New children's books for August 2019

Board books

That’s Not My Koala, by Fiona Watt & Rachel Wells

Latest in the hugely popular touchy-feely board series.

Where are the Five Frogs, Spot?, by Eric Hill

A numbers book with felt flaps.

Picture books

Billy and the Dragon, by Nadia Shireen

Follow-up to the brilliant Billy and the Beast.

“Our fearless heroine Billy is back! Whilst at a fancy-dress party, something terrible happens: Billy’s loyal sidekick Fatcat is kidnapped by a fire-breathing dragon. Uh-oh! But luckily for Fatcat, Billy won’t stand for that: off she goes on a brave rescue mission.”

Merrylegs, by Pam Smy

“Poor old Merrylegs is a dumpy, clumpy riding school pony - clomping round and round, day after day. But he has a dream. And when the fair comes to town his dream burns even brighter. But will he have the courage to make it come true?”

Show and Tell, by Rob Biddulph

New from the author of Give Peas a Chance and the Dinosaur Juniors books.

Meet Class 2L. These kids are excited. Today’s SHOW AND TELL day, and you’re all invited!

“Come and be schooled in magic and wonder by the award-winning Rob Biddulph, in this brand-new story about how biggest isn’t always best!”

Mr Gumpy’s Rhino, by John Burningham

The last Mr Gumpy title from the late, great John Burningham.

“Mr Gumpy is off on an adventure! This time he’s rescuing a rhino who’s lost its parents… But growing rhinos needs lots of food. Will Charlie the rhino and Mr Gumpy manage to make a happy home together?”

This is Gus, by Chris Chatterton

“Gus is a very grumpy dog. He doesn’t like much of anything, especially making new friends. So what will Gus do when a little puppy with a spring-in-his-step appears on the scene?”

This is a Dog, by Ross Collins

New from the author of This Zoo is Not for You.

“Uh-oh! An excitable (but very loveable) dog has found his way into this First Animals book and he will NOT let any of the other animals take their turn. Dogs are far more important, after all! And when the other animals get angry, this dog comes up with a very cunning plan to outwit them…”

Super Snail, by Elys Dolan

From the author of The Doughnut of Doom, which is republised this month.

“Meet Kevin: ordinary slug by day, fearless, shell-wearing Super Snail by night. Kevin must prove his worth to the legendary League of Heroes - all with the power of slime!

“When disaster strikes and the Snail Signal shines, it’s time for him to step up. Will he figure out how to get his pants on outside his clothes, even though he doesn’t have a bum? Will he discover his true, slimy superpower and defeat the evil villain, Laser Pigeon? Will he even get there in time?”

Together We Can!, by Caryl Hart & Ali Pye

“A beautifully fun-filled and vibrant picture book showing children forming friendships and displaying kindness and compassion.

“The perfect rhyming read-aloud with joyous illustrations, this book celebrates diversity and inclusivity throughout and highlights how important togetherness is in our world.”

Don’t Worry, Little Crab, by Chris Haughton

From the author-illustrator of Goodnight Everyone.

“In the rockpool above the sea, live two crabs: Big Crab and Little Crab. Today, they’re going for a dip in the sea. “This is going to be so great!” says Little Crab. But then Little Crab catches a first glimpse of the water… Oh. The waves! They’re ENORMOUS. “JEEPERS!” Will Little Crab be brave enough to go in?”

Ravi’s Roar, by Tom Percival

Another brilliant story about feelings from the author of Ruby’s Worry.

“Most of the time Ravi can control his temper but, one day, he lets out the tiger within. Being a tiger is great fun at first - tigers can do ANYTHING they want! But who wants to play with a growling, roaring, noisy, wild tiger who won’t share or play nicely? Ravi is about to discover something very important about expressing his feelings and making amends.”

Ready, Steady, Bake!, by Adam Hargreaves

Publishing just in time for the new series of The Great British Bake Off.

“It’s time for the Summer Fete Baking Contest and the Mr Men and Little Miss are all getting ready to compete. Little Miss Neat has measured all her ingredients very carefully, whilst Mr Impossible is baking his pineapple upside down cake - upside down! Who will the judges choose as the winner? And will anyone remind Mr Forgetful to turn his oven on?”

Naughty Narwhal, by Emma Adams & Katy Halford

From the creators of Unicorn and the Rainbow Poop.

“Narwhal is the most mischievous, naughty little creature you’ll ever meet - wherever she is, she’s always up to something. But one day, Narwhal sees all of her friends having a party. Oh no - what will Narwhal do? And will she ever face up to her naughty behaviour?”

Short chapter books

Nellie Choc-Ice and the Plastic Island, by Jeremy Strong

Third title in the comic series optimised for those with dyslexia and visual stress.

“Nellie Choc-Ice is on her way home to the North Pole at last! But things don’t go so smoothly when Captain Beardy-Beard’s trusty submarine grinds to a halt in an island of plastic - and they aren’t the only ones who are trapped. It’s up to Nellie to untangle everyone from the mess… But what are they going to do about all this plastic in the ocean?”

Princess BMX, by Marie Basting & Flavia Sorrentino

“Trust me, the fairy tales have it so wrong. Dingy towers and wicked step-mums are the least of my worries: it’s the boredom that will kill me. Thank the good goblin I discovered BMX. If it wasn’t for BMX, nothing would have changed.”

Picture books for older readers

For Whom the Ball Rolls, by Dav Pilkey

The seventh title in the Dog Man series is already racking up the reservations!

“The Supa Buddies have been working hard to help Dog Man overcome his bad habits. But when his obsessions turn to fears, Dog Man finds himself the target of an all-new supervillain!

“Meanwhile, Petey the Cat has been released from jail and starts a new life with Li’l Petey. But when Petey’s own father arrives, Petey must face his past to understand the difference between being good and doing good.”

There’s a Rang-tan in my Bedroom< by James Sellick & Frann Preston-Gannon

Published in collaboration with Greenpeace and based on its film about palm oil.

“When a little girl discovers a mischievous orangutan on the loose in her bedroom, she can’t understand why it keeps shouting ‘Ooo!’ at her shampoo and her chocolate. But when Rang-tan explains that there are humans running wild in her rainforest, burning down trees so they can grow palm oil to put in products, the little girl knows what she has to do: help save the orangutans!.”

The Iron Man, by Ted Hughes & Chris Mould

Another makeover for the classic tale, this time by the author-illustrator of Pirates ‘n’ Pistols, The Truth Pixie and The Moon-faced Ghoul-thing.

Junior novels

The Magic Place, by Christopher Wormell

Wormell is best known as an illustrator, most recently for Philip Pullman’s La Belle Sauvage. This is his first novel.

“Imprisoned in the cellar of a tall thin house in the Great Black City and made to work by her wicked aunt and uncle, Clementine’s life is grim, and Gilbert is her only friend (but he’s a cat). And yet Clementine has a dream, a dream of another home in a Magic Place, but can she ever escape and find her way there?”

Charlie Turns Into a T-rex, by Sam Copeland & Sarah Horne

Sequel to the hilarious Charlie Changes Into a Chicken.

“When dad’s business takes a sudden turn for the worse, the McGuffin family face the terrible prospect of having to sell their house and move in with Aunt Brenda and her seventeen cats (and wooden leg). Only Charlie and best friends Flora, Mohsen and Wogan can save the day. If they can break into the fortress-like offices of Van Der Gruyne Industries and recover the McGuffins’ stolen gold, maybe Charlie won’t have to move away after all.

“Trouble is, the pressure is getting to Charlie, making it harder for him to control when he changes into an animal - and harder still to change back. Can Charlie’s friends help him master his powers once and for all, or will he end up stuck as a pigeon forever?”

Top Marks for Murder, by Robin Stevens

8th title for the Murder Most Unladylike series.

“Daisy and Hazel are finally back at Deepdean, and the school is preparing for a most exciting event: the fiftieth Anniversary. Plans for a weekend of celebrations are in full swing. But all is not well, for in the detectives’ long absence, Deepdean has changed. Daisy has lost her crown to a fascinating new girl - and many of the Detective Society’s old allies are now their sworn enemies.

“Then the girls witness a shocking incident in the woods close by - a crime that they’re sure is linked to the Anniversary. As parents descend upon Deepdean, decades-old grudges, rivalries and secrets begin to surface, and soon Deepdean’s future is at stake. Can the girls solve the case - and save their home?”

The Truth Pixie Goes to School, by Matt Haig & Chris Mould

Follow-up to The Truth Pixie.

“New school. New friends. Same old pixie. Aada started her new school, and the pixie came too. But this school was a place where it was hard to be true.”

A House Without Walls, by Elizabeth Laird & Lucy Eldridge

Companion title to the award-winning Welcome to Nowhere.

“Thirteen-year-old Safiya and her family have been driven out of Syria by civil war. Safiya knows how lucky she is - lucky not to be living in a refugee camp, lucky to be alive. But it’s hard to feel grateful when she’s forced to look after her father and brother rather than go back to school, and now that she’s lost her home, she’s lonelier than ever.

“As they struggle to rebuild their lives, Safiya realises that her family has always been incomplete and with her own future in the balance, it’s time to uncover the secrets that war has kept buried.”

Patina, by Jason Reynolds

Follow-up to Ghost.

“Patty has lost a lot in her life - her dad died when she was young, her mum has lost her legs and now she has to live with her uncle and his wife. On top of that Patty has to go to the poshest school that ever existed. Now her running team has become a relay team and independent Patty has to work with her team mates to win.”

The Princess Who Flew with Dragons, by Stephanie Burgis

From the author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart.

“Sofia is the other princess. Not the crown princess - that’s her perfect big sister, Katrin. Sofia is the princess who always says the wrong thing; who hates going to parties; who doesn’t like people; who just wants to sit and read her books. So when Sofia is shipped off on a stomach-churning dragon flight to make another royal visit, she decides it’s time for this princess to take a little break.

“In disguise, Sofia soon finds herself discovering a magical city of learning, new friends and freedom. In short, everything is going wonderfully - right up until it goes horribly wrong. And that’s before the ice giants show up.”

The Last Kids on Earth, …and the Zombie Parade, …and the Nightmare King, and …and the Cosmic Beyond, by Max Braillier & Douglas Holgate

Re-released to coincide with a new Netflix adaptation of the series coming this autumn.

Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World, by Konnie Huq

First title in a new Wimpy Kid-style series about a science-mad British-Bangladeshi girl by the former Blue Peter presenter.

“Cookie’s best friend in the whole world is moving to Solihull because one of her dads has a new job there. Solihull?! Where even is that?! Cookie begs her parents for a pet to fill the void but they have given her an absolute NO. It would be way too expensive and way too messy. But Cookie visits the pet shop anyway and sets her heart on the sweetest cutest kitteniest kitten ever: Bluey.

“But then - DISASTER! The most ANNOYING boy she’s ever met in her entire nine years goes into the pet shop, buys Bluey and renames her Nigel! And then he joins her year at school! And if that wasn’t bad enough, he moves in next door to her. AAAAGGGGHHHHH!

“But it’s not all bad - Cookie gets the chance to go on her favourite TV show, Brainbusters. It’s only a chance though - she’ll have to win the school science competition first. It shouldn’t be too hard - all she has to do is keep her head down, and not get too over-excited.”

Non-fiction

The Big Book of the UK: facts, folklore and fascinations from around the United Kingdom, by Imogen Russell Williams & Louise Lockhart

Refreshing and irreverent look at the UK in all its weird wonderfulness.

“Uncover national secrets and unearth local legends from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in The Big Book of the UK. Filled with over 500 facts on wildlife, food, sports, language and some very silly place names, readers will become experts on the UK in no time.”

The Lost Fairy Tales: fearless girls that time forgot, by Isabel Otter & Ana Sender

“If damsels in distress and prissy princesses give you cause for despair then look no further. This enchanting anthology of 20 overlooked and forgotten fairy tales has been collected from different cultures around the world. Every story features a strong female heroine, who approaches life with humour, wit, cunning and bravery. None of these heroines needs rescuing.”

Bruce Lee, by Ma Isabel Sánchez Vegara & Miguel Bustos

The martial arts superstar gets the Little People, Big Dreams treatment.

Malala Yousafzai, by Lisa Williamson & Mike Smith

New title in the First Names series which also includes Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart.

Brain-fizzing Facts: awesome science questions answered, by Dr Emily Grossman & Alice Bowsher

“Written by science superstar and STEM Ambassador Emily Grossman, this book will answer all science questions you may or may not have wondered about.”

Where’s Pikachu? A search and find book

“Enter the exciting world of Pokémon in Pikachu’s ultimate Search and Find. Look for all your favourite Pokémon characters as you travel around the regions. There are Ice-type Pokémon on the cold, snowy mountains and Rock-type Pokémon in Alolan caves. Plus, there’s a Pikachu to spot in ever scene! Will you catch ‘em all?”

There are Bugs Everywhere, by Britta Teckentrup

Follow-up to There are Fish Everywhere.

“There are bugs everywhere! Some of them live in jungles, some of them underwater, and some certainly live in your house. Young readers will learn where in the world all sorts of animals can be found and all the weird and wonderful things about them that they never imagined were true.”

Kids Fight Plastic: how to be a #2minutesuperhero, by Martin Dorey & Tim Wesson

“Have you got 2 minutes? That’s all the time it takes to become a #2minutesuperhero.

“Plastic is everywhere. It is in the rivers and it is in the sea. We need superheroes to fight plastic and help save our oceans. Read this essential book and find out how you can become a #2minutesuperhero by completing 50 missions to fight plastic at home, school and on your days out.”

How to be Extraordinary, by Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Annabel Tempest

Highly illustrated real-life stories for younger readers.

“Could you be extraordinary? This book will inspire you with the real-life stories of extraordinary people, showcasing a total variety of personalities and talents. Whoever you are, and whoever you want to be, read about the extraordinary stories of these 15 people, and decide how YOU will be extraordinary too!”