Age 9 plus
The Ministry of Manners
David Solomons and Hazem Asif
THE Ministry of Manners guides, protects and teaches the people to be better… it definitely doesn’t rule by force. Or does it? David Solomons, award-winning author of the My Brother Is a Superhero series, explores what is lost in keeping quiet and what is found in fighting back in an audacious new middle-grade novel based on the resonant themes of George Orwell’s classic book Nineteen Eighty-Four. Be quiet. Be polite. Or be silenced. Alfie and Margot Hawthorne have grown up under the Ministry of Manners where politeness isn’t a choice… it's the law. And one wrong word can change your life. Alfie knows how to stay out of trouble, but Margot has never been one for quiet obedience. When the Ministry takes Margot, everything changes. Inside the Manners Retreat, she fights to stay herself in a place built to erase her. Meanwhile, Alfie falls in with the Unsilenced… those who still dare to speak. But the Ministry has plans of its own and if they succeed, rebellion won’t just be punished... it will be impossible.
Using a world inspired by Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four,
Solomons brings young readers an exciting and accessible all-action adventure
set against a dystopian landscape in which children fight back against an
oppressive regime which requires quiet obedience over free expression. With its
powerful messages and encouragement of critical thinking, a cast of gutsy
youngsters, and the atmospheric illustrations of Pakistani illustrator and
designer Hazem Asif, The Ministry of Manners is a thrilling and
thought-provoking read.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Vampire Empire: Red Tide
Curtis Jobling
THINK (literally!) bloodthirsty Vikings, terror and fates
that really are worse than death… and what do you get? The age of the Vampire
Empire! Bestselling author, illustrator and animation creator Curtis Jobling is
on fine warrior form in the first book of a thrilling duology which features a
supernatural Viking warband on the rampage in 900 AD Shetland. Starring a
fearless Norse girl and a blacksmith’s son fighting for survival when Viking vampires
descend on their island, this is supernatural thrills on steroids. The people of Unst, Norse and Pict alike, enjoy lives of
relative peace… none more so than Hilde, the fiery daughter of Jarl Frida, and
Cormac, the blacksmith’s boy. Hilde yearns for a life of adventure, like the
one her tormented mother had before her, carving her name in the great sagas as
a legendary shieldmaiden. But Hilde should be careful what she wishes for. When
a terrible Viking warband arrive upon the island, shrouded by an otherworldly
fog and hell-bent upon horror, Hilde and Cormac’s worlds are turned upside
down. They bring with them terrors and secrets, the likes of which a Norse girl
and a Pictish boy could never have dreamt of in their worst nightmares. For
when the Harrowed Men come raiding, there is no escape from their cruelty… or
their unquenchable hunger. And no amount of blood will slake their thirst… Valhalla for fans of Vikings, vampires and vengeful gods!
(Fox & Ink Books, paperback, £8.99)
The Time Engine
Lindsay Galvin and Kristina Kister
ADA Lovelace, the 19th century English
mathematician and writer renowned for her work on Charles Babbage’s proposed ‘Analytical
Engine,’ takes a starring role in a thrilling and magical new tale from Lindsay
Galvin, a former science teacher who has become one of our most exciting middle
grade authors. The Time Engine follows on from the success of The Elixir, a
time-slip adventure which wowed readers last year with its exciting and atmospheric
fusion of science-fiction and history. When Eric Finch discovers a mysterious machine hidden in his
attic, he realises that his mother has been keeping a huge secret. A brilliant
mathematician, Eric’s mother has used designs from an old journal belonging to
her ancestor Ada Lovelace to build the machine, but Eric has no idea how it
works or what it does. Unable to resist tinkering with the machine, Eric finds
himself thrust into an unforgettable adventure. But his actions have also
threatened the very fabric of time, with possibly terrifying consequences. Can
he join forces with a young Ada Lovelace and find a way to rectify time and get
back home? Galvin’s richly descriptive writing, her vibrant imagination
and her ability to deliver adventures full of peril, pathos and powerful
messages have made her a go-to author. Add on Kristina Kister’s atmospheric illustrations,
fascinating science and history facts wrapped up in a high-stakes adventure,
and Barrington Stoke’s trademark, dyslexia-friendly reading format, and you
have the perfect book for both homes and classrooms.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Welcome to Weird Street
Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan
KNOCK, knock who’s there?
Prepare for neighbourly madness and mayhem as the sensational sibling
team of much-loved actor Stephen Mangan and his talented artist sister Anita return
with the weirdest and wildest collection of linked short stories! Welcome to Weird Street... what appears to be a very
ordinary place, filled with very ordinary houses and very ordinary people. But
wait a minute… When Sarah moves to the street and sees a cat prowling up and
down, she decides to find its owner and return it. She knocks on each door and
discovers a wonderfully weird (and a little bit dangerous!) array of delights
within. From a haunted painting and a headmaster whose alter ego is a clown, to
a jet-powered garden swing, a ghost-pet adoption agency and a wild hall of
mirrors, these are zaniest neighbours you could hope to meet! As always, Anita Mangan’s quirky illustrations are the
perfect pairing for her brother’s super-silly, bite-size escapades which roll
out at the opening of every door and the turning of every page. Powered by
youthful energy, ingenuity, wildly imaginative storytelling and an addictive
brand of naughty humour, Welcome to Weird Street will have mischief-makers
giggling to the end of the road… and back!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
Ben Nuttall’s Footy Factory
Ben Nuttall and Nigel Baines
HELP your young footballers to get a kick out of reading
with this brilliant book from Ben Nuttall, the world’s Number One record-breaking
freestyler and YouTuber who is on a mission to get reluctant readers
(particularly boys!) off their screens and finding fun in books. Ben Nuttall’s
Footy Factory has been carefully created and is colourfully illustrated
throughout by Nigel Baines to inspire confidence and creativity in youngsters
by offering an irresistible mix of a step-by-step guide to freestyle football
skills of all levels and jaw-dropping stories of the famous players who have
shown them off on match day. So dream big, train hard and welcome to the Footy
Factory where you can learn tricks for next game. Impress your mates in the
playground with your unbelievable tekkers… or just have a laugh trying a new
sport! With QR codes linking to bespoke training videos of Nuttall showcasing
specific skills and tricks, this is the perfect book to get your kids reading,
enjoying outdoor fun… and keeping on the ball!
(Fox & Ink Books, paperback, £7.99)
National Trust: Rewild This Book!
Illustrated by Lizzie Lomax
CREATIVITY meets messy play! Published in collaboration between
Nosy Crow publishers and the National Trust, this fun, innovative and timely
activity book literally draws on nature as each page of it can be planted in
the ground and returned to nature after you have covered it with your own
artwork. So get rewilding… draw, stick, find, sniff, colour, rip, dip, roll,
throw and make, then go outside and get the book back into nature! An
interactive activity book with a difference, Rewild This Book! comes from new
design talent Lizzie Lomax and encourages creative, messy play inspired by the
natural world. What happens if you dip a page of this book in a puddle or roll
the book down the hill? Can you turn mud into mud creatures or make a
masterpiece using only a twig? Try, create and see what happens! There are over
60 activities and prompts to help spark young imaginations… and remember, you
can’t rewild this book without getting a little bit WILD!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £9.99)
Go Go Dodo!
Huw Lewis Jones and Fred Blunt
THEY say there are two sides to every story and there are
certainly two ways of looking at this hilarious picture book romp from the top
team of author Huw Lewis Jones and illustrator Fred Blunt. Meet a blissfully
carefree dodo who is taking a stroll through a very gentle jungle, across a
very friendly swamp and over a very soothing sea… completely unaware that, not
only is his walk full of peril, but he’s being stalked by a VERY hungry tiger!
What will happen when they enter the very dangerous grass? Little readers will
adore shouting, in full-on panto style, ‘He's behind you!’ in this simple and
fun-to-read story where text and art tell two sides of the same story. Lewis
Jones provides the brilliantly teasing wordplay and Blunt excels with a riotous
colour storm of action, hidden mishaps and laugh-out-loud chaos. Destined to be
a family favourite!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Marcie and Giraffe
Kim Gregory
PUT a welcome splash of colour into your little ones’ lives
with this beautifully created and inspirational picture book from debut author
and illustrator Kim Gregory. With resonant themes about self-expression and
embracing mistakes, Marcie and Giraffe offers a fun and gloriously messy life
lesson! Marcie has painted a picture of Giraffe. At first, she loves it! But
when Giraffe paints a picture of Marcie, she’s not so sure. ‘Your art is better
than mine…’she sighs, before making a series of FIERCE and SCRIBBLY pictures
that capture her inner turmoil. Can Marcie and Giraffe find a way to make art
together? In this joyful celebration of youthful life lessons, Gregory boldly
explores what it feels like to compare yourself to others through high-octane
illustrations in vibrant primary colours which bring Marcie and Giraffe to life
in style. Full of warmth and personality, this hilarious picture book duo will
inspire youngsters to express their ideas with confidence and discover the
messy magic of making art with friends. Perfect for children learning to trust
and celebrate their creative voice!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
Age 3 plus
Valerie: Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog
Lucinda Gifford
(Allen & Unwin, hardback, £12.99)
Our Islands
Phoebe Roze
JOIN a bear on a heartwarming adventure to discover the path
back home and the truest of friendships in a beautifully evocative picture book
from Phoebe Roze, an illustrator from the Highlands who finds inspiration in
the landscapes, nature and folklore of Scotland. When Bear’s cosy island life
is interrupted by a wild storm, he finds himself adrift and alone. Washed
ashore on a new island, fear turns to wonder as he encounters an unlikely
friend, Isla. Together, they join forces to help Bear find his way home. As they
set off, they begin to explore the vibrant surrounding islands, discovering all
kinds of different homes. But after all the amazing sights they see, Bear still
longs for the comfort of his island home. Can Isla help Bear navigate the
sparkling islands, or will he forever be adrift? Brought to life by a gallery
of colourful and atmospheric artwork, Roze’s tender tale of the lonely bear –
with its exquisitely beautiful sense of place – will touch the heart of all
readers as an unlikely friendship blossoms and Bear discovers the true meaning
of ‘home.’
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
123 Count with Me
Illustrated by Georgie Birkett
COUNT with me! Get your little ones in shape for counting
lessons with this fun and innovative trace-and-flip board book which lets
youngsters trace each grooved number to explore its shape. Using a finger,
children can track numbers from 1 through to 20 whilst learning the early
concepts of counting and writing, and enjoying colourful lift-the-flaps for
added fun. And help them along the way by tracing the numbers as you say them,
pointing to pictures of objects that correspond to each number while you count,
and asking your child what comes next. Vibrantly illustrated by Georgie Birkett,
123 Count with Me’s innovative track-and-trace format is ideal for practising
hand-eye co-ordination and the perfect travelling companion for road trips and
train rides!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)
World's Best Dad
Isabel Otter and Lynn Giunta
THE world's best dad is mine and he is wonderful! Celebrate
your dad and all the wonderful things he does for you with this adorable pop-up
board book which comes packed with love. Written by Isabel Otter and boldly
illustrated by Lynn Giunta, this beautiful book is the perfect gift book for
all the dads and father figures in your life. The vibrant, uplifting text
reminds readers how brilliant dads are while a cute cast of animal pairings capture
the special sweetness of the father and child relationship. With gorgeous
paper-cut artwork and eye-catching pop-ups, World’s Best Dad is a book to be
loved, shared and treasured.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £9.99)
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