Age 7 plus
Galaxy Runners: Jello Breaks the Universe
James Lancett
IF you need something delivered in space (with no questions
asked!), the Galaxy Runners could be just what you’re looking for. Head for the
skies with this funny, action-packed space adventure from illustrator and
animator James Lancett who combines a black and white highly illustrated text
with eye-catching comic strip panels... perfect for your reluctant readers. Working against greedy Warp Co., twins Kas and Fig run their
plucky business with the help of Skipper, their risk-taking artificial
assistant, and Mags, their volcanic hired security. They spend their time
adventuring across the galaxy, escaping perilous dangers and making a quick
space-buck along the way. Then, one day, they agree to transport a mysterious
canister across the galaxy and soon discover it contains Jello… an adorable,
gooey, shape-shifting alien being with unexpected, life-changing powers. And
that means greedy bad guys across the universe are soon trying to get their
hands on him! Can the Galaxy Runners escape the clutches of Warp Co.? And where
exactly will Jello and his super-poop end up? Lancett certainly knows how to woo young and less confident
readers with his accessible short, punchy chapters, comic panels and loads of eye-catching
illustration. Packed full of comedy, creative characters and universe-saving
action, this is visual storytelling at its best… and most alluring!
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
and Othello
William Shakespeare
‘Are you sure That we are awake? It seems to me That yet we sleep, we dream.’
GREAT literature should be available to everyone and that’s a concept that is always close to the heart of dyslexia-friendly publishers Barrington Stoke. And there is no greater literature than the iconic plays of William Shakespeare which makes these complete and unabridged dyslexia-friendly editions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello perfectly suited for classroom and exam use.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £8.99 each)
How to Steal the Future
Christopher Edge and Pete Lloyd
ENTER the maze – if you dare – and find out if you can steal
the future! Ingenious puzzle master and bestselling author of Escape Room, Christopher
Edge returns to entertain and entrance readers with an action-packed adventure full
of mind-blowing twists. Billed as The Traitors meets the Spider-Verse, and
illustrated by Pete Lloyd, How to Steal the Future features one boy, one
missing sister and one sinister labyrinth. The maze is a dangerous place. The maze is ever-changing.
The maze has never been solved. Meet twelve-year-old Drew Blake who faces the
ultimate challenge. At the heart of a heavily guarded maze lies a secret –
known only as the Avenir – which has the power to unlock the future. An
experimental device, the Avenir combines quantum computing with next-level
artificial intelligence to calculate the future with 100 per cent accuracy. But
the system is unstable and the maze is dangerous with obstacles that can change
in a heartbeat. Many have tried to steal the Avenir, but no one has ever
succeeded. Drew is the latest to try, just like his sister Evie did before him.
But Drew has his own secret… he doesn’t care about the Avenir, he must find his
sister. Facing dead ends, traps and double-crosses, Drew realises that the maze
holds secrets more dangerous than he ever imagined. Can he find the Avenir and
save Evie before it’s too late? His future depends on it… Expect to be gripped from first page to last as Edge’s
imagination takes readers ducking and diving through the thrills and chills of
mazes, mysteries and dangerous secrets. Don’t miss the ride!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Star Breakers: Zeke Zero Vs The Galaxy
Ed Caruana and Chris Hazeldine
EXPECT calamities on overdrive in the first book of a
hilarious new sci-fi graphic novel series from Ed Caruana, the British
scriptwriter and narrative consultant for the band Gorillaz, and Chris
Hazeldine, an illustrator at The Phoenix Comic. Featuring a crew of
treasure-hungry Star Breakers on an accidental quest to save the universe, this
is speed-of-lightning storytelling alongside artwork full of colour, comedy and
the craziest characters this side of the moon. So meet Zeke Zero who has been living his worst life ever
since his dad traded him for a spare battery when he was a baby. But
13-year-old Zeke gets by. Or he did, until he ‘borrowed’ the wrong priceless
star map and was forced to join a crackpot crew of Star Breakers… brave
(foolish) souls who dare to search dying worlds for (sometimes) incredible
treasures. Their first job? Finding an ancient god’s eyeball hidden on a
monster-infested planet somewhere in the depths of space. Preferably before the
evil, undead Princess Grizelda does, or the galaxy is pretty much doomed. Locked
in a race across the galaxy, Zeke and his crewmates, the grouchy Captain Tooms
and mysterious Astrid of Elsewhere, will have to work together to dodge the
monsters and mayhem, and discover a secret that puts the whole universe at
risk. Chances of success? Virtually ZERO... Climb aboard and enjoy the epic and
fun-filled ride because this is a series set to visit our galaxy time and time
again!
(Puffin, paperback, £10.99)
Jed Greenleaf and the Stolen Queen
Kieran Larwood
RETURN to the life of a thrilling superhero and his epic power battles as master storyteller Kieran Larwood brings young readers the second adventure featuring shape-shifter Jed Greenleaf in the magical kingdom of Albion. Larwood, whose imagination is as boundless as the epic worlds he creates, plunges us into a gripping tale full of intriguing references to folklore and based on real English history unearthed from the brief Tudor reign of doomed Lady Jane Grey. Albion city is governed by a puppet queen, secretly controlled by Lord Cromwell, and power-hungry Guilds all compete to rule alongside the queen. Orphan Jed Greenleaf was adopted by the Leaf Guild and found to have the extraordinary ability to transform into a half-tree, covered over with bark. And now Jed is looking forward to his second Arthanfest tournament when disaster strikes, throwing the whole kingdom into utter turmoil… the queen is kidnapped, Guy Fawkes is lurking in the shadows, and a dark and powerful new magick is bubbling up in the shadows. The army appears to have been bewitched in some way, and soon a hidden guild emerges from the shadows, putting the very future of Albion under threat. Luckily Jed can harness the power of the forest, with superhuman strength and body armour as tough as bark. But is his strength a match for the threat from Guy Fawkes?
Larwood – author of the hugely popular The World of Podkin
One-Ear rabbit world series – works his magic again on this spectacular blend
of fantasy and realism as we follow Jed’s new and breathtaking adventure,
filled with magical oak forests and dastardly villains, and starring a hero who
– against all odds – finds the courage and determination to right wrongs, fight
evil, and win battles. A fabulous feast of fantasy!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary:
The Phantom Pooper
Jim Smith
BRACE yourselves for the latest trip round the U-bend with
the Poopies, aka best friends Pedro, Olga and Ozzy... their initials just
happen to spell the word POO and they are the stars of a smelly (but
hilariously funny!) graphic novel series from the master of mischief himself,
Jim Smith. Creator of the bestselling Barry Loser books, Smith has his finger
firmly on the pulse of what makes kids (and grown-ups!) laugh… and the pages of
his books buzz with energy, madcap antics, and a joyful sense of managed mayhem
that is as addictive as it is entertaining. And he is on top form in this crazy, laugh-out-loud series
which is packed full of friendship, fun and more toilet jokes than you can
shake a plunger at... all expertly delivered in witty bite-sized stories
brought to life by Smith’s vibrant artwork. So hold your noses, tag along with
our terrible threesome, and enjoy three new and outrageously gross adventures. When
school shuts down, Pedro sets up a Dog Poo Business in the park. Next, the
Poopies enter an epic farting competition powered by suspicious bubble tea. And
finally, when Pedro catches a bad case of Talky-hand-itis, he faces his biggest
challenge yet... how will he wipe his bum? Positively fizzing with Smith’s wild and wonderful wit, and
perfectly pitched toilet jokes, My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary: The Phantom Pooper
is organised chaos for your own fun-lovers and mischief-makers!
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)
Beacons of Light
Gemma Koomen
DISCOVER the history, engineering and extraordinary human
stories behind the world’s lighthouses – those steadfast guardian of the sea –
in this captivating and lavishly illustrated book from Northumberland-based
author and artist Gemma Koomen. From the fire-lit towers of ancient Greece to storm-swept
cliffs in northern Europe, misty coastal cities in Japan and rugged North
American shores where lighthouse beams still sweep the sea, Beacons of Light
takes young readers on a captivating adventure, exploring the history and
wonder of these majestic beacons. Long ago, under starlit skies, sailors
drifted through wild waves and darkness, searching for a way home. Then, far
off in the distance, a flicker, a flame, a lighthouse, a beacon of hope pierced
the darkness and guided them to safety. Koomen’s informative text and colourful
illustrations explore the fascinating stories behind lighthouses, the variety
of their locations, from places of worship to bustling cities and remote
islands, their enduring lights, and the ingenious ways humans have tamed the
sea and brought light to the darkness. From the first flickering fires to the
powerful lamps of today, this is a captivating adventure for readers young and
old.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)
Pyramid Boy
Satoshi Kitamura
HAVE you ever wondered what life was like in Ancient Egypt? Travel
back in time and discover a fascinating day-in-the-life adventure with
award-winning illustrator Satoshi Kitamura. Using watercolour scenes of
everyday life in ancient Egypt, and lots of intriguing facts which support the
Key Stage 2 history curriculum, Kitamura brings the past to glorious life in
this brilliant picture book. When a boy gets lost exploring a museum, he finds
himself falling through time and landing in ancient Egypt! Join him as he
discovers how to decode hieroglyphs, meets a pharaoh, sees a mummy being made, and
witnesses how the pyramids were built. Packed with intricate artwork and captivating
facts, this is the ideal introduction to the wonders of Ancient Egypt!
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)
Big Tiger
Marta Altés
YOU'RE never too big for a hug! Smiles (and hugs!)
guaranteed when little ones get their hands on this joyful picture book about gaining
independence and growing up from award-winning author and illustrator Marta
Altés, whose prodigious storytelling and illustration talents have made her a
worldwide favourite. Meet a tiger who used to be small… but not any more! This
tiger is now the oldest, which means this tiger is BIG. But the jungle is even
BIGGER and full of big creatures. It’s a scary place for a tiger alone but don’t
worry tiger, Mum is never far behind! You might be too big for kisses and too
big for tears, but no matter how big you get, you are NEVER too big for a hug. Altés’
joyful jungle adventure perfectly captures a child’s first steps towards
independence… and delivers reassuring messages about the unbreakable bond
between parents and children. Packed with bold, colourful and heartwarming
illustrations, this is the perfect story for older siblings who feel grown up
but are still quite little themselves!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £8.99)
Duck Delivers… Cake!
Tom Tinn-Disbury
DELIVERY Duck finds himself all at sea in the second book of
author and illustrator Tom Tinn-Disbury’s quacking good picture book series for
little ones who love being on the ‘go’! Duck loves his life scooting around as
a Delivery Duck for Feather Force. Even though he may get into a few flaps here
and there, his deliveries are somehow always on time. But when he’s tasked by Ostrich
Bosstrich with delivering a very tall, very large and very special cake to a
party all the way across town, Duck realises he will need to trade in his scooter
for something with a bit more power to get there by sunset. Can this plucky
Duck make it in time? Or will chaos be the only thing Duck delivers today? What
should have been a piece-of-cake delivery turns into a shipload of trouble for
our feathered friend who once more rises higher than he’d thought possible in
this vibrantly illustrated, fun-filled and laugh-out-loud story about
perseverance, delivery chaos and… a giant cake! A transport of delight…
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Age 3 plus
Ready for School!
Sophie Aggett and Jannie Ho
SPEND an exciting day at school with some friendly forest
classmates as they learn their numbers, eat their lunch and take part in
show-and-tell! Ready for School – with a sweet and funny rhyming text by Sophie
Aggett, Jannie Ho’s adorable illustrations, and reusable stickers in a fold-out
school bag – is the perfect read for little ones preparing to start school or
nursery. Children will love finding the right sticker to help the animals
complete each of the familiar school tasks, as well as discovering the reward
stickers to share. For little ones who might be anxious about starting school
and adapting to new routines, this board book will help to settle their nerves
as they interact with characters enjoying a typical school day and locate the
correct stickers. Ideal to read and share with children again and again… simply
rinse the stickers to refresh their stickiness!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)
Pincho: Nothing IS Possible
Ben Sanders
NOTHING IS possible… if you think that doesn’t make sense,
turn the pages of Ben Sanders’ delightful picture book and take a lesson in the
simple joys of being yourself! Pincho is a capybara who never hurries and never
worries. He is calm and content. A giant snake could wrap right round Pincho
and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid. This guy is definitely chill. But today is a new
opportunity just waiting to be seized, and one little yellow bird is determined
that Pincho will seize it. There will be a to-do list, endless activities, and
even a breathtaking escape from the jaws of danger! Pincho is about to teach
the bird, and us all, the value of rest and relaxation. Nothing is possible.
Yes, you read that right the first time. Nothing IS possible! Awash in Sanders’
gloriously multi-coloured artwork, and featuring his perfectly understated
text, laidback Pincho’s messages about staying calm, being yourself, and accepting
that sometimes the best thing to do can be nothing will win the hearts of
readers young and old!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)
10-Minute Amazing Activities
Selina Wood and Rosalind Maroney
YOUNGSTERS will love getting creative with this
boredom-busting activity book, packed full of fun puzzles, colouring scenes and
crafts. Written by Selina Wood and illustrated by Rosalind Maroney, 10-Minute
Amazing Activities features a wide range of favourite topics, including
animals, space, vehicles, ocean, dinosaurs, magical creatures, food and music.
With things to make yourself, including a press-out lion mask, a personalised
monkey door hanger and a ‘Bee happy!’ greetings card, stencils and over 100
incredible stickers, this hands-on fun and imaginative activity book will keep
children entertained for hours!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)
A is for Apple Sticker Activity Book
Hettie Cox and Summer Macon
HELP your child learn the alphabet with this interactive
sticker activity book which comes with over 150 high-quality stickers! Written
by Hettie Cox and illustrated by Summer Macon, the A is for Apple Sticker
Activity Book contains 60 exciting activities to complete, including colouring,
tracing, drawing, dot-to-dot, mazes, puzzles and more. Clear guides on letter
formation combined with Macon’s beautifully engaging artwork cannot fail to capture
little ones’ imaginations and inspire hours of early learning entertainment.
With such an abundance of adorable stickers to use, learning the alphabet is as
easy as ABC!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)
Poo in the Zoo
Steve Smallman and Ada Grey
BOTTOMS up as Steve Smallman and Ada Grey, the king and
queen of splat, patter and plop, return with a brilliant hold-your-nose board
book edition of their much-loved Poo in the Zoo classic! Few children can
resist sharing the fun of a poopy kind of adventure, and author Smallman and
illustrator Grey’s gloriously funny story, featuring everyone’s favourite
little zookeeper Bob McGrew and his inventor friend Hector Gloop, has it –
literally – in bucketfuls. ‘There was tiger poo, lion poo, prickly porcupine
poo, Plummeting giraffe poop that landed with a splat. Dollops of gnu poo,
bouncy kangaroo poo, A trail of drippy droppings from a fat wombat!’ Zoo Keeper
Bob is exhausted. There’s too much poo in the zoo – and he’s the one who has to
scoop it up. Then one day, a mysterious glowing poo appears! Could it be alien
poop from outer space? And what on EARTH will Bob do with it? With Smallman’s
romping rhyme and deliciously cheeky wordplay, and Grey’s rib-tickling,
action-packed illustrations, this methane-fuelled adventure is definitely not
to be sniffed at… and is a joy to read aloud. Laughter guaranteed from first
poo to last!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)
The Teacup
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
AUTHOR and illustrator Chris Naylor-Ballesteros touches our
hearts again with The Teacup, a beautiful companion to The Suitcase, his
powerful picture book about empathy and kindness to strangers which was shortlisted
for the 2020 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. This new, gentle and thoughtful story
reflects on themes of understanding and compassion for strangers and outsiders.
Long ago, the animals befriended a strange-looking creature who arrived from
nowhere with a suitcase containing a teacup and a photograph of home. The
stranger soon found sanctuary and calm. Now, there is a new mysterious stranger
who they are sure is nothing but a… thief! It’s only when everything goes wrong
that they realise that things may not be as simple as they think. With its warm
heart and messages of tolerance and trust, brought to vibrant life by
Naylor-Ballesteros’ evocative illustrations and their eye-catching use of
colour and expression, The Teacup reminds readers that everyone has a story to
tell, wherever they come from. And don’t forget the free Nosy Crow Stories
Aloud® audiobook! Simply scan the code and hear the story.
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)
You're My Little Cuddle Bug
Nicola Edwards and Natalie Marshall
MAKE bath time splash time
alongside the adorable Cuddle Bug, star of the bestselling You're My Little… series,
with this adorable bath book which produces colour-changing effects when it’s
dipped in water! This cute, illustrated bath book, made from polyurethane foam,
will keep little ones engaged and curious as they join Cuddle Bug for a day
full of adventures. Enjoy little faces lighting up as they watch a sun,
rainbow, and even Mama Bug appear on the pages. Full of Natalie Marshall’s
brightly coloured illustrations, a sweet cast of characters, and Nicola Edwards’
rhyming text, this bath book stimulates babies’ senses and adds extra fun to bathtime!
(Little Tiger Press, bath book, £9.99)
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