The Street Where Santa Lives by Harriet Howe and Julia Christians, Little Tiger, £12.99
When an old man moves in on a busy street, only his little neighbour notices; with his white beard and round belly, she’s convinced he’s Santa. But when Santa falls ill, other neighbours must rally round to take care of him. Will he be better in time for Christmas? This sweet, funny, acutely observed picture book is a festive, joyous celebration of community.
I Am Wishing Every Minute for Christmas by Lauren Child, S&S, £12.99
Twenty-five years after their first appearance, this delightful, engaging new Charlie and Lola picture book is filled with Lola’s excited impatience as she and her big brother get everything ready for Christmas.
The House With the Little Red Door by Grace Easton, Thames & Hudson, £14.99
Olivia is lonely in her house; Mouse is lonely in his oak tree. When Mouse’s tree falls, Olivia does her best to find him a new home – but none of them is quite right, until she welcomes him into her own. A beautiful, touching picture book, featuring intricate lift-the-flap details and endearing characters.
Sketch by Jacques Goldstyn, translated by Helen Mixter, Greystone Kids, £12.99
Scribbly, lively Sketch has stood out since he was born, a creative firecracker who’s different from his orderly peers. Despite support from his parents and art teacher, he feels isolated, especially at high school – but when he meets other brilliant anomalies, he realises they’re essential to the world in this playful, original 6+ picture-book paean to inspiration and the unconventional.
The Tomorrow Tree: How Nature Creates New Life from Old by Maciej Michno and Danio Miserocchi, illustrated by Valentina Gottardi, Phaidon, £16.95
This involving, lyrical and informative nonfiction book investigates the second lives of fallen trees, providing shelter, nourishment and play for beetles, ants, mosses, lichen, lynxes and wolf cubs. With fascinating illustrations, it’s perfect for budding naturalists of 6+.
The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The New School by Harriet Muncaster, Oxford, £7.99
When Wiska starts at Inkcap’s Academy, Cleobelle and Primrose seem friendly at first, but do they just want to exploit Wiska’s talents? This absorbing full-colour 6+ diary adventure features fairy-like Wisklings navigating change and friendship dilemmas in an addictive new series from the author of Isadora Moon.
Wild Journey by AM Dassu, illustrated by Joe Lillington, Zephyr, £12
Illustrated in striking black and orange, these stirring, evocative 7+ adventure stories – of getting lost in the desert, overcoming sibling jealousy, helping a wolf cub, starting a new school and more – are interconnected by the symbol of starling migrations.
Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop by Martin Seneviratne and Krystal Sutherland, Bonnier, £7.99
When genius 12-year-old twins Pearl and Patrick build a time machine, they fall foul of TIME (The Interdimensional Misconduct Enquiry) by upsetting the course of history – but their unique skill set is soon needed to undo greater chronological wrongs. Part Spy Kids, part Artemis Fowl, this fast-paced 9+ romp boasts sensitive, thoughtful character development.
Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley, Bloomsbury, £7.99
Pip loves the birds on the wetlands around his cottage, especially the Arctic swans that return every winter. This year, though, something is different, as Pip finds a strange book and hears mysterious whispers that lead him to new friends and the discovery of an ancient curse. This snowy, atmospheric revisiting of the Children of Lir is an utterly absorbing 8+ fantasy.
The Horse Dreamer by Holly Surplice, Chicken House, £12.99
Merryn’s family are suffering after the loss of Dad – but when a great storm leaves behind the makings of a driftwood and seaweed horse, Merryn finds a new friend, who helps her rediscover joy and healing. Tender and poignant, with dynamic blue-and-white illustrations, it’s a gorgeous, hopeful story for 9+.
Avalanche by Simon Fox, Nosy Crow, £7.99
Tom is annoyed to be stuck in a chalet on “holiday” with his mum – all she does is focus on her job as head of security for an eminent scientist. But when kidnappers trigger an avalanche trying to seize some deadly technology, it’s up to Tom and his new friend Emily to stop them in this high-octane action thriller, ideal for 9+ Robert Muchamore fans.
Ask Me Anything by Bethany Rutter, Hot Key, £8.99
As the agony aunt on her university magazine, Mary-Elizabeth’s relationship advice is spot-on; she just has a blind spot herself when it comes to Felix Balfour, superficially charming editor and indefensible posh-boy crush. Meanwhile, gruff, bossy Laurie, who works on the more prestigious sister newspaper, is nothing but a nuisance – until things start going wrong with Felix, and Laurie’s there to provide consolation in this warm, witty, sprightly YA romcom.
Roar by Manjeet Mann, Penguin, £9.99
When Rizu is uprooted from her privileged, gated suburban life in Delhi by an accusation of witchcraft, she runs away to join a group of vigilantes in pink saris, seeking justice for acts of misogynist violence no one else cares enough to challenge. But what will Rizu’s quest for vengeance cost her? A powerful, rage-filled 14+ verse novel by a Costa-winning author.
The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer, Faber, £8.99
Although she comes from a long line of witches, Mallory Fontaine is a fraud – her only magic is the ability to see ghosts, which she capitalises on as an “expert” on the murders of Count Bastien Saphir, AKA the notorious Monsieur Le Bleu. When a new murder happens, however, Mallory is swept up in the investigation, with potentially deadly consequences – and a developing attraction to the count’s descendant Armand in this sinister, richly romantic YA Bluebeard retelling.
Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington, HarperCollins, £8.99
When Kyla’s best friend, Erin, is murdered, her brother Mikky returns to their small town to support her. But as she spirals deeper into fury and secret-keeping, brother and sister are drawn deep into the dark mysteries of the town’s flagship beauty industry. A gripping, punchy YA thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.
