Picture Books: Celebrating Playfulness and Inclusion
My Dad Can by Stephen Lightbown, illustrated by Claire Sahara Lemp (Quarto, £7.99), is a soft-smudged, colourful picture book. Iris’s dad can turn into dinosaurs and unicorns – anything she imagines – though some people see Dad’s wheelchair and believe he can’t do anything. The book celebrates the playfulness and creativity of parenthood.
The Fluffy Futon by Yuichi Kasano, translated by Cathy Hirano (Gecko, £12.99), is a delightful bedtime read. When Grandma spreads a futon on the sunny porch to air, it’s so fluffy that kittycat, Grandma, hen, chicks and the whole household join each other for a nap.
Princess Pete by Zoey Allen, illustrated by Frenci Sanna (Walker, £7.99), features imaginative Princess Pete, who loves blue wellies, butterfly sandals, getting mucky and playing salons. Pete doesn’t always feel like a boy or a girl, but their parents accept them just as they are in this inclusive, softly sparkling book.
Early Chapter Books and Graphic Novels
Monsieur Mustard: The Disappearance of Fabio Fangtooth by Charley Rabbit (Andersen, £9.99) is a funny, enticing mix of highly illustrated chapter book and graphic novel for ages 7+. Famous mouse detective Monsieur Mustard investigates a string of mysterious animal disappearances, hindered by his flatulent young assistant Mobbsy.
How to Build a Chocolate Bridge by Roma Agrawal, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng (Laurence King, £14.99), is an absorbing scientific handbook for ages 7+. Structural engineer Agrawal investigates the physics of materials via seven hands-on challenges, including constructing chocolate bridges reinforced with gummy laces and meringue rockets with ice-cream inside. The book is interspersed with punchy information about pioneering scientists, complemented by Sae-Heng’s bright, welcoming illustrations.
Mythological Retellings and Fantasy
The Odyssey: A Modern Retelling by Liv Albert, illustrated by Hazem Asif (DK, £18.99), is a satisfyingly nuanced, rich and pacy version of Odysseus’s homecoming for ages 7 or 8+. Podcaster and “myth nerd” Albert provides thoughtful historical and geographical context, a tally of crew members lost to each misfortune, and more. Asif’s lush, dynamic full-colour illustrations invite readers to lose themselves in the story.
The Othernauts by Clare Pollard, illustrated by Macha Yao (Piccadilly, £7.99), is a witty, original take on Greek myth for ages 8+. When young would-be witch Phoebe stows away with the Argonauts, the voyage leads to fearsome peril: hungry harpies, clashing cliffs, thirsty whirlpools and skeleton soldiers. Phoebe and her dubious prophecies are there to help, alongside Cora the tone-deaf baby siren and apprentice shapeshifter Perry.
Wishbound by Clemency Brown (Chicken House, £7.99) is an enthralling magical fantasy for ages 9+. In the Wishmaker Institute, rebellious Leonie is trained to control her magic. She escapes her Matching and flees to our world, making a new best friend, Cress. But as forces from her past pursue her, she has no choice but to grant Cress a dangerous wish.
Horror and Time Travel for Older Readers
Demon Hunters: Soul Feeder by Jennifer Killick, illustrated by Marina Vidal (Barrington Stoke, £7.99), is a punchy, pared-back horror for ages 9+. When Caiden and Sam help Caiden’s dad clear a creepy house, they bring back a terrifying uninvited guest. The book is from an award-winning author and dyslexia-friendly publisher.
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller by Amelia Tait (Starboard, £8.99) is a surefire winner for ages 10+. Lily Tripp is an ordinary 13-year-old – except every New Year’s Day, she wakes up in a new century, trying to navigate first love, avoid her nemesis, and cope without chicken nuggets. Meticulously researched history meets hilariously relatable misadventure.
Verse Novel and YA Fiction
Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Starboard, £8.99), is a heartbreakingly poignant verse novel for ages 11+. Since his mum died a year ago, Alfie hasn’t talked to his stepdad. During the six-week summer holidays, he heads out on his bike, navigating grief – until a pedal comes off and he needs help from the person he hates. Todd-Stanton’s shadowy, sweet black-and-white illustrations heighten the story.
A Flood of Memories by Nadia Mikail (Guppy, £8.99) is a deeply affecting YA novel. In Malaysia, urgent flood warnings bring 18-year-old Leila back to Sarawak to help her widowed mother protect the family home. But the house is tainted by memories of her alcoholic father, whose conditioning has shaped her. The novel interweaves the climate crisis with familial trauma and the first shoots of tentative new love. Mikail is the winner of the Waterstones children’s book prize.
Runaway Road by Sue Divin (First Ink, £9.99) is a powerful, compassionate story for ages 14+. In desperate trouble, 16-year-old Ezra’s only hope is to cross the Northern Irish border – even if that means leaving his quirky, beloved sister with their foster parents. Evie has no intention of being left behind, as the siblings search for safety and acceptance.
Dystopian Satire for Teens
Survival Show by Juno Dawson (S&S, £16.99) is a sharply executed dystopian satire for ages 14+. In Starmaker, the world’s most watched reality TV show, the winner will be wealthy for life, but losing contestants are literally eliminated. Talented Taryn must survive increasingly brutal challenges to bring the Starmaker machine down from the inside. The book is described as Squid Game meets The X Factor.
