Different Aspects: A Memoir

Michael Ball

‘This is... a biography, not just of me, thank God, but of a musical – a tale of how
Aspects of Love, a weird and very
wonderful show, has changed my life.’

TAKE your seats, dim the lights and settle back to enjoy a magical journey alongside much-loved singer, actor, presenter, and now author Michael Ball as he guides us through the thrills, spills and theatrics of what is destined to be one of this year’s most enchanting showbiz memoirs.

This entertaining and revealing memoir is set against the background of two productions of Aspects of Love, the hit show which was first staged at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End in 1989, and which features the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart.

Ball – who played the lead role of unhappy lover Alex Gillingham, grappling with his insecurities and inner conflicts, in the original run of the show – also appeared in last year’s new production of the show which had a limited run at the Lyric Theatre in London and saw Ball playing Alex’s rich and worldly uncle George Dillingham.

A sweeping romantic story of passion, love, betrayal and heartbreak across three generations, Aspects of Love – based on a 1955 novella by bisexual writer and Bloomsbury Group member

Royal Station Master’s Daughters in Love

Ellee Seymour

THE historic railway station at Wolferton in Norfolk takes centre stage again in the third and final book of a fascinating First World War debut saga series from journalist and PR professional Ellee Seymour.

Wolferton Station – now in private hands – opened in 1862 and was the nearest station to Sandringham House. Trains continued to bring the royal family to and from their estate right up until the station’s closure in 1969.

Seymour’s (pictured below) delightful series was inspired by the Saward family, who ran the station in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and her stories gives readers a glimpse into all walks of life during this period... from top-tier royalty to the humblest of soldiers.

In the final chapter of Seymour’s emotion-packed series, we are swept back into the lives of the Saward family in 1919 and discover that although war is over, the effects of it are ever-present in the village of Wolferton. At just two miles from Sandringham House, the private residence of British monarchs, the people of Wolferton have a special connection to the royals... particularly the family of the royal station master, Harry Saward.

But their privileged position and access to the royal family do not lessen the devastating impact of war on the Saward girls. Maria’s fiancé Eddie is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and Ada’s husband Alfie has lost his job, and his purpose in life. Jessie, meanwhile, is praying for the safe return of her beau Jack, and Beatrice is hard at work as a nurse in the war hospital and is faced with a shocking revelation from her sweetheart.

With many men from the Sandringham Company still missing in Gallipoli, the village is also suffering and when Kitty Willow, the wife of one of the missing men, and her six young children lose their home on the royal estate, the Saward family rally round to help. As the Willow family are forced into the workhouse and Kitty is separated from her children, life looks bleak. But when a kind benefactor takes a shine to Kitty, her fortunes may have turned around. Could this be the new start in life that she and her children so desperately need?

Seymour’s knowledge of this area’s history and her friendship with the current station master at Wolferton – Harry Saward’s great-grandson Brian Heath – brings an added poignancy to a story which explores the devastation caused to the local community by the disastrous Gallipoli campaign in 1915 which led to the deaths of many local men and royal estate workers serving with the Sandringham Company.

Also taking centre stage in this final visit to Wolferton are once again the women on the home front who pulled through the traumas and tragedies, adversity and poverty of the war years with outstanding resilience, particularly as the agony of many families was prolonged because the bodies of their loved ones who died in Gallipoli were not discovered until 1919. Packed with gripping drama, love and loss, a cast of colourful characters, and with a delicious Lavender Cupcakes recipe to tickle the tastebuds, this is a fitting final curtain for a series that has touched the hearts of all saga fans.
(Zaffre, paperback, £10.99)

Homecoming for the Chocolate Girls

Annie Murray

THE city of Birmingham may not now be much-loved saga writer Annie Murray’s home territory but its people, its streets and its past have become an integral part of her life.

It’s nearly 29 years since Murray (pictured below) published Birmingham Rose, her first Birmingham-based novel, and now she’s back with Homecoming for the Chocolate Girls, the heartwarming and dramatic conclusion to her gritty family saga series following the lives and loves of the women and girls who worked at the famous Cadbury factory at Bournville in Birmingham.

In December of 1946, the war might be over but for the Gilby family there are still battles to be fought at home. The long war years have brought great change, not least for Ann Gilby whose husband Len left her for another woman, leaving her finally free to follow her heart.

While the neighbours may be scandalised by having a divorcée in their midst, Ann is determined to rise above the local gossip and make a happy home with Tom Somers, her former sweetheart and the father of her youngest child, Martin.

Daughters Joy and Sheila are lucky enough to have their menfolk back home, but Joy’s husband Alan has returned a broken man from his experiences in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. 

And Sheila’s husband Kenneth is finding his travels and wartime adventures in the RAF Air-Sea Rescue have made Birmingham feel small by comparison. Then there’s Ann’s youngest child, Martin, who is still coming to terms with learning who his real father is... as well as having secrets of his own.

Murray, whose home was in Birmingham when she began her writing career, invests hours of local research and her own powerful gift of imagination into her action-packed, family-based stories, and her genuine affection for the city and its people always shines through. And this warmhearted and gritty final chapter for the Chocolate Girls packs in all those ingredients – family bonds, romance, human emotions and the struggles and uncertainties of wartime and the post-war period – which have made this series such a delicious treat for all saga fans.
(Pan, paperback, £8.99)

A Mother’s Sorrow

Margaret Dickinson

THREE young women, two families united and a bond that can’t be broken... enjoy meeting a group of women thrown together by adversity as they find hope, comfort and strength in a dramatic saga from much-loved author Margaret Dickinson.

Dickinson (pictured below) – a writer who had her first novel published at the age of 25 and has since gone on to pen a raft of bestselling sagas – is on fine form as she brings us a gritty and heart-rending tale of survival set in the years before and during the First World War.

In Sheffield in 1892, Patrick Halliday is a controlling character and he rules his family with a rod of iron. He’s hard on both his long-suffering wife Edith and his elder daughter, Flora, but he spoils his youngest, Mary Ellen, because she reminds him of his beloved mother.

When Mary Ellen, aged just seventeen, finds that she is pregnant, Patrick throws her out of the family home and Flora feels compelled to go with her even though it means leaving behind her young man, Bert. And after wandering the Derbyshire countryside for miles, the sisters find shelter on a farm, working for their keep.

When Flora has to return to her job as a buffer girl in Sheffield’s cutlery trade, she is reunited with her friend, Evelyn Bonsor. As both young women find love and fall pregnant, the Halliday and Bonsor families are united, despite the many trials that cross their paths. And then the Great War breaks out and through hardship and tragedy, these two families must stick together to weather the storm. 

Dickinson is a born storyteller who knows how to immerse her readers in the past and a forgotten way of life, and in her 31st saga, she brings us a torrid tale filled with romance, heartache and page-turning drama. Written with saga queen Dickinson’s signature warmth and insight, A Mother’s Sorrow delivers the kind of rich period detail that brings the past and its people to vibrant life... and is a delight for all saga fans!

(Pan, paperback, £8.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A cosmic romp, fairytale science and a toad witch

Dive into a thrills-and-spills new adventure series set in a dazzling cosmic realm, meet the Big Bad Wolf determined to debunk fairytales with science, enjoy time-travel fun with a footie star schoolgirl, and get ready for fights and friendships in a faraway kingdom with a springtime selection of children’s books

Age 9 plus
Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm
Ash Bond

IF gods, monsters, oracles and a thrilling quest tickle your reading taste buds, then treat yourself to an electrifying debut novel which imagines a cosmic realm tingling with mythology, mind-blowing fantasy and mesmerising magic. Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm is the first of a sparkling new middle-grade series created by former bookseller Ash Bond who sprinkles her classics-based stories with a special brand of fairy dust, and sweeps away readers to edge-of-the-seat adventures and worlds full of mayhem and malevolence. Using a bold and inventive new spin on classical myths, Bond brings us the traditional Greek heroes but with their fantastical lives cleverly melded into a contemporary and inventive technology known as CosTech. The result is a spectacular collision between ancient and modern, and rip-roaring escapades starring old heroes and a feisty and fearless young girl who must race between worlds.

Peregrine Quinn has always loved hearing her godfather Daedalus Bloom’s stories about his life as an immortal, but that’s all they were... stories. That is, until the portals that connect the Terran Realm with the Cosmic Realm mysteriously shut down and Daedalus, the only one who can fix them, is kidnapped. Peregrine is then swept into a nail-biting adventure, racing through the streets of Oxford, down the riverways of London and into the Under-Underground. She soon realises that not only are the creatures from her godfather’s stories real, but they are shooting at her with laser blasters. Fortunately she has help from dryad librarian Rowan Strong and Olympus Inc. liaison (and faun) Callimachus Thorn. Together they must fix the portals and rescue Daedalus before an ancient evil rises and chaos takes over. Time is running out and the fate of all the realms is now in Peregrine’s hands...

Inspired by her childhood hero, Indiana Jones, Bond says plucky Peregrine was forged from ‘a lifetime of curiosity for the ancient world’ and our daring adventurer certainly delivers a coruscating, cosmic package of breathless action, witty dialogue, other-worldly fun, and a marvellous makeover of some familiar myths and characters. With maps and chapter-head illustrations by Patrick Knowles, and the brilliant character illustrations of Brie Schmida putting Peregrine and her people into focus, this is a story to thrill and a book to treasure.
(Piccadilly Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales
Catherine Cawthorne and Sara Ogilvie

ONCE upon a time there was a Big Bad Wolf who’d had enough of all that fairytale nonsense about wearing glass slippers to a ball and swallowing granny whole... so he decided he would bring the house down with some delightfully debunking science! Author Catherine Cawthorne and award-winning illustrator Sara Ogilvie have fun with facts and deliver miles of smiles (is that even scientifically possible?) in this terrific, non-fiction picture book perfectly created for inquisitive children who like to ask big questions. Combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics with classic stories children know and love, this clever, comical and fascinating exploration of scientific plausibility packs in learning and laughs at every turn of the page. Did a princess really feel a tiny pea through a mountain of mattresses and could a pumpkin actually turn into a carriage to carry Cinderella to the ball? Of course not! It’s all a load of fairytale nonsense... or is it? Do pigs really have hairs on their chinny, chin chins? Could you really wear a pair of glass slippers? Could you really make a gingerbread house big enough to live in and could a plant really grow as high as a house? The Big Bad Wolf is on a mission to find the truth behind these tales, and (of course) clear his name in the process. There’s one thing that is certain and that is the fact that Cawthorne really knows how to entertain her young audience and with Ogilvie’s richly detailed and fun-filled illustrations bringing the all the science to life, Big Bad Wolf is guaranteed to be the new fairytale favourite!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Fablehouse: Heart of Fire
E.L. Norry

PROTECT your home, light your fire, fulfil your fate... and step back into the fantastical world of danger, wonder and thrilling magic conjured up by exciting author E.L. Norry. Norry, who grew up in residential children’s homes and foster homes, relied on books and her ‘big wild imagination’ to get through some tricky times. She says that as mixed-race, Welsh and Jewish, she always felt that she belonged ‘everywhere and nowhere, an inhabitant of multiple worlds and identities.’ And it was her constant search for ‘connection,’ and Holnicote House, a Somerset orphanage that was once home to the ‘brown babies’ of white women and black American GIs, that inspired the creation of her moving and heart-rending Fablehouse stories set in the 1950s.

Fablehouse is a children’s home like no other. Heather and her friends who live here hope they have found their forever home. But these special children also have magic at their fingertips and they have a powerful friend in Palamedes (Pal,) the Black knight from King Arthur’s court, who is out of time and place. But not everyone the children meet is on their side. Fablehouse is threatened by an inspector who is searching for a reason to close down this safe haven for mixed-race children. The kids are desperate to save their home, but Pal is distracted. He cannot rest until he has completed the quest given to him by King Arthur centuries ago. Heather can conjure up fire at her fingertips but is scared that she can’t control the fire raging within. Fire can destroy... but could Heather also use its warmth and protection to save her friends and their home? And can magic help the children to fulfil their destiny, or will they be more isolated than ever? With action, drama, magic and adventure on every page, and history and legend providing a colourful backdrop, reading Fablehouse is a thrilling escape into a world tingling with atmosphere. So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for this unforgettable ride with a feisty, fearless heroine and an inspirational friendship group that refuses to give up the fight to save their home… and to claim their rightful destinies.
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Wonder Team and the Pharaoh’s Fortune
Leah Williamson, Jordan Glover and Robin Boyden

THE pioneering Dick, Kerr Ladies football team from Preston, which found fame over one hundred years ago, were the inspiration for this exciting time-twisting adventure series from captain of the Euros-winning women’s England team, Leah Williamson. The Wonder Team and the Pharaoh’s Fortune is the second book in this super action series which has been written in tandem with debut author Jordan Glover, who is Williamson’s cousin, and includes illustrations by Robin Boyden. These fun soccer adventures star schoolgirl Leah who, along with her friends, is here magically transported to Egypt where they soon realise they have also been taken back in time... and are stuck in the year 1900! And even worse, their school bully William has somehow travelled back with them. But when they meet 12-year-old Khalid and his aunt Amina, an Egyptian archaeologist who is on an expedition to discover a mythical amulet, Leah and her friends are excited to join the hunt. With a mysterious figure working to sabotage Amina, the Wonder Team will have to work together to uncover the clues and dodge booby traps as they search for the pharaoh’s treasure. Can they solve the mystery before time runs out, or will the mysterious figure they keep encountering sabotage their work and keep the secret of the pyramids hidden forever? These fast-paced, fun-filled stories are written straight from Williamson’s heart, and explore themes of teamwork, friendship, resilience, leadership and problem-solving, and aim to introduce young readers to inspiring and fascinating women from history. Don’t miss kick-off!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Myths, Monsters and Mayhem
in Ancient Greece
James Davies 

DISCOVER some of the oldest and most exciting stories ever told in this richly detailed and fabulously illustrated comic book from Welsh author and illustrator James Davies. The Greek myths are simply amazing stories of deadly monsters, heroes and gods and, like many other ancient civilisations, the Greeks told fantastical stories to teach lessons about right and wrong, tell the history of their gods and explain the world around them… from why the seasons change to where human beings come from. And this striking collection – brimming with Davies’ uniquely bold, graphic style illustrations influenced by old cartoons and retro picture books – is the perfect introduction to the world of the gods, containing six tales full of love, loss, greed, envy and bravery. Journey down to the Underworld with Orpheus, open Pandora’s famous Box and join Theseus in his quest to defeat the dreaded Minotaur as you enter a world like no other. Bursting with awesome facts, eye-opening illustrations and humour, Davies’ retelling of the Greek myths will delight readers of all ages.
(Big Picture Press, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Betty Steady and the Toad Witch
Nicky Smith-Dale and Sarah Horne

MEET Betty Steady, the Guardian of Wobbly Rock! As the daughter of two knights, she is blessed with unmatched strength, speed and stylish hair, but what’s even better is that she’s the shining star (well, most of the time!) of a funny new illustrated fiction series from the top team of author Nicky Smith-Dale and talented illustrator Sarah Horne. With madcap humour at every turn of the page, a cast of the weirdest characters this side of Wobbly Rock, and a lead player who is just a teensy bit too big for her boots, this rollicking romp will have youngsters laughing all the way to the final battleground. At twelve years old, Betty Steady is faster than an angry goose and stronger than an ogre in yoga pants. Tall and dazzling, Betty defends Wobbly Rock, a faraway kingdom which she protects fearlessly all on her own. But then the Toad Witch literally cuts Betty down to size. Can Betty prevent disaster before the Toad Witch and her evil army launch a terrible attack on Wobbly Rock? And when will she learn that she doesn’t have to do stuff all on her own any more? Get ready for fights and friendships, lasagne-eating snails and slimy villains, and enjoy getting to know Betty and her crew – Figg the imp, Simon Anderson the stallion in tiger-print cycling shorts, and Elle Emen O’Pea the trumpet-playing mouse in a bobble hat – as Smith-Dale and Horne work their magic on this hilarious adventure. Funny, joyful, big-hearted, and serving up extra dollops of youthful exuberance, this is an all-action adventure series perfectly fashioned for readers new to chapter books.
(Farshore, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
The Little Gardener’s Handbook
Michael Holland and Maria Dek

IF you want to help make the world a greener place, look no further than the eye-catching inspiration you can happily dig out of this very special gardening book. A vibrant introduction to the different aspects of growing and nurturing, The Little Gardener’s Handbook is the beautiful creation of Michael Holland – who enjoyed a 25-year career at the eminent Chelsea Physic Garden in London – and Polish artist Maria Dek who uses the traditional technique of watercolour for her charming and joyful illustrations. The book’s first important lesson is to reassure young readers that whether you have a big garden or just a small windowsill, you can still grow your own plants and vegetables, and do your bit for a greener planet. Gardening is one of the best hobbies and is good for both you and your neighbourhood too. Learn how to plant a seed in your garden, grow sunflowers in wellington boots, plants herbs in recycled tin cans or make a terrarium in a jar in your bedroom. Children can also discover how plants work, how to grow their own vegetables, how to encourage wildlife into the garden and why protecting plants is so important. And along the way, there are plenty of activities and experiments to try out for themselves... mostly using everyday materials you can find at home. The perfect, fully illustrated handbook to encourage young readers to pull on their gardening gloves and explore the world around them.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age 2 plus
Sharky McShark and the Shiny Shell Squabble
Alison Murray

CALLING all shark lovers! Dive into this fintastic new undersea picture book which puts friendship firmly into focus! Sharky McShark and the Shiny Shell Squabble was conjured up from the depths of the ocean by Scottish author and illustrator Alison Murray who grew up in Lanarkshire and is a twice shortlisted Scottish Book Trust artist. Sharky McShark and her best friend Teensy Wee Crab are the perfect twosome, making sure to do everything together at the bottom of the deep blue see. They really are the closest, best-est BFFs that ever swam the ocean until one day – with a plink, twirl and plonk – an itsy bitsy shrimp called Shrimpy arrives on the scene and wants to be their friend. Is there room for one more in this friendship? Sharky is not so sure! Brought to life by Murray’s vibrant, bold and colourful artwork, this fun-filled, sea-soaked story about sharing, welcoming new friends and overcoming jealousy has a warm heart and a keen eye for little ones struggling to cope with their own ‘waves’ of emotion. Shark-friendly fun for all the family to enjoy!
(Orchard Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age six months plus
That’s not my... Farm
Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells

GET hands-on – and sounds-on – down at the farm with an exciting new sound book addition to Usborne’s award-winning That’s Not My... series which delivers a vividly visual and hands-on treat for inquisitive babies and toddlers. The simple text, bright, bold and colourful illustrations and tactile patches in these books are irresistible to babies and toddlers who love turning the pages and touching the fun and ‘feely’ patches. Written by Fiona Watt and illustrated by Rachel Wells, this new larger format book explores the farm where youngsters meet a soft cow, a fluffy sheep and a muddy pig. Then watch little faces light up as they press the sound button on the final page to hear a chorus of all the animals on the noisy farm! With a fun narrative and fuzzy, furry, smooth and soft tactile patches on each page, these books are specially designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Touchy-feely genius at a stroke!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £12.99)

The Tuscan Daughter

Tessa Harris

CAUGHT up in the fascist terrors sweeping through Italy in the autumn of 1942, a young English governess must decide if she wants to lie low in a country at war... or find the courage needed to put her life on the line and help the resistance fight back.

Tessa Harris – whose thrilling historical novels include The Paris Notebook and The Light We Left Behind – sweeps us away to the stunning ancient city of Lucca in an emotion-packed and heart-pounding story which explores the perilous divisions created by Mussolini’s alliance with Hitler, and the little-known role of women in the partisan offensive.

Of the 200,000 known partisans in Italy, some estimates reckon that a quarter were women who acted principally as messengers, and even included children (some as young as ten), with both groups regarded as largely invisible by the fascists. As one later remarked, ‘You could be anybody. You were a fire without smoke or a flame.’ These female partisans – some of whom were killed, tortured or executed – have remained in the shadows for decades and The Tuscan Daughter, says Harris (pictured below) in her Acknowledgements, is her tribute to these brave women and their extraordinary stories.

And what an inspirational and heartbreaking tale it is... a thriller based on true events and a reminder that throughout this time many British citizens, some of them people who had been living in Italy when war broke out, were regarded as the enemy and taken prisoner, first by the Italians and later by the Germans. 

The story opens in Tuscany in September of 1942 where Lizzie Thornton is living at the beautiful Villa Martini in Lucca as tutor to nine-year-old motherless Cristo, son of the wealthy and powerful Count Antonio de Falco, a notable fascist and personal friend of Mussolini.

Two years ago Lizzie moved from England believing that Italy was ‘the sun-kissed land of Dante and Michelangelo,’ little knowing that she would become an enemy of the state with no way back because Hitler’s invading armies have blocked her path home. But despite being a virtual prisoner and knowing that she is now at the mercy of her fascist employer, Lizzie still loves Italy and has no great urge to return home after hearing that her fiancé has died while serving in the forces abroad. 

When the count hires new tutor Vincenzo Baldini to teach Cristo ‘manly pursuits,’ Lizzie is covertly exposed to a secret world... because Vincenzo is a member of the Italian resistance, running an anti-fascist propaganda magazine. Desperate to be part of the fight and aware that women are useful to the cause, Lizzie joins Vincenzo’s unit and soon she is head over heels in love. But when someone from her past reappears and threatens to overturn her new life, Lizzie must decide if she has the strength to fight for what, and who, she truly wants.

Harris gives new light and life to the courageous women who actively took part in the brutal war of resistance waged by the partisans to free Italy from fascism, without forgetting the plight of British citizens and prisoners-of-war who found themselves marooned in enemy territory after the Armistice was declared in Italy in 1943. Opposing Mussolini’s fascists is plucky Lizzie, a young woman at a crossroads in her life who must fight not just the physical enemy on her doorstep but the social expectations of what a woman can or cannot or do... even in the midst of war. And despite the risks involved, Lizzie takes a tough path, facing danger, death, love, loss and, ultimately, the most difficult choice of all. 

Set against the lush and breathtaking backdrop of Lucca’s medieval towers, solid Roman walls and distinctive green-spired cypress trees, this Tuscan odyssey is packed with real history, suspense, surprises, romance and danger... the perfect ingredients for all historical novel fans.
(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

No Reserve

Felix Francis

WHEN a young bloodstock sales auctioneer starts investigating a suspected multi-million pound fraud, he soon discovers that in the world of horse racing, the ultimate price of a high stakes sale can be murder.

Master of the racing blockbuster Felix Francis is back in the saddle and ready to take us over bumpy ground in this hard-hitting new crime mystery which explores the vast amounts of money that change hands in the sale rings where cash is staked on untested, unridden and as-yet-unnamed yearling colts in the hope they will turn out to be world beaters.

It was after the death of his father, the legendary jockey and thriller writer Dick Francis, in 2010, that Francis Junior (pictured below), who trained as a physicist and taught A-level physics for 17 years, took up the mantle of solo novel writing and has been on a winning run ever since. And this new horse racing-based murder mystery – set in the rarefied field of thoroughbred auctions – dishes up serious skulduggery and heart-stopping danger as our novice auctioneer finds the going tough and the risks more perilous than he could ever have imagined.

Theo Jennings, a young auctioneer at the thoroughbred sales ring in Newmarket, has been climbing the ladder at a bloodstock sales company for the past three years. The October yearling sales are where the big money exchanges hands in frenzied auctions... millions of guineas paid for horses that are as yet unnamed, untested, and have never taken a step on the track.

It’s the greatest gamble in all of horse racing, and one that can end in ruin but Theo is planning on making his first ever multi-million sale with a yearling colt. But just as he makes the biggest sale of his life, he overhears a hushed conversation between the two bidders...  can they really have colluded to fix the price of his big sale?

When that same colt is found dead the next morning, Theo is suspicious that foul play was involved and feels he has no choice but to investigate, even though he is going directly against the wishes of his boss.

As Theo begins to probe the death, he finds that answers aren’t coming readily from those who he questions and the more he uncovers, the less he can trust the people around him. And when a body is discovered in the same stable a few days later, all fingers point to him. As Theo’s world turns upside down, he decides to crack on with his investigation. The only way to clear his name is to find the real murderer, but it isn’t just the police who have their eye on him... the killer has a target on Theo’s back. The higher the stakes, the greater the risk...

There is a tangible air of menace to Francis’s new thriller which hits the ground running, comes packed full of suspense and mystery, and is littered with the Francis family’s trademark nuggets of fascinating insider facts on the intriguing world of horse racing.

With surprises at every turn that are sure to please crime fans, a story full of good old-fashioned detective work, and lots of fast-paced action as we gallop through to the drama of the finishing line, No Reserve is Francis on his finest form.
(Zaffre, paperback, £9.99)

The Midnight Rose

Lucinda Riley

GET ready to be swept away by a haunting romance that spans one century, two continents and four generations as the account of an Indian girl’s life in the heyday of the British Raj unfolds over 670 pages of compulsive storytelling.

When Lucinda Riley (pictured below) tragically died from cancer in June of 2021, she left behind a dazzling legacy of novels, not least her groundbreaking Seven Sisters series. Her gift was to write adventures transporting readers from the pedestrian realities of everyday life to worlds past and present, and on wild adventures in diverse, exciting and colourful locations.

And The Midnight Rose, her enthralling and newly republished 2014 novel, is epic in every sense… a vast, multi-layered story which glides from the glittering palaces of India to the majestic stately homes of England, and encompasses lush landscapes and life-changing events of 20^th century history. Weaving backwards and forwards through time to unpick a tumultuous and tragic tale full of powerful emotions and complex themes, The Midnight Rose delivers pride, passion, prejudice and a vibrant cast of eclectic characters portraying human beings at their best and worst.

When her father dies in 1909, nine-year-old Anahita Chavan and her widowed mother, from a noble but impoverished family, are forced to move into the communal society of the Moon Palace in Jaipur in the service of their wealthy relatives.

Anni, as she is known, has inherited her mother’s feminine gifts of sight and healing and has a sound education in English, history and science thanks to the radical ideas of her late poet-philosopher father.

In 1911, at the Coronation Durbar for King George V, Anni meets Princess Indira, youngest daughter of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and his wife Ayesha, a woman famous for her beauty and the unprecedented informality of her royal court.

Anni forms a close friendship with the headstrong Indira and is allowed to leave her home in Jaipur to become the princess’s official companion at the Cooch Behar Palace in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. When the girls are 14, Anni accompanies Indira to school in England but on the outbreak of war, they are evacuated to Astbury Hall in Devon, home of the widow of a former British official in Cooch Behar. Feeling isolated by a distinct cooling in her friendship with Indira, Anni finds consolation in a mutual attachment with young Donald Astbury, a blond Adonis and reluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estate. But as their relationship blossoms, his scheming, cold and arrogant mother Lady Maud Astbury is appalled, and will do anything to keep them apart...

Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet but when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she is relieved that her latest role will take her away from the glare of publicity to England. Shortly after filming begins at crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anni’s great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly on a quest for his family’s past. And what he and Rebecca discover will unravel the dark secrets that still haunt the blighted Astbury dynasty.

Think Downton Abbey but with more grit and gravitas, and with the added excitement and exoticism of scenes played out against a breathtaking Himalayan backdrop, as readers are immersed in Anahita’s action-packed passage from rural India through 100 years of history and unprecedented personal, political and social change. Blending high emotions with rich period detail, romance, drama and social awareness, Riley’s atmospheric novel paints pictures with words and effortlessly transports us between historical periods and far-flung continents.

From the pressures of celebrity and a 21^st century film set to the cloistered intensity of the women’s quarters in an Indian palace, The Midnight Rose is beautifully written and impeccably researched. Romantic fiction at its most memorable and captivating.
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A wild mission, a toilet disaster and a canine comedy

Return to a wild dystopian world full of danger and disease, share giggles with a boy tasked with making a queen laugh, join a fox and a girl who are hunting for a missing granny, and enjoy adventures with a detective dog as he races against time to defuse a bomb in a super spring selection 

Age 9 plus
When the Wild Calls
Nicola Penfold

HAVING escaped their sterile city, Juniper Green and her brother Bear have settled in Ennerdale with their dad and his family but her mission to save her grandmother and beloved best friend will lead her into terrible danger. Travel back to the thrilling dystopian world created by Nicola Penfold in this eagerly awaited sequel to Where the World Turns Wild, a thought-provoking ecological adventure which won the hearts and minds of readers, and was inspired by American author Richard Louv’s rallying cry to save our children from ‘Nature-Deficit Disorder.’ In this new story, time is running out for the city’s residents and Juniper decides she must leave her beloved Wild and head back and save her family from a city hit by disease and social breakdown. Every day the Wild introduces them to a new wonder, but Juniper can’t stop worrying about her grandmother and best friend left behind. When she hears news that disease has entered the city, she is determined to bring her loved ones to safety. Trapped in a city riddled with disease and run by a ruthless leader, Etienne longs for the Wild. With the guards becoming more aggressive to counteract the growing rebellion, Etienne is prepared to fight for his freedom. But will he be able to protect himself and keep those around him safe until Juniper returns from the Wild? Penfold has created another beautiful, ecological, and breathtakingly imagined other-world exploring friendship and bravery within an exhilarating, fast-paced adventure, and highlighting how our world is becoming dangerously disconnected from nature. With its cautionary reminder of the fragility of nature, and our duty to guard the planet for generations to come, this is a timely book written with genuine affection, and with a big helping of hope at its heart.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Day I Fell Down the Toilet
Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan

IT'S no joke to be at the centre of a case of mistaken identity... unless you’re called Timothy and turn out to be a rather surprising (and very welcome) superhero! There will be giggles galore and loo-fuls of laughter as the sensational sibling team of much-loved actor Stephen Mangan and his talented artist sister Anita roll out a toilet tale that is guaranteed to be flushed with success. Hot on the heels of their wild and wonderful joint novels, Escape the Rooms, The Fart That Changed the World and The Great Reindeer Rescue, the dynamic duo return with a madcap adventure that is positively overflowing with chaos and comedy. Disaster! The Queen of Dunny, the land where jokes come from, has lost her sense of humour and banned fun of any kind. Her subjects have one final shot at making her laugh otherwise no new jokes will be created ever again! Enter the hero the world needs... Timothy Trench, a straight-talking, uber-decisive child genius. Oh, wait... in an unfortunate case of mistaken identity, the wrong Timothy – a boy who finds it impossible to make decisions – is fetched to make the Queen laugh. Can he work out what will tickle Her Majesty's funny bone and save the day? Anita Mangan’s quirky and comical illustrations are the perfect pairing for her brother’s warm, fun-filled and witty story which reminds youngsters that you should never underestimate underdogs... and that you don’t have to be royal to be a superhero. Add on a spectacular surfeit of outlandish puns, silly limericks, dancing ogres and the worst dad jokes ever, and you have the perfect read for mischief-makers of all shapes and sizes!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Oh Mummy Mia!
Maz Evans

FRESH from the runaway success of her Who Let the Gods Out? books – which took young readers to new heights of all-round entertaining storytelling – Maz Evans is back with the second book of her brilliant Gods Squad spin-off series which started with Oh Maya Gods! The stars of these adventures set in Ancient Egypt are Vesper – the football-mad, bossy and a teensy bit grumpy daughter of Elliot Hooper, the original hero of Who Let the Gods Out? – and Constellation Virgo’s son, Aster, who is super-smart, a bit nervous and with a secret all of his own. In their new mission, the Egyptian gods are up to no good. Seth, the god of war, has kidnapped Ra, the sun god... and now Earth is on the brink of total destruction. It’s up to Vesper and Aster to bravely descend to the Egyptian underworld to find Ra and save the world because if they don’t, they could soon become mummies! Evans once more lets loose her prodigious imagination as our two heroes tackle the world's worst behaved immortals. Packed full of real Ancient Egyptian mythology, outrageously funny antics, and spine-tingling danger, this hilarious tale of misbehaving immortals will leave youngsters dying for the next ungodly adventure!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Shadow Fox
Carlie Sorosiak

GET lost in a magical tale of loss and belonging from Atlanta, Georgia-based  author Carlie Sorosiak whose novel, I, Cosmo, was a Waterstone's Children's Book of the Month. Shadow Fox is told through the eyes of a wild, affectionate, prickly fox who has a love of collecting shoes and not a small amount of magic. Bee’s family runs a lakeside inn, offering rest and sustenance to weary travellers. Bee’s Nan has gone missing, possibly drowned, but Bee knows that can’t be true. And so does the hungry fox that her grandmother was feeding. Shadow is cross that her supply of salmon has dried up and is determined to do something about it. Soon both fox and child – who discover that they can communicate with each other through telepathy – are on an adventure to find Nan... an adventure in which they uncover sinister happenings and secret islands on the Great Lake, and learn just how far magical powers can take you. This beautiful, enchanting and fantastical story has a warm, loving and generous heart, and reminds readers, both young and old, about the importance of friendship and being kind to each other, as well as taking care of the natural world in all its many forms.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Agent Harrier: This Book Will
Self-Destruct
Ben Sanders

TOP secret! This book will explode in just FIVE minutes... Expect equally explosive giggles when youngsters get their hands on this ticking-time-bomb graphic novel, first in a brilliant new comedy series from the award-winning author and illustrator Ben Sanders. There’s no time to lose for Agent Harrier who must follow the red wire and defuse the bomb before it’s too late. Will our canine spy extraordinaire save everyone from being blasted to smithereens.... AND catch then culprit who planted the wretched bomb in the first place?! Be careful not to bark up the wrong tree, Harrier... it looks like something very fishy could be waiting for you! With oodles of canine comedy chaos and a pun-filled twist on traditional spy capers, this super-stylish series is the perfect fit for early readers transitioning from picture books.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Dinosaur Pie
Jen Wallace and Alan O’Rourke

WHO would have thought that eating Dinosaur Pie would make turn you into an (actual!) dinosaur? Irish debut author Jen Wallace – who likes to weave stories from a child’s perspective – zones in on autism and celebrating difference in her heartwarming and funny tale which is brought to life by Alan O’Rourke’s delightfully dynamic black-and-white illustrations. Rory is having a weird week... a really weird week. And it wasn’t really Rory’s mum’s fault. She just bought Dinosaur Pie for a change and gave it to Rory for his dinner. The next morning he was a dinosaur, a ridiculous, small, feathered dinosaur. Not dressed up as a dinosaur... actually a dinosaur. It’s not all that funny really. Rory can’t talk, he can’t bear the thought of eating an apple, and in his new carnivore body he can’t stop craving sausages. All he wants to eat is sausages and it doesn’t wear off. The supermarket that sold the pie doesn’t want to know and the doctor isn’t all that helpful. What are his friends – who finally take his embarrassing situation seriously – going to do to get Rory out of dino-mode and back into a human boy? With its clever, intertwining blend of real life, fantasy and friendship, this is a sparkling, fast-paced adventure for youngsters ready to move on to chapter books.
(Little Island Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Tree
Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft

DISCOVER the wonderful world of a magnificent tree – from its roots to the tips of its uppermost branches – in this stunning new picture book from the dream team of Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft, creators of the award-winning Iceberg. Published with a stunning fold-out spread showing the full length of the tree and its habitat, this is the perfect book to lure children into the great outdoors this spring and see nature in action for themselves. Can you see the forest on this misty-morning mountain? Can you see where the tree stands? It is the tallest in this forest of tall trees. This tree is older than those who find it, but younger than the land it grows from. Between sapwood and heartwood, water rises and energy flows. Listen to the leaves bustle. Smell the forest air. This is the world of the tree. Blending scientific research, Saxby’s lyrical prose and Racklyeft’s evocative and atmospheric illustrations, the dynamic duo focus their talents and imaginative powers on a land environment, following the growth of a mighty tree – a 300-year-old mountain ash –from the bottom of its roots right up to the top branches. The world of the tree in one beautiful book.
(Allen & Unwin, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends
Rose Lihou

JUST because you’re a tiny dog doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy BIG adventures! Join a little girl as she moves house in the first book of an enchanting new series which has been perfectly created by dog-lover Rose Lihou, a debut children’s author and illustrator. Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends stars four delightfully tiny dogs who share fun and adventures with a little girl who is feeling lonely as she settles into her new life in a small village, far away from the big town that she has always known. Bea and her mum are moving in with her grandparents which will mean a new school, new friends, and big changes for Bea. All Bea can remember about Granny and Grandad’s house is their big, beautiful garden with its colourful flowers and secret hide-and-seek spots, but when Bea and her mum arrive, the garden has grown sad and neglected. The wild garden feels like the perfect place for Bea to hide away from all the changes in her life but when she hears a strange noise in the long grass she can't quite believe what she finds... four tiny dogs, no bigger than mice! Follow the adventures of Bea and the tiny dogs – Sorrel, Willow, Pepper and Clover – as they become friends and work together to save the garden! With Lihou’s emotive and colourful illustrations,  reassuring messages about building confidence, finding your voice, and discovering the joys of friendship and nature, little ones will already be tugging on the lead for the next Tiny Dogs adventure!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
There’s Nothing Cuter
Than a Puppy
Tom Nicoll and Ross Collins

A RATHER fetching little puppy is the hot favourite to win a Cutest Creature Contest... or is he? Author Tom Nicoll and illustrator Ross Collins – the award-winning duo behind There’s Nothing Faster than a Cheetah – are back to bewitch and beguile us with  brilliant laugh-out-loud, read aloud adventure featuring a wildly competitive gang of alliterative animals taking part in a beauty pageant. From slugs in Santa suits to warthogs in wedding wear, this fun and imaginative picture book delivers glitz, glamour and giggles galore with special cameo appearances from some familiar faces! Donkeys in dungarees, walruses in woolly waistcoats, hyenas in hoop skirts... the Cutest Creature Contest is full of tough competition! But there can only be one winner and surely there’s nothing cuter than a puppy?! Prepare to have expectations turned upside down as a parade of cheeky creatures strut their stuff in the wildest wardrobe wear on the ‘cat’ walk!  Factor in a gallery of Collins’ hilarious illustrations and some fascinating animal facts – like llamas spitting partially digested food over three metres, geese that can sleep while floating on water and rabbit teeth that never stop growing – and you have an all-round winner for animal and fun-lovers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
This is the Ship that Jack Built
Peter Millett and Sam Caldwell

FEEL the rhythm of the verse and enjoy the rolling of the waves in a rollicking picture book adventure from Peter Millett, an award-winning children’s book author who lives in New Zealand, and Glasgow-based illustrator Sam Caldwell. There are pirates, treasure, sea creatures and fun to enjoy as little ones set sail with Jack and his precious cargo of gold, which has been stored in the hold. What Jack doesn’t know yet is that a whole host of thieves are out to snatch the gold from under his nose. From the squid that opens the lid and the seal that tries to steal, to the cat and the rat and the whale with its splashy tail, Jack really has his hands full on this smashing, splashing voyage! Millett’s joyful and jaunty rhyming text is full of repeated lines – every child’s favourite formula – with the comical, cumulative tale building and building to an epic crescendo. Brought to colourful and vibrant to life by Caldwell, this picture book odyssey is one that little readers will want to revel in again, again and again!
(Buster Books, paperback, £7.99)

Be a Scribe!

Working for a Better Life in Ancient Egypt

Michael Hoffen, Christian Casey and Jen Thum

While most of us were huddled up at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, and thinking of different ways to keep the kids (and ourselves!) amused, a teenage student in New York spent the time avidly learning all about ancient Egypt and launching his debut writing career.

The result of 16-year-old New York student Michael Hoffen’s labours is Be a Scribe!: Working for a Better Life in Ancient Egypt, a beautifully produced, vibrant, informative and sophisticated non-fiction children’s book – pitched at the eight and over reading age – which provides rich and fascinating detail about life in ancient Egypt.

The book was written with Dr Jen Thum, an Egyptologist and curator at Harvard Art Museums, and teacher and mentor Dr Christian Casey, a postdoc at the Freie Universität Berlin, who met regularly with Hoffen, helping him translate a work of ancient Egyptian literature and learn about hieroglyphs. Under Dr Casey’s guidance, Hoffen (pictured below) meticulously translated and wrote the narrative whilst helping to shape the book’s fascinating graphics, typography and imagery. Their unwavering commitment and weekly meetings over the course of three-and-a-half years breathed life into the remarkable artefacts and stories.

The dazzling joint venture is based on an Egyptian text, known as The Instruction of Khety, which tells the tale of a teenage boy called Pepi who wonders what career path he should choose... an important life matter which is still contemplated by millions of teenagers forty centuries after Pepi. 

The guidance passed from father to son 4,000 years ago is just as relevant today as we follow Pepi and his father on a long journey up the Nile to enrol the boy in a school far away from home where Pepi will learn to read and write.

As well as navigating a world filled with pyramids, hieroglyphs and stunning images, Pepi’s journey explores countless tomb scenes, statues, artefacts and paintings, sheds a light on daily life in ancient Egypt, proving that working for a living has never been easy, and reveals the delightful humour of those 4,000-year-old Egyptians. Children aged eight and over – and their parents – will love learning about the Egyptian people and their unique culture, the work of a scribe and all the benefits that came with it, as well as the many other jobs in ancient Egypt and all the challenges that came with them.

We are also given a compelling glimpse into the geography and rich landscapes of Egypt, and young readers can learn Egyptian words written in hieroglyphs, paired with a guide to help them read aloud. Ideally timed for this year’s opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (Egypt’s billion-dollar museum in Cairo which took 20 years to complete and has been described as the ‘largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilization’), this spectacular book promises to be 2024’s most exciting and revealing reading journey into the ancient past!
(Callaway Arts & Entertainment, hardback, £19.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Online safety, an island mystery and dinosaur danger

Meet a teenager finding it hard to fit in at school, set sail for some sea-soaked adventures, share fun with a 65million-year-old baby dinosaur, become well versed with a stunning collection of nature poems, and fall in love with a dog who looks after orphaned chimpanzees with a springtime selection of children’s books

Age 10 plus
Like a Girl
Rebecca Westcott

YOU can’t run and you can’t hide when you’re online... so where do you go? Rebecca Westcott, an author and a deputy head working with children and teenagers with autism and social, emotional and mental health problems, addresses some of the most pressing problems facing young people today in this powerful, honest and hard-hitting teen novel. Like a Girl speaks loudly to teenagers about finding the courage to be yourself in the face of online and in-school peer pressure in this sharp and perceptive, and yet grippingly entertaining and moving story starring a fourteen-year-old who finds it hard to fit in at school.

Eden McCoy is struggling at Woodford High. All she’s good at is running and she doesn’t even dare join the track team. Her priority is to stay in the shadows and avoid the Glossies, a ruthless clique of girls who use social media to punish and humiliate their targets, led by their queen Bea and her sidekick Mikki. But one day, Eden breaks her vow to stay unnoticed... she beats track star Mikki in a race. This bold move captures the attention of Bea who decides Eden needs to either prove her loyalty and become one of the Glossies... or suffer the consequences. And so The Testing begins. As Eden is challenged to play a cruel prank on another kid or have that same act inflicted on her, her will is pushed to the limit. The only thing keeping her afloat is an unexpected connection with a boy called Riley, a fellow runner who messages her online. But how deep does The Testing run? And how long until Eden breaks?

Inspired by research into real teen opinions about the risks and benefits of social media, Westcott explores the joy to be found in running, sports and exercise... as well as the rewards that come from a sense of community, real friendship and solidarity. Through the medium of storytelling, readers observe the different ways that girls can be ‘put in boxes’ and the pressures placed on them to act in a way that society or their peers expect of them. Leavened by a touching mother-daughter relationship at its heart, Like a Girl also delivers an empowering message about being true to yourself and seeking true friends. Top class teen reading...
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Mysteries at Sea: The Royal Jewel Plot
A.M. Howell

A MYSTERY at sea, a race against time, and a plot involving the King of England make for a thrilling, sea-salted adventure on the ocean wave in the second book of a twisting, turning and heart-pounding maritime series from one of middle-grade’s most exciting authors. Inspired by her own childhood travels on the ocean waves, including crossing the equator, sailing the Atlantic several times, and inching through the Panama Canal, award-winning author A.M. Howell sets sail in fine fashion with these gripping adventures which unravel mysteries aboard ships crossing the globe in the 1930s. It’s 1936 and Alice and Sonny, who are now part of the same family, are excited for their summer trip, sailing on the luxurious steam yacht, the Lady Rose. They’re even more excited when they find out the King of England is going to be on board too with his American friend Mrs Wallis Simpson! There’s also a precious jewel on the boat... a rare opal, kept in a tank protected by a poisonous octopus. Until one morning, Alice discovers that the opal and octopus are both missing. The search is on to retrieve the priceless gem, before the ship reaches its destination, and everyone on board finds themselves in serious trouble. As Alice and Sonny's investigations take them closer to the truth, they realise that everyone on the Lady Rose seems to have a secret, maybe even the King himself...

Set against the alluring backdrop of life at sea, and featuring real ships, historical figures and events, Howell brings the history of the period to vivid life in another wind-lashed story brimming with atmosphere, authentic detail and derring-do. With sparkling artwork by Marco Guadalupi, a plot involving secrets, searches and subterfuge, a captivating cast of characters, and Howell’s gift for breathless, fast-paced action, youngsters will be looking forward to the final port of call for this dazzling nautical adventure series
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Island at the Edge of Night
Lucy Strange

WHO doesn’t love a chilling, thrilling adventure, set on a remote, windswept island, and featuring a load of spooky secrets and menacing mysteries? The Island at the Edge of Night is the stunning new action novel from highly-acclaimed, Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author Lucy Strange whose gift is to bring us gorgeous but gritty Gothic tales threaded through with magical realism, and fizzing with surprises and suspense. In this stunning new adventure, inspired by the wild, otherworldly magic of the remote islands of Scotland, we meet Faye Fitzgerald who has been abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak, treeless and remote Scottish island. Faye soon discovers that she and the six other pupils are the first to attend Auk Island School and have been sent there for doing something wicked. It’s a desolate and battered place, seemingly at the world’s end, but what is it that Faye has done? She remembers so little of the night everything changed, the night that robbed her of being able to speak. Faye might be bold enough to explore the sinister mysteries of the prison-like island but has she the courage to face the secrets deep within herself? Strange is a master of atmospherics and this dazzling magical realist tale simmers and shimmers, and twists and turns against a truly spine-tingling and irresistible backdrop. With messages about family, friendship, love, facing your fears, and the healing power of nature, this green-themed odyssey is a must for middle-grade readers.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Alex Neptune, Zombie Fighter
David Owen and George Ermos

INDIANA Jones meets Pirates of the Caribbean in another ultimate treasure-hunting, puzzle-solving ocean adventure from David Owen, the exciting author whose YA debut novel, Panther, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Zombie Fighter is the spooky new adventure in Owen’s thrilling, all-action and fun-filled Alex Neptune series which was inspired by his self-confessed love for nail-biting heists, fantastical monsters and heartfelt friendships. At its core is Alex, the boy born with the power of the ocean in his hands and here we find that a creepy fog has rolled into Haven Bay which leads to Alex, and his friends Zoey and Anil, being ambushed by terrifying crab-riding zombies. The zombies are controlled by the evil spirit of Brineblood the pirate and the only weapon that can stop Brineblood’s zombie army is a powerful trident... but it has been broken into three pieces. Alex, Zoey and Anil must enter three deadly worlds, which have been magically trapped in bottles to retrieve the hidden pieces, all before the zombies can catch them. But with some penguins, an octopus and a frozen dragon on their side, how can they go wrong? With the power of the sea at the centre of a fast-flowing story, the weirdest cast of characters this side of the tide, eco themes that speak as loudly as the crashing of the waves in Haven Bay and the fantastic illustrations of George Ermos, this sparkling maritime odyssey is must reading for all adventure lovers!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Me and Aaron Ramsey
Manon Steffan Ros

WHEN an accident shatters a family’s footballing dreams, picking up the pieces proves to be harder than schoolboy Sam could ever have imagined. Welsh novelist, playwright and screenwriter, Manon Steffan Ros, Carnegie-winning author of The Blue Book of Nebo, pulls on our heartstrings again with this moving middle-grade story about family, misfortune and football. Sam and his dad both love football, which is always there for them however tough real life becomes. But when Dad’s dreams of football stardom go horribly wrong, Sam’s love for the Welsh footballing legend Aaron Ramsey becomes tangled with his troubled relationship with his father. With the one interest they share taken away from them, what will emerge from the complicated relationship between father and son? Ros’s insightful novel explores themes of family relationships, football, friendship, physical disability and illiteracy with warmth and understanding. An emotive story with hope at its heart.
(Firefly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Mission: Microraptor
Philip Kavvadias and Euan Cook

WHAT happens when you bring back a microraptor from extinction? The answer lies in this brilliantly funny new series from exciting debut author Philip Kavvadias who is not just passionate about getting kids reading, but actually knows how to do it! Billed as Jurassic Park meets Wimpy Kid, Mission: Microraptor is packed full of humour, action and adventure, and stars two twelve-year-old boys, a tiny flying dinosaur, and a seemingly mission impossible to keep her safe. Falling behind their classmates on a school trip to the Alps, Finn and Milo stumble on an egg buried in ice. Later that night, they are amazed when it hatches and a 65million-year-old baby is born! Artemis (Arty) is a microraptor, a small, winged dinosaur brought back from extinction. She’s amazing, what could possibly go wrong? But keeping her safe proves hard because wicked scientists will do anything to get their hands on her, and soon Finn and Milo must run for their lives in a dark, mysterious forest and with a squad of army-trained mercenaries searching for them... There are giggles and guffaws galore to enjoy from first page to last in this high-tech, fast-paced, eco-themed adventure which has a secret dinosaur at its heart, explores some real-life survival skills, and is brought to life by the atmospheric illustrations of Euan Cook.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Outside In: Nature Poems
Daniel Thompson and Julia Murray

AS Spring starts to finally spring, encourage your children to connect with the joys of nature and the great outdoors with this stunning collection of nature poems. Outside In: Nature Poems is written by poet, storyteller, film maker and musician, Daniel Thompson, author of Being You: Poems of Positivity which was the 2023 City Kids Green Awards Winner and selected for the Reading Agency’s 2023 summer reading challenge. Thompson has been an Amazon bestseller in both humorous poetry for children and children’s philosophy, and is passionate about encouraging children to explore the philosophical principles behind self-belief and inner positivity. This new warm-hearted and endearing collection of 50 poems aims to spark a love of nature, bring calm and happiness and let the outside in. Beautifully illustrated by New Zealand artist Julia Murray, the poems are ideal for children to read alone or enjoy with the whole family. And with enchanting verse about the seasons, senses, wildlife, weather and the joys of mud, it’s the perfect gift book for children to treasure.
(Collins, hardback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Jack-Jack, A Dog in Africa
Ben Garrod and Charli Vince

ENJOY a dog’s eye view of his amazing world in the first book of delightfully cute and funny new fiction series written by Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia. Garrod was inspired to pen The Adventures of a Dog Called Jack-Jack after filming the hit BBC2 series, Baby Chimp Rescue in Africa, falling in love with Jack, and bringing him back to the UK where the two are now inseparable. So meet Jack-Jack who is not just any old dog... he’s the world’s coolest dog, looks after orphaned chimpanzees in Africa and he’s about to embark on his biggest adventure ever! Jack-Jack spends his days playing with baby chimps but when he meets Ben, he suddenly has more baths than ever (after previously none), waves goodbye to his pet fleas, and prepares to fly thousands of miles. I’ve never been on a lead or in a car, so what will an aeroplane be like? With the richly detailed and fun-filled black and white illustrations of Charli Vince on every page, Jack-Jack’s adventures as a snack-loving, exercise-shy hound like no other are set to win the hearts of all young (and old!) animal lovers!
(Zephyr, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Island Vet: Pirates and Sea Monsters
Gill Lewis and Irina Avgustinovich

A NEW school and a new island home far away from the big city may sound daunting but when your mum’s a vet anything can happen! Acclaimed, award-winning children’s author and former vet Gill Lewis works her special brand of animal magic on the first book of an illustrated Island Vet series following Tia and her mum’s exciting new life on Gull Haven Island. Tia’s mum finds there are a lot of animals who need her help on the island and when she’s called away to help a sickly cow on a nearby island and gets trapped there in a storm, Tia has to step up and care for the animals staying in the surgery. It’s a big responsibility and then she has to deal with a mysterious creature that washes up on the shore after the storm. Their new life on the Haven Islands is clearly going to be full of adventures! Teamed with the beautifully emotive illustrations of Irina Avgustinovich, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this series is ideal for young animal lovers and is sure to delight readers of every age.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Porky Pies
Ross Montgomery and Marisa Morea

THE pig who cried wolf finally gets his comeuppance in a hilarious twist on two classic fairy tales from bestselling children’s author and master of comedy Ross Montgomery. Filled with Marisa Morea’s colourful and characterful illustrations, an addictive sense of fun, and messages about the consequences of getting caught in a lie, Porky Pies is the latest book in publisher Barrington Stoke’s super-readable Little Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators. Porky Pies is always telling lies, trying to terrify his brothers and sisters into believing that the Big Bad Wolf is back. But when the biggest fibber in the litter tries to plan his most daring prank yet, the joke is on him this time. So who will have the last laugh? This action-packed adventure, which delivers a witty and wonderful twist on The Three Little Pigs and The Boy Who Cried Wolf, includes some extra giggles inside the cover and comes with 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. A fun-filled escapade which – without needing to tell a lie – guarantees readers will have the last laugh!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
A Midsummer Night’s Drama
Louie Stowell and Isobel Lundie

WELCOME to a drama like no other at The Glade Theatre... a special place where budding bards can hone their skills and discover that all the world’s a stage! A Midsummer Night’s Drama is the first picture book in a brilliantly creative Shakesbearean Tales series from the top team of children’s author Louie Stowell and talented illustrator Isobel Lundie. These charming books, based on Shakespeare’s plays, introduce a cast of lovable animal characters and offer an endearing introduction to the world of theatre. So meet star of the show Bill Bear who loves staging plays with his friends in their woodland theatre. Bill writes brilliant plays for The Glade Theatre and his latest play is a huge success, but then the problems start... Bill’s brain is so busy that he just can’t sleep! Can his animal friends come up with a plan to get him off to sleep? Stowell’s comical and clever story encapsulates the ups and downs of dealing with drama of every kind while Lundie’s atmospheric and richly detailed illustrations bring The Glade Theatre to life. Parents everywhere will recognise the drama of getting an over-excited little bear off to dreamland while the funny and reassuring story addresses some of the big emotions felt by little ones. The second act can’t come soon enough!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
High Top: Sole Mates
Tom Lacey

KIDS will be laughing their socks off when they get their hands on the new adventure in a simply shoeper comedy series! The High Top books are the brainchild of Tom Lacey, the pseudonym of a group of creative ‘sole’ mates who, between them, have written and illustrated numerous bestselling books on both sides of the Atlantic. So welcome to Shoe Town where the residents are all footloose, and meet High Top, the sneaker who is everybody’s friend. High Top just LOVES love and he knows how to show it...  in increasingly creative ways! But when the irrepressible young sneaker embarks on a plan to ensure his friends are left in no doubt of his feelings for them, will the course of true love run smooth? Or will High Top be left with his laces in a knot? Giggles and guffaws are guaranteed as High Top’s hilarious antics land him in a knot with his footwear friends. With an irrepressibly energetic hero striding out on a series of madcap adventures, and a gallery of colourful shoes, pumps and boots keeping young readers on their toes, this series is destined to run and run! 
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

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, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure
Maren Morris, Karina Argow
and Kelly Anne Dalton

JOIN an adventurous Ant as she leaves her cosy home in the Tomato Bed and steps out into the brave new world beyond the garden shed in a beautiful picture book that celebrates the glories of nature. Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure is co-authored by acclaimed US singer-songwriter Maren Morris and her best friend, former schoolteacher Karina Argow, and lavishly illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton. Set in a vast and magical garden full of insect friends, vegetables, blooming flowers and the abundance of nature, this delightful story charts one little ant’s journey for independence and all the while learning when to ask for help. Addie Ant travels from one garden bed to another on her first solo adventure. But as she forges her own path, she gets lost along the way and finds help and advice from her trusted garden pals, Lewis Ladybug, Beatrix Butterfly, and Cleo Cricket, in finding her way back home. A visual and verbal celebration of friendship, this imaginative and entertaining book is a stunning collaboration between Morris and Argow, combining clever wordplay alongside themes of independence, friendship and inclusivity, and all brought to life by Dalton’s enchanting, full-colour illustrations. A dazzling book that does exactly what the authors aimed for... instils in children ‘a deep love for the world around them.’
(Chronicle Books, hardback, £13.99)

Age 2 plus
How Many Dinosaurs
Is Too Many?
Lou Peacock and Nicola Slater

‘One day, I got a dinosaur, but very soon I knew one dinosaur was not enough and so I wanted... two!’ 

MEET a riotous bunch of cheeky dinosaurs in an adorable cautionary tale about friendship, fun and counting to ten! Author Lou Peacock and illustrator Nicola Slater work their special magic on this colourful and comical picture book which comes with a jaunty rhyming text and bright, stylish artwork full of zingy neon detail. When a dinosaur comes to play, you’re sure to have lots of fun. But wouldn’t 2...3...4 ...or even 10 dinosaurs be better still? Or would they be too big, too messy and just a little bit too naughty? Perhaps one very special dinosaur is just perfect after all! Little ones will love watching the increasing chaos as each favourite dinosaur joins the party and with giggles galore guaranteed right through to the last page, and a free Stories Aloud QR code audio recording to enjoy, this is a dinosaur get-together your youngsters won’t want to miss!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Jane Foster’s I Love Yellow
Jane Foster

I LOVE yellow! Yellow is the best! I have yellow shorts and a matching yellow vest! Add colour to your child’s life – and maybe even your own! – with this stylish and humorous board book celebration of all things yellow. Perfect for teaching little ones about colours, I Love Yellow is the creation of acclaimed artist and leading textile designer Jane Foster and with a rhyming text, adorable characters and sunshine-bright artwork, this eye-catching book is guaranteed to appeal to readers of all ages... whatever their favourite colour. Early learning fun that is perfect for sharing, and a stylish alternative to traditional first board books.
(Templar Publishing, board book, £7.99)