Age 9 plus
Granny Was a Buffer Girl
Berlie Doherty
A BEAUTIFUL, Carnegie Medal-winning book – which brings together the stories of three generations of a Sheffield family with exquisite emotional resonance – is brought to vivid life again for a new generation of young readers. Brimming with poignancy and the joys of family bonds, Granny Was a Buffer Girl is as powerful now as when it grabbed the headlines in 1986 and is the work of Derbyshire-based Berlie Doherty, author of over 60 books for children, teenagers and adults, and twice winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal. Doherty was inspired to write Granny Was a Buffer Girl after seeing the Sir William Rothenstein painting, Sheffield Buffer Girls, which hangs in Sheffield Museums and Art Galleries and depicts two young women in their work clothes. The ‘buffer girls’ worked in the cutlery industry, using special polishing machinery on steel tableware in a job that was hot and dirty, and required protective clothing. And it is against this industrial backdrop, that Doherty weaves a cross-generational story steeped in the landscape of the city and its people.
Before leaving Sheffield for a year’s adventure in France,
18-year-old Jess joins a family gathering. They share stories that have bound
them together through generations... stories of heartbreak, humour and romance.
She listens to the tale of her grandparents, Bridie and Jack, whose love kept
them together in spite of family conflicts over crossing religious boundaries.
There is also the story of her other granny Dorothy... her daily toil from the
dirt and grime of the buffing wheel, and the weight of expectation and tradition
that she must marry a man from her own working class. And then Jess learns of
her parents’ first meeting... and, of course, there’s Jess’s own story too, one
of love, disappointment, grief and new beginnings. With beautiful cover artwork by Tamsin Rosewell, this
emotion-packed and thought-provoking tale is as powerful today as it was when
it was first published 38 years ago. Spanning life in industrial Sheffield from
the 1930s to the 1980s, we hear family stories of hardship, work and romance
that are both heartbreaking and funny, but which bind together its various
members in a circle of love and shared understanding.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Winner Takes Gold
Eloise Smith
IT takes courage to follow your dreams! Former Olympic fencer and three times Commonwealth gold medal winner Eloise Smith raises the bar high in the second thrills and spills adventure set in the high stakes world of champions and ambitious athletes. After hitting home with her debut book, Sister to a Star – set against the backdrop of Smith’s own sport of fencing and featuring two warring siblings – this exciting new storytelling talent takes a running jump into the action, hardships and drama of gymnastic competitions. And what a cut-throat world it turns out to be as readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride through the challenges of navigating friendships, the pressures of top-level competitions, and exploring whether winning is really the most important thing.
Pearl is a 12-year-old gymnast, hoping to be selected for
the World Cup in Paris and tumbling her way to medals in memory of her ace
gymnast mother who died a year ago. The pinnacle of Pearl’s dreams would be to win
gold in Paris and she knows it’s what Mum would have wanted. However, being
invited to join the elite training camp is super tough for Pearl (think ice
baths and intense rivalry!) and that’s even with the help of her best friend
Ryan and rising star Jada-Rae. There are rumours of a curse in their training
group but as more problems occur with their equipment, suspicions arise that it
could be down to one of the competitors. All of the young gymnasts face fear,
falls and injury but then there’s the cheating, bullying... and now sabotage. When
others will do anything to win, what will Pearl risk... safety, morals, friendships? Smith’s understanding of high-level sport – here seen
through the lens of gymnastics – speaks volumes in this gripping, all-action
adventure which reminds us that sport generally is about so much more than
medals. Filled with passion, intensity, challenges and intrigue,
plus timely lessons about making friends, being brave and freeing your soul,
Winner Takes Gold is a dazzling warm-up for this summer’s Paris Olympics, and
the perfect match for ‘tween’ readers aged 10-13 years.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)
How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?
Brooke Barker
DID you know that crows never forget a face, or that jaguars
have a favourite perfume? We all love reading about the world’s wildest,
wackiest and most fascinating creatures... but what about the scientists who
study them? What strange methods do they employ to learn all about the habitats
and behaviour of these incredible animals? The answers, and lots more, are packed into the pages of
this fun and informative book from American writer and illustrator Brooke
Barker whose successful Instagram account, @SadAnimalFacts, became the basis
for her books. In How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?, she uses vibrant comic
strip graphics to bring readers this funny and factual introduction to the
amazing lives of creatures such as bonobos, lizards, humpback whales by
revealing the bizarre things human scientists do to understand them. Have you ever wondered how to pet a yeti crab or whether
dogs can tell if you’re smiling? And just what is a burrowing bettong? From
crafting fake poo to slurping up bugs with a straw, it seems there’s nothing
these amazing scientists won’t do to help us learn more about the animals
around us. From unearthing secrets like why roosters crow, and discovering
how meerkats make decisions as a group – all brought to life by diagrams,
dialogues, colourful illustrations and laugh-out-loud humour – this book is a
valuable resource for natural science education and a joy to read and share.
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £10.99)
Rise of the Shadow Dragons
Liz Flanagan
SET your January reading on fire with the mesmerising second
book in Yorkshire writer Liz Flanagan’s thrilling Legends of the Sky fantasy
trilogy which began with the much acclaimed Dragon Daughter. Inspired by many of the beautiful places she has visited, these
dazzling stories sweep youngsters into a magic land of dragons and evil deeds
where thrilling adventures bristle with tension, danger, fast-paced action,
fiery friendships and daring dragon riders. In Dragon Daughter, we met 12-year-old servant girl Milla on
the island of Arcosi and followed her epic quest to discover her hidden past
and her true destiny as a dragonrider.
But now the action leaps forward several years and we find that Milla is
nearly twenty five years old and still fighting their old enemy, the
Brotherhood. Her cousin Jowan (Joe) Thornsen is growing up fast and wants only
one thing... to bond with a dragon of his own on his upcoming birthday. Then
disaster strikes and Joe’s world suddenly turns into a darker and more
dangerous place. But a new friend and an astonishing discovery could lead him to
what he has always wanted... if he is just willing to take a leap of faith and
brave the impossible in the face of an erupting volcano. Can he act before it’s
too late? Flanagan has a true gift for world building and this
breathtaking tale of redemption, bravery and acceptance tingles with powerful
emotions, political skulduggery and a sense of danger that is almost tangible. Set in a superbly imagined and richly detailed world, Rise
of the Shadow Dragons brings readers a cast of unforgettable characters who
face trials, tribulations and fire at every turn but find strength in their
friendships, unity and shared loyalties. Fantasy writing at its very best!
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
The Creatures of Killburn Mine
Dan Smith and Chris King
PREPARE to have your spine well and truly tingled as
award-winning author and master of creepy sci-fi, Dan Smith, returns to reunite
his ever-popular Crooked Oak mystery-solving gang for their most horrifying
case yet. The Creatures of Killburn Mine is the fifth book in this wonderfully
spooky series, which is brought to life by Chris King’s enthralling artwork and
this time features an outer-space visitation and its seriously scary
consequences. What’s slithering about deep underground? When a meteorite
crashes to Earth near Crooked Oak, Pete, Nancy and Krish are determined to find
it... but they’re not the only ones. After spotting one of their teachers up on
the moor where the meteorite landed, they start to wonder if his strangely
altered behaviour and appearance might be connected to the arrival from outer
space. But nothing could prepare them for the horror they uncover deep down in
Killburn Mine. With a twisting, terrifying plot, King’s wonderfully atmospheric
black and white illustrations, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark
dyslexia-friendly format, this is a terrific, fast-paced tale of three brave youngsters
caught up in an out-of-this-world adventure. Expect thrills, chills and spills…
and best read in daylight hours!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Diamond Jack: Your Magic or Your Life
Anna Rainbow
GET ready to stand and deliver as born storyteller Anna
Rainbow – author of middle-grade debut thriller Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas
– pulls out all the stops for the first book of a new swashbuckling adventure
series. Action-packed from first to last, Diamond Jack: Your Magic or Your Life
stars a highway-girl with both attitude and fortitude, and is set to win the
hearts of all young daredevils. While helping in Grandpa’s shop, Mr Browning’s
Emporium of Strange and Magical Things, eleven-year-old Bramble (Bram) discovers a strange scarlet mask. A
tingling in her fingers tells her to try it on, but when she does she finds it
fits so well that she can't take it off. And when she looks in the mirror, the
face of a famous missing/presumed dead highwayman called Diamond Jack stares
back. It seems Bramble has been chosen for a mission and she’s more than up for
the job. Your magic or your life! With its fun and feminist theme, and a familiar
but wholly original mash-up of classic tales like The Red Shoes, The Three
Musketeers and Robin Hood, this magical series is set to deliver everything
young adventurers could want!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)
Bunny vs Monkey: Bunny Bonanza
Jamie Smart
MONKEY and the gang are on a hunt to find Bunny, after he
mysteriously disappeared... On their search they'll be bamboozled by Old Bunny,
Neanderbunny, the mysterious Shadow Bunny and the always-confusing Not Bunny.
Will they ever find their faithful friend? It's a rollicking race in this
cornucopia of chuckles! Buckle yourself in and get ready for an exciting rabbit
rumble! Yes, 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 ninth book in the super-popular series –
published in a sturdy hardback edition – features an abundance of bunnies, 216
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
goes 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 create giant waves of laughter across a sea
of young readers. These manic, high-energy stories are perfectly created for
fidgety readers who like their books to come with plenty of comic-strip illustrations
and loads of snorts and sniggers. Madcap antics for your action kids!
(David Fickling Books, hardback, £12.99)
Find Peace in a Poem
Various authors and various illustrators
‘In poetry there is a kind of quiet magic. For all its wordy
wonder,
it holds a hush at its centre – a silence that promises refuge
from the
hustle and bustle of the world.’
OPEN the pages of this beautiful, illustrated book of verse and
discover a treasure trove of writing that celebrates calm, quiet and mindfulness
and features powerful poems written by a wide range of contemporary voices. Read the poems aloud or curl up with them in a quiet corner
as you begin the wonder-filled journey into a lifelong love of poetry. The
diverse range of poets share their unique perspectives on the topic of
mindfulness, from listening for silence and living in the moment to the colour
of dreams and what the trees can teach us. From exploring our own thoughts and feelings to learning to
admire the tiniest details in our surroundings, this warm and gentle anthology
demonstrates how mindfulness and poetry can help readers to escape the everyday
and see the world anew. Showcasing original verse alongside existing works, Find
Peace in a Poem features the powerful words of Mandy Coe, Jack Prelutsky, Pat
Mora, Kate Wakeling, James Carter, Nikita Gill, Joseph Coelho, Valerie Bloom,
Amina Jama, Michael Rosen, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Mary Ann Hoberman, Georgia Heard,
Sophia Thakur, Sanah Ahsan, Elizabeth Acevedo, Kit Wright, Naomi Shihab Nye and
Zaro Weil. Add on rich, colourful and vibrant illustrations which give
extra life and meaning to youngsters as they read the text and enjoy the visual
representation of words on the page, and you have a book to share and
cherish... and an invaluable starter for a lifelong love of poetry.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
Sidney and Carrie Have a Party
Lisa Thompson and Jess Rose
THE rewards of teamwork take centre stage in an enchanting
story from Lisa Thompson and Jess Rose, the top author/illustrator team who are
stealing hearts with their perfectly pitched books exploring empathy and
friendship. Sidney and Carrie Have a Party is the third adventure featuring
Sidney and his best pal Carrie and delivers the same heartwarming blend of fun,
fears, and the ups and downs of friendship. He we find the good friends really excited
about having a joint birthday party! But excitement turns to disappointment
when they can’t agree about the invitations, the entertainment or even the kind
of cake they would like to have. Will the birthday party be a disaster or can
the two friends find a way to compromise that will make them both happy? These
warm, wise and reassuring stories are part of Barrington Stoke’s super-readable
Little Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators, a
host of clever design and finishing techniques to create easy-to-read, first
chapter books in a small format for little hands, and provide extra reading,
jokes and activity fun inside the covers. Once again, award-winning children’s
author Thompson brings her powerful and empathetic storytelling skills to this clever,
engaging story which looks at a friendship being put to the test, and teaches
youngsters the fine art of compromise. Perfectly matched with Rose’s emotive
and child-friendly illustrations, this sensitively created adventure is ideal
encouragement for young readers to celebrate and enjoy their own close
friendships.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)
Princess Katie’s Kittens:
Poppy and the Prince
Julie Sykes and Sam Loman
WELCOME back to Starlight Palace for more princesses,
kittens and sparkly fun! Princess Katie’s Kittens – an adorable series written
by Julie Sykes, creator of Netflix hit Unicorn Academy, and illustrated by
creative artist Sam Loman – hits the spot perfectly for youngsters just moving
on to chapter books. Stars of the show are Princess Katie who lives in a
beautiful palace in the kingdom of Tula and her six playful little kittens. In
her fourth adventure, Poppy and the Prince, we meet Poppy, a very friendly
kitten. She wants to play with Prince Edward who is visiting Starlight Palace.
But the prince thinks cats are silly and he teases little Poppy. So, when Poppy
and the prince disappear at the same time, Princess Katie is suspicious. Could
Poppy be in trouble? With short chapters, endearing black and white
illustrations, and some top tips about kitten care, these gorgeous books are
ideal for newly confident readers. And look out for the other books in the
series... Pixie at the Palace, Bella at the Ball, and Suki in the Snow which
are out now.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £6.99)
Don’t Ever Smile at a Shark
Harriet Evans and Michael Slack
YOUNGSTERS are going wild for these fantastic pop-up books
which bring all their favourite creatures to vibrant and colourful life! In
this new outing in author Harriet Evans and illustrator Michael Slack’s
fun-filled Creature Feature Pop-up series, we meet a whole host of amazing
underwater animals. ‘If you meet a sea creature, It’s best to be polite.
Otherwise, don’t be surprised If they give you a fright!’ Don’t make an enemy
(or should that be ‘anemone’…) of any of these super-sensational sea dwellers and
you’ll have a whale of a time with this fin-tastically fishy pop-up book that
comes packed with clever puns to get all the family giggling!! From a jumpy
octopus and a pinchy crab to some cheeky clownfish and a hungry shark, there’s
a whole host of popular underwater superstars. And with spectacular pop-ups to
enjoy on every page, Slack’s wacky and wonderful illustrations and Evans’
witty, silly text, Don't Ever Smile at a Shark is the perfect book ‘bait’ to
encourage your child to read along!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £10.99)
A Horse Called Now
Ruth Doyle and Alexandra Finkeldey
WE all know that worries can sometimes be overwhelming and
for a young child, it can be a hard to know how to cope with them. So here’s
the perfect panacea... a calm and
comforting picture book about overcoming your fears and living in the present
moment. A Horse called Now enjoys the singing of the birds, the chattering of
the crickets and all the wonders of nature. But Rabbit fears being chased by a
fox, and Hen thinks a swooping magpie will catch her chicks. When a
thunderstorm arrives, Now leads her friends to shelter... where they soon
discover that not everything is as frightening as it seems. ‘When I’m afraid, I
breathe in and out and let the feelings come... and then go. Nothing lasts
forever,’ she tells them. Written with warmth and understanding by animal lover
Ruth Doyle, and exquisitely illustrated by Canada-based artist Alexandra
Finkeldey, A Horse Called Now offers reassurance and empathy on every page, and
is the perfect book to open conversations with young children about their
worries.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long
Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes
AAAH… gifts for mum (and especially on Mother’s Day!) don’t
come more special and genuinely touching than this gorgeous picture book which
celebrates the eternal and loving relationship between parent and child. This
is the third book in this adorable series from top team author Amelia Hepworth
and illustrator Tim Warnes and comes packed with the same beautiful words,
heartfelt emotions and endearing illustrations. ‘I love to see the sun come up,
and melt the winter snow. I love to see your wonder as the spring shoots start
to grow.’ As the hope of spring turns into the warm days of midsummer, the
story follows Big Bear and Little Bear who share their love and gratitude for
one another across the seasons. Toddlers (and their parents) will love turning the
pages of this uplifting celebration of love and togetherness which was tailor
made for cuddling up close at bedtime!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
Mole’s Quiet Place
Jane Chapman
EVERYBODY needs a bit of peace and quiet now then... even a
fun-loving little mole! Author and illustrator Jane Chapman works her special
(and adorable!) magic on this beautifully emotive tale of friendship,
understanding, and finding a place to be by yourself. Mole loves the hustle and
bustle, laughter and excitement of being with her friends... but sometimes she
needs a little space for herself. She needs to stop and breathe, to think and
rest. Can she find a quiet place all of her own? Maybe with a little help from
her friends. Sometimes everyone needs some space to be themselves... to refresh
and reset. Will her friends understand and still love her? With its focus on empathy
and important lessons about considering the needs of others, Mole’s Quiet Place
is ideal for helping sensitive and introverted children. Chapman’s beautiful
illustrations add extra warmth and piquancy to her moving story which
celebrates the power and comfort of true friendship.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Science Words for Little People: Weather & Let’s Build
Helen Mortimer and Cristina Trapanese
YOU can rely on Oxford University Press to engage and entertain youngsters with brilliant books like this Science Words for Little People series which makes learning both friendly and inspirational. The books aim 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 Weather, little ones follow an exciting adventure walk to explore weather, from the blustering wind to frozen water and snow when the temperature drops!
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £5.99 each)
Meet the Wildlings
Gwen Millward
IT all started with a growl! Every parent knows the ups and
downs of teaching a child to share so here’s a book that puts the problem
firmly at centre stage. Written and illustrated by observant author and
illustrator Gwen Millward, Meet the Wildlings was inspired by Maurice Sendak’s
well-loved characters from Where the Wild Things Are and stars two typically
warring siblings. Poppy and Max are brother and sister. And brothers and
sisters are supposed to share... except Poppy was playing with Max’s truck! Max
was cross. Poppy was cross. And then suddenly... crash, flash, fizz! They were
Wildings! Can mum and dad find a way to get the less wild and much less hairy
Poppy and Max back? Or will the children find a way to work together before it
goes from bad to worse? Millward’s funny and wholly relatable story about
learning to share and the dreaded tantrums springs to life with a gallery of bright,
bold and quirky illustrations. At its heart is a blended family who give voice
to how tricky sharing can be, as well as showing youngsters how they can
process their anger, frustration and jealousy. Wildly educational!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
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