CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Castle games, defying fate and a pop-up octopus

Discover a thrilling world where castles move around like game pieces on a chess board, join two brothers who have only three chances to escape a terrible fate, dive into the ocean’s darkest depths and discover amazing creatures, and visit a sci-fi universe for hilarious intergalactic adventures in a late summer selection of dazzling children’s books

Age 12 plus
Traitor’s Nest
Frances Hardinge

CASTLES have always held a special allure for Costa award-winning author Frances Hardinge, and their secrets, histories and mysteries are harnessed with all her extraordinary world-building powers for this stunning young adult fantasy. Drawing inspiration from real medieval society in a stunningly imagined world where castles move around like game pieces on a chess board, Traitor’s Nest is a Gothic thriller full of timeless themes and motifs but also endlessly exciting in its originality, epic scope and unforgettable scene-setting. Castles traded places sometimes… everyone knew that. It was always something that might happen, except that it never had. Until all of a sudden it did. Far above the valleys and villages of the Kingdom of Thaletal, a Great Game is played. Players move castles around the realm like chess pieces… and the ordinary villagers are mere pawns at the whim of their tactics. 

But when 15-year-old Burr's peaceful village is disrupted by the arrival of an ominous new castle, he bucks the trend and decides that he’s had enough. However, what starts as a plucky coup quickly escalates… and soon the castle is wrenched away to a far-flung corner of the kingdom where whispers mount of a mysterious ancient maiden whose magpies collect her debts at dangerous prices. Here, the stakes are higher than the tallest turrets, and every move counts. Burr must work with his sisters and friends – and rely on the unexpected help of a strange and intriguing heiress – to unravel the secrets of the Magpie Maiden and the origins of the Great Game before he becomes just another casualty of the Players’ deadly contest.

Combining her long-held belief that castles are both the stuff of fairy tales, full of danger, mystery, glamour and forgotten secrets, but also places where real people lived and used their castles as power bases to control roads, rivers, and land, Hardinge brings readers a spectacular other world fraught with menace, magic, danger and unpredictability. With a dark and enthralling atmosphere, electrifying gameplay, unexpected twists and turns, and a selection of beautifully stylish black and white illustrations by Nick Hayes, Traitor’s Nest is a thrill ride from start to finish. Make your move and let the game begin!
(First Ink, hardback, £16.99)

Age 9 plus
The Haunting of Old Splinter
Jack Mackay

ONE magic relic, two brothers, three chances to defy fate... Immerse yourself – if you dare! – in a seriously spooky adventure from writer, theatre-maker and horror enthusiast Jack Mackay. Packed with spine-chilling scares and all those classic horror story tropes, this haunting, taunting tale – with an unexpected warm heart at its centre – is a true contemporary must-read.
Be careful what you wish for... Peter and his half-brother Adrian live in the shadow of Old Splinter, a ruined mansion on the hill where legends of ancient relics and dark magic swirl. And the cracks are starting to show in their once-happy family. Faced with the daunting task of renovating the place, Peter’s stepdad is at his wits’ end and the boys feel powerless to help. Then Peter unearths a horrifying secret in the walls of the mansion and the brothers realise there’s some truth to the terrifying tales. If the Wishing Claw is real, it can grant their deepest desires… and it might just bring their family back together. But wishes are tricky things and Peter unleashes much more than he bargained for. And when something monstrous comes knocking at his door, he must find a way to undo his wish before it’s too late… Emotions – and fearsome frights – are at the highest level in this brilliantly imagined adventure from one of the most exciting new voices in middle grade fiction. Just remember to read it before dark!
(Rock the Boat, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
The Incredible Pop-up Octopus
Ben Hoare and Jasmine Floyd

COME and explore the ocean’s dark and thrilling depths… and discover the bizarre, beautiful and awe-inspiring creatures that live there! Written by award-winning wildlife journalist and self-confessed nature nerd Ben Hoare, and gloriously illustrated in striking colour and texture by rising star Jasmine Floyd, this fact-packed pop-up book shows the true ethereal beauty of the deep sea and the wildlife that thrives in its depths. From the dumbo octopus and the gulper eel to amazing anglerfish, ginormous giant squids and curious deep-sea corals, The Incredible Pop-up Octopus is packed with multi-layered pop-ups and flaps to lift. This amazing feat of paper-engineering invites you to immerse yourself in one of the least explored parts of our planet and learn how the creatures there have adapted to their otherworldly underwater home. Be dazzled by brilliant bioluminescence, marvel at the epic battle between a whale and a giant squid and brave scalding hydrothermal vents as the extraordinary pop-up pages reveal wonder after wonder. A thrilling close-up look at the weird and wonderful marine life hidden far, far away from the human eye!
(Templar Books, hardback, £25, published on September 10)

Age 7 plus
Cosmic Cadets and the Wormhole Witch
Ryan Crawford and Rochelle Falconer

HOLD on tight because you’re heading into a sci-fi universe to share more hilarious intergalactic adventures with Gloria, the first ever human to get into the Cosmic Cadet Academy, and her best friend Razz, a cat-like alien who is way too keen on following the rules! Cosmic Cadets and the Wormhole Witch is the second book of an all-action comedy series, packed with mystery, friendship, and cosmic chaos, from writer, coach and game designer Ryan Crawford and illustrator Rochelle Falconer. Gloria is thrilled to be attending her very first Cosmic Gala… the most spectacular event in the galaxy. With famous heroes, dazzling outfits, and incredible celebrations waiting, it’s an occasion she has been looking forward to for ages. But when Captain Tinsela’s special gala outfit mysteriously disappears, the festivities are suddenly thrown into jeopardy. Determined to help, Gloria and Razz leap into action, setting off on an urgent mission to recover the missing dress before the celebrations begin. Their search takes them across the cosmos, through a giant wormhole, and straight into the path of Wendy the Wormhole Witch. Once Captain Tinsela’s closest friend, Wendy is tired of living in her shadow and has hatched a dramatic plan to ruin the gala altogether. With enormous space worms causing mayhem and time running out, Gloria and Razz must work together to stop a cosmic catastrophe! Set in a vividly imagined alternative space world full of extraordinary locations, quirky characters, and larger-than-life adventures, and brought to colourful life by Falconer’s bold and stylish artwork, Gloria’s new mission also delivers resonant themes of co-operation, understanding, and working together to overcome challenges. An out-of-this-world adventure you won’t want to miss!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Tiny Hercules: Golden Cabbage Chaos!
Jon Lock and Nich Angell

GET ready for lots of legendary laughs with Tiny Hercules in the second instalment of a chaotically funny comic book series from top team Jon Lock, a writer and game designer, and illustrator, cartoonist and tabletop game designer Nich Angell. Stars of these unmissable comedy capers are a host of tiny gods, myths, legends and a herculean mountain of belly laughs! Tiny Hercules is trying to win his way back to Tiny Olympus, one epic deed at a time! Ready for his next task, the jam jar-sized Tiny Hercules has to find the elusive golden cabbage. But what he doesn't realise is that Tiny Zeus has sent three mythical beasts to stop him in his tracks! Faced with the Tinytaur, Minidusa and the Grifflet, even a hero as mighty as Tiny Hercules will have his work cut out as he tries to complete this next mission. Meanwhile, graph-loving nerd-boy Jeff is doing everything he can to save the local supermarket from closing. Armed with facts, figures and charts, he’s ready for a mathematical fight! When Tiny Hercules and Jeff’s adventures cross over, chaos is bound to reign. Nothing – and nobody – can stop this tiny but mighty hero in his second GIANT adventure… not even a trio of fierce tiny beasts! With giggles galore guaranteed on every page, an army of madcap mythical beasts and epic tasks at every turn, this truly legendary series is proving to be number one favourite with reluctant readers.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, ££9.99)

Age 5 plus
Isadora Moon: Mermaid Sleepover

HELP your youngsters discover the joy of reading with these exciting and accessible early reader books based on the top-rated Isadora Moon animated TV series, from the world created by Harriet Muncaster. Isadora is the half-fairy, half-vampire adored by children all around the world and these colourful TV tie-in books, with an accessible font and simplified language, bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books making them ideal for children who are just starting to read independently. In this sea-washed story, Isadora goes for a mermaid sleepover at Delphina’s underwater palace. Being far from home is exciting at first, but at bedtime Isadora starts to miss her dad and their special night flights. Can she bring a bit of her vampire magic to the sea kingdom? And in Isadora Moon: Fairy Forest Ballet, Isadora is excited for a ballet lesson with Uncle Alvin, Primrose, and Mirabelle! But while Primrose tries her best to get the moves right, Isadora and Mirabelle get distracted by a bit of mischief and magic... Will the show still go on? Brought to life by adorable colour illustrations and featuring stories filled with fun, magic and mischief, these easy-read adventures are ideal starters for a lifetime of book love!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99 each)

Age 5 plus
Kitty and the Nightfall Festival
Paula Harrison and Jenny Løvlie

WHEN you’re a girl by day and a cat by night, adventures are never far away! Author Paula Harrison and illustrator Jenny Løvlie work their special magic on this fun-filled first chapter book series which features enchanting adventures with feisty feline star Kitty and her cat crew on moonlit missions. Beautifully presented and densely illustrated in tones of grey and orange on almost every page, superhero Kitty’s magical stories are simply purrfect for cat lovers, young adventurers and all newly confident readers. Fearless Kitty is a superhero-in-training with feline superpowers. She dreams of being just like her superhero mum one day, but she’s still got a lot to learn. In this exciting new adventure, we discover that Kitty has been counting down to the Hallam City Music Festival for weeks! Her favourite band, the Glitter Girls, will be performing and Kitty can’t wait to see them play. But disaster strikes when drummer Candy’s lucky drumsticks disappear. Without them, Candy won’t play and the show will have to be cancelled. It’s up to Kitty – along with her friends Ozzy and Sienna – to solve the mystery. It’s going to take all Kitty’s cat-like powers to find the drumsticks and save the festival… but will she manage it in time? Expect cheeky cats, musical mischief and giggles galore as the merry band of moggies tune up for their daring new mission… and enjoy some fun activities at the back of the book!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Cat and Dumpling: The Super-Duper Shop
Nicola Kent

OPPOSITES really DO attract in this enchanting series which has been perfectly created for youngsters ready to move beyond picture books and discover the joy of chapter books. Written with Nicola Kent’s gentle humour and filled with her vibrant full-colour illustrations, this is the fourth book starring two unlikely furry friends… Cat, an impulsive dreamer who loves to knit and leap into any new adventure, and Dumpling the dog, a thoughtful gardener who prefers to plan carefully. Here we find Cat back from a trip to the supermarket and bursting with inspiration. She decides to open her very own shop, complete with signs, displays and grand ideas. Dumpling is impressed and happily agrees to help. But there’s just one small problem… they have absolutely nothing to sell. As the pair scramble to find items, customers, and a purpose for their tabletop sale, things go from bad to worse, with funny mishaps. Will their shop close before they’ve even made a sale? Once again, the disparate pair’s far-fetched schemes and conflicting ideas wreak good-hearted slapstick havoc, and little ones can rest assured that Cat and Dumpling’s escapades will always have a happy ending!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 4 plus
The Weather Shop
Thomas Lee

HAVE you ever visited Dragon Hill Village? If you do, be sure to call in at the Weather Shop, a very special place where Mole makes weather for anyone who needs it! Youngsters will be spellbound by this adorable picture book – full of colour, fun and every kind of weather – from bestselling Korean author and illustrator Thomas Lee who uses watercolours to create visually exciting scenes. Dragon Hill Village has lots of shops selling unusual things, and the most famous one of them all is Mole’s Weather Shop at the foot of Blue Dragon Hill. So when Cat worries about her flowers, she goes to the shop and Mole makes a rain-shower balloon. When Elephant wants help playing hide-and-seek, Mole bakes fog bread. Mole has a remedy for each of his friends, but if they don’t listen carefully to his instructions, the weather might just surprise them! And when some animals have too much fun with snowman spray, the whole village turns white overnight. Mole will have to come to their aid with a magical solution! This English-language edition is translated by Deborah Smith, bringing to life the cosy charm of Lee’s story and the animal characters he creates. Add on the richly detailed illustrations and you have an enchanting world which young readers will return to time and time again!
(Do Re Mi, hardback, £12.99)

Age 4 plus
The Beginner’s Guide
to Being a Wizard
Keith Negley

SO you want to be a wizard? That’s an excellent choice… and here’s exactly how you fulfil your dream! Kate Greenaway-nominated author and illustrator Keith Negley puts his own special magic spell on this hilarious how-to guide for aspiring young wizards. Grab your wand and dive into this laugh-out-loud picture book which is packed full of wise words and magical surprises. The Beginner’s Guide to Being a Wizard covers everything from essential tools for aspiring wizards to choosing a familiar, casting spells, duels and,  of course, snacks! Both hilarious and heartwarming, this tongue-in-cheek guide is packed full of Negley’s colourful artwork and sparkles with just as much wisdom as it does magic. Guaranteed to cast a spell over youngsters beginning their (far too early!) countdown to Halloween!
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Colin’s Monster
Holly Swain

IF you still recall chuckling and chortling at award-winning author and illustrator Holly Swain’s picture books Colin’s Castle and Colin’s Grandma – starring vegetarian vampire called Colin who bought a castle only to find that it came with a duck – then you’ll be laughing and loving these comic capers again when you join them for a monster hunt in the castle dungeon! Yes, Colin and Duck are back in this highly anticipated new adventure and the two good friends have noticed a VERY strange noise! They search from top to bottom, finding rooms they have never been in before – and rooms they will never go in again. Soon there is only one place left to look… the DUNGEON! Uh-oh! Colin and Duck have never been inside the dusty old dungeon. What – or who – is making the noise… and why?! With a hilarious take on the spooky Halloween vibe, but with a sense of fun that will create ghostly giggles at any time of the year, Colin’s Monster is not to be sneezed at as Swain cleans up a with her trademark brilliantly funny final twist. No youngster will won’t want to duck out of this rollicking romp which has been perfectly created to read aloud!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Busy Little Fingers: Play & Move
Martine Perrin

HANDS up if you love playing! All you need is two hands, eight fingers, two thumbs – each one colour-coded and ready to play – to enjoy these clever, interactive board book which encourage hand movement while introducing left and right, and the names of all the fingers. In Busy Little Fingers: Play, busy little fingers are invited to tickle, knock, climb and crawl using fingers, thumbs and palms. 

Use your fingers to crawl like a spider, swish across the page like windscreen wipers and find your way through a maze. 

And in Busy Little Fingers: Move, babies and toddlers are invited to touch, tap, walk and play using fingers, thumbs and palms. Thumbs up and thumbs down, point left and point right. Gently educational while offering interactive fun and play, these books are hands down winners for your little ones!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board books, £9.99 each)

Age one plus
Peggy Goes for a Walk
Tonka Uzu

AS autumn fast approaches, why not join little Peggy and her Grandpa on an enchanting walk through nature! Peggy Goes for a Walk is the creation of Bulgarian-born author and illustrator Tonka Uzu who fills her board book with heartwarming illustrations and endearing messages about persistence, enjoyment and celebrating the small joys of everyday life. Determined to explore, Peggy slides down little hills, splashes in muddy puddles and snuggles up in the crunchy fallen leaves. And when her little legs get tired, Grandpa is always there to carry her all the way home. With its simple, charming story and enchanting watercolour illustrations, this is the perfect book for toddlers discovering the great outdoors!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)