Age 9 plus
Dreamstalkers: The Night Train
Sarah Driver
IMAGINE if your dreams disappeared and you were left only with nightmares... nightmares that came to life! Master storyteller Sarah Driver – author of The Huntress trilogy – takes youngsters on an unforgettable wild ride in the first book of her epic Dreamstalkers fantasy duology. Set in a richly imagined world, inspired by Driver’s own train rides in fantastical places like the Atlas Mountains and on the Arctic Circle Train though Sweden, this spectacular opening adventure sweeps youngsters into the life of Bea Grimspuddle, a 12-year-old whose courage and tenacity is tested in a jaw-dropping place of majesty, menace and magic.
Everything changed the day the dreams disappeared… and the
nightmares came. Bea Grimspuddle lives with her mother Ula and Pipi – her long-eared
owl who smells like butter and candle smoke – in a cottage in the remote wilds
of a rugged moorland settlement called Thunderheart Tor. Since the day the
dreams disappeared, and an affliction of nightmares began sweeping across the
lands, everyone is leaving and their settlement is being abandoned. But when
Ula grows sick with the affliction, she won’t leave – and she’s keeping a
secret from Bea. Just as Bea begins to despair, the mysterious Night Train
steams across the moors, bringing a stranger who offers her the chance to save
her mother. Bea is flung into a faraway adventure in the world of the
Dreamstalkers, skilled warriors and performers who must go to work each night
inside the dreams of the powerful. But the nightmares are following close
behind and Bea worries she won’t ever find the magic that will save her mother.
Raised on a reading diet of fantastical tales like Spellhorn
by Berlie Doherty, the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis and the stories of
Roald Dahl, Joan Aiken and Frances Hodgson Burnett, Driver knows how to put the
wow factor into her own epic fantasy adventures and Dreamstalkers is a truly
escapist experience. It’s a story about finding your place in an alien world,
learning to trust, discovering your voice, and finding true friends with whom
to share your adventures. Full of danger, breathtaking action and
spine-tingling atmospherics, and set against a seductive backdrop of of dreams,
strange shadows and nightmares, this is one of 2024’s unmissable adventures!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
Science FACTopia!
Follow the Trail of 400 STEM-tastic Facts!
Rose Davidson and Britannica Group, and Andy Smith
PUT on your lab coat, grab your safety goggles, and choose your own path through a world full of explosive, mind-blowing science facts! This dazzling collection of 400 fascinating facts – written by American writer, editor and researcher Rose Davidson and the Britannica Group, and brought to life by amazing photographs and award-winning Andy Smith’s witty and wonderful illustrations – is the sixth title in the dynamic and bestselling FACTopia! series created by the inventive boffins at Britannica Books. And as with the other titles in the series, Science FACTopia! is verified by Encyclopaedia Britannica and doesn’t offer just one trail through a multitude of facts. Each of the 400 facts is connected to the next in a wild and weird web of information where you will leapfrog from topic to topic in surprising and hilarious ways. So prepare to be amazed as you embark on an enthralling journey through the worlds of space, animals, engineering, numbers, machines and more in hundreds of connected facts. Follow an ingenious trail to learn about space, animals, rocks and crystals, virtual reality, the body, coding, 3D printing, engineering, plants, fungi, maths and lots more, and discover how each fact is connected to the next in entertaining and unexpected ways.
You’ll meet a parrot called Squawkzilla, find out about the
fastest muscles in the body, discover gems that can change colour and learn about
black holes that ‘burp.’ Filled with Smith’s lavish artwork, this engaging book
brings STEM topics to life with facts that children – and that includes
reluctant readers! – will be eager to share with their friends and family. Science FACTopia! is ideal for children curious about space,
the human body, computers, rocks and crystals, and maths, and offers a fun
introduction to British Science Week running this year from March 8 to 17.
(Britannica Books, hardback, £10.99)
Shiver Point: A Tap At The Window
Gabriel Dylan
ENTER (if you dare!) Shiver Point... the home of spooks,
screams and small-town horror! A Tap At The Window is the second book of a
thrilling, chilling series from Gabriel Dylan, a teacher and children’s author
who is a self-confessed horror fan. So for all those who love having their
spines tingled and their goosebumps raised, meet the plucky Shiver Squad and join
them for a marvellously menacing new mystery. When budding engineer Riley
notices a new scarecrow in the field by her house, she doesn’t think much of it...
until she hears rumours of break-ins across town and strange figures sighted in
the fields when the sun goes down. And then one night she hears a tap at the
window! It's time to get the Shiver Squad on the case, but when all roads lead
them to the abandoned Darkraven Farm, they are in a race against time to save
the town from the scarecrow’s vengeance. Expect extra scary scarecrows and
macabre clues... and don’t say you weren’t warned!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Test Trouble
Serena Patel and Louise Forshaw
A MATHS test? That sounds like a nightmare for reluctant
student Arun whose stomach starts spinning just at the thought of taking a
test. Is there any way he can get out of it? Serena Patel – author of the
much-loved Anisha Accidental Detective series – tackles a common fear among
children in this delightfully funny and reassuring tale. Maths test? Nightmare!
When Arun’s teacher tells his class that they’ve got a maths test next week,
Arun is horrified. He hates tests! Too much pressure! Arun is determined to get
out of sitting the test, but how? Should he pretend to be sick... or organise a
school-wide protest against all tests? He’s ready to try anything until he
realises that maybe he’s not the only one who feels this way. Can Arun find the
courage to face his fears and take the dreaded test? With illustrations by
Louise Forshaw putting Arun and his friends and fears firmly in the spotlight,
this clever and empathetic story helps young readers to understand that they
are not alone in feeling stressed and anxious about tests and exams, and that
in the end it’s far better to face both the pressures and your fears.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Peng and Spanners
Steve Webb
WHAT do you get when you pair an acerbically sarcastic
penguin with a cunningly clever cat? The answer is double act Peng and Spanners,
the dynamic superheroes of a laughter-packed new graphic novel series from animator
Steve Webb. A children’s author as well as a freelance graphic designer, Webb
delivers the tastiest adventure in town as Peng, aka super ninja penguin
fantastic, teams up with Spanners (the only cat with a tool belt) to
investigate the craziest pizza mystery ever. When the pizza parlour at Boredin
School disappears and a giant robot suddenly appears, Peng and Spanners know
that only they can help the headmaster find his parlour before the school
inspectors arrive and shut him down. There’s just one massive pesky robot to
defeat, Cinderella the caretaker (who roars about rules) to avoid, and the not
insignificant matter of first achieving an incredible jail break! Expect gadgets
aplenty, a giant talking robot, and a story so silly that you’ll be laughing
all the way to the final pages where there are, incidentally, some nifty
drawing lessons to enjoy with Peng, Spanners and yes, the author/illustrator
himself too. A pizza piece of reading perfection!
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £9.99)
Hotel for Cats
Marie Pavlenko and Marie Voyelle
IF you’re longing for a holiday in beautiful Paris, look no
further than the awesome and clawesome Hotel Charamba, a cosy hotel for cats where
the staff don’t put a paw out place. This charming new series – written by good
friends author Marie Pavlenko and illustrator Marie Voyelle – has been superbly
translated from the original French by Anna Brooke and is set to win over an
new English-speaking audience. And in the first adventure, we meet kindly
Magda, a 75-year-old lady who loves flowery dresses and squashy cushions, who
is officially in charge of the Hotel Charamba but the real bosses (as everyone,
except Magda, knows) are four cats. There’s bossy Bobine, an old female Persian
cat who is a secret knitter, tough-talking moggy Mulot found abandoned in a bin
by Magda, a middle-aged Siamese male called Carpette who is a wannabe singing
superstar, and Couscousse, a chubby female Chartreux who just happens to be
friends with a ghost. And here we find the feline friends on a mission when
scared new cat, Wolfgang, arrives. Why is he so afraid, and how can they make
him feel at home? Voyelle’s enchanting illustrations bring extra life and laughter
to Pavlenko’s gorgeous Gallic gem as the captivating cast of cats wend their
witty and wicked way into every young reader’s heart!
(Chicken House Books, paperback, £7.99)
The Missing Bunny
Holly Webb and Antonia Woodward
ENJOY having your heartstrings well and truly tugged in a heartwarming,
tender and moving story from bestselling author Holly Webb who has written over
130 books for children. Starring a little girl desperately searching for her
missing bunny, and featuring the evocative colour illustrations of Antonia
Woodward, The Missing Bunny is the latest book in the super-readable Little
Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators, and a host
of clever design and finishing techniques, like dyslexia-friendly fonts, to
create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a format ideal for little hands,
and with some extra activity fun inside the cover. Annie is really excited
about her new pet rabbits, Toffee and Humbug, and can’t wait to welcome them
into the amazing new home her dad has built for them. But when Annie is in a
rush to get to school the next morning, she doesn’t check that the door to the
hutch is shut properly and Humbug escapes to go on an adventure. Can Annie find
Humbug in time to save her from the neighbourhood fox? Packed with gentle storytelling, beautiful
artwork and fun activities, this is the perfect early chapter book for
youngsters taking the first steps on the path to reading independence.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)
Who Rules the Rockpool?
Matty Long
JOIN a colourful collection of curious crustaceans as they
fish around to find who rules in the rockpool! Matty Long, the super-talented
author and illustrator of the bestselling Super Happy Magic Forest picture book
series, is back with another nature-inspired story full of laughs, crabs,
prawns and fascinating facts. Crab is a big crab in a small rockpool and he rules
the rockpool... or so he thinks. When a big wave sweeps him and Prawn away from
the pint-sized pool and into an even larger pool, they know the first rule of
survival is to find out who’s in charge. Crab is convinced he’s the strongest,
but Prawn is worried that being tough may not be enough. And soon Crab has to
re-evaluate his place in the hierarchy. But if Crab doesn’t rule the rockpool,
who does? Long brings his trademark talents of deadpan comedy and hilarious,
cartoon-style illustration to this wonderful walk on the wild side which
explores the essential food chain, some amazing sea creatures, and the ecosystems
that are found in the natural world around us. With a spot the sea creature
activity to enjoy at the end of the book, Long’s witty commentary, and
eye-catching artwork to win every child’s heart, young readers will need little
encouragement to feast on this diet of facts and fun.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)
Meet the Dinosaurs
Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin
EVER fancied a dinosaur safari? Well climb aboard and buckle
up for a thrilling journey into the distant past! Meet the Dinosaurs is the
fourth book in an exciting and acclaimed series from children’s writer Caryl
Hart and award-winning illustrator Bethan Woollvin which has included Meet the
Planets, Meet the Oceans and Meet the Weather. Zoom! We’re off to meet the
amazing dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth. Join in with the jaunty rhymes
and get ready to spot all the friendly (and not so friendly!) dinosaurs, from
the huge Brontosaurus and amazing Diplodocus to the speedy Velociraptor and
scary T-Rex. Little ones will have an all-action and fact-packed thrill ride
(and be back in time for bed!) in this fun and vibrantly colourful picture
book. Woollvin’s bold and eye-catching artwork is perfectly paired with Hart’s
rhyming story which blends STEM learning and palaeontology with a clever rhyming
twist. So what are you waiting for... hold on tight and get ready to meet and
greet all your favourite dinos!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
There’s a Gorilla at the Door!
Clare Helen Welsh and Sam Caldwell
WHAT do you do when a gorilla arrives for your family party?
Blended families are now a familiar trait of contemporary life but it can be an
anxious time of change for young children. So invite them to share the fun of
this riotous animal romp, written with love and understanding by Clare Helen
Welsh, and brought to life by the talented Sam Caldwell in this enchanting
picture book. Daphne’s mum and stepdad, Anthony, are throwing a family party as
the little girl had to leave behind her friends when they moved to a new home. But
Daphne is convinced it’s going to be boring! It’s only when a gorilla knocks on
the door, a rhino rolls in and a kangaroo pops up that Daphne realises that
this party is going to get... wild! In Daphne’s big animal family, everyone is
different but they all love to dance to the same beat. Children will love the
charismatic cast of animal characters as they hop and bop through every page of
this colourful, high-energy story which cleverly and joyfully explores and celebrates
the sense of belonging and interconnected nature of animal families that we
all, as humans, share. Fun to read aloud, and delightful to look at, There’s a
Gorilla at the Door! is destined to be a family favourite.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
The Magic of Me!
Ben Cort
WHAT do you want to be today? Brave, caring, quiet, creative,
adventurous? Inspire your little ones to be anything they want, and to
celebrate all those things that make you YOU, with this dazzling picture book
from award-winning illustrator Ben Cort. Let your dreams run free and embark on
an adventure with one very special boy who lets his imagination run wild and
discovers all the amazing things he can be in just one day. Follow him as he
explores a fantastical world filled with dragons, giants, robots, lions, tigers
and even aliens! The magic of being YOU comes to spectacular life as Cort – bestselling
illustrator of the Aliens Love Underpants series – lets his own imagination and
talents take flight. Bold, bright and beautiful artwork combines with an
uplifting, rhyming text that will transport young minds into amazing worlds and
places they never thought they could visit. Picture book perfection!
(Hodder Children's Books, paperback, £7.99)
There’s a Tiger on the Train
Mariesa Dulak and Rebecca Cobb
TAKE a train ride to the sea with the most extraordinary
fellow passengers in this dazzling new picture book from the top team of award-winning,
debut children’s author Mariesa Dulak and star illustrator Rebecca Cobb. There’s
a Tiger on the Train is a spectacular blend of word perfect rhyming with
outstandingly expressive artwork and delivers a gentle, cautionary tale about
putting your phone away and instead enjoying the world around you. ‘You’ll
never guess what happened On our trip down to the sea... A tiger in a top hat
Came and sat right next to me!’ Off to the seaside go a little boy and his Dad on
a rather strange train journey. But will Dad ever look up from his phone? As they
board the train, Dad is stuck into his phone and misses the fact that a tiger
boards the train too. And then a family of hippos arrive, along with a band of
crocs, a mum with her piglets, and two pugs in fine hats and dresses. They’re
all on the way to the seaside and there’s pandemonium! But then the tiger roars...
has he finally had enough? What will Dad say... and will he even notice? This
tale of a glorious menagerie of animals, all aboard the train, is filled with
fun, colour, rhyme and rich, imaginative detail, but also subtle messages about
the over-use of phones in contemporary life. A visual and verbal treat!
(Faber & Faber,
paperback, £7.99)
How to Cuddle a Crocodile
Sam Wilde and Sarah Horne
HOW do you look after a pet that has VERY sharp teeth and
doesn’t like cuddles? Little ones can enjoy lots of giggles, fascinating animal
facts, and some jaw-droppingly helpful reminders of the responsibilities of
having a pet (and particularly a surprising pet!) in this adorable picture book
from author Sam Wilde and illustrator Sarah Horne. How to Cuddle a Crocodile –
second book in their delightful Peculiar Pets series – explores what it might
entail to take care of an extremely large, fast and strong crocodile! It's very
important to look after your pet properly but when that pet is a crocodile that
can gallop at 20mph, has the strongest jaws on Earth and up to sixty teeth, and
can hide camouflaged in water for over an hour,
looking after them and showing them you care can be... well, complicated.
The idea of having a pet, and just what is entailed in that, is pushed to
hilarious extremes as creative illustrator Horne lets loose her imagination on
Wilde’s warm-hearted and fun-filled story. And if meeting a very wild and
peculiar pet wasn’t enough, you can learn more fascinating facts about
crocodiles in a section at the back of the book!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)
Ten Little Ducklings
Lucy Rowland and Aki
THERE'S no ducking out of a BIG adventure when ten little
ducklings set off to play. Get ready to play with ten little ducklings – all
with their own special name – as they set off on an exciting day out. Ten
Little Ducklings is written by Lucy Rowland, a star of the picture book world
noted for her charming, energetic and irresistible rhyming stories, and
illustrated by award-winning French artist Aki. The sun is up, it’s a brand new
day. Ten little ducklings want to play! There’s lots to see and lots to do –
let’s play a game of PEEK-A-BOO! There’s a busy new scene to explore with each
turn of the page, from a day at the farm and a hot-air-balloon outing to a
snowball fight and a birthday party. And can you spot which little duckling is
hiding on each page? Packed with rich and colourful details for little ones to
spot, this irresistible search-and-find book is ideal for reading and sharing.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Look Out! Hungry Lion
Look Out! Hungry Snake
Paul Delaney
LITTLE ones will be hungry for more when they get their paws on a super new Look Out! Hungry Animals hide-and-seek, lift-the-flap board book series from Paul Delaney. Look Out! Hungry Lion and Look Out! Hungry Snake are the first colourful titles to hit the shelves and are the perfect, playful introduction to the concept of the food chain.
With six spreads to explore and five sturdy flaps to lift, these inventive, interactive books will help to give your youngsters a lifelong appetite for reading!
(Kumusha Books, board books, £6.99 each)
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