Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Murray the Viking

Chapter book

Murray is a cat that loves his peace and quiet but sadly, living with a rather incompetent wizard means that his life is anything but. On occasion, a happy accidental spell provides something of value and for Murray this arrives in the form of a magic cat-flap and Bun, a bun turned bunny. What Bun lacks in vocabulary, he makes up for in enthusiasm, leading Murray on to adventure, whether he likes it or not.

Adam Stower is best known and loved for his illustrations (most notably for David Walliams), but a smidge of research reveals that he is also a prolific writer and, if this book is anything to go by, this latest series is set to put his writing on a par with his illustration.

The witty dialogue between our unlikely friends leads to a book that will appeal right from Year 2 to Year 6. In fact, my copy was in hot demand with my Year 6 class, accompanied by snorts of laughter and loud exclamations of “Bun!”. Granted it isn’t a text to challenge UKS2 (making it accessible to much younger age groups) but they loved the humour and for more reluctant readers, this could be just the sort of book that they will return to and enjoy time and again.

Mama’s Sleeping Scarf

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie & Joelle Avelino

Picturebook

Chino has to stay at home with her Papa while her Mama goes out to work. When Chino is worried that Mama might not come back, Mama leaves her sleeping scarf for her– the one she wears ‘to keep her hair all soft and nice’ – to play with for the day. The scarf weaves its way through Chino’s day with her, helping her play games and forming part of her conversations with both her grandparents and her Papa. The scarf is a reminder throughout the day of the love of her Mama and of the rest of her family, too.

Through this charming and seemingly simple story, Adichie explores the reversal of traditional home roles, the value of multi-generational family bonds, and the simple anxiety of a child who wants to know their parent will return. It’s a bright and colourful text to read aloud.

Michael Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare

Michael Morpurgo

Chapter book, Short 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.

Gigantic

Rob Biddulph

Picturebook

A heartwarming tale that casts a vast net, capturing themes of perseverance, friendship, and self-belief in a vibrantly illustrated, marine-filled adventure perfect for the primary classroom.

Rob Biddulph transports the reader into an ocean teeming with life, where we meet our unlikely hero, Gigantic, the smallest blue whale in the stormy Atlantic. Despite his size, Gigantic’s journey is one of might and mettle, where his diminutive stature in the ocean’s vastness doesn’t deter his big-hearted valiance.

The rhythmical prose lends itself beautifully to read-aloud sessions, with the alliterative play and evocative imagery poised to capture children’s imaginations. Biddulph’s illustrations are equally engaging, using a palette that mirrors the stormy yet spirited oceanic setting. Beyond the narrative, the book serves as a springboard for discussions on oceans, ecosystems, and the importance of determination. It illustrates that even the smallest creature has value and strength, a message that resonates with children navigating their place in the world.

The Little Prince (Picturebook)

Antoine de Saint-Exupery & Louise Greig & Sarah Massini

Picturebook

Based on the bestselling strange, but lovely, classic story by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, this beautiful picture book is a total joy. The quirky narrative lends itself well to being abridged in this way, and the result is dreamlike and surreal in the best kind of way.

With exquisite and gentle full-page illustrations, Greig and Massini introduce the little prince and tell the story of his rose, his travels, and his friend the fox in lyrical prose reminiscent of Saint-Exupery’s original work. Timeless because it is so out of the ordinary, the story touches on love, friendship, and the question of what brings meaning to our lives.

This is a deserving tribute to a classic, making it accessible and refreshing its message for a new and younger generation of readers. It is a perfect bedtime story or class read-aloud for Key Stage 1, with plenty to discuss for older readers.

Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of the Dark

Katie Tsang & Kevin Tsang & Nathan Reed

Chapter book

The enormously fun Sam Wu series is back with the third instalment, Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of the Dark.

This time, the invitation to go camping in the woods with Sam’s best friend Bernard brings a brand new challenge to definitely-not-scared Sam. Trying not to think too much about the darkness, the monsters, the aliens and the bears, Sam ends up heading reluctantly into the woods accompanied by his cousin Stanley and Bernard’s family. If there is one person who is able to make any situation ten times worse for Sam, it’s classmate Ralph Philip Zinkerman the Third. As (bad) luck would have it, Ralph and his family just happen to pitch up at the same camping spot with their impressively-shaped tents (Ralph’s tent looks like an actual space rocket). The only bonus is that Ralph’s twin sister Regina and her friend Zoe, who are part of Sam’s friendship group, are there too (in Regina’s super-expensive castle shaped tent), and Sam knows that strength in numbers will definitely be a good thing in the face of werewolves or UFOs. Now all that is left is to face the prospect of surviving the night in the dark, dark woods…

With scary noises, strange lights, spooky shadows and the incredibly dark patch of no-man’s land (not to mention the fact that the grown-ups seem completely disinterested in taking the children seriously about all the scary stuff that might be out there), Sam and his friends are left to fend for themselves as night approaches. Can Sam overcome each frightening encounter in the dark and prove once more that he is definitely NOT afraid?

Filled with warmth and humour, these books will strike a chord with anyone who knows what it feels like to be a little more frightened than they’d like others to think. I also really enjoyed how much value Sam places on his friendships and the way that he is able to attempt to build bridges with Ralph at the end, despite their differences. The narrative’s brand of harmless humour is enhanced by the cool design features of its pages and Nathan Reed’s engaging illustrations that bring a strong a visual element to the book’s humorous tone, making it a brilliantly fun addition to lower KS2 classroom libraries.

The books in this series are popular, quick reads and do not necessarily have to be read in sequence to make sense.

Why Money Matters

Deborah Meaden & Hao Hao

Non-fiction

Mystified by money? Discover how it shapes the world we live in with Dragons’ Den investor and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden.

This is a new, illustrated non-fiction book about money, suitable for children in Key Stage 2. Part of a series written by experts who are famous for their incredible know-how and passion for their subjects, and have made it their mission to share that knowledge in an inspirational new non-fiction series for primary school children. This non-fiction book also has vibrant and inclusive artwork throughout by Hao Hao.

Little Experts is an unmissable series that aims to empower and inspire a new generation of experts.

The King Who Banned the Dark

Emily Haworth-Booth

Picturebook

When a King bans the dark completely, installing an artificial sun, and enforcing “anti-dark” laws, it seems like a good idea. The citizens don’t need to worry about monsters, crime, or any of the other scary things that might live in the dark. But what happens when nobody can sleep? Will the citizens revolt?

Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize 2019, Klaus Flugge Prize 2019 and Independent Bookshop Week Awards 2019

There was once a little boy who was afraid of the dark. There’s nothing unusual about that. Most children are afraid of the dark at one time of another. But this little boy was a Prince, and he decided that when he became King, he would do something about the dark.

He would ban it.

The King Who Banned the Dark is a beautiful and thought-provoking story about how we need the dark in order to enjoy the light.

Deadly Deep

Jennifer Killick

Chapter book

Jennifer Killick is certainly becoming one of the most celebrated authors of horror fiction for middle-grade readers. Her ‘Dread Wood’ season is pitched perfectly for upper KS2 readers and beyond; balancing some of the most fantastic jump scare moments with settings that feel familiar to most readers of this age group. In Deadly Deep, the group are headed on a school trip to France and, as you can imagine, face some terrifying situations along the way (including a huge sea monster!). The characters are witty and charming; look out for the teacher who tries their best to be ‘cool’ and the teacher who is on the same trip as their child (you can feel the cringe!!)

The story is part of a series and we recommend the whole of the Dread Wood series, which is stormingly popular in Upper KS2. However, the book can also be read as a stand-alone.

If your class or group can cope with some spooky content then it certainly is a recommended read.

The Christmas Carrolls: The Christmas Club

Mel Taylor-Bessent & Selom Sunu

Chapter book

The Christmariffic Carrolls hit NEW YORK! Funny festive middle grade from the founder of Authorfy, perfect for 8+ fans of Matt Haig, Ben Miller, Sibeal Pounder’s Tinsel, and the Nativity! films

The Christmas-crazy Carrolls are back – and this time, they’re in NEW YORK!

Holly and her family are about to lead the famous Christmas parade in New York City! But there’s a hitch. They have been invited to join the EXCLUSIVE Christmas Club, whose members are among the MOST CHRISTMASSY FAMILIES IN THE WORLD. They simply have to follow the mysterious White Reindeer to find the Christmas Club’s secret headquarters in Manhattan. But when the White Reindeer shows up in the MIDDLE of the Christmas parade, the Carrolls are faced with a dilemma . . . Should they stay, or should they go?

With loveable New York characters, a mystery surrounding Holly’s mum Snow’s real name, and a new little furry friend, this book is a CHRISTMAS CRACKER!

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