Be careful what you wish for as you enter a bewitching world of adventure, go back to the future with a fondly-remembered book from 1979, join a modern-day Robin Hood who is out to catch the villains, gasp with laughter at a boy with never-ending hiccups, and kick off a summer of football with two of England women’s outstanding players
Age 9 plus
The House With
A Dragon In It
Nick Lake and Emily Gravett
BE careful what you wish for! Enjoy being transported – both
verbally and visually – into a thrilling adventure full of magic, mystery,
witches and dragons as critically-acclaimed YA author Nick Lake teams up with
artistic genius and twice CILIP Kate Greenaway award-winning artist Emily
Gravett. The House With a Dragon In It is a dazzling and deliciously
exciting adventure with family and friendship at its heart, and messages about
believing in your own magic and accepting yourself for who and what you are
echoing through the pages. A promise from a dragon is written in fire... when Summer
and her foster family are having lunch one day, a hole appears in the middle of
the living room. That hole leads to a dragon and the promise of three wishes,
granted by a very unusual witch. Summer wishes for popularity and plenty of
money, and things are looking up... until she realises that the hole in the
floor is getting bigger and the witch is getting more sinister. As things begin
to unravel, will Summer get her dearest, most secret wish? Lake’s beautifully imagined story of wild adventures and wish
fulfilment reminds us all that everyone is different and that acceptance is a
vital component of happiness. Add on Gravett’s richly detailed and atmospheric
black and white illustrations and you have a special gift book guaranteed to be
loved and treasured by everyone who reads it.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 10 plus
The Usborne Book of the Future
Written by Kenneth Gatland and
David Jefferis, and illustrated by
Gordon Davie, Terry Hadler,
Michael Roffe and George Thompson
TO celebrate their 50th birthday this year,
Usborne, one of the world’s leading independent children’s book publishers, is
going back to the future! First published in 1979, the Usborne Book of the Future is a
fondly-remembered book from a time when people dreamed of the future as a place
filled with wonder and amazing new technology. And after more than 40 years of
science fiction focusing on dystopias and doom, it’s time to remind readers
both young and old that, in fact, the future is STILL a place that holds hope
and excitement. This fascinating and nostalgic book – which offers
predictions that now seem either spookily accurate or amusingly out-of-kilter –
is built in three sections. The first explores all kinds of robots, the jobs
they will do on land, sea and in space, and where they will get power from. The
second is all about cities of the future, and how people will live, what new
buildings they will build, how computers will change the world, and what people
will do for fun. The final section is about the future of travel, from planes,
trains and cars on Earth, to space shuttles and journeys to colonise other
planets. This re-issued edition retains the original text and
stunning artwork but now comes with a foreword by renowned BBC Futurologist Tom
Cheesewright who was inspired into his career by the original edition of the
book. From outlining the internet and asteroid mines to 3D printers and robot
helpers, readers will be surprised at how accurately this book predicted life
in the 21st century. Long out of print, copies of the original printing of The
Usborne Book of the Future fetch three figures on auction sites. But now people
who remember this book from their childhood can find it again, and share it
with the next generation... at normal bookshop prices!
(Usborne Publishing, hardback, £12.99)
Age 10 plus
Robin Hood: Bandits, Dirt Bikes & Trash
Robert Muchamore
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
The Day The Hiccups Took Over
Jo Simmons and Lee Cosgrove
A NEVER-ENDING case of the hiccups is set to make fun-loving
readers gasp and gulp with laughter when they get their hands on another
hilarious caper from comedy genius and bestselling author Jo Simmons. The Day
The Hiccups Took Over comes from the same team of Simmons and illustration
wizard Lee Cosgrove who won an army of fans with their riotous romp The Day My
Family Disappeared. Meet Frank... he has a big day ahead of him, with a trip to
the dentist, a trumpet exam, a swimming trial and then, the event he’s been
looking forward to for months... he has tickets to see his knitting hero on
stage at the World Knitting Games right here in his home town! But all that is
put at risk when secret knitting fan Frank wakes up with the hiccups. Hic, hic,
hic... they just won’t STOP! Helped by his new friend Daisy, Frank tries ever
more wacky and hare-brained ideas to get the hiccups to go away. But will the
whole day end in disappointment and humiliation, or will Frank manage to turn a
hiccupping calamity into a dramatic triumph? Published by Barrington Stoke in
their trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this madcap masterpiece of hiccupping
mayhem is perfect for reluctant readers... and mischief-makers of any age!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
The Magician’s Daughter
Caryl Lewis and George Ermos
AWARD-WINNING Welsh novelist Caryl Lewis – author of the
enchanting book Seed – plays with our heartstrings again in this funny,
thrill-packed adventure about the power of true magic. After one hilarious, disastrous
magic show too many, Abby’s dad decides it’s time to give up showbiz... until
the day Abby finds a mysterious, dusty old book of spells among her mum’s
things. Mum – who died suddenly when Abby was very young – had always been the
dazzling magician, after all. And as Abby practises, each new spell brings
wonder and joy, not only to Abby and her dad, but also to the whole community. One
old lady feels young again when she is lifted into a dance, and two children
learn that anything is possible when they fly. Nothing lasts forever, though,
and after each public performance another spell vanishes from the book. So
before the magic disappears forever, Abby and Dad plan one final, spectacular,
impossible show in London... a show where the meaning of true magic will be
revealed. Illustrated throughout by
George Ermos, The Magician’s Daughter tackles important topics like
bereavement, the shared comfort from being part of a community and the power of
love to heal grief whilst delivering a heartwarming adventure full of colourful
characters, stage dramas... and magic. The perfect book hug!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 8 plus
Ultimate Football Heroes
Leah Williamson & Beth Mead
Emily Stead
AS next month’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New
Zealand draws near, kick off a summer of football with Leah Williamson and Beth
Mead, two of England women’s outstanding players. Williamson was born into a footballing family, following in
the footsteps of her mother who cut her hair short so she could play with the
boys. Williamson began playing at Scot Youth, a boys’ team in Bletchley,
quickly becoming their star striker. Representing England since 2010,
Williamson has played at an international level since the age of 13 and was
made permanent captain of the Lionesses in 2022. Discover how this versatile
player from Milton Keynes balanced school with a burgeoning football career to
hone her skills. From her early start as a six-year-old and being a part of
Arsenal's youth programme at nine to receiving an OBE in 2023 for services to
association football and being made captain of England,
Williamson is a true star.
(Dino Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 8 plus
Me and the Robbersons: Bandit Karaoke
Written by Siri Kolu and translated by Ruth Urbom
‘Thinkin’ with yer head, fightin’ with yer fists and relaxin’
with yer belly full. That’s what life’s all about.’
BUCKLE up and get
ready for a rollicking ride alongside a bandit family that consumes a LOT of
sweets and has a penchant for madcap adventures! Bandit Karaoke is the second
title in a fresh, fun and anarchic series from Finnish author Siri Kolu whose Me
and the Robbersons books have become an international hit. Translated into
English by Ruth Urbom, these brilliant escapist reads – full of laugh-out-loud humour
and a larger-than-life cast of characters – really hit the spot when it comes
to child-appeal. Maisie’s summer can finally start when she’s whisked away from
a boring music camp by her bandit family, the Robbersons. Bring on a summer of
screeching down country lanes, camping out on lake shores and devouring sweets...
Maisie can’t wait! The Robbersons are equally happy to have Maisie and her
sharp skills back just in time for the robbers’ summer festival. This year a
new Bandit Leader will be appointed and with the bandit clans out for revenge,
the Robbersons need all the help they can get! This twisting, turning,
all-action story – with a warm heart and important messages for our
contemporary world – is guaranteed to have youngsters giggling from start to
finish. Don’t miss it!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Age 7 plus
Pizazz vs The Future
Sophy Henn
ENJOY more super-awesome laughs in the sixth book of
award-winning author and illustrator Sophy Henn’s hilarious comic-book strip
style series starring scintillating superhero schoolgirl Pizazz. Classroom
politics, friendship fails and laugh-out-loud humour are the hallmarks of this
perfectly pitched series which has all the ‘powers and stuff’ that you expect
from a superhero story but with the added delight of some very human characters
and some very human dilemmas. Being a superhero is the best thing ever, right?
Wrong! Pizazz is everyone’s favourite 9¾-year-old (reluctant) superhero. You
probably think being a superhero is really awesome and while it can be, it’s
also REEEEEAAALLLLY annoying. Always having to zoom off to save the universe
can be tricky at the best of times, but at the worst of times it’s practically
impossible! And yet, despite all, Pizazz is ready to give this super thing her
ALL... she’s even got a brand-new costume. Pizazz soon discovers that a bunch
of baddies have formed Team Toxic and are trying to destroy the planet for
ever, but none of the grown-ups even care! This time it’s up to Pizazz and her
friends to save the world. Expect lots of wicked humour and evil plans as Henn
serves up another ferocious and fast-paced feast of super-powered, caped
crusader fun!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £6.99)
Age 7 plus
The Lost Bear Cub
Holly Webb and David Dean
ENJOY a trip into the wild and wonderful landscape of Canada
with a warm, tender and action-packed story from bestselling author Holly Webb
who has written over 130 books for children. Starring an adorable bear cub
which seals the bond between two sides of a family who live oceans apart, and
featuring the evocative illustrations of David Dean, The Lost Bear Cub is a delight.
Lucy is so excited to spend the summer holidays with her cousins in Canada.
Lucy and her big brother Jack don’t really know their three cousins, Reuben,
Sam and Kitty, and she is a little nervous in case they don’t get on well
together. All seems fine until they tell her to watch out for bears in the
forest and her excitement immediately turns to fear. One day, she stumbles upon
a bear cub on its own. At first she’s scared before realising that the poor
creature is lost. Can Lucy help the cub find its mother without also putting
herself in danger? Webb charms us all again with her trademark emotive animal
adventure and for those wanting more of the same, check out her enchanting
reads, The Dawn Seal, The Hideaway Deer, The Silver Pony and The Wildmeadow
Hare.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)
Age 7 plus
Questions and Answers about Refugees
Katie Daynes, Ashe de Sousa and Oksana Drachkovska
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £10.99)
Age 4 plus
The Moon Is a Ball
Ed Franck and Thé Tjong-KhingIF you’re looking for a book that speak directly to your child, then this adorable, warm, wise and wistful collection of nine stories about an unbreakable friendship between a panda and a squirrel is the perfect choice! The Moon Is a Ball – translated from the Dutch edition by David Colmer – is the creation of Ed Franck, one of Belgium’s most important and innovative children’s writers, and Thé Tjong-Khing, a world-leading illustrator for children whose many accolades include nomination for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Panda and Squirrel can’t live without each other and do everything together... they lie on the rocks to look at the moon, take walks and play games. Sometimes they argue... but they always make up again. Theirs truly is a friendship for any day, whether they’re roaring, quiet, grumbling or snoring! Ideal for youngsters starting to read alone, or to share with adults at bedtime, and gorgeously illustrated, each story in this collection is beautifully imagined and speaks straight to the heart of every child who has formed a close friendship.
(Gecko Press, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3
Julia Donaldson's Book of Names
Julia Donaldson and Nila Aye
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
Five Minute Mum: Starting School
Daisy Upton and Mackinzie Rekers
STARTING school is a big day for both children and parents
so let author and social media superstar Daisy Upton (aka Five Minute Mum) take
you by the hand and lead you through what can be a daunting experience. With
its funny and informative format, the colourful, child-friendly illustrations
of Mackinzie Rekers, and lots of Upton’s trademark five-minute entertaining games
and activities, this is the perfect, must-have guide from a writer who draws on
her experiences as both a mum and a teaching assistant in schools. Covering
topics like uniforms, meeting the teacher, getting to school on the first day,
making new friends, finding the way around, having fun at playtime, asking for
help, packing their bag, learning about letters and numbers, going to assemblies
and getting changed for PE, there is everything here for that first big step to
school. The book also includes lots of five-minute games and activities
designed to help your child feel confident and excited about starting school,
and offering them glimpses of all the learning they will do and all the fun
they will have. Full of those vital key ideas, and perfect for reading and
sharing together, Starting School is all you need for starters!
(Ladybird Books, paperback, £9.99)
Age 3 plus
Don’t Disturb the Dragon!
Rhiannon Findlay and Siân Roberts
IT'S time to wind down the day and set off on a brilliant
new bedtime adventure with Rhiannon Findlay, author of the much-loved Ten
Minutes to Bed series, and her illustrator team-mate Siân Roberts. Somewhere near, a huge beast lies, with giant
claws and great big eyes... do not disturb the dragon! Oh no... the Princess’s
little brother has learned to crawl and has gone missing from his cot. It’s up
to the princess to find him before he disturbs the fearsome dragon. Armed with
a map and her dragon-fighting kit, she sets off with the readers on an exciting
rescue mission... but can she save her brother and still get back in time for
bed? Little ones will love joining the interactive hunt as they tiptoe over,
under, round and through the book to make sure they don’t disturb the dragon.
With Findlay’s rhymthic, read-aloud adventure providing the perfect preparation
for bedtime, and Roberts’ winsome and wonderfully colourful illustrations
adding an irresistible air of calm, little eyes will be closing as the last
page turns!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
The Gardening Dog
Cindy Wume
MEET two very special friends in this heartwarming and
beautifully illustrated tale about gardening and the rewards of being patient
from Cindy Wume, a freelance illustrator from Taiwan. The Gardening Dog is
never chosen to go home with anyone who visits the rescue centre where she
lives. Instead she spends her time quietly growing beautiful plants. Then one
day she meets a shy boy called Lewis who much prefers drawing to running around
with all the other children. Working together, Lewis and the Gardening Dog
create a wonderful community garden for everyone to share and as new shoots
grow outside, they build a deep friendship that leads to a new start for them
both. Children will love meeting the boy and the dog who both don’t quite fit
in but together discover that a friendship, like a garden, takes time to grow...
and is always worth the wait. Illustrated in a riot of vibrant colours to match
the seasons and the weather, The Gardening Dog delivers important messages
about self-acceptance and following your passions. Enchanting and heartwarming,
The Gardening Dog is perfect for all little outdoor lovers and ideal for
storytime at both home and school.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
NOT Just Another Book About:
Farm Animals & Things that Moove
Illustrated by Jake McDonald
WHAT parent or carer could resist a book that bills itself
as ‘boredom-free guaranteed!’ These sturdy board books are the latest titles in
what is definitely NOT just another first concept series. Packed with learning,
fun, and a fine line in wit which will appeal to adults as well as children,
these brilliant books offer entertainment all the way.
(Noodle Juice, board books, £7.99 each)
Age 2 plus
Sheldon's New Shell
Lily Murray and Sam Caldwell
A CRAB needs a shell like a foot needs a shoe... but what if
there are none to be found? Author Lily Murray gets into the rhythm of the sea
in this sparkling picture book which is published in partnership with Surfers
Against Sewage, a successful environmental charity dedicated to the protection
of our oceans. Sheldon the hermit crab needs a new home so it’s time for him to
scour the beach and look for the perfect shell. However, the only thing he can
find is rubbish! There are plastic bottles and tin cans littered everywhere.
It’s a good job he has his fellow beach-side animal friends to help, as well as
one little girl who is determined to clean up his environment for good. With
Murray’s fun and addictive rhyme, a story that gently reminds youngsters of real-life
ecological issues that affect animals and marine life around the world, and all
brought to life by Sam Caldwell’s vibrant artwork, Sheldon’s New Shell delivers
a powerful and resonant message for readers of every age.
(Buster Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
Luna and the Sky Dragon
Bethan Woollvin
SCIENCE meets magic in a gorgeous new picture book from
multi-talented author and illustrator Bethan Woollvin who is much loved for her
uniquely humorous twist on classic fairy tales. In this adventurous celebration
of stargazing and the joy of storytelling, Woolvin brings us a terrific tale
inspired by the Ancient Greek astronomer Aglaonice who used her knowledge of
the moon to predict lunar eclipses. Luna loves the sky and finding out about
all the wonders she can see above her. But the villagers can’t stop worrying
about the mythical Sky Dragon... a fearsome creature who is said to dwell in
the sky. Can Luna share her love of the sky and show the villagers that the Sky
Dragon is nothing to be afraid of? Featuring real constellations as well as
facts about the Milky Way, eclipses, comets and other astronomical delights,
Luna and the Sky Dragon is a warm and playful feminist story which weaves
together mythical legends, science and one curious little girl. With lots to
learn and talk about and Woolvin’s striking artwork in a vibrant palette of
colours, this is the perfect book to inspire your own little stargazers.
(Two Hoots, paperback, £7.99)
Age 2 plus
Don’t Say Elephant!
Stuart Heritage and Nicola Slater
IF a genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish
for? Be careful what you wish for is the order of the day in this
laugh-out-loud picture book from the top team who brought us the marvellously
madcap Jonathan the Magic Pony. Guardian journalist Stuart Heritage’s weekly
column about his young son, Man With a Pram, ran in the paper’s Family section
between 2015-16 and now he has teamed up again with children’s books
illustrator Nicola Slater for another slice of warm and wacky fun. So meet dog
brothers Pancakes and Cha-Cha and fall into a brilliant world of magic,
mischief and a whole lot of pizza! Pancakes and Cha-Cha are set for a perfect
day of pizza and playing in the park... when they are surprised by a genie
granting wishes! What in the whole wide world will they wish for? Treasure,
magical powers, a lovely cheesy pizza the size of a paddling pool, or maybe –
just maybe – they will be surprised by something unexpected. Brotherly love, the
art of compromise and an elephant covered in cheese take centre stage in
Heritage’s endearing and entertaining story, all brought to big, bright and
beautiful life by Slater’s brilliant illustrations. An elephant story you’ll
never forget!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)
Age 2 plus
Into The Wild
Thomas Docherty
ENJOY a riot of colour, a boy on a wild journey, and a
menagerie of the most amazing animals in a dazzlingly creative and joyful
picture book from acclaimed author and illustrator Thomas Docherty. Joe loves
wild things but there aren’t any in the city where he lives... or are there? One
moonlit night Joe leaves his window open and with a swirl of leaves and a flap
of feathers, the Wild invites him outside on an adventure to explore the
night-time city. What will they find among the concrete and cars of Joe’s city?
Before the night is over, Joe learns that animals and plants can thrive even in
the most built-up environment, and that with a bit of imagination, a city can
be full of surprises. Docherty fills his beautifully imagined story with a
gallery of richly detailed illustrations and, with its message to youngsters
that there are wild things to be found in every town or city, Into The Wild
will inspire children to always expect the unexpected.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)
Age six months plus
Don’t Tickle the Shark!
Sam Taplin and Ana Martin Larranaga
DON'T tickle the shark... you might make it splash! Little
ones will be well and truly tickled when they get their hands on this
fabulously fun and ‘feely’ sound book. There’s a splashy shark, a screechy
seagull, a squeaky dolphin and a grunting sea lion just waiting to entertain
when toddlers give them a tickle! Tiny tots will love pressing the fluffy, touchy-feely
patches to hear the different sea creature sounds in this delightful novelty board
book. At the end of the story, all the animals get noisy at the same time in a
musical finale guaranteed to get everyone dancing. With Sam Taplin’s fun
narrative and the wonderfully vivid artwork of Ana Martin Larranaga bringing
the sea creatures to life, expect loads of laughs and lots of singalong
encores! Perfect for babies’ tummy time, sensory play, or snuggling up at story
time. Simply splashtastic!
(Usborne, board book, £12.99)
Age six months plus
That’s Not My Rocket...
Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells
SET your little ones’ imaginations on fire with the exciting
new book in Usborne’s award-winning That’s Not My... series, a much-loved
favourite with both parents and children. The bestselling touchy-feely series
has over 70 titles and has sold over 20 million books worldwide. The simple
text, bold, colourful illustrations and tactile patches are irresistible to
babies and toddlers who love turning the pages and touching the fun and ‘feely’
patches. Written by Fiona Watt and illustrated by Rachel Wells, this new title
features different textured patches on every spread as we discover a rocket
with a sparkly nose, a rocket with lumpy fins, a rocket with a shiny window and
a rocket with a smooth fuel tank. These beautifully colourful and carefully
created board books allow the youngest family members to have a hand in all the
fun of reading as they follow the story and look for the little white mouse on
every page. Specially designed to develop sensory and language awareness, the
distinctive That’s Not My… board books really are a vividly visual and hands-on
treat for inquisitive babies and toddlers. Touchy-feely genius at a stroke!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £6.99)
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