Age 9 plus
Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything: The Ultimate Guide to
the World Around You
IMAGINE journeying through the world’s most amazing nature, science, history, images and stories in one mind-blowing, jaw-dropping book! From botanists to brain surgeons, and palaeontologists to pilots, the world’s leading experts and ‘ologists’ are ready and waiting to take readers through four hundred pages of fascinating facts, eyewitness interviews and so much more. The fully illustrated Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything – created by the experienced team at DK Books – is the perfect antidote to the internet... an expertly written and beautifully presented reference book for a world overloaded with unreliable information.
From quantum physics to the square of the hypotenuse, and from Ancient Rome to the depths of the oceans, this is a spectacular one-stop knowledge shop for the digital age full of clear, simple, accurate and unbiased information. Encounter the world’s most deadly creatures and stunning natural wonders, history’s heroes and villains, and science’s most incredible breakthroughs and inventions... and all as you’ve never seen them before.
This action-packed compendium will keep children – and their grown-ups – engrossed for hours and much like DK’s hugely successful Eyewitness series itself, this ultimate encyclopedia provides the museum experience from the comfort of your own home and contains every topic children could want to read about. With an engaging text, graphics and facts that stand the test of time, and breathtaking photography which includes over 1,500 captivating images, the encyclopedia brings a fun twist to the exploration of the core subjects of nature, science, technology, history, and culture, and tackles each topic in an exciting, unusual, attention-grabbing way.
Featuring knowledge from over thirty experts across many
different fields, from zoology to egyptology, Eyewitness Encyclopedia of
Everything enables adults to test a child’s knowledge with the abundance of
information, and picture quizzes dotted throughout the book. Enjoy pages full
of facts and stats, and interviews with experts – from astronauts to zoologists
– who answer children’s questions about what they do and why they love it. So if you want to discover the world’s most deadly creatures
and natural wonders, learn about history’s heroes and villains, meet the world’s
greatest record-breakers, and explore science’s most incredible breakthroughs
and inventions, and all as you’ve never before seen them, look no further than
this big, beautiful and breathtaking book!
(DK Children’s Books, hardback, £25)
Utterly Dark and the Tides of Time
Philip Reeve
THE dark and delicious fantasy, starring a girl called
Utterly Dark with a mysterious connection to the sea, reaches its final,
thrilling resolution in a mesmerising new adventure. Utterly Dark and the Tides of Time – the highly anticipated
sequel to Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep and Utterly Dark and the Heart
of the Wild – comes from Philip Reeve, one of the most exciting authors working
in children’s fiction. His outstanding debut, Mortal Engines, won the Nestle
Smarties Book Prize and Blue Peter Book Award, and was made into a blockbuster
film, and Here Lies Arthur, his take on the Arthurian legends, won the Carnegie
Medal. And now this master storyteller has chilled and thrilled
readers again with these magical tales set in an extraordinary and atmospheric
‘other world’ called Wildsea. When Utterly Dark was a baby, she was washed up
on the shores of the Autumn Isles and taken in by the Watcher of Wildsea. But
everything changed when the Watcher drowned and someone new was needed to make
sure Wildsea stays safe from the strange forces teeming in the ocean. Utterly now
knows that she has a special link with the sea and has made a promise... to
leave everything she has ever known and go and live in the sea with her
mystical, oceanic mother. Leaving home is difficult enough but soon Utterly
learns that someone is hunting her... and amazingly, it’s someone, or
something, from a different time. Utterly will have to delve to the ocean’s
magical depths, swim through impossible timeslips and face painful choices if
she is to save herself, and those she loves. These enchanting world-building stories of nature, fantasy,
family and friendship have all the vibes of Dickens but with an electrifying
thread of magical realism running through their core. Brave, caring and
determined, the utterly wonderful Utterly is at the centre of all the action
and danger, and Reeve – with his enviable gift for characterisation – surrounds
her with a brilliantly imagined cast of supporting characters. Add on a heady
mix of warmth and humour, and you have the perfect reading package.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)
The Weather Well
Vashti Hardy and Natalie Smillie
IF mystery, monsters, maps, amazing inventions and dangerous
missions set your pulse racing, head off to a land called Moreland and join a
crime-fighting girl for her final fantastical adventure! Produced in a super
readable format by innovative publisher Barrington Stoke, and especially
suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers, The Weather Well brings
to a thrilling close an exhilarating, fantasy-fuelled steampunk series from
Blue Peter award-winning author Vashti Hardy and talented illustrator Natalie
Smillie. Grace Griffin’s family are wardens of the Griffin Map which was
invented by her Great Grandma and is the most important piece of technology in
the city of Copperport. The Griffins use the map – which shows the entire
country of Moreland – and its teleport technology to fight crime and keep law
and order across the land. It’s now the height of summer in Moreland, and Grace
and her fellow warden Tom Eely are sweltering in the heat until they answer a
strange call for help that comes through on the Griffin map. After teleporting
to Oakwell, they find the town paralysed by a freezing snowstorm which is
ruining the famous summer market that brings in visitors and trade. Using their
mystery-solving skills and inventions, can Grace and Tom find the cause for the
weird weather and restore summer from the snow? Adventure is once more the name
of the game in the final book of this gripping series which has all the
hallmarks of Hardy’s rich imaginative powers… a stunningly created ‘other’
world, brilliantly inventive kids, a charismatic supporting cast, and a story
full of twists, turns, kindness and big-hearted family values. Add on Smillie’s
superbly detailed and evocative black and white illustrations, and you have a
reading treat for all fantasy-loving middle-graders.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Age 8 plus
Books and the People Who Make Them
Stéphanie Vernet and Camille de Cussac
(Prestel, hardback, £14.99)
What it was like to be
an Ancient Roman
David Long and Stefano Tambellini
FROM ordinary citizens to famous emperors, the remarkable
Romans established the largest empire the world has ever seen. Award-winning
non-fiction writer David Long takes readers on an amazing journey through Roman
daily life in the second book of his enthralling What it was like to be...
series. An expert in distilling complex stories from the past into an
informative and entertaining format for young readers, Long skilfully explains how
a small tribe of Romans, who lived in a group of huts on a hilltop, came to
build the most important city in the world, dominate the whole of Italy and
then create a vast and sprawling empire. Why were the Romans such brilliant and
ingenious innovators, responsible for inventions including newspapers,
concrete, surgeon’s tools and even an efficient postal system? What made their
army invincible and their buildings so remarkable, and why, eventually, did the
whole empire come crashing down? Long explains what life was actually like for
ordinary Romans as well as their long line of emperors, including education,
religion, their notorious games, and their military tactics, and looks at the
lingering influence of Roman civilisation throughout the world. With all the
intriguing facts and characters brought to vivid life by Stefano Tambellini’s
rich artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly
format, this is a top class series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Evil Emperor Penguin:
The World Will Be Mine!
Laura Ellen Anderson
WHO doesn’t love a comic book supervillain... especially
when he’s a genius, a penguin and ever so cute! A comic genius herself, Laura
Ellen Anderson is knee deep in the snow and ice of Antarctica again with her
super creation, Evil Emperor Penguin, and his madcap team. This hilarious
graphic novel series starring the world’s most lovable villain has been a
favourite with young readers for years and now the books are being republished
as part of a partnership between David Fickling Books and The Phoenix comic. In
the snow-covered depths of Antarctica is the secret lair of an extraordinary
penguin... Evil Emperor Penguin! His plans to take over planet Earth are in
place, and nothing can stop him... he has a time-travelling machine that will
give him the key to world domination. But wait, is that his arch-nemesis, Evi l
Cat?! Surely the world is too small for TWO evil geniuses! Who will become the
cutest evil genius in the world? The comics in this book were originally
published as Evil Emperor Penguin (Almost) Takes Over the World and Evil
Emperor Penguin: Winging It! but these super new editions have an appealing
chunky format with extra ‘how-to-draw’ tips. Brim full of Anderson’s fabulously
detailed illustrations and spilling over with giggles, guffaws and puns, these
riotous romps spell fun from first page to last.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)
Llama Can’t Cook, But You Can!
Sarah Walden, Mr Griff and Tina Knowles
WOULD you like to learn how to make soups, salads, pasta and
noodle dishes? Or maybe even learn the skills to cook up paella, jambalaya,
burgers, dips and a roast chicken with all the trimmings? Well here’s your
chance to join Llama (who has a lot to learn!), Guinea Pig (the expert chef)
and Parrot (in charge of Health and Safety) as Llama learns how to cook over 70
recipes, from a simple boiled egg to that delicious roast chicken dinner! Youngsters
will love joining Llama and his hilarious friends in this this unique first
cookery course which is served up with information about key ingredients, and
popular dishes from around the world. As well as pasta and rice dishes, plus
lots of plant-based recipes, Llama learns to make salads, things on toast, and
curries. He finds out how to cook eggs, cheese, fish, meat and chicken, and
learns about core cookery techniques along the way. Ideal for anyone starting
out in the kitchen, the book has colourful illustrations and helpful tips, and
Tina Knowles’ step-by-step photography is simple to follow and instils confidence
in beginner cooks, whether they are young or old, while the quirky cast of
characters ensure that the reader has fun while learning essential life skills.
Llama Can’t Cook, But You Can! has been created by Noodle Juice, a children’s
publisher which aims to make young brains ‘fizz,’ and this new book is part of
their Practically Awesome Animals series that uses detailed instructions and
hilarious animal characters to teach kids how to draw, bake, cook and create
comics. Exciting life skills for a new generation!
(Noodle Juice, hardback, £12.99)
Barb the Brave: The Shadow Army
Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson
WHEN the going gets tough, Barb the Brave gets going!
Welcome to the third high-octane and laugh-out-loud adventure in Dan Abdo and
Jason Patterson’s dizzying and dazzling graphic novel series which well and
truly hits the funny spot with young readers. Abdo and Patterson (aka Dan &
Jason) have developed numerous animated campaigns, network TV and web series in
both the US and UK and their latest star, Barb, is top of the current crop.
Barb is a Berzerker, one of an elite crew of warriors who protect the land of
Bailiwick from the scourge of monsters. Barb has been captured by the evil
Witch Head and, too injured to fight back, her chances of freedom are slim. But
they are both in for a surprise when Barb’s Berzerker mum, Raven, comes to the
rescue. The mother and daughter duo manage to escape but can’t stop Witch Head
from summoning a powerful army from the Shadow Realm to take over Bailiwick.
Can Barb and her ragtag crew of Berzerkers find a way to beat the infamous
Shadow Army? Can she figure out how to harness the mystical power of the Ghost
Blade... and can Porkchop make sure everybody has enough snacks? Barb's
adventure continues in this action-packed, side-splitting story! With a
high-stakes, high-octane adventure, action sequences bursting out of every
page, a fine line in knockabout humour, and a cast of super-quirky characters
to enjoy, this is top notch reading for fans of Bunny Vs Monkey, Disney’s Brave
and Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man. Laughter all the way!
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)
Ivy Newt and the Time Thief
Derek Keilty and Madga Brol
ENTER the magical world of Miracula... and discover a truly
bewitching adventure! Master storyteller Derek Keilty from Belfast weaves his
world-building wonders in the second all-action adventure of his enchanting Ivy
Newt chapter book series which stars an unstoppable and lovable young witch,
and her best friend Tom. Highly illustrated throughout by Polish-born Madga
Brol, this exciting and entertaining adventure series is perfect for sharing or
as a first reading book. Ivy Newt’s parents are the King and Queen of the Sand
Witches, and every Halloween at sunrise in Miracula, a spooky haunted house
appears near Newt Castle, only to disappear again at the stroke of midnight.
Ivy and her shape-shifting familiar Tom set out to solve the mystery, stumbling
upon an imprisoned witch, a powerful sorcerer and a curse they must break
before time runs out. With lots of laughs, pages of fast-paced action to enjoy,
a cast of superbly imagined characters, themes of justice, standing up to
bullies and shared endeavour, and Brol’s comical illustrations enhancing the
atmosphere of wizardry, peril and fun, and adding extra zing and zest, this is
the perfect book to launch youngsters into a lifetime of reading enjoyment.
(Scallywag Press, paperback, £7.99)
Magic Faces: Monster Mayhem
Esi Merleh and Abeeha Tariq
OPEN the box of magic face paints and discover the adventure
that’s waiting for you! Author Esi Merleh and illustrator Abeeha Tariq return
with the third super adventure in their Magic Faces series which sees two
playful youngsters and their dog transformed into an assortment of thrilling
characters. Fairytale world or Monster Ball... which one will you choose? In
each a race to find the prize, Will you win or lose? Austin, Alanna and sausage
dog Ozzy are going to a Monster Ball! With the help of a magic paintbrush,
Austin has been transformed into a werewolf, and Alanna is a vampire. Their
mission is to find a crystal ball, but when a pair of evil skeletons steal a witch’s
wand, there’s mayhem on the dance floor. Will Austin and Alanna take back the
wand and complete their mission before their time in the monster world runs
out? Fun is the keyword for this joyful series which places Merleh’s
imaginative storytelling, giggles and a big dose of magic at centre stage. Add
on Tariq’s rich and colourful illustrations and you have a series guaranteed to
cast a magic spell over your own little adventurers!
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £6.99)
Clive Penguin
Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Sanders
YOU have to take your hat off to Huw Lewis Jones and Ben
Sanders... they certainly know how to create an adorable penguin! Lewis Jones,
a real life polar-exploring adventurer, and award-winning illustrator Sanders
combine their talents on this ice-coated and quirky picture book adventure
starring a penguin who hates the cold. Surrounded by the same old snow day in,
day out, the same old bloomin’ penguins, and always freezing cold, Clive
Penguin wishes he was somewhere else. Some days he wishes he was SOMEONE else.
But, with an epic discovery just around the corner, the solution might be
easier than he thinks... simply find yourself a hat! Youngsters cannot help but
fall in love with the hilariously deadpan Clive Penguin as he discovers that
getting what you need is sometimes better than getting what you want. With
Lewis Jones providing Clive’s unique voice and Sanders delivering a perfectly
matched, edgy gallery of illustrations with flashes of orange neon ink, this is
the coolest picture book you will reads this autumn!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
Zizzi Moonbeam: Fairy Party Planner
Emily Hibbs and Natalie Smillie
WHO doesn’t love a party? Little ones will be flitting and
flapping with delight when they open the pages of this spellbinding adventure
with comes with fabulous fairies, luscious letters, flaps to lift, and a
sprinkle of magic! Zizzi Moonbeam: Fairy Party Planner is the dazzling and
deliciously delightful creation of author Emily Hibbs and illustrator Natalie
Smillie who work their own special magic on a fairy-filled picture book
extravaganza. It’s Zizzi Moonbeam’s first day as a party planner at Fairy HQ
and she’s fizzing with excitement! Watch her whizz to the rescue to ensure
every party runs smoothly. Rain on the day of your garden party? A bridesmaid’s
dress covered in jam? No problem is too big for Zizzi Moonbeam. But oh no... it
looks like she’s forgotten to reply to one of her letters. There’s no time to
solve this party pickle on her own! Will one of her new fairy pals swoop in to
help Zizzi save the day? With an enchanting story made in fairyland, lots of
intriguing flaps for curious little hands to explore, and a vast array of Smillie’s
cute and colourful illustrations, this is the perfect gift book for lovers of fairies,
adventures... and parties!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
50 Words About Nature: Plants & Birds
Tara Pegley-Stanger and Debbie Powell
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £5.99 each)
Who Will Kiss the Crocodile?
Suzy Senior and Claire Powell
THEY'RE having a ball... and you won’t want to miss it!
Author Suzy Senior and illustrator Claire Powell – the dynamic duo behind the
incredibly successful Octopants series – turn their talents to this hilarious,
rhyming retelling of Sleeping Beauty... which comes with added bite! Baby
Princess Liss’s first birthday is celebrated with a fancy royal ball. But as
guests arrive in their smartest clothes, ONE fairy has not been invited and she
isn’t at all pleased. And as the dancing, fun, laughter and partying gets under
way, she casts a spell and now the sleeping princess has turned into a snoring
crocodile with very sharp teeth! Will anyone be brave enough to wake her with a
kiss and turn her back into a girl? And who needs a prince? Expect heroic
handy-grans armed with mops and drills, a sharp-toothed crocodile and an
amazing Eighties party in this hilarious, feminist twist on a favourite fairy
tale. Packed with Senior’s super snappy and playful rhymes and Powell’s
trademark richly detailed, bright, bold illustrations, Who Will Kiss the
Crocodile? is a rip-roaring romp that youngsters will love sinking their teeth
into!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Nibbles: The Bedtime Book
Emma Yarlett
HE'S back and he’s chomping his way through other people’s
stories! Nibbles, the adorable yellow monster who has stolen hearts both young
and old with his munching madness, is on the run at bedtime in a feast of
flaps, mishaps and fairy tale fun. Multi-talented author and illustrator Emma Yarlett
touches the funny bone of readers aged from nought to ninety as she rolls out
her irresistible, bestselling brand of clever, conceptual art and design work,
and magical, laughter-packed storytelling with her mischievous little book
monster. Nibbles: The Bedtime Book is the fourth Nibbles adventure and Yarlett
delivers the same captivating mix of imaginative storytelling, innovative flaps
to lift, and intriguing cut-out holes to peep through as youngsters embark on a
journey of fun, mixed-up fairy tales, comedy, and crazy capers. It’s bedtime,
but where’s Nibbles? Instead of counting sheep, Nibbles is munching through
bedtime stories. He’s making a splash in The Ugly Duckling and stealing the
spotlight from Cinderella. Come back Nibbles! It’s time all little monsters
were tucked up snug in bed. Innovative, cleverly interactive, brimming with the
kind of bright, lively illustrations that children love, and with lots of
intriguing story-within-a-story flaps to lift and a hilarious mish-mash of
familiar tales to enjoy, this is another joyful, exuberant Nibbles adventure
that entertains from first page to last.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Age 2 plus
Winnie and Wilbur: The Witches’ Sports Day
Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £12.99)
One Little Leaf
Molly Littleboy and Bryony Clarkson
AS autumn arrives, discover the magic of leaves in this
fantastic, fact-packed lift-the-flap book which aims to encourage young
children to head out into nature and explore. Written by Molly Littleboy and richly
and colourfully illustrated by Bryony Clarkson, One Little Leaf tells
youngsters how trees grow, what amazing creatures they can spot among their
branches, and even how to plant a tree of their very own. Packed with simple
facts, activities and prompts, this is the perfect book to inspire a love of
nature in children and is part of an engaging, non-fiction series with a call
to action at its core for curious children to get out into nature. Each title –
including One Little Seed, One Little Bug and One Little Egg – empowers little
ones to interact with the world around them, no matter where they live or what
their circumstances are. So put on your coat, pull on your wellies and enjoy
the whole world of trees that’s just waiting to be discovered!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £9.99)
All the Things a Tree Can Be
James Carter and Nathalia Takeyama
DISCOVER the wonders of nature and explore all the amazing
things that a tree can be with this fantastic interactive book from award-winning
poet and non-fiction writer James Carter and illustrator Nathalia Takeyama who
is half-Japanese and half-Brazilian. Little hands will love spinning the board
pieces and lifting the flaps to reveal all the hidden marvels and
easy-to-understand facts about rivers and trees. Learn how a tiny seed grows
into a towering tree, and the different changes trees go through as the seasons
and the year go by. From the animals who call the branches their home to South
America’s Amazon rainforest and the impact trees have on our daily lives, this beautifully
illustrated and gently factual book explores a whole host of reasons why trees
are so special.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £8.99)
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