Age 7 plus
How to Spaghettify
Your Dog
Hiba Noor Khan
and Harry Woodgate
SCIENCE is full of amazing (and often funny!) facts... and has the answers to many of our planet’s most intriguing puzzles. From the mind-blowing butterfly effect to the bizarre behaviour of quantum physics, and from the reason why black holes gobble up everything near them to the more prosaic mystery of what farts are made of, this brilliant new science book uncovers the jaw-dropping secrets of the universe. How to Spaghettify Your Dog – written by author and former physics teacher Hiba Noor Khan, and spectacularly illustrated by Waterstones Book Prize winner Harry Woodgate – is bursting with fascinating physics facts that will explain everything you want to know, and more, about the curiosities of our cosmos.
Have you ever wondered how to slow down time, what would
happen if the Earth stopped spinning, or whether you’d be OK if you fell into a
black hole? Well, wonder no more. Through the busy, brightly coloured pages of How
to Spaghettify Your Dog, young readers become acquainted with the phenomenal
laws of physics... from the tiniest building blocks of our body, to the
universe superglue that we call gravity and the enormous stars that burn in our
skies but are light years away. And what makes the book so much fun to explore is the way
that Hiba Noor Khan breaks down complex science topics into fun, digestible
chunks. Featuring easy-to-follow experiments, Woodgate’s child-friendly and eye-catching
illustrations, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this hands-on book will not
just demystify physics and bring science to life, but inspire a new generation
of scientists to make their own forays into the wonderful world of science.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)
Meesh the Bad Demon
Michelle Lam
DARING adventures aren’t just for those who think they’re
super-brave! In the first book of her magical and inspirational Meesh the Bad
Demon graphic novel series, Los Angeles-based story artist Michelle Lam draws
on her Chinese American childhood experiences to bring youngsters stories
brimming with fantasy and fun. The star of this epic series is a reluctant twelve-year-old demon
called Meesh who becomes leader of a band of outcasts tasked with saving the
underworld. Bullied by the other demons, Meesh is more likely to be reading
magazines from Plumeria City – the fairy realm – and fangirling about fairy
princesses than going about anything in the least demonic. But when disaster
strikes and all of demon-kind is threatened, Meesh must journey to other worlds
in search of help. As luck would have it, she meets a fairy princess right away
but things in the fairy realm aren’t so perfect either. As Meesh makes
surprising new friends and unites a band of outcasts, she learns there is much
more to being a demon than she ever realised. And learning to love herself
might just uncover the secret to saving her home. Youngsters will love joining Meesh in her amazing, magical
world and following her exciting adventures as she faces up to the conundrum of
how far she will go to save her home... and find herself in the process. With an eclectic cast of demons, werewolves, fairy
princesses and unicorns to enjoy, Lam’s gallery of adorable characters and
fantastical illustrations bringing the story to devilish life, Meesh and her
gang are set to become everyone’s favourite good-bad guys!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £9.99)
Age 8 plus
Dead Good Detectives: Ghost Rescue
Jenny McLachlan and Chloe Dominique
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
The Best Sleepover in the World
Jacqueline Wilson and Rachael Dean
WHEN bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson’s funny and
touching book, Sleepovers, was first published in 2001, many of her (now grown-up!) readers told her that it was their favourite of the over one hundred stories
Wilson has written. The much-loved tale introduced us to school friends Amy,
Bella, Chloe, Daisy and Emily who were looking forward to planning sleepovers
for their birthdays... except new girl Daisy, who had a non-verbal sister Lily,
and was dreading her own sleepover because Chloe was proving to be VERY
unfriendly. And those all-too-familiar worries about bullying,
disabilities, siblings and friendships are explored again in this long-awaited,
heartwarming sequel starring the same friendship circle and Chloe’s new grand
plan to hold the best sleepover in the world. Daisy’s worst ever enemy Chloe is desperate to win back her
friends so she announces she’s going to have the best ever sleepover. Chloe’s
party is going to have a swim in a luxury pool, a special makeover for every
guest, and a real live meeting with a social media superstar. All Chloe’s old
friends are invited, even Daisy’s best friend Emily, but Daisy is left out.
Daisy’s sister Lily has learned Makaton – a unique language programme that uses
symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate at her new special
school – and she signs to Daisy that she wants a sleepover. Will family and
friends somehow make Lily’s party the best sleepover in the world? Rachael Dean’s beautifully emotive illustrations bring
Wilson’s sensitively written and inspirational story to life as readers enjoy
following the girls through another rollercoaster chapter of family and friendship
dramas, and the triumphs and disasters of the new sleepover plans. With her gift for understanding and acknowledging the fears
that so often beset children, and the subtle messages of help and guidance that
flow from the pages, this is Wilson on her very best – and most entertaining – storytelling form.
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)
Age 6 plus
Huxley and Flapjack: Race to the Rescue
Alan MacDonald and Francesca Gambatesa
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)
The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers
Jonathan Emmett, Dr Adam S. Smith
and Stieven Van der Poorten
TYRANNOSAURUS rex may be the king of the dinosaurs, but that
doesn’t stop know-it-all Velociraptor telling him he looks old-fashioned and
needs a makeover! Youngsters will love watching as everyone’s favourite
dinosaur, T.rex, gets a whole new look – including an improved posture, some
restyled body parts and a coat of shaggy feathers – thanks to the latest
evidence from the world’s current experts in palaeontology. World-renowned dinosaur
expert Dr Adam S. Smith and award-winning author Jonathan Emmett – the duo that
brought us The Plesiosaur’s Neck – work more of their prehistoric magic on this
fun and fact-filled picture book which blends laughter with fascinating
science, and features the wonderfully detailed illustrations of Stieven Van der
Poorten. Combining their skills, the team brings youngsters an amusing and
informative overview of how new discoveries have transformed our understanding
of T.rex’s appearance since this giant prehistoric predator was first unearthed
over a century ago. With its mixture of a playful commentary between the T.rex
and a velociraptor and fact-filled information sections exploring the science
behind the theories, this is the perfect way to make learning fun.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Peanut, Butter, & Crackers: River Rescue
Paige Braddock
WELCOME back to the cute and cuddly pet series that puts
animals, nature and fun in the spotlight! Author and illustrator Paige Braddock
showcases pets – and particularly rescue pets – in these adorable books which
are the ideal first introduction to the world of graphic novels, and are
perfect for youngsters who wonder what their pets might be up to when no one is
around! Rescue pets Peanut (a very
excited puppy), Butter (a laid-back cat) and Crackers (a slightly nervous dog),
are off camping but getting lost was never part of the plan. It was meant to be
fun in a camper van in the great outdoors but when indoor cat Butter discovers
that their human forgot to pack a litter tray, he’s sure there must be one in
the forest... how else do cats go to the toilet?! Together with puppy Peanut,
he sets out to find one... only to get lost. And things go from bad to worse
when Butter and Peanut fall into a river! Can Crackers pull off a river rescue
and help his two friends get back home? Animal-loving children cannot help but
fall for Braddock’s exciting and heartwarming visual storytelling which
encourages respect for animals and nature, and gently confronts some familiar
childhood worries and fears. And with lots of delightful bonus extras,
including how to draw, behind the scenes and a short story, there is so much to
enjoy!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £6.99)
Woodland Magic: Operation Owl
Julie Sykes and Katy Riddell
MEET the tiny little people on another big mission to keep
the countryside safe! Operation Owl is the fourth story in a magical and timely
illustrated adventure series from Julie Sykes, bestselling author of the
Unicorn Academy series, and talented young illustrator Katy Riddell. Brimming
with drama and with a powerful environmental message, the stories focus on The
Keepers, a secretive tribe of little people who live in the middle of the
Whispering Woods. Their task is to care for the countryside and rewild it when
humans (or Ruffins as they call them) are careless with it. Autumn is a busy
time in the Whispering Wood and on their very first venture into the Big
Outside as fully trained Keepers, Cora and Jax come across a barn owl caught in
a tree by a discarded fishing line. Determined to help free it, Jax climbs on
to the owl’s back to loosen the line but the owl takes to the air... with Jax
on board. Will Cora ever see him again and if she does, will they make it home
for the Harvest Celebration? With its alluring mix of animal rescue, nature
conservation, exciting adventures, fascinating facts and fun activities, this
magical, warmhearted series is a must for all young and enthusiastic
eco-warriors.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £5.99)
Can You See the Stars Tonight?
Anna Terreros-Martin
THE danger to wildlife from light pollution comes home to
roost in a delightful debut picture book from illustrator, and now author, Anna
Terreros-Martin. Passionate about animals and wildlife, Terreros-Martin works
her magic on this tale of a little girl on a mission to discover why the baby
puffins (puffligs) near her home are not heading off on their important winter
flight paths. When pufflings start getting lost, one of them flies in through
an open bedroom window and Nora and her own pet Puffin try to understand why
they are not flying out to sea. But, after an adventure to Puffin Island with
Nora’s daddy, they learn that the moon and stars aren’t bright enough to guide
the pufflings safely on their way because they are confused by the bright
electric lights in the town. Can Nora and Puffin make a difference and save
these tiny birds, and can they make the night sky shine again? Brimming with
fascinating facts and the cutest of characters, this timely, heartwarming tale
celebrates friendship, teamwork, bravery and determination, and proves that
you’re never too small to make a difference. Brought to life by Terreros-Martin’s
emotive artwork, and with its inspirational environmental messages about
endangered species and the threatened natural world, this beautiful book is
ideal for sharing with children at home, nursery and school.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)
Lionel is just like Dad
Eric Veillé
TRYING to be just like Dad is an endearing and instantly
recognisable trait of the very early years of a child… and there could be no
more lovable character than cheeky toddler lion Lionel to highlight some of
those developmental steps. French author and illustrator Eric Veillé has fun
with the third book in a mischievous and gently educational board books series
starring an over-enthusiastic, impulsive little lion who likes to push
boundaries to their absolute limit. In his latest escapade – translated from
the French by Daniel Hahn – Lionel can do everything Dad does... Dad combs his
hair, and so does Lionel. Dad scratches his arm, and so does Lionel. Dad sings
very, very loud and so does Lionel. But when Lionel throws all the toys in the
air and they come down THUNK on Dad’s head... Dad yells ‘Ow!’ and so does
Lionel! Dad takes a break and has a think, then comes rushing back for a big
hug... Dad is very, very happy, and so is Lionel! With Lionel’s naughty grin
and his dad’s eternal patience, and Veillé’s charming illustrations putting
Lionel in the picture, this clever, comical adventure of early learning and
gentle guidance provides a great role model for parenting, and will have all
the family giggling and guffawing through Lionel’s mischievous misadventures!
(Gecko Press, board book, £7.99)
Look: A Tummy Time Book
Gavin Bishop
IT'S never too early to share books with your baby... and
here’s the perfect concertina board book for those engaging tummy time
sessions. Leading Māori author and illustrator Gavin Bishop’s delightful,
fold-out book, Look, brings the joy of artwork to the very youngest babies.
Featuring big bright faces, and familiar toys and objects, the book is ideal to
place around baby on the floor for both tummy time and to place around them when
they are learning to sit up. The illustrations in this sturdy and eye-catching two
metre fold-out book are drawn in bold lines with a striking minimalist colour
palette and as the baby grows, the simple images – including a dog and objects
that babies love to hold and explore like soft toys, a ball, keys, and an
enticing pair of spectacles – are perfect for introducing first words and
concepts. The perfect gift for a new baby or baby showers.
(Gecko Press, board book, £9.99)
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