FRINDLESWYLDE by Natalia O’Hara Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara (Walker £14.99 40 pp)
FRINDLESWYLDE
by Natalia O’Hara Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara
(Walker £14.99 40 pp)
This beautifully illustrated and atmospheric tale is a perfect choice for winter nights.
Cora’s Granny has warned her about the elusive, shapeshifting Frindleswylde child but, even so, one day the mysterious frozen boy creeps into their cottage and steals the light.
Cora, determined to win it back follows Cora into an icy underground Kingdom where he traps him as his Snow queen.
But when a warm memory inside her stirs, Cora demands to leave — only to be ordered to first complete three seemingly impossible tasks.
It is an amazing battle of the powers.
THE FIRE FOX Alexandra Page Illustration by Stef Murphy (Two Hoots £12.99, 32 pp)
THE FIRE FOX
by Alexandra Page Illustrated by Stef Murphy
(Two Hoots £12.99, 32 pp)
This winter story will warm your toes with its charming adaptation of an Arctic Circle myth from Sami culture. It is about a firefox whose fur spreads sparks and transforms into the Northern Lights.
When Freya and her mum go to stay in a cabin her dad used to love, she feels lonely, scared and empty — clearly her father is no longer with them.
She spots a white Fox in the woods, and she is invited on a magical adventure. He paints the snowy hills with a rainbow of colours and brings back laughter and joy.
Freya goes back to her cabin after the fox has left. She now feels secure and safe. It is an encouraging message about finding the light in the darkness.
The WORST Sleepover IN THE WORLD Luciano Lozano illustrated Sophie Dahl (Walker £12.99, 32 pp)
THE WORST SLEEPOVER IN THE WORLD
by Sophie Dahl Illustrated by Luciano Lozano
(Walker £12.99, 32 pp)
Ramona is looking forward to her first night with Gracie, and she has made plans for exciting events: dancing as divas, building a den and eating midnight meals. But Gracie is far from a good guest — she hates the food, wants to sleep in a proper bed, tells scary stories and claims to feel ill.
Ramona is fed up and disillusioned. But Mum, wise, reassuring, and exhausted, comes to their rescue.
This funny but tender look at children’s insecurities and why fear can manifest as difficult behaviour will resonate with sleepover-weary parents as much as with children.