CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Macmillan put the magic into Christmas reading

Meet a guardian angel imparting love and kindness, spread your wings for a sky-high adventure, enjoy a thrilling rainforest mystery, and join a mouse for lots of creative Christmas fun in a fantastic festive gift selection from Macmillan Children’s Books

Age 3 plus
Grace and the Christmas Angel
Lucinda Riley, Harry Whittaker and Jane Ray

IF your best-laid plans for Christmas are in danger of falling apart, take inspiration and comfort from a beautiful illustrated story by mother and son partnership, bestselling novelist Lucinda Riley and award-winning BBC radio presenter Harry Whittaker.

This brand new Guardian Angel series – packed with the colourful and evocative illustrations of the talented Jane Ray – was devised by Harry and Lucinda before she sadly died in June this year, and is another ongoing, golden legacy of her enormous output of work. And this first book in the series – a stunning gift-edition, gold-foiled hardback, complete with an angel ribbon marker – delivers a reassuring story rooted in modern life but with an ethereal and nostalgic charm, celebrating the close bonds of family, and packed with timeless messages about love, hope, comfort and belief.

It’s Christmas Eve. The tree is decorated, the presents are wrapped and it’s a big day for Grace, who lives in a town by the sea. She is singing a song in the nativity show and her fisherman daddy has promised to be back in time to watch her. But when a storm blows up at sea, Grace walks out on stage to find Daddy is not there. She’s very worried but luckily, Grace has someone watching over her. Will Hope, the Christmas Angel, be able to help Daddy get home safely for Christmas morning? The magic of Christmas and the joys of community, friendship and family speak volumes in this warm-hearted tale… perfect for seasonal giving.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
The Boy With Wings
Lenny Henry and Keenon Ferrell

SPREAD your wings for a sky-high adventure with an extraordinary hero in a funny and acutely perceptive middle-grade novel from comedian, writer, philanthropist and award-winning actor Lenny Henry. Co-founder of Comic Relief, Sir Lenny is a strong advocate for diversity and he teams up here with illustrator Keenon Ferrell for a story that speaks loudly in multicultural Britain. Ordinary kid Tunde is about to become an extraordinary hero! Wings? Check. A super-cool, super-secret past? Check. An impossible mission to save the world from a fur-ocious enemy? Check. When Tunde sprouts wings and learns he’s all that stands between Earth and total destruction, suddenly school is the least of his problems. Luckily, his rag-tag group of pals have got his back and with his new powers, Tunde is ready to fly in the face of danger. So what if he can’t even stand up to the school bully? He’s the boy with wings… this is his destiny. No pressure then! Filled with Sir Lenny’s trademark wit and sense of fun, but also with his empathy and keen eye for the concerns of minority ethnic groups, this is a wonderfully inclusive story that will have youngsters giggling and guffawing from first page to last. And as an added bonus, readers can enjoy an exclusive comic book adventure illustrated by Marvel artist Mark Buckingham.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
Journey to the River Sea
Eva Ibbotson and Katie Hickey

ESCAPE the autumn winds and rain with a thrilling rainforest adventure that is guaranteed to turn up the heat for young readers. This beautiful, 20th anniversary, jacketed gift edition of Eva Ibbotson’s award-winning classic tale set in Brazil’s Amazon – packed with the fabulous colour illustrations of Katie Hickey – is the ideal introduction to a writer who had the power to transport youngsters to faraway places. Ibbotson moved to England from Vienna with her father in 1925 to flee the Nazis and died in 2010, by which time her imaginative and humorous books had won prizes and the hearts of adoring fans. In Journey to the River Sea, we meet Maia, an orphan, who can’t wait to reach her distant relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. She imagines a loving family with whom she will share great adventures but instead she finds two spiteful cousins who see the jungle as the enemy. Fortunately, the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous twins. And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary new world. Escapist storytelling at its best… and a book to love, share and treasure.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £20)

Age 7 plus
The 143-Storey Treehouse:
Camping Hoots and Soggy Boots
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

THE ‘wizards of Oz’ are back with their incredible, ever-expanding treehouse and this time it has an incredible 143 storeys! Australian writer and illustrator team – Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton – have turned their zany adventure stories, featuring two young would-be publishing sensations (unsurprisingly called Andy and Terry!), into a real-life reading phenomenon. The success of the Treehouse series just won’t stop growing and the amazing creators are climbing higher than high in the bestseller lists with these wild and wacky, highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud books packed with hilarious antics, jokes and cartoons. So climb the new storeys and discover a word-o-matic, a wrecking ball, a deep, dark cave with a fire-breathing dragon and a spooky graveyard (where it’s always midnight). And as Andy has been a bit stressed, Terry has decided the perfect way for them to relax is to head up to their new camping ground level for a much-needed holiday. But it turns out to be not quite as relaxing as Terry planned! Easy-to-read, visually exciting and wonderfully entertaining, the pace is fast and the fun never stops. So what are you waiting for? Climb each level in fits of laughter in this glittering, blue-foiled hardback edition which is ideal for Christmas gifting. Guaranteed to get even the most reluctant readers begging for more!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature
Dara McAnulty and Barry Falls

DIG out your hat and scarf, pull on your walking boots and take a wild, wandering and fascinating journey into the great outdoors. With award-winning young activist and conservationist Dara McAnulty as your guide, this wonderful gift book – brimming with amazing facts and fabulous illustrations by talented artist Barry Falls – is the perfect walking companion. The fully colour illustrated book opens in the author’s own back garden and takes us into the hills, woods and ponds, pointing out his own favourite animals and flora and fauna, all elements that fascinated him when he was a child. McAnulty pauses to tell you about each habitat and how to explore it, and provides fantastic facts about the native birds, animals and plants you will find there, and there are activities to enjoy when you get home… plant wild flowers, make a bird feeder, try pond dipping, make a journey stick and build a terrarium. The ideal way to let children experience for themselves the joy of connecting with the natural world and to do their bit to help save our planet.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
How Winston Came Home for
Christmas
Alex T. Smith

HERE'S a very special gift book that offers both brilliant storytelling and a sackful of creative Christmas activities! Writer and illustrator Alex T. Smith is back with a return visit into the action-packed life of Winston the mouse for more storytelling, adventure and creativity in his festive sequel to the much-loved How Winston Delivered Christmas. Innovative and entertaining, How Winston Came Home for Christmas is written in 24½ chapters… one to share every day leading up to Christmas, and with each chapter featuring its own Christmas activities for families and friends to make together. It’s five days until Christmas and Winston has a mystery to solve. He has hazy memories of another mouse and he knows that someone very important to him is lost. After promising Oliver that he will be back in time for Christmas, no matter what, Winston sets out on an exciting round-the-world adventure to find the missing mouse, helped along the way by wonderful old friends and delightful new ones too. Like an advent calendar counting down to Christmas, each day also features festive things to make and do… you can make decorations and Christmas food, and discover Christmas traditions from around the world. With bright, bold illustrations, a foiled cover, and ribbon marker, and lovingly wrapped in the author’s natural warmth and insight into what makes Christmas exciting for children, this wonderful book is destined to become a family favourite in the run-up to Christmas.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Constance in Peril
Ben Manley and Emma Chichester Clark

THE great outdoors poses untold hidden dangers for a rag doll called Constance Hardpenny in a funny and exquisitely written and wrought picture book from author Ben Manley and much-loved illustrator Emma Chichester Clark. This is the exciting pairing that brought young readers the highly acclaimed The Misadventures of Frederick and the top team work their magic again on a delightfully playful story which blends vintage charm with a free-spirited, modern and youthful zest to deliver a picture book full of heartfelt messages about the joys of childhood, play and sibling loyalty. Edward’s favourite toy is old cloth doll Constance who was rescued from a rubbish bin but is still prey to potentially catastrophic incidents like being forgotten and left out in the rain, trapped up a tree, and even being caught in the jaws of the neighbour’s dog! Fortunately she is rescued each time by the watchful Grace, Edward’s loving older sister, but is Constance doomed to suffer a life of never-ending peril? Probably! Shared adventure, experiences and endeavour all play a part in this playful and witty story which has been beautifully created against a nostalgic rural backdrop, and is a vibrant and timely reminder that youth is there to be enjoyed to the full.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Fire Fox
Alexandra Page and Stef Murphy

COLOUR me blue this Christmas! Get ready for a feast of rainbow magic, wild beauty and words of comfort and gentle joy in an outstanding picture book that was just made sharing at bedtime on cold winter nights. Exciting debut author Alexandra Page teams up with talented illustrator Stef Murphy for a moving tale of love and loss inspired by the Finnish Saami myth of the revontulet, or fox fires… the sparks that fly from the fur of a mystical fox to become the Northern Lights. Freya and her mum have gone to a little cabin to get away for a while. The light has gone out of their lives since Freya’s dad died. Freya isn’t sure about going sledging, but when she meets a magical fox in the snow, she can’t help but follow him into the forest and on to a thrilling adventure. Filled with compassion and empathy, The Fire Fox is a touching and timely reminder of the nurturing light of love that can never be dimmed and the solace to be found in remembrance and acceptance. Add on a silver-foiled cover and Murphy’s exquisite artwork, and you have the perfect Christmas gift book.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Fly, Fly, Fly Your Sleigh!
John Hay and Garry Parsons

IT can’t be true, can it… is Santa refusing to deliver the presents this year? Have fun, laughs and plenty of happy refrains with a merry, madcap Christmas caper from debut picture book author John Hay and Garry Parsons, illustrator of the smash-hit Dinosaur that Pooped series written by McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. Packed with brilliantly funny rhymes, inspired by the much-loved song Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and accompanied by Parsons’ bold and anarchic illustrations, we head off to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and find all is not well in Santa’s workshop. The elves are hard at work but Santa is fed up and doesn’t want to deliver the presents. The elves are determined to cheer Santa up with some jolly songs… starting with Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and moving on to classics such as Hang, Hang, Hang Your Socks and Peel, Peel, Peel the Sprouts. But can they get Santa smiling again and on to his sleigh in time? Perfect for sharing in the run-up to Christmas, children will love joining in the familiar tune and singing along with the elves… and they can even make up their own funny Christmas rhymes. Comedy jingles all the way!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Robin Robin
Daniel Ojari, Mikey Please and
Briony May Smith

OH crumbs… here’s a beautiful, imaginative and simply irresistible book set to become a favourite with families everywhere! Daniel Ojari and Mikey Please’s heartwarming and utterly delightful story of a robin adopted by a family of mice was inspired by the Christmas film created by Aardman for Netflix and has been fabulously illustrated by Briony May Smith whose work is inspired by fairy tales and rural folklore. Robin is so keen to fit in with the mice that she fluffs her feathers into ears. But nothing can make a noisy, clumsy bird good at sneaking crumbs… especially when the dreaded cat is one the prowl!  Yet Robin is determined and, with the help of a friendly magpie, she finds her own way to succeed, learning that she can be true to her own bird self and a loved member of the mouse family. No child will be able to resist this warm and funny tale, brought to glorious life by Smith’s gallery of adorable, eye-catching and colourful illustrations. Guaranteed to capture the hearts of readers young and old!
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Squirrel’s Snowman
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

THE award-winning Julia Donaldson-Axel  Scheffler team are back with an adorable new story in their much-loved Tales from Acorn Wood series starring a group of furry favourites. Toddlers can get to know the woodland friends and join in the gentle fun of their adventures with these foiled, hard-wearing lift-the flap books featuring Scheffler’s bold and colourful illustrations and Donaldson’s simple, appealing story full of warmth and friendship. Here we find it snowing in Acorn Wood where Squirrel wants to build a snowman. Will she and her friends find everything they need to build it? There are surprises on every page as little ones open the flaps and doors in this wintry tale, and make their own discoveries whilst learning the joys of books, playtime and reading.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £6.99)

The Collector’s Daughter

Gill Paul 

WHEN archaeologist Howard Carter and his sponsor Lord Carnarvon entered the long-lost tomb of Tutankhamun in November of 1922, their names were immortalised and they achieved instant fame.

But there was another person who made history that day and, like many women from the past, her identity has been airbrushed from a remarkable 20th century discovery that still has the power to capture imaginations across the world.

So to put the record straight – and to lift her out of the shadows of time – historical novelist Gill Paul (pictured below) brings us a sweeping and utterly compelling account of the part played by Carnarvon’s daughter, Lady Evelyn (Eve) Herbert, a spirited young woman who may well have been the first person of modern times to enter the magnificent resting place of the renowned Egyptian boy king.

Harnessing a huge amount of research and her imaginative powers, Paul blends fact and fiction to shed a fresh and fascinating spotlight on the little-known Eve who grew up at Highclere Castle – the stunning backdrop to ITV’s hit series Downton Abbey – and nurtured her own lifetime love of Egyptology.

Full of the wonder of that century-old discovery in the heat and dust of the Valley of the Kings, and the warmth of the happy marriage that was the bedrock of Eve’s life, but also capturing the tantalising air of mystery that still surrounds the legendary ‘curse’ of Tutankhamen, The Collector’s Daughter weaves seamlessly between two timelines 50 years apart. 

Young Evelyn Herbert first visited Egypt with her father, George Herbert, Lord Carnarvon, in 1919, when she was eighteen and immediately fell in love with both the place and its unforgettable history.

After an isolated childhood at Highclere Castle and with a mother whose only ambition is to find a ‘suitable’ husband for her daughter, Eve’s dreams of returning to Luxor and being part of the search for the lost tomb of Tutankhamun are realised three years later.

Alongside her father and Howard Carter, a family friend and the archaeologist leading the dig, an excited Eve will be present when the tomb is finally opened and searched. But what the authorities don’t know is that on the night before the official opening, Eve joined Carnarvon and Carter and became the first person to step

Curl up with three winter warmer novels

Enjoy love, laughter, tears and triumphs in a sparkling selection of books that turn up the heat on cold winter nights

The Merry Christmas Project
Cathy Bramley 

IF it’s love, laughter and new beginnings you’re looking for as the Christmas season draws nearer, then head off to beautiful, rugged Derbyshire for a big hug of a book!

The Merry Christmas Project is the new feel-good, funny and thoroughly uplifting story, featuring a woman and a man finding unexpected happiness, from Cathy Bramley (pictured below), a writer whose rom-coms have become the go-to panacea for those in search of a reading escape. Bramley, whose bestsellers include The Lemon Tree Café and My Kind of Happy, has found her natural niche writing entertaining women’s fiction about friendship, family and love and this sparkling new novel is a welcome ray of sunshine as the nights draw in.

Christmas has always meant something special to Merry, even without a family of her own. This year, her heart might be broken after a painful split with boyfriend Daniel, but her new candle-making business, Merry and Bright, is booming.

The last thing she needs as she moves into pretty Holly Cottage is another project… but when her home town’s annual event needs some fresh festive inspiration, Merry can’t resist.

Meanwhile, builder Cole loves a project too… though it’s usually of the bricks and mortar variety. As a single dad, his Christmas wish is to see his kids, Harley and Freya, again after they moved with their mum to Canada. 

So getting the new house finished for when they are all together is the perfect distraction. But this Christmas, magic is in the air for these two strangers. Will it bring them all the joy they planned for… and take their hearts by surprise too? After all, anything can happen at Christmas. There is a joyous sense of hope and the unifying spirit of Christmas on every step of the journey with the delightful Merry and Cole as they both seek a warm and loving place to call home.

With Bramley’s trademark cast of wonderfully portrayed and quirky characters, a big dollop of shared community, and the guarantee of both laughter and sparkle, readers will be raising their glasses to The Merry Christmas Project.
(Orion, paperback, £7.99)

The Country Village
Winter Wedding
Cathy Lake

LIGHT the fire, draw the curtains and settle back for a feel-good feast of rural delights, warm friendships, enchanting romance, the community spirit that helps to mend broken hearts… and two dogs with BIG personalities!

Cathy Lake (pictured below), who is on a mission to write uplifting stories about strong women overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, provides a much-needed injection of hope, humour and Christmas cheer in this beautiful tale of two lonely people at crossroads in their lives. Clare Greene and Sam Wilson are getting married and everyone in Little Bramble is excited for the event of the year. But Clare and Sam are busy people and have left organising their wedding to the last minute.

Luckily, wedding planner Hazel Campbell has recently moved to the village. She had what she thought was a wonderful life in Edinburgh with a successful business, a loving fiancé and her own wedding coming up.

But when she caught her groom-to-be in bed with her best friend, her world was blown apart and she fled, leaving everyone and everything behind. For someone who had lost direction, Little Bramble seems like the ideal place for Hazel to start over.

Meanwhile, Jack Hurst is struggling to come to terms with the death of his beloved partner Danni a year ago and he wonders if he will ever be the same person he was before his life had shattered into tiny pieces. As Hazel throws herself into planning the perfect country village winter wedding, she starts to find herself again. And when her life starts to intertwine with Jack’s, she realises that a second chance at happiness might just be on the cards.

Village life in all its rich colour, cosy togetherness and shared endeavour forms the captivating backdrop to a story that shines a light on community, friendship and family without losing sight of some of reality’s dark corners and the emotional complexities of everyday life and relationships. With a romance to warm the winter cold, a cast of charming characters which includes familiar faces from earlier books – not least canine stars Goliath and Scout – and a Little Bramble winter wedding to warm every reader’s heart, this is perfect escapism for the dark nights ahead.
(Zaffre, paperback, £7.99)

The Archers: Home Fires at Ambridge
Catherine Miller 

SEVENTY years ago, the BBC broadcast a radio drama which was billed as ‘an everyday story of country folk.’ Little did they know that The Archers was destined to become the world’s longest-running drama, an icon of British popular culture with millions of listeners tuning in to every episode, and listed by a panel of broadcasting industry experts in 2019 as the second-greatest radio programme of all time.

Partly established with the aim of educating farmers following the Second World War, The Archers quickly captured the hearts and minds of the population at large with its warm and cosy stories about the lives of families in the fictional rural village of Ambridge.

And now to mark the programme’s landmark anniversary, novelist Catherine Miller is bringing us an enthralling and revealing series following the lives, loves and dramas of the families of Ambridge starting in 1940… eleven years before it all began.

In the second book of the series, it’s 1941 and the war rumbles on. Nowhere is immune to the effects of war, not even Ambridge. But in England’s favourite village, something else is occupying

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Spells, spills and giggles for a spooktacular Halloween

As Halloween looms like a deep, dark shadow on the horizon, enjoy a simply wizard selection of new books which are guaranteed to bewitch all young fans of the season of spooks and spectres

Age 8 plus
The Warrior In My Wardrobe: More Misadventures of Merdyn the Wild
Simon Farnaby and Claire Powell

IF you and your family are down and out with the worries of the pandemic, indulge yourselves in the shared joy of this simply wizard middle grade series from Simon Farnaby, writer of Paddington 2 and star of Horrible Histories. This is the second book in this hilarious series and once again stars the badly behaved, time-travelling Merdyn (the greatest wizard of the Dark Ages) and Rose, his 21st-century descendent. Vanheldon the vandal warrior, meanwhile, is furious. After all, last time they met, Merdyn turned his army to stone. 

Click HERE for Lancashire Post reviews

Seeking revenge, Vanheldon comes up with a way to kidnap Rose and transport her back to Dark Ages Transylvania, set on luring Merdyn into a terrible trap. Except (whoops!) his magical minion kidnaps Rose’s teenage brother Kris instead. Rose, Merdyn and Bubbles the guinea pig must team up to save the day. But can they rescue Kris without creating historical mayhem? Will Rose's wizard ancestor even remember her and will Bubbles ever stop pooing? 

Whether this terrific tale is read alone or aloud, there are guaranteed gags, giggles and great adventures with a historical twist on every page as Farnaby lets his imagination and storytelling skills run riot, and Claire Powell adds the finishing touches with her super-charged, richly detailed illustrations.
(Hodder Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99

Age 9 plus
The Shadows of Rookhaven
Pádraig Kenny and Edward Bettison

IMAGINE a chilling, thrilling story full of monsters that can change the way you see the world… and it comes with the most exquisite and eye-catching illustrations. In the sequel to his fantastical, thought-provoking and beautifully written The Monsters of Rookhaven – and once again filled with the stunning black-and-white illustrations of Edward Bettison – Irish writer Pádraig Kenny thrills and delights his army of fans. Shadows are gathering over Rookhaven. It’s the time of The Great Configuration, a once in a hundred years event. Family and monsters descend on Rookhaven from all over the country to take part. But amongst the guests there is an interloper, one who is disguised and has an eye on their destruction. Meanwhile, Mirabelle – part-human, part-monster – discovers that to those from outside Rookhaven she is not considered family at all and, forced to search further afield for knowledge of her true history, she risks everything… and everyone. What better season than Halloween to return to the monstrous world of Mirabelle as Kenny’s gothic and gorgeous story of family and forgiveness asks us to contemplate what it is to be an outsider, and to take a second look at how we view our own lives. This is a super-spooky story, chilling and thrilling but with magic, kindness and a haunting beauty at its heart.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
Hag Storm
Victoria Williamson

ENJOY a spooky historical adventure with a supernatural twist as Scottish-born author Victoria Williamson finds inspiration in the life of Robert Burns and one of his most famous and best-loved poems, Tam O’Shanter. Twelve-year-old Rab spends all of his time doing backbreaking work on his family’s farm instead of attending school, but when he finds a hag stone in one of the fields, everything changes. Looking through its circular hole, he sees witches gathering in a coming storm, and they have set their sights on his family. Can Rab save his sisters from the clutches of the witches’ coven before their Halloween ceremony in the old kirk?  Set against an awe-inspiring backdrop, Hag Storm is a thrilling and atmospheric tale of mystery and magic, and a gloriously imaginative celebration of Scottish history and the country’s fascinating folklore.
(Pokey Hat, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Dream Defenders: Silas and the Marvellous Misfits
Tom Percival

JOIN the Dream Defenders… and turn nightmares into incredible adventures! Children can suffer from anxiety in the best of times but in the current coronavirus crisis, stress levels have the potential to soar. So calm their fears and dry their tears with author and illustrator Tom Percival’s clever, all-action Dream Defenders adventure series (formerly known as The Dream Team) which offers a fun and engaging way to reassure youngsters and help them cope with anxieties. In the third book in the series, Erika has a big secret. She’s a member of the Dream Defenders – a top-secret organisation that banishes your worries while you sleep. And tonight they’re on a mission to rescue Erika’s best friend Silas from the clutches of the evil Glooms – creatures who want everyone in the dream world to look and think exactly the same way. Can the Dream Defenders save Silas and help him to see that being a misfit can be a truly marvellous thing? These superbly creative books are perfect for sharing at home to guide children through periods of anxiety, or for reading in schools as guidance with behavioural problems and anger management. Sweet dreams are made of this!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 6 plus
Ghost Scouts: Chaos at Camp Croak!
Taylor Dolan 

IF you’re looking for some wicked Halloween fun, head off to Camp Croak and meet zombies, werewolves and a fierce skeleton! Chaos at Camp Croak! is exciting American author and illustrator Taylor Dolan’s second hair-raising book in her laugh-out-loud, illustrated Ghost Scouts series. Lexie Wilde and her friends (who include an English zombie called Mary, a very quiet ghost called Boo and a fierce skeleton called Bebe) are super excited about Halloween this year. After all, where better to spend it than at Camp Croak, spookiest holiday camp ever? And the arrival of two new Ghost Scouts is the icing on the cake… until Lexie accepts a dare from one of them, and a rogue spell is cast. Does this mean the end of Halloween and could it be the evil Euphemia Vile behind the chaos that ensues? With its cast of ghoulish but gorgeous characters, a feisty feminist heroine, a story steeped in friendship, fun, kindness and daring to be different, and Dolan’s all-action, two-tone illustrations throughout, this is the perfect read for all young mischief-makers.
(Guppy Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Midnight Magic: Mirror Mischief
Michelle Harrison and Elissa Elwick

THERE'S double trouble in the second book of a bewitching early reading series from top team Michelle Harrison, author of A Pinch of Magic, and illustrator Elissa Elwick. These fun-filled stories –featuring Midnight, a magical cat, its talking broomstick Twiggy, and a kind-hearted girl called Trixie who has given them a home – hit the spot perfectly for children moving on from picture books. When Trixie is at school one day, Midnight gets up to some mischief with the bathroom mirror and brings her reflection to life. The mirror’s Midnight causes all sorts of chaos but safely on the other side of the glass… until Twiggy the broomstick accidentally smashes the mirror, setting the destructive double free! As Trixie, Dad and Nan get tangled up in the turmoil, can they work together and send the magical cat back to where it came from before it’s too late? Told in rhyming verse and illustrated in gorgeous two-tone colour throughout, this fun-filled series is guaranteed to cast a spell over your little ones!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £5.99)

A Christmas to Remember

Anton Du Beke 

PUT on your dancing shoes, polish up the sequins, and glide seamlessly into the glitz and glamour of Mayfair’s magnificent Buckingham Hotel as Britain teeters precariously on the edge of war. Strictly Come Dancing judge and all-round entertainer Anton Du Beke sweeps us off our feet and waltzes us back in time to the upstairs and downstairs dramas of the residents and staff of an exclusive London hotel in the third novel in his dazzling wartime series.

The king of dance – and now king of romance – Du Beke (pictured below) follows up his bestselling novels, One Enchanted Evening and Moonlight Over Mayfair, with a festive-flavoured trip to the music and magic of the Buckingham’s Grand Ballroom where dreams, dancing and disasters are part of everyday life.

And A Christmas to Remember delivers the same heady mix of real social and political history and a story filled with nostalgia, suspense, and intrigue as we are once more plunged into the beating heart of a busy, bustling hotel.

In London in 1938, the threat of war looms ever closer and the Buckingham Hotel’s difficulties continue to grow. Still reeling from the events of last year, including an inferno which laid waste to the hotel’s iconic ballroom, and with guest numbers dropping as foreign tensions mount, the staff will have a battle to keep up the hotel’s glamorous reputation.

But the ballroom has been lovingly restored and the long-serving hotel director, Maynard Charles, is hopeful that it will soon be open again as a place of magic and enchantment where ‘love stories could unfold and guests can pretend for a few hours that the world outside was not going to touch them.’

Click HERE for Lancashire Post review

Meanwhile, life has been a whirlwind for fiercely independent chambermaid Nancy Nettleton who moved to London and the Buckingham Hotel from her home in Lancashire, little suspecting that she would find love with Raymond de Guise, the hotel’s debonair professional dancer.

As the festive season approaches, the exclusive hotel gets busier and busier, with guests arriving from around the world, seeking comfort, relaxation and refuge from Nazi Germany as tensions build across Europe.

Behind the scenes, the staff work tirelessly, ensuring the smooth operation of the hotel, guarding the secrets of their guests, but they have many of their own that they fear will be revealed. And as

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Thrilling adventures and books to make you think

Christmas is on the horizon so here is an autumn collection of dazzling children’s books that are are guaranteed to inform, amuse, entertain… and bring a mile of smiles to readers of every age

Age 4 plus
Everything Under the Sun
Written by Molly Oldfield

QUESTIONS, questions, questions… being curious about everything under the sun is all part of growing up. So here’s the perfect gift book for every parent, teacher or carer who needs some help with providing answers…a coruscating collection of 366 curious questions (one for every day of the year!) asked by children from around the world, and based on the award-winning podcast by original QI Elf, Molly Oldfield. How much bamboo can a giant panda eat, do aliens exist, what we would do if we didn’t have a prime minister, why do bubbles pop when you touch them, and why do hammerhead sharks have such strange-shaped heads?

Click HERE for Lancashire Post reviews

Find out the answers to these curious but fascinating questions and much, much more as this brilliant book explores everything from science and nature to dinosaurs, alongside some very knowledgeable experts. Ponder where ideas come from with award-winning illustrator Rob Biddulph, find out why you taste things differently when you have a cold, courtesy of Michelin star chef, Heston Blumenthal, and learn about everything from how astronauts see in the dark to what the biggest dinosaur was with experts from the Natural History Museum.

Fascinating facts are accompanied by gorgeous, full-colour illustrations from the likes of Momoko Abe, Kelsey Buzzell, Beatrice Cerocchi, Alice Courtley, Sandra de la Prada, Grace Easton, Manuela Montoya Escobar, Richard Jones, Lisa Koesterke, Gwen Millward, Sally Mullaney, and Laurie Stansfield. Whether you read a question a day, or dip into it whenever you are feeling curious, this is a book to treasure and share all year round, and, without question, a super gift for Christmas!
(Ladybird, hardback, £25)

Age 5 plus
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Written by L. Frank Baum
and illustrated by MinaLima

JOIN young orphan Dorothy Gale and her little dog Toto when they are blown away by a tornado to Oz, a magical place filled with witches, munchkins, winged monkeys, and other unusual inhabitants. Hailed as America’s best-loved home-grown fairy tale, L. Frank Baum’s classic story has been enjoyed by generations of young readers since its publication in 1900, and was the inspiration for the award-winning 1939 film starring Judy Garland, stage plays and musicals. Over the years, it has become a staple of American literature, teaching children the true meaning of friendship and belonging, so indulge your children this Christmas with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a spectacular, interactive book which reimagines the novel’s iconic imagery and highlights phrases from the original book in a unique and delightful style that will enchant readers of all ages.

Destined to become a collector’s item, this deluxe illustrated edition contains specially commissioned full-colour artwork and nine exclusive interactive features, including a cyclone map that opens up to reveal the Land of Oz, pop-up Yellow Brick Road glasses that provide a different look at the world, fighting trees with branches that move and Dorothy’s silver shoes that can be clicked together. Created by MinaLima, the award-winning design studio behind the graphics for the Harry Potter film franchise, this keepsake edition is a wonderful addition to Harper Design’s imaginative series of illustrated children’s classics and is guaranteed to be treasured by families for years to come.
(Harper Design, hardback, £25)

Age 8 plus
How Was That Built? 
The Stories Behind Awesome Structures
Roma Agrawal and Katie Hickey

LOOK up at the sky in a cityscape and you’ll see some of humankind’s most amazing constructions! Whether it’s the Brooklyn Bridge in the US, the Pantheon in Italy, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Shard in London, the Sapporo Dome in Japan, or simply building on the moon, this amazing, sky-scraping book will set alight the minds of budding engineers. Roma Agrawal, the award-winning structural engineer who worked on The Shard, takes youngsters on an exciting behind-the-scenes look at some of the world's most incredible landmarks. Discover the ingenious methods structural engineers have come up with to enable us to build underground, underwater, on ice and even in space. And learn about the impact different forces and materials can have on a structure by carrying out your own engineering experiments from the ‘Try it at Home’ sections. With richly detailed illustrations by Katie Hickey, including cross-sections, skylines and close-ups of engineering techniques, this is inspiration in action for the youngsters who will build the future.
(Bloomsbury, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is Wrong!
Dr Nick Crumpton and Gavin Scott  

IF you believed dinosaurs were extinct, enormous and could roar, then you’d better think again! Dinosaur fans will quickly become dinosaur experts with this inventive and entertaining take on a dinosaur book. Dinosaurs are mean, green and not very smart, right? Wrong! But don’t worry, even the experts can’t be right all the time. From fossilised feathers to long-necked lookalikes, this ingenious compendium is packed with amazing dinosaur discoveries, including jaw-dropping research debunking myths about all kinds of prehistoric creatures. Let’s put it this way… you'll never look at a pigeon the same way again! With a fascinating, easy-to-understand text by zoologist Dr Nick Crumpton and Gavin Scott’s richly detailed colour artwork on every page, this fabulously tactile hardback gift book will turn dinosaur fans into budding palaeontology pros!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
A Day in the Life of a Caveman, a Queen and Everything In Between
Mike Barfield  and Jess Bradley

HOW did a woolly mammoth pass the time, what did microbes make of scientist Louis Pasteur, and what was life like for a cat in ancient Egypt? Asking questions is all part of growing up and finding the answers can be fun… particularly when you dig into the fascinating facts inside this brilliant, illustrated, laugh-out-loud guide to the daily lives of the people, animals and objects who made history. Follow early humans painting mammoths on cave walls, discover a dog in the trenches of the First World War and learn how the Great Wall of China was built. With over ninety stories to enjoy in the friendly, informative style of cartoonist Mike Barfield, and brought to life by the colour-explosion of Jess Bradley’s awesome illustrations, this is the ideal gift for any child who likes to mix their learning with a big dollop of laughter!
(Buster Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 4 plus
Britannica First Big Book of Why
Sally Symes, Stephanie Drimmer,
Britannica Group and Kate Slater

WHY do our tummies rumble, why can’t penguins fly and why are clouds different shapes? Find answers to the strangest and most wonderful questions in the endlessly fascinating Britannica First Big Book of Why, an authoritative and lavishly illustrated question and answer book guaranteed to satisfy even the most curious children. Over 100 questions, all verified by Britannica experts, are answered in this fact-filled, colour-packed and entertaining book which spans a range of topics including animals, the body, machines, space, food and the Earth. With clear and accessible explanations, diagrams, photography, Kate Slater’s stunning illustrations, intriguing picture puzzles, wacky facts, and an exploration of some of the world’s still unsolved mysteries, this brilliantly conceived and created book is the ideal food to nurture enquiring minds and instil an appetite for learning in the years to come.
(Britannica Books, hardback, £20)

Age 8 plus
Freeze
Written and illustrated by Chris Priestley

AS Halloween draws near, get your goosebumps raised with this ghostly tale from award-winning author and master of horror Chris Priestley. With creepy stories, wrapped in another creepy story, this is a fantastic horror fest for plucky youngsters who love to have their spines well and truly tingled! When Maya and her classmates are asked to write a creepy story with a winter theme, they come up with some brilliant ideas. Floodwaters uncover long-buried bodies and ghostly children take to the ice on a frozen canal but as each of the stories is read out, Maya grows uncomfortable because she features in every creepy tale. And when a mysterious new girl reads the last story of the day, the light dims, it starts to snow, the classroom freezes and everyone is trapped. Can Maya stop the story before the nightmare comes true? Priestley’s atmospheric black and white illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to a super scary story brim full of chills, spills and thrills!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 7 plus
Pippi Longstocking
Astrid Lindgren and Lauren Child

NOSTALGIA really is what it’s cracked up to be in this gorgeous, flagship gift edition of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s eternally lovable Pippi Longstocking, the eccentric girl who has been bewitching readers for over seventy-five years. Pippi, who just happens to be an amazing rebel role model, is back to win the hearts of another generation thanks to her timeless, fun-filled escapades, a sparkling translation by Susan Beard, and the striking artwork of Lauren Child. Here we join Pippi at Villa Villekulla where she lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. Pippi and her friends, Tommy and Annika, have the best time together, going to the fair, buying ALL the sweets in the sweet shop, and getting shipwrecked for the weekend. A magical introduction to the weird, wild and wonderful world of Pippi!
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £20)

Age 7 plus
Earth is Big: A Book of Comparisons
Steve Tomecek and Marcos Farina

TAKE a fresh and exciting look at the world we live in! Author Steve Tomecek and illustrator Marcos Farina give youngsters a fascinating new perspective on the unique nature of Planet Earth in this eye-catching book of comparisons. Earth is big (compared to a frog) but Earth is small (when it’s hiding in a galaxy).  And that’s not all. Earth is wet and dry, hot and cold, round and jagged, fast and slow… it all depends on how you look at it. Get to know our planet in a whole new way by comparing it to a huge variety of other incredible things, from tiny particles to giant star clusters, and then embark on a tour of some of the most extreme places on the planet and beyond. From bacteria to elephants and redwood trees, you’ll never see Earth the same way again!
(What on Earth Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Tripwrecked! Tempest Terror!
Ross Montgomery and Mark Beech

IF you fear stormy days ahead, enjoy a performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest as you’ve never before seen it! Award-winning Ross Montgomery puts fun and laughter into the Bard’s classic tale of love and freedom with a captivating caper that will have youngsters giggling all the way to the final curtain. Frank and his drama club are off on a dream school trip to perform The Tempest at a festival. But it turns into a nightmare when their ferry is hit by a terrible storm and half of the actors wash up on a sandy shore. To Frank, it all sounds strangely like the plot of The Tempest and he hasn’t got a clue how they’re going to get out of this mess. But one thing’s for sure... they’ve all been tripwrecked! Montgomery’s riotous parody is a brilliant introduction to one of the Bard’s lesser known plays while Mark Beech’s anarchic illustrations bring the cast and action to vibrant life. Guaranteed to earn an encore!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 9 plus
By Rowan and Yew
Melissa Harrison

AS autumn casts its cloak of colours over the landscape, enjoy this mesmerising sequel to the stunning By Ash, Oak and Thorn from acclaimed nature writer Melissa Harrison. Celebrating the glories of the rich, wild world and all its wonders, Harrison gives her nature-inspired imagination free rein as Moss, Sorrel, Burnet and Dormer return home to Ash Row to unravel a riddle that might explain why their kind are fading from the Wild World. And when you’re only one-hand high, it’s an autumnal  journey filled with danger and delight… golden leaves, shiny conkers, the brightest of berries, but also storms and the first frost of winter. They have friendship, good sense and humour, but will it be enough to secure a future for the Hidden Folk? Readers young and old cannot help but fall in love with these three tiny eternal beings as their thrilling and magical adventures introduce young readers to real plants, birds, animals and folklore, including things they can find in their own gardens, local parks, or on walks.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Dragon Rider: The Aurelia Curse
Cornelia Funke

NEARLY twenty-five years ago, German-born author Cornelia Funke whipped up a reading storm with her fabulous book Dragon Rider, a legendary tale of fantasy, dragons and magical kingdoms, which was adapted for the big screen this year. And now young readers can enjoy the third book in the series, a thrilling adventure packed with Laura Ellen Anderson’s richly detailed illustrations. Ben and the Greenblooms must protect a mythical new creature rising from the ocean that can bring light or darkness to whoever it first meets… a vast, mythical Aurelia. It’s a race against time to protect it, for if the Aurelia is hurt, all fabulous creatures will vanish from Earth. Amazing creatures, inspirational adventures, edge-of-the-seat thrills and all the excitement of entering a magical, mysterious world make these books irresistible to be read alone or as a bedtime treat.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Christmas Carrolls
Mel Taylor-Bessent and Selom Sunu

IF you need to add some extra warmth to your Christmas celebrations this year, bask in the cosy glow of this funny, friendly and diverse tale of a family that enjoys Christmas every day of the year. Interactive video firm Authorfy founder Mel Taylor-Bessent imparts resonant messages of kindness and good cheer when we join nine-year-old Holly Carroll and her family as they live the merriest life in a house with year-round fairy lights, Christmas trees and a carol-singing toilet. Unfortunately, not everyone shares their yuletide enthusiasm and when the neighbours try to remove the Carrolls from the street, could Holly be about to lose her Christmas spirit? With Selom Sunu’s wonderful illustrations adding to the festive feast, this is the perfect tasty dish to set before your own Christmas kings and queens.
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Book of Stolen Dreams
David Farr 

INSPIRED by his own family history, David Farr, one of the UK’s leading screenwriter and film and theatre directors, plays a blinder with his breathtaking debut children’s book set in Krasnia, a sinister dictatorship where children are banned from playing in public and only allowed outdoors for exercise and education. When Rachel and Robert are passed a stolen book by their librarian father, they have to go on the run and protect it at all costs. But the cruel and calculating child-hating Charles Malstain is on their trail and if the book falls into his hands, he could rule forever. This is the kind of exhilarating, page-turning story that will send a thrill down the spine of all adventure-loving youngsters. Darkness, danger and mystery at every turn… don’t miss it!
(Usborne, hardback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
The Good Bear
Sarah Lean and Fiona Woodcock

ESCAPE into the winter wonderland of snowy Norway in a beautiful middle grade novel that will pull on your heartstrings and speak loudly about the importance of family. The Good Bear is a moving animal adventure starring a troubled girl who finds solace in her mission to save a threatened bear, and discovers that making her way in the world might also mean learning to accept. Written by Sarah Lean and beautifully illustrated by Fiona Woodcock, this is a thrilling and emotion-packed story about unlikely friendships, family bonds, building bridges, and the fight against animal cruelty, all set in a magical snow-filled landscape and celebrating our amazing natural world.
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Football Jokes Rule
Simon Mugford and Dan Green

KICK off the autumn season with this fantastic book of football jokes… all guaranteed to keep your soccer-loving youngsters onside! Part of Ipswich Town fans Simon Mugford and illustrator Dan Green’s hugely successful Football Superstars series, this ultimate joke book is filled with hundreds of the most hilarious football gags around. And if that wasn’t enough, there are pages of wacky pictures and loads of anecdotes and fun throughout.  Gratuitously gigglesome and roaringly funny, this side-splitting joke book is ideal for encouraging your young footie stars to read by themselves or with friends.
Welbeck Publishing, paperback, £5.99)

Age 3 plus
Little Santa
Jon Agee 

HAVE you ever wondered what Santa was like when he was just a child? American author and illustrator Jon Agee fills the age gap with this gloriously mischievous and eye-catching picture book. Little Santa loves the North Pole but the rest of his family don’t so when they move to Florida, Santa is miserable. Fortunately, a blizzard foils their plans and the only way out of the house is up the chimney. Up goes Santa to look for help, and along the way, he meets a reindeer and a large group of elves. The rest of the story we all know… A veritable feast of visual and verbal wit for every child (and adult) who loves Christmas!
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
A Thing Called Snow
Yuval Zommer 

THE friendship between two animals becomes a beacon of kindness and community in a dazzling picture book from award-winning author and illustrator Yuval Zommer. This gorgeous winter-themed book celebrates both togetherness and the natural world and has all those perfect ingredients to delight children and their parents… warm, gentle storytelling, stunning artwork, and heartfelt messages that beautifully reflect the spirit of Christmas. A verbal and visual treat to treasure for yourself or gift to others!(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 2 plus
The Bear and Her Book
Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O'Connor

JOURNEY with a book-loving bear as she sets off on a globe-trotting adventure, armed only with her Big Book of Being Wise, and discover how friendship and caring make the world go round. Author Frances Tosdevin and illustrator Sophia O'Connor touch everyone’s hearts with The Bear and Her Book, a beautifully illustrated and emotionally powerful story for any child who seeks a sense of love and belonging during the season of giving.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)