Age 9 plus
Bone Head: Guardian of the Underworld
Jamie Gregory
HOW do you fancy a duel with a molten-goo-belching blogg… or
how about dog-sitting Hades’ ferocious three-headed hellhound Cerberus? If
laughing like hell tickles your funny bone, descend into the Underworld
inhabited by Bone Head, star of a laugh-out-loud, high energy, fully
illustrated debut from author and illustrator Jamie Gregory. Billed as
delivering the chaos and anarchy of Bunny vs Monkey meets the diary format of
Loki and the sparring character dynamics of Blackadder, this two-colour trip to
the gates of hell is guaranteed to keep reluctant readers on side.
The Underworld is a dangerous place. It’s fiercely fiery and
there are marauding dragons and all sorts of other critters you wouldn’t want
to run into. Demise, aka Bone Head, isn’t bothered about any of this. Why?
Because he’s a skeleton guardian of the underworld… and not just any guardian.
He thinks he’s the BEST and is determined to prove it... with catastrophic
results. Demise just wants to impress his Big Boss, Hades, god of the
underworld. Problem is, Hades barely knows he exists. After an attempt to get
attention backfires horribly, causing the gates of Hades’ castle to
disintegrate, Demise and his supervisor, Mort, are demoted to dog-sitting duty.
And the dog in question? Cerberus, the famously ferocious three-headed dog of
the underworld. What could possibly go wrong with two creatures made out of
bones trying to keep a massive mythological dog under control? With laughs guaranteed on every page, this devilishly funny
romp is a MUST for reluctant readers who like their stories to come with a
healthy dose of chaos, lots of illustrations, and an anti-hero they can quickly
learn to love! Wickedly unmissable…
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
The Odyssey: A Modern Retelling
Liv Albert and Hazim Asif
WELCOME to the complex, sometimes confusing, but utterly
electrifying world of Homer’s Odyssey, a tale of Greek mythology that
encapsulates everything from danger and heroics to witches, gods, man-eating
giants, ghosts and bloodthirsty drama! This magnificent, all-action retelling
of the epic voyage of the Greek king Odysseus by self-proclaimed Greek myth
nerd and host of the Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! podcast, Liv Albert, springs
to stunning life through the rich and atmospheric colour illustrations of Hazim
Asif and is guaranteed to spark the imaginations of young adventure-lovers. Set sail across the sea and follow the courageous, catastrophic,
and sometimes downright gruesome tales of Odysseus as he travels home after the
Trojan War. It’s a story of trickery, lies and perseverance as Odysseus is
tested to the limits by the Cyclops, sirens, and lots of meddling, angry gods. And
along the way, discover Odysseus, the complex hero, as this fresh perspective reveals
a man who did many great things but just as many bad, and was famous throughout
Ancient Greece for being clever, creative… and the most talented liar of all
time. Littered with historical facts, maps, and character
profiles, Albert brings all of her knowledge to this ultimate adventure of
survival, families and deception, creating a definitive version of The Odyssey and
making the Greek myths accessible and fun for young readers. A fabulous gift
book to love and treasure.
(DK Children, hardback, £18.99)
The Children of Wolf Rock
Natasha Farrant
STPRMY Loch Academy is a very special place and it’s about to change the lives of three children forever… head off to the wilds of Scotland for an unforgettable summer holiday that will cast its spell over you from first page to last! Costa-winning author, queen of outdoor adventures and master storyteller Natasha Farrant brings youngsters a gloriously immersive and exciting story that doesn’t just capture the imagination but makes its way straight to your heart. High in the mountains of western Scotland, there is a loch, and on its shores there is a castle, and in that castle there is a school… Stormy Loch Academy is like no other teaching establishment. For one, its headmaster, Major Fortescue, believes in sharing the beauty of the world with his students, so that they will have the courage to fight for it. For Minna, Kass and Tom it proves to be the safe haven from their chaotic home lives, giving them all a chance to breathe freely, and to roam the valleys and lakes on their doorstep. But then they come across Addie, an older ex-student, hiding out in the wild, with only her guitar and her dog for company. At first they believe her stories, but when she goes missing, the lies she has told start to emerge. With Addie at risk, Minna, Kass and Tom must travel to London to uncover her past. The journey is dangerous, especially for those so young. But these are the children of Stormy Loch, and bravery and adventure runs through their bones…
Farrant excels at scene setting and the alluring academy is
the perfect atmospheric backdrop for this thrilling adventure which explores
the sheer power and beauty of nature, the hidden courage that we all possess,
and the rewards of unexpected friendships. Both enthralling and life-affirming, The
Children of Wolf Rock is destined to be this summer’s hottest read!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Soul Feeder
Jennifer Killick and Marina Vidal
PREPARE to have your spine well and truly chilled as queen
of chills-and-thrills Jennifer Killick – author of the spine-chilling Dread
Wood and Crater Lake series – harnesses all those super-spooky vibes that kids
love... horrors galore, supernatural terror, and two pals with a deadly mystery
to solve. Horror stories are what Killick does best and Soul Feeder, featuring
two boys trapped and alone in a vast warehouse with a soul-feeding demon,
delivers menace, malevolence and mystery in bucketloads. Caiden and his best friend Sam are used to coming across
some pretty weird stuff while helping Caiden’s dad in his house-clearing
business. But they’ve never seen anything like the grotesque mounted heads of
bizarre, other-worldly creatures they find in what was Sasha Kinski’s home.
It’s clear that something awful has happened here, and it’s not over yet. Alone
at the company warehouse that evening, the boys make the terrifying discovery
that they have brought an uninvited evil passenger back with them from Miss
Kinski’s house. With their very souls in peril, can Caiden and Sam unravel the
mystery in time to save themselves? Published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly
format, and with the atmospheric illustrations of Marina Vidal, Killick pumps
up the action and lets loose her vivid imagination on this feast of frights. Best
read before dark!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
Creepy Araminta
Anne Fine and Emily Jones
A YOUNG girl takes home more than she had bargained for when
she visits a charity shop in a super-spooky tale from distinguished author Anne
Fine, a twice winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal. With the
black-and-white illustrations of Emily Jones adding extra atmosphere and published
in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this is the perfect
read for reluctant readers hooked on eerie adventures. Jess is delighted when she visits the local charity shop and
finds the perfect picture to cover up a dirty mark on her bedroom wall. The
beautiful portrait of a girl with tumbling red hair is exactly the right size
to cover the muddy mark, and she doesn’t even have to pay for it because the
previous owner brought it back without asking for her money back! But when she
hangs the painting in her room, Jess is tormented by disturbing nightmares
featuring Araminta from the portrait. Her mum thinks Jess is making it all up,
but she’s in for a shock when she experiences the power of the painting for
herself… Young readers will relish the sinister undertones in this easy-to-read
and wickedly weird story!
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
The Othernauts
Clare Pollard and Macha Yao
IF you’re looking for a truly epic (and hilarious!)
adventure this summer, climb aboard the Argo and join an epic quest for a
golden rug (oops, make that a fleece not a rug)! Youngsters will love this
voyage with a wacky gang of heroes in Clare Pollard’s laugh-out-loud retelling
of the classic Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, complete with a fresh and
funny twist, and French-British artist Macha Yao’s lively illustrations. Meet Phoebe… she’s eleven years old and desperate to escape
the boring island of Lemnos where she lives. Enter the Argonauts… a crew of
so-called heroes on a quest to grab the golden fleece. Before Phoebe can think
better of it, she boards the ship and stows away on the Argo. But the Argonauts
have their work cut out. From attacking harpies and deadly whirlpools to giant
sea monsters and skeleton armies, there is peril at every turn. Fortunately,
the Othernauts are on hand… though with Phoebe’s unhelpful prophecies, Perry’s
unreliable shape-shifting skills and Cora the siren’s headache-inducing
singing, it’s not quite clear exactly how much help these kids will be. Do the
Othernauts have what it takes to get the Argo and its motley crew back to
safety in one piece? Pollard brings her sense of fun and delightful way with
words to this madcap retelling of a favourite, timeless tale which will inspire
youngsters to broaden their reading and discover more of the legendary and
action-packed adventures of the ancients.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
The Game Changers
Helen Rutter and Jorge De La Paz
HAVE you got what it takes to beat The Game? Test your
skills with The Game Changers, a fun and exciting interactive story book from
Helen Rutter, an acclaimed author, comedienne and one time jobbing actress in
Coronation Street and Holby City. Young readers will love heading off to an
exciting summer camp where they will make new friends, build resilience and
test their limits! Take your place in a team of five with strangers, no screens
and no shortcuts. Everyone starts from scratch and has to make friends and find
a way to the finish line together. Tig has been packed off to Game Camp to gain
confidence but is immediately wary of the other team members… bossy and ultra-competitive
Maya, intense Joni, grumpy screen-addicted Frank and quiet, sporty Jake. They
are all so different but they must find a way to work together. Join them as they
embark on a series of physical and mental challenges, with Tig (and therefore
the reader!) choosing the path. When the team start noticing strange things
happening around them in the woods – ghostly noises, wild weather and
suspicious-looking Game Camp staff – they uncover a mystery to solve. Will you
lead the team to victory, or into chaos? And will they all find out a lot about
their true selves during the process? Expect to make choices for the team
throughout this story because you are in charge of the Game! With multiple
pathways for kids to follow, mysteries to solve and Jorge De La Paz’s lively
illustrations, this is fun within a highly engaging format… Sliding Doors for a
young audience!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
The Animal Detectives: Solve Nature’s Wildest Mysteries
Moira Butterfield and Merle Goll
DISCOVER the truth behind nature’s most puzzling behaviour
in this colourful and comical collection of over 20 detective-themed case
files. Written by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Merle Goll, The Animal
Detectives invites readers to step into the shoes of an investigator and join
animal detectives Harriet Whiskerton and Vince Van Shell as they explore the
natural world and examine its suspicious behaviour! Who or what is keeping everyone awake at night and
disturbing the peace? Who is responsible for the burglary at the beach café?
And who left a stinky surprise in the park, vandalising the lovely scenery?
Each case invites readers to learn amazing facts about animals and their
habitats, while uncovering the science behind each crime. From tropical beaches
and lush forests to urban streets and even the depths of the ocean, kids can
explore a range of animals and their habitats. This engaging educational
reference book encourages young readers to think like a detective in order to
discover the secrets of the animal kingdom. Included in the investigations are
crime-scene photos, suspect line-ups, witness interviews, evidence collections,
forensic reports and surveillance footage. There are also Curious Cases which
showcase some of the weirdest and most wonderful reports from Harriet and Vince’s
incredible crime library. From creatures that are masters of disguise to animals who
are champions of thievery, there is plenty to explore making this a fun
collection of detective-themed mysteries and perfect for children who love
nature and exploration.
(Buster Books, paperback, £10.99)
InvestiGators: Weather or Not
John Patrick Green
IF corny one-liners, chaos, comedy and calamities are your child’s idea of reading heaven, introduce them to the deliciously daffy detective duo… the InvestiGators! Written and illustrated by John Patrick Green – whose impressive CV includes work with Disney, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, Scholastic and DC Comics – this full-colour, laugh-out-loud graphic series is ideal for reluctant readers. Brimming over with glorious puns, lashings of toilet humour, and plenty of references to pop culture, Green’s high-energy, snap, crackle and pop stories ensure youngsters will be snorting and sniggering from the first appearance of the alligator investigators right through to their final frenetic flourish.
Mango and Brash are the InvestiGators… sewer-loving agents
of S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams) and the scourge of
supervillains everywhere! And the InvestiGators’ latest case is a dairy disaster.
The city’s water supply has been replaced with milk and the newest feline
agents, the InvestiGatos, don’t seem to be complaining. What’s with the
monkey-scientists and why is the rain green?! All will be revealed in this sticky
volume of InvestiGators! With sewers as their preferred travel route, expect lots of
U-turns and U-bends when these two super-spies fight crime, armed only with
groan-worthy puns and gigglesome gags. Simply bursting with youthful energy,
crazy comedy, vibrant artwork, breathtaking creativity and with a topical
weather theme at its heart, this new InvestiGators adventure is a visual and
verbal delight… and guaranteed to please even the most reluctant reader!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 7 plus
Tales of the Cobb Street Commandos
Tony Bradman and Aleksei Bitskoff
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Tigers Don’t Eat Jelly!
Genvieve Aspinall
JOIN Tiger as she discovers an exciting range of new foods
from animal friends in this beautifully imagined and humorous picture book from
author and illustrator Genevieve Aspinall who is based in Lancashire and works
in gouache and pencil crayon. Meet Tiger… her favourite food is jelly. But
tigers don’t eat jelly, you might think! Well, this one does. Excited to
discover what else she will love, Tiger sets out to see what other delicious
foods are out there… With sushi, noodles and burritos to tuck into, this
colourful and creative story is the perfect way to introduce your youngsters to
international cuisine. Bon appetit!
(Fox & Ink Books, paperback, £7.99)
Letters to a Giant
Patricia Forde and Sarah Warburton
THERE will be GIANT waves of laughter when little ones open
the pages of this HUGELY enjoyable picture book from the top team of former Irish
Children's Laureate Patricia Forde and the IMMENSELY talented illustrator Sarah
Warburton. Featuring a hilarious exchange of letters between a girl and a very
unusual giant, this brilliantly creative story puts an unlikely friendship at
centre stage. Sophie can't wait for her birthday party. But when one of her
invitations is accidentally picked up by a giant, she finds herself in a bit of
a pickle. What if he turns up and eats all the guests? But Harry the Hairy
Giant is determined to come to her party, no matter how many letters Sophie
writes to dissuade him. After all, he’s had a glorious purple suit made
specially, and he has been practising his dancing! As the letters fly back and
forth, Sophie begins to wonder if Harry isn’t as bad as she thought. What if he’s
the perfect party guest after all? Letters to a Giant is a joy to read aloud
with youngsters and is packed with Warburton’s richly detailed, colourful and
characterful illustrations. A picture book partnership to cherish!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Let’s Play Football!
Gordon D’Arcy, Paul Howard and Ashwin Chacko
LET your little ones help to kick off the 2026 World Cup
with this high-energy, all-action picture book from Irish rugby union legend Gordon
D'Arcy, bestselling author Paul Howard and award-winning children’s illustrator
Ashwin Chacko. Let's Play Football! serves up a heart-pumping, interactive experience
that puts young readers in the boots of a footballer competing for the
championship cup, while teaching them the basic skills of the game along the
way. It’s match day. Are you ready? Swing your legs high in the air! Do some
high knees! Then face off against your opponents in the game for the ages.
Slide on the floor to tackle, run into the box and weave past defenders to
score that all-important goal. This team are good, so it’s going to take
everything you have to win the cup… Perfectly on goal for aspiring soccer
players!
(Little Island Books, paperback, £9.99)
Pencil’s Best Story Ever
Carly Gledhill
IMAGINATIONS will be whirring into action when little ones join
Pencil for his best story ever in fun-filled story-within-a-story from Carly
Gledhill, a children’s book creator and print designer based in Manchester. A
winning illustrator in the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators
Exhibition, Gledhill will have all the family giggling as they meet the
incorrigible Pencil who can’t wait to share his best story ever with readers.
But Pencil’s plans fall by the wayside when his delightful assortment of
friends refuse to keep to the story script, resulting in chaos! Can Pencil pull
his story back on track so that everyone can play a part and everyone can enjoy
it? Beautifully created in a veritable rainbow of colour and rich detail, Gledhill’s
heartwarming and inventive picture book celebrates creativity, resilience and
the joys of friendship.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
A Holiday for Bear
Duncan Beedie
DO you ever get the feeling that every day is the same? Meet
Bear… he knows exactly how that feels so what’s he doing? He’s heading off on
HOLIDAY! Duncan Beedie, the creative author and illustrator whose delightful
picture book, The Bear who Stared, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s
Book Prize, returns to win ours hearts again with that same lovable bear. And
in his fourth fun and inspirational adventure, Bears leaves his familiar forest
and sets off on holiday on the advice of his wise friend, Frog. But what kind
of holiday should it be? A skiing holiday, an adventure holiday? No, no, no! A beach
holiday is what he needs. And when Bear arrives, he can’t believe his eyes. It
all looks SO different! Before long, he is eating his picnic, playing
volleyball and floating in the clear water. But when Bear builds a sand
sculpture that takes on a familiar shape, he realises he’s actually getting
homesick and misses his friends. Can Bear find a way to get the best of both
worlds? Packed with laugh-out-loud escapades, big, bold illustrations, and Beedie’s
trademark insight, fun and wit, this warm and colourful adventure perfectly sums
up the thrill of going on holiday… but also the comfort of coming home at the
end. Ideal for summer reading… and the perfect holiday companion for your
pre-schoolers!
(Templar Books,
paperback, £7.99)
That Bird Can Draw!
Ged Adamson
LIVERPOOL-BORN author and illustrator Ged Adamson lets his
imagination take flight in this funny and heartwarming picture book starring a
bird called Vera that will have tiny tots discovering their own creative
talents! Grandad has a new pet bird and – wow! – Vera can DRAW. His
granddaughter loves to draw, too, but her art just can’t compare. Can that
talented bird find a way to convince her that we’re all great artists in our
own way, and that the most important thing is doing what makes us happy?
Children will fall in love with adorable Grandad, his passionate and creative
granddaughter and the cute and enigmatic pet bird Vera in this hilarious story.
The talented and inventive Adamson puts heart, humour and a love of ALL art
into his delightful story about creativity and not comparing yourself to others…
and all brought to life by a gallery of gorgeously colourful and fun-filled illustrations.
And don’t forget to scan the Stories Aloud QR code on the back cover to read
along with the story!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
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