Eviltato vs Superpea by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, Simon & Schuster, £7.99
When the beloved potato becomes spoiled, it is the (briefly) reformed Evil Pea who must step in to save the day from being completely covered in squirty cream by Supertato. The latest addition to this delightfully absurd picture book series continues to entertain.
Strong Like Me by Kelechi Okafor and Michaela Dias-Hayes, Puffin, £7.99
Kamara’s classmates criticize her for being boastful, causing her to have difficulty being proud of her own strength. However, when her aunt advises her not to downplay her talents for the sake of others, she realizes that there are various forms of strength. This heartwarming and motivational children’s book celebrates both success and kindness.
Please display the image in full screen.
“Mo’s Best Friend” is a book written by Bridget Marzo and published by Otter-Barry that tells a story set in the Stone Age. It costs £12.99.
“Based on the finding of a child’s footprint next to a dog’s in the Chauvet cave, this captivating and visually stunning book depicts a heartwarming story about the daily life of a stone age family and their new four-legged member.”
Our Nipa Hut – A Story in the Philippines by Rachell Abalos and Gabriela Larios, Barefoot Books, £7.99
This captivating picture book showcases the vibrant world of “nipa huts” – elevated homes constructed with bamboo and palm leaves – and highlights the role of their inhabitants in repairing and maintaining them, particularly in the aftermath of storms.
Dr. Roopa Farooki and Viola Wang’s book, “The Brilliant Brain,” is available for £12.99 from Walker publishers.
This engaging and comprehensible guide introduces readers to the brain, including its various structures, functionality, and proper methods for maintaining its health. It is suitable for reading aloud to children ages four and up, or for independent readers who can proudly utilize terms like “occipital” and “cerebrum”.
Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings by Swapna Haddow & Dr Diplo and Yiting Lee, Magic Cat, £14.99
These captivating short stories follow 10 young dinosaurs as they experience emotions such as fear, anger, and excitement. With the guidance of Dr. Diplo’s mindfulness exercises, the dinosaurs learn to identify and manage their feelings. The use of soft colors, abundant smiles, and comforting warmth make this collection a valuable resource for young readers aged 5 and up.
What a Rock Can Reveal by Maya Wei-Haas, illustrated by Sonia Pulido, Phaidon, £16.95
This adventure through the secrets of geology is filled with uncontainable enthusiasm, inviting readers aged six and above to interact with the tales that even a tiny pebble can reveal. Pulido’s vibrant illustrations perfectly match Wei-Haas’s writing, bringing to life alluring textures and unexplored depths.
Adam Stower’s “Murray the Viking”, published by HarperCollins for £6.99, features a dynamic duo, Murray and Bun.
Staid, quiet Murray is a comfort-loving cat. Unfortunately, he belongs to the incompetent wizard Fumblethumb, who first turned Murray’s sticky bun into an excitable rabbit sidekick, and has now enchanted his catflap so it leads to unwanted adventures. When Murray and Bun find themselves on a mission to rescue a Viking called Eggrik from some trolls, chaos ensues in this daft, lively, lavishly illustrated adventure for readers of 7+.
“Adventure Calling: Time Travellers” by Sufiya Ahmed is available for £7.99 from Little Tiger.
During a field trip to parliament, rebellious Suhana is taken aback when she ends up partnering with “good kids” Mia and Ayaan. However, the three new friends are in for a surprise as they are suddenly transported back to 1911, right in the middle of a coronation and a march for women’s rights. Will they be able to safely return home? And do all three of them even want to go back? This fast-paced and compelling novel, suitable for readers aged 8 and up, explores the suffrage movement and sheds light on the often neglected women of color in history.
On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop, Andersen, £8.99
Kelda and her family are silverfish who live on a boat and have the ability to breathe and swim underwater. However, Kelda’s sister Isla is unique in her abilities. As their society begins to reject them, toxic waters and heartbreaking acts of betrayal push Kelda to embark on a perilous journey. This novel, suitable for readers ages 12 and older, is a captivating and thought-provoking story with well-developed characters and a haunting atmosphere.
Display the image in full screen mode.
Stitch by Pádraig Kenny, Walker, £7.99
Stitch, a creation of Professor Hardacre, has been alive for 585 days. However, his creator has been absent for several months. When the professor’s nephew appears, chaos ensues in the castle and Stitch and his friend Henry Oaf are compelled to run away. Unfortunately, the outside world is terrified of them, labeling them as “monsters”. Written from Stitch’s viewpoint, Kenny expertly retells the classic tale of Frankenstein in a touching and satisfying Gothic narrative appropriate for readers age 9 and older.
Reggie Houser Has the Power by Helen Rutter, Scholastic, £7.99
Reggie’s active mind often causes him to struggle with abiding by rules and forming friendships. However, he is determined to make changes as he enters secondary school. When he learns hypnosis from someone, he believes this will help him become popular. Unfortunately, using his newfound skill to hypnotize the headteacher leads to serious consequences, and some students even encourage him to use his power for malicious purposes. This humorous and heartwarming tale, designed for readers aged 9 and older, follows a lovable main character and provides an insightful depiction of those with ADHD.
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes, translated by Matt Bagguley, Farshore, £10.99
During the beginning of seventh grade, Tuva notices a change in her friends as some begin to experience love while others are disinterested. They pressure Tuva to pick a side, and she finds herself intrigued by the new girl, Mariam. This Norwegian graphic novel is a charming and relatable tale of growing up, capturing the many challenges and hilarious moments of preteen transformation and the idea of being “grown up”.
Queerbook by Malcom MacKenzie, Red Shed, £8.99
This affirming whistlestop tour through queer history and culture features an A-Z of camp icons as well as protest timelines, changing terminology, iconic artists, music, film and more. Engaging, witty and thoughtful, it’s full of a supportive kindness that LGBTQ+ teens may find indispensable.
Display the image in full screen mode.
“The Bad Ones” by Melissa Albert, published by Penguin, is priced at £8.99.
During a harsh winter night, Nora’s closest companion, Becca, vanishes without a trace alongside three others. In the aftermath of her disappearance, Becca leaves behind some encoded clues that seem to lead back to events from 30 years ago, including the involvement of a menacing goddess who is rumored to lurk in their neighborhood. As Nora begins to dig deeper into the town’s hidden truths, she must unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearances and rescue Becca. With its gripping plot and eerie atmosphere, this supernatural thriller, aimed at readers aged 14 and up, is a must-read from the acclaimed writer of The Hazel Wood.
Gabriel Zevin’s books “Elsewhere” and “Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac” are both published by Bloomsbury and available for £8.99.
Originally released in the 2000s, these re-releases of YA novels by the well-known writer of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow have begun to show their age. In Elsewhere, Liz wakes up on a strange boat and slowly realizes that she has entered the afterlife. In Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, Naomi wakes up with little recollection of her past after a head injury. While Zevin’s character development falls a bit short in both stories, they still spark compelling thoughts about the importance of identity and relationships.
Source: theguardian.com
