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)
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
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99, published on August 14)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
(Barefoot Books, board books, £6.99 each)
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