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Publisher: Scholastic

Chapter book

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot – and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission in this first book in the NYT’s bestselling series. After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous.

Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement.

Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.

Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Full-colour illustrated stories for readers at all ages and all abilities.

Poetry

A two-colour graphic novel about speaking-up and standing out when you feel different. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier

How do you find your voice when everyone around you is telling you to be quiet?

Frankie is different, and so is her best-friend, Sam. So when they both start secondary school, it’s tough. Particularly when there are so many rules to follow, like: No talking in class! Be quiet in the hallways! Silence for assembly!

Frankie doesn’t know how she’ll manage, because constantly talking is how she copes. So when she gets the chance to compete in a Battle of the Bands contest, Frankie couldn’t be more excited. Except, to have a band, you need to have band members. And to have band members, you need to be good at making friends…

Can Frankie learn to find her voice and stand out?

A unique perspective on Autism, told with humour and heart.

Brought to life with glorious colour artwork in a distinctive blue and orange palette.

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

Picturebook

This fabulous picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a riot of slapstick fun and silliness. The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land.

They just adore being bad, and fight over who is the worst.

When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits.

But the little girl quickly shows them that you don’t have to be big to be brave, and baddies don’t always win.

A brilliant paperback edition for new and old fans alike.

Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot.

Julia and Axel are the team that have created picture book favourites such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog and The Smeds and The Smoos – all of which have been made into animated films premiering on BBC1 Christmas Day.

Chapter book

A Polari-Prize-winning author presents an unforgettable story about a boy facing up to bullying – and his own truths. James loves dancing, poetry, and Mariah Carey (not in that order, though, because Mariah would obviously be first!).

His teacher, Mr Hamilton, is getting married to his boyfriend and it seems that James will be part of a surprise choir performance at the wedding.

But James’s father seems uncomfortable about the plan, and a lot of other things – like any mention of Mr Hamilton, and James’s dancing, and how James talks about his new friend Joel. Meanwhile, a different boy has been harassing James at school and calling him gay, and it’s getting worse every day.

James can find relief with his beloved Nan, she’s been having worrying falls, and James can’t tell anyone, or she might be sent to a faraway care home. The secrets are building up, and James is starting to lose his characteristic spark.

Can he find the strength to let the truth out?

A joyful, raw and timely novel about family, friends, enemies, and being true to who you really are.

Perfect for fans of Alex Gino, A.M. Dassu, and The Boy At the Back of the Class.

Ian Eagleton is the author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, which was shortlisted for The Bookseller’s Book Of The Year – Discovery Category 2022

Chapter book

Reggie Houser has ADHD and struggles to make friends at school, plus his mum and teachers seem constantly weary about his erratic, high-energy ways. But when he sees a hypnotist perform on stage at the holiday park he visits, Reggie becomes obsessed with learning the skills of mind control – and he discovers he has an incredible talent for it! First of all he hypnotises the dog to think he’s a frog, then makes his headmaster cluck like a chicken in assembly in front of the whole school – but then a group of mean kids supposedly take him under their wing and make him use his hypnosis talents for bad: stealing a chocolate bar from a shop and escalating to a bigger theft. Reggie must decide to use his skills for good only and come to trust his own brain to make decisions.

packed with brilliant jokes and one-liners to make kids roar with laughter a book to encourage empathy and kindness in young readers Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Lisa Thompson and Jenny Pearson.

Picturebook

A gorgeous, inspiring story for every little squirrel!

It’s winter in the forest: time for squirrels to gather all the nuts and acorns and pine cones they’d squirrelled away in the autumn.

Evie’s determined she can do it all by herself. She’s ready. She’s steady. She’s going squirrelling!

But it’s a huge task. Can she really do it all on her own? Or should she let her friends lend a hand?

Nicola Kinnear’s superb illustrations are her best ever, in this endearing story about courage and kindness.

This is the perfect story for bedtime . . . or any time!

A warm, cosy story full of courage, fun and friendship

Evie’s determination to do everything by herself will strike a chord with parents and children everywhere

Nicola Kinnear’s brilliantly illustrated books are full of fabulous characters, and wonderful messages about sharing, friendship, courage and kindness

Gold foil details on the cover make this beautiful book an ideal gift

Picturebook

Tuck into this wonderful picture book introduction to the changing of seasons. There’s nothing Fox loves more in the world than autumn. And he’s going to make it last as long as he can!

As soon as Fox opened his door, he could tell. “Autumn at last! There’s so much to do!”

Autumn is Fox’s favourite time of the year. He loves tasting blackberries, scrunching and collecting leaves!

But as the days pass, Autumn starts to reach its end. Winter is coming … and Fox DEFINITELY cannot let that happen!

Join Fox as he tries to do everything to stop Autumn from slipping by and eventually learns that each season has its magic.

A funny and quirky story about the changing seasons

Fabulous text by Fiona Barker, full of humour and heart

Picturebook

This is the picture book for every little one’s shelf, about how sometimes the smallest people make the biggest difference.

A beautiful owl lives in the tree outside Ben’s house. Ben calls him Mr Hoot. When grown-ups want to chop down Mr Hoot’s tree, Ben has to act fast to save him. This warm, funny and inspiring story shows how we can all protect the wildlife that lives all around us.

With characteristic warmth and humour, Helen Stephens’ exquisite new picture book celebrates the precious wildlife that lives all around us, and shows how even the smallest of us can help to protect it.

Hugely topical: a warmly funny environmental book with heart – will inspire children to look out for, love and protect their local wildlife

Striking cover design with gold foil – a perfect gift book

Helen Stephens is an Instagram star with nearly 20,000 followers. She also launched her own online illustration course, The Good Ship Illustration

Non-fiction

Explore the fascinating, rarely heard stories of Black airmen during the First and Second World Wars. The Story of Britain’s Black Airmen celebrates the inspiring contributions of people of African descent to British aviation.

From pilots to ground crew, and with tales from across the globe, the story of Britain’s Black airmen is an important part of the history of flying.

By aiming for the skies, many of them helped to bring about changes that are still making our world a better place.

Includes inspirational key figures such as Cy Grant, Errol Barrow, Sam King and John Henry Smythe

With full-colour illustration by Grenadian illustrator Elizabeth Lander

For readers aged 8+

Chapter book

The fifth fast-paced fantasy adventure starring Aru Shah!

Aru only has until the next full moon to stop the Sleeper from gaining access to the nectar of immortality, which will grant him infinite power. Her quest will have the Pandavas calling on old friends, meeting new allies, and facing fearsome trials, like…performing in a rock concert? When the moment of confrontation finally arrives, it’s up to Aru to decide who deserves immortality, the devas or the asuras. The most unexpected answer will come from a most unexpected place…

Pacy, page-turning storytelling with charm and humour

– movie rights optioned by Paramount. For fans of Jasbinder Bilan, Kwame Mbalia and the Percy Jackson series

Aru Shah and the End of Time (book 1) is a New York Times bestseller. In 2020, it made TIME’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of all Time

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