The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove

Jaimie Admans

A STORY by any other name would smell as sweet… If you are already craving the lost days of summer, escape into this sunshine concoction of flowers, romance, mystery and bees from Welsh author Jaimie Admans (pictured below) who has the happy knack of turning her feel-good reads into magical fairy tales.

And there is a real buzz to this warm, funny and enchanting rom-com which has the ecological plight of bees at its beating heart and reminds us all that our own love affair with these endangered insects could be cut short if their habitats continue to be destroyed.

Full of the sounds, scents and sun-soaked vibes of summertime, The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove is set amidst the bucolic charms of a rural Hampshire and gives an entertaining nod to the much-loved novels of Jane Austen, one of the county’s most famous writers.

Following the disastrous break-up of a relationship – and a joint candle-making business – and having moved into her mum’s spare room in the Hampshire village of Little Kettling, Kayleigh Harwood is desperate for a fresh start.

When she sees an opening for a new beekeeper at Elderflower Grove, a place she has known since childhood and which has a fire-damaged manor house at its heart, she jumps at the chance… despite not knowing a thing about bees. Kayleigh feels guilty that she lied at the interview about having beekeeping experience but she can learn… can’t she?

The abandoned old manor house, which has sixty beehives on its roof, holds a mystery of its own… the previous owner, beekeeper Josie Garringham, vanished seven years ago after the fire and locals have been inventing stories, particularly ghost stories, about the house and its overgrown gardens ever since.

Unable to resist the urge to look around, Kayleigh is shocked to find drop-dead-gorgeous gardener Carey Paxton secretly living inside. Carey, who believes he has a family connection to the old house, explains that the manor and surrounding land is at risk of being demolished to make way for a theme park which will endanger the bees, and he has been staying there to protect it despite his terror of bees. Convinced the secret of the house holds the key to saving Elderflower Grove’s very special bees, Kayleigh is prepared to do everything she can to help. But is she ready to find her own happy-ever-after too?

Readers will revel in the sheer enchantment of this bee-autiful, bee-filled odyssey which features some fascinating real-life bee facts at the start of every chapter, and has the joys of nature and the tingle of romance threaded through every page. Admans’ imaginative and magical conjuring of the mysterious manor house, the secrets that lie within its walls, and her fun and evocative references to the characters and places in Austen’s novels make this a journey full of high emotions, hidden passions and surprise discoveries. Be sure to make a bee-line for this garden of delights!
(HQ, paperback, £8.99)

The Dover Café Under Fire

Ginny Bell 

THE Castle family from Dover are facing some of the darkest days of the Second World War in the third book of Ginny Bell’s compelling, drama-packed saga series.

Bell (pictured below), whose home town is Dover, knows both the place and its people well, and once again she sweeps us away to wartime and into the heart of the strategically important Kent port which was virtually demolished by enemy shelling and lost more than half of its population, mostly due to evacuation.

Taking centre stage in this new chapter for the Castle family, which includes the matriarch Nellie and her six children, is garage mechanic Edie who has a long history of disputes with her mother since the death of her father Donald 14 years ago.

In 1940, firebombs are falling on Dover and Edie’s life is thrown into turmoil when the garage where she lives and works is damaged and her beloved boss Mr Pearson – who regards her as the daughter he never had – is arrested.

With no job and nowhere else to go, Edie has no option but to return to Castle’s Café in busy Market Square and her formidable mother, Nellie. Living with her straight-talking mother is never easy, but tensions reach boiling point when an old friend of Nellie’s arrives looking for a place to stay.

Meanwhile, desperate to clear her boss’s name, Edie turns to his nephew Bill for help. But when the café is engulfed in scandal, a shocking tragedy brings long-buried memories to the surface, and Edie realises she can’t trust anyone… not even her own mother.

Bell’s pride and affection for the town she knows so well shines through in this heartwarming saga series as the charismatic Castle family spring to vibrant life and we share in their dramas, secrets, laughter, tears, and fears during the war years when Dover endured so many bombing raids that it became known as Hellfire Corner.

At the heart of the action in The Dover Café Under Fire is Edie who must negotiate a turbulent period in her young life and face up to some devastating truths as the past and present slowly start to unravel. Well researched, written with Bell’s trademark warmth and insight, brimming with emotion, humour and some real-life wartime history, and starring a cast of superbly drawn characters who touch the hearts of readers everywhere, The Dover Café series is now a firm favourite with saga fans.
(Zaffre, paperback, £8.99)

Double or Nothing

Kim Sherwood

JAMES Bond might be missing in action (and maybe even dead) but his shadow still looms large over the remaining Double 0 agents at MI6. And now a young and dynamic generation of spies are following in his famous wake and treading dangerous territory on a dark and high-stakes mission that will put the fate of the world in their hands.

Kim Sherwood (pictured below) – a novelist and lecturer in creative writing at Edinburgh University whose moving Holocaust novel Testament was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award – bursts on to the scene again with the first of an explosive spy thriller trilogy that aims to ‘blow the world of James Bond wide open.’

And this first, all-action adventure – starring a diverse and charismatic trio of spies – is certainly guaranteed to take readers’ breath away as the intrepid team hits the ground running to track down the sinister private military company believed to be responsible for Bond’s disappearance. MI6’s most famous and revered spy James Bond is missing. Agent 007 was captured, and perhaps even killed, by Rattenfanger, a sinister organisation which calls itself ‘a private military company’… a description which 009 Sid Bashir, one of the new breed of agents, says is ‘like calling the mafia a social club.’

Handsome, super-spy Bashir, who was with Bond when he disappeared, is still haunted by the loss of his mentor and is determined to help orchestrate the demise of these ‘terrorists for profit’ who have their fingerprints all over bombings, kidnappings, civil wars and data breaches.

Working alongside him – in more ways than one – is the beautiful 003 Johanna Harwood whose stunning looks, including bronze-coloured eyes that could ‘wither a man at forty paces,’ are thanks to her Northern Irish father and French Algerian mother. Also on the team is 004 Joseph Dryden… six feet four and carrying fourteen stone of muscle. Joseph is gay and arrived in MI6 through Special Forces. He is essentially a tough soldier and knows he can command any situation and doesn’t need to prove it. Together, they are brave and determined and, with a licence to kill, they have been tasked with digging out the truth behind tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise who is claiming that his plan, Cloud Nine, can reverse the climate crisis and save the planet. But can he really ‘heal the Earth’ and why have two of his lynchpin workers suddenly gone missing? The new spies must uncover the truth because, as Ms Moneypenny, the new power behind MI6 points out, ‘humankind has a short window to act, and it’s closing.’

James Bond might be physically absent from this super-charged, breakneck spy romp but his giant presence is still written all over it as fearless Johanna Harwood, cool sleuth Sid Bashir and the mighty Joseph Dryden battle terrifying enemies and a sinister hidden mole to dig out the truth. Packed with the exciting plot twists that we have come to expect from Ian Fleming’s original novels, but with a free hand to create her own spies and make her own mark on the world of Bond, Sherwood lets this thriller run wild with over 400 pages of exhilarating non-stop action and drama.

Expect a journey through locations as diverse as Syria, Siberia, Macau and London’s Barbican as we enjoy Bond-style chase scenes in spectacular top-of-the-range cars, intriguing adversaries moulded in the best traditions of Fleming, and familiar names like Moneypenny, M and Q sporting new personas for a thrilling new age. Played out at breakneck speed, and with a plot that ratchets up the suspense at every turn of the page, and a seductive layer of romance to make hearts flutter, this stirring redefining of the much-loved Bond brand looks set to be a winner. 
(HarperCollins, hardback, £20)

The Mapmaker’s Daughter

Clare Marchant

STILL haunted by the brutal slaughter of her Huguenot parents in Amsterdam by Spanish troops, twenty-year-old Freida Ortelius has found a new life in London with her Dutch sailor husband and baby son. But the Spanish are threatening to invade England and the man who fought alongside the murderous soldiers of the Spanish Inquisition in Holland is now an ambassador at the court of Queen Elizabeth I… and he has his sights set firmly on Freida and her extraordinary mapmaking skills.

Clare Marchant – who thrilled readers with her first two Tudor novels, The Secrets of Saffron Hall and The Queen’s Spy – returns to one of the most exciting periods of English history for another danger-laced, time-slip adventure full of action, intrigue, romance, daring... and maps.

Proving herself to be an author with the enviable ability to bring an exciting blend of originality and authentic real history to her novels, Marchant (pictured below) gives centre stage to two troubled women… separated by five centuries but both linked to the complex art of cartography, and bound together by the pull of the ocean.

When her beloved sailor husband Nate went missing at sea on his racing yacht over six-and-a-half years ago, thirty-six-year-old Robyn Willoughby’s world imploded and she has never come to terms with his loss.

She gave up her job as a busy London journalist and returned to live with her widower father at his specialist shop in Hay-on-Wye, selling ancient and modern maps, atlases and globes… a place she loves and where ‘the spirits of ancient mapmakers and explorers’ still wander.

But as Nate’s body was never found and the required seven years have now almost passed, Robyn’s father is pressing her to have him officially and legally declared dead so that she can move on with the rest of her life, something she is reluctant to do as it would finally end all hope.

And then she discovers an exquisite map from the Tudor period in an old box in the shop… an expertly created map that is mysteriously ringed with a splatter of blood but whose creator is not marked on it. When she starts to investigate the map’s provenance, Robyn has strange dreams and she finds herself caught in a centuries-old mystery, one that will send her to London and then on to Amsterdam in search of the truth, and a revelation that could hold the key to changing her life forever.

Over five hundred years earlier, in 1580, Freida Ortelius – who fled persecution in her home country of Holland to live under Protestant Queen Elizabeth in London – has married Dutch sea captain Willem van Hoorn and has a precious baby son Jacob. Above all, she wants to keep her loved ones safe and has continued her famous family’s trade of map drawing, but it’s through her rare and skilled work that she catches the eye of the Queen who demands that Freida and Willem help with the Crown’s constant war of attrition with the Spanish King Philip.

But Freida has also come to the attention of Spanish Ambassador Bernardino Mendoza who knows of her Huguenot family’s mapmaking background and spreads an atmosphere of evil around Elizabeth’s intensely political court. And so, despite her fears for Willem and Jacob, Freida embarks on a dangerous quest to draw an elaborate map of the south coast of England and the coast of the Low Countries… a deadly mission whose consequences will echo down the ages.

Packed with characters that leap from the page – not least the all-powerful Elizabeth, the mercurial Francis Drake and the scheming Mendoza – The Mapmaker’s Daughter is an emotional and gripping thrill ride through history and adventure. As we journey from the menace and murder of Amsterdam in 1569 to the opulent and dangerous court of Elizabeth at Greenwich Palace, and on through hundreds of years to a speciality map shop in the quaint town of Hay-on-Wye, we witness two women struggling to find a happy berth in their different worlds.

Marchant’s fascinating research into a compelling Golden Age of discovery – one which includes science, exploration, new nautical instruments and mapmaking – threads perfectly into the fast-paced story as Freida navigates her own way through a maze of secrets and menace. With a narrative that weaves seamlessly between past and present, a beautiful, mysterious map that sits tantalisingly behind all the action, and Marchant’s rich historical detail to bring the story to vibrant life, this is a Tudor treat you won’t want to miss.
(Avon, paperback, £8.99)

The Gifts

Liz Hyder 

WHEN a young woman in rural Shropshire suddenly finds wings ripping out from her shoulders, it sets in motion a public frenzy that will lead to suspicion, danger and an ambitious doctor’s dark and deadly obsession.

Liz Hyder (pictured below) – the critically acclaimed author of teen thriller Bearmouth – transports readers to dizzy new heights with her extraordinarily original and powerfully feminist debut adult novel which features a group of winged women seeking liberation in early Victorian England.

Steeped in Hyder’s stunning prose, all the atmospherics of a classic 19^th century novel, and a captivating brand of magical realism that blends the surreal with romance, and rich historical detail with searing contemporary resonance, The Gifts is a multi-layered tale of soaring imagination that enthrals from first to last.

At the heart of the gripping action is a cast of fierce and resilient women, each trapped within the bounds of a patriarchal society, and each determined to use their extraordinary friendship and new-found powers to break free and fly high from domestic and professional enslavement. 

In October of 1840, four women have ambitions that they fear might never be realised. Etta, an aspiring botanist, lives with her faithful dog Scout in the keeper’s cottage on her half-brother Walter’s estate in a Shropshire forest.

Etta’s mother was a freed slave on their father’s plantation and she has been banished from the house by Walter who describes her as ‘my father’s exotic bastard’ and tells her that ‘knowledge is a dangerous thing for a woman to have.’

In London, we meet Mary, a young journalist who is the brilliant but secret ‘scrivener’ behind her drunken Uncle Jos’s court reporting job. She makes her living as a seamstress but she feels the weight of her responsibilities to keep a home for herself and Uncle Jos, and longs to be so much more than a journalist writing in the shadows.

Meanwhile, across the sea-salt mud flats of the Thames estuary in Mersea, Natalya works on mending fishing nets but dreams of making a living from her extraordinary and immersive gift for storytelling. The black sheep of the family in her native Orkney islands, she has come to London to ‘vanish’ and make a fresh start. And then there is gifted artist Annie, wife of London surgeon Edward Meake, a man who longs for fame as a medical pioneer in ‘the age of science’ and who has been ‘half-driven mad’ by his friend and fellow surgeon’s assertion that as doctors, they are, in their own way, ‘gods.’

Married for three years, Annie fears they are living beyond their means and is haunted by the fact that she still has no children, feeling their absence ‘almost as a presence… a faded dream of those who have not yet come to pass.’

But change is coming and when Etta stumbles through the forest one day – grief-stricken over the poisoning of her precious dog – she feels her body jerking and shaking as a searing pain cracks across her back. Immediately she senses the weight of something and finds that a pair of russet wings, larger than an eagle’s, has sprung from her back. And when rumours of a ‘fallen angel’ reach London, the news feeds into the increasingly unstable Edward’s desires… and will place the women at his mercy in the most terrible danger.

Hyder’s seductive way with words, and the vivid imagery that brings this remarkable story to life, are the driving force that propels us into a world based on a fantastical premise but which unfolds with convincing clarity and grittiness, and with all the tropes and atmospherics of traditional Victorian fiction. After a spectacular opening chapter, the story winds back to earlier days and plunges us into the lives and constraints of four very different women as their hopes, fears, and back-stories are slowly revealed.

Through five distinctive narrative voices – four women and one man – we become caught up in the threads of their journeys and follow the women’s fates at the hands of a ruthless surgeon who tells them that their wings are his God-given ‘gift,’ allowing him ‘do unto you whatever He guides me to.’ Set against the evocative landscape of a society held in the thrall of religious superstition, Hyder’s harrowing and yet ultimately hopeful tale of female empowerment explores the limitations imposed on women in everyday Victorian life, and how greed and ambition can so easily lead to abuse and coercive control.

With its stark and fearless exposure of injustice and male entitlement, and the contrasting mysterious and magical ‘angel wings’ that carry Hyder’s storytelling to new heights, The Gifts is uncompromising, unforgettable and unmissable.
(Manilla Press, paperback, £8.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A golden classic, universal questions and a magical mission

Set sail with Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger in a fantastic new gift edition of The Wind in the Willows, find answers to big questions about the universe, join two siblings in a menacing and magical world, and enjoy incredible true stories about conquering Everest in a super September selection

Age 5 plus
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame, Lou Peacock and Kate Hindley

‘There is NOTHING – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.'

SET sail with the unforgettable Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger in this stunning, illustrated gift book edition of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved childhood classic. First published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows stars a group of animal friends who enjoy fun and adventures in the countryside and has a timeless charm which has enchanted readers for over one hundred years. 

With sumptuous details – including cloth binding, foil cover, textured paper jacket and ribbon marker – Lou Peacock’s lovingly abridged story and award-winning artist Kate Hindley’s perfectly whimsical, colour illustrations throughout, this is a dazzling introduction to a timeless adventure story. One spring day, Mole peers out from his underground home to find a marvellous world awaits him. As the seasons pass, he picnics on the riverbank with Ratty, accompanies Toad on a chaotic caravan adventure, and even braves the snowy depths of the fearsome Wild Wood in search of Badger. But when Toad's mischievous ways finally land him in trouble, can his friends come to his rescue and recapture Toad Hall from a gang of sneaky stoats and wheedling weasels? 

A new generation of youngsters are set to fall in love with Grahame’s leafy and lush Edwardian world as they meet the band of charismatic animals, and are swept away on a wave of hilarious riverbank antics. Superbly adapted by Peacock who retains all the warmth and charm of Grahame’s original story –written as a series of bedtime stories for his son – and with Hindley’s vibrant, child-friendly illustrations bringing all the action to life, this is a gift book for all the family to love and treasure.

(Nosy Crow, hardback, £16.99)

Age 8 plus
Big Questions about the Universe
Alex Frith, Alice James and David J. Plant

HOW big is space and where does it end? Little people tend to ask some big questions… so here’s the perfect launch pad for their journey around the universe! Answers to children’s thought-provoking questions are provided simply and clearly in this brilliant new book from Usborne which was written by science buffs Alex Frith and Alice James in conjunction with an expert team from the Greenwich Royal Observatory in London. The questions were specially curated by the observatory staff to address all the most common, and a few uncommon things, that children want to know about the universe and about outer space, with readers getting a refreshingly honest take on what we simply don’t know and how to approach questions that don’t have simple, straight answers. Our guides are two curious children and a robot programmed with all the answers as they guide us through some of the most mind-boggling facts, using a mixture of photos, comic strips and diagrams to help reveal the wonder of space and the vastness of the universe.

A fascinating blend of basic questions about planets, moons, human exploration and the origins of the universe are tackled as well really BIG and more complex questions such as how do Black Holes work, is it worth going to space and what’s going to happen at the end of time? Discover facts about the Moon, Mars and the Milky Way, the places closest to Earth, learn why some things are still a mystery, and find out why people are so interested in exploring space. Written in clear, straightforward language and with a host of child-friendly aides to make the journey through space both accessible and interesting, Big Questions about the Universe is a fantastic addition to science shelves both at home and at school.
(Usborne, hardback, £9.99)

Age 9 plus
The Lost Girl King
Catherine Doyle

TWO siblings, parted by a terrible danger, must embark on an epic journey if they are to find each other again. With thrilling echoes of the Lord of the Rings and Narnia, Irish writer Catherine Doyle immerses young readers in a menacing and magical world in a shimmering, simmering new standalone story. The Lost Girl King has all the hallmarks of a classic as we are thrust into a dazzling adventure full of legends, folklore and villains, and all set against a lush and exciting backdrop. Amy and Liam Bell have been packed off to stay at Gran’s house in the wilds of Connemara in the west of Ireland for the summer. Out for a walk on the first morning of their holiday and in search of an adventure, they trace the flight of a hawk to a nearby waterfall… only to watch the bird disappear through it. Intrigued, the children follow and soon realise they have discovered the entrance to Tír na nÓg, the legendary Celtic land of eternal youth where time stands still and no-one grows frail or ill. But they have been tricked and soon Amy discovers that something in this magical land has gone very, very wrong. Almost immediately Liam is captured by the headless horsemen of the Dullaham who take him to Tarlock, the ruling sorcerer of Tír na nÓg, who is seeking the bones of a human child for a sinister new spell. The children’s holiday has turned into an impossible quest where everything is at stake. Using her prodigious imagination, wit and natural warmth Doyle packs her escapist, edge-of-the-seat adventure with non-stop action and danger whilst exploring the unbreakable bonds of a brother and sister torn apart by dark magic. Brilliant middle grade reading!
(Bloomsbury, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Everest: Reaching the Roof of the World
David Long and Stefano Tambellini

REACHING 8,849 metres above sea level, Everest is the world’s highest mountain and its icy grandeur has captured the imagination of people from around the world for more than 100 years. In his fourth book for specialist publisher Barrington Stoke and the third book in an Incredible True Stories series, award-winning author and journalist David Long sets his sights on Earth’s highest peak. Everest towers like an icy giant over the Himalayas. For the millions of people living nearby, it has always been a magical place, known as ‘Goddess Mother of the World’ or the ‘Peak of Heaven.’ To explorers and adventurers, it represents a perilous but thrilling challenge to be climbed and conquered. In his exhilarating account for young readers, Long looks back at the first attempts by international mountaineers to reach the fabled summit, many of which ended in death and disaster. But in May 1953, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the roof of the world with the news reaching London on June 2, 1953 on the auspicious day marking the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Packed with facts and incredible feats, and printed in in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this amazing account of a groundbreaking achievement is guaranteed to inspire and thrill a new generation of pioneers.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Amari and the Great Game
B.B. Alston

FEEL the magic and get lost in a super-sizzling supernatural world as B.B. Alston returns with the second book in his fantastic Supernatural Investigations trilogy and the sequel to Amari and the Night Brothers which is soon to be a major movie starring Marsai Martin. Starring the feisty, fearless Amari Peters – a heroic black girl with magic at her fingertips – this epic new adventure packs in thrilling action and some wonderful, warm-hearted friendships. After finding her brother Quintin and saving the entire supernatural world, Amari Peters is convinced that her first full summer as a Junior Agent with the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs will be a breeze. But between the fearsome new Head Minister’s strict anti-magician agenda, fierce Junior Agent rivalries, and Quinton’s curse steadily worsening, Amari’s plate is full. So when the secretive League of Magicians offers her a chance to stand up for magiciankind as its new leader, she declines. She’s got enough to worry about! But her refusal allows someone else to step forward, a magician with dangerous plans for the League. This challenge sparks the start of the Great Game, a competition to decide who will become the Night Brothers’ successor and determine the future of magiciankind. This mesmerising, magical and imaginative adventure possesses everything young readers love… breathtaking action, surprises at every turn of the page, humour, and a courageous heroine they will take to their hearts. Great stuff!
(Farshore, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
Grimwood: Let the Fur Fly!
Nadia Shireen

YOU can never be too young to enjoy a bit of anarchy! Youngsters (and their parents) will be grinning, guffawing, snorting and sniggering when they get their hands on the second woodland caper in one of the funniest children’s series currently on the market. Grimwood – a sort-of Watership Down with foxes which evokes tears of laughter rather than of sorrow – is the work of author and illustrator Nadia Shireen who has won awards for her picture books and been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Fully illustrated throughout, the books star two fox cub siblings, Ted and Nancy, who love their new life in Grimwood… the forest where anything (riotous!) can happen. They have made a lot of new friends in Grimwood but now the dastardly mayor of neighbouring town Twinklenuts is on a mission to take over Grimwood and kick everyone out. Ted and Nancy must muster up bags of courage, rally their friends, and show off their treebonking skills to save the home they’ve grown to love. Shireen serves up an irresistible blend of glorious gags, hilarious comedy routines, boundless madcap escapades, and a memorable cast of quirky characters that young readers will love following from first page to last. With a side helping of zany, high-energy black and white illustrations, which bring both the animals and the action to life, the Grimwood series has the legs to run and run.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
How Many Ways Can You Cook an Egg?
Lizzie Mabbott and Charlotte Dumortier

IF you like your food to come with a big slice of fun, this imaginative, fully illustrated recipe book is guaranteed to serve up lots of laughs and some lip-smacking inspiration! Ideal for fussy little eaters and any child who loves food, How Many Ways Can You Cook an Egg? takes youngsters through the process of getting food on the table… from shopping to chopping. Packed full of ideas and tips to get kids cooking in the kitchen, the book has been written by self-taught cook and award-winning food writer Lizzie Mabbott and acts as a celebration of all things food, and the simple joy of eating. From global recipes, to tips on sourcing fresh ingredients, and how different foods can be prepared and enjoyed, this quirky and engrossing cook book is lavishly and beautifully illustrated by Belgian artist Charlotte Dumortier, offering a visual feast of colour to delight to the senses.  Learn how to make dumplings, apple turnovers, spiced fish fingers and other delicious dishes from around the world, and discover how cereals and grains make up the bulk of most people’s diets. Dumortier’s fun and vibrant artwork brings each recipe to life and there are fascinating facts about each type of food. The perfect first recipe book to tickle the taste buds, inspire young children to get involved in the whole cooking process, and to bring families together at mealtimes. Bon appetite!
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £16.99)

Age one plus
Find Spot at the Hospital
Eric Hill

FOR over 40 years, the late Eric Hill delighted little ones with his lovable Spot the dog, a little animal who has played a big role in early learning and sold over 65 million books worldwide. Eric’s Where’s Spot was the first ever life-the-flap book and the imaginative books that followed became renowned for sparking curiosity and aiding early learning and play. And Eric’s legacy continues in this new adventure for Spot as he goes to the hospital for the first time to visit his friend Tom who has hurt his leg. But on their way to the Children’s Ward, Spot disappears! Where did he go? Toddlers will enjoy joining Spot as he is introduced to the different areas of a hospital for the first time…as well as the doctors and nurses that they he meets on his visit. Full of the unexpected surprises and gentle humour that has made the Where’s Spot? series a children’s classic, this new book has an added early learning spread at the end to teach children key hospital-themed vocabulary from the story, and interactive flaps to train fine motor skills. Fun and learning all the way!
(Puffin, board book, £6.99)

Easy Peasy

Cocker Spaniel, Labrador and Cockapoo
Steve Mann

WHEN an adorable puppy joins the family, it won’t take long for everyone to fall in love with the new addition...

But training your new pup – or a dog of any age – might take a bit more time and care, and the helping hand of a professional could be just what you need.  

So here's the UK’s leading dog trainer Steve Mann, a world-renowned expert with 30 years’ experience, who presents dog training and behaviour seminars worldwide, and has all the advice you need to make training easy peasy.

Founder of the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) and author of the bestselling dog training book Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, Mann (pictured below) offers bespoke training advice for your dog’s breed. And in three new books – covering the individual training of three favourite breeds, Cocker Spaniels, Labradors and Cockapoos – Mann teaches owners how to raise their dogs to be healthy and happy. 

All breeds, he says, are different, and it is vital that you grow to learn your dog’s specific needs and characteristics. So whether you are the proud owner of a new puppy, a 10-year-old adult dog or a rescue dog of any age, his ‘easy peasy’ principles will nurture an essential bond with your dog’s specific breed and teach it a range of activities in no time.

The breed’s history, key principles of dog training – recall, loose lead walking, and the sit command are all covered as well explanations of why your dog chases, digs, jumps up and chews.

There is also helpful advice on how to keep your dog happy home alone, grooming essentials like teeth, nails and bathing, and important tips on nutrition.

Armed with knowledge about your dog’s breed, plus the simple and highly effective lessons and training techniques, Mann aims to ensure that both dogs and owners will have the most cheerful, exciting and fulfilling relationship.

With the points of view of both dog and human catered for in these excellent books – and the endorsement of celebrity dog owners like Graham Norton, Brian Blessed and Theo Walcott – these easy peasy books are a must-have for all dedicated dog lovers.
(Blink Publishing, paperback, £12.99 each)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Hilarious villains, a world of wonders and human kindness

Meet three hilarious villains as the top picture book team return, take a trip to all corners of the planet, discover how it pays to be kind, escape into a wonderful animal adventure, and take flight with some tiny, magical people in a super September selection of children’s books

Age 2 plus
The Baddies
Julia Donaldson
and Axel Scheffler

OH no, the Baddies are coming and they can’t wait to give you a scare! As the creators of phenomenal bestsellers like The Gruffalo, Stick Man and The Highway Rat, author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler have become two of the most famous names in the world of children’s picture books. But far from resting on their laurels, this superstar team have been busy conjuring up their most wickedly funny book yet… an anarchic adventure starring The Baddies, three hilarious villains – a ghost, a witch and a troll – each determined to prove that they are the meanest and nastiest baddies in the land.

Of course, it all goes wrong in the riotous, slapstick style that has become the much-loved hallmark of this dynamic duo… a style that keeps little ones grinning and guffawing from the first colour-soaked page to the last hilarious line of this fresh, funny and exuberant rhyming story.

The Baddies just adore being bad, and frequently fight over who is the worst. And when a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But the little girl quickly shows them that you don’t have to be big to be brave, and that baddies, however hard they try, don’t always win. With Donaldson’s heartwarming, inspirational messages about being brave and standing up to bullies, a wise and enchanting story in a rhyme perfect created for reading aloud, and Scheffler’s stunning and richly detailed illustrations providing lots to spot on every page, this is a creative partnership made in children’s reading heaven!
(Alison Green Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
The Earth Book
Jonathan Litton and Thomas Hegbrook

ENJOY a world of wonders just waiting to be discovered! Author Jonathan Litton, whose writing is rooted in scientific research, and illustrator Thomas Hegbrook have journeyed to all corners of the planet to create this fantastic, informative book about the Earth and all its many and majestic glories. The Earth Book comes from 360 Degrees, a vibrant non-fiction imprint of the Little Tiger Group which produces inspirational books covering everything from natural history and human invention to art and architecture, and languages and lunar landings. This superbly created book spans both physical and human geography, and combines a vast variety of information in easy-to-process, bite-sized paragraphs with stunning illustrations, making it an accessible and enjoyable read for even the younger age groups.

Explore the intertwining of human and animal lives over the ages, and the consequences this has for us now in terms of our land and sea ecosystems. Delve into the fleeting beauty of our lonely planet, from a carnival of natural wonders to influential earthlings and super cities. There is also the chance to marvel at the physical planet, to travel back in time to primordial Earth, explore all branches of the tree of life, discover habitats from oceans to deserts, learn how the weather works and take a tour of the human inhabitation from the Maasai Steppe to Manhattan. Illustrated throughout by Hegbrook’s superbly textured graphics, and with each spread spanning an informative and intriguing topic, this panoramic book is both a visual spectacle and an inspirational learning tool, ideal for schools and parents. The perfect way to explore the world at the turn of the page…
(360 Degrees, paperback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Human Kindness:
True Stories of Compassion and
Generosity that Changed the World
John Francis and Josy Bloggs

THEY say it pays to be kind… and that’s the message that speaks out loudly and clearly in this warm-hearted and inspirational book from environmentalist, public speaker and educator John Francis, aka the Planetwalker, who spent 17 years in silence as he walked around the planet. As the founder of the environmental awareness organisation Planetwalk, he spreads the message that we must treat both our Earth and our fellow humans with kindness. After his years spent travelling, Francis has many interesting stories from around the world and now youngsters are invited to join him on a fascinating exploration of kindness, great and small, and learn how they too can make kindness a part of their everyday life.

From the kindness Francis has experienced in his own life to the history of how kindness has helped to shape our laws, morals and communities, we discover many inspirational stories about kindness and generosity from places as far apart as Kenya and the Crimea, and New Zealand and China. Over the whole history of humankind, kindness, says Francis, has been key to the survival of our species and to making the world a better place. Learn about Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to help others escape from slavery, the Nomads Clinic, which sends doctors trekking into the Himalayas to tend to patients, the Linda Lindas, a group of young musicians who use their talent to speak up for the rights of others, and Joshua Coombes, a hairdresser who gives free haircuts to the homeless.

During his vow of silence, Francis found it particularly comfortable communicating with children non-verbally, and writing for children was something he has always wanted to do. And the joyous and awe-inspiring stories in this book will certainly encourage young readers to be kind to others. From inventors and musicians to scientists and healthcare workers, readers will meet a diverse range of people and, through their example, discover that being kind, even in small ways, is also good for your health. With the superbly detailed illustrations of Josy Bloggs bringing the planet and its people to colourful life, this glorious book is the perfect inspiration to practise kindness every day and find happiness in sharing our planet together.
(What on Earth Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 8 plus
Cress Watercress
Gregory Maguire and David Litchfield

EVERY now and then, along comes a story with all the hallmarks of a children’s classic… a magical world of animals with an irresistible nostalgic flavour, and fabulous illustrations which leap off the page. Cue US author Gregory Maguire – whose novel Wicked inspired the hit musical – and talented British artist David Litchfield who have teamed up for Cress Watercress, a lavishly illustrated animal adventure about growing up, moving on, and finding community. Young rabbit Cress lives in a warren on the riverbank with Mama and Papa and baby Kip. Meals are at dawn and dusk, and there’s honey-ginger tea to help the baby with his breathing. When Papa doesn’t return from a nocturnal honey-gathering expedition, Cress holds out hope, but her mother assumes the worst. It’s a dangerous world for rabbits, after all. Mama moves what’s left of the Watercress family to the basement unit of the Broken Arms, a run-down apartment oak with a menacing owl landlord, a nosy mouse superintendent, a rowdy family of squirrels and a pair of songbirds who broadcast everyone’s business. Can a dead tree full of annoying neighbours, and no Papa, ever be home? Maguire lets his imagination run wild in this action-packed woodland adventure which showcases his storytelling mastery, and trademark wit, whimsy and wisdom. With the feel of a timeless classic but still retaining a contemporary vibe, this unforgettable and tender meditation on coming-of-age is brought to vivid life by the colour, vibrancy and dynamism of Litchfield’s extraordinary illustrations. A read-aloud or read-alone gem for animal lovers of all ages.
(Walker Books, hardback, £10.99)

Age 9 plus
Safe
Vanessa Harbour 

TWO youngsters lost in the chaos of war, and surrounded by the enemy, must rescue not just themselves but a band of other children displaced by the conflict… and a team of forty abandoned horses. After the success of Flight, her thrilling debut novel starring Jakob, a boy with no family, orphan Roma girl Kizzy, and a stableful of magnificent horses – Vanessa Harbour is back in the saddle for a gripping new adventure for this daring wartime duo. In the chaotic last days of the Second World War, Jacob and Kizzy are tricked into a life or death journey that goes very wrong. Their guardians at the rural Lipizzaner stables – where they hide the precious Lipizzanner stallions they know Hitler wants to steal – think they are helping to fetch some race horses but the con artist wants them to get over the border. Far from home, they are attacked and only just escape. They hide in a seemingly deserted mansion, but they keep hearing strange noises and someone fires at them. When they investigate, they find the mansion shelters not only forty abandoned horses but a small band of equally lost children. With the Nazis and Russians heading towards them and danger on every side, can Kizzy and Jakob keep them safe and get them all home? Harbour, a disabled writer and academic, impresses again as the horse-loving children set off at a gallop on a perilous mission full of bravery, daring escapades and unforgettable adventures. With its perfect blend of wartime drama, magical storytelling, spine-tingling tension, fast-paced action, and a wonderful cast of human and horse characters, this big-hearted adventure is a thrill ride from start to finish.
(Firefly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
Utterly Dark and the
Heart of the Wild
Philip Reeve

THE dark and delicious fantasy, starring a girl called Utterly Dark with a mysterious connection to the sea, is launched on to the middle grade reading map this week with a stunning new adventure. Utterly Dark and the Heart of the Wild – the highly anticipated sequel to Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep – comes from Philip Reeve, one of the most exciting authors working in children’s fiction. His outstanding debut, Mortal Engines, won the Nestle Smarties Book Prize and Blue Peter Book Award, and was made into a blockbuster film, and Here Lies Arthur, his take on the Arthurian legends, won the Carnegie Medal. And now this master storyteller is chilling and thrilling again with these magical tales in an extraordinary and atmospheric ‘other world’ called Wildsea. When Utterly Dark was a baby, she was washed up on the shores of the Autumn Isles and taken in by the Watcher of Wildsea. But everything changed when the Watcher drowned and someone new was needed to make sure Wildsea stays safe from the strange forces teeming in the ocean. Utterly knows that she has a special link with the sea but this autumn, it will be tested more than ever before on the island of Summertide. Accompanying her uncle as he explores mysterious Summertide, Utterly is witness to strange happenings in the woods. Deep, old magic abounds and threatens to steal those she loves most. Utterly must face truths about what lies beneath the land, and in her own past, if she is to save anyone. And she must make a sacrifice to the sea… This enchanting story of nature, fantasy and friendship has all the vibes of a Dickens novel but with an electrifying thread of magical realism running through its core. Brave, caring and determined, the utterly wonderful Utterly is at the centre of all the action and danger, and Reeve – with his enviable gift for characterisation – surrounds her with a brilliantly imagined cast of supporting characters. Add on a heady mix of warmth and humour, and you have the perfect reading package.
(David Fickling Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals
Rob Biddulph

BEST known for his fantastic #DrawWithRob sessions which kept youngsters entertained throughout Covid lockdowns, writer and artist Rob Biddulph dazzles again with the second book in his debut middle grade adventure series. Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals delivers another thrill ride into a magical world, delivering a highly illustrated, epic tale threaded through with danger, magic, friendship, art, and a celebration of the power of the imagination. Some legends are born, some are drawn… drawing feels like magic to Peanut Jones and it has led her into a strange and magical world called Chroma. But now famous works of art are disappearing from all over the world. One moment they are there, the next, they have crumbled to dust. Peanut and her friends suspect it might have something to do with Chroma and wicked Mr White’s plot to wipe out colour, art and creativity. It's time to head back to the Illustrated City and help the resistance fight back. Positively buzzing throughout with energy, creativity, fabulous two-tone illustrations, and Biddulph’s trademark warmth and humour, this a rip-roaring romp full of laughter, devilish twists and turns, fast-paced action, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave spellbound youngsters yearning for next year’s final chapter. Another all-round storytelling triumph!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 8 plus
Edie and the Flits in Paris
Kate Wilkinson and Joe Berger

YOUNG imaginations are destined to take flight again when they tuck into the second magical adventure starring flits, the tiny, thumb-sized winged people created from the mind of former BBC Radio children’s writer Kate Wilkinson. Packed with all the vibes and effervescence of Mary Norton’s classic 1952 fantasy, The Borrowers, these exciting stories centre on family and friendship, and are brought to life by the brilliantly atmospheric illustrations of animator, cartoonist and artist Joe Berger. And in this new adventure in Paris, we meet up again with eleven-year-old Edie Winter and her friend Naz who were so looking forward to an exciting trip to the French capital… until Naz’s annoying little sister Sami tagged along. And as if that wasn’t enough, Sami smuggled some precious flits with her! Their tiny friends can only be seen by children and keeping them safe back home in London was hard enough, but in Paris? C’est terrible! Then they encounter Monsieur Rottier, a collector creating theatrical scenes featuring miniature people in glass domes. Miniature people who look incredibly lifelike… Can Edie and her friends help the French flits before it’s too late? With its fun, fresh sense of youthful energy and joy, Wilkinson’s action-packed and heartwarming story reminds us all to notice the little things in life and to treasure each other, however big or small we might be.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Sidney Makes a Wish
Lisa Thompson and Jess Rose

SOME friendships appear where they are least expected! Lisa Thompson, bestselling author of a host of prize-winning children’s books, turns her talents, for the very first time, to a warm and enchanting story for younger readers. Sidney Makes a Wish is the latest book in the super-readable Little Gems series which brings together leading authors and illustrators, and a host of clever design and finishing techniques to create easy-to-read, first chapter books in a small format ideal for little hands, and with some extra reading, jokes and activity fun inside the covers. In this gentle but educational adventure, we meet Sidney who spots a wishing well in the long grass on his way to school and thinks he might have found the answer to the problems he’s having with his friend Billy. If he can just wish for exactly the right thing, then surely Billy will want to be friends with him again? But as Sidney makes his wishes, he doesn’t realise that the friend he’s longing for has been there all along. Thompson brings her powerful storytelling skills to this superbly crafted tale about navigating friendships and coping with the normal ups and downs of playground dynamics. Add on Jess Rose’s evocative and playful colour illustrations, and you have the perfect package for young readers.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
The Circles in the Sky
Karl James Mountford

GRIEF is one of the hardest emotions that humans must face in their lifetime. And for a young child –forced to face the unimaginable reality of losing a close family member or friend – it is a time of confusion, fear, hurt and loneliness. Using his imaginative skills, artist, and now debut author, Karl James Mountford spreads his special brand of understanding, care and kindness over this beautiful and sensitive exploration of grief, loss and hope. One day, Fox is drawn to something in the forest – it’s something small, something silent, perhaps forgotten. It’s a bird, as still as can be. Fox is confused, upset and angry – is the bird broken? But then a little moth comes along. Kind and wise and comforting, Moth shares a gentle philosophy… the story of the circles in the sky that watch over those who pass away. Written with gentleness and sensitivity, and stylishly illustrated in a stunning palette of muted colours, this exploration of grief – told in the manner of a contemporary folk tale – is ideal as a helping hand for youngsters coping with bereavement.
(Walker Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Granny Pip Grows Fruit
Deborah Chancellor and Julia Groves

LITTLE ones will be pulling on their wellies and heading for the fruit bushes when they get their hands on the final book in an enlightening and entertaining picture book series which helps children to understand where their food comes from… and just how precious it is. Granny Pip Grows Fruit is the fourth and final Follow My Food non-fiction book from ever-inventive Scallywag Press which aims to encourage children to appreciate the different sources of food and to become environmentally aware of its origins. Written by experienced children’s author Deborah Chancellor and colourfully brought to life by the illustrations of Julia Groves, the book follows a little girl and her granny as they work in the garden all year round to grow fantastic fruit. Being able to buy fruit is something we take for granted, but what if we had to grow our own? The little girl helps Granny Pip as she plants fruit bushes, feeds them with fertiliser, waters the crops, prunes and then harvests. Growing fruit is hard work, but eating it is delicious! A simple quiz and fun facts at the end explain more about growing and tending fruit including pruning, watering and using compost. Groves’ bright and stylish artwork helps to underline the message that sustainability, producing food, and reducing waste is important work, and that we must respect the humans (and animals) who help produce it. The perfect book to help explain the concept of food production to your budding eco-warriors.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £11.99)

Age 3 plus
Poo in the Zoo: The Island of Dinosaur Poo
Steve Smallman and Ada Grey

BOTTOMS up as Steve Smallman and Ada Grey, the king and queen of splat, patter and plop, return with the third, hold-your-nose instalment of their much-loved Poo in the Zoo series! Few children can resist getting to the bottom of a poopy kind of mystery, and author Smallman and illustrator Grey’s gloriously funny new rhyming picture book, featuring everyone’s favourite little zookeeper Bob McGrew, has it – literally – in bucketfuls. At the helm of the dinosaur-themed adventure is Hector Gloop who wants one more poop for his collection… but it’s proving harder to get hold of than usual! Can Bob and his crew from the zoo help Hector in his quest to find the elusive dinosaur poo? When they travel the ocean on his poo ship, Number 2, they wash up on a mysterious island and can’t believe their luck… that is, until some hungry looking dinosaurs turn up. Can they find their poo-shaped prize, or will they end up as dinosaur dinner? 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. Laughter guaranteed from first poo to last!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Agent Llama: Alpaca Attack!
Angela Woolfe and Duncan Beedie

PALMER'S back… or, to be more precise, Charlie Palmer is back, the awesome spy and fluffy llama whose adventures always seem to end with giggles galore and loads of laughs! Her top-secret mission is to stop Harley Hacker, a rogue alpaca, from destroying the world… with spaghetti! Charlie – the inspired creation of author Angela Woolfe and illustrator Duncan Beedie – is a hotshot secret agent and the nearest thing in the animal world to James Bond. Alpaca Attack! is the second super sleuthing, rhyming adventure from this top team and is guaranteed to get your little ones guffawing all the way to the final, explosive (and very messy!) showdown. In her new mission impossible, Charlie faces a formidable enemy. From Dublin to Delaware, Harley Hacker’s devious drones are firing pasta everywhere. And worse still, everyone suspects that Charlie is behind the pasta drama! Can everyone’s favourite llama clear her name and save the world, or will she be too late to thwart Harley Hacker’s pasta plan? The gadgets are ready, her sunglasses are on. Watch out, baddies, no villain is a match for this legendary llama! Woolfe’s streetwise, savvy llama spy is the perfect sleuthing hero as she fights crime and villainous crooks with laugh-out-loud antics, super-suave know-how and some ingenious gadgetry. Beedie’s dynamic, cinematic illustrations bring the laughs, action and rhymes to life, ensuring their mission to entertain is accomplished in true Bond style.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £11.99)

Age 3 plus
Tree: Activity Book
Beth Hamilton and Britta Teckentrup

THE timeless beauty of the changing seasons comes alive in an enchanting sticker book bursting with activities, colour and trees! Based on illustrator Britta Teckentrup’s award-winning picture book, Tree: Seasons Come, Seasons Go, this bright and beautiful book offers youngsters over 200 stickers as well as forests and woods full of mazes, wordsearches, mosaics, counting, colouring and dot-to-dot puzzles, and a gentle introduction to how nature changes throughout the year. Children will love to challenge their brains whilst exploring the fascinating life-cycle of a tree in spring, summer, autumn and winter as the leaves grow, change their hues and fall in a carpet of red, gold and green. Help a little squirrel to find his acorns, guide an owl through the night sky, and lend a helping hand herding Mummy Fox’s babies into their hibernation home. Written by Beth Hamilton and with fascinating facts, separate sections on each season, and suggested outdoor exercises like keeping woodland record books and counting the rings in tree stumps to assess their age, this fun and informative sticker book will have your little eco-warriors glued to the page!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £9.99)

Age 2 plus
I Believe in Me
Emma Dodd

HAVING faith in yourself is what’s important! Learning that self-belief is a wonderful thing and can open up a whole new and exciting world is the message that speaks loudly and resonantly in the enchanting tale of a baby crocodile from award-winning author and illustrator Emma Dodd. ‘I believe in me. There’s nothing I can’t do. That’s what you have taught me, and I believe in you!’ With its parent as its mentor, the baby crocodile makes its way through night and day, rain and shine, and above and below water, and discovers all the things it’s capable of when it has someone cheering it on. With its inspirational words and Dodd’s gallery of beautiful, emotive illustrations, I Believe in Me is a pitch perfect rhyming story celebrating doing your best, whatever the obstacles that might lie in your way, and encouraging little ones to feel good about themselves. Written with a large helping of heart, warmth and wisdom, this gorgeous hardback book comes with stunning gold-foil on the cover and some of the inside pages, and makes the perfect gift for any time of year. Carefully crafted and brimming with love.
(Templar Publishing, hardback, £7.99)