CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A magical mystery, relic hunting and an epic game

Fly high with a fantasy series set in a magical but dangerous world, join a thrills-and-spills race to find hidden treasure in an ancient land, test your mind and your mettle in a heart-racing gaming adventure, and meet a young footballer battling problems in her home life in a glittering new selection

Age 9 plus
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow
Jessica Townsend

WHEN an author’s debut children’s series wins the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the film rights are sold to Fox, you know that here is a writer with that special magic touch… and magic is certainly what you get in the joyful and wildly imaginative Nevermoor adventures. Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow is the fourth book in the series and once again showcases the talents of its creator, Jessica Townsend, who lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and admits to a fascination with – among others – ancient cities, Halloween, opera singers and secret societies. Our leading lady is Morrigan Crow who was cursed and destined to die on her eleventh birthday until, when the clock struck midnight, she was whisked away to the secret city of Nevermoor and invited to join the Wundrous Society. Mystery, magic and protection could now be hers… if only she can pass four impossible trials, using an exceptional talent. In her new adventure in Nevermoor, long-buried secrets are coming to light, and Morrigan’s life is about to turn upside down.

Invited into Nevermoor’s wealthy Silver District, she discovers a world of extravagance and a family mystery she’s eager to unravel. But she could never imagine where it will lead… a white wedding, a golden dragon and a red pool of blood. Embroiled in suspicion and danger, Morrigan leaps head first into a murder investigation, while also grappling with her ever-growing Wundersmith powers. And although her friends are there to help, she fears that could change if they learn she is keeping a terrible secret of her own. As shadowy forces awaken in Nevermoor, can Morrigan find a killer and solve the mystery in her own past ... before the clock strikes midnight?Youngsters will be turning the pages at top speed as they meet up again with the delectable Morrigan as she faces a perilous choice in the dazzling but dangerous world of Nevermoor. Sprinkled liberally with humour, drama, warm-hearted fun and incredible world-building, the thrilling adventures of Morrigan Crow continue to fly high in a spectacular series.
(Orion Children’s Books, hardback, £16.99)

Age 9 plus
The Amulet of Hath
Vashti Hardy and Rebecca Sheerin

THINK Indiana Jones with a big serving of steampunk and a delicious helping of archaeology, and you have the second thrills-and-spills adventure in bestselling author Vashti Hardy’s fantastic world-building Relic Hunters series. With her prodigiously inventive imagination and storytelling talents, Hardy delivers another reading treasure with action at every turn, the richly detailed illustrations of Rebecca Sheerin, and an adorable cast of characters as we step into a spectacular steampunk world of wonders and fantastical technology. In this new mission for Mabel and Will Greystone – led by their Aunt Lucy, a famous relic hunter – the siblings embark on an action-packed race to find lost gold. A long-lost amulet holds the secret to finding the ancient land of Hath and its hidden treasures. But just as Aunt Lucy is about to retrieve it, the amulet falls into the hands of nefarious glory hunter Byron Cogsworth. Now the race is on to be the first to uncover the location of Hath and its gold. But how can Mabel and Will help their aunt when they only have access to half of the clues, and can they stop Cogsworth before his dirty tricks lead to the treasure being lost for ever? Produced in a super readable format, and especially suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers, The Amulet of Hath is an exhilarating reading experience, full of amazing inventions, bold characters, and intriguing mysteries, and is an exciting addition to a brilliantly entertaining and educational fantasy series.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Escape Room: Game Zero
Christopher Edge

ARE you ready for the challenge of a brain-twisting, heart-racing, high-stakes adventure that will test both your mind and your mettle? Enter Christopher Edge’s gripping new Escape Room mission and join a daring young girl faced with the ultimate game of jeopardy in a world packed with puzzles and peril. Award-winning author Edge, who grew up in Manchester, likes nothing better than to set young minds in motion and he is back to enthral and educate readers with an edge-of-the-seat quest which pulses with danger and breathtaking challenges. When the sky turns black with a huge murmuration of birds, Eden thinks it’s the end of the world. But as the swirling flock forms an endlessly spinning circle, she is transported into The Escape. It’s the ultimate virtual escape room, a game no one else knows exists, where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. In this amazing world packed with puzzles, challenges and danger, she meets Ted. Together they travel through epic landscapes of forests, mountains and deserts, facing bigger and bigger obstacles as they search for the keys to unlock this world, progress to the next level, and reveal the secrets of The Escape. But what if she's not playing the game? Maybe the game is playing her... There is so much to enjoy in this fabulous middle grade novel as Edge fuses games, play and fun into one great big adventure full of surprises, suspense and mystery, and empowers children to be the heroes of their own stories. So what are you waiting for… it’s game on!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Seeing Red
Eve Ainsworth and Luna Valentine

BATTLING problems at home, young footballer Amelia risks her place in the squad when she lashes out at her team-mates in this warm-hearted and insightful sports tale, the third in the much-loved Lightmoor Lionesses series from acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth. The Carnegie Medal-nominated writer has used the exciting story of Lancashire’s real-life Dick, Kerr Ladies FC – the team of ordinary factory girls from Preston who made footballing history during the First World War – in her creative books. Seeing Red is a sensitively told, contemporary tale about a girl dealing with her parents’ marriage breakdown and her mother’s worsening mental health – and once again Ainsworth looks to female footballers as her inspiration. Football used to be a way for Amelia to escape when her parents were arguing, but now that her dad has moved out and her mum is struggling to cope, it’s just another source of stress. Amelia is late for practice while trying to help her mum and finds it hard to concentrate during important matches. Her Lightmoor Lionesses coach and team-mates are all worried about her, but it’s difficult to help when Amelia lashes out in anger. Can she find a way to get the support she needs before her temper pushes everyone away? Published in Barrington Stoke’s dyslexia-friendly format, the tale of Amelia’s troubled life promotes messages about kindness, empathy and teamwork, and includes helpful tips for managing anger. Luna Valentine’s heartfelt illustrations add extra emotive power and the story will certainly score a winning goal with football fans and any youngsters facing their own challenges both at home and on the sports field.

(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky
Pari Thomson and Elisa Paganelli

RETURN to the secret world where the wilderness is alive and the magic is real in the third and final epic adventure of the fabulous, prize-winning Greenwild debut series from Pari Thomson, editorial director for picture books at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Thomson’s aim was to write ‘a love letter to the beauty of the natural world’ and she ended up with this thrilling eco-adventure trilogy which has all the hallmarks of a Harry Potter-style classic and is brought to life by Elisa Paganelli’s stunning illustrations, delivering an alluring brand of botanical wizardry. Starring an intrepid young girl desperately trying to track down her missing mum, these spellbinding tales of magic and mystery are breathtaking in the sheer power of their world building, characterisation and imaginative storytelling.

With the support of the Iffenwilders and their mighty water magic, Daisy Thistledown and her friends are finally setting off to rescue the Botanists held prisoner in the heart of the Amazon rainforest… including Daisy's Ma. At her side is Max Marina, the boy king of the magical ocean kingdom of Iffenwild. But when an unexpected attack sends the rescue mission spinning off course, Daisy and Max are separated, and Max is shipwrecked on an impossible shore with no way of escape. Even Daisy's arrival in Amazeria – the stunning Amazonian pocket of the Greenwild, teeming with green magic – is in jeopardy as the mysterious Great Reaper draws ever closer. In the shadows of the great rainforest, it's impossible to know who to trust. Daisy and her friends must draw on every ounce of courage they have to fight for Daisy’s Ma, for the Greenwild, and for everything they hold most dear.

Thomson’s astonishing botanical wonders are a fantastical creation, the products of people who care deeply for a natural world that is wild and strange, but hidden inside these unforgettable escapades are real concerns about the future of our forests and oceans, and a joyful celebration of the magic, beauty and excitement that is out there in the wild if we only take the time to pause, enjoy it, and value it. Written in Thomson’s elegant, descriptive prose, and with an addictive sense of adventure, fantasy and fun, Greenwild is a fantastic finale to an exceptional trilogy which can be enjoyed and treasured by readers from nine to ninety!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Nautical: A Visual History of Boats
Matt Ralphs and Dieter Braun

HAUL up the anchor and get ready to sail the high seas as you embark on a spectacular visual journey through the glorious history of ships! Written by children's non-fiction author Matt Ralphs and illustrated by award-winning German artist Dieter Braun, who is recognised for the distinctive geometric worlds he creates, with a touch of retro aesthetic, this super-stylish book is a stunningly illustrated tribute to all things maritime, celebrating the ingenuity of boats, ships and submarines past, present and future. From the first canoe carved from a single tree trunk nearly 10,000 years ago, through to enormous warships capable of carrying over 75 aircraft, Nautical is packed full of daredevil explorers, bloodthirsty pirates and ingenious inventors, and the extraordinary vessels they designed, built and sailed, including Viking dragonboats, the Mary Rose, the Cutty Sark, RMS Titanic, and many more. The trip of a lifetime for maritime enthusiasts of every age, Nautical is the fourth book in a compelling, non-fiction series on vehicles which has included Automotive, Locomotion and Aviation.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age 7 plus
The Shell Keepers
Truly Johnston

ENTER a world of tiny people on a BIG mission to save our precious oceans! Truly Johnston, an exciting debut author of Sri Lankan and English heritage, gives full flow to her rich imaginative powers in an enchanting, sun-soaked adventure with all the magic and mystery of Mary Norton’s The Borrowers. When Corrine picks up a shell on the beach, she doesn’t expect to see a tiny girl inside it. Kauri lives below the sand and sea, travelling with her family on the tides. But now their miniature world is in danger, and they need a shell keeper to keep them safe. Johnston was winner of the Bath Children’s Novel Award in 2022 and this heart-warming tale about a family of miniature people cast adrift in the human world aims to open children’s minds to the magic of the world around us. With themes of belonging, identity, environment and activism, all beautifully wrapped up in a sunny adventure and a treasure hunt set in a coastal haven, is ideal for summertime reading.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Football Skills
Katie Daynes and Simon Tudhope

KICK off your sport-loving youngsters’ summer reading with this must-have manual covering all the football skills every fan and player needs to know. Featuring photographs of real young players, and shot on location at a Football Association ground, Football Skills has been written by Usborne author Katie Daynes in collaboration with professional footballers and the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity, Show Racism the Red Card. Perfectly timed for this year’s UEFA Women’s Euros, the book combines photographs of a diverse range of talented boys and girls from Oadby Owls, a progressive Leicestershire football club with Fran Bueno’s colourful illustrations and instructions in a clear, concise and highly-visual format. Football fans can learn everything from perfecting their first touch to scoring the winning goal… with plenty of freestyling along the way. Difficulty ratings, top tips and a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion make this book the perfect way for everyone to enjoy the beautiful game.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Isadora Moon: Bumper Activity Book
Harriet Muncaster

JOIN half-vampire, half-fairy Isadora Moon – the much-loved creation of author and illustrator Harriet Muncaster – as she takes flight on a host of sparkly adventures in this bumper activity book packed with 100 spellbinding puzzles and magical ways to get creative! Brought to life by Muncaster’s trademark pink and black illustrations, this super-fun, sparkly book features activities to draw, colour in, and write about, all designed to promote numeracy and literacy skills, problem-solving, play and creativity. And with the adorable Isadora – complete with her fangs, wings and crazy family – leading the way, this is the perfect book for youngsters who enjoy their magic and sparkle with a bite!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £9.99)

Age 3 plus
The Tantrum
Louie Stowell and Isobel Lundie

WELCOME to a drama like no other at the Glade... a special woodland theatre where budding bards can hone their skills and discover that all the world’s a stage! The Tantrum is the second picture book in a brilliantly creative Shakesbearean Tales series from the top team of children’s author Louie Stowell and talented illustrator Isobel Lundie. These charming books, based on Shakespeare’s plays, introduce a cast of lovable animal characters and offer an endearing introduction to the world of theatre. So get ready for meltdowns and bawling bards as Bill Bear and his friends stage a new play at The Glade. But it’s not long before things start going wrong and Bill throws a full-blown tantrum which includes shaking fists, cries, howls and the gnashing of (bear) teeth! However can they stage the show now? Parents everywhere will identify with Bill’s friends as they try to calm him down and persuade him that the show must go on in this comical depiction of Bill and his huffy histrionics. Stowell’s comical and clever story encapsulates the ups and downs of dealing with drama of every kind while Lundie’s richly detailed illustrations bring The Glade Theatre and its actors to life. Add on a gentle introduction to the concept of theatre, a story split into three acts with a list of dramatis personae and a location map, plus a page of fun facts about William Shakespeare, his plays, and the Globe Theatre, and this is a production you won’t want to miss!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Snarky Sharky
Bethan Clarke and Nikolas Ilic

WATCH out, there’s a shark about and he’s a lean, mean snark machine! Children’s author Bethan Clarke and award-winning artist Nikolas Ilic have lots of bitingly witty pun fun in this laugh-out-loud picture book with a villainous anti-hero at its heart. Forget about small fry fish and meet Snarky Sharky… he claims to be the greatest fish on the reef. No fish can hide from his wicked wit. No clam is safe from his biting jokes. Can you handle this snappy customer? As the book is called Snarky Sharky, does he really need to explain what it's about? Told with tons of underwater puns and added snark from Clarke, and illustrated with Ilic’s dry humour, this is a brilliant story for anyone who has ever felt a little… well, snarky! Children will drown in giggles as they spot Snarky Sharky’s sarcastic side-eyes and exaggerated eye rolls, and will love exploring an underwater world packed with hilarious sea creatures. A picture book overflowing with fun!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Welcome
Alison Green and Axel Scheffler

CELEBRATE friendship and togetherness with this charming and joyful book from author Alison Green and illustrator Axel Scheffler, best known for his artwork in the Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog. Perfect for reading together, Welcome has a simple, appealing text and is full of Scheffler’s trademark adorable animal characters, seen here in everyday relatable scenarios, showing children how everyone can be a good friend and how we can all help others to feel welcome. Would you like to come inside this book? You’re very welcome. In fact, everyone is welcome here, whether you're big or small, flappy or jumpy, noisy or quiet. With its simple text and endearing animal characters, Welcome shows how everyone can be a good friend, and how we can all help others to feel welcome. Scheffler's fabulous, funny animals are the perfect ambassadors to display friendship and togetherness… how to laugh together, play together – and most importantly – how to make friends again after a quarrel! A donation from every copy of Welcome sold goes to Three Peas, a charity which supports refugees who have had to flee their homes because of war or persecution.
(Scholastic, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Uh-Oh, Niko: The Beach
Chris Chatterton

EVERY toddler needs a helping hand when they are learning about all those recognisable daily routines. Whether it’s bathtime, bedtime, a visit the park or going to nursery, this gorgeously illustrated and interactive board book series, starring adorable little bear Niko, from author and illustrator Chris Chatterton puts your toddlers at centre stage. In his new adventure, we join Niko at the beach and have fun with push-and-pull sliders and flaps as we help little Niko build a sand castle, have a refreshing treat, and play in the sea. As we see, Niko sometimes gets things a little wrong – a sandcastle built too tall! – but whatever happens, he always tries again and learns new skills along the way. Children will love joining in with the fun-filled rhyming text and playing along with the story and if they want more, this super series also includes Uh-Oh, Niko: Bathtime, Uh-Oh, Niko: Bedtime, Uh-Oh, Niko: The Park, Uh-Oh, Niko: Nursery and Uh-Oh, Niko: Birthday Party.
(Ladybird, board book, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
I Really, Really Need a Wee
Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie

DYNAMIC duo Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie work their magic on your ‘wee’ ones in this hilarious board book starring a bush baby in an all-too-familiar fix! Hold on tight for laughs all round as we learn of the perils of leaving home without first visiting the loo as award-winning children’s author Newson and creative illustrator Beedie give their imaginations free flow on a raucous romp that is destined to be everyone’s number one. Bush Baby is in a fix. She didn’t need a wee before she left home… now she needs one right away! Uh-oh! But what will she do if there's just nowhere to go? It’s a wee-wee emergency! Giggles galore are guaranteed in this clever, comical board book which delivers lessons about the importance of self-awareness and always taking that last-chance toilet trip before leaving home. With Newson’s fun-filled rhymes, Beedie’s bold, vibrant illustrations, and a terrific twist in its tail that will tickle young readers, I Really, Really Need a Wee is simply bursting with fun… and perfect for little ones starting out on potty and toilet training.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £6.99)

Age one plus
We Love Veggies!
Becky Davies and Ailie Busby

IT might sound strange but... here’s a tasty book that gives little ones full permission to play with food! Tots will love pulling out the sliding tray in the cover of this ingenious board book to reveal eight removable, double-sided press-out-and-play veggie characters. And wait for the miles of smiles as they follow the clues to match the correct board piece to each page. Do you know which veggie doesn’t need light to grow? And which veggie is really a flower? Written by Becky Davies and colourfully illustrated by Ailie Busby, We Love Veggies! cleverly combines an interactive guessing game with an early learning concept. With simple facts to share along the way, it’s the perfect book to encourage balanced, healthy eating habits through play, and is guaranteed to leave your toddlers hungry for more!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £8.99)

The Herb Knot

Jane Loftus

WHEN five-year-old French boy Rafi Dubois miraculously escaped death in the aftermath of the Battle of Crécy in 1346, little did he know that his promise to a dying soldier would one day send him on a mission fraught with danger, intrigue... and enemies more powerful than he could ever have imagined.

England’s turbulent 14^th century history springs to vibrant life in a thrilling and action-packed debut novel from Jane Loftus, an author who has drawn inspiration for her epic tale from the painstakingly documented medieval layout of the city of Winchester, and her own passionate interest in the Middle Ages.

It’s a compelling and immaculately researched story rooted in England’s historic victory at Crécy, a significant turning point in the Hundred Years' War, and a pivotal battle which saw the introduction of a new weapon on to the Western European battlefield... the deadly English longbow. Caught between the warring sides is our young hero Rafi who witnessed the murder of both his mother and his cousin but whose quest to track down the English owner of a half-broken family seal soon proves that a promise to the dead can become a curse to the living.

Forced to flee their cottage after the mighty battle of Crécy between French and English armies, Raphael (Rafi) Dubois hides with his mother in the nearby forest where blood-soaked enemy soldiers are roaming. But it is the arrival of a brutal mercenary which causes the greatest danger and after killing Rafi’s cousin Christophe, the rogue combatant targets the boy’s mother despite the brave efforts of a young English soldier who tries to save her. 

Now alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman... a half-broken, silver family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to his father in Winchester. It forms a bond with the unknown man which Rafi will carry with him until he has fulfilled his promise.

Fifteen years later, now aged twenty and after being in the care of monk at the local monastery, Rafi is working for a Flemish importer in Ghent who deals in the transport of English wool to local weavers. Rafi is comfortable in his small, traders’ world but is ashamed that he has still not travelled to Winchester to return the token.

When he saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with a large sum of money and grabs the chance to finally sail to England with his English friend and fellow apprentice, Adam Bixham, taking the seal with him. But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi – who is pretending to be Flemish rather than French – finds himself in a dangerous world where old resentments run deep, secrets and treachery abound, and powerful enemies are working against him. And then Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary who is trapped in a loveless marriage, and in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threaten to overwhelm them both…

The lingering enmities of Crécy loom large in in this enthralling and emotion-fuelled story of love, betrayal and conspiracy which sweeps readers into the breathtakingly imagined medieval homes, dirty, bustling streets and dark alleyways of Winchester. Time and place come alive through Loftus’ rich and authentic historical detail – chaotic, mud-caked cobbles, brightly canopied shops, the pervading stench of ordure and sweat – and through an eclectic mix of real and fictional characters who allow us a fascinating glimpse into 14^th century life.  

And inside the beating heart of the city, with its dangerous intrigues, tensions and secrets, its age-old loyalties and its ruthless power-brokers, is the burgeoning love affair between the young, naïve and sometimes reckless Rafi and the strong, determined and fiercely independent apothecary Edith.

Sweeping between Ghent and Winchester, and cleverly layered with plot twists, The Herb Knot is a gripping exploration of medieval Winchester and heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in historical fiction.
(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

A Secret Escape

Sarah Morgan

‘Friendships were supposed to make
you feel better, not worse.’ 

AT what point do you tell your ‘forever’ best friend – the friend who has ignored you for the most difficult eighteen months of your life – that enough is enough?

Summer wouldn’t be summer without the gift of a sun-soaked story from bestselling author Sarah Morgan (pictured below) whose novels of romance and real-life human dramas have won her an army of fans across the globe, and always come packed full of her trademark humour and warmth.

And A Secret Escape is classic Morgan magic… another delicious slice of seductive storytelling that whisks readers away to the heart of the beautiful Lake District and the exclusive Forest Nest resort, an idyllic collection of luxury lakeside cabins where the only night sounds are plaintive bird calls and the occasional hoot of an owl. And it’s here that two childhood friends, Milly and Nicole, who had once been more like sisters, will spend the summer season trying to reconnect, rewire and repair the special bond they once shared amidst a maelstrom of misunderstandings, painful secrets and complex family relationships.

Even though 35-year-olds Milly and Nicole have been friends since their early days, their lives have taken very different paths. Actress Nicole – considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the world – achieved global fame at the age of 21 after starring in a film which broke all box office records and now lives the high life in Los Angeles.

Milly, one the other hand, was married young to husband Richard, is mother to Zoe, now aged 13, and works in her family’s lakeside Forest Nest resort . 

Despite Nicole’s film star status and hectic lifestyle, the two women stayed firm friends until eighteen months ago when Richard walked out on his wife and daughter, the couple divorced, and Milly and Zoe had to move house. What hurts Milly just as much is the fact that Nicole has never once contacted her since she told her about the painful divorce.

But now Milly – who is clinging tightly to Zoe and what else she has left of her life – has had a call from Nicole begging for her help. She claims she is now the most hated woman on the planet, needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly’s holiday home business far away from LA. Milly knows she should refuse but she can’t ignore the desperation in her old friend’s voice so, despite her misgivings and the thought of more emotional stress, she agrees to let Nicole stay. Over a summer of tentative conversations and shared memories, the two women start to reconnect, and there’s a potential new romance for Milly too. 

But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their fragile renewed friendship is put to the test once more. Can they come together in this time of need, or will this summer break their bond forever?

There is so much to enjoy in this escapist summertime odyssey as Morgan spreads her stardust over a moving and relatable story which explores the dynamics of a damaged friendship and celebrates the boundless love that flows between the different generations of a family. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Lake District’s stunning fells, peaceful lakes and alluring sense of space and solitude, we witness the unravelling of secrets and relationships, and observe the slow rebirth and re-blossoming of Milly and Nicole’s ‘rare and special’ friendship.

But, as always in life, there are stumbling blocks along the road to happiness, and the friends must accept that some secrets cannot be hidden forever, and a willingness to genuinely forgive is an essential component of any successful relationship. Enjoy drama and romance, a charismatic cast of characters, two delightful leading ladies, and that irresistible and uplifting sense of feelgood that imbues this author’s wonderful stories, and you have a summer of loving that is set to steal the show!
(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

Same Time Next Week

Milly Johnson

LIFE brings many changes but for women of a certain age, the ‘middle years’ too often usher in changes that will challenge them both physically and emotionally.

Take Amanda Brundell… her old dreams and ambitions have long been consigned to the bin, she’s single, childless, cares for her elderly mother, and is struggling with the effects of the menopause.  Her very understandable fear now is that she will never escape the grim, continuous loop of work and duty.

What is it about Barnsley born-and-bred author Milly Johnson’s (pictured below) entertaining and highly anticipated novels that each and every one of them wins a special place in the hearts of her army of adoring readers? Could it be the feeling that you personally know her cast of exquisitely imagined and authentic characters, is it her ability to zone in so precisely on to life’s fears, frustrations, triumphs and tragedies, or is it quite simply that she captures the zeitgeist of real women with all too recognisable real-life dilemmas?

Whatever your reasons for loving Johnson’s gloriously uplifting novels, you can guarantee that her empowering stories – liberally sprinkled with Yorkshire heart and humour – will nail the importance of female friendship, the precious bonds of family and community, and the magic that springs from kindness and caring.

Welcome to Spring Hill in a corner of South Yorkshire, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and the newest venture, Ray’s Diner... it’s here that a group of local women will soon be meeting once a week over a cup of something warming.

Middle-aged Amanda is primary carer to her elderly, truculent mother and with a half-brother who has proved himself useless but is still favourite child, she feels like she’s been second-best all her life. Her day job is in marketing but she’s fed up with her company ‘managing’ women out so is pleasantly surprised when the boss asks her to draft a report on supporting staff through menopause. Spurred into action by the fact that her own menopause has hit her ‘like a sledgehammer,’ Amanda decides to set up a weekly discussion group at her local diner (where owner Roy happens to be a rather gorgeous Texan owner) to gather as much information as she can.

In walk four women who are about to change her life... Sky, Mel, Erin and Astrid are also at a crossroads. Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But Sky’s heart beats for the shop owner, a man who is over twenty years older than herself, married and strictly off-limits.

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years but when he goes to his old school reunion, and meets an old flame, life as she knows it will never be the same again. Erin is trying to get over a traumatic death but her guilt weighs more than her grief. She can’t start healing and ‘regrouping’ until she has conquered the ‘self-protective’ instincts’ getting in her way.

Cleaner Astrid, meanwhile, is in need of a change and a challenge. She feels as if ‘life was a big orange and she hasn’t squeezed enough juice out of it’ but when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk? Can these women find acceptance, courage, support... and the answers to their worries?

It’s staggering to think that Same Time Next Week is Johnson’s 22^nd novel... another dazzling reminder of how this talented and empathetic writer remains constantly in tune with women’s emotional struggles, and how the unique support and understanding that women offer to each other is the panacea and the glue that helps to keep their lives on track. And in true style, Amanda and her disillusioned gang’s chequered path through emotive themes like divorce, bereavement, the heavy burden of guilt, caring responsibilities, the blossoming of self-worth, and the discovery that it’s never too late to start again is liberally sprinkled with the author’s delicious Yorkshire-flavoured wit and warmth.

Life throws at us both light and darkness and Johnson is never afraid to tackle those two imposters with her native wisdom, her deep understanding of the extraordinary challenges many women face, and her unwavering conviction that female friendships have an extraordinary transformative power. So if you’re looking for an inspirational, uplifting and utterly charming escape, head off to Yorkshire and enjoy romance and reality in summer’s most seductive reading package!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A pollination quest, magic bubbles and outdoor survival

Discover how flowers turn into delicious fruit that we can eat and enjoy, enjoy a magical mystery full of floating wishes, choose your own epic adventure with outdoor survival expert Bear Grylls, and celebrate the joys and quiet wonders of a rabbit’s well-lived life in a super new selection 

Age 5 plus
The Great Pollination Investigation and How We Get Food from Flowers
Deborah Hocking

HOW do bright and beautiful blooms turn into delicious fruit that we can eat and enjoy?  Dive into the fascinating world of flowers and the magic of pollination in this engaging and colourful interactive picture book from Deborah Hocking who is making her debut as both author and illustrator. Flowers make the world so lovely but how on earth do they make food? Youngsters will love digging into The Great Pollination Investigation and joining an exciting journey through the science of pollination. With lots of fun flaps to lift, the book allows readers to take a look inside a flower and find out what all the little parts do. Meet the amazing animals that carry pollen from bloom to bloom, and discover how seeds and fruits are made. Children will love looking for the adorable bees buzzing around on every page to help with the science sections, and they can carry out their very own pollination investigation with the project at the back of the book which includes instructions on how to make a pollination wand to tickle your flowers. Full to the brim with Hocking’s colourful and vibrant artwork, featuring a fact-packed text checked by the experts at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and with lots of flaps to lift, this blooming brilliant picture book is must reading for curious young minds and ideal for use in the classroom.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £14.99)

Age 9 plus
A Place of a Thousand Wishes
Sarah Merrett

MASON Kemp reckons he and his dad make the world’s best ice cream but dreams of success melt away – literally – in the shimmering heat of a sunny summer’s day. But when he receives a surprise invite to the home of a mysterious magician, it might just be the answer to their problems. Sarah Merrett, the critically acclaimed author of dazzling debut novel, The Others, returns with another enchanting and gripping tale full of thrills, spills, magical mystery and a cleverly imagined and compelling late 19^th century world of heroes and villains. Nothing is going right for unlucky ice cream seller Mason but then famous wish-maker Darlington the Miraculous – who creates stunning bubbles that can float wishes to the sky and make them come true – arrives in town and opens his mysterious manor for the first time. Mason is stunned to be invited to his first performance and he hopes his luck is about to change. But Mason gets more than he bargained for. He and Darlington share magical gifts and family bonds, but also powerful enemies, not least a sinister stranger who wants to destroy Mason’s business. Soon Mason finds himself in a race against time to rescue Darlington... or lose his magic, his wish and his family. Brought to vivid life by the stunning, atmospheric black and white illustrations of prize-winning artist Ewa Beniak-Haremska, A Place of a Thousand Wishes is an enthralling ride from start to finish as we join Mason on a journey through intrigue, evil, menace and magic in a breathtakingly imagined adventure. Add on a cast of colourful characters and themes of family, friendship, bullying and belonging, and you have the perfect reading package.
(Everything with Words, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Flember: The Secret Book
Jamie Smart

IF your youngsters like laugh-out-loud comedy, lots of madcap action and a poignant reminder of how important friendships are, then gift them the first book in extraordinarily talented illustrator and author Jamie Smart’s brilliantly entertaining Flember illustrated debut novel series. Packed with all the outrageously comical, addictive and high-energy action we have come to expect from Smart’s work, this series has a warm heart and certainly hits the mark with middle grade readers. Dev lives on a mysterious island and he loves inventing things. One day, he learns a secret about a magical life force called Flember. He creates a giant red robot bear called Boja, fills it with Flember and they become best friends. So open the book, turn the pages and enjoy the dynamic duo’s first adventure full of chaos, magic... and cheese! The bestselling creator of the Bunny and Monkey books, Smart has proved to be a comic genius and there are plenty of snorts, sniggers, ooh and aahs to enjoy on every page of this gloriously fantastical, anarchic, uplifting quest celebrating friendship, creativity, invention and loyalty.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99, published on June 5)

Age 7 plus
YOU Decide YOUR Adventure: Join Bear Grylls on the Ultimate Expedition
Bear Grylls and Jake Alexander

IMAGINE if you could choose your own epic adventure with outdoor survival expert Bear Grylls… what would you do and where would you go? There could be no better time of year to encourage your kids to trade screen time for green time and head out across snow-capped mountains, craggy cliffs, exposed grassland, dense forests and raging water rapids under the guidance of one of the world’s most recognised famous outdoor adventurers. But this is a choose-your-own adventure book so expect to have to think fast and make key survival decisions knowing the choices you make will reveal which page you need to turn to next in the book. And remember, Bear will be alongside to help you and give you some handy tips and tricks. With its exciting, interactive adventure story element – allowing youngsters to determine the outcome of the story and achieve different outcomes with each reading – the book helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills whilst promoting a love of the outdoors. Packed full of nature facts and Jake Alexander’s brilliant illustrations, the book enables kids to learn about the natural world whilst enjoying the ultimate in outdoor expeditions!
(DK Children, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough
Rébecca Dautremer

CELEBRATE the joys and quiet wonders of a life well lived with this beautiful, timeless picture book which marries heart-melting storytelling and sensational artwork in one glorious, colourful fusion. The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough (translated from the French by Charis Ainslie) is the creation of Rébecca Dautremer, a celebrated French illustrator and author of children's literature, and brings us 12 richly illustrated scenes and portraits our hero Jacominus – a humble, fluffy white rabbit – through the changing seasons as life unfolds all around him. Each exquisitely illustrated spread of this long-form picture book pays homage to a great work of art whilst portraying Jacominus at different ages and stages of his life. From childhood through to old age, Jacominus is fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends. He may not be the biggest or strongest, but he grows, learns, faces moments of sadness and also finds great joy. And so we are witnesses to his ordinary and yet extraordinary life as he becomes a father, and then a grandfather, a soul who has loved and been loved, and celebrate the pride of having done one’s best and of the happiness of a life well lived. Dautremer’s moving book, which was first published in France in 2018, has been translated into English for the first time, and with its universal messages about the beauty of just being alive, it looks set to win the hearts of millions more readers!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £16.99)

Age 7 plus
Yendor: The Land of the Googolsaurs
Sarah Matthews and Rodney Matthews

WHEN a young dactyl’s mother vanishes, adventurer Yendor and his best friend Pink are determined to help... even if finding her means climbing to the top of Very Pointy Peaks! Catch up with the exciting adventures of Yendor, a determined little warrior who we met in Yendor: The Journey of a Junior Adventurer, the first book of an imaginative, out-of-this-world children’s series written by Graham Smith and lavishly illustrated by legendary fantasy artist and conceptual designer Rodney Matthews. It was a charming tale of derring-do, filled with wondrous scenes and weird creatures in vibrant colours. And now, in his new mission seemingly impossible – written by Matthews’ wife, children’s author Sarah Matthews – we follow Yendor again as he leaps into action on a daring rescue venture that will take him above and beyond to help his friend. As the mystery of Peetee's missing mother unravels, Yendor realises that this adventure is going to be far bigger than he ever imagined! Children will love journeying with Yendor on this wildly imaginative outing in a strange new world ruled by dinosaur-like creatures made of old technology... and discovering if he ever makes his way home again! Brought to life by Rodney Matthews’ lavish and atmospheric illustrations, this is a book to love, re-read and treasure.
(Rodney Matthews Studios, paperback, £8.99 each)

Age 6 plus
The Narzat and the Shifting Shadow
Luke Marchant and Rory Walker

IMAGINARY worlds don’t come more funny, fantastical and downright wacky than this delightful comic series from primary school teacher, and now author, Luke Marchant. Packed with the equally zingy and zany illustrations of Rory Walker, these hilarious and warm-hearted adventures star the lovable Narzat, a fantasy animal faced with some very weird and wonderful villains in the very, very faraway Jumble Jungle Wood. The legendary Captain Carver and his wicked pirate crew commanded by the Gloom Badger have arrived in the Jumble Jungle Wood on board their pirate ship The Shifting Shadow in search of monstrous beasts to capture and use to tyrannise all the animals in the wood. They have already captured the Ravenoserous, the Chargemeleon and are heading for Fire Island beyond the deep dark depths with the daringly wicked plan to steal the eggs of the Gorgoconda, a two-headed snake whose eyes can turn you to stone. The Gloom Badger is in daily charge of a dastardly crew of rodent pirates but they haven't reckoned with the Narzat, the Looky Lizard and the Chatty Chirper! Dive into a host of comic characters and an unpredictable plot. Featuring an unpredictable plot and a host of comic characters to love and to boo, The Narzat is a visual and verbal delight as Marchant and Walker harness their considerable talents on another all-action romp that packs in everything that young readers adore. A sure-fire winner with your own mischief-makers!
(Everything with Words, paperback, £8.99)

Age 5 plus
Genius Kid Goes Viral
Waldo Pancake (aka Jim Smith)

GET super brainy about science with zero effort thanks to Waldo Pancake (better known to comedy fans as Jim Smith, author and illustrator of all the ‘mega keel’ Barry Loser books). Award-winning Smith has his finger firmly on the pulse of what makes kids (and grown-ups!) laugh… the pages of his books positively buzz with energy, madcap antics, and a joyful sense of managed mayhem that is as addictive as it is entertaining. And he is on top form in this zany, laugh-out-loud bonkers Genius Kid graphic novel series packed with large and small facts, and Smith’s wild and wonderful wit. Genius Kid is back with his best friend and neighbour Flea to tackle nasty viruses... from the techy kind of virus that shut down computer mainframes and causes total panic to the going-viral global-fame type of virus that also creates total panic. And then there’s the snotty gross kind of virus which creates a different sort of must-go-to-bed now sort of panic. Fortunately GK and Flea are here to explain everything in the way that only they can! Here's hoping that they go viral too... Full of super clever facts and really stupid jokes, Genius Kid Goes Viral will make you want to quote from it, repeat the gags, and re-read it again and again. Organised chaos for your fun-lovers and mischief-makers!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £9.99, published on June 5)

Age 4 plus
The Glass Heart
Sally Gardner

YOUNG hearts will be stolen by this timeless tale about three Venetian princesses with glass hearts in a classic picture book from Costa and Carnegie-winning author and illustrator Sally Gardner. The Glass Heart was first published in 2001 and this beautiful new hardback edition is the perfect gift for a new generation of young readers. In a faraway, magical kingdom of palaces built on water and secret gardens, there once lived three princesses whose hearts were made of glass. The first princess’s heart was broken. The second princess’s got cracked and could not be mended. But the third princess was lucky and her heart stayed whole. This is the story of those three princesses... Gardner, who was a successful theatre costume designer before illustrating and writing books, delivers a gentle, thoughtful exploration of how we cope with emotion and change, and wraps it in beautifully detailed artwork. With themes of kindness, courage and heart-melting happiness, this is a modern fairy tale with all those cherished classic ingredients.
(Zephyr, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Farm Magic Painting
Axel Scheffler

BRING a busy farmyard to life with the sweep of a ‘magic’ paint brush! Little ones will love joining the farmer and his wife with Farm Magic Painting, a brilliant reusable activity book with artwork from Axel Scheffler, bestselling illustrator of The Gruffalo. Lots of mess-free fun is guaranteed as youngsters explore the farmyard, colouring in all their favourite farm animals by just adding water. Brush the pictures with water to watch the colours magically appear, wipe off any excess water, then turn the page. 

Leave the book to dry standing upright and the colours will fade, ready to paint all over again! With a paintbrush to help develop fine motor skills and an easy-to-grasp carry handle, as well as things to spot and count on every page, this activity book is the perfect gift for little ones out and about, or at home. And keep youngsters busy with London Magic Painting, another book in this super series. Take a journey around busy London town, from fish and chips on the South Bank to sunny Hyde Park. There are red buses to enjoy, the crown jewels, pigeons, beefeaters, St Paul’s Cathedral and much more! With colourful artwork by Marion Billet and details to spot on every page, this is the perfect gift for little tourists.
(Campbell Books, board books, £8.99 each)

Age one plus
Dear Zoo: Spin and Say!
Rod Campbell

SPIN the wheel, point and say! Youngsters will be in a spin when they get their hands on this delightful interactive spinner book based on Dear Zoo, the bestselling pre-school classic book by Rod Campbell. Learn all about favourite animals, colours, counting from one to ten, and more in this brilliant book which is packed full of everyone’s favourite zoo animals as well as a host of wild animals and pets. Little ones will love spinning the wheels and answering the questions on each page... who is that animal, how many are there, and what colour? Simply spin the wheel, point and say!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
Not Tired! & Won’t Go!
Sumana Seeboruth and Fotini Tikkou

WE'VE all heard that familiar refrain... ‘I don't waaant to go to bed!’ If you need a little help with your troublesome toddlers, calm and reassure them with this clever (and amusing!) Feelings & Firsts board books series which comes armed with language that little ones can use to express their big feelings. In Not Tired!, an exhausted tot resists sleep with wild and wide-eyed antics until her mama finds just the right way to calm her down and snuggle into bed. Perfect to help with bedtime routines, the humorous story includes techniques to help adults overcome children’s resistance at bedtime in a playful and relatable way. 

And in Won’t Go!, a stubborn child struggles to switch gears when it’s time to leave the house for ballet class. Once she has arrived, she needs a bit of time to warm up. But when her baby brother doesn’t want to leave, she puts her new skills to good use to help him countdown to transition time! Full of humour, this adorable tale offers a positive model for guiding children through transitions as they learn that however hard it is to stop having fun, getting out the door leads to more adventures!  With words by Sumana Seeboruth and Fotini Tikkou’s characterful illustrations, these delightful books provide help and humour for harassed parents.
(Barefoot Books, board books, £7.99 each)

Kate Foster

‘They said I would swing for the crime and I did.
I wear the rope-bruise like a necklace...’

ANY reader who has enjoyed a pint or two at Maggie Dickson’s pub in the middle of Edinburgh’s Grassmarket may not know the dark and mysterious story of the woman who was hanged only a stone’s throw away for murdering her newborn baby... but survived her own execution.

Inspired by this infamous real-life case, The Mourning Necklace is the new and unforgettable historical novel from the Women's Prize for Fiction-longlisted Kate Foster (pictured below), author of The Maiden and The King’s Witches which impressed critics and wowed readers with their powerful storytelling and feminist themes. Foster’s mission is to give a voice to history’s forgotten women and their very real, lived experiences, and as she tells us in her author’s note, ‘sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.’ In fact, there can be few stranger stories than this true tale of the legendary ‘Half-Hangit Maggie,’ the unmarried Scottish fisherwoman who left her home in Fisherrow in 1724 and travelled to Kelso where she gave birth to a baby and allegedly abandoned it on the banks of the River Tweed.

Sentenced to hang for child murder, 22-year-old Maggie survived death on the gallows by some trick of fate... and it is her life before, during and after her hanging that Foster imagines in this coruscating novel which explores emotive issues like women’s reproductive rights, working conditions, and poverty which are as relevant today as they were three hundred years ago.

‘Human life is cheap. They die on street corners, in rags, an empty bottle rolling around beside them. They die of poxes and plagues and starvation and hangings. They die in childbirth. Or shortly thereafter. Whispers of the afterlife are sometimes the only hope we have.’

The working class world of Scotland’s 18th century fishing community is tough and unforgiving, and in a village tavern on the outskirts of Edinburgh, the family of Maggie Dickson gather to drown their sorrows on the day of her hanging.

Her mother, father and sister Joan mourn her death but cannot help but feel relieved that she is gone. Shame haunts them and passers-by avert their eyes from the cheap-looking coffin on its rickety cart. Despite protesting her innocence, Maggie was hanged for the murder of her newborn child. But as her family pray that her soul rests in peace, a figure appears at the door of the pub. It’s Maggie. Miraculously she is still ‘living and breathing.’ Bruised and dazed, she has ‘defied the Grim Reaper’ but Maggie has little time for her family’s questions with her future survival now in the balance.

Whether she bribed the hangman or has been touched by God matters little now. With her neck slashed and bearing a rope burn that she fears will be a scar that marks her out for life, all that matters to Maggie – who claims her baby was born prematurely – is proving her innocence before the city sheriffs order that she hang for a second time.

Written in the first person voice of Maggie to give the story extra emotional power, tension and authenticity, The Mourning Necklace is Foster’s best novel yet... a blistering and beautifully crafted portrait of an ordinary young woman from a working class background who is sentenced to death under rules made and enforced by men.

Employing an extraordinarily insightful and elegant prose which belies the viscerally cruel darkness of Maggie’s story, Foster transports readers to 18th century Scotland where we discover the pivotal events, family pressures and complex relationships that have led to the arrest and sentencing of the young mother. By blending authentic social history with what is known about Maggie and her grinding life as a fisherwoman, Foster shows us how the close, and sometimes abrasive, companionship of the hardworking wives and mothers provided solace, determination and a shared resilience in a world in which women had few rights and were given little education.

Loss, hardship, bullying, poverty, and even smuggling, all have a part to play in Maggie’s life and we share her pain and fear, and feel her vulnerability, in an age when women were little more than the property of their husbands and had no say over their own bodies.

But by surviving a hanging against all the odds, Maggie also acts as a beacon of hope and strength, and a reminder that women from all corners of the past have a story to tell that speaks loudly to those who face intimidation and injustice today. A timely and terrific tale...
(Mantle, hardback, £16.99)