Books we love in May 2023

Let’s Stick Together

Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Steve Small
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 4-5

Squirrel and Bear are the best of friends, but sometimes they don’t see things in quite the same way. For instance, when Squirrel decides they should have a party, Bear is very into the idea until anxiety strikes and he starts to feel that perhaps it would be better for everyone if he just went to bed.

Y stori odledig hon gan Halls a Small ydy'r ddiweddaraf…

Move and Play: I Want to be a Duck

Author: Illustrator: Pintachan
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 2-3

A fun and bright early picture book with fun things to learn and plenty of play opportunity.

Sheep School

Author: Ross Montgomery Illustrator: Marisa Morea
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 5+

William the lamb can’t stand still or be quiet for very long – but this proves useful when the Big Bad Wolf comes along! Accessible and full of humour, this is a very enjoyable story for new readers.

Mae'r ychwanegiad pleserus hwn at y gyfres Little Gems yn llawn i'r ymylon â hiwmor, yn berffaith ar gyfer y rheini sy'n dechrau darllen ac wrth eu boddau'n ch…

The Artist

Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 5+

A young dinosaur artist (looking a bit like a T-rex but a cute one) sees the dinosaur world as full of joy and beauty, something that some dinosaurs are too busy to notice. She sees all that, draws and paints it and makes it into her art.

Mae deinosor ifanc sy'n artist yn gweld y byd fel lle llawn llawenydd a harddwch – rhywbeth y mae rhai deinosoriai…

Reading Time

Author: Mama Makes Books
Publisher: Mama Makes Books
Interest age: 0-1

A delightful tummy time first words books for babies, encouraging brain development and bonding.

Luna Loves Books

Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Fiona Lumbers
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-5

Luna loves books and dresses as her favourite book character – but then her costume rips! What will she do? A delightful board book showing the joy of imaginative play and of stories.

The Kingdom Over the Sea

Author: Zohra Nabi Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Yara’s life is thrown into disarray when, following the death of her mother, she learns that they’re from Zehaira, a kingdom of sorcerers, alchemists and magic. In this compelling fantasy adventure, Yara bravely embarks on a dangerous quest to save her magical homeland.

Steady for This

Author: Nathanael Lessore
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10+

When Shaun, aka MC Growls, goes viral, and not in a good way, he and his mate Shanks become a laughing stock. Told with infectious enthusiasm for life, and with many laugh-out-loud moments, this hilarious and moving coming-of-age story is perfect for young teens.

Wild

Author: Ele Fountain
Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10+

Jack is devastated when his dad dies. As his behaviour spirals out of control, his mum takes him on a work trip to South America, where they journey deep into the rainforest in search of an indigenous tribe who are at risk from illegal loggers. This powerful, multi-layered novel is highly recommended.

Time to Shine at the River School

Author: Sabine Adeyinka
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Can Jummy and her friends find out why the Shine-Shine River next to their school smells awful and is running dry? School rivalries, new friends and a mystery to solve make for a satisfying read.

The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat

Author: Em Lynas Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+

A hilarious, zany picture book about a stoat, a boat and a goat (in a colourful coat!) written in clever rhyme and tongue twister text.

Mae Stoat yn arnofio yn ei hoff gwch nes i afr, sydd awydd arnofio mewn cwch, darfu arno. Ond dydy Stoat ddim yn hapus o gwbl – cwch Stoat ydy hwn ac yn sicr nid yw'n lle addas i afr!

Max & Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island

Author: Jamie Smart
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 5+

Max has just moved to Animal Island where there are lots of new friends – including a chaffy. But Chaffy is lost! Can you help Max find Chaffy? This very young, colourful graphic novel series is brilliantly interactive and full of fun.

Ajay and the Jaipur Moon

Author: Varsha Shah Illustrator: Sònia Albert
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Ajay and his fellow Mumbai street kids are in a race to Jaipur, to find a crashed meteorite. This big story could save the newspaper they run! Only, there may be a bigger story – about a threat to the whole world… A thrilling adventure with a lot of heart.

The Way of Dog

Author: Zana Fraillon
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

If you have ever wondered what goes on in a dog’s mind, this verse novel could be the closest you ever come to finding out! Be prepared to feel angry, sad, vengeful and elated – and maybe even to cry just a bit.

The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice

Author: Rachel Chivers Khoo Illustrator: Rachel Sanson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Can Felix and his new friend the wishkeeper stop a monster from destroying everyone’s happiness? A delightfully charming and perfectly plotted adventure that packs a real emotional punch.

Wren

Author: Lucy Hope
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Wren feels trapped, but she’s not the only one to be inextricably linked to her home – an ancient Welsh castle. Exploring mythical creatures, grief and what it means to be free, this historical novel is also packed with drama and soaring action.

My Name is Sunshine Simpson

Author: G. M. Linton
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

What is special about Sunshine Simpson? She needs to find something to say about herself for a school assembly – but what? A delight of a book, exploring grief, friendship dynamics and finding your voice in a friendly, relatable manner.

Squeeze in, Squirrel!

Author: Tony Neal
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 2-3

It’s time for a fun day at the beach and Squirrel and Rabbit are setting off for the day in Rabbit’s car. But, uh-oh! Other friends keep getting in the car with all their stuff while Squirrel is busy trying to lug in her big trunk! Before she knows it, Rabbit’s car is full to bursting point… will there be any room left for her?

The Thames and Tide Club: The Secret City

Author: Katya Balen Illustrator: Rachael Dean
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Clem and her friends love mudlarking – but when they find a strange object by the shores of the River Thames, they discover a whole new secret world… Dive in to this fun, friendly new fiction series!

Lenny Lemmon and the Invincible Rat

Author: Ben Davis Illustrator: James Lancett
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Let the mayhem commence, as Lenny brings a rat to ‘Olden Days’ day at school. Packed with energy and humour, with great illustrations and short chapters, this is a fun story that will appeal hugely to young readers.

Mae hon yn stori ddoniol iawn. Mae Lenny a'i ffrindiau'n ceisio dal Ratty gyda chanlyniadau sy'n mynd yn fwy a mwy dinistriol, ac wrth gwrs yn …

Swimming on the Moon

Author: Brian Conaghan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10+

Anna is fiercely protective of her autistic twin brother Anto. While their parents argue, Anna does everything she can to keep the family together. Many key topics are thoughtfully explored in this sensitive novel for older readers.

Friendship Never Ends

Author: Alexandra Sheppard
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 11+

An insightful and engrossing portrait of a unique friendship that might be threatened when four girls have to spend their summer away from one another.

The Thief of Farrowfell

Author: Ravena Guron Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Jude is infuriated when she realises that the rare magic she has stolen to impress her criminal family is protected by a curse. Darkly humorous, with a myriad of magical twists and turns, this inventive novel is a thrilling read.

The Deadlands: Hunted

Author: Skye Melki-Wegner
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

A brilliantly imagined thriller in which dinosaurs survived an extinction event and developed the ability to think, speak, make alliances and wage war.

Global

Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11

In this stunning graphic novel – by the same author and illustrator team as Illegal, which told the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy fleeing grinding poverty in his small village in Africa and travelling to Europe as an illegal immigrant – we see two different stories belonging to two different children. Both are at the mercy of climate change.