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Age Group: KS1

Non-fiction

Water is life! Freshwater bubbles, flows and floods with the most wonderful life on Earth – and all of us rely on it to stay alive. BUT today, because of pollution and climate change, it is becoming more and more difficult for people and animals to find the clean freshwater they need to survive. It’s time to act!

Water tells the story of freshwater around the world. Discover the history of water, how the water cycle works, learn about the different kinds of water and about the amazing variety of wildlife that freshwater is home to. Then find out what happens to water because of climate change and global heating; the importance of clean water for health; the worldwide problem of water pollution and the devastating impact of water shortage on children’s lives and education.

Catherine Barr challenges us to take action, to use water wisely and protect freshwater to save our planet.

Non-fiction

This exquisite book explores one huge tree in the jungle, from roots to canopy… with a huge fold-out surprise at the end.

Offering a perspective rarely seen, Up in the Canopy explores the rainforest layer by layer, as we climb the incredible Kapok tree – a 100-metre tropical tree in the heart of wildest South America – in search of the elusive Harpy eagle which lives almost exclusively at great heights.

With artwork as rich and dense as the rainforest itself, there is much to explore at every level, and readers can scour the forest floor, understory and canopy for the world’s rarest and most beautiful tropical creatures. Finally reaching the top, they are rewarded with the most magical sight…

As told by James Aldred, author of The Man Who Climbed Trees, and published in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Non-fiction

Travel through America’s incredible history and amazing wild places, visiting the National Monuments that celebrate the most iconic and majestic landscapes and locations in the USA.

Packed with maps and fascinating facts about the history, architecture, flora, and fauna in some of the most visited National Monuments in the United States, this gorgeously illustrated book showcases the nation’s most historically important and amazing places.

Marvel at some of the world’s most famous landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty.
Discover lesser-known but just as breathtaking sites such as the Aniakchak volcano caldera. Read about geological wonders like the John Day Fossil Beds. Learn about places of solemn historical significance, such as the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

Divided into eight chapters covering the breadth of the US, pictographic maps locate each of the monuments explored, while double-page, poster-worthy scenes convey the beauty of the areas featured.

Picturebook

A heartfelt and humorous adventure from the bottom of the sea and beyond, following one fish on an epic journey.
Deep, deep, deep under the sea … lives Blobfish! Blobfish loves telling jokes, although he has no one to share them with, so he sets off on an adventure to find a friend. But sometimes friends turn up in the most unexpected places, even at the bottom of the ocean. This heartfelt and humorous story gently introduces children to themes of friendship, belonging and the issue of plastics in our oceans.

Chapter book

Time for another Little Badman adventure. This time, Humza, Umer and Wendy must face . . . THE UNDEAD.

Welcome to Big School.

Humza Khan – aka Little Badman, Eggington’s greatest rapper – might have finally met his match.

Evil teacher geniuses and giant killer hamsters (see previous Little Badman adventures for details) are nothing compared to starting a new school.

He’s already been out rap-battled by the school bully, laughed at by his classmates. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the ancient magical orb causing havoc and very possibly leading to world destruction.

At least Humza has found someone to help with his homework. It’s just a shame this friend isn’t exactly . . . alive.

Chapter book

I’m Rani Ramgoolam – roving reporter. And I think I’ve found the perfect story for the junior journalism competition run by the local paper. An eccentric millionaire has created a treasure hunt with a reward for the first person who figures out the clues.

Luckily, my mischievous Nani is visiting from Mauritius. She’s promised to help me work out what a priceless painting, a minotaur and a glass eye have in common.

“Murder, murder! Call the cops!” Oh, and that’s Cookie, my parrot. I’m not sure he’ll be much use.

But the race is on and I’ll need all the help I can get. Especially when some people are resorting to sneaky tricks to get their hands on the prize…

Non-fiction

Mount Everest is undoubtedly one of the most famous mountains on Earth. Hundreds of people clamber to its summit every year, following in Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s footsteps… but there is so much more to this mountain than the people who climb it. With sumptuous and stylish illustrations by Lisk Feng, this dynamic book reveals the great mountain’s ancient origins, the flora and fauna that thrive upon its great flanks, and the rich mythology of Sagarmatha, the Goddess of the Sky.

Chapter book

A highly illustrated fiction series about a determined young inventor, from award-winning author Vashti Hardy.

Join Harley, her robot dog Sprocket and best friend Cosmo for problem-solving adventures and mysteries in Inventia, a world where science rules and technology grows in the forest; and where exploding science projects, giant slugs and runaway robots are all part of a normal school day.

The Iron Forest near Harley’s home is unlike any other – plants and trees grow cogs and hinges and other mechanical parts – and all of Inventia depends on it. So when a strange fungus is discovered, there’s a race to find a solution. Without essential parts for inventions, the town is quickly falling apart…

But just who or what is behind the mysterious infestation? Harley decides it’s up to her to save the day – with chaotic results!

Perfect for fans of Amelia Fang and Isadora Moon, this is a rollicking adventure that celebrates STEM learning!

Heavily illustrated with lively, humourous illustrations by George Ermos.

Vashti Hardy is an award-winning author of children’s books. Her novel Wildspark won the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story 2020, and Brightstorm was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize.

Chapter bookShort story collection

Ten stunning Shakespeare retellings from the master storyteller, with an introduction by Benedict Cumberbatch

Featuring re-tellings of ten of Shakespeare’s plays, and beautifully written with Michael Morpurgo’s warm, accessible and inimitable style, this wonderful collection offers a new generation of readers the chance to discover the magic of Shakespeare – the perfect introduction to the Bard and an unmissable book for children.

Stunningly illustrated throughout with contributions from ten different artists, each with a special connection to the author, and published in a beautiful hardback edition, Tales from Shakespeare is a glorious tribute to both Shakespeare and Michael Morpurgo, making this the perfect gift.

A contemporary Lamb’s Tales for a new generation.

Featuring:

Macbeth, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
The Taming of the Shrew, illustrated by Joelle Avelino
Romeo and Juliet, illustrated by Peter Bailey
The Tempest, illustrated by Barroux
Twelfth Night, illustrated by Ian Beck
Henry V, illustrated by Christian Birmingham
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, illustrated by Alona Millgram
Hamlet, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole
King Lear, illustrated by Michael Foreman
The Winter’s Tale, illustrated by Sam Usher

Picturebook

Jacki’s mama has a rare condition. She is slowly losing her hearing. Together, they are learning Sign Language so that they’ll always be able to tell each other everything. But as Mama’s world becomes quieter, Jacki’s remains full of sound, especially on Music Appreciation Fridays. How can Jacki enjoy listening to music when her mama can no longer hear it? A heartfelt story, inspired by the author’s childhood, about a young girl coming to terms with her mother’s hearing loss and finding new ways to experience the world, together.

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