Picture books
The Twelve Trucks of Christmas by Evie Day illustrated by Dean Gray
(Orchard, £7.99)
Santa is building Wonderland, which requires both festive cheer and heavy machinery. The toddler in your life will be delighted by this book, which has been written with the true understanding that what Christmas really needs is lots and lots of trucks.
The Swallow Who Stayed by Philip Giodano translated by Arielle Aaronson
(Greystone Kids, £12.99)
Summer is over and the swallows are flying south. But curious Iris has never seen snow, so she decides to stay. Soon, the cold is overwhelming – but then she’s spotted by Sam the squirrel. This is a story of frost and friendship, and the illustrations are both gorgeous and utterly original.
Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler
(Scholastic, £12.99)
Jonty Gentoo is a little penguin who has heard tales of the South Pole, so he sets out from his home at the zoo to find it. This is a captivating story written in rhyme so perfect that reading it as a bedtime story is a breeze. It’s an instant classic.
The Carousel Horse by Tony Mitton illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee
(Bloomsbury, £7.99)
By day, she carries children, but by night, our carousel horse dreams of flying to the moon. And when a sparkling princess appears, her dream may be about to come true. Told in rhyme, this is a moving story about when to stay on the ground, and when to soar.
Younger Readers
Sprouts by Sibéal Pounder
(Bloomsbury, £12.99)
It’s the year 4024 and Santa Claus rules the world, and that means it’s always Christmas. But for rebel witch Gryla Garland, who is banished to the Mince Pie Isles, Christmas comes only once a year. Is 24/7 Christmas nice – or really rather naughty? Sprouts is silly and clever and very, very funny.
The Biggest Christmas Secret Ever by L D Lapinski
(Orion, £7.99)
Harper and Will’s stepdad Nick has a red coat, eight reindeer and very secret job. And now they have a new baby sister, Yula, and she’s magical, too. Told in 25 riotous chapters, this would make a perfect bedtime story to count down the days to Christmas.
Watts & Whiskerton by Meg McLaren
(Piccadilly, £6.99)
There are strange goings-on at Whiskerton manor, but luckily, a dog and cat detective duo are on the case. This lovely little book is illustrated on every page and its simple text and sweet story make it ideal for early readers.
Fox Goes North by Jeremy Strong illustrated by Heegyum Kim
(Scholastic, £14.99)
A group of animals and birds are on their way to see the Northern Lights. Along the way, they will have some amazing adventures, as well as learning to say goodbye. A story about love, life, friendship and loss, this is the late Jeremy Strong’s final book, and it is wonderful.
Older Readers
Reek by Alastair Chisholm
(Barrington Stoke, £7.99)
Even the most reluctant readers will thrill to this dystopian story of Sparrow, a girl living in a world devastated by a cloud of pollution known as the Reek. Now a tech billionaire has control of clean air – unless Sparrow can stop him. Dyslexia-friendly text tells a thumpingly good story.
Midnight Treasure by Piers Torday
(Quercus, £14.99)
Tibor and Roza were only four when they were adopted from the Orphanage. Now they’re on a quest to find the most wanted treasure in the world. Vampires and werewolves abound in this deliciously spooky fantasy that will have brave children reading long into the night.
Feather and Claw by Marta Palazzesi translated by Denise Muir illustrated by Ambra Garlaschelli
(Piccadilly, £12.99)
Amparo has a secret. By day she is a hawk, but by night she is a human girl. Then, she meets Tomás, who is boy by day, and transforms into a panther at night. Their moving story is accompanied by luminously beautiful illustrations.
The Forest of A Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge illustrated by Emily Gravett
(Two Hoots, £14.99)
In a neat reversal of our own world, this story sees humans struggling to survive under the attack of a voracious army of trees known as the Forest. The Costa-winning Hardinge has written a story of danger, mystery and irresistible enchantment.
Teen and YA
Here to Slay by Radhika Sanghani
(Knights Of, £9.99)
Kali has just turned 16, and there’s a demon sitting on her bed. That’s because Kali happens to be a demon slayer, and now, on top of all the other stuff she’s got going on, she’s going to have to save the world. A pacey story about owning your power.
Thunder City by Philip Reeve
(Scholastic, £8.99)
Reeve returns to his acclaimed Mortal Engines world with a new heroine. Tamzin Pook is a fighter, and she is on her way to Thunder City to face the fearsome Revenants. Luckily, killing Revenants is what Tamzin does best. Like all Reeve’s books, this is thrilling, witty and full of heart.
Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
(Simon & Schuster, £8.99)
Everyone knows that Hollywood’s Arden James is a party girl. So to prove them all wrong, she’s spending this festive season back in her small home town, with her childhood best friend, Caroline. It’s girl meets girl in this holiday-themed romance, which has a Netflix rom-com vibe.
The Dagger and The Flame by Catherine Doyle
(Simon & Schuster, £16.99)
The city of Fantome is controlled by two rival guilds, the Cloaks and the Daggers. When her mother is murdered by a Daggers assassin, Sera swears she will have revenge. And then she meets heir of the Daggers, the brooding Ransom… Fans of romantasy will devour this swoon-worthy saga.
Non-fiction
History’s Most Epic Fibs by Athena Kugblenu illustrated by Nicole Miles
(Wren & Rook, £10.99)
Fibs, fibbers and even fib ratings make up this lively retelling of the past by stand-up comedian Kugblenu. With a central message that we should never be afraid to think for ourselves, there’s a subversive streak to this book that kids will adore.
Future Vision by Dr Cathy Rogers & Madeleine Rogers
(Button Books, £12.99)
Journey to 2070, and a world of green and renewable energy, of empathy and kindness, of clean and reliable transport on tap. It’s so easy for young people to feel disheartened about the future, but this hopeful book paints a picture of a brighter tomorrow.
50 Ways into Football by Dan Freedman and Daniel Geey
(Wren & Rook, £10.99)
You don’t have to have a killer kick to make a career in football your goal. Whatever your talents, there’s a way in, and this inspirational book holds interviews with those in 50 different football-adjacent jobs. From the physiotherapist getting the players fighting fit to the architect who designed the stadium, there’s a future for every football fan here.
Explore by Lizzie Munsey illustrated by Studio Muti and Kaley McKean
(DK, £20)
Facts and figures get a makeover in this ambitious collection of diagrams and maps that will have children aged seven and up poring over them for hours. From mountain peaks to microscopic plankton, between the pages of this hefty full colour book, there is a whole world to discover.
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