Age 9 plus
Animals – A Visual Compendium: An Incredible Guide to the
Animal Kingdom
EXPLORE the richness of Earth’s countless species across
land, sea and air, and marvel at their similarities and differences, when you
turn the pages of this dazzling new guide to the amazing animal kingdom. In a glorious
visual feast of more than two thousand images, enjoy discovering how taxonomic
sets, curious collections, and quirky groupings reveal familiar and surprising
connections between animals, their bodies, and their behaviour. Bursting with colour and facts, the guide lets youngsters discover
everything they want to know about the animal kingdom… how scientists organise
frogs and classify birds of prey, the different ways animals defend themselves,
and which animals are active at night. Turn the beautifully designed pages of
the compendium to read all about animal taxonomy… the groups animals are organised
into. Meet mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, learn
about their similarities and differences, and discover the more unusual ways
animals are classified… by their habitat, body parts, or behaviour. Youngsters
can also explore everything from the shapes of beaks and the functions of
animal tails to types of eyes and the different kinds of animal relationships
in nature. With an easy-to-understand, expert-written text and attractive
plates of vibrant pictures, this visual compendium is a veritable treasure
trove for young (and old!) animal lovers who are curious about the creatures
around them. A must-have for any family library!
(DK Children, hardback, £22)
Too Hexed to Handle
Charlotte Ingham
FALLING in love shouldn’t be fatal… unless you’re hexed,
heartless or hiding a deadly secret! Young adult romance gets an extra sizzle
in this scorching fantasy romcom from Welsh author Charlotte Ingham who uses
her own spellbinding brand of magic to blend fantasy, romance and comedy into a
must-have read for older teens. Daisy has a secret… she’s a Souleater, an outlawed magical
being who can feed off of emotions. She is also hexed and her kiss is cursed to
kill. So she has built a quiet life running a crumbling inn on the edge of
town, matchmaking guests while keeping her own heart firmly off-limits. But
when a mysterious contest promises a cure for Souleater magic and a reward big
enough to save her inn, Daisy sets off on a perilous quest with Astin, her
emotionally unavailable (and infuriatingly attractive) gardener. There’s just
one problem… Astin hunts Souleaters. And he doesn’t know Daisy is one of them.
As secrets unravel and feelings get far too complicated, Daisy must choose… the
cure, the truth, or the one man she might love enough to kiss. Ingham’s hilarious, sexy and emotion-packed twist on the age
old theme of star-crossed lovers has everything fantasy romance fans adore… a
woman cursed to kill with a kiss, a man who is everything she shouldn’t want,
everyone’s favourite friends-to-lovers trope, and a swoonworthy, smouldering
forbidden romance.
(Hot Key Books, paperback, £9.99)
Scientists Making a Difference
Dr Shini Somara, Manuel Šumberac
and Adam Allsuch Boardman
WOULD you like to be a scientist and help to change the world? Meet 47 scientists who already ARE changing our world by answering some of the biggest questions… and learn how you too can join them. Scientists Making a Difference – a stunning book created in partnership with Imperial College London and The Gatsby Charitable Foundation – is written by Dr Shini Somara, a passionate science advocate, mechanical engineer and author. Packed full of fascinating facts and superbly illustrated by Leeds illustrator Adam Allsuch Boardman, and Croatian illustrator Manuel Šumberac, this is the ideal book to fire up young imaginations and encourage children to pursue a career in science.
Are you always asking ‘why’ and ‘how’, do you enjoy
experimenting, do you notice things that other people don’t? If you answered
‘yes’ to any of these questions, then release your inner investigator and discover
what do scientists do and why do they do it. To find the answers to children’s
questions, Dr Somara goes straight to the scientists to reveal that science is
for everyone and that you don't have to go to university to become a scientist because
there are many other exciting pathways into a scientific career. Apprentices, technicians,
professors and entrepreneurs reveal in their own words about their work from growing
human cells, testing medicines, and building quantum computers of the future to
tracking and protecting African wild dogs and searching for life beyond our
solar system. And these are just some of the world’s most amazing change-makers
who combine their passions with their work to make the world a better place. Published in a stunning gold foil cover, and featuring
scientists from a wide range of fields and backgrounds, Scientists Making a
Difference is an eye-catching gift book and two free copies, along with a
school kit, lesson plans, teacher resources, posters and a science timeline, will
be given to every state-funded secondary school in the UK.
(What on Earth Books,
hardback, £19.99)
Animal Farm: A Retelling
Tanya Landman
GEORGE Orwell’s powerful tale of rebellion and tyranny springs
vividly to life in this compelling and accessible retelling from Carnegie Medal
winning author Tanya Landman. Animal Farm is one of the most significant and
celebrated literary works of the 20th century and as part of publisher
Barrington Stoke’s Classic Retellings series, a new generation of young readers
can enjoy the tale of rebellion and tyranny in a concise format of the
original. Days before his death, old Major the pig ignites the flames of
rebellion among the animals of Manor Farm where Mr Jones rules with cruelty and
neglect. Led by pigs Napoleon and Snowball, the farm animals unite to overthrow
their human owners and reclaim their freedom. Although they envision a society
built on equality and shared labour, as time passes and the pigs consolidate
their new-found power, the line between liberators and tyrants becomes
increasingly blurred. Landman’s captivating retelling – produced in Barrington
Stoke’s dyslexia-friendly and specialist design format – means that that more
readers can understand and appreciate this perennial classic.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)
What’s in a Name? The Extraordinary Stories Behind Scientific Names
Álex Nogués and Guido Ferro
DRACO volans. Hedera helix. Tenebrio molitor. These Latin
terms may sound like spells but behind each name lies a complex story…
sometimes poetic, sometimes absurd, but always memorable. Language, culture and
science come together in What’s in a Name? a fascinating book from Spanish
geologist and palaeontologist Álex Nogués and Argentinian illustrator Guido
Ferro. By connecting taxonomy with biology, myth and imagination, Nogués
reveals that giving names to species is actually the ultimate art of
storytelling. For example, everyone knows the Tyrannosaurus Rex but do they
know the frog named after Freddie Mercury in honour of his extraordinary voice?
And who knew that an ichneumon wasp was christened Moby Dick for its pale,
harpoon-like form, that there is a jumping spider called Bagheera kiplingi… a
double nod to Rudyard Kipling and his Jungle Book panther. Even a dinosaur,
Oviraptor philoceratops, once condemned as an egg thief, was later celebrated
as a devoted parent. Readers will delight in this information-filled book which
shows how the life sciences intertwine with history, literature, and
imagination, to create an extraordinary record of the natural world. Bold
typography and an uncluttered layout make the information inviting and easy to
absorb while Ferro’s vibrant and playful illustrations capture the humour and
strangeness behind each insect’s name. Curious, surprising, and beautifully
crafted!
(Prestel, hardback, £18.99)
Attack of the Sea Dogs
M.G. Leonard and Manuel Šumberac
ALL hands on deck as we join three youngsters sailing the high seas with Sir Francis Drake on a famously dangerous mission to singe the King of Spain’s beard in Cádiz! Attack of the Sea Dogs is the fourth thrilling time-travelling adventure in bestselling author M.G. Leonard’s epic Time Keys series in which music is used to open doors into the past. Loved and admired for her prodigious imagination, which has created stories about fantastical beetles, beautiful birds and thrilling train rides, Leonard was inspired to write this breathtaking series from her own lifelong passion for music and she certainly hits all the right notes with these action-packed mysteries which are based on real history and brought to vibrant life by Manuel Sumberac’s richly detailed and atmospheric illustrations.
So climb aboard and enjoy a spellbinding voyage back in time
with Sim, his cousin Jeopardy and friend Nelson, a band of young musicians who
discovered they have the ‘keys’ to open time doors and travel through epochs
and age in a bid to search for treasure and solve mysteries. In this new
adventure, the trio have been whisked back to 1587 but, thanks to Uncle Emmett,
they’re in the right time but the wrong place. Instead of being in Tudor
London, they are aboard Elizabeth Bonaventure, the ship of infamous privateer
and explorer Sir Francis Drake, and setting sail to raid the King of Spain’s
ships in the harbour at Cádiz in the hope of stopping a Spanish Armada.
Trapped, Sim and his friends must navigate explosive sea battles and a
mysterious masked mercenary before they can attempt to return to London and
their ongoing mission to save Sim’s father, Abe Lockier. Strap yourself in for scintillating seafaring thrills and a
breathtaking race through Elizabethan England in this terrific adventure which
harnesses 16th century political tensions with all the fun of
witnessing history in the raw. Ideal as a standalone novel, or enjoyed as part
of the Time Keys series, Attack of the Sea Dogs is simply past perfect!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)
Earth Ever After
Elin Manon
STEP into the atmospheric world of Earth Ever After, a
stunning and unique graphic novel which fuses artistry and folktale to bring to
life the story of our world. Written and illustrated by Welsh-born artist Elin
Manon, this is a tale told through the eyes of Mother Earth… an unforgettable
journey from Earth’s creation to the present, celebrating our deep connection
with nature, and narrating an extraordinary story of growth, change and the
delicate balance between humanity and nature. Through a lyrical text and Manon’s
captivating colour illustrations, readers journey from the creation of the
Earth and the birth of life to the present day, witnessing the planet’s
transformation and deep connection with humanity. But Earth Ever After is more
than just a story… it’s a gentle and beautifully rendered reminder of our
shared responsibility to protect the world around us. The aim of this
enchanting book is to inspire hope and healing, offering a moment of reflection
in busy, modern lives. By encouraging readers to think about living more
harmoniously with the planet, Earth Ever After is ideal for sparking important
conversations about humans’ relationship with nature. A timeless tale,
beautifully told…
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £20)
J. Algernon Pickle in The Mystery
at Odd-Doings House
Alex T. Smith
IMAGINEif Hercule Poirot was a beaver! Welcome to a
hilarious whodunit from award-winning author and illustrator Alex T. Smith who
has the gift of making his readers laugh-out-loud from first page to last of
his madcap adventures. And this fast-paced crime caper – packed with his
trademark stylish illustrations – is going to STEAL the hearts of all young
readers. Ten-year-old Jacob Oolong lives with his eccentric great aunt, Lady
Petronella Oolong, in the penthouse flat of Odd-Doings House. They arrive home
one afternoon to find an enormous heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates has
arrived for Lady Oolong and these aren’t any old chocolates. These are from
Eclair's (Est. 1844) and are the most wonderful and the most expensive
chocolates in the entire world. But the next morning – shock horror – they’ve
vanished! Not just gone... STOLEN! With his great aunt prostrate in her nightie
with shock, it’s up to Jacob to find out who has taken them, but he’ll need
help. He calls in a private detective who, rather surprisingly, is a beaver
living on the floor below them. Enter... J. Algernon Pickle. Together, J.
Algernon Pickle and Jacob set about investigating this very confusing mystery.
Things take an unexpected turn when it becomes clear that the chocolates could
only have been stolen by someone who lives in Odd-Doings House. But WHO could
it be? Smith has his finger firmly on the pulse of children’s humour and kids
will definitely be beavering away to get their hands on this delightfully daffy
detective adventure!
(Starboard, paperback, £7.99)
Ghost and Toast
Phil Corbett
SLICE to meet you! Welcome to a brilliantly bonkers and
side-splittingly funny new graphic novel series from comic-maker extraordinaire
Phil Corbett who (yes, really!) lives above a comic shop in France. One’s dead
and one’s bread… when Ghost arrives at a haunted mansion, what he doesn't
expect to find is a talking slice of bread called…Toast. But Ghost can’t
remember anything from before becoming a ghost so the unlikely duo team up to
solve the mystery… although, be warned, they may get distracted along the way. From
hordes of evil pastries and ghost trains to giant kittens and gingerbread
houses, their adventures are never stale. But the conniving Croissant will stop
at nothing to cause complete, confectionary chaos… will Ghost and Toast be able
to resist the sugary temptation for mayhem? Like a loaf in the bread oven, Corbett
rises to the visual and verbal artistry required for this slice of comedy gold
which is served with a spectacularly spooky filling. Deliciously daft and perfectly baked for your
young mischief-makers!
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £8.99)
Little Wolf's Big Huff
Harriet Howe and Katie Cottle
MANAGING BIG feelings is always a tough challenge for LITTLE
ones so give them the reassurance they need with this enchanting and clever
picture book from the talented team of rising star author Harriet Howe and illustrator
Katie Cottle. Every year, Little Wolf and Daddy Wolf watch the Wolf Moon rise.
Two wolves, alone together, under the big night sky. But this year’s trip is
looking to be a little bit bigger and busier than usual. This time all the
brothers, sisters and pups are coming, too. Little Wolf is worried it won’t be
the same... and sure enough, it isn’t. As things go from bad to worse, strange
feelings start to bubble in Little Wolf’s belly and fizz through his fur.
Before long, he feels BIG and BAD. He huffs... and he puffs. Can Daddy Wolf
help Little Wolf get a handle on his huffs and puffs before it’s too late...
teach him about a very special part of being a wolf? Howe’s heartfelt, and
imaginative story about recognising and managing feelings is packed with fairy tale-like
storytelling, as well as in-depth and authentic character portrayals and world
building. Brought to life by Cottle’s bold and colourful illustrations, this is
the perfect support book for coping with tantrums and tears.
(Templar Books, paperback, £7.99)
Poo in the Zoo: Inspector Poo
Steve Smallman and Ada Grey
HOLD your noses as author Steve
Smallman and illustrator Ada Grey, the king and queen of splat, patter and
plop, return with another shiny new foiled and toot-tastic picture book
in a re-run of their much-loved Poo in the Zoo series! Few children can resist
getting to the bottom of a poopy kind of mystery, and this gloriously funny
rhyming story featuring zookeeper Bob McGrew has it – literally – in spadefuls
and bucketfuls. Splat, patter, plop! Zookeeper Bob McGrew always has such a lot
to do but his good friend, super-duper pooper scooper Robbie Robot helps by
picking up all the poo. Robbie is unstoppable with anything ploppable but he’s
disappeared and the poo is piling up. Is this a doo-doo disaster or can
Arabella Slater – the number one when it comes to number two detectives – save
the day? Smallman’s brilliantly fun-filled and anarchic story really is the
bottom line when it comes to putting poo in the picture. Packed with animal
poos of every type, and given added comedy power by Grey’s pages of
rib-tickling, action-packed illustrations, this is a riotous adventure not to
be sniffed at!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)
Songs of the Seasons
Patricia Hegarty and Elinor Duffy
BRING the natural world to life with this spectacular sound
book full of fun and facts. Songs of the Seasons, written by Patricia Hegarty and
gloriously illustrated by Elinor Duffy, is ideal for teaching the very youngest
children about nature’s rhythm across the four seasons! With 24 tabs to press
throughout the book, Songs of the Seasons plays a wonderful assortment of enchanting
sounds, from buzzing bees in spring and the call of speedy swifts in summer to
the bark of a nightjar in autumn and the hooting of owls on a chilly winter’s
night. Charming, scene-setting text, helpful labels and lots of phenomenal
facts help introduce children to the sounds and behaviours of creatures in each
habitat.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £14.99)
The Pumpkin Thief
Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater
MEET a squirrel who’s muddled and a bird with a brain in a
delightful, laugh-out-loud autumn adventure from the inspired team of author
Alice Hemming and Manchester-based illustrator Nicola Slater. The stars of the
show are once again Squirrel and Bird whose antics have entertained youngsters
through a whole host of brilliant picture books. In this new escapade, we meet
up again with Squirrel who, with just a little help from Bird, has grown some
lovely pumpkins and is very pleased with himself! But soon there’s a problem… every time he
turns his back, the pumpkins disappear, one by one. Squirrel can’t understand
it. A pumpkin thief must be taking them all and he is determined to catch them before
Bird returns. Join Squirrel as he tries to solve the mystery before all the
pumpkins disappear for good! Slater’s bold, comical and characterful illustrations
create the perfect backdrop for Hemming’s story which is packed full of
surprises. And to add to the fun, there is a non-fiction spread at the back of
the book with extra facts for curious young readers.
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)
What Do You Hear, Little Owl?
Nicola Edwards and Thomas Elliott
PLAY hide and seek with baby animals from the forest with
this soothing sound and light book from author Nicola Edwards and illustrator
and designer Thomas Elliott. Babies and toddlers will love meeting the baby
animals who love playing hide and seek. Who’s that there? Shall we have a peek?
Turn the pages, press the sounds panel buttons, watch the panel light up and
enjoy exploring the peek-through pages as the enchanting baby animals play hide
and seek. With Elliott’s classic watercolour illustrations and a charming,
evocative tune for every animal, Edwards’ rhythmic text completes the
experience of those special shared moments!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £12.99)
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