PICTURE BOOKS
THREE LITTLE MONKEYS AT CHRISTMAS by Quentin Blake , illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark (HarperCollins £12.99)
CHRISTMAS ODD DOG CHRISTMAS
by Rob Biddulph (HarperCollins £12.99)
Everyone’s favourite Odd Dog is struggling to find a Christmas present for her friend, but a surprising encounter with a sneezy reindeer provides her with the perfect opportunity to discover what the spirit of Christmas is really about.
Biddulph’s paintbrush has another huge success story.
THREE LITTLE Monkeys at Christmas
by Quentin Blake, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark (HarperCollins £12.99)
Hilda, ever optimist and the irrepressibly cheeky trio of monkeys take them on a Christmas trip to Gilbert, her rich uncle. Gilbert has a luxurious flat full valuable antiques. Uh-oh . . . However, they manage to outwit an unsolicited visitor despite all the chaos. This is one hilarious series.
I’M STICKING WITH YOU TOO
by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Steve Small (Simon & Schuster £6.99)
I’m a huge fan of the original I’m Sticking With You, and this sequel conjures the same spirit of friendship and generosity.
Best friends Bear and Squirrel reject Chicken’s attempt to join in because everyone knows ‘two’s company and three’s a crowd’.
But in a touching change of heart, the endearing animals learn that there’s plenty of love to go around.
LITTLE BEAR
by Richard Jones (Simon & Schuster £12.99)
One day, a young boy discovers a tiny polar bear and decides to become friends with it. As their friendship grows, the bear becomes more and more attached to the boy, who eventually realizes that the bear should be returned home. Sailing through splendid seascapes, it’s a moving evocation of loving and letting go, as they both recognise their different needs.
THE LIGHTS THAT DANCE IN THUNDERNIGHT
by Yuval Zommer (OUP £12.99)
It is one of the most beautiful and memorable sight in the world, the Northern Lights that shimmer over the Arctic sky. The book is beautifully written and evokes the spellbinding effects of the Northern Lights on humans and other creatures that bask in their glow.
STICKY McSTICKSTICK by Michael Rosen , illustrated by Tony Ross (Walker £12.99)
Ten Delicious Teachers
by Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Walker £12.99)
‘Ten delicious teachers, skipping home to bed, clueless to the monsters in the forest up ahead . . .’ This glorious rhyming counting book is the perfect combination of hilarious, bold illustration and runaway, bouncing text — with a witty twist at the end…
STICKY McSTICKSTICK
by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Tony Ross (Walker £12.99)
Writer, poet and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen almost died from Covid and his recovery was slow. He describes in this touching and humorous book his dependence on his walking stick. It becomes less important to him, but he keeps the walking stick as a token of appreciation for all those who have helped.
LO and BEHOLD! MOUSE AND MOLE
by Joyce Dunbar, illustrated by James Mayhew (Graffeg £12.99)
A long-running series called Mouse And Mole is an easy delight. This warm and affectionate relationship is handled delicately with dry humor. The three stories about making a snowman and opening an advent calendar are perfect for preparing for Christmas.
A TALE OF TWO DRAGONS
by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Peter Malone (Andersen Press £12.99)
The colourful and old-fashioned tale about two neighboring kingdoms is based on a strong message of cooperation and sharing. One is rich in land and agriculture, while the other has lush forests, rivers and lush forests.
Because each resource is dependent on the other, children sneak over the border to steal at night. A battle for dominance threatens everyone’s survival when the dragons of the King are sent to guard the border.
ONCE THERE WAS A BEAR by Jane Riordan , illustrated by Mark Burgess (Farshore £14.99)
YOURNG FICTION
ONE TIME, THERE WAS A BEAR
by Jane Riordan, illustrated by Mark Burgess (Farshore £14.99)
The original A. Milne and Ernest Shepard Winnie-the-Pooh books inspired this authorised prequel. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard Winnie-the-Pooh books, this authorised prequel celebrates Pooh’s 95th anniversary. The prequel asks and answers the following questions: Where was Pooh when he first met Christopher Robin? How did he name himself? For those who don’t know the background of the bear bought from Harrods and how he met his friends, it’s a treat. Ages 5+
CLARICE BEAN: THINK LIKE THE ELF
by Lauren Child (HarperCollins £14.99)
The perfect combination: Clarice Bean and Christmas — although the one thing you can guarantee is that from the first moment Mum gets out the elf tea towels, things won’t run smoothly!
From planning the food to choosing the presents, Clarice’s chaotic family (not to mention the hungry dog . . .) Betty, her best friend, and she all manage to navigate the mishaps together with warmth, humor, and lots of festive fun.7+
EINSTEIN THE PENTGUIN
by Iona Rangeley, illustrated by David Tazzyman (HarperCollins £12.99)
The Stewart family were rather taken by a little penguin they saw at London Zoo — but didn’t expect him to turn up on their doorstep with a rucksack bearing his name: Einstein.
They make Einstein feel welcome. Amateur sleuth Imogen, along with her brother Arthur must find out what Einstein’s quest is.7+
GRIMWOOD by Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster £12.99)
GRIMWOOD
by Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster £12.99)
Nadia Shireen is an award-winning illustrator of picture books. This hilarious adventure features Ted and Nancy, two fox siblings who must flee from their daily lives in the city to seek peace and quiet at Grimwood.
The rural paradise is also home to roadhog badgers and duplicitous birds, as well as a duck that has been staged, and Treebonk, which is a loud, noisy game. . . It was great fun.7+
EGG MARKES THE SPOT: SKUNK AND BAGER
by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen (Scholastic £12.99)
The second volume features bizarre roommates, Skunk the chaotic cook and Badger the meticulous rock scientist. It is another amazing collection. When Badger’s Spider Eye Agate is stolen, Skunk takes him camping on an expedition to find a replacement — but what they actually discover is that friendship is worth more than any precious possession. These books are my favorite. 7+
THE CHRISTMAS CAROLLS
by Mel Taylor-Bessent, illustrated by Selom Sunu (Farshore £7.99)
Nine-year-old Holly Carroll and her family celebrate Christmas every day, spreading goodwill to all — but everything changes when they move house. Holly, who is now homeschooled, realizes painfully that Christmas does not always feel happy. Can Holly pull off one holiday miracle that will truly bring everyone what they want? You will feel a smile and have a lump in the throat.9+
THE CHIME SEEKERS by Ross Montgomery (Walker £7.99)
THE CHIME SEEKERS
by Ross Montgomery (Walker £7.99)
Consumed with jealousy after the arrival of a new baby sister, 12-year-old Yanni wishes she’d never been born.
But it’s Halloween and an evil faerie steals the baby away, leaving behind a changeling, and Yanni has just one night to win her back.
Is he able to outwit Lorde Renwin? Amazing adventure by the brilliant Montgomery. 10+
JULIA and THE SHARK
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, illustrated by Tom de Freston (Orion £12.99)
After ten-year-old Julia travels to a remote Shetland island with her scientist parents, she befriends a local boy who helps her cope when her mother’s mental health deteriorates. Beautifully written, illustrated and sensitively written this is an intimate portrait about how to find your identity in the midst of a difficult family dynamic. 10+
THE WEEK AT WORLD’S END
by Emma Carroll (Faber £12.99)
Carroll continues his excellent history adventure set against the tension of the 1962 Cuban missile crises. Stevie and her best friend, Ray, discover a girl hiding — but from whom? And what is the secret behind Stevie’s father’s death?
This powerful message is about how to use your voice. 10+
KAY’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE by Adam Kay , illustrated by Henry Parker (Puffin £14.99)
NON-FICTION
KAY’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE
by Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Parker (Puffin £14.99)
In this sequel to his bestselling Kay’s Anatomy, Dr Adam Kay goes back to the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to discover how they ‘treated’ various ailments, and examines the important scientific discoveries we’ve made along the way.
Despite the jokey tone — there’s lots of hilarious bum and fart facts — this is absolutely packed with information and is a brilliant introduction to the world of high-tech medicine we enjoy today.
OCEANARIUM
by Loveday Trinick, illustrated by Teagan White (Big Picture £25)
Grab your snorkel and dive into the Oceanarium, a fascinating compendium of everything that lives in the sea — from microscopic plankton to the giant blue whale.
The lavishly illustrated book offers a wealth of information on the life cycle, habitats and habits of these fascinating creatures.
ROAR LIKE A LION
ROAR LIKE A LION by Carlie Sorosiak , illustrated by Katie Walker (David Fickling £9.99)
by Carlie Sorosiak, illustrated by Katie Walker (David Fickling £9.99)
Did you know that otters enjoy juggling as well? You might also know that pigeons can distinguish between Picasso and Monet. Perhaps koalas are more comfortable socializing with their friends than they are in their own company. This book is fascinating because it celebrates the importance of being authentic to yourself as a child and uses natural quirks to inspire and reassure.
ADVENTURES IN TIME
by Dominic Sandbrook (Particular £14.99)
The series features four books by Dominic Sandbrook, an acclaimed historian: Alexander The Great; The Six Wives Of Henry VIII; and volumes on World War I and II. While all are rich with details and facts, it’s the brilliance of the accounts that will take children on an adventure. It is this aspect that introduces them to how history has shaped our world.
25 CITIES: A HISTORY OF THE WORLD
by Tracey Turner & Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Libby VanderPloeg (Nosy Crow £16.99)
The fascinating map shows each city from Ancient Athens to Sydney’s seaside, and it is all captured in one snapshot. This book is full of fascinating facts and figures that illustrate how people lived their lives and reflect cultural change. This book is not too old to read.
TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT
MEDUSA by Jessie Burton , illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill (Bloomsbury £14.99)
MEDUSA
by Jessie Burton, illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill (Bloomsbury £14.99)
Here is a feminist interpretation of the legend about Medusa with snake hair, who could see people turning to stone. Young Medusa was cursed for being at the center of Poseidon’s attention. She is also exiled because she is beautiful.
Perseus appears on Perseus’s island with the intent to kill her. She summons the strength of her identity and takes control of her destiny. Beautifully illustrated and thought-provoking, this is a beautiful retelling.
FIREBORN
by Aisling Fowler (HarperCollins £12.99)
The remarkable debut pulses with drama and energy as it introduces Twelve young troubled teens.
She leaves behind her name and past to become a trained warrior who protects the Dark War’s seven Clans. But when another student, Seven, is snatched by evil goblins, Twelve sets out to rescue her — discovering almost unbearable truths about her own family’s fate en route.
THE SWALLOWS’ FLIGHT by Hilary McKay (Macmillan £12.99)
THE SWALLOWS’ FLIGHT
by Hilary McKay (Macmillan £12.99)
This companion piece to McKay’s stunning Costa award-winning The Skylarks’ War, moves on a generation to the build-up to World War II in the 1930s. A series of very short chapters told from each character’s viewpoint intricately builds up a nuanced, intelligent and moving study of difficult decisions and tested loyalties. McKay truly is a star in her field.
LIONHEART GIRL
by Yaba Badoe (Zephyr £12.99)
I love Badoe’s tales of myth and magic, and this Ghanaian-based adventure summons dark forces among a community of witches.
Sheba is raised by her negative, abusive mother. She can transform into a bird. Desperate for love and affection, Sheba forms a friendship with a young boy, but must also rebel against her mother’s influence.
Discovering her internal spirit voice — a lion — Sheba’s journey to independence is at the heart of this fabulous tale of family and friendship.
CLASSICS & COLLECTIONS
RIDE TO THE RIVER SEA by Eva Ibbotson , illustrated by Katie Hickey (Macmillan £20)
JOURNEY TO THE RIVER SEA
by Eva Ibbotson, illustrated by Katie Hickey (Macmillan £20)
Ibbotson’s superb story of orphaned Maia, travelling along the Amazon to stay with ghastly relatives but finding adventure with a young boy who lives on the river shore, has mesmerised children since it was first published 20 years ago. This large-format, illustrated edition is a great addition to any bookcase. It brings out the magnificent beauty and wonder of the Amazon rainforest. Age 9+
THE WILD SWANS
by Jackie Morris (Unbound £16.99)
This extended retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale is stunningly illustrated by the Kate Greenaway Medal-winner Jackie Morris. The dark, magical story of a girl whose 11 brothers are turned into swans by their stepmother’s curse and can only be saved by her silent spinning and knitting of nettle shirts is lyrically retold — and the book is an object of beauty itself.
ALL HEALINGS: A POEM for EVERY Emotion
edited by William Sieghart, illustrated by Emily Sutton (Walker £20)
This comprehensive collection includes contributions by poets like Wordsworth and T. S. Eliot as well as modern voices such as Lemn Sissay or Kae Tempest. It offers poetry to inspire, move, calm, connect you and make you smile. They will.
THE GIRL THAT TALKED TO THE TREES
by Natasha Farrant, illustrated by Lydia Corry (Zephyr £12.99)
Tree-loving Olive’s attempt to save her beloved ancient oak takes her on an imaginative journey across centuries and continents, as inter-linked stories emphasise the vital role trees play in our lives.
ARTHUR THE ALWAYS KING by Kevin Crossley-Holland , illustrated by Chris Riddell (Walker £20)
ARTHUR: THE ALWAYS KING
by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell (Walker £20)
For hundreds of years, people have been fascinated by the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The stunningly illustrated book is a treasure trove for all ages. It captures the magic, mystery and romance of an ancient court and has a beautiful illustration.
THE SECRET GARDEN
by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Margarita Kukhtina (Nosy Crow £14.99)
Mary Lennox is an orphan brought from India to be with her sick uncle and aunt. But, she was transformed after discovering a secret garden. It’s faithfully retold and abridged by Carnegie Medal-winning Geraldine McCaughrean and brought to life by rich colour illustrations.
CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS
by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman (HarperCollins £14.99)
Delicate colour-wash artwork enhances this book of poems, narrated by birds and animals, which was inspired by composer Saint-Saens’ musical suite. This is the dream team.
ROBINSON CRUSOE
by Daniel Defoe, illustrated by Robert Ingpen (Welbeck £20)
It’s Robert Ingpen’s evocative illustrations that refresh this 300-year-old story of a man washed up on an island who discovers an inner strength to survive. The book raises difficult subjects in modern life, but for anyone who has craved company during the pandemic it’s still a superb look at isolation and connection.
You can buy any book from these pages Enjoy a 10% discount visit mailshop.co.uk/Christmas Or call 020 33176 2937