Age 9 plus
Wizardology:
20th Anniversary Edition
Dugald Steer
THE nostalgic phenomenon is back! Steep yourself in the
fantastical experiences of Merlin’s secret art of wizardology with this
stunning 20th anniversary edition of Dugald Steer’s unforgettable
and groundbreaking book which has captured the imagination of millions of children.
Packed with fascinating elements like a deck of divination cards, ancient
scrolls, gemstones, spell books and potions, magic enthusiasts and curious
readers will love poring over every intricate and inventive detail of this
magical guide. Youngsters discover that Merlin was bound to a tree by magic
and used part of that tree to create a guide for apprentices of the mystical
arts seeking to master Wizardology. ‘If you are unshakeable in your desire to
master wizardology then, in the absence of a wizard of flesh and blood, this
book shall offer you the guidance and encouragement you would receive were I
standing before you as your master.’ The words of the legendary wizard Merlin,
written in 1577, form the introduction to what is a tactile journey through
every aspect of magic and the wonderful world of wizards. Novelty features like magical moving illustrations, a scrap
of a fairy flag, a phoenix feather, the deck of cards and the gemstone of a
true wizard’s staff all add to the fun of this mesmerising tome packed with the
secrets of the mystical arts… and guaranteed to cast a spell over all aspiring
young wizards!
(Templar Books, hardback, £25)
Evie in Venice
Bruna De Luca
IF your younger teenagers are ready for a little love this
summer, then look no further than this sun-drenched, ‘clean tween’ romance set in
one of the world’s most beautiful, spectacular and truly romantic cities. Evie
in Venice comes from Scottish-Italian author, Bruna De Luca, who draws on her
own experiences of growing up as a third culture ‘Scotalian’ kid in the
Scottish borders. Aspiring artist Evie is heading to Venice on an art exchange.
The catch? Her parents would never let her go… so they think she's on a science
trip. And if lying wasn’t hard enough, she has to stay with elitist art student
Leonardo. Her escape is online… and a connection with anonymous artist
RenaissanceRebel, the only one who truly sees her. Can Evie keep up the
masquerade, or will she allow herself to discover the fine art of romance? De
Luca, who wowed readers with last year’s romance, Livia in Rome, brings teens a
gorgeous modern day romance set against the stunningly beautiful backdrop of
Venice. Think scenic gondola rides, colourful carnival parades, fine art
museums, and an on-and-offline love triangle… summer romance doesn’t get better
than this!
(Chicken House, paperback, £8.99)
Age 9 plus
Royal Institute of Magic: The Silver Dwarf
Victor Kloss
(Vinci Books, paperback, £9.99)
Age 9 plus
The Secrets of Wild Hill: A Pony’s Promise
Olivia Tuffin
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
The Horse Dreamer
Holly Surplice
SADDLE up and enjoy a beautiful, illustrated book that’s
destined to be a must-have for all young horse fans! This stunning hope-filled
meditation on how we deal with the loss of a loved one is the debut
middle-grade novel of author and illustrator Holly Surplice who finds
inspiration in her life in the wild landscape of the Outer Hebrides. Exploring themes of grief, family and healing in an
accessible way for young readers, The Horse Dreamer stars a girl seeking
comfort after the death of her father. The horse arrives in a storm when Merryn
needs him most. Sorrel is a dreamlike, magical creature, seemingly made from
the woods and the sea. Perhaps she wished him into existence and he quickly
becomes her friend and confidant. Throughout the summer and autumn, they ride
and play but as Christmas approaches, it will require all of Merryn’s new-found
strength to help her mum and her sisters heal, too. Surplice’s mesmerising story, which is exquisitely and
atmospherically illustrated in black and white throughout, has all the makings
of a modern classic, with its moving, heartfelt words and an alluring sense of
magical wonder. A story written with love… and bearing messages of hope.
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)
Felix and the Future Agency
Rachel Morrisroe and Paddy Donnelly
WHEN you can see the future, only YOU can save the world!
Join a boy gifted with foresight in the first of an explosive new adventure
series from Rachel Morrisroe, a children’s book author who has turned her
talents to exciting middle grade fiction. Partly inspired by some of the real
history around the Aberfan disaster in Wales in 1966 and brought to life by
Paddy Donnelly’s atmospheric illustrations, Felix and the Future Agency
introduces youngsters to delightful new hero Felix Green whose magical gifts
are vital to save a world in danger. Felix has a talent – a talent that often gets him labelled
as weird, and into A LOT of trouble – he can predict the future. And, it turns
out, he’s not the only one! When his latest prediction comes true, he soon
finds himself whisked off on a special train to join the government’s secret
underground Future Agency. Here he starts to learn the tools to protect the
country from the natural disasters set to befall it… summoning animal star constellations
down from the sky, dream weaving and speaking to ghosts. When a dark spectre
infiltrates the Future Agency, only Felix can unmask the culprit and save the
agency from destruction. Packed with mystery, secrets, astrology, exhilarating
sky rides and spine-tingling danger, Felix and the Future Agency delivers not
just a breathtaking edge-of-the-seat adventure but also an exploration of life
change, coping with big emotions, and all those other coming-of-age
experiences. The Future is calling…
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
The Wood Where Stories Sing
Andy Shepherd and Ellie Snowdon
CLIMBING trees has always been fun… but have you ever looked at a tree and seen a face staring back? Andy Shepherd – bestselling author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons, a debut series that captured the imaginations of both children and their parents – conjures up more of her storytelling magic with the second book of an enchanting series which puts trees at centre stage. Brimming with unexpected adventures, wonder and wildness, The Wood Where Stories Sing cannot fail to branch out into the heart of every young reader as we meet up again with two brothers who have joined the Treetoppers and discovered the magic that grows all around us, but which we are often too busy and distracted to discover. Iggy and his brother Cal still can't believe that they have the most wonderful adventure playground at the bottom of their garden… Wildtop Wood, a place that’s full of mystery and magic. There are whispering trees who lift them into the highest branches, wooden animals who scamper into their games, and a secret canopy treehouse den just for them! But the wild green magic of Wildtop Wood is under threat. Not everyone loves the wood like they do, and Iggy, Cal and their friend Mae will have to dig deep into their imaginations to find a way to make the wood sing again…
As much a love letter to trees – ‘the green guardians that
we walk among’ – as a thrilling eco-themed adventures with trees at its it
heart, these woodland adventures are a rallying call to the younger generation
to help protect one of the planet’s most important natural ‘gifts.’ With themes
of connecting with the wild, the power of the imagination, and the bravery that
lies within us all, this classic, timeless series – brought to life by Ellie
Snowdon’s illustrations – can only grow and grow.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Welcome to the School of Gods
Thiago de Moraes
IF your reluctant readers prefer books that come positively
loaded with illustrations, then treat them to the first of a hilarious and
spectacularly imaginative new series from talented author and illustrator Thiago
de Moraes. Packed with hilarious and immersive illustrations, and a
delightfully fresh spin on stories of chosen ones, schools and ancient gods,
this is dream reading for mischief lovers.‘Dear Morris family, You are delighted to be informed that
your child has been accepted for a place at the honourable School of Gods. The
new term starts tomorrow. Please confirm your child’s registration at our
earliest convenience. (Five minutes from now.) We look forward to seeing Oliver
develop into a happy, confident young god, or die horribly in the process…’
Olly Morris, (mostly) normal kid, is living his (mostly) normal life when a
Messenger to the Mighty Gods summons him to Gods School, where he is given a
grumpy ‘mobile gnome’ named Jeff, told by immensely powerful and scatterbrained
teachers that he must pass a life-threatening exam – or else – and plunged into
a class of unfriendly godlings. With no powers, no idea why he’s been chosen
and a growing sense that nobody actually knows what’s going on, Olly can’t work
out if this is the best or worst school in the universe… Prepare to gulp and
giggle as fun spills out from every page!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)
Squid Bits: That’s a Nice Hat!
Jess Bradley
WELCOME to the world of Squid Bits… the perfect reading
treat for youngsters who like their silliness to be truly EPIC! And of you also
have a penchant for undercover pigeon spies, alarmingly rude pandas and cats
obsessed with gravy, well prepare to be overjoyed with this first book in a new
full-colour graphic series from award-winning genius comic creator Jess Bradley
who promises us that the Squid Bits adventures are VERY silly, VERY random and
totally hilarious. Filled with amazing (ridiculous) and heroic (tragic)
characters, you will receive style tips in Monster Fashion, get cures for your
ailments from Dr Bacon, MD, and have your future revealed in chicken-related
horoscopes… among other things! Created by Bradley and Phoenix Comic Books,
this hilarious book features all the weird and wonderful Squid Bits characters
that readers know and love. And if you love to draw, too, and want to create
awesome characters just like the ones in Squid Bits, turn to the back of this
book which includes a whole section of how-to-draw tutorials from Bradley PLUS
links to The Phoenix comic club website where you can find draw-along videos,
free printable material and top tips from tons of creators. A book to read from
cover-to-cover, or simply dip in and out of it over and over again!
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £9.99)
Robots Stole My Mum!
Alex Kirk and Tim Wesson
MAYBE as he hails from Cleethorpes where, he claims, they
have the best chip shops, Alex Kirk launches his debut children’s book with a
totally wacky and wildly wonderful adventure powered by… computer chips! As a seasoned
screenwriter, actor and comedian, Kirk certainly knows how to make ’em laugh
and this evil robots romp is guaranteed to engineer giggles from hordes of
fun-loving readers. Given extra life and energy by Tim Wesson’s humor-packed
illustrations, Robots Stole My Mum! stars two lovable boys who take on an army
of evil robots in a story full of action and page-turning thrills, chills and
spills. ‘I was in the corner shop buying a comic. Dad was waiting outside. I’d
just given my money to Mr Norman, the shop owner, when it happened. Mr Norman’s
head exploded.’ Something VERY WEIRD is going on in Cleeby. All the grown-ups
are acting strangely. Sandy and his best friend Arjan have a suspicion. They
think the grown-ups have all been replaced by robots and everything points to
the evil boss of the local toaster factory where Sandy’s mum just happens to be
their computer chips genius! Together with a very friendly cyborg named Colin,
Sandy and Arjan must save the day – and Sandy’s mum – and get home in time for
tea! Expect a robot whale, jet boots, lasers, and lots of toast, but don’t
expect to put the book down until the last page has turned!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)
Captain Sunshine
Alex Milway
ALL aboard for a fun-filled new animal adventure series from
the author, illustrator and screenwriter Alex Milway who returns to the world of
his much-loved Hotel Flamingo series which featured a girl who runs a hotel for
animals. This flamboyantly fun illustrated series is set on a cruise ship for
animals and is packed with the same winning ingredients of adorable characters,
action-packed fun and fabulous, two-tone illustrations. It’s Bella’s first day
on board as Captain of the Sunshine! She was always destined to follow in the
same seafaring footsteps as her Aunt Bertha the walrus, but commanding a
legendary cruise ship like the Sunshine is no easy task. Because the Sunshine is
no ordinary ship… it’s a ship bursting with animal passengers! From penguins to
rhinos, giraffes to parrots, life is never dull on board. Bella has a wonderful
crew to assist her… from the weathered sea dog Mr Tatou, to the bossy passenger
liaison officer Mrs Purrpot the cat, and Flip and Flap, the young penguin
entertainment team. But has she really got what it takes to be Captain
Sunshine? Milway goes full steam ahead with this enchanting new animal
adventure packed full of friendship, bravery and the power of team work. Don’t
miss the boat!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
The Tiger Child
Michelle Beech
SOMETIMES bravery is a whisper… not a roar! Little ones will
love following a mysterious tiger’s swishing tail in this glorious picture book
from Devon author and illustrator Michelle Beech whose close relationship with
nature strongly influences her work. In this gentle and intriguing picture book
full of inviting peek-through pages, flaps to lift and a very special pop-up
surprise, Beech brings us all the magic and beauty of the natural world. When a
shy little girl spots a tiger’s tail in the shadows, she decides to follow it
into the heart of the jungle. With every step, she grows in confidence,
shedding her doubts and discovering her inner adventurer, until she finally
comes face to face with the tiger himself... With its tender and mesmerising story
promoting courage and self-esteem and an array of beautifully atmospheric,
watercolour illustrations, this uplifting picture book is the ideal gift for
shy or sensitive children.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)
I Am Ready for School!
Camilla Reid and Kate Hindley
STARTING school proves to be an exhilarating time in this
delightfully accessible picture book from Early Years expert Camilla Reid and
award-winning illustrator Kate Hindley. Aimed at youngsters preparing to join
Reception class, I Am Ready for School! is both informative and engaging, and
has been perfectly created to reassure pre-school children in the run-up to
their first days of school. Roo and friends are ready for an exciting day at school.
Would you like to come with them? From morning drop-off and the first lessons
of the day, through lunch, playtime and lots to learn in the afternoon, there
is so much going on. Roo and the other children need to find their pegs, go to
the loo, decide what to eat, find their way around… and have lots of FUN along
the way. This sweet, funny picture book will help children prepare for what to
expect. Topics covered in the story include making independent
decisions like choosing what to eat for school lunch, developing social skills
for playtime and having fun with new friends, getting used to day-to-day
routines and encouraging independence, plus a step-by-step recap of key school
readiness steps at the end of the book. Brought to life by Hindley’s stunning
illustrations, Reid’s clever, read-aloud story is packed with tips for
grown-ups, and everything you need to know about easing your child into a new
era of learning.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Don’t Ever Tickle a Tiger
Harriet Evans and David Creighton-Pester
THE rules of the jungle are far funnier than you might have
expected! Youngsters are going wild for these fantastic pop-up books which
bring all their favourite animals to vibrant and colourful life! In this sixth
outing with author Harriet Evans and illustrator David Creighton-Pester in the
fun-filled Creature Feature Pop-up series, little ones are taken on a romp
through the rainforest and a jaunt to the jungle in an adventure that is
totally tropical. Meet capybaras and snakes, discover what you ‘tou-can’ and ‘tou-cannot’
do in the rainforest and have a ‘hiss-terical’ time with some other ‘claw-some’
creatures. With spectacular pop-ups to enjoy on every page, Creighton-Pester’s
wacky and wonderful illustrations, a colourful cast of creatures that includes
a cobra struggling to do his sums, and Evans’ punchy puns and hilarious dad
jokes, Don’t Ever Tickle a Tiger could well be the funniest jungle etiquette
book ever made!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)
Are You Looking At Me?
Philip Ardagh and Enrico Lorenzi
LOOK your little ones in the eye and then plunge them into a
rollicking, rhyming ride in the company of Philip Ardagh, a prolific and
award-winning children’s author who has the happy knack of taking humour to a
whole new level. In this fun-filled picture book, packed with Enrico Lorenzi’s
bold illustrations, he creates a guaranteed read-aloud winner. Have you ever
been stared at by a big brown bear? From a gawping gibbon to a leering lion, a
frowning frog to a peering python, the animal kingdom is filled with curious
creatures… but the stariest of starers turns out to be something quite
unexpected! Overflowing with verbal and visual humour, Lorenzi’s graphic
illustrations – given extra punch with his use of fluorescent ink – Are You
Looking At Me? delivers animal anarchy in a perfect read-aloud harmony!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)
The Supersonic Fart!
Helen Rose and Garry Parsons
PREPARE to be blown away by a fart-tastically funny rhyming
picture book from debut author Helen Rose who loves creating fun and
imaginative stories for younger children. Packed with humour, heart and
read-aloud fun, The Supersonic Fart! is given added laughing gas by the
brilliantly anarchic artwork of Garry Parsons, bestselling illustrator of The
Dinosaur that Pooped series. It’s the birthday party of the year and everyone
has arrived for Jake’s big day… Grandma, Grandad and even Jake’s cute puppy,
Luna. Mum has made the most marvellous cake and the festivities are in full
swing. The candles are lit but then someone does a stinker of a fart, a mighty,
whopping supersonic fart, and everything starts to go wrong. Can disaster be
averted? With a whiffy whodunit to enjoy, and a hilarious fart chart at the end
at the end of the book, this laugh-out-loud romp is destined to be a family
favourite!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
Ziggy the Caterpillar’s Zigzag Adventure
Beatrice Simpkiss
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £12.99)
Three Horrid Pigs
Liz Pichon
MEET the sweetest, loveliest wolf ever in star author and
illustrator Liz Pichon’s brilliant picture book twist on the familiar Three
Little Pigs fairy tale. Pichon, creator of the fun-packed and famous Tom Gates
series, sets her imagination loose on this wild and wacky adventure which
features a hilarious reverse to the story’s age-old dynamics. Mother Pig has
had enough of her three horrid little pigs. So she packs their bags and sends
them on their way. The first two little pigs build their houses by stealing
straw and pinching twigs. The third little pig is so lazy, he moves into a hen
house and calls it a day! These idle, chaotic pigs may think that they are
getting away with their terrible behaviour, but everything changes when they
meet a big, friendly wolf who might just be the one to teach them some very
unexpected lessons! Using her signature wit and vibrant artwork, Pichon transforms
a classic into a fresh, mischievous and fun-filled tale that will have kids
laughing out loud while learning just how hard it actually is to build your own
house!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
Splish Splash! Ocean
Louise Taillandier and Gareth Lucas
CHILDREN will love pressing the five squishy silicone heads
to make funny sounds at the turn of every page in this brilliant rhyming book
from author Louise Taillandier and illustrator Gareth Lucas.‘Seahorse and her
ocean friends are meeting by the shore. Adventure calls so off they SPLASH,
there’s so much to explore.’ There will be a sea of laughter when little ones
hear the squishy ocean creatures blub, snap and splash as they swim through the
sea, race with turtles, and find treasure. Guaranteed to make waves with
children and grown-ups alike!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)
My Little Farm: My First Cloth Book
Wendy Kendall
BABIES will love to feel, bite and chew this enchanting and
colourful first cloth book which introduces them to life on the farm… spot a
tree, a sheep, and even a couple of chicks! Perfect for little hands, and with
simple, graphic images, high-contrast colours and crinkle sounds, this beautifully
created book will delight tiny hands, ears and eyes, stimulating all of baby’s
senses and grabbing their attention! Add on the book’s sturdy teether strap and
you have the complete starter package!
(Little Tiger Press, cloth book, £10.99)
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