Books we love in August 2022

Count

Author: Melvin Burgess Illustrator: Chris Mould
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 9-11

Brandon boasts about everything and claims that he can count to ten million, even though it will take him almost a year. As he begins, the numbers take on a life of their own, emitting a shimmery light as they wait in line to be counted. The higher Brandon counts, the more his life is on public view, and he becomes part of a media frenzy.

This light-hearted,…

The Boy Who Sailed the World

Author: Julia Green Illustrator: Alex Latimer
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4-5

A little boy who loves the sea builds a boat and goes on an adventure. When evening falls, he loses his way, but doesn’t give up: the compass will show him where to go. When a storm hits the boat, the little boy holds on and mends his sail.

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear

Author: Trang Nguyen Illustrator: Jeet Zdung
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+

Based on a true story, this stunning graphic novel follows Chang as she fights to protect her local forests and wildlife, and rewild a young sun bear, Sorya, who was captured by poachers as a cub.

The Secret of Ragnar’s Gold

Author: Mark Dawson and Allan Boroughs Illustrator: Ben Mantle
Publisher: Welbeck
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8-9

Can Joe and his friends solve the mystery of where the lost Viking treasure is hidden? A modern adventure with a classic feel. 

Hope on the Horizon

Author: Onjali Q. Raúf
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+

This interactive guide for children offers practical tips and inspiring stories about compassion, empathy, and how we can all make the world a better place through acts of kindness.

The Good Turn

Author: Sharna Jackson
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8-9

Can Josephine and her friends solve a local mystery, and help someone? A pacy mystery with true heart. 

I Love My Beautiful Hair

Author: Elissa Wentt
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 0-3
Reading age: 0-3

EJ is going to the hairdressers for the first time. She wants to find a special hair style that is just right, but how can she choose? An ode to natural black hair and a celebration of its beauty and versatility.

Fight Back

Author: A.M. Dassu
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+

When a terrorist attack happens at a local concert, Muslim schoolgirl Aaliyah finds herself and her family the target of racist bullying and abuse. Can she fight back against the tide of hatred?

Blobfish

Author: Olaf Falafel
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4-5

Blobfish lives alone, deep under the sea. In fact, he’s rather lonely. One day, when a carrier bag falls into the sea, Blobfish finds it and thinks it’s a new friend. Happily, he dances with the bag as it floats through the water, but when Blobfish gets trapped inside the bag, things start looking a little bleak.

Heartstopper

Author: Alice Oseman
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+

An utterly charming, slow-burn love story between two boys. This heart-warming graphic novel captures every moment of the joy and terror of having a crush on someone.

The Robber Raccoon

Author: Lou Kuenzler Illustrator: Julia Woolf
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 3-4

Rosie Raccoon is on a crime caper! But what treasures is she stealing? A mischievous tale with an excellent recycling message. 

Clarice Bean, Scram!

Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Harper Collins
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 6-8

Clarice Bean is back! Clarice has her summer holiday ahead of her but seems like there is nothing to do and it’s so hot. Her best friend Betty Moody is on holiday, her big sister Marcie is grumpy as ever, and little brother Minal is as little as ever. Her neighbour Robert Granger is as annoying as ever. But one day that starts out as nothing ends up being fi…

Nura and the Immortal Palace

Author: M T Khan
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

A thrilling, magical adventure following a girl’s journey from modern Pakistan into the enchanted land of the jinn. It highlights how hard life is for many children in the world, in an engaging, age-appropriate way.  

The Shop of Impossible Ice Creams

Author: Shane Hegarty Illustrator: Jeff Crowther
Publisher: Hodder Children’s
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6-8

Limpet’s mum sells impossible ice creams, like carrot and garlic flavour. When Mr Fluffy launches his rival ice cream shop, Limpet must fight back. A madcap, very funny adventure.

Frank and Bert

Author: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 2-3

Frank and Bert love a game of hide-and-seek, but Bert hasn’t quite mastered the art of hiding in 10 seconds. In fact, Bert complains that he never gets enough time to hide, and so Frank counts all the way to 100 to give him some quality hiding time.

Agent Moose

Author: Mo O’Hara Illustrator: Jess Bradley
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9

Special Agent Moose (‘Anonymoose’) is probably the best (worst) secret agent out there. He’s an excellent master of disguise with a fondness for chocolate milk - shaken, not stirred, like all good spies - but he can sometimes find himself in sticky situations. Together with his wiser (more sensible) sidekick Owlfred, Agent Moose is on the case to find a miss…

The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me

Author: Serena Holly Illustrator: Selom Sunu
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

A humorous, heart-warming story about the special relationship between a girl and her granny and how they team up to make an unbeatable double act.

Georgie Grows a Dragon

Author: Emma Lazell
Publisher: Pavilion

A new plant has plopped into Georgie’s garden, but it’s a bit different. This one doesn’t like being out in the sunshine, definitely doesn’t like being watered and other plants make it sneeze flames. Will Georgie be able to tame her new wild plant?

Tiny Crab is a Tidy Crab

Author: Paula Bowles
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 3-5

Tiny Crab loves looking after his beach and keeping it safe and clean. When he invites a friend to visit, they leave the beach in an absolute mess. With rubbish all over his beloved beach, can Tiny Crab find his voice to speak up?

Tuchus & Topps Investigate: The Underpants of Chaos

Author: Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Robin Boyden and Katie Kear
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

Can Agatha and Lenny find out who is behind the very strange happenings at school before time runs out and they face oblivion?

Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise

Author: Elys Dolan
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 6-8

For millions of years, Rex the dinosaur has been frozen in a block of ice. As the planet gets warmer, the ice thaws, releasing him into the modern world, which has changed beyond all recognition since the Cretaceous Period. Confused and alone, Rex wanders around the natural history museum in search of fellow dinosaurs but is appalled when he finds fossilised…

Roly-Poly Flying Pony: Kevin vs the Unicorns

Author: Philip Reeve Illustrator: Sarah McIntyre
Publisher: Oxford
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

A funny, fantastical, illustrated adventure with short chapters in which Kevin, the roly-poly, flying pony, enters a Magical Pony Club race and foils a dastardly plot.

Rainbow Hands

Author: Mamta Nainy Illustrator: Jo Loring-Fisher
Publisher: Lantana

A joyful story about a young Indian boy who loves to paint his nails and match the colour to suit his mood. Heart-warming, and full of joy, the book explores emotions, identity and staying true to who you are.

A Beginner’s Guide to Ruling the Galaxy

Author: David Solomons
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

From the most mundane town in the universe to the chaos and exhilaration of battles in outer space and the trauma of almost being eaten by a drooling alien, this surreal, sci-fi adventure will take you on the ride of your life.

You Can Be a Superpup

Author: Rosamund Lloyd Illustrator: Chris Dickason
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 2-4
Reading age: 2-4

Superpup is a superhero with one simple mission: to cheer everyone up with hugs. Bouncy rhyming text and punchy illustrations make this a fun read that is sure to end with lots of cuddles!

I Am Nefertiti

Author: Annemarie Anang Illustrator: Natelle Quek
Publisher: Five Quills
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 3-6

When drum-loving Nefertiti starts at music school, Miss Potts finds her name too tricky to pronounce and decides to call her ‘Nef’. Nefertiti loves her name and every time she hears it shortened, the young drummer starts to shrink until she’s the size of an insect. Drawing on her inner strength and with the support of her bandmates, they help Miss Potts reco…

Starlet Rivals (Bollywood Academy 1)

Author: Puneet Bhandal Illustrator: Jen Khatun
Publisher: Lantana
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

When Bela wins the Dance Starz talent show, she earns a full scholarship at the Bollywood Academy – but fellow student Monica is determined to stop her in her tracks.

Who Are You?

Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Ali Pye
Publisher: Red Shed

Filled with vivid, detailed illustrations, this non-fiction book by award-winning Smriti Halls, aims to empower children and encourage them to think about the different parts that make them unique.

Red Panda Rescue

Author: Jess Butterworth Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6-8

When Tilly wins a competition to help protect red pandas in Nepal, she finds herself riding a yak, looking at poo, and outwitting poachers to save a pregnant red panda. The mix of engaging adventure and cute animals, along with the many illustrations, will appeal hugely to young readers. 

Meg and Merlin: Making Friends

Author: Tanya Landman Illustrator: Sònia Albert
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7-9

Meg adores ponies and longs to have one of her own but knows that her parents can’t afford it. She is overjoyed to find a beautiful pony in her front garden on her tenth birthday and for one, incredible moment, she wonders if he is a birthday gift. However, when she realises that he has escaped from his field and must be returned to his rightful owner, she i…

A Flash of Fireflies

Author: Aisha Bushby
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

Hazel’s family is relocating from Kuwait to the UK and her parents have sent her on ahead to stay with Grant, her unconventional great aunt, while they finalise the move. Hazel finds change difficult and is nervous about travelling alone and meeting Grant. She’s also worried about attending summer school, even though it will give her the opportunity to make …

Ollie Spark and the Accidental Adventure

Author: Gillian Cross Illustrator: Alan Snow
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

Ollie Spark is a skilled engineer who cleverly transforms a clapped-out old van into a stylish and functional mobile home for his Aunt Caz. Eager to travel the world to research her new series of spy books, Aunt Caz zooms off, completely unaware that Ollie is trapped in the boot. When they arrive in a mysterious land, which is covered in a thick blanket of s…

Mia and the Lightcasters

Author: By Janelle McCurdy Illustrator: Ana Latese
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

12 year-old Mia lives with her young brother Lucas and mum and dad in the city of Nubis, under the light of the forever moon and permanently starlit skies. She has always dreamed of being umbra tamer, but a terrifying encounter with a red eyed umbra out on the Nightmare Plains three years ago frightened her into staying within the city walls. Now Mia’s …

Action Dude

Author: Andy Riley
Publisher: Welbeck Flame
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9-12

Action Dude – aka Charlie Munderdrew – may be a kid, but he loves danger and excitement and to be a hero. Even just popping round to the corner shop requires a daring leap from a jet plane. So when disaster strikes at ‘Prehistoric Land’, the new local theme park, obviously it’s Action Dude that the Mayor calls on for help.