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It might be the shortest month of the year but we still have a great selection of new children’s books for kids of all ages. Do keep an eye on twitter for a chance to win copies of some of the books featured.
Picture Books
Hello, Mr Whale! By Sam Boughton (Templar)
This beautiful lift-the-flap book is packed full of fascinating facts about the creatures that live under the sea. Both my three and five year old really enjoy reading it and find it really engaging.
Little Unicorn is Angry & Little Unicorn is Sad by Aurelie Chien Chow Chine (Buster Books)
These two books are a great way to start talking to children about their emotions. I also really love that they give children strategies for how to deal with their feelings such as breathing and simple mindfulness techniques.
Would You Like A Banana? By Yasmeen Ismail (Walker Books)
Gorilla is hungry but when he’s offered a banana, he decides that’s the very last thing he wants to eat, no matter how it might be served. This is a very funny book by an award winning illustrator and animator.
7-9 years
Boot The Rusty Rescue by Shane Hegarty illustrated by Ben Mantle (Hodder Children’s Books)
When Boot’s robot friend Gerry loses his nose, Boot and his friends set off to find him a new one. Packed full of humour, friendship and adventure, this is the second story about toy robot Boot.
Lottie Luna and the Bloom Garden by Vivian French, illustrated by Nathan Reed (HarperCollins)
Lottie isn’t your average werewolf. Even though she wants to be just like everyone else she will need to use her super skills to find out who keeps destroying the school bloom garden. With black and white illustrations throughout, this is the first book in a brand new series by bestselling author Vivian French.
Agent Weasel and the Abominable Dr Snow by Nick East (Hodder Children’s Books)
Agent Weasel is a super spy and when top athletes start disappearing before the Winter Whopper Games, it’s up to him to help. With plenty of humour and illustrations throughout, this is the second book in this funny new series.
8-12 years
Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray (Puffin)
When a boy is pulled from the belly of a whale in an isolated city, everyone believes he’s the Enemy. Everyone that is apart from a young inventor named Ellie. Can she save him without revealing her own dangerous secret? A gripping story with fantastic characters and plenty of twists and turns.
Demelza & The Spectre Detectors by Holly Rivers (Chicken House)
Demezla is a science mad inventor who unexpectedly discovers she’s inherited the very unscientific skill of spectre detecting – she can summon the ghosts of the dead just like her Grandma. When her Grandma is kidnapped, Demezla will need to rely on her gift, and her new friend Percy, to get her Gran back. This is a fun, action packed story, with a brilliant, determined heroine.
This is an eclectic collection of less well-known fairy tales from around the world. The stories are selected by internationally bestselling children’s author Cornelia Funke and make for fascinating reading.
Non-Fiction
Look and Find Night Time (Usborne Books)
Every page in this illustrated book is packed full of nocturnal animals to count and find. Whilst not strictly non-fiction, it does provide endless opportunities to talk about the creatures that are awake when we’re asleep.
You Can Save the Planet: 101 Ways You Can Male A Difference (Buster Books)
As well as facts about the environment and climate change consumption, this book is full of 101 practical ways that children can make a difference to the planet. The bite sized chunks of information along with the black and white illustrations make this a very accessible book for readers of 8+.
Be Happy, Be You by Penny Alexander and Becky Goddard-Hill (Collins)
This is a fantastic book for teenagers to work through if they are keen to develop their confidence and boost their happiness. It is full of insights, strategies and practical suggestions that range from creating an anxiety toolkit to setting boundaries and exploring their identity. Be Happy, Be You is by the bestselling authors of Create Your Own Happy.