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)
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)
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)
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)
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
(DK Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
No comments:
Post a Comment