Our Love by Fátima Ordinola, Post Wave, £12.99
This adorable animal-themed picture book conveys the love between parent and child, “bigger than any river” and “stronger than any shield”, in soft, bright watercolour scenes of protection, consolation and joy.
Ten-Word Tiny Tales of Love by Joseph Coelho and Friends, Walker, £14.99
These touching 10-word stories of sibling bonds, beloved pets and the healing power of the natural world are each illustrated by a different artist, and should encourage 4+ storytellers to try creating their own.
Little Dinosaurs, Big Questions by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Yiting Lee, Magic Cat, £14.99
Why do bad things happen? Is it ever good to lie? The little dinos and Jurassic therapist Dr Diplo are back to address some big questions in this gentle, supportive and validating book of mini stories, designed for adults to read with children of 5+.
Harriet Hound by Kate Foster, illustrated by Sophie Beer, Walker, £6.99
Harriet Hound is eight years old, autistic, and loves dogs. She also has a superpower: from her family’s rescue shelter, she can summon whoever’s needed to solve a problem, from clever collies to strong huskies. With lively illustrations and engaging, down-to-earth text, these three stories of foiling vegetable heists and saving carnivals will delight canine-crazy 6+ readers.
Guardians of the New Moon by Eric Huang, illustrated by Phùng Nguyên Quang, Little Tiger, £6.99
Solitary cat Miaow enjoys his quiet life as a temple guardian, but when the Jade emperor declares a race for all creatures on Earth, he finds himself making friends with Ming, a nine-tailed fox and fiery, shape-shifting extrovert who can’t always control her powers. How will the race end – and can their unlikely new friendship survive it? First in a new series for 6+, this sparky, humorous, action-packed story is layered with Chinese legend.
Hunt for the Golden Scarab by MG Leonard, illustrated by Manuel Sumberac, Macmillan, £7.99
When dangerous strangers appear in Sim’s home, he discovers his mysterious mum has the power to open doors in time. Now the sinister Council of Keys are after them both as they set out to find the lost tomb of Nefertiti and solve the mystery of her golden heart scarab. But who will get there first? A thrilling, fast-paced time-travel adventure for 8+ from the bestselling author of Beetle Boy.
People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence, Scholastic, £7.99
After he was kidnapped as a baby, Ayrton’s mother can’t let him out of her sight; Stanley’s family don’t talk about their Forbidden Gran; and Sen knows she’ll be kicked out if she upsets her eccentric landlady. These three very different 13-year-olds are linked by a secret – and when they cross paths, cataclysmic change results in this instantly gripping, funny and moving 9+ story by an outstanding contemporary author.
Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Philippa Leathley, HarperCollins, £14.99
Most children get fortunate fates when their magical tattoos are given at age 10 – but Meticulous (Metty) Jones is horrified to receive a skull, dooming her to be a murderer. After her father disappears, she’s taken by her Aunt Magnificent to the magical city of New London, where she encounters a secretive organisation known as the Black Moths. Is Metty’s fate somehow bound up with their shadowy work? With rich, exciting world-building and thought-provoking questions about destiny and free will, this first in a new 9+ fantasy series will suit fans of Nevermoor and The Swifts.
The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall, Chicken House, £7.99
Merian’s world relies on death-flies to pollinate plants and provide food; unfortunately, death-flies also turn dead humans into zombies. Most people are terrified of zombies, but Merian knows they’re simply a (dangerous) part of nature. When she and her scientist mum are caught up in an outbreak in the city, however, they uncover a terrifying conspiracy … Hugely original, lively, comic and gruesome, this 9+ debut is a post-apocalyptic story with a difference.
Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn, First Ink, £8.99
Sixteen-year-old Patrick is reinventing himself as Patch – and Patch is going to get a boyfriend. Now two new boys have joined drama club, it’s the perfect opportunity, but which of them does he fancy? And do either of them actually like boys? Full of misguided sangfroid, questionable fashion choices and wince-inducing cringe, this hilarious 12+ romcom is perfect for fans of Simon James Green.
The Boy I Love by William Hussey, Andersen, £8.99
In 1916, 19-year-old Lt Stephen Wraxall is returning to the front. Devastated by the loss of his first love, Stephen doesn’t know what he’s fighting for – until he meets chippy new recruit Danny McCormick. As the battle of the Somme draws closer, Stephen and Danny face the dangers of war and the possibility of discovery in this profoundly moving 14+ story of forbidden love.
Girl, Ultraprocessed by Amara Sage, Faber, £8.99
Conditioned by a lifetime of thin-is-best messaging, Saffron is determined to lose weight. In the meantime, she creates Sydney, the AI “perfect” version of herself, and uses her to catfish boys online. It’s only supposed to be a bit of fun, until “Sydney” matches with a boy who makes Saffron want to be her real self in this heartwarming, hard-hitting YA takedown of diet culture.
The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin, Chicken House, £8.99
Hiking in the woods, Rhi comes across four girls living wild, guarded by wolves, and in need of help. As the “lost princesses” try to make sense of the contemporary world, and come to terms with their place in it, Rhi herself must confront her own buried trauma, and choose where she belongs. A haunting, beautiful, unsettlingly powerful 14+ magical realist novel.
