Age 10 plus
Marcus Rashford:
World of Football
Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka
WITH the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to kick off across the
United States, Canada and Mexico next week, here is the perfect companion book
for all young fans of the ‘beautiful’ game! Marcus Rashford: World of Football,
written by Rashford with London-born journalist and broadcaster Carl Anka, is a
complete guide to the game, from the greatest players to the biggest stadiums
and everything in between. Enjoy learning Rashford’s handy footballing tips and
tricks to improve your own game, read about tournaments around the world
(including the World Cup!), discover the history of the game, meet the GOATs (the Greatest Of All Time),and find out how YOU
too can get into football. World of Football dishes up everything there is to
know about football, including top player stats, fun facts about your favourite
clubs and the rules of the game. Whether you’re a footballing pro or new to the
game, this guide is perfectly on goal for young footie fans!
(Rocket Fox, paperback, £9.99)
Strike
Mitch Johnson
CHARTING the highs and lows of football is all part of a
boy’s life as he chases his dreams of one day being a professional… but there’s
a murky side to the beautiful game and is he brave enough to try to bring
change? The 2026 World Cup will soon be prime viewing for football
fans but in a story that goes beyond the pitch to explore the hidden human
stories away from the limelight, critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning author
Mitch Johnson encourages youngsters to stand up for what they believe in.
Strike is set ten years after the events in Kick, Johnson’s debut novel which was
endorsed by Amnesty International UK for its portrayal of children’s rights. Place the ball. Pick your spot. Three steps back. Breathe.
Owen is closer than ever to achieving his dream of becoming a professional
footballer. All he has to do is stay focused. No distractions… just football.
But when a hidden note tucked inside his new boots reveals a cry for help from
the factory workers who made them, Owen discovers the beautiful game might be
hiding some ugly secrets. Suddenly, chasing his dream doesn’t feel so
important. It’s time to decide which path he really wants to take. Packed with
football action and high emotions, and exploring themes of fairness, resilience
and social justice, Strike delivers the sporting attractions of soccer without
losing sight of the human price of its international success.
(Usborne Books, paperback, £8.99)
Save Like a Keeper
Ben Lyttleton
SO you think saving goals sounds simple? Definitely not!
Step between the goalposts for the second book of this brilliant action-packed
football series for kids from Ben Lyttleton, a bestselling author who uses
football as an exciting tool for education. And Lyttleton – who is also a
penalty coach and football club co-owner – is plum on goal here as he teaches
young fans how to dive, block and save like their favourite players… just in
time for the 2026 World Cup kick-off! Watch the ball as it flies towards you and stop it from
getting over the line then fall to your knees in relief knowing you’ve just
saved another epic goal! The truth is that saving goals is not really that easy.
So how do your favourite goalkeepers like Alisson, Hampton and Courtois do it?
There are LOTS of ways to make a save – whether you’re going to make a fingertip
save from a powerful shot or an unbelievable dive to stop a penalty kick – and this
accessible book will give you the key skills, techniques, tactics and mindset
needed to be a top keeper and improve every aspect of your game. With an
easy-to-follow text, lots of diagrams and illustrations, and helpful tips,
drills and insider gems to discover, there couldn’t be a more pitch-perfect
time to pull on your gloves, adopt the ready position and save some goals!
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)
Renegades: The Magic Awakens
Erin Hunter
THE animal and human worlds collide in spectacular fashion
in the first book of a thrilling new fantasy series from master storyteller
Erin Hunter, author of the blockbuster Warriors series which followed the
adventures of clans of wild cats. In this fresh and thrilling new Renegades
series, Hunter, who is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the
ferocity of the natural world, focuses on two orphaned cat sisters who discover
a secret world of magical creatures… and the humans who are out to control
them. Willow and Luna have been on their own since they were
kittens. After their mother’s death, they settled into a scrappy life in the
heart of the city. But when a mysterious fire rips through their makeshift
shelter, they are left searching for a new home. Luna is immediately drawn in
by the strange, secretive animals they meet in the park… animals who unlock her
ability to perform magic. Willow is less sure about these so-called ‘attuned’
animals and has no interest in joining their world… or their fight against the
human witches who seek to ‘bind’ the animals to them. As Luna and Willow come
to realise their own unique magic, they find themselves at odds, separated by
destiny, with the fate of the whole city in their paws... Set against a richly descriptive and atmospheric urban
backdrop, and laced through with myths and magic, this daring, high-stakes
story explores themes of freedom, loyalty, belonging, power and sisterhood.
Packed full of action, secrets and the feats of two fantastic felines, this is
the purrfect new series for cat fans!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls
Peter Burns
IF you’re looking for a truly ‘epic’ read this summer, your
journey’s end has to be Island of Skulls, the second brilliant blockbuster
novel in the thrilling Shadow Thieves series from Scottish author of ten critically
acclaimed non-fiction sports books Peter Burns. These heart-pounding adventures
are set in a breathtakingly imagined alternate world and star a young shoe
shiner and street thief called Tom Morgan who has been propelled into perilous,
all-action adventures far away from the mean streets of London. Thirteen-year-old Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s
School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private
island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke
of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the
warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island… as well as a terrifying
weapon. And this is their mission set by the mysterious Corsair… in teams, they
must find the treasure. Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive
as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are
sabotaging everything? Trust no one… this is not a game. The daring, brave and sometimes reckless Tom Morgan proves to
be an alluring hero in this rip-roaring Indiana Jones-style adventure in the
heady, mysterious and privileged world of the Shadow League. Themes of class,
community and the concept of identity all come under the spotlight as Tom is
once more plunged into the dangers of a complex secret society. A must read for
young action fans!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
Wimbledon: From Tennis Action to Courtside Fashion
Jessica Bumpus
WIMBLEDON, the world’s most famous and popular tennis
championship, is celebrated in style in this beautifully created pocket-sized
gift book packed full of stunning full-colour photographs and intriguing facts.
Written by Jessica Bumpus, a freelance fashion journalist and the former
Fashion Features Editor of British Vogue online, this brilliant book explores
Wimbledon’s greatest moments, from dramatic sporting action to notable outfit
choices both on and off the court. Since its inception in 1887, Wimbledon has
become the most prestigious tennis championship in the world. But it’s much
more than a sporting spectacle… it’s also one of the most highly anticipated
events in the celebrity calendar, providing everyone from royals to Hollywood
A-listers with the perfect backdrop to show off their latest sartorial looks. Included
is a carefully curated collection of the most notable and dramatic on-court events,
as well as memorable celebrity and fashion occasions. Relive the longest match
in Wimbledon history, the 2002 Williams vs Williams final and Andy Murray’s
momentous win, and scrutinise an array of celebrity outfits, from Zendaya’s
striking suits to a roster of outfits worn by the Princess of Wales.
Illustrated throughout with photographs, this the perfect ‘love’ match for tennis
players and fans of Wimbledon.
(Studio Press, hardback, £13.99)
Honey, I Ate the Kids!
Mike Hills and Kerry Hyndman
SOME families are truly wild! Marvel at this colourful
collection of nature’s weirdest, cutest and scariest animal families as husband
and wife team – writer and journalist Mike Hills and illustrator Kerry Hyndman
– take youngsters on a trip across the world. From babysitter giraffes to
orphaned chameleons, every animal family is unique. Did you know that komodo
dragons eat their babies, that those cute capybaras eat their own poo, that glass
frogs use ninja kicks to protect their eggs, and that velvet spiders eat their
own mum? If there’s one thing we DO know about the animal kingdom it’s that the
families that roar, howl, croak, chirp and squeak come in all different shapes,
sizes and colours. Find out how different animals find food, stay safe and even
just get a moment of peace and quiet. Whilst some families are loving, there
are others whose relationships are most definitely a lot more dangerous! Every
page of this beautifully created book is gorgeously illustrated and packed full
of facts, quizzes and activities that will surprise, entertain and disgust!
Destined to be a (human!) family favourite…
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £9.99)
America's Founding Myths...
And What REALLY Happened
Christy Mihaly and Marta Sevilla
HAVE you ever wondered if Christopher Columbus REALLY did
discover America? Youngsters will enjoy playing a game of fact or fiction with
this interactive book which questions all the facts – and some myths! – about the
founding of America. Written by award-winning poet and author Christy Mihaly to
celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and fabulously illustrated in
full-colour by Marta Sevilla, this entertaining and educational book empowers
young people to ask questions, think critically and check sources. Many of us have heard about the Boston Tea
Party, the first Thanksgiving, and Paul Revere’s ride. But what REALLY happened
and where did the commonly told myths about these events come from? This
brilliant, interactive fact-or-fiction book allows children to uncover the
truth behind well-known stories about the founding of the United States, from
the ‘discovery’ of the ‘New World’ to the Constitution. Mihaly’s amusing text
and Sevilla’s vibrant artwork combine with infographic design and interactive
extras like collages, fold-outs and lift-the-flaps, making learning about
American history both fun and engaging for children. The ideal book to tackle the
complex history of the founding of the United States… without shying away from some
hard truths.
(Barefoot Books, hardback, £14.99)
Age 8 plus
Dragon Girl and the Graveyard of Doom
Jenny Moore
(Maverick Arts Publishing, paperback, £8.99)
Riley Wright is Always Wrong
Mel Taylor-Bessent and Sr. Sanchez
MEET Riley Wright… she might be a Wright but she always seem
to wrong! Mel Taylor-Bessent – author of the much-loved Christmas Carrolls adventures
– is on her best storytelling form for the first book of a hilarious new diary
series for younger readers. Think Lottie Brooks and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and
these super-funny, super-cool ‘junior’ stories are the perfect precursors. Riley Wright is starting at Heverton Junior School with one
awkward disadvantage… her MAJORLY embarrassing dad is the new head teacher! So
new school, new friends (hopefully!)… Riley just has to work out how to fit in,
pin down a talent for the talent show, look out for her unpredictable new BFF
Emmie and face down super-mean girl Harper. As someone who gets a lot of stuff
wrong, when will Riley finally get something RIGHT? Illustrated by Spanish artist Sr. Sanchez, this fun-filled,
diary-format romp is cleverly pitched for younger readers and full of the
humour, warmth and high-octane energy that we have come to expect from Taylor-Bessent.
If only school could always be this much fun!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
Age 7 plus
All in the Mind: A guide to your brilliant brain!
Gill Arbuthnott and Lauren Humphrey
(Templar Books, paperback, £12.99)
How to Train Your Dragon School: Fight of the Flamestrike
Cressida Cowell
TWENTY-ONE years ago, author, illustrator and Waterstones
Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell, penned her first How to Train Your Dragon
novel and created a magical world that became a global bestselling phenomenon.
And now she’s back and delighting her fans – and a new generation of young
readers – with this dazzling spin-off series which delivers the same winning
ingredients of adventure, heroes and dragons, and stars Hiccup, Toothless,
Fishlegs and other favourite characters from the original books. So step into the How to Train Your Dragon School where
Viking and Dragon Heroes are made! Join Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third and
his dragons, Toothless and Windwalker, for more of their hilarious,
hair-raising adventures at the Isle of Berk’s Training School for Vikings and
Dragons… where they are BOTTOM in pretty much everything! Disastrous Lesson
Number Two: Boarding-An-Enemy-Ship-At-Sea… Hiccup and his fellow Vikings are
SUPPOSED to be learning about enemy ships at sea but when they come across a
mysterious vessel, with a ripped sail and nobody driving it, Hiccup’s heart
sinks. There is something deeply spooky about this ship. They really, really
shouldn't get on board but, like on so
many occasions in Hiccup’s life, they are going to do it anyway! Cowell’s gift for mesmerising world-building and her
creation of quirky characters you can see and almost hear is central to this
fun-filled, action-packed series which comes with a Dragonese dictionary and
the author’s trademark wit, humour, and richly detailed imaginative powers.
Perfectly created for even the most reluctant of readers!
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Mighty Mega Pets: Freaky Food Fiasco!
Gary Northfield
WHAT if your pet had superpowers? Get ready to laugh out
loud as the master of zany comedy – author and illustrator Gary Northfield –
conjures up a magical, turbo-powered feast of pets, superpowers, silliness and
lots of action! A Phoenix comic creator, Northfield’s MEGA funny, full-colour new
graphic novel will have you looking askance at your own beloved, but seemingly
ordinary, pets. A strange magical substance has seeped into a pet food
warehouse, and now dogs, cats, bunnies and fish all have freaky superpowers…
whether they want them or not! The newly-formed Mighty Mega Pets are determined
to get to the bottom of the pet food mystery in order to ... no pressure ...
save the world! Action-packed, and with giggles galore on every page, this hilarious
romp reminds youngsters about the perils of power, and the importance of
teamwork, friendship and standing up to bullies. And with invaluable tips on
how to deal with a cranky tortoise, you’d be barking mad to miss all the fun!
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)
World of Sport
Lawrence Alexander and Violeta Noy
THE wonderful world of sport awaits you! From football to
fencing and even the wacky Dutch sport of fierljeppen (a combination of long
jump and pole vault!), explore the most exhilarating sports played throughout
history. Written by author and freelance journalist Lawrence Alexander, and
gorgeously illustrated by Spanish artist Violeta Noy, this brilliant book is bursting
with colour and fascinating facts, and is part of the World of... series which looks
at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences. Discover
mind-boggling records from around the globe and meet the sport superstars who
turned ordinary games into extraordinary triumphs. Find out which sports were
played at the very first Olympic Games, what the different colour jerseys mean
in the Tour de France, and how to throw a gumboot. Everywhere on our planet
where people can be found, there are different sports that we love to play and
compete in. Learn about ball sports, gymnastics, athletics, water sports,
extreme sports and how each sport came to be, where in the world it originated
and, most importantly, how to play. Featuring more than 100 adrenaline-pumping
sports from every corner of the globe, this high-energy, inspirational book is
guaranteed to make you work up a sweat!
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £9.99)
Again! said Rabbit
Marjoke Henrichs
RABBIT is off to the seaside for the day… but what will
happen when a big wave knocks him over? Say hello AGAIN to the adorable little
rabbit we met in No! said Rabbit and Ready! said Rabbit, the sparkling picture
book series from debut artist and theatre designer Marjoke Henrichs which
explores the emotions and experiences in a young child’s world. Full of
youthful joy and playfulness, and exquisitely illustrated throughout, these
relatable adventures are guaranteed to strike a chord with harassed parents
everywhere. Rabbit is excited to be going to the seaside with his mum
and dad. As usual, he prepares for all the activities he wants to do… building
sandcastles, playing football and flying a kite. Rabbit demands to do all these
beach activities again and AGAIN! His long-suffering parents take him paddling
but he’s surprised by a sudden big wave... plus the sun goes in. Will his day
be ruined? Rabbit learns that all days at the seaside have their ups and downs,
their highs and lows… a universal experience for both adults and children.
Rabbit’s rollercoaster emotions are handled gently by his parents while young
readers will love joining in with toddlers’ often repeated and favourite refrain…
again! Henrichs brings a winning brand of ironic humour to both her
words and a gallery of lively, expressive and gorgeously colourful
illustrations, while simple lines and clever gouache washes bring to vivid life
this winning tale of fun, drama and parental patience.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)
Do You See the Tiger?
Philip Ardagh and David Melling
LOOK out, there’s a tiger about! Experience the joy, join in
the fun rhyme, and delight your little ones with this glorious celebration of young
imaginations from Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winner Philip Ardagh and internationally
successful illustrator David Melling. Penny can’t believe what she’s seeing in
a packed underground carriage… a tiger’s tail… a tiger’s paw… a really big
stripy tiger! When the tiger makes a sudden, marvellous leap across the seats,
Penny joins in the action, and forms an unexpected friendship with the tiger as
they join forces to return a baby’s lost teddy. Full to the brim with action,
Ardagh’s wry, heartwarming humour, Melling’s dazzling array of illustrations,
and a rhyme that is just made for reading aloud, this is picture book
perfection for all the family to relish!
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)
Old MacDonald on the Move
Philip Ardagh and Maria Karipidou
AND more fun is guaranteed as Philip Ardagh teams up here
with talented Germany-based illustrator Maria Karipidou for a full-on, madcap
picture book rendering of the traditional family favourite Old MacDonald
nursery rhyme. This action-packed and super-silly twist will have your little
ones rolling around in laughter, hollering ‘E-I-E-I-O!’ Old MacDonald’s farm is
falling apart! The piggies’ sty is sinking in the mud and it’s raining on the
cows. Surely Old MacDonald won’t move the animals to a nearby fancy hotel? The
cows would order grass in the restaurant, the pigs would splash in the pool and
the sheep would have a pillow-fight. It could all just be... TOO MUCH FUN! Ardagh’s
riotous rhyming romp featuring a happy farmyard in total chaos is brought to
vibrant life by Karipidou’s bright and punchy artwork. You’d be moo-moo mad to
miss it!
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)
Bunnies in a Rocket
Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle
‘Bunnies in a rocket! Bunnies flying high! Bunnies heading for the Moon, they streak beyond the sky!’
IF barmy bunnies are the stars of a
super-funny space odyssey then it has to be another outing with Philip Ardagh!
Enjoy sky-high giggles and picture book mayhem as Ardagh teams up once more
with illustrator Ben Mantle for another Sunny Town Bunnies adventure which this
time takes little ones to the Moon and back. Hop, skip, blast off! It’s launch
day in Sunny Town, a rocket is about to soar into space, and a team of panda astronauts
are ready. But wait, something is happening on the runway. Before anyone can
stop them, those cheeky bunnies have sneaked on to the launch pad, scrambled up
the rocket ladder and … pressed GO! They’re zooming into space… what could
possibly go wrong?! It’s one small step for a human but one giant LEAP for
bunnykind in this comic cosmic caper brimming over with wild space bunny fun
from the dream team of Ardagh and Mantle. With hilarious details to spot,
visual subplots to follow, search-and-find elements, non-stop on-the-move
action, and rhyming, read-aloud texts inviting repeated join-in refrains, this
is ideal for sharing with littles ones.
(Walker Books, paperback, £7.99)
Bunnies in a Boat
Philip Ardagh and Ben Mantle
ALSO in the Sunny Town Bunnies series is this joyful,
rhyming board book for reading with babies and toddlers. And this time, it’s
zip, zoom, whoosh as the bunnies have commandeered a boat! All across Sunny
Town beach, the Bunnies are dashing and a-splashing on a speedboat frenzy. They
whoosh past the sail-boats, and zoooom across the sand, then it’s up on to the
jetty where the silly billy Bunnies get all covered in spaghetti. This sturdy
board book has rounded corners for reading (and chewing!) when you’re out and
about this summer, and is ideal for lively, wriggly kids who love rhyming
books, animals, and all things-that-go!
(Walker Books, board book, £7.99)
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