The Secrets We Keep

Theresa Howes

A LOVE – forbidden in more ways than one in Occupied France – puts deadly danger in the path of a woman who has been recruited by British spies to dig out war crime evidence against high-ranking Nazi officers.

But even in the darkest of times and in the midst of war, artist Marguerite Segal is prepared to put her life on the line to fight for the people she loves and to help the Allies defeat an enemy more cruel and brutal than anyone could ever have imagined.

Theresa Howes (pictured below), whose work has been long-listed for various awards including the Mslexia Novel Award, thrills and chills readers with a dazzling debut historical novel which explores the courage, endurance and determination of ordinary people living through the most extraordinary and terrifying of times. Passion, tragedy, hardship and betrayal unite in this gripping and atmospheric story which captures all the uncertainty, suspicion, pain and subterfuge of living in the shadow of the jackboot, and the strength of those who were prepared to risk all for an end to German tyranny.

At the heart of The Secrets We Keep is Marguerite, a woman with a secret past known only to her close friend, and Etienne Valade, the local priest and art lover whose church is frequented by Nazis... and it’s their love affair that will pose danger on all sides of a lethal divide.

In June of 1944, Allied air raids are bringing night time destruction to the Cote d’Azur, compounding the suffering which has been endured since the German Occupation a year ago. Thirty-nine-year-old artist Marguerite Segal has been living in this once French haven under a false name with her friend Simone for ten years after leaving behind a dark secret in London.

They take care of each other as best they can and help the Resistance in their undercover work which includes Marguerite forging identity cards for Jews to hide them from the ‘iron-lawed scrutiny of the swastika’ which has now stamped its ‘black mark of terror’ on every street. But not

A Murder at the Castle

Chris McGeorge

IF your reading taste is a Christmas murder mystery – stuffed full of all the trimmings – then wrap up warm for a trip to snow-covered Balmoral Castle for a right royal festive treat! Master of the locked-room mystery, Chris McGeorge, who wrote his first crime novel Dead Room as the thesis for his Creative Writing MA, has won an army of fans for his wickedly weird and wonderfully imaginative stories which blend classic tropes with contemporary themes, and roll out lashings of intrigue, red herrings and mind-bending twists.

And after the success of cracking novels like Guess Who, Now You See Me and Inside Out, McGeorge (pictured below) is back to play with our minds, confound our expectations and keep the midnight oil burning with an alternative royal history murder romp, served up with a cosy Christmas flavour. 

Taking the starring role in this tasty dish is ageing King Eric Windsor ­– born into the family via King Edward VIII who in this story found a wife with the establishment’s seal of approval – as he hosts a tense family Christmas at his beloved Balmoral. And even though his loved ones sense this isn’t going to be another run-of-the-mill seasonal celebration, they certainly didn’t expect the monarch to drop down dead after taking a long swig of his traditional post-dinner whisky.

Even as a violent snowstorm swirls around Balmoral and the Royal Family gathered at the castle for their traditional Christmas celebrations, there were rumours that 85-year-old King Eric was planning to name a new successor and, to make sure nothing was leaked, all mobiles were locked away and only one security man was left on the premises.

So with ex-SAS operative Tony Speck busy carrying ‘the safety of the Crown solely on his shoulders’ outdoors, the king’s head chef and favoured ‘friend’ Jon Alleyne – a 55-yearold half-British, half-Barbadian man – was the only servant inside the now totally snow-bound castle. Alleyne doesn’t just walk the corridors of power, ‘lining the stomachs of the powerful,’ he is also an ‘important cog in the goliath of a machine’ and when the king’s poisoning points to a member of the family being guilty, it’s up to Jon to play detective and get to the bottom of this heinous crime.

Trapped by the raging blizzard, he must work out why one of the king’s own family would want to kill him and how they did it. What happens in the castle usually stays in the castle but this secret

Eye of the Storm

Hilary Jones

THE war might be over but the painful legacies live on as a young couple – both medics and both driven by a desire to help others ­– return home to England from the killing fields of France in 1919. The instant connection that was forged between the dedicated nurse and the handsome and sensitive young soldier in the carnage and chaos of a field hospital has set in motion a family dynasty that will be at the forefront of medical advances in the 20^th century, from dealing with the aftermath of war right through to the discovery of penicillin and the birth of the NHS.

Doctor Hilary Jones (pictured below), a GP and regular contributor to newspapers and television shows, has dug deep into his medical experience, knowledge and imagination for this epic series charting the rise of a prominent medical family through decades of war, unrest and great change.

With fascinating facts on caring for the sick, the special treatments and inventions devised specifically for healing the mental and physical scars of warfare, and some of the last century’s life-saving developments in medicine, Eye of the Storm is the second book in the series and comes packed with drama, high emotion and real history.

When the Great War broke out in 1914, Grace Tustin-Pennington, who was born into the landed gentry in rural Gloucestershire, was the first of her family to volunteer, joining the mounted First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) and heading off to France with the British Expeditionary Force.

And it was there that she met and fell in love with Will Burnett, the studious teenage son of a London dockworker who was an apprentice porter at a local hospital but dreamed of studying medicine and who was now serving as a stretcher bearer with the Royal Medical Corps.

Despite Grace being seriously injured by a German shell and Will’s almost daily sorties amidst the bullets and bombs of the battlefield, their love survived the conflict and they married and honeymooned in northern France at the end of the war. But as the 1920s roar

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Wartime heroics, animal magic and two Christmas crackers

Marvel at a thrilling tale of wartime daring and danger inspired by real family history, discover some truly amazing creatures in a fabulous, fact-packed book of mammals, enjoy a winter-themed countdown with a family of penguins, and get colourful with a host of your favourite Disney characters in a super selection of children’s books

Age 10 plus
Zinc
Sue Klauber

ON the eve of conflict in Europe, three young siblings are determined to do their bit for the war effort... wherever that might take them. Based on the extraordinary real-life stories of her father, uncle and aunt, fundraiser and former media educator Sue Klauber has put pen to paper to celebrate the heroic part played by her North London Jewish family in the wartime struggle against tyranny. The sibling trio were born into a Hungarian, Jewish, British family. John became a code-breaker at Bletchley Park while George was a secret agent for the Special Operations Executive, parachuting behind enemy lines. Meanwhile, their sister Eva, who had married a Hungarian and gone back to live in Hungary, was in grave danger because the Hungarian government was an ally of the Nazis. Zinc was written principally for her son, reveals Klauber, adding that it is ‘an adventure based on the real-life history that makes me, me’ and ‘very much a family story, in every way.’  

It’s 1939 and the Nazis are menacing Europe and planning to invade Britain. As the Second World War breaks out, brothers George and John and their sister Eva want to make a difference with each of them fighting in their own different way. Soon secret agent George is being parachuted into enemy territory in Slovakia in an operation codenamed Zinc and on a mission to blow up trains, and John is cracking German codes at Bletchley Park. Meanwhile, their sister Eva is stranded in enemy-occupied Hungary. What will she do in this time of unimaginable danger?

Zinc is a triumph... a thrilling adventure, full of daring, danger and rich authenticity, which explores the lives of three ordinary young people at an extraordinary time of war when life was anything but normal. It’s a story that reveals how our relationships and decisions are shaped by our experiences and how those decisions impact on our future lives. Written straight from the heart, and with many themes that will strike a chord with contemporary readers, this is a gripping story of one family’s heroic and selfless part in the battle to defeat a brutal enemy.
(Troika Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 6 plus
There are Mammals Everywhere
Camilla de la Bedoyere
and Britta Teckentrup

PACK your rucksack and get ready to discover some truly amazing creatures with a fabulous book of mammals that come in every size and shape! Camilla de la Bedoyere, an author with an academic background in zoology, and award-winning illustrator Britta Teckentrup explore the colourful world of animals in There are Mammals Everywhere, a super-sized and lavishly illustrated non-fiction book and the last book in this sumptuous series. Wherever you travel, the world of mammals is full of surprises and diversity. Some of them clamber through the canopy, others scuttle through the undergrowth, and some even move underground. Follow a pride of lions across the savannah, spot a polar bear hidden in the Arctic snow and swing through the treetops with a family of gibbons. Young readers learn where all different kinds of mammals can be found and all the weird and wonderful things about them that they never imagined were true. With facts galore, an added search-and-find element and Teckentrup’s vibrant illustrations bringing the creatures to life, this is an exciting, fun and fascinating way to look, learn and enjoy.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Five Little Penguins
Lily Murray and Holly Surplice

CHRISTMAS is in the air and the penguins are on a roll! Author Lily Murray and illustrator Holly Surplice team up for the second book in an enchanting and wonderfully colourful lift-the-flaps picture book based on the familiar nursery rhyme Five Little Ducks. ‘Five little penguins went out one day Over the hills and far away. Mamma Penguin said ‘Hurry back to me!’ How many penguins can you see?’ Little ones will love joining the adorable and playful penguin family on a lift-the-flap walk through a winter wonderland. There’s so much to see as Mamma Penguin and her little penguins waddle through a frosty forest, skate down an icy river and toboggan down snowy slopes. Along the way, they meet all kinds of festive animals playing in the snow. But wait... the little penguins are disappearing one by one. Whatever are they up to? Lift a host of intriguing, easy-to-handle flaps to find the lost penguins, discover a fantastic surprise ending, and learn how to count as you hunt for the chicks. With its festive mix of magical words and snow-sprinkled illustrations, this is the picture perfect book for sharing with the family at Christmas!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Disney The Christmas Collection Colouring Book

AS Christmas looms large on the horizon, ‘draw’ on the help of your favourite Disney characters to keep little ones out of mischief! This bumper official Disney colouring book – packed with Christmas-themed illustrations of favourite Disney characters – is guaranteed to lift the spirits and get everyone in the festive mood. Featuring princesses like Elsa, Belle and Rapunzel, villains like Cruella De Vil, the much-loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Lilo & Stitch, Toy Story characters like Buzz and Woody, and Winnie the Pooh, there is something for all ages to enjoy. With intricate patterns and stylised art, the book contains over eighty festive images to colour and design and will keep youngsters entertained for hours. The perfect gift or stocking filler for anyone and everyone who loves Disney!
(Studio Press, paperback, £10.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: An angelic mission, museum mysteries and a festive Alice

Join two daring youngsters as they race to save Christmas, escape to Ancient China in a thrilling historical fantasy, enjoy a truly Wonderland keepsake edition of Lewis Carroll’s iconic book star Alice, and meet a bear in need of some human help in a super-sparkling line-up of new children’s books

Age 7 plus
Operation Nativity
Jenny Pearson and Katie Kear

IT shouldn’t happen to the Angel Gabriel! The race to save Christmas is on in a sparkling festive, feel-good adventure from the Costa Award-shortlisted Jenny Pearson whose brilliant books are based on a wonderful mix of all the children she has ever taught. With beautiful cover and inside illustrations from the talented Katie Kear and some extra fun Christmassy activities to enjoy, Operation Nativity has everything you could want from a Christmas story... laughter, heartwarming messages about love, hope and togetherness, and the timeless joy of celebrating the season with your family.

Oscar, Molly and their parents are spending Christmas with their grandparents, the Cuthbert-Andersons, at their grand home, Barlington Hall, in the pretty Hampshire village of Chipping Bottom. Mum isn’t keen because of the ordeal of taking part in Barlington’s chaotic annual nativity play but what they don’t yet know is that this year is going to be a Christmas they will never forget! It all starts when Oscar and Molly rush outside to investigate a crash in the night and are shocked to find a dazed Angel Gabriel wandering around their grandparents’ back garden. And they are certainly not expecting to find themselves in a race to save Christmas but if they don’t track down a missing shepherd called Steve, Balthazar the wise man, the donkey and the actual Mary and Joseph, who have all crash-landed in Chipping Bottom thanks to an angelic mishap, not only will Christmas cease to exist but they will too. Operation Nativity is on!

If you love epic adventures, a cast of the quirkiest characters you’ll find this side of Christmas, an extra-large dose of festive vibes, and a story that acts like a warm and cuddly book hug, then Operation Nativity is the Christmas cracker you’ve been looking for. Don’t miss the ride!
(Usborne Publishing, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
The Three Hares: The Terracotta Horse
Scott Lauder and David Ross

IMMERSE yourself in a thrilling and danger-filled historical fantasy adventure based on real works of art, characters and events. The Three Hares: The Terracotta Horse is the work of Ayrshire-born Scott Lauder, who now lives in the UAE, and David Ross who has travelled and taught throughout Asia since he first moved there in 1987. Rich in mythology and history, this is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure and the third book in the exciting Three Hares series which can all be read as standalone novels. Salma Mansour is a black belt in taekwondo, a skill she will need to stay alive. One second, she’s in the British Museum, the next a thousand years away in a battle between the Saxons and Vikings. How on earth is she supposed to help? Things momentarily brighten when she encounters Sara and Sanjeev, who seem to understand. They don’t have much time to plan though because without warning, all three are transported to Xi’an, stronghold of Chan, a wealthy gang leader bent on immortality. Chan has kidnapped world-famous geneticist Lin Dan and assembled fragments of an ancient magic. Chan will stop at nothing to fulfil his dream… even if it means releasing forces far beyond his control. The destiny of the world is in their hands. The Three Hares must work together to defeat Chan and the power that controls him… or else. With its diverse cast of characters, spectacular settings, and a gripping time-slip adventure which explores both Ancient China and the age of the Vikings, The Terracotta Horse is a fabulous thrill ride travelling from present day London to Xi’an, home of the famous terracotta Army. History, mystery and magic, all perfectly pitched for youngsters aged between nine and early teens.
(‎Neem Tree Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 12 plus
The Long Weekend
Savita Kalhan

‘It was a decision made without thinking... you just act. Or follow.
You don’t stop and think: Should I be doing this?’

TWO schoolboys find themselves in deadly danger when they accept a lift from a stranger in a tense and compelling tale from Savita Kalhan, an author who was born in India but moved to the UK when she was young. On the run from a cruel and remorseless abductor, The Long Weekend will have readers on the edge of their seats as Kalhan weaves a fast-paced and action-packed adventure which sends out important messages as well as providing a gripping, contemporary thriller. Eleven-year-old Sam is the new kid at school but fortunately he has already made a new friend... Lloyd who just happens to be the coolest kid in the class. ‘Isn’t this your car we’re riding in?' In a mix-up over who is supposed to be collecting them from school, Sam and Lloyd make a colossal mistake when they accept a lift home in a big, flashy car driven by a man who seems to be friendly. But now they are in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with the man who wants to harm them. And Sam doesn’t know how to get them out. First, they were trapped, then separated and now they are alone. Can either of them get out alive? There are chills and thrills from almost page one of this breathless and hypnotic story which carries a brutally honest warning about stranger danger and the risks of taking lifts but also celebrates the power of bravery, loyalty and true friendship. Perfectly pitched for young teens longing to have their freedom.
(Troika Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 12 plus
Scattered Showers
Rainbow Rowell and Jim Tierney

BESTSELLING US author Rainbow Rowell has won fans all over the world by writing about love and life in a way that feels true and after the big success of teen books like Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, Attachments, Landline, Pumpkinheads, and the Simon Snow trilogy, she leaps back into the spotlight with her first short-story collection, Scattered Showers. And it’s everything you would expect from a Rainbow Rowell book... nine beautifully crafted love stories. From girl meeting boy camping outside a movie theatre and best friends debating the merits of high school dances to a prince romancing a troll, a girl romancing an imaginary boy and Simon Snow himself returning for a holiday adventure, Scattered Showers is  a feast of irresistible characters, hilarious dialogue, and masterful storytelling. With nine short stories to enjoy and the welcome appearance of familiar faces from previous books (think Reagan from Fangirl and Beth and Jennifer from Attachments), Omaha-based Rowell has put her heart and soul into this book of love which features the fabulous illustrations of Jim Tierney and is an unmissable treat for Rainbow fans old and new.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £16.99)

Age 10 plus
The Marcus Rashford You Are a Champion Action Planner
Marcus Rashford with Katie Warriner

‘One of the best things you can do for yourself is imagine a world
where you can reach your full potential. The more you picture that,
the easier it becomes to make that dream happen.’ 

BE inspired and empowered by the words of star footballer Marcus Rashford with his You Are a Champion Action Planner, an interactive guide that will show you how to become a champion in anything you put your mind to. Rashford has inspired millions of children around the world with his award-winning guide for life, You Are a Champion, and now he has created a fun and engaging action planner packed with positive activities, brilliant advice and inspiring challenges that will help youngsters reach their full potential. Rashford has once again teamed up with performance psychologist Katie Warriner and journalist Carl Anka, his collaborators on You Are a Champion, to help youngsters achieve their dreams. With chapters including Mindset Matters, Fuel your Adventures and Success and Setbacks, each section of the book asks children thought-provoking and pertinent questions and sets them tasks to do as well as space to fill in their answers, results and thoughts. Just like each child, the action planner is unique to each of its owners and will become a diary-like tool for children to use both now and in the future.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Wild Verses
Helen Mort and Sarah Maycock

LOVE, hope, healing and the consoling wonders of the natural world take centre stage in a beautiful and emotive poetry collection from award-winning author Helen Mort. Fabulously illustrated by the extraordinarily talented, self-taught animal artist Sarah Maycock, The Wild Verses invite you to slow down, reflect and to seek solace in our fast-paced world through poetry and nature. From comforting words of hope and healing to meditations on love and friendship, this striking collection has a verse for every feeling. From joy to hard times, and from time out and letting go to regrouping and finding safety in numbers, Mort’s thoughtful and inspirational words reveal the mind as an incredible landscape of moods, reflection and emotions. Siblings, partners, friends and family all come under her watchful eye while Maycock’s glorious ink-based artwork adds extra power to the words within this stunningly crafted book. Verbal and visual perfection!
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age 9 plus
The Corny Scaredy-Cat Paranormal Investigation Squad
David Wandsworth and Rory Walker

GET ready to giggle and gasp as you dive into teacher (and now author) David Wandsworth’s captivating debut novel starring a neurodivergent boy whose fears are banished by the hilarious antics of a charismatic sibling duo... and a bunch of ghosts! Eleven-year-old Alastair leads a lonely life in darkest Cornwall... his parents ignore him, his only friend has moved away, and he’s beset by a host of frankly embarrassing nervous conditions that ensures permanent ostracism from the rest of his class. But then who should arrive in the village but Saoirse, a new girl, cool where Alastair is pathetic, smart where he is perennially confused, unconcerned with school popularity contests and obsessed with unsolved mysteries involving ghosts. In her wake is her adorably potty-mouthed little brother Billy, crazy, reckless, a force of nature and a law unto himself. Everywhere he goes, Billy creates a hurricane of chaos to which he is oblivious. Saoirse pressgangs Alastair and Billy into a team of wonderfully incompetent ghost hunters and, through their adventure into the village’s murky past, replete with sinister sword-wielding ghosts, Alastair is forced to confront his own shortcomings as well as his greatest fears. With Rory Walker’s anarchic illustrations bringing the ghost hunters’ comic adventures to life, Wandsworth’s twisting, turning, riotous romp cannot fail to tickle young readers’ funny bones. Add on a cast of adorable and quirky characters, important themes of friendship, being true to yourself and overcoming insecurities, and you have a brilliant story that entertains, empowers... and makes you laugh! 
(Everything with Words, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Through the Looking-glass and What Alice Found There
Lewis Carroll and Sir John Tenniel

THERE could be no better way to celebrate Christmas than with a truly Wonderland keepsake edition of Lewis Carroll’s iconic Through the Looking-glass and What Alice Found There. First published by Macmillan more than 150 years ago, Carroll’s iconic stories about Alice – illustrated by Sir John Tenniel – have been loved and enjoyed by generations of children the world over, and this charming miniature hardback, with a special gold-foiled jacket and pages, is the ideal stocking filler for all Alice fans and a must-have for every collector’s bookshelf. Featuring a Christmas letter from Lewis Carroll as a foreword, this unique edition contains Carroll’s complete, original text and Tenniel’s illustrations throughout as Alice’s extraordinary adventures are brought to life. Follow her as she gets caught up in the great looking-glass chess game, sets off across a gigantic chequerboard landscape to claim her crown on the final square and meets unforgettable characters along the way, such as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and Humpty Dumpty. Add on famous poems like The Walrus and The Carpenter and Jabberwocky to enjoy, and you have the perfect festive package!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)

Age 8 plus
Speak Up!
Written and illustrated by Rebecca Burgess 

A YOUNG girl’s struggles to manage her autism and beat the bullies takes centre stage in an inspirational and moving coming-of-age graphic novel debut from Rebecca Burgess, an autistic writer and illustrator who has faced personal battles. Speak Up!, published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, follows an autistic girl who finds friendship where she least expects it and learns to express her true self in a world where everyone defines her by her differences. Twelve-year-old Mia is just trying to navigate a world that doesn’t understand her true autistic self. While she wishes she could stand up to her bullies, she has always been able to express her feelings through singing and songwriting, even more so with her best friend, Charlie, who is nonbinary, putting together the best beats for her. Together, they have taken the internet by storm but little do Mia’s classmates know that she is the viral singer Elle-Q! While the chance to perform live for a local talent show has Charlie excited, Mia isn’t so sure. She will have to decide whether she will let her worries about what other people think get in the way of not only her friendship with Charlie, but also show everyone, including the bullies, who she is and what she has to say. This clever, empowering and emotion-packed story pushes against many stereotypes and provides much-needed autism representation as Burgess writes from personal experiences and the self-acceptance of being autistic. Life-affirming and brimming with wonderfully expressive artwork, Speak Up! sends out important messages in a voice that is loud, clear and convincing. 
(Quill Tree Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 6 plus
Luna
Holly Webb and Jo Anne Davies

ONE of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors, Holly Webb works her mesmerising animal magic on an enchanting time-slip adventure starring a bear in need of some human help. Luna is just the latest book in Webb’s adorable Animal Stories series which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies since the first book hit the shelves in 2006. In this new wintertime story, we meet Hannah who knows there is something special about the wooden bear cub puppet from the moment she buys it at a Christmas market. So when the puppet gets broken, distraught Hannah cries herself to sleep. Woken by a growling noise, she finds herself in a stable and wearing strange old-fashioned clothes. And then she comes face to face with a real-life bear cub! The cub has been locked in, ready to be put on show at the local market. Can Hannah return the bear to the wild and find a way back to her own time? Jo Anne Davies provides the gorgeous black and white illustrations, and with cover art by Britta Teckentrup, this beautiful, heartwarming and snow-sprinkled adventure is the perfect gift and guaranteed to capture the heart of any child who can’t resist the mystery, magic and majesty of animals!
(Stripes Publishing, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
The Midnight Moon Feast
Emma Beswetherick and Anna Woodbine

HOW to save the planet... one adventure at a time! Author Emma Beswetherick and illustrator Anna Woodbine return with the latest exciting, eco-themed mission in their empowering The Playdate Adventures series which teaches young readers about the value of friendship and the issues facing our planet today. Join Katy, Cassie, Zia and Luca as they work together to save the planet. The friends are having a sleepover when they discover that the usually fearless Zia always sleeps with the light on. To help her, they plan their first ever magical midnight feast. Soon, they find themselves in a moonlit forest surrounded by nocturnal creatures. But something isn’t right... the animals don’t know if it’s night or day. The four friends and Thunder the cat race to the rescue. Can they save their sleepy forest friends before the clock strikes twelve? Beswetherick – whose aim is to write exciting, inspirational and enabling adventure stories to share with children – covers everything from deforestation and litter on the streets to climate change and water conservation in this entertaining and informative series. With Anna Woodbine’s illustrations bringing the fun and action to life, these books are the perfect read for your own little eco-warriors.
(Rock the Boat, paperback, £5.99)

Age 5 plus
Lunar New Year Around the World
Amanda Li and Angel Chang

CELEBRATE the most colourful time of the year! From fireworks and festivals to home-cooked meals and treasured traditions, Lunar New Year is a colourful celebration across the world and now youngsters can learn all about it in this stunning picture book. Lunar New Year Around the World, written by award-winning author Amanda Li and brimming with the gorgeous illustrations of Angel Chang, an illustrator from Taiwan who lives with high-functioning autism symptoms, is the perfect introduction for little ones to Lunar New Year celebrations. Through the eyes of the children across the globe, meet families in China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, as well as in bustling cities like San Francisco, London, Sydney and Toronto. And join them in their celebrations at home and on the streets in parades, lantern festivals and in temples. Packed with fascinating facts, eye-catching artwork and a gold-foiled cover, this is a beautiful and informative book for curious young readers who love finding out about then world’s different traditions.
(Studio Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Eight Nights, Eight Lights
Natalie Barnes and Andrea Stegmaier

AND as Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, draws near, discover how this special time of year brings people together and light to the darkness in a beautiful, atmospheric picture book from Hertfordshire writer Natalie Barnes and German illustrator Andrea Stegmaier. Eight Nights, Eight Lights is a story celebrating Chanukah, told across eight nights, and exploring the much-loved time for songs and prayer, delicious food and friendship, and fun and family. Celebrate each night of Chanukah, known to some as Hanukkah, with eight different families and learn about the rituals and traditions which make up this wonderful holiday. With Stegmaier’s rich, emotive and colourful illustrations and Barnes’ lyrical, rhythmic text, this lovingly created book is the ideal gift to share with children. With its comforting and cosy ethos, the book is also perfect for any child who wants to learn more about The Festival of Lights which this year will be celebrated from Sunday, December 18 to the evening of Monday, December 26.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Floof
Heidi McKinnon

EVERYONE loves a kitten... but not many people have yet encountered a kitten like this! So meet fluffy Floof, a furball of laid-back loveliness and the creation of Melbourne author/illustrator Heidi McKinnon. The bestselling creator of I Just Ate MY Friend, Baz & Benz and There’s No Such Thing is back to make cat lovers purr with delight as she introduces Floof. Floof is floofy. Floof is VERY floofy. Floof is the floofiest! Floof is going to have a very busy day... sleeping, meowing, sleeping, hiding, sleeping, eating and sleeping. With its superbly understated, bold and expressive illustrations and clever design, Floof provides lots of fun for grown-ups reading the story aloud to little ones who will love noticing when the text says one thing and the illustrations say quite another! A must-have for cat fans of every age!
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Perfect Presents!
Anke Kuhl

SOME gifts are not to everyone’s taste but a little lizard is quite sure that the presents he has bought for his owl friend will go down a treat! Spread love, giggles and happiness this Christmas with a comic gift book that will delight readers of any age... but especially those who are hard to buy for. With lots of comic strip style fun and the hilarious illustrations of award-winning German Anke Kuhl, this story about gifts and the joy of giving stars the lizard who watches increasingly fearfully as the owl wolfs down each one of his presents... and then reaches out greedily for the lizard! With comic tension and a funny twist, the reader thinks the lizard may get eaten, but all turns out well as the story finishes with a big kiss and a cup of peppermint tea. ‘Perfect presents,’ says his friend. This whimsical, warm-hearted tale makes an ideal stocking filler or a present for giving all-year round at birthdays, anniversaries or any celebration.
(Gecko Press, hardback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
I Can Learn: I Can Count
Lauren Crisp and Thomas Elliott

LEARNING how to count is hands-on fun with this innovative and interactive board book from Little Tiger Press’s bright and bold I Can Learn series. The series lets youngsters explore colours, shapes, counting and many other first concepts through special features such as tactile elements like beads, sound buttons and flaps, helping to reinforce learning and strengthen hand-eye co-ordination. In this clever new novelty book, a colourful ten-piece wooden bead abacus encourages youngsters to enjoy using their hands as they get to grips with counting and gain the skills and confidence to recognise how numbers work. With a text that prompts children to use the abacus and put their counting skills into practice, little ones learn the concept of counting in a way that is both educational and entertaining. Add on Thomas Elliott’s bright, child-friendly illustrations, a simple vocabulary, author Lauren Crisp’s gentle rhymes and the fun of sliding the beads, and you can count on the perfect gift book for the Christmas season!
(Caterpillar Books, board book, £9.99)

Age one plus
123 Sleepy Me
Sophie Aggett and Gareth Lucas

THE countdown to bedtime begins when little ones get their hands on this super board book and its special magic touch! 123 Sleepy Me – written in a sweet rhyming text by Sophie Aggett and illustrated by the award-winning Gareth Lucas – is the new title in Little Tiger Press’s Textured Touch Counting Books series which features unique textured numbers on its pages. ‘One little night star shining over you. Glow worm spots another and that makes… two!’ Settle down with five sleepy bugs as they say goodnight to their friends and count the twinkly stars using the special, colourful numbers. Each title features fun and simple counting prompts to engage little learners. The tactile numbers one to five, each made of moulded plastic, peek through the pages for little hands to trace and each number has a different textured pattern to help with memory association. Ideal for practising hand-eye co-ordination and teaching first numbers, this is a bedtime counting book with a difference!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age from birth
Houses
OKIDOKID and Liuna Virardi

OPPOSITES are part of everyday life and it’s a concept that children are never too young to learn. So here’s an inventive board book series that teaches little ones first opposites in the most delightful and entertaining way. Fourth in the series – which was created by OKIDOKID, an agency founded by Justine de Lagausie who now works hand-in-hand with children’s author Raphaël Martin – is Houses which lets little ones discover a world of opposites with different kinds of houses. From new houses to old, a country house to a town house, and a small house to a tall house, little hands will love lifting the flaps of this bright and chunky board book. Featuring the bright, stylish and quirky illustrations of Liuna Virardi and simple, accessible pairings ideal for language development, the book’s fold-out flaps transform the pictured scenes to make the opposite come to life. Simply lift, learn and explore, and look out for Vehicles, People and Animals, the three earlier books in this inventive opposites series.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £6.99)

The Empire

Michael Ball

‘It’s a corker, a paradigm, a diamond of the first water!
There’s not a finer theatre north of London.’

TAKE your seats, dim the lights and enjoy the show as singer, actor, presenter, and now author, Michael Ball (pictured below) brings his thirty years of musical theatre wit and wisdom to an exhilarating series played out against the fascinating back and front stage life of a Yorkshire theatre in the Twenties.

Packed with insider knowledge, a dazzling cast of diverse characters and a plot that would be worthy of any stage drama, The Empire is a theatrical treat set to win a multitude of hearts and plenty of reading encores.

Top of the bill are Jack Treadwell, a former army captain newly returned to Yorkshire after serving in the trenches of First World War France, and Grace Hawkins, the indispensable assistant to the manager of the Empire Theatre in the Yorkshire town of Highbridge. When ex-army officer Jack arrives at The Empire in 1922, he walks into the middle of a rehearsal and is instantly mesmerised. Both his parents died in the flu epidemic that swept through the world and after lingering in Paris for a few years, he has returned to his Yorkshire roots.

And after proving himself a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ as well as an inventive doorman, the young ex-army captain earns himself a pivotal role in helping to keep the wheels of the Empire turning. 

But amid the glitz and glamour, Jack soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies principally in its cast of characters... both on stage and behind the scenes.

There’s stunning starlet Stella Stanmore, Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake and Ruby Rowntree who keeps the music playing. And determined to take on a bigger role is former showgirl Lady Lillian Lassiter who is co-owner of the Empire along with Sir Edmund Lassiter, her late husband’s son from his first marriage. And then there’s cool, competent Grace Hawkins, the Empire’s steely

Murder Most Royal

S.J. Bennett 

THE year 2016 has proved more than a little tricky for Queen Elizabeth II with the Brexit referendum and the US elections revealing deep divisions in both Whitehall and Washington. Fortunately, Christmas is almost here and now she can leave her ‘gilded office block’ at Buckingham Palace and head for the wide open spaces, vast English skies and freewheeling birds on her much-loved Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk.

But when a severed hand is found washed up on a nearby beach, it looks like Her Majesty’s low-key Christmas is going to be murder.

On the day that award-winning author S.J. Bennett handed in the proofs for the third book of her delightfully cosy and quirky Her Majesty The Queen Investigates series, she heard the news that the 96-year-old sovereign had died. Despite her shock and sorrow at the Queen’s passing, Bennett knew that it would only add more poignancy to her stories in a series that aims to celebrate our late monarch’s lifetime of dedication to public service, her role in all our lives, and her impact on the world at large. And this new mystery is the perfect tribute as Bennett (pictured below) once again takes readers behind the walls of palaces and royal homes to imagine an unexpected super-sleuthing superstar sovereign who solves murder mysteries in between her more regular and recognised duties.

It’s not a good start to the Christmas holiday in the royal household when both the Queen and Prince Philip go down with colds but the monarch is immediately cheered when she steps out on to her farmland and smells the welcoming and ‘bracing odour of manure and straw’ at the stables.

The Queen hopes to focus on her family this Christmas but her best laid plans are scuppered when a severed hand and a holdall containing drugs are found by a dog walker on Snettisham beach next to the Sandringham estate.

Unknown to her subjects, Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders but even though she quickly identifies the victim as 70-year-old local aristocrat Edward St Cyr, from his distinctive signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward. St Cyr led an unconventional, often controversial life, making many enemies along the way in the quiet, rural world of North Norfolk, where everyone knows each

Deeds of Autumn

Anders de la Motte

THE move to a new home and a new job in a rural area of Southern Sweden was supposed to be a much-needed fresh start for Stockholm detective Anna Vesper and her troubled teenage daughter. But the echoes of a 27-year-old tragedy – in which a local student died in mysterious circumstances – still haunt this close-knit community, and Anna has her own ghosts to banish. Are her hopes of finding peace of mind doomed from day one?

If you thought a Swedish autumn brought only mellow mists, sunshine and golden hues, then you haven’t yet entered the spine-tingling world created by a former police officer who has magically morphed into a master storyteller. Deeds of Autumn is rural Scandi-noir at its best and the latest book in Anders de la Motte’s (pictured below) stunning Seasons Quartet, which includes the three standalone novels Rites of Spring, End of Summer and Dead of Winter, all number one bestsellers in Sweden, and all currently being published by Zaffre. 

Little surprise then that these enthralling books – flawlessly translated by Marlaine Delargy – have all earned their author a shortlisting for the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers’ Award for Best Crime Novel of the Year, and this atmospheric, autumn-themed mystery weaves between past and present as disturbing secrets from a decades old mysterious death still ripple through a small community.

In the early autumn of 1990, five lifelong and recently graduated friends gather to swim, sunbathe and camp at the abandoned, water-filled Mörkaby quarry in the Skåne area of Sweden as a last farewell to their childhoods and each other.

All aged nineteen, the three young men and two young women are in a joyful mood but, like the murky, forbidding and permanently cold water of the quarry, there are dark shadows under the surface of their celebrations and tensions that run deeper than many in their nearby home village of Nedanås would know about.

Because not everyone in this friendship circle is ready to let go, or be left behind, and when dawn breaks, only four of the group remain alive. The police rule the death of child prodigy Simon Vidje a tragic accident, but not everyone is convinced that the mysterious demise of a teenager ‘destined to rule the world’ with his musical gifts was without suspicion, and the incident remains an open wound with many.

In autumn of 2017, Skåne’s old chief of police is replaced by divorcee Anna Vesper, a newly arrived detective from Stockholm who is haunted by events in her own past and desperate to find

Good Taste

Caroline Scott

AS the Great Depression casts a long shadow over the country in 1932, food writer Stella Douglas is commissioned to put together a history of food in England that will lift the spirits and make people feel proud of their national cuisine.

But it’s a task that becomes doubly difficult when Stella discovers that most of England’s favourite dishes actually have their origins in other lands, and then faces a powerful distraction from Freddie Langham, the handsome antiques dealer who comes to her rescue on a marathon cross-country journey to unearth lost recipes.

Historian and highly acclaimed author Caroline Scott – whose haunting novels, The Visitors, The Photographer of the Lost and When I Come Home Again, contemplated different aspects of the aftermath of war – forges a delicious new path with this paean to food set at a time when modern England was starting to emerge from the past. And what a tale of light and darkness, tears and laughter, and dainty and not-so-dainty dishes, Good Taste proves to be as Scott (pictured below) packs in a fascinating exploration of social history alongside a moving tale of friendship, family and self-discovery, all set against a 1930s backdrop facing much the same changes and challenges, hardships and crises as our contemporary world.

When Stella Douglas, author of a much-loved but not very successful biography of forgotten cookery writer Elizabeth Raffald is summoned from her Yorkshire base to see her editor in London at the end of 1931, she is dreading being told her career is over before it’s even started.

She has recently given up her home in London to return to live with her father in Calderdale after her mother’s death left him vulnerable, fragile and seemingly ‘shrinking.’ However, she misses the bright lights and bustle of the big city, and particularly her close friend, chef Michael, the man who has been her comfort and confidant for many years.

But far from losing her job, Stella finds she is being commissioned to write another book... this time a history of food in England and how the English like to eat. ‘Nostalgia is potent stuff,’ says her editor, ‘and it’s fashionable at the moment.’ Her task is to charm her readers with a book of

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A grumpy grump, a daily dinosaur and fairy tale magic

Christmas is coming and thoughts are inevitably turning to children’s wish lists so take an early peek at some fantastic gift, story and activity books that could well be the answer to your young readers’ dreams

Age 5 plus
The Grumpus
Alex T. Smith

WHEN your plan is to cancel Christmas, it can only be dastardly, dreadful... and destined to go horribly wrong! You know the Christmas season is well and truly moving into top gear when talented writer and illustrator Alex T. Smith peeps his head over the parapet with his latest fantastically festive Christmas adventure. And after the success of the Claude series and his much-loved books How Winston Delivered Christmas and How Winston Came Home for Christmas, Smith brings us another spectacular gift book that offers brilliant storytelling, stunning artwork and a hilarious anti-hero who is the perfect amalgam of Scrooge, the Grinch and Krampus (but not half as scary!). The Grumpus is a big, grumbly, huffy-puffy, grumpy grump of a creature who doesn’t like anybody or anything at all. And the one thing he REALLY doesn’t like is Christmas. And on one particularly cold, frosty morning when he discovers that he has run out of his favourite food – Brussels sprouts of all things – he hatches a plan to go to the North Pole and stop Christmas once and for all. Oh no, you might say, but wait... an awful thing happened at the North Pole on Christmas Eve which meant that the Grumpus’s wicked plan didn’t turn out at all how he planned! With a brilliantly funny story featuring an unforgettable grumpy star player, Smith’s bold and comical illustrations, a foiled cover and ribbon marker, and all lovingly wrapped in the author’s natural warmth and insight into the true meaning of Christmas, this wonderful book is destined to become a family favourite in the run-up to Christmas.

(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 6 plus
A Dinosaur A Day
Written by Miranda Smith and illustrated by Jenny Wren, Xuan Le, Max Rambaldi, Juan Calle and Olga Baumert

IMAGINE walking with dinosaurs every day of the year! If you’re hunting down the perfect gift for young dino fans, then look no further than this illustrated gift book which lets them spend a stupendous 365 days in the company of some of prehistory’s biggest creatures. Stunningly illustrated throughout by a team of talented artists, and packed with key information about each of these amazing dinosaurs, including height, weight and diet, the book has a full pronunciation guide, index and glossary. Dip in each day to discover a new dinosaur and enjoy sharing with friends or family. From ferocious Tyrannosaurus to gentle giant Titanosaurus, there are familiar and lesser-known names alongside newly discovered species, all brought to life with brilliant illustrations and fascinating facts. With a consultancy by Professor Mike Benton, who was elected Fellow of the Royal Society for his fundamental contributions to understanding the history of life, this beautifully created book is the ultimate introduction to dinosaurs. An unforgettable year-long encounter with the most astonishing creatures ever to walk the Earth!
(Red Shed, hardback, £20)

Age 12 plus
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
and Other Festive Poems
Chosen and illustrated by Chris Riddell 

‘'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.’

THE opening lines of author and academic Clement Clarke Moore’s famous 1823 poem set the tone for this exuberant collection of Christmas poems which are guaranteed to provide an extra sparkle this festive season. Selected and lavishly illustrated by Chris Riddell, a former Children’s Laureate and an accomplished artist and political cartoonist, this anthology of modern masterpieces and Christmas classics captures all the joy, anticipation, thrills, and even chills, of the season of family and fun. Highly illustrated throughout with Riddell’s richly detailed and atmospheric artwork, this flurry of festive poetry includes much-loved traditional favourites like The Twelve Days of Christmas, Deck the Halls, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and We Three Kings, and poems by Neil Gaiman, William Wordsworth, Thomas Hardy, Hollie McNish, Sue Hardy Dawson, Roger Stevens, Benjamin Zephaniah, Clare Bevan, Sara Teasdale, A.F. Harrold, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Sylvia Plath, Ogden Nash, Robert Burns and Jackie Kay. Gloriously entertaining and full of those unique Christmassy vibes, this is the perfect festive selection for poetry lovers young and old.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
Tiggy Thistle and the Lost Guardians
Chris Riddell

STEP into a dazzling world of fairy tale wonders, intriguing mysteries, lovable heroes, unforgettable villains and skies filled with cloud horses as Costa award-winning author and illustrator extraordinaire Chris Riddell returns with the second and final book in his magical series, The Cloud Horse Chronicles. This action-packed series sees the former Children’s Laureate at his imaginative best as readers are plunged into exciting and danger-filled dystopian adventures where children become the guardians of magic. In this enchanting new story, we learn that Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba, the three guardians of magic, disappeared with no warning nearly ten years ago, leaving the Kingdom of Thrynne in the icy grip of a powerful sorceress. Most people have fled in desperate search of warmer lands, escaping the snow monsters that roam the streets. Meanwhile, nine-year-old Tiggy Thistle lives hidden and safe with a kindly Badger...until the day she meets the elf Crumple Stiltskin, one of the crafty Stiltskin brothers, and she suddenly has to run from her happy home. So begins Tiggy's quest to find Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba – the lost guardians and their beautiful cloud horses – the only people, she believes, who can save Thrynne from the curse of endless winter.

Set against fantastical landscapes, and featuring witty and inventive twists on traditional fairy tales, Tiggy Thistle and the Lost Guardians stars an engaging cast of new and familiar characters, battling evil and taking on enemies with youthful wisdom, fearlessness, energy and determination. Sumptuously presented in a foiled dust jacket, this is the perfect gift for all adventure-seekers and fantasy fans!
And if you haven’t yet read Guardians of Magic, you can give your youngsters a double helping of delight as this gripping and fabulously illustrated first book in the series – which introduced us to apprentice baker Zam Zephyr, musician Phoebe Limetree, and orphaned daughter of a giant slayer, Bathsheba Greengrass – is now out in paperback at £7.99.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories
By Various Authors and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre

‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases;
it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower
quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams.’ 

SO wrote the poet John Keats in a sentiment that seems perfectly suited to a beautiful book of bedtime stories. This stunning anthology for younger children is packed with inspirational wind-down tales that are full of hope and courage, and brim with the kind of positivity that is just the antidote needed to a world that can often seem pressured and anxiety-inducing. Written by a diverse range of Faber’s talented pool of children’s authors, this sumptuous gift book is lavishly illustrated throughout by the bestselling artist Sarah McIntyre. All these brand-new stories are perfectly pitched for children in the five to seven age group, and promote modern-day messages of inclusivity, acceptance and bravery in the face of adversity, with the slogan ‘a comforting story tonight for a happy day tomorrow’ firmly at centre stage. The full list of stellar contemporary authors contributing to this heartwarming collection is Aisha Bushby, Ann Jungman, Ayesha Braganza, Claire Barker, Emma Carroll, Hannah Lee, Ingrid Persaud, Kate Saunders, Kieran Larwood, Lou Kuenzler, Lucy Farfort, Martyn Ford, Michael Mann, Natasha Farrant, Pip Jones, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Reba Khatun. A gift that will be treasured down the years.
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £20)

Age 5 plus
Snow White and other Grimms’ Fairy Tales
Written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and illustrated by MinaLima

WANDER into the enchanted forest with Snow White and discover a mesmerising and magical anthology of thrilling fairy tales from the legendary Brothers Grimm. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who together collected a host of European folk tales with their work popularising stories like Cinderella, The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Snow White. The fairy tales were first published in 1812 and since then have captured the hearts and minds of generations of children. So indulge your own youngsters this Christmas with Snow White and other Grimms’ Fairy Tales, a spectacular, interactive book which offers an ingeniously inventive new take on twenty of the most popular tales. It’s the ninth book in Harper Design’s deluxe classic illustrated series and is packed with stunning full-colour artwork and interactive features created by MinaLima, the award-winning design studio behind the graphics for the Harry Potter film franchise. Destined to become a collector’s item, Snow White and other Grimms’ Fairy Tales is illustrated with specially commissioned artwork and includes nine extraordinary interactive features ranging from a pop-up forest and pull-tab mirror for Snow White and a wall of thorns encasing Sleeping Beauty to a three-dimensional ball gown for Cinderella and a pop-up tower for Rapunzel.
(HarperDesign, hardback, £25)

Age 3 plus
Grimms’ Fairy Tales
Retold by Elli Woollard and illustrated by Marta Altés

‘This may seem, at the start, like a sweet little story.
It’s not. It gets grisly and horribly gory.’

REVEL in the romping rhymes and fairy tale fantasies in this brilliant contemporary twist on the famous Grimm brothers ’ fairy tales from the exciting, award-winning team of author and poet Elli Woollard and illustrator Marta Altés. With Altés’ exquisitely expressive and detailed illustrations bringing all the action to life, Woollard has a ball with her hugely entertaining retelling of five Grimms fairy tales in snappy rhymes and catchy rhythms that are guaranteed to capture everyone’s hearts. Created in a beautiful gift edition, the book is a delight for readers young and old, offering a fresh, funny and original take on five well-loved fairy tales... Cinderella, Little Red Cap, The Musicians of Bremen, Hansel and Gretel, and The Elves and the Shoemaker. With discoveries and adventures at every turn, this timeless gift book with its sumptuous and textured foil cover, will be treasured and enjoyed time and time again.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 1 plus
Richard Scarry’s Storybook Dictionary
Richard Scarry

TREAT your youngsters to this magnificent storybook dictionary which was written and illustrated by American author and artist Richard Scarry, one of the founding fathers of children’s illustration. Scarry, who died in 1994 aged 74, was unquestionably one of the best-loved children’s authors of all time, writing more than 250 books which have gone on to sell more than 150 million copies globally. Born in Boston in 1919, he moved to Switzerland in 1968 and once wrote: ‘It’s a precious thing to be communicating to children, helping them discover the gift of language and thought.’ Scarry had a unique ability to see the world from a child’s point of view and this ultimate ABC book for beginners, with over 2,500 words and 1,000 pictures, is a shining example of his inimitable and inspirational work. With thousands of richly detailed pictures to study and enjoy, ingenious stories full of Scarry’s special child appeal, and lots of exciting words to explore, this one-of-a-kind illustrated first dictionary is destined to be a favourite with both parents and children.
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 1 plus:
We’re Going on a Sleigh Ride
Martha Mumford and Cherie Zamazing

CHRISTMAS wouldn’t be Christmas without a fluffy, festive bunny adventure! Take hold of the reins, start counting and let the fun begin with this fabulous picture book from author Martha Mumford and illustrator Cherie Zamazing, the top team behind the million-copy selling Bunny Adventures series. With their fun flaps, sturdy pages for little hands, and exciting adventures, these books are ideal for young readers. And this new Christmas-themed story, which sees the bunnies heading off on a sleigh ride with Santa, is packed with winter magic as little ones lift the flaps, find lots of presents and countdown to the most thrilling day of the year. With Mumford’s high-flying adventure to enjoy, lots of exciting presents to discover under the flaps, the fun of counting down to Christmas Day, and Zamazing’s vibrant and richly detailed illustrations bringing the sleigh ride to glorious life, there could be no better way to get ready for the season of giving.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Explorers at Stardust City
Alex Bell and Tomislav Tomić

DEEP below the sea, and far above the skies in space, a group of daring explorers are on a mission to save the planet! Welcome back to the sixth action-packed Explorers’ Club adventure, part of a thrilling middle grade series from the pen of author Alex Bell. Superbly illustrated by Croatian artist Tomislav Tomić’s magical double-page spreads of artwork, these books feature the Ocean Squid team who live in richly imagined fantasy world where danger and derring-do go hand in hand. In this gripping new outing, the young explorers head into space to battle an evil foe and some terrifying creatures. Ursula Jellyfin, a half-mermaid girl, and her friends are in a race against time. The villainous Collector Scarlett Sauvage has taken ice princess Stella Starflake Pearl captive and is hungrily snatching up all the beautiful places of the world in her magical snow globe prisons. She needs to be stopped but first they must find her. To aid them in their quest, the explorers seek help from new allies, including a Pirate Queen with a ghost ship that can defy time and space, and then take to the skies in a galaxy fairy rocket. But their journey is fraught with peril as the future of the planet hangs in the balance. Young readers will love escaping into a sensational world filled with space moles, sea goblins and giant sharks, and a dazzling adventure coated with a sprinkling of moon dust. With Tomić’s stunning illustrations bringing the fantasy world and its people and creatures to vivid life, this atmospheric story is a thrill ride from start to finish.
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Christmas Carrolls:
The Christmas Competition
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 a fun-filled festive drama with the Carrolls, a diverse and charismatic family that enjoys Christmas every day of the year! This cornucopia of Christmas cheer is the second hilarious adventure starring the chaotic Carroll family after they were introduced to adoring readers last year by author Mel Taylor-Bessent, founder of interactive video firm Authorfy, and talented illustrator Selom Sunu. And Holly and her family have some snowtastic news! They have been entered into The Christmas Chronicle’s Most Festive Family Competition and Holly is sure to the tips of her tinselly fingers that they have this in the bag. But when the Christmas-obsessed Carrolls meet the Klauses, they are in for a Santa-sized surprise. With a house on Candy Cane Lane, a ‘Klausland’ theme park in their back garden, a personal ski mountain and dancing penguins, Holly can feel her Christmas confidence wavering. What can she do to help her festive family win... will they discover that there is more to life than perfect Christmas decorations, a personal toboggan run, and more prezzies than you can shake a candy cane at? With a story of kindness that resonates with the true spirit of Christmas, Sunu’s enchanting and heartfelt illustrations, and an ice-skating baby penguin adding to the festive feast, this is the perfect tasty dish to set before your own Christmas funsters!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Horrible Histories: Ghosts
Terry Deary and Martin Brown

BOO! Discover all the frightful stories behind iconic ghost tales and legends from around the world with this ghastly ghosts and ghouls edition of the endlessly entertaining and much-loved Horrible Histories series. The master of making history fun, Terry Deary, and his equally talented illustrator team-mate Martin Brown turn their attention to spooks and spirits in this truly horrible trawl of foul facts. Horrible Histories: Ghosts has everything from the ancient evils of Egypt, cut-throat Celtic sacrifices, Anne Boleyn and other restless royals to a deathly drummer boy trapped in the underground passages of Edinburgh, ghost busters and spook rumblers. Combined with tons of Horrible Halloween facts, top tips for getting rid of ghouls, and Brown’s hilarious illustrations, these hair-raising stories come with all the horribly hilarious bits included. With a fresh take on the classic Horrible Histories style and packed with Deary’s priceless wit, the past has never been so horrible, and so hilariously entertaining!
(Scholastic, paperback, £6.99)

Age 8 plus
A Fairytale for Everyone
Selected by Boldizsár M Nagy, illustrated by Lilla Bölecz and translated by Anna Bentley

OVER the centuries, traditional stories ‘have winged their way across borders and cultures as freely as migratory birds, changing and taking shape as they did so... this is how stories are kept alive.’ The words of editor, translator and journalist Boldizsár M Nagy speak loudly and resonantly in her introduction to this groundbreaking and inclusive children’s illustrated fairy tale collection. The beautiful and sparkling collection of 17 traditional short stories, reimagined in a fully inclusive LGBTQ+ light, celebrates a multitude of ethnicities, genders and sexualities. The collection was originally published in Hungary where the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters sparked political controversy. It quickly became an important symbol in the fight for equality and against discrimination in Hungary. These are stories in which powerful princesses slay giants, beautiful princes find true love and heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Illustrated throughout by Lilla Bölecz, a Hungarian graphic artist and illustrator whose work is inspired by, among other things, mysticism, nature and mythology, and translated into English by Anna Bentley, this is a book to inspire a new generation of readers.
(Farshore, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions
Isabel Thomas and Aaron Cushley

WHY are bubbles always round, could I ever touch a rainbow, why can't I remember being a baby? If your curious kids are buzzing with questions, settle them down to sleep at night with at least some of those impossible questions answered! With its wide range of topics covered and brilliant answers, The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions offers answers to the most weird and wonderful, bamboozling and bewildering questions that you can think of. How many stars are in the night sky? Why don't animals wear clothes? Do plants have feelings? Why does rain smell rainy? How do cats squeeze into the smallest of boxes? Why do we need two ears? Science writer Isabel Thomas, author of a galaxy of books for young readers, defines, debunks and demystifies the trickiest and most bizarre of questions and even opens your eyes to questions you have never even thought of! Packed with Aaron Cushley’s exciting, child friendly illustrations, this is the perfect brain-soothing bedtime book for your busy little bees.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
Secrets of a Christmas Elf
Ben Miller and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini

INDULGE your youngsters with this gorgeous, pocket-sized Christmas gift book – full of fun, festive warmth and comedy capers – from actor, comedian and bestselling author Ben Miller. Secrets of a Christmas Elf delivers magic on every page as Miller, who has earned the title King of Christmas, lets loose his imagination on a heartwarming story about the importance of family at Christmas, and all year round. It’s business as usual in the run up to Christmas at Santa’s Workshop and toy elves Holly (who just happens to be Santa’s daughter) and Tog are busy making gifts for children all around the world. But Father Christmas isn’t feeling well and Holly is worried that things won’t be finished on time. Inventing a robot to help out with festive duties seems like a fantastic idea until Father Christmas is kidnapped and a race against time to save him and the big day begins. Featuring the atmospheric black and white illustrations of Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, this inspirational, mischief-laden adventure – laced throughout with Miller’s irrepressible wit – is set to become another laugh-out-loud Christmas classic for this inventive storyteller.
This book is published on November 10.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)

Age 6 plus
The Snow Bear
Holly Webb

CELEBRATE the 10th anniversary of best-selling author Holly Webb’s beautiful book, The Snow Bear, in this dazzling new edition of her magical, snow-sprinkled tale. As the snow begins to fall just days before Christmas, Grandad helps Sara build an igloo in the garden with a small snow bear to watch over it. And when Sara wakes in the middle of the night, it looks very different outside. It’s just the start of a thrilling adventure as she sets out on an enchanted journey through a world of ice... but will she ever find her way home? A former children’s books editor, Webb has written over one hundred books for children and this gorgeous illustrated celebration of one of her best-loved stories gives the eternal themes of family and friendship starring roles. With its wild and wintry adventure, warm-hearted themes, and pages edged with blue mistletoe, this is the perfect Christmas gift for your own little animal lovers.
(Stripes Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
A Family Christmas
Alana Washington and Emily Nash

STEP into the pages of this festive picture book and watch the most magical day of the year unfold! A Family Christmas – a picture book twinkling with the joys and traditions of the season – has family love written all over its warm heart. ‘A crisp Christmas morning, there’s so much to see. A race down the stairs to look under the tree.’ From the moment you wake up, the excitement begins and that’s the message that speaks loud and clear in Alana Washington’s deceptively simple, but powerfully resonant, rhyming story. Packed with all the familiar ingredients of the big day – time shared with relatives, Christmas dinner, singing, games and an occasional snooze – this Christmas cracker is stunningly illustrated by Emily Nash who creates playful pictures by piecing together layers of colour and texture. With family, festivities and fun at its heart, this wonderful book is a verbal and visual invitation to every child to see themselves and their own special family in its pages.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Colour with Stickers: Christmas
Jonny Marx

HAVE fun making Christmas scenes and learn fascinating festive facts at the same time! Author and editor Jonny Marx and Caterpillar Books – an imprint of Little Tiger Press – have created the perfect sticker book to both entertain and inform children as they get ready for Christmas. Create ten Christmas scenes with more than 150 stickers and then pull out each of the perforated pages. From a colourful Christmas tree to a jolly gingerbread house, there are so many seasonal scenes to explore. Little ones will love matching the numbered stickers to the numbers on each picture to create their own festive scene. And along the way, they can learn all about Christmas, from the height of the tallest snowman ever to how far Santa Claus travels in one night. With fun facts on the back of every page, children find out about Christmas traditions whilst building their own masterpieces. Guaranteed to keep them glued to the page!
(Caterpillar Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Supertato: Presents Jack and the Beanstalk
Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet

ROLL up, roll up... the show is about to start! In this glorious celebration of ten years of Supertato, the chunky picture book superhero who’s always there when the chips are down, there’s a special performance coming your way. This wacky new calorie-consuming caper amongst supermarket fridges, friends and foes has been cooked up by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, the award-winning husband and wife duo. And for each copy of this special tenth anniversary hardback edition sold between November 2022 and August 2023, ten per cent of the price will be donated directly to Save the Children in a partnership between the charity and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Children’s Books. So join Supertato and the veggies as they put on their very own production of Jack and the Beanstalk, starring The Evil Pea as Jack and Supertato as Jack’s mum. There are thrills, spills and the return of a familiar-looking melon-bot as this hilarious, panto-tastic show unfolds. Will Jack’s beans bring him riches beyond his wildest dreams? Will Jack and Supermum be able to escape the fearsome giant? All will be revealed!  Add on a feast of big, bold and bright illustrations, and this one taste of Supertato will leave children begging for their next performance!
This book is published on November 10.
(Simon & Schuster, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
We Disagree About This Tree
Ross Collins

UNDERSTANDING (and accepting!) the art of compromise can be a steep learning curve for little ones so give them a lesson in love and friendship with this adorable festive-flavoured picture book. Ross Collins, creator of the bestselling There’s a Bear on My Chair, is back with his lovable squabbling duo, Bear and Mouse, for an adventure that is certain to ring a few Christmas bells with every family whose tree decorating has ended in tears! Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony until it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree. Bear wants dazzling lights while Mouse prefers gigantic baubles and... wait a minute, did Mouse just put a manatee on the top? A topsy-turvy tree is definitely the last straw and it looks as if Christmas is ruined. But maybe, just maybe, Bear and Mouse can reach a compromise in time... There will only be tears of laughter when your own little mischief-makers get their paws on this Christmas cracker which comes packed with absurd antics, the exuberance of childhood and a rollicking rhyme. Add on Collins’ expressive, larger-than- life illustrations and you have the ideal Christmas gift with a charm perfectly matched to the season of sharing and giving!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Rosie and the Friendship Angel
Lucinda Riley, Harry Whittaker and Jane Ray

TAKE inspiration and reassurance this Christmas from a beautiful illustrated story by mother and son partnership, bestselling novelist Lucinda Riley and award-winning BBC radio presenter Harry Whittaker. The beautiful Guardian Angel series – packed with the colourful and evocative illustrations of the talented Jane Ray – was devised by Harry and his mother before Lucinda sadly died in June last year, and is another ongoing, golden legacy of her enormous output of work. And this stunning gift-edition – a foiled hardback, complete with an angel ribbon marker – delivers a warm-hearted story rooted in modern life but with an ethereal and nostalgic charm and addressing the all too familiar anxiety of starting a new school and making friends. Rosie is still getting used to lots of new things when her teacher asks the class to draw their best friend. Rosie is not sure what to do because she doesn’t have a best friend yet. Luckily, Frederick the Friendship Angel, is on hand to show her that friendship is always around the corner. Packed with timeless messages about love, hope and comfort, the magic of wintertime and the joys of community, friendship and family, this gentle, uplifting story is perfect for the season of giving.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Crazy Stickers: Christmas Fun
Danielle McLean and Julie Clough

DECK the halls! There are pages of festive fun and lots of super seasonal stickers in this Christmas sticker book bursting with interactive creativity! Use over 300 stickers to let young imaginations run wild as they transform everyday objects into festive Christmas friends and make their own lovable characters. This quirky, pun-filled sticker book is bursting with colour and imagination, and is ideal to keep little hands busy in the run-up to Christmas.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £4.99)

Age 2 plus
Amazing Animal Tales: Baby Polar Bear
Anne Rooney and Qu Lan

WE all see pictures of adorable baby animals… but how big are they really, and how much do they weigh? The ever-inventive book boffins at Oxford University Press work their magic on this exciting and innovative picture book series which delivers incredible baby animal survival stories and optional flaps which open to reveal amazing facts. So say hello to Baby Polar Bear who loves to play and explore her snowy home. When the family sets off on a long trip, she must stay alert as there is danger about... but Mummy Bear is always close by! This heartwarming story – superbly illustrated by Qu Lan in a blue toned palette – features an animal family living in the Arctic and has big flaps to open and polar bear facts to discover. Readers will love interacting with the flaps where they can help Baby Polar Bear across a maze of ice floes! And with a black-headed gull to spot on every page, and the choice to make the story a non-fiction experience, this gorgeous book is a feast of fun, facts and furry delights!
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £11.99)

Age 1 plus:
Busy Christmas
Angie Rozelaar

PUSH, pull and slide… and meet two young children as they get ready for Christmas Day! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without an inventive board book to let the youngest family members get in on the festive fun so let them push, pull and slide as they have fun sledging in the snow, decorate the tree and take part in the school Nativity play before waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. Children will love playing with the easy-to-handle mechanisms, learning from the gently rhyming text and enjoy the rich detail of Angie Rozelaar’s magical illustrations as they immerse themselves in the wonder of Christmas. And with plenty to talk about and things to find on every page, Busy Christmas is sure to be read many times before the big day!
(Campbell Books, board book, £6.99)