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Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Chapter book

The start of a thrilling new Second World War mystery series from the number-one-bestselling and multi-award-winning author of Murder Most Unladylike.

1940. Britain is at war, and a secret arm of the British government called the Ministry of Unladylike Activity is training spies.

Enter May Wong: courageous, stubborn, and desperate to help end the war so that she can go home to Hong Kong (and leave her annoying school, Deepdean, behind forever). May knows that she would make the perfect spy. After all, grown-ups always underestimate children like her.

When May and her friend Eric are turned away by the Ministry, they take matters into their own hands. Masquerading as evacuees, they travel to Elysium Hall, home to the wealthy Verey family – including snobby, dramatic Nuala. They suspect that one of the Vereys is passing information to Germany. If they can prove it, the Ministry will have to take them on.

But there are more secrets at Elysium Hall than May or Eric could ever have imagined.

And then someone is murdered…

Picturebook

Florrie has two of everything.
Two lovely brothers . . .
Two smashing parents . . .
Two very cuddled pets.

But two isn’t always a magic number, as Florrie now has to live in TWO different houses:
one with her mum . . . and one with her dad.

An uplifting picture book that helps young readers discuss their feelings around divorce and embrace change.

Chapter book

The first book in a BRILLIANT new series brimming with adventure, friendship and an amazing array of magical creatures! A must-read for fans of Beast Quest , The Boy Who Grew Dragons and The Naughtiest Unicorn – and ideal for children aged 7-9.

Aisha and Jayden are definitely not fans of Outside.

Aisha would rather be home playing on her tablet or messaging her friends.

Jayden thinks the worlds inside his books are much more exciting than the real one beyond his window.
But when they are asked to join the Secret Beast Club, a centuries-old secret group that protects mythological creatures, Aisha and Jayden discover that real magic could be closer than they think . . . you just have to know where to look . . .

Inspired by the real life story of Pablo Fanque – the first Black circus owner – and featuring fun facts about the magical creatures within each story, this exciting new series for 6+ readers is not to be missed!

Chapter book

George, Neila and Bash are the worst band on Earth. George wants them to be brilliant – but Neila has stage fright, and Bash is too distracted by his obsession with stars, aliens and faraway planets. But what they lack in talent and confidence, they make up for in heart.

They’re determined to blow their friends away at their school Battle of the Bands contest. But the moment they start to play…

They’re beamed up into space!!!

Now the kids face an even bigger challenge: Battle of the Bands, but the intergalactic version. They’re competing against alien bands from every galaxy! And if they don’t win, they might never make it home again…

Can the worst band on Earth become the best band in the universe?

An intergalactically awesome tale of celebrating difference, believing in yourself, and the power of friendship.

Non-fiction

Help support your child’s number and counting skills with Peppa Pig and friends in this colourful wipe-clean activity book. Children will practise counting from 1-20, use numbers in a sequence, draw in the missing objects on the pages to make the correct number of items and other activities that make learning seem effortless and fun!

Ideal for young readers who are starting school and developing their early number skills and pencil control. Children can wipe the page clean and practise again and again. Includes a free pen.

The perfect follow-on title from Practise with Peppa: Wipe-Clean First Numbers, which practises first numbers from 1-10. For more confident learners, why not also try Practise with Peppa: Wipe-Clean Telling the Time.

Picturebook

Meet hilarious, science-mad chatterbox, Rocket – she’s going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has ever lived!

But… can she convince her big brother to stop looking down at his phone and start LOOKING UP at the stars?

Bursting with energy and passion about science and space, this heart-warming, inspirational picture book will have readers turning off their screens and switching on to the outside world.

Picturebook
A delightful retelling of the nativity through the eyes of a grumpy innkeeper whose sleep is disturbed by unexpected visitors, a shining light and loud singing in the sky…
The innkeeper and his wife settle down to sleep after a hectic day, but a stream of visitors keep showing up, asking for Mary and Joseph. ‘Round the back!’ the innkeeper shouts, grumpily!

Eventually, desperate for sleep, he flies into a rage and goes to see what all the fuss is about: it sounds like some kind of party out in the stable! But as soon as he sees newborn baby Jesus, the innkeeper softens and joins in the celebration.

Picturebook

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season.

New York Public Library’s #1 book on the list of “Top Check Outs of All Time”

In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day.

Picturebook

From the creators of Never Show a T-Rex a Book – Winner of the Queen’s Knickers award.

A laugh-out-loud ‘what if . . .?’ adventure… What would happen if you showed a diplodocus how to draw? One day she’d be messing around with crayons and paint – and the next she’d be a global art sensation!

Full of fun – get drawing with Dippy!

Picturebook
Molly’s toy rabbit, Tatty Ratty, is lost again. Might he be driving a train?…or sailing on a pirate ship? An imaginative and heart-warming story, with glowing illustrations from Helen Cooper, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

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