Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Amy Gets Eaten

Picturebook

Adam Kay’s ‘Amy Gets Eaten’ is a gruesome yet hilarious book explaining what happens in our bodies when we eat food. Despite getting eaten, Amy (a positive and chirpy piece of sweetcorn), explains in child-friendly language the journey she takes from the mouth, through the stomach and out again into the toilet. Although told in a narrative style, this is really a non-fiction book that teaches children the science behind some of our human anatomy.

Throughout the story, while travelling through the small intestine, a wise old raisin teaches the reader how different food types help to make your body strong, active and healthy. The children get opportunities to interact with the book and recap, through cartoons, where the sweetcorn has travelled. Readers are also invited to make opinions on the strange food combinations the character of Noah has chosen to eat. My children have read this over and over, and every storytime ends in fits of laughter—a highly recommended short picture book for younger primary children.

Super Ghost

Chris Smith & Greg James

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 . . .

I Am Lenny Brown

Dan Freedman & Kajsa Hallstroem

Chapter book

Lenny Brown is a beautiful, emotionally uplifting and powerful story. It focuses on Lenny who, due to his mum changing jobs, has to move house and school. In the story, Lenny not only navigates the rollercoaster of change that comes with a new school and new friendships but tackles this as a child who only will speak to his mum and his dog, Rocky.

The book is so sensitively written. The characters draw you in and allow you to consider Lenny’s situation and how he decides to overcome his own challenges. It celebrates friendship and tolerance…and football.

It is a wonderful novel and would be perfect for a KS2 class reader. Many children will share a class with a child like Lenny or have to face their time at primary school with selective mutism. I am Lenny Brown recognises this group of children and opens the conversation about this condition.

Attack of the Giant Slugs

Kes Gray

Chapter book

Don’t panic, but you’re in danger.

At least, you would be, if Jack Beechwhistle wasn’t around to protect the world from alien attacks, zombie sweet-shop owners, and exploding conkers – with a bit of help from his trusty sidekicks, Colin and Harry (as long as it’s not past Colin and Harry’s bedtime). Their missions are daring, dangerous, and deadly. They even have top-secret headquarters (the shed by the rhubarb patch).

But now Jack’s about to face his most challenging challenge yet. The Attack of the Giant Slugs.

And they’re on their way to Jack’s school – right in the middle of maths!

Lucy and Tom at the Seaside

Shirley Hughes

Picturebook

Lucy and Tom are off for a very special day out at the seaside! But what should they do first?

Join Lucy and Tom as they discover the seaside. From paddling to picnics, to sandcastles and ice cream – they discover everything the seaside has to offer.

With gentle illustrations and easy-to-read text, Lucy and Tom at the Seaside is perfect for summer celebrations. Delighting children for generations, discover this soothing bedtime story.

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown

Olaf Falafel

Chapter book

Trixie Pickle is an arty ‘sort-of-superhero’ and this is her second adventure (the first being Trixie Pickle, Art Avenger). Trixie and her best friend, Beeks, have a lot going on in their lives. First, there is the latest edition of their comic, Blammo, to work on. Then there are the ‘mean girls’ to avoid or they will cause all sorts of trouble for Trixie and Beeks. There is also a new mystery illness doing the rounds; nicknamed ‘Wormwood fever’, it makes the patient very ill and can be briefly summed up by the words ‘it’s coming out both ends’. Could the mystery illness have anything to do with someone Trixie sees dumping toxic waste in the local reservoir? Who is it and can they be stopped? Trixie has a comic to finish, a mystery to solve and enemies to get revenge on . . . but all in an artistic way of course and with plenty of scope for mishap.

Full of fantastic, detailed fact files of the real artists who inspire Trixie and fully illustrated by the author, it was great to discover some artists I hadn’t been aware of before. This is a fast-paced, funny, fact-filled book which will appeal to art lovers, adventure lovers and humour lovers. It would also lend itself extremely well to a variety of art projects based on the artists featured.

Arkspire

Jamie Littler

Chapter book

As a big fan of Jamie Littler’s previous fantasy series ‘Frostheart’, I was very excited to read this new book. Happily, I was not in the least bit disappointed. There is something about the combination of world-building and Jamie Littler’s illustrations that is enormously attractive and compelling.

The heroine, Juniper Bell, is wonderfully feisty and creative and the book is peopled with vivid characters. Arkspire, the city setting for the story, is a richly imagined world, with real social divides and class issues that ring true for the present day. The magic is both scary and fantastic and the reader sees the glamour fall away from Juniper’s eyes and experience her new understanding that the way things are is not necessarily the way they should be. The heroine is flawed, she argues with her sister and does not always do the right thing. She challenges authority and the ‘religion’ of the city and that is why the reader is drawn to her. The love/hate relationship between siblings was well observed.

I am a fantasy fan and this book seems like the start of another great fantasy series from Jamie Littler.

Wise About My Body: An introduction to the human body

Ekaterina Trukhan & Libby Walden

Non-fiction

This book is a fantastic resource with something in it for all primary-school-aged children. The topics are varied – from telling the children what a body is and naming parts of the body, to specific chapters on the heart, lungs, five senses etc. The book is aimed at children from 4+ and would suit this age group well.

Many of the pages contain technical vocabulary but are aimed at Reception and KS1. The explanations and text are very clear but there is also a further level of detail to explore for those children who are interested in science or the human body, or for older children who will still get something from the book.

The illustrations in the book are simple and very effective. They are clearly labelled and easy for children to understand. All in all, this book is perfect for a classroom non-fiction collection.

The Dream Team: Charligh Green vs. The Spotlight

Priscilla Mante

Chapter book

A heart-warming, inclusive and funny new story about three big F’s: friends, following your dreams and football!

Hi! I’m Charligh, and one day I’m going to be a big star. I’m full of PIZZAZZ after all, and everyone I’ve ever met tells me I’m unforgettable. In a good way, I think . . .

I’ve always loved attention, but at the moment, there’s a teeny tiny chance I’m getting it for all the wrong reasons.

For starters, me and my very-nearly-world-famous team, the Bramrock Stars, are trying to win big against our rivals in the new league. But I can’t stop tripping over the ball!

And although I’ve got my dream part in the school play, the words just won’t stick in my head. What’s going to happen if I can’t learn my lines?

Luckily for me, my best friends really are the bestest, and I know they’ll help me whatever it takes. It’s time for me to step into the spotlight, and prove girls really can do anything!

Happy From Head to Toe: A journey through the body to help you find your happy

Fearne Cotton

Non-fiction

From bestselling author, broadcaster and founder of Happy Place, Fearne Cotton.

Did you know that your belly can bring you joy, and your hands can make you calm?

And that’s not all. Your body and mind are connected in so many incredible ways that you might not even realise! From the tips of your toes to the top of your head, each body part can play an important role in helping you feel great. Whether it’s using your feet to stay active, your mouth to talk about your feelings or your shoulders to feel confident, this is a one-stop holistic guide to happiness from bestselling author, Fearne Cotton.

And with interviews throughout with a range of much-loved expert voices, including Tom Daley, Kimberley Wilson, Tom Fletcher, Joe Wicks, Marcia Sharp and many more, this book is packed with tons of practical tips for finding the joy in each and every day.

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