Age 9 plus
Avalanche
Simon Fox
PULL on your snow boots and take cover because there’s an
avalanche of non-stop action on the way! Former accountant – and now author –
Simon Fox turns up the tempo in this fast-paced thriller which will have
readers running for cover. Avalanche is
Fox’s gripping second novel after the success of his debut Running Out of Time
and it serves up the same breathtaking spills, chills and thrills that won him
an army of fans. Tom thought going to a luxury ski resort was the holiday he
and his mum needed. She is head of security for a high-flying biotech scientist
and should have been enjoying a break (and teaching Tom how to ski!) … but so
far, she has done nothing but work. What he most definitely didn’t expect was kidnappers
– looking for the dangerous technology her boss has created – taking over their
chalet or for a gunshot to trigger an avalanche and trap them even further. With
no way for help to reach them, Tom has only his wits, ingenuity and the element
of surprise. Can he figure a way out, before it’s too late? Avalanche is an unmissable pile-on of good guys, bad guys, danger,
daring rescues, determination, and unexpected friendships which melt the ice
and warm every reader’s heart. An unmissable winter wild ride!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
Silent Night
Emma Read
IF you like your winter adventures to include spooks as well
as snow, then join three youngsters caught up in a Christmas post-apocalyptic
nightmare! Silent Night comes from Emma Read, a master storyteller whose
haunting thrillers have made her books a middle-grade must-read. Inspired here by
John Wyndham’s classic 1951 novel The Day of the Triffids, this chilling mystery
is guaranteed to send shivers up spines and keep the pages turning. All is
calm, but something’s not right when Masen, Conor and Joss wake up in the
caravan next to the family home on Christmas morning. A storm was forecast to
be passing through during the night and now a chill of unease fills the air.
Their presents sit untouched in the house across the way, but their parents are
nowhere to be found. Outside, a blizzard is now raging and families don’t just
vanish on Christmas Day. Something is very wrong, but the question is… what? This
wintry and wonderfully weird Christmas mystery delivers all the creepy vibes
that children love but Read also writes with genuine warmth and sincerity about
the bonds of friendship, family and overcoming anxiety. Ideal for dark winter
nights!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus
Written by Mary Shelley and illustrated by MinaLima
(HarperCollins, hardback, £35)
Snow
Meera Trehan
WINTER – with all its snow-filled mystery, marvels and magic
– springs to glorious life in this hauntingly beautiful fairytale adventure
starring an imprisoned princess who needs the help from the modern world. Two
timelines collide in spectacular fashion as American author Meera Trehan treats
young readers to a fabulous frosty fantasy full of secrets, friendship and a
kingdom in peril as two brave girls join forces to undo a wish gone wrong… and
save a snowy kingdom. Every day, a lonely princess digs through the snow in search
of a way to undo the terrible wish she made… one that has left her with an
empty kingdom. But one day, a mysterious girl named Ela tumbles through the
kingdom’s protective mist barrier. The princess is determined to bring Ela to
her father, the king, as proof that her wish can be undone. Meanwhile, Ela is
shocked to discover she has stumbled upon the very Snow Princess whose picture
graces the cover of the locked book that her mum won’t let her read. Can these
two brave girls from different worlds come together to set things right? Published in a stunning, silver-foiled hardback, this captivating
tale of courage, belonging and unlikely friendship is the perfect gift book for
fans of Frozen, The Snow Queen and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and
ideal to curl up with on winter nights.
(Walker Books, hardback, £14.99)
Murder at Christmas
Fleur Hitchcock
MYSTERY fans will love cosying up with this Christmas-themed
tale from an author who knows how to perfectly juggle deliciously dark murder
mysteries with fun and fascinating adventures. So if you love having your spine
tingled and your nerves jangled, dive into this festive chiller-thriller from
queen of cosy middle-grade crime Fleur Hitchcock. After another dreary term away at school, Grace is desperate
to see her mum and brother again. Excited to spend Christmas with them, she
arrives in the city of Bath full of expectation and happiness. But the family’s
time together is suddenly interrupted when a shocking murder at their hotel
throws everything into chaos. And when Grace’s mum disappears soon afterwards,
Grace trusts nobody. With her mum missing and younger brother Billy in tow,
Grace enlists the help of new friends Olive and Doug. Streetwise and clever,
they help Grace and Billy come up with a plan to find out why Mum left the
hotel and what happened to her. And as they start to uncover the truth behind
the murder, they wonder if anyone at the hotel is really who they say they are. There’s danger all the way in this gripping, snow-sprinkled
mystery which sees the four friends in a desperate battle to solve a riveting
whodunit that dishes up devilish twists and turns as well as heart-stopping
chills, thrills and spills. Best enjoyed in a cosy armchair in front of a
blazing fire!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
Ice Dancer
Alex Cotter
GLIDE seamlessly into a tale that will touch your heart –
and then fill it with hope and happiness – in this gripping, wintertime
adventure from Alex Cotter who grew up in Sheffield and was inspired to write
Ice Dancer from her own love of ice skating. After losing her older sister, Dina is angry and frustrated
at having to stay with her miserable aunt in Sheffield, and is determined to
pursue her lifelong passion for skating… even if it has to be in secret. But
being a stranger in an unfamiliar city, far from the remote countryside of her
home, is hard to handle. Shy and lacking in confidence, Dina must overcome her
misgivings and find a way to be accepted. Desperate to escape the oppressive
atmosphere of her aunt’s house, and feeling the weight of responsibility for
her younger brothers, Dina makes her way to the Ice Arena. There, captivated by
the skills of the young skaters she sees, she is filled with the overwhelming
desire to compete. But it’s only when all the odds are against her that she
finds the courage to follow her dream. However, dreams can unravel and when the
family’s past starts to catch up with Dina, a chance encounter at the ice rink
sets off a series of events that lead to an unexpected discovery. With themes of empathy, friendship and forgiveness, Ice
Dancer is a beautiful and empowering story full of secrets, twists and turns
and icy thrills… and guaranteed to leave adventure lovers and skating fans
spinning with delight!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
The First Cat in Space and the Baby Pirate’s Revenge
Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris
ENJOY freewheeling fun, fur-raising heroics and an
incomparably comical cat in the fourth book in the bestselling First Cat in
Space graphic novel series from top-notch American author and illustrator duo
Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris. Stars of these utterly madcap adventures are
First Cat, LOZ 4000, and the Moon Queen, and here they encounter Captain
Babybeard and his crew of swashbuckling pirates. After Captain Babybeard steals
a treasure map from the Queen of the Moon, the notorious pirate sees nothing
but piles of gold in his future. But a mutiny, led by his first mate, the
Martian Pirate James Plantain, leaves Babybeard marooned on a deserted island.
Betrayed by his crew, the little captain seeks an unlikely alliance. Will
Captain Babybeard get revenge, will First Cat, the Moon Queen and LOZ 4000
recover their treasure map… or will the moon fall into the hands of a nefarious
banana? You’ll need to buckle up and hold your breath for this hilarious new
caper which takes silliness to whole new sublime level. You have been warned!
(Harper360, hardback, £12.99)
The Snow Girl
Sophie Anderson and Melissa Castrillón
ARE you ready to take a magical journey into a thrilling
winter wonderland? Snuggle down and lose yourself in The Snow Girl, a dazzling fairytale
adventure about friendship, courage and not being afraid to reach out for help.
This perfect wintertime story is the work of exciting Lake District author
Sophie Anderson who is inspired to write by her grandmother’s Slavic folk tales
and bewitches us with her sublime and lyrical storytelling, a gift she uses to sweep
readers into soaring, evocative landscapes where magic, folklore and realism
blend together in memorable, mesmerising adventures. In this gorgeous, glistening story, we meet Tasha who has
moved with her parents to Grandpa’s valley to help him run his farm. Tasha is
excited to see snow for the first time and when she builds a snow girl, she
makes a wish that the snow girl can come to life and be her friend. Tasha wants
to feel less alone because for over a year, since one awful day, she has been
scared of everything... especially asking for help. That night, Tasha’s wish
comes true and the snow girl comes to life. But the more time Tasha spends with
the snow girl, the more snow falls. Tasha begins to suspect that the snow girl
is linked to the long winter. When a terrible snowstorm envelops the valley and
Grandpa becomes ill, Tasha realises she must face the fears of her past and
find the snow girl to ask her to end winter. But can she do it without losing
her best and only friend? With the atmospheric illustrations of award-winning artist
Melissa Castrillón, Anderson’s rich and descriptive detail, and a perfect
mix of traditional and contemporary themes, this feast of magic, mysticism and
wintry wonders is the perfect book to warm everyone’s heart this Christmas.
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
The Merry Christmas Murders
Alexandra Benedict
MUCH-LOVED for her deliciously dark and exciting adult
Christmas mysteries, Alexandra Benedict turns her writing talents to a new
children’s murder mystery series starring a charismatic group of neurodiverse
super sleuths. And what a tantalising, tasty and exceedingly clever reading
treat it proves to be as our young heroes use their ability to see the world
differently to track down their school’s mince pie murderer. Every year, six local schools compete to win the Christmas
Cup. This year, the cup will be awarded to the school with the perfect mince
pie. But when a series of murders seemed to be linked to the mince pies (each
with a clue from a letter from the alphabet imprinted in the pastry), the five
neuro-divergent children must turn detective and combine their skill sets to
find the killer. Can they prevent another death and save their out-of-school
club from being shut down forever? Featuring five plucky youngsters with ADHD, autism,
dyslexia, dyscalculia, this marvellously entertaining murder mystery – packed
with intriguing twists and turns and lots of festive fun – hits all the right
notes as Benedict – who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult – rolls
out an adventure with a warm heart, an enchanting sense of humour and a big
helping of festive cheer!
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Barrie Saves Christmas
Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan
CHRISTMAS is in danger... a scheming elf is causing mayhem
and a big dog called Barrie (whose first love is snoozing) might have to leap
into action! Hold on to your stockings and prepare for violent explosions
of laughter as the sensational sibling team of much-loved actor Stephen Mangan
and his talented artist sister Anita roll out their second fun-filled Christmas
book. After the runaway success of several joint novels and the hilarious The
Great Reindeer Rescue, the dynamic duo return with another fantastically funny
festive romp. Barrie is a St Bernard dog who much prefers snoozing and
farting in front of a cosy fire to going on daring rescue missions through high
winds, driving snow and avalanches. On Christmas Eve, his humans Carrie and
Laurence find a top-secret network of underground tunnels accessed by climbing
into postboxes… and there’s an extra special twist! The tunnels are designed
for squirrels to transport presents from Father Christmas’s workshop in the
North Pole to all the children of the world. When a mysterious elf seems set on
sabotaging the tunnels, the children and Barrie must stop him… and save
Christmas! Anita Mangan’s quirky and characterful illustrations are the
perfect pairing for her brother’s warm, wild and witty story which reminds
youngsters that heroes come in all shape… and sizes. Add on a celebration of youthful
determination and ingenuity, and a brand of naughty humour that will have
mischief-makers giggling all the way to the last page, and you have the perfect
gift book to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!
(Scholastic, hardback, £10.99)
BobLand
Matt Lucas and Begoña Fernández Corbalán
JUMP on the merry-go-round and join actor, comedian,
presenter and author Matt Lucas for a wild ride in a theme park called BobLand!
This madcap tale of comedy and chaos is the second hilarious children’s
adventure story of family and friendship from one of TV’s most recognisable
personalities and Spanish illustrator Begoña Fernández Corbalán. What’s better than the best theme park in the world – in
your own garden! Bob Grubb and his family live on a ramshackle smallholding
backing on to the world-renowned theme park, Happey World, run by Arthur Happey
and his dreadful granddaughter, Maisie. When Bob accidentally gets into
Maisie’s bad books, he is banned from Happey World… FOREVER. What is an
entrepreneurial boy to do? Build his own theme park in his back garden, of
course! With the help of friends and family, BOBLAND is go! But with Arthur and
Maisie doing everything in their power to derail Bob’s plans, will they make it
to the Grand Opening (where they are due to meet the king himself !) in one
piece? And what is the big family secret that lurks beneath it all? Lucas is on his best form for this funny, joyful and
heart-warming adventure which shines a light on the rewards of creativity, learning
to be resilient, and simply being yourself. Corbalán’s characterful
illustrations put extra vigour and charm into the thrills and spills of Bob’s
story making this the perfect gift book for your own young adventurers.
(Farshore, hardback, £14.99)
Age 8 plus
Tina: The Dog Who Changed the World
Niall Harbison
(Farshore, hardback, £14.99)
Christmas Tales from the Farm
Amanda Owen and Becca Hall
GET down on the farm and discover just how much fun life can
be when everyone mucks in together! Best known as The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda
Owen harnesses the inspiration she has gained from adventures with her nine
children at the family’s 2,000-acre hill farm Ravenseat in North Yorkshire for
her very first children’s book. The Owen family’s TV series, Our Yorkshire
Farm, captivated over three million viewers in the UK and aired in over twenty
countries around the world. Christmas Tales from the Farm is a heartwarming
collection of festive stories featuring all the countryside characters – both two-legged
and four-legged – that you will find on and around the farm. Meet Santa’s
runaway reindeer who caused mischief on the moors, three sweet little goats who
became the perfect Christmas gift, and a clever sheepdog who found something
lost in the deep white snow. Brimming with the gorgeous illustrations of Becca
Hall, youngsters will enjoy learning about family life in the countryside and
meeting some of the many animals that have won the hearts of both readers and
TV viewers.
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)
The Appletree Animal
Agency: Collie Chaos
Katya Balen and Gill Smith
SNOW and puppies cause fun-filled Christmas chaos in the
second book of Carnegie-winner Katya Balen and illustrator Gill Smith’s heart-warming
animal vet and rescue series set in a cosy little village. The Appletree Animal
Agency have found three brand-new clients… a terrapin called Algernon, a ginger
cat called Crumpet, and a three-legged dog called Domino. When Domino escapes
in a snowstorm, the team set out to rescue him. They track his paw prints but
when they find the dog, they stumble upon someone else who needs help! Set in
the happy village of Mossdale, and brimming with Smith’s adorable
illustrations, this heartwarming and festive animal and friendship story is the
perfect Christmas stocking filler for young readers who love pets.
(Walker Books, paperback, £6.99)
Anisha, Accidental Detective: Christmas Chaos!
Serena Patel and Emma McCann
JOIN Anisha, Accidental Detective, to solve an extra-special
festive mystery filled with snowmen and secrets, crackers and clues! From the
award-winning World Book Day 2026 author and illustrator team, Serena Patel and
Emma McCann, Anisha Mistry’s larger-than-life British-Indian family steal the
show AGAIN in an extra-special festive mystery – filled with snowmen and
secrets, crackers and clues – and starring everyone’s favourite (accidental!)
detective. Patel and McCann have won thousands of hearts with their
laugh-out-loud, award-winning detective series starring reluctant sleuth Anisha
and her best friend and fellow investigator Milo. And this Christmas, we find
Anisha’s family’s excitement levels are off the charts because, drum roll with
extra jingle bells, her Dad has been put in charge of the festive fayre!
Everyone is ready to help… Anisha and Milo have loads of SPARKLY ideas, Aunty
Bindi’s got a mountain of TINSEL, and they have even got a big red sleigh for
Santa’s grotto! Well, they did have a big red sleigh until someone stole it in
the middle of the night. So now Anisha is on the case to track down the thief
before they ruin Christmas. She just wishes she didn’t have to dress as an elf
to do it! Looks like another case for Anisha, accidental Christmas detective! Join
Anisha and Milo as they head off on an action-packed festive adventure, and
share all the fun, chaos and mystery that always seem to appear when the madcap
Mistry family are in the spotlight!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
My Big Fat Christmas Poo Diary
Jim Smith
BRACE yourselves for a special Christmas outing with the
Poopies, aka best friends Pedro, Olga and Ozzy... their initials just happen to
spell the word POO and they are the stars of a smelly (but hilariously funny!)
graphic novel series from the master of mischief himself, Jim Smith. Smith – creator of the bestselling Barry Loser books – has
his finger firmly on the pulse of what makes kids (and grown-ups!) laugh… and
the pages of his books buzz with energy, madcap antics, and a joyful sense of
managed mayhem that is as addictive as it is entertaining. And he is on top form in this crazy, laugh-out-loud
series which is packed full of friendship, fun and toilet jokes galore... all
expertly delivered in witty bite-sized stories brought to life by Smith’s
vibrant and colourful artwork. So hold your noses, tag along with our terrible threesome,
and prepare for a Christmas yule log delight as they leave their mark on this
poop-filled celebration of the festive holidays! Can the Poopies start a
successful business selling plastic reindeer poos, who is stealing Pedro’s
special golden toilet paper, and, wait a second … is that Santa stuck down the
sewage pipe?! Positively fizzing with Smith’s wild and wonderful wit, and
perfectly pitched toilet jokes, My Big Fat Christmas Poo Diary is organised
chaos for your fun-lovers and mischief-makers!
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)
The Snowy Penguin
Holly Webb and David Dean
MUCH-LOVED children’s author Holly Webb is enchanting young
readers again with the new heartwarming adventure in her adorable Winter
Wildlife Stories series. Webb has written over 100 books for youngsters and in
this delightful Christmas story, we meet Bella who is thrilled to be joining
her mum on an expedition to study penguins on the Antarctic coast. While
exploring one of the islands, Bella discovers an unusual penguin with a pale
brown coat instead of the typical black. But before she can investigate
further, Bella spots an old pirate ship sailing to the island. Then she blinks…
and it disappears! Bella is convinced that she imagined it until she goes out
searching for the pale penguin again and bumps into a boy named Jules. He has
arrived with a group of sailors from the 1800s and they are desperate to catch
the rare penguin for themselves... David Dean provides the gorgeous black and
white illustrations for this beautifully created adventure which is guaranteed
to capture the heart of any child who can’t resist the magic of animals!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Dave Pigeon (Turkey Dinner!)
Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey
YOUNGSTERS will be all of a-flutter when author Swapna
Haddow and illustrator Sheena Dempsey’s Dave Pigeon Christmas comedy adventure
wings its way into their eager hands this festive season. With a laugh
guaranteed on every page, this much-loved, award-winning chapter book series
shows off the outstanding queens of comedy at their very best and has received
rave reviews since the first book left the presses in 2016. In their new
Christmas-flavoured adventure, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. There’s
frozen white dust on the ground, the Human Lady has decorated her nest with
shiny things, and the scent of scrumptious goodness is wafting from the kitchen.
But then Tinkles the Canary comes with unprecedented news. That delicious smell
is not just deliciousness with a sprinkling of yumminess… it’s the smell of
TURKEY. Being cooked! Horrors! Can Dave and Skipper save a bird that’s
delivered in a plastic wrapper? Probably not. But what if they can work out a
way to put nut roast on the menu instead? Packed with Haddow’s warmth, sense of
fun and wicked, laugh-out-loud wit, and Dempsey’s irresistibly hilarious black
and white illustrations, this funny, energetic and addictive series from one of
the most inspired partnerships in children’s comedy fiction is simply
irresistible!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
The Bear Who Wanted to Dance
Stephanie Stansbie and Wendy J Warren
LITTLE ones will pirouette with delight when they leap into
the life of Rita, a big bear who dreams of being a dancer! This heartwarming large
format picture book about chasing your dreams, celebrating your differences and
twirling to your own rhythm is the creation of author Stephanie Stansbie and
debut illustrator Wendy J Warren. Rita is a talented, passionate, hard-working
ballerina and she’s top of her class. But when she studies her ballet
magazines, and compares herself to her friends, she realises… she’s the wrong
shape! Can Rita find her inner power and confidence in her beautiful big-bear
body? Stansbie’s lyrical and uplifting comes alive through Warren’s soft,
magical illustrations as youngsters learn subtle lessons about self-acceptance,
body positivity, representation and... the joys of dancing!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
A Winter's Morning
Angélique Leone and Grégoire Solotareff
A LONELY wolf finds unexpected friendship and warmth in the
heart of winter in a stunning picture book illustrated by the award-winning
Grégoire Solotareff and written by his daughter Angélique Leone. In the heart
of a quiet, snow-covered forest, a lone wolf named Sylvester finds solace in
the stillness of winter. But his world of solitude is changed forever when he
discovers a small, forgotten teddy bear beneath an ancient oak tree. As
Sylvester brings the bear, who he names Poppy, into his home, an unexpected
bond forms between the two. Through shared adventures and quiet moments of
companionship, they bring warmth and joy to each other’s lives. This enchanting
picture book – with its dazzling artwork – speaks loudly about friendship and
the transformative power of love, and captures the magic of a warm and
unexpected connection in the midst of a cold winter. A must-have for children’s
bookshelves and perfect for cosying up with on chilly nights.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
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