Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

There’s nothing like good home-cooked food to fill a child with delight. This vibrantly illustrated book – from the front cover onwards – presents an endearing close-up look at celebrating other cultures, taking pride in one’s own, and also sharing – all through the realm of rice.

Shane loves his rice and peas, and is does look enticing, steaming hot with its scent wafting into his living room, and the most ultra-super-duper litany of adjectives to describe it. The illustrations take us from Shane’s domestic life, complete with notices on the fridge and a stash of tinned tomatoes behind proud mum, to his visions of grandiosity after eating the best rice in the world.

But what’s wonderful is the careful insertion of family heritage – a recipe passed down through generations, with its own secret ingredient of pimento seeds. All is well with Shane. Until lunchtime at school, and Yinka’s claim that her Jollof rice is the best. Illustrator Oginni could not convey the emotions of small children more strongly. Shane and Yinka’s standoff is one of the best I’ve seen in a picture book. But that’s not it. In this ultimate battle of food, everyone joins in, proclaiming their own rice is best – risotto, paella, pilau and more. The resolution, of course, is a tasting and sharing, but there’s also a beautiful little twist.

An absolute zinger of a picture book, showing that food and culture and heritage is diverse, and is to be shared and celebrated.

The opening to the book has illustrations that introduce you to some of the characters, followed by a unique map, which gives you a brief overview of The Garden, showing the Unfairies and Tree Fairies holdings. Pip, the little hero fairy of this story, sets out with his new friend Midge by his side to deliver a report on how the winter food stores have gone mouldy. Danger seems to follow him throughout, or perhaps he follows danger!

His encounters with sticky, bug-bum honey, a crash involving a beetle and centipede and the carrying of a prophecy are just a few of the quests set out for Pip. Throughout the book, double-page spreads share a map or information page based on different areas of The Garden and Oakhold, both unique and humorous.

This graphic novel is a fantastic combination of a Welsh author, who provides endless laughs, and an Italian illustrator, who brings the colours and vibrancy. It ticks all the boxes for a fun read.

Set 25 years from now, this thrilling eco-adventure imagines a future Britain where a vast stretch of land across northern England and southern Scotland has been transformed into the “Wildlands.”

This massive rewilding project has reintroduced extinct and endangered species – like wolves, lynx, and bison – and completely banned human presence to let nature restore itself. The only exception is a high-speed train line connecting London and Glasgow.

The story follows 13-year-old Astrid and her younger sister Indie, who become accidentally stranded in the Wildlands after their train makes an unscheduled stop. With no phone signal and only limited supplies, the sisters must rely on their wits, survival skills, and each other to navigate the wild terrain. As they face physical and emotional challenges, their strained relationship slowly begins to transform. They learn to collaborate, appreciate each other, and grow stronger through adversity.

Layered with action, natural wonder and tension, the story also prompts readers to reflect on humanity’s impact on the environment. It introduces important ecological concepts such as predator-prey balance and species conservation, while also inviting critical thinking about the feasibility and ethics of such large-scale interventions.

Ultimately, this is an engaging, thought-provoking tale of survival, family, and environmental stewardship that encourages young readers to consider their role in shaping our planet’s future.

Spirit Warriors is a fantastic action-adventure where friendships are forged between two children and a cat when they battle the evil Blackheart Man for control of the island’s magic. It’s a huge amount of fun!

Magical, mysterious, spooky, historical and exciting!