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The Skylarks’ War

Chapter book

Winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award 2018.

The Skylarks’ War is a beautiful story following the loves and losses of a family growing up against the harsh backdrop of World War One, from the award-winning Hilary McKay.

Clarry and her older brother Peter live for their summers in Cornwall, staying with their grandparents and running free with their charismatic cousin, Rupert. But normal life resumes each September – boarding school for Peter and Rupert, and a boring life for Clarry at home with her absent father, as the shadow of a terrible war looms ever closer.

When Rupert goes off to fight at the front, Clarry feels their skylark summers are finally slipping away from them. Can their family survive this fearful war?

The Restless Girls

Chapter book

A dazzling, feminist fairytale from the bestselling author of The Miniaturist and The Muse. This inspirational story about family, sisterhood, imagination and bravery is a modern classic to be handed down from mother to daughter for generations.

For her twelve daughters, Queen Laurelia’s death in a motor car accident is a disaster beyond losing a mother. Their father, King Alberto, cannot bear the idea of the princesses ever being in danger and decides his daughters must be kept safe at all costs. Those costs include their lessons, their possessions and, most importantly, their freedom.

But the eldest, Princess Frida, will not bend to his will without a fight and she still has one possession her father can’t take: the power of her imagination. And so, with little but wits and ingenuity to rely on, Frida and her sisters begin their fight to be allowed to live.

The Visitor

Picturebook

A story about friendship and shyness, full of light and colour, that plays out in a mini theatre.

Elise was frightened—of spiders, people, even trees. So she never went out, night or day.

One day a strange thing flies in through the window and lands at her feet. And then there comes a knock at the door. Elise has a visitor who will change everything.

This is a gentle, sympathetic story about a child who unwittingly brings light and colour—literally—into a lonely person’s life.

The 1000 Year Old Boy

Chapter book

The astonishing, beautiful new story for all readers of 10 and over from the bestselling and Costa-shortlisted author of TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER.

There are stories about people who want to live forever.

This is not one of those stories.

This is a story about someone who wants to stop…

Alfie Monk is like any other nearly teenage boy – except he’s 1,000 years old and can remember the last Viking invasion of England.

Obviously no one believes him.

So when everything Alfie knows and loves is destroyed in a fire, and the modern world comes crashing in, Alfie embarks on a mission to find friendship, acceptance, and a different way to live…

… which means finding a way to make sure he will eventually die.

Loved to Bits

Picturebook

My Ted’s special. Stripy Ted. We make adventures round my bed. But he’s no longer at his best… so will I love him more – or less? Find out in this tender, action-packed and funny book from the multi award-winning Teresa Heapy and Katie Cleminson.

Tomorrow

Picturebook

Yazan no longer goes to the park to play, and he no longer sees his friend who lives next door. Everything around him is changing.

His parents sit in front of the television with the news turned up LOUD and Yazan’s little red bike leans forgotten against the wall. Will he ever be able to go outside and play?

An uplifting story about a courageous little boy growing up in a time of conflict, and the strength of family love.`

Twister

Chapter book

A brave, bright girl embarks on a heart-racing adventure to find her missing father – with magic and danger quite literally in the air… Twister’s beloved father has gone missing and as she’s searching for him she stumbles across a witch living in the woods.

She is given a magical necklace that holds the souls of living things and can turn the wearer into a wolf, or a rushing river, or a rainstorm.

But there’s a dark foe on the hunt for this necklace, a baddie who wears a coat crawling with creatures and who might have something to do with her father’s sudden disappearance…

The Light Jar

Chapter book

The second read-in-one-sitting mystery from the bestselling author of The Goldfish Boy, one of 2017’s biggest children’s books.

Nate and his mother are running away, hiding out in a tumbledown cottage in the middle of a forest.

When Mum heads off for provisions, and then doesn’t return, Nate is left alone and afraid, with the dark closing in all around him.

But comfort can come from the most unexpected of places – a mysterious girl trying to solve the clues of a treasure hunt and the reappearance of an old friend from his past.

Will Nate find the bravery needed to face the troubles of his present and ultimately illuminate the future?

A story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship. A genuinely gasp-out-loud twist. A page-turning, twisty mystery with characters to root for.

Star in the Jar

Picturebook

An enchanting bedtime story for toddlers, perfect for fans of Oliver Jeffers’ How To Catch a Star.

Up high, in the dark, dark sky … a message: LOST, ONE SMALL STAR.

When a little boy stumbles across a special star, he puts it in a jar and takes it on adventures. Together with his big sister, he takes his special treasure with him everywhere – to the cinema, to the swimming pool and even to the toilet!

But the poor star is sad and misses its home … Can the little boy and his big sister find a way to send the star safely back?

Sarah Massini’s artwork glows with warmth and humour and perfectly captures the friendship between the two siblings in this warm-hearted bedtime book. Told from the perspective of the big sister, this is the perfect picture book for siblings to share and read together. The short text and warm tone is ideal for toddlers aged 2 years and up.

The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors

Picturebook

A laugh-out-loud funny new children’s book from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit. The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors reveals the epic tale behind everyone’s favourite playground game!

You’ve played the game…now read the book.

Long ago in the Kingdom of Backgarden lived a fearsome warrior named ROCK. ROCK was undefeated in battle, and yet, he felt unfulfilled. So he went in search of a worthy opponent. Little did he know that at that very moment two more warriors were setting forth with the very same idea. When ROCK collides with SCISSORS from the village of Junk Drawer, and the ferocious PAPER, who hails from the Empire of Mum’s Study, an epic and hilarious battle ensues. And the rest, as they say, is history.

A riotously funny new picture book from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons came Home, Drew Daywalt, and New York Times bestselling illustrator, Adam Rex. Suggested reading age 4+

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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