The Girl at the Front of the Class
Onjali Q. Raúf's debut picture book is a heartwarming story about welcoming a new child who has fled her homeland. With Pippa Curnick's stunning illustrations, it beautifully captures the emotions of fear, sadness, and friendship. Perfect for ages 3+, this story encourages empathy and offers tips on making refugee children feel welcome. A must-have for every school and library.
A History of My Weird
An unforgettable, powerful and all-consuming story of two Year 7 children (one autistic, one non-binary) struggling with their first term at Secondary school, puberty, friendships, dysfunctional family life, discrimination and bullying.
Alyssa and the Spell Garden
I invite you to read this unputdownable story, with its relaxing, healing, chicken soup (with a magical floral tea) for the soul vibe. Year 6 is over, and Alyssa spends the Summer with new found friends and family, discovering her Jamaican roots and some magical heritage that had been kept secret from her her whole life… UNTIL NOW.
The Secret of the Moonshard
New fiction from the author of the award winning ‘Orphans of the Tide’ trilogy! Domino and her new found friends head into battle in a quest for the peaceful balance between magic and science in this gripping philosophical fantasy adventure. Expect genetically modified lizards (dinosaurs brought back from extinction), Spirit creatures from your wildest dreams, and some dastardly despotic evil rulers to defeat in order to bring peace back to Abzalaymon once more.
Stitched Up
A brilliant book about starting secondary school, fast-friendships and fast-fashion. ‘Stitched Up’ is a thoroughly enjoyable yarn with heartwarming and meaningful threads of knowledge and creativity when Cassie finds out the Year 7s are designing a new school uniform at the same time as her helping her local KnitWit community group win their dress-making competition!!
Emerald and the Lost Treasure
Another fabulous early reader illustrated chapter book series from Isadora Moon creator, Harriet Muncaster. During an ocean clean one school morning, mermaid Emerald discovers a lost teddy bear! Maybe her friends Isadora Moon and Mirabelle help her return it?
The Magician Next Door
I’ve been waiting for Rachel to whisk my imagination away on another one of her sweet magical adventures. I adored ‘The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice’ (Walker Books, 2023). 10 year old Callie struggles with a far away house move and grief after losing her mum. A magical mishap brings some much-needed sparkle into her life again in more ways than one.
Finding Hope
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.
Q&A: Sojung Kim-McCarthy, illustrator
A wonderful opportunity to chat with this Korean-born Children's illustrator. Her work to date is stunning, and it's been fascinating to find out about her process, and journey so far + to celebrate her brilliant new early reader book with Polly Ho-Yen.