Age 10 plus:
Special Forces Cadets: Ruthless
Chris Ryan
SPECIAL Forces Cadet Max Johnson is going to need all his combat
skills just to stay alive on a dangerous mission in Brazil… is he tough enough,
and is he smart enough?
A former SAS corporal and the only man to escape death or
capture during the perilous Bravo Two Zero operation in the 1991 Gulf War,
Chris Ryan returns with the fourth thrilling book in his exciting, action-packed
series.
These military-style adventures – full of derring-do and
heart-thumping exploits – have captured the imagination of an army of teen
readers who count down to the next book just as soon as the last page has
turned.
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| EXPLOSIVE ACTION: Chris Ryan |
In Rio de Janeiro, the ghettos are crawling with street
kids. They have nothing, and are forced into lives of crime in order to get
enough to eat. Their life expectancies are short, not least because the
Brazilian authorities allow paramilitaries to shoot them like rats.
It’s unfortunate then that Tommy Sinclair, son of the
British Ambassador in Brazil, has been kidnapped in the city’s most dangerous
slum where heavily armed gangs rule the streets and even the police are
corrupt.
Click HERE for Lancashire Post review
Click HERE for Lancashire Post review
And it’s with these street kids that the cadets must become
embedded. Some of the youngsters have been recruited by the cartels which are
causing untold misery, both in Brazil and on the streets of the UK. The teenage
cadets must befriend the cartel kids in the hope that they will lead them into
the heart of the drug lords’ empire, and to Tommy.
But when you head into the lion’s den, you must expect to be bitten. The cartel chiefs are the most ruthless people in the world, and they do not take kindly to the infiltration of their secret, violent world. And what the cadets don’t yet know is that Tommy has a hidden agenda which could put the safety of more than just himself and the cadets at serious risk. Expect explosive action, menace on every street corner, and bravery beyond the call of duty as Ryan rolls out another cracking adventure for his fearless young warriors.
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 9 plus:
Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy
Zanib Mian and Nasaya Mafaridik
OMAR, the boy with an imagination that is constantly in
overdrive, is back to solve another baffling case in the second book of Zanib
Mian’s brilliant debut series Planet Omar. This new laugh-out-loud story, featuring the amazing
cartoon-style illustrations of Nasaya Mafaridik, delivers the same clever mix
of adventure, mystery, and comedy with a fascinating British-Pakistani Muslim
cultural twist.
Young readers have fallen in love with the super-clever
Omar, the brainchild of author Mian who felt that diverse characters from all
minorities and backgrounds were not being fully represented in books for
children. And so Omar and his madcap family were born, and their lifestyles,
culture and traditions are proving to be irresistible for middle grade readers. In Unexpected Super Spy, Omar and his friends have been
saving up their pocket money so they can have the world’s most epic Nerf
Blaster battle. But when Omar discovers that his mosque is in trouble, they
decide to donate their pennies to help save it. Then they try to raise some
more money by… doing some chores (boorrring), selling some home-made cookies
(deeelicious), holding a talent contest (Yessssss).
Click HERE for Lancashire Post review
Click HERE for Lancashire Post review
Everything goes perfectly until the money mysteriously goes missing. Can they work out who has taken it in time to stop the mosque closing down? And what exactly is Omar’s older sister Maryam hiding in her room? Funny, clever and filled with mystery and mayhem, Omar’s adventures are perfect for fans of Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid.
Published on March 6.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 8 plus:
Trailblazers: Albert Einstein
Paul Virr
Illustrated by Luisa Uribe and Keiron Ward
HOW did Albert Einstein become one of the greatest minds in
history?
Get up close to the most famous scientist of all time with
the latest enthralling Trailblazers book, part of a fun and factual biography
series inspired by the lives of pioneers both past and present. Packed with
little-known trivia, fascinating facts and lively illustrations, these books
celebrate the lives of forerunners in every sphere, from science and sport and
business to activism, politics and the arts.
Discover how Albert Einstein’s radical theory of relativity formed the basis of physics today and changed the way we think about everything, from atoms to galaxies. And learn about his childhood… how he taught himself calculus at age twelve, was expelled from school and told nothing would ever become of him, but went on to be one of the world’s greatest geniuses. With a gallery of interactive illustrations and a lively text which combine perfectly to bring the man to life 140 years after his birth, this is the perfect way to introduce Einstein and his work to a new generation.
Published on March 5.
(Stripes, paperback,
£6.99)
Age 8 plus:
Anatomicum Activity Book
Jennifer Z Paxton and Katy Wiedemann
USING the incredible Anatomicum as inspiration, and
published in association with the Wellcome Collection, this big, bold activity
book is simply bursting with fascinating facts and puzzles. Anatomicum is the latest, innovative title in the Welcome To
The Museum series from the Big Picture Press, an original concept which offers
fascinating guided tours in museums that are always open to explore.
The Anatomicum book – follow-on to Animalium, Botanicum and
Dinosaurium – delivers an anatomy lesson with a difference, allowing youngsters
to turn the pages and watch their heart beating, witness their skin cells
growing, look at their vocal cords and discover the muscles we use to show
emotion. And now this fascinating activity book allows youngsters to
enjoy some hands-on Anatomicum learning. With richly detailed, eye-catching
artwork by Katy Wiedemann, activities include amazing mazes, mix-and-match
brain-teasers, spot-the-difference, colouring, drawing and much more. And the
pull-out pages can be easily removed enabling children to proudly display their
creative masterpieces.
With its careful blend of informative and creative activities adapted from the original Anatomicum book and supported by key information from professor Dr Jennifer Z Paxton, this is deal for budding artists and science enthusiasts.
With its careful blend of informative and creative activities adapted from the original Anatomicum book and supported by key information from professor Dr Jennifer Z Paxton, this is deal for budding artists and science enthusiasts.
Published on March 5.
(Big Picture Press, paperback, £9.99)
Age 7 plus:
Thimble Wonga Bonkers
Jon Blake and Martin Chatterton
SOME books come perfectly pitched at children’s humour… and
the adventures of Jams and his mischievous monkey certainly hit the spot! There won’t be a dry eye (tears of laughter, not tears of
despair) in the house as one boy and his manic monkey steal the show again in
Jon Blake’s third riotously funny Thimble the monkey story which comes packed
with brilliant one-liners, zany antics and the funniest dad this side of story
time. And what makes these stories extra special is that Jams has
cerebral palsy and is based on Blake’s own son who has the same condition. But
Jams’ disability does not define him in these adventures, instead offering a
positive portrayal of a boy with the neurological disorder.
Life is never boring now that Jams Cogan and his family have pet monkey Thimble to look after (it was supposed to be a hamster but their weird neighbours left the monkey and did a disappearing act). When Mum goes away for the week, Jams, Dad and Thimble are left with just thirty pounds for the groceries. Dad makes a shopping list, but when Thimble gets hold of the supermarket trolley, everything goes bananas. Soon the intrepid trio are so desperate they will do anything for money ... anything! Will Dad end up selling his soul to make ends meet, or can Jams and his monkey pal save the day?
Since the publication of Thimble Monkey Superstar, the first
book in this rip-roaring series which shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Book
Awards, Blake has won the hearts and minds of millions of young readers with
these madcap comedy adventures. His prodigious imagination and sense of fun once more
swing into overdrive as Jams is called on to rescue Dad and his manic monkey
from a sinister organisation. Martin Chatterton supplies the hilarious
cartoon-style illustrations and Jams’ disability adds an extra layer of
poignancy to the story. Monkey business has never been so much fun!
(Firefly Press, paperback, £5.99)
Age 6 plus:
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Superstar Catastrophe
Dermot O’Leary and Nick East
HEAD off for music and mayhem with a magical moggie who
sleeps all day and fights crime at night! Popular TV broadcaster Dermot O’Leary returns with his
amazing ninja cat, Toto, for another gigglesome, gob-smacking adventure
starring the feline heroine who was inspired by two stray cats rescued from an
olive grove in Italy by O’Leary and his wife.
‘One of them, Toto,’ he reveals, ‘has been blind from birth, but we quickly realised she had ninja-like reactions. Like a lot of cat owners (or cat servants), we like to imagine our pets having secret lives when we’re out or asleep. So before I knew it I was writing about Toto and her brother Silver’s nocturnal adventures around London.’
Following on from Toto’s earlier, hit adventures, The Great Snake Escape and The Incredible Cheese Heist, O’Leary and illustrator Nick East are back with another terrific tale starring the fearless feline and her long-suffering brother Silver. The cats live in a townhouse in London. Toto is almost totally blind, and learned to trust her senses from a ninja cat-master who taught her back in Italy where they were born. By day, Toto and Silver seem to be ordinary cats, but by night, they love to have adventures.
After months of keeping London safe from notorious animal
bad guys, Toto is going on a well-earned holiday to the world’s most famous
music festival… Catstonbury! But a villain has a dastardly plan to hypnotise
the crowd when a world-famous band is on stage, turning them into evil minions. How can Toto possibly prevent a disaster when everyone
thinks the band is the cat’s pyjamas? It will take all Toto’s ninja skills – and
some help from a friendly otter – to stop a real CATastrophe occurring!
With lots of laugh-out-loud moments, reassuring and gentle themes of friendship, inclusivity and winning in the face of adversity, and East’s gallery of hilarious black and white illustrations, this is ideal for newly confident readers to curl up with or reading aloud with parents. Animal magic for all the family.
Published on March 5.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 6 plus:
Curious Kids: Bugs and Minibeasts
Jonny Marx and Christiane Engel
SOME things tweet, some things buzz… and some simply bloom
and grow! Get ready to uncover an army of fascinating bugs and minibeasts
in an ingenious new book just made for curious young minds. From bumblebees and
spiders and butterflies to ants and frogs, learn all about these cute
characters as they pop up from each page.
Christiane Engel’s fun and intricately detailed
illustrations explore the world of nature in miniature with rich textures and
bright, jewelled colours that can’t help but catch a child’s eye while Jonny
Marx’s narration is packed full of fascinating facts to engage children with
the wonders of the natural world.
With delightful pop-ups that bring to life the wonderful world of bugs, bees, butterflies, spiders, ants and creepy crawlies, this is an innovative and exciting introduction to what lies under our feet, in the trees, and above us in the sky. Nature, discovery and entertainment in one beautiful pop-up book.
Published on March 5.
(Caterpillar Books, board book, £10.99)
Age 5 plus:
Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Golden Seahorse
Sally Gardner and Nick Maland
WELCOME back to the fantastical world of a circus-owning
tiger, amazing acrobats, and an enchanting girl called Betsy K Glory whose mum
is a mermaid and dad is an ice-cream maker. If that all sounds like the stuff of fairy tales, then you
won’t be disappointed because Costa and Carnegie-winning author Sally Gardner
and illustrator Nick Maland are certainly conjuring up magic with this
bewitching series for young readers.
Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Golden Seahorse is the third whimsical and wonderful adventure for Mr Tiger and Betsy, and what makes these books extra special is that the hardback editions are printed in blue ink and a dyslexia-friendly font specially designed to make reading easier – and more fun. Betsy and her parents are not a normal family… her mum Myrtle is a mermaid, her dad is a human and they live on an island in the middle of nowhere. Her dad is known for making the most delicious ice-creams and her mum, who visits them every day (as normally she lives in the ocean), has knitted Betsy a mermaid suit so that she can swim and breathe underwater.
Here, Mr Tiger and Betsy join Myrtle in her underwater world, and discover that a seapig’s prize seahorse, Pudding Pie, has been stolen by a cantankerous giant octopus, and Betsy and Mr Tiger must go to the rescue in their new submarine. Expect monsters, shipwrecks and stormy seas as Betsy and Mr Tiger go in search of a happy ending for everyone, and Gardner and Maland dive deep into the ocean for another classy and classic story full of all those things that children like best.
Published on March 5.
(Zephyr, hardback, £10.99)
Age 5 plus:
Midge and Mo (Colour Fiction)
Lara Williamson and Becky Cameron
WHEN you’re only small, school can look big and scary… Here’s a gentle, reassuring and heartwarming story from
acclaimed children’s author Lara Williamson for all youngsters who are
frightened or anxious about new beginnings and that daunting first day at a new
school.
With its stunning blend of captivating storytelling and
eye-catching illustration by Becky Cameron, Midge and Mo is the latest title in
the Little Tiger Group’s Colour Fiction series, beautiful picture books made
for in-betweenies who find picture books too babyish and middle grade books too
hard. These beautifully produced books, with their sturdy
hardbacks, simple but enchanting stories and highly illustrated, glossy pages,
are ideal for bridging the gap between picture books and chapter books for
newly independent young readers.
Here we meet Midge who doesn’t want to go to a new school. He wants everything to go back to the way it was… with his old school, his old friends and his parents back together. Mo is Midge’s buddy at his new school. She’s super smiley and can’t wait to be his friend, but the more Mo tries to make friends the more Midge retreats. It’s like there’s an invisible rain cloud hanging above his head… drip-drip-drip. Then Mo remembers how she felt when she was new and it makes her even more determined to help Midge feel happy and to show him that the sun will come out for him again soon.
Cameron’s rich and evocative illustrations bring life and
vivid colour to Williamson’s poignant, warm and uplifting story which is
brimming with the joys of empathy and friendship, and guaranteed to find a
special place in the hearts of readers both young and old.
Published on March 5.
(Stripes, hardback, £7.99)
Age 5 plus:
Little Tiger Rescue
Rachel Delahaye
HEAD off on a magical trip to the spectacular wonders and
wildlife of the Indian rainforest with a little girl who dreams of becoming a
vet. Little Tiger Rescue is the new book in a series of gentle
stories for younger children by former journalist Rachel Delahaye.
Readers
follow Fliss on her action-packed adventures to save wild animals in danger.
Each story comes with gorgeous black and white illustrations and contains a
subtle educational element, teaching children about the species of animal and
the environment featured in the book and important conservation issues. Each adventure in the series is set in a distant location
around the world, transporting readers to amazing new places.
In this new adventure, Fliss volunteers to help at her cousin’s birthday party in a jungle gym, she doesn’t expect to end up in the rainforest in India. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, she soon makes a new friend… a tiny tiger cub, left behind when its family fled from a flood. The little tiger is bursting with energy and Fliss can’t believe that she is playing with an actual tiger cub! But as the floodwater rises, the time for games is running out, and to save her animal friend, Fliss must face monsoons, dangerous creatures and the darker side of nature...
Little Tiger Rescue combines a lively, heartwarming
adventure with easily recognisable real-life issues told from a child’s
perspective, resulting in a captivating story perfectly pitched for youngsters
just starting chapter book reading… and anyone who is wild about animals.
Published on March 5.
(Stripes, paperback, £5.99)
Age 3 plus:
Dear Earth
Isabel Otter and Clara Anganuzzi
LET young imaginations taken flight around the wonders of
the world in this inspirational picture book which celebrates our endangered
planet. Dear Earth is an exploration of the planet – both its
fragility and its wonders – through the breathtaking illustrations of
Seychelles-born Clara Anganuzzi and Isabel Otter’s dreamy, lyrical text.
Through the gentle relationship of a loving grandfather and granddaughter, we
learn what it is to explore, enjoy and appreciate our world. ‘Start by writing “Dear Earth” then let your imagination
flow,’ said Grandpa who once was an explorer. And when Tessa writes a love
letter to the Earth, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. She blows
bubbles with whales, soars with birds and joins in with the noisy rainforest
hullabaloo! Tessa wants everyone to know how special our planet is. She
believes that there is a chance to save the Earth if enough of us share the
message...
This beautifully written and illustrated story encourages children to do their own bit to help save the world, and with a useful fact page – giving further insight into environmental issues and practical advice on how to make a difference no matter how young you are – this is the perfect book to inspire eco warriors of the future.
Published on March 5.
(Caterpillar Books, hardback, £11.99)
Age 3 plus:
The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom
Steve Smallman and Nick Schon
A MONKEY'S plan to add a bit of colour to the lives of his
jungle friends goes bottom up in this classic picture book from daring double
act, Steve Smallman and Nick Schon.
First published in 2007, The Monkey with a Bright Blue
Bottom has been causing ripples of laughter down the years and now a new
generation of young readers can meet up with the colourful primate in a new
paperback edition with a fabulous neon pink cover. Brimming with Smallman’s irresistibly cheeky humour, this rollicking,
rhyming romp starring a mischievous monkey is brought to vivid life by a
gallery of Schon’s big, bold and brilliantly expressive illustrations.
A long time ago, when the world was quite new, a monkey sat
watching the birds as they flew. Like feathery rainbows they flashed through
the air. ‘How come they’re so pretty,’ he thought, ‘It’s not fair.’ So when the
monkey discovers a paint box, he has a brilliant idea to paint stripes on a
zebra, spots on a tiger, and brown squares on a giraffe but things don’t go
quite as Monkey planned, and he ends up with a red face… and a blue bottom!
From hilarious, throwaway lines like ‘as dull as an elephant poo’ to the monkey’s colour schemes which we all know will permanently stick to them, youngsters will love everything about this book… including the amazing discovery that blue-bottomed monkeys (mandrills) actually do exist. Animal magic and mayhem for all the family.
Published on March 5.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)
Age 3 plus:
Tiny T. Rex and the
Very Dark Dark
Very Dark Dark
Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck
MEET an adorable little dinosaur getting used to living in a
world that seems very big… and very scary. This is the third cute and cuddly adventure with the often
intimated but still indomitable Tiny T. Rex, brainchild of top team,
award-winning writer and filmmaker Jonathan Stutzman and designer and
illustrator Jay Fleck.
After the success of last year’s Tiny T. Rex and the
Impossible Hug, the creative partnership are back with a warm and reassuring
tale about friendship and overcoming your fears… perfect for helping toddlers
and children to overcome fears of the dark.
Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are camping out in the
backyard. It’s what best friends do, but without their nighty-lights, the dark
outside suddenly seems VERY dark… and full of very spooky things like the
Grumbles and the Nom-bies which come out at night. Good job Tiny has a
super-secret plan to keep the dark at bay! Full of reassuring messages and plenty of laughs, this new
adventure starring Tiny T. Rex shows that friends will always find a way to
face their fears together… even when those fears are not what they seem.
Published on March 3.
(Chronicle Books, hardback, £11.99)
Age 3 plus:
The Grizzly Itch
Victoria Cassanell
THERE are some itches that only a friend can scratch! Enjoy the all the fun of sharing and caring in a
terrifically ticklesome story from exciting debut author and illustrator
Victoria Cassanell. The Grizzly Itch – starring a bear and beaver who together
embark on a journey of discovery – celebrates the warmth and creative rewards
of friendship, compromise and the joy that can be found in a mutual love of
nature.
When Bear wakes up from his winter sleep, he discovers an
itch. And not just any itch… an unBEARable Grizzly Itch. But when he gets to
his favourite scratching tree, it suddenly crashes to the ground. It turns out that
Beaver likes trees too! Thankfully, Beaver knows lots of other trees, and
promises to help Bear find a new one. But Bear’s itch is getting more grizzly
by the minute, and none of the trees Beaver shows him are quite right. Maybe it’s
not a tree Bear needs after all but a helping paw from his friend?
This beautifully illustrated and imaginative story
demonstrates how helping people can yield some unexpected and wonderful
surprises, and is ideal for teaching little ones how to navigate first
friendships, and to encourage them to respect and enjoy the natural world.
Published on March 5.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 2 plus:
Put Your Botty on the Potty
Sam Lloyd
GETTING your toddlers out of nappies is enough to drive
parents potty! So turn an exhausting ordeal into shared giggles with creative
author and illustrator Sam Lloyd’s lift-the-flap, rhyming picture book which
offers a fresh, funny and cheeky take on the whole potty-training routine.
Little Moo Monster is growing up and no longer happy to be
in a nappy. Moo wants to be more grown-up so the lovable monster discards his
nappy and suddenly there’s poop everywhere. Mum gets a potty, and Moo practises
sitting on it… until finally, success! Moo can move on to grown-up pants which
means Moo can go to the Monster Pant Party with lots of little potty-trained
(and not-quite-so-potty-trained!) friends.
With large flaps to lift, clever paper engineering, big, bold illustrations and laugh-out-loud humour, Put Your Botty on the Potty is the perfect potty-training tool for all toddlers and their parents. The book covers all elements of potty training – from getting the potty, patience, triumphs and mishaps, using paper, washing your hands, and the joy of getting your first grown-up pants – and all delivered in a fun and supportive way. An ingenious book that should not be poo-pooed!
Published on March 5.
(Pavilion Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)
Age 2 plus:
One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller
Kate Read
WATCH out for the hungry fox in a stunning counting book
that turns learning into a thrilling adventure. One Fox, which stars a crafty fox on a midnight hunt for the
farmyard’s unsuspecting hens, comes from the brilliantly talented debut author
and illustrator, Kate Read.
The famished fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl… so the
three plump hens had better watch out. But what the fox doesn’t know is that
those clucking hens know something the fox doesn’t… there’s safety in numbers!
With something different to count in every picture and numbers in both text and
numerals, learning numbers from one to ten proves to be more fun than little
ones could ever have imagined.
Brimming with atmospheric, close-up illustrations, which capture everything from the scary, moonlit farmyard to the raucous riot of colour as the hens chase away the cunning fox, this is a clever picture that marries comedy, thrills and learning in a glorious melee. From one famished fox and two sly eyes through three plump hens and four padding paws to seven knocks at the door, ten sharp teeth, one hundred angry hens and one frightened fox, this is a story that will have everyone ‘s feathers flying… with a final flourish of laughter!
(Two Hoots, paperback, £7.99)
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