Books we love in December 2024
A collection of books we love that are new this month
-
Pet Selector! A Hilarious Guide to all the Usual and Unusual Household Pets
Author: Russell Kane Illustrator: Erica Salcedo
Publisher: Words & Pictures Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 9-11In this useful and amusing book, comedian Russell Kane gives prospective pet owners the low-down on the many different breeds of cats and dogs as well as reptiles, guinea pigs, hamsters and more.
-
History’s Most Epic Fibs!
Author: Athena Kugblenu Illustrator: Nicole Miles
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
A useful and fun guide to fake news and incorrect history, keeping the tone light while investigating some serious subjects.
-
Who Ate the Little Bug?
Author: Hector Dexet
Publisher: Post Wave Children's Books
Interest age: 2-3
Who ate the little bug? The blue fish? The black bird? Learn colours and animals as you turn the pages of this irresistible board book.
-
Bindi Babes
Author: Narinder Dhami
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Jazz, Gina and Amber are cool, funny and popular and, because Dad is never around, they can stay up watching inappropriate TV and ordering takeaways. They have everything they could possibly want except the one thing they never speak about: Mum.
-
Lights Up
Author: Lisette Auton Illustrator: Valentina Toro
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11A magical story told across three different centuries, aboutfriendship, loss, ghosts – and lots of spiders.
-
Jakub’s Otter
Author: Coral Rumble
Publisher: Troika
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 9-11Jakub usually looks after his mum – and now he’s caring for an injured otter. A gentle, compelling read.
-
Murder at Wintertide
Author: Fleur Hitchcock
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This glorious, gripping whodunnit is as immersive as the deep snow that provides the backdrop to the story and incorporates a realistic portrayal of a blended family.
-
All Aboard the Bedtime Bus
Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Tim Budgen
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 2-3
A cosy bedtime book with a rhyming text, perfect for helping with the bedtime routine.
-
Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch
Author: Barbara Cuoghi Translator: Genni Gunn Illustrator: Elenia Beretta
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Interest age: 5-7
This brilliantly creative book takes the form of letter addressed to the children of the world from Befana, a winter witch from Italian folklore who delivers presents (or coal) to children on the 6th of January.
-
Jack-Jack: How to Train Your Human
Author: Ben Garrod Illustrator: Charli Vince
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+This amusing illustrated chapter book provides a dog’s-eye view of the ups and downs of living with humans and confirms that canines are definitely in charge!
-
Beat This Book
Author: Howard Calvert Illustrator: Gemma Correll
Publisher: Happy Yak
Interest age: 6-8
Funny and silly, this is a book that will entertain children for a good amount of time. With over 40 ridiculous challenges!
-
Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos
Author: Donncha O’Callaghan with Karen Owen Illustrator: Jenny Taylor
Publisher: Eriu
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Mum goes to America for a week, leaving Dad in charge of Finn, Emma and Carl the dog. What could possibly go wrong? This hilarious, illustrated chapter book is full of mayhem and fun.
-
Leon: Worst Friends Forever
Author: Jamar Nicholas and Bonaia Rosado
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Leon is the school superhero! Or so he thinks. An action-packed graphic novel.
-
The Ultimate Guide to Money
Author: Emmanuel Asuquo Illustrator: Selom Sunu
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
A fabulous introduction to managing money for young people, providing fun and interactive education around finances and investment.
-
Hamza’s Wild World
Author: Hamza Yassin Illustrator: Louise Forshaw
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An incredibly engaging collection of amazing animal facts, from naturalist and cameraman Hamza Yassin.
-
Damien Ike and the Fallen House of Draven
Author: Dee Benson & David Arlo
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 11+
15-year-old Damien is desperate for his Mage powers to emerge– but when he uses a forbidden spell to awaken them, he discovers a host of secrets that threaten his entire world. A thrilling dystopian fantasy.
-
On the Wall
Author: Anne Fine
Publisher: Old Barn Books
Interest age: 11-13
Reading age: 10+A story about a year 7 class centring on a boy who is always content and calm which totally perplexes his teachers. Full of groundbreaking philosophical ideas.
-
The Muttcracker
Author: Anna Kemp Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 4-5
Will Biff the ballerina dog be the Sugar Plum Fairy – or have to settle for a less starry part? A joyous tale of friendship and positivity.
-
The Beaver Who Saved Christmas
Author: Will Millard Illustrator: Jo Lindley
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 7+Elin and her grandad must save a family of beavers after their habitat is filled with plastic and rubbish.A heartwarming story which includes lots of information and an activity inspiration.
-
Black Gables
Author: Eibhlís Carcione
Publisher: Everything with Words Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This eerie mystery has all the tropes of a classic gothic ghost story with an underlying sense of threat and claustrophobia to make readers uneasy.
-
Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It?
Author: Sarah Ziman
Publisher: Troika
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+This witty and captivating debut poetry collection showcases the work of an exciting new voice in children’s literature. The beautifullycrafted poems offer insightful observations on everyday life and are sure to resonate with readers young and old.
-
The Last Boy
Author: Eve McDonnell
Publisher: Everything with Words Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An extraordinary story based on the horror of child exploitation in Victorian times, but crammed with positivity, determination, hope and edge-of-seat drama. Anyone lucky enough to read it will not forget it for a very long time.
-
Tiger, It’s Snowing!
Author: Daishu Ma
Publisher: Post Wave Publishing
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 3-6Tiger has never seen snow before and is excited to go out and play. But Mei isn’t sure… at first. A funny and charming story about adventure and friendship.
-
A Dragon Called Spark
Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 4-5
Eva has moved house and she doesn’t know anyone. Luckily, she has her own dragon, Spark, who usually cheers her up, but even he feels a bit flat.
This year, Hanukkah will be quiet. But Eva’s mum points out that Hanukkah is also the season for miracles, and when they meet the neighbours, Eva and Spark start to make friends with Charlie. Small steps are made…
-
There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question
Author: Mike Rampton Illustrator: Guilherme Karsten
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+An engaging, illustrated non-fiction book which answers 213 unusual questions about a range of subjects with accessible, humorous and informative explanations. No question is too silly!
-
Easier Classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Author: L Frank Baum Illustrator: Archina Laezza
Publisher: Every Cherry
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 6-8During a storm, Dorothy is carried far away to the Land of Oz, where she meets some unusual new friends and seeks the help of a Wizard to guide her home. This simplified retelling of a classic tale is designed to be accessible to people with a range of learning disabilities and difficulties.
-
Play Pals: To the Rescue
Author: Sam Lloyd
Publisher: Ladybird Books
Interest age: 4-5
Help the firefighter, paramedic, lifeguard and helicopter pilot in this interactive lift the flap book. This would be perfect for sharing with toddlers.
-
The Search for Carmella
Author: Chloe Savage
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Marine biologist Dr Rose takes a submersible craft down into the deep ocean to search for a legendary beast. Will they find her?
-
The World to Come
Author: Robert Macfarlane & Johnny Flynn Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Publisher: Magic Cat
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 7+Based on meditative walks that Johnny Flynn took with his son during lockdown, this lyrical book explores nature and evokes a sense of hope as its characters muse on the promise of a world to come.
-
Our World: Pakistan
Author: Rumaisa Bilal Illustrator: Nez Riaz
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 2-3In this charming board book, a little girl takes the reader through her daily routine at home with her family in Pakistan.
-
Impossible Things
Author: Dan Schreiber
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Learn about an array of impossible things, from ghosts and aliens to psychic spies and time travel. Attractively designed with hilarious illustrations, this entertaining and informative chapter book will inspire readers to change the way they view the world.