Enjoy a life-size close-up of the big and small stars of the natural world, immerse yourself in the mist and magic of Britain’s fascinating heroes and monsters, join a star-struck space traveller for a lunar adventure, and spread your wings for another sky-high escapade with an extraordinary hero in an eclectic mix of new books
Age 8 plus
Size Wise: A Fact-Filled Look at Life-Size Wonders
Camilla de la Bedoyere
and Vasilisa Romanenko
THE natural world is home to some amazingly big and
incredibly small wonders, and now you can take a close look at them in their
actual life-size through the pages of this bold and beautifully illustrated
book. From colossal squids to snowflakes, Size Wise lets young
readers measure up against the most colossal or minuscule things in nature with
facts and figures across each fascinating spread, and all brought to life by Vasilisa
Romanenko’s dazzlingly rendered lifelike artwork. Written by Camilla de la Bedoyere, whose work is informed by
her academic background in the sciences, the book showcases everything from
giant tigers and enormous elephants to minute crystals and tiny grains of sand. Readers will love exploring nature’s array of large and
small gems including eyes, wings, tentacles, sand, snowflakes, flowers and much
more and observe them at real-life size or zoomed in for extra interest. Marvel
at the dinner-plate-sized eye of the colossal squid, the rainforest flowers you
can sit inside, the fingernail-width pygmy butterfly, and find out what sand
really looks like when magnified. The book is simply brimming with captivating information
about these incredible things, and there are fascinating size comparisons and
extra facts. With awesome discoveries, guaranteed to take your breath away, this
book offers an unforgettable journey into our astonishing planet.
(Buster Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 9 plus
Storyland: Discover the magical myths and lost legends of Britain
Amy Jeffs
IMMERSE yourself in mist and magic, and discover heroes and
monsters right on your doorstep, with a thrilling book that was created for
adults but has now been retold for children so they too can marvel at Britain’s
fascinating and age-old myths and legends. Based on her bestselling Storyland: A Mythology of Britain,
Amy Jeffs – an author, printmaker and art historian specialising in the Middle
Ages – brings youngsters a beautiful gift book packed with landscapes which they
can recognise but populated with everything from goddesses, Trojans and giants
to runaway servants and power-hungry kings. Many of us have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules... but
what about the myths which are closer to home? Learn about the Trojan heroes
who wrestled giants, the Syrian sisters who found refuge on our lands, the
dragons who slept in hollow hills, and the kings who communed with the dead. Travelling across the wildest of landscapes – as far north
as Orkney and way down to Cornwall in the south – children will learn how
Britain got its name, build Stonehenge with the young Merlin, chase hounds up
the mountains of Wales, ride stags into the forests of Scotland, and sail with
Trojans along the rivers of Britain, discovering a land bursting with thrilling
adventures. Full of enchantment, beauty and discovery, and brimming with
Jeffs’ striking lino cut illustrations, this stunning book is the perfect way
to dazzle children with home-grown tales of magic and adventure... and
introduce them to an unforgettable array of dragons and demons, kings and princesses,
giants and prophets. Simply wizard!
(Wren & Rook, hardback, £14.99)
Age 9 plus
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods
Rick Riordan
FANS of outstanding US author and global bestseller Rick
Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians fantasy series – which brings Greek
mythology alive for contemporary readers – will be sky high with joy when they land
on this brand new epic adventure. For those yet to be initiated into this bestselling
phenomenon, the novels are set in a world with the Greek gods in the 21st
century, and follow the protagonist Percy Jackson, a young demigod who must
prevent the Titans, led by Kronos (Cronus), from destroying the world. And in this sixth epic adventure, we discover that even
though Percy has saved the world multiple times, the modern-day son of the
moody sea god Poseidon is still hoping for a regular final year at school. It’s
just too bad then that the Greek gods have other plans, and three new quests
for Percy to complete. First up... the cupbearer of the gods, Ganymede, is
missing his golden chalice. Not only is this embarrassing (why do the gods keep
losing their magical items?), it’s also potentially disastrous. One sip from
the cup will turn any mortal into a powerful god and the old gods do not take
kindly to newbies. Can Percy and his friends, Annabeth and Grover, find the
chalice before it falls into the wrong hands? And even if they do, will they be
able to resist its awesome power? This gripping new adventure sees Percy on another
enthralling, high-octane and thrilling mission, full of legendary heroes,
mythical creatures, ancient Greek gods and enduring friendship, and guaranteed
to keep young readers hooked from first page to last.
(Puffin, hardback, £16.99)
Age 9 plus
Lunar
Chris Bradford and Charlotte Grange
LEFT alone and with no shelter after a meteor crashes into
the moon, a young space dweller must find a way to survive before her oxygen
runs out. Star-struck young readers will be over the moon when they get their
hands on this heart-thumping, outer-space adventure from top-selling children’s
author, Chris Bradford, and illustrator Charlotte Grange. Luna loves living on
the moon. She enjoys helping her father – a Moon Miner – on his searches for
precious minerals and rocks. But when a devastating meteor strike destroys the
Hub, their base, Luna is left stranded and alone on the moon. With no shelter
and few supplies, she must find a way to survive. The problem is that any hope
of rescue is at least three days and 400,000 kilometres away... and her oxygen
is fast running out! Bradford, creator of the hugely popular Young Samurai and
Bodyguard series, is a master of authentic and thrilling adventures and Lunar
delivers not just his familiar nail-biting action drama but a story threaded
through with fascinating facts about the m oon and space travel. Brought to
life by Grange’s atmospheric black-and-white illustrations, and published in
Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a moon mission
you won’t want to miss!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
The Boy With Wings: Clash of the Superkids
Lenny Henry and Keenon Ferrell
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 7 plus
Agent 9: Mind Control!
James Burks
NEW threats, new foes and a new partner! Adventure-loving
readers will be purring with joy when they get their hands on the second book
of an outrageously funny graphic novel series from James Burks, the talented US
movie and television show animator and author. Leading the feline fun and
cat-orchestrated chaos is Agent 9 of the Super-Secret Spy Service... a fearless
feline operative who seems to court danger, daring, and some unfortunate
destruction! Here we find Agent 9 back in action at the Super-Secret Spy
Service, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The next assignment? Stopping
the Wolf, a cunning canine who has been hired by the sinister organisation
DiViSiON to hunt down the final pieces of a mind-control device. It’s a mission
of such paramount importance that Nine must do the unthinkable... work with a
partner! S4 teams up Agent 9 with Traps, a mouse who specialises in covert
operations (and knitting too). Unfortunately, the partnership gets off to a
rocky start and despite their best efforts, the Wolf always seems to be one
step ahead. With time running out and DiViSiON’s plans to take over the world
nearly complete, can Nine overcome the toughest challenge yet... being part of
a team? Fast, furious and hair-raisingly hilarious, Agent 9’s madcap, spy
thriller-style adventures are guaranteed to leave youngsters gasping for breath
and crying with laughter. With comedy and chaos on every page, Burks’ special
brand of one-liners, and lots of brilliant illustrations to enjoy, readers will
already be counting down to the next outing for Agent 9!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £8.99)
Age 5 plus
Adventuremice: Mice on the Ice
Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
YOUNGSTERS love these meeces to pieces! The dream team of
author Philip Reeve and illustrator Sarah McIntyre pool their talents for the
new book in a simply delightful early reader series which has all the fun of TV
hit Paw Patrol, and the charm and whimsy of classics like The Wind in the
Willows. With its focus on fun, friendship and kindness, Adventuremice features
Pedro, a timid little mouse who has proved himself to be brave enough to join
the heroic team who protect the Mouse Islands from danger. And here we find Pedro
finding life even more exciting because it has snowed and the Frost Fair is
coming. It’s the most wonderful time of the year with ice skating, hot
chocolate and yummy treats, Pedro can’t wait! But there’s so much ice that
celebrating the Frost Fair might be trickier than normal... or even impossible.
It’s up to Pedro and the Adventuremice to save the fair and bring joy to the
town. Reeve’s lively, heartwarming and fun-filled storytelling delivers all
those ingredients that children love – immersive adventures, lovable heroes, reassuring
friendships, exciting action and plenty of smiles – and all brought to vibrant,
colourful life by McIntyre’s exquisitely characterful illustrations. A warm and
whiskery favourite with mouse lovers of every age!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 5 plus
Princess Katie’s Kittens: Suki in the Snow
Julie Sykes and Sam Loman
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £6.99)
Age 4 plus
Say My Name
Joanna Ho and Khoa Le
NAMES define us... that’s the message that speaks loudly and
clearly from the pages of this moving picture book from author Joanna Ho – who
is of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage and passionate about equity in books and
education – and illustrator Khoa Le who is based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Say
My Name is written in Ho’s lyrical prose and brought to life with Le’s
exquisite artwork, and celebrates the importance of names, exploring how they
reveal our personal histories and weave an intricate story of both the past and
the future. Names, and saying them correctly, are important as each one carries
the hopes, dreams and traditions of those who came before us. Six captivating children
connect with the reader and proudly celebrate their names, languages and
backgrounds from Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican, and Ghanaian
descent, honouring their ancestors and cultural histories. Only by learning how
to say a person’s name, says Ho, can we feel confident in our culture and truly
know each another.
(Harper360, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
Winnie-the-Pooh at the Palace
Jeanne Willis and Mark Burgess
JOIN your favourite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood
and introduce a new generation to the enchanting adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh! Authorised by the Trustees of The Pooh Properties and the
Trustees of The Shepard Trust, A.A. Milne’s classic poem, Buckingham Palace
from When We Were Very Young, has provided the inspiration for bestselling
author Jeanne Willis’ gentle rhyming story celebrating the fun and warmth of
friendship, and taking us into the wintry grounds of Buckingham Palace. Featuring some of the best-loved characters from the Hundred
Acre Wood, and with all the comforting vibes of Milne’s classic tales, this
adventure in rhyme comes in a beautiful hardback gift edition with a foiled
jacket and Mark Burgess’ gorgeous colour illustrations in the style of E.H.
Shepard. On a day out to Buckingham Palace, Winnie-the-Pooh and his
friends play in the snowy gardens, have a thrilling ride on a sledge, but then
Pooh gets stuck in a snow drift. And when, Pooh’s friends manage to pull him
out and dust him down, they make a surprising discovery... he’s wearing a
wonderful golden crown! And what’s even better is that the discovery leads to
an invitation to have tea with the King! With heartwarming, fun-filled adventures to enjoy, and
moments that capture the essence of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, this is
the perfect introduction to a classic favourite.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
Beneath
Cori Doerrfeld
HIDING your feelings can be very painful as a little boy
discovers in US author and illustrator Cori Doerrfeld’s visually and verbally
beautiful new book. This is a writer who certainly knows how to tug at our
heartstrings whilst dispensing her worldly wisdom, and Beneath is the perfect
book to encourage youngsters to talk about their feelings. Finn is in a
horrible mood and doesn’t want to talk about it but after some persuading, he agrees
to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many
different things... big, strong trees with networks of roots growing
underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant
bird with eggs nestled under her. Grandpa explains that people also have hidden
feelings beneath the surface and despite appearances, may be feeling exactly the
same way you do. Beneath empowers troubled children to talk about, explore and
understand their pent-up feelings, whether that’s a bereavement or other
difficult times in their life. With its spare but reassuring words, and
irresistibly enchanting illustrations, Beneath is the perfect go-to book for
parents, teachers or carers trying to explain in the simplest, gentlest and
most accessible way the power that comes from sharing your problems.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
Heavy Metal Badger
Duncan Beedie
SOMETIMES you just have to let the music out! Creative
author and illustrator Duncan Beedie has fun with a rock-and-roll-loving badger
in this strumming, thrumming, thumping good picture book which is alive with
the sound of music. Badger is ready to ROCK! The music inside him is ready to
burst out. He just needs to find a band. But a recorder class isn’t right and
neither is the church choir. And as for the marching band, he has to beat a
hasty retreat. Will Badger ever find his musical tribe? Maybe, just maybe, it’s
been there all along! With Beedie’s funny and playful illustrations keeping
perfectly in tune with the beat of his rhyming story, all the laugh-out-loud
chaos to enjoy as Badger looks for a musical home, and tons of rock-themed
references, puns and visual jokes, this empowering rock anthem is the perfect
celebration of identity, self-expression... and the sheer joy of music!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
The Great Storm Whale
Benji Davies
ENJOY a warm and wonderful new addition to award‑winning
picture book creator Benji Davies’s eternally popular and bestselling Storm
Whale series which celebrates the stories and love that are passed down through
generations. The tender, timeless and beautifully wrought tale of a lonely
little boy who finds a stranded whale on the beach after a storm made waves
when it first appeared in 2013, quickly becoming a modern classic and a global
bestseller. And after follow-ups, The Storm Whale in Winter and Grandma Bird,
Davies brings us The Great Storm Whale with its gallery of stunning illustrations,
a mesmerising sense of wonder and whimsy, and a dramatic story that captures
perfectly how it feels to be a child caught up in a time of great peril. As a
fearsome storm blows around Noi’s house,
his grandma tells of an unforgettable friendship between a little girl and a
whale, many storms ago. But as she finishes her tale of perseverance and new
beginnings, Noi soon realises that it’s all part of their own story too. With
every page a feast for the eyes and senses, this beautiful new book of
cross-generational love is another one to read, enjoy and treasure.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
Cotton Cloud Refuses to Rain
Elizabeth F. Hill and Hannah George
A PLAYFUL cloud who just wants to make people happy learns
an important lesson about the need for harmony in nature in a gentle but
powerfully resonant picture book from Canadian poet and author Elizabeth F.
Hill and illustrator Hannah George. Cotton Cloud wants to be the best cloud
ever! She will never rain, she says, because rain makes people sad, and
sunshine lets people frolic in the lake and grow tall, green plants. But the
endless sunshine dries up the lake, withers the plants and cracks the soil. Sun
and Wind tell Cotton Cloud it is time for her to rain. But stubborn Cotton
Cloud refuses to listen... until one day she looks down on the hot, tired
people and sees they are no longer happy. Her heart swells with sorrow and as
her tears turn into rain, the dry earth turns green again. The people laugh and
dance happily in the rain, and Cotton Cloud realises the importance of her true
purpose. Beautifully illustrated with George’s richly detailed and vibrant
artwork, Hill’s heartwarming story is ideal for exploring themes of empathy,
the water cycle, weather systems, cloud types, and the importance of the
seasons. Every cotton cloud has a silver lining!
(Five Quills, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
Where will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep?
David Metzenthen and Jonathan Bentley
Do you think the sleepy sheep will sleep deep down in this steep and stony valley? Baah! No-o-o, this valley is far too deep, steep, and stony for a sleepy sheep to sleep in! So where will the sleepy sheep end up sleeping? Perfect for bedtime reading with the sheep’s sleepy eyes getting droopier with each page and each tongue-twisting teaser, Where will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep? is sure to be voted the best sleepiest sleep-time story for every tongue-twisting, fun-loving tot!
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
Where’s Supertato? A Search-and-Find Book
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £6.99)
Age 2 plus
Would You Rather? Halloween
Donna David and Eamonn O’Neill
WOULD you rather be a spooky spider, or a brilliant bat?
There are choices, choices, choices to enjoy in a super silly this-or-that
choosing book... the perfect Halloween treat for little monsters everywhere!
Would you rather have eight legs to scurry through the night? Or would you
rather spread your wings and take a midnight flight? Spider or bat? Skeleton or
monster? Cute cat or wily werewolf? Get ready to play Would You Rather:
Halloween! in this laugh-out-loud rhyming book which offers pre-school readers
a fun choice on each page. David’s bouncy, rhyming, read-aloud text takes
youngsters on a delightful journey with loads to spot along the way while O’Neill’s
bold, colourful illustrations are packed full of spooky fun. Add on an amazing
fold-out game at the end and reading tips for grown-ups, and you’d be a ghoul
to miss it!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 2 plus
Spread Your Wings
Emma Dodd
‘The world is waiting for you, its endless skies above.’
READERS young and old will fall in love with another beautiful and heartfelt
book from award-winning author and illustrator Emma Dodd which celebrates growing
up, leaving the place you call home, and discovering new adventures. ‘As we
snuggle here together, gazing at the sky, I know that soon the day will come
when you’ll spread your wings and fly.’ A baby cockatoo learns that there is a
big wide world out there to explore as Dodd spreads a golden glow over a book
that works it magic through a stunning foiled cover and pages, an inspirational
rhyming story, and a gallery of beautiful, emotive illustrations. Exquisitely
created and brimming with love, Spread Your Wings is written with a large
helping of warmth and wisdom, and makes the perfect gift for any time of year.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £7.99)
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