in a super new selection
Age 5 plus
Small Stories
of Great Artists
Laurence Anholt
GIVE your children the perfect springboard into a lifetime’s love of art with a spectacular book that has introduced millions of young readers to the art world since it was first published thirty years ago. This beautiful anniversary edition of Small Stories of Great Artists features an exploration of art through stories about key Western artists, and is a memorable celebration of a book that was lovingly written and illustrated by Laurence Anholt, an artist and author who was born in London to a Dutch family with Persian roots and has lived most of his life in England. From his studio near Lyme Regis, Anholt has created more than 200 books and this new anthology of one of his best-loved publications includes hand-crafted watercolour illustrations, carefully made reproductions of some of the world's most famous artworks, eight child-friendly artist biographies, and additional interactive questions about the life and work of the artist and what it means to create art.
Anholt's storytelling has inspired generations and made art
accessible to young readers by viewing and narrating it through the eyes of
children who knew these artists themselves. These classic tales focus on the
likes of Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci and Cézanne
and have been adapted in many forms including ballet, opera, Braille editions
for blind and partially sighted children, and a full-scale stage musical in
Korea. Each story is closely based on historical events and extensive
research, and in many cases, Anholt visited the artists’ homes and studios,
walking in their footsteps and interviewing their relatives. He was granted
private access to Monet’s house in Giverny and became close friends with
Sylvette David (now Lydia Corbett), Picasso’s famous Girl with a Ponytail. In this way, readers are able to ‘piggyback’ through the
story, and artists who might otherwise be inaccessible become the humans they
were. On a subconscious level, the reader absorbs many important themes such as
kindness, self-esteem, perseverance, creativity, and courage through Anholt’s
gentle storytelling. Impeccably researched and created, this dazzling,
inspirational and quietly educational art book is a gift for every family to
treasure.
(TASCHEN, hardback, £30)
History for Beginners
Andy Prentice, Tom Mumbray and Paul Boston
THE main focus of history books is generally to tell readers
exactly what happened in the past... but sometimes that doesn’t tell the full
story. So here’s a history book that is probably very different to the ones we
normally read. Exploring key periods from world history, authors Andy Prentice
and Tom Mumbray instead show youngsters HOW historians find evidence, make
arguments and tell stories... proving that reading between the lines of history
can be revealing as well as informative. Every nation tells its own history in
its own way. History for Beginners – created in consultation with leading
Oxford University historians – explains what’s going on behind the scenes in
those tellings... who gets to decide which facts are taught, and which truths
are massaged, or even denied. Using a mix of comic strips, diagrams and clear,
simple language, readers are shown how to dig deeper into any story, how to
investigate recent and ancient history for themselves, and learn why it’s vital
to understand how the world has ended up where it is today. Given life and
vigour by Paul Boston’s brilliant illustrations, the book unpicks details
within those stories, showing how and where those stories came from and why
they can change depending on who is telling them. Past perfect for historical truth
seekers!
(Usborne Publishing, hardback, £9.99)
The River Thief
Hannah Peck
IF a thrilling and haunting tale about a remarkable
friendship, a closely guarded secret and a quest to the sea tickles your
reading taste-buds then tuck into this delicious tale inspired by the magic of
English folklore. The River Thief is the work of author and illustrator Hannah
Peck, whose Kate on the Case series has been shortlisted for the V&A Award
for Book Illustration, and is filled with her rich storytelling and powerful
imagination. Like many rivers, the banks of the Lyde hold a hoard of
forgotten things... pottery, trinkets, a shard of glass. They also hold a
Memory and in the days of this story, the buried Memories were forgotten by
most. But not by all... Adderley has never travelled beyond the boundary of her
village. But as a fierce drought holds the country in its grip, a Green Woman
appears speaking of a wrong that must be put right to bring back the rain. So when
Adderley discovers Ef – a being who seems part human and part fish – in the
river by her home, she is drawn into an adventure that challenges everything she
has learnt about the world. Ef is searching for a special stone that they say
has been stolen from their people. Could this be the key to the drought that is
destroying Adderley’s home? Together, Adderley and Ef resolve to recover the
stone and return it to its true home, but the river waters are not always on
their side and the journey is filled with danger. Forgotten magic and the joys of friendship blend perfectly
with the fabulous folklore vibe that flows through this gripping, river-based
story which celebrates the natural world, but also reminds us of the urgent
need to protect our planet from climate disaster.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Tosh's Island
Linda Sargent, Joe Brady and Leo Marcell
STORIES arising from the lived experience of disability were
rare when author Linda Sargent was growing up and, as a sufferer of arthritis
since childhood, she has made it her mission to create disabled characters who
live out their lives based on truth and reality. Now a writer, storyteller and creative writing consultant,
Sargent digs deep into her own experiences to bring us this visually stunning
and empowering graphic novel about friendship, imagination and chronic illness
with a troubled young girl at its heart. Tosh's upbringing feels close to perfect. She lives on a
beautiful farm with her loving adoptive parents and life is full of best
friends and mischief. But suddenly Tosh is in pain and it won’t go away. She’s
afraid of what it means to be hurting so much and no doctor seems to
understand. Tosh’s chronic illness threatens to derail everything she loves but
she’ll hold on to one thing through all her pain, friendship dramas and
struggles at school... her imagination. Tosh’s imaginary island will give her
escape, adventure and lead to the truest of all friendships. This heart-rending graphic novel about discovery, adversity,
and the overwhelming healing powers of imagination and stories has been created
by Sargent, Joe Brady, deputy editor of The Phoenix comic, and illustrator Leo
Marcell. Full of powerful truths, atmospheric writing and important messages
about finding both your way in life and your true friends, this is an
inspirational story for readers young and old.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £10.99)
The Clockwork Key
Vashti Hardy and Rebecca Sheerin
THINK Indiana Jones with a big serving of steampunk and a
delicious helping of archaeology, and you have The Relic Hunters, a fantastic
new world-building adventure series from the inventive imagination of bestselling
author Vashti Hardy. With action at every turn, an adorable cast of characters,
and the fantastic illustrations of Rebecca Sheerin, The Clockwork Key is the
first of what promises to thrill rides into the wonders of fantastical
technology. Plucky go-getter Mabel Greystone and her shy and more
fearful brother Will are looking forward to an exciting holiday with their aunt
Lucy, a famous relic hunter in the land of Marvolia. Using an ancient map and
working with their aunt, they are searching for the legendary lost town of
Umber, famous for the invention of clockwork, which was mysteriously abandoned
hundreds of years ago. The only other clue they have is a strange old key left
behind by the last inhabitant of the town, but they have no idea what the key
is for. Also on the hunt for Umber is devious Byron Cogsworth, desperate for
the glory such an important discovery will bring. Can Mabel, Will and Aunt Lucy
find Umber before him... and what secrets will the clockwork key unlock? Produced in a super readable format, and especially suitable
for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers, The Clockwork Key is an
exhilarating reading experience, full of amazing inventions and intriguing
mysteries, and an exciting opener to a brilliant new fantasy series.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
The Bletchley Riddle
Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
HISTORY, mystery and gripping adventures are blended to
perfection in a wartime thriller from Carnegie Medal winner Ruta Sepetys and Newbery
Honor winner Steve Sheinkin. Brimming with spies, secrets, ciphers and the
exciting intricacies of code-breaking, The Bletchley Riddle stars two siblings
caught up in the race to crack the Nazis’ Enigma code and discovering that the
enemy is closer than they could ever have imagined. It’s the summer of 1940 and the world is at war. These days,
you don’t know who you can trust or who might be a secret spy. Maths whizz
Jakob Novis has been recruited to the secret codebreaking centre at Bletchley
Park and is hard at work trying to crack the elusive Enigma cipher. Meanwhile,
his younger sister, Lizzie, is busy on an undercover mission of her own... to
find their American mother Willa who was reported to have died in a bomb blast.
Lizzie is supposed to be boarding a ship in Liverpool to travel across the
ocean and live with her strict grandmother in America. But the feisty
14-year-old has other ideas and Jakob – who is bound by the Official Secrets
Act – is going to have his hands full cracking codes AND keeping them both out
of trouble... and deadly danger. Set against the rigours and restraints of wartime, The
Bletchley Riddle is a delight from start to finish as the two top writers
combine their storytelling talents for an all-action adventure featuring real
history, thrills galore, brave young heroes, and a high-stakes twisting and
turning plot. Youngsters will be on the edge of their seats for this
enthralling rollercoaster ride!
(Rock the Boat, paperback, £7.99)
Ultimate Football Heroes 2025
Matt Oldfield, Emily Stead, Seth Burkett
and John Murray
LOOK back at an amazing year in football with Ultimate
Football Heroes 2025, a bumper special edition of the ever-popular Ultimate
Football Heroes series. These brilliant books feature biographies and life
stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible
journeys to stardom, as well as lots of fascinating football facts. And now you can relive the goals, games and glories of the
2023-24 season, including titanic three-way battles for the Premier League and
Women’s Super League, a rollercoaster Champions League campaign, and all the
action from around the biggest European competitions. Read all about the race for the EPL title, Jude Bellingham’s
triumphant first season with Real Madrid, the Invincibles of Bayer Leverkusen,
Kylian Mbappé's swansong season with PSG, Emma Hayes’ last season with Super
League champions Chelsea and many more. This super edition – with its sparkling
cover – is packed with stories of football heroes from across the world, plus
stats and quizzes to test your knowledge. The ultimate yearbook for fans of the
beautiful game... and bang on goal for all aspiring young players!
(Dino Books, paperback, £8.99)
See Inside The Future
Tom Cheesewright, Jason Solo
and Señor Salme
FASTEN your seatbelts and get ready to fast forward on a
journey of discovery into our future world! Futurologist Tom Cheesewright takes
readers on a tour of our world – decades into the future – in a fantastic
lift-the-flap book full of fun and learning. Eight scenes show you what wonders
might await in our cities, our landscapes, inside our own bodies and, of course,
in the great expanse of outer space. Lift the flaps to find out what new things
we will be able to do, how new technology will work, and what changes we can
expect about the way we live. There will be virtual assistants to answer all
our questions and guide us, and all sorts of gear we can put on to let us
explore the oceans and the skies... closer than ever before. Gigantic new
structures will straddle land and ocean, with soaring elevators that can carry
us all the way to space. Engineers will find ways to help people live on Mars
or explore the galaxy. Tiny robotic pills will be able to monitor our health
from the inside and keep us alive for longer. The Future is a place of great
hope and excitement... and it’s closer than you dare to dream! Brought to vivid
and colourful life by the bold and richly detailed illustrations of Jason Solo and
Señor Salme, this mind-blowing book uses today’s science to imagine tomorrow.
The fascinating unfolding of a super-powered future!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £10.99)
Everything Under the Sun: Quiz Book
Molly Oldfield
IF your curious children have a year’s worth of questions
they want answered, treat them to this fun and interactive quiz book which
features 366 questions... and (thankfully!) all the answers. Youngsters will
love quizzing their friends and family and, at the same time, discovering
fascinating facts about our world and beyond. This super quiz book is based on
Molly Oldfield’s award-winning podcast and brilliant book, Everything Under the
Sun. And here’s your starters for the rest of the year... Which animal has the
most eyes? (Scallops have 200 eyes!) Why is blue cheese stinky? (Because it’s
full of mould!) Why do we have eyebrows? (To protect our eyes and help us
express ourselves!) All 366 multiple choice questions are accompanied by intriguing
facts and are gorgeously illustrated throughout. Whether you try a question a
day, or dip into it whenever you are feeling curious, this is the perfect gift
for Christmas, or to simply enjoy and discover all year round!
(Ladybird, paperback, £9.99)
Happy Hills: Knick-Knacks Attacks
Sophy Henn
BRACE yourself, kids, because award-winning author and
illustrator Sophy Henn is back with the second crazy, chaotic and totally
crackpot new adventure in her hilariously funny full colour graphic novel
series. Guaranteed to leave young readers in stitches, the Happy Hills books
feature the friendly and not-so-friendly residents of Happy Hills, a place
where anything can happen and always does! And in their second outrageous
outing, the wacky Happy Hills gang have caught the attention of villainous Knick
Knacks. He’s going to swipe, sneak and snatch himself a whole collection of new
friends... whether they like it or not! Jam-packed with hilarious stories, this
much-loved series is a classic blend of comedy and action with a big helping of
heart which is guaranteed to capture the imaginations of every mischief-loving
reader!
(Simon & Schuster Children s Books, paperback, £8.99)
First Questions and Answers: Why are there wars?
Katie Daynes, Mairi Mackinnon
and Oksana Drachkovska
NEWS of war can make children anxious, concerned and upset
so here’s a helpful lift-the-flap book that gently explains some of the
important aspects of war. Written by Katie Daynes and Mairi Mackinnon in a
clear, approachable style, the book explains how wars come about, how they have
changed over time, who is there to help during wartime, what happens when a war
is over, and how we can all help to make the world more peaceful. Using carefully
chosen examples, and sensitively illustrated by Oksana Drachkovska, Why are
there wars? is both informative and reassuring, and there are internet links which
suggest positive projects for children, including making origami peace doves. Written
with the help of expert advisers and child psychologists, this is a thoughtful
book that offers hope for the future.
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £9.99)
Milo’s Hat Trick
Jon Agee
WHAT a magician will do without a rabbit for his hat trick
doesn’t ‘bear’ thinking about in a simply delightful picture book from grand
master of the absurd Jon Agee. Milo’s Hat Trick is another of this talented
author and illustrator’s trademark gloriously mischievous creations featuring
an eccentric magic man and Agee’s highly infectious zany and zingy humour. Milo
the Magnificent is the world’s least magnificent magician. He can’t even pull a
rabbit out of his hat! When theatre manager Mr Popovich gives him one more
chance, Milo knows he has no choice... he has to go out and catch a rabbit for
his act. Instead, he catches a bear. And the bear promises to help! Will the
bear’s help secure Milo’s job... or will it doom him to failure? Brimming with
Agee’s wonderfully understated comedy, rich imaginative powers, surprising
twists and playful illustrations, this funny, exuberant and clever story is
Agee at his entertaining best, and perfect for both older children and their
adults!
(Scallywag Press, paperback, £7.99)
Mr. Tickle’s Post
Roger Hargreaves
JOIN the eternally popular and universally loved Mr Men and
Little Miss in a fabulous, fun-filled novelty book which sees Mr Tickle’s
extraordinarily long arms put to very good use! Featuring real mail to open and
enjoy, this delightful book is based on the original stories of Roger
Hargreaves’ brilliantly funny illustrated classic children’s series which has been
delighting children for generations with charming characters and their funny
antics. Here, we find Mr Stamp, the Happyland postman, very busy delivering
lots of post to Mr Tickle who has been invited to Nonsenseland to tickle a
friend and have fun at the Happyland Fair. Join Mr Tickle as he opens six
envelopes to discover a letter from Mr Silly, a map of Nonsenseland, a postcard
and recipe from Little Miss Sunshine, a leaflet and vouchers for the Happyland
Fair, a photo booth strip of pictures of his friends, and a very special
birthday card! With bold, colourful illustrations, lots of favourite Mr Men and
Little Miss friends, and the added fun of opening envelopes, this is a gift
book well worth writing home about!
(Farshore, hardback, £14.99)
The Midnight Mitzvah
Ruth Horowitz and Jenny Meilihove
A LITTLE chipmunk breaks the rules of night-time to help a
friend in need in an enchanting retelling of a 2,000-year-old story from the
Talmud, the Jewish book of law. Award-winning children’s books author Ruth
Horowitz and Israeli illustrator Jenny Meilihove conjure up a magical and
moving picture book which explores the real meaning of charity and the
importance of giving to others without causing any embarrassment to the
receiver. ‘I know it's a mitzvah to help others,’ Hanina said. ‘And it’s also a
mitzvah to make sure you don’t embarrass someone.’ Hanina Chipmunk’s favourite
thing to do is gather nuts and share them with her hungry friends. But not
everyone is thankful for her good deed. When Hanina realises aged Mathilda
Squirrel is embarrassed to admit she needs help, she hatches a plan to deliver
nuts in secret under the midnight hour. As a daytime animal venturing out at
night, Hanina will need all the wits and bravery she has to complete her
mitzvah. Horowitz’s gentle story, brought to life by Meilihove’s colourful
illustrations, teaches youngsters about generosity, empathy and the power of
anonymous charity. And with endnotes including more information about the
original tale in the Talmud, the Jewish value of tzedakah (helping those in
need) and other similar traditions across different religions, this is a story
sure to win the hearts of every reader.
(Barefoot Books, paperback, £7.99)
Ethel the Penguin
Ursula Dubosarsky
and Christopher Nielsen
MEETa totally wild and wonderful penguin in a gloriously
exuberant picture book from author Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrator Christopher
Nielsen who both live in Sydney. ‘Ethel the Penguin’s in my class, Though she
doesn’t sit next to me. Miss Ink likes Ethel to sit by herself. She can be a
bit lawless, you see.' Everyone needs a best friend like Ethel. She’s not
afraid of teachers, she's not afraid of heights. In fact, she’s totally wild!
Dubosarsky, who was the 2020-2021 Australian Children's Laureate, lets loose
her imagination on this rollicking rhyming romp which proves that there is no
limit to the fun you can have with a misbehaving penguin. Add on all the colour
and character of Nielsen’s illustrations and it’s madcap mischief all the way!
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
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