Feast your imagination on a brilliant, brand new Hunger
Games adventure, get lost in the mists of time with a thrilling account of
Britain’s rich myths and legends, go down to the woods with a bunch of spiky
classmates who have a killer mystery to solve, and find out what life as an
ancient Egyptian was actually like in a super, sparkling collection of new booksAge 12 plus
Sunrise on the Reaping
Suzanne Collins
IF you have an insatiable appetite for more of Suzanne
Collins’ phenomenal dystopian adventure series The Hunger Games then feast your
eyes and your imagination on this spectacular, thrill-packed prequel set in the
sadistic world of Panem twenty-four years before we met the unforgettable
Katniss Everdeen. Sunrise on the Reaping – the fifth book of a blistering series
that has taken the world by storm – opens on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth
Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and what happens next is
guaranteed to fascinate, horrify, amaze, and break your heart.
It all began with a 16-year-old girl whose life changed
forever when she was selected to fight to the death in the terrifying Hunger
Games but rewind the story – Collins’ unique and inventive blend of the worst
excesses of reality television, the savagery of ancient Rome and the chilling
oppression of communism – and we discover the formative days of characters we
have come to know across the first four books. When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is
there left to fight for? As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games,
fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell,
twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to
think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the
day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can
feel all his dreams break. He is torn from his family and his love, shuttled to
the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes... a young friend who is
nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in
town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to
fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight... and have that fight
reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
It’s no wonder that film producers can’t wait to get their
hands on new Hunger Games books. Full of heart-stopping action and terrifying
violence, these white knuckle adventures are just ripe for big screen treatment
so no surprise to learn that this new addition is already earmarked for cinemas
in November next year. But each futuristic story carries with it life lessons for
young readers about the dangers of tyranny and control, and features the same
moral choices and dilemmas that face people on planet Earth. With plot twists
galore, a relentless pace that keeps the nerves tingling without over-egging
the action, Sunrise on the Reaping is another master class in suspense fiction.
(Scholastic, hardback, £19.99)
Age 9 plus
Storyland: Britain began with myths...
Amy Jeffs
IMMERSE yourself in mist and magic, and discover heroes and
monsters right on your doorstep, with a thrilling book that was created for
adults but has now been retold for children so they too can marvel at Britain’s
fascinating and age-old myths and legends. Based on her bestselling
Storyland: A Mythology of Britain,
Amy Jeffs – an author, printmaker and art historian specialising in the Middle
Ages – brings youngsters a beautiful book packed with landscapes which they can
recognise but populated with everything from goddesses, Trojans and giants to runaway
servants and power-hungry kings. Many of us have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules... but
what about the myths which are closer to home? Learn about the Trojan heroes
who wrestled giants, the Syrian sisters who found refuge on our lands, the
dragons who slept in hollow hills, and the kings who communed with the dead. Travelling across the wildest of landscapes – as far north
as Orkney and way down to Cornwall in the south – children will learn how
Britain got its name, build Stonehenge with the young Merlin, chase hounds up
the mountains of Wales, ride stags into the forests of Scotland, and sail with
Trojans along the rivers of Britain, discovering a land bursting with thrilling
adventures. Full of enchantment, beauty and discovery, and brimming with
Jeffs’ striking lino cut illustrations, this stunning book is the perfect way
to dazzle children with home-grown tales of magic and adventure... and
introduce them to an unforgettable array of dragons and demons, kings and
princesses, giants and prophets. Simply wizard!
(Wren & Rook, paperback, £9.99)
Age 9 plus
Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods
Jennifer Killick
WLECOME to Hazard, an ordinary town where strangeness is a
way of life... a town where sink holes appear with no warning, where people go
missing way too often, and where things really DO go bump in the night! Queen of chills-and-thrills Jennifer Killick – author of the
spine-chilling Dread Wood and Crater Lake series – makes a welcome return with all
those super-spooky vibes that kids love... horrors galore, a delicious dollop
of black comedy and a bunch of spiky classmates with a killer mystery to solve. Horror stories are what Killick does best and Serial
Chillers: The Witch in the Woods delivers horror and humour in perfect harmony
in this brilliant new story filled with big dollops of menace, malevolence and
mystery. To teenager Travis and his classmates, Zayd, Seline and
Danielle, Hazard is home. But when they are set a school project to investigate
the history of the town, they decide to look into the local urban legend of
Blood-Eyed Mary, hoping for nothing more than a good grade. But when they head
straight into the heart of Mary’s lair in the woods at night, what they find
there changes everything, not least that something strange and alien lies
beneath Hazard. What can they learn from their investigations into the
mysterious witch in the woods? And – if the witch really does exist – will they
make it home to tell the tale? Killick is a slick and sassy storyteller… she knows just how
far to take her heart-stopping tales of cool comedy and scary horror as she
pumps up the action and lets loose her rich imagination. Just be prepared to
read this gorgeous, gigglesome and unputdownable chiller-thriller in one
sitting!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
What It Was Like
to Be an Ancient Egyptian
David Long and Stefano Tambellini
FIND out what life as an ancient Egyptian was actually like,
both for pharaohs and ordinary people, alongside Blue Peter Award-winning
author David Long in the fourth book of his enthralling What It Was Like to
Be... series which introduces children to the daily life, culture and legacy of
some of history’s most extraordinary civilisations. From sacred cats to the
invention of toothpaste, calendars and door locks, Long takes readers to the
beating heart of the ancient Egyptian civilisation which lasted for an
incredible 3,000 years. Ruled over by pharaohs, the Egyptians developed
agricultural skills and trading partnerships that enabled them to build a rich
and powerful nation centred on the River Nile. Far more advanced than any
European countries at the time, the Egyptians achieved incredible feats of
building, created a new way of writing, and revolutionised farming. The
pharaohs’ powerful armies were undefeatable for generations so how did such an
impressive empire suddenly disappear? Long’s concise and thoroughly
entertaining account brings the ancient Egyptians’ fascinating civilisation
into focus, allowing a deeper understanding and appreciation of their culture.
With all the intriguing facts and mysteries of their lives brought to vivid
life by Stefano Tambellini’s rich artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s
trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a dazzling addition to a top class
series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
The World at Night: Discover the world that wakes when you
sleep
Ben Lerwill and Paula Bossio
HAVE you ever wondered what goes on around the world in the deepest,
darkest depths of night? The truth may well surprise you because while we
sleep, our planet is transforming and thriving! Dip into this amazing and
informative book and you’ll find that at night, magic is all around in the
natural world, from bioluminescent seas in the Caribbean to the Northern Lights
on Arctic winter nights. Discover how wild animals embark on awe-inspiring journeys
or hunt stealthily under the cover of darkness, while some people wake to work
through the hours of darkness. Packed full of incredible facts and brought to
life by Paula Bossio’s beautifully quirky illustrations, The World at Night
takes readers to the ends of the Earth and everywhere in between to uncover the
hidden wonders of our nocturnal planet. Young readers will love exploring the lives of animals who
tread a different path under the cover of darkness, not least the perilous moonlight journey taken by baby turtles and the global migration of
bearded pigs. Discover nocturnal plants that have evolved to only bloom in the
moonlight, and wild mushrooms that depend on their glow-in-the-dark superpower
for survival. Follow the people who work hard through the night... hospital
staff, fishing crews, bakers, firefighters, postal workers and security guards.
Learn about our reliance on electric light across the world, and the human body
clock’s vital connection to light and darkness. With a glossary of all notable terms at the end of the book,
The World at Night is the ideal way to learn, discover and watch our planet
come alive in ways you have never seen before!
(Buster Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 7 plus
Bronte Tempestra and the Weather Witch
Bex Hogan and Hannah McCaffery
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Age 7 plus
Toby and the Pixies: Best Frenemies!
James Turner and Andreas Schuster
BUCKLE up and get ready to rock as illustrator, cartoonist
and comic writer James Turner and German-born cartoonist Andreas Schuster
return for another unstoppable rollercoaster ride into side-splitting
silliness! Toby and the Pixies: Best Frenemies! is the second book of a
hilarious graphic comic book series full of chaotic energy and pixie mayhem
that was originally published in the hugely popular The Phoenix comic. So head
off to an ordinary town where shy and anxious Toby Cauldwell is an ordinary
schoolboy who just wants life to stay normal... but the magical pixies have
other ideas. King to a colony of pixies living in his garden, Toby’s life is
NOT regal as their every attempt to help goes horribly wrong. A trip to the
dentist, going on holiday, learning to cook... the mischievous pixie ‘help’ he
receives causes complete and utter chaos! With tormentor Steph on his case,
Toby is desperate to get through the school day in one piece. Will pixie advisers
Toadflax. Mouldwarp and Gatherwool come to his aid or do they have other plans?
It’s total pandemonium with the pixies around! Brimming with all the zany
slapstick fun that young readers expect from their comic book anti-heroes, this
anarchic series delivers unlikely friendships, madcap antics and laugh-out-loud
pixie-themed magic. Everything you could wish for when two superstar comedy
creators let their imaginations run wild!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)
Bunny vs Monkey:
The Whopping World of Puzzles
Jamie Smart
BRACE yourselves for a rollercoaster ride with a devilishly
funny puzzle book that will not just keep your brain engaged but also deliver
giggles galore. Yes, Jamie Smart – creator of the bestselling Phoenix Presents Bunny
vs Monkey series – is bouncing back with a magnificent activity book brimming
with interactive fun! When Bunny, Monkey and the gang discover a secret theme
park lost deep in their woods, with rides just waiting to be ridden, so begins
a new competition in which YOU are at the heart of the adventure. With wordsearches,
puzzles, mazes and, of course, lots of fun, this is a puzzle book guaranteed to
create giant waves of laughter across a sea of young readers!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 6 plus
BEANO Betty and the Yeti:
Friends at First Fart
Hugh Raine
MAKE a new friend at first fart in the funniest, messiest
and smelliest new graphic novel series! Young mischief-makers will be laughing
out loud when they get their hands on the first book of a hilarious illustrated
series from author and illustrator Hugh Raine. Betty and the Yeti are the best
of friends, but Yeti is, well… a yeti, and Betty isn’t supposed to have a yeti
living in her room – not that she’s asked! What the ‘groan-ups’ don’t know
won’t hurt them, right? Well, just their house, their garden and their bank
accounts! But shh! You wouldn’t tell them about Yeti, would you? Readers will
be blown away by Betty and Yeti as they get to grips with being room-mates and
Yeti learns how to act like a human to blend in. Will it end in disaster or
will they become friends at first fart? Find out in this laughter-filled story which
includes awesome activities to complete including puzzles and a wordsearch.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)
Age 6 plus
Ballet Besties: Dante’s Winning Dance
Yasmine Naghdi, Chitra Soundar and Paula Franco
PUT on your dancing
shoes and pirouette your way into the Shimmer & Shine dance studio where
the ballet besties are ready to put on a show! Dante’s Winning Dance is the third
book of a heartwarming and inclusive series from Yasmine Naghdi, a Principal
with the Royal Ballet, storyteller and author Chitra Soundar, and Argentinian
illustrator Paula Franco. Brimming with rich and authentic detail about the
world of ballet, and brought to vibrant life by Franco’s enchanting artwork,
this is a super series that puts young ballet fans in a spin. Dante loves
nothing more than scoring goals on the football pitch then racing to Shimmer
& Shine to ace his pas de chats. But when his football friends start to
tease him for his passion, Dante struggles to find the confidence to keep doing
the two things he loves most. Will encouraging Miss Diamond to enter their
class into a dance competition be just what Dante needs to prove how fantastic
dance can be? Will their adaptation of Beauty and the Beast win over his
friends, or will Dante have to put his own modern spin on things to truly
shine? By featuring characters of all
ages, genders, ethnicities and body size, the exuberant Ballet Besties
adventures break down the traditional idea of what a ballet dancer looks like
and bring the joy of classical ballet to young readers. Dancing delights for
everyone!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Meet The Mubbles
Liz Pichon
PUT some added colour, fun and sheer unadulterated joy into
your spring with Meet The Mubbles, an outrageously entertaining new graphic
novel series from the multi-talented Liz Pichon, bestselling creator of the global
phenomenon Tom Gates books. Youngsters – and their parents – will be laughing
all the way when they head off to the Isle of Smile, a beautiful island that
runs on sun, wind and flower power. Welcome to the island where everyone – including the Wibbles
of Wobble Mountain, the singing Earworms and the one-eyed Drib Drabs – lives in
perfect harmony... well, most of the time! But when the Clouds of Joy bump
together to make a wonky rainbow, it means one thing... someone or something is
coming to visit. Who could it be? Time spent with The Mubbles on the Isle of
Smile makes everything better... see for yourself! Packed full of colourful characters, boundless fun and lots
of adventures, this series is guaranteed to be a number one hit with youngsters
who like their stories to come with bags of eye-catching artwork. Add on a QR
code that will take you to a website packed with extra content, including arts
and crafts and many fun songs from The Mubbles world and The Isle of Smile, and
the result is a fabulous, all singing, all dancing book of joy!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £9.99)
Adventuremice: Mice, Camera, Action!
Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
YOUNGSTERS love these meeces to pieces! The dream team of
author Philip Reeve and illustrator Sarah McIntyre pool their talents for the
new book in a simply delightful early reader series which has all the fun of TV
hit Paw Patrol, and the charm and whimsy of classics like The Wind in the
Willows. With its focus on fun, friendship and kindness, Adventuremice features
Pedro, a timid little mouse who has proved himself to be brave enough to join
the heroic team who protect the Mouse Islands from danger. In this new outing,
an exciting letter has arrived at Mousebase from Hollybush. A famous producer
is making Adventuremice: The Movie. Pedro and the team travel to the film set
where there’s glitz, glam, and an out-of-control otter! It’s up to the
Adventuremice to save the day... and the movie. Get those cameras rolling! Reeve’s
lively, heartwarming and fun-filled storytelling delivers all those ingredients
that children love – immersive adventures, lovable heroes, reassuring
friendships, exciting action and plenty of smiles – and all brought to vibrant,
colourful life by McIntyre’s exquisitely characterful illustrations. A warm and
whiskery favourite with mouse lovers of every age!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99)
Call the Puffins: Tiny and the Cave Ghost
Cath Howe and Ella Okstad
WHEN a rescue is needed, call in team puffin! Author,
teacher and self-confessed puffin enthusiast Cath Howe works her word magic on
the fourth book of a sparkling series starring a stellar group of young
puffins. So welcome back to the island of Egg where Muffin, Tiny and the rest
of the trainees are busy learning the skills they need to become rescue
puffins. The friends are delighted to be taking part in a special day of
celebrations called Puffin Power where they can practise all the things they
have learned. But when a chick goes missing, the young rescuers must put their
training into practice, and before long they are deep in the cave network
searching for the lost chick. It’s dark and spooky... what if the legend of the
ghost puffin that haunts these caves is true? Muffin, Tiny and the others need
to gather their courage and work as a team to rescue the chick and lead
everyone to safety! Brought to life by the enchanting artwork of illustrator
Ella Okstad, this gorgeous series celebrates teamwork, belonging and resilience
as the new puffin team get in the swim for their exciting rescue roles. Add on
an irresistible helping of fluttery fun and high-flying mischief, and
youngsters are in for another perfect puffin fest!
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)
Gozzle
Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie
SAY hello to a VERY cute little gosling! A funny and
heartwarming tale about mistaken identity, family and growing up from one of
the best teams in picture books is set to steal the hearts of readers young and
not-so-young. Written by the brilliant, much-loved author Julia Donaldson and
stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie – creators of the
bestselling The Detective Dog – Gozzle is a fabulous flight of fancy full of
youthful joie de vivre. It's springtime, Bear has woken up hungry and finds a
lost egg outside his cave. Breakfast? Definitely not! Tap, tap, tap and out
hatches Gozzle, a very sweet little gosling who is convinced that Bear must be
her daddy – and that she should be able to climb, dig and eat honey just like
him. Follow Bear on his journey from reluctant carer to parent in this loving
and joyous picture book which reminds us all what family truly mean. Prepare to
laugh out loud and have your heart totally captured!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
I am Emily the Owl
Pam Ayres and Nicola O’Byrne
TAKE flight with Emily the Owl in a heartwarming and
inspirational new picture book from much-loved poet Pam Ayres and award-winning
artist Nicola O’Byrne. Written in Ayres’ moving rhyme and gloriously
illustrated by O’Byrne, youngsters witness one owl's extraordinary journey,
unveiling the fascinating world of these secretive and enchanting creatures.
Did you ever see us, in these fields and grassy places? Sensed our silent
wings; glimpsed our exquisite heart-shaped faces? From the loss of her cherished
barn to finding hope and a new home, young children will love discovering the
resilience and beauty of barn owls like Emily. Learn what sustains these
graceful hunters, from their search for voles and mice to the snug boxes that
become their sanctuaries. Bursting with natural facts interwoven throughout the
story, and with an information spread at the end that includes tips on how to
spot these majestic creatures, I am Emily the Owl is the third book in Ayres' Animal Stories series, following on from I Am Oliver the Otter and I Am Hattie
the Hare.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
A Home is a Nest
Emma Carlisle
WELCOMING a new baby into the family is always a special
time and here’s a beautifully created book that puts all that emotion and love
into lyrical verse and stunning artwork. A Home is a Nest – a comforting
picture book which explores the idea of ‘home’ and ‘family’ through nature’s
lens – is the work of award-winning artist and Waterstones Prize shortlisted
author Emma Carlisle. From the cosiness of winter dens to the arrival of spring
and a young bird’s first flight, this gorgeous gift book draws parallels
between the way animals care for their babies and how humans nurture their own.
With its gentle narrative and exquisitely tender illustrations, the book is an
ideal choice for reading aloud at bedtime, or to simply snuggle up with and
share. A heartwarming celebration of the precious early days of parenthood and
the love between parent and child.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
Ten Whizzy Racers: Chaos at Crackling Creek
Timothy Knapman and Richard Merritt
‘Here, at the start line, they wait to begin,
Engines go
vroooom! Who’s going to win?’
WHO could resist joining in the speedy fun of a new
racing themed countdown picture book series from author Timothy Knapman and
illustrator Richard Merritt? We’re ready and waiting, the countdown’s begun...
join ten whizzy racers for super-fast fun! Zoom through Fairytale Forest with
the racers as they all compete to win the Beanstalk cup. Watch out as they avoid
the temptation of gingerbread forests, pass through the scarily named Troll
booth and dodge angry fairies on their quest to be number one! Even the most
reluctant readers will enjoy reading along with Knapman’s bouncy rhyming text. Add
on Merritt’s vibrant illustrations, a colourful collection of wacky cars, and a
high energy race, and you have the perfect countdown picture book adventure for
little ones who love cars and counting.
(Ladybird, paperback, £7.99)
Age from birth
Hello Bunny! & Hello Bee!
Sharon King-Chai
COLOUR, reflection, fun and learning! This gorgeous new
mirror board book series for babies and toddlers – from talented designer and
illustrator Sharon King-Chai – comes complete with a unique illustrated mirror
landscape format. Babies and toddlers will love finding the colourful creatures
on every reflective page which has a printed mirror right through to a high
quality mirror on the final spread in which the little readers can see
themselves.
The shiny mirror and bold, bright colours are perfect for baby
brain development and sensory play, catching the eye and keeping little ones engaged
as they say hello and bye-bye, and then spot themselves in the mirror at the
end! Mirrors on every page extend the lush and immersive landscape... simply
hold the book upright to create a magical mirror world to explore. Every Mirror
Magic also book includes a free audio download via the QR code on the back.
Listen along and learn new words as the book is read out loud, then read again
to enjoy a bonus audio spotting game!
(Two Hoots, board books, £8.99 each)
