Books we love in April 2022

A Bear’s Guide to Beekeeping

Author: Pip Cornell Illustrator: Alex G Griffiths
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-5

This entertaining picture book is a step-by-step guide for any bear who wants to become a successful beekeeper. Attractive, colourful artwork depicting Bear’s mishaps is full of witty detail.

Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret

Author: Annabelle Sami Illustrator: Daniela Sosa
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+

This is a classic detective adventure with a very up-to-date attitude, which children will love for all the same reasons their parents loved the Famous Five and Nancy Drew, but which also provides positive role models and a realistic picture of today’s society.

Bad Food: Game of Scones

Author: Eric Luper Illustrator: Joe Whale
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

With pitched battles between hordes of cleaning supplies, killer library books and the contents of a giant fridge, it’s easy to get swept up in the action in this utterly bonkers, illustrated chapter book that’s written in the style of an epic war movie.

Beyond Belief: The Science of the Future

Author: Alex Woolf Illustrator: Jasmine Floyd
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+

Featuring chapters about space colonies, time travel, super-intelligent machines, invisibility, superhumans, nanotechnology, cloning, nuclear fusion and much more, this brilliant book is seriously inspiring – and a great source for parents and teachers of curious kids.

Bright Brown Baby: Peek-a-You!

Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney Illustrator: Brian Pinkney
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 0-1

Babies love playing peek-a-boo, and this book guides parents and little ones in a fun game of hiding and peeking. Adding in extra activities such as "stomp", "shout" and "sing", and illustrations that show toddlers playing peekaboo with adults too, this short book is full of ideas for play.

Dread Wood

Author: Jennifer Killick
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+

As the fear and dread build up in this tense thriller, a group of misfits is forced to work as a team to defeat the most terrifying of hidden attackers. Not for the faint-hearted, this edge-of-seat horror is hard to put down, with many chapters ending on a cliff-hanger.

Eyes that Speak to the Stars

Author: Joanna Ho Illustrator: Dung Ho
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 4-8

Eyes That Speaks to the Stars is a story about a little boy who learns to love his eyes through the love of the men in his family. An empowering read for Asian children in particular, but also a lovely celebration of family, fathers and grandfathers.

Goddess: 50 Goddesses, Spirits, Saints and Other Female Figures Who Have Shaped Belief

Author: Dr Janina Ramirez Illustrator: Sarah Walsh
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+

Goddesses, spirits, saints and other female figures in world religions, faiths and practices are a fascinating and empowering subject to learn about. In Dr Ramirez’s brilliant book, 9-12 year-olds will be fascinated to learn about 50 key figures from around the world.

Grumpy Cat

Author: Britta Teckentrup
Publisher: Boxer Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+

Cat eats, sleeps and spends his days alone. The other cats think he is grumpy, but really he is just lonely. But then Kitten turns up and everything changes.

Hello, Star

Author: Stephanie V W Lucianovic Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Hello, Star captures something of the magic and mystery of space, and a sense of how all of us are connected: even a giant blue supernova and a small girl. A truly lovely and moving book.

How to Say Hello

Author: Sophie Beer
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 0-3

From a high five to a fist bump, from a wave to a kiss, there are so many wonderful ways to say hello. A joyous and easy-to-follow read for babies and toddlers, which explores communication and consent in a fun, vibrant and inclusive way.

In the Pond

Author: Will Millard and Rachel Qiuqi
Publisher: Magic Cat
Interest age: 1-3

Uncover five nature stories in a single pond. Watch a tadpole grow into a frog and a fish escape a kingfisher, as you lift the double-layer lift flaps in 1... 2... 3 steps! With soft and dreamy illustrations, this book will make you want to go on a sunny-day adventure to a pond to celebrate all the wonderful wildlife.

John Agard’s Windrush Child

Author: John Agard Illustrator: Sophie Bass
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 4+

In this bold and vibrant picture book, John Agard’s touching poem Windrush
Child is brought to life for young readers.

Like a Charm

Author: Elle McNicoll
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 10+

Readers of all ages will fall in love with this neurodivergent, beret-rocking protagonist. Thankfully, the promise of a sequel suggests that they can be reunited with her soon.

Luma and the Pet Dragon

Author: Leah Mohammed Illustrator: Loretta Schauer
Publisher: Welbeck Flame
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

This book is the first in a series and contains two short stories about Luma and the talking baby dragon Timir. Their magical adventures are accompanied by amusing black-and-white illustrations, which bring the characters to life. Full of mischief and mayhem.

Monster Max and the Marmalade Ghost

Author: Robin Bennett Illustrator: Tom Tinn-Disbury
Publisher: Firefly
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7+

Plenty of epic, slapstick battles, spooky, icky, sticky ghostliness, bum jokes and fun are the background to an evolving friendship that doesn’t always go smoothly and a backstory that is starting to get very dark. The second adventure in the series.

Monster! Hungry! Phone!

Author: Sean Taylor Illustrator: Fred Benaglia
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 2-5

Brilliantly funny and full of silly catchphrases that kids will be repeating for days after listening, Monster! Hungry! Phone! is a straightforward, funny book with a simple idea at its core – trying to get something and failing - and a chaotic but loveable monster.

Pop and Peek Babies

Author: Mel Matthews
Publisher: Templar Books
Interest age: 0-3

Featuring five animal families, each double-page spread in this charming board book features a full-page flap to pull up opposite a picture of the parent animals. Each flap reveals a pop-up baby animal underneath. A lovely board book with a bright cover, which little ones will enjoy again and again.

Rigatoni the Pasta Cat

Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Rigatoni the cat adores pasta and even has a special pasta called "miaow". One day, Rigatoni ihas no choice but to leave the comfort of his home to venture outside and get his pasta-fix. This amusing chapter book by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen is an engaging read.

Sing a Song of Kindness

Author: Becky Davies Illustrator: Ciara Ni Dhuinn
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 0-5

Rediscover your favourite nursery rhymes, adapted to celebrate kindness, friendship and compassion. This gorgeous board book is beautifully illustrated by Ciara Ni Dhuinn, and every page could be put in a frame and hung on a nursery wall.

Swift and Hawk: Cyberspies

Author: Logan Macx
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+

A futuristic, middle-grade page-turner with wide appeal. Packed with mind-boggling gadgets and superhuman hacking skills, this tense spy thriller is pure escapism.

The Button Book

Author: Sally Nicholls Illustrator: Bethan Woollvin
Publisher: Andersen Press

This creative picture book invites children to press a series of buttons – drawn onto the pages and powered by the reader's imagination! – to reveal different sounds or actions. Lots of early learning experiences are packed into this imaginative tale, which is sure to become a firm favourite.

The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks

Author: Katie Kirby
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9-12

It’s Lottie Brooks’ second term at Kingswood High and she is determined to be less awkward and more resilient – at least that’s the plan. Written in the form of a diary that shows all the awkwardness of teenage life, this laugh-out-loud book is perfect for fans of Louise Rennison.

The Light in Everything

Author: Katya Balen Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Shy Tom and determined Zofia couldn't be more different. But when their parents fall for one another, they are united in a common struggle- to navigate the complex challenge of building a new family together.

The Lost Whale

Author: Hannah Gold Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
Publisher: Harper Collins
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 8+

Rio is used to caring for his mother, but when he arrives in California, he finds a new role – caring for grey whales. A novel with a strong environmental message and an atmosphere aided by the striking illustrations of Levi Pinfold, which help the story come to life.

The Spectacular Suit

Author: Kat Patrick Illustrator: Hayley Wells
Publisher: Scribble
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+

This is an empowering and reassuring story of a child who (possibly) feels that she doesn’t fit into a traditional gender role, and the ways that her family support her in a positive way.

The Thief who Sang Storms

Author: Sophie Anderson Illustrator: Joanna Lisowiec
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Linnet and her father Nightingale are alkonosts: bird people who live on the floating island of Morovia. This beautifully written tale of a divided nation is loosely based on characters from a Russian folksong. It ultimately celebrates the power of friendship, trust and hope to reunify enemies and establish peace.

The Think-Ups!

Author: Clare Alexander Illustrator: Clare Alexander
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 4-6

Bored sisters Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors on a rainy day. They decide
to try out a new game – the Think Ups. The rules are simple, all you need to do
is think up a Think-Up and it will appear. One at a time, they think up more
and more Think-Ups until things get out of control. What can be done to stop
the mayhem?