Age 8 plus
The Ice Children
M.G. Leonard and Penny Neville-Lee
WHAT do you love best about wintertime? If it’s the alluring mystery of dark nights, wrapping up warm in the cold, and the thrills and chills of ice and snow, then dive into this dazzling, frost-covered adventure which packs in scenes of wonder as well as words of warning. Exciting children’s author M.G. Leonard – who loves making up stories about beetles, birds, trains or anything that sparks her imagination – employs Hans Christian Andersen’s eternally loved The Snow Queen as her inspiration for this fantastical modern classic which comes gorgeously illustrated throughout by Penny Neville-Lee. From the magic of snow angels to the thrills of snowball fights and ice skating, The Ice Children is a celebration of winter in all its forms, but Leonard also reminds us that as temperatures rise and seasons change, the icy chills of winter could soon be a thing of the past.
At the stroke of midnight on the dawn of December,
five-year-old Finn Albedo is found frozen in the city park standing on a
pedestal of ice. His heart is beating, he is smiling serenely, but no one can
wake him. Finn’s big sister, eleven-year-old Bianca, suspects that the
beautiful sparkling book Finn got from the library has something to do with it,
but the book has vanished. Does Jack Dewynter, the tall mysterious stranger who
first discovered Finn, know more than they will admit? Each day, more children are found frozen and Bianca realises
she’s running out of time. Her quest to discover the truth and rescue her
little brother hurls her into a fantastical winter wonderland, full of beauty,
danger and irresistible spirit animals, where all is not as it seems. Can
Bianca save her brother and the other Ice Children before they are forever
lost? The wild and wonderful glories of snow, snow and more snow
form the glittering backdrop to this enthralling adventure which captures all
the magic and mystery of traditional fairy tales but captivates us with its
compelling, contemporary eco twist. Written with all this master storyteller’s warmth, vivid
imaginative power, and genuine passion for saving the planet, The Ice Children
is a tale to cherish and the perfect book for Christmas gifting.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
A Very Curious Christmas
Maddie Moate and Paul Boston
HAVE you ever wondered why crackers go bang, where Christmas
trees come from, or why Brussels sprouts make you fart? Feed your children facts, fun and some seasonal science with
this tasty dish of a book from award-winning presenter and YouTuber Maddie
Moate who is here to answer these questions and many more festive puzzlers. From how toys work to where gingerbread comes from, youngsters
(and their adults!) can explore the science behind fairy lights, snowflakes,
reindeer knees and holly leaves! And, along the way, discover how different
people around the world celebrate the Christmas period, and the curious history
behind festive traditions. Prepare to be amazed at the wackiest Christmas facts
including upside-down Christmas trees, flying panto fairies, and presents
delivered by a goat. Plus, every chapter includes winter-time activities and
craft ideas to get you in the holiday spirit. Did you know that Rudolph and the other reindeers are
actually all girls, that medieval food was served on a slice of bread rather than
a plate, and that the world’s biggest gingerbread house is the size of a tennis
court? And find out how pantomime fairies fly, the real reason
Father Christmas wears red, why people kiss under the mistletoe, why we have
turkey at Christmas and, for some real science, why vinegar makes snowmen fizz! Ideal for sharing with friends and family, A Very Curious
Christmas is the must-have gift for all curious kids!
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)
The Robin Who Stole Christmas
Rachel Morrisroe and Richard Merritt
A NAUGHTY robin has hatched a wicked plan... and it could
mean the end of Christmas! Join Rotten Robin and his gang of feathered friends
as they come bob, bob, bobbing along to steal Christmas in this hilarious twist
on the conventional festive tales starring lovable hero robins. The Robin Who
Stole Christmas is the funny, festive, rhyming creation of amazing picture book
rising star Rachel Morrisroe and talented illustrator Richard Merritt. Star of
the show is the little red robin who just so happens to be the world’s most
wanted thief and has a rather unusual plan this festive season. He hates
Christmas and so he’s going to steal it... baubles, mince pies, Santa, and all!
But Rotten Robin hadn’t realised just how many feathers he would ruffle by
taking away the Yuletide celebrations. And when he's forced to give back
everything he’s stolen, he realises that Christmas might not be that bad after
all. Packed with laugh-out-loud,
alternative scenarios, Morrisroe’s rollicking, rhyming, read-aloud story with
its unique and funny take on the traditional caring, sharing vibes of
Christmas, is brought to life by Merritt’s glorious gallery of vibrant,
characterful and richly detailed illustrations, and is guaranteed to capture
the hearts of readers young and old.
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)
Poo in the Zoo: Merry Poopmas!
Steve Smallman and Ada Grey
BOTTOMS up as Steve Smallman and Ada
Grey, the king and queen of splat, patter and plop, return with the festive
fourth, hold-your-nose instalment of their much-loved Poo in the Zoo series!
Few children can resist getting to the bottom of a poopy kind of mystery, and
author Smallman and illustrator Grey’s gloriously funny new rhyming picture
book, featuring everyone’s favourite little zookeeper Bob McGrew, has it –
literally – in Christmas bucketfuls. It’s Christmas Eve and Bob McGrew is
rushed off his feet. There’s so much to do and to make matters worse, all the
poop has turned to ice in the freezing weather! But when Santa makes a surprise
appearance at the zoo with a poorly reindeer in tow, it seems that Christmas
really is in peril. Can plucky Rhino save the day and will collector Hector
Gloop ever catch a flying festive poo? Smallman’s brilliantly fun-filled and
anarchic story really is the bottom line when it comes to putting poo in the
picture. Packed with animal poo at every turn, and given extra comedy power by
Grey’s rib-tickling, action-packed illustrations, this is a Christmas-fuelled
adventure that is definitely not to be sniffed at. Laughter guaranteed from
first poo to last!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)
Pink Santa
Tanya Hennessy and Ben Whitehouse
SANTA is most definitely in the pink in a bright, merry and
multi-coloured picture book from Australian digital content creator, comedian,
writer and television presenter Tanya Hennessy and illustrator team-mate Ben
Whitehouse. It’s the night before Christmas, and all is calm in Santa’s
workshop. The presents are wrapped, the cookies are baked, the sleigh is
polished... the only thing left to do is to wash Santa’s suit. Uh-oh! Perhaps
it wasn’t the best idea to leave Rudolph in charge because one hot wash later
and Santa’s much-loved red and white outfit is now bright pink! Then Santa
appeared. “Hey, what's all this noise? It’s time we got going. The sleigh’s
full of toys.” ‘With a trembling hoof, Rudy pointed and said, “I’m SO sorry,
Santa! Your suit is… NOT RED.” Ho ho hold up, everyone. Is this the cause of
the flurry? A little mishap! There’s no need to worry. Now take a deep breath.
You know what I think? I reckon this year. Let’s do Christmas pink!’ With a
little help from Mrs Claus, the elves and the reindeers, the colour pink is
soon the theme for the night! Hennessy’s joyful story – brought to life by
Whitehouse’s gallery of lively and colourful illustrations – proves that far
from being a disaster, Santa’s colour change is a moment for trying something new,
for embracing change, and for exploring your true self. This year, pink is the
colour and Christmas is going to be FABULOUS!
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Merry Whatmas?
Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar
THE true message of Christmas speaks volumes through the
simplest of words in a beautiful new book starring everyone’s favourite
Hedgehog and Tortoise. Bestselling Irish children’s author Eoin McLaughlin and
talented illustrator Polly Dunbar steal hearts (and win giggles!) again with
Merry Whatmas?, another exquisitely imagined and illustrated picture book
starring their adorable animal pals. With a quarter of a million copies sold in
an outstanding series which has included the award-winning The Hug, this
inspirational pairing are back with the same winning formula of subtle
simplicity, humour and tenderness. ‘Merry Christmas!’ said Fox. ‘Merry whatmas?’
said Hedgehog. ‘Merry whichmas?’ said Tortoise. You see, it was Hedgehog and
Tortoise’s first Christmas so they didn’t know what Christmas was. Fox thinks
Christmas is about presents, Badger thinks it’s about pudding, Magpie thinks it’s
about singing, and soon Tortoise and Hedgehog begin to feel rather overwhelmed
with all the noise and fuss. But in a quiet moment of reflection, they learn
the most important lesson of all... Christmas is about being with the ones you
love. McLaughlin’s gentle, festive story and Dunbar’s exquisite and emotive
illustrations are the perfect combination to convey to young readers the true,
caring spirit of Christmas and the importance of being together with your
friends and family. Made with love for every child...
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Santa’s New Reindeer
Caroline Crowe and Jess Pauwels
SANTA needs a new reindeer when poor Rudolph sprains his
hoof in a fun and festive picture book from the top team who brought us Santa’s
New Beard and Santa’s New Sleigh. Author Caroline Crowe and illustrator Jess
Pauwels deliver sackfuls of guffaws and giggles in this adorable new Christmas
adventure which sees Santa’s big night saved by a miracle of robotic
engineering! ‘One week to go till Christmas Day, The final touches underway, A
ribbon here, a flourish there, And presents piled up everywhere. Santa smiled. ‘What
could go wrong?’ He didn't have to wait too long. Out of the sky a whirling
blur, Of antlers, legs and soft brown fur, Came crashing through the workshop
roof, And that's how Rudolph sprained his hoof.’ Oh no, another Christmas
disaster! The sleigh can’t fly without Rudolph. Fortunately for Santa and his
team, head engineer Lizzie is on hand to help... with a robo-reindeer!
Christmas is saved once more. With Crowe’s jolly, jaunty festive rhyme and
Pauwels’ bright, beautiful and very merry illustrations, this enchanting story
has Christmas written all over it!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Get Off, Bear!
Illustrated by Tony Neal
LEARNING science is fun (particularly when those crafty
grown-ups don’t even let you know it’s a lesson!) There will be miles of smiles
all round when children get stuck into the fourth book in a brilliant picture
books series from the book boffins at Oxford University which offers a
hilarious introduction to some early maths and science concepts. With helpful
tips for adults about sharing and reading the books, the colourful and
charismatic artwork of Tony Neal, and fun activities at the back to explore the
topics further, these comedy-packed stories will have youngsters laughing and
learning from start to finish. In this winter-themed adventure, Bear really
wants to play on his sledge, but he's stuck. Will a push and a pull from his
friends get him moving? It’s impossible to resist this hilarious first
introduction to the scientific concept of forces. With simple language to give
meaning to big concepts, and a cast of animal cartoon characters to love and
share adventures with, this series adds up to mathematical genius!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)
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