CHILDREN'S BOOKS: The shortest day, a kelpie curse and comic fantasy

Explore the world through the lens of one magical day, discover the wild and wonderful landscape of New Zealand alongside a cursed family, meet a fantasy animal faced with some hilariously weird villains, and enjoy comedy antics with a rabbit desperate to buy a new car in a spring sunshine selection

Age 7 plus
Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day
Jen Breach and 14 Global Artists

EXPLORE the daily lives of children around the world through the lens of one single special day – June 21 – the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and the shortest in the southern hemisphere. With the help of 14 artists from different corners of the world, this beautiful and informative book allows readers to meet 14 fictional children in 14 places from the far south to the far north, and to discover the science, history and cultural significance of the solstice. Written by children’s author Jen Breach, and lavishly illustrated by an eclectic mix of global artists representing their different home countries, Solstice brings young readers scientific and cultural information using the worldwide experience of a solstice as its scientific core, and the descriptions of children’s lives at each latitude as the cultural narrative.

Just twice each year, during the solstice, Earth leans closest to our home star, the Sun, and since ancient times people have used the Sun as a timekeeper. They knew that the length of daylight changes in a regular way and celebrated the solstice as a signal of changing seasons. This clever, colour and informative book enhances the text and illustrations with fascinating infographics about geography, hours of sunlight, sunrise and sunset times, and how the Earth’s tilt creates solstices and seasons. And a global event needs a global perspective so Solstice introduces us to non-traditional families and some of the interesting facts that crop up in the different accounts... for example,  in the Chinese entry we learn that pandas need to play or else they get sad! Packed with fascinating non-fiction, stunning illustrations for each location by artists representing their home countries with authority and beauty, and the opportunity to learn words in each language (including how to say hello!), this is the perfect, children-friendly way to discover a truly magical day.
(What on Earth Books, hardback, £15.99)

Age 9 plus
The Grimmelings
Rachael King

JOIN a young girl as she tries to break the curse of a kelpie and save her family in a thrilling adventure full of alien magic, folklore and dark spirits from exciting New Zealand writer Rachael King. Set amidst the stunning scenery of King’s homeland, The Grimmelings is a powerful, highly atmospheric adventure that harnesses Scottish mythology and contemporary New Zealand culture to create an utterly compelling tale of family, love and legacy. Ella has long since learned not to listen to the local gossip about her and her family... she has her mum, Morag, her little sister Fiona, and their incredible grandmother, Grizzly, who often tells tales of  her Scottish ancestry and the strange stories of creatures who travelled between our world and the faerie realm. The girls help Morag to run their horse trekking business in the heart of the stunning New Zealand landscape known as The Basin. And of course there is Magpie, Ella’s beloved horse, who is as cheeky and changeable as the black and white birds she’s named for. But the same evening local boy Josh Underhill goes missing, Ella feels uneasy. 

His teasing of the sisters had ramped up recently and Ella had snapped. She hadn’t really meant to curse him and she doesn’t even really believe in curses anyway. But now he’s missing and a strange, inexplicable foreboding sensation is falling over The Basin and when a black horse appears on the hill above the house, Ella feels somehow drawn to it. She now knows that words are powerful and she shouldn’t have uttered a wish and a curse on the same day. And who is Gus, the boy with the impish grin, who seems to appear in answer to her wish, and what does the black horse want? When Ella finds that her grandmother’s warnings of creatures that dwell in the lake are more than just stories, she and her pony Magpie are drawn into a dangerous, life-saving mission. A former literary festival director, King’s dazzling novel explores themes of loyalty, courage, and being careful what you wish for as Ella and her family try to unravel the mystery that seems to be stalking them, and work out whether it’s a spirit force for good, or one with evil intentions. Featuring a cast of unforgettable characters, all the atmospherics that one would expect from such a unique and mystical landscape, and with fantasy threaded through every corner of the action and drama, The Grimmelings is the perfect way to get ‘carried away’ this summer!
(Guppy Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
I Am Wolf
Alastair Chisholm

ENTER a thrillingly imagined dystopian world packed with big ideas, spine-tingling danger and jaw-dropping surprises as highly-acclaimed author Alastair Chisholm unleashes the first book of a dazzling new trilogy. With a bold and highly original ‘other world’ just waiting to be discovered, a cast of unforgettable characters, plenty of thought-provoking concepts, and a page-turning adventure to get lost in, youngsters will be hooked from first page to last. Coll belongs to Wolf. He lives with his crew on their Construct, Wolf, a huge technological ‘creature’ driven by the clan’s combined willpower. Together they roam their savage world, battling other Constructs, fighting for territory, and absorbing them into their own. Coll is determined to show he deserves his place in Wolf’s crew, especially because some of the crew treat him unfairly because of his limb difference. But when a new and dangerous Construct attacks them, Coll is thrown clear from Wolf and left behind. Now he must get back to his crew, helped by Rieka, a ‘Tock’ who makes the Constructs work. She promises Coll a way to return, but does she have ulterior motives, can she be trusted and what is she really trying to do? As Coll learns new ways to survive and uncovers the truth, it destroys everything he thought he knew about his crew, the world they live in, and even himself. In a world full of danger, and suddenly without meaning, will he ever find Wolf again and even if he does, will he still belong? Expect to be bewitched and bedazzled by Chisholm’s imaginative power as Coll’s fascinating, fearsome world rolls out across 225 pages of action, intrigue, peril and unlikely alliances. With its cast of unforgettable characters and uncertainty round every corner, the second book in the series can’t come too soon!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
When Saturday Comes
Tony Bradman and Tania Rex

A BOY torn between love for his family and his love of playing football is the star of a moving story from the top team of acclaimed author Tony Bradman and accomplished illustrator Tania Rex. Daniel had a hard time when his parents split up two years ago and his dad started working abroad. He had to move and start at a new school, but things changed for the better when he made friends with Ethan and started playing football for the Haybrook Rockets who are coached by Ethan’s dad. This season the team are in with a chance of winning the Championship but just as things are looking up for Daniel, his own dad comes back and the only time he can meet up is a Saturday morning... when Daniel plays football. He doesn’t want to let his dad or his team down, so what is Daniel going to do? Bradman’s sensitively told story – specially created by publisher Barrington Stoke in a super readable format for reluctant or dyslexic readers – zones in on Daniel’s strained relationship with his struggling dad when he is forced to choose between playing football and spending quality time with the father he hasn’t seen for quite some time. Harnessing all the familiar feelings and frustrations of children caught between warring parents, Bradman brings us a story full of warmth, insight and wisdom, with the added poignancy of Rex’s expressive and emotive artwork.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Secret Society of Very Important Post
Alexandra Page and Penny Neville-Lee

A GOOD read will definitely be ‘sorted’ when youngsters get their hands on the second book in the delightful Wishyouwas mystery series which comes with an enchanting retro feel... and a nod to the nation’s long-serving Royal Mail. Written by Alexandra Page and illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee, these twisting, turning modern-classic crime capers sweep youngsters into animal adventures and enchanting underground worlds where friendship, bravery and danger take centre stage At the heart of these delightful books is Penny Black, who we first met in the first book, Wishyouwas, and whose mother and uncle run a post office in London in the 1950s. It could sometimes be a lonely life for Penny but all that changed when she discovered a small, fluffy, funny, talking creature called Wishyouwas. The little creature is a Sorter and he has introduced Penny to a fascinating secret world hidden in the tunnels underneath the city’s streets. Self-appointed guardians of lost mail, the Sorters have dedicated their lives to rescuing letters that have gone astray and making sure they get delivered to their rightful owners. And now it’s1953, just days from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, and Penny Black can’t get into the summer holiday spirit because she’s about to move to Scotland with her mum – and away from everything she knows – for good. But when Wishyouwas plops into the fireplace in a cloud of soot and chaos, with a summons from the Royal Postmistress herself, all of Penny’s plans suddenly go up in smoke. The intrepid pair are soon on the trail of a mysterious traitor and a potentially deadly plot to halt the coronation. Their investigation will take them across London’s busy streets, high up in the air and deeper into danger than they’ve ever been before. Bursting with action, intrigue, and fascinating insights into the life and times of London in the decade after the Second World War, Page’s enthralling adventure takes us on a journey through some of the city’s real-life hidden landmarks. With a magical underground world to enjoy, a warm and wonderful friendship to share, and a perilous, high-stakes mystery to solve, this new Wishyouwas mission is not to be missed! 
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
The Narzat
Luke Marchant and Rory Walker

IMAGINARY worlds don’t come more funny, fantastical and downright wacky than this delightful comic debut from primary school teacher, and now author, Luke Marchant. Packed with the equally zingy and zany illustrations of Rory Walker, this hilarious and warm-hearted adventure stars the lovable Narzat, a fantasy animal faced with some very weird and wonderful villains in the very, very faraway Jumble Jungle Wood. The Narzat lives in the wood with his friends, the LookyLizard (a feisty reptile who communicates through sign language) and the Chatty Chirper (a comically talkative bird who never shuts up). Little is known about how the Narzat arrived there, but he wears a necklace bearing a meaningful inscription. The Jumble Jungle Wood is full of animals you would love to meet because they are fun and friendly but some, like the roaring Ravenoserous are absolutely lethal. And then one day, two villains arrive, Lord and Lady Snide, armed with guns and a fierce desire for furs and the Narzat’s necklace. Can the Jumble Jungle Wood defeat the two awesome newcomers and their wicked plans? Featuring goodies to love and baddies to boo, The Narzat is a visual and verbal delight as Marchant and Walker harness their considerable talents on an all-action romp that packs in everything that young readers adore. A sure-fire winner with mischief-makers!
(Everything with Words, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Winnie-the-Pooh and the Party
Jeanne Willis and Mark Burgess

JOIN your favourite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood at birthday party time in a beautiful gift book that marks the hundredth anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh’s first appearance. With gentle rhyming verse by bestselling author Jeanne Willis, and inspired by A.A. Milne’s classic poem Teddy Bear, this joyful, heartwarming rhyming adventure about true friendship and having fun features the enchanting, full-colour illustrations of Mark Burgess, in the style of the original illustrator E.H. Shepard. This dazzling series of books, by a contemporary pairing, introduce a new generation to the much-loved adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and have been authorised by the Trustees of The Pooh Properties and the Trustees of The Shepard Trust. Featuring some of the best-loved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, and with all the comforting vibes of Milne’s classic tales, the adventures in rhyme come in beautiful hardback gift editions with a foiled jacket. In this cosy new story, it’s Rabbit's birthday and that means party time in the Hundred Acre Wood! With all our beloved characters in attendance, name badges are a must... but spelling can be tricky, as Booh Pear, Tiddle and Wiglet find out! Will Rabbit let them in if their names are not spelt correctly? With reassuring, humour-filled adventures to enjoy, and moments that capture the essence of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, this is the perfect introduction to a classic favourite and a brilliant read-aloud story for all the family to enjoy!
This book is published on May 23
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Pick a Story: A Monster Princess Shark Adventure
Sarah Coyle and Adam Walker-Parker

DECISIONS, decisions, decisions! Being given a choice can be scary and for some youngsters, it can be terrifying. But making choices and decisions is an inevitable part of life so make it fun – and not too easy! – with this sparkling interactive children’s illustrated picture book series where YOU choose the story. Author Sarah Coyle and illustrator Adam Walker-Parker have fun and challenge little ones to start making decisions and enjoy the bigger picture with these super ‘pick your own’ whirlwind adventures. And in this fourth empowering and laugh-out-loud interactive story, youngsters discover not one, but three completely different, fun-filled worlds featuring three childhood favourites... monsters, princesses and sharks. Zara is enjoying a day at the beach, when she realises – horror! – that Old Ted has disappeared. He may be old and worn but Zara needs him back, and she needs YOUR help to find him! Has Old Ted been taken by a monster? Or pinched by a princess? Or snapped up by a shark? It’s up to YOU to decide! Each page includes an activity, such as search-and-find, odd-one-out, mazes and more, all woven seamlessly into the stories. And with a different story guaranteed every time the book is read, plus lots of twists and turns, hilarious characters and decisions to make on every page, this is the ideal book to inspire a lifelong love of reading. So what are you waiting for? Come on in and join the fun!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Old MacDonald had a Farm
and Five Little Ducks
Camilla Reid and Jill Howarth

ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with a gorgeous new interactive counting book series based on favourite nursery rhymes. 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 delightful new Slide and Count board book series features buttons which slide along special tracks. 

And there’s lots of fun and smiles to be had as youngsters bring Old MacDonald’s noisy farmyard to life, and make Mother Duck’s little ducklings follow her down the stream and off on their adventure. With a romping, read-aloud text which is ideal for sharing, easy-to-move buttons to slide, and an adorable cast of animal characters, these joyful pre-school books are brought to enchanting life by the striking and super-colourful illustrations of artist Jill Howarth. With richly detailed scenes that are packed full of details to spot, these beautifully created and innovative board books are the perfect way to introduce early-years children to the concept of counting!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board books, £7.99 each)

Age 2 plus
Wowzers!
Lou Carter and Magda Brol

IF you’re looking for the ‘wheel deal’ when it comes to picture book fun, then enjoy a ride with Lou Carter and Magda Brol’s supercharged adventure! This top team are the bestselling creators of The Great Hamster Getaway and Wowzers! is filled with laugh-out-loud antics, Carter’s romping rhymes, and Brol’s high-energy illustrations whilst delivering  entertaining reminders about the rewards that come from friendship and helping others. Rabbit is desperate to buy a new car... until one fine day, he finally saves up enough to buy his heart’s desire – a flashy blue motor! And VROOM, he’s off to show his friends. But when Rabbit sees his pals showing off their cool diggers, flashing fire-engines and amazing sailboats, it’s hard to resist trying to outdo them all... even when they need help to rescue poor Cat who’s stuck on a high bridge. Once again, Carter and Brol bring youngsters their own special brand of picture book magic as lovable, revved-up Rabbit looks set to capture the heart of every reader. Perfect for reading aloud, this four-wheeled adventure is destined to be a sure-fire family favourite!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Does a Bear Wash its Hair?
Moira Butterfield and Adam Ming

DON'T poo poo it, but here’s a picture book that explores some of the incredible daily routines (and toilet habits!) of an amazing menagerie animals! Does a Bear Wash its Hair? is a dazzling new picture book from author Moira Butterfield and illustrator Adam Ming, the perfect partnership that created Does a Monkey Get Grumpy? which helped youngsters understand their emotions. And in this fun and fact-packed sequel – with its bouncy, rhyming text and Ming’s bold, colourful and playful illustrations – the team encourage children to identify their own self-care activities and routines whilst learning about the importance of caring for Earth’s remarkable creatures. So did you know that some crabs get dressed, that young meerkats have to go to ‘school,’ or that sloths have very particular pooping habits? From brave plover birds who clean crocodile teeth, to orangutans who make cosy treetop beds, animals have the most fascinating routines... just like us! Whether they are keeping clean or using tools to catch their dinner, the daily habitats of 15 animals across the planet – including sloths, meerkats, alpacas, wolves, foxes and crabs – spring to vibrant life. Ideal for relating human behaviour to animals whilst delivering a host of humorous facts, lovable animal characters, and helping youngsters to recognise ideas of empathy and animal welfare, this is the perfect, wind-down book for children’s own bedtime routine!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

The Secret Shore

Liz Fenwick

WHEN your home nestles near Frenchman’s Creek – the enchanting cove on Cornwall’s Helford River made famous by renowned novelist Daphne du Maurier – then inspiration for your own writing can’t ever be far away.

But award-winning author Liz Fenwick (pictured below), dubbed queen of the contemporary Cornish novel, digs beyond the beauty of her local landscape to unearth a moving tale of danger, daring and romance starring the wartime map girls... those unsung female cartographers who played vital roles in land surveying, meteorology and intelligence.

Mapping was vital to secret operations on the coasts of both Cornwall and occupied Brittany, with extensive, pre-D-Day small boat flotilla runs taking place in the Helford area, but the work of women from the Ordnance Survey Department was never officially rewarded in England or France, and has almost been lost. And so The Secret Shore is Fenwick’s tribute to the first female cartographers of the Second World War, and an unmissable opportunity to celebrate their achievements in helping to chart out a path to victory... all set against the backdrop of the rugged Cornish coast.

In May of 1942, brilliant geographer and mapmaker Dr Meredith (Merry) Tremayne has left her teaching post at Oxford University and become one of the Navy’s most skilled cartographers, working in the Admiralty in London under Commander Ian Fleming, the smooth-talking ‘fixer’ of the intelligence service.

As a 27-year-old woman noted for her beauty, Merry is a mystery to her male colleagues who can’t understand how she can devote her life to mapmaking knowing that as a female worker in a professional service, she is forbidden to marry.

But Merry is all too aware that the lives of men fighting in faraway locations depend on her work in the War Office and, as a native of Cornwall and a fluent French and German speaker, her added skills are vital to the accuracy of coastal mapmaking work being carried out at a secret location near the Helford River. Despite her good looks, which Commander Fleming regards as a danger because ‘beauty is always noted and remembered,’ Merry is posted back to her roots in Cornwall on a secret intelligence mission, and to look into a mystery involving her widowed mother Elise, a French artist whose disappearance has led to rumours she is a spy. 

But as Merry gets on with making coastal maps that could mean life or death for agents on perilous missions to Northern France, the defences she has carefully built around her heart start to crumble when she meets Lieutenant Jake Russell, an enigmatic American naval officer who is taking part in the secret operations. And as rumours and suspicion swirl around her family, Merry finds herself increasingly drawn to Jake. It’s a dangerous time to fall head over heels in love when the tides of war are rising... and there is everything to lose.

Mystery, romance and the real-life work of the mapmakers prove a thrilling mix in a story that moves from the ravages of bomb-damaged London to the banks of the glorious Helford River where wartime operations were vital to the success of D-Day and played a pivotal role in changing the course of the war. With intrigue at every turn, the constant threat from across the Channel, and the uncertainties and suspicions of life on the home front, The Secret Shore is a fascinating and immaculately researched account of a hidden corner of wartime, but also an emotion-packed tale of sacrifice, passion, survival and outstanding bravery.

At its heart is Merry, a dedicated, professional woman caught up in a battle between the sense of duty and restraint that has always informed her working life, and a soaring, overwhelming love that threatens to break all the rules. Providing the perfect backdrop, as always, is Fenwick’s exquisite evocation of glorious Cornwall, the place where this exiled American now lives with her English husband and family, and which she uses as the breathtaking canvas on which to paint her memorable stories.

And there could be none more all-round entertaining than this gripping, action-packed, love-filled odyssey, Fenwick’s most ambitious and powerful novel yet, and a much-needed reminder that it was the painstaking efforts of the mapmakers who laid the ground for the success, or failure, of every battle... and ultimately the war. A must read this summer!
(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A wartime angel, ancient wonders and a shark school

Meet a mysterious wartime ‘angel’ who brings kindness and hope to a Lake District community, enjoy a captivating journey into the rise and fall of the colourful Maya civilisation, explore the fascinating world of witches in a fun-filled adventure, and enjoy undersea antics with a rock star shark band in a super new selection

Age 9 plus
Angel of Grasmere
Tom Palmer and Tom Clohosy Cole

INSPIRED by the much-loved Swallows and Amazons outdoor adventure books of Leeds author Arthur Ransome, award-winning writer Tom Palmer – who hails from the same city – once against uses the majestic backdrop of wartime in the Lake District for a moving story based on real events. Palmer, who brought us Arctic Star and After the War: From Auschwitz to Ambleside, has a long-standing love affair with the Lakes, and in this sharply perceptive and emotive story he looks to a German wartime plan to invade Britain by landing paratroopers and gliders in the Lakeland fells as the starting point for a beautifully imagined adventure.

It’s July of 1940 and as angry Tarn Forthergill struggles to come to terms with the loss of her beloved brother Joss – who was reported to have died after falling overboard from a rescue ship in the chaos of the British retreat at Dunkirk – she and her friends scour the hills around their Lake District home, watching for any signs of the long-dreaded Nazi invasion. But as the war drags on, with little good news from the battlefields at the front, the locals become aware of someone carrying out anonymous acts of kindness, such as saving a flock of sheep from a snowdrift and getting help for an injured farmer who might otherwise have died. With no one claiming credit, the thankful and uplifted people of Grasmere come to think of this unidentified stranger as a kind of guardian angel but when his identity is finally revealed, can Tarn come to terms with the truth? Illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole and with a gripping storyline, strands of real history, and a warm and wise exploration of friendship, kindness, and what it is to be brave, this atmospheric adventure is both an inspiration and a reminder of the nation’s wartime hardships, sufferings and sacrifices.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
What It Was Like to Be an Ancient Maya
David Long and Stefano Tambellini

ENJOY a captivating journey into the rise and fall of the rich and colourful Maya civilisation with Blue Peter Award-winning author David Long in the third book of his enthralling What It Was Like to Be... series. Largely forgotten for centuries, the ancient Maya were incredible. Their cities across Central and South America featured astonishing pyramids and palaces while they were also successful farmers and highly creative artists. The Maya were the first people in the Americas to learn how to read and write, and they invented things like rubber, chocolate and chewing gum. They had a deep understanding of astronomy, mathematics and timekeeping, although they also had some horrible, bloodthirsty traditions such as making human sacrifices. Find out what life as an Ancient Maya was actually like while also investigating why this mysterious civilisation was close to dying out when the region was conquered by Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century. Long’s concise and thoroughly entertaining account brings the Maya’s fascinating civilisation into focus, allowing a deeper understanding and appreciation of their often forgotten culture. With all the intriguing facts and mysteries of their lives brought to vivid life by Stefano Tambellini’s rich artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a dazzling addition to a top class series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Max Magic: The Incredible Holiday Hideout
Stephen Mulhern, Tom Easton and Begoña Fernández Corbalán

PUT extra magic into your life with the third marvellous mystery in the amazingly good Max Magic series from TV presenter and magician, Stephen Mulhern. Inspired by Mulhern’s own incredible story of his journey to becoming a magician, performer and TV star, and written with well-known children’s author Tom Easton, these fun-packed adventures celebrate friendship, family, never giving up... and magic, of course! Here we meet up again with Max Mullers as he gets ready to take his magic skills to the next level. But then the news gets out that the no-good Crayfish Twins have broken out of jail and are ready to get their revenge on Max and his friends. Luckily, Max and the gang are heading to the incredible Bupkins holiday resort for a week of seaside fun... it’s the perfect place to lie low. But staying out of the spotlight doesn’t come naturally to Max, and he’s soon grabbing attention at Bupkins with his magic and mischief... and not in a good way! Max and his friends have managed to escape some sticky situations in the past, but will they be able to stay one step ahead of trouble this time? Packed with Begoña Fernández Corbalán’s lively black-and-white illustrations, a simple card trick for youngsters to try out for themselves, and with a dyslexic-friendly layout, this rip-roaring romp is not just an exhilarating ride through some terrific magic, but a book that is ideal for every child to read and enjoy. On with the show!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Lily Halfmoon: The Witches' Council
Xavier Bonet

PREPARE to be totally bewitched by the second book in a magical graphic novel series from talented self-taught illustrator and comic book artist Xavier Bonet who lives in Barcelona. Gorgeously illustrated in full colour, these adorably witchy stories celebrate the power of friendship and explore the world of witches with some real-life facts. Lily Halfmoon has a secret. She’s a witch! With her animal guardian and her powerful magic gemstone, she and her friends help protect the town of Piedraville from all kinds of dangers. And now it’s almost Samhain, when magic is at its strongest, and witches from all over the world are gathering at Lily’s school. There will be a meeting of The Witches’ Council, but there will also be plenty of fun activities like magic demonstrations, kelpie taming and flying races. But Lily is in trouble. A mysterious person is after her rare moonstone and if they get their hands on it, it could threaten everything Lily holds dear. Will Lily have the strength to fight for what she believes? Bonet creates an exciting and magical world as the backdrop to his intricately illustrated and action-packed stories but there is also the chance to learn some fascinating information about the witches’ lunar calendar, magic schools around the world, and some legendary magical creatures. Fun, fantasy and facts in one spellbinding book!
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 6 plus
Jawsome: Licence to Rock
R.J. Timmis

IF you’re looking for non-stop adventure, dive into the second book of award-winning Australian author and illustrator R.J. Timmis’ awesome highly illustrated novel series Jawsome! The sharp-toothed heroes of these ocean romps are Finley, Hunter, Gilleon and Gnash who are busy juggling their double lives as ordinary school sharks with being the stars of the sensational rock band, Jawsome! But they soon find themselves deep in a sea of suspicious shark-nanigans. From stopping evil A.B.B.A agents to unmasking a strange new band, Jawsome will need to use all their rock star skills to save Chumville. Youngsters are loving getting their teeth into the gill-splitting antics of Jawsome, the big names at Chomp FM who have six krillion fans and three gold albums! With themes of friendship, mystery, sharks, marine life, adventure, humour, music, rock and roll, and secret identity, and featuring two hilarious stories in one book, there’s plenty of reading here for youngsters who like their adventures in bite-size chunks!
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Bad United: Just For Kicks
Louise Forshaw

LOVING your sport is more important than being the best! Young action lovers and reluctant readers will adore running in the goals with a super-charged Unicorn called Hoof in the first book of a highly illustrated, graphic series from author and illustrator Louise Forshaw. All Hoof the Unicorn wants to do is be part of a football team but his club never appreciated his talents and kicked him out. Then he spots an advert for Bad United and he feels a tingling in his hooves... a chance to be part of a team again, a chance to play the game he loves, and a chance to show off his skills. And Hoof is thrilled to find his new team-mates are more than up for the challenge. Led by enthusiastic mermaid coach Serena Winmer, the team consists of Bones, their skeleton captain who sometimes struggles to keep her head, Rex, the ROARsome dinosaur defender, cheetah striker Bolt who brings the thunder, Tinkerball who dazzles with her magic fairy moves, and Annette who guards the goal with her life (and eight spider legs). All deemed ‘not good enough’ to play for their teams (who decides what’s ‘good’ anyway?!), Bad United combine strength, skill, speed and stench to show everyone what they’ve got... Breathless fun, lots of on-pitch shenanigans and uplifting, inspirational messages about inclusivity make this super-silly action series the perfect choice for your own all-action mischief makers!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Woodland Explorers Club:
Benji’s Emerald King
Ewa Jozefkowicz and Gillian Flint  

AS the nation’s woodlands burst into a riot of springtime colour, discover the wonders of nature in the first of an exciting forest school adventure series from Waterstones Prize shortlisted author Ewa Jozefkowicz. Brimming with friendship, adventure, and learning through nature, these inspirational stories – with Gillian Flint’s fun illustrations on every page – introduce young readers to the Woodland Explorers who solve mysteries and protect the animals of Willow Wish Woods. The woods are home to the ancient Emerald King, the tallest tree in the forest which has something special and magical about it. Local children, Benji, Shyla, Ajay, Trix, Fujiko and Eric, discover that its branches are damaged. Who could have hurt the tree, and why? And not only that... the stream, the Tadpole Run, is full of rubbish, and there’s not a frog in sight. The friends decide to form the Woodland Explorers Club and their first mission is to solve the mystery of the Emerald King and bring the magic of the forest back to life. With magic, mystery, forest school fun, a whole world to explore, and the added bonus of outdoor activities to try out, youngsters will be pulling on their wellies and heading for the great outdoors!(Zephyr, hardback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Tiny, Floating Coral
Mary Auld and La Scarlatte

MARVEL at an amazing story that begins and ends with a tiny coral planula floating through the ocean in a soup of plankton as it looks for the perfect place to settle, divide and grow. This is the early stage in the remarkable life-cycle of the different plants and animals that form a coral reef... a whole world of microscopic life that is too small for us to see but which can live for thousands of years. Tiny, Floating Coral is the third book in a thrilling and innovative series from exciting, young and independent children’s publisher Mama Makes Books. The Start Small, Think Big series unfolds a world of discovery, beginning from the small and familiar to new areas of knowledge where they really have to think big! And from the moment a child opens the stunning cover of this new book, with its alluring peep-through hole, they will be transported to the world of coral reefs, a habitat which is under the most urgent threat from climate change, and where they will learn a host of fascinating facts. So travel to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the largest coral reef ecosystem on Earth – and delve into its wonders through a narrative which has two levels. The main story is written in the first person for emerging readers, while an additional factual text is ideal for more advanced readers and shared reading. With the help of La Scarlatte’s richly detailed illustrations, which bring the narrative and the science to life, Mary Auld’s easy-to-follow exploration includes a giant fold-out map, packed with information, and an I-Spy game at the back of the book to turn back the pages and find an array of coral reef animals. A dazzling addition to any home, school or library.
(Mama Makes Books, hardback, £10.99)

Age 3 plus
Pearl and her Bunch
Momoko Abe

WHAT really makes a family? A grape in search of her true identity is the star of a delicious new picture book from Japanese-born author and illustrator Momoko Abe whose tasty debut, Avocado Asks, won the hearts of readers young and old. In this new dainty dish, we meet little Pearl who makes the startling discovery that she’s not a grape like the rest of the bunch and begins to question everything! Can they really be her family if she doesn’t look like them? An adventure around the house might just help her find the answer she’s looking for. This warm and witty story – starring a stellar cast of fruit and veg of all shapes and sizes – has a simple and yet powerful message about accepting who you are and is a great starting point in discussing chosen families, identity and belonging. Brought to life by stylish, vintage-inspired illustrations, this is a book that will suit the ‘taste’ of both children and their parents!
(Orchard Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Supersaurus: Total Tricera-Flop!
Angela Woolfe and Mark Chambers

IT'S jamboree day at Smalltown but there’s sabotage afoot. Can anyone save the day? Prepare to laugh yourself silly with this romping, roarsome picture book from the top team of children’s author Angela Woolfe and France-based illustrator Mark Chambers. Dino-vision goggles? ON! Tricera-strength? READY! Supersaurus is here to save the day! But, uh-oh, everything keeps going wrong. Could Supersaurus’s superhero days be behind him? And who will turn the tide against the giant wave of ice cream that threatens to wreak havoc on Smalltown? Dinosaurs meet superheroes as the rhyme romps and the ice cream flows in this super-silly and super-funny adventure illustrated in a young comic-book style by Chambers.  A laughter-packed dinosaur book that’s perfect for little mischief-makers!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Richard Scarry’s Please and Thank You Book
Richard Scarry

FIND out who has the best manners in Busytown... and learn how to stay safe, be polite and helpful, and have a great time! Springtime is here and it’s the perfect time to treat your youngsters to a gorgeous, classic picture book written and illustrated by American author and artist Richard Scarry, one of the founding fathers of children’s illustration. Scarry, who died in 1994 aged 74, is unquestionably one of the best-loved children’s authors of all time, writing more than 250 books which have gone on to sell more than 150 million copies globally. Born in Boston in 1919, he moved to Switzerland in 1968 and once wrote: ‘It’s a precious thing to be communicating to children, helping them discover the gift of language and thought.’ Scarry had a unique ability to see the world from a child’s point of view and Richard Scarry’s Please and Thankyou Book is a shining example of his inimitable and inspirational work which offers a special kind of gentle charm on every beautifully created page. Here, we join his beloved characters Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm and lots of other lovable animal characters for a day of fun, discovery and adventure in a busy, busy town as they learn important life lessons like being a good loser and helping friends, family and neighbours. Filled with Scarry’s trademark humour, his richly detailed and colourful pictures to study and enjoy, and hilarious antics to spot in every spread, this busy, beautiful book is perfect for your own little mischief-makers!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age from birth
Imagine if... Flowers!
Aya Watanabe

LET your little ones push, pull and slide their way into surreal and colourful adventures with this new zingy and zany slider book from up-and-coming Japanese illustrator Aya Watanabe who loves to explore imaginary worlds. Watch little faces light up as flowers take on unexpected forms in this joyful novelty book which proves that with a little imagination, the world is a wondrous place! Sunflowers become roaring lions, dandelion seeds become parachutes, and bluebells turn into a cable car. Lift, slide, push, pull and spin the wheels in this gloriously interactive book for babies and toddlers which has a romping rhyming text and bursts with energy and humour. And don’t forget to find the ant who is hiding on every page! Ideal for reading aloud and to encourage creativity.
(Templar Publishing, board book, £6.99)

The Stolen Hours

Karen Swan

WITH a population of just thirty-six souls in the late summer of 1929, the isolated Island of St Kilda in the wind-battered Outer Hebrides has few marriageable men to choose from for the postmaster’s daughter Mhairi MacKinnon.

At the age of eighteen, and the eldest girl in a family of nine children living in a cramped stone cottage, Mhairi knows only too well that she has no option but to find a husband... but leaving St Kilda and moving to another island to wed a stranger has never been in her reckoning.

If you fell in love with 2022’s smash-hit read, The Last Summer, the first of a historical Wild Isle series from bestselling author and master storyteller Karen Swan (pictured below), then this return visit to St Kilda – in the months before its last ever inhabitants were evacuated – will be Gaelic music to your ears.

With sweeping and deliciously romantic stories at their heart, these epic tales of endurance, hardship, and love against the odds, were inspired by the true history of St Kilda – now an uninhabited seabird haven and World Heritage Site – a remote archipelago which towers out of the storm-tossed waters of the Atlantic and has a unique past.

And after leaving her readers with a cliffhanger ending, and a mysterious death unsolved, in our first visit to St Kilda, Swan is back to her island of secrets for another gripping chapter in the lives and loves of three young friends whose individual stories are told in parallel time, but whose fortunes and misfortunes tell different tales.

It’s the dying days of summer in 1929 and the heady days of Mhairi MacKinnon’s childhood on remote Hirta, St Kilda’s largest island, are behind her now because their small settlement needs every set of strong hands and legs it can get.

Everyone Mhairi knows – not least her two close friends Effie Gillies and Flora McQueen – lives on the isle and with a large family to feed and clothe, her village postmaster father Ian has made it clear that he can’t support Mhairi past the coming winter. Husband options are limited and the already swelling autumnal waves, and the arrival of landlord Sir John MacLeod’s factor, Frank Mathieson, his ‘man on the ground,’ for the last of his two annual visits are a reminder that St Kilda is preparing to be cut off from the mainland until spring.   

But the MacKinnons’ neighbour, Donald McKinnon, one of the island’s whalers, has a business acquaintance on the isle of Harris – a ten-hour boat ride away – whose son is also in need of a spouse and Donald offers to chaperone Mhairi there on his final crossing of the year.

Terrified at the thought of marrying a man who lives on the ‘Other Side,’ Mhairi  feels like her father has ‘taken a sledgehammer to her life and smashed it wide apart’ but she agrees to travel to Harris to meet young Alexander McLennan and returns an engaged woman. The only problem is that she is in love with the wrong man... a man who can never be hers. And as she dreads the spring when she will be sent from home to become a stranger’s wife, word arrives that St Kilda is to be evacuated.

It means the lovers are granted a few more stolen hours together, but those last days on St Kilda also bring heartache for Mhairi and her friends. And, when a dead body is discovered on the abandoned isle, they all find themselves under the shadow of suspicion.

It’s easy to see why Swan has been dubbed the queen of epic romances... this new romantic odyssey, which unfolds amidst some of the most rugged and exhilarating scenery in the British Isles, tingles with mystery, drama, and a torrid tale of forbidden love that grips from first to last. Immaculately researched and told with the flair and finesse that we have come to expect from this accomplished writer, The Stolen Hours brings vibrant new life to the fascinating island of St Kilda as we are immersed in its unforgiving climate, the daily grind of a hand-to-mouth existence, and the social complications that arise from living in such a small and tight-knit community.

With echoes of The Last Summer’s star player Effie Gillies’ story drifting through the action, Mhairi’s desperate plight takes centre stage, and as the spectre of being forced to evacuate the only home that the islanders have ever known draws inexorably closer, the tension builds with each turn of the page. Expect a plot teeming with secrets, island superstitions, questions of faith and loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship as we travel with Mhairi into an unknown and uncharted future... but with an intriguing core mystery still to be solved, Swan’s fans will be already chomping at the bit for the next visit to St Kilda.
(Pan, paperback, £9.99)

The Holiday Escape

Heidi Swain

‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive...’

WILL a pair of seemingly star-crossed lovers be able to mend a pack of lies, fight back against the fickleness of fate, and reignite the flames of a holiday romance that set both their hearts on fire?

If a wet spring is dampening your spirits, pour a glass of your favourite tipple and escape into the warmth and wonder of summer loving with the queen of feel-good Heidi Swain in a sizzling novel that explores what happens when the lives of two people – with very different dreams – collide.

Swain (pictured below), who lives with her family in picturesque south Norfolk, has won thousands of adoring readers with her enchanting stories set in three fictional locations... the Fenland town of Wynbridge, cosy Nightingale Square in Norwich, and the resort of Wynmouth on the glorious Norfolk coast. But Swain – whose stories always have a strong sense of community, family and friendship – also brings us a sparkling summer standalone every year and in this delightful new offering we are swept away first to the bright, bustling streets of Barcelona, and then on to an idyllic hideaway on the Dorset coast.

Since her mother died prematurely a few years ago, Ally and her dad Geoff have run the family business, a creative retreat, from their beautiful Georgian home, Hollyhock Cottage, in picturesque Kittiwake Cove in Dorset. They give their guests their dream break but, unknown to her dad, what Ally secretly hankers after is glamourous city living, fancy restaurants and art galleries.

Ally only stays at Hollyhock Cottage and helps her father because it was her mother’s last wish but it has led her into to an ‘emotional tangle of deep-seated obligation, anxiety and fear.’ To try to counteract this, she has developed a survival strategy, a ‘sanity saver,’ which involves escaping out of season, taking a break abroad, and pretending to be the person she always imagined she would be.

But this year, she meets Logan on the flight over to her favourite destination, Barcelona, and blessed with the blond hair she loves, gorgeous eyes, and both brains and good looks, he is exactly the kind of distraction she’s looking for. What Logan doesn’t yet know is that Ally is doing what she always does... taking a different name, giving herself a different personal profile, and pretending to be someone she isn’t. After a passionate week together and a ‘deep and meaningful’ connection that Ally had not expected, she returns home with her spirits restored and Logan still very much on her mind.

But just as she is picking up the reins again and setting her sights on another successful season, Logan unexpectedly arrives on the scene with a booking at one of their rental apartments, and Ally soon realises she’s in for a summer that’s going to be far from straightforward.

Whether you need a sunshine fix to see you through to our own summer, or just a warm and cosy book hug full of fun, drama, romance and the angst of real life trials and tribulations, look no further than this beautifully woven tale. Torn between living the life she has always longed for and keeping a promise she made to her late mother, Ally’s delight in her annual ‘sanctuary’ escape to Europe is wrong-footed when she falls for the handsome, blond, beguiling Logan.   And readers will love the twists and turns that litter Ally and Logan’s path to true love, and the secrets that have a way of tumbling out when Logan makes his unexpected, embarrassing  (and not entirely unwanted!) appearance.

Set against the sea, sun and sand of the Dorset coast, and offering a delightful celebration of the joys of family and friendship, Swain’s summertime odyssey guarantees miles of smiles, lashings of heart-fluttering love, the fun of meeting a charismatic cast of characters (not least cheeky parrot Kasuku!), and is the perfect breath of fresh air for spring and summer reading.
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £9.99)

Poems as Friends:

The Poetry Exchange 10th Anniversary Anthology

Fiona Bennett and
Michael Shaeffer

IMAGINE a poem as your friend... this is exactly what award-winning podcast and project The Poetry Exchange does, and it has brought comfort, solidarity and companionship to many people for ten years.

And to celebrate this resonant concept comes a beautifully created anniversary book, Poems as Friends: The Poetry Exchange 10th Anniversary Anthology, in which the exchange’s founder, Fiona L Bennett, and Michael Shaeffer (pictured below), who has worked as an actor across theatre, film, television and radio for nearly 30 years, explore the idea of poems as friends.

The Poetry Exchange began in 2014 as an 'artistic enquiry' by poet and facilitator Bennett into the creative act of reading and the power of poetry in people’s lives. The idea of poems as friends emerged when she recognised the powerful conversations she has with poems in her own life, and was curious about whether this idea of a poem acting as a companion was true for others. ​

Working closely with Shaeffer, they devised the unique encounter at the heart of The Poetry Exchange... an invitation to people to explore a poem that has been a friend to them, in conversation with two members of their team. ​

They created an intimate environment for these conversations at festivals, libraries, bookshops and other public spaces around the UK, making an open call for people to join them to talk about their chosen poem and the part it has played in their life. ​The result was people from all walks of life bringing poems the Exchange did not know, as well as introducing them anew to poems they did.

The invitation for people to talk about poems in this way led to such extraordinary and eloquent insights that Bennett and Shaeffe wanted to find a way to share these beautiful conversations more widely so in 2016, they launched The Poetry Exchange podcast, discovering poems as friends struck a chord with listeners across the world, and resulted in thousands tuning in each month. ​

And to mark the exchange’s anniversary, this anthology gathers together a beautiful selection of poems, alongside the stories of the readers who brought them their way, and celebrates the role poetry plays in people’s lives.

Featuring Brian Cox on John Clare, Andrew Scott on George Herbert, Maxine Peake on Tony Harrison and many more, the poems reacquaint readers with old friends, perhaps make some new ones, and provide the companionship that poetry can offer us.

So whether you are looking for friends that offer connection and empathy, friends that help to wrestle with difficult things, friends that  name our experiences, friends that comfort and help us to move forward, or friends that we simply admire, this moving, inspirational and uplifting collection of poems will be just the friend you need.
(Quercus Editions, hardback, £14.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Tips for teens, rewilding wonders and edible magic

Get a helping hand with the trials and tribulations of the teenage years, find inspiration to enjoy a lifelong love of science and nature, return to a fantasy world where edible magic is the hottest commodity and brace yourself for Brace and a turbo-powered adventure with a super collection of springtime books

Age 11 plus
Teen Survival Guide
Caroline Young, The Boy Fitz Hammond and Laura Wood

‘You are YOU, a real, unfiltered, unique and
wonderful person. In fact, you are like nobody
else, anywhere, so celebrate it!’ 

THAT'S the message that speaks loud and clear in this brilliant guide for youngsters experiencing the slings and arrows of misfortune during the notoriously turbulent teenage years. Managing the pressures of school, friendships, puberty and family life is tricky for many young people so here is a helping hand... a book that takes an honest look at some of these issues, and offers plenty of tips and suggestions to help youngsters cope with anxiety and stress. Written in a teen-friendly style by Caroline Young, and illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond and Laura Wood – along with expert advice from clinical psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin – this invaluable guide is a must-have tool for all young people... and their parents. Friends, family, social media, exams, money, body worries, identity and school... there is so much to cope with when you’re a teen but the experts are here to help them through all the ups and downs with tips on a range of topics, from managing social media, eating well and building exercise into the day, to sleeping better, doing things you enjoy and socialising, staying safe and managing anxiety and stress. In a time of many pressures on young people, this book – part of Usborne’s wisdom-filled Survival Guide series – offers both insight and sound friendly advice, and is published on May 9 to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £6.99)

Age 12 plus
Explodapedia: Rewild
Ben Martynoga and Moose Allain

SCIENCE and the natural world certainly aren’t boring when you take lessons from the fun-filled pages of an amazing exploding encyclopedia! Explodapedia is a unique non-fiction science series from David Fickling Books which delivers everything you need to know... one book at a time. This exciting, innovative approach takes key topics and presents them in a way that is hugely entertaining and readable, whilst still providing reliable, serious, in-depth information that will help readers gain a true and lasting understanding of crucial subjects. Packed with accessible and funny cartoon illustrations, and superb double-page spreads which seamlessly integrate facts and art, these touchstone books are the work of Dr Ben Martynoga, a neuroscientist and science writer, and artist and cartoonist Moose Allain. In Explodapedia: Rewild, this dynamic author and illustrator team take an inspiring look at how we can rewild life so that nature – and humankind – flourishes for a long time to come. Through words and illustrations, they explore nature’s ability to heal the world in an approachable, compelling way, celebrating the incredible ways it keeps us alive, and looking at how we can welcome the wild on a personal and epic scale. River-nurturing wolves, tree-toppling beavers, climate warrior whales and even genetically-engineered woolly mammoths could all help us protect, revive and restore our planet to its full glory. These richly detailed and thought-provoking books offer an appealing and fully accessible way to learn about fascinating discoveries as well as inspiring young readers to enjoy a lifelong love of science and nature.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Beast of Farrowfell
Ravena Guron and Alessia Trunfio

WELCOME back to a deliciously imagined fantasy world where edible magic is the hottest commodity for thieves... and the adventures are so wild and entertaining that to miss the fun would be a crime! The Beast of Farrowfell is the second book in an epic series from Ravena Guron, a British Indian biochemist turned lawyer turned middle grade author who brings her own captivating brand of energy and joy to the genre, and was highly commended in the FAB Prize, created by Faber to help discover new writers and illustrators of colour. At the heart of these tasty, action-packed adventures is twelve-year-old Jude Ripon, the youngest member of a family of magic-stealing masterminds in the town of Farrowfell, and a girl who is set on a (not always easy!) quest to become a true Ripon. And now Jude is on another vigilante mission to save Farrowfell after a botched escapade. For the last four months, she and her older sister Moorley have been living with the Weston family. Jude is going to school every day, eating her vegetables and doing her homework. For the first time, Jude’s life seems normal. But adventure is calling her name. While unravelling their family’s illegal dealings with raw magic, Jude and Moorley discovered a seedier side to the Consortium and now they are eager to bring about justice, in their own way, through a series of heists. But in their escapades, they find something far darker bubbling in Farrowfell. Reports of a strange, menacing beast are inciting terror. Could it be connected to the resurfacing of raw magic and the devious dealings of the Ripons? Can Jude, Moorley and the Westons band together to save Farrowfell? Fizzing with comedy and energy, packed to the gills with magic and mystery, and given extra vim and vigour by the black-and-white illustrations of Italian artist Alessia Trunfio, this creative, world-building series creates an extra head of steam on each outing and with another adventure promised soon, all eyes will be firmly fixed on Farrowfell!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Mega Robo Bros: Nemesis
Neill Cameron

BRACE yourself for another turbo-powered graphic novel adventure courtesy of David Fickling Books’ highly popular The Phoenix Presents series… and comic books creator Neill Cameron. Part of an amazing all-colour story strip series, Nemesis is the seventh book in a republished version of Mega Robo Bros, but now fully remastered and adapted into a new chunky format with lots of extra bonus content. Packed with all-action fun, exhilarating drama and comedy, these supercharged tales of two robot brothers fighting evil enemies will delight young readers and help to encourage a love of books and good storytelling. So travel to London in the future and meet Alex and Freddy who are just like any other brothers. They are always squabbling and forever finding new ways to drive their adoptive parents crazy. There’s only one difference... they are also the most powerful robots on Earth. In this epic story, the Revolution malware is causing robots across London to attack humans, and Alex and Freddy are caught between their human friends and family, and the desire to help robots like themselves! But who could be behind this nefarious scheme? Before they know what’s happening, everything changes. Their old enemy, Wolfram, long-since believed dead, suddenly reappears, and uses his evil powers, and the robotic rebels of Steelhaven, to take over Freddy’s robotic systems and sends him to destroy London. Can Alex stop his brother... and save him from the corrupting evil power of the villainous Robot 23? With big explosions, family drama, and two madcap brothers saving the day, these superhero thrillers guarantee laughs on every page and are ideal for your own young techno wizards!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Beti and the Little Round House
Atinuke and Emily Hughes

JOIN a big-hearted and brave little girl called Beti in four magical, funny and beautifully illustrated stories set against the stunning backdrop of a wonderfully wild and exciting wood. Atinuke, who was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the UK, is a world-renowned storyteller who draws on her own experience of building and living in a round house to create an unforgettable new children’s book character for readers to take to their hearts. As a traditional oral storyteller, and drawing upon her recent Yoruba ancestry, she visits schools and theatres all over the world and in this charming collection of stories – beautifully and tenderly illustrated by talented young Hawaiian artist Emily Hughes – Atinuke brings readers a truly magical sense of place. Beti lives in a little round house in the woods with Mam, Tad, Baby Jac, her cheeky goat Naughty and many other farm animals. Beti has chickens and horses and goats to look after, and fruit and vegetables to grow and forage. Beti loves the round house and with each changing season, there is always the promise of adventure, especially when her three best friends join in! Brought to life by Hughes’ lush artwork, which features black and white vignettes and full-colour scenes, and written in Atinuke’s rhythmic, heartfelt style, each of the four stories celebrates community, friendship, the power of self-belief and the virtues of being in the wild. Every page of this exquisite book is rich in humour and filled with touching observations on the family’s wild and enchanting way of life through the four seasons, and will inspire young readers to reconnect with nature, and find happiness on their own doorsteps among the love of friends and family.
(Walker Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching
Dan Rouse and Abby Cook

ENTER the fascinating world of wildlife... and discover how to identify different creatures, where they live and what they eat! The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching – written by presenter, wildlife conservationist and ornithologist Dan Rouse, and packed with the gorgeous colour illustrations of Abby Cook – is the perfect fun and engaging wildlife-watching book for younger children. Full of information, tips and craft activities to attract and help outdoor friends, the books helps children to make a difference to their local wildlife with hands-on activities, wonderful ideas and useful tips. With an engaging introduction to animal conservation and protection, and plenty of advice from Rouse, young nature enthusiasts and eco warriors can get up-close to nature in a safe and responsible manner, whether it’s by studying minibeasts, pond dipping, creating a mammal tracker or getting involved in upcycling projects. Learn how to design your own garden, get advice on planting the right plants to create a safe space for animals... with its informative and child-friendly text, beautiful photographs and illustrations, and a range of hands-on projects to try out, this is the ideal book to encourage children to enjoy spending quality time in the great outdoors.
(DK Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Supersausage to the Rescue!
Rachel Morrisroe and Jenny Taylor

READERS moving on to chapter books will love getting their paws on the first book of a sparkling new young fiction series that packs in barking good laughs, heartwarming adventures, and superhero pets! The debut middle grade book for author Rachel Morrisroe, an inventive and original voice in the world of rhyming picture books, and illustrated by Preston-based Jenny Taylor who specialises in fun and quirky artwork, this engaging and high-energy Super Pets series sets off at a cracking pace. Nine-year-old Harry has always wanted a dog and when he sees Dottie at the local animal shelter he knows she’s the perfect puppy for him. What he doesn't realise is that Dottie is a dog with a difference... she can talk and fly! And Harry’s not the only one interested in Dottie. When Harry and Dottie receive a mysterious message from Agent Nibblebottom (an undercover squirrel) they are soon both scooped up in their very first mission with Rebecca Refractor and the SuperPets, a secret league of kids and very special pets who keep the world safe from harm. But the other SuperPets have been kidnapped by Sparkletta Crystal, can Super Sausage (aka Dottie) and Harry stop the evil supervillain in her tracks before it’s too late? Packed with friendship, fun, silly superhero antics and Taylor’s adorable illustrations, Supersausage to the Rescue! is guaranteed to leave animal-loving youngsters straining at the leash for the next Super Pets adventure!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Michael the Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog
Terrie Chilvers and Tim Budgen

AND get ready for more sausage dog antics as Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog faces a woof time on the trail of a dognapper in the second book of a laugh-out-loud series from author and illustrator team, Terrie Chilvers and Tim Budgen. These brilliant young fiction books are in a Blue Peter Book Club selected series that is delighting readers with its super-silly fun and a hilariously self-important doggy hero. Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog has made it to Hollywood from small beginnings but life as a global su-paw-star isn’t working out quite like Michael had planned. With the ratings for his TV series, An Audience with Michael, at rock bottom, and his rival, Steve the Stunt Sausage Dog, getting his own show on another channel, the last thing he needs is his latest guest. Susan the Chocolate Labrador does a terribly boring peanut-balancing act but when she gets kidnapped, Michael jumps at the chance to increase his TV ratings and wow his fans by becoming not just a mind-reading sausage dog, but a detective mastermind as well... oh, and he should probably try and save Susan from her kidnappers too. Slapstick, pun-packed comedy doesn’t come better than this outlandish outing with a delectable diva doggy!  
(Firefly Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 6 plus
Tasty Tales
Anna Lena Feunekes

WHO knew that history could make you hungry? Youngsters will love getting their teeth into this juicy book of Tasty Tales written and illustrated by self-taught Netherlands-based artist Anna Lena Feunekes who brings a deliciously tactile flavour to her work. In this delightful picture book, packed with facts and fables about our favourite foods, Feunekes travels the world on a plate and comes up with some fascinating dishes. Drawing inspiration from both history and lore, the book explores the mouth-watering stories behind some of the world’s favourite foods. From a plant-loving pirate to an Ethiopian goat, and from the crescent of the croissant to a tofu trailblazer, Tasty Tales offers a fascinating, sometimes surprising, but always appetising, journey across historical periods and diverse cultures. These incredible origin stories celebrate how ingredients and dishes have travelled the globe to be shared and loved in new and exciting ways... and how food truly connects us all. Employing her penchant for creating art and finding interesting stories, Feunekes’ culinary odyssey is a unique blend of fact and fairy tale, and with intricately detailed four-colour illustrations – plus recipes to inspire culinary adventures – this is a beautifully created book to read and treasure.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 5 plus
Lola Loves Walkies
Jake Hope and James Brown

FOLLOW a little girl on a colourful hop, skip and jump journey though nature and the seasons in this beautifully imagined picture book from the top team of passionate libraries advocate Jake Hope and illustrator James Brown. Former Reading and Learning Development Manager for Lancashire Libraries, Hope has judged nearly every major children’s book award in the UK but here he brings us his own creation, Lola Loves Walkies, a charming and gentle story which celebrates the friendship, fun and the joys of the great outdoors. Coming, ready or not! Our mysterious protagonist Lola loves kisses and cuddles, her friends and having fun, but what she loves most of all is walkies! Join Lola as she plays hide and seek, leaps in and out of the long grass, and watches her doggy pals fetching sticks on an adventure which delivers a wonderful twist in its fluffy bobtail! Witty, warm, lusciously illustrated by James Brown, and brimming with seasonal changes and youthful energy, this delightful walk in the park is the perfect book hug.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Don't Ever Laugh at a Ladybird
Harriet Evans and Michael Slack

YOUNGSTERS are going wild for these fantastic pop-up books which bring all their favourite creatures to vibrant and colourful life! In the third outing in author Harriet Evans and illustrator Michael Slack’s fun-filled Creature Feature Pop-up series, we meet a whole host of favourite insects and garden creatures. ‘Size isn’t all that matters; if you’re little, you’re not least, As you will soon discover when you meet a minibeast!’ Say hello to a grumpy ladybird, a shy snail and a baking bee, but don’t bother the bugs or ‘creep out’ the creepy-crawlies in this ingenious book which comes packed with clever puns to get all the family giggling. And with spectacular pop-ups to enjoy on every page of this flittering, fluttering book, Slack’s wacky and wonderful illustrations and Evans’ witty, wise-cracking text, Don't Ever Laugh at a Ladybird is the perfect book ‘garden bait’ to encourage your child to read along!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £10.99)

Age 3 plus
Holey Moley
Bethan Clarke and Anders Frang

I AM a mole and I live in a...?! Get ready to have your brain befuddled and your funny bone tickled as exciting debut author Bethan Clarke and rising star illustrator Anders Frang from Denmark combine their creative talents on an outrageously anarchic picture book. Holey Moley will have young readers giggling and guessing as rhymes and wordplay put the comedy and complexity of language at centre stage. Gus the Goat loves guessing, and (rather irritatingly) interrupting ... oh, and he also loves rhyming. So, when he meets Mavis Mole, he can’t stop himself trying to guess where she lives. Is it in a hole? In a bowl? In a sausage roll? No, not quite... and will Mole EVER get a word in edgeways? If silliness wins prizes from young readers, then this wonderfully nonsensical story is topping the shortlist as Clarke blends her rollicking rhyming skills with the deadpan humour of Frang’s stylish, contemporary illustrations. Perfectly created to inspire a love of language, nonsense and puns, and with a delightful final twist at the end, this is a story to share and enjoy time and time again.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Goodnight Sun
Eoin McLaughlin and Morag Hood

THE whole world knows that eventually the sun MUST go down... but try telling that to the sun! Little ones will love this fun and vibrant picture book which imagines a cheeky sun who wants to shine when it’s time he should be going to sleep. Created by twice UKLA-winning illustrator Morag Hood and bestselling author Eoin McLaughlin, Goodnight Sun is bursting with colour and features a livewire sun who finds any excuse to stay up... painting rainbows, drinking the sea, and even hiding behind mountains. But even the sun must go to bed! Brought to life by Hood’s trademark eye-catching artwork, which zings with colour and high-octane energy, McLaughlin’s delightful bedtime story delivers a good giggle, fun facts about the sun, and some fun-filled encouragement to let go of the day... and sink into a good night’s sleep!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
How it Works: Shark
Molly Littleboy and David Semple

DID you know sharks were around before dinosaurs and trees existed? Dive into this fabulously fintastic peep-through book, which was written by Molly Littleboy and colourfully illustrated by David Semple, and comes packed full to the gills with brilliant BITE-sized shark facts. Sharks are incredible creatures and powerful predators, and curious young readers will love learning all about them... from their super senses and incredible speed to their VERY questionable eating habits! This chunky board book – with beautiful silver-foiled page edges – has been specially designed for little hands, with interactive, peep-through pages to grasp and explore, and lots of accessible information. This super-simple introduction to sharks is perfect for early-learners and there’s the added fun of looking out for Mouse on every spread. Also available in the How it Works series are How it Works: Tractor, How it Works: Rocket, How it Works: The Body, How it Works: Dinosaur and How it Works: Digger. Guaranteed to keep the youngest of readers engaged, informed and inspired!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Frida the Rock-and-Roll Moth
Kim Hillyard

MEET a rock-and-roll moth who is shying from the light in a beautiful, empathetic picture book from author and illustrator Kim Hillyard whose gift is to create positive, endearing stories that are designed to empower and inspire young readers and help them navigate the world around them. In Frida the Rock-and-Roll Moth – a loud and lovely tale about finding your confidence – we meet four-legged Frida, a musical moth who just loves to rock out. She puts on her pointy boots and plays her purple guitar really LOUD! But when the Big Bright Light is switched on, more moths appear, ready to rock together, and Frida starts to feel that everyone is much better than her. Perhaps she isn’t so rock-and-roll after all? With the help of her biggest fan, Auntie Edna, Frida learns to reclaim her style, find her confidence, and get up and rock on once more! Brimming with positivity and upbeat vibes, this gorgeous picture book – with its explosion of colour and heartwarming messages – will inspire little ones to find what makes them feel good and let their inner confidence shine.
(Ladybird, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 months plus
That’s not my shark...
Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells

LET little ones will love getting their teeth into the exciting new book in Usborne’s award-winning That’s Not My... series, a much-loved favourite with both parents and children. The bestselling touchy-feely series has over 70 titles and has sold over 20 million books worldwide. The simple text, bold, colourful illustrations and tactile patches 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 title features different textured patches on every spread as little ones feel their way through a cast of five smiley sharks ‘swimming’ across every page. These beautifully colourful and carefully created board books allow the youngest family members to have a hand in all the fun of reading as they follow the story and look for the little white mouse on every page. Specially designed to develop sensory and language awareness, these distinctive That’s Not My… board books really are a vividly visual and hands-on treat for inquisitive babies and toddlers. Touchy-feely genius at a stroke!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £6.99)