Board books
Hide-and-Seek, Baby Shark!, by John John Bajet
“Sing along and count down with Baby Shark in this playful hide-and-seek novelty story, featuring 3D vinyl sharks and cut-through holes throughout. Kids and grown-ups alike will delight in this silly interactive story of a shark family’s adventure full of sharks to touch and count, and a catchy tune you won’t be able to stop singing.”
That’s Not My Bat…, by Fiona Watt & Rachel Wells
“Celebrate the 20th anniversary of That’s Not My… with this delightfully spooky Halloween addition to the series, complete with purple holographic page edges and adorable bats with hairy ears, fluffy tummies and shiny eyes. The bright pictures and textures to stroke are designed to help develop sensory and language awareness.”
Peppa’s Diwali
“It is Diwali and Peppa and her family are learning all about this very special celebration. Mummy and Daddy Pig are cooking a feast, and Granny and Grandpa Pig bring everyone special clothes to wear. Then it’s time for the party to begin!”
Why Do We Need a Potty?, by Katie Daynes & Marta Alvarez Miguens
A new addition to our potty training help list.
“Follow boy and girl twins as they learn what potties are for, struggle to make their potties work, wet their pants along the way, then finally triumph. Not only do they learn how to wee and poo on the potty, they also progress to the big loo!”
Into the Unknown and Cosmic Machines, by Dr Dominic Walliman & Ben Newman
Astro Kittens is a new series of simplified versions of the Astro Cat books aimed at very little scientists.
Picture books
Flip Flap Frozen, by Axel Scheffler
Another entry in the brilliant mix-and-match series from the illustrator behind The Gruffalo. Other titles include Dinosaurs, Pets and Ocean.
“What do you get if you cross a narwhal with a reindeer? It’s a nardeer, of course! And how about a penguin with a beluga? Why, that’s a penuga! With over 121 possible creations, silly names and strange noises to make you giggle, this new flip flap book is perfect for preschoolers and ideal for animal fans.”
Lights on Cotton Rock, by David Litchfield
From the author of The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle.
“Heather is a little girl who wants to go to Outer Space, where the stars sparkle with magic and wonder. When a spaceship lands at Cotton Rock, it seems that all of her dreams have come true. But soon the alien has to leave. Will the spaceship ever come back? And if it does, is Heather ready to leave everything on Earth behind?
“In this story, best-selling author and illustrator David Litchfield travels into space and through time to show that what we are looking for might be closer than we think.”
We Love You, Mr Panda, by Steve Antony
Loveable grump Mr Panda is back with another lesson on good manners.
“Mr Panda is offering free hugs to all his animal friends - but they are all busy hugging each other! Does nobody love Mr Panda?”
Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales, by Jen Campbell & Katie Harnett
Third in the series.
“It’s Franklin’s birthday! Luna and all the villagers are planning a surprise party, and Franklin’s family are visiting from the moon.
“While the party is being set up, Luna takes Franklin book shopping. They find a padlocked book of fairy tales, which the bookseller tells them is full of dangerous magic. Luna’s tortoise, Neil, can’t help picking the lock. but when he peers inside, the book swallows him whole. Franklin and Luna dive into the book to rescue Neil. They tumble into cobwebbed forests and meet dusty fairy-tale characters who have been trapped inside these pages for hundreds of years.”
Hey Grandude!, by Paul McCartney & Kathryn Dust
Adventures before bedtime from the former Beatle.
“Grandude is a one-of-a-kind adventurer - a Mary Poppins for the modern day! With his magic compass he whisks his four grandkids off on whirlwind adventures, taking them all around the globe. Join them as they ride flying fish, dodge stampedes, and escape avalanches!”
Free, by Sam Usher
First in a new quartet from the author of Storm, Snow, Rain and Sun.
“Boy and Grandad take care of a little bird. When it gets better, Grandad puts it outside, but it keeps hopping back into the house, following Boy wherever he goes. Boy wonders what kind of bird it is. An eagle? An ostrich? A bird of paradise, perhaps? He wants to keep it, but Grandad says it must return to its natural habitat in the wild where it can spread its wings and be free. And so begins an exhilarating journey into the mountains.”
The Girl and the Dinosaur, by Hollie Hughes & Sarah Massini
“In a town by the seaside, Marianne is often seen foraging on the beach. But she isn’t playing with children her own age. Instead Marianne is alone, and digging for dinosaur bones to build a special sort of companion. Then, one night, she goes to sleep wishing with all her heart that her dinosaur might come to life.”
My Hair, by Hannah Lee & Allen Fatimaharan
“My birthday’s coming up so soon, I’ll need new clothes to wear. But most of all, I need to know, how shall I style my hair? Will it be dreads or a twist out? Braids or a high-top fade?
“Joyous and vibrant, this captures perfectly the excitement of getting ready for a celebration, as well as showcasing a dazzling array of intricate hairstyles.”
The Smeds and the Smoos, by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
“The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue). So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly disapprove. But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of love stories. There’s even a gorgeous purple baby to celebrate!”
Waiting for Wolf, by Sandra Dieckmann
Dieckmann’s first book, Leaf, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
“Fox and Wolf spend all their perfect days together - talking and laughing for hours, swimming together in the big blue lake, and watching the stars come out, one by one. Until one day, Wolf is gone. This is a moving tale of friendship and loss and learning to carry on.”
Elmer’s Birthday, by David McKee
A new Elmer book to celebrate 30 years of the patchwork elephant.
“The elephants decide it’s their turn to play a trick on Elmer: all of the animals must pretend to forget his birthday tomorrow! But when the day comes the trick doesn’t quite go according to plan. The elephants should have listened to Elmer’s friends…”
Short chapter books
Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue and Kitty and the Tiger Treasure, by Paula Harrison & Jenny Løvlie
“Join Kitty and her cat crew on the rooftops for a series of enchanting adventures by the light of the moon. Kitty will discover that being a superhero is about more than using her special abilities - she must learn to outwit cunning villains too.”
The Naughtiest Unicorn and the School Disco, by Pip Bird
Third instalment in the series.
“Everyone at Unicorn School is super excited about the school disco! Can Mira persuade Dave to stop snacking on doughnuts, put on a glittery party outfit and hit the dance floor?”
Picture books for older readers
Hilda and the Mountain King, by Luke Pearson
“Hilda and the Mountain King takes off from the cliff hanger in Hilda and the Stone Forest that left you waiting breathlessly! We rejoin our heroine for her latest adventure just as she awakes to find herself in the body of a troll! Her mother is worried sick, and is perplexed by the strange creature that seems to have taken Hilda’s place. Now, both of them are in a race to be reunited before Ahlberg and his safety patrol get the chance to use their new secret weapon to lay waste to the trolls, and Hilda along with them!”
Guts, by Raina Telgemeier
“Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug.
“Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away - and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on?”
The Fate of Fausto, by Oliver Jeffers
A modern day fable from the author-illustrator of Lost and Found and Stuck
“There was once a man who believed he owned everything and set out to survey what was his.
“‘You are mine,’ Fausto said to the flower, the sheep and the mountain, and they bowed before him. But they were not enough for Fausto, so he conquered a boat and set out to sea…”
Junior novels
The Girl Who Speaks Bear, by Sophie Anderson & Kathrin Honesta
Anderson’s first novel The House with Chicken Legs was nominated for nearly every major children’s book prize going. According to the Bookseller, this one is even better.
“Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered about where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. But, when she has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond one that she ever imagined begins - from icy rivers to smouldering mountains meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way.”
Knock Three Times, by Cressida Cowell
Third instalment in the Wizards of Once series.
“Wish and Xar are now outlaws on the run, hunted by Warriors, Wizards and worst of all, by WITCHES…
“Can they find the ingredients for the Spell to Get Rid of Witches before the Kingwitch gets his talons on Magic-that-Works-on-Iron?
“Their next Quest is the most terrifying and treacherous of all… And someone is going to betray them… are you ready to KNOCK THREE TIMES?”
The Frozen Sea, by Piers Torday
Sequel to The Lost Magician.
“It is 1984 and forty years since Simon, Patricia and Evelyn and Larry first stepped through a magical library door into the enchanted world of Folio. When Patricia’s daughter, Jewel, makes a mysterious discovery in an old bookshop, she begins a quest that will make her question everything she thought she knew. Summoned to Folio, she must rescue her missing aunt, helped only by her rude pet hamster Fizz and a malfunctioning robot.
“Their mission to the Frozen Sea will bring them face-to-face with a danger both more deadly and more magnificent than they ever imagined. What Jewel discovers will change not just who she thinks she is, but who we all think we are.”
Ladybird Tales of Superheroes, by Sufiya Ahmed, Yvonne Battle-Felton, Sarwat Chadda, Maisie CHan & Aviel Basil
“Superheroes have always been with us, from gods with mighty powers to human heroes who don disguises to save the day. Join six larger-than-life mythic and legendary heroes from around the world in this colourful, illustrated collection of Ladybird Tales. Meet tricksters, fighters, shape-shifters and even people who save the day with just the power of speech.”
Skeleton Keys: The Unimaginary Friend, by Guy Bass & Pete Williamson
First in a highly illustrated new series from the team behind Stitch Head.
“Greetings! My name is Skeleton Keys and these fantabulant fingers of mine can open doors to hidden worlds… Join me for the curious tale of Ben Bunsen, whose only friend is a figment of his imagination… until now.”
“Ben can’t believe it when his imaginary friend the Gorblimey becomes unimaginary. The Gorblimey is loyal and kind … and real! But Skeleton Keys is far from convinced by the Gorblimey’s friendly ways. He’s got the twitch, which is (almost) never wrong, and it’s telling him the Gorblimey is dangerous and needs banishing to the endless void of Oblivion.
“As Ben battles to save his new friend, the Gorblimey is soon the least of Skeleton Keys’ worries. It seems that there’s more than one unimaginary in town. And this one is out for revenge…”
The Time of Green Magic, by Hilary McKay
New title from the author of the critically-acclaimed The Skylarks’ War.
“Abi and her two step-brothers, Max and Louis, find that strange things happen when they are alone in their eerie, ivy-covered new house. Abi, reading alone, finds herself tumbling deep into books, while Louis summons a startling guest through his bedroom window. Even Max has started to see shapes in the shadows. Their busy parents see none of it - but Louis’ secret visitor is growing too alarming to keep secret, and he finds he cannot manage without Max and Abi’s help. Can they find out where the mysterious creature has come from - and how to get it back there?”
The Land of Roar, by Jenny McLachlan
“When Arthur and Rose were little, they were heroes in the Land of Roar, an imaginary world that they found by climbing through the folding bed in their grandad’s attic. Roar was filled with things they loved - dragons, mermaids, ninja wizards and adventure - as well as things that scared them (including a very creepy scarecrow).
“Now the twins are eleven, Roar is just a memory. But when they help Grandad clean out the attic, Arthur is horrified as Grandad is pulled into the folding bed and vanishes. Is he playing a joke? Or is Roar real?”
Kevin’s Great Escape: a roly-poly flying pony adventure, by Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre
Sequel to The Legend of Kevin.
“Famous pop star Misty Twiglet has moved to Bumbleford and she wants to meet roly-poly flying pony, Kevin - it’s so exciting - she promised him biscuits! But when Kevin is captured in Misty’s back garden, things become serious and there isn’t a biscuit in sight. Kevin’s best friend Max must come to the rescue. Free Kevin!”
Uki and the Outcasts, by Kieran Larwood & David Wyatt
Larwood returns to the Five Realms for a new adventure.
“From the Ice Wastes beyond the Cinder Wall emerges an unlikely hero. Rejected by his village and left to die, young Uki is given life and unique powers by a long-buried spirit from the time of the Ancients - and a life or death mission. Joined by two other outcasts - a trained assassin who refuses to kill people and a very short rabbit who rides the fastest jerboa on the plains - Uki must capture Valkus, the Spirit of War, before rabbitkind destroys itself in conflict.”
Non-fiction
Mythologica, by Stephen Kershaw & Victoria Topping
Another visual spectacular from Wide-Eyed editions, which also brought us Maps of the United Kingdom, by Rachel Dixon & Livi Gosling and Dictionary of Dinosaurs, by Dieter Braun & Matthew G. Baron.
“An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other, Mythologica features startlingly beautiful and exquisitely otherworldly portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping colour from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr Stephen Kershaw. Uncover the colourful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece.”
Ice: chilling stories from a disappearing world, by DK
“From the mighty mammoths and deserts of ice to early explorers and polar survival, come face to face with one of Earth’s greatest resources: ice. With captivating CGIs, illustrations, and photography, this title will take readers on an epic journey from the ice age to modern day, exploring how icy worlds are created, how creatures live in these harsh environments and the impact of climate change.
“Learn about early humans and how they survived in one of the most hostile environments on Earth, the tragic and treacherous journeys of early polar explorers, how icy landscapes develop and change, and meet the animals who make these frozen lands their home.”
Epic Tales of Triumph and Adventure: discover the stories of 66 extraordinary men and women, by Simon Cheshire & Fatti Burke
“Prepare to meet 66 exceptionally brave adventurers in this celebration of monumental achievements from around the world. These are the astonishing true stories of just a few of the world’s most daring men and women who defied all odds to achieve their goals and make their dreams come true.”
Children Who Changed the World: incredible true stories about children’s rights!, by Marcia Williams
“Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rights of the Child and the amazing children who have stood up for them all over the world. From the heroes familiar to everyone, such as Malala Yousafzai, to the amazing activists you might not have heard of, like Baruani Ndume, the teenager who gave a voice to fellow refugee children in Tanzania, discover the incredible true stories of child activists.”
Wildlives: 50 extraordinary animals that made history, by Ben Lerwill & Sarah Walsh
“In this fascinating and touching book, children can learn about 50 courageous creatures from around the world and throughout history. This captivating collection gathers heart-warming, surprising and often emotionally powerful stories of bravery, discover and friendship. Featuring a range of animals - from heroes, helpers and adventurers to achievers and many more - young readers will discover some of the most famous and unforgettable animals of all time.”
Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street: a collection of recipes to share, by Felicita Sala
“In each apartment, someone is preparing a special dish to share with their neighbours. Mr Singh is making coconut dahl with his daughter while Maria mashes some avocados for her guacamole. Will everything be ready on time?
“Written and illustrated by Felicita Sala, this glorious celebration of community is filled with recipes from all over the world and simple instructions perfect for young chefs.”
Plastic sucks! You can make a difference, by Dougie Poynter
“Plastic is everywhere and it sucks. It fills up our oceans, endangers our wildlife and never goes away. So it’s time to take action, find ways to cut down our plastic use and help protect our environment. Together we can make a difference!”
Maya Angelou, by Danielle Jawando & Noa Snir
“Maya Angelou was an African-American author, poet, playwright, and civil rights activist. She wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and a long list of plays, films, and television shows. Never taking ‘No’ for an answer, Maya used her voice and her art to overcome prejudice and difficulty and to become an inspiration to those around her and to future generations.”
Stephen Hawking, by Isabel Thomas & Marianna Madriz
“Stephen Hawking was one of the world’s most famous scientists. His ground-breaking research into black holes and the Big Bang has helped to explain the beginnings of our universe and his book ‘A Brief History of Time’ has sold over 10 million copies. Diagnosed with a form of motor neuron disease when he was a young man, Stephen was inspired to achieve his goals as fast as possible. Through incredible determination and skill, he became a legendary scientist, a best-selling author, and the man that changed the way we think about the universe.”
The Extraordinary Life of Mahatma Gandhi, by Chitra Soundar & Dàlia Adillon
“From growing up in India and studying in London to becoming a political activist in South Africa and taking on the battle for independence in India, Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy has lived on well beyond his years. Read the life story of this brilliant, strong-willed and influential man in this illustrated book, complete with real-life stories, timelines and facts.”