CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Thrills in Ancient Rome, train sabotage and a world of food

Meet a dangerous Roman Emperor hell-bent on revenge, take a thrilling train ride across Australia, tuck into some mouth-watering dishes and traditions, and meet a little girl with a magical pet dragon in a super line-up of children’s books

Age 9 plus

Circus Maximus:
Rivals on the Track
Annelise Gray

BREATHTAKING horses, pulsating action, a simmering, shimmering mystery… and a Roman emperor hell-bent on revenge! If you hanker for a truly extraordinary adventure – a classic in more ways than one – then head off to Rome and share the thrills and spills of the ancient sport of charioteering alongside a courageous girl who dares to take on the best… and win.

In the second book of her heart-pounding debut series, classics scholar and Latin teacher Annelise Gray once again brings the Roman world to life with a vibrancy and breathtaking authenticity that cannot fail to capture hearts and minds. A magical blend of real history and dazzling fiction transports us back to the perilous reign of the brutal Emperor Caligula in the first century AD whilst delivering a terrific and inspirational adventure starring Dido, the only girl charioteer ever to have chalked up a victory at the majestic but brutal Circus Maximus.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post reviews

But it was a win that cost her dear because now Caligula is intent on wreaking revenge, and the whole empire wants to know Dido’s true identity. With a price on their heads, Dido and her beloved horse, Porcellus, are in hiding. Can she outwit the emperor and his bounty hunters, and will a shocking family secret stop her in her tracks, or spur her on to make a daring return, helped by a one-eyed mare with a heart as brave as her own?

Ben Hur meets National Velvet as the intelligent, loyal and passionate Dido must summon up the blood to fight deadly battles in a world dominated by men whilst clinging on to hope, courage and redemption in the face of revenge, betrayal and cruelty. With an exciting cast of human and horse characters, and a story that celebrates the close bonds of family, Gray’s gripping adventure gallops along as fast as the prize stallions whilst delivering intriguing snippets of real history and steeping readers in the sights and sounds of the Roman Empire. So saddle up, take the reins and enjoy an extraordinary and exhilarating ride!
(Zephyr, hardback, £12.99)

Age 9 plus
Sabotage on the Solar Express (Adventures on Trains)
M.G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman
and Elisa Paganelli

AGATHA Christie meets Indiana Jones as schoolboy Harrison Beck climbs aboard the Solar Express for a thrill ride across the vast terrain of Australia. Sabotage on the Solar Express is the fifth thrill ride in Adventures on Trains, the exhilarating middle-grade series from prize-winning author M.G. Leonard, and Sam Sedgman, a writer and lifelong train fan. These tales of the rails are perfect for young train buffs and with Elisa Paganelli’s vibrant black and white illustrations providing the extra bells and whistles, the books are building up an unstoppable speed on the fast track to reading heaven. In this new all-action adventure, we join budding young artist Harrison (Hal) Beck and his travel writer Uncle Nat on the journey of a lifetime as they board the hydrogen and solar-powered Solar Express for its maiden journey between the cities of Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin. They have been invited to be among the first passengers by billionaire train enthusiast August Reza as the exciting Solar Express was the winning design of his Reza’s Rocket competition. But during the journey, they discover the train has been sabotaged, hurtling passengers into a heart-stopping, drama-packed ride across the Australian Outback. Can Hal, who is joined by old adversary Marianne, find the saboteur and stop the runaway train before disaster strikes? With a cast of dynamic characters, a train-load of fascinating facts, adventure at every junction, and a baffling mystery to solve, Leonard and Sedgman pull out all the stops as they take youngsters on one of their wildest and most wonderful reading journeys yet in this witty, clever and enthralling series.
(Macmillan, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
World of Food 
A delicious discovery of the foods we eat
Sandra Lawrence and Violeta Noy

DISCOVER a whole world of food in a terrific and tasty book jam-packed with facts about more than one hundred mouth-watering dishes and traditions. Written by author and journalist Sandra Lawrence and gorgeously illustrated by Spanish artist Violeta Noy, this is a book on which to feast both your mind and your senses, and is guaranteed to make you hungry! What did the ancient Romans snack on, what did people eat for lunch 5,000 years ago, where does chocolate come from, how has the humble potato shaped history and will algae burgers be a future fast food? Everywhere on our planet where people can be found, there are different foods that we enjoy, and different ways of preparing and eating them too. From fruits, vegetables, cheeses and grains to spices, honey, chocolate and foods of the future, find out where these foods come from, and what we grow, farm, forage and cook in order to eat. Bursting with colour, food glorious food and fascinating facts, World of Food looks at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences. Anyone for roasted hedgehog?!
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent
Pippa Curnick 

GO totally wild this spring with a wonderfully wacky and creatively colourful new series from top author and illustrator Pippa Curnick. The awesome adventures of new kid on the block, Indigo Wilde, and the magical creatures who share her seemingly ordinary home are set to be a tasty treat for middle-grade readers. Discovered in the Unknown Wilderness when she was just a baby, Indigo Wilde was adopted by world-famous explorers, Philomena and Bertram, who are always off adventuring. Home for Indigo and her little brother, Quigley, is 47 Jellybean Crescent, a crazy and colourful house full of magical creatures that her parents have taken in over the years. There’s Fishkins, a purrmaid which is half-cat, half-fish, and ALWAYS grumpy; Graham, a llama-corn with a particular taste for tinsel; Olli and Umpf, bright pink and blue yetis who can’t blend in to the snow, and that’s to name just a few of the creatures. And now Indigo’s parents have sent another Monster Mail delivery to Indigo and Quigley. But this time, the box is empty, and the escaped creature is running rampage around the house. The race is on to catch the creature before it’s too late… and making sure not to disturb the neighbours, of course! Gorgeously illustrated in full colour throughout, and ideal for newly independent readers, Indigo’s madcap, rainbow adventures are a pot of book-filled gold for all action-loving youngsters.
(Hodder Children’s Books, paperback, £5.99)

Age 5 plus
Luma and the Pet Dragon
Leah Mohammed and Loretta Schauer

THERE'S a special kind of ‘puppy’ love in this adorable debut series from Leah Mohammed who was inspired by her British-Pakistani heritage and the kind of story she would have loved to read as a girl. Starring schoolgirl Luma, who discovers that there is always mischief and magic when you have a baby dragon as a pet, the book features two warm and funny stories packed with Loretta Schauer’s lovely and lively illustrations. When Luma Dewan wakes up on the morning of her seventh birthday, she knows that today will be special. But she has no idea just how wonderful and extraordinary it will be. For today is the day she will meet Timir… a real talking dragon. Or at least that’s what he is when Luma is around. When anyone else is there, he becomes an ordinary grey puppy with a fluffy tail who loves chasing squirrels and bouncing on trampolines. It’s a big secret to keep and soon Luma’s clever cousin Arjun is suspicious of this peculiar puppy who doesn’t behave like any other dog. Luckily Luma’s grandmother, Nani, is there to help and to Luma’s surprise, Nani might just know a little dragon magic of her own! Expect lots of laughs, mountains of mischief, and a truly magical friendship as Luma and her cheeky dragon steal the show!
(Welbeck Flame, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
A Walk Through Nature
Libby Walden and Clover Robin

DISCOVER the amazing, secret wonders of our world in this enchanting peek-through book for early learners. Our natural world transforms every day and month and year, but if we don’t take time to look, the wonders fade and disappear. And to inspire your little ones to make their own journey of discovery, let them explore nature through the pages of this beautiful book which features fascinating facts, inventive, gate-folds to explore, the stunning illustrations of Clover Robin and a lyrical, rhyming text by Libby Walden. From the tiny seeds from which flowers bloom to the wriggling worms which hide deep underground, there are so many breathtaking spectacles to admire. A Walk Through Nature is the perfect book for young wildlife enthusiasts, and the vibrant illustrations are sure to capture young imaginations. A poignant reminder to us all to take time to look around us and admire and protect the world we live in.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Mayor Bunny’s Chocolate Town
Elys Dolan

IS being a leader all it’s cracked up to be? Elys Dolan’s Mr Bunny (who shot to fame in award-winning, laugh-out-loud picture book Mr Bunny’s Chocolate Factory) is back and, after eschewing capitalism, returns to the front line of politics to run for mayor! A talented young author and illustrator, Dolan has earned a top reputation for her clever, comical and superbly illustrated stories in which her eye for exquisite small detail and wry comedy prove irresistible to all generations of readers. In this new adventure, we find that Coop Town is in need of some urgent repairs and Mr Bunny is promising to make it great again if he wins the vote for a new mayor. At first, the chicken electorate is wowed by Mr Bunny’s promises of new chocolate houses, new chocolate parks, new chocolate swimming pools and a bold claim that chocolate will repel hungry foxes. But what will happen when the truth comes home to roost? This cute, cautionary and truly funny tale teaches youngsters the importance of honesty, fairness, ambition and responsibility as well offering a riotous romp packed with a delicious mix of comic capers, tasty gags, adorable characters, and lots of chocolate! A feast of giggles and gregarious artwork…
(OUP, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Dogs in Disguise
Peter Bently and John Bond 

HAVE these dogs gone barking mad?! Get your teeth into a laughter-filled extravaganza from the fantastic new picture book collaboration of Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning author Peter Bently and brilliantly talented illustrator John Bond. Dogs in Disguise is a wickedly funny rhyming romp that will have little ones tugging at the lead to get their hands on a copy. ‘Dogs come in all kinds of colours and sizes. But when no one’s looking they put on disguises.’ Dressing up in clothing they find at home, these adventurous pooches blend into the crowd at all the places dogs aren’t allowed, like the store, the cinema and the swimming pool! But not all of their disguises go quite to plan… with hilarious results. From schnauzers in trousers to cosmonaut cockapoos and pugs in tuxedos, Bently’s romping rhyme, crazy canine capers and the daftest line-up of daffy dogs – each rendered with Bond’s wit and expressive precision – burst out from every page. And with an out-of-this-world twist in the tail, there’s no disguising the utter joy of this playful celebration of dogs.
(HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
One Camel Called Doug
Lu Fraser and Sarah Warburton

‘I WANT to be alone,’ quipped the famous Swedish actress Greta Garbo, and after a day of frantic fun with his pals, Doug the camel knows just how she felt! Award-winning writer Lu Fraser, an exciting new voice in children’s picture books, and illustrator Sarah Warburton work their special magic on a crazy camel caper that is perfect for the countdown to bedtime. A warmly reassuring, rhyming story – complete with a fun counting element – about how it’s OK to need a little me-time, this brilliant, bouncing adventure captures all the zany zest of youth and that time of the day when the battery starts to run down. Doug the camel is all alone and sometimes he wonders whether one is enough (it makes playing hide and seek terribly tough). So when at first one, then two, then three, then four more camels turn up (followed by a whole camel herd), Doug delights in the possibilities all these new friends bring. But when Doug is ‘all camelled out’ from the excitement and it’s time to count down to bedtime, he takes just as much pleasure from the peace of being alone once again. Fraser’s warm and funny tale is a delight to read out loud and is illustrated with warmth, humour and rich detail by Warburton in the first book from this fresh and funny picture book partnership.
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
I Want To Be… a Ballerina
Becky Davies and Richard Merritt

DO you want to be a ballerina? Does your little one dream of dancing on stage? Well here’s your chance to spend a day with a ballerina! Find out what it takes in this fun and entertaining book which is part of an early-learning series featuring different careers to inspire and inform your child, and is perfect for young minds with big dreams. The board book offers a simple, accessible text alongside bright, bold illustrations by Richard Merritt which will appeal to children of every age. With chunky pages and a surprise mirror ending, so little ones can spot their own face smiling back at them, this is the ideal book to keep tots on their toes!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £6.99)

Age 2 plus
I’m the Tractor Driver & I’m the Bus Driver
Illustrated by David Semple

LET'S imagine! Encourage children to engage in creative play with these two super books which put your little ones firmly in the driving seat. Designed to build self-confidence and gently teach the concept of following instructions, problem solving, and teamwork, I’m the Tractor Driver and I’m the Bus Driver offer a child’s eye insight into
driving vehicles. 

The stories – beautifully illustrated by David Semple – are also ideal teaching tools as they are embedded with early learning skills such as recognition of colours, shapes, and numbers. 

Whether it’s the farmer climbing aboard his tractor, hooking up the trailer and heading to the fields, or the bus driver starting the engine, giving out the bus tickets and delivering all the children to school on time, these books are perfect to share with children as a fun way to practise key skills while spotting their favourite vehicles and making the sound effects. Jump in the seat and go!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age one plus
Toddler Take-Along: Nature
Becky Davies and Ana Zaja Petrak

THERE'S so much to discover on a nature adventure… what will YOU spot? There’s a transport of delight inside the chunky pages of this fun and informative board book which encourages little ones to explore their environment and learn about the world of nature outside. Toddlers will love carrying the book around with the pair of bright, sturdy fabric handles. Each page contains simple labels to help curious explorers identify the plants and animals as they walk and explore in the great outdoors and Ana Zaja Petrak’s bright, colourful illustrations and peep-through pages deliver extra entertainment. Toddler Take-Along: Nature is the first title in a clever and educational new board book series focusing on child-led learning. Perfect for keeping little ones busy when you’re out for a walk!
 (Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age one plus
Hello, Bee
Isabel Otter and Sophie Ledesma

JOIN a bee on a buzzy, busy journey and say hello to lots of friendly bugs along the way in this joyful and colourful journey through nature. Hello, Bee – a beautifully produced touch, feel and reveal board book – features tactile textures, exciting flaps and peek-through holes to encourage little learners to interact with the pages. So join Bee on his search for the hive and meet a hungry caterpillar, a spotty ladybird, a wriggly worm and lots of other hidden creatures in this search-and-find adventure with a difference. The bold and bright illustrations of Sophie Ledesma bring the natural world to life while Isabel Otter’s simple but informative text, and the intriguing flaps, allow little learners to recognise other insects. The ideal fun and stimulating book to share with your toddlers.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

Age from birth
Looking For Mummy
Becky Davies and Anna Doherty

LITTLE Brown Bunny wants a cuddle from his mummy in this adorable lift-the-flap story book just made for the youngest members of the family. Where is Little Brown Bunny’s mummy, can you find her? Take a peep under the flaps and meet a host of adorable animals along the way as Bunny goes on a mummy hunt! Part of a cuddly and colourful new Snuggle Up Stories series – perfect for bedtime – this charming board book features sturdy, peep-through flaps and chunky pages for little hands to explore. With a simple story and gentle learning topics throughout, each book combines soft, atmospheric art with stunning photographic animals and reassuring stories… ideal for soothing even the most restless of toddlers to sleep!
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £6.99)

The Impulse Purchase

Veronica Henry

AT the age of 69, Cherry Nicholson has always loved an impulse purchase, but buying a rundown pub in a rural village is truly letting her heart rule her head. With her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter in tow to help with the daunting project, has Cherry bitten off more than she can chew this time… or will it prove to be her best buy yet?

Everyone’s favourite feel-good storyteller, Veronica Henry (pictured below), is ready to whisk you away to the heart of the Somerset countryside in a beautiful novel of love, hope and caring that is guaranteed to bring a thrill of joy to the hearts and minds of readers in need of an end-of-winter uplift.

Henry’s gorgeous books always come packed with her acute insights into family life and relationships, and this inspirational, sunshine-filled odyssey explores the powerful and insoluble bonds between the different generations of a family. And true to her aim to bring us stories featuring situations and dilemmas we can all relate to, The Impulse Purchase puts love – not just romantic love but the love of friends, family and place – firmly at its beating heart.

It’s a pivotal time for Cherry Nicholson as Mike, her partner of nearly 50 year and father of their daughter Maggie, retires from his prestigious job as Professor of Art in the cathedral town Avonminster and they make plans for the next phase of their lives.

Cherry might never have had a professional job herself but she has been the lynchpin in Mike’s career… capable, resourceful and the perfect hostess whilst being at the centre of their family which includes Maggie’s daughter Rose, and Rose’s three-year-old daughter Gertie.

Despite many years living away from Rushbrook, the Somerset village where she grew up, it’s still the place that Cherry considers to be her real home. Her own mother recently died there and the family house is being sold so when an incident at Mike’s retirement party rocks her to the core, Cherry immediately retreats to Rushbrook. And it’s while she’s there that Cherry discovers the beautiful but neglected local pub, The Swan, with its river setting, thatched roof and latticed windows, is in danger of being sold to a developer… and in a moment of impulse, she buys it with a nest egg left by her mother. It’s obvious to Cherry that she can’t handle the renovation job alone so she calls on her family to help. Maggie, the increasingly disenchanted owner of a PR company, is still reeling from the death of her beloved husband Frank in an accident and desperately needs to move on from the tragedy, while Rose, single mother to Gertie, has anxiety problems that are blighting her life.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post review

All three women uproot themselves and move to Rushbrook to take over The Swan and restore it to its former glory… Cherry is at the helm, Maggie is in charge of the kitchen, and Rose tends the picturesque garden that leads down to the river. Before long, the locals are delighted to find the

Diamond

Jessie Keane

WITH her raven black hair, velvet soft skin and striking violet-coloured eyes, Diamond Butcher possesses the beauty and the power to bewitch any man. But Diamond was born into a London gangland family in the early years of the 20^th century and when her violent uncle takes over as the mob’s boss, she is forced to flee for her own safety to Paris where her destiny might be decided by one disastrous event.

Welcome to the back streets of Soho and the thrilling, chilling world of gangland crime created by Queen of the Underworld Jessie Keane (pictured below) who has found a new and exciting time and place for an epic drama starring an unforgettable heroine. 

Keane, who was born into Romany gypsy stock and has herself lived at both ends of the social spectrum, has a wicked eye for the ruthless, fiercely factional criminal underworld and her books never fail to pack a powerful punch. And after her gripping and gory Ruby Darke series set in 1980s London, Keane winds back the clock to the period after the end of the First World War when young men returned from the battlefields and Soho was a mecca not just for its eclectic nightlife but a vicious brand of gang warfare.

In 1909, gang leader Warren Butcher was forced to flee to Paris when a gang called the Austrian Wolfe crew came to London and snatched away his business. However, it wasn’t all bad for Warren because he met and married exotic-looking artist’s model Frenchie and between them they enjoyed a deliriously happy Parisian life, got rich, and had three children, including a loving and beautiful daughter called Diamond.

But when Gustav Wolfe, leader of the Austrian Wolfe gang, expands his ‘firm’ across the Channel to Paris, Warren again has to run – or die – taking his family back to old and familiar ground in Soho.

Frenchie fears Gustav will hound them until their ‘dying day’ and she is proved right when Warren is killed in a brutal street attack. Diamond might only be eleven but her mother’s rage and sorrow ‘seep’ into her and she swears that when she grows up she will have her revenge on the Wolfe mob, a gang of men who are ‘bad to the bone.’ But first she has to suffer cruelty and abuse from her Uncle Victor who has taken over the Butcher Boys. An unpredictable bully – whose seeming calm can quickly erupt into terrifying rages – he is training Diamond to shoplift. Desperate to escape his clutches, Diamond changes her name to Diamond Dupree and travels to Paris to become an artist’s model like her mother, but the world there is different to what she had been led to believe and she soon falls on hard times.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post review

Once again Diamond has to make an escape, this time back to her family in London, but she leaves behind her a mystery, and a dead man, that will set the clock ticking. Back home in Soho, Diamond reluctantly rejoins the family ‘firm’ she had once been glad to leave behind. And having

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Animal magic, flying high and a whale called Hope

Discover weird and wonderful animals, take flight with a young scientist, journey across the ocean with a blue whale, and raise your teacups to two wacky picture book stars in a super selection of new books

Age 7 plus
Amazing Animals:
100+ Creatures That
Will Boggle Your Mind
Sabrina Weiss
and Paul Daviz

IF you fancy an armchair tour of some of our planet’s most amazing creatures, open the pages of this fact-packed book and discover the miraculous magic of nature! Amazing Animals: 100+ Creatures That Will Boggle Your Mind is the fourth title in an acclaimed Our Amazing World series from What on Earth Publishing which specialises in the art of telling stories through timelines. For every question their informative books answer, they spark another one, helping to encourage young readers into a lifelong love of enquiring and discovering.

And this intriguing, colourful, fact-filled exploration of diverse wildlife reveals that animals come in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes and sizes… from playful dolphins and the record-breaking tongues of chameleons to sleepy koalas and stinky cheetahs. Written by Sabrina Weiss, a journalist covering science, the environment and technology, and beautifully illustrated by Paul Daviz, Amazing Animals provides a breathtaking tour of creatures from air, land and sea.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post reviews

Learn about the dashing dance of the peacock spider, the South African oryx that can heat its body to 45 degrees Celsius to avoid sweating, and a fish that keeps its babies safe in its own mouth as the secrets of the creatures’ survival, the incredible habitats they call home and the environmental threats putting their existence in danger are uncovered. A lavish, central folding page offers a world map which reveals the locations of all the animals included in the book, alongside incredible facts, bite-size information, a helpful glossary and an index. An unforgettable, globe-trotting adventure for animal lovers and budding environmentalists, and an exciting new addition to Amazing Islands, Amazing Treasures and Amazing Rivers.
(What on Earth Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Diary of an Accidental Witch: Flying High
Perdita and Honor Cargill, and Katie Saunders

BEA-WARE … there’s a trainee witch in town and she’s casting a spell over readers young and old! Magic is in the air from the moment you open the pages of the second book of a brilliantly funny and enchanting series created by the bewitching minds of daughter and mother partnership, Honor and Perdita Cargill. Illustrated throughout by talented artist Katie Saunders, this perfect potion of magic, mayhem and mischief is billed as The Worst Witch meets Tom Gates, and delivers gags and giggles on every page. Bea Black is all settled into her new life in Little Spellshire, a town with a magical secret. She’s made tonnes of friends at witch school, learned how to levitate frogs (just about) and been working hard on polishing up her broom skills. So when the Winter Solstice Grand Tournament rolls round, she’s ready to rise to the next challenge and fly high. But then Ms Sparks decides that this year’s tournament will be a bit – er – different. That is, it won’t be an Extraordinary Grand Tournament at all, but rather a very ordinary sports day with Spellshire Academy! With magic firmly forbidden and rivalry reaching new heights, who will emerge victorious? And more importantly, will Bea’s friendship with her best non-witchy friend Ash survive the competition? The Cargills make a truly wizard writing team as Bea’s exceedingly different (and hilarious!) life at witch school comes with a cauldron full of comedy and a very special brand of heartwarming magic.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 7 plus
Monster Max and the Marmalade Ghost
Robin Bennett and Tom Tinn-Disbury

TURNING into a monster is not to be sneezed at… and nobody knows that better than madcap Max! Welcome to the second monstrously funny adventure starring a (slightly scruffy) schoolboy who turns into a monster when he burps – and back into a boy when he sneezes. There are laughs aplenty in this fabulously silly and slapstick series from fun-loving author Robin Bennett and rising star illustrator Tom Tinn-Disbury. In this new outing for the daffy duo of Max and his pal Peregrine, we find them volunteering at an old people’s home where strange things start to happen. One resident is walking on the ceiling, one is riding their wheelchair through walls, and Reggie says his marmalade is haunted (although no one listens). Can Max and his friends work out what’s happening to protect his family and the local community from the Marmalade Ghost? Max always tries to ‘protect and do good stuff’ and it is this theme of responsibility and caring for family and friends that lies at the heart of the series. With warm and witty plotlines, a cast of quirky, lovable characters and Tinn-Disbury’s anarchic illustrations, these are stories to both amuse and inspire.
(Firefly Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files: Exploring Flight!
Andrea Beaty, Dr Theanne Griffith
and David Roberts

REACH for the sky with this fantastic new addition to the bestselling Questioneers series, a full-colour non-fiction early reader series based on the new Ada Twist, Scientist Netflix series! One question always leads to another when you are sharing adventures with the irrepressibly curious Ada Twist. A scientist to her very core, Ada asks why again and again, and her questions always lead youngsters on a fascinating journey of discovery in Andrea Beaty and David Roberts’ brilliant The Questioneers books. Here the author and illustrator team join forces with brain scientist Dr Theanne Griffith to guide youngsters through the science behind flight. Why do aeroplanes look the way they do, why can’t birds fly when they are first born, and why do some paper planes fly further than others? Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files is the perfect resource for all these questions and more. Discover everything there is to know about flight from information about creatures that fly and the history of aircraft to modern technology which allows us to soar through the air faster than ever. Based on the bestselling series and the new Netflix show, and filled with both fun and facts, this is the ideal book to entertain, educate and empower the scientists of tomorrow.
(Amulet Books, hardback, £8.99)

Age 4 plus
Ada Twist, Scientist:
Brainstorm Book
AND the eternally curious Ada takes the starring role again in a bright and busy sticker book full of mazes, puzzles and colouring pages for budding pre-school scientists. The Questioneers Brainstorm Book comes with more than 400 stickers and four fabulous, double-sided, pull-out posters, and is brimming with facts and fun. This collectible package, also based on the new Netflix show, includes creative activities and challenges, colourful stickers of Ada Twist and her friends, and some of her wackiest science experiments. With lots to learn, enjoy and discover, this is the perfect gift for fans of the bestselling book series, the new Ada Twist, Scientist Netflix show, and your own young thinkers and questioners!
(Abrams Books for Young Readers, paperback, £9.99)

Age 3 plus
Hope the Whale
Illustrated by Laura Chamberlain

FOLLOW the amazing life journey of a blue whale called Hope in a beautiful new picture book that has been created in consultation with the Natural History Museum. This magical story was inspired by the museum’s famous blue whale which was found stranded off the Irish coast in 1891 but sadly died shortly afterwards, despite the efforts of local fishermen. Given the name Hope, her skeleton was taken to Natural History Museum in London and has become one of its most loved exhibits. With the stunning illustrations of children’s books designer Laura Chamberlain, the book takes youngsters on an epic adventure across the North Atlantic Ocean to track Hope’s annual migration from north to south. Told through the eyes of one little boy, this enchanting story reimagines Hope’s life. Every year he looks out for Hope on her swim from the icy seas of the Arctic to the warm tropics until one day, she appears with her own baby whale at her side. Chamberlain’s ethereal underwater illustrations and spreads bring to glorious life this inspirational picture book about one of our planet's most magnificent creatures. And with a fact-packed fold-out at the back and information about the real Hope the whale, this is a book for all the family to love and treasure.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
My Mum is a Lioness
Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola 

WHEN your mum pounces for cuddles and kisses, and wants to gobble you up… it could be because she’s a lioness! Little ones will be roaring with laughter when they get their hands on this fast, furious and funny tale of about a boy with a wild imagination. Open your arms – and your hearts – to the second endearing picture book from exciting creative duo, award-winning author Swapna Haddow, and talented illustrator Dapo Adeola who brought us the brilliant My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Run! Hide! My mum is a lioness and she’s on the prowl. Is Mum a lioness? She loves her ‘cubs,’ she can run faster than anything, and she can catch you in a single pounce. And she always makes sure you can hear her incredibly loud, proud roar. What else could Mum be but a lioness? But sometimes, especially when her young ones are upset or scared, a lovely, warm, protective lioness hug is just what is needed! Enjoy a riot of vibrant storytelling, big, bold and beautiful illustration, and the comfort and joy of family love in this caring, sharing book just made for bedtime reading.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Ready! Said Rabbit
Marjoke Henrichs

RABBIT is going to the park… but will he ever be ready? Say hello again to the adorable little rabbit we first met in No! Said Rabbit, the sparkling debut book of artist and theatre designer Marjoke Henrichs which was shortlisted for the Booktrust Storytime Prize. Full of youthful joy and playfulness, and exquisitely illustrated throughout, this new adventure is guaranteed to strike a chord with harassed parents everywhere. It’s a lovely day to visit the park and play outside, but will Rabbit and Dad ever be ready to leave the house? Rabbit could take his ball to the park or his bear and truck. But his favourite elephant would be just perfect, too, if only he could find it. Oh, but here’s an interesting book to read... and a lovely picture to paint! It’s getting late with all this fussing about, but uh-oh… now Dad needs his jacket and his glasses. And wherever did his keys go? Henrichs brings a winning brand of ironic humour to both her words and a gallery of lively, expressive and gorgeously colourful illustrations in a story full of all-too-familiar dawdling and delaying. Simple lines and clever gouache washes bring to vivid life this winning tale of charm, drama, patience… and the love between a father and son.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
We Are Family
Lucy Reynolds and Jenna Herman 

FAMILIES come in all shapes and sizes but each and every one is unique! Find your place in our wild and wonderful world… and learn lots of fun and fascinating animal facts in this beautifully empathetic and colourful picture book. We Are Family is the work of Lucy Reynolds and Jenna Herman who founded the publishing company Doodles & Scribbles in 2017 and are creating gorgeous books for little explorers. As mothers of young children, they aim to inspire little readers to notice and nurture the natural world, whilst being mindful of the rich complexity of experiences that surround and shape them. Here, youngsters discover that there are billions of creatures on this earth, but only one you. The book celebrates the many ways in which young grow up, the journey we all take to find our true place in the world and the diversity in the make-up of families. Edited with the help of Beth Cox, a specialist Inclusion and Equality Consultant, We Are Family approaches important topics with sensitivity and empathy whilst delivering both entertainment and education.
(Doodles and Scribbles, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Teapot Trouble: A Duck and Tiny Horse Adventure
Morag Hood 

EVERYBODY likes a reunion… particularly when it’s those two unlikely – and lovable – friends Duck and Tiny Horse! Yes, award-winning author and illustrator Morag Hood is back with her tiny, opinionated horse and daffy duck friends who starred in the wacky picture book Spaghetti Hunters. The ever-inventive, award-winning Hood can’t put a foot (or hoof) wrong when it comes to comical and creative thinking and this new super-silly adventure is one of her best yet. Something or someone is living inside Duck’s teapot! Who are they? What do they want? How will Tiny Horse and Duck get them out? Never fear, for Tiny Horse is here! Tiny Horse has a trampoline, she has a magnificent hat, she has a stick of celery. What more could anyone need to save the day? Teapot Trouble is full of the clever playfulness, imaginative power, and endearing mischievousness that we have come to expect from the creator of best-selling favourites like The Steves, I Am Bat, Aalfred and Aalbert, and Brenda is a Sheep. And with messages about kindness and friendship shining like a beacon from the pages, and eye-catching illustrations full of bold colours and Hood’s unique wit, this is picture book joy for all the family.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Five Little Chicks: Lift the flaps to find the chicks
Lily Murray and Holly Surplice

SPRING must already be in the air if these chicks are causing a flap! Author Lily Murray and illustrator Holly Surplice team up for an enchanting and wonderfully colourful lift-the-flaps picture book based on the nursery rhyme Five Little Ducks. Five little chicks went out one day, Over the hills and far away, Mamma Hen said ‘Hurry back to me!,’ Now how many chicks can you see? Little ones will love joining a fluffy little family on a journey of discovery through the countryside. There’s so much to see as Mamma Hen and her brood wind through a flowery meadow, a bluebell wood, a field full of lambs and a busy farmyard. Along the way, they meet all kinds of baby animals and their parents. But wait… the chicks are disappearing one by one! Whatever are they up to? Lift a host of intriguing flaps to find the chicks, discover a fantastic surprise ending, and learn how to count as you hunt for the chicks. The picture perfect book for sharing with all the family!
(Templar, paperback, £6.99)

The Dressmaker’s Secret

Lorna Cook

FOR decades after her death in 1971, the scandalous rumours that French fashion icon Coco Chanel had been a Nazi collaborator during the wartime Occupation of Paris remained just whispers in quiet corners. 

But in 2011, documented evidence came to light (thanks to the work of ex-US Foreign Service Officer Hal Vaughan) which would seem to indicate that the world-famous designer had, in fact, not just been ‘sleeping with the enemy’ but may also have been a Nazi agent.

The chequered life of Coco Chanel – who spent much of the war in a suite at the luxurious Ritz Hotel in Paris where she lived alongside high-ranking Nazi military officers – caught the eye of historical novelist Lorna Cook, a writer who finds much of her inspiration in pieces of forgotten history. And after a recent success with The Girl from the Island, an eye-opening account of the terrible hardships faced by the people of Occupied Guernsey, Cook (pictured below) has harnessed the shadowy wartime days of Coco Chanel in a riveting, time-slip tale of secrets, subterfuge and resistance.

Through the eyes of her young and plucky assistant, Adèle Fabron, readers are swept into the lives of both the brutal aggressors and the brave French Résistance fighters who risked all to help the innocent victims of the occupying Nazi regime.

Raised by nuns at an orphanage in Saint-Nazaire on the west coast of France, Adèle Fabron had a lucky break when she made her way to Paris and was offered a job as a seamstress by the famous fashion designer Coco Chanel.

And when the fashion house was closed after the Nazis jack-booted their way into the city in 1941, Adèle was fortunate to be kept on as private assistant to Mademoiselle Chanel at her large and expensive suite in the Ritz Hotel.

It’s a mixed blessing for Adèle because now she must live side by side with German officers in the Ritz while her anger at the invaders, who are starting to round up the city’s Jews, grows stronger by the day. Mademoiselle Chanel tells her that they must ‘adapt’ and that as long as they do nothing to give the Nazis cause for concern, they have no need to worry. But everything changes when Adèle meets Theo Dixon, an American doctor working in a hospital under the auspices of the International Red Cross. Theo is secretly working for the Résistance, including helping stranded British airmen return to their homeland.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post review

Soon Adèle, who has fallen in love with Theo, is joining the fight even though Mademoiselle Chanel is now in a close relationship with fellow Ritz resident, Nazi propaganda official Hans Günther von Dincklage. And as Occupied Paris becomes more and more dangerous, Adèle will have to decide if she can risk everything to save innocent lives and protect the man she loves…

Seventy-seven years later, Chloé James’ 97-year-old grandmother Adèle has never spoken about the war and avoids questions about the legendary designer she once worked for. So now Chloé – who is recovering from a messy divorce – has come to Paris on a ‘gap year’ to uncover the truth

We Know You Remember

Tove Alsterdal 

WHEN a teenage girl disappeared without a trace from a small rural town twenty-three years ago, a local boy confessed to raping and killing her and was banished from the close-knit Swedish community.

But now Olof Hagström, who was only fourteen at the time and too young to be charged, is back… and on the day of his return, his father is found stabbed to death in his bath. It’s a disturbing case that will come too close to home for police detective Eira Sjödin who has dark secrets in her own family.

Welcome to the chilling, thrilling, claustrophobic world created by Tove Alsterdal (pictured below), the smart and sassy Swedish crime sensation whose dazzling talents are billed as ‘one of Sweden’s best-kept secrets’ and who has won both the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel and Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year. Noted for her immaculate prose, propulsive storytelling, page-turning evocation of rural Sweden, and superb characterisation, Alsterdal’s debut novel for an English-speaking audience – superbly translated by Alice Menzies – leaves readers guessing from start to finish.

And what a mesmerising case it is… set against the lush backdrop of the forested and rocky landscape of the High Coast of northern Sweden, Alsterdal’s thriller sweeps readers into a small township where the decades-old mystery of missing teenager Lina Stavred still sends powerful shockwaves through the tight-lipped, guilt-ridden residents.

Everyone in the Kramfors area of Ådalen remembers the summer night twenty-three years ago when 16-year-old Lina Stavred went missing. At first, the police investigation seemed like a dead end… there was no body, no crime scene and no murder weapon.

But then local boy Olof Hagström – known to have some learning difficulties – confessed to raping and strangling Lina. Her body was never found and Olof was never convicted. Instead, he was sent away to a special children’s home, his family declined all contact with him, the case was closed and the records sealed.

Now 37-year-old Olof has reappeared at his family’s house and he knows instantly that something is amiss. The front door key, hidden under a familiar stone, is still there. Inside, there’s a panicked dog, a terrible stench, water pooling on the floor and the widowed father Olaf has not seen or spoken to in decades is dead in the bath tub.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post review

For police detective Eira Sjödin, the investigation of this suspicious death resurrects long-forgotten nightmares. She was only nine when Olof confessed to the brutal crime but she knows all too well that the case left a mark on the town’s collective memory – a wound that never quite

The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor

Eddie Jaku

‘Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful.
 It is up to you.’

AUSCHWITZ  survivor Eddie Jaku lived for over a century and knew what it was like to stare evil in the face… so why did he consider himself to be the happiest man on Earth?

If the years of Covid-19 has dented your optimism and made you fear for the future, take a leaf out of the remarkable Eddie’s inspirational memoir and discover his moving, timely and powerful messages about the malignant nature of hatred, and the force for good that comes from gratitude, tolerance and kindness.

Eddie (pictured below), a German-born Jew who was incarcerated in the two deadly concentration camps of Buchenwald and Auschwitz, and survived against the odds, found a new life in Australia after the war and for decades never talked about his Holocaust experiences because, if truth be known, he was still hurting from losing almost everyone he had ever loved.

But, through the years of happy marriage to his wife Flore, fatherhood and on to the joys of being a grandparent, the urge to tell his story grew stronger inside Eddie until the time came when he felt he had a duty to help educate the world about the dangers of hate. 

Born in Leipzig in East Germany in 1920, Abraham Salomon Jakuowicz, later known as Eddie Jaku, and who died in October 2021 at the age of one hundred and one, sprung from a hardworking family that considered themselves ‘Germans first, Germans second, and then Jewish.’ Their religion did not seem as important as being good citizens and young Eddie was proud of his country. But his life changed forever in 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power and brought with him a fierce wave of anti-Semitism.

Following in his engineer father’s footsteps, Eddie had a gift for all things mechanical and when he was turned out of school for being Jewish, he continued his engineering studies at another

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: The final whistle, super sleuths and an ungodly mystery

The remarkable story of a group of Preston girls who made footballing history reaches the final chapter, a pizza delivery boy heads off for a slice of sleuthing action in Japan, meet some unlikely heroes in the ancient Norse world, and discover the wonders of nature at night in an exciting selection of new children’s books

Age 9 plus
Dick, Kerr Girls:
All Together Now
Eve Ainsworth

WELCOME back into the lives of the team of ordinary working girls from Preston who made footballing history. The remarkable munitions workers from the Dick, Kerr factory in Strand Road – whose first match was played before an astonishing 10,000 spectators at Deepdale on Christmas Day in 1917 ­– take centre stage again in the final book of a thrilling Dick, Kerr Girls trilogy from Carnegie-nominated author Eve Ainsworth.

All Together Now – which follows on from Kicking Off! and The Perfect Shot – continues the feminist coming-of-age re-telling of events leading up to the formation of the famous Preston football team, which emerged at a time when women weren’t allowed to play professional football, but whose plucky members went on to play in front of crowds the size of today’s men’s Premier League teams.

Click HERE for Lancashire Post reviews

It’s 1920, and the team have a new member training with them. Martha – little sister to Hettie and Freddie – has finally been given her chance to swap street kickabouts with the local lads for the chance to play alongside the world’s best female footballers. But Martha has more to worry about than keeping up with the older girls. She’s dealing with new and confusing feelings. Things at home are hard and the future of women’s football in general is under threat. Are Martha’s dreams – both on and off the pitch – too far out of reach?

Meticulously researched and brimming with the excitement and determination of those footballing legends, this powerful and inspirational series has been a reminder of the obstacles these young women faced, and the release that sport offered them from the grind of their daily lives. From making new friendships and making history, Ainsworth’s storytelling celebration of a group of unforgettable women resonates loudly with today’s generation of aspiring female footballers.
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Mark Anchovy: Pizza Power
William Goldsmith

NO youngster will want to miss a slice of the action when they get their hands on the third tasty tale of an adventure-loving pizza delivery boy who serves up a big portion of danger in his dual role as a private detective. Mark Anchovy is a brilliant middle-grade series from talented writer and illustrator William Goldsmith and it comes packed with comedy, capers, tall orders, mouth-watering mysteries… and food glorious food! Pizza delivery boy Colin Kingsley, aka Mark Anchovy, is on a new case for the Golden Spatula League, the greatest of all detective agencies and it only recruits children. He’s got a lot on his plate this time and it’s not just fishy pizza. He’s in Japan and his mission is to track down Lord Bobo, an English game show host who is missing. Worryingly, a bloodthirsty butler is after him and, more worryingly, he has a new apprentice to train… his sister, Alicia. Has the world’s busiest pizza detective bitten off more than he can chew? Goldsmith’s fully illustrated adventure dishes up madcap action, super sleuthing, a Japanese shower of laughs, and more puns than a school text book on English grammar! Ideal for pizza and adrenalin addicts, and anybody aiming to follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie, Mark Anchovy is a delicious favourite on the middle-grade reading menu.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 9 plus
Vi Spy: Never Say Whatever Again
Maz Evans 

I SPY with my little eye… a daring (but D-minus!) girl tasked with saving the world! Welcome back to the fertile imagination of Maz Evans, author of the bestselling Who Let the Gods Out? books, and her hilarious super-sleuthing adventure series which stars a pint-sized super spy and a supporting cast of characters who cannot fail to win the hearts of readers young and old. Valentine (Vi) Day’s mum, Easter Day, is an ex- spy and is divorcing her dad, Robert Ford, who has now retired as one of the world’s most evil men. Divorce is tough for any kid but with her parents distracted, the real super-villains are having a field day. To save her family – and the planet – from evil domination, Vi has turned spy. But Vi is failing at top spy school Rimmington Hall even though the school motto is ‘Failure is Not an Option.’ To make matters worse, nearly-stepbrother Russell Sprout is an A* student. And worst of all, Vi’s shadowy nemesis Umbra is still at large. Can Vi unveil the arch-villain before she gets expelled and her parents ground her for ever? She’ll need the help of old friends and new, including nine-year-old super-hacker Missy Fit, and BFF Tamina who aims to save the world in a different way. Expect giggles and gasps galore as youngsters take a running jump into this full-on, comedy-laden story which includes memorable moments and gripping twists whilst gently tackling emotive issues like parental divorce and friendship problems.
(Chicken House, paperback, £6.99)

Age 8 plus
How to Be a Hero: A Gathering of Giants
Cat Weldon and Katie Kear

AN unlikely hero and an ungodly case to solve… in a comically convoluted ancient world? It can only be the final EPIC chapter of Cat Weldon’s hilarious series set in the strange and thrilling world of Norse Gods and Valkyries. This funny, fast-paced fantasy trilogy – superbly illustrated throughout by Katie Kear – explores how to be a friend and what it means to be a hero whilst delivering one long madcap adventure full of giggles galore. Unlikely hero Whetstone and banished Valkyrie Lotta are in hiding. Their quest to find the magic harp strings before Loki, the trickster God, can use them to bring chaos to the Nine Worlds has come to a dead end. And with the evil Valkyrie Glinting-Fire wreaking havoc on earth, nowhere is safe… especially when Lotta can’t control her strange new powers. So when they overhear that Whetstone’s mother, and the second harp string, are imprisoned in the land of the Frost Giants, Whetstone decides that in order to beat Loki, he’s going to have to act like a ‘proper’ hero and leave behind the thief he used to be. But with an army of giants, traitorous trolls, brainwashed Valkyries and dangerous long-lost secrets, how can Whetstone and Lotta hope to win when they can’t figure out how to be a hero and themselves at the same time? Reluctant readers, slapstick comedy fans, and young adventurers will be in heavenly Valhalla as they share the last round of adventures with lovable Lotta and discover not just what it means to be a hero but also how weird and wonderful the Norse Gods really are!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn
Harriet Evans and Nie Jones

DISCOVER the wonders of nature at night in a spectacular lift-the-flap book full of colour, learning and fun. Young imaginations will be filled with enchantment and curiosity as they travel through the pages of this innovative and entertaining book from inventive publisher 360 Degrees. A non-fiction imprint of the Little Tiger Group, 360 Degrees offers a stimulating approach to presenting facts and Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn is another colourful, interactive creation full of split-page flaps to lift and amazing facts to discover. Journey from the woods at dusk to the lofty Himalayan Mountains and the sweltering deserts, and learn all about the natural world which thrives after the sun goes down. With its gently informative format, the book is full of fascinating facts about the animals and plants which exist in all kinds of climates and habitats, while the split pages allow readers to explore each landscape in a uniquely immersive way. See which night-time wildlife can be found in the open and which stay hidden within their shadowy habitats. Full of Harriet Evans’ bite-sized facts and all brought to vivid life by the enchanting, muted tones of Nie Jones’ beautiful illustrations, this is an exciting and child-friendly way to let youngsters see the world of wildlife at night, and the perfect book for bedtime reading.
(360 Degrees, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker
Francesca Simon and Steve May

IMAGINE a world where parents want you to be bad! Hack and Whack, the terrible twins, are the very worst Vikings in their village… and let’s face it, being the WORST at everything isn’t easy. For any mischievous child who wants to give anarchy a go, author Francesca Simon and illustrator Steve May’s vile Viking twin terrors are guaranteed to leave readers doubled up with sniggers and giggles. Set in the snowy fjords of a Viking kingdom, this hilarious series features the two manic misbehaving stars and delivers a delicious twin portion of laughter. In their second outing, Hack and Whack might have a rival for being the very worst in the village when a fierce and stinky berserker moves in next door. Will their brand new school help the twins outwit this villain and his vicious dog, Muddy Butt? And will Twisty Pants, Dirty Ulf and Elsa Gold-Hair help vanquish the foul fiend? Simon – best known for her universally popular Horrid Henry series – employs the best of her trademark whip-smart dialogue and wit, while May’s Dennis the Menace style of anarchic cartoon imagery is perfectly pitched for younger readers. Fast and furious, laugh-out-loud funny and wickedly clever, the Two Terrible Vikings are a dream read for your own little mischief-makers.
(Faber & Faber, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Mike Falls Up
Candy Gourlay and Carles Ballesteros

WHEN picture books are too babyish and middle grade books too hard, just what can a young in-betweenie read? The answer is a highly illustrated, full-colour fiction range from the creative book boffins at Little Tiger Press. With their enchanting stories and highly illustrated glossy pages, these books are ideal for bridging the gap between picture books and chapter books for newly independent young readers. In Mike Falls Up, we meet Mike and his dog Bowow as they enjoy a lazy, hot afternoon in the Chocolate Hills when the ground beneath them cracks open… and Bowow jumps into the hole! Then a note flows up… ‘Birthday. Come now. Just fall up.’ With no time to wonder what it means, Mike jumps in and falls into some most topsy-turvy adventures! Shortlisted Carnegie Medal author Candy Gourlay delivers a joyous story celebrating the power of the unexpected, all brought to vivid life by Spanish illustrator Carles Ballesteros’ gallery of vibrant, colourful and action-filled illustrations. A fun book to read alone or to share with the family.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £5.99)

Age 3 plus
Octopants: The Missing Pirate Pants
Suzy Senior and Claire Powell

EVERYTHING seems to be going swimmingly for a little octopus until he tries to find a pair of underpants for his pal! Youngsters will be laughing all the way from the deep end as they dive into the long-awaited second book in the best-selling Octopants series from rhyming queen Suzy Senior and illustrator extraordinaire Claire Powell. This inspired pairing are back to win more hearts as we join Octopants, Pufferfish and their underwater pals on a pant-tastic adventure filled with pirates, parties and plenty of pants. Pufferfish has lost his pants. Where could those undies be? Ahoy there, Pirate! Step aboard – let’s join the search and see! Senior has a wonderful way with words and her funny, exuberant and clever rhyming romp leaps into glorious life alongside Powell’s vibrant, vivid and superbly colourful illustrations. Add on an eye-catching, shiny purple cover and lots of laughs with the joyful adventures and misadventures of a mixed-up, muddled-up mollusc, and this is underwater heaven for fun-loving youngsters.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age one plus
Hello, Frog
Isabel Otter and Sophie Ledesma

LEAP across lily pads with a bouncy fog in this joyful and colourful journey through nature! Hello, Frog – a beautifully produced touch, feel and reveal board book – features tactile textures, exciting flaps and peek-through holes to encourage little learners to interact with the pages. So join Frog on his jungle journey, and say hello to lots of friendly creatures along the way, as he explores all kinds of wildlife, from a hummingbird and a snake to a monkey and a moth. The bold and bright illustrations of Sophie Ledesma bring the natural world to life while Isabel Otter’s simple but informative text, and the intriguing flaps, allow little learners to recognise other animals and plants too. The ideal fun and stimulating book to share with your toddlers.
(Little Tiger Press, board book, £7.99)

From birth
Dear Zoo
Rod Campbell

‘I WROTE to the zoo to send me a pet…’ Over the last 40 years, millions of copies of Rod Campbell’s much-loved, lift-the-flap book, Dear Zoo, have been sold worldwide and it is still as popular today as it was when it was introduced to families in 1982. And to celebrate Dear Zoo’s special 40^th anniversary, let your little ones dive into this imaginative gold-foiled board book which brings all those favourite zoo animals to spectacular life. Tots will love to open up the pages, lift the flaps and meet all the animals one by one, from the large grey elephant and the stripy zebra to the bouncy kangaroo and a big friendly hippo. But will they ever manage to send the perfect pet? This robust and hard-wearing board book contains a colourful menagerie of popular zoo animals and little ones can learn their names and then discover their different shapes and sizes as they turn the chunky pages and see what’s hiding under the sturdy flaps. Ingeniously simple, gorgeously illustrated and yet wonderfully clever, Dear Zoo is perfect for small hands and the ideal way to introduce children to the wonder and variety of wild animals.
(Macmillan, board book, £6.99)