YLG News – June 2010



YLG News April 2020 Part 2 Publishers

WELCOME

“Of making books there is no end...[Ecclesiastes xii 12]

Here, despite everything, is where you will find all the publishers' news, offers, especially materials to help in the current situation and exciting titles to look out for. Many publishers are also relaxing their permissions for a limited period- make sure you check. Keep reading

FEATURED PUBLISHER OFFER

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLISHER

NEWS FROM CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS

FEATURED PUBLISHER OFFER

b small

Fight fake news with critical literacy boosting books from b small!

Real-life Disasters written by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

A gripping read made up of the thrilling and horrifying stories behind both natural and human-made disasters. Each story comes with a disaster dossier packed with information that will test increasingly important critical literacy skills. And the explosive artwork will blow young readers’ minds!

Real-life Mysteries written by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

Have you ever wondered what exactly does go bump in the night? From mysteries like Shackleton’s ghostly companion to the Loch Ness Monster and friends, read the amazing evidence about these mysterious cases and make up your own mind. Things are not always what they seem - until they are, then you might wish you had never asked!

And coming in August!

Question Everything! written by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

Developing critical literacy skills is increasingly important for children and adults alike. Through engaging examples, Blue Peter Book Award-winning team Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker, show how the truth (whatever that may be!) is changed, twisted and manipulated in lots of ways. Fight fake news with us!

To win a copy each of critical literacy boosting Real-life Mysteries and Real-life Disasters please email Sam Hutchinson on sh@bsmall.co.uk with your postal address and ‘Critical Literacy Skills YLG!’ in the subject line. We have 5 pairs to give away. 



HIGHLIGHTED PUBLISHER

LANTANA PUBLISHING

It's an extraordinary time, to say the least, and we hope you are all staying well. At Lantana, we are committed to doing everything we can to help our community stay safe and healthy. We have packed up our offices and begun working from home, but please rest assured that we are still making the beautifully crafted and inspiring books you love!

These strange times has forced us to make the difficult decision to postpone releasing new books until the Autumn, when the world has hopefully resumed some kind of normalcy. But we want to be able to support all our readers during this time of enforced isolation. So, over the next few days, we will be offering you the chance to download FREE eBooks from our website for a selection of our titles, with many more to come over the coming days (so please check back often if you can). We've also made a series of FREE activities and teaching resources to accompany our books so please check them out on our homepage () if you would like to help your children & pupils have fun and stay thinking critically and creatively while schools are closed. 

On a happier note, the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal announced the wonderful news that You're Snug With Me has made it onto the shortlist! 

You’re Snug With Me by Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry

978-1-911373-47-6; 1st Nov 2018; Ages 4-6

At the start of winter, two bear cubs are born, deep in their den in the frozen North. “Mama, what lies beyond here?” they ask. “‘Above us is a land of ice and snow.” “What lies beyond the ice and snow?” they ask. “The ocean, full of ice from long ago.” And as they learn the secrets of the Earth and their place in it, Mama Bear whispers, “You’re snug with me.”

Many, many thanks to you wonderful librarians who nominated our book. Stay safe, stay healthy, and please stay in touch!



NEWS FROM CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS

All publisher offers have deadlines of 30th April unless they say otherwise (and some do, so read carefully and don’t miss out!) – and make sure you read to the very end.We may have to stay inside but here you will find “magic casements....”

So to another highlight ....

ZEPHYR

Viper's Daughter by Michelle Paver

Publication Date: 2nd April (Hardback ISBN: 9781789540550)

A boy. A wolf. The legend lives on.

For two summers, Torak and Renn have been living in the Forest with their faithful pack-brother, Wolf. But their happiness is shattered when Renn realises Torak is in danger – and she’s the threat. When she mysteriously disappears, Torak and Wolf brave the Far North to find her.

Viper’s Daughter is the eagerly awaited return of Michelle Paver's award-winning, multi-million copy bestselling adventure series that began with Wolf Brother. Like them, it can be read as a standalone story.

Featuring artwork from the original designers John Fordham and Geoff Taylor, Viper’s Daughter plunges us back into a world of exhilarating adventure where nature is honoured, where demons thrive, and where the bonds of friendship are all.



KNIGHTS OF

Mic Drop by Sharna Jackson Cover illustration by Wumzum - April 2nd 2020

It’s October half-term and pop star, TrojKat is filming a music video in the The Tri, the high-rise block home to slueths Nik and Norva. When tragedy strikes the famous singer under mysterious circumstances, Nik and Norva set out to solve the case, with their friend George, and their impressive detective skills.

The sequel to High-Rise Mystery, another whodunnit in the phenomenal mystery series by Sharna Jackson.



FABER

Calm Down, Zebra by Lou Kuenzler, and illustrated Julia Woolf - 2nd April 2020 (Ages 0-5)

Stripy sheep, a blue orangutan and spotty penguins? Annie is trying to teach her little brother about colours, but everyone's favourite, enthusiastic zebra is back and eager to get in on the act! Even though things don't turn out quite the way Annie imagines, together they make the world a brighter and more beautiful place! Calm Down, Zebra is a charming picture book, which encourages readers to engage with colours, use their imaginations and most of all be creative.

We have 5 copies to give away - please email kidsmarketing@faber.co.uk for a chance to win.  

Uki and the Outcasts by Kieran Larwood, illustrated David Wyatt, cover by Fernando Juárez - 2nd April 2020 (Ages 8-12)

Uki and the Outcasts is the first in a new trilogy set in the Five Realms of Podkin One-Ear.

From the Ice Wastes beyond the Cinder Wall emerges an unlikely hero. Young Uki is given unique powers by a long-buried spirit, and a life or death mission. Joined by two other outcasts - a trained assassin who refuses to kill people and a very short rabbit who rides the fastest jerboa on the plains - Uki must save rabbitkind before it destroys itself in conflict!

We have 5 copies to give away - please email kidsmarketing@faber.co.uk for a chance to win.

On Midnight Beach by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick - 2nd April 2020 (Young Adult)

A beautiful and epic coming-of-age novel set in Donegal in 1976, where an ancient Irish legend is rewoven as a stunning YA story.

When a dolphin takes up residence in Ross Bay, Emer and her best friend, Fee, feel like they have an instant connection with it. Then Dog Cullen and his sidekick, Kit, turn up, and the four friends begin to sneak out at midnight to go down to the beach, daring each other to swim closer to the creature. The summer days get longer and hotter. Something wild and dangerous simmers in the air. Love feels fierce, old hatreds fester, and suddenly everything feels worth fighting for.



GRAFFEG

Monsters Not Allowed! by Tracey Hammett and Jan McCafferty [Picture Book, PB £7.99]

A monster makes quite an impression at his new school, but becomes so disruptive that Mr Jedd the Deputy Head bans him from attending. The children, however, miss his presence, and will work together in order to enjoy lessons with him again.

Walking with Bamps by Roy Noble OBE and Karl Davies [Picture Book, PB £6.99]

A gentle, illustrated picture-book that captures the humour and quiet magic of the relationship between a young girl and her grandfather. Told in Roy’s distinctive style, this series of anecdotes, life lessons, and inventive half-truths is rich in authenticity and charms as ‘Bamps’ explains the world to Bronwen during their walks together through the countryside.

Ceri & Deri: The Very Smelly Telly Show by Max Low [Picture Book, PB £7.99, Publication 9 April]

Ceri and Deri show Dai the Duck that joining in with live action is much more fun than watching it on the telly in the latest hilarious installment in this quirky educational children’s book series.

Ceri and Deri: Young Whippersnapper by Max Low [Picture Book, PB £7.99, Publication 9 April]

When Ceri, Deri and Dai the Duck help Davey Dog speed up his shopping using a skateboard, they don’t realise what chaos they have caused! 
Another quirky, educational adventure from Ceri and Deri.

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossom by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke [Picture Book, HB £12.99, Publication 16 April]

Fletcher and his friends are eager to embrace the new season as spring arrives, but they’re in for a surprise – the ground is blanketed in white! Fletcher rushes to warn the other creatures, but could there be more to this sudden snowfall than there seems? Join Fletcher in this delightful, uplifting picture book to find out. The first of four Fletcher titles themed around the passing seasons.

Fletcher and the Summer Show by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke [Picture Book, HB £12.99, Publication 16 April]

As summer begins, the wood comes alive with new sounds, but without a distinctive one of her own to join in with, Rabbit feels left out. With the help of his friends, Fletcher decides to put on a show where everyone’s talents can shine. The second of four Fletcher titles themed around the passing seasons.

Pretend Cows by Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher [Picture Book, PB £6.99, Publication 24 April]

Maxy is upset when her parents’ farm is left without animals after a health scare, but she keeps their memory alive looking after her own ‘pretend cows’. When her mum falls ill whilst pregnant her father starts to keep chickens and Maxy comes to terms with the challenges of the birth as she encourages a stubborn hen to lay eggs. Pretend Cows examines children’s anxieties and family economic pressures with insight and sensitivity and
 a great addition to the Country Tales series.



SCALLYWAG

The Longest Strongest Thread by Inbal Leitner April publication

978-1-912650-18-7 hardback picture book £12.99 Ages 3+

'We are moving to a new home, where the lakes freeze in winter. I am visiting my Grandma to say goodbye.'

The little girl in this story loves visiting her Grandma's sewing studio and watching her make things, and is worried about leaving Grandma behind and not being able to see her.  Grandma re-assures her and is making her a warm coat which will envelop her like a big hug.

The message of love despite separation is comforting for all those grandchildren and grandparents who are now in self-isolation or social distancing due to the corona virus.  Soothes anxiety caused by lock down and school closure, and shows ways communication can still take place.  Free resources:

Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis April publication

978-1-912650-26-2 hardback picture book £12.99 Ages 3+

Hey, water! I know you! You're all around.

Join a young girl as she explores her surroundings and sees that water is everywhere - in a hose, in steam, in a snowman or in her own tears. Includes non-fiction backmatter and quiz.

Send your name and postal address to publisher@ for 2 chances to win a copy of the new book. Deadline Monday 20 April.

King of the Classroom by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

978-1-912650-36-1 hardback picture book £12.99 Ages 3+

An upbeat story about a confident little boy who takes pride in his first day of nursery.

The narrator and his family are black and that isn't a focal point of the story.

Send your name and postal address to publisher@ for 2 chances to win a copy of the new book. Deadline Monday 20 April.



UCLAN

The Book of Secrets by Philip Caveney ( £7.99

A brand new stand alone Middle Grade adventure from the author of Sebastian Darke, Philip Caveney. 

Boy rides across the desert on a ‘borrowed’ horse. His destination? The great city of Cherabim. He carries with him The Book of Secrets, containing his late father’s brilliant inventions, one of which could change the world forever. But Boy falls in with brigands who rob him and leave him for dead in the harsh desert sands. Then along comes Lexi with her group of eccentric travelling players – can he help them and can they help him?

A rollicking medieval romp where laughter and action abound in equal measure… and where danger lurks around every corner.

To celebrate the publication of The Book of Secrets, we're giving away 3 copies. To enter email uclanpublishing@uclan.ac.uk with The Book of Secrets in the subject. Please include your name and postal address. Winners will be selected at random after 30th April.



ANDERSEN

KEEP KIDS BUSY

There are lots of free activities from Andersen Press that you can do at home:

And make sure you’re following us on social media to keep up to date with more news, resources and online storytelling events:

Twitter: 

Instagram: 

Facebook: 

The Little Island by Smriti Prasadam Halls & Robert Starling (Picture Book, April)

An insightful and hopeful parable for our times, demonstrating the importance of kindness, co-operation and open-mindedness for shaping a better society. Published in paperback this month.

Educational resources for this title that can be used to support home learning are available to download and share here:

A Fox called Herbert by Margaret Sturton (Picture Book, April)

Meet Herbert: the rabbit who knows he was born to be a fox. When his mummy isn’t looking, he puts on pointy fox ears, makes himself a bushy tail, and asks his sister to paint him orange, just like a fox. But Mummy doesn't understand: why can't he just be a good rabbit?

A Fox called Herbert is a true celebration of being ourselves and supporting our loved ones. Let this joyful tale inspire you to be who you are and follow your dreams.

Where Happiness Begins by Eva Eland (Picture Book, March)

Are you looking for happiness? Sometimes it can feel really far away, and sometimes you might have so much you can’t help but share. You can try to chase it, control it or capture it, but even if it seems like it’s gone for a while, you’ll know it’s never far away...

This is the second of Eva Eland's picture books that helps little ones deal with big emotions, following on from When Sadness Comes to Call, which was longlisted for the 2020 Greenaway Medal.

Educational resources for this title that can be used to support home learning are available to download and share here:



THE SCHOOL OF LIFE

Happy Healthy Minds: A Child’s Guide to Emotional Wellbeing from The School of Life, illustrated by Lizzy Stewart

16 April 2020

Happy Healthy Minds is an essential guide to emotional wellbeing for children; tackling everyday issues to facilitate happier, healthier lives and designed to help children become more aware of their emotional needs by examining a range of topics that might be troubling them. Perfect for home, school and the library, this is an indispensable guide to helping a child map their own emotions, leading to a greater understanding of their current worries, moods and dilemmas across the scope of their young lives, in language they will understand. With real life scenarios, Happy Healthy Minds allows the safe exploration of ideas, problems and common feelings – covering a myriad of topics, such as bullying, anxiety and feeling misunderstood. It’s the ideal book for opening up conversations between adults and children and encouraging children to talk about how they are feeling.

We have 5 hardback copies to give away - simply email nina@ with the subject header Emotional Wellbeing to enter 



WALKER

Nightshade by Anthony Horowitz

Get ready for action, adrenaline and adventure in this explosive, brand new Alex Rider mission by bestselling author, Anthony Horowitz.

In this adrenaline-fuelled adventure in the number one bestselling series, Alex Rider is sent by MI6 Special Operations to infiltrate a new and sinister organization known only as Nightshade. Alex is on his own, with the fate of thousands of people resting in his hands.

Orla and the Serpent's Curse by C. J. Haslam

A spooky adventure set in Cornwall; Famous Five with a twist.

A long-dead Cornish witch to thwart and a curse to stop – it's just another family holiday.

Orla thought she was in for a relaxing break, but when she finds a mysterious glowing necklace in the woods, it turns out there is a slight possibility she may have uncovered a witch's ancient curse. After meeting a coven of suspicious old ladies, it becomes clear that Orla's arrival in Cornwall is no longer a coincidence. The curse is poisoning the land and destroying everything it touches, and Orla is the one person who can stop it. But she’ll need help from the only other member of the family with good instincts – Dave the dog.

Competition 1: To win one of three copies of this excellent witchy adventure story, please add this snippit from Monty Python’s Search For The Holy Grail into an e-mail heading and send to peter.smith@walker.co.uk “Well, she turned me into a newt! A newt? ... I got better”.

Bold and Brave Women from Shakespeare by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Discover the fascinating stories of the bold and brave women in Shakespeare's plays.

Stories of twelve of Shakespeare's courageous, strong-willed and determined characters, including Viola, Cleopatra, Portia, Lady Macbeth and Margaret of Anjou, are brought to life with Becca Stadtlander's rich and evocative illustrations. Celebrate these incredible women with this beautiful gift book, the perfect way to get children fascinated by Shakespeare and inspired by his work.

Grow: Secrets of Our DNA by Nicola Davies illustrated by Emily Sutton

From the award-winning team behind Tiny and Lots comes a new book exploring another fascinating area of biology: growth.

A beautifully illustrated introduction to the concept of DNA for younger readers. All living things grow – every plant and every animal, including human beings. Some things grow fast and others grow slowly; some things grow by tiny degrees, while others grow to be enormous. Yet there's something about the way we grow that links us all together. Ever since you were the size of a dot, your body has been following a set of instructions: a code, which connects you with every creature on the planet... With words from Nicola Davies and exquisite artwork by Emily Sutton, this groundbreaking book is certain to enchant and inspire children.

Get Ahead in ... Chemistry: GCSE Revision without the boring bits, from the Periodic Table to the Apocalypse

by Tom Whipple illustrated by James Davies

Get Ahead in Chemistry covers the essentials for GCSE science in a book you can start and finish – without falling asleep in the middle!

Tom Whipple, Science Editor at the Times, covers all the core topics for GCSE Chemistry in a witty, accessible narrative: atomic structure and the periodic table, the properties of matter, chemical and energy changes, organic chemistry, chemical analysis and the atmosphere. Each section includes a bullet-summary and, for curious minds and clever-clogs, bonus mini-chapters exploring fascinating but extra-curricular science... Everything from entropy to the laws of thermodynamics. Focusing on the world's very silliest science, this is one of the first in a fresh, funny and much-needed series of study-aids.

Competition 2: Well, in honour of all those who are self-isolating and in hope of normality returning soon, to win 1 of 3 copies of this excellent GCSE resource – or science fun for keen readers, please add these lyrics from Eric Carmen to the e-mail header and send to peter.smith@walker.co.uk “All by myself, Don't want to be, all by myself anymore”

We’ve put together some handy tips for our bookshops, libraries, teachers, authors and illustrator to help in the current situation and I thought you might find this useful – do feel free to share as it is live on our website and we are sharing on social 





MACMILLAN

Yes You Can. Ace Your Exams without Losing Your Mind by Natasha Devon is out from Macmillan this April. A timely and empowering guide to how to stay calm in the face of exams - and also uncertainty. With tips about taking a mindful approach to life, tackling anxieties and info about how your brain actually works as well as a guide to how to make a revision timetable, this guide should be at everyone's finger tips. 

Please email clare.hall-craggs@ for a chance to win one of five copies, with Yes You Can in the title of your message

Umbrella Mouse to the Rescue by Anna Fargher is out from Macmillan this April. A timeless tale of courage, friendship and fighting for what you believe in; the eagerly anticipated sequel to the award-winning  Umbrella Mouse, inspired by the true stories of the heroic animals caught in the conflict of WWII. Young mouse Pip Hanway is in France as she continues fighting for the French Resistance group Noah's Ark: a secret gang of animals operating beneath the feet of human soldiers, whose aim is to liberate France and secure the victory of the Allies. Soon she realises danger comes from all sides…

Please email clare.hall-craggs@ for a chance to win one of five copies, with Umbrella Mouse in the title of your message.



OUP

News from Oxford University Press

Picture Books

Bear Shaped Written and illustrated by Dawn Coulter-Cruttenden

PB ● 978-0-19-277211-4 ● £6.99 ● 2+

Jack and Bear were best friends. They did everything together. They went everywhere together. But one day, Bear just disappeared. . .

A beautiful story of love, loss, and moving forward. Inspired by the true story of Jack and his beloved Bear.

The Crow and the Peacock Written and illustrated by Jo Fernihough

PB ● 978-0-19-277155-1 ● £6.99 ● 2+

Crow is on a journey to find happiness-meeting an elegant swan, a gentle dove, and a famous cockerel. His journey soon leads him to a magnificent peacock locked in a cage, this is when Crow realizes that happiness may not come from how you look, but how you feel.

Fiction

Super Happy Magic Forest and the Humongous Fungus Written and illustrated by Matty Long

PB ● 978-0-19-277149-0 ● £6.99 ● 7+

Deep in the Super Happy Magic Forest an evil force has been secretly growing. What was once a minuscule mushroom is now a humongous fungus with an appetite for chaos. All hopes rest on five brave heroes, stepping up to save the day – there’s Blossom the unicorn, Twinkle the fairy, Herbert the gnome, Hoofius the faun, and a plucky little mushroom called Trevor.

Prepare for epic adventures, the odd picnic break, and plenty of fun-filled frolics!

Magical Kingdom of Birds: The Flamingo Party Written by Anne Booth and illustrated by Rosie Butcher

PB ● 978-0-19-276631-1 ● £5.99 ● 6+

It's carnival time in the Magical Kingdom of Birds, and the flamingos are getting ready to put on a spectacular show! But evil Lord Astor is determined that no one is allowed to have fun unless he says so. Can Maya and her friends stop his horrible plans to cancel the party?

A truly magical conclusion to the series

Super Stan Written by Elaine Wickson and illustrated by Chris Judge

PB ● 978-0-19-275908-5 ● £6.99 ● 9+

Stan's little brother Fred is on a mission to save the prawns, the whales, the ocean . . . the world! And he's roped in Stan to lend a hand. What can possibly go wrong!?

Packed full of infographics, charts, and diagrams, this hilarious and visually-exciting book will have huge appeal for young readers.



EK

Download Free Teacher Notes for All Titles

EK Books has always had a mission to provide books with heart on issues that matter. With more and more parents now becoming teachers as they homeschool their children, we want to let the world know that detailed and engaging teacher notes/activity sheets for nearly all our titles are available for free on our website, , ()

If you have any questions or would like specific resources that you cannot find on our website, please contact our marketing director directly at nathan@

I would like to briefly emphasize two popular blacklist titles that have been relied on by parents and caregivers to help children cope during times of stress and anxiety:

Don't Think About Purple Elephants Susan Whelan & Gwynneth Jones

(Hardcover: 10.99, Paperback: £6.99)

Whimsical and humorous, this little girl’s story of finding a way to ease her worry resonates with children and parents everywhere. It's an excellent resource for social and emotional learning for parents and teachers.

Grey-glasses-itis Lynn Jenkins & Kirrili Lonergan

(Paperback, £9.99)

The fourth book in the popular ‘Lessons of a LAC’ series, Grey-glasses-itis helps children to understand the link between how they see things and how they feel.

Here are our new releases for March and April:

Tabitha and the Raincloud by Devon Sillett and Melissa Johns

(March 2020, £10.99, Hardback).

This is a story of resilience, choices, optimism and perseverance. When Tabitha wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, she finds a big raincloud next to her taking up most of the space. At breakfast, the cloud rains all over her scrambled eggs. By lunchtime, Tabitha is so stormy that none of her friends want to sit next to her. Tabitha realises she needs to change her attitude. So, Tabitha fetches her umbrella, raincoat and boots from her locker and starts dancing in the rain. It’s not long before her friends join her and they’re all having fun together!

Isla’s Family Tree by Katrina Mckelvey and Prue Pittock

(April 2020, £10.99, Hardback).

Isla isn’t happy that her family is changing, so her mother creates a clever family tree with Isla to teach her how to accept that families always grow. Her mother hands her two new leaves, but Isla doesn’t think they belong. ‘There’s no room left on our branch — it’s full!’ she says. Isla tries to make them fit somewhere, maybe with her cousins, at Aunty Violet and Aunty Jasmine’s house, or at Aunty Daisy and Uncle Doug’s. There’s definitely no room on her branch though! However, once she meets her new brothers she has a change of heart. She falls in love and finds room for them after all — ‘Our branch grew a little,’ says Isla. ‘Our family is never too full.’

EK Books is an imprint of Exisle Publishing and distributed in the UK by Quarto. Check out our website,

For enquiries, email nathan@



HARPERCOLLINS

We have some brilliant books to enjoy whilst we’re all spending more time indoors.

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale by Dominique Valente illustrated by Sarah Warburton.

Willow Moss, the youngest and least powerful sister in a family of witches, recently saved the world. The problem is, nobody can remember it – and, to make matters worse, her magical ability seems broken. In this second instalment her friend Nolin Sometimes is missing and Willow must piece together what has happened to him. Joined by some new friends Willow’s adventure takes them from an enchanted tower to the magical forest of Wisperia and into dangerous new realms…

Storm by Nicola Skinner

Born in a storm, Frankie’s always had a temper. Now dead from a freak natural disaster that wiped out her whole town, Frankie finds a whole load of new things to be angry about. And that’s before the visitors start turning up, treating her home like it’s a tourist attraction. Which it is. Only there are worse people out there than tourists… and they’re coming for Frankie

Hello Now by Jenny Valentine

“This is more than one story, more than one Now. But I'll tell it as best I can. Me? I'm Jude - like the Patron Saint of lost causes. Him? He's Novo. Like nothing on earth. Literally. In the beginning, before Novo showed up, my mum and me moved to the seaside. Then the first of July, 11.34am. Novo arrived. I was like an atom in his orbit. Alone with him, feeling the pull. Suddenly in the moment, in the Now. Then a terrible, unthinkable Now. One that could tear my family apart. But Nows can be undone, rewritten, changed. Goodbye to life as I know it. And Hello Now... “

A beautifully moving, exquisite and utterly original love story from Carnegie-shortlisted author Jenny Valentine – for 14+ girls, boys, and everything in between.

That Time I Got Kidnapped by Tom Mitchell

Fourteen-year-old Jacob is thrilled when he wins the chance to feature in the next Marvel movie, shooting in Hollywood. But after missing his connecting flight in Chicago, he tries to complete the journey by Greyhound bus – and there he meets Jennifer.

Jennifer is an American teenager on the run with a mysterious package she’s guarding with her life. Jacob soon finds himself on the road-trip of a lifetime as Jennifer’s unwitting partner in crime. Will he make it to LA in time – and in one piece?

Skulduggery Pleasant: Seasons of War by Derek Landy

In the thirteenth thrilling novel in the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series, war is coming.

To avert catastrophe, Skulduggery and Valkyrie are sent on a secret mission that takes them away from everything they know, to a forsaken land of magic and grim, unrelenting terror. It is here that Valkyrie will have to fight the hardest — not only against the enemies who want her dead, but also against her own self-destructive impulses. It's only by crawling through darkness that she'll be able to once again stand in the light…



NOSY CROW

TrooFriend Written by Kirsty Applebaum

Kirsty Applebaum made waves with her debut middle grade book The Middler which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. 

She returns with TrooFriend, an absorbing and at times slightly sinister story about artificial intelligence. Busy parents are encouraged to buy the latest robot to keep their child company. At first Sarah is scathing, why would she want a robot as a friend, then she realises she'll be able to show her off at school, get her to tidy her room. But soon rumours start spreading about these robots who can read every emotion and watch a child's every move, might they too have feelings like the children who befriend them? A thought provoking novel about ethics, friendship and what it means to be human.  

For a chance to win one of 5 copies email press@ with the subject line ‘YLG – TrooFriend’

Bad Cat! Written and Illustrated by Nicola O’Byrne

Fluffykins is a bad cat. A VERY bat cat indeed! This brilliant new picture book from the award-winning Nicola O’Byrne is witty, funny and perfectly paced. Meet Fluffykins, our delightfully naughty cat protagonist who is set on causing one calamity after another. He's knocked over the flowers, tangled up all the knitting, bent the blinds, trodden on the laptop AND scratched the sofa…and he won't say sorry. Perfect for animal-loving little ones and guaranteed to make children and adults alike laugh, Bad Cat perfectly captures all the mayhem of living with a feline friend.

For a chance to win a copy, please email press@ with the subject line ‘YLG – Bad Cat’

You can find free teacher resources, lesson plans, and fun games and activity sheets for lots of our books and characters, and for all ages, here.

Nosy Crow Book At Bedtime

From Monday we’ll be sharing a new fiction audiobook every week, for free, in daily instalments, as a #NosyCrowBookAtBedtime. Our first free audiobook will be Baby Aliens Got My Teacher by Pamela Butchart – and you can listen to the first night’s chapters a few days early, here.

Nosy Crow Storytime

We’ll also be sharing a new, free Nosy Crow picture book every day, starting next week, accompanied with our unique Stories Aloud audio. You can read along to our first free picture book, Pip and Posy: The Super Scooter by Axel Scheffler, here - and we'll be sharing each new daily picture book on Twitter and Instagram with #NosyCrowStorytime.

Nosy Crow Poem A Day

Over on our Twitter and Instagram channels, we’ll be sharing a #NosyCrowPoemADay from Monday, with poetry and artwork from I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree: A Nature Poem For Every Day of the Year, our ground-breaking and award-winning poetry collection, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon and with poetry collected by Fiona Waters.

Nosy Crow Discover

We’re also sharing new material every day on Twitter and Instagram from some of our incredible non-fiction books: you can learn all about extraordinary and inspiring people and animals every day, with content from HerStory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook the World, WildLives: 50 Extraordinary Animals that Made History, and Youthquake: 50 Children and Young People Who Shook The World. Along with a new person or animal to discover every day, we’ll also be sharing activities and creative prompts related to that day’s inspiring figure. Keep an eye on the #NosyCrowDiscover hashtag on Twitter and Instagram to find more.

Videos

On our YouTube channel, you can find playlists of author readings, character illustrations, and author and illustrator Q&As (find out about space and learn how to be an astronaut with Dr Sheila Kanani and discover the laws of physics – including entropy, black holes, and mobius strips – with The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day) , sing along to lots of nursery rhymes with our Sing Along With Me series, and learn to make origami with our British Museum and National Trust origami instruction videos.

If you have any questions about any of our resources, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.



BLOOMSBURY

Books crowbar the world open for you" – Katherine Rundell, Rooftoppers

Stay inside and lose yourself in another world for a while, courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books. All of our upcoming key titles will be available for you to read on NetGalley going forward from picture books right the way up to YA. We will still be sending out physical books as much as possible so please do send your home addresses to Grace.Ball@ so we can update our mailing lists.

Titles currently available on NetGalley:

- Kid Normal and the Final Five by Greg James and Chris Smith, illustrated by Erica Salcedo galley.co.uk/publisher/title/187506

- The Wild Way Home by Sophie Kirtley galley.co.uk/publisher/title/184528

- The Austen Girls by Lucy Worsley galley.co.uk/publisher/title/186675

- The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein galley.co.uk/publisher/title/184737

- The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper galley.co.uk/publisher/title/182011

- The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff galley.co.uk/publisher/title/186948

Bloomsbury Readers are the perfect way to get children reading, featuring book-banded stories by award-winning authors! With engaging illustrations and reading notes by CLPE, this series is ideal for reading at school or at home.

This month we're publishing five new titles in the series: Finding Fizz by Jenny Alexander, Detective Dan by Vivian French, Sky Ship and Other Stories by Geraldine McCaughrean, On the Ghost Trail by Chris Powling and Harry's House of Inventions by Rachel Anderson. 

We have 1 set of the new titles to give away. To enter, just send over your delivery address to bloomsburyeducation@ with YLG READERS in the subject line.



LITTLE TIGER

The House of Hidden Wonders Written by Sharon Gosling, cover art by Hannah Peck

9781788951906 |Paperback|£7.99|Age 8+

A new standalone story by Sharon Gosling, author of Carnegie nominated The Golden Butterfly. Zinnie and her sisters live in the murky tunnels beneath Edinburgh's Old Town. They keep out of the way of the authorities and remain undetected. Until, that is, rumours of a ghost bring unwanted visitors into the caverns they call home. Among them, a young Arthur Conan Doyle, keen to investigate, and MacDuff, the shady owner of Edinburgh's newest attraction, the House of Wonders. Caught up in a world of intrigue and adventure, Zinnie seeks answers. But how can she discover what secrets lie in the House of Wonders while also protecting the sisters she holds so dear?

The House of Hidden Wonders is a thrilling historical adventure featuring mystery in the tunnels beneath Victorian Edinburgh, for fans of Robin Stevens, Katherine Woodfine and Jennifer Bell.

Fig Swims the World Written by Lou Abercrombie

9781788951531|Paperback|£5.99| Age 10-14 years

Fig Fitzsherbert is good at a lot of things: making lists, playing the piano, advanced mathematics. But it’s never quite enough for her high-flying mother, who every New Year’s Day sets Fig an impossible resolution. So one year, Fig decides to set her own challenge instead: she’s going to swim her way round the world. There’s just one tiny problem … Fig can’t swim. Taking it one length at a time, Fig embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. But with her mother closing in, will she be able to keep her head above water and complete her challenge?

A quirky coming-of-age story, packed with warmth, humour and originality, this is the perfect escapist read for teens, as Fig travels the world and visits incredible locations. Debut author Lou is a keen wild swimmer and she has completed many global swims.

Museum Kittens: The Midnight Visitor Written by Holly Webb, illustrated by Sarah Lodge

9781788951876|Paperback|£5.99| Age 5+

Brave, clever and never more than a whisker away from adventure! When the museum's visitors are gone for the day, it's time for the cats to come out and play…One stormy night a little black kitten appears on the museum steps. Tabby cat Tasha is delighted to show Peter the museum's passageways and secret corners but the other cats aren't as keen to welcome the new arrival. Determined to prove that Peter is just as much of a museum cat as any of the others, Tasha takes him on a rat hunt. But the pair’s quest almost ends in disaster when they find themselves in the Dinosaur Gallery, with its famous T-Rex skeleton…

A charming new series from internationally best-selling author Holly Webb, inspired by the tales of real-life museum cats, from the British Museum to the Hermitage in Russia, see the world of the museum through a kitten’s eye view.

Holly is sharing readings and activity resources on her YouTube channel. - get in touch for a downloadable and shareable activity pack cmorris@littletiger.co.uk

Level Up: Beast Battles Written by Tom Nicoll, illustrated by Anjan Sarkar

9781788952118| Paperback | £5.99 | Age 7+

Flo and Max are stuck in the hugely popular Critter Clash, where teams of creatures battle to become champions in epic arenas. Flo and Max need their own players that they can coach to victory but the game is about to start and their options are limited… Will they be able to find a team powerful enough to defeat an impressive range of opponents and send the friends back to the real world? From the award-winning author of Boyband of the Apocalypse comes the third Level Up adventure in this laugh-out-loud series with a technological twist

The Lost Leopard Written by Jonny Marx, illustrated by Xuan Le

9781848579897| Hardback | £12.99 | Age 5+

Join Flora and Fauna, the world's greatest explorers as they embark on an extraordinary adventure in search of an elusive species of wild cat - the clouded leopard.

With flaps and paper effects throughout who knows what marvellous things they'll encounter along the way, or what their baby, Bud, may discover on this epic odyssey.

Beautifully illustrated colour pictures full of detail that will reward many re-reads and a lovable cast of characters that will introduce children to environmental issues and nurture a sense of curiosity about the world.

Once Upon An Atom Written by James Carter, illustrated by Willian Santiago

9781848579835| Hardback | £11.99 | Age 6+

From BIG BANGS / to tiny atoms / SCIENCE tells us / why things happen.

Dazzling exploration of key curriculum concepts, including electricity, the Big Bang and chemical reactions. Explore the whys, whats and hows of science and answer all the really BIG questions that curious kids are keen to ask. This playful rhyming book bubbles and bursts with all things scientific, from technology and space to experiments, inventions and the natural world. Stunning illustrations that cover topics from the small atom to the deep depths of space. A unique book that fuses non-fiction with poetry, James Carter's lyrical, engaging verse explores the questions of science.

The Magic Bubbles Written by Isabel Otter, illustrated by Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien

9781848579828| Hardback | £11.99 | 3+ years

Oliver knows that his bubbles are magic. They take him on amazing journeys to faraway places. But all of a sudden, the bubbles lose their power...Was the magic really inside Oliver all along? A heart-warming book with die cuts showing the magic within oneself, perfect for showing children the power of creativity and imagination. Magical illustrations bring the story to life and show the extraordinary in the everyday.

LITTLE TIGER is sharing online author and illustrator videos on their YouTube Channel . IF you would like to host your own readings, our updated reading guidelines can be found here:

For your chance to win a fabulous bundle including all the above books, please email Charlie Morris at cmorris@littletiger.co.uk with ‘APRIL LITTLE TIGER BUNDLE’ in your subject line. Good Luck!



QUARTO

We hope you’re keeping well in these trying times.

Here at QuartoKids we have developed 12 themed booklists designed to help children and parents cope with the fresh challenge of learning at home.

I have shared 3 of the 12 booklists below; and plan to share a further set of 3 lists each Friday and Monday. Should you wish to see a particular booklist now, however; I have listed all 12 themes below so please do just let me know.

We hope these books might help keep children engaged throughout this testing period.

Should you be interested in reviewing or featuring any titles from the below lists please email: Christopher Ransom, christopher.ransom@

Today’s lists: [Learn at Home / Kids Wellbeing / Activity Books]

Lists to follow: [Search & Find / Toddlers / Discover the World] [Sticker Books / Fiction / Little People, BIG DREAMS] [Be Inspired / Picture Books / Sound Books]



BONNIER BOOKS UK

Hot Key Books

The Last Paper Crane by Kerry Drewery – April 2nd 2020

A Japanese teenager, Mizuki, is worried about her grandfather who is clearly desperately upset about something. He says that he has never got over something that happened in his past and gently Mizuki persuades him to tell her what it is.

We are taken to 1945, Hiroshima, and Mizuki's grandfather as a teenage boy chatting at home with his friend Hiro. Moments later the horrific nuclear bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. What follows is a searing account of the blinding flash, the harrowing search for family and the devastation both human and physical. There is also the very moving and human story as the two teenage boys with great bravery search for and find Keiko, Hiro's five-year-old sister. But then Keiko is lost when Mizuki's grandfather has no option but to leave her in a safe place while he goes for help... Despite a desperate search in the aftermath of the bomb, where he leaves origami folded paper cranes for Keiko with his address on everywhere a survivor could be, he cannot find her... A powerful novel that, despite its harrowing subject matter, has hope at its heart

Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists and Flaming Arrows by Robert Muchamore – April 2nd 2020

A town. A forest. A hero.

You can't go far without a quick brain and some rule-bending in a place like Locksley. After its vast car plants shut down, the prosperous town has become a wasteland of empty homes, toxic land and families on the brink. And it doesn't help that the authorities are in the clutches of profit-obsessed Sheriff of Nottingham, in cahoots with underworld boss Guy Gisborne.

When his dad is framed for a robbery, Robin and his brother Little John are hounded out of Locksley and must learn to survive in the Sherwood forest, stretching three hundred kilometres and sheltering the free spirits and outlaws. But Robin is determined to do more than survive. Small, fast and deadly with a bow, he hatches a plan to join forces with Marion Maid, harness his inimitable tech skills and strike a blow against Gisborne and the Sheriff.

Templar

The Bad Day by Frann Preston Gannon - April 2nd 2020

Squirrel is left hanging when a search for a tasty nut goes wrong. Meanwhile, Woodpecker has his beak buried in a tree trunk, Snake is tied in a knot, Turtle is upside down, and Fox? Well, Fox has a suspicious tummy ache . . .These animals are all having a VERY BAD DAY!

But soon it turns out that little Mouse is having the worst day of all, and his friends can only help him - and each other - if they work together.

I Thought I Saw a Panda / I Thought I Saw a Crocodile - April 2nd 2020

This silly but stylish slider book is sure to give little ones a giggle. They'll love joining in with a game of hide-and-seek as they move the sliders to reveal the crocodile hiding in every scene. Is it driving the digger? Or hiding behind the wheelbarrow? Just push the slider to find out!

With beautiful artwork from google doodler Lydia Nichols, all the family will enjoy reading and playing with this fun novelty book.

Big Picture Press

Herbert’s Garden by Lara Hawthorn – April 30th 2020

Each creature in the garden has something special to offer, but what about a slug? Slow, slimy and greedy, Herbert wishes he could weave shimmering webs like spiders, or create wonderful underground worlds like ants. But when his lonely night-time wanderings through the garden take him up into the treetops, he and the other creatures are astonished at the beauty he has created. Spotting spreads plus helpful hints on how to look after the creatures in your own garden add to this garden-inspired tale.

Studio Press

Autism and Me by Haia Ironside, illustrated by Ellie O’Shea - April 2nd 2020

This book is for autistic people.

You can share this book with important people such as family and friends.

The activities in this book explore what it means to be autistic. It is full of fun activities including colouring, drawing and DIY.

The activities are designed for autistic people and their friends and family to enjoy. Some ideas might be useful to practice outside of the book in real life, every day situations. There is also guidance for parents and caregivers.

This book was written by Haia Ironside. Haia recently completed her master's degree in Autism Studies. She is also a teacher and has extensive experience working with autistic children and their families and caregivers.

Piccadilly Press

Eating Chips with Monkey by Mark Lowery - April 2nd 2020

Ten-year-old Daniel is never happier than when he is eating chips. Especially during his family's annual Chip Shop Championships, the highlight of his year. And especially when he can also eat chips with Monkey, his beloved soft toy and trusty companion. But one terrible November day, the lives of Daniel and his family are changed forever when an accident renders Daniel a shadow of his former self. As Daniel retreats into himself, his family slowly begin to fall apart, without this bright boy at the heart of their lives. Can they rebuild the family and regain the Daniel they love? There are challenges galore...and lots of chips.

Hotel Flamingo Fabulous Feast by Alex Milway - April 30th 2020

On Animal Boulevard the snow is finally melting after a long, quiet winter and Hotel Flamingo is ready to embrace the new season and new guests. Anna knows she needs to come up with a plan to get the hotel buzzing again! And what does Hotel Flamingo have that no one else has? One of the best chefs in town - Madame Le Pig! In a stroke of inspiration Anna decides that the hotel will put on a Battle of the Chefs. Madame Le Pig will go head to he ad with prestigious Animal Boulevard chefs Peston Crumbletart and Laurence Toot-Toot in a thrilling live cooking show - and there will be an accompanying feast for all who attend.

But as ever Anna has a lot to contend with – can the whole team pull together?

Win 1 of 5 proof copies of Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists and Flaming Arrows

To celebrate the release of Robert Muchamore’s latest novel, we have several proof copies to giveaway. To be in with a chance of winning, please email jearl.boatswain@bonnierbooks.co.uk with the subject line YLG Robin Hood to enter.



FIREFLY

Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick 

Paperback |  9781913102203 | out now | 8-12 years

Welcome to Crater Lake: the Year Six school trip from hell! Maybe it’s the bloodstained man who tries to stop the coach, maybe it’s the absence of welcoming staff, but something is definitely not right at Crater Lake activity centre. Then, at night, things get much, much stranger … but no matter what happens, don’t – ever – fall asleep! 

Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring

Paperback | 9781913102272 | 2 April 2020 | 15+ years 

Jesobel Jones is bold and beautiful. The daughter of a hand model and a washed-up rock star, she sees no need to apologise for her rambling house, her imperfect family, her single status … or her weight. Jess makes her own cupcakes and she eats them, too. That is, until Own Clothes Day when a wardrobe malfunction leaves Jess exposed, and a mean girl calling her the one thing that’s never bothered her before: fat.

We have 10 copies to give away. Email simone.greenwood@fireflypress.co.uk for a chance to receive one, and/or to receive a digital version of our 2020 catalogue. 

All our Ebooks are £1.99 or less - You may be stuck at home, but a book can take you anywhere! Let your imagination fly with a Firefly ebook. All reduced to £1.99 or less across platforms until the end of April



HACHETTE

New Books from Hachette Children’s Group this April.

Hodder Children’s Books welcomes My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain, illustrated by Ella Bailey

The very first picture book from the winner of The Great British Bake Off and national treasure, Nadiya Hussain, beautifully illustrated by Ella Bailey.

A touching story about a little boy whose worry monster follows him everywhere he goes. It's there when he gets dressed, when he wants to play with his toys, and even when his friends come over to visit. How can he escape his worries?

Having suffered with panic disorder herself for as long as she can remember, Nadiya wrote this heartfelt story to help give children and parents the tools they need to talk about worries and anxiety, to ensure that no child suffers in silence.

Orion Children’s Books welcomes The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D Lapinski

Pack your suitcase for a magical adventure

At the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, each suitcase transports you to a different world. All you have to do is step inside . . .

When 12-year-old Flick Hudson accidentally ends up in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, she uncovers a fantastic secret: there are hundreds of other worlds just steps away from ours. All you have to do to visit them is jump into the right suitcase. Then Flick gets the invitation of a lifetime: join Strangeworlds' magical travel society and explore other worlds. But, unknown to Flick, the world at the very centre of it all, a city called Five Lights, is in danger. Buildings and even streets are mysteriously disappearing. Once Flick realizes what's happening she must race against time, travelling through unchartered worlds, seeking a way to fix Five Lights before it collapses into nothingness - and takes our world with it.

A magical adventure for 9+ readers that will take you to whole new worlds.

Orchard Books presents the wonderful Blue by Britta Teckentrup

A beautiful story about sadness, depression and hope.

Blue lives in the darkest depths of the forest. He has long forgotten how to fly, sing and play. The other birds swoop and soar in the sky above him, the sun warming their feathers. But Blue never joins in.

Until, one day, Yellow arrives. Step by step, Yellow reaches out to Blue. With patience and kindness. And little by little, everything changes...

A thoughtful and uplifting story. Perfect for helping children learn how to deal with and understand sadness, and how to be there for people in their lives struggling with depression.

Wren & Rook presents My Butterfly Bouquet by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Hannah Peck

With breathtaking illustrations and a touching story, this dazzling picture book introduces young readers to one of nature's most magnificent and essential insects: the butterfly.

See how a little girl recovering from poor health finds wonder in nature and delights in planting a garden with her father to attract a fascinating array of butterflies. Exploring the life stages of butterflies, their importance to our ecosystems and the revitalising power of nature, this book is a heart-warming information story for children who love the outdoors and all its incredible creatures.

At the back of the book, discover tips on how to create your own wildlife garden to attract butterflies!

Pat-A-Cake presents the fabulous Space Baby: Goodnight, Aliens!

Perfect to share with babies, this board book follows three little aliens through their bedtime routine. With an exciting pop-out surprise!

Goodnight, Aliens models a good bedtime routine for babies, following the alien family as they have some food, have a bath, share a book and snuggle up in bed. The bright artwork and sweet rhyming text make this a great bedtime story, and the pop-out surprise at the end will delight children.

Simple text and lots of sounds to say make the book easy to use and encourage carer and child interaction.

This month we have 10 copies of Pests by Emer Stamp to give away. To enter, email pr@hachettechildrens.co.uk with the subject header ‘YLG April Comp’. The Competition closes on the 30th April 2020.



DAVID FICKLING BOOKS

Small Tales from the Big Forest series

Bestselling author Jeremy Strong is back with the second book in the Small Tales series! Starring best friends Armadillo and Hare, the Small Tales series are charming, wise and funny stories about fun, friendship… and cheese! These heartwarming future classics are perfect for young readers. 3 winners will win a copy of Book 1 (Armadillo and Hare, out this month in paperback) and Book 2 (Armadillo and Hare and the Very Noisy Bear, out this month in hardback) - email pr@ for a chance to win.*

Ig Pig and Og Frog!

A sparkling picture book from debut author Sophie Burrows. Ig Pig and Og Frog are best friends and do everything together. But one day, Og Frog meets Bog Frog and everything changes. What happens when your best friend gets a new best friend - can having two best friends be even better than having one? A beautifully thoughtful, bright picture book about friendship and emotions, pigs, frogs and rocking music! To win one of 3 copies, email pr@ *

Evil Emperor Penguin: Winging It

Bestselling, multitalented creator Laura Ellen Anderson brings more evil hilarity to the fourth graphic novel in the Evil Emperor Penguin series! Evil Emperor Penguin has to make the ultimate choice - to defeat Evil Cat and take over the world, or save his friends! 3 winners will win a full set of the Evil Emperor Penguin series - email pr@ for a chance to win.*

Ferdinand (Magellan - First Names series)

Ferdinand Magellan was the first explorer to travel all the way round the world… or was he? Discover the truth in this brilliantly entertaining look at the famous adventurer’s life. The series gets readers on First Name terms with the world’s most fascinating people - they’re fun, fact-filled, fully illustrated biographies of ordinary people who grew up to do extraordinary things. 3 winners will receive a copy of Ferdinand, with 2 other First Names books [choose from Ada Lovelace, Malala Yousafzai, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Houdini, Elon Musk, Amelia Earhart, Emmeline Pankhurst, and let us know in your email which other 2 titles you’d like]. Email pr@ for a chance to win!*

*Due to us all working from home, it may be some time before we can send the winners’ copies… but we will as soon as we can!



BARRINGTON STOKE

We know these are strange and uncertain times for all of us – we hope everyone is keeping well. To help anyone teaching remotely or homeschooling, we’ve pulled together all of the free resources we have on offer. From reading guides to colouring-in sheets, our Young Editors Scheme to crafty activities, there’s something for everyone. Find them here:

We’ve got some fantastic new titles coming this month:-

Acclaimed creator Laura Dockrill sews together family, imagination and heart in her lyrical and unique Barrington Stoke debut, Sequin and Stitch. Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, this is a lovely tale for 8+ about Sequin who dreams of a place in the spotlight for her brilliant seamstress mum.

Survival in Space by Blue Peter Book Award winner David Long is a fact-filled and captivating retelling of the astonishing Apollo 13 space mission, publishing to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the fateful launch. In this gripping account for 8+, David Long shows how courage, determination and teamwork succeeded in beating all odds to bring the spacecraft home.

A brilliant offering for primary footie fans! We’re pleased to publish Own Goal!, the first title in a new series called Football Mad from best-selling author Paul Stewart. The drama of football and friendship takes to the pitch in this action-packed novel.

For teen readers, Eve Ainsworth returns with a stark, honest and deeply moving novella exploring the difficult subject of alcohol addiction. Just Another Little Lie follows Violet as she starts to notice that her mum hasn’t been herself for a while. A few too many glasses of wine in the evening. Mornings when she can’t get out of bed. Now Violet’s the one looking after her little brother and looking out for empty bottles in Mum’s bag.

For your chance to win a copy of SURVIVAL IN SPACE, please email kirstin.lamb@barringtonstoke.co.uk with the subject line YLG SURVIVAL. Deadline April 30th. Three copies to be won.



PENGUINRANDOMHOUSE

Never Show a T-Rex a Book

What would happen if you showed a T-Rex a book?

Well, she wouldn't know what to do with it . . . would she?

A madcap, super silly adventure story rooted in the transformative power of books, created by incredible new picture-book duo Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diane Ewen. Rashmi is a graduate of the Penguin WriteNow programme, our award-winning scheme which aims to find, mentor and publish new writers from communities under-represented on the nation's bookshelves.

We have five copies of this book to give away. To be in with a chance of winning email egrady@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk with YLG/T-REX GIVEAWAY in the subject header.

Green Puffin Classics: The Wind in the Willows | The Adventures of Robin Hood | The Call of the Wild | The Jungle Book

Introduced by actress, director and environmental campaigner Bonnie Wright, currently Oceans Ambassador for Greenpeace, this gorgeous set of Green Puffin Classics is publishing to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day – the global initiative that launched the modern environmental movement. This four title series is complete with gorgeous new covers by Tyler Hahn, an illustrator and printmaker who often draws inspiration from nature. These titles are also produced with no extra laminates or foils on the covers, with text printed on 100% FSC approved paper from suppliers committed to sustainability and renewable energy.

Climate Rebels by Ben Lerwill

Climate change is happening, now. But it's not too late to change the story.

Meet the humans, from around the world, who are fighting to save our planet. This is your call to arms. Featuring 25 hopeful stories including Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai - as well as lesser-known heroes, such as turtle-protector Len Peters, the guardians of the Amazon rainforest, and the poacher patrollers The Black Mambas.

This book will transport you from the poles, to the oceans, to the rainforests, with iconic illustration. These are true stories to make you think, make you cry, make you hope - and these are stories to make us all stand together and protect our home. These stories are the proof that one person's small changes can grow into something big, and powerful, and world-changing.

Summer of the Dragons by Ed Clarke

A year after she discovered a tiny dragon on the beach, life is getting back to normal for Mari Jones and Gweeb.

With tourists flocking to the beach for the summer, Mari has her work cut out to keep the dragons hidden and safe, especially when disgraced scientist Dr Griff Griffiths turns up on the hunt for a story. And when Griff manages to find and steal Gweeb's precious egg, Mari must stage a daring rescue mission before it's too late…

Brother Wulf by Joseph Delaney

Joseph Delaney is returning to the multi-million bestselling world of The Spook’s Apprentice in a gripping new series beginning with Brother Wolf, which publishes on 16th April 2020.

Brother Wulf follows the story of young novice monk Brother Beowulf as he is sent to spy on Spook Johnson. Wulf has been taught that Spooks are not to be trusted and are a force for evil, but when the monsters that Johnson speaks of fighting turn out to be very dangerously real, Wulf is forced to seek help from another young Spook: Tom Ward.

Fans of the original Spook’s series will be familiar with Tom Ward and his companion Alice, the main characters in The Spook’s Apprentice and subsequent thirteen books.

What Stars are Made Of by Sarah Allen

From the publishers who brought you Wonder, comes an astonishingly bold and moving middle-grade debut about family, friendship and how it's OK to be different.

Libby wants to be a scientist when she grows up, just like her hero, the underrated astronomer Cecilia Payne. She'd also do anything for her family - and when her beloved big sister Nonny is in trouble, Libby comes up with the perfect plan to help her, and at the same time remind the world what stars are made of.

Love Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson

The must-have new novel about falling in love for the first time from bestselling, much-loved children's author, Jacqueline Wilson, coming Spring 2020.

Frankie is nearly fourteen and teenage life certainly comes with its ups and downs. Her mum is seriously ill with MS and Frankie can feel herself growing up quickly, no thanks to Sally and her gang of bullies at school. When Sally turns out to be not-so-mean after all, they strike up a friendship and are suddenly spending all of their time together.

But Frankie starts to wonder whether these feelings she has for Sally are stronger than her other friendships. Might she really be in love?

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

The powerful, unforgettable and multi-award-winning New York Times bestseller.

Told in vivid and emotional poetry, this is the story of a childhood spent between New York and South Carolina, and of never truly feeling at home in either place. Of growing up as an African-American girl in the 1960s and 1970s, in the wake of the Civil Rights movement. Of discovering the first sparks of an incredible gift for writing, which would last a lifetime. And of one girl's search for her voice, her identity, and her place in the world.

Jacqueline Woodson's memoir is the winner of a US National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Award.

Last Lesson by James Goodhand

Last Lesson spotlights the devastating consequences of toxic masculinity and a rising mental health epidemic in young men.

Last year, Ollie Morcombe was a star pupil, popular and a gifted musician. Then, after the accident, everything changed. Now he's an outcast, a prime target of the school bullies who have made his life a living hell. Today - the last day of the school year - he's brought those bullies a gift. A homemade pipe bomb.

What has driven a model student to plan an unspeakable revenge? And with the clock ticking down to home time, what can anybody do to stop him?

We have five copies of this book to give away. To be in with a chance of winning email hbradridge@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk with YLG/LAST LESSON GIVEAWAY in the subject header.



PAVILION

100 Children’s Books that Inspire Our World by Colin Salter.

An exceptional collection of truly ground breaking children’s books – from Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer to the graphic novels of Dr. Seuss. All the classic children’s authors are represented with one stand-out book, plus mentions for their best-known works. Ordered chronologically, the book features favourite children’s books ranging from Victorian classics to modern day bestsellers. Entries include: Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Charlotte’s Web, A Series of Unfortunate Events, A Bear Called Paddington, The Gruffalo, Mr Men, Coraline, The Red Balloon, His Dark Materials, Nancy Drew, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas, Artemis Fowl and many more.

Published 2nd April 2020, £14.99 hardback, ISBN 9781911641087

For more information on Pavilion Children’s Books, please contact Catherine Ward: catherinewardpr@



FIVE QUILLS

Presenting a new laugh-out-loud fiction series for younger readers, recommended for the Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Bug Belly: Babysitting Trouble is the first in a new series aimed at 5-8 year olds, from debut author-illustrator, Paul Morton. Bug Belly is the new children’s character on the block, starring in a new funny fiction series from debut author-illustrator, Paul Morton. Larger-than-life and sure to entertain, Bug Belly is an ingenious, inventive and super fun froggy uncle to all the little tadpoles and froglets in Top Pond, but one distraction he can never quite overcome is his hungry belly!

This highly illustrated series, with engaging design and two-tone pictures throughout, features hilarious action-packed adventures. The books are ideal for both emerging and confident young readers, with humorous, alliterative text perfect for reading aloud at home or in the classroom.

Published 1st April 2020, £6.99 paperback, ISBN 9781912923045

Paul has been busy filling the gap left by cancelled events to create lots of fun content online. Please visit for downloadable resources, extracts and fun author videos.

For more information on Five Quills children’s books, please contact Catherine Ward: catherinewardpr@



FLYING EYE

One Day on Our Blue Planet... In the Outback Activity Sheet blog



Activity Sheet download



A Mouse Called Julian Activity Sheet blog



Activity Sheet download



I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast Activity Sheet blog



Feelings Activity Pack download (blog to be posted soon)



The lovely people at CLPE also have these excellent free A Mouse Called Julian resources, available on the link 

I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast by Michael Holland and Phillip Giordano

Enter the incredible world of plants to learn about the green machines of the natural world. Using just the rays of the sun, trees and flowers help create everything from rubber to honey. Find out the powerful science going on in every leaf, petal and stem with vibrant illustrations that will make you look at plants in a whole new way.

From expert ecologist and educator Michael Holland, this illustrated compendium celebrates the plants in your life, from minty toothpaste to the floral names in your classroom. This comprehensive guide covers everything from the parts of a plant through to conservation, and also features DIY projects for young gardeners.

One Day on Our Blue Planet: In the Outback by Ella Bailey

If you love cute baby animals, come spend the day in the Australian outback with this adorable and bouncy kangaroo joey.

From Ella Bailey’s acclaimed series of beautiful and educational picture books comes another tale of how one young animal friend spends his day. He’s only a little kangaroo, but that doesn’t stop him being curious and learning all about life in his corner of our big blue planet.

Mrs Bibi's Elephant by Reza Dalvand

A heart-warming story with a message as big as an elephant, this fanciful tale of friendship between an eccentric lady and her beloved pet is as poignant as it is beautiful.

When the townspeople tell Mrs Bibi her pet elephant is too big for the town, she reluctantly packs her bags and heads off somewhere they can live together in happiness. But what they both leave behind is far bigger than the other people could have imagined. Delicate artwork complements messages of acceptance, tolerance and love in this moving children’s story.

Ancient Games by Avalon Nuovo and Iris Volant

Run with the Olympic athletes and sweat it out in the deadly ballgame courts of the Aztecs in this beauti- fully illustrated and informative guide to the sports and games that have entertained people for the past 2500 years.

How did the Vikings keep themselves occupied between raids? What tricks did medieval Japanese sumo wrestlers have to win their matches? With fascinating facts and detailed pictures, this book is the perfect guide to everything to do with games, from the tiniest chess pieces to the biggest sports tournaments.

ROCK THE BOAT

Monstrous Devices : Damien Love

When twelve-year-old Alex receives an old tin robot in the post, the note from his grandfather simply reads: ‘This one is special’. But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn’t take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly.

From Paris to Prague, Alex and his Grandfather flee across snowy Europe in a quest to unravel the riddle of the little robot. How does Alex’s grandfather know them? And can Alex safely harness the robot’s power, or will it fall into the wrong, wicked hands?



GUPPY BOOKS

Song Beneath the Tides by Beverley Birch publishes on 2 April 2020.

It’s a beautifully crafted book - part love story, part ghost story, part thriller – set in Africa where Beverley grew up until early adulthood in the 1950s/60s. It explores important themes for our times: the scars left upon a country by its history; the horrors of animal poaching; and the effects of uncontrolled tourism on people and places.

Ally arrives from England with her brothers to stay for a month in Africa – weeks of running wild on an unspoiled, untamed coast amid mangrove creeks, vast sandy beaches, coral reefs and warm seas. But on their first walk through the forest to the beach, Ally is swamped by a sense of an unseen presence close to her – of being spoken to. Making friends with Leli from the loval village, the young people dare each other to explore the island of Kisiri, a place of local legend, protected and feared: But fear can change things, divide people.

For further information or to request an interview with Beverley Birch please contact:

Fritha Lindqvist E: fritha@ or M: 07947 143778



SCHOLASTIC

Do You Know Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott| £6.99 | 978-0-702300-95-0

A sequel to the acclaimed Can You See by 12 year old autistic author Libby Scott and adored author Rebecca Westcott, these books follow the autistic Tally as she navigates growing up. Following Can You See Me? described as a book that should be ‘in every classroom’ the sequel Do You Know Me? Follows Tally on her first residential school trip. Everything’s out of her control, the popular girls don’t seem to be very kind…can Tally stay true to herself?

 

Shadowscent: Crown and Smoke by P M Freestone|£7.99| 978-1-407195-06-3

The ‘scentsational’ sequel to Shadowscent, featuring a fantasy world where scent and perfume are power and magic. In the sequel, war is breaking out. Rakel must turn her talents to curing the deadly Rot, and Ash needs to escape imprisonment and warn Nisai, the emperor elect, of the oncoming storm. Who will be left when the smoke clears…

 

Animal Explorers: Lola the Plant Hunter by Sharon Renta| £6.99 | 978-1-407193-65-6

ANIMAL EXPLORERS is a brand-new picture book series that will inspire all budding explorers to follow their dreams. Lola the polar bear has a passion for plants, but there aren't many flowers in the Arctic. There's only one thing for it: she'll have to trek to the Amazon jungle! It's hard work for a polar bear, but nothing holds Lola back. And there's a prize for her at the end of it, when she discovers the elusive Singing Orchid!

 

Nat Enough by Maria Scriver|£8.99 |978-0-702300-48-6

For fans of Dork Diaries and Wimpy Kid comes a funny, heartfelt graphic novel about friendship! Natalie has never felt that she's enough - athletic enough, stylish enough, or talented enough. And on the first day of middle school, Natalie discovers that things are worse than she thought: now she's not even cool enough for her best friend, Lily! As Natalie tries to get her best friend back, she learns more about her true self and natural talents. If Natalie can focus on who she is rather than who she isn't, then she just might realize she's more than enough, just the way she is.

 

Most Likely by Sarah Watson|£7.99| 978-1-407195-49-0

A captivating YA novel about the pains of growing up, growing apart and the value of friendship. Written by the creator of the hit TV show The Bold Type, Most Likely is a joyous novel about female friendship with a compelling mystery: one of the main characters is destined to become the first female president of the United States.

 

The Thirteenth Home of Noah Bradley by Amber Lee Dodd|£6.99| 978-1-407189-44-4

The Bradley family are constantly escaping from a centuries old curse which means that every home they ever live in is destroyed by a typhoon or flash flood that affects no other houses on the street, or they are chased out of town by a flock of persistent birds. They have just moved to their thirteenth house and Noah wants this one to work out – but the curse returns, and he must find a way to break it. This is a high-stakes adventure packed full of bravery and heart from the author of Lightning Chase Me Home.

 

Generation Hope by Kimberlie Hamilton|£9.99| 978-1-407199-93-1

Ready…Steady… Activate! Generation Hope is a journey around the world, introducing readers to 20 global issues and 88 young activists who are taking action to bring about positive change. This book looks at everything from climate change to children’s rights and education, with issues explained in a bitesize no-nonsense matter.



EIFRIG

YOU PICK THE PRICE: Get your eBook for free, $1.00, $3.99 or $10, if you would like to pay it forward. 

Check out our additional free resources, including storytime videos, here!

In an attempt to make books available to parents and kids stuck at home through this crisis, we are offering our ebooks with a pick-your-price system. Simply select your book and pick a price, from free to $10.00 (if you would like to support the authors who created these books, AND make it possible to donate books to others).

Should you be charged for shipping when purchasing eBooks, please use code EBOOKBONUS at checkout.

What format is best for you? Send a note with your order what format you would prefer! Find your device and recommended eBook file format below. 

PC or Mac— EPUB or PDF

Apple Device — EPUB or PDF

Amazon Kindle — PDF

Android — EPUB

Nook — EPUB

Sony and other readers — EPUB

After purchasing an eBook, you will receive an email asking what format you prefer, and it will be sent via email or dropbox (for larger files).



 

THE BIT AT THE END

Don’t forget - we always want to know what is going on in your school or authority! Send us any information you want to share – about book awards or anything else relating to YLG or Children's and Young People's Library Services. We also welcome your feedback on the newsletter – contact by email at ylg.newsletter@

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download