I love a mystery story but after reading a couple of cosy middle grade ones I felt in need of something a little more murdery, and having enjoyed the opener for this series when I read it about a y…

Published by Everything With Words, 10 September 2026, ISBN: 978- 1911427537 Ulysses meets Groundhog Day in this contemporary, YA, fantasy novel from Oran Doyle! Set across a single day in Dublin, …

Cover art by Owen Davey, published by Post Wave, 03 September 2026, ISBN: 978-1836270652 Cosmic Cruise, written and illustrated by Owen Davey, really is a launchpad to the solar system for curious …

Every year, Little Wolf and his daddy go off together to watch the Wolf Moon rise. It is a very special time which they share, but this year, things will be different. As mummy has a cold, they will h...

Cover illustration copyright © Eric Deschamps, 2026 As someone who only works very occasionally, there’s usually little difference between weekdays and weekends for me but after five days of …

Advanced sample copy of Marionetta, to be published by Rock the Boat, 8 October 2026, ISBN: 978-1836433224 Marionetta is a Young Adult, manga-style graphic novel created by Spanish cartoon artist M…

Worm lives in a lovely patch of soil until a someone with a spade turns up, forcing him to dig for his life! Trying to escape, he finds himself chased deeper and deeper by a mole. As he passes by laye...

Cover art by François Maumont, published by Post Wave, 10 September 2026, ISBN: 978-1836271239 The Dragon Mountain is a cute fantasy adventure filled with magical creatures and featuring an unusual…

Cover illustration copyright © Nick Sharratt, 2026 Perhaps it’s because I no longer have any very young children in my life, but I’m ashamed to say that when this new title from author …

Screenshot of Audiobook front cover, published by Guppy Books, March 2026 Scaredy Cat is the fourth book in the Bigg School series, set amongst Year 7 pupils attending the Henry Bigg Academy, and c…

Cover art by Kiuyan Ran, hardback edition published by Penguin Random House, 2 July 2026, ISBN: 978-0241707739 Blood of Gods & Girls is an epic young adult fantasy with magnificent world buildi…

Cover illustration © 2026 Jason Cockcroft While many of us live in areas where life pretty much remains the same, for some communities that is not at all the case such as those where towns have bui…

Big and bold, ‘The Palace of Facts’ is the perfect book to explore this summer! Readers are invited to join Pip, Alice and their dog, Charlie, as they wander every room in this fact-filled mansion! A...

Cover art by Melissa Castrillon While Mr S’s spare time has in the main been taken up with watching the recent men’s World Cup, much of mine has been spent – as it usually is &#82…

Buy Malory Towers Mystery Club: Kidnap at Midnight by Fleur Hitchcock from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

Wee Puffling loves Puffin Island where he lives with all the other puffins. When they decide that it is time to leave for the winter, Wee Puffling is not happy and decides to stay. However, although h...

Cover art by Emily Hamilton, published by Post Wave, 23 April 2026, ISBN: 978-1836270737 The Storm Cloud begins with a springtime scene, bursting with newly emerged plant and animal life. Bear awak…

Cover images of books read during June 2026 After a slow couple of months, I managed to carve out more reading time during June, and have made a small dent in my backlog of children’s review …

Pincho the capybara is extremely laid back, taking everything in his stride. However, a very energetic little yellow bird has decided that today is Pincho’s day. Armed with a long to-do list and plent...

Artwork by Frances Castle, published by Little Tiger, 7 May 2026, ISBN: 978-1788958080 Where the Tide Lines Lead is a sizzling summer #YA novel; a contemporary teenage story with a supernatural und…

Bella Day is the new captain of The Sunshine, the best ship in town. With a wonderful crew and lots of passengers, she is all set to be the best she can be like those who captained the ship before her...

Cover illustration © 2026 Hannah Peck Creating books that appeal to young readers is by no means an easy task. While some take to reading like the proverbial ducks to water, there are many for whom…

Cover image by Elen Jones, published by Andersen Press, 02 July 2026, ISBN: 978-1839137020 The Party is a Young Adult novel which explores themes of friendship, first romance and finding your place…

Screenshot of Adventure Books from Little Reads App, image credit Hannah Rix Today I am delighted to welcome Hannah Rix to my blog. We recently connected over a shared belief that children should b…

Cover illustration © 2026 Keith Robinson Living as I do in a rural area, there are several stables nearby, with the closest to me being less than a mile away, and some lovely, quiet roads here perf…

Cover art by Daniel Egnéus, published by Bloomsbury Children”s Books, 27 July 2026, ISBN: 978-1408897515 The Neverfear is a spectacular marriage of heart-pounding, blood-shedding action with …

Cover illustration © Thiago de Moraes, 2026 Sometimes, the right book comes along at just the right time and having been bogged down in a YA read that had not only had very small print but was also…

Cover art by Rory Walker, published by Everything With Words, 28 May 2026, ISBN: 978-1911427506 It takes a hugely talented writer to create a story which combines a poignant undercurrent of dealing…

Cover copyright © Tom Clohosy Cole, 2026 As an adult reader of children’s books, I try to read from a variety of genres and across a wide range of intended ages, but I make no secret that mid…

Cover art by Cindy Wume, published by Post Wave, 9 April 2026, ISBN: 978-183627100 Home is a Hug is a delightful interactive book, containing cutouts and flaps to lift, which asks the question &#82…

Cover image by Manuel Sumberac, published by Farshore, 4 June 2026, ISBN: 978-0008667849 Literary treasure for middle grade readers! The second book in the Shadow Thieves series, Island of Skulls, …

Cover image by Dan Leyton, published by Bonnier Books, 9 October 2025, ISBN: 978-1789469028 As the red smoke clears from the celebrations in North London and the football world catches a breath bef…

Cover illustration copyright © 2026 by Franziska Höllbacher Although nonfiction makes up quite a small proportion of what I read, I’m always delighted when I discover a title that is filled w…