This week's children and teenagers roundup brings together an exciting collection of new picture books and novels, offering stories that range from caring canines and daring donuts to golden monkeys and boys from other planets. There is even a dark reimagining of a classic novel for young adult readers. Each book provides unique adventures, emotional depth, and imaginative worlds designed to captivate young minds.
The Good Deed Dogs by Emma Chichester Clark
Published by Walker and priced at £12.99, The Good Deed Dogs is an exuberantly charming picture book that follows three very good dogs whose attempts to help others keep backfiring with chaotic consequences. Their persistence pays off when they successfully pull off a kitten rescue, delivering a heartwarming message about perseverance and kindness. The vibrant illustrations and playful narrative make it a delightful read for young children.
Auntie's Bangles by Dean Atta and Alea Marley
Orchard Books presents this sweet and poignant picture book priced at £12.99. Auntie's Bangles explores themes of loss, joy, and remembrance as Theo and Rama miss their Auntie, especially the jingle of her jewellery. Eventually, they find comfort by putting on her bangles and dancing to celebrate her memory. The story sensitively addresses grief while highlighting the importance of cherishing happy memories.
Grandad's World by Michael Foreman
Scholastic offers this absorbing picture book for £12.99, filled with soft blues and greens that capture the fascination of the natural world. Jack loves spending time with his grandad, watching wildlife in the woods and around the village pond. When rubbish pollutes the water, Jack and Grandad take action to put things right, promoting environmental awareness and intergenerational bonding in a gentle, engaging way.
Jake in the Middle by Michael Catchpool
Illustrated by Shanarama and published by Otter-Barry for £8.99, this engaging chapter book is perfect for newly independent readers aged 5 and up. Jake lives with his bossy older sister and shoe-stealing baby brother at No 3 Maple Street, enjoying child-friendly adventures like a trip to the city farm with his grandpa or setting up a school museum. The relatable scenarios and charming illustrations make it an accessible and enjoyable read.
Postman Planet by Ben Davis
Gallery Kids brings this laugh-out-loud, highly illustrated interstellar caper for readers aged 6 and up, priced at £7.99. Postman Planet pretends to be the best postman in the universe, but despite his moustache, he's only nine years old. With his new part-robot dog assistant, he must make an urgent helium delivery to the Planet of Fluffy Unicorns while dodging Space Vikings who want to steal their cargo. Written by a real-life postman, the story combines humour and adventure in a space-themed setting.
Donut Squad 2: Make a Mess! by Neill Cameron
DFB publishes this rip-roaring graphic novel sequel for ages 7 and up, priced at £9.99. As Anxiety Donut goes on a mindfulness retreat and Dadnut teaches Li'l Timmy the meaning of life, everyone's favourite glazed pastry treats return. However, the aggressively savoury Bagel Battalion plans to banish them from their own book. This sequel is just as funny, silly, clever, and addictive as the first volume, offering a playful take on friendship and conflict.
The Golden Monkey Mystery by Piu DasGupta
Nosy Crow presents this full-tilt, thrilling historical adventure for readers aged 8 and up, priced at £7.99. Aspiring doctor Roma discovers a golden monkey near her Indian boarding school, far from its home in Assam. Despite challenges like two English children tagging along, bandits on her tail, and the malign influence of a cursed jewel called the Snakestone, Roma is determined to return the monkey to where it belongs. The story blends mystery, history, and adventure in an engaging narrative.
The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
Andersen offers this imaginative, humorous coming-of-age sci-fi story for ages 9 and up, priced at £7.99. Eleven-year-old Nathan has always known he's from another planet, part of a long-running Earth-based experiment that seems to be ending. As Nathan's peers start disappearing and his family is called back to the Mothership, he begins to question everything he's believed to be true. Written by an award-winning author, the book explores identity and belonging in a creative, thought-provoking way.
The Monsters at the End of the World by Rebecca Orwin
Illustrated by Oriol Vidal and published by Puffin for £8.99, this gripping post-apocalyptic debut for ages 9 and up emphasises empathy and curiosity. Everyone knows the monsters infesting the sea near Sunny's tiny town are violent and terrifying—until Sunny meets one and discovers that common knowledge is wrong. When Seawaren's elders won't listen, Sunny uncovers a monstrous secret in the town, highlighting themes of truth and understanding in tough times.
The Night I Borrowed Time by Iqbal Hussain
Puffin brings this funny, touching, thought-provoking story for ages 10 and up, priced at £8.99. Zubair, a seventh son, discovers he can time-travel after his granny gives him a strange amulet. When he attempts to fix his parents' marriage, Zubair finds that meddling with the past presents many pitfalls. Richly imagined and deeply inventive, the book explores family dynamics and the consequences of altering history.
Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey and published by Orion for £9.99, this hauntingly powerful graphic novel adaptation tells the story of 12-year-old Black boy Jerome, shot dead by a police officer while playing with a toy gun. His ghost meets the spirit of Emmett Till in the afterlife, with chapters alternating between Dead and Alive. This moving and enraging version of the original novel addresses social issues through a compelling visual narrative.
Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet
Scholastic offers this compulsive, sometimes gory reimagining of Little Women as a modern YA thriller, priced at £8.99. Told from all four sisters' perspectives, the story explores what would happen if one of the March girls was murdered. This dark take on a classic novel provides a gripping and suspenseful read for young adult audiences, blending familiar characters with thrilling new twists.
Arcana: The Lost Heirs by Sam Prentice-Jones
Hot Key publishes this whimsical, inclusive, queer debut YA graphic novel for £14.99, inspired by the tarot deck. Eli doesn't know other witches exist until he meets the gorgeous James and is inducted into the Arcana, a magic society ruled by the mysterious Majors. When Eli and his newfound family are threatened by a curse rooted in the Arcana's history, they must face secrets of the past to break free. The story combines magic, diversity, and adventure in an engaging format.
Queen of Faces by Petra Lord
HarperFire presents this hugely ambitious, wholly riveting fantasy debut for ages 14 and up, priced at £16.99. In Caimor, the rich can pay to change their ailing, ageing bodies, but 17-year-old Ana is trapped in a dying male form that will kill her if she doesn't trade it for a better one. Her last hope is to become an assassin for Caimor's elite school of magic. As dark mage Khaiovhe incites a rebellion, Ana's missions become more dangerous, forcing her to re-evaluate loyalties and beliefs in a complex, immersive world.
