Why the Face? by Jean Jullien
HB £9.95 published by Phaidon
AGE PRE-SCHOOL +
A hilarious guessing game of facial reactions, and overreactions based on young children’s natural fascination with faces. Readers are first presented with an exaggerated facial expression and asked to guess what could have prompted the hilarious reaction. The dramatic answer is then revealed with the opening of a flap adding intrigue and suspense to each situation. Why does this girl have a scrunched up face and fingers in her ears? Open the gatefold to reveal a rock band blaring music!
Once Upon A Wild Wood by Chris Riddell
HB £12.99 published by Macmillan
AGE PRE-SCHOOL +
Turning classic fairytales on their heads, Chris Riddell’s richly imagined story is a stunning visual feast, illustrated with warmth and humour and full of witty details to discover. The story follows Little Green Raincape as she is on her way to Rapunzel’s party, deep in the wild woods. The way is long and dark, but Green is a smart girl. Smart enough to turn down apples offered by kind old ladies, smart enough to turn down travel advice from helpful wolves, and above all, smart enough to solve a wealth of classic fairytale problems – not least mend a lovelorn beast’s broken heart.
A History of Pictures for Children by David Hockney & Martin Gayford
HB £14.95 published by Thames & Hudson
AGE 5+
Readers will be taken on a journey through art history, from early art drawn on cave walls to the images we make today on our computers and phone cameras. Based on the bestselling book for adults, this children’s edition of A History of Pictures is told through conversations between the artist David Hockney and the author Martin Gayford, who talk about art with inspiring simplicity and clarity. Rose Blake’s illustrations illuminate the narratives of both authors to bring the history of art alive for a young audience.
First Prize for the Worst Witch by Jill Murphy
HB £9.99 published by Puffin
AGE 7+
Hold on to your broomsticks – Mildred Hubble is back for another disastrous adventure in the final book of the phenomenal Worst Witch series! Accident-prone Mildred is the Worst Witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy. She’s always getting her spells wrong and landing herself in trouble. But Mildred is in the last term of Forth Year and determined to prove that she’s not as useless as everyone thinks – could it be First Prize for the worst witch after all?
Head Kid by David Baddiel
HB £12.99 published by Harper Collins Children’s Books
AGE 8+
A wildly entertaining wish-fulfilment adventure that asks the question – what would happen if the strictest Head Teacher swapped bodies with the naughtiest kid in school? Ryan Ward is the maestro of practical jokes and has played so many tricks that in the end the Head Teacher just walks out. And then the new Head Teacher, Mr Carter, arrives. A man so strict, even the other teachers are scared of him. So imagine his surprise – and Ryan’s – when they swap bodies. Now Ryan is Head Teacher – and his mortal enemy is one of his pupils. It’s every naughty kid’s dream!
The Cradle of all Worlds: The Jane Doe Chronicles by Jeremy Lachlan
PB £6.99 published by Egmont
AGE 9+
A heart-pounding, spellbinding middle grade adventure. Fourteen years ago, Jane Doe and her father arrived on the steps of the Manor – the entrance to a dangerous labyrinth connecting the island of Bluehaven to many other worlds. That was the same night the earthquakes started, and Jane and her silent, troubled father, John have been feared and despised ever since. When the strongest quake yet strikes and John disappears back into the Manor, Jane embarks on a perilous adventure to find her father and save her world – perhaps all worlds – from destruction.