CHILDREN'S BOOKS: The call of destiny, ancient passions and a year of smiles

Set sail with the souls of the Dead in a thrilling gothic fairy tale, unlock the secrets of age-old romances, enjoy a coruscating cornucopia of doggy delights, dive into a colourful ocean of witty and wise poetry, and discover a world of magical unicorns in a sparkling September selection 

Age 12 plus
Island of Whispers
Frances Hardinge
and Emily Gravett

SET sail towards destiny with a thrilling gothic fairytale about mortality, grief, kindness and fate as two outstanding award-winners combine their talents in spectacular form. Island of Whispers – a riveting coming-of-age story which sweeps readers away on an unforgettable journey – comes from the creative pairing of Costa Book Award-winning Frances Hardinge, author of The Lie Tree and Unraveller, and illustrator extraordinaire  Emily Gravett who has twice won the Kate Greenaway Medal. Richly atmospheric, tingling with suspense, and lavishly illustrated throughout with a luscious blue ink, this haunting adventure conjures up ghosts, magic and the dead in a brand new fairytale which has all the hallmarks of a classic.

On the misty island of Merlank, the souls of the Dead are apt to cause untold harm and must not be allowed to linger but instead carried safely away across the dark sea to the Island of the Broken Tower. The very sight of their ghosts can kill you. When young Milo is unexpectedly thrust into the role of Ferryman following his father’s sudden death, he is the one who must carry away the Dead even though his father had said it was a role that Milo could never take. And on his first perilous journey, Milo is pursued by two malignant magicians and the vengeful Lord of Merlank, who is unprepared to give up the soul of his dead teenage daughter. Milo must navigate strange and dangerous seas where untold threats whisper in the mist. Does he have the courage and imagination to complete his urgent mission? With wicked magicians, an exhilarating sea chase, swarms of deathly moths, strange headless birds and chillingly shrouded figures of death, this is a fabulously produced gift book full of Hardinge’s exquisite prose, ingenious world-building and important messages about being true to yourself. Add on Gravett’s stunning and atmospheric illustrations in a symphony of blue, and a hardback cover that glitters all over with shining silver moths, and young readers will be in thrall to this unforgettable and ultimately heartwarming adventure.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £14.99)

Age 12 plus
Ancient Love Stories
Emily Hauser and Sander Berg

UNLOCK the passion of the ancient world with eleven extraordinary stories of jealousy, love and hope. Bask in romance and drama with this striking collection of love stories from ancient history as told by award-winning classicist Emily Hauser and beautifully illustrated by Swedish artist Sander Berg. We don’t have to look to works of fiction to find tales of true love. The pages of history are crammed with stories about love that are, quite literally, true and many of them are among the greatest love stories ever told. Ancient Love Stories brings together some of the most remarkable romances in history... from tales of fearless queens and besotted emperors to men who died fighting for the men they loved. Meet the famous Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Amytis and Nebuchadnezzar, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, Hadrian and Antonius, and Eloise and Abelard. These accounts of passion, jealousy, hope and longing show that perhaps little has changed over the last three thousand years... and that love, above all, has endured.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age 8 plus
Finding Bear
Hannah Gold and Levi Pinfold

HOPE is born from the smallest of beginnings in the unmissable follow-up to The Last Bear, the phenomenal award-winning 2021 bestseller which became a battle cry to the whole world to save the planet. It was written by debut author Hannah Gold who brought readers a magical, mesmerising story about a girl’s battle to save a sick and lonely polar bear, set in the wild wonderland of Norway’s remote Bear Island and brought to life by the stunningly atmospheric black and white illustrations of award-winning Levi Pinfold. And now Gold once more dons her eco warrior armour and sets her rich imagination in motion for Finding Bear, a lavishly illustrated sequel which will pull on your heartstrings, act as a gateway into the natural world, and make you look at how you too can make a difference.

April Wood has returned home from her adventure on Bear Island. But, over a year later, she can’t stop thinking about Bear. When April hears that a polar bear has been shot and injured in Svalbard, she’s convinced it’s her friend and persuades her dad to travel with her to the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. So begins an unforgettable journey across frozen tundra and icy glaciers. But along the way, she discovers much more than she bargained for – a tiny polar bear cub, desperately in need of her help. In freezing temperatures, April must navigate the dangerous Arctic terrain and face her deepest fears if she’s to save him. Finding Bear is another a magical reading experience as Pinfold provides the finishing touches to an unforgettable tale of love and survival with his gallery of beautiful illustrations which are guaranteed to take your breath away. Packed with the kind of wildly exciting and timeless adventures that children long for, and written straight from the heart, Gold’s story conveys deeply emotional messages about the fragility and beauty of the planet that resonate far beyond the last pages. A perfect gift for animal lovers of any age, and the ideal vehicle to introduce young readers to the concept of conservation.
(HarperCollins Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 6 plus
A Whale of a Time: A Funny Poem for Every Day of the Year
Lou Peacock and Matt Hunt

A WHALE of a time is certainly guaranteed when you dive into this colourful ocean of witty and wise poetry which has been lovingly poured into one big book to ensure waves of giggles and guffaws on every day of the year! Curated by editor, anthologist and author Lou Peacock, who has 25 years’ experience in children’s publishing, and colourfully and imaginatively illustrated by Matt Hunt, A Whale of a Time has humour written right through every one of its 331 pages of versatile verse. There are 366 hilarious poems in this truly uplifting collection – ranging from rib-ticklingly funny to wryly witty – and whether it’s an ode to socks or spaniels, eggs or elephants, tantrums or sneezes, all are guaranteed to bring you cheer and laughter every day. Perfect for reading aloud or sharing with family and friends, the spectacular range of poems for children features work by poets new and old, and includes  John Agard, Maya Angelou, Hilaire Belloc, Brian Bilston, Lucille Clifton, Wendy Cope, Roald Dahl, Edward Lear, Spike Milligan, Ogden Nash, Grace Nichols, Jack Prelutsky, Christina Rossetti, Benjamin Zephaniah and many more. Published in a large and beautifully created gift edition, this spectacular anthology includes luxurious cloth binding and ribbon marker, and will put a smile on the faces of readers of any age!
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £25)

Age 7 plus
A World of Dogs
Carlie Sorosiak and Luisa Uribe

CAN a dog smile, can dogs really understand us, and do dogs have feelings? If these questions are just a few of your ponderings on what makes man’s best friend so irresistible, then you’d be barking mad not to get your paws on this coruscating cornucopia of doggy delights! Throughout human history dogs have been by our side, with their paw prints following our footprints wherever we have roamed, and to celebrate what must be one of the planet’s closest human-animal relationships, bestselling American children’s author Carlie Sorosiak and Colombian illustrator Luisa Uribe bring us a truly captivating canine extravaganza. Sorosiak, who reveals she is an American Dingo-owner after accidentally adopting one, puts dogs of every shape, size and colour in the spotlight for this gorgeous treasury of fascinating facts and amazing real-life stories. From tracing the evolutionary history of dogs to explaining the science of doggy senses, find out how pups communicate, whether they understand us, and if they really love us back! Meet the hounds of ancient history, worshipped as gods, and painted in works of art from the Stone Age to the modern day, and explore the stories of real-life doggy heroes, dogs with jobs, and how dogs help humans every day. Beautifully packaged with a silver-foiled cover, this gorgeously illustrated gift book explores everything you ever wanted to know about our very best friends, and will be treasured by dog lovers of every age.
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £16.99)

Age 7 plus
The Magical Unicorn Society:
Baby Unicorns
Anne Marie Ryan, Olga Baumert
and Kristina Kister

GOOD news for unicorn fans! The Magical Unicorn Society is opening its doors again to deliver eight brand-new stories about the world’s most magical and elusive creatures, and this time we get to find out more about the most mysterious unicorns of all... baby unicorns. For those not yet in the know, The Magical Unicorn Society has existed for centuries and is dedicated to studying and protecting the incredible magical creatures known as unicorns. The society also unites people across the globe who love unicorns, so if you want to find out everything there is to know about unicorns, you’ve come to the right place. Baby Unicorns is the fifth book in a marvellously magical series which has included The Magical Unicorn Society, The Magical Unicorn Society Official Colouring Book, The Magical Unicorn Society: The Golden Unicorn – Secrets and Legends, and The Magical Unicorn Society: Unicorns, Myths and Monsters. And youngsters will love feasting their eyes on this exquisitely colourful new compendium which reveals little-known facts about young unicorns (which are notoriously secretive and difficult to study) and brings together tales of rare encounters with young unicorns, called younglings, from each of the eight unicorn families.

Each story tells the tale of a special relationship formed between a youngling and a baby animal, as witnessed by a young person who is then bonded with the unicorn for life. Find out how a Mountain Jewel unicorn creates a lifelong bond with a wild panda cub and a young man, and follow the Water Moons as they help a young girl and a baby dolphin save their island from a sea monster. Discover the differences between younglings and adult unicorns, from magical powers that are just developing to the colours of their coats and tails, follow the flow chart to find out which baby unicorn would be your best friend, and find out what happens when a unicorn is born and what their favourite foods are. Written by Anne Marie Ryan, and illustrated by Olga Baumert and Kristina Kister, this gorgeous book also features an introduction by Valentina Luz, the head of the Baby Unicorn division at the Magical Unicorn Society. So what are you waiting for... the world of younglings is waiting to greet you!
(Michael O'Mara Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Bunny vs Monkey: The Impossible Pig
Jamie Smart

HOLD on to your hats and watch out for trouble… Bunny and Monkey are back in their exhilarating remastered series which delivers all the comedy and chaos of the daffy duo’s helter-skelter world! This outrageously funny eighth book in the super-popular series – published in a special hardback edition – introduces youngsters to the hilarious, all-powerful pig, and features 230 pages of fast and furry-ous exuberant fun and a draw-it-yourself activity. Bunny and Monkey are part of the Phoenix Presents series, published by David Fickling Books in partnership with The Phoenix comic, which is going from strength to strength, and much of that success is due to the genius of the extraordinarily talented illustrator Jamie Smart whose ingenious comic-strip Bunny vs Monkey books are causing giant laughter waves. So welcome back to the Woods where chaos reigns supreme once more! There is uproar everywhere because Pig has vanished. What could have happened to him? And who is this familiar-looking bearded figure sitting on a cloud? Could they be connected? Laugh-out-loud comical and ingeniously addictive, these manic, high-energy stories were just made for fidgety readers who like their books to come with plenty of comic-strip pictures and loads of sniggers. Madcap antics for a new generation of action kids!
(David Fickling Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow
Rob Biddulph

BEST known for his fantastic #DrawWithRob sessions which kept youngsters entertained throughout Covid lockdowns, writer and artist Rob Biddulph dazzles again with the thrilling third and final book in his much-loved debut middle grade adventure series. Peanut Jones and the End of the Rainbow delivers another thrill ride into a magical world, with a highly illustrated, epic tale threaded through with danger, magic, friendship, art, and a celebration of the power of the imagination. Some legends are born, some are drawn… drawing feels like magic to Peanut Jones and it has led her into a strange called Chroma. But now it notorious villain Mr White is determined to stop at nothing to wipe out colour and creativity everywhere. But he’s gone too far! This time he has lured Peanut’s mum into terrible danger and only Peanut and her friends can save her. An action-packed mission to the heart of the magical Illustrated City tests friendships and leads to a final showdown that makes Peanut question everything she thought she knew. Positively buzzing throughout with energy, creativity, fabulous two-tone illustrations, and Biddulph’s trademark warmth and humour, this is a fast and furious final rip-roaring romp full of laughter, devilish twists and turns, and breathless action. The perfect sign-off to Biddulph’s all-round storytelling triumph!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £13.99)

Age 8 plus
The Beast and the Bethany:
Child of the Beast
Jack Meggitt-Phillips and Isabelle Follath

IF your fancy is thrilling adventure tales that put guffaws into the gruesome, and magic into the malevolent, then this modern classic series is a must for all fun-loving youngsters. A major film deal has already been announced with Warner Brothers and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts producer, David Heyman, for The Beast and the Bethany books which are the work of exciting new writing talent Jack Meggitt-Phillips and Zurich-based illustrator Isabelle Follath. With his sharp eye for macabre humour and storylines brimming with originality and zany action, Meggitt-Phillips brings us hilarious romps starring the 512-years-old Ebenezer, a beastly beast with a hunger for children, and a little orphan girl who can (fortunately for us all!) outwit her enemies. In the fantastic fourth adventure, there are surprises in store for Bethany about her missing family. For centuries, the beast has tormented the world but now, there’s a change to a menu, and the beast is going cold turkey – which essentially means eating no priceless works of art, purple parrots, or child-sized pranksters. Ebenezer and Bethany are attempting to help the beast vomit some good into the world... even though they really haven’t come anywhere close to managing the business of do-gooding themselves. But Bethany is distracted by her date-not-a-date with Geoffrey, while Ebenezer is worried by a file which reveals a truth about Bethany’s parents that might just ruin life for everyone at the 15-storey house. 

The beast, meanwhile, is left to teach itself how to be good. But its impulses can’t be ignored, and all the worst parts of the beast crawl out of the beast’s belly to form a dreadful child. At first the beast is charmed by its ghastly progeny but to its surprise, it develops something approaching a conscience. When the child finds out the truth about Bethany’s parents and plans to use it against her, can Ebenezer and the beast stop it from destroying Bethany’s hopes and dreams for ever? Wordsmith Meggitt-Phillips has a ball with this madcap adventure which delivers everything a discerning young reader desires… an extraordinary heroine to shout for, a beast who needs to be less beastly, laugh-out-loud antics, and some moments of unexpected tenderness. With terrific twists to keep the pages turning, and Follath’s brilliant gallery of black and white illustrations which put extra life and energy into the story, this is a delightful and dazzling series for all the family to enjoy.
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Dragon Force: Infinity’s Secret
Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang

WHEN fire-breathing dragons live alongside you, adventures are always going to be epic! Husband and wife team Kevin and Katie Tsang, authors of the bestselling Dragon Realm books, are back with another red-hot fantasy series featuring dragons, danger and daring deeds. And young adventure fans will certainly be fired up when they share more missions seemingly impossible alongside Dragon Realm star player Billy Chan and some new friends as they joined forces to fight deadly enemies. It’s been five years since the Dragon Realm fell into the Human Realm and both populations are now living side by side. But dangerous magical creatures are threatening to disrupt the peace and it’s up to a new group of heart-bonded humans and dragons to protect the world – the Dragon Force. Under the watchful eye of seventeen-year-old Billy Chan, Lance Lo, his younger sister Zoe and a new group of fighters enrol at Camp Claw to learn all the skills they need to become Dragon Force protectors of the world. But when Camp Claw is mysteriously attacked and an evil plot is exposed, it’s up to the latest recruits to prove they’ve got what it takes to save the day. Dragon Force is another fabulous, fun-filled escapist adventure series for youngsters who love fantasy, fiery action, friendships and humour, and all set against the fabulous backdrop of Chinese mythology and legends. With the tension ratcheting up at every turn of the page, a brilliantly imagined cast of characters, and a thrilling brand of storytelling wrapped up in mystery and magic, this is a dazzling, daring and dynamic new series from a truly delightful duo!
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Great Minds
Joan Haig, Joan Lennon and André Ducci

DISCOVER some of the incredible ideas that changed the world in a brilliant new book exploring 2,500 years of thinkers and philosophers. In the pages of Great Minds – written by Doctors Joan Haig and Joan Lennon, and illustrated by André Ducci – readers meet nineteen of the world’s greatest minds. Meet Aristotle whose ideas shaped our understanding of the natural world for hundreds of years and the Socratics who upturned everything we previously knew, learn about Yacob’s Hatäta which laid the grounds for equality long before our time, find out about Gandhi’s philosophy which inspired non-violent protest movements all over the world, and explore how Langer shook up our understanding of what art is and can be. The brilliant ideas from each of these amazing thinkers have stayed with humans for centuries, teaching us new ways of uncovering our world, understanding our very existence, and how things can be changed for the better. Readers can also explore the time periods that shaped each thinker’s ideas, unpack the theories in accessible, easy to digest text and discover the impact they had for the years to come. Presented in a colourful graphic novel style by comic artist Ducci, this is a book to inspire a new generation of thinkers, visionaries and philosophers.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £16.99)

Age 8 plus
Scarygirl: The Origin Story
Nathan Jurevicius

PICTURE this... a girl abandoned on a remote beach who doesn’t know who she is or where she comes from. What will she find and what adventures is she going to have? Inspired by his own daughter, illustrator, director, toy designer, author and concept artist Nathan Jurevicius broke new ground with his wordless graphic novel, Scarygirl, in 2009 and used its publication for the foundation on which he built other stories, video games, toys, gallery exhibitions, VR experiences and, most recently, an animated feature film. Jurevicius specialises in creating immersive worlds inhabited by unique characters and the world of Scarygirl has produced an ever-evolving plethora of characters. So welcome to the world of Scarygirl in this beautifully created and glossy origin story. Abandoned on a remote beach, Scarygirl doesn’t know who she is or where she’s come from. Blister, a kind and intelligent giant octopus, wants to keep her safe but Scarygirl needs answers. Who is the strange man haunting her dreams? Will Bunniguru help her unlock the mysteries of her past and can she trust the wily forest dwellers? Her journey takes her to the edge, and beyond. With never-before-seen drawings from Jurevicius’ sketchbook, this visually stunning book with its bold, psychedelic artwork and original 2D glory is guaranteed to delight all young adventurers.
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
The Memory Thieves
Dhonielle Clayton

DHONIELLE Clayton, an American author whose first love is magic, returns to whisk us away to her specially and lovingly created Marvellerverse, a fantastical world for all youngsters who, like her, have grown up feeling ‘invisible’ but crave magic and adventure. So if mesmerising magic is your first love too, immerse yourself in this thrilling and empowering sequel to The Marvellers. It’s Year Two at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors and Ella, Jason, and Brigit are back at the global magic school in the sky. But not everyone is happy that Ella has returned, and when an illness begins affecting the students’ marvels, she is in the spotlight once more. As tensions between Marvellers and Conjurors reach an all-time high, Ella and her friends are determined to unlock the secrets of the Arcanum Training Institute’s past. Why is the truth about the Conjure architect who founded the Arcanum Training Institute being kept hidden? To discover what mysteries their school holds, they will need to track down the stolen memories. Clayton’s Marvellverse is a wondrous, world-building invention, a place full of rich, exciting and diverse characters where secrets abound, all cultural traditions mix together and Ella must work hard if she is to fit in. Enjoy enthralling adventures filled with courage, love, wit and warmth whilst exploring themes of family, prejudice, bullying, acceptance, and learning to take responsibility... and prepare to be swept away!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Life
Elli Woollard and Dorien Brouwers

‘In the time before time, when the world had its birth,
There was nothing that lived on the whole of the Earth.’ 

IMMERSE yourself in a lyrical and colourful journey through the story of life on Earth in this stunning picture book from author Elli Woollard and Netherlands-born illustrator Dorien Brouwers. Life is a beautiful extended poem with gorgeous illustrations, focusing on Earth’s beginning through to the present day, taking in the environmental issues facing today’s world along the way, but finishing with a hopeful message for the future generations who read this beautiful and revealing book. From tiny dots of microscopic bacteria to enormous dinosaurs, through Ice Ages and the gallop of evolution, Woollard’s lyrical text is a pitch-perfect blend of storytelling, science and wonder. Life is guaranteed to fascinate, inform and entertain curious young minds while Brouwers’ atmospheric artwork heightens the beauty and awe of this beautiful book’s epic scope.
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery
of the Lost Chicken
Megan Rix and Tim Budgen

ABRACADABRA! Enjoy lots of fun and frolics with young detective Lizzie and her adorable puppy Lucky as they work hard to track down a missing rabbit in their fourth mystery-solving adventure. Author Megan Rix and illustrator Tim Budgen work their special magic on this enchanting new chapter for a little girl growing up with hearing loss. Drawing on her own experiences of living with partial deafness, Rix blends gentle adventures with fun activities and the basics of sign language to add extra sparkle to her story. Lizzie and Lucky are visiting the Five Freedoms Sanctuary. It’s a lovely place for all sorts of rescued animals. When a local farmer announces some terrible plans for his land that could endanger the surrounding wildlife, our dynamic duo know they must investigate the case. Can they use their detective skills to stop him? While looking for clues, Lizzie spots some strange footprints and an unusual blue creature that stands out from the rest! What is it, where did it come from, and could it be the key to saving the day? Featuring short chapters ideal for new readers, packed with Budgen’s charming and heartwarming illustrations, an adorable Dalmatian pup as a detective sidekick, fun activities to try, and some useful tips on keeping your pet chicken happy, this delightful detective adventure is a dream read for budding sleuths and animal lovers.
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Last-Place Lin
Wai Chim and Freda Chiu

WINNING isn’t always the greatest victory in an inspirational picture book from Wai Chim, a Chinese-American-Australian author who is determined to send out the message that coming last in a race isn’t the end of your own success story. It’s Sports Day and everyone has a different House colour. One little girl is in the Red House and Go Red is her team’s refrain! First off is the sack race. On your marks, get set, go... but not everyone can come first. Coming last seems like the end of the world but sometimes winning means finishing, even if you finish last! Last-Place Lin is award-winning Wai Chim’s first picture book and was inspired by her time on the Down Under reality TV show Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawn. With a gallery of colourful and lively illustrations by acclaimed artist Freda Chiu, and the reassuring celebration of the spirit to keep going, this upbeat and uplifting tale is guaranteed to win every reader’s heart.
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Oak Tree
Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy

WATCH a thousand years unfold under the branches of one magnificent oak tree in a beautiful and beguiling picture book from celebrated children’s author Julia Donaldson and Norwegian illustrator Victoria Sandøy. With Donaldson’s evocative rhyming text and a gallery of stunning pictures inspired by Sandøy’s love of Scandinavian nature and folklore, The Oak Tree is both a paean to the natural world and a moving reminder of the cycle of life. A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the ground. As the years pass, it grows and grows into an enormous oak tree. As the centuries sweep by, children play games around the tree, families dance about it, and a fleeing king hides inside its hollow trunk! The tree also gives food and shelter to a host of animals, from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles. And after a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm... only for a new acorn to sprout and its life begins all over again. The tree’s magical life story springs to life through Donaldson’s rich and drama-filled rhyme while Sandøy’s atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the people and wildlife that pass it by. Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures, and seeing the games children play around the tree, whilst the inspirational story encourages all readers to look closely at nature and appreciate the wonder of our ancient trees. And as a fitting finale to this dazzling and creative picture book, the end pages contain extra fascinating facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them.
(Alison Green Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Zoom!
Sam Usher

BLAST off into space with a boy and his resourceful grandad in the first of a captivating new picture book quartet from the multi-talented author and illustrator Sam Usher. Fans of Usher will already have met these two lovable characters in a previous series and now the duo capture hearts again as they use their resourcefulness to mend, recycle and re-use to create a variety of vehicles which will take them on exciting adventures around the world. ‘When I went to bed last night, I couldn’t sleep. It was the hottest day of the year.’ The Boy and his Grandad are sweltering in the heat. ‘There’s only one thing for it,’ says Grandad. ‘Let’s go up on the roof.’ Gazing up at the stars through their telescope, they spot a planet... and a space module that’s in trouble! It’s Grandad and Boy to the rescue... but first they need to build a supersonic rocket! This fun-filled, colourful sky-high adventure is the perfect launch-pad to subtly explore science and engineering facts, and celebrate the enduring and heartwarming relationship between the two generations of a family.
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

The Armour of Light

Ken Follett

PEACE and bread! It’s 1792 and revolution is in the air... but the threats of disruption lie not just across the sea where the French military commander and revolutionary Napoleon Bonaparte is leading his armies into war across Europe.

In England’s cathedral city of Kingsbridge, workers are uniting and fighting as huge industrial changes sweep across the land, and their epic struggle takes centre stage in the latest chapter of a phenomenal series which has enshrined master storyteller Ken Follett (pictured below) as one of the world’s most popular and talented historical fiction writers.

It’s all part of a jaw-dropping success story that began thirty-four years ago when Follett set aside his thriller writing to lay the foundations of a remarkable historical novel which would become a worldwide phenomenon selling over 27 million copies. The Pillars of the Earth – a truly magnificent tale about the building of a 12^th century cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge – stunned both readers and critics with its rich period detail, extensive architectural research, and brilliant storytelling, and was turned into a major television series, produced by Ridley Scott.

Avid fans had to wait until 2007 for the sequel, World Without End, another voluminous blockbuster which followed the fortunes of Kingsbridge families in the 14^th century. Ten years later, Follett weighed in again with A Column of Fire, a magnificent Kingsbridge drama set amidst the tumultuous events of the Tudor period and in 2020 he brought us The Evening and the Morning, a gripping, action-packed prequel set in the dark days of the 10^th century.

And now he’s back for a blockbuster ride through a new dawn for Kingsbridge where the Enlightenment has opened eyes, progress clashes with tradition, class struggles disrupt every level of society, the war across the Channel both inspires and terrifies the people of Kingsbridge, and the fight for freedom of speech becomes a cause célèbre. In England, the government is setting on a course to make the country a mighty commercial empire and in post-revolutionary France, Napoleon begins his ruthless and relentless rise to power. But all is not well with France’s neighbours. Dissent and suspicion have been growing since the Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770. It has heralded a new era of manufacturing and industry, changing lives everywhere within a generation, and sparking a battle for control over this new world order.

In Leicestershire, Ned Ludd and his followers are destroying the new machines in clandestine mill raids and Kingsbridge, like many other English towns, is on the edge. The established Church, meanwhile, is witnessing the growing influence of the Methodists, industrialisation promises more wealth for the mill owners but the threat of poverty to the workers, and the drums of war are beating across the Channel. In the large village of Badford, spinner Sal Clitheroe, accompanied by her young son Kit, watches in horror as her agricultural worker husband Harry is fatally crushed under the wheel of a cart through the negligence of the landowner’s arrogant and discontented son Will Riddick.  

At the bishop’s palace in nearby Kingsbridge, the Bishop’s only child, 20-year-old Elsie Latimer, a young idealist and intellectual, is nursing her ‘big project.’ Horrified by the long working hours and lack of education for children, she is fighting for funds to launch a Sunday school. Several people have volunteered to help her, not least the Methodist Amos Barrowfield, a well-intentioned young man and the son of a local cloth maker. When Amos unexpectedly inherits his father’s failing business, he is determined to turn it around despite the malign efforts of mill owner Alderman Hornbeam who is prepared to protect his business and his wealth, no matter what the cost to others.

As institutions are challenged and toppled in unprecedented fashion, and Napoleon bids to be emperor of the world, the feisty Sal, her ally, the canny weaver David Shoveller known as Spade, and Kit, Sal’s son who has grown into a clever, inventive and headstrong man, come to define the struggle of a generation as they reckon with the future and a world that must rebuild from the ashes of war.

Once again, Follett brings us history on a grand scale, using a vibrant cast of disparate characters to play out the economic, social, religious and political events of a period of industrial unrest when rampant modernisation and groundbreaking new machinery were rendering jobs obsolete and tearing families apart. The Armour of Light is like history on a vast canvas, painting a dynamic portrait of England at a pivotal point of industrialisation as the old ways of working clash dangerously with the beginnings of mechanisation, and the inevitable changes and job losses bring anger, dispute and misery into the lives of workers in Kingsbridge’s prosperous cloth mills.

It’s a path littered with disappointment, passion, cruelty and kindness, and recognisable life events which highlight Follett’s grasp of both history and humans, his ability to weave together fact and fiction, and the power of his knowledge and imagination to bring the past to life in all its vivid, visceral reality. And as always with this gifted writer, the journey through the early decades of the 19^th century is a full-on Follett experience from first page to last... a 735-page tome packed with enthralling players –whether they be good, bad, or of a downright ugly disposition – and encompassing everything from love affairs, births, deaths and marriages to politicking, warfare and revolution.

Written with Follett’s gift for personal and political drama on both the grand and small stages, this is an enthralling, immersive story that flows seamlessly and enjoyably through its hundreds of pages, but be aware… the temptation to revisit and relish the earlier Kingsbridge novels could prove hard to resist!
(Macmillan, hardback, £25)

The Witches of Vardø

Anya Bergman

WHILST many history books and fictional dramas have retold the harrowing tales surrounding the 17^th century witch hunts in Britain and Salem, few outside Scandinavia know of the very real and terrible events on the remote island of Vardø in Finnmark in northern Norway. Between October 1662 and April 1663, a total of twenty women were imprisoned and died as a result of the witchcraft persecutions.... eighteen were burnt at the stake and two were tortured to death.

Using the court testimonies of some of those caught up in this witch trials maelstrom, and blending historical fact with magical realism and vivid Nordic folklore, debut author Anya Bergman (pictured below) brings us an epic, atmospheric and moving novel about prejudice, misogyny, and a group of strong, determined women who refuse to surrender their souls to the cruelty of men. 

At the heart of the story are three compelling women who, in their very different ways, have failed to meet the rules and expectations of femininity set out by witch-hunting religious zealots, and face the wrath of both state and church.

In the small fishing village of Ekkerøy on Norway’s Varanger Peninsula in 1662, women must be careful about what they say and do at a time when drinking alcohol, having ‘a sharp tongue’ and even dancing can lead to accusations of witchcraft. Local fisherman’s widow Zigri Sigvaldsdatter has never been the same since the death of her husband and beloved only son Axell. She neglects her daughters, Ingeborg, aged sixteen, and twelve-year-old Kirsten, and is often seen smiling and laughing for wealthy merchant’s son Heinrich Brasches. The two girls feast on Brasches’ gifts of food, grain and spices while their mother ‘disappears’ for hours, but her behaviour is placing them all in danger and when her affair is discovered, Zigri is sent to the fortress on the forbidding island of Vardø to be tried as a witch.

Unable to accept they will never see their mother again, Ingeborg sets off into the wilderness to try to bring her back home. With her on this perilous quest is the outcast Maren Olufsdatter, a distant relative who is said to be the daughter of the notorious witch of Vardø, Liren Sand, and a pirate from the Barbary Coast. Maren has ‘strange ways’ but her wild nature and unconquerable spirit give Ingeborg the courage to venture into the unknown, and to risk all she has to save her family.

Meanwhile, another captive in the fortress at Vardø is 47-year-old Anna Rhodius, once the King of Denmark’s mistress, who has been sent in disgrace to the island. Anna has brought her most treasured possession – a medicine chest full of herbs and tinctures – and is already making an oath that she will not be a martyr, ‘accepting, mute or humble.’ Imprisoned in a place of cold, hardship and misery, Anna longs to return to her old life of riches and privilege and can see only one way of getting back... accusing her fellow women prisoners of being witches. Can she do it and if so, who will she betray in this place where the world ends and Hell begins?

What a vibrant, brutal and inspirational read The Witches of Vardø proves to be as Bergman – who based her characters on some of the real women who faced unspeakable suffering in the wilds of northern Norway – gives these forgotten names from the past a powerful and resonant voice in the present. It’s a tale filled with passion and power, conviction and cruelty, strength and female resilience in the face of a terrifying age of when just being a woman could bring male suspicion, danger and the constant threat of betrayal.

Weaving together real history, an enticing thread of magical realism, some fascinating Norwegian mythology, and rich, enthralling descriptions of the fierce, freezing and unforgiving landscape, Bergman places her readers firmly at centre stage of this chilling, thrilling story. And as their journeys unfold, their battles are fought, and their fates revealed, these three remarkable women are allowed to finally retell their stories... and reclaim their lives. Haunting, harrowing, and yet ultimately uplifting in its empowerment of women determined to hold on to their dignity, independence and freedom, and find justice, The Witches of Vardø is one of 2023’s most impressive debuts.
(Manilla Press, paperback, £9.99)

Bikepacking in the Lake District

Ed Hunton

AS summer ends and autumn begins, it’s time to pack away the sun screen and sandals, and pull on your cleats ready for a new season of cycling adventures.

And what could be better than heading off to the beautiful Lake District to enjoy exciting long weekends of bikepacking in some of this outstanding area’s most ambitious and scenic routes alongside Ed Hunton (pictured below), an author with a lifelong passion for cycling?

With many miles of rights of way, and iconic road passes like Hardknott, Wrynose and Honister to traverse, the Lakes is now the premier bikepacking destination in the UK, and Kendal-based Cicerone Press – an enthusiastic publisher specialising in outdoor activities guidebooks – has eight graded two-to-five day bikepacking adventures just waiting to be discovered.

For those keen cyclists not fully up to speed with this off-road equivalent of cycle touring, bikepacking offers opportunities for wild camping as well as the usual accommodation options for sleeping under a roof, and an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the environment as you explore the best of what the area has to offer on two wheels.

The rides are suitable for mountain bikes (some routes are also rideable on a gravel bike), all are accessible by public transport, and many can be completed over a long weekend. This indispensable guide grades the rides from Moderate to Very Hard for bikepackers with varying levels of experience. However, all the rides are challenging and involve considerable ascent and descent and sections where you may need to push or carry your bike.

The routes combine roads, tracks, lanes and bridleways to take you among, around and over the Lakeland fells, with highlights including the off-road passes of Sticks Pass, Stake Pass, Whinlatter and Black Sail, and the highest bridleway in England over Helvellyn, England’s third highest mountain. All are suitable for any time of year, although some are more exposed than others with ice and snow a winter hazard. For those ready and willing to tackle these ambitious routes, you will visit famous Lakeland towns along the way. The guide also features the classic Lakeland 200, which can be ridden over five days or completed as an Individual Time Trial.

Clear route description, mapping and elevation profiles are supplemented with a wealth of planning information, including accommodation listings, notes on facilities, and summary details (including grades) for each individual section of the route. Also included are tips on getting there, food, kit, bike shops, choice of bike, navigation and alternative itineraries.

So load up your bike, head for the fells, and get ready to explore the Lake District’s hidden gems as you travel into, over and through one of the most captivating and awe-inspiring landscapes of the British Isles.
(Cicerone Press, paperback, £16.95)

The Strength of Love

Kate Garraway

ALTHOUGH the Covid-19 pandemic might appear to be fading into history, its legacy lingers on in the form of economic hardship, the effects of long Covid illnesses, and the impact of the huge treatment backlogs that are now hitting the NHS.

And no one is more aware of these societal malfunctions than television and radio presenter Kate Garraway whose husband, the former political lobbyist Derek Draper, was struck down by Covid in March of 2020 and is still battling the devastating effects of the disease.

Draper was placed in a medically-induced coma and Kate was initially told that he would not survive. A year later he was still in hospital but, miraculously, he is now at home but requires round-the-clock care and is thought to be the UK’s longest-fighting Covid-19 patient. In her intimate debut memoir, The Power of Hope, published in February of 2022, Kate shared her deeply personal story, recounting how the illness took hold of their lives, how she copes with the uncertainty of their future and how she supports her children through this traumatic time.

But despite all that she and her family have had to endure, Kate has also found strength in friendship and community, and strives to hold on to hope. And in this new memoir, she reveals how she is rebuilding her life and opens up her heart to readers once again to celebrate the enduring power of love, even in the darkest of days.

Although Derek is at home now, every day brings uncertainty and new challenges to test Kate and her family’s resolve to get through. Derek still spends long spells in hospital and each crisis in his condition exacerbates the fear that the next occasion will be ‘the one that takes him from us.’ And these are issues that Kate explores in The Strength of Love as many of her worries will still resonate with other families. The impact of trauma – as well as the importance of resilience, adaptability, curiosity, and regaining positivity when recovering from trauma – all come under her watchful eye.

Inspirational and revealing, the book shares Kate’s previously untold details of how she and the whole family have been dealing with the gruelling challenges that come with caring for someone you love most, Derek’s long-term recovery, and how the dynamics of their everyday life have been re-shaped since Derek came home. Along the way, she talks about identity, purpose, how to embrace uncertainty and take back control of our lives, and through her story and Derek’s story, she provides comfort and wisdom that will help anyone who has ever felt desperate, lonely or experienced profound loss... or who is simply fearful about what the future holds.

And despite all that she and her family have had to endure, Kate shows us that love truly is the most powerful and resilient emotion of all.

‘The Strength of Love,’ she says, ‘is about Derek’s ongoing battle to take back control of his body and mind, the amazing people who have helped us along the way and how love in all its forms can pull you to the brink one moment, and lift you up the next. I know I am far from alone in wrestling with these challenges and whilst we are lucky in so many ways, I just hope some of the lessons I have learnt will help everyone in their own daily battles too.’
(Blink Publishing, hardback, £22)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Heroic siblings, coastal wonders and monster poems

Meet two siblings on a mission to save their homeland, enjoy an exciting trip around the coastlines of the world, discover gods and monsters in a sparkling new anthology of mythological poems, share lots of laughs on a final ascent into a multi-storeyed treehouse and marvel at some of the weirdest and most wonderful creatures on Planet Earth in a super September selection

Age 9 plus
The Secret of the
Blood-Red Key
David Farr and Kristina Kister

INSPIRED by his own family history which saw his Jewish grandparents escape Germany for England,, David Farr, one of the UK’s leading screenwriters and a film and theatre director, plays a blinder with his second breathtaking children’s book set in Krasnia, a sinister dictatorship where children are banned from playing in public and only allowed outdoors for exercise and education. In this dazzling follow-up to the phenomenal The Book of Stolen Dreams, this master storyteller whisks us back into the lives of sister and brother Rachel and Robert Klein who have defeated the tyrant Malstain and become the heroes of Krasnia, but all is not how it should be. Robert is swept away with his new friends, leaving Rachel alone to take care of her ailing father who is lost without their beloved mother. From nowhere, a boy appears knowing the secrets of the hidden blood-red key that Rachel received in the public library of Brava at the end of their last adventure. She soon discovers that the key is a way into the Hinterland – the land of the dead – and Rachel must promise that, as a new key keeper, she will answer when it calls. And when a young girl, Elsa Spiegel, is illegally smuggled into the Hinterland, Rachel has no choice but to use her key to save Elsa. But her fate is linked to Krasnia, and Rachel must battle to save her home as she knows it. Once again, Farr brings us a fantastically imagined cast of characters – including two brave lead players, an eccentric family of artist ghosts and a pair of sinister siblings – and all set against a rich, gripping and timeless backdrop. With the beautiful illustrations of Kristina Kister, darkness, danger and mystery at every turn, and a dazzling silver-foiled cover, this exhilarating, page-turning story is guaranteed to thrill all adventure-loving youngsters.
(Usborne, hardback, £12.99)

Age 11 plus
Prey Zone: The Serpent's Lair
Wilbur Smith, Keith Chapman and Steve Cole

A KILLER threat, an ancient evil and a lethal adversary! Welcome to the electrifying sequel to Wilbur Smith’s Prey Zone series for the next generation... thrilling adventures starring teen protagonists Ralph and Robyn Ballantyne who live at Crocodile Lodge, their family ranch in South Africa, where they help with wildlife and conservation. But now Ralph and Robyn are on the run from the nefarious hunting enthusiast Josef Gerhard in the wild Lebombo Mountains. His beastly man-made predasaurs have unleashed a deadly virus and only the Ballantynes have the evidence to prove it. They need to regroup and plan their next move if they want to stop him before it’s too late and find a cure for the virus. But deep in the forest, dangers lurk... poachers are circling, and Gerhard has a brand-new creation he wants to show off, if he can lure the Ballantynes to its lair. Can they outrun him in time to expose his monstrous crimes? And more importantly will they make it out of the serpent’s lair alive? Smith, the undisputed Master of Adventure, died in 2021 at the age of 88, but left behind an incredible raft of thrilling action novels, and with the help of some talented co-writers, like Keith Chapman and Steve Cole, Smith’s golden legacy lives on. So prepare for predasaurs, betrayals, thrills, spills and action with an unmissable Wilbur Smith flavour!
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
By the Sea: Life Along the Coast
Judith Homoki and Martin Haake

CLIMB aboard and take an exciting and revealing trip around the coastlines of the world! Brimming with illustrations and fascinating information, this coast-to-coast journey through time and across continents introduces young readers to the historical and cultural importance of the world’s seashores. Coasts have always been the starting point of discovery, whether by explorers searching for new lands or children sifting through the sand for beautiful shells. This trip around the world’s oceans provides hours of fun and learning in a series of highly detailed double-page spreads that look at every aspect of critical coastal habitats, including the ebb and flow of tides, life in a coastal settlement, artistic depictions of seashores, native animals and plants, the whaling industry, tourism, and climate change. Sail away from the shores of the North Sea to Waikiki, from Brighton to the Barrier Reef, and from the time the first continents came into being to the big port cities of today. On the way, meet legendary pirates, mythical sea creatures, sailors on shore, and the wild animals of the Brazilian rainforest. Then cross the Atlantic on a steamboat, visit fisheries in Dakar, and stroll across the beaches of the French Riviera. By the Sea also provides a 21^st century corrective to Western-centric narratives about exploration and colonialism and interspersed throughout are meticulously detailed maps of the world’s largest oceans highlighting historic events, figures and scientific facts. As fun as it is informative, this vibrant book takes youngsters on a trip around the globe whilst fostering an important feeling of connection between their lives and the world’s coastlines.
(Prestel Junior, hardback, £19.99)

Age 7 plus
Wheels: The Big Fun Book of Vehicles
Tom Schamp

NO ONE knows exactly who invented the wheel... but in the inventive hands of illustrator Tom Schamp young readers will have great fun learning about all the ways that wheels have rolled through history. Let animal pals, Otto and Brutus, and their friends take you on a thrilling journey through all kinds of vehicles from the historic Trojan Horse and the renowned Harley Davidson motorbike to the once indispensable stagecoach, groundbreaking steam train, famous double-decker bus, and the action lover’s skateboard. From prehistoric carts to cars of tomorrow, this big, fact-packed book guides youngsters through a world where everything has wheels, whether that’s the simple Vespa scooter or the super-fast Ferrari. Discover why racing cars have spoilers, which bicycle race has a leader who wears a pink jersey, which van was made famous by surfers in California, what different countries’ emergency vehicles look like... and find buses of every imaginable dimension and weight. Every spread of this entertaining and educational book is filled with Schamp’s quirky and colourful artwork. His sly, subtle texts will make adults smile while younger readers will return again and again to these playful and crowded pages in which each viewing reveals charming new details that are as absurdly funny as they are educationally rewarding. So if the engines of your mind are already racing, go full speed ahead on the road to a whole wonderful world of vehicles!
(Prestel Publishing, hardback, £18.99)

Age 7 plus
Gods and Monsters – Mythological Poems
Ana Sampson and Chris Riddell

WORDS and pictures combine in memorable lyrical harmony as bestselling anthologist Ana Sampson and renowned illustrator Chris Riddell work their magic on an exquisite pantheon of verse from around the world. Poetry and mythology fans will adore this stunning collection with its rich array of poetry from across the ages, all brought to life by Riddell’s luminous, black and white line illustrations, and with an introduction by writer and classicist Natalie Haynes. People all over the world have always told each other stories from the very earliest times, and many of these stories were told in verse. This breathtaking anthology includes the retellings and reimaginings of Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Norse, Celtic, Aztec, Japanese and Inuit mythology. And as you read through the pages, you will meet gods, monsters, tricksters, heroes, magical creatures and objects, and magicians and spirits including Medusa, Icarus, Loki, Osiris, the Minotaur, Pegasus, Bunyip, Kukulcan, Cerberus, Beowolf and Mjolnir. Gods and Monsters includes poems from Neil Gaiman, W B Yeats, Kae Tempest, Sylvia Plath, Shakespeare, Benjamin Zephaniah, Joseph Coelho, and Siegfried Sassoon, and Sampson also provides intriguing footnotes to shine a light on the stories themselves. A beautifully created gift book for readers of every age!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
The 169-Storey Treehouse: Monkeys, Mirrors, Mayhem!
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

THERE are lots of laughs at every level in the 169-Storey Treehouse, the last hilarious, all-action book in the worldwide bestselling Treehouse series by author Andy Griffiths and illustrator Terry Denton. Yes, the ‘wizards of Oz’ are back with their incredible, ever-expanding treehouse and this time the incredible 169 storeys mark the final chapter of a larger-than-life series! For over twelve years, and across ten million or more readers, the Australian team of Griffiths and Denton have turned their zany adventure stories, featuring two young would-be publishing sensations (unsurprisingly called Andy and Terry!), into a real-life reading phenomenon. The success of the Treehouse series just grew and grew, and the amazing creators are climbing higher than ever in their last wild and wacky, highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud book which comes packed with hilarious antics, jokes and cartoons. And the 169-Storey Treehouse proves to be their biggest and most astonishing treehouse yet! It has everything they – and you – could wish for, including an electric pony stable, a NOISY level, a weather dome (where you can have whatever weather you want whenever you want it), and a 100% edible gingerbread house and a potato-powered translation transmitter that allows you to talk to everything everywhere all at the same time. 

There’s also a hall of funhouse mirrors, which is the perfect place to hide from Mr Bunkoff who is trying to catch Andy, Terry and Jill in order to send them to school. But Anti-Andy, Terrible Terry and Junkyard Jill, their trouble-making opposites, are trapped in one of the mirrors... and they want out. (Oh, and Mr Big Nose wants them to write their book... right now!) Can our heroes escape school, defeat their doppelgängers AND meet their book deadline? Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up and see for yourself! Easy-to-read, visually exciting and wonderfully entertaining, the pace is fast and the fun never stops. Climb each level in fits of laughter in this glittering, gold-foiled hardback edition and then take a trip back in time and introduce another generation of reluctant readers to a series that will have them begging for more!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
Maggie Blue and the White Crow
Anna Goodall

FINDING light in a dark world has never been more relevant than it is today and the second book in Anna Goodall’s coruscating middle-grade Maggie Blue trilogy burns brightly for readers young and old. Inspired by her interest in animals (including talking ones!), other worlds, families and friendship, Goodall’s thrilling, thought-provoking debut series stars a troubled 12-year-old girl thrust into terrifying adventures and discovering the power of friendship, courage and simply being yourself. Maggie and her beloved, grumpy talking cat companion Hoagy are trying to adjust to a quieter life after the terrors she has encountered in a world she never knew existed. She is once again living with her eccentric aunt Esme and hanging out with friends Ida and Will. Maggie wants to forget about the events of the previous year but the Dark World won’t let them go. Maggie is being watched and one day a small white bird appears. Where has the white crow come from, and why won’t it leave Maggie alone? 

Little does she know yet that the Dark World has been waiting for her to return... and when her mum Cynthia is kidnapped and taken there, Maggie has no choice but to go back. With the help of Hoagy and some new friends by her side, Maggie must go back to the place that she never wished to see again if she is ever to see her mum... or regain control of her own life. With her sarcastic cat Hoagy by her side, Maggie’s fantastical adventures cannot fail to entertain. Maggie’s connection to the sinister Dark World lies at the pulsating heart of Goodall’s bizarre and magical adventures...all the action and danger is rooted in the darkness and buried secrets that simmer inside her. Tingling with a tangible current of emotion, and with a thrill-a-minute story that follows the lost and melancholic Maggie’s adventure in the chilling, mercenary Dark World, Goodall cleverly explores themes of identity and mental health with a deft and sensitive touch. Add on the leavening wit and sarcasm of one-eyed Hoagy, and a stunning cover illustration by Sandra Dieckmann, and you have the perfect package for every child that craves an all-round, cracking adventure story!
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Tyger
SF Said and Dave McKean

‘There are three doors that I may show you.
You will find a different kind of power behind each one...’
AUTHOR SF Said, whose debut novel, Varjak Paw won the Nestlé Smarties Prize, immerses young readers in a strange, alternate world in a thrilling new novel starring a mysterious and mythical animal. Adam has found something incredible in a rubbish dump in London. It’s a creature called a tyger but however magical it is, the animal is in danger, and Adam and his friend Zadie are determined to help. But it isn’t just the tyger's life at stake... their whole world is on the verge of destruction. Can they learn to use their powers before it’s too late? Said’s atmospheric and cautionary tale opens up a gateway to an extraordinary other world and the canvas for a thrilling eco-themed adventure. Fabulously illustrated by artist, photographer, filmmaker and musician Dave McKean, and with a beautiful, gold-foiled cover under the dust jacket, Tyger is a dazzling adventure which inspires and instils hope in its realisation of the sparks and hidden powers that lie within us all. The secret of seeing this hidden power, and learning how to use it, is itself the machine that powers this wonderful story.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Dreamweavers: Night of
the Scary Fairies
Annabelle Sami and Forrest Burdett

ARE you looking for a dream read? Well, look no further than this fun, fresh and exciting new series from writer and performer Annabelle Sami, and American illustrator Forrest Burdett. Dreamweavers introduces young adventure fans to the ultimate Dream Team! When Tito becomes friends with the mysterious new girl at school, Neena, she introduces him to the world of Dreamweaving. Soon Tito and Neena are going on adventures every night, exploring dreams where quirky creatures called jinn roam. And when their classmates start acting strangely... it’s like their personalities have swapped!  Tito and Neena soon realise that someone else is Dreamweaving too but using it to cause chaos. Can the pair stop them before the dream world takes over the waking world? Sami’s magical story features excitement all the way while Burdett brings the action to life with his enchanting illustrations. Dreaming is believing!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Ben Rothery’s Weird and Wonderful Animals
Ben Rothery

DISCOVER some of the weirdest and most wonderful creatures on Planet Earth, and marvel at an award-winning illustrator who can make his artwork look like photography! In this curated collection of bizarre and beautiful creatures, Rothery pairs fascinating facts with his stunning illustrations to bring youngsters the most incredible creatures in the animal kingdom. Our planet is home to more than one million species of animals. All of these creatures have peculiar adaptations and strange behaviours, but what does it take to be ranked among the weirdest and most wonderful of them all? From the bearded vulture, which is the only animal on the planet whose diet consists exclusively of bones, to the microscopic tardigrade that can survive for up to 30 years without food or water, this book focuses on our planet’s most bizarre and extraordinary beasts. Meet an African savanna elephant whose long tusks grow constantly throughout its life and discover how it uses them to fight and dig for food, marvel at the great hornbill with its large beak and a bright yellow-and-black casque (horn) on top of it which males use to butt each other in flight, like charging rams. And say hello to the small, termite-eating Draco lizard of South East Asia and southern India whose elongated ribs, separated by folds of skin, act like wings, allowing it to glide for up to 60 metres between branches, using its tail to steer. Filled with Rothery’s jaw-dropping artwork – achieved by combining multiple processes to create intricate and delicate illustrations and repeating patterns – this is the perfect book to share with a parent, or to read alone and enjoy all the fun and informative facts.
(Ladybird Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Peanut, Butter, & Crackers: Doggy School
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!  So say hello to rescue pets Peanut (a very excited puppy with floppy ears), Butter (a laid-back cat) and Crackers (a slightly nervous dog). With an owner who goes to work every day, they spend their days doing whatever they want but in their third hilarious adventure, Peanut and Crackers are off to doggy school (Butter doesn’t need school because cats are already smart!) However, when the two dogs are separated, Peanut is left to fend for himself against canine bullies. Determined to help him, Butter sneaks in to doggy school and sets off a cat commotion! Can Peanut, Butter and Crackers find a way to make doggy school cool again? 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 bonus extras, including how to draw, behind the scenes and a short story, there is so much here to enjoy!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
The Littlest Yak: Home Is Where the Herd Is
Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley

MOVING mountains to pastures new poses some BIG problems for Gertie, the littlest yak, in the huggable and lovable new picture book from exciting author Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley, one of the nation’s most talented, contemporary illustrators. Home Is Where the Herd Is is the follow up to the hugely successful The Littlest Yak and delivers another joyful, playful, rhyming caper starring pint-sized yak Gertie whose trials and tribulations always deliver heartwarming life lessons for little ones. In this adorable new adventure, Gertie and her family are moving mountains to pastures new and for the worried little yak that means squeezing all her belongings on to one sledge even though mum tells her that home is about so much more than her precious books, toys, pinecones and hats. And when someone very special to her gets left behind, Gertie finally comes to see that it doesn’t matter what she packs because nowhere is home without the people you love. Fraser, who has a natural empathy with the fears of foibles of little ones, turns on the magic in this fun, warm and reassuring story about what really makes a home. Brought to colourful and vibrant life through Hindley’s gallery of richly detailed and emotive illustrations, there are plenty of big messages here for your own little readers!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Wolf and Bear
Kate Rolfe

WE all have mood swings... but for a young child, these highs and lows can seem confusing and distressing. So help your little ones understand and express their feelings when they feel low and depressed with exciting debut author and illustrator Kate Rolfe’s wise and heartfelt story about a playful young wolf and her best friend, Bear. The two best friends always play together, whether that’s paddling in the stream, skidding in the snow, or tumbling in the falling leaves. But sometimes Bear feels sad and just wants to be alone... can Wolf find a way to comfort Bear and lift her out of the shadow of loneliness and sadness which engulfs her?  This beautiful tale of kindness, empathy and hope explores the topic of depression through gentle words and sensitive illustrations created using the unusual technique of cyanotype, a photographic process using sunlight, crayons and digital drawing to express emotions in the story. The result is a powerfully emotional and stunningly illustrated book which speaks resonantly to youngsters about feeling down, a topic which can often be difficult to discuss with very young children. A stunning debut from an impressive new talent.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly
Catherine Emmett and Claire Powell

NEVER give up on your high-flying dreams... however impossible they might appear to be! That’s the inspirational message that speaks loudly to youngsters in a funny and heartwarming picture book from the top team of award-winning author Catherine Emmett and bestselling illustrator Claire Powell. Delilah the dodo didn’t often talk about her dream in case the others laughed at how daft it might seem. For like all dodos, she knows that there had never been any dodos who can fly. But that doesn’t stop Delilah. She’s on a mission to be the first dodo to take flight... and she won’t let what any of the other dodos say stand in her way! With Emmett’s beautiful, rhyming story full of fun, flying dreams and perseverance, brought to colourful life by Powell’s stunning artwork, The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever dared to dream and teaches youngsters that incredible things CAN happen when you give something a try!
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Science Words for Little People: Space & Nature
Helen Mortimer and Cristina Trapanese

YOU can rely on Oxford University Press to engage and entertain youngsters with brilliant books like this Words for Little People series which makes learning both friendly and inspirational. Science Words for Little People is aims to build children’s confidence with vocabulary and ideas around various topics, and provide a foundation for learning in a way that feels good. Written by Helen Mortimer and illustrated by Cristina Trapanese, the same winning team that brought us Big Words for Little People, the books are special not just because they focus on science subjects in a child-friendly way, but because the Oxford book boffins pack them with educational goodness that helps children develop and grow. In Space, we have lift off with questions like would you like to go into space and do you know why it gets dark outside? 

This is the ideal way to begin to explore vocabulary about space, the sun, stars, telescopes, bowl-shaped craters, star sailors, planets, and space missions. Perfect for sharing with adults, there is something wonderful to discover and learn about space on every page. And in Nature, little ones can explore where bees live and how plants grow. Filled with colour, animals, plants and habitats, the book shows just how much nature there is to be found all around us and is specially designed to introduce children to the world of science vocabulary, giving them key words to talk about the natural world they live in. Published in sturdy hardback, packed with fun characters, engaging questions and activities, and Trapanese’s playful artwork, the books are the perfect size and shape for reading together whilst exploring and enjoying the different concepts of science.
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £5.99 each)

Age 2 plus
Paws, Claws, Tails & Roars:
Brian Wildsmith’s Animal Kingdom

LOSE yourself in the arresting colour, form and timeless beauty of Brian Wildsmith’s artwork in this stunning gift book which has been teamed up with a lyrical new text. Wildsmith, who died aged 86 in 2016, published over seventy books with Oxford University Press, and earned a worldwide reputation as one of the greatest children’s illustrators. This lavishly produced book – with its foiled cover and gilt-edged pages – shows off Wildsmith’s breathtaking animal illustrations through images digitally remastered by his son, Simon Wildsmith. Each illustration is so richly detailed and evocative that readers, young and old, will want to pause a while and linger over the glorious wild animals, birds, and fishes that fill the pages. With a foreword by author Michael Rosen, this enchanting book will be loved by readers who are already fans of Wildmsith... and a whole new generation of children.
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £20)

Age 2 plus
A Bad Day for Bear
Duncan Beedie

WE all have bad days but how do you cope with life’s ups and downs when you’re a bear with a sore head? Duncan Beedie, the creative author and illustrator whose delightful picture book, The Bear who Stared, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, returns to win ours hearts again with his lovable bear. In this fun and inspirational new adventure, Bear is in charge of the camp fire for the forest party. But as he sets out to collect wood, all sorts of BAD things happen... he gets a splinter in his paw, a big bump on his head and falls into a huge muddy puddle. And to make matters worse, the logs Beaver gives him are now soaking wet! How is Bear EVER going to make the camp fire? It’s a good job Bear’s friend Frog is there to show him that things are never as bad as they seem. Beedie’s playful but educational story, with its big, beautiful illustrations, teaches important lessons about finding power in kindness and comfort in friendship even on the worst of days. Every cloud has a silver lining... even for a bear!
(Templar, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Noisy Babies (My First
Touch and Feel Sound Book)
Lauren Crisp

HERE'S a gorgeous touch-and-feel sound book that will chime with babies... and their parents! Enjoy watching little faces light up when they press the sounds button on every page in this interactive, chunky board book, packed with appealing photographs, tactile textures and the sounds of a baby’s day. Tickle the baby to hear a giggle, tap the drum to hear a rat-a-tat-tat, push the duck to hear it quack, rub the bib to hear a baby say ‘Mmm!’ and touch the mobile to make it chime. And, to add more fun, baby can press the final button to hear all the day’s sounds again! Perfectly created to improve hand-eye co-ordination with exploration of each texture, encourage speech, and inspire a love of reading by sharing and enjoying a book with your little one, this is ideal for helping your child to observe and explore the world around them.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £14.99)