Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

I Try

Picturebook

I Try is an engaging book focusing on developing resilience and perseverance in younger children. Each page introduces a character trying something new or wanting to get better at something – for example being braver, more curious or dealing with strong emotions. As well as introducing a range of characters, each page gives examples linked to animals which will appeal to younger readers. Susie Brooks cleverly provides questions on each page to discuss with the readers and link to their own personal experiences before finishing the book with a motivational and advice-packed page that will be accessible for all children to understand. The illustrations by Cally Johnson-Isaacs complement the story perfectly and add an extra layer to discussions that can be had with the children. Each page has a real scenario and children will be able to relate to what is happening at the same time as appreciating the animal illustrations and extra detail. This is the perfect book to use with EYFS and KS1 children to help develop resilience using a range of different examples and strategies to support them.

Read, Scream, Repeat

Jennifer Killick & Various Authors

Short story collection

This collection of spooky stories for children is a must-have for any school library. With 13 short stories, it is perfect for those who struggle with reading stamina or keeping up with longer narratives – while the book doesn’t skimp on suspense.

Each story has a slightly different take on the horror genre, with tales about zombies, werewolves and post-apocalyptic worlds. The short stories are perfect for using as extracts to unpick the writing techniques the authors have used. The book is likely to be in demand with children in Upper KS2 who enjoy the horror genre or for teachers wanting to offer an atmospheric story time session.

Spaceboy

David Walliams

Chapter book

Go back to the Space Race with No.1 bestselling author David Walliams for a breathless cinematic adventure full of mystery, action, laughs and surprises – and a secret that could change the course of history…

America. The 1960s.

Stuck on a remote farm with her awful aunt, twelve-year-old orphan Ruth spends every night gazing at the stars, dreaming of adventure.

One night she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky… before crash-landing in a field. When the spaceship opens and reveals a mysterious alien, all Ruth’s dreams come true.

But does this visitor from another planet have a giant secret?

Spaceboy is a hilarious and action-packed tale for readers in any solar system.

Lifesize Deadly Animals

Sophy Henn

Non-fiction

Cover designed by Faith Booker.

Step into the book and see how you measure up against some of the world’s most amazing DEADLY animals. Watch out for the LIFESIZE black caiman jaws, burmese python, slow loris and much more!

This interactive non-fiction adventure features LIFESIZE illustrations of some of world’s smallest and largest deadly animals and invites children to think about how they compare with these amazing creatures.

This huge, playful book is the perfect introduction to animals for young children from picture book star, Sophy Henn.

Climb into the book for a truly wild adventure . . .

i-SPY Seaside Challenge

i-SPY

Non-fiction

Take on the i-SPY challenge with 50 things to do to get closer to nature!
Kids will have fun collecting points with activities to enjoy nature at the seaside and help look after wildlife.

From rockpooling to fossil hunting, making beach mandalas to bird watching, they’ll learn all about the natural world along the way.

As well as activities, it is packed with facts, photos and things to spot that i-SPY fans will love. Once they’ve scored 1000 points, super-spotters can claim their official i-SPY certificate and badge. Plus there are extra eco points to be scored for doing something to help the planet.

A Fact for Every Day of the Year

National Geographic Kids

Non-fiction

Gift a fact a day for every day of the year this Christmas.

The perfect gift to entertain kids all year round!
Be amazed and astounded with a new fact every single day of the year.

With 365 fascinating facts on everything from animals and nature to science, space, the world and more.

Did you know that red-eyed tree frogs have three eyelids?
That candy floss was actually invented by a dentist?
Or that on the 4th November 1922, Ancient Egypt’s most famous pharaoh was discovered?

You’ll find a perfect mix of random trivia and ‘on this day’ facts, plus tons of colourful photos to entertain all year round.

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger

J. T. Williams & Simone Douglas

Chapter book

The first book in the ‘Lizzie and Belle Mysteries’ series sees the young best friends and amateur detectives use their skills to investigate odd goings-on in a theatre, which in turn reveals further mysteries and crimes which they must solve.

Set in Georgian London, this book illuminates the multiracial history of Britain, and the struggles and injustices faced by Black people in a place where many powerful people thrived on keeping slavery alive. It also demonstrates that White people had an important role, as well as responsibility, to offer support to Black anti-slavery activists and to challenge the White slave owners of the time. Many of the characters and events in this book are based on real people and things that happened, and there is a lot of scope to research real stories. The real Elizabeth Sancho was daughter of the African-British writer and abolitionist Ignatius Sancho. Dido Belle was the daughter of Maria, an enslaved young African woman, and John Lindsay – captain in the British Royal Navy.

This is a fantastic mystery story, which could also lead to discussions about race, theatre, slavery and family history.

Author JT Williams also visited our blog to discuss the role of fiction in bringing history to life for children.

Genie and Teeny: Wish Upon A Star

Steven Lenton

Chapter book

Grant the Genie and Puppy Teeny are back for the fourth book in the Genie and Teenie series. The stories do link together, but equally can be enjoyed as stand alone reads.

Gorgeous black and white illustrations throughout in Lenton’s highly recognisable style, plus the bonus of a draw-a-long activity for extra interaction.

The smaller format of these books makes them inviting to hold for younger children with well-spaced text and larger font appealing to beginner readers looking for a bridge between picture books and chapter books.

Grant the genie is in trouble on returning to Wishaluzia and turns to best friend and companion Teeny to help him save Genie land. Themes of friendship, teamwork and speaking up for each other make for a great shared read.

Onomatopoeic wordplay is a delight to read aloud, if you can get your tongue round poodle-parp-a-pipsqueak! With toilet humour and wind-related jokes to raise a smile and prompt a giggle from children and adults alike.

Oscar’s Lion

Adam Baron

Chapter book

Oscar wakes up to find his parents have been replaced by a lion. It’s not any old lion either; this one will indulge him with reading his favourite story over and over and letting him eat as many biscuits as he likes. Even stranger, it seems to be able to transform into different animals when it needs to. Best of all, it has a taste for fun.

With the lion as his guide, Oscar has adventure after adventure and the weekend of his life – all within a few miles of his house. Then, just as Benji has learned to trust and appreciate the lion, the weekend comes to an end and their exuberant partnership is over. This time it’s Oscar who is transformed. Now that he understands the world around him that little bit better, rather than grieving what is lost, he celebrates and cherishes what remains.

This is a moving book about seizing the day and looking for the wonder in the familiar weather in nature, museums or, most especially, people. It has the warmth of feeling of the best picture books. Adam Baron is a confident storyteller whose every word is measured and who can subtly manipulate his reader’s emotions without even seeming to try. Big themes are alluded to with such gentle hints that it’s up to the reader to decide how far to investigate them.

The episodic structure of the story would make this little gem a good read aloud for lower Key Stage 2 to help build emotional intelligence and resilience, especially in the face of loss and uncertainty.

Smugglers’ Fox

Susanna Bailey

Chapter book

Smugglers Fox is a delicate, emotional coming of age story, which will touch the hearts of any reader, young or old.

The story is told from the point of view of Jonah, older brother to Rio, who faces many challenges, as both boys tragically get separated in foster care. Now alone with a new carer, Rio builds a bond with a red fox, where he seeks companionship and understanding. Eventually, this relationship leads to great adventure in the coves of Whitby. As the tale unwinds, it appears that the fox and Rio have a lot more in common than it seems, and they both need to show bravery in the face of physical and emotional challenges.

The author has an empathetic writing style, which incorporates a child-like perspective of the world, while integrating stunning metaphors and links with nature. Themes such as mental health, abandonment and deep emotional turmoil are told from the young boy’s point of view with great sensitivity; any child who has experienced some of the challenges within this book will be able to identify with the characters personal journeys. Despite the high emotion within Smugglers Fox, the story leads to great optimism and teaches the reader how love and connection are the key to acceptance. It also includes an exciting quest to follow a secret treasure map. I would highly recommend this story to children in Upper Key Stage 2, moving onto Secondary School.

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