Books We Love in November 2022

Dadaji’s Paintbrush

Author: Rashmi Sirdeshpande Illustrator: Ruchi Mhasane
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-5

A beautifully tender story about love, art and death, set in India.

Mae bachgen yn byw mewn pentref bach yn yr India gyda'i dadaji (taid). Maen nhw'n gwneud popeth gyda'i gilydd – o werthu ffrwythau yn y farchnad i hwylio cychod papur. Ond yn fwy na dim, maen nhw wrth eu boddau'n paentio gyda'i gilydd.

Pick a Story: A pirate + alien + jungle adventure

Author: Sarah Coyle Illustrator: Adam Walker-Parker
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 4-5

Vincent has lost his dog Trouble at the park and he needs YOUR help. With twists and turns and hilarious characters, Trouble’s fate is completely in your hands. Bringing the fun of choose-your-own-adventure stories to the world of picture books, this energetic interactive book sets up three alternative tales based around pirates, aliens and the jungle.

Mae …

My Mum is a Spy!

Author: Andy McNab & Jess French Illustrator: Nathan Reed
Publisher: Welbeck Flame
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Can Idris and Lucía help find the zoo’s missing pangolins? A fun spy adventure with themes of conservation and endangered species.

I’m the Bin Lorry Driver

Author: David Semple
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+

Hop aboard the bin lorry and follow a day in the life of a bin lorry driver! A picture book full of prompts and action to engage early learners.

The Amazing Edie Eckhart: The Big Trip

Author: Rosie Jones Illustrator: Natalie Smillie
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

This is book two of the Edie Eckhart series, and our heroine Edie has now been at secondary school for one term. After her starring role as Scrooge in the Christmas play she should be feeling great about drama, but she is starting to feel a bit unsure about herself. She’s not sure if she’s definitely gay and whether she can call herself Flora’s girlfriend, t…

Adam Wins The Internet

Author: Adam B Illustrator: James Lancett
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 8+

When lonely kid Adam meets an AI on the internet that promises to make him a famous YouTuber, all his dreams start to come true! But there are some things that money can't buy, and as Adam's popularity skyrockets out of control he must remember what's truly important...

Everything Changes

Author: Clare Helen Walsh Illustrator: Åsa Gilland
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

A sensitive and compassionately written picture book addressing the difficult emotions children can feel when parents split up.

The Unexpected Tale of the Bad Brothers

Author: Clare Povey
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

A madcap race around 1920s Paris to collect clues and ultimately bring down some truly despicable baddies.

Girlhood Unfiltered

Author: Ebinehita Iyere and Milk Honey Bees
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 12+

Twenty Black teenage girls reflect on girlhood and its joys and challenges. A powerful and important collection that amplifies the often-unheard voices of Black girls.

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy

Author: Sufiya Ahmed
Publisher: Bloomsbury Education
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

In war-torn France, who can Rosie trust? A pacy novel starring a brave Anglo-India heroine.

Friends are Amazing

Author: Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi Illustrator: Erica Salcedo
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 4-5

This cheerful, vibrant picture book is a joyful celebration of friendship, exploring why friends are important and identifying some key qualities which make a truly great friend.

Stupendous Sports: Fantastic Football

Author: Robin Bennett Illustrator: Matt Cherry
Publisher: Firefly Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

Stupendous Sports: Fantastic Football begins with the origins of football in China more than 2000 years ago, followed by its existence later in England as “foteballe” – a rough, violent game which could feature hundreds of players, with goals miles apart and with so much fighting that King Edward II banned it in 1314.

My Rhinoceros

Author: Jon Agee
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 4-5

Initially disappointed that his pet rhinoceros isn’t very dynamic, a young boy is astounded when the animal reveals some remarkable hidden talents and saves the day in this quirky, humorous picture book.

The Day No One Woke Up

Author: Polly Ho-Yen
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11

A tense and intriguing sci-fi mystery that’s creepy and unnerving with one or two genuinely spine-tingling moments.

Little People, Big Dreams: Wilma Mankiller

Author: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara Illustrator: Alexandra Bowman
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+

This is the story of the incredible life of Wilma Mankiller, the first female leader of the Cherokee Nation and dedicated activist and eco-warrior. This brightly illustrated picture book is sure to be read and re-read for years to come.

The World of Peter Rabbit: Hide and Seek!

Author: Rachel Bright Illustrator: Nicola Kinnear
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4-5

Everyone’s favourite rabbit in a blue jacket is back – and this time, he’s using all of his ingenuity to outwit his old enemy, Mr Tod the fox.

Alice Éclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble

Author: Sarah Todd Taylor
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

By day, 13-year-old Alice Éclair is a skilled baker, but by night, she is a spy. In this thrilling adventure, set in 1930s France, she must combine her skills as she embarks on a dangerous mission aboard a luxury steam train.

Martha Maps it Out

Author: Leigh Hodgkinson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+

Martha loves making maps! In this charming and original picture book, follow Martha as she takes you on a tour of her world and shares her hopes and dreams for the future.

Gan gyfuno labeli ffeithiol â manylion difyr yn benodol i sefyllfa Martha ei hun, mae hwn yn llyfr sy'n cynnig dysgu heb fod yn drwm a neges bositif am freuddwydio'n fawr.

The Curse of the Tomb Robbers

Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: James Weston Lewis
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

This clever picture book aimed at older primary readers combines an adventure story with a series of hieroglyph codes to crack, with a comprehensive fold-out guide to hieroglyph meanings and letters at the back of the book.

Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One

Author: Maggie Horne
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+

Hazel attempts to make friends for the first time, and to challenge the behaviour of a boy in her class. An inspiring read.

When You Joined Our Family

Author: Harriet Evans Illustrator: Nia Tudor
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5

A heart-warming exploration of the adoption journey full of beautiful, inclusive illustrations.

The Extincts

Author: Veronica Cossanteli
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 8+

George loves helping out at Wormestall Farm, a secret sanctuary for exinct and mythical beasts, where unlikely things are always happening.

Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective

Author: Iona Rangeley Illustrator: David Tazzyman
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

When penguins Einstein and Isaac are kidnapped while filming a fishfinger advert, siblings Imogen and Arthur turn detective to track them down.

You Don’t Know What War Is: the diary of a young girl from Ukraine

Author: Yeva Skalietska Translator: Cindy Joseph-Pearson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Twelve-year-old Yeva’s diary from the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian war, showing how war affects ordinary people.

An Unexpected Thing

Author: Ashling Lindsay
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-5

Fred is afraid of lots of things: menacing shadows, things that may or may not lurk under the bed, and especially unexpected things. So, when a black disc appears in the sky, Fred is instantly afraid of it.

SuperJoe does NOT say sorry

Author: Michael Catchpool Illustrator: Emma Proctor
Publisher: Lantana
Interest age: 4-5

SuperJoe thinks he has no time to say sorry to his family for the mess he’s made. But what happens when he wakes up his baby sister? A super read!

Time Travel at Puddle Lane

Author: Emma Shevah Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Publisher: Bloomsbury Education
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Siblings Ariella and Yosef are transported back in time to Georgian London, where they must save the life of a young girl before they are able to return home.

Zeki Rise and Shine

Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Ruth Hearson
Publisher: Alanna Max
Interest age: 2-3

Rise and shine, it’s time to wake up for little Zeki. Follow little Zeki as he gets ready with Mummy and Daddy for a morning of fun and adventure.

Our Tower

Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Richard Johnson
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-5

Three children find the magic in their tower block – showing that nature and adventure is for everyone. A beautifully illustrated, lyrically told story.

Wedi'i ysgrifennu mewn sigl odledig telynegol, mae hwn yn ddathliad o bawb sy'n byw mewn blociau o fflatiau ac ar stadau.