Age 9 plus
Spies
David Long and Terri Po
DISCOVER the exciting and dangerous lives of spies and secret agents in a fully illustrated collection of tales of derring-do from Blue Peter Award-winning author David Long and rising star illustrator Terri Po who was born in Hong Kong. This new and exciting pairing sees writer and historian Long’s thrilling real-life adventures perfectly matched with Po’s stylish colour palette and awe-inspiring scene creations. For as long as there have been secrets to keep, there have been spies the world over, trying to uncover this classified information. Spying goes on all the time, and everywhere, but some of the most astonishing exploits occur during wartime.
A single spy can save thousands of lives and over the centuries, they have sometimes changed the course of history. Most countries have spies working undercover although very few would admit it. Their work can be exciting and often extremely perilous, but it is rarely as glamorous as it appears on television or in films like the famous James Bond movies.
The remarkable stories in this beautifully illustrated and collated book unpick some of the most astonishing missions undertaken during World War Two… actions that helped to save many lives. Amazingly, many of these tales had to remain a deadly secret at the time and are little known even to this day. From Harry Rée, teacher turned saboteur, and Roald Dahl, the spy who became a bestselling children’s author, to Margery Booth, the spy who sang for Hitler, and Scotch Lass, a very special Second World War carrier pigeon which became Britain’s smallest ever agent, the pages of this fantastic book reveal the exploits of twenty-seven of the most courageous and daring spies.
Meet Giliana Gerson, Britain's first female spy, Noor Inayat
Khan, the first woman wireless operator, ‘Major Martin,’ the man who never was,
and Lewis Hodges, the pilot of a special rescue plane whose missions by
moonlight in France helped to save the lives of many other agents. Packed with mind-boggling adventures and escapes, this
moving and exhilarating tribute to the bravery of some extraordinary people is
the perfect gift, and a book of heroics to keep and treasure.
(Faber & Faber, hardback, £18.99)
Max Your Money
Larry Hayes, Rachel Provest and
Chris Madden
YOU'RE never too young to learn how to take charge of your
money, and how to make money… lots of it! That’s the message – loud and clear –
in this invaluable guide packed with good advice and inspiration to help you
earn, grow and manage your own finances. Written by children’s author and
investment fund manager Larry Hayes and private equity director Rachel Provest,
Max Your Money is an engaging and accessible read for older children, covering
key topics and packed with the full-colour, imaginative illustrations of Durham-born
cartoonist and illustrator Chris Madden. Broken into three key sections – Earn
it, Grow it, and Use it – the book guides young readers through essential
concepts relating to money which will help them become more financially astute
and confident about money matters as they enter their teens. Complex
information is presented in bite-size chunks and engaging infographics and
illustrations ensure it is appealing and age appropriate throughout. From how
to stay safe working online, jobs of the future and investing versus gambling, to
budgeting and planning for the future, mortgages, stocks and shares, pensions, saving
versus investing, and borrowing, this books lets youngsters discover
strategies, concepts and secrets that will help to make them money smart in the
important years ahead. A quids-in starter for budding financiers and
economists!
(Welbeck Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)
The Consequence Girl
Alastair Chisholm
WORLD-BUILDING is what exciting and creative author Alastair
Chisholm does best so immerse yourself in the thrills and spills of his latest
sweeping, supercharged story starring a girl with an extraordinary talent that
is both a curse and a game-changing gift. The world of Colony is in ruins. No
one knows what caused society to begin tearing itself apart – but the secret
may lie with Cora, a girl living on the mountainside far away from others. Cora
possesses an extraordinary gift… the power to see back in time, from an event right back to its causes. Even more incredibly, sometimes she can change events. But the present is looking for Cora, and she is forced to go on the run. She must decide who she is, what she can do... and how to fix the future. Chisholm, highly-acclaimed
author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted Orion Lost and the
Blackwell’s Children’s Book of the Year, Adam-2, brings us one of his most
ambitious books yet as Cora’s volatile other-world unfolds with intriguing
similarities and parallels to the contemporary life we can all recognise. Packed
with breathtaking twists and turns, and out-of-this world concepts, Chisholm explores
how far-reaching our choices can sometimes be, and the harmful effects of intolerance
and prejudice. Big on imaginative power and utterly unputdownable, this brilliantly
imagined sci-fi adventure that will have readers gripped from first page to
last.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
Interview with Cleopatra & Other Famous Rulers
Andy Seed and Gareth Conway
JUST imagine if you could go back in time and talk to some famous
rulers from history… what would you ask? Blue Peter Award-winning author Andy
Seed and illustrator Gareth Conway have fun with their new history series which
features ‘interviews’ with ten big names from the past. So join former teacher
Seed on his amazing time-travelling machine as he interviews well-known figures
like Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, Boudicca, Hadrian, Harald Bluetooth,
Genghis Khan, and Montezuma II when they take time out of their busy schedules
to answer all sorts of (very nosy!) questions. Learn about the actions and
unique perspectives of these big names from history, and discover the good, the
bad and the unexpected as each ruler reveals the truth about their lives… and
attempts to find out about what happens in the future! This super, fun and
fact-filled book offers a bite-sized text in a question-and-answer format and is
paired with Conway’s lively and entertaining illustrations, perfect for
reluctant readers and comedy-seeking history fans. With bonus facts about key
events in each ruler’s life, the book is ideal for Horrible Histories fans… and
any reader who enjoys a fresh and captivating take on true stories from history.
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Indiana Bones and the Lost Library
Harry Heape and Rebecca Bagley
GET ready for more wits, courage, and snacks-a-plenty as
Indiana Bones returns to solve another twisting, turning adventure!
Halifax-based author and comedy maestro Harry Heape and illustrator Rebecca
Bagley are on top form for the second adventure starring shaggy, magical
talking pooch Indiana Bones and his number one side-pal Aisha Ghatak. With the
detective dog’s fiendish fondness for fish fingers, and Aisha’s ‘black belt’ in
archaeology and general all-round cleverness, this daring duo are well
‘plaiced’ to tackle any ‘fishy’ mystery involving ancient history. On the hunt
for the Avenger’s lost treasure, the intrepid travellers set off on another
trek, this time to the Temple of Diana at Ephesus. But nothing is ever simple
for our heroes, and the slippery Serpent and stinky Ringo are still hot on
their tails, determined to thwart their every move. This new dogtastic
detective escapade – brimming with laughter, big-hearted adventures and vibrant
illustrations – proves that Heape and Bagley are becoming one of the best
author and illustrator teams in children’s middle grade fiction. A shaggy dog
story for all the family to enjoy!
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £6.99)
The Baker by the Sea
Paula White
THE importance of community, family, and simply being
yourself, shine through in a beautiful, lyrical and resonant picture book from
illustrator and debut author Paula White who was inspired by the seaside place
where she grew up. The Baker by the Sea is set in the busy, bustling Beach
Village that once stood in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and made its living from the
sea, but was swept away by those same waves. A young boy watches the grown-ups
in his village go about their work. Everyone is busy… the blacksmith, the
boat-builder, the baker. But most important of all, he thinks, are the
fishermen who brave the waves and weather to bring in the catch. The boy’s
father is a baker but the boy wants to be a daring fisherman when he grows up,
brave enough to sail through stormy seas. He asks his father, ‘Have you ever
been to sea?’ and learns that being a baker, and baking bread and cakes for the
fishermen and all the other villagers makes him very proud. With richly
atmospheric, textured illustrations in a striking colour palette of pen-and-ink
artwork, and filled with nostalgic detail of traditional village life, this moving
story is a timeless reminder that all members of a community are important and
valuable, however small their role. And as an added bonus, readers can enjoy a
tasty recipe for Hot Coconut Buns taken from the notebook of the author’s baker
grandad to whom the book is dedicated.
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £6.99)
Wanda the Blue Whale
Beverly Jatwani and Sawyer Cloud
THE precious connection between a child and an endangered
animal springs to life in a moving and tenderly wrought picture book from
Indian-born author Beverly Jatwani and Madagascan illustrator Sawyer Cloud. Wanda
the Blue Whale is the third picture book of the inspirational Together We Can
Change the World series from New Frontier Publishing and features the uplifting
story of a girl and the endangered blue whale. When Paula discovers a baby blue
whale caught in a fishing net on the beach, she realises there is only one
thing to do… she must free it from the net and return it to the sea. And as the
whale heads out into the ocean, this magical encounter will forever change
Paula’s understanding of the concept of compassion. With seven stories,
covering seven continents, in which children learn how they can transform
themselves and the world around them by embracing their emotional superpowers,
the beautiful books in this series highlight a fundamental core value whilst
simultaneously encouraging children’s responsibility towards Planet Earth. With
the added bonus of fascinating facts about blue whales at the end of the book,
this is the perfect read for your own little eco-warriors!
(New Frontier Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
The Friendly Mammoth
Anna Terreros-Martin
THE past meets the present with enchanting results in this
magical and mesmerising picture book from talented author and illustrator Anna
Terreros-Martin whose passion for animals and wildlife shines through from
every page. Mansi loves visiting her local museum. It’s a perfect place for
remembering the past. She only wishes she had a friend to go with. And with a
sprinkle of magic, and a whole lot of snow from Mansi’s painting, the little
girl and the museum’s Woolly Mammoth are transported back to the Ice Age. Once
there, the new friends explore the world as it once was, meet the animals that
have long-since disappeared, and learn that sharing what you love is one of the
best ways to make new friends. Terreros-Martin’s endearing story, filled with
her stunning, atmospheric illustrations, celebrates unexpected friendships and
the wonder of the natural world. Mansi’s adventures with the friendly mammoth
will pull at everyone’s heartstrings as together they explore the Ice Age and
help to inspire a love of nature and animals which could last a lifetime.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)
The Robber Raccoon
Lou Kuenzler and Julia Woolf
A JOY to read aloud and a visual feast of colour! Lou
Kuenzler and Julia Woolf’s rascally robber raccoon steals the limelight – and
everyone’s hearts – in this playful, rhyming picture book which puts the
importance of eco-friendly upcycling at centre stage. With its clever mix of
important eco messages and fun-filled adventures, The Robber Raccoon is the
latest work from the talented team that brought young readers the wonderful Not
Yet, Zebra and Calm Down, Zebra, and is guaranteed to win the hearts of all
little mischief-makers. ‘Rosie Raccoon was up to no good, out and about in a
grand neighbourhood. With a sack on her back, she crept up Bear’s porch, then
clambered inside by the light of a torch.’ But Rosie needs to watch out because
police are after her… and it’s not long before she is feeling the furry arm of
the law! There is plenty to get little eco-warriors turning the pages in this exquisitely
illustrated night-time adventure starring an adorable and mischievous raccoon
whose stolen goods turn out to be nothing more than junk for making something
new!
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £6.99)
Hop Lola Hop
Kathy Urban and Siski Kalla
LOSING a friend, or even a favourite toy, can be an
upsetting and difficult experience for toddlers… so invite them into the pages
of this beautiful and reassuring picture book to find understanding and
comfort. Ella is heartbroken when her beloved bunny, Lola, goes missing. Lola
has been with Ella forever and when she can’t find her bunny, Ella feels sad
and unhappy. Lola is the little toy bunny who likes to go on fun adventures. But
one day, she Hop! Hop! Hops!… just a little too far! How are the two friends
going to find each other again? Written by freelance journalist and debut
author Kathy Urban, and stunningly illustrated by London-born Siski Kalla, this
moving, magical and heart-warming tale about an adorable lost toy bunny and the
feelings and emotions that come with losing something special is the perfect
fun and feel-good antidote for any anxious child.
(Little Steps Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
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