The Stick Book by Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks, published by Frances Lincoln This book, which offers over 70 interesting things to make or do with a stick, will open up a world of creativity: from fashioning a plain staff to wild weaving or making stick and paper lanterns. Simplicity and a deep satisfaction go together, as where two sticks and a piece of string achieve the sophisticated job of measuring the earth. There are loads of photographs to add inspiration. (8+) Photograph: Frances LincolnThe Chronicles of Harris Burdick, published by Andersen Press Dive into this beautiful compendium volume of American short stories. Chris Van Allsburg’s illustrations in The Mysteries of Harris Burdick have inspired readers for more than twenty five years: now they are interpreted afresh in fourteen curious, teasing, sometimes humorous and sometimes dark stories by authors including Louis Sacher, Kate Dicamillo, Sherman Alexie, Jon Scieszka and Chris Van Allsburg himself. Each uses a different illustration as a starting point, and between them they create an extraordinary whole that offers new interpretations of the pictures while still leaving room to wonder. (8+) Photograph: Andersen PressA Hen in the Wardrobe by Wendy Meddour, published by Frances Lincoln When his Dad tries to catch a hen in the wardrobe and frogs in the pantry, Ramzi knows that everything is not normal. It turns out that Dad is homesick for his village in Algeria. Soon Ramzi is off on a great trip, but will he be able to find the help he needs to get Dad back to normal? Witty and warm-hearted, this is a delightful family story with a difference. (8+)Photograph: Frances LincolnThe Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders, published by Scholastic A bewitching, bewildering, hilarious and absolutely irresistible magical adventure. Oz and Lily begin a wonderful new life when their father inherits the family chocolate factory from a long lost uncle. Moving into their new home, the twins know at once that strange and magical things are about to happen. First, Lily meets an invisible cat; then there’s a talking rat and finally the ghost of an elephant. Whether the family like it or not, they are now involved in a thrilling battle to protect the precious family chocolate recipe from the ruthless villains who are after it. (8+)Photograph: ScholasticMy Big Cats Journal by Steve Bloom, published by Thames and Hudson Get up close to lions, leopards, cheetahs and tigers through the amazing photographs in this stunning book. Through diary entries, photo journalist Steve Blooms shares the excitement of watching and waiting to catch vital moments in the lives of the big cats. He matches his pictures with clear, simple text to give the most important facts about each member of the cat family – and some of them aren’t nice; there are the terrifying teeth of a cheetah, the leopard poised for the kill and a lioness hot on the heels of a zebra. (8+)Photograph: Thames and HudsonGrk and the Phoney Macaroni by Joshua Doder, published by Andersen A new thrilling adventure for Grk, the delightful, brave and well-travelled dog who’s already survived some unusually tricky situations. Grk is stolen to order by two thugs who need urgently to replace the recently dead Peppi, the much loved dog belonging to the wife of the Duke of Macaroni. When Grk mysteriously disappears, his owner Tim is hot on the chase and soon the two of them are trying to navigate all things Italian – including pizza and pasta - while also uncovering the extraordinary secret the present Duke of Macaroni doesn’t want anyone to know. Funny, warm-hearted and action-packed, this is a tremendous addition to a well-loved series. (9+)Photograph: Andersen PressTitanic by Martin Jenkins and Brian Sanders, published by Walker It’s 100 years since the maiden voyage of the mighty Titanic. The shock of what happened on that trip is a story that can be read time and time again. Here it is absorbingly re-visited through a good balance of words and pictures, set within the historical context of the race for speed across the Atlantic as steam ships replaced the sailing ships of the past. Period photographs chart the story, from the building of the mighty ship in Belfast to the American inquiry into the catastrophe. The night of the disaster is brought sharply into focus through the personal details of passengers and a time chart counting down the brief period between the moment that the Titanic hit the iceberg and the moment that it sunk. (9+)Photograph: Walker BooksGoblins by Philip Reeve, published by Scholastic Fans of Mortal Engines will devour Philip Reeves’s richly detailed goblin extravaganza. The dank towers and stairways of Clovenstone Keep are packed full of dirty, smelly, squabbling goblins. As a breed, they all love fighting; none more so than King Knobbler, their ferocious leader, who takes a secret delight in soft pink pants. But one day Skarper hatches out of an eggstone. Skarper is different, and his differences are bound to lead him into trouble. Soon Scarper finds himself bratapulted off the battlements and falling headlong into an incredible adventure. It’s worth keeping track of the cloud maidens, trolls, softlings and the rest as they hurtle through the headlong action: this glorious adventure is full of hidden jokes and meanings. (9+) Photograph: ScholasticThe One Dollar Horse by Lauren St John, published by Orion Lauren St John’s prizewinning skills as a writer of stories about protecting the big game of Africa are brilliantly displayed in this roller coaster, rags-to-riches story of one girl and her amazing horse. Horse-mad Casey has only one dream: to ride a winner in the Badminton Horse trials. Of course, she knows it can never come true; she lives in a flat in a rough tower block with her father, who has spent time in prison. Though she works in the local stables, owning a horse is out of the question. But when Casey buys a broken-down bag of bones for just one dollar from the knacker’s yard, she sets in motion the possibility of making her extraordinary dream come true. The spirit of competition is captured in a story that is gripping even for those who have never been on a horse. (10+)Photograph: Orion
