New and recommended books for children.

Picture Books

The Book Tree. Paul Czajak
When the town’s mayor bans books Arlo becomes very sad. He starts to write his own stories but no one wants to listen. Then one day he finds a miracle: a buried page has started to sprout into a book tree. Arlo becomes a book gardener and the hobby catches on until even the mayor becomes interested in reading and finds a new appreciation for all the wonders that books can offer.

Magnus and the Night Lion.  Sanne Dufft
Magnus has a lovely hat and sword that help him feel brave and strong.  However, one night he dreams that there is a Shadowman trying to steal from him.  Magnus becomes very scared. When his grandmother gives him a toy lion he is confused because it isn’t his birthday. That night as Magnus dreams, his toy comes to life and grows into a big lion that helps him banish the Shadowman from his nights forever.

Fiction 7-9

Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief. Laura Ellen Anderson
Amelia is a young vampire. She is very excited to be organising a party for her birthnight anniversary and has invited all her friends and family to help her celebrate. The trouble is that no one can remember anything and they have even forgotten who she is. Worried about her party being a failure Amelia tries to get to the bottom of this mystery. This book begins with a great map and is full of fun illustrations.

Space Ace.  Eric Brown
Billy’s grandfather used to be an astronaut and now spends his days tinkering with old spaceships. When Billy is invited to join him on a test flight he doesn’t tell his mother where he is going because he has been forbidden to go on any old spaceships. When the controls fail the spaceship leaves earth and heads for the sun!   Will Billy and his grandfather return to earth and live to tell the tale?   This exciting story is set in the future. It is full of illustrations and will appeal to young readers.

Fiction 10+

Sky Chasers.  Emma Carroll
Magpie has been sleeping rough and stealing for survival ever since she can remember. When she comes across a mysterious contraption and accidentally finds herself flying high over London, life takes on a whole new meaning for this young orphan. This is a story with all the right ingredients to entertain from start to finish. It is set in 18th century England, has a main character with gumption and an intriguing plot. Highly recommended.

The Chosen Ones.   Scarlett Thomas
This is a tale full of evil adults, vanishing children, magical powers and witches. After being unfairly expelled from magic school for not giving up her magic ring Effie finds herself in extreme danger. Can her friends help her and will her magical powers be enough to save her? This story follows on from the first in the Worldquake series, Dragon’s Green.