I read this in one sitting! Meet Will, or Poundland as the bully squad refers to him as. The black & white almost-manga style strip illustrations are so impactful. Poverty + Will's sense of responsibility to look out for his dad means that he makes some bad choices in a moment of desperation… This is a powerful, punch of a book that's unputdownable, relatable, grows empathy, and speaks to struggles going on in playgrounds + school corridors everywhere.

A story told in verse is an exciting way to walk in someone else’s shoes. Leaving behind a horrendous experience of racism by her teacher in her school, Estie travels north to Scotland where she finds her truth, acceptance, love, family and community… and an exciting mystery to solve!

Both these creators, Rachel Ip and Natelle Quek, have individually become mainstays of the Children’s picture book world, particularly for books which sensitively and masterfully focus on specific themes in a combination: divorce, dementia, or saving the planet. ‘One Day at a Time’ is about siblings, Poppy and Robin, deliriously happy in their family life, who find out their parents are separating and learn how to find a happy new normal.

I absolutely loved this book. The author’s life with her family on the farm no doubt provides endless sources of inspiration for her stories. 10 year old city-girl Ava spends a couple of weeks at with her Aunt Kitty, Uncle John, + cousin Tom on their farm during the Easter holidays, and it's the life-changing, life-affirming adventure she never knew she needed.

A powerful true story of the WW2 Holocaust everyone should read. Greene’s illustrations seep into the reader’s consciousness emotions of surprise, disappointment, confusion, ignorance, bewilderment, pain, starvation, triumph, hope, love and more. Dronfield has masterfully retold the Kleinmann’s story.

A brilliant debut from Townsend!! A lonely human soul, 12 year-old Orla lives in a simple wooden shed in her garden away from the rest of her water-side rural village of Thorn Creek. She's grumpy, stubborn, closed, hurt, conflicted...and she has a lot to live up to. I will never forget Orla's story and the underlying legacy and importance of female healers and wise-women.

An hilarious seaside caper for the sunshine season that will be enjoyed by both confident and reluctant readers. Wonderful 'guide' for empathy, and I'll try thinking of gerbils in egg cups next time I need a zen moment! Probably in 5 minutes...

Book Review by The Kids Books Curator: ‘The Lost Whale’ by Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold (HarperCollins) For ages 8+. From London to LA, an 11 year old boy goes on a journey to find belonging, himself, joy, love and the healing power of an endangered grey whale. A beautiful and bold story of second chances. You'll love it... ocean's promise!

Another inspirational and edge-of-the-seat adventure by Sri Lankan-born author, Nizrana Farook. As with all her books, readers are delighted by the stunning landscapes and nature of the island of 'Serendip'. In her latest story, a young girl has to do all she can to protect an endangered leopard from poachers... a dangerous mission indeed.

A gripping and intense story of two worlds, one where grief, bullying and neglect exist and another where beauty, someone loved (but lost) lives, and where there is peace, safety and control... ‘the best prisons…are the ones in which you think you’re free. How do you escape a trap you don’t realise you’re in?’

When teacher, Miss Clark, asks the children to hop onto the country that their parents come from, Georgie feels confused… which country should she stand on? Panicking and after some teasing from classmate, Ben, she then forces her way back to England and when there’s no more room, she heads over to stand on East Africa. Ben says “Why are YOU in Africa?” YIKES!! This is such an important book for classrooms to support awareness of diversity and heritage!!