Age 7 plus
The Adventures of Portly the Otter: Untold Tales from the
Wind in the Willows
M.G. Leonard and Polly Dunbar
PORTLY – a daring young otter known for his often fur-raising riverside adventures – will be no stranger to fans of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved countryside classic, The Wind in the Willows, first published in 1908. And now the adorable little otter becomes the star of the show in a beautifully produced full-colour gift book from award-winning author M.G. Leonard and internationally renowned illustrator Polly Dunbar. Celebrating the 95th anniversary of E.H. Shepard’s iconic artwork for the original book, these thrilling animal adventures feature all Grahame’s favourite characters, such as Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad, and are told across four seasons in one year. ‘Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING – absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.’
There
is a time in a young otter’s life when he must be introduced to the river. For
Portly, the youngest of Mrs Otter’s pups, today was that day… but when he first
sees the river, he is terrified. However, the young otter soon finds his feet
among his friends and neighbours on the riverbank. Join Portly as he grows in
confidence from his disastrous first swimming lesson, battles a large trout,
rescues a human girl, outwits the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood and
sleeps in the care of the Pan, the god of nature… a scene familiar to readers
of the original book. Full of all the gentle charm, nostalgia, mischief and river-splashing
fun that has enchanted readers for over a hundred years, Leonard’s spin-off –
brought to life by Dunbar’s exquisite artwork – remains faithful to the
original and is guaranteed to capture the hearts of both new readers and
existing fans – young and old!
(Farshore, hardback, £14.99)
The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List
Nat Luurtsema and Cécile Dormeau
IF your tweeny child has a penchant for LOLs, BFFs, drama and
crushes, and LOTS of overthinking, then point them in the direction of this
brilliantly relatable new illustrated series starring a twelve-year-old girl
who is preparing to take on the emotional challenges that are lying in wait for
her! The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List comes from award-nominated stand-up
comedian Nat Luurtsema, who reveals she grew up as ‘a naturally anxious child,’
and French illustrator Cécile Dormeau, famous for exploring themes of
self-acceptance and body image. So here is Birdie… an overthinker who has a lot to overthink. Her
BFF Chloe wants new friends (BETRAYAL), she will be a teenager in one year
(BREATHE), yet owns ZERO bras (surely some mistake?!), and a boy at school
maybe has a crush on her (BUT HOW TO BE SURE?!). So Birdie has made a Happy
List to tackle all the awkward and emotional challenges of being a tween. THEN
she will stop being an anxious ball of stress and be happy! That’s the grand plan
anyway... This funny, perfectly pitched story – written in a diary style
format and given extra allure by Dormeau’s illustrations – explores all those
familiar dramas around family, friendship, school and growing up problems with
a light but sensitive touch. Offering her own advice on conquering anxiety
through subtle life lessons hidden between the lines, this is an entertaining
first outing for what promises to be a tweeny must-read!
(Usborne, paperback, £7.99)
Stonewitch
Skye McKenna and Tomislav Tomić
IF you’re looking for adventures with a truly magical atmosphere, step back into the wonderful world of Hedgewitch, where the land of Faerie lies just beyond our own! Stonewitch is the fourth book in the enchanting Hedgewitch series, the debut creation of Skye McKenna who grew up surrounded by red dust in a mining town in the Australian outback but then travelled to England and fell in love with the British countryside. Illustrated by Tomislav Tomić, the series is already being hailed as a modern classic. Now living in Scotland, McKenna was inspired by her love of magic and adventure to write these captivating adventures which star a family of witches who protect Britain from the denizens of Faerie, creatures who are all too real and far more frightening than the story books suggest.
To complete the next step in her training in the practical
skills of witchcraft, Cassie Morgan must invent a brand-new spell. However, she
is struggling for inspiration… so she jumps at the chance to attend the
Covenmoot. Every five years, covens from all over Britain and Ireland meet to
take part in a series of challenging games in the hopes of winning the
Covenmoot Cauldron. Cassie and her friends travel to Glen Carlin, a remote
valley in the Scottish Highlands, to take part. But menacing forces haunt the
moors and rumours of the ancient Stonewitch swirl through the camp. Cassie and
her coven must work together to prove themselves in the Covenmoot, while
long-hidden secrets come to light and the wicked Erl King’s power grows.
Witches aren’t born, they’re made... McKenna is a born storyteller, building an enchanting,
magical world that is as alluring as it is viscerally and thrillingly real… a
place where the characters spring to glorious life, where the natural world
takes centre stage, and where readers long to return to time and time again!
(Welbeck Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)
Age 9 plus
Café Chaos: The Way the Cookie Crumbles
Catherine Wilkins and Katie Abey
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
The Whisperwicks: The Vanished Key
Jordan Lees and Vivienne To
IF springtime is reigniting your spirit of adventure, return to the labyrinthine streets of Wreathenwold and enjoy the final, mind-blowing magical mission in the epic Whisperwicks series from Jordan Lees, one of the most exciting new voices in children’s fiction. The Vanished Key sees more spectacular world-building and storytelling from a writer whose imagination would seem to have no bounds as we meet up again with eleven-year-old Benjamiah Creek whose belief in science, logic and reason was shattered by his discovery of an impossible world. Packed with the glorious illustrations of New Zealand-based artist Vivienne To, this last outing for Benjamiah delivers the same seductive blend of heartfelt friendships and fantastical otherworldly adventures.
The magus Manfred Tarr is on the hunt for a key… a key that
has been lost for centuries and which has the power to unleash a terrible
darkness on the world. To save Wreathenwold from a dreadful fate and armed only
with his magic, his courage and his best friends Elizabella, Mea and Silas,
Benjamiah must set out on another impossible quest to find the Three Sisters.
This dangerous journey will take them deep into the heart of the Weird Wood –
home to ragwitches, root folk and half bears – and into a fierce battle with
far-reaching consequences. Can Benjamiah conquer the darkness and save
Wreathenwold one final time? With its wholly original premise, a cast of dazzling
characters, spectacular storytelling and Lees’ rich and breathtakingly detailed
world-building which takes us deep into the wonders and workings of magical
Wreathenwold, this standout series has conjured up fantasy with a spectacular
style that has dazzled readers both young and old!
(Puffin, hardback, £14.99)
Dungeon Runners: Fang Attack
Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd-Stanton
HEROES come in all shapes and sizes... and everyone deserves
the chance to prove it! Blue Peter Award-winning author Kieran Larwood and
Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner Joe Todd-Stanton pool their
considerable talents for the fourth Dungeon Runners adventure, part of a fully
illustrated and action-packed fantasy quest series which is perfect for newly
independent readers. On your marks, get set, bite! Kit and his trusty team-mates,
Sandy and Thorn, are heading to a land of the vampires for their most fearsome
test yet. In a dungeon that is deadlier than anything they have faced before,
they will take on monsters, hunt for treasure and crack codes. But can they
make it to the finish, or will this be game over? Action fans, and both newly confident and seasoned readers,
are loving the world of the Dungeon Runners, a magical land of heroes where
bullies and baddies are challenged by an unlikely but plucky trio of friends
who are willing to enter tough competitions and fight their way to the top.
With its uplifting tales of underdogs winning through, this super series is
ideal inspiration for children finding their feet in the big, wide world. So
what are you waiting for... there’s always space for a new team of heroes at
the Dungeon!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
Marty Moose: The Great Stamp-ede
Claire Powell
SECONDS out… round two for Marty Moose, everyone’s favourite
postmouse! Author and illustrator Claire Powell returns with her mischievous,
laugh-out-loud and utterly charming series which puts comic capers, illustrious
illustration and alluring alliteration at the top of a first class list of
entertainment. Star of the show is the lovable postie Marty and here we find
him out and about on the day of the annual Fastest Feathers race in Little
Ditch. But Marty can’t stop to join in the fun because he’s got a very
important parcel to deliver. It contains the prize, a beautiful shining golden
egg, and it’s got to reach the finish line before the contestants do! But
that’s not the only twist in the tail… Marty and his good friend Nibbles Frizzby,
a doolally rabbit, have to contend with ferret bandits who want the prize for
themselves… and a pair of cheating ducks in a terrible case of fowl play.
Packed with funny, full throttle illustrations, an adventure with resonant
themes of bravery, self-confidence and friendship, and a narrative voice that
guarantees giggles, these are perfectly pitched stories for newly confident
readers.
(Walker Books, paperback, £6.99)
Age 5 plus
The New Adventures of Disney Zootropolis 2
(DK Children, paperback, £7.99)
Age 5 plus
Luna Grace: Girl from Outer Space: Sea Safari
Julie Sykes and Emily Jones
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Read All About It!
Benjamin Hall and Martina Motzo
INSPIRED by a toy hedgehog given to him by his daughters
when he was reporting from war zones around the world, Fox News senior
correspondent and bestselling author Benjamin Hall brings youngsters a heartwarming
picture book about a hedgehog who must warn the forest about a hungry bear on
the prowl. Full of drama, determination and bravery, and brought to life by Italian
children’s book illustrator Martina Motzo’s colourful and characterful artwork,
Read All About It! reminds readers that we all have the power to make a
difference. Hedgehog can’t wait to be big enough to report the news like his
dad does. So when he notices that a baby owl has fallen out of a tree and is in
serious trouble, Hedgehog doesn’t hesitate to spring into action! But can a little
hedgehog like him save the day and warn the other forest creatures in time? The
rewards that come from speaking up and daring to make a difference, and the
special bond between a parent and child, are explored in a story packed with
action, fun and a comical twist in the tail!
(HarperCollins Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)
Whirby
Molly Harris and Jacob Souva
RECHARGING your batteries is important for all the family…
but sometimes little ones need a gentle lesson in the value of powering down.
So here’s a full throttle picture book about an over-active little robot who
learns the hard way that going without rest and a recharge can have
disappointing results. Written by US debut children’s books author Molly
Harris, and brilliantly illustrated by fellow American Jacob Souva, Whirby will
have youngsters whirling to the bedroom for a good night’s sleep! Whirby the
robot is all systems go for his favourite school activity… bot battles! All
that clinking, clanging, beeping, and banging makes Whirby so excited that he
forgets to recharge at night. He stays up practising his best moves and
building the coolest contraptions before the big battle. But when it’s finally
his turn to compete…BWOMP! BZZZ! ZZT! With his battery on 0%, will Whirby find
a way to still be the bot battle champion? Perfect for robot fans… and
reluctant sleepers!
(Harper360, hardback, £14.99)
I am Dandy the Dormouse
Pam Ayres and Nicola O'Byrne
MEET an endangered little creature with an extraordinary
talent… he’s brilliant at climbing trees! I am Dandy the Dormouse is the
heartwarming and inspirational fourth picture book in the enchanting Animal
Stories nature series from much-loved poet Pam Ayres. Written in Ayres’ moving
rhyme and gloriously illustrated by award-winning artist Nicola O’Byrne,
youngsters join a Hazel Dormouse, one of Britain’s rarest mammals, on his
adventures high up in the trees. ‘Hello. I am a dormouse, and Dandy is my name.
I’m a different kind of mouse, we are not all the same.’ Did you know that dormice
are born grey and get their beautiful golden-brown fur as they get older? Or
that they can climb trees like acrobats because of their thumb-like sticky feet,
and hibernate from October to April? I Am Dandy the Dormouse is a light-hearted
look at the life of this tiny tree-dweller. Written with the help and advice of
The Woodland Trust, and bursting with natural facts like how dormice leave a
unique, neat mark on every hazelnut they eat, this fascinating and entertaining
picture book includes an extra information spread at the end. Ideal for curious
young nature-lovers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
The Magic Feather
Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner
TAKE flight on a magical new adventure full of the wonders of
nature from the superstar team of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Kate
Greenaway Medal for Illustration winner Catherine Rayner. The Magic Feather – a
rhyming fairy tale about the magic of nature and caring for our environment –
is packed full of warm, wise and wonderful words, and stunning illustrations
that will steal every reader’s heart. Imagine if you could speak to birds…
that’s just what happens to a young girl when she is given a magic feather that
transforms their trills and twitters into words… and she discovers that they
need her help because there are plans to chop down all the forest trees! Join
her as she embarks on an amazing journey across the sea to save their nests
from the queen’s woodcutters. With Rayner’s exquisite artwork and a story that
holds important messages about the natural world, The Magic Feather is a book
to share and cherish.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Winnie the Pooh: Five Little Bees
Georgina Kyriacou and Sian Bowman
CELEBRATE 100 years of Winnie the Pooh and Friends with Disney's fun and colourful Easter lift-the-flap picture book. Five little bees went out
to play, searching for Easter eggs today. Pooh said, ‘Wait for me at the honey
tree.’ Now how many bees can you see? Little ones will love joining Winnie and
his friends as they explore the Hundred-Acre Wood in a hide-and-seek Easter egg
hunt. There’s so much to see and do, with trees to climb and eggs to find, as
well as familiar faces dressed up as bees. But wait… the bees are disappearing
one by one and Pooh can’t find them. Lift the flaps to help Pooh find the bees
and discover a delicious surprise at the end. Based on the nursery rhyme Five
Little Ducks, this enchanting lift-the-flap book is perfect for sharing with Winnie’s
youngest fans.
(Studio Press, paperback, £7.99)
Disney Easter Colouring Book
COLOUR your way through spring and help your favourite
Disney characters celebrate the fun of Easter! Youngsters will enjoy getting
creative as they colour in this cute collection of springtime illustrations
featuring favourite Disney friends like Disney Princesses, Lilo and Stitch, Bambi,
Snow White, Alice in Wonderland , Moana, Winnie the Pooh and many more big
names! With intricate patterns, characters hunting for Easter eggs and floral
scenes, this charming colouring book, with over 80 springtime images to colour,
will entertain children for hours.
(Studio Books, paperback, £10.99)
Five Little Chicks
Camilla Reid and Jill Howarth
ENJOY watching little ones get hands-on with a fun-filled
Easter board book in a gorgeous interactive counting series based on favourite
nursery rhymes. Written by Camilla Reid – a writer and deviser of award-winning
books for early years children including the much-loved Pip and Posy stories –
this delightful Slide and Count board book series features buttons which slide
along special tracks. And there’s lots of fun and smiles to be had here as
youngsters slide the buttons to make Mama Hen’s little chicks leave the farm
and go on adventures! Sing or read along with the rhyme as you count the
chicks, with village and woodland scenes that are packed full of Easter details
to spot and brought to life by the striking and super-colourful artwork of Jill
Howarth. With a romping, read-aloud text which is ideal for sharing,
easy-to-move buttons to slide, and an adorable cast of characters, these joyful
pre-school books are a joy to read and share, and the perfect way to introduce
early-years children to the concept of counting!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)
How Things Grow (Circle of Life)
Harriet Evans and Benjamin Flouw
SPIN the wheel, lift the flaps and discover the wonder of
nature’s diversity and ingenuity in this beautiful, immersive introduction to
animal and plant life cycles. With an engaging wheel mechanism and flaps
throughout, How Things Grow reveals the circle of life and is an interactive
treat that encourages reader to get hands-on while learning. With beautifully
detailed illustrations by the talented Benjamin Flouw and Harriet Evans’ clear,
comprehensive text, full of helpful hints about how to spot and protect
wildlife, the book offers an exciting exploration of a core scientific concept.
Perfect for young wildlife lovers, curious kids, little scientists and anyone
who enjoys the fun of a lift-the-flap book!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)
Hank Meets Frank
Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie
IF you fell in love with an obnoxious goose called Hank – the
one with a bad habit of honking – in talented author Maudie Powell-Tuck and
bestselling illustrator and author Duncan Beedie’s hilarious picture book Hank
Goes Honk, then prepare for more zany antics in their brilliant Hank Meets
Frank… new title in a growing series of hilarious picture and board books. Hank’s adoring fans know that he can be a little pesky, a
little pecky and a teensy bit objectionable. But not today! Not when his little
cousin Frank is here to visit. You see, Frank is sweet as a daisy and cute as a
button. Butter wouldn’t melt. So, Hank is going to be on his very best
behaviour. In fact, they’re both going to be little angels. Isn't that right,
Hank? Frank? Guys?! How great it is to see that Hank is still ruffling feathers
as Powell-Tuck and Beedie work their magic on another comedy-filled story in
which everyone’s favourite goose gets a cautionary lesson about the perils of
one-upmanship. With an adorable anti-hero, a tale told with deadpan humour, and
the brilliant illustrations of super-talented Beedie, this new adventure will
have all the family honking with laughter!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
The Best Dog Ever
Smriti Halls and Chris Jevons
LITTLE dog lovers will be lapping up the fun and frolics when they
get their paws on this adorable picture book that is packed full of super-cute
canines and acts as a gentle introduction to ideas of self-confidence and
embracing our differences. Lovingly written by bestselling author Smriti Halls
and brought to life by the cheeky and charming illustrations of Harrogate-based
Chris Jevons, readers young and old will fall in love with shaggy dog star Max
who wishes he was a different dog. ‘I wish I were a different dog, the quick
and clever sort. Perhaps a spotty, dotty dog with hair all trim and short.’ Max
reckons his fur isn't fluffy enough to win Best In Show, his bark isn’t loud
enough to scare away danger, and he doesn’t sit, heel, fetch… or come back when
you call. But Max’s owner thinks he’s perfect! Can Max learn that he’s perfect,
too? Hall’s trademark bouncing rhyming story about a perfectly imperfect pooch
is fun to read aloud and share, and ideally paired with Jevons’ bright and
comical illustrations featuring Max and all his furry friends. Dogs just wanna
have fun!
(Scholastic, paperback,
£7.99)
Monkeypig
Huw Aaron
THE search to find an imposter in a troop of monkeys
backfires spectacularly in a fun-filled picture book from Welsh cartoonist,
author and illustrator Huw Aaron who is shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year
in this year’s British Book Awards. Kids will be squealing with delight when
they meet the adorable Molly who lives in the jungle with all the other
monkeys, dancing and playing and being silly among the treetops. But Molly has
a secret… Molly is actually a pig. And when head-monkey Norman becomes suspicious
that an imposter has infiltrated the monkeys, he sets them all some monkey
tests, including eating bananas and picking nits. Will Molly be discovered or
will she use her cunning to convince the monkeys she really is one of them?
Aaron’s off-the-wall humour is at its best as the very porcine Molly proves
that pigs can fly when it comes to swinging in the treetops! Add on a gallery
of outrageous illustrations and a hilarious twist in the curly tail, and young
readers will be laughing like pigs in muck!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)
Where Is Bear?
Fátima Ordinola
BEAR is playing hide and seek… can you find him? Search for Bear
and learn new words while exploring familiar spots around the house in this
gorgeous lift-the-flap book, full of the adorable artwork of its creator,
Fátima Ordinola, a Peruvian graphic designer and illustrator. Lovable Bear
likes to play hide-and-seek… so where is he? Is he behind the kitchen door, inside
the fridge, is he hiding under the sofa, or is he in the bathtub? And what
other animals will you meet along the way? Little ones will love setting off on
a playful journey through the colourful pages (with a clever cat who knows Bear’s
secret!) to find him. Lift each flap to discover where Bear is hiding around
the house and learn new words while you are exploring. Ideal for encouraging
early learning of prepositions and first words, and sparking babies’ curiosity
and joy, Where is Bear? launches a new pre-school range exploring first
concepts.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)
No comments:
Post a Comment