CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Runaway thrills, epic fails and a world of mystery

Spring is finally here and a new collection of April children’s books has hit the shelves so get set and go on a soaring adventure with a house that’s on the run, then pack your bags and head off to the ski slopes with everyone’s favourite tween girl Lottie, and don’t forget to book in at the Royal Institute of Magic to help track down the world’s most powerful weapon

Age 9 plus
The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away
Sophie Anderson, Elisa Paganelli
and Melissa Castrillon

SIT back, make yourself comfortable, and get ready for the most fabulous fantastical journey you will take this spring! Lake District author Sophie Anderson, who won critical acclaim and a place on the CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlist for her 2018 debut novel, The House with Chicken Legs, returns with a thrilling sequel set in the same extraordinary world which was inspired by Slavic folk tales and the stories of her Prussian grandmother. Brimming with the same fairy-tale magic, themes of friendship and stunning world-building of the first book, The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away features Anderson’s trademark sublime and lyrical storytelling, a gift which allows her to sweep readers away to soaring, evocative landscapes where folklore and realism blend together in memorable, mesmerising adventures.

So meet Marinka who has lived all her life in her house with chicken legs… a Yaga house which has always been kind, generous, playful and protective. It is a house where dead souls come to celebrate their lives before being guided to the stars in a beautiful, comforting ceremony. Running across the world on thrilling adventures, Marinka knows how her house is feeling, and it listens to her, too. But something is wrong. And before anyone can stop it, the house has pulled itself apart and run away. With her friend Benjamin and jackdaw Jack, Marinka races after the house to find answers. Travelling across far-distant lands, through new realms and magical places, Marinka must face up to her fears to save her friends. But her house might not want to stop running...

Thanks to a beautiful prologue, The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away can easily be read as a standalone and is generously littered with the stuff of fairy story dreams, and all set in a fantastical parallel world full of mysticism and magic. But it is also grounded in traditional values like courage and compassion, love, caring and belonging, and explores big ideas and questions about what it is to be human, and the sorrows and joys of the circle of life. Brought to vivid, vibrant life by the atmospheric artwork of Elisa Paganelli and Melissa Castrillon, illustrators of the original book, The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away is another triumph. Filled with rich and descriptive detail, nail-biting suspense, a pulsing sense of danger, and powerful emotions, this is a story in the running to be one of the best of 2026!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks
Katie Kirby

PACK your bags, and put on your helmets because everyone’s favourite tween girl, Lottie Brooks, is back… and it’s non-stop laughs, non-stop fails and non-stop cringe all the way down the ski slopes! The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks is the ninth book in Katie Kirby’s hilarious and relatable tales of Lottie’s adventures and misadventures... part of a runaway successful series that is being devoured by an army of young readers who lap up the extremely embarrassing antics of the irrepressible schoolgirl. Kirby – who has her finger firmly on the pulse of girls in those unique (and notoriously awkward!) ‘tweenage’ years ­– writes and illustrates this perfectly pitched series and has a natural gift for finding humour in recognisable, everyday challenges with the mega-funny Lottie Brooks capturing all the giggle-worthy and cringe-inducing essence of this often intensely self-conscious pre- and early-teen time of life. Here we find Lottie hoping she has finally exhausted every possible way to embarrass herself. From her brother broadcasting her bra size to the world, to getting her head stuck in a coffin during an escape room, she has ‘completed’ the cringe list… or so she thinks! 

Consequently, when she is invited to join her friend Amber’s family on a once in a lifetime skiing holiday, what could possibly go wrong?! Amber, it seems, has seen the light and returned to the Queens of Eight Green. Phew! But the holiday does throw up one tiny problem… Lottie has never been skiing before and she doesn’t know her piste from her poles! How hard can it be, though? Join Lottie as she learns how to ski with old and new friends, tries fondue for the first time, and discovers what the banana of destiny has in store for her. Will this be the best holiday ever or is it all downhill disasters from here?

Youngsters will love meeting up again with Lottie as she navigates the pitfalls and perils of growing up in this fantastically funny and yet wonderfully life-affirming new chapter of her chaotic journey through troublesome friends, trying family members, pre-teen politics, and an endless series of embarrassing moments. Guaranteed to have young teens giggling, gasping and cringing all the way to a new school term!
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)

Age 9 plus
Royal Institute of Magic: The Protectors
Victor Kloss

THE most powerful weapon in magic is missing and a boy’s life depends on finding it... Immerse yourself in the third adventure of the extraordinarily entertaining Royal Institute of Magic fantasy series from master storyteller Victor Kloss who sadly died in 2016 aged 36 while writing the sixth and final book which was later completed with the help of his wife Tara and brother Darren.

Two years after his parents mysteriously vanished without a trace, Ben Greenwood discovered the Royal Institute of Magic and a hidden new world full of mind-blowing magic and fantastical creatures. Now Ben is continuing his apprenticeship at the Institute hoping things will be slightly less complicated now that he has advanced to the second grade. Fat chance… Coupled with the sterner challenges that the second grade brings, there is also the small matter of the impending dark elf invasion, making life at the Institute even busier than usual. Ben is the only one who can stop them, by finding Elizabeth’s Armour and its Guardians. Ben has retrieved one piece of the Armour – the boots – but the rest remain hidden. He has just one clue, which could lead to Elizabeth’s Helm… an old black and white photo given to him by the Master of Apprentices. Ben must split his time between his apprenticeship and searching for the helm, before the dark elves strike and all hell breaks loose.

Kloss lived in a small town in West Sussex where he built websites by day and by night, wrote stories full of fast-paced action and prodigious imagination for children who love secrets, danger and magic.  So if you thought that magic isn’t real, you’re going to get the surprise of your life when you embark on another thrill ride into an amazing world of mystery!
(Vinci Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
We Are Dragon
Alastair Chisholm

WHEN everything is at stake, how do you stay human? Return to a thrillingly imagined dystopian world packed with big ideas, spine-tingling danger and jaw-dropping surprises as highly-acclaimed author Alastair Chisholm unleashes the epic conclusion to his dazzling sci-fi trilogy. With a bold and highly original ‘other world’ at the heart of the stories, a cast of unforgettable characters, and plenty of thought-provoking concepts, Chisholm’s rip-roaring series – which has included I Am Wolf and I Am Raven – has brought youngsters page-turning adventures which enthral from first page to last. Rieka’s world is on fire. She has lived her whole life aboard Constructs, giant mechanical creatures that battle each other for territory. Now a new enemy has swept across the land… Dragon. And even with all the survivors united against it, Dragon is winning. Technically brilliant, Rieka believes that she alone can turn the war. But the path she sets out on is dangerous, both for her and her friends. And all the while, there is a truth about herself she must face… if she doesn’t, she could destroy everything she’s trying to save. With her world on fire, can Rieka extinguish her internal battles and the real-world war that threatens everyone? Or will Dragon engulf them all?

Expect to be bewitched and bedazzled by Chisholm’s imaginative power as Rieka’s fascinating, fearsome world rolls out across 208 pages of action, intrigue, peril and unlikely alliances. Packed full of menace and suspense, featuring world-building at its mesmerising best, and with hidden danger waiting round every corner, We Are Dragon is the thrill-packed finale we have all been waiting for!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
What it was like in Ancient Benin
David Long and Stefano Tambellini

STEP into the world of the ancient Kingdom of Benin on the west coast of Africa and discover a small but rich and powerful civilisation which lasted for more than 700 years before disappearing in the 19^th century. Award-winning non-fiction writer David Long takes readers on a captivating exploration of the daily life, culture and legacy of the unique Edo people in the sixth book of his enthralling What It Was Like to Be... series. An expert in distilling complex stories from the past into an informative and entertaining format for young readers, Long skilfully explains everything about this land of warrior kings in a fact-packed and accessible introduction to a famous ancient civilisation. Under the rule of the Oba, the Kingdom of Benin was one of the richest and most powerful in West Africa. Behind a network of massive walls, its vibrant capital city boasted the Oba’s impressive palace, filled with intricate artworks, while the Edo people worked as skilled artisans, formidable hunters and talented traders. Yet as European influence began to grow, so did the challenges that faced the Benin kingdom. From the omnipotent power of their warrior-kings to the devastating impact of the slave trade, Long unearths the remarkable stories of life, trade, and the unique culture of the Edo people. With all the intriguing facts about the people and their world brought to vivid life by Stefano Tambellini’s rich artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a top class series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Megalomaniacs: The Invasion Begins!
Jamie Smart

SAY hello to some tiny terrors who are BIG on monstrous mayhem! If you haven’t already guessed, the multi-million copy bestselling phenomenon Jamie Smart is back with a new graphic comic book series jam-packed with out-of-this-world comedy and chaos. Megalomaniacs is the latest addition to the Phoenix Comic Books series, published by David Fickling Books in partnership with The Phoenix comic, which goes from strength to strength, a success story that is due in large part to the genius of the extraordinarily talented illustrator Smart. So what are Megalomaniacs, you may ask. Well… there are three things you need to know about Megalomaniacs. They are TERRORS from outer space, there are LOADS of them and they are TINY! Bobbletown is under attack from the cutest, silliest and zaniest alien invasion ever! The super-powered Megalomaniacs have crash-landed and they’re going to do their very best to take over planet Earth. That is, if they don’t get in each other’s way first… Smart's uniquely exuberant humour and artwork prove irresistible yet again and youngsters can rest assured that this latest wild and wonderful extravaganza is like NOTHING they have ever before read!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
Keeping Possession
Eve Ainsworth and Luna Valentine

MEET a talented young footballer who must tackle the complex dynamics of friendship breakdown without losing sight of pursuing her dreams. Keeping Possession is the new empathetic and insightful sports tale in the fourth book of acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth’s much-loved Lightmoor Lionesses series. The Carnegie Medal-nominated writer has used the exciting story of Lancashire’s real-life Dick, Kerr Ladies FC – the team of ordinary factory girls from Preston who made footballing history during the First World War – in her creative books. But this sensitively written, contemporary series shines a light on topics that are close to the heart of youngsters in 21^st century society. Eboni’s decision to join the Lightmoor Lionesses has led to a falling-out with her closest friends on her old team. They feel betrayed and Eboni is frozen out at school. Feeling isolated, she is delighted when she forms a new friendship with popular Olivia, quickly realising that they have loads in common. But there’s one problem. Olivia isn’t interested in football and can’t understand Eboni’s dedication to the sport that she loves. Will Eboni stay true to herself or will she sacrifice her footballing dreams for friendship? Published in Barrington Stoke’s dyslexia-friendly format, and vibrantly illustrated by Luna Valentine, the sympathetically told tale of Eboni’s friendship dilemma is an ideal read for children navigating their own friendship dramas for the first time while the series reinforces the positive impact of female football.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

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

A NEW school and a new island home far away from the big city have transformed Tia’s life... and when your mum is a vet anything can happen! Acclaimed and award-winning children’s author and former vet Gill Lewis works her special brand of animal magic on this inspirational illustrated Island Vet series which follows Tia and her mother’s exciting life on Gull Haven Island. In this fifth conservation-themed adventure, Tia discovers the true magic of the elusive storm petrel amidst island tales of long-lost fairies and pirate chickens. Long-lost fairies hiding near the lighthouse… and chickens belonging to a sea witch that warn sailors of coming storms? There are a lot of wild stories going about as some tall ships seek shelter in Gull Haven Bay. Tia and Nat don’t believe any of them to begin with. But when Nat’s dad helps unravel the truth, they learn about a seabird that’s in danger. Can Tia and Nat find a way to help, and will it allow them to rediscover the magic of the real world all around them in their island home? Teamed with the beautifully emotive illustrations of Irina Avgustinovich, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this heartwarming and inspirational series is ideal for young animal lovers and children who are passionate about taking care of our natural world.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
The Runaway Tortoise
Holly Webb and Ocean Hughes

ENJOY having your heartstrings well and truly tugged in a gentle and moving story from bestselling author Holly Webb who has written over 130 books for children. Featuring a family’s hunt for their missing 45-year-old tortoise, a story brought to vibrant life by the bright and colourful illustrations of Ocean Hughes, The Runaway Tortoise is the latest book in the super-readable Little Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators, and a host of clever design and finishing techniques, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, to create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a format ideal for little hands, and with some extra activity fun inside the cover. Ava thinks that her tortoise Albert is the most boring pet ever. She can’t take him for walks or even cuddle him! But when Auntie Grace’s dog frightens Albert with all his barking, Ava comes home from school to find a great big hole under the fence… and the shocking discovery that Albert has made a daring escape! And now that he’s gone, Ava realises just how much she loves her tortoise. Will she be able to track down Albert and bring him home? Packed with heartwarming storytelling, beautiful artwork and fun activities, this is the perfect early chapter book for all animal fans and youngsters taking the first steps on the path to reading independence.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Mirabelle and the Enchanted Sea Globe
Harriet Muncaster

BEING different is fun… especially when it comes to making mischief! From the magical world of author and illustrator Harriet Muncaster’s much-loved half-vampire, half-fairy Isadora Moon comes her impish, lovable cousin Mirabelle Starspell who puts the nice into being naughty. Mirabelle's mum is a witch, her dad is a fairy, and she is a bit of both. She likes casting spells with her fairy wand and flying around on her witchy broomstick, but most of all the thing she really, really likes to do is cause mischief. Here we find Mirabelle and her family on holiday and staying in a lovely cottage by the sea. There’s just one problem… they’re not meant to be using magic. Can Mirabelle manage a whole week without any magical mischief? Of course not! But perhaps she can use a teeny bit of magic to create a magical creature? Just for one night… Full to its sparkly covers with crazy capers and striking purple and black illustrations, this enchanting series of first chapter books is perfect for early readers who like their glitter with a bit of knockabout, naughty fun. Clever, imaginative, funny and positively fizzing with potions and broomsticks, Mirabelle’s misadventures always leave youngsters eager for more!
(Oxford University Press Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
The Moonlight Mystery Agency: The Case of the Race
Vashti Hardy and Agnes Saccani

JOIN a little girl and her detective cat on their mission to track down Brumble the bear wizard’s missing medals before a running race is won in the third book of a marvellously magical series from Blue Peter award-winning author Vashti Hardy and illustrator Agnes Saccani. The Moonlight Mystery Agency series is part of publisher Barrington Stoke’s super-readable Little Gems series which comes with a host of clever design and finishing techniques, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, to create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a format ideal for little hands. It’s race time for the animals of Moonlight, but disaster has struck! Brumble the bear wizard has lost the winners’ medals! Hana and her cat Ace from the Moonlight Mystery Agency must use their detective skills to track down the medals, but can they also find time to enjoy all the wonders they see along the way? Wordsmith Hardy conjures up her world-building magic while Saccani’s illustrations bring the adorable characters and their fun-filled adventures to colourful life. Add on an intriguing puzzle inside the front cover and you have the perfect early reading package.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 4 plus
Now You Know Your ABC
(Or do you?)
Caspar Salmon and Matt Hunt

LEARNING the alphabet is fun when you join the top team of author Caspar Salmon and illustrator Matt Hunt on a romp right through from A to Z! But you’ll have to mind your Ps and Qs because a wolf is chasing you and he’s a master of disguise… The award-winning and irrepressible creators of How to Count to One have set their sights on teaching the alphabet now and this hilarious race from A to Z puts the reader firmly in the driving seat. So you think you know your ABCs, right? Great! A is for apple, B is for ball, C is for castle… you get it. But is it really that easy? What if D is for dog, but that dog in the picture is actually a wolf in disguise? And that wolf starts chasing you through all the other letters? Get ready to learn your ABCs like never before as you journey pell-mell through the alphabet and try to outsmart that dangerous wolf. And with giggles guaranteed right through to the last page, Hunt’s comical illustrations, and a free Stories Aloud QR code audio recording to enjoy, learning the alphabet has never been so much fun!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Bear and the Seed
Poonam Mistry

MARVEL at the ethereal beauty and timeless wonder of an exquisite new picture book from Greenaway-shortlisted author and illustrator Poonam Mistry. The Bear and the Seed is a gentle, hopeful and heartwarming fable about protecting and preserving nature’s beauty, brought to life by stunning illustrations. Bear lives in the bountiful forest, filled with breathtaking flowers and plants, and trees that tower up to the sun. One night, the trees and plants disappear and when the animals wake up, they begin to flee the forest in grief. But when Bear finds a lonely seed, he works tirelessly to help it grow, seeking words of advice from the few animals that pass by. He shades it from the harsh wind and cold snowy season, but nature’s power is unavoidable and soon it is time for him to hibernate. Bear hopes that by the time he wakes up, his determination will help the forest renew. Using a resonant and lyrical text, and a landscape rendered in dazzling shades of green, purple, brown and yellow, Mistry’s folktale reminds readers about the importance of caring for the planet and protecting our fragile environment.
(Templar Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Moon’s Lullaby
Júlia Moscardó

TRANSPORT your little ones into the land of sleep with this beautiful picture book that was just made for bedtime reading! Award-winning artist and Carnegie-nominated illustrator Júlia Moscardó uses the power of words and pictures to soothe and calm youngsters after a busy day on the go. ‘Can we have the story of Moon's lullaby?’ asks a little gosling. ‘Yes,’ says Mama. ‘But you will have to be very quiet and listen…’ Day is drawing to a close at the pond but five little goslings aren’t ready to sleep just yet. They want to hear their favourite bedtime story about the animals that Moon watches over on her nightly crossing of the sky. Soon the goslings are wrapped up in their mama's words, scurrying like rabbits, buzzing like bees and croaking like frogs. But as darkness blankets their home, they find themselves feeling sleepier and sleepier… Filled with atmospheric illustrations in an increasingly blue palette to reflect the colours of approaching night time, Moon’s Lullaby follows familiar woodland animals in their final adventures before darkness falls. The perfect last book of the day for tired tots!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Uh-Oh, Niko: The Farm
Chris Chatterton

‘Feed the chickens. What a crowd!
Uh-oh, Niko. That’s so loud!’ 

EVERY toddler needs a helping hand when they are learning about all those recognisable daily routines and familiar places to visit. Whether it’s bathtime, bedtime, going to nursery or spending time at a farm, this gorgeously illustrated, push, pull and slide interactive board book series, starring adorable little bear Niko, from author and illustrator Chris Chatterton puts your toddlers at centre stage. In his new adventure, little ones are invited to help little Niko feed the animals, ride a tractor and waddle with the ducklings. Niko sometimes gets things a little wrong but whatever happens, he always tries again and learns new skills along the way. With a fun-filled rhyming text and colourful illustrations, these sturdy, board books are the perfect way to entertain toddlers and help them with their daily lives.
(Ladybird, board book, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Bunnies Know & Grow
Dr Laura Gehl and Amy Schimler-Safford

YOUNG bunnies know how to do so much, but there is always more to learn! Follow adorable young bunnies and discover the ways they learn as they grow. From snuggling with their siblings to hopping and munching on lettuce, there is so much to learn! Also in the series is Puppies Know & Grow in which little ones follow puppies from sleeping to learning to walk and fetching sticks.

Part of the Barefoot Baby Animals series, these sturdy books – written by award-winning author Dr Laura Gehl and beautifully illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford – feature extra information in the back of the book about how the animals develop. Perfect for animal-loving babies and curious toddlers!
(Barefoot Books, board books, £7.99 each)

Unapologetic Love Story

Elle McNicoll

ON paper, proudly neurodiverse ‘It Girl’ Raina Lewis and overtly cynical investigative journalist Tom Branimir are the unlikeliest of London’s high profile names to fall in love. But fate has a way of trampling on society’s expectations… and sometimes relationships can take everyone by surprise.

Four times Carnegie-nominated autistic novelist and screenwriter Elle McNicoll, whose debut novel for young readers, A Kind of Spark, won several awards and was adapted for TV, has now focused her talents on her first adult romance novel, a torrid, tantalising and thoroughly heartwarming tale celebrating love, relationships, and the women who (until now!) have historically been shut out of love stories.

Diagnosed with autism at the age of nine, McNicoll says twenty years have passed since then and she is still learning what that means, while emphasising that this novel was never intended to ‘teach’ but to present a story with a neurodivergent woman in the lead role with all the ‘complications and joy’ that brings. 

And what an audacious and dazzling experience McNicoll (pictured below) has gifted her readers as we are plunged into the life of the witty and wonderful Raina whose honesty, revelations and deep emotions are guaranteed to evoke both tears and laughter, and provide a searingly authentic portrayal of the very real challenges faced by autistic women.

Twenty-eight-year-old Raina Lewis – her pink streaked blonde hair matched perfectly with a striking pair of fluffy cowgirl boots and a very loud laugh – is London’s newest autistic ‘It Girl’ thanks to her smash-hit podcast, The Disability Track, which celebrates neurodiverse women and is currently dazzling the city’s movers and shakers. Across town is investigative journalist and non-fiction author Tom Branimir who has earned the title ‘King of Cancel Culture’ for his hard-hitting stories about podcasters and influencers who ‘lie to their followers.’ Never afraid to pick up a ‘verbal sword’ for battle, he knows people either don’t like him or fear him but he cares too much about the truth to worry.

Under pressure from his agent to include a piece on the genuinely wholesome Raina Lewis as a ‘palate-cleanser’ section for his next book, he is not convinced that she is as perfectly nice as she seems and if she has a hidden agenda, he’s determined to find it.

When a chance encounter at an annual literary dinner brings them together, Tom – who is jaded with one-night stands and longing for a girlfriend ‘with an intellect that could wrestle with his’ – is soon intoxicated by Raina’s wit and intelligence, and her ‘unapologetic’ laugh which sounds ‘like a bell ringing in a quiet chapel.’ Raina, who has to admit to herself that she feels a reciprocal attraction to Tom, reluctantly agrees to let him profile her for his next book but warns him that if he betrays her or her community, she will end his career… albeit with a smile.

Almost inevitably, what starts as a professional arrangement soon blurs into a sizzling romance. But when Tom – whose reputation has been built on his ability to ‘put up a wall’ against those he investigates – finds his work is coming under scrutiny, he faces a tough decision. Should he save his sought-after career… or the unapologetic love he never thought he’d find?

In true Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy style, McNicoll brings us two memorable sparring partners whose passionate love story unfurls in a flurry of misunderstandings, wrong words and misfirings of serotonin, all aided by a charismatic cast of supporting (and supportive) characters, not least Raina’s irrepressible best friend Pepper whose presence is the ‘oil’ that eases the ‘creaking, cranking hinges’ of Raina’s ‘clunky’ social scene.

Sizzling with sexual tensions, and the busiest, buzziest and yes, unapologetically blistering, dialogue you could hope to find in a contemporary rom-com, this emotionally-charged adult debut allows the fearless McNicoll to let loose both her imagination and her very real, and often intimate, experiences of living with autism… experiences which many of us would freely admit are a blank page. And by shedding new light on to this often hidden psychological turmoil, McNicoll pleases both fellow neurodivergent women who have ‘a special interest in romance,’ and the ‘neurotypicals’ for whom Unapologetic Love Story offers a dazzling and delightful new chapter of understanding and entertainment.

And who better to have the last word than the unforgettable Raina who likes nothing better than upending all the different misconceptions people have about her as an autistic woman… I mean who wants the hackneyed ‘fictional version’ when you can shove those thoughts aside and let the straight-talking Raina take her place?
(Macmillan, hardback, £18.99)

The Name Game

Beth O’Leary

‘I’m on a boat, sailing towards a secluded
island to start a picture-perfect new life.’

CHARLIE Jones is leaving behind her sad memories to take up a post as manager of a farm shop on Ormer, a traffic-free island in the glittering waters of the English Channel.

It might be just a wild adventure on what is basically a small rock in the ocean, or even the emanation of a mad pre-midlife crisis, but Charlie is desperately hoping that it could be the beginnings of her voyage to a longed-for and glorious ‘happily-ever-after.’ What she doesn’t expect is to be caught up in a mind-boggling name game!

If you’ve enjoyed million-copy bestselling author Beth O’Leary’s escapist rom-coms – including her stunning debut novel The Flatshare (now a major TV Series), The Wake-Up Call and Swept Away – then climb aboard and buckle up for The Name Game, a teasing, tantalising and mysterious tale of second chances, fresh starts, and finding lasting love in the most unexpected places. 

Starring roles are a young man and woman, both escaping heartbreak and both seeking solace in scenic seclusion, but don’t expect a routine ‘boy meets girl’ romance because O’Leary (pictured below) has more than one surprise twist up her sleeve… including a final, flabbergasting flourish which will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. 

The Isle of Ormer has a population of 500, soon to be 501, as Charlie Jones arrives by boat to embark on her brand new life as manager at Ormer’s Bramblebay farm shop, the perfect job for her next chapter. Grieving, feeling lost and in desperate need of a fresh start, she was glad to say good riddance to the mainland and hello to fresh air and a clean slate.

Except, there’s one small issue… Charlie Jones has also just arrived on Ormer on the same boat to embark on HIS brand new life. This Charlie is escaping old friends, bad habits and a difficult break-up, and is looking forward to some peace away from the noise of his city life. And his job at Bramblebay farm shop feels like fate, coming just at the right moment.

The new job and a second chance is the best thing that could have happened to both Charlies… until they turn up at Ormer’s one and only farm shop, claiming to have been offered the role of manager. Embarrassed and baffled as to how this could have happened, farm shop owner Rosie – who recognises that they are both ‘bruised souls’ – comes up with a compromise. The two Charlies can share the role for two months and if they can prove they have earned their keep, the job is theirs permanently.

It’s not an ideal situation for the Charlies as they must also share the one-bedroomed converted stable block which is an idyllic place for one person, but decidedly cramped for two. With Mr Charlie Jones now relegated to sleeping in the walk-in wardrobe, and Miss Charlie Jones with a ‘new life agenda’ in which ‘hot’ men are strictly off limits, the path ahead is looking very different to the one they both imagined.

Using the real Channel Island of Sark as her inspiration, O’Leary plays a blinder with this gorgeously romantic and intensely emotional journey into the lives of the two Charlies whose simmering, slow-burn chemistry cannot help but sweep and swoop its way into our hearts. But beneath the playful banter, the secrets and the silences, the ensuing confusion and the island’s entertaining cast of charismatic characters, some of life’s more thought-provoking topics – grief, loss, trauma, addiction, adoption, and the search for happiness – are explored with the author’s trademark humour, insight and empathy.

Much of the book is written through the more intimate medium of the two Charlie Jones’ diary entries and emails, with their turbulent backstories slowly and enticingly unravelling, and providing the perfect stage set for the many powerful emotions and startling revelations that gather pace as they settle into life on Ormer.

With a seductive backdrop of dreamy blue seas and flower-bedecked cliff slopes, the cosy charms of a small island community, and a finale that will leave you gasping, The Name Game is a whole new take on keeping up with the Joneses, and O’Leary’s most audacious – and most captivating – novel yet!
(Quercus, hardback, £18.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Otter antics, teen thoughts and a lovable postmouse

Enjoy the riverside adventures of a nervous little otter, laugh and cry with a ‘tween’ girl facing the challenges of growing up, feast on a chaotic cafe’s tasty blend of cakes, coffee and calamity and join a busy postmouse with a very important parcel to deliver in a sparkling springtime selection

Age 7 plus
The Adventures of Portly the Otter: Untold Tales from the Wind in the Willows
M.G. Leonard and Polly Dunbar

PORTLY – a daring young otter known for his often fur-raising riverside adventures – will be no stranger to fans of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved countryside classic, The Wind in the Willows, first published in 1908. And now the adorable little otter becomes the star of the show in a beautifully produced full-colour gift book from award-winning author M.G. Leonard and internationally renowned illustrator Polly Dunbar. Celebrating the 95th anniversary of E.H. Shepard’s iconic artwork for the original book, these thrilling animal adventures feature all Grahame’s favourite characters, such as Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad, and are told across four seasons in one year. ‘Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING – absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.’ 

There is a time in a young otter’s life when he must be introduced to the river. For Portly, the youngest of Mrs Otter’s pups, today was that day… but when he first sees the river, he is terrified. However, the young otter soon finds his feet among his friends and neighbours on the riverbank. Join Portly as he grows in confidence from his disastrous first swimming lesson, battles a large trout, rescues a human girl, outwits the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood and sleeps in the care of the Pan, the god of nature… a scene familiar to readers of the original book. Full of all the gentle charm, nostalgia, mischief and river-splashing fun that has enchanted readers for over a hundred years, Leonard’s spin-off – brought to life by Dunbar’s exquisite artwork – remains faithful to the original and is guaranteed to capture the hearts of both new readers and existing fans – young and old!
(Farshore, hardback, £14.99)

Age 9 plus
The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List
Nat Luurtsema and Cécile Dormeau

IF your tweeny child has a penchant for LOLs, BFFs, drama and crushes, and LOTS of overthinking, then point them in the direction of this brilliantly relatable new illustrated series starring a twelve-year-old girl who is preparing to take on the emotional challenges that are lying in wait for her! The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List comes from award-nominated stand-up comedian Nat Luurtsema, who reveals she grew up as ‘a naturally anxious child,’ and French illustrator Cécile Dormeau, famous for exploring themes of self-acceptance and body image. So here is Birdie… an overthinker who has a lot to overthink. Her BFF Chloe wants new friends (BETRAYAL), she will be a teenager in one year (BREATHE), yet owns ZERO bras (surely some mistake?!), and a boy at school maybe has a crush on her (BUT HOW TO BE SURE?!). So Birdie has made a Happy List to tackle all the awkward and emotional challenges of being a tween. THEN she will stop being an anxious ball of stress and be happy! That’s the grand plan anyway... This funny, perfectly pitched story – written in a diary style format and given extra allure by Dormeau’s illustrations – explores all those familiar dramas around family, friendship, school and growing up problems with a light but sensitive touch. Offering her own advice on conquering anxiety through subtle life lessons hidden between the lines, this is an entertaining first outing for what promises to be a tweeny must-read!
(Usborne, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Stonewitch
Skye McKenna and Tomislav Tomić

IF you’re looking for adventures with a truly magical atmosphere, step back into the wonderful world of Hedgewitch, where the land of Faerie lies just beyond our own! Stonewitch is the fourth book in the enchanting Hedgewitch series, the debut creation of Skye McKenna who grew up surrounded by red dust in a mining town in the Australian outback but then travelled to England and fell in love with the British countryside. Illustrated by Tomislav Tomić, the series is already being hailed as a modern classic. Now living in Scotland, McKenna was inspired by her love of magic and adventure to write these captivating adventures which star a family of witches who protect Britain from the denizens of Faerie, creatures who are all too real and far more frightening than the story books suggest.

To complete the next step in her training in the practical skills of witchcraft, Cassie Morgan must invent a brand-new spell. However, she is struggling for inspiration… so she jumps at the chance to attend the Covenmoot. Every five years, covens from all over Britain and Ireland meet to take part in a series of challenging games in the hopes of winning the Covenmoot Cauldron. Cassie and her friends travel to Glen Carlin, a remote valley in the Scottish Highlands, to take part. But menacing forces haunt the moors and rumours of the ancient Stonewitch swirl through the camp. Cassie and her coven must work together to prove themselves in the Covenmoot, while long-hidden secrets come to light and the wicked Erl King’s power grows. Witches aren’t born, they’re made... McKenna is a born storyteller, building an enchanting, magical world that is as alluring as it is viscerally and thrillingly real… a place where the characters spring to glorious life, where the natural world takes centre stage, and where readers long to return to time and time again!
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Café Chaos: The Way the Cookie Crumbles
Catherine Wilkins and Katie Abey

THERE are few things in life more important than family so join a hilarious girl called Hope Crumble and enjoy the second giant serving of cakes, coffee and calamity! Hope and her lovable (but infuriating!) family take starring roles in this delightful series written by much-loved author Catherine Wilkins and highly illustrated by the brilliant Katie Abey. Welcome to Café Chaos where running a bustling café is Hope’s family's dream… but not necessarily Hope’s! Here we find that mum has mistakenly over-ordered the beans and they only have two months to get through them all! Several hilarious family meetings take place to discuss ideas… Aunt Rita comes over all ‘flavours of Mexico’ while Hope’s cousin Connor wants a bean-eating competition to catch the post-gym crowd. Hope is trying to distance herself from it all in a bid to have ‘time to be a child’ and let her family sort out their own crises. But she can’t deprive her family of her problem-solving abilities for long. Rescue comes in the unlikely form of Skyla – Hope’s arch enemy and school bully – who needs a place to hold her charity fashion show. Friendship, family, pulling together, and being uniquely yourself, all come under Wilkins’ watchful eye in a series that touches the hearts of every youngster who has ever cringed at their family’s goings-on... but loved them all the same!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Whisperwicks: The Vanished Key
Jordan Lees and Vivienne To

IF springtime is reigniting your spirit of adventure, return to the labyrinthine streets of Wreathenwold and enjoy the final, mind-blowing magical mission in the epic Whisperwicks series from Jordan Lees, one of the most exciting new voices in children’s fiction. The Vanished Key sees more spectacular world-building and storytelling from a writer whose imagination would seem to have no bounds as we meet up again with eleven-year-old Benjamiah Creek whose belief in science, logic and reason was shattered by his discovery of an impossible world. Packed with the glorious illustrations of New Zealand-based artist Vivienne To, this last outing for Benjamiah delivers the same seductive blend of heartfelt friendships and fantastical otherworldly adventures.

The magus Manfred Tarr is on the hunt for a key… a key that has been lost for centuries and which has the power to unleash a terrible darkness on the world. To save Wreathenwold from a dreadful fate and armed only with his magic, his courage and his best friends Elizabella, Mea and Silas, Benjamiah must set out on another impossible quest to find the Three Sisters. This dangerous journey will take them deep into the heart of the Weird Wood – home to ragwitches, root folk and half bears – and into a fierce battle with far-reaching consequences. Can Benjamiah conquer the darkness and save Wreathenwold one final time? With its wholly original premise, a cast of dazzling characters, spectacular storytelling and Lees’ rich and breathtakingly detailed world-building which takes us deep into the wonders and workings of magical Wreathenwold, this standout series has conjured up fantasy with a spectacular style that has dazzled readers both young and old!
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Dungeon Runners: Fang Attack
Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd-Stanton

HEROES come in all shapes and sizes... and everyone deserves the chance to prove it! Blue Peter Award-winning author Kieran Larwood and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner Joe Todd-Stanton pool their considerable talents for the fourth Dungeon Runners adventure, part of a fully illustrated and action-packed fantasy quest series which is perfect for newly independent readers. On your marks, get set, bite! Kit and his trusty team-mates, Sandy and Thorn, are heading to a land of the vampires for their most fearsome test yet. In a dungeon that is deadlier than anything they have faced before, they will take on monsters, hunt for treasure and crack codes. But can they make it to the finish, or will this be game over? Action fans, and both newly confident and seasoned readers, are loving the world of the Dungeon Runners, a magical land of heroes where bullies and baddies are challenged by an unlikely but plucky trio of friends who are willing to enter tough competitions and fight their way to the top. With its uplifting tales of underdogs winning through, this super series is ideal inspiration for children finding their feet in the big, wide world. So what are you waiting for... there’s always space for a new team of heroes at the Dungeon!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6
Marty Moose: The Great Stamp-ede
Claire Powell

SECONDS out… round two for Marty Moose, everyone’s favourite postmouse! Author and illustrator Claire Powell returns with her mischievous, laugh-out-loud and utterly charming series which puts comic capers, illustrious illustration and alluring alliteration at the top of a first class list of entertainment. Star of the show is the lovable postie Marty and here we find him out and about on the day of the annual Fastest Feathers race in Little Ditch. But Marty can’t stop to join in the fun because he’s got a very important parcel to deliver. It contains the prize, a beautiful shining golden egg, and it’s got to reach the finish line before the contestants do! But that’s not the only twist in the tail… Marty and his good friend Nibbles Frizzby, a doolally rabbit, have to contend with ferret bandits who want the prize for themselves… and a pair of cheating ducks in a terrible case of fowl play. Packed with funny, full throttle illustrations, an adventure with resonant themes of bravery, self-confidence and friendship, and a narrative voice that guarantees giggles, these are perfectly pitched stories for newly confident readers.
(Walker Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
The New Adventures of Disney Zootropolis 2

JOIN two unlikely partners as they learn how to work together on another adventure to save the day… and their city. Part of a new series of official Disney graphic novels featuring popular Disney characters, The New Adventures of Disney Zootropolis 2 journeys beyond the movies as the charming cast of Zootropolis 2 take on new adventures. Join ZPD officers Hopps and Wilde as they team up on their mission to make the world a better place. Whatever they are dealing with, Judy and Nick realise that not every case is the biggest, but they are all important. This bold and colourful adventure book is ideal for early readers as youngsters are invited to embrace the joy of reading in a graphic novel format. Beautiful illustrations and an engaging story make this early foray into reading both accessible and fun.
(DK Children, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Luna Grace: Girl from Outer Space: Sea Safari
Julie Sykes and Emily Jones

ARRIVING from Starbright, a colourful planet in outer space, was a BIG step for a girl called Luna Grace and she’s having to have to take small steps to find her feet – and understand her emotions – on planet Earth. Luna Grace: Girl from Outer Space: Sea Safari  is the second book of a delightful series for young readers from Julie Sykes, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children, and Cardiff-based illustrator Emily Jones. Luna Grace and her family are settling into life on Earth after arriving from Starbright to study the wonderful wildlife. Today Luna, her family and her mischievous moon cat, Twizzle, are heading off to Puffin Island! Mum and Dad are studying the wildlife, from playful dolphins to wily herring gulls, colourful wildflowers and – of course – puffins. But Luna has her sights set on something much rarer… a mermaid! Will she succeed in finding her prize, or will this slippery discovery evade her? This astronomical and warm-hearted series explores dealing with very human and down-to-earth emotions, and learning to be yourself and celebrate your differences. Filled with Jones’ colourful and characterful illustrations, this is ideal early reading for fun-loving youngsters!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Read All About It!

Benjamin Hall and Martina Motzo
INSPIRED by a toy hedgehog given to him by his daughters when he was reporting from war zones around the world, Fox News senior correspondent and bestselling author Benjamin Hall brings youngsters a heartwarming picture book about a hedgehog who must warn the forest about a hungry bear on the prowl. Full of drama, determination and bravery, and brought to life by Italian children’s book illustrator Martina Motzo’s colourful and characterful artwork, Read All About It! reminds readers that we all have the power to make a difference. Hedgehog can’t wait to be big enough to report the news like his dad does. So when he notices that a baby owl has fallen out of a tree and is in serious trouble, Hedgehog doesn’t hesitate to spring into action! But can a little hedgehog like him save the day and warn the other forest creatures in time? The rewards that come from speaking up and daring to make a difference, and the special bond between a parent and child, are explored in a story packed with action, fun and a comical twist in the tail!
(HarperCollins Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 4 plus
Whirby
Molly Harris and Jacob Souva

RECHARGING your batteries is important for all the family… but sometimes little ones need a gentle lesson in the value of powering down. So here’s a full throttle picture book about an over-active little robot who learns the hard way that going without rest and a recharge can have disappointing results. Written by US debut children’s books author Molly Harris, and brilliantly illustrated by fellow American Jacob Souva, Whirby will have youngsters whirling to the bedroom for a good night’s sleep! Whirby the robot is all systems go for his favourite school activity… bot battles! All that clinking, clanging, beeping, and banging makes Whirby so excited that he forgets to recharge at night. He stays up practising his best moves and building the coolest contraptions before the big battle. But when it’s finally his turn to compete…BWOMP! BZZZ! ZZT! With his battery on 0%, will Whirby find a way to still be the bot battle champion? Perfect for robot fans… and reluctant sleepers!
(Harper360, hardback, £14.99)

Age 3 plus
I am Dandy the Dormouse
Pam Ayres and Nicola O'Byrne

MEET an endangered little creature with an extraordinary talent… he’s brilliant at climbing trees! I am Dandy the Dormouse is the heartwarming and inspirational fourth picture book in the enchanting Animal Stories nature series from much-loved poet Pam Ayres. Written in Ayres’ moving rhyme and gloriously illustrated by award-winning artist Nicola O’Byrne, youngsters join a Hazel Dormouse, one of Britain’s rarest mammals, on his adventures high up in the trees. ‘Hello. I am a dormouse, and Dandy is my name. I’m a different kind of mouse, we are not all the same.’ Did you know that dormice are born grey and get their beautiful golden-brown fur as they get older? Or that they can climb trees like acrobats because of their thumb-like sticky feet, and hibernate from October to April? I Am Dandy the Dormouse is a light-hearted look at the life of this tiny tree-dweller. Written with the help and advice of The Woodland Trust, and bursting with natural facts like how dormice leave a unique, neat mark on every hazelnut they eat, this fascinating and entertaining picture book includes an extra information spread at the end. Ideal for curious young nature-lovers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Magic Feather
Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner

TAKE flight on a magical new adventure full of the wonders of nature from the superstar team of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Kate Greenaway Medal for Illustration winner Catherine Rayner. The Magic Feather – a rhyming fairy tale about the magic of nature and caring for our environment – is packed full of warm, wise and wonderful words, and stunning illustrations that will steal every reader’s heart. Imagine if you could speak to birds… that’s just what happens to a young girl when she is given a magic feather that transforms their trills and twitters into words… and she discovers that they need her help because there are plans to chop down all the forest trees! Join her as she embarks on an amazing journey across the sea to save their nests from the queen’s woodcutters. With Rayner’s exquisite artwork and a story that holds important messages about the natural world, The Magic Feather is a book to share and cherish.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Winnie the Pooh: Five Little Bees
Georgina Kyriacou and Sian Bowman

CELEBRATE 100 years of Winnie the Pooh and Friends with Disney's fun and colourful Easter lift-the-flap picture book. Five little bees went out to play, searching for Easter eggs today. Pooh said, ‘Wait for me at the honey tree.’ Now how many bees can you see? Little ones will love joining Winnie and his friends as they explore the Hundred-Acre Wood in a hide-and-seek Easter egg hunt. There’s so much to see and do, with trees to climb and eggs to find, as well as familiar faces dressed up as bees. But wait… the bees are disappearing one by one and Pooh can’t find them. Lift the flaps to help Pooh find the bees and discover a delicious surprise at the end. Based on the nursery rhyme Five Little Ducks, this enchanting lift-the-flap book is perfect for sharing with Winnie’s youngest fans.
(Studio Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Disney Easter Colouring Book

COLOUR your way through spring and help your favourite Disney characters celebrate the fun of Easter! Youngsters will enjoy getting creative as they colour in this cute collection of springtime illustrations featuring favourite Disney friends like Disney Princesses, Lilo and Stitch, Bambi, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland , Moana, Winnie the Pooh and many more big names! With intricate patterns, characters hunting for Easter eggs and floral scenes, this charming colouring book, with over 80 springtime images to colour, will entertain children for hours.
(Studio Books, paperback, £10.99)

Age 3 plus
Five Little Chicks
Camilla Reid and Jill Howarth

ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with a fun-filled Easter board book in a gorgeous interactive counting series based on favourite nursery rhymes. Written by Camilla Reid – a writer and deviser of award-winning books for early years children including the much-loved Pip and Posy stories – this delightful Slide and Count board book series features buttons which slide along special tracks. And there’s lots of fun and smiles to be had here as youngsters slide the buttons to make Mama Hen’s little chicks leave the farm and go on adventures! Sing or read along with the rhyme as you count the chicks, with village and woodland scenes that are packed full of Easter details to spot and brought to life by the striking and super-colourful artwork of Jill Howarth. With a romping, read-aloud text which is ideal for sharing, easy-to-move buttons to slide, and an adorable cast of characters, these joyful pre-school books are a joy to read and share, and the perfect way to introduce early-years children to the concept of counting!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
How Things Grow (Circle of Life)
Harriet Evans and Benjamin Flouw

SPIN the wheel, lift the flaps and discover the wonder of nature’s diversity and ingenuity in this beautiful, immersive introduction to animal and plant life cycles. With an engaging wheel mechanism and flaps throughout, How Things Grow reveals the circle of life and is an interactive treat that encourages reader to get hands-on while learning. With beautifully detailed illustrations by the talented Benjamin Flouw and Harriet Evans’ clear, comprehensive text, full of helpful hints about how to spot and protect wildlife, the book offers an exciting exploration of a core scientific concept. Perfect for young wildlife lovers, curious kids, little scientists and anyone who enjoys the fun of a lift-the-flap book!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Hank Meets Frank
Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie

IF you fell in love with an obnoxious goose called Hank – the one with a bad habit of honking – in talented author Maudie Powell-Tuck and bestselling illustrator and author Duncan Beedie’s hilarious picture book Hank Goes Honk, then prepare for more zany antics in their brilliant Hank Meets Frank… new title in a growing series of hilarious picture and board books. Hank’s adoring fans know that he can be a little pesky, a little pecky and a teensy bit objectionable. But not today! Not when his little cousin Frank is here to visit. You see, Frank is sweet as a daisy and cute as a button. Butter wouldn’t melt. So, Hank is going to be on his very best behaviour. In fact, they’re both going to be little angels. Isn't that right, Hank? Frank? Guys?! How great it is to see that Hank is still ruffling feathers as Powell-Tuck and Beedie work their magic on another comedy-filled story in which everyone’s favourite goose gets a cautionary lesson about the perils of one-upmanship. With an adorable anti-hero, a tale told with deadpan humour, and the brilliant illustrations of super-talented Beedie, this new adventure will have all the family honking with laughter!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Best Dog Ever
Smriti Halls and Chris Jevons

LITTLE dog lovers will be lapping up the fun and frolics when they get their paws on this adorable picture book that is packed full of super-cute canines and acts as a gentle introduction to ideas of self-confidence and embracing our differences. Lovingly written by bestselling author Smriti Halls and brought to life by the cheeky and charming illustrations of Harrogate-based Chris Jevons, readers young and old will fall in love with shaggy dog star Max who wishes he was a different dog. ‘I wish I were a different dog, the quick and clever sort. Perhaps a spotty, dotty dog with hair all trim and short.’ Max reckons his fur isn't fluffy enough to win Best In Show, his bark isn’t loud enough to scare away danger, and he doesn’t sit, heel, fetch… or come back when you call. But Max’s owner thinks he’s perfect! Can Max learn that he’s perfect, too? Hall’s trademark bouncing rhyming story about a perfectly imperfect pooch is fun to read aloud and share, and ideally paired with Jevons’ bright and comical illustrations featuring Max and all his furry friends. Dogs just wanna have fun!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Monkeypig
Huw Aaron

THE search to find an imposter in a troop of monkeys backfires spectacularly in a fun-filled picture book from Welsh cartoonist, author and illustrator Huw Aaron who is shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year in this year’s British Book Awards. Kids will be squealing with delight when they meet the adorable Molly who lives in the jungle with all the other monkeys, dancing and playing and being silly among the treetops. But Molly has a secret… Molly is actually a pig. And when head-monkey Norman becomes suspicious that an imposter has infiltrated the monkeys, he sets them all some monkey tests, including eating bananas and picking nits. Will Molly be discovered or will she use her cunning to convince the monkeys she really is one of them? Aaron’s off-the-wall humour is at its best as the very porcine Molly proves that pigs can fly when it comes to swinging in the treetops! Add on a gallery of outrageous illustrations and a hilarious twist in the curly tail, and young readers will be laughing like pigs in muck!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Where Is Bear?
Fátima Ordinola

BEAR is playing hide and seek… can you find him? Search for Bear and learn new words while exploring familiar spots around the house in this gorgeous lift-the-flap book, full of the adorable artwork of its creator, Fátima Ordinola, a Peruvian graphic designer and illustrator. Lovable Bear likes to play hide-and-seek… so where is he? Is he behind the kitchen door, inside the fridge, is he hiding under the sofa, or is he in the bathtub? And what other animals will you meet along the way? Little ones will love setting off on a playful journey through the colourful pages (with a clever cat who knows Bear’s secret!) to find him. Lift each flap to discover where Bear is hiding around the house and learn new words while you are exploring. Ideal for encouraging early learning of prepositions and first words, and sparking babies’ curiosity and joy, Where is Bear? launches a new pre-school range exploring first concepts.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)