Age 9 plus
Made for Each Other
Joanna McInerney
and Georgina Taylor
IT always pays to have a friend… particularly if you live in
the natural world! Marvel at the wonders of nature’s symbiotic relationships in
this big, colourful book packed with amazing facts which have been researched
by writer and editor Joanna McInerney, and brought to colourful life by the
stunning artwork of South Africa-based illustrator Georgina Taylor. Youngsters will love discovering how teamwork, or an
unexpected partner, could make all the difference to survival in the wild,
whether it’s warding off predators, removing parasites or aiding reproduction. Meet
oxpecker birds and giraffes, clownfish and sea anemones, woolly bats and
pitcher plants, and travel through forests, deserts, oceans and tropical
jungles to discover the astonishing ways that animals, plants and organisms
have learned to adapt and co-exist in the wild. From the monarch butterfly that
only exists on one type of plant, to the majestic bobtail squid that acquires
its illuminating glow from bacteria that live on its skin, the book takes a
close-up look at some of nature’s most fascinating symbiotic relationships. Taylor captures these astonishing moments in the wild
through richly detailed, watercolour botanical images which are incredibly
lifelike and both entertain and educate. An ideal gift for nature lovers, and
an invaluable tool for teaching youngsters about the advantages of
co-operation, compromise and working together.
(Big Picture Press, paperback, £10.99)
Age 11 plus
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Tanya Landman
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories
William Yamaguchi Dobson
ENTER a stunning fantasy world where Japanese folklore comes
to life as author William Yamaguchi Dobson digs into cherished memories of his
childhood in Japan and his much-loved grandfather. Stars of this wild and
wonderful story are a bored schoolboy and a bonobo, an endangered great ape,
closely related to humans and chimpanzees, and known for its peaceful,
matriarchal society. Twelve-year-old Jonty desperately wants an adventure but he
knows it’s unlikely when he’s stuck at home for the entire summer. But then he
meets a talking bonobo called Koku in the forest at the back of his house who
invites him to enter a magical world behind a Japanese Memory gate. There, he
will get to collect wild memories from the time his gramps was a famous
primatologist... and soon his adventure begins. Behind the gate lies a world
far more enchanting than back home. In a world filled with mischievous Japanese
beings called yōkai, Jonty must battle to collect the memories in a series of
hair-raising trials. But there is an evil sky pirate crew on board a ship who are
hell-bent on destroying the memories for good... and they have bows and arrows.
Can Jonty battle the pirate crew before time runs out and the wadokei
watch-clock strikes? Featuring epic samurai battles, a host of supernatural yōkai,
and lots of comic moments, this thrilling adventure focuses on Japanese
folklore and comes with a future classic feel. With Dobson’s exciting and beguiling
new voice for children’s fiction, and a beautiful cover and inside
illustrations by acclaimed Japanese artist Sawa, this is the perfect escape to
a magical world!
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)
Age 9 plus
Peregrine Quinn and the Battle for Olympus
Ash Bond
Meanwhile, Peregrine has problems of her own. Her explosive outburst has caught
the eye of Hades who has whisked her away, and now she’s being drawn into the
centre of a battle that the Cosmics are determined to win, no matter what the
cost. With secrets being hidden even by those closest to her, Peregrine and her
friends face their most dangerous challenge yet… a heist that will take them
into the heart of Olympus itself. Bond says plucky Peregrine was forged from ‘a lifetime of
curiosity for the ancient world’ and our daring adventurer certainly delivers a
coruscating, cosmic package of breathless action, witty dialogue, other-worldly
fun, and a marvellous makeover of some familiar myths and characters. With maps
and brilliant character illustrations putting Peregrine and her people into
focus, this thrilling fantasy series is one to read, enjoy… and treasure!
(Piccadilly Press, hardback, £12.99)
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow
Jessica Townsend
WHEN an author’s debut children’s series wins the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the film rights are sold to Fox, you know that here is a writer with that special magic touch… and magic is certainly what you get in the joyful and wildly imaginative Nevermoor adventures. Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow is the fourth book in the series and once again showcases the talents of its creator, Jessica Townsend, who lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and admits to a fascination with – among others – ancient cities, Halloween, opera singers and secret societies. Our leading lady is Morrigan Crow who was cursed and destined to die on her eleventh birthday until, when the clock struck midnight, she was whisked away to the secret city of Nevermoor and invited to join the Wundrous Society.
Mystery, magic and protection could now be hers… if only she
can pass four impossible trials, using an exceptional talent. In her new
adventure in Nevermoor, long-buried secrets are coming to light, and Morrigan’s
life is about to turn upside down. Invited into Nevermoor’s wealthy Silver
District, she discovers a world of extravagance and a family mystery she’s
eager to unravel. But she could never imagine where it will lead… a white
wedding, a golden dragon and a red pool of blood. Embroiled in suspicion and
danger, Morrigan leaps head first into a murder investigation, while also
grappling with her ever-growing Wundersmith powers. And although her friends
are there to help, she fears that could change if they learn she is keeping a
terrible secret of her own. As shadowy forces awaken in Nevermoor, can Morrigan
find a killer and solve the mystery in her own past... before the clock strikes
midnight? Youngsters will be turning the pages at top speed when they
meet up again with the delectable Morrigan as she faces a perilous choice in
the dazzling but dangerous world of Nevermoor. Sprinkled liberally with humour,
drama, warm-hearted fun and Townsend’s incredible world-building, the thrilling
adventures of Morrigan Crow continue to fly high in a spectacular series.
(Orion Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)
Hercules vs the Minotaur
Tom Vaughan and David O’Connell
IF tales set in the ancient world tickle your fancy, dive into the fourth epic adventure of a series which dishes up mythical magic, real-world mayhem and laughter unlimited! Starring a boy called Hercules, and inspired by Greek myths, these hilarious stories are written by the ever-inventive author, journalist and TV producer Tom Vaughan and brilliantly illustrated throughout by David O’Connell. Hercules Braver, modern-day son of Zeus, is about to face his BIGGEST challenge yet... a legendary Greek monster has escaped from the underworld! Hercules is ready to start a new school year as the best demigod when, to his surprise, his cousin Theseus suddenly comes to stay from Greece. Theseus, son of Poseidon, is a young demigod just like Hercules. But right as Herc was to be (finally) preparing to be a heroically good role model, infuriating Theseus causes trouble at every turn! But soon the boys are forced to work together because Zeus has been so focused on writing a book that he’s lost control of the cosmos... and now the universe is in jeopardy. One of the most terrifying monsters in Greek myth has hatched an escape from the underworld! With their dads preoccupied, it’s up to Herc and Theo to track down and stop the Minotaur. No doubt about it, this is Herc’s most high-stakes adventure yet. Will the boys become monster-slaying heroes like their namesakes, or will they learn that myths might not have the full story?
With a mega monster and a new demigod, this brilliant new
adventure is bigger and bolder than ever as youngsters meet the Minotaur, one
of the most familiar Greek characters (thanks to the curriculum!), and wraps up
the modern twists on the Twelve Labours of Hercules. Add on an encounter with
another legendary character, Cerberus, and Vaughan’s exploration of bravery, notions
of goodness, unlikely friendships and blended families, and you have an
‘ancient’ that is thoroughly modern!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
Glam & Beardy: Volume I
Ruby Clyde & Rachel WD and Vincent Batignole
IF your reluctant readers need some hilarious laughing
matter to draw them into an adventure full of fun and comic chaos, then
introduce them to Glam & Beardy for a comedy double act invented by none
other than a comedy double act! Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde, also known as Shelf,
write and perform for adults and children, and now they have turned their
talents to a high-octane series written in anarchic diary form and gloriously
illustrated by French artist Vincent Batignole. The five Kindoms of Kin Isle have stood since the dawn of
time. Each holds its own unique power, its own importance in the balance of our
world. We all belong to one of these ancient Kindoms. When we turn ten, we meet
our Familiar, and our Familiar bears a mark that reveals which Kindom we belong
to. And we fit into our Kindom perfectly and feel wonderful and happy and good
forever and ever and always. Unless you’re me, that is. This is the historical
record of how I, Glam, finally met my Familiar, Beardy, and how we learned that
nothing about our world is as it seems... (and that parkour and dandelions are always
the answer… Beardy said it was very important that I add that!) Written as a shared diary (well, it’s very much Glam's
diary, but she can't stop Beardy writing in it!), Glam and Beardy is fun with a
capital F, and the perfect bait for readers who like their adventures to come
with lashings of laughs and a proliferation of pictures!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Strong Girls
Jodie Ounsley with Becky Grey
LEARN how to be strong, think strong and be strong for
others… with words of wisdom and experience from everyone’s favourite TV
Gladiator, Fury, as your guide! Co-written by Jodie Ounsley and sports journalist
Becky Grey, Strong Girls is one big celebration of strong girls, teaching
youngsters to be powerful, positive and a team player. Ounsley, who was born profoundly deaf, is an England rugby union
player and an inspirational role model for deaf people. Following on from her
debut book, Keep Smashing It, Ounsley now wants to show girls how to be strong
in lots of different ways through stories from her own life, key profiles on
her role models, as well as advice on how to find your own strength and
celebrate it. Assuring girls that they are already strong, even if they might
not know it yet, Jodie shows how to start your own strong girl journey, develop
a strong mindset, use your strength to support others and smash any obstacles
that come your way. Let’s do this!
(Rocket Fox, paperback, £9.99)
Once Upon a Planet
Pierrick Graviou, Érik Orsenna,
Gallimard Jeunesse and Stéphane Kiehl
STRAP yourself in and hold on tight for a stunningly
illustrated journey through 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history! Once Upon a
Planet is the mind-boggling story of Earth from stardust to our first steps and
is the work of French team Pierrick Graviou, a geologist and science
communicator, Érik Orsenna, a celebrated French novelist and economist, Gallimard
Jeunesse, and Paris-based illustrator Stéphane Kiehl. Youngsters will enjoy embarking on this breathtaking trip
through time to discover the fascinating history of our planet. From the birth
of the first deep blue ocean to the tiny sparks of life, from fiery volcanic
eruptions to icy glacial ages and creatures of all shapes and sizes, this dramatically
illustrated picture book brings Earth’s 4.5-billion-year story to life in a way
that is vivid, accessible and awe-inspiring. Readers meet microscopic
creatures, towering dinosaurs and witness the dramatic transformations that
shaped the world we know today. A dazzling celebration of science, nature and
imagination, and combining scientific accuracy with storytelling magic, the book
invites children to explore the wonders of Earth’s past and understand the
challenges it overcame to become our home. Spectacular and imaginative
illustrations vividly recreate prehistoric landscapes and creatures,
transporting readers back in time with remarkable detail. The perfect way to
set young imaginations on fire!
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £14.99)
Squid Squad: Shrimply the Best
Aoife Dooley
DIVE down and deep to meet the wackiest and weirdest
creatures of the ocean in the second hilarious, zany and action-packed
full-colour graphic novel from award-winning illustrator, writer and comedian
Aoife Dooley from Ireland. Stars of the show are naughty best friends Ollie the
vampire squid and Zing the toxin-squirting sea bunny, and the rest of the undersea
Squid Squad… and be warned, youngsters will need to come up for air when they
join them for chaos in deep waters! The deep-sea town of Nowhere is home to the wackiest and
weirdest creatures of the ocean, with abilities like shooting thorns, tripling
in size and releasing stink-bombs! Tag along with Ollie and Zing in four new
mini episodes as they try out grown-up jobs, adopt an unusual new pet, track
down a prized painting, and rescue a shell-ebrity when a movie set turns up and
jealous Thornelius stirs up trouble! All
brought to life by Dooley’s striking, bold and friendly artwork, the stories
are packed with anarchic visual humour and feature a lovable cast of vibrant
characters based on real deep-sea animals. A gloriously madcap celebration of
imagination, friendship and being unique, and ideal for less confident readers.
(Scholastic, paperback, £9.99)
Wild Footprints
Judy Wise and Kristen
and Kevin Howdeshell
THE next time you explore in the great outdoors, make sure
you look closely at the ground! This fascinating, and lavishly illustrated non-fiction
picture book from author Judy Wise was created to show children that nature is
constantly moving all around us, even when it’s out of sight, and that tracks,
trails and footprints are the perfect example of this hidden magic. Each unique creature leaves a special trail, and each and
every one tells an extraordinary tale. Follow in the footprints of some of
Earth’s most majestic creatures and magnificent minibeasts and along the way,
you’ll learn that some footprints are more harmful than others. Though humans
have damaged many ecosystems, we too have the power to change our ways. The
spectacular artwork of The Brave Union, aka husband-and-wife illustration team,
Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell, gives life and vibrancy to Wise’s rhyming text
which is intertwined with snippets of factual content and culminates in an
uplifting and empowering finale with a powerful and prevailing message of hope. Add on the bonus of a search-and-find activity, and a top
tips section for children interested in learning how to help the planet and its
inhabitants, and you have a beautiful book that is sure to be loved, cherished
and read time and time again.
(Scholastic, hardback, £12.99)
Mei Mei the Bunny
Laufey and Lauren O’Hara
MEET Mei Mei, a little bunny with a big dream to spread joy
through her music! This beautifully created picture book was written by Laufey,
an award-winning and world-renowned musician with over 10 million followers on
TikTok, and exquisitely illustrated by multi-award-winning Dublin-based
illustrator Lauren O’Hara. Written to encourage confidence in children, this
story will inspire them to believe in their own unique talents and abilities. As
her debut recital at the H’Opera House draws near, Mei Mei diligently practises
playing her violin, yet struggles with her unsettled nerves. What will happen
if she hits a wrong note? Laufey’s comforting tale references child-friendly
definitions of musical terminology while O’Hara’s cuddly artwork provides a
world which children will want to explore again and again. The perfect book to
show the rewards of pursuing your dreams!
(DK Children, hardback, £14.99)
Seahorse is Furious (and there is nothing you can do about it)
Morag Hood
WE all get bad moods but little ones can find it difficult
to understand their complex feelings. So introduce them to Seahorse who is
having a bad day in a terrible week and discovers that, actually, he’s not the
only one who gets those bad day blues. Seahorse is Furious comes from talented children’s
author and illustrator whose words and artwork opens up a delightful underwater
world for her warm and comforting story. Seahorse isn’t happy. He woke up wrong
and stubbed his tail and everything is wet! So don’t tell him funny stories or
give him a hug, and DEFINITELY don’t give him his favourite snacks on his
special plate… because Seahorse is furious and there is NOTHING you can do
about it. Or is there...? Brought to life by Hood’s trademark eye-catching
artwork, which zings with colour and character, this funny, affectionate and
reassuring take on bad mood days is perfect for parent and carers to open encouraging
conversations about feelings.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Jungle Jumble
Magda Azab
CAN you match the jungle babies to their mothers? Magda Azab, an Italian-Egyptian trained
graphic designer and illustrator, whisks young explorers away on a thrilling
lift-the-flap jungle adventure. Jungle Jumble is part of an innovative
search-and-find activity book series from Post Wave Children’s Books which journeys
through various habitats and aims to keep children entertained while developing
their observation and matching skills. Can you spot the teeny caterpillar
amongst the butterflies? Head deep into the jungle and spot hidden animals,
match babies to their mothers and uncover clues like footprints and food
trails. With Azab’s bright, intricate artwork and lift-the-flap surprises,
jungle hunting has never been so joyful!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £12.99)
Peggy Goes Gardening
Tonka Uzu
AS spring and nature finally burst into life, why not join
little Peggy and her mother on a delightful and educational day in the garden!
Peggy Goes Gardening is the creation of Bulgarian-born author and illustrator
Tonka Uzu who fills her board book with heartwarming illustrations and
endearing messages about new experiences, persistence and determination. Eager
to help with every task, Peggy tells her mum, ‘I’ll do it, I’ll do it!’ as she
plants beans, waters seedlings, removes weeds and tastes raspberries. And although
the results aren’t always perfect, Peggy’s cheerful spirit never waivers. With
its simple, charming story and watercolour illustrations, this is the perfect
book to celebrate the small joys of everyday life!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)
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