CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Turning turtle, dead good reads and some spooky thrills

Meet a brave turtle who turns the tide to save her brother, dive into a brilliant new series of quick and easy thrillers for seriously struggling readers, escape to the Land of Fairy Tales and help Cinderella find her magic slipper, and enjoy the last wild and wacky adventure in a much-loved comedy series with an eclectic selection of new children’s books

Age 3 plus
The Turtle Who
Turned the Tide
Rachel Bright and Jim Field

BIG, bold and beautiful illustrations blend with an exquisite rhyming story full of heart, honour, bravery and happy endings in a spectacular, large format picture book from the inspired pairing of talented wordsmith and illustrator Rachel Bright and award-winning illustrator, character designer and animation director Jim Field. The Turtle Who Turned the Tide is part of The World of Rachel Bright & Jim Field, a global bestselling series which includes nine brilliant books. On a midnight-black beach, it's time for a GRAND HATCHING. A rowdy crowd of animal onlookers have gathered to see which baby turtle will win the great race to safety in the sea. But when Tula’s little brother loses his way, this baby turtle faces a difficult choice… will she choose to win the race or will she turn back to rescue Tiny, her brother? And will the other animals stay on the sidelines, or will Tula’s bravery inspire them to join the rescue mission? In a heartfelt story celebrating adventure, bravery and one baby turtle who changes her world for good, Bright and Field show youngsters how we ALL have the power to change things for the better… no matter what the odds!
(Orchard Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 11 plus
Killer
Tanya Landman and Alessandro Valdrighi

OLDER children and reluctant teens, who are seriously struggling with their reading, will love getting their hands on two titles in a superb new series of quick, gripping and age-appropriate books which fill a crucial gap for EAL (English as an additional language) learners. Particularly suitable for readers aged eleven plus with a reading age of six, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, the stories feature short, sharp plots and accessible language, and are designed to build confidence in independent reading, In Killer, written by award-winning author Tanya Landman and illustrated by Alessandro Valdrighi, the courage of a loyal dog is tragically mistaken for violence. 

When the prince and his lady go out hunting, they leave their baby in the care of their faithful wolfhound Gelert, the royal dog of Welsh folklore. But when they return, their baby is missing and a horrific attack has taken place. What has happened and who will pay the price?

Also in the series is The Day Death Died, once again written by Landman, and illustrated by Cinthya Alvarez. Here we meet Jack who gives Death a taste of his own medicine but then finds he is unprepared for life in a world where nothing dies. Jack’s mum is ill and he is devastated when Death arrives to take her away. Jack doesn’t want to let her go so he fights back and drives Death away. But what consequences will there be when Death is banished from the world? Entertainment for readers of all abilities!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99 each)

Age 9 plus
Escape from the Castle of Illusions
Alex Bell and Beatriz Castro

PREPARE for more thrills and spills with the third book in the deliciously spooky Train of Dark Wonders adventure series from popular author Alex Bell whose writing is exciting and full of imaginative world-building. Could this be the end of the line for the Train of Dark Wonders? Trouble is brewing at the Odditorium where the gateway to the Land of Fairy Tales is about to open. And, as Bess knows only too well, fairy tales are nothing like the ones from the storybooks. Queen Cinderella wants her stolen magic slipper back and nothing will get in her way. It soon becomes clear that Bess’s only choice is to travel to the Land of Fairy Tales and face Cinderella. With her friends by her side, she is determined to finish what her grandfather started by venturing to the queen’s legendary castle of illusions. But as Bess and her friends fall victim to a series of sneaky tricks and enchantments, time is running out in their quest to find their happily ever after. And there's a chance they may never escape unless they defeat the evil fairy-tale queen once and for all... Brought to life by the atmospheric illustrations of Beatriz Castro, this fabulous fairy tale romp, with a warm heart and an addictive sense of fun, is the perfect blend of joy and jeopardy… and will appeal to all young adventurers!
(Rock the Boat, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Flember: The Golden Heart
Jamie Smart

IF your youngsters like laugh-out-loud comedy, lots of madcap action and a poignant reminder of how important friendships are, then gift them the final, fantastic book in extraordinarily talented illustrator and author Jamie Smart’s brilliantly entertaining Flember illustrated debut novel series. Packed with all the outrageously comical, addictive and high-energy action we have come to expect from Smart’s work, this series has a warm heart and certainly hits the mark with middle grade readers. Flember Island is in grave danger, at the mercy of the evil lola and her sinister plans. The only hope is talented young inventor Dev and his lovable giant red robot bear Boja. Can they bring the magic flow of flember back to the island? Has Dev got the tools to restore peace to every inhabitant’s life? The answers lie in this thrilling conclusion to this wild, wacky and thought-provoking series! The bestselling creator of the Bunny vs Monkey books, Smart has proved to be a comic genius and there are plenty of snorts, sniggers, ooh and aahs to enjoy on every page of this thrilling conclusion to a wild and wacky series which celebrates friendship, creativity, invention and loyalty in the most delightful and eccentric way!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Tomorrow’s Ghost
Tanya Landman

CAN a young girl race back in time to save a girl from the past who haunts her dreams? Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman is on her very best storytelling form in this chilling and atmospheric adventure which features ghostly goings-on between two timelines and a girl tasked with rewriting the future. In 1976, twelve-year-old Anna is staying with her great aunt Em in the countryside but, bored and lonely away from her friends for the summer, she finds herself dreaming about a girl from 1919… a neglected and lonely girl called Etty who is living in a mansion with an austere and unloving grandfather. As Anna’s dreams grow more vivid, she realises that Etty is in grave danger and is calling out to her… and that she must cross time to save her from an untimely death. With a twisting, turning plot, themes of loneliness, fear, friendship and hope, and lots of authentic historical detail, this poignant tale is another stunning winner from Landman.
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Bronte Tempestra and the Vanishing Kingdom
Bex Hogan and Hannah McCaffery

A PLUCKY girl is not afraid to show the knights just how brave a princess can be! Enjoy a feminist twist on the traditional tales of brave knights and trembling princesses in the last book of a fun-filled fantasy quest series from author Bex Hogan and illustrator Hannah McCaffery. The delightful and daring Bronte Tempestra is an unforgettable heroine, the first ever princess to train as a knight, and here we join her for her final adventure at Sir Sebastian’s School for Squires! When Bronte hears that the Sun Beam has been stolen from her friend Ellie’s kingdom, she feels certain that the Weather Witch is to blame. Will the realm’s knights step forward and stop her once and for all? Or is it going to be up to Bronte to set things right again? But when a sneaky midnight quest to the Vanishing Kingdom goes seriously wrong, Bronte finds herself far from Sir Sebastian’s School and with little clue about how she is even going to get home. Fortunately, Bronte has made herself some friends in high places, and together they just might be able to find their way back and save the day! Tradition is well and truly turned on its head in this funny, all-action romp, packed with secrets, sorcery and sabotage, and the quirkiest creatures you’re ever likely to meet. Add on McCaffery’s imaginative illustrations bringing Bronte’s exciting fantasy world to life, it’s a glorious gallop from start to finishing line of a fantastic action-packed series.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Beastopia
Chrissie Sains and Jenny Taylor

MAGICAL creatures exist… you just need to know where to look for them! Can twelve-year-old Anna race back in time to save a girl from the past who haunts her dreams? Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman is on her very best storytelling form in this chilling and atmospheric adventure which features ghostly goings-on between two timelines and a girl tasked with rewriting the future. In 1976, Anna is staying with her great aunt Em in the countryside but, bored and lonely away from her friends for the summer, she finds herself dreaming about a girl from 1919… a neglected and lonely girl called Etty who is living in a mansion with an austere and unloving grandfather. As Anna’s dreams grow more vivid, she realises that Etty is in grave danger and is calling out to her… and that she must cross time to save her from an untimely death. With a twisting, turning plot, themes of loneliness, fear, friendship and hope, and lots of authentic historical detail, this poignant tale is another stunning winner from Landman.

(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
The Island Vet:
The Winter Snow Goose
Gill Lewis and Irina Avgustinovich

A NEW school and a new island home far away from the big city have transformed Tia’s life... and when your mum is a vet anything can happen! Acclaimed, award-winning children’s author and former vet Gill Lewis works her special brand of animal magic on this inspirational illustrated Island Vet series which follows Tia and her mother’s exciting life on Gull Haven Island. In this fourth conservation-themed adventure, autumn turns to winter on the island and a snow goose crash-lands during a storm. Tia and her friend Nat jump to the rescue but the arrival of the rare goose heralds the start of a very harsh winter for the Haven Islanders. They have to deal with long power cuts and when the boats can’t make it over from the mainland, they start to run out of food and other supplies. In this dark time, Tia and Nat find a creative way to bring the islanders together in a celebration of light and community which will help see them through to the better days ahead. Teamed with the beautifully emotive illustrations of Irina Avgustinovich, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this heartwarming and inspirational series is ideal for young animal lovers and is sure to delight readers of every age.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Woodland Explorers Club:
Fujiko and the Fox
Ewa Jozefkowicz and Gillian Flint  

AS the nation’s woodlands shed their autumn colours, discover the wonders of nature and some of the ways we can protect the natural world in the new Forest School adventure from Waterstones Prize shortlisted author Ewa Jozefkowicz. Brimming with friendship, adventure and learning through nature, this inspirational series – packed with Gillian Flint’s fun illustrations – features the Woodland Explorers who solve mysteries and protect the animals of Willow Wish Woods. Frost sparkles on the trees of Willow Wish Woods but since breaking her arm in a cycling accident, music-loving Fujiko feels lost and is missing playing her violin. And then she discovers that something strange is going on with the sounds she hears in the woods. Instead of tweeting birds and rustling leaves, she keeps hearing tyre screeches and sirens. When the Woodland Explorers find a fox living in the woods, Fujiko discovers they have a special connection. Featuring anxiety and panic attacks, and the importance of friends, this new adventure shows how fireworks, foxes, the nurturing and empathetic power of nature and an autumn festival all play a part in Fujiko’s recovery from her accident. With magic, mystery, forest school fun, a whole natural world to explore, and the added bonus of fascinating facts and woodland activities to enjoy, youngsters will be pulling on their wellies and heading for the great outdoors!
(Zephyr, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
SuperQuesters: Mission: Rainforest Magic
Paul Ian Cross and Katarina Gasko

SET sail on an exciting adventure in a unique interactive story that will need your brainpower to help solve a mystery... and save the day! SuperQuesters: Mission: Rainforest Magic is the second magical adventure in the brilliantly brainy SuperQuesters first chapter book series which aims to fire up imaginations and inspire scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technology experts of the future. Best friends Lilli, Leo and Bea are excited about camping in Bea's auntie's garden. They have their magical Questland amulets and are ready for adventure! Suddenly they spot a guinea pig, Popcorn, hiding in the bushes and they can see that she is very sick. They rush her to Auntie Bumble’s vet surgery, Pawsome Pets. While waiting for news of Popcorn, the best friends’ amulets light up and they are magically whisked away to Questland. 

Transformed into the SuperQuesters – Lillicorn, Leo Zoom and Bea Bumble – with superpowers, they find themselves on a raft rushing down a raging river. They are rescued by Jamac, the talking jaguar, who explains that they have been summoned to Questland to find a cure for his friend, Puddle Waddle the capybara who has fallen mysteriously ill. Can the SuperQuesters combine science and the magic of the rainforest to save their new friend? With the help of Dew Dancer, the sprite, and Beas new robot, the SuperQuesters must use their STEM skills, teamwork, problem solving and a sprinkling of magic to solve riddles and puzzles to save Puddle Waddle. This exciting new adventure story – written by Paul Ian Cross and illustrated by Katarina Gasko – is embedded with real-life fun facts, puzzles, STEM activities and experiments to try at home or school, with the added bonus of a map and glossary. Expertly designed to support the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and 2 and develop children’s STEM skills in fun and creative new ways, this is the perfect book for youngsters eager to discover their multi-tasking, inner superhero!
(QuestFriendz, paperback, £6.99)

Age 4 plus
When I Feel Lonely
Britta Teckentrup

‘I am by myself. I am on my own. I live in a world where I’m all alone.’ 

AFTER her exploration of uncertainty, fear and bravery in enchanting picture book, When I Feel Brave, award-winning, German-born author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup gently explores the feeling of loneliness through the perspective of a young girl. Employing her trademark brand of wisdom, creativity and sensitivity, luminous, evocative collage illustrations and a beautifully rhymed text, this new book transports readers to a world where many children, and adults, are grappling with intense emotions. Providing a calm, compassionate and understanding voice, Teckentrup explores childhood loneliness and helps young readers to recognise and name their feelings. A young girl wanders through a dark and intimidating forest with her only companion, a lone wolf. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the intensity of the girl’s emotions and feelings of loneliness, instead offering an honest portrayal of how loneliness can feel like an all-encompassing shadow, but also showing that even in the darkest moments, there is the possibility of light and connection ahead. With the beautifully imagined narrative, and a gallery of stunning, atmospheric illustrations adding extra piquancy and power to the story, this is picture book perfection from a master of her arts.
(Prestel, hardback, £13.99)

Age 3 plus
The Bestest Big Brother, Ever
Ben Mantle

GROWING up with brothers and sisters is fun… but with the giggles come the inevitable fall-outs and rivalries. And learning how to cope with the good times and the bad times is all part of growing up. Writing from his own childhood experience, as well as being a dad to two little boys, star author and illustrator Ben Mantle captures all the little (and big) ups and downs, laughter, tears (and sometimes shouts!) of sibling relationships in this gorgeous picture book full of all-too-familiar situations, fun, frolics and timely lessons. Nano thinks Felix is the bestest big brother ever. He loves him but sometimes Felix gets annoyed and frustrated… he wants some SPACE, he's fed up of Nano following him around. Feeling hurt and sad after Felix bans him from the garden treehouse, Nano decides he can make his own fun. He doesn’t need anyone else. But when his game in the garden goes wrong and he ends up feeling even worse than he already did, there’s only one person who knows exactly how to cheer him up. Can you guess who that is? The recognisable difficulties of sibling relationships lie at the beating heart of Mantle’s warm and wise tale. Packed with stunning and entertaining illustrations, this is a picture perfect portrayal of tricky sibling dynamics and ideal for parents and teachers who want to teach youngsters about brother/sister relationships and how to resolve disagreements and conflicts themselves.
(Walker Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Our World: Iceland
Aevar Thor Benediktsson and Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir

LITTLE ones are transported to faraway countries in three bright and colourful new board books in Barefoot Books’ educational Our World series for very young readers. 

In Our World: Iceland, youngsters spend a day in Iceland, eating hafragautur for breakfast, visiting a farm in the countryside, and driving past volcanoes and the northern lights. 

They can even learn words in Icelandic with pronunciation guides throughout the story. Icelandic author Aevar Thor Benediktsson and illustrator Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir draw on their own lived experiences to create this beautiful, playful story which includes educational endnotes providing more insights into life in Iceland. In Our World: Canada, written by Florence Melanie and illustrated by Carey Sookocheff,  little ones can enjoy eating soft crepes with sticky maple syrup, play with an atimwak (dog) in the snow and cache-cache in the park, zip and zoom around the ice rink, and learn words in French and Cree with the help of pronunciation guides. 

And in Our World: Vietnam, written by Nhung Tran-Davies and illustrator Xuan Le, Youngsters are transported to Vietnam where they eat steaming hot xôi and cơm with soup and veggies, light incense for ông ngoại, and buy fresh fruit at the market. These delightful books offer real insights into the culture of a country and resonate with children all over the world. Bold artwork, a vibrant text and relatable topics make them appealing to the youngest readers as well as introducing basic vocabulary and pronunciation guides.
(Barefoot Books, board books, £7.99 each)

Age one plus
My Dinosaur Shoes
Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner and Danamarie Hosler

ROSCOE loves his puppy shoes… and he certainly doesn’t want to change them for a new pair of dinosaur shoes! Join brother and sister, Roscoe and Ivy, as Roscoe transitions to a new pair of shoes in their latest adventure in the delightful Roscoe & Ivy board book series. This clever and accessible series focuses on the daily life of a neurodivergent family and is the creation of neurodivergent author and illustrator team, Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner and Danamarie Hosler, who draw on their own lived experiences. Roscoe really, really loves his puppy shoes. They’re so soft! So comfy! So… PERFECT! When his puppy shoes get to be too small, it’s time for a new pair of dinosaur shoes. Dinosaur shoes?! Those shoes are different, and new things can be scary. It’s a good thing Roscoe’s gentle big sister Ivy knows how to help him get used to his new shoes. Helpful endnotes offer gentle guidance on introducing children to new things and explain how what feels like a small problem to one person can feel like a big problem to another person. The perfect fit for neurodivergent families!
(Barefoot Books, board book, £7.99)