Age 8 plus
A Really Short Journey Through the Body
Bill Bryson and Emma Young
WE spend our whole lives in one body and yet most of us have
practically no idea how it works and what goes on inside it! Following the success of the children’s adaptation of
bestselling author and travel writer Bill Bryson’s prizewinning book, A Really
Short History of Nearly Everything, comes this brilliantly funny retelling of another
of his bestselling books, The Body. Both educational and entertaining, A Really Short Journey
Through the Body is a dazzling collection of fascinating facts about how
exactly the human body works and is perfectly created for curious young readers
who want answers to their questions. With an easy-to-understand introduction by Bryson, and
adapted by Emma Young, this beautiful, large-format hardback has full-colour,
intricately detailed illustrations throughout from artists Daniel Long, Dawn
Cooper, Jesús
Sotés
and Katie Ponder. Did you know your spleen is in a full-on battle with armies
of deadly invaders, that your eyes blink 14,000 times a day, and that the
‘spongy stuff’ inside your bones is churning out red blood cells and will keep
on doing that over and over again until they are battered and useless? Packed full of facts, big numbers (such as the amount of
microbes that make you) and small numbers (the size of those very tiny
microbes), this feast of non-fiction book is a head-to-toe tour of the most
amazing thing about you... your body. An unforgettable journey into what makes us tick!
(Puffin, hardback, £25)
The Republic of Dreams
Richard Lambert
ESCAPE into a thrilling land of shadows and dreams in The Republic
of Dreams, the pulsating sequel to poet and fiction writer Richard Lambert’s
exciting and evocative fantasy novel Shadow Town. It was in that enthralling
first adventure that we met troubled boy Toby who led a quiet and unhappy life in
London until a mysterious shadow appeared in his dreams and took him into a
hidden world. And it was in the dangerous land of Balthasar that Toby met
Tamurlaine, a strange and otherworldly girl who was trying to uncover the
mystery of her identity. On our return trip to Balthasar, we find the now Princess
Tamurlaine is about to be crowned queen of a land where some children have the
power to use dreams to change reality, an activity fraught with danger.
Changing the world can have lethal consequences and meddling with nature can
lead to ecological disasters spinning irrevocably out of control. Tamurlaine
wants to control dreams and dreamers, but a conspiracy led by power hungry
Malladain, a family foe, aims to kill her on the day of her coronation. Can her
trusted friend Toby from the other world save her? Toby, Tamurlaine and their
staunchest allies, Anon a half-angel, Burston, a school friend, and Jinky, an
orphan and refugee, must battle against the superior forces of people utterly
corrupted by power in a place where no one can be trusted. With its gothic
vibes, an intriguing cast of characters, and a fantastical story that tackles issues like the threat of ecological disaster, The Republic of
Dreams is an imaginative blend of thrilling fantasy, heart-racing danger and
keenly felt human emotions … the perfect combo for all adventure-loving
readers!
(Everything with Words, paperback, £8.99)
Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen
Geri Halliwell-Horner
HEROES come in all forms and guises... but to be one you
first you have to believe in yourself! Enjoy a thrilling mix of mystery, history, nature and girl power
as former Spice Girl, songwriter and author Geri Halliwell-Horner works her
magic on a soaring, hidden island adventure that will have middle grade readers
hooked from an intriguing prologue right through to the emotion-packed finale. It’s time to find your power... suddenly orphaned and alone,
Rosie Frost is sent to the mysterious Bloodstone Island, home not only to the
Heverbridge School for extraordinary teens but also a sanctuary for endangered
species. There, Rosie confronts a menacing deputy headmaster, a group of mean
girls bent on destroying her, and shocking family secrets. She also discovers
that history can come to life in ways she never could have imagined. When the
island itself comes under threat, Rosie knows she must enter and win the Falcon
Queen Games in a desperate bid to save it. But she can’t do it alone. She finds that believing in
herself – and her friends – is the first step to finding the power she never
knew she had. Youngsters will love getting to know determined and big-hearted
Rosie as she tackles life and her enemies head-on in an exhilarating adventure full
of amazing music, family secrets and shocking betrayals, and where heroes are
found in the most unexpected places.
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
The November Witches
Jennifer Claessen
AFTER thrilling readers with her classy, clever novel, The
October Witches – which delivered a bewitching twist on the myths and legends
of folklore – master storyteller Jennifer Claessen returns with an equally
enthralling sequel. Picking up on the perilous events in the first book, this
November adventure is full of bonfires, knights, family disasters and one very
important round table, and once again stars young hag Clemmie who knows – from watching
her mum, aunts and cousin for twelve years – that magic can get very messy. No witch is excited about gloomy, magic-free November apart
from Clemmie who is relieved to finally be done with October’s magical mess.
But if there’s no more magic, then where are all the armour-clad knights coming
from? When even their enemy coven, the Morgans, don’t have any answers, the
Merlyns are on the run. Neither the Morgan nor Merlyn covens want to burn so
they will have to work together to solve the mystery of where the witch-hunting
knights and the all-engulfing flames are coming from. Will Clemmie be able to
find her voice in time to save her family? This fresh, eccentric and playful take on the world of
witches is a triumph for Claessen as her feisty but big-hearted and thoughtful
star Clemmie once more faces some tough tests and challenges in a bid to rescue
her wonderful family coven. Old stories interweave beautifully with new concepts and
characters, and old enmities have to be put aside in an adventure that brims
with the atmospherics and ethos of an Arthurian tale, and the familiar concerns
of youngsters standing on the precipice of adulthood. Witch way to November!
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
The Earthshot Prize: A Handbook for Dreamers and Thinkers
Colin Butfield, Jonnie Hughes, Cristina Guitain,
Sir David Attenborough and Prince William
YOUNGSTERS who are eager to help save the planet will find
plenty to inspire and empower them in this practical handbook published in
collaboration with the prestigious Earthshot Prize. Featuring an introduction from the Earthshot Prize’s
founder, Prince William, who tells readers that ‘Our planet is the only home we
have, and we must think big and dream bigger if we are to protect it,’ the book
also has contributions from environmental activists including Sir David
Attenborough, Christiana Figueres and Shailene Woodley. The mission, we are told, is simple... to repair our planet.
Our home is in trouble but the good news is that we can fix it by putting our
heads together and dreaming up ways to build, create and shout about solutions. And so young readers are taken on a trip around the world to
celebrate the diverse and rich habitats, amazing animals and wonderful
landscapes that make up our planet, and to learn about the problems and
challenges facing these habitats. On the way, they meet Earthshot innovators, entrepreneurs
and game-changers from the past and present, from Wangari Maathai to David
Attenborough. And importantly, youngsters discover how they can become the
change-makers of the future, helping to develop solutions to the world’s
biggest problems... because even the smallest idea or Earthshot has the power
to change everything. Full of simple practical things young people can do or make
from home, as well as big ideas and contributions from people around the globe,
this is the ultimate handbook for future innovators and activists who want to
make a difference.
(Wren & Rook, paperback, £10.99)
An Atlas of Legendary Places: From Atlantis to the Milky Way
Volker Mehnert and Claudia Lieb
TAKE a thrilling journey to the most fascinating places on
Earth with this magnificent, large-format book which is brimming with the magic
of myth, culture and natural beauty. An Atlas of Legendary Places – the work of travel writer Volker
Mehnert and Munich-based illustrator Claudia Lieb – is a virtual passport to
the world’s most intriguing destinations. Packed with information and gorgeous
illustrations that inspire wonder and spark the curiosity of young readers, this
bright and bold book is an exciting introduction to eighteen of the world’s
most fascinating landmarks. Stunning double-page spreads offer a close-up look at each
site, with intriguing information and exciting perspectives. Readers learn
about the unique geology of Thingvellir National Park in Iceland and Namibia’s
Brandberg Mountain, the legends behind Germany’s Lorelei rock and Greece’s
Delphi, the diverse cultural histories of Timbuktu and Jerusalem, the
architectural and natural splendours of Taishan in China and Palenque in Mexico,
and even the galactic marvels of the Milky Way. Uncovering the unique histories, physical characteristics,
and cultural lore of these magical places, this fact-filled atlas invites
youngsters to learn more about each of the locations, and helps to encourage a
lifetime interest in travel, geography, history... and the unexpected!
(Prestel, hardback, £19.99)
SCRAP
Guy Bass and Alessia Trunfio
IMAGINE if robots took over the planet! That’s exactly what award-winning
author Guy Bass does in the first book of an exhilarating and original new
trilogy which explores the topical issue of Artificial Intelligence with
humour, creativity and lots of dynamic action. The year was Something Something. Humans had spread like
peanut butter across the galaxy, looking for new planets to call Somewhere. One
of those planets was Somewhere Five One Three. And when the humans arrive on
Somewhere 513, they discover that the robots sent to prepare the planet for
Humanity’s arrival have chosen to keep it for themselves. Only one robot
remains loyal – K1-NG, aka King of the Robots. But even with the most powerful
robot on their side, the outlawed humans don’t stand a chance. Ten years on,
Gnat and her sister Paige are the only humans left and have spent their lives
hidden underground. Now they must venture out in search of the one robot that
stood by the humans. There’s just one problem... the once mighty K1-NG has confronted
his past and vowed never to help another human for as long as he lives. Alessia Trunfio’s outstandingly atmospheric
black-and-white Illustrations bring the thrilling story to life as Bass serves
up his entertaining robotic romp with the sense of child-friendly fun that has
made all of his thirty or more books such a rip-roaring success. Storytelling wizardry!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Age 8 plus
Knight Sir Louis and the Sinister Snowball
The Brothers McLeod
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99)
The Ever-Changing Earth
Grahame Baker-Smith
TAKE a mesmerising and unforgettable journey through the
evolution of planet Earth in a stunning picture book from self-taught, Kate
Greenaway Award-winning artist Grahame Baker-Smith. Baker-Smith, whose love for drawing is a true passion, has
created a breathtaking celebration of our extraordinary and ever-changing
planet through a beautiful lyrical text – which reveals a world teeming with
vibrant, complex life – and a gallery of dazzling illustrations. A small boy imagines life on Earth when dinosaurs ruled, and
the sky boomed with the wild beat of pterosaur wings. Then an asteroid fell,
changing the world forever. If Kûn could go back further in time, he would
witness an even bigger collision when the young Earth was struck by another
planet, creating our companion moon. Follow Kûn’s spellbinding journey through Earth’s incredible
evolution, with its forgotten creatures, its buried oceans and its frozen
layers. It leads us to Solveig, a little girl who lives far, far away from Kûn,
where she floats in a pool heated by fires at the centre of the Earth. Packed with intricately detailed and atmospheric illustrations,
coupled with a moving story, The Ever-Changing Earth is both an ingenious
learning tool and a voyage of magical discovery.
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Age 5 plus
Villains Academy: How To Steal a Dragon
Ryan Hammond
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
%20Shy.jpg)
I’m Feeling (a little bit) Shy
Anna Milbourne and Asa Gilland
SAYING hello isn’t always easy... especially when you’re
shy! Author Anna Milbourne and Swedish illustrator Asa Gilland work their magic
and imagination on this charming picture book which uses words, pictures and
ingenious holes in the pages to help little ones explore their feelings...
particularly the ones it’s sometimes hard to articulate. A little girl is finding
it very hard to say hello. She struggles going into groups or parties and is
very scared of starting a new school. But when she shares her feelings, she
learns that everyone feels shy sometimes... even her exuberant, outgoing big
brother! Shyness, she learns, is a feeling that will pass and this realisation
enables her to begin to find her own way to deal with new situations, just watching
and listening until she is ready to join in. Even those nervous butterflies on
her first day at school help her pay attention... and notice children who might
become wonderful new friends! The relatable characters, Gilland’s colourful
illustrations of busy scenes like parties and playground visits, and the peep-holes
in the pages help make this the perfect empowering story. The ideal book to
help little ones cope with shyness.
(Usborne Publishing, hardback, £12.99)
Friends
Daniela Sosa
WHERE we would be without friends? Romanian-born writer and
artist Daniela Sosa makes her mark on the world of picture books with her
author-illustrator debut Friends, a joyful celebration of the different kinds
of friendships. Filled with colour, warmth and the comforts that come from
making friends, this heartfelt journey through the topic of friendship teaches
youngsters that there are many kinds of friends – old friends, new friends and everything-in-between
friends – and the day to make new
friends is always near if you look. There are friends you have from the start,
friends who are near and those who are far. There are friends who make you feel
brave and some who make you feel angry or jealous but, most importantly, there
are friends who will make you roll with laughter. And sometimes friendships
come out of nowhere when you need them most. With its simple but resonant
messages, sense of joy and wonder, and enchanting illustrations that capture
the innocence, the rewards, and occasional complications of friendship, this is
the perfect book for home, nursery and school.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
No comments:
Post a Comment