CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Generational giggles, incredible bugs and great escapes

Share giggles and gasps with a gloomy teen who is stunned to discover that her mum was once a teenager too, creep, crawl, slither and buzz your way through a host of incredible bugs, discover some of the most astonishing and breathtaking great escapes of all time, and find out what it was like to live and work in the long-ago world of Ancient Greece in a sparkling August selection of children’s books

Age 12 plus
Lila Mackay is Very Misunderstood
Gill Sims

HOT on the heels of the runaway success of Katie Kirby’s Lottie Brooks books – which perfectly capture the cringe-inducing essence of the often awkward pre-teen years – comes a wickedly funny novel cleverly aimed at slightly older tween and early teen readers. Lila Mackay is Very Misunderstood is a hilarious diary-style, clean teen romantic comedy and the first YA novel from Gill Sims, bestselling author of the hugely successful Why Mummy series which has sold over a million copies. Star player is fourteen-year-old Emily who is gloomily spending the summer with her mum’s best friend Uncle Tom, helping him renovate his house, instead of being at home hoping the gorgeous Toby will ask her out. Worse, she’s broken her phone and left her iPad at her dad’s house. How is she supposed to survive without her tech, her BFF and her social life? No one understands her despair, least of all the boomers. Then she finds her mum’s old diary. Massive cringe. But as Emily starts to read, she’s stunned to discover that her mum was once a teenager too. A Nineties teenager called Lila Mackay, who was very misunderstood. It’s a long-forgotten era of weird fashions, TV shows and music Emily’s never heard of. There are boys too, notably cute Park Boy Tom and her mum’s dorky neighbour Weird Nicky. And as she becomes more and more invested in Lila’s teenage life, Emily begins to wonder if perhaps she and her mother are not so different after all… You don’t have to be a teenager now, or even someone who was a teenager in the Nineties, to enjoy this brilliantly relatable, cross-generational, laugh-out-loud story which hopefully will be just the start of a series, and which features a dual diary narrative, moments of revelation and genuine emotional intensity, and oodles of the wonderful wit which has become the hallmark of Sims’ writing.
(Electric Monkey, paperback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
Great Escapes
David Long and Jamie Coe

MEET a slave who posted himself to freedom, a thief who managed to break out of jail four times, and a daring wartime military nurse who risked her life to help British soldiers escape the hell of Dunkirk, in a thrilling new book from award-winning author David Long. Illustrated in full colour throughout by comic-book illustrator and storyboard artist Jamie Coe, Great Escapes captures the most astonishing and breathtaking great escapes of all time. From slaves fleeing captivity to wartime heroes and heroines being smuggled across occupied Europe, and from Second World War prisoners escaping the Nazis in the infamous 1945 ‘Dead March’ to people simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, this enthralling book brings to life over thirty tales of adventure, inspiration and derring-do. As well as famous stories like the PoW camp Great Escape and Harriet Tubman’s epic 500-mile trek from slavery to freedom in 19^th century America, this fascinating book also includes lesser-known escapes like Yoshie Shiratori, the Japanese fisherman who escaped jail four times, Henry ‘Box’ Brown, the slave who posted himself to freedom in a wooden crate and Winston Churchill’s daredevil escape from a Transvaal prison during the Boer War. Packed with mind-boggling adventures and escapes, this moving and exhilarating tribute to the bravery of some extraordinary people is the perfect gift, and a book of heroics to keep and treasure.
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £18.99)

Age 8 plus
What it was like to be an Ancient Greek
David Long and Stefano Tambellini

AROUND 3,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks created one of the world’s most advanced and impactful civilisations… so what was it like to live and work in their long-ago world? Award-winning non-fiction writer David Long takes readers on a captivating exploration of the culture and legacy of ancient Greek civilisation in the fifth book of his enthralling What It Was Like to Be... series. An expert in distilling complex stories from the past into an informative and entertaining format for young readers, Long skilfully explains everything about the seven million people who lived in the land they named Hellas in this fact-packed and accessible introduction to a famous ancient civilisation. While most worked as farmers and fishermen to feed their families, others studied hard to become brilliant astronomers, navigators, philosophers, artists and athletes. Then, under the rule of Alexander the Great, their language, art and ideas spread through an enormous empire that stretched from Egypt to India. From the myths and legends of the gods atop Mount Olympus to the origin of marathon races, youngsters will love finding out what life was really like in Ancient Greece. With all the intriguing facts about the people and their gods brought to vivid life by Stefano Tambellini’s rich artwork, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is a top class series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
There are Amphibians Everywhere
Camilla de la Bedoyere and Britta Teckentrup

PULL on your wellies and get ready to track down some of the world’s most amazing amphibians. There are Amphibians Everywhere is the sixth title in a series of non-fiction books illustrated by bestselling artist Britta Teckentrup and teaches where in the world different amphibians can be found, and what makes each species unique. Written by Camilla de la Bedoyere, who has an academic background in zoology, and sumptuously illustrated by Teckentrup, this big, beautiful book explores the amazing world of amphibians, showcasing their unique habitats, behaviours, and movements in a fun and accessible way. Some amphibians live by the river, some of them in the savannah, and some might live in your garden. And they come in lots of different colours, shapes, sizes and habitats, from frogs to toads, newts to salamanders, and rare caecilians. Amphibians live in water and on land and move in a variety of ways, from swimming to hopping and even flying. Come face to face with the deadliest frog in the world, peek underground into the burrow of a slimy caecilian, and find out why a certain species of salamander never grows up. The combination of science and art provides an enchanting reading experience for curious minds while the exciting search-and-find feature invites youngsters to actively engage with the content, making learning about amphibians an adventure. Drama, surprises and fascinating facts on every page!
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £12.99) 

Age 7 plus
Star Cat: Unicorns in Space
James Turner and Yasmin Sheikh

FASTEN your seatbelts and travel through the universe with the craziest spaceship crew this side of the moon! Illustrator, cartoonist and comic writer James Turner, and Yasmin Sheikh, an artist from the Netherlands, return with the latest book in their wild, wacky and wonderful graphic novel series. The Star Cat comic strip adventures – packed full of full of high jinks and hilarity – were originally published in The Phoenix comic and as a graphic novel in 2014, but have now been completely redrawn in a new chunky, easy-to-read format. In the deepest depths of space, there is only one crew brave enough to take on the universe’s most dangerous villains... unfortunately, they aren’t available for this book so you’ll have to make do with the crew of the Star Cat! Join Captain Spaceington and his team as they blunder across the universe getting into all sorts of madcap escapades. After destroying a highly advanced civilisation by littering, Robot One is taken to meet his match… space unicorns, bursting with unbearable loveliness! What will Robot One’s selfishness do to the galaxy’s sweetest creatures? Will he see the error of his ways, will either unscathed and will you ever stop laughing at what happens?! Packed with non-stop action and a host of out-of-this-world characters, life on board the SS Star Cat is never dull! Expect light years of laughter, a galaxy of giggles and a cabin full of cosmic comedy as you enjoy a space adventure like no other!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)

Age 7 plus
Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire
L.M. Wilkinson and Lavanya Naidu

CAN a gallant mouse find the Gems of Harmony and save her homeland from destruction? Award-winning Australian author of more than twenty books for young people, L.M. Wilkinson teams up with artist Lavanya Naidu for the second book in a fully illustrated and super-readable adventure series packed full of magic, prophecies, quests, heroics and loyal friendships. It’s a story that’s the stuff of legend and hero Titch and her friend Huckleberry are on an epic quest. They have followed their hearts... right into the path of a terrifying swamp monster, and a village full of brainwashed squirrels! Maybe their hearts aren’t to be trusted? Maybe Titch is just an ordinary little mouse and not Bravepaw after all...? But Bravepaw or not, Titch is not about to give up. Can she defeat the greedy turtle controlling the squirrels, and discover what his glowing green gem has to do with the legend of Bravepaw and her quest to save Alluria? With an against-all-odds mission full of powerful crystals to complete, a battle between good and evil to win, and friendships to foster and treasure, this all-action new mouse ‘tail’ is the perfect fit for every child who loves heroes and whisker-raising adventures!
(Allen & Unwin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
The Notwitches: Prison Break!
Gary Panton and Dotty Sutton

GET ready to be bewitched and beguiled by the second book in a sparkling illustrated adventure series from the spellbinding team of author, editor and doodler Gary Panton and talented new illustrator Dotty Sutton. Brimming with magical moments, loathsome villains, unexpected heroes, and an almost-talking cat called Rolo, The Notwitches has a big heart and all the spirit and effervescence of Roald Dahl. Witchy sisters Melanda and Mitch Notwitch are planning to break their parents out of the Dark and Horrible and Disgusting Prison for Witches. But first, she and Mitch will have to find a way in. All they need is a spell that will get them arrested. What could possibly go wrong? Brought to life by Sutton’s gorgeously offbeat illustrations and exploring the bonds of family and friendship, action, fun, adventure and larger-than-life characters are guaranteed at every turn of the page!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
A First Book of Bugs
Simon Mole and Adam Ming

CREEP, crawl, slither and buzz your way through a host of incredible bugs in this big, bold and riotous large-format poetry book from Simon Mole, an acclaimed children’s writer, performer and National Poetry Day ambassador who has over ten years of experience using poetry with children and families. Perfectly partnered with Malaysian artist Adam Ming’s high-energy and colourful illustrations, Mole’s thirty entertaining poems about insects and minibeasts turn fascinating facts into verse full of humour, rich detail and heart. Some have wings that shimmer bright, some live deep in the earth, hidden from sight, some have a venomous, deadly bite... it's time to meet the BUGS! Discover a secret world thriving right underneath your feet. From exploding beetles to butterflies, and spiders to dancing scorpions, meet the most bizarre and awe-inspiring bugs ever to walk on our planet! Find out which bug fires scalding, toxic juice at its predator, which bug is barely the size of a full stop, and which has fangs as big as a cheetah’s claws. And discover why these little creatures are so important to life on Earth. With exciting illustrations that make the insects jump off the page, packed with information that has been checked by zoologist and author Nick Crumpton, and brought brilliantly to life by Mole’s gift for spinning facts into fun and accessible poems, this is the insect kingdom in all its incredible glory.
(Walker Books, hardback, £16.99)

Age 3 plus
A First Book of Dinosaurs
Simon Mole and Matt Hunt

AND what child can resist a dinosaur? Little ones will be smiling and stomping along with this celebration of all things dinosaur as Simon Mole brings us another large-format book crammed full of his exuberant poems… all lavishly illustrated by Matt Hunt’s dynamic and colourful artwork. Welcome to a world where it’s eat or be eaten, depending on how ferocious you are! Dinosaurs are jaw-dropping creatures… some had lines of terrible teeth, some had claws as long as swords, some had feathery peacock tails. From T-Rex to Triceratops, Stegosaurus to Velociraptor, meet the most awe-inspiring creatures ever to walk the Earth! Mole turns fascinating facts into over thirty free verse poems and fragments, all full of humour and heart while Hunt’s magnificent illustrations bring these prehistoric beasts thundering off the page. With dinosaurs of every shape, and featured in all their larger-than-life glory, this book of simply roarsome prehistoric beasts is guaranteed to be a winner!
(Walker Books, paperback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
The Coming of the Iron Man
Ted Hughes and Mini Grey

THE Iron Man isn’t scary… he’s just very, very hungry! Fifty-seven years after former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes’ classic children’s book was first published, his unforgettable and heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship is back to delight a new generation of young readers… in a landmark picture book format. This gorgeous abridged edition – packed with the gorgeous illustrations of Kate Greenaway Medal-winning artist Mini Grey – brings to atmospheric and colourful life the visionary tale of a little boy who unexpectedly befriends and helps a metal-eating giant. When the Iron Man appears at the top of a cliff in England, nobody knows how far he has walked, where he had come from or how he was made, and it’s not until he starts chomping on fence posts and tractors that he comes to the attention of angry farmers who trap him in a hole with the help of a little boy called Hogarth. But Hogarth soon feels guilty that it was him who had lured the Iron Man into a pit.  And when the Iron Man eventually burrows his way out of the ground, Hogarth comes up with a new plan to stop him eating up the farms. It turns out that the scrap yard, with its metal bedsteads, broken down cars and old cookers, is the perfect home for a hungry Iron Man. Hughes, who died in 1998 after fourteen years as Poet Laureate, was widely recognised as the most magnetic and brilliant writer of his generation, penning many volumes of poetry and prose for both adults and children, and The Iron Man remains one of his best-loved and most widely read stories for young people.
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
One Cat, Two Cats
Jonathan Emmett and Rob Hodgson

ONE cat, two cats, three cats, four. Five cats, six cats… how many more? Lifting flaps, enjoying pop-ups and learning to count… the twenty colourful and cavorting cats in this big, beautiful board book will keep little hands busy, eyes on the move, and provide fun on every page! With a romping, rhyming text from children’s author and novelty book designer Jonathan Emmett and Rob Hodgson’s gallery of cute and characterful cat illustrations, this joyful, laugh-out-loud counting picture book has plenty of child-appeal and cat-itude! Sturdy flaps, bold artwork and surprising pop-ups reveal the funny felines in lots of silly scenarios! Cat lovers young and old will love getting their paws on this purrfect gift book!
(Nosy Crow, board book, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Hangry
Kathryn Wanless and Fred Blunt

DO you know that feeling… when you’re SO hungry that it makes you angry and, yes, turns you into a little bit of a monster?! Little ones with rumbling tummies will laugh out loud at this hilarious and hectic rhyming romp from debut author Kathryn Wanless and Aberystwyth-based illustrator Fred Blunt. When Evangeline’s alarm clock shrieks, her tummy is empty and the day is NOT off to a good start because Evangeline has turned into an angry monster and she’s HANGRY! After breakfast, Evangeline is back to feeling right and skips happily down the street. But, at school, as lunchtime looms near… yes, you guessed it, she’s HANGRY! The afternoons are always lots of fun until, as she leaves the playground and spots her Mum waiting, uh oh, she’s HANGRY… AGAIN! When at last they make it home, things go from bad to worse. It turns out that it’s not only Evangeline who is HANGRY! Can Evangeline and Mum work together to banish the monsters and find the perfect snack before it’s too late? This brilliantly bouncy story – packed with Blunt’s trademark bold, characterful and comical illustrations – explores a very real experience for both children AND grown-ups… being hungry brings out some big, sometimes confusing, and sometimes angry feelings. So make yourselves comfy, grab a snack, and share and read together… but be warned, there may be a HANGRY monster lurking inside of you too!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Feed your Monster!
Anna Milbourne and Anna Süßbauer

PLEASE look after this monster… it’s very hungry so make sure you feed it well! What could be better than a playful, giggle-inducing board book perfectly designed to rival dreaded screen-time and encourage a love of books? Feed your Monster is the first title in Usborne Publishing’s exciting and inventive Turn the Wheel series which features an embedded, easy-to-turn wheel which appears on every double page spread for lots of interactive fun. Turn the wheel to feed your monster… as you rotate the wheel, different silly food options will appear on the page and the monster’s reaction changes. Tiny tots will love feeding the funny monster to see its reaction to the different (and very strange!) foods on offer. Laughter guaranteed and no screens required!
(Usborne Publishing, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
I Find My First Words
Yayo Kawamura

EVERY day is a day of learning for babies and toddlers setting out on the journey of life so what better than a clever, colourful and playful book that turns everyday moments into fun-filled learning adventures! I Find My First Words is the work of author, illustrator and designer Yayo Kawamura who grew up in Tokyo but has lived in Berlin since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Perfectly created for curious little explorers, this chunky board book is ideal for little ones discovering  the world around them and learning first words. What should I wear today, what animals do I know at the zoo, who will I meet at the playground, and what is for dinner? Every day is an adventure, whether at home, kindergarten, or out and about. The book invites children to explore their world, discover familiar objects from daily life, and learn their names through playful interaction. Vibrant scenes from a range of locations including the supermarket, doctor’s surgery, park, playground, bathroom and bedroom spark children’s imaginations, encouraging them to create their own stories. Fun and learning on every page!
(Little Gestalten, board book, £9.95)

Body Count

Julie Mae Cohen

SERIAL killer Saffy Huntley-Oliver’s life is going great. She’s got a fabulous new boyfriend, Jonathan, she’s got away with murder (lots of murders, in fact) and now she’s no longer single, she can get back to her favourite hobby… killing bad men.

But when someone discovers Saffy’s secret hobby and starts sending Jonathan coded messages about her crimes, she has to work out if that someone is trying to break them up, or trying to hunt her down.

Yes Saffy is back with a vengeance – literally – and if you’re still giggling, gagging and gasping from the gruesome chills and blood spills dished up by Julie Mae Cohen (pictured below) in her wickedly funny feminist rage thriller Bad Men, then this razor-sharp and equally deadly sequel – easily read as a standalone – is destined to become your new favourite dark comedy of 2025. Wealthy but wise Saffy’s sensational arrival into the murky world of psychotic but irresistibly charismatic serial killers took readers by storm two years ago when Julie Mae Cohen, the darker side of award-winning author Julie Cohen, turned her hand to crime writing and brought us a fast, furious and fiendish tale that became a prestigious BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick.

And once again Cohen makes us cringe, smile, laugh and cheer as her thoroughly, and unapologetically, ruthless leading lady continues her murderous mission to make the world a better place by killing, one by one, the bad men… violent men, abusers, paedophiles, men who hurt women and girls.

Saffy Huntley-Oliver is a serial killer par excellence… she’s beautiful, wealthy on account of being a treble-heiress, a former model and a fashion muse. She started killing when she was twelve and she’s definitely not one of those ‘inadequate, pathetic, fragile-masculinity murderers’ that you binge-watch on Netflix documentaries.

And she kills people – specifically bad men – for what she regards as a good reason and has discovered that there are so many bad men out there that even when she’s stalking one, it’s difficult not to get distracted by another.

One particularly bad man she has her sights is Sir Thomas West, a children's TV star (and paedophile) who truly deserves to die, but, unfortunately, there are a few little snags, the main one being Sir Thomas’s very large and muscular, six feet five inches bodyguard who accompanies him everywhere.

The other annoyance in Saffy’s life is that her beloved, sweet and innocent sister Susie is still dating the insufferable and utterly boring Finlay. Susie sees the best in everyone and has no idea how many times Saffy has murdered Finlay in her head.

And then there is her own new, perfectly gorgeous boyfriend Jonathan Desrosiers who writes true crime books and podcasts but has recently declared that he is giving up his crime investigating to find ‘something more positive’ despite all the tempting corpses that Saffy keeps putting in his way. All of this would be easy to ignore in the flush of new love except Saffy has never been in love before, and is finding it weird, so much so that she’s having difficulty separating romance from homicide.

With her finely-honed brain, wicked wit and deep well of resourcefulness, cunning and charm, Saffy is a truly memorable femme fatale but Cohen – whose literary brain must hold a conveyor belt of ‘ingenious ways to murder’ – digs further into Saffy’s complex psyche in this new chapter of her serial killer’s flawed, fascinating and multi-faceted life.

And it turns out that star player and bad ass Saffy has a vulnerable side, a veritable store house of hitherto buried emotions that are exposed by memories from her troubled childhood and by falling so madly in love with Jonathan, all adding fuel to her growing inner conflicts.

And if Saffy is a character in continual development, so too are those that surround her… Jonathan, the unsuspecting and self-deprecating boyfriend, fresh from a divorce and suddenly thrust into a new and wildly exciting relationship, Saffy’s innocent, chalk-and-cheese sister Susie, her boring boyfriend Finlay, and Jonathan’s now jailed man-killer ‘acquaintance’ Cyril Walker who makes some cameo appearances.

With the brutal nature of Saffy’s crimes perfectly leavened by a rich vein of devilish humour, twists and turns at every juncture of her killing spree, the guilty delight to be found in seeing some truly ‘bad men’ getting their just deserts, and a nail-biting cliffhanger ending, it’s pleasing to report that  Saffy’s murderous reign is not over yet!
(Zaffre, hardback, £16.99)

Maggie’s War

Shirley Mann

EAGER to escape a secret trauma that is blighting her life in Manchester, 20-year-old Maggie Carpenter walks out on her teaching job at a girls’ high school and signs up to join a team of women who use the canal network to haul essential supplies across wartime Britain.

The work is tough, the hours are long, the women live in cramped cabins with no running water, and yet close friendships are soon formed on their journeys across the long and winding inland waterways. But Maggie and her two fellow travellers are all guarding secrets… secrets which could come back to bite.

Maggie’s War is the fifth story celebrating the role of women on the home front in a fascinating saga series from Derbyshire-based journalist Shirley Mann (pictured below) who follows up her compelling sagas, Lily’s War, Bobby’s War, Hannah’s War and Bridget’s War, with another exciting, emotion-filled story. Featured this time are the brave and determined women who stepped into the shoes of boatmen now serving with the forces, and travelled up and down the Grand Union Canal carrying cargoes of heavy goods like steel, bricks, cement, wood and coal.

With a close connection to Britain’s canals in her own family history, Mann researched this little-known wartime job and discovered hundreds of women applied to do the work but only about thirty were still working for the Inland Waterways by the end of the war with the rest having returned home, taking their blisters and bad backs with them!

We join Maggie in November of 1942 as the Second World War rages across Europe. After six weeks of training for the ‘cut,’ as the waterways were known, Maggie is wondering how she was ever persuaded to apply for the job by a photo of ‘a ridiculously healthy girl with a boat hook’ in a newspaper advert. But for Maggie, who is a newly qualified teacher, the job is a means of ‘escape’ from a painful secret back in Manchester so she puts up with back-breaking work, cramped living quarters shared with two strangers, no running water, and a ‘bucket and chuck it’ toilet arrangement regarding it as ‘suitable penance’ for ‘someone who deserves to suffer.’

A friendship is soon formed on board with feisty five-foot Gloria who was brought up with the boat community but is determined to leave the canal life behind when the war is over, and even fellow worker Elizabeth, a haughty housewife with two young boys at boarding school, a husband in the Mediterranean with the Royal Navy and her own personal demons, starts to find comfort in close bonds. But the deceptively calm waters of the canals harbour everything from a deserter to a dangerous gang and with the challenges that the war throws at her, Maggie is forced to
re-evaluate her own strength and find support and a spark of love in a young Army chaplain. But as past wounds resurface, she must decide if she can ever trust again…

Mann plunges readers into the challenges faced by the young women who took on what was previously considered to be men’s work, facing head-on the dangers of steering boats through the many canal locks, toiling long hours in confined spaces, dealing with heavy loads that even men struggled with, and learning how to strip and mend an engine, splice ropes and live without any luxuries.

Set against a backdrop full of wartime period detail, a compelling layer of nostalgia, mystery and romance, an exploration of the little-known life and work of an Army padre and the long-term effects of war on those who served and fought, Maggie’s War is a gripping saga full of real history, heart and immense courage.
(Zaffre, paperback, £8.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Magical moonlight, Himalayan adventures and Celtic myths

Join a lost boy on his daring escapades in the moonlit and mysterious streets of London, thrill at a girl’s epic adventures in the spectacular subterranean caves of Bhutan in the Himalayas, and marvel at enthralling stories, compelling gods and fantastical creatures in a super retelling of Celtic myths with a summer holiday line-up 

Age 8 plus
The Moonlighters
Lee Newbery and Geraldine Rodriguez

THE magic of moonlight shines brightly in a dazzling standalone novel from rising star Lee Newbery, Welsh author of The Last Firefox, one of the most exciting children’s debuts of 2022. Billed as Peter Pan meets Oliver Twist, this new adventure set in the moonlit streets of London is brought to vibrant life by Geraldine Rodriguez’s illustrations and brims with Newbery’s trademark warmth and inclusivity. On a school trip to London’s Natural History Museum, the unthinkable happens to newbie pupil, twelve-year-old Theo, when a prank goes wrong and he ends up smashing a velociraptor’s skull. He flees the museum in a panic and decides to head off to his gran’s house not too far away for a surprise visit. But the surprise is on Theo because his gran is on holiday and he finds himself alone in the big city with nowhere to turn. Enter Alistair Goodfellow, a mysterious, flamboyant, twinkle-eyed young person. Alistair offers Theo a room at the Casablanca Lily… by day, a run-down and unloved hotel, and by night, a palace of magical wonders. Each night, Alistair sends the resident found family of runaways and ne’er-do-wells, the Moonlighters, out into London in search of lost magical artefacts, gifting them their own magical powers as a reward. Theo is enthralled, but there’s more to Alistair than meets the eye, and soon Theo comes to realise that the items Alistair is hunting could be more dangerous than he had ever imagined. The Moonlighters proves to be a thrilling and enchanting adventure, humming with magic, fizzing with fun and friendship, and beautifully celebrating the power and emotional rewards of found family. A delight from start to finish.
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
Maisie vs the Himalayas
Jack Jackman

WHEN you’ve travelled to some of the world’s wildest spots, visited remote penguin colonies in Antarctica, and walked in never-before-trodden places, it’s seems an obvious next step to write adventure stories like no others! Jack Jackman – a teacher, father-of-three and now author – is back in harness and embarking on another epic, worldwide father-daughter expedition filled with thrills, spills and supernatural chills in the second standalone book of a dazzling, globe-trotting series which began with Maisie vs Antarctica. Maisie thinks her Dad is the most boring person in the world but when she travels with her him to the Himalayas to research his book, How to Find Buried Treasure, she doesn’t expect their exploration to take them deep into the caves beneath the mountains. Before long, Maisie has discovered a cursed treasure, stolen a shark, been hunted as a thief, walked through an underground lake and outrun an explosion. Just another average day! It turns out there’s more to Maisie than she even realised herself, but will Dad tell her truth? Or is this secret just too dangerous? Set amidst the miles and miles of spectacular and mysterious subterranean caves of Bhutan, a landlocked country in the Himalayas, and with the irrepressibly snarky and endlessly plucky Maisie providing a delightfully authentic first person narration, this breathtaking new adventure is filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, nail-biting action and Jackman’s dynamic storytelling. A global, non-stop adventure of truly epic proportions!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99, published on August 14)

Age 8 plus
The Wonder Team and the Football Phantom
Leah Williamson, Jordan Glover and Robin Boyden

THE pioneering Dick, Kerr Ladies football team from Preston, which found fame over one hundred years ago, were the inspiration for this exciting, time-twisting adventure series from captain of the Euros-winning women’s England team, Leah Williamson. The Wonder Team and the Football Phantom is the fifth book in this super action series which has been written in tandem with debut author Jordan Glover, who is Williamson’s cousin, and includes illustrations by Robin Boyden. These fun football adventures star schoolgirl Leah who, along with her friends, is here magically transported to 1970s Mexico where something spooky is going on! A phantom has been seen terrorising the local football stadium and the organisers are threatening to cancel the Women’s World Cup. As the chaos builds, Leah wonders if the phantom is really as ghostly as it seems. Can Leah and her team friends Mimi and George solve the mystery in time to save the tournament? These fast-paced, fun-filled stories are written straight from Williamson’s heart, explore themes of teamwork, friendship, resilience, leadership and problem-solving, and aim to introduce young readers to inspiring and fascinating women from history. Don’t miss kick-off!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99, published on August 14)

Age 7 plus
Celtic Myths: Meet the God, Creatures, and Heroes of Celtic Legend
Martin MacIntyre and Katie Ponder

ENTHRALLING stories, compelling gods, inspirational heroines and fantastical magical creatures… enter a wonderland of ancient tales in this stunning treasury of Celtic myths from author, poet and storyteller Martin MacIntyre and award-winning illustrator Katie Ponder. This beautifully illustrated collection of more than twenty famous Celtic myths – retold in spectacular fashion for children – features exciting profiles of all the major legendary characters. Young readers will love exploring each myth, told in a straightforward and interesting way that is easy for them to understand while retaining the romance of the original tales. Learn key background information on Celtic lands and history as well as exciting characters, from the demigod Cú Chulainn to the warrior-hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the beautiful princess Gráinne. Ponder’s striking illustrations breathe new life into each of the stories which include lesser-known tales as well as the classics. Complete with a beautiful gold foil cover and gilded edges, profiles of the gods, heroes and creatures of Celtic legend, and a pronunciation guide, Celtic Myths is the perfect gift for children who love history, magical storytelling and mythology.
(DK Children, hardback, £18.99)

Age 7 plus
Badgers Are GO! Revenge of the Claw
Susannah Lloyd and Nici Gregory

SNOUTS up! It’s time to save the world...  again! Youngsters won’t need any badgering into reading when they turn the pages of this delightfully silly tale about a bunch of batty badgers embarking on fun-filled secret missions. Written by Susannah Lloyd, Revenge of the Claw is the second book of a super-fun series that delivers laughs, giggles and sniggers every step of the way with the inimitable and lovable badger Lulu Whifferton-Rear who is in training at the Rumpington Academy of Badgering. And now something is AFOOT… or rather A-PAW! Lulu is standing out for all the wrong reasons. Professor Briskwhiskers (maverick inventor and all-round jolly good fellow) has taken quite a dislike to her. When his inventions go haywire and a custard-making craze sweeps the globe, Lulu has to take matters into her own paws to uncover the truth while undercover at Mole HQ and – maybe – save the world! Full of wit, warmth, mischief and mayhem – and packed with Nici Gregory’s anarchic illustrations – this perfectly pitched, high-octane adventure, featuring badgers and lots of snacks, is guaranteed to hit the mark with young readers. Add on messages about staying true to yourself and you have the ideal all-round entertainment!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99, published on August 14)

Age 5 plus
Max & Chaffy: What a Delicious Discovery!
Jamie Smart

IF you’re searching for a book that pleases the eye and keeps your little ones on their toes, Chaffy could be just the special kind of ‘beast’ to stretch them to the limit! But don’t be alarmed because Chaffy is a fluffy, white and lovable little creature who sports only one-and-a-half ears, has a habit of getting lost, and is joint star of Max and Chaffy, a heartwarming, interactive graphic novel series from Jamie Smart, the much-loved author and illustrator. Smart, the genius behind the bestselling Bunny vs Monkey comic books series, works his special magic on these gorgeous books for younger readers, filling them with his trademark blend of fun, friendship and the biggest, brightest and boldest illustrations. In their new outing, Max and Chaffy meet the Food Chaffies… Crumbles the baker is having a crisis of confidence because all of her recipes are going disastrously wrong! There’s only one thing for it… a trip to Food Island where a best friend and a host of new chaffies are on hand to inspire Crumbles (eventually) back to top cooking form! Smart brings his zany wit and joyful charm to this ultra-cute and cuddly story which lets children actively join in the fun of searching and finding, celebrates the joy that comes from having a best friend, and shows that there’s a place for everyone. Full of charm and fun, these beautiful books are perfectly pitched for children who are just starting to read independently.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £6.99, published on August 14)

Age 3 plus
No More Mr. Mice Guy
Fiona Ross

WHAT happens when a perfectly normal mouse has a taste (only a tiny taste!) of a beastly-looking wobbly jelly dessert? You don’t need to know the famous, creepy classic story of Jekyll and Hyde (though grown-ups will have a smile on their faces as they read) to enjoy this terrifically icky, sticky tale of some super spooky slime from children’s books illustrator and concept artist Fiona Ross. When Squeak the mouse wins a beastly-looking jelly in a competition, Granny throws it in the bin. But Squeak can’t resist a sneaky taste and Uh Oh… No more Mr. Mice guy… Squeak turns into Hyde, a food-guzzling, slime-spewing monster mouse! Soon, the cupboards are bare so hungry Hyde builds a machine that zaps clocks, chairs and sofas into food! Can anyone stop this monster from eating everything… and help Squeak turn back to normal? Originally published as Hyde and Squeak, this hilarious, child-friendly twist on a popular classic – brimming with Ross’s richly detailed, graphic-style illustrations – has guaranteed fluorescent green slime throughout and is perfect for little fans of Halloween, mayhem and goo!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Don’t Ever Mess with a Monkey
Harriet Evans and David Creighton-Pester

YOUNGSTERS are going wild for these fantastic pop-up books which bring all their favourite creatures to vibrant and colourful life! In this fifth outing with author Harriet Evans and illustrator David Creighton-Pester in the fun-filled Creature Feature Pop-up series, we meet a whole host of amazing animals… not least a mischievous monkey who loves bananas. ‘Be on your best behaviour and have a kindly manner, If you ever meet a creature that lives in the savannah!' Don’t give a monkey food that it hates or it really will go bananas in this wild, wonderful and witty pop-up book that comes packed with clever puns to get all the family giggling! From a zebra who’s definitely NOT a horse and a hyena who loves laughing, to a rhino who’s always right and an ostrich in a flap, there is a whole host of amazing animal superstars just waiting to be discovered. And with spectacular pop-ups to enjoy on every page, Creighton-Pester’s wacky and wonderful illustrations, and Evans’ punchy pun-filled text, Don’t Ever Mess with a Monkey is the perfect riotous rhino-rmous read to encourage your child to join in the fun!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £10.99)

Age 3 plus
No Swimming
Ross Collins

GIGGLE, gurgle and gape in a monstrously funny new read-aloud picture book from award-winning author and illustrator Ross Collins.  No Swimming – a not-very-cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring warning signs – stars an adorable rabbit who just wants to go for a swim. We all know that’s not the best idea when the sign says ‘No Swimming’! And when the rabbit meets a sneaky sea monkey trying to get him into the water, he has questions… lots of them! What are carrots doing in a lake, why are there no fish, is the water cold and most importantly, is the sea monkey really a sea monkey because he certainly is a strange-looking fellow? Packed with Collins’ characteristic, wry humour, an ingenious slow-reveal story with a final, fiendishly funny twist in the tail, this is the perfect picture book for children and adults to enjoy together… again and again and again!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Magic Torch: Ghost Hunt
Isabel Otter and Kathryn Selbert

IT can never be too early in the year to enjoy some ghostly goings-on and this magical search-and-find adventure sheds an extra special light on all the phantom fun! Children’s books editor Isabel Otter’s delightful rhyming verse invites little ones to blow off the cobwebs and join a host of cute characters on their ghost-hunting mission. Shine the magical UV torch on to every page to search for more than 50 fiendishly friendly creatures hiding in the invisible ink and discover lots of spine-tingling scenes, such as a haunted house, a bat’s cave and a pumpkin patch. This super interactive board book, colourfully illustrated by Kathryn Selbert, packs in lots of spooks without the scares!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
My Brother Is a Tiger
Joaquín Camp

DISCOVER the wildcat in all of us in this glorious picture book celebration of sibling bonds from talented Argentinian author and illustrator Joaquín Camp. Thomas is Teresa’s little brother and like any younger sibling, he loves to get in the way and annoy his big sister. But one day Teresa hears a ‘Roaaar!’ upstairs and everything changes. Could Thomas really have turned into a…TIGER?!  Giggles are guaranteed as Tiger Thomas navigates a wacky world of science, football and school dinners, and all those familiar ups and downs of sibling relationships. Camp’s bold, quirky and colourful illustrations and fun-filled story explore the power of imagination and the unique sibling bond with humour, warmth and a special kind of family magic!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Frank is a Butterfly
Alex Latimer

MEET Frank… he might be a very plain and dull brown butterfly but he sees the beauty of the world around him! Alex Latimer, a talented writer and illustrator based in Cape Town, South Africa, captures readers’ hearts with this joyful picture book which explores the simple happiness to be found in being content with what you have. On a broad green leaf sit ten rather gorgeous (though they do say so themselves) caterpillars. And all they can talk about is what beautiful butterflies they are going to be! But not Frank… Frank is a very plain caterpillar and he’s fine with that. There’s so much beauty to see all around him, and so many interesting insects to say good morning to. When the butterflies hatch, they’re not happy. Not one of them looks quite as fabulous as they thought they would. Except for Frank… A funny and inspiring picture book from Latimer, author of the award-winning Godfrey is a Frog, which explores the beauty of being content with what you have. Through words, pictures and his classic deadpan humour, wonderful characters and an illustrated explanation of how Frank the caterpillar becomes Frank the butterfly, Latimer brings little ones important messages about looking outside yourself to find true happiness.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Noisy Animal World:
My First Animal Sound Book
Hettie Cox and Laura Silveira

WOOF, squawk, roar, trumpet, moo, baa and cock-a-doodle-doo! Little ones will love discovering – and hearing! – the sights and sounds of the animal kingdom with this interactive sounds board book. Filled with colourful photographic images of over forty animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, and with sound buttons to press and enjoy on every page, Noisy Animal World opens up the world to very young children, enhances their hand/eye co-ordination, and is perfect for sharing with grown-ups! Animal magic all the way!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)

Age one plus
First Friends:
Opposites & Colours
MK Smith Despres and Libby Burns

WHISK your little ones into a nursery classroom and let them enjoy the fun of some early learning concepts with two new titles in Barefoot Books’ educational and interactive First Friends series. In Opposites – written by MK Smith Despres and colourfully illustrated by Libby Burns – we join a childcare class as the youngsters get ready for naptime. ‘It’s time to rest,’ the teachers say, so let’s stretch our arms high, and then hang them low. Our mouths open to yawn, and eyes close to sleep. 

When we wake up, some of us are smiling and others frown. What other opposites will we learn as we go from one part of the day to the next? With a diverse cast of children, a recognisable storyline involving familiar social and emotional situations in which the youngsters move between different parts of their routine and play together, the book introduces opposites in an engaging format. And in Colours – also the work of Despres and Burns – we join outside playtime as the little ones discover the colours in the world around them. There’s a red slide, black ants marching across the sand, and even brown mud pies. What other colours can they spot? The last page of each book encourages interactive learning by reprising the opposites and colours of objects in the books so that little ones can go back and find them all again. Learning is such good fun!
(Barefoot Books, board books, £6.99 each)

The Scene of the Crime

Lynda La Plante

WHEN you’re one of the very best crime writers in the business, can boast a pioneering career stretching back almost seven decades, and have brought us unforgettable icons of screen and book like gangland dame Dolly Rawlins of Widows fame and groundbreaking Prime Suspect detective Jane Tennison, reaching the age of eighty was never going to dull your creative juices.

Liverpool-born Lynda La Plante has achieved success and awards beyond the dreams of most crime authors – three BAFTAs, a BAFTA Fellowship, an Emmy award, a British Film Institute Fellowship, a Royal Television Society award, an Edgar, and a CBE to name just some – so it’s good to report that this born storyteller is most certainly not resting on her laurels. 

Not content with a full complement of dazzling detective-led crime thrillers, La Plante (pictured below) has found fresh and fertile territory for a brand new series set in the fascinating world of forensic science and starring young and ambitious CSI officer Jessica Russell who has been tasked with heading up a fledgling Met police crime analysis unit with a high stakes remit… get results or the team is scrapped.

The idea for the exciting new slant on crime detection came from La Plante’s many years of interaction with top forensic scientists as she researched the different methods used to enhance murder investigations, and when she learned of a separate division overseeing specifically brutal crimes, it became the foundation of this gripping new series.

Star of the show is 34-year-old Jessica Russell, an experienced CSI officer working out of Scotland Yard with the Met police. She has a joint first-class honours degree in psychology and criminology, an exceptional Masters degree in investigative psychology and behaviour analysis, and there could be no better candidate to head up a new Murder and Serious Crime Analysis (MSCAN) team. It’s a job that is entirely new to Jessica but it brings together a team of two other CSI officers she has worked with and trusts implicitly – DNA specialist Diane Thomas and fingerprint expert Stephen (Taff) Jones – who, between them, have dealt with every kind of murder and major crime scene.

But not everyone is happy with the new unit… DCI John Anderson – senior investigating officer on the Barking homicide team and known to be ‘out of his depth’ – is sceptical about Jessica

Deadly Remains

Kate Ellis

THE amazing million-copy bestselling author Kate Ellis and her cerebral black detective Wesley Peterson are not just a ‘force’ to be reckoned with... they have rightly become something of a crime writing sensation.

Deadly Remains is the (staggering!) twenty-ninth novel in the Liverpool-born author’s cleverly constructed, classic crime series which is set amidst the rural charms of Devon and weaves the past and present into complex, thrilling mysteries, attracting yet more adoring fans with each much-anticipated outing.

A perfectly matched pair of chalk-and-cheese detectives, excellent police procedural, compelling, immaculately researched plots, stand-out characters, good old-fashioned investigative work and links to fascinating corners of real history make Ellis’s (pictured below) books a truly tasty crime-reading treat.

Her main man, the quick-thinking, right-thinking DI Peterson, is a trained archaeologist who eschewed digging up the past to unearth the criminals who sully his West Country patch. His sidekick at work is Gerry Heffernan, a middle-aged, overweight DCI from Liverpool who never allows a little thing like murder to ruin his pleasures, and his out-of-office, long-time pal is archaeologist Dr Neil Watson, whose commissions often lead Wesley into buried secrets and crimes.

When a body is discovered in the picturesque South Devon village of Little Rockington, Wesley is called in to investigate. The victim, Barry Brown, is a celebrity ghostwriter and the theft of his laptop suggests that the motive for murder may lie in his current work on a wartime spy story involving a beautiful young secret agent and a gallant pilot.

While Wesley investigates Barry’s famous clients, his 13-year-old son Michael coincidentally joins Neil Watson on an intriguing excavation of a crashed Second World War plane on Dartmoor. The plane was used to ferry secret agents into Europe during the war and, when three skeletons are discovered nearby, it seems the wreckage might hold more secrets than they could ever have imagined.

Before long, Wesley’s murder inquiry leads him to the same area and when he discovers a sinister history surrounding the moor and the nearby village of Moor Barton, danger from the past spills into the present. With four unexplained deaths on his hands now, can Wesley solve the mystery before anyone else is threatened?

One of the most striking elements of Ellis’s Wesley Peterson series is her ability to keep the pages turning and her readers on their toes. Resisting the temptation to overload her mysteries with clues, she instead drops small nuggets of information into the plot, barely rippling the surface of our consciousness. This devilishly clever strategy leaves little room for second-guessing the culprit and allows the finale to pack a surprising punch.

Add on stories steeped in spine-tingling atmospherics and set in intriguing locations – often incorporating gems of real history – and this is the perfect summer thriller whether you’ve read the whole series, or are discovering the wonderfully satisfying DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time.
(Constable, hardback, £22)

Puffin Books celebrate 85 years of helping to spark young imaginations

AS the largest global children’s publisher, Puffin Books is home of some of the most iconic characters, authors and illustrators… and they are always on the hunt for dazzling new talents.

Their belief that the right book can inspire a child to feel that they can be or do anything is rooted in a meeting back in 1939 between Noel Carrington, then editor for Country Life books, and Allen Lane who, together with his brothers Richard and John Lane, had founded Penguin Books four years earlier, bringing high-quality paperback fiction and non-fiction to the mass market.

Together, Lane and Carrington hatched the idea for Puffin Books… a series of children's non-fiction picture books, inspired by the brightly coloured lithographed books being mass-produced at the time for Soviet children. Lane immediately saw the potential mooted by Carrington, and Worzel Gummidge, written by Barbara Euphan Todd and illustrated by Elizabeth Alldridge, was the first Puffin storybook off the presses the following year.

And to mark Puffin’s milestone 85^th anniversary, they have published a spectacular eight-book clothbound collection featuring beautiful new editions of Puffin favourites from across the years, from modern classics to current bestsellers.

Each is published in a stunning yellow hardback, bound in real cloth with two coloured foils, sprayed coloured edges and ribbon marker, has a contemporary feel and design-led nod to Puffin’s globally bestselling Clothbound Classics, and includes a foreword by a current Puffin author.

From decades old favourites like Roald Dahl’s Matilda – the brilliant child with a magical mind whose parents decide she’s just a nuisance who wastes too much time on reading and stories – to Katie Kirby’s much-loved modern classic The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks – starring an 11-year-old girl whose life is officially over before she even starts high school because she hasn’t got friends or glamorous ‘swooshy’ hair – these gorgeous deluxe editions are perfect gifts or collector’s items.

Included in the new Clothbound Classics set are: The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson with a foreword by Beth Lincoln; Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney with a foreword by Dapo Adeola; Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White with a foreword by Jordan Lees; Matilda by Roald Dahl illustrated by Quentin Blake and with a foreword by Robin Stevens; The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby with a foreword by Nadia Shireen; Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan with a foreword by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak; Pig-Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman with a foreword by Adam Kay; Wonder by R.J. Palacio with a foreword by Tom Fletcher.

Last word should go to Francesca Dow, MD of Penguin Random House Children’s: ‘Puffin has been shaping children’s reading for 85 years. Much has changed in that time but what has endured and deepened has been our commitment to create a book for every child because we believe in the transformative power of reading. With reading for pleasure in sharp decline, our mission is more important than ever, and we will continue to publish widely and imaginatively to build tomorrow’s generation of readers. Not only because we want to share what’s between the pages but because we know that reading for pleasure is the single biggest factor in a child’s success in life.’
(Puffin Classics, clothbound hardbacks, £14.99 each)