Age 9 plus
Hedgewitch
Skye McKenna and Tomislav Tomic
IF you’re looking for an adventure with a truly magical atmosphere, join a runaway schoolgirl who discovers that her hidden destiny lies in the wonders of witchcraft. Already hailed as a modern classic, the dazzling debut series Hedgewitch – fabulously illustrated by Tomislav Tomic – comes from the super-creative mind of Skye McKenna who grew up surrounded by red dust in a mining town in the Australian outback but then travelled to England and fell in love with the British countryside.
Now living in Scotland, and working in heritage, she recently
curated the Magic & Mystery exhibition for Barley Hall, York, introducing
visitors to real and legendary wizards and alchemists. And it is her love of
magic and adventure which inspired this captivating series about a family of
witches who protect Britain from the denizens of Faerie, creatures who are all
too real and far more frightening than the story books suggest.
Click HERE for Lancashire Post reviews
Cassie Morgan has run away. After seven years spent waiting for her mother to return and reading forbidden story books about Faerie, she flees her dreary boarding school and sets out to find her. But the world outside her school is full of hidden magic and children have been going missing. Lost and alone, she falls prey to a pack of child-nabbing goblins but escapes with the help of talking cat Montague and a flying broom to the enchanted village of Hedgely.
There she discovers that she comes from a family of witches and will begin her training in the practical skills of witchcraft with the Hedgewitch who, over the Hedge, watches the vast forest that marks the border between England and Faerie. Within the woods lurk imps, wyrms, wisps and goblins, and there has always been a Hedgewitch to guard the border against the fairy folk. Will Cassie discover the truth about her mother and what will it take to save her new home?
McKenna is a born storyteller, creating an enchanting,
magical world that is as alluring as it is viscerally and thrillingly real.
Hedgely is a place where the characters spring to glorious life, where the
natural world takes centre stage and where readers young and old will long to
return to time and time again!
(Welbeck Flame, hardback, £12.99)
Age 8 plus
Around the World in 80 Musical Instruments
Nancy Dickmann and Sue Downing
Ben Lerwill and Kaja Kajfez
AND in Around the World in 80 Trees, written by
award-winning travel writer Ben Lerwill and lavishly illustrated by Croatian
artist Kaja Kajfez, youngsters gaze up at towering redwoods, marvel at monkey
puzzles and find out which tree has fish swimming round its roots. As the book
takes the reader on a journey around the world, it reveals trees that give us
beautiful flowers, delicious food and life-saving medicines, bizarre trees with
blood-red sap, trees with ancient legends, trees with fruit that can be used as
soap or even burned as candles, and trees that help us journey to the farthest
reaches of our world. Where can you find Methuselah, the oldest tree in the
world, why is the baobab’s trunk so fat and can trees really warn each other
that something is about to eat them? Focus spreads explore subjects such as the
life cycle of trees, why trees are vital to the Earth’s health, and their
importance to us, whilst a stunning central gatefold opens out to reveal all 80
trees and how they communicate with each other. Bursting with blossom, rustling
leaves, the biggest trees, the smallest trees and everything in between, this
is a fantastic visual and verbal celebration of our wonderful trees.
(Welbeck, hardback, £14.99 each)
Age 8 plus
Stick Boy and the Rise of the Robots
Paul Coomey
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
A Robot Squashed My Teacher
Pooja Puri and Allen Fatimaharan
TOP team Esha and Broccoli return with an amazing new
invention… so what could possibly go wrong? Everything it seems! Welcome back
to the wild, wacky and wonderful world of genius inventor extraordinaire Esha
Verma, the hilarious creation of author Pooja Puri and her brilliant
illustrator team mate Allen Fatimaharan. In this all-action, laugh-out-loud
sequel to A Dinosaur Ate My Sister, which introduced readers to Esha, her
snotty apprentice Broccoli and his secretly cunning pet tortoise, the trio are
dreaming of winning the legendary Brain Trophy… the ultimate inventing prize. This
year’s entry is the RoarEasy – a gadget that lets the user speak to animals.
But when Esha’s arch-nemesis, fellow inventor Ernie, lands her in detention,
the RoarEasy malfunctions and suddenly Monsieur Crépeau is transformed into a
pigeon. Luckily for Esha, she knows exactly what she needs to repair her
invention and where to find it… it’s locked away in the mysterious Central
Research Laboratories. She, Broccoli, Archibald and Monsieur Crépeau will have
to go undercover and break into the labs before the competition to return
Monsieur Crépeau to his human form. But with Ernie following them, determined
to foil their plans, they’re going to need all the help they can find to get
out of this wacky pickle! Puri and Fatimaharan work their special magic on this
madcap adventure which features an eclectic assortment of giant robots, killer
plants, shrinking machines, robo-spiders, clouds that make you float and
terrifying twisters. Add on pigeons, some slight disagreements and some creepy
creepers and you have another chapter of accidents that no mischief-maker would
want to miss!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Earth, Sea and Stars: Inspiring Tales of the Natural World
Isabel Otter and Ana Sender
ENJOY tales to amaze, inform and inspire in a beautiful
anthology of twenty stories about the natural world, each one drawn from a rich
variety of cultures. With stories poignantly retold by writer and nature lover
Isabel Otter, and packed full with the breathtaking artwork of Ana Sender, Earth,
Sea and Stars takes readers on journeys all around Earth. From the Ancient
Chinese countryside and the sky-high trees in Tahiti to the dense forests of
Norway, youngsters can travel across the wide savannah, into the deep forest,
over mighty mountains, under the ocean depths and into the skies above. Join a
group of bold, adventurous characters as they sail to the moon, create the
first fire, find the summer, grow orchards of friendship, meet the creatures who
walk alongside us and explore the different ways we can cherish and nurture the
planet we live on. Across cultures and continents, children are encouraged to
understand and appreciate the ancient wisdom that lies inside the stories and
how the universal landscape of these tales unites us as one global community.
The perfect story book for little nature lovers with a resonant message they
can treasure.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £14.99)
Once Upon a Big Idea:
The Story of Inventions
James Carter and Margaux Carpentier
TAKE a trip from the Stone Age to our modern world, and
explore all manner of fantastic human creations in this exciting and
informative book from prize-winning poet and educational writer James Carter,
and inspirational illustrator Margaux Carpentier. In an enchanting blend of
lively verse, fascinating inventions and bold illustration, Once Upon a Big
Idea takes young readers on a colourful journey through a world of invention as
they discover a host of big ideas that have come from human brains. From telescopes,
clocks and trains and from bridges and boats to medicines and mobile phones,
this lyrical book explores a wealth of human creativity. Learn how rocks and
stones helped create the pyramids, how modern materials such as concrete and
nylon have changed our lives, and how fire gave humans heat and light to cook
and illuminate even the darkest nights. Carter’s thoughtful and beautifully
written poetry introduces young readers to five concepts which are at the heart
of our lives, and with Carpentier’s electrifying artwork to bring his gentle
but informative words to life, there could be no better way to introduce
children to the concept of invention.
(Caterpillar Books, hardback, £11.99)
Wellington’s Big Day Out
Steve Small
LET your little ones learn how to think big in this
irresistibly funny and heartwarming picture book from BAFTA-nominated animation
director Steve Small. Guaranteed to win the hearts of elephant lovers – and
little boys – everywhere, Wellington’s Big Day Out is a wonderfully whimsical
tale about the all-too-familiar worries of growing up. When Wellington is given
a new jacket exactly like Dad’s for his birthday, at first he’s delighted. But
his delight turns to disappointment when he tries it on and it’s far too big.
And what if, even worse, Wellington thinks, it’s not that the jacket is too big
but that he’s too small? Well, Wellington’s dad has a plan, and on an exciting
day out that takes in a ride on the bus, a super-size strawberry sundae, a toot
on a tuba and a visit to his grandad, Wellington learns that he’s growing up
exactly as fast as he should be… and just like his dad. Small’s colourful
gallery of pictures is a joy to behold… both children and parents will feast on
this beguiling blend of heart-melting illustrations and a story that reaches
out far beyond the pages. Picture book
perfection!
(Simon & Schuster, hardback, £12.99)
The Eyebrows of Doom
Steve Smallman and Miguel Ordóñez
RAISE an eyebrow and get ready to giggle because comic genius
Steve Smallman is back with a riotous rhyming romp! The Eyebrows of Doom will
have youngsters laughing all the way from furst page to last as Smallman has
fun with his wizard wordplay and award-winning illustrator Miguel Ordóñez puts
a pair of renegade eyebrows at centre stage. ‘In some woods in a cave, a big
bear called Dave Was sweeping his floor with a broom, When two clumps of hair
leapt into the air and cried ‘We are the Eyebrows of Doom!’ The Eyebrows of
Doom are trying to take over the world. Join Dave and his friends as they try
to stop them leaping from one unsuspecting animal to the next. And just when it
looks as though the eyebrows’ antics have been thwarted… all is not as it
seems! Smallman bedazzles us once again with his crazy capers and Ordóñez’s
fabulous palette of colours brings extra zest and zip to the kind of hilarious
adventures that will have little ones begging for more!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £11.99)
Princesses Wear Trainers
Sam Squiers and Annabel Cutler
CAN a princess get away with wearing trainers instead of
glass slippers? Well, of course she can when she’s Princess Ellie, the
sportiest and bravest girl in the kingdom! Youngsters will be slipping on their
own trainers when they meet sports-mad Ellie, whose fast-thinking, fast-running
and fast-action saves the day in a truly charming picture book from award-winning
Australian sports journalist and author Sam Squiers and talented illustrator
Annabel Cutler. Princess Ellie loves playing sports but she has a little
problem... nobody seems to think that her sporty interests, including wearing a
pair of trainers, are very princess-like! But when disaster strikes the kingdom
and a dragon kidnaps the king and queen, Princess Ellie sets out to prove that
princesses definitely DO wear trainers and sometimes it definitely pays off!
Squiers, who likes telling the incredible stories of female athletes and is a
champion of women’s sports, is certainly on goal with this inspirational story
which comes packed with Cutler’s gorgeous illustrations in a palette of
striking colours.
(Little Steps Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
The Garden Monster
Paul Deslandes and Lia Visirin
JOIN two little boys on the hunt for a monster that has
invaded their garden in an endearing picture book from Kent debut author Paul
Deslandes whose idea for The Garden Monster came from spending endless hours watching
his two boys exploring in the garden, talking to creatures and catching bugs. ‘We
went into our garden, to see if we could see, A monster that I'd heard about, much
bigger than me. But where do we start in finding this beast? Maybe he’s
sleeping or enjoying a feast.’ Follow the brothers’ journey through the garden
as they find a snail, a butterfly, a magpie, a bee and a host of other tiny
creatures… only to find the monster they are seeking lives closer to home than
they imagined. With the beautifully evocative illustrations of Romanian-born
artist Lia Visirin to bring this inspirational story to life, youngsters will
be heading off to the great outdoors to launch their own exciting springtime
monster hunt!
(Little Steps Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
The Friendship Bench
Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus
GET ready to have your heart warmed, your fears eased and
your spirits lifted with an exquisitely beautiful picture book from award-winning children’s
writer Wendy Meddour and world-renowned artist Daniel Egnéus.
The Friendship Bench is story about moving home and making new friends, and
speaks gently but resonantly to any youngsters starting school, facing new
beginnings or finding new friends. Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the
splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing
catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog. But when it is time to start her new
school, Shadow and Mummy must stay outside. And inside is full of strangers. ‘Why
don't you try The Friendship Bench?’ says her teacher when Tilly is playing
alone. ‘It helps children find new friends to play with.’ But when Tilly gets
there, somebody is already on it… could this lonely little boy be Tilly’s new
friend? Meddour’s simple, lyrical and empathetic tale is perfectly imagined and
imbued with a welcoming warmth and kindness, while Egnéus ’ richly evocative artwork
adds a stunning layer of atmospheric power to the wise messages wrapped up in
the words.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)
No More Peas
Madeleine Cook and Erika Meza
NO peas for Oliver… he’d rather have fries, pizzas, burgers,
sausages and ice cream! If your fussy little eaters are turning up their noses
(and their plates!) when it comes to eating veggies, then open the pages of
this adorable picture book and let them ‘grow’ to love them. Children’s books
author Madeleine Cook serves up a delicious helping of carrots and comedy in
this wonderfully imagined story brilliantly illustrated by Mexican illustrator
Erika Meza. Oliver only wants to eat a plateful of chips or a gooey pizza for
dinner so when Daddy keeps dishing up vegetables, Oliver’s cheeks turn red and
he shouts: 'No more peas!' Will Oliver ever give vegetables a chance or is
Daddy hatching a cunning plan on his vegetable-growing allotment? No More Peas
comes packed with knockabout humour and jokes guaranteed to keep little ones
entertained, and fascinating facts about growing and preparing different types
of vegetables. With Meza’s equally colourful array of illustrations to tempt
reluctant eaters, this is the perfect picture book to sow the seeds of a
healthy diet… and a more adventurous palate!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)
Busy Party
Illustrated by Jill Howarth
THERE'S a party going on and you are invited! Put on your
party hat, paint your face… and then push, pull and turn! Little ones will love
joining in the celebrations for the amazing 50th book in the popular Busy Books
series with this bright and colourful new book which comes with a special,
gold-foil cover. These novelty board books let youngsters get hands on with a
host of different topics and in this new adventure, they can decorate the house
with balloons and bunting, play party games and dance the night away while
fireworks fizz and pop. Jill Howarth’s gallery of illustrations bring the
scenes to life as children count cakes, try to spot a snail, roar
like a tiger, and decide which firework they like best. This bright and
colourful board book, with its gentle rhyming text and vibrant illustrations,
helps develop motor and language skills and provides plenty to talk about. Add
on the fun of finding things on every page and you have a party at your
fingertips!
(Campbell Books, board book, £6.99)
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