Books we love in November 2024

My First Lift-the-Flap Fairy Tales

Author: Ingela P Arrhenius
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 2-3

Join Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, and other classic fairy tale characters in this charming, large-format board book. Lift the flaps as you read the stories. 

Open Wide! Jaw-Dropping Mouths of the Animal World

Author: Dr Letizia Diamante Illustrator: Ed J. Brown
Publisher: What on Earth! Books
Interest age: 6-8

A fascinating guide to all things toothy in this original take on the animal nonfiction book, allowing readers to get an insight into a variety of animals and their habits.

Relic Hamilton

Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Hyun Song We
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

When history obsessed 12-year-old Relic Hamilton accidentally unleashes an evil genie, he is whisked away on a time travelling, action-filledadventure to hunt it down alongside a secret society of tech-savvy genie hunters. 

The Café at the Edge of the Woods

Author: Mikey Please
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 5-6

Rene opens a café, but her only customer is an ogre! By disguising her food as disgusting bats and battered mice, she becomes a hit with the locals. A brilliantly illustrated, hilarious picture book.  

Time for Us

Author: Rebecca Walker Illustrator: María Díaz Perera
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 5-7

Jackson wants nothing more than to play with Mama, but she’s busy working in her office. Soon they will have their special time together, but until then, Jackson must try and be patient and find ways to entertain himself. A charming picture book that reinforces the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.

Black Girl Power: 15 stories celebrating Black girlhood

Author: Various Editor: Leah Johnson
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A joyful anthology of 15 short stories celebrating Black girls that any reader would enjoy.  

AdelAIDE

Author: Melinda Salisbury
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Asking interesting questions about where protest ends and criminality begins, this is a thought-provoking, gripping and hugely relevant cautionary tale about the power of AI and the desire to have an influential online presence. 

We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord

Author: Garth Nix
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

When an ominous, telepathic globe begins to exert mind-control over Kim’s younger sister Eila, he and his Dungeons and Dragons friends must step in to save their town from annihilation. 

Anya’s Quest

Author: Jasbinder Bilan Illustrator: Jane Ray
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 7-11

In the wintery Himalayas, Anya and Mahi are swept away by the goddess Ganga on a journey to reconnect with their spirit animals and to spread a song of natural healing across the world. 

Presto! Magical Recovery Co.

Author: Rutendo Dione
Publisher: Sweet Cherry
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Amber is plunged into the world of fairy tales and has to use her coding skills to save the day.  

Bothered by Bugs

Author: Emily Gravett
Publisher: Two Hoots
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 6-8

When Pete the Badger and his woodland friends clear the forest of bugs, they are surprised to discover what a disastrous impact it has on the ecosystem. A superb picture book with witty, rhyming text and exquisitelydetailed illustrations. 

Five Little Dinosaurs

Author: Mike Brownlow Illustrator: Simon Rickerty
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 2-3

Join five hungry dinosaurs as they search for yummy food to eat. Help them by lifting the soft, felt flaps to find the food. A sweet rhyming counting adventure. 

Maya & Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up

Author: Laura Henry-Allain MBE Illustrator: Yabaewah Scott
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4-5

This sweet picture book about keeping our environment neat and well-tended is a lovely book with a great message about the power of communities to band together and get things done.

Fia and the Last Snow Deer

Author: Eilish Fisher Illustrator: Dermot Flynn
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 9-11

Set in prehistoric Ireland during an endless winter, Fia and her snow deer set out on a perilous adventure to find the Deer Mother and bring warmth and hope back to her people.

Dance Just Like So!

Author: Annemarie Anang Illustrator: Natelle Quek
Publisher: Five Quills
Interest age: 4-5

Astrophysics for Supervillains: A Gruesome Guide to Conquering the Universe for Supervillains in Training

Author: Dr Matthew Bothwell Illustrator: Nathan Reed
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 9-11

A fun and jokey guide to astrophysics, focused on some of the more sensational elements of space.

The Girl at the Front of the Class

Author: Onjali Q Raúf Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 5+

A boy wonders why his new classmate won’t join in and looks so sad, then discovers she has had to flee her home and everything she knows. A gorgeously illustrated book celebrating being welcoming and kind. 

Popcorn

Author: Rob Harrell
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Using humour to make serious issues accessible, this is a funny, warm-hearted yet informative snapshot of life with OCD and is peppered with spot art and comic panels, which depict the reality of extreme anxiety with honesty and wit.     

Miss Cat

Author: Jean-Luc Fromental Illustrator: Joëlle Jolivet
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+

Follow the exploits of the cool, hooded detective Miss Cat as she unravels the case of the curious canary in this brilliantly quirky and humorous graphic novel. 

Super Ocean Weekend: The Ultimate Underwater Adventure

Author: Gaëlle Alméras
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Interest age: 9-11

This unusual guide to all things oceanic follows four cartoon characters as they navigate different underwater environments, ask questions and talk to the reader about all their amazing discoveries.

Torla & Smorla and the Lower than Average Cloud

Author: Kes Gray Illustrator: Chris Jevons
Publisher: Happy Yak
Interest age: 4-5

When giraffes Torla and Smorla go for a walk, Torla can’t see, as her head is stuck in a cloud, so Smorla guides her around the various obstacles they encounter on their journey. A delightfully funny picture book about trust and friendship. 

Someone’s Been Messing with Reality

Author: John Hearne
Publisher: Little Island
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Martin thinks he might be an alien – and now he has to save the entire human race! Fast-paced and fresh, this is a funny, thrilling adventure. 

Maisie vs Antarctica

Author: Jack Jackman
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

With plenty of fun, jeopardy and an underlying hint of something supernatural, Maisie’s icy exploits in Antarctica make for a great father/daughter adventure story. 

The Horne Section: Make Some Noise

Author: Alex Horne Illustrator: Rob Flowers
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

This bumper guide to all things musical is packed full of weird, wonderful and fascinating music-related information. The chatty style, abundance of jokes and black-and-white illustrations make the book accessible to a range of readers.  

Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Beach Ball Bedlam

Author: Dan Abdo & Jason Patterson
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

We Can! - Make a Difference

Author: Alexandra Strick Illustrator: Steve Antony
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 5+

An inclusive picture book about 15 children who are planning a We Can festival, written with real children.