CHILDREN'S BOOKS: High seas sleuths, magical woods and a school for anarchy

Set sail with the high seas star of a sparkling new cruise ship detective series, head to a magical wood for a thrilling eco-themed adventure with trees at its it heart, laugh at the ‘hell’ of a school full of creatures from myths and legends, and enjoy an incredible journey through a wonderful world of facts in a colourful new selection 

Age 8 plus
Cruise Ship Kid: Thief At Sea!
Emma Swan and Katie Saunders

IF you need a breath of fresh sea air this summer, set sail with the Cruise Ship Kid, the high seas star of a sparkling new maritime detective series from debut author, West End actress and award-winning comedian Emma Swan. Harnessing her own childhood experiences aboard P&O cruise ships, where both her parents worked, Swan uses her insider knowledge of every part of a cruise ships (including out-of-bounds spaces!) to bring youngsters exciting adventures which navigate the trials of growing up, the fine art of making friends, and lessons in how to be a crime-solving superstar. Written in diary form and filled with Katie Saunders’ brilliant doodle-style illustrations, this charming and interactive story includes activities to enjoy along the voyage and lots of space for youngsters to add their own scribbles and doodles. So jump on board with ten-year-old Silver and find out all you need to know about her from her hilarious diary entries. 

There are four things you should know about me: 1. I live on a cruise ship 2. My name is Silver. Yes, really 3. I've never had a best friend my own age :( 4. I’m definitely not a detective Somehow, though, I’m now investigating the Case of the Missing Mega-Expensive Watches. But, I’ve got a plan. If I can solve the crime, then surely the kids on board will want to be friends with me. Right? I’ve had lots of help (interference) from the Gang, but I won’t tell you about them because they are all over 80 and prefer playing bingo to solving crimes. So, do you want to be definitely-not-a-detective too and help me catch the thief at sea?

With crime-solving and friendship playing equal roles, Cruise Ship Kid is a super, sunshine summer treat which packs in lots warm-hearted fun whilst exploring the importance of forming intergenerational relationships.  Don’t miss the boat!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
The Wood Where Magic Grows
Andy Shepherd and Ellie Snowdon

CLIMBING trees has always been fun… but have you ever looked at a tree and seen a face staring back? Andy Shepherd – bestselling author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons, a debut series that captured the imaginations of both children and their parents – conjures up more of her storytelling magic with an enchanting new series that puts trees at centre stage. Brimming with unexpected adventures, wonder and wildness, The Wood Where Magic Grows is set to branch out into the heart of every young reader as we meet two brothers discovering the magic that grows all around us but which we are often too busy and distracted to discover. If you look closely at a tree, you might just spot a knobbly brow, a knotty pair of eyes, or even a mossy beard. Well, next time you do, stop staring and say hello! When Iggy discovers overgrown Wildtop Wood at the end of his new garden, he couldn’t be more excited. A whole new world opens up for him and his brother Cal, high in the treetops, a world of tangled greenery and unexpected adventure. But some say the wood is a place of danger and mystery. And as Iggy and Cal venture further into the trees, they hear whispers of a fading green magic, and scampering animals seem to be leading them to a secret deep at the heart of the wood. Could it be that the wood needs them just as much as they need it? 

It’s time to join the Treetoppers! As much a love letter to trees – ‘the green guardians that we walk among’ – as a thrilling eco-themed adventures with trees at its it heart, The Wood Where Magic Grows is a rallying call to the younger generation to help protect one of the planet’s most important natural ‘gifts.’ With themes of connecting with the wild, the power of the imagination, and the bravery that lies within us all, this timeless series – brought to life by Ellie Snowdon’s illustrations – can only grow and grow.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Dante N. Ferno is NOT a Loser
Brian Gordon

WHAT could go wrong in a school full of creatures from myths and legends? Quite a lot it seems! If you’re looking for madcap adventures to lure your reluctant readers out of comic books and into chapter books, then this anarchic, devilishly funny and highly illustrated new series from cartoonist and debut children’s author Brian Gordon is the picture perfect choice. Ever since his trousers fell down in front of the whole school, Dante N. Ferno has struggled to shake off his seriously uncool reputation. Luckily, he has a foolproof plan to become the most popular kid at his new school: 1. Completely reinvent himself. 2. Make a tonne of friends and accept his nomination as their leader. 3. Become good at sports stuff and win all the game things. 4. Rub his new-found popularity in the face of all the haters he grew up with. Sounds easy, right? Well think again… Purg School is attended by infamous creatures from myths and legends and they’re not going to let Dante shake off his loser status overnight! Dante is going to have his work cut out to beat the bullies and show the world that he is NOT a loser. There’ll be hell to pay if youngsters don’t get their hands on this one!
(Macmillan, Children’s Books, paperback, ££7.99)

Age 6 plus
What Came First?
Kit Frost and Aaron Cushley

What came first… chickens or eggs? Dive into this fascinating and colourfully illustrated book and discover a host of surprising facts about science, animals, dinosaurs, people, games, Ancient Egyptians and lots more. What Came First? – written by picture book author Kit Frost and lavishly illustrated by Belfast artist Aaron Cushley – takes youngsters on an incredible journey through a wonderful world of facts in an easy-to-understand short questions and answers format. Are pants older than socks? Did flushing toilets come before toilet paper? What’s older… Mount Everest or sharks? Did football matches come before running races? Was Stegosaurus older than Tyrannosaurus? The book takes youngsters on a journey through a series of mind-boggling questions that they might never have thought to ask – and unearths some remarkable facts along the way. Zoom out on history to see the world in a different way and draw connections between history, science, geography and more. Also included is a timeline featuring many of the incredible events explored in the book. Perfectly created for even the most reluctant readers!
(Red Shed, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
George and Lenny Are Always Together
Jon Agee

LENNY the rabbit and George the bear are inseparable best friends… until Lenny declares he wants to find out if being alone is just as much fun as being together! American master of the absurd Jon Agee makes a welcome return with an irresistibly funny and heartwarming picture book that puts friendship – and branching out on your own – at centre stage. George and Lenny are always together and it’s terrific. They are never alone! So what happens when Lenny decides it’s time to try some alone time? George thinks it’s a crazy idea but decides that if Lenny can be alone, then he can be alone too. But is there a way for them to be alone together? Author and illustrator Agee is on top creative form as he stamps his unique, exuberant charm and trademark zany, zingy humour all over this adorable story. Brimming with wonderfully understated comedy, imagination, surprises and amazingly expressive illustrations, this funny, but also moving, story reminds readers young and old that even in the closest friendships, there’s room to assert yourself and take a risk, and still be there for your best buddy!
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Bessie’s Bees
George Kirk and Ana Gómez

WE'VE all heard about getting bees in your bonnet, but here’s a little girl with bees in her head! Written from the heart by debut neurodiverse Lancashire author, George Kirk, Bessie’s Bees is an uplifting picture book story about starting nursery and has a bubbly, neurodiverse child at its centre. Kirk, who has both autism and ADHD, has used her own experiences to offer universal messages about growing up with neurodiversity. So meet Bessie whose head is full of bees, so full that it’s absolutely buzzing with them. And that’s just fine until one morning, Granny takes them somewhere new… NURSERY! Soon Bessie realises that no one else at nursery has bees, so she keeps hers hidden inside and now Bessie's head isn’t just buzzing with bees… it's BURSTING with them! Can Granny help Bessie back to feeling like herself again? And will Bessie find a way to share her bees with everyone in a way that feels right? With Ana Gómez’s gorgeous colour illustrations bringing Bessie and her bee-filled world to life, this is a story that positively buzzes with charm and complex youthful emotions. By using the visual, accessible metaphor of bees, Bessie and her headful of bees help readers to see themselves represented and to also understand those around them. A universal and empowering message for all… and an important addition to home, nursery and school bookshelves.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Every Botty Burps
Becky Wilson and Alex Patrick

WELL blow me down… here’s a brilliant book about farts that are quite simply off the charts! Becky Wilson, a debut children’s author with a passion for funny books, is set to make little mischief-makers giggle and gasp with this hilarious rhyming picture book gorgeously illustrated by Alex Patrick. ‘Don't worry if your botty burps. It’s just what bottoms do! We all break wind, so let me share some types of toots with you…’ From short and sweet penguin pops to super-slow sloth parps, youngsters will enjoy this fast-paced journey exploring wacky and weird animal farts. With Patrick’s stylish design and bold, bright illustrations, Every Botty Burps normalises farting in a fun a humorous and child-friendly way… perfect for little ones who sometimes get embarrassed by their own bottom burps. Tons of ‘farty’ words and rhymes, and a cute and colourful cast of animal characters, make this a joy to read aloud!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Go Go Dodo!
Huw Lewis Jones and Fred Blunt

'HE'S behind you!’ No it’s not the panto season yet… it’s a clever and comical picture book from the top team of author and natural history professor Huw Lewis Jones and illustrator Fred Blunt. Little ones will love following the antics of a blissfully carefree (and blissfully unaware!) dodo as he takes a stroll through a very gentle jungle, across a very friendly swamp and over a very soothing sea. What he is completely unaware of (unlike young readers!) is that, not only is his walk full of peril, but he’s being stalked by a VERY hungry tiger! So what will happen when the tiger and the dodo enter the very dangerous grass? Readers will adore shouting a warning to the lovable dodo in this simple and fun-filled picture book where the words and the art tell two sides of the same story!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Come Back, Gosling
Anne Booth and David Litchfield

RICH storytelling, breathtaking artwork and the strength that comes from honesty and trust are the magical ingredients that will make this beautiful picture book fly into the hearts of all who turn its pages. Come Back, Gosling has been conjured up by author Anne Booth and illustrator David Litchfield, the creative duo behind A Shelter for Sadness and The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk. Once upon a time, there was a little girl and a gosling who loved each other very much… and loved reading books together even more. But one day, there is a book the girl will not share. Before Gosling can peek inside, she slams the book shut and says: ‘I don’t like this book. Let’s play something else.’ When their new book mysteriously disappears, the girl and the gosling’s friendship is put to the test. Then one night, Gosling finds the missing book and leaves. Will the girl be able to put things right before it’s too late? Booth’s heartwarming and reassuring celebration of friendship, flying and the joy of sharing books springs to vibrant and colourful life through Litchfield's stunning and atmospheric scenes. A spectacular gift book for all the family to love and treasure.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Changing Tides
Júlia Moscardó

THE concept – and realities – of being part of a blended family can be difficult for young children to grasp so here’s a beautiful, sensitive picture book from award-winning artist and illustrator Júlia Moscardó. When Theo and his mother, Simone, become part of Lula and her dad’s family, Lula – who has never had a big brother before – isn't sure what to expect and she definitely doesn’t want to share her toys with Theo. But when they all spend a holiday at the seaside, the new siblings learn to trust one another and work together to create a beautiful, big sandcastle on the beach. But when disaster strikes and the overnight rain, wind and tide wash away their sandcastle, will the children’s relationship weather the storm? Using endearing and evocative watercolour illustrations, and a warm and timeless story about coping with life’s ebbs and flows, Moscardó explores the challenges and joys of forming a new family and gaining a sibling. Perfect for children from blended families, and those struggling to adapt to change.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
One Up
Ben Sanders

GREEN and Blue are best friends… but who is the bestest? This comical picture book – with its fun-filled warnings about the dangers of comparing yourself to others, especially your friends! – is the work of award-winning author and illustrator Ben Sanders. So meet two adorable but overly-competitive turtles who see red as they compete to build the biggest and, most definitely, the best shell. Green builds a bigger, better shell, but then Blue builds a biggerer, betterer shell! Uh-oh, I think we can guess where this is going. Who, or what, will ultimately triumph? Furiously fast-paced and witty, Sanders’ ‘winning’ picture book delivers a clever cautionary tale through an array of visual humour as Blue and Green’s shells become increasingly silly… and guarantee giggles and guffaws at every turn of the page!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Lions Lay Eggs!
Becky Davies and Gareth Lucas

LIONS lay eggs… well, don't they? And what about baby elephants… do they emerge from a chrysalis? Wait, that can’t be right! Turn the clever peep-through pages to discover how these adorable, but mixed-up, baby animals are really born! Little ones will hoot with laughter at the absurd pairings… from lions in eggs and giraffes in pouches to ridiculously pink zebras. With a dry, humorous text by Becky Davies, Gareth Lucas’s colourful illustrations, and a final flap on the last page which turns everything upside down again, this is a fun and delightfully interactive introduction to baby animals!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

A Crime Through Time

Amelia Blackwell

IF you’re looking for the perfect holiday reading ‘companion’ this summer, the delectable Miss Georgiana Darcy could be just the person you need to bring a large helping of time-travelling mystery, laugh-out-loud fun and heart-fluttering romance.

While the literary world was preparing to celebrate this year’s 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Cornwall-based Amelia Blackwell (pictured below) was busy penning her own tribute to the beloved English author with a debut cosy crime series starring a young woman best known as the naïve young sister of Pride and Prejudice’s swoonworthy hero Fitzwilliam Darcy.

And A Crime Through Time – the first book of Blackwell’s Miss Darcy Investigates series – proves to be an engrossing, quirky and original Austen-esque romp as the shy and meek Georgiana is transported backwards and forwards through time and space from Pemberley in 1799 to the spectacular real-life Georgian mansion, Saltram House in Devon, in 1995 where a film crew is shooting the latest Jane Austen adaptation.

So sit back and prepare for a time-travelling delight as we witness 20-year-old Georgiana reckoning with not just the misunderstandings and mysteries of life, language (and love!) in the late 20^th century but also a shocking murder… and some unexpected dramas brewing back home at Pemberley.

At the imposing Derbyshire home of Fitzwilliam Darcy Esquire, his sister Georgiana – whose unfortunate naivete led to her being almost seduced by the wicked Mr George Wickham – is desperate to escape an unwanted marriage proposal from the aged Baron John de Halighwell, a man to whom she can only be ‘as civil as his bad breath would allow.’ As is her wont, she retreats to Pemberley’s woodlands, the ancient place ‘where magic might happen’ and where she can ‘breathe’ and be alone. But after hearing a strange, discordant ‘shriek,’ Georgiana discovers a mysterious object with the word ‘MOTOROLA’ on it and when she presses a glowing red circle, she finds herself transported almost two hundred years into the future and on to the lawn in front of a grand country mansion.

This is Saltram House in Devon where a crew are busy shooting a new Jane Austen film and the cast are wearing clothes not unlike Georgiana’s own. But she also stumbles across a terrible crime and the impeccably mannered Miss Darcy – newly arrived and thoroughly confused – would appear to be the only witness.

It soon becomes clear that, somehow, Georgiana was meant to solve this riddle. Seized by a powerful desire to dig out the truth and helped by a border collie named Watson and an Irish security guard named Quinn, a man ‘with an exceptionally pleasing countenance,’ she sets out to stop the killer before they can strike again. But as Georgiana moves back between the present and future, there are serious problems at Pemberley where pregnant Elizabeth’s condition is causing concern. And time, it seems, is not on her side…

This happy collision of crime, time travel and Jane Austen delivers an intriguing murder mystery while allowing readers a fresh and fun perspective on their favourite Pride and Prejudice characters and an entertaining speculation on what life might have looked like for the iconic cast in the months after events in the book. Much of the comedy element comes from Georgiana’s 18^th century upper-class sensibilities and societal restrictions encountering the prosaic, totally unbuttoned and uncensored world and words of 1995… all alongside the often bewildering goings-on of a busy film set.

As we witness Georgiana’s slow metamorphosis from shy ingénue to determined and daring young woman, and enjoy the blossoming of her romance with handsome, down-to-earth security guard Quinn, she must also apply herself to catching a killer, and cope with emotional dilemmas in both timelines.

Blackwell’s depth of research, her allusions to the great author’s life and works, and her joyful love all things Austen, shine through in this time-travelling odyssey which heralds the start of another winning cosy crime series…this time with a delicious Regency flavour.
(Macmillan, hardback, £18.99)

The Girl with the Suitcase

Lesley Pearse

A CHANCE meeting in a Lyons Corner House in London during the dangerous days of the wartime Blitz is set to change the life of a young maid from Hampstead in ways she could never have imagined.

Immerse yourself in an emotion-packed tale of love, loss, mistaken identity and new beginnings with The Girl with the Suitcase, the remarkable 33rd novel from Lesley Pearse (pictured below), a master storyteller and one of the nation’s most prolific and best-loved authors.

Over ten million of Pearse’s books have sold worldwide, despite waiting until the age of forty-nine to become a published author. Inspired by real-life tales of courage and adversity, this new historical adventure shows off her writing at its very best. 

Packed with the experiences of those who lived through the Second World War, this is an often hard-hitting story full of intriguing twists and turns. In September of 1940, 26-year-old Elizabeth Manning is enjoying a pot of tea at the Lyons Corner House near Trafalgar Square when she is struck by the arrival of newcomer, Mary Price, a young woman who appears to be nervous about entering a restaurant alone.

Offering her a seat at her table, Elizabeth cannot help but notice how alike in looks the two women are, even though their lives couldn’t be more different. Orphan Elizabeth – who until recently has been managing a dress shop in Richmond – is beautiful, glamorous and charming, and about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Rosslare in Ireland where she has inherited her godmother’s grand house.

Mary, shy and meek, with a troubled childhood and a cruel, abusive stepfather behind her, has nothing to look forward to but her dreary life working all hours as a maid for a married couple in Hampstead.

The two women form an immediate friendship and Elizabeth persuades Mary to go with her to Ireland the following day because ‘an adventure is always more fun if it’s shared.’ But the Blitz is in full swing and when an air raid forces them to take shelter underground, Mary’s life is suddenly changed forever. After waking up in hospital, injured but alive, the nurse mistakes her for Elizabeth, who has died, and hands over her suitcase with Elizabeth’s money and tickets to Ireland inside. This is Mary’s chance to escape the hardship of her life and start afresh. Now calling herself Beth and determined to grab the ‘lifebelt’ she has been given, she decides to step into Elizabeth’s shoes. But what does the future hold when you’re living a lie… because you can’t run from the past forever?

Using her well-honed psychological insight into life’s seemingly endless complexities, Pearse handles disturbing topics like sexual abuse and addiction with her innate sensitivity while painting a vivid portrait of the hopes, fears and struggles of wartime and exploring the moral dilemma facing Mary as she carries the weight and guilt of a deception made at a time of mental and physical turmoil.

And it is Mary’s transformation from a downtrodden, lost soul to confident, reinvented Beth – and her rebirth from a life of poverty, loneliness and ill-treatment to one that allows her to blossom and find true friendships – which lie at the heart of this compelling story.

Weaving between London, Ireland and Bristol, The Girl with the Suitcase is a heartbreaking but also heart-lifting read… gritty, down to earth, brimming with compassion and packed with all those special ingredients that have made Pearse such a readers’ favourite.
(Michael Joseph, hardback, £22)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Sky-high success, celestial poems and summer loving

Enhance every aspect of your life alongside sporting role models, discover the vast and beautiful poetry of the universe, enjoy a sun-drenched romance in the spectacular city of Rome, and find out what happens when you wake a monster in a loch with a dazzling July selection 

Age 9 plus
Shoot for the Stars
Danielle Brown, Jayde Perkin and Filigrana de Ideas

SPORT isn’t just about winning medals… it’s also about using it to enhance every aspect of your life.  And nobody knows that better than disabled athlete and children’s author, Danielle Brown, who thought her enjoyment of sport was over when she was diagnosed, aged eleven, with a painful and debilitating neurological condition, but went on to become a double Paralympic gold medallist in archery and a five times World Champion. She also became the first disabled athlete to represent England – and win gold – in an able-bodied category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Harnessing her own personal experiences and those of other inspiring athletes, Brown has produced a big-hearted and empowering handbook about sport, confidence and self-belief, offering hesitant youngsters relatable role models and a fresh perfective on sport… and life.

Shoot for the Stars gives practical examples of how to overcome obstacles that sometimes keep girls from achieving sporting success, move past criticism, break through limiting stereotypes and find the courage to dig deep and discover sporting success on their own terms… whether you’re a seasoned pro, starting out or just want to have fun. Packed with quizzes, team talks, advice from sporting champions, and all kinds of tips and tricks, this interactive handbook – illustrated by Jayde Perkin and Filigrana de Ideas – will have budding young sports hopefuls covered for every sporting situation by offering reassurance and providing the confidence to strike out and live your best your life!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
Space: Royal Observatory Greenwich Poetry Book
Gaby Morgan

‘Look at the stars! Look, look up at the skies!
O look at all the fire-folk sitting in the air!’

DISCOVER the vast poetry of the universe with this celestial collection of poems about space, published to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the world’s most renowned astronomical site. Illustrated throughout with photographs from the observatory collection, this beautiful, hardback anthology features poems about astronomy, astronomers, planets, stars, and our constantly evolving understanding of the universe and space phenomena. Space has been compiled by Gaby Morgan, an Associate Publisher at Macmillan Children’s Books who has run the children's poetry list for thirty years and put together many bestselling anthologies. Filled with classic poems from the likes of Homer, Shakespeare, William Wordsworth and Walt Whitman, right up to the present day, including specially commissioned poetry from Nikita Gill, Brian Patten, Nicola Davies, Dom Conlon and David Harmer, these are poems inspired by the cosmos and will delight stargazers young and old.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 12 plus
Livia in Rome
Bruna De Luca

IF your tweens are ready for a little love this summer, then look no further than this sun-drenched, ‘clean tween’ romance in one of the world’s most beautiful, spectacular and truly romantic cities. Livia in Rome comes from Scottish-Italian author, Bruna De Luca, who draws on her own experiences of growing up as a third culture ‘Scotalian’ kid. Could Rome be where the heart is? Sixteen-year-old Scottish-Italian Livia feels like an outsider, spending the summer in her grandmother’s bar in Rome. Smug local boy Giulio works there too, and quickly becomes Livia’s nemesis. She is not going to be the cliché foreign girl who has a summer romance. But as Livia navigates family drama, new-found friendships… and Giulio, she starts to see the city – and herself – in a new light. Think ice cream dates, gorgeous Italian boys and sightseeing on a Vespa… summer romance doesn’t get better than this!
(Chicken House, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Rayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits
Ciannon Smart

WELCOME back to a monstrously exciting fantasy world where the bad guys are really the good guys! Rayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits is the thrilling sequel to Ciannon Smart’s Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters. Smart’s love of her Caribbean heritage and its myths, and growing up in London, inspire her action tales of magic, monsters and humour so head off to Below London where causing a ruckus is the best thing you can do! A lot has changed for Rayleigh Mann in the last few months. On the previous All Hallow’s Eve, Rayleigh was just a regular boy… or he thought he was. Now, Rayleigh has embraced his monster heritage, passed all the tests to stay in Below London with the rest of monster society, and even saved his father – the Bogey Mann – from the notorious Illustrious Society. But his adventures are far from over. With the return of the Imposter and the Illustrious Three, Below London is on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Since Rayleigh’s own actions foiled the Illustrious Three’s sinister plot last time, he’s supposed to be staying far away from trouble. But as strange shadows start to reach out to him for help and clues begin to fall into place, Rayleigh and his new friends find themselves embroiled in a mysterious treasure hunt to prevent Below London from falling into chaos… and not the good kind this time. With good guys, some seriously scary bad guys, and a dark and thrilling fantasy world that will appeal to all young adventurers, the escapades of Rayleigh Mann and his monsters make for dangerously exciting reading!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Mission: Monster Mind
Philip Kavvadias and Euan Cook

WHAT happens when you wake a monster in a loch? The answer lies in the third book of a brilliantly funny series from exciting debut author Philip Kavvadias who is not just passionate about getting boys reading, but actually knows how to do it! Billed as Jurassic Park meets Wimpy Kid, these seemingly mission impossible adventures are packed full of humour, action and suspense – the perfect ingredients for reluctant readers – and feature two twelve-year-old boys and their ‘rescue pet,’ a tiny flying dinosaur. Good friends and RAPTOR junior agents Finn, Milo and Tasi are dispatched to Scotland, along with young hacker Ether and Arty the microraptor, to recover stolen technology that could plunge the world into chaos. It’s their most nail-biting mission yet… and that’s even before they wake the monster from the deep! There are lots of laugh-out-loud moments to enjoy from first page to last in this high-tech, fast-paced, and drama-filled adventure which has themes of environment, technology and villainous mind-control at its heart, and explores the joys of friendship and some real-life survival skills. A brilliant adventure reading package perfectly topped off by the atmospheric and inventive black-and-white illustrations of Euan Cook.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Duck Delivers
Tom Tinn-Disbury

IF you’re looking for quacking good stories to entertain little ones who like vehicles that ‘go’ then author and Illustrator Tom Tinn-Disbury’s new picture book series will be a transport of delight! Star of the show is Delivery Duck who flies in for a high-stakes adventure packed with scooters, planes, rockets, hang gliders… and lots of laughs. Duck is a home bird. He likes splashing in the bath, eating bread in bed, and organising his sock collection. Yet, there comes a time when even the most unadventurous birds must fly the nest. And what better way to see the world than as a Delivery Duck for Feather Force?! Soon, with his uniform, parcel and STRICT instructions from Ostrich Bosstrich, Duck is scooting off on his very first adventure…what could go possibly wrong? Packed with Tinn-Disbury’s hilarious bird puns and fun-filled, vibrant illustrations, Duck Delivers speaks loudly about perseverance and positivity, and is the perfect fit for little ones obsessed with the ‘post-people’ and delivery drivers who knock on their doors!
(‎Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Doodle and Dot: Squiggles on the Loose
Lily Murray and Bia Melo

TWO best friends are forced to line up for action when their drawings come to life and plunge them into a chaotic adventure! Sharpen your crayons and get ready to square up to a whole bunch of alien squiggles in a clever and comical picture book that teaches arts styles whilst taking little readers on a fun-packed journey of discovery. Squiggles on the Loose is part of author Lily Murray and illustrator Bia Melo’s Doodle and Dot series which explores different concepts of art and design including shape, pattern, line, and colour. Doodle and Dot are best friends. They love to draw together and experiment with art but their drawings have a frustrating habit of coming to life and causing mayhem. Doodle and Dot don’t always agree on everything, especially when it comes to playing with lines. Dot is a fan of nice, neat lines and Doodle much prefers silly squiggles. Doodle goes on a squiggle-drawing spree and not even Dot’s straight-edged cage can contain them! How will they ever get the squiggles back under control? Murray’s action-packed story about friendship, creativity, and teamwork, brought to life by the imaginative and eye-catching illustrations of Brazilian-born artist and designer Melo, inspires youngsters to get creative while promoting teamwork and problem-solving as Doodle and Dot work together to literally draw themselves out of their artistic scrapes. Perfectly designed for your pre-schoolers!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Danny McGee Drinks the Sea
Andy Stanton and Neal Layton

EVERYONE'S stomachs will be churning with delight when they get a taste of the little boy who drinks the sea! You can take this story with a pinch of salt or you can laugh out loud as the prize-winning team of Andy Stanton, author of Mr Gum, and much-loved illustrator Neal Layton work their special brand of magic on the rhyming adventures of the delectable and immensely hungry Danny McGee. This spectacular reissue of the extraordinarily funny picture book that garnered rave reviews in 2017 is set to win the hearts and minds of a new generation of young readers when they discover that anarchy really does reign supreme when show-off Danny makes a bet with his sister Frannie that he can drink the sea... and then eat up everything from a man learning to ski and a cat drinking some tea to the weather girl on TV. Yes, from mountains, trees and jungles to flies, fleas and peas, Danny can devour them all. Soon everyone – even author Stanton – are inside Danny McGee. There’s just one person left… feisty Frannie. Can she finally stop the eating rampage? As knockabout fun goes, this is certainly a knockout! Children will be eating every word of this super surreal, read-aloud story as they follow the cheeky antics of Danny and his long-suffering sister Frannie. A hard act to swallow!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Boys Book of Feelings
Lauren Ace and Jenny Løvlie

YOUR feelings are important, whether they are big and wide like the ocean, or tiny and niggling like a grain of sand! Feelings are how you make sense of the world… and little ones can learn all about different feelings and expressing them in this moving and beautifully illustrated board book based on the beautiful picture book, The Boys, created by Lauren Ace, who has worked in publishing for ten years, and illustrator Jenny Løvlie. The Boys Books of Feelings follows four friends as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up together, enjoy the wonderful adventure of life, and forge close bonds that will last a lifetime. With its diverse cast of characters, Løvlie’s exquisite illustrations, and Ace’s warm and emotional words, this is the ideal book to inspire both children and adults.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
A is for Apple
Illustrated by Georgie Birkett

FINGERS at the ready for a fun new alphabet book! Young ones will love this unique, innovative trace-and-flip book which lets them trace each grooved letter to explore its shape and then lift flaps to see an object that begins with that letter. Brimming with words, pictures and gorgeous illustrations by Georgie Birkett, the book offers an engaging way for children to discover letters and first words. With advice on the back for parents about pointing to pictures while reading the words, asking youngsters to think of other words beginning with the same letter, and using the book as a guide to practise writing the letters, this is the perfect way to introduce the alphabet and guarantees hours of fun and learning.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Kill Your Darlings

Peter Swanson

‘The first attempt at killing her husband
 was the night of the dinner party…’ 

WHEN it comes to wickedly seductive and outrageously clever crime mysteries, there is one name that always jumps out from the crowd.

Rightly labelled the grand master of misdirection, award-winning US author Peter Swanson’s awesome literary brain loves nothing better than to defy readers’ expectations and in this stunning and ingeniously plotted domestic thriller, he turns storytelling on its head with a dark murder mystery that starts at the end… and ends at the beginning.

Kill Your Darlings – soon to be a major film starring Julia Roberts – is one of Swanson’s (pictured below) most ambitious and breathtakingly accomplished novels yet and with brilliant bestsellers like The Kind Worth Killing, Rules for Perfect Murders and The Girl with a Clock for a Heart already under his belt, this dazzling new page-turner is most definitely something to shout about.

A murder mystery written in reverse chronology opens the door to some fascinating psychological insights into a marriage gone bad as readers follow a compulsive, wind-back trail through the dark foundations of a fragile and volatile relationship, and explore the corrosive effects of a shared secret that has festered for over forty years.

So buckle up, sit back and enjoy the ride as we meet middle-aged couple Thom and Wendy Graves who have been together for forty years. Their lives would appear to outsiders to be happy and more than just comfortable at their beautiful Victorian house at upmarket Goose Neck on the north shore of Massachusetts. Wendy is a published poet, Thom teaches English literature at a nearby university and their son, Jason, is grown up and has flown the nest.

But beneath the veneer, all is not well because what Wendy really wants is to murder her husband. Thom has become an incredible disappointment to her… he drinks too much, flirts with other women, and worst of all, he’s in danger of revealing their dark secret.

The clue came on the evening of a dinner party at their home when Thom announced to everyone present that he was writing a murder mystery, news which instantly alarmed Wendy who urgently needed to find out if Thom was ‘writing some version of their own story, a story they had agreed was never to be shared with anyone.’

But what happens next has everything to do with what happened before. And so begins the unwinding of Wendy and Thom’s marriage in reverse order, a story that moves backwards through time to witness key moments from the couple’s lives – their fiftieth birthday party, buying their home, Jason’s birth, career highs and lows – all painting a portrait of a marriage defined by a single terrible act which they plotted together many years ago. It’s a secret that has kept them bound together through the years of their marriage but its power over them is fraying, and now it’s not just Wendy who is beginning to wonder if they would be better off making sure that their spouse carries their secrets to the grave…

Written with Swanson’s signature stylish elegance, flashes of dark humour and awesome plotting skills, Kill Your Darlings works up a head of steam not so much from what is happening in the present but from disturbing events in the past which have poisoned Thom and Wendy’s marriage and which are exposed with each passing chapter. And it is the unpeeling of those layers of secrets in reverse order, the increasing dead weight of the couple’s shared guilt, and the claustrophobic imprisonment that their relationship has become, which gives the story a super-powered impetus, a growing sense of deadly threat, and a deep-seated understanding of how people change over time.

The result is a riveting journey through a minefield of youthful conceit, domestic discord and petty college politics, and at the heart of the action is an exquisitely imagined cast of very human characters, not least the brittle, callous Wendy and her hard-drinking, philandering husband Thom, both trapped in the hellish consequences of a marriage defined by a moment in time.

As much a contemporary moral fable as a gripping, twisting and ingeniously clever murder mystery, Kill Your Darlings is a masterpiece of literary form propelled through suspense, menace and a catalogue of toxic secrets by Swanson’s psychological prowess… and confirming his enthronement as one of the reigning kings of crime writing!
(Faber & Faber, hardback, £18.99)

Liars Island

T. Orr Munro 

STILL reeling from her teenage daughter’s narrow escape from a sadistic killer, experienced crime scene investigator Ally Dymond is plunged into a new case on an island that holds unhappy memories for the Devon-based murder expert.

And when she becomes trapped on the remote island during the investigation, Ally discovers that it’s not the notoriously dangerous coastline she should fear but the murderous intent of the people who live there.

Stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood because T. Orr Munro – who trained as a CSI and knows exactly what goes on behind the police crime scene tape – is back to thrill and chill us with the third book of her atmospheric and dazzlingly authentic debut crime series set in the dark corners of a windswept seaside town called Bidecombe. And Liars Island certainly lives up to both its name and readers’ expectations as Munro (pictured below) harnesses her forensic experiences, and work as a police and crime journalist, on this fast-moving, heart-pounding, ‘locked island’ thriller which sees the maverick CSI on an emotional rollercoaster as she battles to dig out the truth surrounding a young man’s death.

Situated off the North Devon coast, Drogan Island, known to the locals as Liars Island, is home to only a few inhabitants. The rugged coastline has a history of smuggling and shipwrecks, but there has never been a murder… until now.

When the body of Kieran Deveney – son of wealthy hotshot property developer Hilton Deveney – is found in a bay called the Devil’s Cauldron, it sends shockwaves through the close-knit community.  And when the hunt for the killer gets under way, two locals confess to the crime. Each claims they acted alone, and neither can be convicted while the other stands by their story… so which one of them is telling the truth?

CSI Ally Dymond arrives to uncover the evidence that could crack the case. It’s an uncomfortable assignment for Ally… for very personal and painful reasons, she long ago removed the name of the island from her vocabulary ‘as an act of self-preservation.’ And when she reluctantly returns to

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A secret school, a dangerous gift and incredible journeys

Enter a breathtaking alternate world where dark forces are at work, enjoy a spellbinding adventure featuring witchfinders and a young Isaac Newton, join a real-life explorer on a spectacular mission to discover history’s most daring pioneers, and climb aboard for a steam train romp full of spooks, spectres and thrills in a sparkling new selection

Age 10 plus
Shadow Thieves
Peter Burns

IF you’re looking for a truly ‘epic’ read this summer, your journey’s end has to be Shadow Thieves, a brilliant blockbuster of a novel and first of a thrilling new middle grade series from author of ten critically acclaimed non-fiction sports books Peter Burns… whose secret dream of also writing children’s books has finally come true! Shadow Thieves, billed as Oliver Twist meets Ocean’s Eleven, is a heart-pounding adventure set in a breathtakingly imagined alternate world and stars a young shoe shiner and street thief called Tom Morgan who is propelled into a perilous, all-action adventure far, far away from all he has ever known on the mean streets of London.

Thirteen-year-old Tom and his friends scrape a living by shining shoes and picking pockets… until one day Tom’s pals are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse. Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tom lets himself be whisked away to the snowy Alps in a zeppelin. Swept into a thrilling world of danger and intrigue, the more secrets he learns about the Shadow League, the harder it becomes for Tom to leave. But there are dark forces at work and real danger is coming. Can Tom save his fellow pupils from disaster... and will he ever be able to get home again to rescue his friends? Inspired by a family holiday in Highland Perthshire, in a cottage surrounded by mountains and forests, Burns’ foray into the life of daring, brave and sometimes reckless Tom Morgan started to take shape. The result is rip-roaring debut which follows Tom’s journey from orphaned street kid to the heady, mysterious and privileged world of the Shadow League, and an adventure that explores class, community and the concept of identity, and plunges him into the dangers of a complex secret society. Destined to be every youngster’s must read!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Elixir
Lindsay Galvin and Kristina Kister

A SPELLBINDING adventure featuring witchfinders, mystery and a young Isaac Newton take centre stage in a thrilling and magical new tale from Lindsay Galvin, a former science teacher who has become one of our most exciting middle grade authors. The Elixir – a history lesson of fascinating facts wrapped up in a high-stakes adventure – blends mystery with elements of real science and the terrors of the plague, all set against the gripping backdrop of the 17^th century witch trials. Published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark, dyslexia-friendly format and given life and atmosphere by Kristina Kister’s fabulous illustrations, The Elixir is brimming with action, danger and powerful emotions. With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann Storer and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention. Ann has inherited her grandmother’s mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family’s apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers. But 17^th century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town. So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them? And will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for the talented young healer? Galvin’s richly descriptive writing, her vibrant imagination and her ability to deliver adventures full of peril, pathos and powerful messages has made her a go-to author and The Elixir has been perfectly blended for success both in homes and classrooms.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Incredible Journeys
Levison Wood and Sam Brewster

FROM our earliest ancestors in Africa to Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon, we humans have always been explorers. And now real-life explorer, adventurer and author Levison Wood has donned his trusty rucksack and is ready to take youngsters on a spectacular journey around the world to meet some of history's most daring pioneers. Wood specialises in documenting people and cultures in remote regions and post-conflict zones and his work has seen him leading expeditions on five continents so get ready to embark on twenty epic expeditions as he recounts true tales of exploration from the likes of Captain Cook, Charles Darwin, Christopher Columbus, the Vikings and Amelia Earhart. Incredible Journeys – brimming with Sam Brewster’s richly detailed colour illustrations – takes youngsters from the famous Silk Road and medieval pilgrimages to the Holy Land to fearless 19^th century American journalist and daring traveller Nellie Bly's trip around the world and recent missions to the Moon and the Mariana Trench. Along the way, Wood shares his own insights into adventuring, telling readers what it’s REALLY like to follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Illustrated with maps showing the routes and filled with detail bringing the cultures of each region to life, this is a book to treasure from one of our greatest living explorers.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £10.99)

Age 9 plus
Nature Heroes
Lily Dyu and Jackie Lay

DIVE into this inspirational collection of short stories celebrating twenty pioneers working with nature to save the world… and discover how the smallest of actions can make a difference. The natural world is a rich web of animals, plants and other organisms but this delicate balance is at risk, facing challenges such as climate change, pollution and destruction caused by humans. While the threat of the biodiversity crisis may feel impossible to overcome, individuals from all over the world have dared to fight for nature, and their astonishing stories prove that change really is possible. From cleaning up the mighty Mississippi and protecting the wonders of the Amazon rainforest to farming coral and inventing plastic alternatives made from seaweed, it only takes one person to stand up for their beliefs and inspire others to join them. And the message is that when we stand together, we can start to change the world. Written by Welsh author Lily Dyu, and with artwork by American illustrator Jackie Lay, Nature Heroes has been produced in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, these positive stories take readers around the world and introduce planet-saving trailblazers like Jane Goodall, Titouan Bernicot, Txai Suruí, Hamza Yassin, Sylvia Earle, Quannah Chasinghorse, Pierre Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez. The perfect gift for all aspiring nature activists!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
The Scream of the Whistle
Emily Randall-Jones

CLIMB aboard, take a seat, and get ready for a steam train romp full of spooks, spectres and thrills galore as Emily Randall-Jones, the 2024 Branford Boase-longlisted author of The Witchstone Ghosts, takes youngsters on a time-travel adventure. Twelve-year-old Ruby (Ru) is miserable. Her parents have split up, she’s finding it hard to accept, her brother Sam hardly leaves his room, and now she’s stuck her in her grandmother’s cottage in Melbridge, a creepy and long-dead railway village. One night, she decides to escape and follow the ancient train track home. But her journey has barely begun when she hears the eerie scream of a whistle and an old steam train appears out of the darkness. She can’t resist stepping aboard but it’s May Day Eve, when the veil between the worlds is thin, and Ru soon realises that she is on the ghost ride of her life! Prepare to meet spooky ghosts, a spine-chilling train conductor, oodles of child-friendly horror, and an intriguing helping of ancient English mythology… and enjoy every minute of the ride!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Secret Lives of Women Spies
Charlotte Philby

ARE you ready to step into a secret world of espionage? The Secret Lives of Women Spies – a collection of incredible true stories of daring and bravery from the most amazing female spies – is the debut children’s book of Charlotte Philby whose grandfather, Kim Philby, was the most infamous British double agent in history, betraying both his country and his friends. Inspired to find out about his clandestine world, author and spy watcher Charlotte Philby discovered that there were plenty of extraordinary and untold stories of courage, secrets and daring… and many involved female spies. From daredevil skiers delivering top-secret information and clever codebreakers taking down the world’s biggest criminals to brave undercover agents fighting alongside the French Resistance, these brave women hid in the shadows but now deserve to be in the spotlight. Featuring Edith Cavell, Elizebeth Friedman, Noor Inayat Khan and many more, the stories in this book explore the hope, courage, fear, loves and lives of these remarkable women. This informative and fascinating account includes top-secret spying info and imagined newspaper articles covering some of the most incredible spy stories. The book is also linked to the school curriculum as it explores interesting periods of history including the Second World War and is a perfect non-fiction read for middle grade youngsters.
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Elements of the Day
Samantha Lewis and Hao Hao

WHY is breakfast cereal magnetic? Could you turn wee into gold? How does sand help us see? The answers to all these questions have one thing in common – elements! Have fun, and discover amazing stories and fascinating facts with science writer and author Samantha Lewis as she takes readers on a learning journey through the periodic table. Lavishly illustrated by Chinese artist Hao Hao, Elements of the Day explores the science behind the elements that make every moment of the day possible. Elements are the building blocks that make up EVERYTHING we see, touch and taste. Youngsters will be amazed at how many there are to explore from the moment you wake up to the second you drift off to sleep (no matter how long past your bedtime it is!). Inside everything from cereal, cars and cakes to toilet paper, pencils and torches, Lewis introduces readers to the extraordinary elements that make their day. From the sunlight that wakens you in the morning to those wall decorations that glow in the dark at bedtime, every chapter of this brilliant book guarantees an ‘element’ of surprise!
(Red Shed, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Astrid and the Space Cadets:
Danger at the Black Lagoon!
Alex T. Smith

BLAST off on the third thrilling adventure with the supersonic Space Cadets! It’s another mission seemingly impossible for Astrid Atomic and her pals, Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink, in a new space outing with much-loved author and illustrator Alex T. Smith. This fast-paced, out-of-this-world, early reader series, which takes youngsters on wild, fun-filled journeys through the Milky Way, is filled with Smith’s bold, funny and quirky illustrations. Astrid Atomic is a six-year-old human girl but unlike other six-year-olds who go to bed to sleep, Astrid gets up again when the lights are off, the coast is clear and she hears the Space Cadet siren, puts on her Astrid uniform and blasts off on board the spaceship Stardust. And in this new adventure, Astrid and the gang are excited to help two scientists track down a mysterious, never before seen fish rumoured to be living on an underwater planet. But it isn’t long before things take a shocking turn when Astrid and the Space Cadets discover that they have been tricked… the scientists are actually infamous Intergalactic Sea Bandits! Can the gang catch the Sea Bandits and rescue the treasure? It’s going to prove a difficult job especially when they find themselves swallowed whole by one of the Guard Sharks! Ideal for kids who love all-action adventures and are ready to read by themselves.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Gordon Wins It All
Alex Latimer

GORDON the goose is back and he’s still honkingly funny! Gordon Wins It All is the third highly illustrated yarn in a hilarious debut chapter book series from bestselling author and illustrator Alex Latimer. Now Gordon, the meanest goose on earth, is trying to change his ways and be a good goose. The trouble is, it's really tricky to be kind and patient and good, especially when you’ve always been mean. But grumpy Gordon decides he wants to be good at EVERYTHING, so he arranges Grover Garden's first-ever grand tournament. He’s determined to win every event and prove he’s the best goose around, even if that means cheating with the help of his old friends at the Meanest Goose Society. But will Gordon’s selfish scheme be everything he dreamed of? Perfect for emerging readers, these funny tales of redemption and about finding the courage to change your ways are packed with laugh-out-loud edgy humour and brought to life by Latimer’s striking black and red illustrations on every page.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
My Magic Hamster: Cheeky Wishes
Leah Mohammed

WHAT little mischief-maker could resist a very naughty magic hamster? Children’s author Leah Mohammed has always loved stories with magic at their heart, and there’s lots of heart and magic to enjoy in this sparkling new series which includes two stories in each book and stars a mischievous hamster called Frank. Sana has always wanted a hamster but when she buys Frank, she gets a bit more than she'd bargained for. Because Frank is a special hamster… a magic hamster. In fact, he’s a very naughty magic hamster who keeps getting Sana into all kinds of trouble! Sana is thrilled when she discovers Frank can grant wishes. But she quickly learns magic isn’t as easy as it seems when Frank wishes her cool new bedroom into a hamster paradise. And in story number two, Animal Antics, Frank turns himself into a cat so he can play with the cats next door and gets into even more trouble! Can Sana find a way to get him back, or will Frank be stuck as a cat forever? Frank’s fun-filled adventures full of magic, mayhem and mischief look set to run and run!
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Wild Robot On The Island
Peter Brown

WHAT happens when the natural world collides with technology? Bestselling author and illustrator Peter Brown’s heartfelt novel, The Wild Robot, has become a modern classic since it was first published in 2016. Described by one critic as a ‘fable for our age,’ the story has been adapted as a major DreamWorks animation film starring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal and Kit Connor. And now little ones can venture into robot Roz’s wild world in this gorgeously illustrated picture book that brings to colourful life all the adventures in Brown’s much-loved book. Roz is not where she's supposed to be, she wasn’t designed to live in the wilderness. But when she washes up on a remote island, Roz must learn from the animal inhabitants and adapt to her new, natural surroundings. And before long, the seasons change and the island begins to feel like home. Filled with Brown's stunning artwork, this moving picture book – which gently explores important themes like caring for the environment, motherhood and technology – is the perfect gift for readers new to the modern classic or for long-time fans of the series that sparked a global phenomenon. An unmissable tale of our times!
(Piccadilly Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Robin Hood
Bethan Woollvin

THERE will be guaranteed smiles all round when big-hearted youngsters head off into the woods alongside a rebel with a cause! Multi-talented author and illustrator Bethan Woollvin – beloved for her uniquely humorous twist on classic fairy tales – performs more of her picture book magic in this fiercely funny adventure starring Robin Hood, a fabulous gender-flipped, fearless and feisty heroine. In the heart of the woods by the oldest oak tree, you might find a fierce little girl. Her name is Robin Hood, and she is about to go on a rollicking adventure full of mischief and mayhem. The Sheriff is taking something from everybody – from the farms, the village and the forest itself! Can Robin protect her people from the thieving Sheriff? With striking graphic artwork in a vibrant palette of black, grey, red, and two shades of green, Woollvin’s bold, daring and comical reimagining of the traditional English folktale conveys important messages about  being brave and standing up for what's right. The perfect book to empower your daughters!
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
I Hear The Trees
Zaro Weil and Junli Song

‘I love you says the sea to the Earth
As Earth says I love you to Everyone.’

JOURNEY into the wilds of Mother Earth with this enchanting collection of ‘untamed poems’ which celebrate nature and the beauty of the world around us. Written by France-based Zaro Weil – whose poems appear in many anthologies and magazines – and colourfully illustrated by Junli Song, who works across a range of media, I Hear The Trees is full of dazzling words and pictures.  Sigh as a mother wolf teaches her cub how to howl, laugh with bamboozled berries and a ruby-wonderful beet, feel the thrill of Tyranno’s terrifying tale and play with ten on-the-run haiku mice. Young imaginations will soar as a hullabaloo of creatures and plants, moon, sun and stars make their way word by word and picture by fantastical picture into readers’ hearts. Ideal as a teaching tool in schools, and guaranteed to encourage children of every age to explore the power, enchantment and sheer wonder of poetry and nature.
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £14.99)

Age one plus
Is Dot in the Tree?
Camilla Reid and Carly Gledhill

ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with the latest in a gorgeous interactive hide-and-seek board books series starring the adorable animal character Dot. 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 Dot & You series features easy-to-use push and pull tabs, eye-catching neon colour detail by illustrator Carly Gledhill, and a surprise mirror ending which puts the young reader into the centre of the story. And there’s lots of fun and smiles to be had along the way as youngsters try to find out where Dot is hiding. Is Dot on the box, on the rug, in the shed maybe? These delightful Dot books are part of a range of joyful pre-school books by author Reid, and teamed with Gledhill’s distinctive and stylish illustrations, they are the perfect introduction to the joys of reading for your babies and toddlers.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
First Stories: The Jungle Book
Illustrated by Miriam Bos

WATCH little faces light up as they enjoy a bright and colourful interactive introduction to Rudyard Kipling’s classic story The Jungle Book. Push, pull and slide the scenes to bring the wild adventures of Mowgli to life and meet his famous animal character friends like Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear. This sturdy board book is the perfect introduction for toddlers who like to play as they read, with a gentle rhyming text, easy-to-handle mechanisms on every spread and the fun of spotting the bee that buzzes across every double-page spread. This much-loved classic, and its host of animal characters, has been beautifully imagined and brought to vivid life for a new generation by illustrator Miriam Bos. And as an added extra, youngsters can listen along to an audio recording of the story by scanning the QR code on the back cover.
(Campbell Books, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
Banana, Banana, Banana!
Sarah Finan

HOW many ways can you eat a banana? Little ones will love mashing, mixing and munching their way through Banana, Banana, Banana!, the second title in Post Wave’s Food, Food, Food! pre-school board book series which introduces little ones to favourite foods and all the tasty ways they can be eaten. Star of the story is a baby who wants only one thing to eat… bananas, bananas, bananas! Mashed in a bowl, mixed with porridge, smothered in honey… always yummy. Written and illustrated by award-winning designer and illustrator Sarah Finan, this bright and bold book has a sweet rhyming text, vibrant artwork and clever peep-through pages. With rounded corners and sturdy pages, the book is ideal for little hands and is a joy to read aloud. A delicious treat that will be relished again and again and again!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)