Age 10 plus:
North Child
Edith Pattou
STEEP yourself in the magic, mysteries and marvels of a
faraway kingdom in Edith Pattou’s timeless and beautiful wintertime adventure
story which has been winning hearts and minds since it was first published thirteen
years ago.
North Child is the unforgettable unfolding of one girl’s
love and destiny, a modern-day classic and a spellbinding story based on the
Norwegian fairy tale, East of the Sun and West of the Moon. It was first published
in 2006 to critical acclaim, winning major awards and a passionate following
that continues today.
And now a new generation of young readers can enjoy US
author Pattou’s lush rendering of a fairy tale that first cast a spell over her
when she was a child, and made her determined to rework it into an epic fantasy
adventure of love, loss and betrayal set in a breathtaking landscape filled
with castles, trolls, shamans and spellbound princes.
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| TIMELESS TALE: Edith Pattou |
Rose is an unusual child… she was born facing North. She feels
out of place in her family, despite her love for them and her home, and the old
stories say she is destined to travel far from home on a dangerous journey, and
meet a lonely, icy death. Making a pact with an enormous white bear, Rose
travels on his back to a mysterious castle carved into a mountain that holds a
dark enchantment, a darker temptation, and the key to her true destiny. But Rose’s
actions have unleashed a terrible curse, and she must now save the stranger who
stole her heart…
While writing North Child, Pattou became an expert in
mapmaking, seamanship, Scandinavian languages, Norse mythology and the Arctic,
journeying by ship through the fjords of Norway… and these all feed into her
powerful and vividly imaginative storytelling. Fantasy, folklore and a rich tapestry of beautifully drawn
characters and exquisitely detailed snow-filled landscapes and dramas blend
into a magical and unforgettable experience which has lost none of its beauty
and power to enthral and delight readers of every age.
Age 10 plus:
The Pearl in the Ice
Cathryn Constable
SET sail on the stormy seas for a thrilling adventure with a
young girl growing up in a time of impending war, deadly danger… and dark
magic. Cathryn Constable, author of the spellbinding and highly
acclaimed debut novel The Wolf Princess, blends real history and all the vivid
drama of a classic folk story in her new middle grade novel set on the cusp of
the First World War.
It’s 1912 and with the world set against her, silence and
deception reaching into the heart of her family, and a dangerously appealing
new friend just waiting to take her off course, 12-year-old Marina Denham
discovers that finding your place in the world – and uncovering the truth –
isn’t as easy a task as it might first sound.
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| THRILLING ADVENTURE: Cathryn Constable |
Marina’s father, a naval commander, has been away for most
of her life, and certainly since her mother died. For some reason, he has kept
Marina away from water all of her life, and yet she feels the pull of an ocean
she has never known.
When she is sent to boarding school to learn to be a lady,
Marina decides instead to stow away on her father’s ship. But what she doesn’t
know is that it’s the eve of war and a perilous voyage lies ahead. But where are they sailing to and why, and what has it to do
with the dark shape in the deep that seems to be following them? As Marina
travels through icy seas, a great secret is about to be uncovered…
Bathed in shades of dark and light, and brimming with
atmosphere, the spirit of adventure, and magical realism, this is a fast-paced,
utterly enchanting thriller and the perfect accompaniment to long, winter
nights.
This book is published on November 7.
(Chicken House Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 9 plus:
Unseen Worlds: Real-Life Microscopic Creatures Hiding All
Around Us
Hélène Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt
DISCOVER a hidden universe of microscopic monsters that live
all around us… but can only be seen with a microscope. Youngsters will love travelling to locations both familiar
and strange in this entertaining and informative book which takes readers on a
hunt for the smallest creatures on planet Earth, and promises that they will
never see the world in the same way again!
Unseen Worlds comes from What on Earth Publishing which
specialises in the art of telling stories through timelines. And for every
question the book answers, it sparks another one, helping to encourage young
readers into a lifelong love of enquiring and discovering.
In this intriguing new book, youngsters unfold each page to
reveal stunningly detailed illustrations bursting with jelly-like amoebae,
predatory centipedes, ravenous mosquitoes, and more mites than you could
imagine. From the murky ocean depths to your kitchen cupboard, and even inside
your nose, this is an extraordinary journey of bizarre discoveries.
Contained within the pages are hundreds of ugly, fascinating
or simply bizarre microscopic animals, plants and other organisms, but however
terrifying these tiny beings might appear, we are reminded that without them,
life on Earth would be simply impossible. With the intricately detailed and colourful illustrations of
French artists Hélène Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt , lots of amazing facts, and
a helpful glossary at the end, this is a book that is both entertaining and a
valuable teaching tool.
(What on Earth Books, hardback, £14.99)
Age 9 plus:
Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple
Maps
Written by Tim Marshall and illustrated by Grace Easton and
Jessica Smith
HOW did the USA become a superpower, why do people go to war,
and why are some countries rich while others are so poor?
Find the answers to these questions and many more in a
clever, eye-opening book which uses maps to explain how geography has shaped
the history of our world, and lets children discover how the choices of world
leaders are swayed by mountains, rivers and seas, and why geography means that
history is always repeating itself.
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| FACTS: Tim Marshall |
This remarkable and unique introduction to world affairs,
which will inspire curious minds everywhere, is a stunning abridged and
illustrated edition of the international adult bestseller, Prisoners of
Geography, by acclaimed author Tim Marshall, a leading foreign affairs journalist
with more than 30 years of reporting experience reporting around the world. Full of fascinating facts and history, distilled from the
original and brought to life by the beautiful artwork of illustrators Grace
Easton and Jessica Smith, the book is an easy-to-understand introduction to
geography, history and politics, and helps children to gain a new and enlightening
perspective on the world around them.
(Elliott & Thompson Limited, hardback, £16.99)
Age 9 plus:
Changing the Game: Fantastic Female Footballers
With Casey Stoney
ENJOY meeting the game-changers of women’s football in a
super, glossy, fully illustrated compendium that will inspire a new generation
of female fans. Changing the Game, featuring some of the world’s most famous
female footballers, has been curated by experienced player, coach and Olympian
Casey Stoney who tells us in her introduction, ‘These are the trailblazers, the
pioneers, the brave. Women who have been fighting stereotypes and prejudice
since the first time they kicked a football, just to play the game they love.’
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| GAME ON: Casey Stoney |
From historically important figures such as Lily Parr, the
Preston woman who defied the government ban on women’s football and played for
the town’s trailblazing team, Dick, Kerr Ladies FC during the First World War,
to contemporary record-breakers such as Marta, the brilliant Brazilian who
lights up the stadium with her magical skills, and rising stars like French
player Salma Bacha set to take the game to new heights, this book is packed
with fascinating facts, figures and faces.
With beautiful illustrations, inspirational stories, player
skills and statistics, and Stoney's motivational voice throughout, this is a
must-have book for girls and women looking for sporting heroes.
(Studio Press, hardback, £12.99)
Age 8 plus:
Butterflies for Grandpa Joe
Nicola Davies and Mike Byrne
YOUNGSTERS will be all of a-flutter as they turn the pages
of a moving and gently reassuring book which celebrates the close bonds of
family and the beauty of butterflies.
Award-winning author Nicola Davies, well-known for nature
writing and children’s fiction, puts her beloved natural world at centre stage
in a heartwarming tale of loss, empathy, affection, and dealing with grief
across the generations.
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| GENTLE TOUCH: Nicola Davies |
Grandpa Joe is butterfly bonkers. There’s nothing he loves
more than photographing the fluttering, colourful creatures in his garden. But
since Ben’s granny passed away, Grandpa Joe has changed. He doesn’t want to go
outside or talk or smile. He seems to be a completely different person and it
feels like time is running out to help him.
If only Ben could find a way to bring the butterflies to his
Grandpa. Maybe seeing them again could help bring back his smile... Written with Davies’ trademark gentle touch, and featuring
beautifully emotive black and white illustrations by Mike Byrne, this poignant
story explores important subjects like grief and depression in a sensitive and
accessible way for young readers.
Ideal as a first chapter book for new, struggling and
dyslexic readers, and produced in publisher Barrington Stoke’s super readable
format, Butterflies for Grandpa Joe will touch the hearts of readers both young
and old.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)
Granny Magic
Elka Evalds
YOU don’t need to be a knitting fan to find yourself in stitches as debut novelist Elka Evalds works her special magic on a tale full of woolly delights! Evalds, who was born in the USA and now lives in the Cotswolds, was inspired by her Latvian granny’s magical knitting skills to pen this enchanting and entertaining cross-generational celebration of what family really means.
Combining grannies, knitting and magical sheep, Granny Magic is a funny, heart-warming and quirky adventure for young readers.
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| FUN YARN: Elka Evalds |
But when she passes away and dodgy Jasper Fitchet moves into their village with a pattern for dark magic, everything begins to unravel in Knittington.
Can Will unpick Fitchet’s evil plans? With the help of
gran’s secret knitting club, some ancient motorbikes and a flock of magical
sheep, they might just stitch him up!
Featuring the brilliant black and white illustrations of Teemu Juhani, Granny Magic has fun and laughter on every page…
(Chicken House Books, paperback, £6.99)
Heidi
Jeanne Willis, Johanna Spyri
and Briony May Smith
and Briony May Smith
IF you’re looking for an extra special Christmas gift book, this glorious, illustrated retelling of Johanna Spyri’s 1880 classic tale of Heidi, set amidst the majesty of the Swiss Alps, could be the answer.
Beautifully produced, printed on luxurious paper, and with a
fully-foiled cloth binding, foiled jacket and ribbon marker, the new Nosy Crow
Classic is a joy to look at and a delight to read, and follows the success of
the first two books in publisher Nosy Crow’s Illustrated Classics Series, The
Velveteen Rabbit and Peter Pan.
Author Jeanne Willis and illustrator Briony May Smith
combine their considerable talents on this stunning book which retains all the
warmth and sparkle of the original book, and will be enjoyed and treasured for
years to come.
Heidi is by far the most popular piece of Swiss literature
ever written and has been translated from German into 50 languages, been filmed
more than a dozen times, and more than 50 million copies of Heidi books have
been sold worldwide.
When five-year-old orphan Heidi is sent to live in the Swiss
Alps with grumpy Grandpa, the rest of the village take pity on her. But Heidi
soon discovers that her grandpa is gentle and kind behind his scowl, and she
loves her new life running wild in the mountains with the goats, the flowers
and her best friend Peter. But then Heidi is forced to move far away from all
she now loves to the soot and smoke of Frankfurt to be the companion of disabled
girl Clara. Will she ever return to her true home in the mountains?
Willis’ sensitive retelling, which tweaks elements like
Clara’s disability to better represent the modern world, and Smith’s
heartwarming, full-colour illustrations, combine old and new in perfect
harmony.
Perfectly pitched for newly confident readers to enjoy alone, but also tailor-made for parents to read aloud, this is an ideal gift for young children or older fans of this moving and timeless tale.
Perfectly pitched for newly confident readers to enjoy alone, but also tailor-made for parents to read aloud, this is an ideal gift for young children or older fans of this moving and timeless tale.
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £14.99)
Who Am I?: A Peek-Through-Pages Book of
Endangered Animals
ENJOY close-ups of some of the planet’s most amazing but endangered creatures in a book of full of stunning nature photography. Who Am I?, which uses clever riddles, stunning images and intriguing peek-hole pages, comes from award-winning animal portrait photographer Tim Flach, creator of the adult book Endangered, and aims to introduce children to ten vital species-at-risk.
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| STUNNING IMAGES: Tim Flach |
Who is that peeking through the page? Is it a giant panda
munching on bamboo, or perhaps a yellow-eyed tree frog hiding in a tropical
forest? Marvel at close-up pictures of a polar bear and an axolotl (a rare salamander
known as the Mexican walking fish), and meet a rolled-up white-bellied pangolin
and an imperious-looking Philippine eagle.
With its engaging and timely message about conservation,
this beautifully creative picture book is the perfect gift for animal
enthusiasts of any age.
This book is published on November 12.
(Abrams Books for Young Readers, hardback, £12.99)
The Gobbledegook Book
A Joy Cowley Anthology re-illustrated by Giselle Clarkson
JOY COWLEY, one of New Zealand’s best-loved writers for children and adults, has a very special way with words and this gorgeous new anthology of her warm and inspirational work is set to enchant young readers in the UK.
The Gobbledegook Book is packed with Cowley’s favourite
stories, poems and nonsense rhymes, all lovingly collected together, and
re-illustrated by Giselle Clarkson, in a sturdy, hardback gift volume.
Perfect for reading aloud and snuggling up with at the end
of the day, Cowley’s renowned wordplay and humour shine through in this
landmark collection which includes New Zealand favourites like Faster Faster
and other treasured stories.
Enjoy a jaunty rhyme about a tiny woman who stitches herself
a coat from autumn leaves, Cowley’s much-loved, classic rhyme,
Nicketty-Nacketty Noo-Noo-Noo, starring a hungry ogre who chews glue stew, the
laugh-out-loud tale of a pumpkin that grew so big that it exploded, and meet a
very greedy cat that gobbles up the shopping!
The Gobbledegook Book, packed full of Clarkson’s fresh,
vibrant and funny illustrations which add life and colour to Cowley’s timeless,
joyous, youthful and nostalgic stories, is destined to become a family
favourite.
(Gecko Press, hardback, £14.99)
Twelve Days of Kindness
Cori Brooke and Fiona Burrows
GIVE your little ones a simple, subtle and gentle lesson in kindness with a clever picture book from Australian author and illustrator team, Cori Brooke and Fiona Burrows.
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| MESSAGE: Cori Brooke |
(New Frontier Publishing, hardback, £11.99)
The Caveman Next Door
Tom Tinn-Disbury
THE modern world can be a bewildering place… particularly when you are a caveman!
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| DEBUT: Tom Tinn-Disbury |
Trying to fit into the contemporary world when you are a
caveman isn’t easy. He has moved in next door to Penny and she can’t help but
notice that he doesn’t have a TV or wear any socks, and grunts instead of
talking.
Penny is determined to show him around but Ogg always seems to get things wrong… with hilarious results. Poor Ogg, he just wants to fit in. Fortunately, Penny finds a way to help him!
Penny is determined to show him around but Ogg always seems to get things wrong… with hilarious results. Poor Ogg, he just wants to fit in. Fortunately, Penny finds a way to help him!
Brimming with playful fun and vibrant illustrations, The
Caveman Next Door delivers reassuring messages about the challenges of being
different, how friendship is a vital part of overcoming these hurdles, and the
healing power of the natural world.
(New Frontier Publishing, hardback, £11.99)
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