Age 9 plus
Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back
Isabella Tree and
Angela Harding
IN 2018, award-winning author and travel writer Isabella Tree published an adult book called Wilding which told the amazing story of a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex, using free-roaming grazing animals to create new habitats for wildlife. The project was a spectacular leap of faith launched by Tree and her husband, Charlie Burrell, owner of the Knepp Castle Estate, after they were forced to accept that intensive farming on the heavy clay of their land was economically unsustainable. The results were spectacular. Thanks to the introduction of free-roaming cattle, ponies, pigs and deer – proxies of the large animals that once roamed Britain – the 3,500 acre project has seen extraordinary increases in wildlife numbers and diversity in little over a decade. And in a special celebration, which introduces the benefits of rewilding to a younger generation, a new spectacular edition has been published, packed with the extraordinary illustrations of artist Angela Harding.
Knepp is now home to some of the rarest and most beautiful
creatures in the UK, including nightingales, kingfishers, turtle doves and
peregrine falcons, hazel dormice and harvest mice, scarce chaser dragonflies
and purple emperor butterflies. The estate’s ecological success stories include the
reintroduction of stork to mainland Britain for the first time in 600 years and
the spontaneous return of the large tortoiseshell butterfly which had been
officially extinct in Britain for half a century. This beautiful book – illustrated in full colour with
Harding’s lino prints and watercolours, and photographs from Knepp – tells
readers how to bring wildlife back to where they live with maps, timelines, an
in-depth look at rewilding, and spotlight features about native animals
including species that have returned and thrive... butterflies, bats, owls and
beetles. So whether it’s growing pollinator-friendly flowers on a
windowsill, creating an animal superhighway through back gardens down your
street, or discovering the connections between species and habitats, this is the
perfect inspirational read for a new generation of re-wilders!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £20, published on March 7)
Artezans: The Forgotten Magic
L.D. Lapinski
TWINS Edward and Elodie Crane are different in every way...
Ed is tall, scrawny and a social outcast while Elodie is average height, fat,
beautiful and popular. But these adopted twins, who live in the wild wonders of
Scotland, do have one shared secret... a powerful magic! If you’re dreaming of an extra special, escapist adventure
to welcome the arrival of spring, step into the first book of a thrilling new
fantasy series from the creative mind of L.D. Lapinski, author of the
critically acclaimed Strangeworlds Travel Agency. And fans will be delighted to hear that magic is back at
centre stage in this gripping and timeless tale set in a dark and alluring Land
of Dreams and Nightmares where magic is being diluted and only the twins can
bring it back. For the last 400 years, magic has been fading and Ed has
always feared he won’t have any at all. For sure, he’s part of a powerful magic
Artezan family – whose great deeds were once legend – but Ed is adopted. His
twin Elodie isn’t so worried but then, everything always seems to work out
perfectly for her. So when Ed discovers he does have an Artezan power after
all, he’s relieved. And it’s more than he could ever have imagined... in fact,
it’s a dream come true. But the problem with dreams is that sometimes they
twist themselves into nightmares and with Ed’s new abilities growing by the
day, there’s a chance that this nightmare will become all too real... Lapinski’s dazzling new series is a dream come true for
fantasy fans... a brilliantly imagined other world, a sprinkling of humour, unforgettable
characters, danger, daring and adventure at every turn, and the mesmerising
magic of a master storyteller. With universal themes about adoption, self-discovery,
finding your place in the world, and the thorny problem of bullying, the
Artezans are set to work their magic on the wonderful world of reading!
(Orion Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99, published on February 29)
Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel
Susan Brownrigg
LIGHTS, camera, action! There’s plenty of drama at the Winter
Gardens – Blackpool’s famous domed and white-tiled entertainment centre – in
the third book of Lancashire lass Susan Brownrigg’s brilliant middle-grade detective
series. The star of the show is amateur sleuth and trainee reporter Gracie
Fairshaw who lives with her brother George and parents in the resort’s Majestic
Boarding House in the 1930s, and finds that mystery and skulduggery are never
far away. In this exciting new adventure set in 1936, it’s announced
that a new movie is being filmed in Blackpool, a dazzling event which turns
into a real scoop for The Gazette’s Gracie Fairshaw. Invited to interview the
star, Sally Sunshine, Gracie uncovers a plot as thrilling as the one being
filmed... someone has stolen a vital film reel. But then a vicious attack is
attempted on Sally and in a world of body-doubles, stunts, costumes and make-up,
not everything is what it seems. Gracie must go behind the scenes and work out
which of the cast and crew can’t be trusted before the shoot comes to a
thrilling climax at the town’s cinema. Brownrigg – who set her two earlier books in the series against
the backdrop of the 1935 Blackpool illuminations and Blackpool Tower’s
professional Children’s Ballet Company – fills her stories with such rich
authentic detail and beautifully drawn characters that you can almost taste the
fish and chips, smell the sea salt in the air and hear the trams rolling down
the promenade. In Gracie, we have an inspirational lead player… a girl with
a mild disability, the heart of a lion and big ambitions who is fearless in her
pursuit of truth and justice. Add on Brownrigg’s nostalgic and exhilarating
evocation of the North West’s most famous resort in its heyday, and a peep
behind the scenes of the Blackpool Gazette’s newspapers offices, and you have
one of the best children’s mystery series currently on the shelves.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99, published on March 7)
Hide and Seek: A Bletchley Park Mystery
Rhian Tracey
IT'S wartime and everyone knows that the penalty for breaking the Official Secrets Act is prison or, worse, death by firing squad... even if you’re a child! Three intrepid youngsters – under suspicion of treachery – must solve a perilous mystery in the second book of a gripping adventure series full of secrets, spies and subterfuge from Welsh author Rhian Tracey who was inspired by trips to Bletchley Park – one of the most secret places in Britain during the Second World War – and her own family’s link to the code-breaking centre. Based on true events, this thrilling standalone mystery explores not just the nationally important work of the Bletchley Park staff but how three plucky youngsters – one of them a Jewish refugee –form a close friendship during the adversities of wartime and battle to keep a secret stash of priceless national art works out of enemy hands.
Before the war started, Ned was resigned to a future working
in the family funeral parlour. Then the covert operations at Bletchley Park began
and his life was transformed. In 1942, Ned and his mother, who is engaged in
secret war work, leave Bletchley Park on a vital mission into the Welsh
countryside. Their task is to protect national artwork which is being stored in
a slate mine in the remote village of Manod. As long as its whereabouts are secret, they will keep the
national treasures safe from the enemy. But not everyone is happy about the
arrival of strangers and when it appears that someone in the village is trying
to expose the truth, suspicion turns to the newcomers... Ned, his mother, and a
young Jewish refugee, Anni. Can Ned, Anni and their friend Harri prove their
loyalty to the mission and keep the secret safe? Packed with intrigue, mystery, excitement, a lovable hero
dog and some real-life wartime figures, this heartwarming and inspirational
story packs a real punch as the children embark on a race to save the nation’s
valuable artwork. Add on the dramatic and authentic wartime backdrop, and an
old-fashioned, addictive sense of adventure, and you have the perfect
history/mystery for young thrill-seekers!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99, published on February 29)
Stink: Fairy vs Wizard
Jenny McLachlan
STAR author (and now illustrator!) Jenny McLachlan is back
with the second book in her cartoon-filled, magical and mischievous Stink
series... and it’s definitely not to be sniffed at! Giggles galore are
guaranteed as youngsters get up close and personal with Stink, the worst fairy
ever... and the writer of the funniest diary-style adventures on the human side
of fairyland. But before you read this diary of disaster, here is some stuff
you need to know about Stink’s human... a boy called Danny Todd. He’s 11 years
old, loves drawing cartoons, has two pet rats called Tony and Noah, and, last
but not least, he has a fairy called Stink. Danny’s life hasn’t been the same
since REAL fairy Stink flew out of a fairy door, attached herself to his hair
and turned his life upside down. In their new adventure together, Stink tries
to help Danny with his lead role in the school play, makes a Malteser adventure
playground in the science cupboard, and accidentally unleashes a giant,
all-powerful, evil wizard into the world. Stink was only aiming to get Danny a
reputation for being cool and awesome... where did it all go wrong? Expect a
marshmallow beard, a floating cat head and an embarrassing dance Gif as Stink
leaves a trail of magical mayhem and side-splitting laughter in her wake. With
McLachlan’s gallery of hilarious illustrations putting extra oomph into her
wacky and wonderful adventure, this is heaven-scent reading for young
mischief-makers!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99
Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster!
Nadia Shireen
YOU can never be too young, or too old, to enjoy a bit of
anarchy! Youngsters (and their parents!) will be grinning, guffawing, snorting
and sniggering when they get their hands on the third woodland caper in one of
the funniest children’s series currently on the market. Grimwood – a sort-of
Watership Down with foxes which evokes tears of laughter rather than of sorrow
– is the work of author and illustrator Nadia Shireen who has won awards for her
picture books and been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the
Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Fully illustrated throughout, the books star
two fox cub siblings, Ted and Nancy, who love their new life in Grimwood… the
forest where anything (riotous!) can happen. They have made a lot of new
friends there – not least bouncy and ferocious rabbit Willow who has a big
heart and endless energy – but now a Bigfoot is on the loose and Ted, Nancy,
Willow and the rest of the Grimwood gang must embark on their greatest
adventure yet to save their home from a nasty, thieving stink monster. Monster
hunters are GO! Shireen serves up an irresistible blend of glorious gags,
hilarious comedy routines, boundless madcap escapades, and a memorable cast of
quirky characters that young readers will love following from first page to
last. With a side helping of zany, high-energy black and white illustrations,
which bring both the animals and the action to life, the Grimwood series has
the legs to run and run.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99
Lottie the Little Wonder
Katherine Woodfine and Ella Okstad
NEVER underestimate what little girls can do! The incredible real-life story of tennis superstar Lottie Dod, who won the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Championship five times, is the latest Little Gems book in an inspirational women from history series from bestselling Lancaster author Katherine Woodfine. Lottie the Little Wonder, an action-filled, heartfelt tale highlighting the challenges and prejudices that young women faced in the late 19th century, is the latest super-readable Little Gem from innovative publisher Barrington Stoke… and it’s a real historical gem! The Little Gems books bring together leading authors and illustrators, and a host of clever design and finishing techniques, to create easy-to-read books in a chunky format ideal for little hands, and with some extra reading, jokes and activity fun hiding inside the jacket.
So meet Lottie, who was born in Bebington in Cheshire in
1871, won her first Wimbledon title when she was only 15 in the summer of 1887,
and remains the youngest ever ladies’ singles champion. Lottie was a multi-sport
athlete, winning a silver medal for archery in the 1908 Olympic Games.‘Girls can’t play tennis as well as boys? What a lot of nonsense!’
Lottie is determined to show that girls can be just as good at sports as boys.
She runs and jumps and leaps after the ball... playing tennis makes Lottie feel
wonderful. And after beating her brothers, she goes on to reach the finals of
the most important tennis competition of them all... Wimbledon! Can she
continue her winning streak to become the world’s first female sports superstar? Whether your child is a new, struggling, reluctant or
dyslexic reader, this celebration of a determined and daring girl from a small
northern town will provide both entertainment and empowerment, and with Ella
Okstad’s gallery of vibrant and energetic illustrations bringing the action to
life, this is the perfect victory parade for sporting superstar Lottie!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99
Adventuremice: Mice on the Moon
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 zooming
off an out-of-this-world adventure because inventor-mouse Professor Bernard
Quatermouse – better known as Millie’s Uncle Bernie – needs help with his
latest invention... a big, dangerous rocket! The professor has built a
spaceship and he wants the brave and clever Adventuremice to fly it. BOOM!
Pedro and his friends blast off into outer space where they become the first
mice on the moon... or so they think! 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, published on March 7)
Flying High
Cao Wenxuan and Yu Rong
Translated by Jake Hope and Simone-Davina Monnelly
NO matter how small you are, you can still fly high! That’s
the soaring message in this conceptually clever and comforting picture book
written by Cao Wenxuan who grew up in rural China and is now a professor of
Chinese literature and children’s literature. He was also the first Chinese
author to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Author Award, and his beautifully
fluid and poetic prose depicts honest, sometimes raw, and often melancholy
moments. Flying High, which celebrates the joy to be found in being different
with sensitivity and insight, has been flawlessly translated by Jake Hope and
Simone-Davina Monnelly, and illustrated by Yu Rong, a Chinese artist now living
in the UK whose distinctive artwork brings vitality and zest to the story. ‘Wawa
is my best friend, Even when I feel small and low, Wawa still flies high.’ Have
you ever felt small and lacking in confidence? One little boy feels sad, angry
and upset when the other children say that he’s too small to play with them. Can
Wawa the bird find a way to help her friend see that being different can be a
strength, and give the child the courage to fly a kite at the town’s festival?
Join the pair on an extraordinary and inspiring journey through the wonders of
the world, helping to grow understanding and confidence along the way. Ideal
for encouraging thoughtful reflection and discussion, and with Yo Rong’s dynamic
designs featuring mixed media collage and naturalistic pencil-drawn faces, this
is perfect for reading aloud and sharing with younger children.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
The Spaces In Between
Jaspreet Kaur and Manjit Thapp
FIND peace and calm amidst the noise and bustle of the city
with this beautiful picture book from award-winning teacher, spoken word poet, writer
and activist Jaspreet Kaur and award-winning artist Manjit Thapp. Have you
found the spaces in between? The secret places no one else has been? Traffic, roadworks,
ambulances! Where do you go when the hustle and bustle of the city gets too
much? Follow a little girl and her father as they seek out the secret spaces
where they can go to find peace and quiet. With themes of anxiety, fear,
kindness and joy, explore how children can find ways of coping with noisy, busy
spaces. From the warm embrace of a loved one, finding joy by splashing through
puddles and feeling the crunch of autumn leaves on the pavement, The Spaces In
Between takes youngsters into the hidden corners that can be found in a busy
city. Cleverly created and gorgeously illustrated, this children’s mindfulness
poetry has helpful tips and suggestions at the back of the book, and is full of
ideas that are accessible to all children... wherever they are in the world.
(Big Picture Press, paperback, £8.99, published on February 29)
Maybe Later, Georgie
Luke Scriven
SMILE, say ‘aaah’ and wipe away a surreptitious tear because
Luke Scriven – author and illustrator of much-loved picture book The Little
Fear – is back to melt our hearts with an adorable picture book about sibling
love. All Georgie wants to do is play with his big brother Ed who ALWAYS comes
up with the best games and adventures! But recently, all Georgie hears is the
same phrase, time and again – ‘Maybe later, Georgie’. Will later ever arrive,
will they ever have fun together again... has Ed finally grown up? Scriven, who
works traditionally using a mix of watercolour and gouache to create pictures,
certainly knows how to win over both children and parents. Written with humour
and genuine empathy and tenderness, and brought to life with wonderfully simple
but expressive artwork, this celebration of unbreakable brotherly bonds is
destined to be a family favourite.
(HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, paperback, £7.99)
Wanna See a Llama?
Simon Philip and Ian Smith
DO you wanna see a llama? Seeing isn’t necessarily believing
in another laughter-filled picture book from Simon Philip, author of the
award-winning You Must Bring A Hat, and master illustrator Ian Smith, the top
team who stole our hearts with Wanna See a Penguin? Enjoy fun all the way as a
self-described ‘llama expert’ takes her friend on a chase around the city. They
discover wild and wacky animals around every corner... but are any of them
really llamas? Llamas are very sociable animals, though, and where there’s one,
there’s often more... Young readers will be shouting at the book with delight
as more and more llamas gather in the background... until a whole parade of
partying llamas is revealed. But will the llama hunters ever find what they’re
looking for? Written with Philip’s trademark wit, warmth and exuberance, and
harnessing all the fun of the pantomime convention of ‘it’s behind you,’ this
action-packed adventure puts fun, friendship and animal recognition at centre
stage. Young readers will love following the clues and guessing what each new
animal is from the glimpse given in the artwork, before turning the page to
find out. And there are fun facts about llamas and all the other fascinating
creatures in a fact file at the end of the book. Laughter (in full colour) all
the way!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99, published on March 7)
Grandmas Are the Greatest
Ben Faulks and Nia Tudor
EVERY grandma is different...but they’re ALL special! Celebrate
one of humankind’s most treasured relationships with this gorgeous picture book
from the top team of actor, presenter and children's author Ben Faulks and Carnegie
and Klaus Flugge Prize-longlisted freelance illustrator Nia Tudor. ‘Grandmas
are the GREATEST- they’re kind and brave and true! Each one of them is SPECIAL
and will love YOU through and through.’ Is your grandma an actor or an acrobat?
Is she an ambulance driver, an expert chef, or a secret spy? Whatever your
grandma does, you can be sure she loves you! Grandmas Are the Greatest is a
heartwarming celebration of grandmas everywhere, and the love and friendship
they share with their grandchildren. With Faulks’ irresistible romping rhymes
and Tudor’s richly detailed and enchanting illustrations, this is the perfect
book hug for much-loved grandmas everywhere!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Who’s Cute? & Who’s Sleepy?
Camilla Reid and Nila Aye
ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with a gorgeous new board book series starring an adorable cast of woodland animals. Written by Camilla Reid – a writer and deviser of award-winning books for early years children including the much-loved Pip and Posy stories – this new series features soft felt flaps on every spread, sturdy pages and a surprise mirror ending.
Tiny tots will find the answer when they look in
the mirror hiding under the final flap! With enchanting and heartwarming
illustrations by award-winning artist Nila Aye, these striking books are
perfect for sharing with babies and toddlers.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board books, £7.99 each)
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