Age 9 plus:
Rebecca Westcott Smith, Narinder Dhami, Patrice Lawrence and Lucy Mangan
Calling all Malory Towers fans… there are some new girls on the block! Fans – young and not so young – of Enid Blyton’s famous boarding school by the sea are galloping off to the Cornish coast to meet some intriguing fresh faces in four brand new adventures from a group of outstanding modern children’s authors who blend characters old and new with an addictive charm.
A new girl joins Darrell Rivers and her familiar cohort of friends
in each of these four fantastic stories which add a contemporary spin to the
six-book seaside boarding school series which has been a perennial favourite
with young readers since they first appeared between 1946 and 1951.
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| TOP CLASS: Enid Blyton |
Waterstones Book Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence introduces us
to proud circus girl Marietta with her magnificent head of braided hair. A
dormitory argument reveals something unusual about Marietta, and something
equally unexpected about Alicia.
In Guardian and Stylist columnist Lucy Mangan’s story,
student librarian Evelyn is wary of her lively, lacrosse-playing classmates.
When one of them becomes a regular visitor to the hushed domain of the library,
can Evelyn really trust her?
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Click here for Lancashire Post review
Sunita Sharma joins Malory Towers, surrounded by a sense of
mystery, in Narinder Dhami's fabulous story. But is Sunita really as glamorous
as the snobbish Gwendoline imagines?
And in Rebecca Westcott Smith’s heartwarming story, Darrell
and friends fear the worst when spoilt Gwendoline’s cousin joins the school.
But Maggie is very different from her stuck-up relative…
From the library to the lacrosse field, and the swimming pool
to the stage, there are obstacles at every turn. Will the new arrivals learn to
rise to the occasion as true Malory Towers girls traditionally do?
Illustrator Pippa Curnick has created the eye-catching book
cover and each author brings their own contemporary take on boarding school
adventures without losing the spirit and trademark magic of the original books.
Funny, entertaining and a class act for all generations of
Malory Towers fans…
(Hodder Children's Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 8 plus:
Gill Lewis
Wildlife champion and former vet Gill Lewis brings home some
hard-hitting truths in a beautiful adventure story set in the wilds of
Scotland.
Award-winning author Lewis says Eagle Warrior – the tale of
one girl’s fight to save an eagle – was sparked by the true story of a young golden
eagle called Fred which ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances near a grouse
moor in the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh.
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| ECO WARRIOR: Gill Lewis |
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Lewis is sending her Public Lending Right royalties from
Eagle Warrior to Wild Justice, a new organisation challenging the legalities of
wildlife law, and says the book ‘is a cry for the wild, and to bring a stop to
those who try to take it so selfishly from us.’
At the heart of this topical story is a girl called Bobbie who
is thrilled that a golden eagle has settled in the forest near her family’s
farm in the Scottish hills. She loves to walk the hills with her granny and
watch the bird soar through the sky.
But not everyone shares Bobbie’s awe for the spectacular
bird. When her granny’s beloved dog, Haggis, is killed by poisoned bait, it
soon becomes clear that someone is out to get the eagle… and they are ready to
take down anything, and anyone, that gets in their way. Facing the threat of
being sent away to boarding school, far from everything she knows and loves, Bobbie
is determined to save the eagle but is she brave enough, and is it worth the
risk?
Eagle Warrior is a thrilling and timely story which shines a
powerful light on endangered wildlife and nature. Written with knowledge and a
deep concern for conservation, this though-provoking adventure encourages
discussion about pollution and endangered species, and raises questions about
broader environmental issues.
Published in a super readable format which makes it particularly
suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers, this is gripping,
moving and thought-provoking story that will resonate far beyond the hills of
Scotland…
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)
Age 6 plus:
A Puzzle Adventure
Aleksandra Artymowska
Some puzzle books are guaranteed to leave youngsters feeling curiouser and curiouser…
So join Alice and her band of Wonderland friends and animals
as they jump down a rabbit hole and enter a fantastical adventure book packed
with eighty absorbing challenges and amazing mazes.
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s book, Polish illustrator,
graphic designer and painter Aleksandra Artymowska’s stunning scenes are packed
with references to the original, from a Mad Hatter’s tea party and an (almost!)
identical Tweedledum and Tweedledee, to lines of marching playing cards and a
flying Cheshire cat.
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Click here for Lancashire Post review
From one page to another spot the difference, youngsters
must crack the clues, find their way through challenging mazes, match up
different objects, piece together broken fragments of plates, and find the
missing walrus.
Beautifully illustrated, full of nostalgic charm, and
brimming with Alice’s spirit of adventure, this imaginative puzzle book offers
hours of fun and brain-enhancing puzzles that will appeal to readers young and
old.
Stylish, creative and artistically inventive, this is the
perfect book to keep boredom at bay over the long summer holidays!
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)
Age 5 plus:
Alison Donald and Ariel Landy
It didn’t just take rocket science to put man on the Moon… there was also a team of talented, tireless seamstresses!
Author Alison Donald and illustrator Ariel Landy have the
history of the spacesuit all sewn up in an enchanting picture book which
celebrates the real-life people who won a race against time to develop the
special astronaut clothing used in the first Moon walk 50 years ago.
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| BOLD IMAGES: Ariel Landy |
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| SPACE MISSION: Alison Donald |
Ellie was an ordinary woman who loved to design and sew from
an early age. She felt her fingers come alive the first time she used a sewing
machine. When she grew up, she got a job sewing clothes for women and babies
and worked so well that when her American company entered an exciting
competition to make the spacesuit for the first Moon landing, she was asked to
lead a team of expert seamstresses.
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No one believed they could win but they were determined to try and came up with a spacesuit that was heat-resistant, flexible, lightweight and comfortable. Stitch by stich, their spacesuit changed the world for ever!
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No one believed they could win but they were determined to try and came up with a spacesuit that was heat-resistant, flexible, lightweight and comfortable. Stitch by stich, their spacesuit changed the world for ever!
Landy’s bold, colourful illustrations are full of
intriguing, small detail, and Donald’s story features lots of fascinating,
accessible facts as the excitement of the race to make a spacesuit mounts, and
the sheer determination of Ellie and her team to achieve their own seeming
mission impossible shines through. An inspirational true story about the remarkable women who
helped to make a space dream come true…
(Maverick Arts Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Age 5 plus:
Cornelia Funke and Kasia Matyjaszek
Thieves, greedy pirates and mischief-makers are no match for madcap Molly Rogers and her crazy crew! Molly Rogers to the Rescue is the latest super-readable Little Gem from innovative publisher Barrington Stoke and sees the return of top team, author Cornelia Funke and illustrator Kasia Matyjaszek and their swashbuckling pirate girl Molly Rogers.
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The Little Gems series brings together leading authors and
illustrators, and a host of clever design and finishing techniques, to create
easy-to-read books in a chunky format ideal for little hands, and with some
extra reading, jokes and activity fun hiding inside the jacket flaps.
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| GIRL POWER: Cornelia Funke |
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| PIRATE PRANKS: Kasia Matyjaszek |
Whether your child is a new, struggling, reluctant or
dyslexic reader, this wonderful Little Gem story could be just what they are
looking for. Matyjaszek’s gallery of bright, colourful and suitably anarchic
illustrations are the perfect foil for a story full of adventure, girl power,
giggles and pirate pranks.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
Rebecca Cobb
Making friends doesn’t always come naturally… Award-winning author and illustrator Rebecca Cobb is back to steal our hearts in a beautifully illustrated, warm, witty and wisely observed picture book about kindness, empathy and forming first friendships.
Inspired by her own bubbly daughter who is always eager to
make new friends, Cobb explores the struggles some children find in creating
new friendships and how it’s the easiest thing in the world for others.
 |
| WARM AND WITTY: Rebecca Cobb |
Click here for Lancashire Post review
Cobb always perfectly captures the joys and uncertainties of
childhood with her observant eye and warm heart. The simple but beautiful story
celebrates children, whether they are shy or gregarious, providing gentle
reassurance to those nervous about making new friends, and encouraging the more
outgoing to offer warmth and companionship to others.
Brimming with Cobb’s trademark rich colours, irresistible
playfulness and the spirit of adventure that has made her one of the nation’s
favourite author/illustrators, this creative, clever and utterly charming
picture book is destined to be another family favourite!
(Macmillan, hardback, £11.99)
Age 3 plus:
and Aunt Amelia
Rebecca Cobb
Also available now in paperback are three of Rebecca Cobb’s much-loved picture books.
If mealtimes often turn into a temper tantrum nightmare with
your fussy little eaters, try tempting them with this delightful little dish!
Cobb’s quirky, freehand drawings capture the anarchic
essence of a story that will appeal both visually and verbally to pre-school
children. A tasty tale of food, friendship and fun that is sure to tickle young
taste buds!
And there’s a ‘hole’ lot of mystery in Cobb’s enchanting
picture book The Something which perfectly captures the innocence of childhood.
When a little boy loses his bouncy ball down a mysterious
hole underneath the cherry tree in his garden, he can’t stop thinking about
what could be down there. His mum reckons it’s a little mouse’s house, dad
thinks it’s a hole for frogs, his sister says it’s the lair of a scary, hungry
troll that might come and eat him if he’s naughty, or even be a dragon’s den. He
doesn’t really mind what’s down there, he’s just glad that something has chosen
to live in his garden… and he’s not afraid to find out what it is.
Click here for Lancashire Post review
Click here for Lancashire Post review
Bold, inventive and witty illustrations capture the wonder
of discovery and the joy of an inquisitive mind in a story guaranteed to bewitch
young hearts and minds. And in Aunt Amelia, Cobb sets her artistic sights on an aunt
with attitude.
When Mum and Dad go away for the night, Aunt Amelia comes to
look after one very cross little girl and boy. They do not want to be looked
after and, even worse, Mum has left a list of boring instructions. But Aunt
Amelia turns out to be rather different from expected… and a lot more fun!
Cobb’s original style always puts an irresistibly idiosyncratic
charm into her picture books and this rib-tickling story about an aunt that
every child would want is a guaranteed winner for bedtime reading.
(Macmillan, paperback, £6.99 each)
Age 3 plus:
Lucie Brunellière
Forget yellow submarines and instead dive into the ocean with a super, silver submarine for an amazing underwater adventure!
Spot the animals, large and small, and the extraordinary
eco-system beneath the waves in a big and beautiful picture book that explores
the ocean through the colourful digital artwork of French artist and designer Lucie
Brunellière.
A scientific team has boarded the submarine Oceanos to
explore the ocean’s depths. Suddenly, it gets caught in a violent storm,
causing it to drift thousands of miles off-course. From the glittering surface
of the sea to the darkness of the abyss, Deep in the Ocean takes readers on a
bewitching journey through fascinating waters… some warm, colourful, and
crowded with sea creatures, others mysterious and turbulent.
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Click here for Lancashire Post review
Six colours of ink (including neon pink and metallic silver)
are used throughout, and a free downloadable soundtrack transports young
readers deep into the abyss as dolphins, fish, whales and the stormy sea come
to life to create a fascinating marine melody, enabling listeners to feel even
more fully immersed in this beautiful underwater world. Readers can find the
download at abramsbooks.com/DeepInTheOceanSoundtrack.
A colourful and fact-filled experience for both sea lovers
and landlubbers!
(Abrams Appleseed, board book, 10.99)
Age 3 plus:
Stephanie Blake
Schoolboy rabbit Simon discovers that you have to start from scratch when it comes to falling love!
Welcome to a brand new adventure starring Simon the cheeky
rabbit… the cuddly creature who won everyone’s heart in the bestselling Poo
Bum, first book in a series which has proved a big hit all over the world.
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| STRIKING A CHORD: Stephanie Blake |
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The books are the work of US-born author Stephanie Blake
whose passion for writing and illustrating began in childhood when she created
books for her brothers and sisters as birthday presents.
After moving to France, she discovered other writers and artists whose work continued to inspire her stories and drawings. She now is the author and illustrator of dozens of highly successfully books in France, many of them children’s favourites.
After moving to France, she discovered other writers and artists whose work continued to inspire her stories and drawings. She now is the author and illustrator of dozens of highly successfully books in France, many of them children’s favourites.
In Blake’s new rabbit adventure, Simon feels a new emotion
stirring… he thinks he’s in love with a girl in his class called Lou!
Unfortunately, Lou loves a boy called Mamadou and Simon is very jealous. But
when poor little Lou comes into school one day with trillions of itchy nits,
she’s suddenly not so popular any more. Except with Simon who doesn’t care
because he loves Lou… and her nits! His reward is a kiss from Lou… and some
scratchy little visitors!
Blake’s instantly recognisable bold and expressive
illustrations will delight young readers and the funny, poignant story, which
offers a gentle air of reassurance that some people love us just because of who
we are, is guaranteed to strike a chord with both children and parents alike.
(Gecko Press, hardback, £10.99)
Age 3 plus:
Leo Timmers
Every picture tells a story in a charming, wordless picture book from Belgian author and illustrator Leo Timmers.
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| WORDLESS CHARM: Leo Timmers |
Click here for Lancashire Post review
Papa Monkey and Little Monkey are on their way home but the
street is very busy with traffic and they are moving so slowly! Little Monkey
loses patience and jumps on to the fire engine.
Up the ladder he goes and joins a TV crew, then a garbage truck, an aquarium bus, a food cart for rabbits packed with carroty treats, Arctic animals traveling by snow globe and a jewel thief's getaway car… there is so much going on in the street that it has become a playground! Each vehicle in this wordless book contains a world of detail, activity and humour to share with curious toddlers.
Each page is packed with intricately detailed illustrations which allow youngsters to follow the action and tell their own, unique version of the story. The ideal book to share with grown-ups and rev up the imaginations of even the youngest children!
Up the ladder he goes and joins a TV crew, then a garbage truck, an aquarium bus, a food cart for rabbits packed with carroty treats, Arctic animals traveling by snow globe and a jewel thief's getaway car… there is so much going on in the street that it has become a playground! Each vehicle in this wordless book contains a world of detail, activity and humour to share with curious toddlers.
Each page is packed with intricately detailed illustrations which allow youngsters to follow the action and tell their own, unique version of the story. The ideal book to share with grown-ups and rev up the imaginations of even the youngest children!
(Gecko Press, hardback, £11.99)
Age 3 plus:
Joy Cowley and Kimberly Andrews
Join a little boy as he follows a lyrical, lilting river journey to the sea from his home in the snow-topped mountains of Canada.
Joy Cowley, one of New Zealand’s best-loved children’s
writers, sings out her story of a wonder-packed adventure through mountain
waterfalls, creeks, river beds and industrial landscapes all the way to the salty
winds and crying seabirds of the wild, blue and beautiful ocean.
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| MELODIC YARN: Joy Cowley |
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| BACK TO NATURE: Kimberly Andrews |
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Cowley’s beautiful, melodic story – brimming with atmosphere
and descriptive power – is exquisitely brought to life by illustrator Kimberly Andrews’
dramatic evocation of a wonderfully contrasting North American landscape full
of rich detail and muted, earth-toned colours. A magnificent celebration of the spirit of adventure and the
diversity of nature…
(Gecko Press, hardback, £11.99)
Age one plus:
Marcel’s Parcels and
Prima’s Missing Bunnies
Kate Hindley
Welcome to Treacle Street… where keeping busy is all part of a day’s work!
Marcel’s Parcels and Prima’s Missing Bunnies are the first
books in an adorable new lift-the-flap board book series that introduces young
children to the residents of Treacle Street and teaches valuable lessons about
community spirit and appreciating others.
 |
| STREETS AHEAD: Kate Hindley |
Click here for Lancashire Post review
In Marcel’s Parcels, it’s a bright sunny morning on Treacle
Street, and Marcel Trunkmore the postman’s trolley is full of parcels. Join him
on his rounds to find out who they are all for… and lift the flaps to find out
what’s inside!
In Prima’s Missing Bunnies, it’s a special, sparkly evening
on Treacle Street… the opening night of the Dance School’s first performance.
But all of Prima Pavlova’s star performers have gone missing. Can you help her
find them all before the show begins?
Hindley’s words and richly detailed illustrations capture
the warmth, friendliness and shared fun of the close-knit animal community as
they go about their business on the bright, bustling and colourful Treacle
Street.
With lots of surprises to enjoy, a cast of colourful animal
characters and intriguing flaps to lift, this is a series destined to be
streets ahead of the rest!
(Simon & Schuster, board books, £6.99 each)
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