playing in the sand or the bigger milestones of birthdays or New Year’s Day swims, this is an evocative, timeless and heartwarming celebration of your own special moments at the beach… and a story to share time and time again in any season!
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Milo and Twig
Liz Brizzi

WHAT does it mean when someone says, ‘If you love something, let it go’?  Milo and Twig is the exquisitely beautiful author-illustrator debut picture book from Liz Brizzi who brings young readers a loving and gentle story about a boy who rescues and cares for a bird… and then faces the heartbreak of setting him free. The day a little bird called Twig falls out of his nest, he meets a boy called Milo. Milo cares for Twig, building him a new nest in his home, tending to his broken wing and introducing him to his own ‘flock’ of friends. Twig sings his appreciation to Milo as his wing heals, and they become the best of friends. But Twig is still a bird and soaring along with Milo on his bike just isn’t the same as spreading his wings in the air. When Twig stops singing, Milo is left with a hard decision about the one last, but very important, thing his best friend needs to heal. Brizzi’s moving and gorgeously illustrated tale of Milo and Twig helps little ones to understand the quiet courage needed to let go of something or someone you love… and the joy to be found in freeing a loved one to become their true and happy self. The gift of love in a book!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Ben’s Library
Amani Uduman and Joanna Bartel

YOUNG bookworms will be cuddling up with this heartwarming picture book which celebrates books, libraries and the joys of friendship from Amani Uduman, a children’s author based in Melbourne, and fellow Aussie Joanna Bartel, an illustrator who draw much of her inspiration from everyday life with her three children. Elissa loves reading and her bookshelf overflows with all the story books that she has read. One day she tries to borrow several books from the school library only to realise that she can’t carry them home in her bag. However, her new neighbour, Ben, also shares her love of reading. As their friendship blossoms, Ben’s wheelchair proves to be the key to helping Elissa with her quest to read even more books! With themes of community, determination, problem solving and helping others, this beguiling picture book packs in wise words, richly detailed and colourful illustrations… and all the fun of friendship.  
(New Frontier Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Space runners, a Bard dream and future fun

Head for the skies with a funny, action-packed space adventure, enjoy Shakespeare’s iconic plays in a new and more accessible format, enter an amazing maze – if you dare – and find out if you can steal the future, and return to a magical kingdom based on real English history with a summertime selection of new books

Age 7 plus
Galaxy Runners: Jello Breaks the Universe
James Lancett

IF you need something delivered in space (with no questions asked!), the Galaxy Runners could be just what you’re looking for. Head for the skies with this funny, action-packed space adventure from illustrator and animator James Lancett who combines a black and white highly illustrated text with eye-catching comic strip panels... perfect for your reluctant readers. Working against greedy Warp Co., twins Kas and Fig run their plucky business with the help of Skipper, their risk-taking artificial assistant, and Mags, their volcanic hired security. They spend their time adventuring across the galaxy, escaping perilous dangers and making a quick space-buck along the way. Then, one day, they agree to transport a mysterious canister across the galaxy and soon discover it contains Jello… an adorable, gooey, shape-shifting alien being with unexpected, life-changing powers. And that means greedy bad guys across the universe are soon trying to get their hands on him! Can the Galaxy Runners escape the clutches of Warp Co.? And where exactly will Jello and his super-poop end up? Lancett certainly knows how to woo young and less confident readers with his accessible short, punchy chapters, comic panels and loads of eye-catching illustration. Packed full of comedy, creative characters and universe-saving action, this is visual storytelling at its best… and most alluring!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 11 plus
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
and Othello
William Shakespeare

‘Are you sure That we are awake? It seems to me That yet we sleep, we dream.’ 

GREAT literature should be available to everyone and that’s a concept that is always close to the heart of dyslexia-friendly publishers Barrington Stoke. And there is no greater literature than the iconic plays of William Shakespeare which makes these complete and unabridged dyslexia-friendly editions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello perfectly suited for classroom and exam use. 

Without notes or commentary cluttering the pages, and featuring line spacing that allows for in-text annotations, these beautifully packaged and inclusive books come with super-readable fonts and layouts. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s enchanting comedy of love, magic, mischief and mistaken identities – and Othello, the timeless tragedy in which the dark side of ambition unfolds into a tale of manipulation, jealousy and revenge, follow on from the success of Barrington Stoke’s Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. Now all readers can access and enjoy the Bard’s most popular plays!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £8.99 each)

Age 10 plus
How to Steal the Future
Christopher Edge and Pete Lloyd

ENTER the maze – if you dare – and find out if you can steal the future! Ingenious puzzle master and bestselling author of Escape Room, Christopher Edge returns to entertain and entrance readers with an action-packed adventure full of mind-blowing twists. Billed as The Traitors meets the Spider-Verse, and illustrated by Pete Lloyd, How to Steal the Future features one boy, one missing sister and one sinister labyrinth. The maze is a dangerous place. The maze is ever-changing. The maze has never been solved. Meet twelve-year-old Drew Blake who faces the ultimate challenge. At the heart of a heavily guarded maze lies a secret – known only as the Avenir – which has the power to unlock the future. An experimental device, the Avenir combines quantum computing with next-level artificial intelligence to calculate the future with 100 per cent accuracy. But the system is unstable and the maze is dangerous with obstacles that can change in a heartbeat. Many have tried to steal the Avenir, but no one has ever succeeded. Drew is the latest to try, just like his sister Evie did before him. But Drew has his own secret… he doesn’t care about the Avenir, he must find his sister. Facing dead ends, traps and double-crosses, Drew realises that the maze holds secrets more dangerous than he ever imagined. Can he find the Avenir and save Evie before it’s too late? His future depends on it… Expect to be gripped from first page to last as Edge’s imagination takes readers ducking and diving through the thrills and chills of mazes, mysteries and dangerous secrets. Don’t miss the ride!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Star Breakers: Zeke Zero Vs The Galaxy
Ed Caruana and Chris Hazeldine

EXPECT calamities on overdrive in the first book of a hilarious new sci-fi graphic novel series from Ed Caruana, the British scriptwriter and narrative consultant for the band Gorillaz, and Chris Hazeldine, an illustrator at The Phoenix Comic. Featuring a crew of treasure-hungry Star Breakers on an accidental quest to save the universe, this is speed-of-lightning storytelling alongside artwork full of colour, comedy and the craziest characters this side of the moon. So meet Zeke Zero who has been living his worst life ever since his dad traded him for a spare battery when he was a baby. But 13-year-old Zeke gets by. Or he did, until he ‘borrowed’ the wrong priceless star map and was forced to join a crackpot crew of Star Breakers… brave (foolish) souls who dare to search dying worlds for (sometimes) incredible treasures. Their first job? Finding an ancient god’s eyeball hidden on a monster-infested planet somewhere in the depths of space. Preferably before the evil, undead Princess Grizelda does, or the galaxy is pretty much doomed. Locked in a race across the galaxy, Zeke and his crewmates, the grouchy Captain Tooms and mysterious Astrid of Elsewhere, will have to work together to dodge the monsters and mayhem, and discover a secret that puts the whole universe at risk. Chances of success? Virtually ZERO... Climb aboard and enjoy the epic and fun-filled ride because this is a series set to visit our galaxy time and time again!
(Puffin, paperback, £10.99)

Age 9 plus
Jed Greenleaf and the Stolen Queen
Kieran Larwood

RETURN to the life of a thrilling superhero and his epic power battles as master storyteller Kieran Larwood brings young readers the second adventure featuring shape-shifter Jed Greenleaf in the magical kingdom of Albion. Larwood, whose imagination is as boundless as the epic worlds he creates, plunges us into a gripping tale full of intriguing references to folklore and based on real English history unearthed from the brief Tudor reign of doomed Lady Jane Grey. Albion city is governed by a puppet queen, secretly controlled by Lord Cromwell, and power-hungry Guilds all compete to rule alongside the queen. Orphan Jed Greenleaf was adopted by the Leaf Guild and found to have the extraordinary ability to transform into a half-tree, covered over with bark. And now Jed is looking forward to his second Arthanfest tournament when disaster strikes, throwing the whole kingdom into utter turmoil… the queen is kidnapped, Guy Fawkes is lurking in the shadows, and a dark and powerful new magick is bubbling up in the shadows. The army appears to have been bewitched in some way, and soon a hidden guild emerges from the shadows, putting the very future of Albion under threat. Luckily Jed can harness the power of the forest, with superhuman strength and body armour as tough as bark. But is his strength a match for the threat from Guy Fawkes?

Larwood – author of the hugely popular The World of Podkin One-Ear rabbit world series – works his magic again on this spectacular blend of fantasy and realism as we follow Jed’s new and breathtaking adventure, filled with magical oak forests and dastardly villains, and starring a hero who – against all odds – finds the courage and determination to right wrongs, fight evil, and win battles. A fabulous feast of fantasy!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary:
The Phantom Pooper
Jim Smith

BRACE yourselves for the latest trip round the U-bend with the Poopies, aka best friends Pedro, Olga and Ozzy... their initials just happen to spell the word POO and they are the stars of a smelly (but hilariously funny!) graphic novel series from the master of mischief himself, Jim Smith. Creator of the bestselling Barry Loser books, Smith has his finger firmly on the pulse of what makes kids (and grown-ups!) laugh… and the pages of his books buzz with energy, madcap antics, and a joyful sense of managed mayhem that is as addictive as it is entertaining. And he is on top form in this crazy, laugh-out-loud series which is packed full of friendship, fun and more toilet jokes than you can shake a plunger at... all expertly delivered in witty bite-sized stories brought to life by Smith’s vibrant artwork. So hold your noses, tag along with our terrible threesome, and enjoy three new and outrageously gross adventures. When school shuts down, Pedro sets up a Dog Poo Business in the park. Next, the Poopies enter an epic farting competition powered by suspicious bubble tea. And finally, when Pedro catches a bad case of Talky-hand-itis, he faces his biggest challenge yet... how will he wipe his bum? Positively fizzing with Smith’s wild and wonderful wit, and perfectly pitched toilet jokes, My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary: The Phantom Pooper is organised chaos for your own fun-lovers and mischief-makers!
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)

Age 6 plus
Beacons of Light
Gemma Koomen

DISCOVER the history, engineering and extraordinary human stories behind the world’s lighthouses – those steadfast guardian of the sea – in this captivating and lavishly illustrated book from Northumberland-based author and artist Gemma Koomen. From the fire-lit towers of ancient Greece to storm-swept cliffs in northern Europe, misty coastal cities in Japan and rugged North American shores where lighthouse beams still sweep the sea, Beacons of Light takes young readers on a captivating adventure, exploring the history and wonder of these majestic beacons. Long ago, under starlit skies, sailors drifted through wild waves and darkness, searching for a way home. Then, far off in the distance, a flicker, a flame, a lighthouse, a beacon of hope pierced the darkness and guided them to safety. Koomen’s informative text and colourful illustrations explore the fascinating stories behind lighthouses, the variety of their locations, from places of worship to bustling cities and remote islands, their enduring lights, and the ingenious ways humans have tamed the sea and brought light to the darkness. From the first flickering fires to the powerful lamps of today, this is a captivating adventure for readers young and old.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Pyramid Boy
Satoshi Kitamura

HAVE you ever wondered what life was like in Ancient Egypt? Travel back in time and discover a fascinating day-in-the-life adventure with award-winning illustrator Satoshi Kitamura. Using watercolour scenes of everyday life in ancient Egypt, and lots of intriguing facts which support the Key Stage 2 history curriculum, Kitamura brings the past to glorious life in this brilliant picture book. When a boy gets lost exploring a museum, he finds himself falling through time and landing in ancient Egypt! Join him as he discovers how to decode hieroglyphs, meets a pharaoh, sees a mummy being made, and witnesses how the pyramids were built. Packed with intricate artwork and captivating facts, this is the ideal introduction to the wonders of Ancient Egypt!
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Big Tiger
Marta Altés

YOU'RE never too big for a hug! Smiles (and hugs!) guaranteed when little ones get their hands on this joyful picture book about gaining independence and growing up from award-winning author and illustrator Marta Altés, whose prodigious storytelling and illustration talents have made her a worldwide favourite. Meet a tiger who used to be small… but not any more! This tiger is now the oldest, which means this tiger is BIG. But the jungle is even BIGGER and full of big creatures. It’s a scary place for a tiger alone but don’t worry tiger, Mum is never far behind! You might be too big for kisses and too big for tears, but no matter how big you get, you are NEVER too big for a hug. Altés’ joyful jungle adventure perfectly captures a child’s first steps towards independence… and delivers reassuring messages about the unbreakable bond between parents and children. Packed with bold, colourful and heartwarming illustrations, this is the perfect story for older siblings who feel grown up but are still quite little themselves!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Duck Delivers… Cake!
Tom Tinn-Disbury

DELIVERY Duck finds himself all at sea in the second book of author and illustrator Tom Tinn-Disbury’s quacking good picture book series for little ones who love being on the ‘go’! Duck loves his life scooting around as a Delivery Duck for Feather Force. Even though he may get into a few flaps here and there, his deliveries are somehow always on time. But when he’s tasked by Ostrich Bosstrich with delivering a very tall, very large and very special cake to a party all the way across town, Duck realises he will need to trade in his scooter for something with a bit more power to get there by sunset. Can this plucky Duck make it in time? Or will chaos be the only thing Duck delivers today? What should have been a piece-of-cake delivery turns into a shipload of trouble for our feathered friend who once more rises higher than he’d thought possible in this vibrantly illustrated, fun-filled and laugh-out-loud story about perseverance, delivery chaos and… a giant cake! A transport of delight…
(‎Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Ready for School!
Sophie Aggett and Jannie Ho

SPEND an exciting day at school with some friendly forest classmates as they learn their numbers, eat their lunch and take part in show-and-tell! Ready for School – with a sweet and funny rhyming text by Sophie Aggett, Jannie Ho’s adorable illustrations, and reusable stickers in a fold-out school bag – is the perfect read for little ones preparing to start school or nursery. Children will love finding the right sticker to help the animals complete each of the familiar school tasks, as well as discovering the reward stickers to share. For little ones who might be anxious about starting school and adapting to new routines, this board book will help to settle their nerves as they interact with characters enjoying a typical school day and locate the correct stickers. Ideal to read and share with children again and again… simply rinse the stickers to refresh their stickiness!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Pincho: Nothing IS Possible
Ben Sanders

NOTHING IS possible… if you think that doesn’t make sense, turn the pages of Ben Sanders’ delightful picture book and take a lesson in the simple joys of being yourself! Pincho is a capybara who never hurries and never worries. He is calm and content. A giant snake could wrap right round Pincho and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid. This guy is definitely chill. But today is a new opportunity just waiting to be seized, and one little yellow bird is determined that Pincho will seize it. There will be a to-do list, endless activities, and even a breathtaking escape from the jaws of danger! Pincho is about to teach the bird, and us all, the value of rest and relaxation. Nothing is possible. Yes, you read that right the first time. Nothing IS possible! Awash in Sanders’ gloriously multi-coloured artwork, and featuring his perfectly understated text, laidback Pincho’s messages about staying calm, being yourself, and accepting that sometimes the best thing to do can be nothing will win the hearts of readers young and old!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
10-Minute Amazing Activities
Selina Wood and Rosalind Maroney

YOUNGSTERS will love getting creative with this boredom-busting activity book, packed full of fun puzzles, colouring scenes and crafts. Written by Selina Wood and illustrated by Rosalind Maroney, 10-Minute Amazing Activities features a wide range of favourite topics, including animals, space, vehicles, ocean, dinosaurs, magical creatures, food and music. With things to make yourself, including a press-out lion mask, a personalised monkey door hanger and a ‘Bee happy!’ greetings card, stencils and over 100 incredible stickers, this hands-on fun and imaginative activity book will keep children entertained for hours!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
A is for Apple Sticker Activity Book
Hettie Cox and Summer Macon

HELP your child learn the alphabet with this interactive sticker activity book which comes with over 150 high-quality stickers! Written by Hettie Cox and illustrated by Summer Macon, the A is for Apple Sticker Activity Book contains 60 exciting activities to complete, including colouring, tracing, drawing, dot-to-dot, mazes, puzzles and more. Clear guides on letter formation combined with Macon’s beautifully engaging artwork cannot fail to capture little ones’ imaginations and inspire hours of early learning entertainment. With such an abundance of adorable stickers to use, learning the alphabet is as easy as ABC!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Poo in the Zoo
Steve Smallman and Ada Grey

BOTTOMS up as Steve Smallman and Ada Grey, the king and queen of splat, patter and plop, return with a brilliant hold-your-nose board book edition of their much-loved Poo in the Zoo classic! Few children can resist sharing the fun of a poopy kind of adventure, and author Smallman and illustrator Grey’s gloriously funny story, featuring everyone’s favourite little zookeeper Bob McGrew and his inventor friend Hector Gloop, has it – literally – in bucketfuls. ‘There was tiger poo, lion poo, prickly porcupine poo, Plummeting giraffe poop that landed with a splat. Dollops of gnu poo, bouncy kangaroo poo, A trail of drippy droppings from a fat wombat!’ Zoo Keeper Bob is exhausted. There’s too much poo in the zoo – and he’s the one who has to scoop it up. Then one day, a mysterious glowing poo appears! Could it be alien poop from outer space? And what on EARTH will Bob do with it? With Smallman’s romping rhyme and deliciously cheeky wordplay, and Grey’s rib-tickling, action-packed illustrations, this methane-fuelled adventure is definitely not to be sniffed at… and is a joy to read aloud. Laughter guaranteed from first poo to last!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Teacup
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

AUTHOR and illustrator Chris Naylor-Ballesteros touches our hearts again with The Teacup, a beautiful companion to The Suitcase, his powerful picture book about empathy and kindness to strangers which was shortlisted for the 2020 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. This new, gentle and thoughtful story reflects on themes of understanding and compassion for strangers and outsiders. Long ago, the animals befriended a strange-looking creature who arrived from nowhere with a suitcase containing a teacup and a photograph of home. The stranger soon found sanctuary and calm. Now, there is a new mysterious stranger who they are sure is nothing but a… thief! It’s only when everything goes wrong that they realise that things may not be as simple as they think. With its warm heart and messages of tolerance and trust, brought to vibrant life by Naylor-Ballesteros’ evocative illustrations and their eye-catching use of colour and expression, The Teacup reminds readers that everyone has a story to tell, wherever they come from. And don’t forget the free Nosy Crow Stories Aloud® audiobook! Simply scan the code and hear the story.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age from birth
You're My Little Cuddle Bug
Nicola Edwards and Natalie Marshall

MAKE bath time splash time alongside the adorable Cuddle Bug, star of the bestselling You're My Little… series, with this adorable bath book which produces colour-changing effects when it’s dipped in water! This cute, illustrated bath book, made from polyurethane foam, will keep little ones engaged and curious as they join Cuddle Bug for a day full of adventures. Enjoy little faces lighting up as they watch a sun, rainbow, and even Mama Bug appear on the pages. Full of Natalie Marshall’s brightly coloured illustrations, a sweet cast of characters, and Nicola Edwards’ rhyming text, this bath book stimulates babies’ senses and adds extra fun to bathtime!
(Little Tiger Press, bath book, £9.99)

A Fatal Legacy

Charlotte Vassell

WHEN Digby Coombe-Watson – the reluctant owner of his odious Victorian ancestor’s crumbling museum of purloined colonial ‘horrors’ – is found murdered, Met Detective Inspector Caius Beauchamp is soon on duty and unravelling a case that has ties uncomfortably close to home.

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 fourth book of Charlotte Vassell’s fun, quirky and entertaining whodunit series.

After the runaway success of The Other Half, The In Crowd and A Deadly Inheritance, award-winning Vassell (below) delivers another gripping, high-energy police procedural set within the upper echelons of London’s rich and powerful milieu, and exploring contemporary issues like fame, celebrity, online dating and the deadly dangers of obsession. It’s a tale with disparate plot threads which draw almost magically together and unfold against an intriguing murder case littered with wickedly incisive social commentary, plenty of twists and turns, and a cast of captivating characters who could only have been conjured up by a writer who also trained to tread the boards.

After discovering that his late grandfather, the Jamaican son of a second son, had inherited a baronetcy, and coming to terms with his family’s consequent change in fortune, the last thing Irish-Jamaican Caius Beauchamp needs is the embarrassment of a bust-up at the Chelsea Flower Show.

His milliner girlfriend Callie’s ex-boyfriend turned up drunk as she was filming and started a fight with handsome hunk Caius, all of which had since gone viral on social media and was causing ‘a collective swoon.’ Fortunately for Caius, his chirpy fellow officers, DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes, are distracted from their teasing by reports of a murder at the Horatio Combe Institute in Camden.

Owner and curator Digby Coombe-Watson has been found poisoned by hemlock on the floor of the institute that houses his 19^th century adventurer great-grandfather’s motley collection of, among other grisly displays, dead animals and shrunken human heads garnered from gallivanting all over the empire.

The unsuspecting Digby’s demise began when he fixed up an online candlelit dinner date for two with a mysterious woman called Isolde at the institute despite those important rules about first dates… don’t talk about your ex, ask lots of questions, and always meet in a public place.

Digby, who regarded himself as ‘an intellectual who only cares about the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of history,’ didn’t think the rules applied to him. And he had other worries,

Circle of Days

Ken Follett

FOR almost 5,000 years Stonehenge has passed through different building stages, stood proudly through all weathers, and observed the slings and arrows of British history from its perch on the grassy slopes of Salisbury Plain.

Mystery still surrounds this magnificent edifice, its provenance unknown except that it was built to align with the sun’s rays. But why was it placed exactly there, who constructed it in the form we now see... and how did Bronze Age communities move and handle those giant stones?

It's an ages-old puzzle which master storyteller and bestselling author of the celebrated The Pillars of the Earth series, Ken Follett (pictured below), tackles with his legendary panache, energy, research and a huge helping of imagination. Circle of Days is expansive world-building on a breathtaking scale as this inventive writer brings not only his version of the past to vivid life but treats us to a story which delights with its earthy evocation of a virtually unknown-to-us Neolithic society and dares to envision how that famous stone circle might have been built.

With a laser focus on a small community – bearing names like Scagga, Cog, Wun, Keff and Olf which Follett must have found fun to invent – readers are plunged into the very basic existence of people who live, love, work the land and utilise the natural resources of this area of Salisbury Plain. The result is an entertaining and richly detailed portrait of men and women forever striving for civilisation’s progress but falling prey to the strife, jealousies and hostilities that are the very essence of being human.

In the year 2000 BC, Seft, his father and two older brothers dig pits and mine for flint, the hardest of all stones which, with its sharp cutting edge, is used for everything from axes to arrowheads to knives, and can be traded for essentials like food, clothing and livestock.

But of all his family, Seft is the only one with an exceptional talent working and using flint… his father and brothers are violent, vulgar brutes who hate him and he dreams of leaving them

The Haunting of a Brontë

Amelia Blackwell

WHAT would happen if Georgiana, younger sister of Pride and Prejudice’s swoonworthy hero Fitzwilliam Darcy, met Branwell, the troubled only brother of the famous Brontë sisters, shining stars of the 19th century literary firmament?

It’s an intriguing premise which is tackled with relish by Cornwall-based Amelia Blackwell (pictured below) in the second of her time-travelling Miss Darcy Investigates adventures, part of a debut cosy crime series which began with A Crime Through Time and was inspired by last year’s 250th anniversary celebrations of Jane Austen’s birth.

Taking the leading role in these quirky and original mysteries is the delectable Miss Georgiana Darcy, best known to Austen fans as Mr Darcy’s meek and naïve sister but here transformed into a rather cute but canny detective travelling backwards and forwards through time and space from Pemberley in 1799 to solve murders with a literary twist. And after falling for an Irish security guard named Quinn, a man ‘with an exceptionally pleasing countenance,’ on her first time-travel journey to a film set in Devon in 1995 – where she had to reckon with the misunderstandings and mysteries of life and love in the late 20^th century – we find Georgiana back at Pemberley in 1799 and despairing of ever again meeting her new beau Quinn.

The reason is that her trusty Motorola pager – the precious item that Georgiana found by accident but which has proved to be her passport to ‘the magic of time travel’ – is refusing to re-activate. But she still firmly believes that a ‘higher power’ is sending her to the future to solve mysteries and murders, and ‘promote good over evil.’ 

When the Motorola finally buzzes back to life, Georgiana finds herself in 1845, only forty-six years in the future, and at gloomy Thorp Green Hall in Yorkshire. It’s the home of the ageing Reverend Robinson and his decades younger wife… and also the place where Branwell and Anne Brontë are employed as the children’s tutor and governess. Mistaken for the eldest and troublesome daughter Lydia’s ‘special companion,’ Georgiana settles in but anticipates she has been drawn to Thorp Green Hall for a reason… to investigate another murder. However, even before she discovers the cook’s father dead on a