Age 9 plus
Goddess
50 Goddesses, Spirits, Saints
and Other Female
Figures
Who Have Shaped Belief
Dr Janina Ramirez
and Sarah Walsh
GODDESSES, guides, spirits, saints, witches, demons and
mountains… step into the pages of this amazing book and meet 50 female figures
from around the world who have entranced and empowered people through the ages
and whose stories have shaped belief.
Produced in a partnership with the British Museum, this
fabulous collection, superbly written by cultural historian and broadcaster Dr
Janina Ramirez and brought to life by the lavish illustrations of Sarah Walsh, tells
the stories of female figureheads who still inspire us today.
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There are loving creators, wise leaders, fearsome warriors, gentle healers and mystical protectors, and they can each inspire youngsters to find strength within themselves. Meet the fascinating females that have played an important role in shaping belief today… from Athena, Mami Wata, Ezili Danto, Xiwangmu, Baba Yaga, Durga, Juno and Venus to Chalchiutitcue, Brigid, Mokosh, Pattini, Rangda, Medusa, Kali, Oshun and Spider Mother. Divided into thematic chapters, but connected by the power of the female, there are important stories of creation and love, action-packed stories of war and death, and heroic stories of great adventure and strength.
Based on original sources and with photographs from the
British Museum collection, this stunning introduction to goddesses throughout
history and mythology is both entertaining and educational, and will inspire
young readers to learn and empower themselves through stories and ideas that
stretch back thousands of years. With each spread full of facts, fantastical stories and
gorgeous illustrations, this is a magnificent celebration of girl power you
won’t want to miss!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £16.99)
The Ship of Doom
M.A. Bennett
IF mystery, inventions and the tale of the doomed ship
Titanic, tickle your reading taste buds, then feast on the first book of a
rip-roaring, time-travelling mystery by the bestselling STAGS author, M.A.
Bennett. At Greenwich, London, on February 15, 1894, Luna thinks that an
evening at her aunt’s butterfly club sounds deadly boring. But it turns out
that the meeting, held in the Butterfly Room at the Greenwich Observatory, is
not at all as Luna expects. The Butterfly Club is a society with an unusual
secret… they use time travel to plunder the future for wonders. Together with
her friends, Konstantin and Aidan, and a clockwork cuckoo, Luna boards the Time
Train. The gang travel to 1912 and find themselves aboard a great ship
travelling from Southampton to New York. They locate a man called Guglielmo
Marconi and his new invention… the wireless radio. But as the ship heads into
icy waters, they discover its name… the RMS Titanic. Can Luna and the boys save
Marconi and his invention from the doomed ship? Can they get the radio back
home to the Butterfly Club and how will their actions change the rest of time?
Packed with fascinating real history, heart-pumping thrills and an exciting
cast of characters, this fantastic mystery tale asks youngsters to consider if
they would risk the future to change the past. Don’t miss the boat with this thought-provoking
and gripping adventure with a charismatic group of time-travelling thieves!
(Welbeck Flame, paperback, £6.99)
A Storm of Sisters
Michelle Harrison
GET ready for more icy thrills and malign magic as master
storyteller Michelle Harrison returns with the fourth fantastically frosty
adventure in her much-loved Pinch of Magic series. A Storm of Sisters is
guaranteed to send more shivers of excitement down young spines as they join the
Widdershins sisters discovering perilous secrets hidden beneath the ice. When
the Widdershins and Granny are called away in deepest winter to look after
cousin Clarissa, it doesn’t take long for adventure – or trouble – to find
them. The town of Wilderness has plenty to explore with its frozen lake and
winter market, as well as being haunted by a doomed highwayman and his secret
love. But the legends are true and seeing a ghostly figure one night, the girls
realise that Granny is in terrible danger. As an icy storm rages, the race to
save her begins… can the sisters lay Wilderness’s ghosts to rest before another
soul is claimed? The coolly addictive and icy cold world conjured up by the
Harrison’s magical pen – and the charismatic warmth and feistiness of her
female stars – cannot fail to cast a spell over her young audience.
Imaginative, filled with darkness, light and impressive world-building, this is
middle grade reading at its very best.
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £7.99)
The Weather Weaver:
A Gathering Storm
Tamsin Mori
IMAGINE having a cloud for a friend and being able to choose
the weather… would it bring sunshine-filled happiness, or storms of darkness and
discontent? Always at ease in the stunning scenery of her mother’s Shetland
homeland, where she whispered spells into sea shells and sang to the selkies,
author Tamsin Mori has harnessed the islands’ fabulous myths and legends for a
mesmerising debut series filled with magic, danger… and weather of every kind. These
thrilling, original and action-packed adventures celebrate the rich, mysterious
and unpredictable moods of the elements whilst gently exploring universal
themes like gaining independence, the meaning of home, handling grief, and
discovering the fallibility of adults. Taking centre stage is eleven-year-old
Stella who grew up on a tiny Shetland island but left five years ago and has
now returned to stay with her widowed Grandpa. When she first arrived, Stella
felt lonely and trapped but then she met an old woman named Tamar, a Weather
Weaver who can spin rainbows and call hurricanes. And now, with the help of
Nimbus, a feisty young storm cloud who is in need of a lot of training, Stella is
learning the craft of weather weaving. In this new adventure, weather weavers
from all over the globe are coming together at the annual Gathering to trade
weather magic and stories. Stella and Nimbus can’t wait to meet others like
them but they are in for a frosty welcome. Seasoned weather weaver Tamar has
always been a rule-breaker but this time she has broken the law and it’s Stella
who will lose everything if the trial goes badly. Can Stella and Nimbus thaw
the hearts of the council elders, or will winter tear them apart? Drawing on
the elements, island myths, and the natural world, A Gathering Storm is an
enchanting and inspirational tale which blends the thrills and spills of magic
with a beautifully portrayed and authentic young girl who is firmly rooted in
reality. Add on the wild beauty of Shetland and some fascinating insights into
weather systems, and you have a wonderful, windblown reminder that looking for
the end of the rainbow isn’t always an impossible dream!
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Rainbow Grey: Eye of the Storm
Laura Ellen Anderson
THERE'S a rainbow-coloured adventure full of wit, wonder and
magic just waiting to be enjoyed in the second book of creative author and
illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson’s sky-high series. These are thrilling
adventures full of colour, fun and imagination as Anderson transports us into
the world of ten-year-old Ray Grey who lives in the magical kingdom of Celestia
in The Weatherlands, high in the sky. After a forbidden trip to Earth on the
back of cloud cat, Nim, Ray’s life changed forever. She is now Rainbow Grey and
a Rainbow Weatherling with astounding weather power at her fingertips, used to
keep the Earth safe and balanced. In her second adventure, Ray is getting accustomed
to life as Rainbow Grey – she now has ALL the magical weather powers at her
fingertips, although she hasn’t quite mastered them yet! When all of the cloud
creatures start disappearing – including her beloved cat Nim – Ray and her
friends have a mystery to solve. Ray is sure that a dark magic is behind the
disappearances. Can she work out what is going on before cloud magic is lost
forever and Earth is destroyed by the ultimate storm? Anderson, whose
bestselling Amelia Fang books have enchanted young readers, delivers another rip-roaring,
colour-infused tale of bravery, storm-filled action, kindness and warm-hearted
friendships. A gallery of fun-filled illustrations add an extra layer of
humour, charm and entertainment in a story that delights… come rain or shine!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
The Extraordinary World of Birds
David Lindo and Claire McElfatrick
TAKE flight into the blue yonder with bird lover David Lindo
whose fascination with the birds that share our cities have earned him the
title, the Urban Birder. With the brilliantly colourful and vibrant
illustrations of Claire McElfatrick to help him track a flight path high into
the skies, Lindo takes us on an eclectic global journey to meet parrots,
hummingbirds, eagles and owls as we swoop across the pages of this wonderful
book. Illustrations and photographs help young nature enthusiasts to enjoy the
extraordinary world of birds as they discover the surprising homes,
relationships, and habitats of our feathered friends, and learn about how we
can protect the wonderful bird world. Discover gamebirds, flightless birds, and
perching birds, amazing facts about how birds talk to each other, what they
eat, and how they are able to fly. From frozen ice-scapes to sweltering
deserts, and from prehistoric ancestors to amazing adaptations, children can
explore the surprising homes, relationships, and habits of our feathered
friends. Lindo’s engaging text explains to children just how amazing birds are,
what they do for our planet, and how we can help to protect birds and their
natural habitats. He also shows that birding can be accessible to all,
inspiring even city-dwellers to engage with birds in urban environments. With a
glossary of bird terminology, a full list of national birds, information on all
things bird, including beaks, feathers, nests, eggs and habitats, this is perfect
as a home or classroom read, and is guaranteed to inspire a new generation of
twitchers!
(DK Children, hardback, £14.99)
It’s a Wonderful World
Jess French and Aleesha Nandhra
OUR world is wonderful but it’s in danger! That’s the
message that shines out loud and clear from the pages of this inspirational and
yet practical book by nature lover, TV host, author, and veterinarian Jess
French who is known for her CBeebies show Minibeast Adventure with Jess. In
this beautifully created book, packed with Aleesha Nandhra’s vibrant
illustrations combining art with photography, French tells children that they may
feel small, but their actions can make a big difference. She encourages youngsters to take care of the
planet not by simply focusing on the problems, but teaching them practical
solutions to the issues facing our world today, from living a sustainable
lifestyle to using their voice in politics and the positive contribution that
humans can make to each other’s lives. As
well as tips on taking care of plants and animals, French delivers themes of
self-care and mindfulness throughout the book, and introduces children to
activism. Discover how to reduce your carbon footprint, understand the
importance of preserving our forests, oceans, and endangered animals, and learn
the best ways to stand up for what you believe in. With Nandhra’s eye-catching
illustrations creating stunning spreads, and French’s empowering and fact-filled
book providing an introduction to nature conservation and protection, It’s a
Wonderful World shows children that being kind to each other and working
together is the best way to start protecting the planet. The perfect book to
discover more about yourself and what you can achieve… and how to find wonder
in the most unexpected places!
(DK Children, hardback, £9.99)
Age 7 plus
Flyntlock Bones: The Ghost of Scarletbeard
Derek Keilty and Mark Elvins
(Scallywag Press, paperback, £6.99)
The Book Family Robinson
Jonathan Emmett and Sam Caldwell
BOOK yourself in for a treasure island adventure as author
Jonathan Emmett and illustrator Sam Caldwell let their imaginations take flight
on a fun-filled picture book. Featuring a clever twist on the classic tale of
Swiss Family Robinson, Emmett brings us a ‘bookish’ family Robinson who are shipwrecked
on a treasure island, only to be plunged into a face-off against a fearsome
pirate crew. The keen-reading Robinsons set out to sea, their boat barely
afloat with all their books, until a storm strikes down their holiday plans.
Shipwrecked on a mysterious island, they gather up their soggy books and
research how to survive… completely missing the treasure littered all around
them! But the Bloodbucket pirates remember it all too well and when they find
the Robinsons have taken their turf, it’s time to walk the plank! With only baby
Charlie’s favourite, hilarious book, Silly Monkey Goes to the Toilet, left to
hand, can the Robinsons read themselves free from a watery doom? Stories – and
books of course – really do conquer all in this charming, madcap adventure
which puts the pleasure of reading at the top of everybody’s wish list!
(Templar Books, paperback, £6.99)
Eyes That Speak to the Stars
Joanna Ho and Dung Ho
‘Your eyes rise to the skies and speak to
the stars… and
your eyes can foresee the future.’
THE bestselling team that brought young
readers the stunning picture book, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, combine their
talents again to create a companion book filled with the same hallmarks of
reassurance and inspiration. Blending words of lyrical beauty and breathtaking
illustration to celebrate Asian-shaped eyes and the power of love, Eyes That
Speak to the Stars is a heartwarming, poetically imagined story about a young
Asian boy learning to love both the shape of his eyes and his heritage. It is
the work of author Joanna Ho, who is of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage and passionate
about equity in books and education, and illustrator Dung Ho, who was born and
raised in Hue Imperial City, Vietnam, and finds inspiration for her exquisite
artwork in nature. When a friend at school creates a hurtful drawing of his
eyes, a young boy turns to his family for comfort. And through their words, he
realises that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, shine like
sunlit rays, and glimpse trails of light from those who came before. In fact,
his eyes are like his father’s, his agong’s, and his little brother’s, and not only
that… they are visionary. Inspired by the men in his family, he recognises his
own power and strength from within, and his ability to change the future. Eyes
That Speak to the Stars is a joyful and moving story that will delight readers
of all ages with its celebration of family connections, comforting messages
about self-acceptance and the rewards of diversity, and its outstanding visual
elegance.
(HarperCollins, hardback, £12.99)
Hello Spring
Jo Lindley
FLOWERS reaching for the sun, butterflies flitting and birds
swooping… soak up the joys of spring in the first of a magical new picture book
series from debut author and illustrator Jo Lindley. Best Friends with Big
Feelings features stories about friendship, feelings and the seasons, and each
is set in an enchanting natural world that little readers will love to return
to again and again. So say hello to the Little Seasons! After a whole year of
waiting, it’s finally Spring’s turn to wear the Weather Crown and create her
own special season. Her friends can all remember how beautiful spring was last
time. But this time, as Winter places the crown on her head, Spring starts to
feel anxious. Can her friends help by showing her that not everything has to be
perfect? Lindley’s four charismatic friends, who control the seasons, gently
explore key social and emotional themes, such as anxiety, self-belief and
resilience, in this irresistible new series. With its sparkling foil finish and
a gallery of colourful and eclectic illustrations, Hello Spring is an
entertaining teaching tool for exploring both emotions and the seasons.
(Farshore, paperback, £6.99)
Me, in the Middle
Annette Demetriou and Angela Mayers
JUST as trees have many colours and shapes but all dig down
into the same rich earth, so too do our family trees. Loosely based on her own
childhood experiences as the daughter of a black immigrant father and a white
mother, author Annette Demetriou brings little ones a beautiful story
celebrating all kinds of families, but particularly those of mixed heritage. Georgie’s
class is learning all about families but when each one is asked to point to the
place their parents come from on a map, she doesn’t know which parent to pick.
She dreads having to draw her family tree as homework but once she starts
working on it she realises how special it is and just how far and wide the
branches spread. Soon Georgie is helping to show her class that all of their
roots dig down into the same earth so they’re not that different after all!
With Angela Mayers’ gentle and expressive illustrations to add colour and poignancy,
Demetriou’s inspirational and emotionally powerful story comes straight from
the heart and offers uplifting messages to children, whatever their heritage.
(Owlet Press, paperback, £7.99)
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