Whether you are staying at home for the May bank holidays, or jetting off, we have you covered with a selection of fantastic books …
Picture Books
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Seahorse is Furious and There is Nothing You Can Do About It – Moran Hood (author and illustrator), Simon & Schuster UK Ltd (publisher)
I am not sure a more relatable book was ever written and published! This bright and beautiful picture book is an ode to the belligerent, grump toddlers (and children!!) of the world.
Laugh out loud funny in its relatability, you and your little one can read all about Seahorse and his grump. I mean, who wouldn’t be grumpy when they woke up and stubbed their tail, and had to put up with everything being wet, and got given toast cut up into four-perfectly sized pieces?! And no, he doesn’t want a hug. Or a biscuit with sprinkles. Or his bunny to cuddle. Nope, there is nothing you can do about it….. Or is there?!
This is such a giggle-fest of a book. We love the way it subtly guides children out of bad moods and allows them to see their behaviour in Seahorse. It is a brilliant book to engage children and get them to open up about their feelings. We adore the vibrant pages filled with fun, captivating illustrations of a watery wonderland and love the expressions on Seahorse’s face. An accessible, delightful conversation starter of a book, we love it.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now You Know Your ABC (or do you….?) – Caspar Salmon (author), Matt Hunt (illustrator) Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
We adore How to Count to One so we were so excited to review this hilarious picture book by the same superb author/illustrator combo.
Learning your ABCs is easy- peasy, right?! Eeek! Not in this book. Because in this book there is a WOLF roaming free. So off you go on a crazy adventure to France through woods, getting lost and meeting witches! Do you think you will actually make it through the whole alphabet?! I’d pay close attention to that zebra at the end of the story though!!
Bold, vibrant and lots of fun, this book is what we like to term a snort-giggler of a story. Unique and very clever, it is a superb way to get your young readers engaging with the alphabet and phonics. It positively invites young children to have fun with language and engages them in an unexpected alphabet adventure like no other. The illustrations are colourful and humorous, really drawing the reader into the bold designs and superb story. Another Brilliant Comedy (see what I did there?!) from this duo: five stars from us.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Broken – X. Fang (author and illustrator), Pushkin Press (publisher)
From award-winning author and illustrator, X. Fang, comes this gorgeous new picture book.
This is such a beautiful book full of the characteristically quirky illustrations from this author/illustrator. It deals with what is surely a common childhood experience (in my house, almost weekly occurrence!) with a unique mix of sensitivity and humour.
When Mei accidentally knocks over and breaks her Ama’s favourite cup, she runs away to hide. What if Ama shouts at her? What if she is disappointed? So when Ama calls her in for tea and Mei realises that Mimi, the cat, is getting the blame, she feels terrible. The guilt bubbles up inside her and she can’t help but blurt out the truth……
This book, much like the others, is exquisite. The illustrations are stunning. The story is simple yet brilliant and the human emotion and empathy is so beautifully captured. This book is a visual delight as well as being a sweet and humorous story. A new favourite with my twins. Five stars from us.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
101 Bunny Bums – Sam Harper (author), Chris Jevons (illustrator), Hodder Children’s Books (imprint of Hachette) (publisher)
This is one of our favourite series for a fun, super silly bedtime read. And now we have found a new favourite in 101 Bunny Bums.
Featuring masses of bushy-tailed bunny bums of all kinds, this chortle fest of a book is sure to get your child excited for Easter. There’s “bobble bums” and “wobble bums”, “floral bums” and “choral bums” .. so many botties to get your children giggling! The hoppity-hop, bouncy rhyme is brilliant for reading aloud and the pages are brimming with adorable illustrations and springtime colour tones which are sure to engage your children. There’s also the added bonus of getting your children to try and count the cute little tushies as they go along. A gorgeous springtime book.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Egg of an Ogg – Kes Gray (author), Nick East (illustrator), Hodder Children’s Books (imprint of Hachette) (publisher)
My twins love a Kes Gray book in our house so I knew that this wonderful new story would be an instant hit with them. I mean, who wouldn’t love a book with a title like that!!?!
Violet and Ivan come across a huge, strange egg in the forest while they were out collecting firewood. The old man in the forest tells them that it is the egg of an Ogg. What’s an Ogg, they ask?! Despite being told not to touch it, too curious to leave the egg alone, they take it with them, determined to discover what an Ogg is. But when the egg of an Ogg hatches, they will come to regret that decision…..
Bold, bright and beautiful, this is a humorous picture book with a gorgeous message about leaving nature alone so that it can thrive and flourish. The illustrations are vibrant and filled with fun and energy and we loved the ending of the book (but we won’t give that away!) – suffice to say, it is just brilliant.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hank meets Frank – Maudie Powell-Tuck (author), Duncan Beedie (illustrator), Little Tiger (publisher)
We all know that Hank can be a little grumpy. A little honky. But he is trying, he really is. And today he is going to try to be really good because his cute little feathered cousin Frank is coming to play. Everyone loves Frank. He’s adorable. And so well-behaved. Or is he?!
Join Hank in this laugh out loud picture book as he navigates the perils of one-up-manship. Can Frank and Hank get along? Or will they learn to play nicely?!
We loved this raucous riot of a funny story. Not just because it is seriously giggle-inducing but also because it has a serious message underneath all of the fun.
The illustrations by the brilliant Duncan Beedie are laugh out loud funny (the eye expressions from Hank and Frank are superb!), bright and beautiful and perfectly bring to life the mischief and mayhem of the story. With a properly chuckle-inducing ending, brilliant message and eye catching colour tones, this is a brilliant addition to the Hank series.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Magpie and the Sparkling Words – Lucy Rowland (author), Craig Shuttleworth (illustrator), Templar Books (publisher)
It’s not often a picture book contains words like “discombobulated”, “cacophony” and “meandered” but this beautiful book does!!
Magpie loves words. The big ones sparkle and shine to her and she wants to gather them all up for her nest. To make it glitter and glow. But when her hoarding is too great, she notices that the other animals grow quiet and don’t speak. It’s only then that she starts to realise that the silent woodland doesn’t sparkle and shine in the same way as it used to for her. Will Magpie realise that the most sparkling thing of all is friendship and community?
Filled with messages of kindness and cooperation, this is a beautifully lyrical book. It celebrates friendship and sharing, as well as the wonder of words and how they can be shared with each other. Building on your child’s vocabulary skills, the glossary at the back of the book is genius, describing the meaning of some of the more complicated words in the story. The rhyming text is just made to be read aloud and we adore the stunning illustrations throughout which evoke the magic of the story.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chapter books
Jolly Monster Town – The Pickle Party – Rong Rong (author and illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
Twiggy the log monster wants everything to be perfect for her sleepover party. She can sort everything out by herself though. She definitely doesn’t need anyone’s help… or does she?! Your little one can join Twiggy and her monster friends for a fun adventure in Jolly Monster Town to find out what on earth has happened over at the Turnip farm. And why does that have anything to do with Twiggy’s sleepover?!
This is a fun, new chapter book series filled with joyful adventure and full colour pages. It is perfect for those children moving on to independent reading or who want a longer book than a picture book. It brims with positivity and a message about letting people help you out rather than trying to do everything by yourself.
The pages are bold and bright and the illustrations are adorable. Added to the larger font size and short paragraphs, this makes for an engaging, imaginative and enjoyable story for early readers.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ninja Bunnies vs the Big Bad Fox – Jake Hopkins (author), Alex Patrick (illustrator), Orchard Books (imprint of Hachette) (publisher)
Super cute, super sweet and yet super strong and deadly, meet the Ninja Bunnies!
POW, pow, pow!! Dandelion Wood is under attack from Big Bad Fox and his mean weasels. When Sage bunny and his twin sister, Clover, go blackberry picking in the woods, they have the misfortune to come across Big Bad Fox and his cronies. While Sage, Clover and the Ninja Bunnies manage to scare them off this time, what will happen when the baddies come back at the school class picnic? Will new impatient recruits Sage and Clover have the skills to fight them off again? If only they had kept up their training!!
With colourful orange, black and white illustrations bringing the fun story to life and larger style font, this book is a superb story for those setting out on their independent reading journey. Filled with humour and plenty of character, it has gorgeous messages of friendship, resilience and not giving up when the going gets tough. Fast-paced and fun, we really enjoyed this high-kicking read.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wigglesbottom Primary – The Guinea Pig Rescue- Pamela Butchart (author), Becka Moor (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
This series of books are perfectly pitched for those readers ready to move on from chapter books or starting out on their own independent reading journey.
In this, the latest in the fun series, there are three short stories centred around the hilarious goings-on at the never dull Wigglesbottom Primary School. In the first story your child can enjoy the antics of a cute little guinea pig who just so happens to save the teacher from an escaped snake!The second story sees the class trying to sort out a loose tooth emergency for Joel Jack while in the third laugh out loud story, there are some surprising things to be found stuck in the snake slide at the water park!
Not only are these stories incredibly humorous but they are written in an engaging manner, with lots of capitalised words and brilliant spacing and a larger font size, designed to maximise engagement for early chapter book readers. There are superb illustrations on each page, bringing the stories to life and we adore the colour tones of grey, black, white and yellow used throughout the stories really adding a pop of colour and fun to the text. We are sure to be joining Class 2R again in their next set of adventures and we hope you manage to get yourselves a copy of this book for some sensationally silly school-filled fun.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bobby Bains Ain’t Playing – Bali Rai (author), Daniel Duncan (illustrator), Barrington Stoke (publisher)
Bobby Bains is football-mad. He and his friend Maisie are so excited to hear about the five-a-side competition taking place in their local area. Particularly because it is taking place on the colourful celebration of Diwali, or Bandi Chhor Divas as Sikhs call it.
However, Bobby is incensed to find out that Maisie and her team of girls are not allowed to play in the tournament. As the only female entrants, why shouldn’t they be allowed to play against the boys?! It’s ludicrous. So, Bobby decides to make a stand and comes up with a plan to show his disappointment in the tournament-maker’s decision by looking back at his Sikh heritage. Will he and Maisie be able to persuade anyone else to stand up for equality and what is right?
We learned such a lot in this story about Sikh culture and the celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas and the gurus. About selflessness and community. Equality and passion. Friends and support. It is a wonderful story with lots of brilliant messages of equality, inclusion and kindness, as well as providing wonderful detail about cultural celebrations. The black and white illustrations add warmth and detail to this sporting story and make for a great chapter book read.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Graphic Novels
Beano – Betty and the Yeti – Diasasters of Disguise – Hugh Raine (author and illustrator), Farshore (publisher)
Finally!! I have finally managed to prise this book away from my girls so that I can review it! They both just love these full-colour graphic-novel style books.
This is the third book in the series and just so you are up to date, Betty isn’t supposed to have a Yeti in her house living with her but what the “groan-ups” don’t know, can’t hurt, surely?! Erm, the only problem is yetis aren’t that small and Yeti really isn’t that subtle! And Betty is pretty fed up of Yeti being in her bedroom in this latest instalment. She wants Yeti to spend time in the outside world. The trouble is, Yeti seems to cause chaos wherever they go. And their disguises aren’t really that great either! After all, it’s a little difficult to hide a seven foot yeti!
Split into sections of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, this is a brilliant graphic novel for your child to dip in and out of as each two page spread has one or two hilariously fun and silly stories to read. There are also puzzles and fun games to complete at the end of each season section, including teaching your reader how to make a yeti, suggestions for outside games, solving hieroglyphics puzzles and much more.
Packed full of colour and fun, this is a gorgeous graphic novel for any Beano fan, or for those who love Bunny vs Monkey and other graphic novels. It’s vibrant, funny, engaging and wonderfully silly all at the same time and it can be read over and over again.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Middle grade
Alice with a Why – Return to Wonderland- Anna James (author), Matthew Land (illustrator), HarperCollins Children’s Books (publisher)
Oh my! What a delight this book is! Quirky, confusing (in the best way), upside down, poignant and fun, I absolutely adored it.
It’s 1919 and Alyce’s father has not survived the war. Her mother has to go away and Alyce is left with Alice, her grandmother. Alyce thinks Alice is really rather strange, muttering about white rabbits and bizarre stories. The pair have nothing to say to each other. But, one day, after falling into the pond, Alyce – with a “y”, not a “why” – accidentally finds herself in Wonderland. And what a confusingly bothersome place it is! Sent on a hunt to find the Time Being by the Hatter, Alice encounters all manner of bizarre beings as she tries to settle the war between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. The pair are fighting over a stolen hour and it is causing chaos in Wonderland because the lights keep going on and off. With the help of a steady and reliable Sailor Fox, a sleepy poetry-eating bookworm and three men in a tub, can Alyce restore harmony to Wonderland and find her way home again…?
This book had me laughing out loud and filling up with tears. It was funny yet gave me all the feels. The frustration and confusion of Alyce are real, so great is Anna James’ writing and the ending is just so heartfelt and poignant. The acceptance of Fox and the stars and what that symbolised just sang to me in the most beautiful of ways and I loved the intergenerational harmony at the end of the story too. And the black and white illustrations throughout only served to emphasise the delight and uniqueness of this story. While Alice in Wonderland is not one of my favourite books (sorry Lewis Carroll), this, for me, is a masterpiece of a story. Five stars (that’s almost a constellation) from us.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives – Jennifer Bell (author), Sarah Horne (illustrator), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)
What a fun buck. I mean book! This dynamic duo are awful pirates but pretty good detectives….
Buck, and his positive-thinking, loyal rabbit, Ears, have washed up on the shore having had their crew mutiny against them. They are pretty terrible pirates. So, off they go to find another job for themselves… their search leads them to the scary Captain Bloodfang. She’s been sobbing her heart out and doesn’t want anyone to know about it so she gives the pair an ultimatum: find her friend Valentina, the famous mermaid chef, or be turned into pirate stew! Will the hapless Buck and Ears be able to solve the mystery of the missing mermaid and save themselves from a disastrous fate?!
Fresh and fun, this was an enjoyable mystery set on the Seventy Seas. Filled with friendship and humour, we loved the plentiful black and white illustrations and the interactive element of looking out for Agatha Fishty throughout the story to find the hidden clues. Buck and Ears are a terrific twosome and we adored their relationship. Jam-packed full of joy, adventure and maritime mystery, we hope for more from this pair of pirate detectives.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Glam & Beardy Volume I – Ruby Clyde and Rachel Wd (authors), Vincent Batignole (illustrator), Little Tiger (publisher)
Fresh and fun, we couldn’t get enough of Glam & Beardy! Every child in Kin Isle belongs to a Kindom. There are five in total: wisdom, power, harvest, sparkle and glamour. Glam is the last child in the Glamour Kindom and its fate rests on her meeting her glamour familiar.
So, when she meets her familiar, Beardy (not a very glam name, right?!), in the most unglamorous of ways (think tongue sticking to leg kinda thing), the pair wonder if they are truly meant to be together. Added to that, Beardy doesn’t seem to have the mark of any Kindom on her. Which is pretty strange. And rather worrying. So they set out on a quest together to discover the truth. A quest which will take them all over Kin Isle and will test the bonds of their friendship….
This was such a funny, unique story filled with dandelions, sparkle and wit. We loved the diary style format and all of the interruptions and asides from Beardy throughout. It has a brilliantly imagined world with a fantastic duo of protagonists and we adored the abundant black and white illustrations which appear on practically every page of the book, really bringing Glam and Beardy and their unique world to life. The messages of friendship, staying true to yourself and listening to your heart are just superb and we cannot wait to return to the Kin Isle for the next instalment of Glam and Beardy’s epic adventures.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Crow – Thief of Magic – Fiona Dixon (author), HarperCollins Children’s Books (publisher)
I am a sucker for a book with a map. And this one is so beautiful and begins this bold book in the best of ways.
Orphaned and growing up on the streets of Starsgard, twelve year old Crow is a thief. He and his two best friends work for a criminal overlord called Yarrick who sets them to work everyday stealing from the city’s wealthiest people. But, one day, Crow’s life is turned upside down after he delivers a package to a client known as the Dreamcatcher and is mesmerised by the world of dreams. So, when a planned heist goes wrong and Crow thinks his friends are killed, he goes to join the sorcerer as an apprentice.
Crow’s latent magic becomes awakened and he is introduced to the mysterious world of dream magic.. but with the light also comes the dark. And Crow learns of the dark and dangerous nightmares that are also contained in the Dreamcatcher’s house, as well and the sinister and deadly Mara. This ancient strain of nightmare can unleash death and destruction on Starsgard and its power is only growing stronger. Crow must make a terrible choice. Who can he really trust? Will Crow choose light or dark?
This was an absolute page-turner of a magical adventure story for me. I loved the balances of light and dark throughout the story and the enchanting magical world that the author had created. I did guess what was going to happen but it did not detract from this gripping read for me. I loved the themes of friendship (with both people and animals – I adored Nekima!) and loyalty embedded within the book and the unique world of dream magic and vividly-imagined magical realm of Starsgard. I hope there are many more adventures with Crow and Nekima to come. Five stars.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If the Invader Comes – Tom Palmer (author), Barrington Stoke (publisher)
From the standout author of wartime fiction comes this, the latest and powerful historical fiction book all about the terrifying prospect of Nazi invasion in Britain in summer 1940.
After the devastating defeat at Dunkirk, the horrifying prospect of Nazi invasion of Great Britain became a reality. It seemed ever more likely that Germany would overcome the British Isles. And for Bobble and her friends living on the Cornish coast, this seemed an ever-present threat.
Bobble, Coran and Priscilla’s parents are involved in top-secret war work meaning that the children have to take on more of their parent’s work and are flung together in friendship. The trio cover for their parents and face down the malicious gossip from the local community. And they also have their own part to play in the war effort when they spot a German E Boat while on river patrol for Coran’s dad. But when it appears that the invader is right on their doorstep, will they be able to pull off the most dangerous feat of all?
Gripping, powerful and heart-pounding, this is a masterpiece of historical fiction set in 1940 and beyond. We always learn something new and important from Tom’s books and he writes with such a sense of time and place that it is impossible not to get sucked into the drama and danger of the story. The three friends characters are so well-written and the immersive writing makes you feel that you are there with them in that space and time. The harsh brutalities of the war are balanced against the courage, community fighting spirit, love and friendship that also abound in the book. Compassionate yet gloss-free, powerful and educational, this is a superb wartime story. Just short of 200 pages and written on off-white paper with expert editing, it is an accessible read for all.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Two is a Crowd – Cath Howe (author), Miguel Bustos (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
Hattie’s life is one big, noisy mess. And that is just the way she likes it. I mean, apart from having to share a bedroom with her little brother and her older brother basically ignoring her, she has her best friend from primary school to mess about with and she’s off to secondary school in September.
But Hattie’s life is about to get even more complicated when her mum’s goddaughter, Seren, comes to stay and she is given her own room and lots of special treatment. Then Hattie is split up from her best friend from school when she realises that they are in different forms and she starts to act out. Hattie’s family all seem to love Seren but Hattie thinks she is the reason that Hattie’s best friend is in a different class to her. Hattie begins to feel more isolated and pushed out…. Does her family prefer the skirt-wearing, pristine-looking Seren to her?
This is an addictive page-turner of a story dealing with complex family relationships and the dramas of starting at secondary school. I could feel every emotion that Hattie felt, so good was the writing by Cath Howe. The anger, the jealousy, the bitterness, the sadness, the friendship, the love … it’s all there to give you all the feels. Fresh, relatable and very real, we loved this middle grade story.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Unchosen One – Amy Sparkes (author), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)
Amy Sparkes writes with so much magic, humour and adventure that we jumped at the chance to review her newest release set in the magical Peryll islands.
Surely there has been a mistake?! Tassalonia Monk, Tassie for short, has been named as the Chosen One. But that cannot be right because Tassie is nothing like the meek and mild, studious child described in the phrophecy. And being the Chosen One also sounds pretty dull to Tassie. So, she goes off adventuring with her best friend, a griffin called Spin , to try and find the true Chosen One.
Her epic quest takes her through the magical islands, meeting nefarious (or not!) characters along the way. She’s in a race against the clock to find the Chosen One before death and destruction and the Shadow descends…. Unfortunately, she’s always causing chaos and is never on time for anything!
We were whisked away on this marvellous magical adventure story and loved the characters of Tassie, Spin and Darley and the three wraiths in particular. This book is brimming with humour, full of heart and it sparkles with magic of every kind. We loved the messages of friendship and loyalty displayed throughout the book and the fast-paced storyline keeps the reader gripped throughout. We hope this is the first of many more of this series.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Starminster – The City of Wings – Megan Hopkins (author), Harper Collins Children’s Books (publisher)
Sob. The final book in this fabulously-feathered trilogy is here. And I have read it. And I didn’t want it to end. There were some huge shockers in this one and I simply adored it! Megan Hopkins has reached new heights with this brilliantly crafted conclusion to the series.
Astrid is still struggling to fly with her wings but it isn’t the only problem that she faces. In fact, the whole of London Overhead, the secret city in the stars, is in jeopardy. And that is a huge problem for everyone who lives there, especially Astrid because it is the only place that she has truly felt at home. You see, the enchantments that keep London Overhead hidden are starting to crumble meaning that the people in London below are starting to see the Librae folk above.
With everyone abandoning London Overhead in a panic, it is up to Astrid and her friends to try and save the city because Astrid will not go back to a life without wings. Astrid wonders whether it would truly be so terrible if the humans below could see London Overhead. Will she have what it takes to save the city before the magic runs out forever?
As with the other books, this is such a page-turner of a fantasy story. I loved entering the unique world of London Overhead again and I particularly enjoyed the secrets and surprises that unfolded in this story. This final book builds beautifully on the other books the ending is truly superb. It is a fast-paced blend of magic, adventure, intrigue, friendship, family, love, idealism, nature and huge imagination and this makes it a pure joy to read. Five stellar stars from us – we loved taking to the skies. We are just sorry we have to return to the ground with a bump now!
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Will Shakespeare Mysteries – The Stinky Stolen Toenails – Kaz Penney (author), Sammy Elgie (illustrator), Andersen Press (publisher)
If you love a funny mystery story with plenty of wonderful black and white illustrations then this is the book for you!!
Starring literature’s most famous genius, young Will wants to become the greatest person who solves crimes ever (if only there was a word for that!) but what he should be doing is cleaning out the pile of poo from the privy, collecting the twelfth night pie and generally trying to keep out of trouble.
But when the moundsofgoo treasure goes missing from Ronaldo’s house, Will cannot resist trying to find it with his best friend Tybalt. Because if the treasure (you don’t want to know what it is!!) isn’t recovered then Ronaldo can’t marry Judy. And if he and Judy don’t get back together, he is at risk of melting into a big, wet puddle from all his tears. Can Will and Tybalt find the missing treasures and reunite the couple?
Fast-paced and fun, this unique mystery brims with wit, sparkle and humour. The story is set out in short paragraphs with larger spacing and lots of brilliant black and white illustrations to bring the story to life. We love Will and his enthusiasm (which doesn’t always match his talent) and all of the asides from Tybalt. We also appreciated all the clever nods to the great Bard himself and his works. Cheeky and playful, we have loved this mischievous mystery. Highly recommend.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hercules vs The Minotaur – Tom Vaughan (author), David O’Connell (illustrator), Scholastic (publisher)
Kalamata!! Herky-Werky is back for another olive-stuffed, action-packed, hapless adventure! Filled with references to Greek mythology, hilarious anecdotes and masses of black and white illustrations, this series of books is a huge hit in our house.
We love the diary-style of this laugh out loud story following the antics of Hercules Braver, modern day son of Zeus. And this year, Hercules is determined to start his new school year by being a good role model. All might go well for Hercules if he wasn’t thwarted at every turn by his cousin, Theseus, son of Poseidon, who comes to stay at his house and causes trouble and strife at every turn.
After freak weather storms and lots of mayhem, the two boys realise that they will have to work together to save the universe (which is in jeopardy because of Zeus taking some time out for self-reflection!!). So when the fearsome Minotaur and the terrifying three-headed dog, Cerberus, escape from the underworld and start eating things, Hercules and Theo need to combine their efforts to save the world. Can they manage it?!
The more the boys spend time tracking down the monsters, the more that they begin to realise that creatures from myths, much like people in life, can be complicated and misunderstood.
We love the messages of this book which allow children to reflect on how multi-faceted people, and creatures, can be. It prompts children to look a little deeper, prod a little more and not to judge on face value. We also love the themes of childhood friendships, blended families and lots of love. The ending was just lovely.
The plentiful black and white illustrations add to the humour and fun of the book and, as with the whole series, we hugely enjoyed reading it.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Alex Abbott is [Un]Dead – Diary of a Reluctant Vampire (aged 11 1/2) – Louise Austin (author), Katie Kear (illustrator), Macmillan Children’s Books (publisher)
Alex Abbott longs for his old life back. He longs to be 11 and human again. You see, Alex Abbott is a vampire. And as much as he doesn’t want to be, there are some cool things about being a vampire (like the super-speed and super-hearing!) so life isn’t all bad. Until, that is, he goes to visit the vampire who turned him into an undead monster…. and accidentally breaks an ancient pact, snuffs out 32 miniscule fire sprites and makes a deal with an all powerful fire demon which threatens to wipe out the world as we know it. Who would have thought that finding a cure for his vampire-ness would be so disastrous?!
We loved the diary-style format of this fun, fast-paced adventure across Italy. There are plenty of brilliant black and white illustrations dotted through the pages, really bringing the story to life and captivating those who struggle with larger blocks of text. The cast of characters we met along the way were brilliant (particularly Mr Tilbury) and a wonderful blend of macabre, hilarity and horror. This is a unique and monstrously funny book to sink your teeth into (see what I did there?!) from this new and talented writer and we hope for many more to come.
![Alex Abbott is [Un]Dead - Diary of a Reluctant Vampire](https://f4v2a8t7.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_8011-1440x1920.jpeg)
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
My School Musical and Other Punishments- Catherine Wilkins (author) Sarah Horne (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
My eldest and I loved My Best Friend and Other Enemies and so we were excited to dive right into the drama (quite literally!) of Jess Jackson’s world again.
All Jess’ friends are excited about the school musical. In fact it is all they can talk about. But when Jess’ best friend, Nat, gets the lead role, the dramatics take an even bigger turn. You see, Jess has a brilliant new idea about their comic but everyone is too busy rehearsing to want to hear about it. Don’t get me wrong, Jess is happy about the musical -she does get to be lead set designer – it is just that everyone seems to be taking it very seriously. At least the set designing is going well, right?! Wrong! When high-achiever Harriet Vanderk gets involved, paint gets spilled. Yellow paint to be precise. And Jess finds herself siding with her frenemy, Amelia, and – shock horror – enjoying spending time with her, especially because Nat has gone all theatrical and affected!
I raced through this fresh, fun and very relevant story. I loved the realistic portrayals of all the characters and their complex relationships – Tanya is still one of my favourite characters – and I felt that mix of dread and uncomfortableness at some of the behaviours displayed in the story. Catherine Wilkins does a stellar job of portraying the differing personalities and intricate and complicated relationships of school at this age. I also really enjoyed the eco-message which was brought across in the book and the quirky, fun ending. The black and white illustrations throughout the book bring character and life to Jess Jackson’s world of adventure and drama. If you enjoy books by this author then you will love this one.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Breakfast Club Adventures- The Sleepover Sabotage – Marcus Rashford and Abiola Bello (authors), Marta Kissi (illustrator), Macmillan Children’s Books (publisher)
The Breakfast Club Investigators are back! Don’t worry if you have never read any other books in this fun and engaging mystery series before because they are easy to read as standalone books.
The BCI have a rather creepy mystery to solve at school this time… a mystery bandaged figure is wandering around Rutherford causing fear and mayhem! The children are convinced it’s the body of a mummy that visited school inside its sarcophagus. And we all know that mummies are very good at keeping secrets because they like things under wraps! (Come on, that was funny!!) the Breakfast Club have got to race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery if they want it to stop it from ruining the Eco Club’s first-ever sleepover at school.
Will the friends be able to unmask the creepy creature before the sleepover is sabotaged for good? Do they even want to? Maybe this will be the ancient mystery that thwarts their investigation skills?!
Filled with engaging black and white illustrations and a pacy plot line, this book is a page-turner of a mystery. We loved the themes of friendship and the eco-messages as well as the diverse cast of characters. We also enjoyed the fact that the characters opened up to each other about how they were feeling and the nerves they were experiencing, highlighting how love and friendship can be a support in these times and really encouraging children to talk about their emotions. Accessible, empowering and supportive, a fun mystery for children aged 8 and above.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Diary of a Dreadful Dragon – Ben Miller (author), Elisa Paganelli (illustrator), Simon & Schuster UK Ltd (publisher)
Everyone knows that dragons breathe fire, hoard treasure and live in caves, right?! Malgundrax the dragon doesn’t make the rules. And so he is very surprised when he arrives in Fairytale Woods to find out that the first people he meets – the three bears – have never heard of a dragon before! They think Malc is a big bird!!
Malc joins the the bears’ delivery business, dropping off parcels all around the wood and spying out treasures to take for his new hoard. But the more time he spends with baby bear, and the more he gets to know the lovely villagers, the less the sparkly treasures seem to shine for him. Maybe the best treasure of all is friendship. Can this bad dragon turn good?!
Fun, dripping with fairytale references and comedy and packed with superb black and white illustrations, we loved the diary style format of this story. It’s got everything: a villain, quirky characters, brilliant illustrations and lots of humour. Added to that are the most beautiful messages about friendship, doing the right thing, what it means to trust, and giving people second chances. It’s a fast-paced, engaging read with lots of clever nods to the fairytale world and we have loved it.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We are Dragon – Alastair Chisholm (author), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
It’s here! The third and final (sob) instalment in this fantastical series of books has arrived. And, my gosh, it does not disappoint!
To provide some background, it is quite difficult to describe the world that the author has created in this series but it is set in a sort of dystopian and brutal world where huge technological beasts called Constructs fight for territory. Following on from the first two stories, we follow Reika and the others members of Cub on their journey.
Reika is a tock. She’s also a genius. But she has a hard time letting anyone in and with the new enemy – Dragon – sweeping across the land and causing devastation, Reika is going to need all the help she can get. You see, she alone thinks she has the skill and genius to win the war against Dragon. But without letting her friends in, the choices that she makes on her own are dangerous for all concerned. She must face up to her decisions and the truth about herself…. Otherwise, everything she is trying to save could be destroyed.
As with the other books in this series, this is such an addictive, imaginative, unique page-turner of a story. I confess that Reika was probably my least favourite character and I felt uncomfortable reading about her decision making and the way she treated her friends at times but that did not inhibit my enjoyment of this final book. I loved every page of it and I loved the ending and its messages of friendship, collaboration and unity by choice rather than coercion. I will be sad to leave this trilogy behind, particularly my favourite character, Fillan but I look forward to more books by this author. Unique and thought-provoking, a superb exploration into what it means to be human, I love this world that Alistair Chisholm has imagined and the complex characters that he has created. I will truly miss it.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pearl Beach – Beth Steiner (author), Pushkin Press (illustrator)
Written in verse, this is a poignant and haunting story which will remain with you long after reading it.
Billie loves Pearl Beach. She goes every summer and hangs out with her best friend, Andy. This year, Billie is almost fourteen and Andy is more interested in making videos on her phone, make-up, clothes and boys than in Billie. Even worse though, Billie’s silent old Aunt Edith is coming with them and staying with the family for the whole summer. Edith is a holocaust survivor, a nonagenarian, and doddery on her feet: what has Billie got to talk to her about?!
But Billie learns to bond with Edith over shared stories. Billie experiences the pain of growing up and Edith begins to share her story. She was, after all, a thirteen year old girl with problems too…
What follows is a heartfelt and beautiful story about love, betrayal, grief, loss and resilience. The stories that the pair share will bond them both forever.
Dealing with some heavy themes of the Holocaust, grief, betrayal and loss very sensitively, this is a moving novel written in verse. Yes, there are moments of heartache but the story is ultimately an uplifting one which will stay with you for a long time. Beautiful.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Spyglass – Mastermind of Mayhem – David Solomons (author), Miguel Dias Rivas (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
Adam is going to have an awesome summer. He wants to do as little work at his parents’ holiday park as he possibly can and ride bikes around with his best friends. What he doesn’t anticipate though is getting chased by an evil megalomaniac and trying to save the coastline where he lives from being blown up! But that is exactly what happens when Adam and his friends accidentally uncover (and make viral!) the hiding place of an MI6 spymaster. Just one simple flying bike video later and they have caught the attention of the villainous Dr Toe (all the foot jokes are kicked into play!) who wants the Quantum of Shoelace for his evil collection. Time is running out for Adam and his friends to save the day …
Funny, packed with film puns and gadgets galore, this was a fast-paced spy adventure story. We loved the imaginative gadgets and inventions that are detailed throughout the story and the quirky characters in the book. The black and white illustrations are superb and really bring the humour of the story to life, as well as depicting the technology and gadgets so clearly. If you have a James Bond fan or a gadget buff at home then this is the book for them.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Puzzle Books
Cluedunnit – 5 minute Easter puzzles for kids – E.Z. Case (chief detective of crime), Wren & Rook (imprint of Hachette) (publisher)
Calling all young super-sleuths ! Brush off your magnifying glass, sharpen your pencil, get out your pad because the world-famous detective, E.Z.Case is looking for a clever new assistant to help solve some eggs-tremely unusual mysteries going on around town. Can you crack (sorry, I will stop with the egg puns now!) the codes and solve the puzzle mysteries.
With over 60 puzzles to pore (or paw!) over, your young wannabe detective can test their crime-fighting skills by solving the logic problems, mazes,maps, number puzzles and tests of observation. Each brain-buster should be able to be solved in five minutes and they range from easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy to really-rather-hard so your reader can work up to the diabolically difficult challenges. They will need to have all their wits and sleuthing skills about them to help the detective keep on top of the crime rate – there are chocolate thieves and suspicious shredders at work to name but a few!
We love this series of books. My girls, in particular, love this kind of book and it makes the best kind of entertainment for travelling on holidays, or for entertaining children on long school holidays. This is an eggs-ellent, engaging read full of Easter fun and mystery, encouraging children to get their pencils and pads out and enjoy solving a good old puzzle (or 60!).
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Penicillin and Other Incredible Mistakes You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of – Natalie Labarre (author), Gosia Herba (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
Did you know that the leaning tower of Pisa was never meant to lean? Or that there was only one pair of binoculars on board the Titanic? How about the fact that coffee was discovered by dancing goats?! Rest assured though, it’s a total myth that swallowed chewing gum will stay in your body for seven years!
This brilliant and bright book educates your reader in all sorts of incredible mistakes. From the penicillin that was discovered by an untidy scientist to the unsticky sticky-ish glue used for post-it notes, there are marvellous mistakes detailed in this book which will blow your reader’s mind. Lots of those mistakes have helped shaped the world around us and we love this message that failure can sometimes mean success. What is also brilliant about this work of non fiction is that it teaches children how to make the best out of something even when it goes wrong.
Filled with bright and beautiful illustrations on vibrant pages, there are short, easy to digest text blocks of fascinating facts which will appeal to every reader. Bold, fun and educational, we love this fabulous fact book which has been produced in collaboration with the University of Cambridge.
- Hardcover Book
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chickens and Other Dinosaurs – Ben Lerwill (author), Sarah Edmonds (illustrator), Wellbeck Children’s Group (imprint of Hachette) (publisher)
Fancy spotting a dinosaur or two?! Well, grab your binoculars and look to the skies! This fun and quirky work of non fiction explains how pigeons, ostriches, geese and toucans are all related to that terrifying beast from the prehistoric world: the T-Rex!
With stunning bold and bright illustrations on every page, this fact book takes your children on a journey of evolution, through Darwin’s theories, to a comparison of modern day birds and their marvellous forms. There are fascinating facts to marvel over (there are lots of different feather functions, don’t you know!) but we found the pages about the extinct birds really sad. Ultimately though, this book marvels at the creatures in our world and their ability to adapt and survive… and there are even new species being discovered!
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
History’s Youngest Heroes – Tom Adam’s (author), Sarah Walsh (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)
As much as I love books like this one, it does make me wonder what I have done with my life!!
Following the incredible stories of some of life’s most influential children, this brilliant work of non-fiction provides ambition, creativity and inspiration to every child (and adult) everywhere. Split into five sections – think and invent, create and dream, hope and believe, lead and triumph, change and conquer – your child can be captivated by the stories of 50 children who have played their part in changing the world around them.
Like Louis Braille who invented a language of dots so that blind people could read, or Michaela Mycroft who was wheelchair bound because of cerebral palsy but saw this as empowering and is determined to live life to the fullest. Iqbal Masih, the child slave who stood up to his captor and started to help his slave friends, provides an eye-opening and jaw-dropping read.
All these stories are incredible and inspirational and the bright illustrations and photographs from “real life” serve to provide yet more detail and colour to these tales. Brimming with courage and curiosity, we love this fantastic fact book.
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
