CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Mermaid frolics, a daring rescue and a mythical wildcat

Enjoy a deep-sea dive into a world of mermaids and seahorses, join a young adventurer on a mission to rescue the last Russian Tsar’s daughter Anastasia, meet a magical creature called the kuri whose survival is under threat, and step into a family-run café where chaos is always on the menu in a sunshine selection

Age 7 plus
A Mermaid's Diary
Chris Riddell

MERMAIDS, Moondays, secrets and seahorses... the Costa Award-winning and ever-inventive author and illustrator Chris Riddell makes a welcome return with a sea-soaked new series that sheds a ray of sunshine on every youngster’s summer reading. Full of Riddell’s richly detailed and intricate black and white illustrations, this utterly charming and comedy-infused fantasy adventure delivers a seductive blend of friendship, underwater fun and imagination as we follow a mermaid who loves to record the escapades of her weird and wonderful friends in her diary. Shy mermaid Atalanta Scrimshaw lives in the quiet backwater of Sleepy Cove, collects messages in bottles, rides seahorses and enjoys the hobby of ‘walking’ on the beach and visiting friends. Life is perfect until Atalanta learns of plans by developers Bristle & Splinter to transform Sleepy Cove into a luxury seaside golf resort. Realising that this plan will destroy her home, she enlists the help of her friends, old and new, to try to stop it... With its cast of incredible characters, all the magic of a dazzling underwater world, and Riddell’s trademark wit, inventiveness and exciting storytelling, A Mermaid's Diary is must reading for all fantasy fans... and guarantees fun all the way when you ‘book’ a holiday in Sleepy Cove!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 10 plus
Wendington Jones and the Lost Legacy
Daniel Dockery

HOW far would you chase someone that the world thinks is dead? History, mystery and thrilling adventures blend perfectly in an exciting and imaginative new instalment of award-winning writer Daniel Dockery’s action-packed Wendington Jones series. Young readers will be on the edge of their seats as our plucky heroine Wendington sets out on a daring mission to rescue the last Russian Tsar’s daughter, Anastasia Romanov, from clutches of the evil and predatory monk Rasputin. Wendington Jones, daughter, friend and adventurer, needed a mystery. Little did she know, she’d find one tending to the roses in the middle of a winter’s night. However it was no strange gardener at her house... but instead the supposedly dead Russian monk, Rasputin, on the search for Anastasia Romanov, a young girl who, like Wendington, had died under tragic circumstances. And also, much like Wendington, the young royal’s death had not stuck. And now she was on the run for her life... from history, from Rasputin and from others after her power to seemingly save herself from death. Wendington and her long-suffering valet Rohant rush across Europe to give chase to the Tsar’s missing daughter, hoping to save her from Rasputin, as well as some old foes of Wendington. The Dominos haven’t fallen yet and they’re willing to kill others to save themselves. Horse races, masked-balls and diplomatic nights at the opera set the scene where adventure clashes with high society, and it’s not just the fashion that has a cutting edge. Full of old-fashioned charm, Wendington’s adventures pack in a timeless sense of fun and youthful exuberance, and always deliver a cast of real and fictional characters who cannot help but capture the imagination (and hearts!) of all fans of history and mystery.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Land of the Last Wildcat
Lui Sit and David Dean

MEET a magical creature called the kuri... its survival is under threat and it’s up to two youngsters to keep it safe from a scheming scientist. Adventure, mythology and magic collide in a burst of brilliant storytelling and impressive illustration as prize-winning debut author Lui Sit and artist David Dean launch Land of the Last Wildcat, first book of a bold, original and vibrant new series packed with important environmental messages. Puffin Lau has two problems... her beloved scientist mum barely speaks to her, and a mythical wildcat called the kuri is depending on her for its survival. Luckily, Puffin grew up on stories of the kuri and its magical powers, and she will stop at nothing to return it to its rightful home. But standing in her way is the ominous Professor Smoult, a money-hungry scientist who wants to capture the kuri and steal its magic. Faced with a mammoth journey to the faraway Linger Island, Puffin and her best friend Lance must evade the professor and save the last wildcat before it's too late. Family, friendship and the vital role of conservation take leading roles in this wild, wonderful and heart-pounding story which celebrates the beauty of the natural world and is the perfect match for young adventurers and all animal fans.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Café Chaos: My Family Is Not a Piece of Cake
Catherine Wilkins and Katie Abey

THERE are few things in life more important than family so join a hilarious girl called Hope Crumble and enjoy a giant serving of cakes, coffee and calamity! Hope and her lovable (but infuriating!) family take starring roles in this delightful new series written by much-loved author Catherine Wilkins and highly illustrated throughout by the brilliant Katie Abey. Welcome to Café Chaos! Running a bustling café is Hope’s family's dream... it’s just not hers! While Dad and Gran battle it out in the kitchen, Mum tries to balance the books and serve quiche to hordes of hungry pensioners. Meanwhile, Hope’s dramatic sister Stacey is determined to turn all of life into a stage and her ‘wishes-he-was-on-Wall-Street’ cousin Connor decides to buy novelty costumes to advertise the business. And then Auntie Rita rocks up... Café Crumble is soon tipping straight into Café Chaos! Luckily for her family, Hope is there to save the day, although ideally this wouldn’t involve dressing up as a giant ice cream and dancing outside the school gates. You’ll laugh (a lot), you’ll cry (with even more laughter), and you may develop a strange yearning for caroons (whatever they are!). Friendship, family, pulling together, and being uniquely yourself, all come under Wilkins’ watchful eye in a series that will touch the hearts of every youngster who has ever cringed at their family’s goings-on... but loved them all the same!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
EPIC FACTopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Extreme Facts
Rose Davidson and Andy Smith

WHEN you are invited to follow an ingenious trail of 400 dazzling facts about daredevils, death-defying stunts, world records, wacky weather, extreme sports and unusual animals, it can only mean one thing... FACTopia! is back and this time it’s EPIC! Written by American writer, editor and researcher Rose Davidson and the Britannica Group, and brought to life by amazing photographs and award-winning Andy Smith’s witty and wonderful illustrations, EPIC FACTopia! is the eighth title in the dynamic and bestselling FACTopia! series created by the inventive boffins at Britannica Books and this time round, takes readers on an enthralling and hilarious journey through the universe’s most mind-blowing, extreme facts. Guaranteed to keep children entertained during spring and summer holidays, this epic fact-trail lets them choose their own path on an amazing journey in which they dine inside a volcano and waterslide through a shark-filled lagoon. They will also meet a cat worth $97million, a goat who can ride a surfboard and a daredevil who skydived from space. And there isn’t just one path through these facts... follow detours along the way to see where your curiosity will take you! With facts verified by the experts at Encyclopaedia Britannica and lavishly illustrated with Smith’s illustrations combining artwork and photography, Epic FACTopia! uncovers some of the world’s most wow-worthy, awe-inspiring and unbelievable facts, and is a joy ride from start to finish. And that’s a fact!
(Britannica Books, hardback, £10.99)

Age 8 plus
Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye Graphic Novel
Guy Bass and Pete Williamson

HE'S not quite Frankenstein’s monster but Stitch Head, a mad professor’s forgotten creation, certainly has adventure stories all sewn up! Who can forget the freakishly funny tales of award-winning author Guy Bass’ not-so-scary little monster who was brought to ‘almost-life’ by illustrator Pete Williamson in a hugely successful series. And now we can share all the guffaws and giggles again in the second monstrously magnificent graphic novel edition of the series which sees Stitch Head step out of the shadows and into his madcap world. When Stitch Head sees his ice-blue eye for the very first time, he is convinced that it once belonged to the legendary pirate, Captain Flashpowder. Could it be that he is part-pirate? But as Stitch Head prepares for a life of derring-do on the high seas, some fishy business closer to home puts a stop to his swashbuckling plans... This funny, accessible, fast-paced, full-colour, graphic book series is perfect for reluctant readers who like their stories to be visually appealing and the action to unfold at breakneck speed. Brimming with atmosphere, excitement, captivating characters and chaotic humour, Stitch Head is simply packed with monstrous fun... no surprise then that the first Stitch Head book is soon to be a major motion picture!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Reggie Rabbit: Robbery at the Masqued Ball
Swapna Reddy and Becka Moor

HE might be small, but Reggie Rabbit, Detective, will keep this big city safe! Welcome back to the wonderful world of Reggie and his family, friends and detective partner Pipsquark in the third book of a simply delightful series that blends illustrated fiction with a graphic novel. Reggie Rabbit is the dazzling creation of New Zealand-based author Swapna Reddy and Manchester illustrator Becka Moor, and is set in an alluring Gotham-like animal city. It’s time for the grandest event in Bearburgh... the Masque family’s Masqued Ball! And this year it's even more exciting because famous pop star Kitty Qita is going to perform. Young detectives Reggie Rabbit and Pipsquark are there... as waiters for Auntie Hibiscus’s catering company. But not everything goes to plan. In the middle of Kitty Qita’s big act, the lights go out, and the guests’ jewels are stolen. It’s a tough case, but Reggie and Pipsquark are on it! Does the answer lie in the mean streets of Dog Lane as the clues suggest, or is there more to this mystery than meets the eye? Reddy – who also writes as Swapna Haddow – has a happy knack of always delivering stories filled with warm friendships, madcap adventures and lots of laughs. Add on Moor’s illustrations, influenced by crime noir and vintage comics, and you have an early reading, all-round winner!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Kitty and the Clifftop Peril
Paula Harrison and Jenny Løvlie

WHEN you’re a girl by day and a cat by night, adventures are never far away! Author Paula Harrison and illustrator Jenny Løvlie work their special magic on this fun-filled first chapter book series which features enchanting adventures with feisty feline star Kitty and her cat crew on moonlit missions. Beautifully presented and densely illustrated in tones of grey and orange on almost every page, superhero Kitty’s magical stories are simply purrfect for both cat lovers, young adventurers and all newly confident readers. Fearless Kitty is a superhero-in-training with feline superpowers. She dreams of being just like her superhero mum one day, but she’s still got a lot to learn. In this exciting new adventure, we join Kitty and her family while they are on a seaside holiday at Pebble Cove. It should mean a break from superhero adventures but there’s trouble in the sleepy little fishing town. Someone, or something, is stealing fish and causing chaos down by the harbour. When Kitty’s old feline friend Cutlass the pirate cat gets the blame, she knows it’s time to put on her superhero cape, catch the culprit, and save the day! Enjoy cheeky cats, nautical naughtiness and giggles galore as the merry band of moggies set sail on a daring new mission!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
SuperQuesters: Mission: River Crest Rescue
Paul Ian Cross, Katie Kear and Cherie Zamazing

SET sail on an exciting adventure in a unique interactive story that will need your brainpower to help solve a mystery... and save the day! SuperQuesters: Mission: River Crest Rescue is the latest magical adventure in the brilliantly brainy SuperQuesters first chapter book series which aims to fire up imaginations and inspire scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technology experts of the future. When best friends Lilli, Leo and Bea open an ancient chest and discover an old board game, Questland, their day takes an unexpected twist. Magically transported to the kingdom of Questland, the trio find they have become the SuperQuesters and have amazing superpowers. Now called Lillicorn, Leo Zoom and Bea Bumble, they have been summoned to save the village of River Crest which evil goblin gardener, Mortifer, wants to destroy. Can the SuperQuesters stop Mortifer’s Beaver Bots building dams to flood the village? And what can they do about his lethal Dragonfly Drones sowing seeds of poisonous plants? With the help of Clover the fairy and other magical creatures, the SuperQuesters must use their STEM skills, teamwork, problem solving and a little magic to solve puzzles, crack secret codes and outsmart Mortifer on their mission to save River Crest.  

This exciting new adventure story – written by Paul Ian Cross and illustrated by Katie Kear and Cherie Zamazing – is embedded with real-life fun facts, puzzles, STEM activities and experiments to try at home or school, with the added bonus of a map and glossary. Expertly designed to support the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and 2 and develop children’s STEM skills in fun and creative new ways, this is the perfect book for youngsters eager to discover their multi-tasking, inner superhero!
(QuestFriendz, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Marv and the Duck of Doom
Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles

STEP up, step up... Superhero Marv is back and this time he’s up against a new generation of super villain! There’s no ducking out of all the fun and frolics in the eighth book of an exciting and action-packed series from award-winning writer Alex Falase-Koya and star illustrator Paula Bowles. When ordinary boy Marvin wears his super-suit – powered by kindness and imagination – he becomes MARV, a superhero with infinite abilities. In his new adventure, Marvin meets a blast from his grandad’s past when the Duck of Doom shows up at the park, controlled by a new generation of super villain-Professor Feather 2.0. It’s time for Marvin to become MARV... unstoppable, invincible, and totally MARVellous! With the Ducklings of Doom also hot on his heels, the odds are stacked against MARV. Along with his and his robot sidekick Pixel, MARV is going to have to ruffle some feathers in order to put these dastardly ducks back in their place. Kindness, resilience and courage are all celebrated in these thrill-filled MARV adventures which are brought to vibrant life by Bowles’ eye-caching two-tone illustrations. You’d be quackers to miss out on the fun!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Good Golden Sun
Brendan Wenzel

HOPE, wonder and curiosity shine out from every page of this truly ‘enlightening’ picture book which celebrates the golden glories of the sun. Good Golden Sun is written and illustrated by bestselling author and illustrator Brendan Wenzel, an ardent conservationist and collaborator with organisations working to ensure the future of wild places and threatened creatures. A bold and playful exploration of how the sun touches all life on earth, the book uses a lyrical text and stunning light-and-shade artwork to discover facts about the good golden sun. Are you happy? Are you lonely? Are you feeling well today? Does your belly ever ache? Won’t you come down to play? From sunbeam, to flower, to insect, to animal, to plant, to soil, and the earth itself, the sun makes, moves, and transforms life all around us. From dawn to sunset, the book celebrates the mysteries of light as it weaves its way through the world. Using bold, youthful collage-style art, Wenzel's mastery of visual storytelling, with a clue before every page turn of what might come, adds to the bold and playful exploration of the life-giving power of our nearest star. Sunshine all the way...
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Ocean’s Heartbeat
dame & dusa

READERS' hearts are guaranteed to be stolen when they open the pages of this gorgeous picture book which stars a little jellyfish in search of her heart. Written by dame & dusa – pen name of Annegret Haider, Dagmar Krause, Andrea Hesse, Anna Krumpholz, and Hanna Pohlmeyer-Abert, three designers and two architects who live in Austria – this inventive story is their homage to the uniqueness of every living creature on Earth and has been translated from the German by Anna Taube. In the depths of the big wide sea, the little jellyfish hears a loud THOOMP. What is this mysterious sound? A wise fish explains that the loud THOOMP is a heartbeat. The jellyfish listens to the soft heartbeat of the wise fish. Sadly, she realises she has no heartbeat herself though, and she still needs to find the very loud THOOMP. So off she swims to search for it. Along the way, she meets all kinds of creatures and learns about their heartbeats, from the seal to the whale to the octopus which has three hearts! But why can’t she hear her own? Packed with magical collage illustrations and fascinating scientific facts, including extra pages about the unique hearts of more amazing creatures, this entertaining book conveys the incredible diversity of life on Earth, and encourages everyone to love how they are different and to celebrate being themselves. A joy to read aloud!
(DK Children, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
I'm Going to Make a Friend
Darren Chetty and Sandhya Prabhat

WHETHER you’re moving house or moving to a new school, finding new friends can be challenging for many nervous youngsters. So here’s the perfect antidote... a heartwarming and original take on the nature of friendship from teacher, philosopher and debut picture book author Darren Chetty. Brought to vibrant life by the bold, colourful and magical illustrations of Sandhya Prabhat, I'm Going to Make a Friend uses a pared-back text to explore the myriad of emotions – from feeling vulnerable to plucking up courage – that it takes to form meaningful relationships. Moving neighbourhood comes with many challenges, especially making new friends. How long will it take? Will they play how I want to play? Will they hug me when I'm sad, or give me space? So many questions you want to ask! But in the end, the only thing you can do is dive in and give it a go. With creative words and pictures bringing the story to life, and celebrating the power of imagination, this beautiful book is the perfect story to share with children moving schools or home, or anyone who struggles to form connections.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
All the Wonderful Ways to Move
Laura Baker and Sandra de la Prada

HELP little ones discover the joy of physical activity and fitness in all its forms with this high-energy, rhyming picture book. All the family will be bouncing along with the words and action as the perfectly titled All the Wonderful Ways to Move opens up a whole world of stomping, jumping, bending and hopping. 

'

Jump up off your bottom and get in the groove! Wiggle your body, let’s see how you MOVE! We'll start nice and simple, just lift up your feet. STOMP STOMP STOMP and feel the beat.’ 

From an energetic warm up, to a wacky freestyle section and a calming cool down, there could be no better way to encourage little ones to get active. Carefully and imaginatively written by Laura Baker and illustrated with warmth and wit by Sandra de la Prada, this playful book will inspire your children to find their own wonderful way of moving.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

The Note

Alafair Burke

A STAY-OVER in the upmarket Hamptons at Long Island should have been a time for three friends to enjoy sun, fun and a relaxing catch-up but when a harmless prank turns into something much more sinister, the consequences prove to be deadly.

American thriller writer Alafair Burke (pictured below) – whose gripping novels have grown out of her experience as a former prosecutor and now professor of criminal law – dishes up a summer sizzler in this complex and multi-layered mystery loaded with the kind of dark secrets, tantalising clues and wickedly clever red herrings that have made her the queen of psychological page-turners.

With a twisting, turning and utterly addictive plotline, The Note sweeps readers into the lives of three women whose complicated friendship history unravels in spectacular fashion when one drunken move becomes the catalyst for dangerous outbursts of temper, blame games, and long-hidden resentments. As lies and betrayals are exposed, the temperature rises both in and out of the sun, and the women find themselves at the centre of a police investigation which will put their friendship – past and present – under the closest scrutiny.

Growing up, May Hanover was always the good girl. Well-behaved, top of her class, a compulsive rule-follower, May was raised by a first-generation Chinese single mother with high expectations for her daughter. May didn’t have room to slip up, let alone fail, and her friends didn’t call her the Little Sheriff for nothing.

But even good girls have secrets... and regrets. When it comes to her friendship with Lauren Berry, a Black professional classical musician, and Kelsey Ellis, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired daughter of a wealthy real estate boss, she’s had her fair share of both.

But their bond – forged when May was just twelve years old – has withstood a tragic accident, heartbreak, loss, and their own individual scandals which went viral on social media and led to all three of them being ‘cancelled.’

Now May – an assistant district attorney on the way to becoming a tenured law professor – and her friends have reunited for the first time in years at an expensive apartment (courtesy of Kelsey’s dad) in the Hamptons. For May, who is now engaged to Josh, she feels the same ‘excitement’ of being with Lauren and Kelsey but also the same ‘insecurities.’

When a drink-fuelled joke goes horribly wrong and the trio find themselves embroiled in a missing persons police investigation, the case takes a deadly turn, long buried secrets are uncovered, and the friends are suddenly unsure who they can trust... least of all each other.

Burke is on top form in this deliciously deep, dark and suspense-packed thriller which explores the many fascinating facets of a female friendship by focusing on three very different women from equally disparate backgrounds, each harbouring their own secrets and scandals, and each undergoing the lingering effects of trauma.

One reckless revenge act in the present raises questions about loyalty, trust and betrayal... questions that can only be answered by looking back down the years through a web of deceptions and shocking revelations which shine a light on the women’s early years, their families, and their corrosive experiences with social media.

Burke’s plotting is, as always, meticulous in its concept, complexity and delivery, while each character is fully explored and realised, and then perfectly portrayed through the author’s empathy and exquisite detail. Add on one final, satisfying twist and this is a master storyteller at her thriller writing best!
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £9.99)

The Golden Hour

Kate Lord Brown

‘Don’t cry for the past,
be grateful for the memory.’ 

IF ever a story spoke loudly and exquisitely about the power of love and friendship to overcome life’s trials and tribulations, it’s this beautiful novel from the talented Kate Lord Brown.

A finalist in ITV’s The People’s Author, Brown’s (pictured below) luscious debut, The Perfume Garden, was shortlisted for The Romantic Novel of the Year in 2014 and swept readers into an epic time-slip tale centred on the brutal Spanish Civil War.

Harnessing the same dual timeline format, The Golden Hour takes us on a sensual and emotion-packed journey from Cairo on the cusp of the Second World War in 1939 to Beirut in the unsettled Seventies as Lebanon teetered on the precipice of a devastating conflict. And at the heart of the story is the unforgettable bond of friendship between two women – part of a lost generation – whose lives and loves are transformed by war and the pain and sacrifices it brings. Interweaving ruthless, glory-seeking desert archaeologists, priceless treasures, the tireless hunt for Queen Nefertiti’s tomb and the decadent cabarets of wartime Cairo with the restless lives of expats in bohemian Beirut, Brown’s atmospheric thriller is packed with dazzling landscapes, heart-melting romance and extraordinary characters who remain with you long after the last page has turned. 

In the spring of 1975, Egyptologist Dr Lucie Fitzgerald has been working for the season in Luxor but has heard that her mother Polly is dying at her home, Bellevue, in the ‘Paris of the East,’ Beirut, a city which is beset by tensions and teetering on the brink of civil war.

What London-based Lucie – a woman who feels she belongs ‘everywhere and nowhere’ – doesn’t yet know is that Polly has been lying to her for many years and has one last story to tell from her deathbed... the story of her best friend from childhood, Juno, and their life in Cairo in the 1930s.

Thirty-six years earlier, in 1939, newlyweds Polly and her husband Fitz, who works in military intelligence, arrive in Cairo where they are met by Juno and her airmail pilot husband Alec Munro, a self-centred, controlling and moody man who resents Juno’s archaeological work and her search for the greatest undiscovered tomb of all... Nefertiti's.

What Alec doesn’t know is that Juno, who is an expert in hieroglyphics, has applied to join a Swiss team heading to the Valley of the Kings to hunt for the elusive tomb and as Alec is away when she learns she has been given the job, Polly – along with Juno’s servant Raif – step in to look after Alec and Juno’s young son Billy. Juno’s decision to leave for the desert sets in motion a train of events that will echo down the years... until Polly decides that, with her death imminent, she must return to the past and reveal decades-old secrets to Lucie.

But ‘memory is a slippery creature – the past shifts and rearranges like the glass beads of a kaleidoscope’ and going back in time means revisiting all the painful ‘what ifs,’ ‘maybes’ and ‘almosts’ that are lying in wait... 

Brown imbues her gloriously romantic odyssey with the exotic allure of decadent pre-war Cairo in the days when it was ‘plentiful and bright’ and expats were seduced by skies of rose pink, hills of ‘storybook lavender,’ and the celestial blue of the palm-fringed Nile... and then perfectly juxtaposes it with the growing tensions of Beirut in 1975. Slipping seamlessly between wars and time zones, and across generations, cities and deserts, Brown’s lyrical and evocative scene-setting and narrative transports us into the world of ‘blood sisters’ Polly and Juno, and a friendship that must hold firm through love, loss, hidden truths, and terrible sadness.

Down-to-earth Lucie – who yearns to ‘belong’ – becomes the lynchpin for the captivating back stories of her quietly strong and resilient mother Polly and the determined, go-getting Juno whose life is driven by her ambition to discover the tomb of lost queen Nefertiti, and who leaves behind a trail of mystery and secrets. Gifting readers breathtaking descriptions of Cairo in its gaudy pre-war splendour, fascinating insights into the heat, dust and excitement of an archaeological dig in the Valley of the Kings, and the beauty and turmoil of war-torn Lebanon, Brown works a special kind of storytelling magic on this historical showstopper. It’s a heady experience not to be missed!
(Simon & Schuster, hardback, £18.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Wacky world of work, wild dreams and an extinct tiger

Marvel at a whirlwind tour through history’s weirdest and wackiest jobs, enjoy being swept away to an adventure in which dragons and phoenixes roam the skies, discover what it’s like to grow up disabled, and step into a time machine to meet the extraordinary, but sadly extinct, Tasmanian tiger in a dazzling line-up 

Age 7 plus
The World's First Human Cannonball: and Other Incredible Jobs
Mike Barfield and
Franziska Höllbacher

ROLL up, roll up... and marvel at a whirlwind tour through history’s weirdest and wackiest jobs! If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be an Incan runner, carrying messages across the ancient Andes at lightning speed, the answer lies inside this super, all-action, comic-strip format book from the top team of Blue Peter Award-winning author Mike Barfield and Munich-based illustrator Franziska Höllbacher. So what WOULD it be like to be a jester, keeping the royal courts in stitches with your hilarious antics... and what about a stage farter, a poo collector or a body double? All these jobs are yours for the taking in history’s line-up of the world’s oddest jobs. In the pages of this brilliant book, you will encounter a colourful cast of characters who embraced the quirkiest of professions, including the legendary Harry Houdini who defied the laws of nature with his mind-bending magic tricks and Bessie Coleman, the first African-American stunt-pilot. And then there’s Marie Tussaud who fled the French Revolution and moved to London to create wax sculptures, Zazel, a Victorian daredevil who became the first human cannonball, and the amazing story of Samuel Sorensen Adams, inventor of many of the most famous joke shop gags such as sneezing powder, the handshake buzzer and the stink bomb.This colourful, fact-packed, and endlessly fascinating treasure trove of history’s most peculiar jobs will leave you laughing, gasping, and wondering what job you’d have chosen in days gone by... and what jobs you might even encounter in the future. Just the job for your curious kids!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £10.99)

Age 9 plus
Dreamslinger
Graci Kim

IMAGINE being stuck between two different versions of the truth... that is exactly what Korean Kiwi diplomat turned bestselling author Graci Kim does in the first book of her thrilling new fantasy series that is international in scope but inspired by Korean mythology and culture. Kim, who lives in New Zealand, writes about the magic she wants to see in the world so enjoy being swept away to an adventure in which dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul, meals magically appear based on your mood, and your wildest dreams – or your darkest nightmares – come to life before your eyes! Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge lives at the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers, a refuge for children born with genetic mutations that transport them to a powerfully magical realm while they sleep. But this magic can be unpredictable... even deadly. After all, it was only ten years ago when members of the Royal League of Dreamslingers caused the Great Outburst, a tragedy that killed hundreds of people, including Aria’s mum. 

Since then, Aria’s dad has become the leading expert on dreamslinger welfare, which means Aria knows exactly what it takes to keep society (and slingers) safe... separation, identification, and most importantly, power suppression. So when the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk – home of the Royal League – open their dreamslinger trials to teenage slingers from around the world, Aria knows what she must do... join the Trials and take down the League from the inside. But the Trials introduce Aria to a world of wondrous magic and friendship, a world where she finally feels like she belongs. And as dark secrets from the past are revealed – ones that make Aria question her very identity – she becomes even more determined to discover the truth for herself. She just has to survive the Trials first...

Kim delivers a blistering start to this magical new adventure series with its original premise, a heroine to adore and admire, and a gripping story which explores the different ways of looking at truth, and the courage it takes to embrace complexity in a world in which our dreams affect our reality in ways you could never have imagined.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Owning It: Our disabled
childhoods in our own words
Jen Campbell, and James and Lucy Catchpole,
illustrated by Sophie Kamlish

FOR every child (and adult) who has wondered what it’s like to grow up disabled, this anthology of twenty-two autobiographical stories from the very best disabled writers has all the answers. Growing up can be an isolating experience and as much as you might be surrounded by loving and well-meaning family and friends, chances are that no one close to you is going through this alongside you... until now! Edited by Jen Campbell, and James and Lucy Catchpole, and beautifully illustrated by Sophie Kamlish, the book includes contributions from, among others, Ali Abbas, Polly Atkin, Jen Campbell, Christa Couture, Carly Findlay, M. Leona Godin, Eugene Grant, Jan Grue, Ilya Kaminsky, Sora J. Kasuga, Elle McNicoll, Daniel Sluman, Nina Tame, Steven Verdile, Alex Wegman, Ashley Harris Whaley and Kendra Winchester.

From birthday parties to navigating the sports field, to being given random free stuff to juggling hospital visits alongside social lives, these true stories capture the highs and lows, the tears and laughter, the friendships and fall-outs of growing up with a disability and will act as a welcome companion for disabled children. For non-disabled youngsters, the stories provide a welcome own-voice perspective and will help to build empathy and understanding. So whether you’re disabled yourself, know someone who is, or want to better understand the experience, this book is a window into the young lives of these disabled writers... their stories in their own words.
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
The Thylacine and the Time Machine
Renée Treml

BUCKLE up because a time-machine awaits you! Young readers will love diving into the past, present and future of the most enigmatic, but also sadly extinct, Australian native animals in this funny and fascinating graphic novel from author and illustrator Renée Treml. The journey begins as you join twelve-year-old Violet, her dog Tassie and her new friend Thyla – the ghost of the last living Tasmanian tiger – as they go on an incredible journey into the past to discover the real story of thylacines in Australia. This fun-packed book unearths their important role in environmental balance, and the sorry tale of their path to extinction. But maybe all hope is not lost if science holds the key to the possible de-extinction of the amazing Tasmanian tiger. With an appealing time-travel element and the eternal mystery that surrounds extinct animals, this is a thrilling and informative wild ride through the past, and possible future, of one of Australia’s most missed (and misunderstood) creatures.
(A&U Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 5 plus
Higher Ground
Tull Suwannakit

BEAUTY is never banished even in the darkest of times... that’s the message that speaks loudly and clearly in a resonant coming-of-age tale created by combining elements of a graphic novel with an illustrated picture book and diary. Higher Ground is written and illustrated by Tull Suwannakit, an author and artist who lives in a rural town nestled outside Melbourne, Australia, and created this modern classic-in-the-making using a combination of watercolour, graphite powder, gouache and acrylic paints. After a great flood, a grandmother, her two grandchildren and their pet rabbit must learn to survive living on their rooftop garden, relying on scarce resources and limited space. Days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, but through life lessons and words of wisdom, hope emerges. Both inspiring and deeply moving, one family’s tale of resilience, courage and spirit illuminates in imaginative and innovative fashion how life can shine brightly even in the darkness of a terrible climate disaster. The book also introduces young readers to themes of sustainable living practices and strength in the face of adversity, offering important life lessons for a generation of children growing up in an increasingly precarious environment.  A book for all the family to read and cherish...
(New Frontier Publishing, hardback, £19.99)

Age 5 plus
Volcano
Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft

EXPLORE amazing underwater volcanoes – a largely unknown part of the natural world – with the award-winning and creative Australian picture book team of author Claire Saxby and illustrator Jess Racklyeft who brought us Iceberg and Tree. Deep in the ocean, far beyond the reach of even the brightest sun, the earth quakes. Hagfish scatter and snailfish flutter, lava pillows flash and fade, rumpling the seabed as a new volcano births a mountain. Where hot meets cold, a chimney forms... and here begins a colony of unexpected creatures. Other chimneys grow and cool, grow and cool, while the mountain stretches ever upwards. A rumble becomes a roar and the sea boils, lava fireworks the sky and a new island is born. Children will love learning about underwater volcanoes, and discovering that more volcanoes erupt under water than exist on land. Blending rigorous scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations, Volcano includes fascinating facts on the environment, hydrothermal vents, life underwater and ecosystems. Simply explosive!
(A&U Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Watts & Whiskerton:
Sabotage at the Fete Cake Bake
Meg McLaren

THE best things come in threes... and this adorable cat-and-dog detective duo are the shining stars of a mystery and mischief-filled series from Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted author and illustrator Meg McLaren. Highly illustrated throughout in child-friendly, two-tone colours, the adventures of Watts & Whiskerton are doggedly delightful and purr-fectly fun for emerging young readers. In their second outing, budding detective Watts is back in Little Gossip to visit the Whiskertons and attend the village fete bake off. He’s looking forward to a fun weekend, but then disaster strikes when the ovens flood with batter and accusations of sabotage begin to fly! Who’s responsible for the cake catastrophe and why would they want to ruin the competition? It’s up to Watts and Pearl to solve the curious case. But can this dog and cat detective duo find the proof in the pudding? With comic-style illustrations and a story bursting with sleuthing, skulduggery and sugar, Watts and Whiskerton’s adventures are guaranteed to steal every reader’s heart!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3
The Colour Monster: Mindfulness
Anna Llenas

WHEN your emotions overwhelm you and you don’t know how to control them, or when you feel upset but can’t figure out why, there’s one person who can teach us all a lesson… the Colour Monster! Spanish-born author and illustrator Anna Llenas is winning hearts and minds with her beautiful, feel-good picture book series, The Colour Monster, which explains, in the most delightful and imaginative way, the many human emotions that we all experience.  In this new adventure, we join the Colour Monster in a mindfulness activity book packed with 45 mandalas to colour in... and discover how to express our emotions through art. On the journey towards calm, these mandalas, full of shapes and colour, will help youngsters to connect with themselves and find their inner peace again. Using art therapist Llenas’ distinctive and accessible artwork in black and white form, children can dive into the book on any page and find beautiful and calming mandalas to colour. This cleverly and carefully created activity book is the perfect way to de-stress, and help regulate emotions in both children and adults. Once completed, the mandalas can be removed from the book by the perforated edge and displayed for everyone to enjoy!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
The Tractor Has a Wobbly Wheel
Tim Saunders and Carla Martell

LITTLE ones will be going ‘flat out’ to read and re-read this delightful picture book story from New Zealand duo, author Tim Saunders and illustrator Carla Martell. Saunders, who farms sheep and beef near Palmerston North, serves up lots of wordplay fun with this amusing and clever tale of a tractor with a wobbly wheel on a farm run by animals. When their tractor keeps breaking down, the animals need to find a whole host of inventive solutions. Youngsters will love the joyful, rhyming story with its repetition, energetic bounce, madcap contraptions... and the tractor of course! Martell’s bold, colourful and comical illustrations are a perfect match for the story, taking the humour to another level and adding unexpected extras to ignite young imaginations!
(A&U Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Our World: Brazil
Ana Siqueira and Ana Matsusaki

BOM dia! Let's spend a day in Brazil, take the ônibus to the beach, drink sugar cane juice at the feira and play capoeira. Brazilian author Ana Siqueira and illustrator Ana Matsusaki, who was born in São Paulo, draw on their personal experiences of living in Brazil to create this charming picture book which features educational endnotes and is part of Barefoot Books’ Our World series for very young readers. 

Also in the series is Our World: Kenya, written by Maïmouna Jallow and illustrated by Lulu Kitololo, in which little ones spend a day in Kenya savouring fluffy mandazis, counting the colourful mabati roofs, and playing a game of kati kati. And why not spend a day in Ukraine with Ukrainian author and illustrator team Kateryna Yehorushkina and Olga Shtonda and enjoy seeing children painting eggs, picnicking in the park surrounded by paper angels, and taking a trip to the river. 

These One World books avoid stereotypes and concentrate on daily life rather than landmarks. Bold artwork and an engaging text make global learning accessible to young children while the back-of the-book notes offer simple explanations of the objects and actions found in the book. A whole world of knowledge!

(Barefoot Books, paperback, £7.99 each)

Best Summer Ever

Heidi Swain

AT the age of twenty-eight, Daisy Patterson still doesn’t know where or what her place in the world is... her latest boyfriend has proved to be unfaithful, she has packed in a job that meant little to her, and she’s fed up with being a disappointment to her parents.

Left with few other options, Daisy returns home to the picturesque village of Wynmouth on the beautiful Norfolk coast in the hope that she can find a job she likes, bring structure to her somewhat disordered life, make her parents proud... and maybe, just maybe, enjoy a much-needed holiday fling.

Pour a glass of your favourite tipple and escape into the warmth and wonder of summer with the queen of feel-good Heidi Swain (pictured below) in a sizzling novel which explores what happens when the lives of two people – both of them harbouring secrets – collide against a kaleidoscope of sea, sand and sunshine.

Swain, who lives with her family in picturesque south Norfolk, has won thousands of adoring readers with her enchanting stories set in three very different fictional locations... the Fenland town of Wynbridge, cosy Nightingale Square in Norwich, and alluring little Wynmouth.

But whatever the setting, Swain’s stories always have a strong sense of community, family and friendship and this sparkling summer standalone – her remarkable twentieth novel – sweeps us into the troubled world of the delightful Daisy.

It’s July and summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought (and hoped!) she was going to marry. 

Coming home and staying at her parents’ cottage on the Wynbrook Manor estate for a few months could be just what she needs to move her life on. But things are in disarray at the manor, owned by elderly Algernon (Algy) Alford. Algy isn’t getting any younger and has recently had a fall which has left him lethargic and lacking in enthusiasm. Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the manor’s new cut-flower garden.

Daisy arrival hasn’t exactly been welcomed by her parents. After dropping out of university, and moving from one casual job to another, it seemed that dreamer Daisy had finally found a steady boyfriend... a man with what Robin considered ‘a structured career’ and who was helping to get his daughter’s life in order.

With no money, no prospects and no options, Daisy has at least found a summer job working behind the bar at Wynmouth’s quaint seafront pub, the Smuggler’s Inn, and even before she arrives at her parents’ cottage, she almost literally bumps into American tourist Josh who has hired the cottage next door to the pub for the season.

As Daisy slowly settles in again at Wynbrook Manor and in the village, she finds new purpose in helping with the cut-flower garden and enjoys the ‘electricity’ that continues to crackle between herself and the very attractive Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person she thought, will the spark between them fizzle out and with it, the chances of this turning this into the best summer ever?

Swain has a well-earned reputation for heartwarming and entertaining stories which showcase her talent for blending escapist romance, captivating locations, and a perfectly imagined cast of characters facing some of the real-life challenges of the modern world, and Best Summer Ever proves – rather aptly – to be one of her best novels ever. Readers will adore following chaotic but caring Daisy’s journey from lost soul to a young woman discovering the joys and rewards of self-belief and self-discovery as she finds her feet and a new purpose back home in the place where her life began.

Set against the seductive charms of the Norfolk coast, an enticing romance, a simmering mystery, and the evocative scents of a well-stocked flower garden, this summer holiday odyssey is a gloriously funny, insightful and inspirational celebration of the powerful bonds of home, family and friendship. So whether you are in need of a cosy book hug, a breath of fresh sea air, or want a summertime story full of fun, drama and secrets, look no further than this beautifully woven, feel-good tale... the perfect sunshine read!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A chance meeting, a power girl and a new school

Discover how amazing things can happen when you give people a chance, meet a girl with a murder to solve, revenge on her mind and more questions than answers, and find out how a schoolboy tackles one of life’s big changes in a super selection of April children’s books

Age 9 plus
The Last House in the Row
Lesley Parr and Richard Johnson

AMAZING things can happen when you give people a chance! The unlikely friendship between a young girl and her eccentric neighbour takes centre stage in a moving and thought-provoking novella from former primary school teacher and bestselling author Lesley Parr. The Last House in the Row – brought to vivid life by Richard Johnson’s emotive and atmospheric artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format – is packed with important message about the value of intergenerational relationships, as well as showcasing snippets of Welsh language in a setting inspired by the author’s childhood in Wales.

Hayley is annoyed that her beloved cat keeps sneaking off to the garden of the eccentric old lady across the street. Lillian, or Boo as Hayley calls her, lives in the last house in the row after the rest were knocked down years ago. Lillian hasn’t stepped outside her front door since. But thanks to an unexpected act of kindness, a surprising friendship develops between them, and Hayley learns the real reason behind the old lady’s reluctance to move. So when a misunderstanding threatens their friendship, can Hayley repair what has been damaged and help Lillian find her way out into the world again?

Inspired by two old ladies who lived near Parr when she was growing up, The Last House in the Row speaks loudly about how unexpectedly surprising people can prove to be, and how important it is to foster connections with your local community. Beautifully written and conceived, this is a book to savour long after the last page has turned.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 10 plus
Rosie Frost: Ice on Fire
Geri Halliwell-Horner

DIVE back into the extraordinary life of a heroic girl with a murder to solve, revenge on her mind, and more questions than she has answers for! Enjoy the thrilling mix of mystery, history, nature and girl power as former Spice Girl, songwriter and author Geri Halliwell-Horner returns to work her magic on the second hidden island adventure in her thrilling Rosie Frost series. Suddenly orphaned and alone, Rosie was sent to the mysterious Bloodstone Island, home not only to the Heverbridge School for extraordinary teens but also a sanctuary for endangered species. And it was there that Rosie discovered that history can come to life in ways she never could have imagined. On the brink of discovering who, or what, lies behind her mother’s death, Rosie is now beginning a new term at Heverbridge and Bloodstone is in turmoil. Mutant animals are on the loose, jealous classmates want to bring Rosie down, and, even worse, there is a black hole to deal with. Below the island’s surface, an everlasting star is growing in strength and it just may end them all. Then Rosie discovers the north side of the island, home to the alluring Imperium Palace... but is the palace one of scientific genius or deadly menace? While she fights to know the truth about her past – and her family’s ancient ties to Bloodstone – Rosie begins to wonder if the price for the truth may be too high. She must discover what she’s really made of as a fresh danger puts her new home – and all that she loves – at risk. Youngsters will love returning to the dark and dangerous world of determined and big-hearted Rosie as she tackles life and her enemies head-on in an exhilarating adventure full of mystery, history, nature and girl power, and all set in a world where heroes are found in the most unexpected places!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Zak Monroe is (Not) My Friend
Simon Packham

WHEN life brings big changes, it isn’t always something that children can relish. Nobody knows this better than author Simon Packham whose novels like Silenced and Worrybot have been highly acclaimed by critics. Packham uses his own experiences of being bullied at school, and his daughter’s problems with anxiety, to pen resonant stories which explore feelings, friendships, and transition, whether that is a move to a new area or to secondary school. In Zak Monroe is (Not) My Friend, we meet Sam who has been best friends with Cal, Fin and Jay for EVER. They are all about to move up to a new school together... it’s scary but exciting. But then he overhears them saying that they are not going to put him on their Friends Lists so Sam will be stuck in a different tutor group with a lot of kids he doesn’t know. Help! How can Sam convince them to change their minds? Can he keep on hiding his friendship with ‘weird’ new boy Zak Monroe? And what will happen when these two sides of Sam’s life collide? Packham delivers a perfectly pitched, heartfelt and inspirational story for any child feeling a little bit lost in the face of a big change. With its exploration of friendship and self-confidence through the transition into secondary school, this book is ideal for young people dealing with self-doubt or next-step nerves, and is an entertaining and warmly wise addition to school and home bookshelves.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Taking The Long Way Home
Jake Hope and Brian Fitzgerald

THE power of the imagination takes two siblings on an extraordinary journey in a warm, witty and wonderfully inspiring picture book from author Jake Hope and illustrator Brian Fitzgerald. Young readers will love observing how using all of our five senses can transform an ordinary walk back from school into a super-sized adventure. Normally Zarah and her brother are collected from school by their dad who rushes them home taking every shortcut. But today, Uncle Jerome is collecting them, and he takes them on ‘the long way home.’ Reluctant to go further than necessary, the children complain at first but are soon caught up in amazing adventures, as their uncle gets them to use their senses to conjure up a world of fun and imagination. Birds become pterodactyls, ripples in the water become crocodiles... and they soon realise that the best adventures only happen on the long way home! Hope, a reading development and children’s book consultant, demonstrates to readers how entering into the spirit of play and adventure empowers the children, while each spread conveys the sense of an ongoing journey full of unexpected discoveries. Fun to read aloud and given life and energy by Fitzgerald’s colourful illustrations, this is the perfect story to inspire a love of the great outdoors.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
I Am Strong Just Being Me
Laura Dockrill and Kip Alizadeh

THERE are so many different ways to show how strong you are... and many of them are not what you might expect! Award-winning writer Laura Dockrill and illustrator and visual artists Kip Alizadeh touch readers’ hearts with this lyrical picture book exploring strength and its many guises. Is strong brave and fearless? Does it always win a fight? Does strong have a shouty voice? Is it always right? These are some of the questions that an inquisitive child called Bean asks Nanna one day while in the garden. From the power of silence to the strength of an embrace, the uplifting story offers an alternative to the stereotypes around strength, and encourages all children to believe that they can be strong in their own way. Add on Alizadeh’s beautifully evocative illustrations which celebrate the natural world and you have the perfect book to teach little ones to love themselves just as they are!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Moon Girl
Thomas Docherty

SOMETIMES Leila is a little bit scared of the dark... but then she meets Moon Girl and discovers how wonderful the world is after the sun sets! If your little ones are wary of darkness and shadows, take them on a thrilling night-time adventure with award-winning author and illustrator Thomas Docherty. Leila loves bright colours but she isn’t so keen on the dark. That is until she meets Moon Girl who carries a brush and a paint-pot full of moonlight and together they go on a night-time adventure, painting moonlight in the darkness and discovering bats, cats, foxes and moths, and a town full of surprises. In this creative celebration of the night world, Docherty takes an imaginative approach and offers a reassuring exploration of life after dark, making it perfect for children who are afraid of the night. His beautifully illuminated illustrations have a wealth of detail to hold young readers’ attention as the hours of darkness become a thing of beauty, curiosity, and wonder.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)