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Chapter book

Twenty-five days ago, something awful happened, and I made a promise to myself. Never to leave home again.

Pete loves the pizza shop, where he lives with his dad, and is terrified of the outside world. But when a new restaurant steals their customers, Pete and his friend Anna have to come up with an INGENIOUS plan to sell more pizzas, otherwise he’ll be forced to move.

When they find a mysterious briefcase in the attic, they create the most extraordinary magical pizzas, and soon a queue of customers snakes down the road. But can they make enough money in four days to save Pete’s home?

Throw in an exploding headmistress, a fire-breathing dog and a vengeful bully and Pete’s life soon ramps up from Margherita to Spicy Pepperoni!

Chapter book

Fans of THOR and THE INCREDIBLES will not want to miss this epic superhero adventure with a twist from Radio 1 broadcasters and bestselling authors of KID NORMAL and THE GREAT DREAM ROBBERY.

Super hero. Super DEAD!

It’s just another day at the office for world-famous superhero Doctor Extraordinary as he battles his arch-nemesis Captain Chaos in yet another epic showdown. Unfortunately this one doesn’t quite go to plan and they both get blown up inside a giant robot.

Dr Ex’s number-one-fan, twelve-year-old Sonny Nelson, is devastated. A world without heroes is totally rubbish! But things take an even more extraordinary turn when Doctor Ex returns as a ghost and only Sonny can see him . . .

Chapter book

The sixth book in the SUPER graphic novel-like series for readers aged 7+ from the amazingly talented illustrator and author Sophy Henn! Brimming with Sophy’s hilarious illustrations, this is the perfect read for fans of Bunny Vs Monkey, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.

Everyone’s favourite reluctant superhero is back and ready to give this super thing her ALL – she’s even got a BRAND-NEW COSTUME. Pizazz soon discovers that a bunch of baddies have formed TEAM TOXIC and are trying to DESTROY the PLANET for ever, but none of the grown-ups even care!

This time it’s up to Pizazz and her friends to save the world . . . before it destroys ITSELF!

Chapter book

Beautifully moving and breathtakingly original, this is a story of bravery and second chances, for readers aged 9+.

When 12-year-old Eleanor Newton dies in an accident, she finds herself journeying down a mysterious river that takes her to The Underworld. She apprehensively embarks on her “afterlife” at Eventide House, a boarding school of sorts for children who have died.

The Underworld is captivating: always sunny and warm but also fractured. Strange things have been happening to Ellie since she arrived: she knows something isn’t right, and she doesn’t want to be there. She desperately wants to get back to the world of The Living to meet her new baby brother, even if it means being a ghost.

Can Ellie find a way out of the Underworld? And who – or what – will she be if she does?

The Lovely Dark is another breathtakingly original story from Matthew Fox, author of The Sky Over Rebecca. Set in the modern world, it features themes of life after a pandemic, mental health and grief, all handled with real lightness of touch.

Picturebook

A fantastic rhyming story by Smriti Halls (I’m Sticking With You and Rain Before Rainbows), with dynamic illustrations from Richard Merritt (The Dinosaur Department Store), about discovering grit and building determination.

Diplodocus Dinah is BRILLIANT at everything. There’s nothing she can’t do and no competition she can’t win! But what happens when the Surfing Contest comes to Dino Town and Dinah discovers that surfing is something she just can’t dino-do! For the first time ever Dinah doesn’t come first. Will she be distraught? Or will she discover that there’s more to having fun than winning?

An encouraging and inspiring story, packed with hidden humour, that’s perfect for fans of Giles Andreae’s Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Picturebook

Sometimes I think my mind is like a house.

Just like a house, I need to treat my mind with love and care . . .

Written by a child psychologist, this beautiful book follows a young boy as he learns to love and accept himself, with all his flaws! Relatable characters and a gentle storyline introduce little ones to the concept of mental health in an accessible and engaging way, encouraging them to think about how to look after themselves and accept themselves for who they are. Featuring exquisite illustrations and tips on how to foster a life-long sense of wellbeing, this is a stunning addition to any library.

Be yourself in the world. Don’t give up! And love yourself for who you are.

Picturebook

What’s the point of art? This is the question Henri asks himself when his class is taken on a school trip to the local art gallery. Who wants pictures of old soup cans or melting watches? But when he encounters a painting with the most perfect blue, it creates a beautiful feeling. It’s blueberries, oceans, summer skies and butterflies all rolled into one. And then he wanders into a room with a chair and a sign that reads “Is this really a chair?” Henri decides to test it out, unleashing an explosion of creativity! Finally Henri understands what art is all about…

Following Isabelle Marinov’s successful Leo and the Octopus, this is a fun and encouraging story of a boy learning to appreciate art and its boundless creativity.

Chapter book

No matter how big the show, family, friendship and adventure shine through in The Wonder Brothers by multi-award-winning author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated throughout by Steven Lenton.

‘Maybe you don’t believe me. Maybe you don’t believe in magic. I bet you will by the time you’ve heard what happened to us.’

Cousins Middy and Nathan love magic. The on-stage, cape-swirling, bunny-out-of-a-hat kind.

For Middy, it’s all about patience and practice. She uses magic skills to help her out of tricky situations.

Nathan is a show-off and a total danger magnet, he is drawn to the sensation, spectacle and audience.

So when the famous Blackpool Tower dramatically vanishes the night of the Grand Lights Switch-On, showman Nathan announces live on TV that they will magic it back home.

With a stick of rock, a spangly cape, and a bit of misdirection, they end up lost in Las Vegas, home to the grand master of illusion, Perplexion, ‘Legend of Magic’.

Full of tricks, twists and deceptions, the delightful Nathan and Middy will keep you guessing until the very end.

Chapter book

Welcome to SHIVER POINT, home of spooks, screams and small-town horror! Enter if you dare…

Shiver Point is boring. Nothing interesting ever happens there and there’s never anything fun to do. At least that’s what Alex has always thought. Until one night, in the dead dark, he spots what looks like a meteorite plummeting into Howlmoor Forest.

Intrigued, Alex goes to investigate. But little does he know, four other kids have also spotted the strange streak in the sky: ‘troublemaker’ Oli, studious Sophia, curious Mo and budding engineer Riley. What they discover is far beyond their wildest dreams – in fact it belongs in their nightmares. Can the gang work together to save the town from the bloodthirsty bodysnatcher that’s arrived with the meteorite before it’s too late?

One thing’s for sure: Shiver Point will never be the same again.

Packed with chills and thrills, SHIVER POINT is a hair-raising new horror series for readers aged 9-12, perfect for fans of GOOSEBUMPS and DREAD WOOD.

Picturebook

Ayla and her marine biologist mum live on a beautiful tropical island, surrounded by a coral reef. One morning, Ayla notices that many of the fish have disappeared, and the once vibrant corals have turned pale. Is it too late to save the reef?

This stunningly illustrated picture book captures the beauty and magic of the coral reef, and the important role it plays in the ocean’s eco-system. From the impact global warming has on reefs to the amazing things marine biologists are doing to protect it, readers will love learning about this fascinating topic. Clara Anganuzzi’s gentle text and breathtaking artwork looks at the complex topic of global warming in an eye-opening but positive way, showing us that we have time to reverse the damage which has been caused.

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