Of all the things to keep our children quiet for five minutes, a great book certainly has to be one of the most appealing for parents. Lucky, then, that this season has delivered plenty of brilliant new reads for children of all ages.
From Julia Donaldson’s much-anticipated return to the world of The Gruffalo through to young adult thrillers that your teenager won’t be able to put down, here is our pick of the best…
And Then We Screamed by Holly Bourne
Young adult
When girls across their school break into unexplained and seemingly uncontrollable screaming fits, Clover and Brody investigate for their student newspaper. Bourne has long established herself as an expert in inhalable, feminist-driven reads with an acute eye for teen relationships, and this thriller is no different.
Usborne, £9.99
Dangerous Influence by Sally Nicholls
Young adult
Anna and Josie have been the subject of their influencer mother’s social media content ever since they were little. But just as they are growing old enough to be aware of the attention, Josie is stalked by one of the followers – and the sisters decide enough is enough. A smart, timely read.
Barrington Stoke, £7.99
Gruffalo Granny by Julia Donaldson
Picture book
Is there anything more pleasing to families with young children than a new Julia Donaldson book? Returning to the Gruffalo world for the first time in 20 years, Granny pays a visit in this heartwarming story which is magnificently illustrated as ever by Axel Scheffler.
Macmillan Children’s, £14.99
The Haunting of Old Splinter by Jack Mackay
Ages 9-12
Brothers Adrian and Peter live near a ruined mansion known as Old Splinter, which is rumoured to house magic relics – one of which might just fix their family’s problems. And thus an adventure into its dark heart ensues in this gloriously eerie story.
Oneworld, £8.99
The Neverland Thieves by Katie and Kevin Tsang
Ages 9-12
In the start of a terrific new series set in the world of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, Tom is a patient at Great Ormond Street whose life is turned upside down when his best friend Felix comes to visit and mysterious, magical occurrences ensue. Before long they find themselves flown off to none other than Neverland.
Simon & Schuster, £14.99
Flarestorm by Moira Buffini
Young adult
The action does not let up in the final instalment to Buffini’s award-winning Torch Trilogy, dubbed as this generation’s The Hunger Games. With the uprising under way, our heroes are put to the ultimate test of survival in this gripping read exploring love and loyalty.
Faber, £9.99
Goodnight Silver by Abi Elphinstone
Ages 9-12
When Emmy is separated from her parents during a family trip to Mongolia, lost in the mountains in a blizzard, things really can’t get worse. Thankfully she meets a young boy and a snow leopard cub and sets off on a magical adventure to a secret land.
Simon & Schuster, £8.99
More Good Bits by Kes Gray
Ages 7-9
Gray’s second story collection (following last year’s Good Bits) is packed with mini page-turners, from a story about an acorn which inadvertently revives a newborn horse prince to the tale of a lost glove which finds its way home. Funny and wonderfully imaginative.
DK, £8.99
Operation Doodlebug by Tia Fisher
Ages 9-12
The year is 1944, air raids are constant and Croydon schoolboy Stan is determined to find out what has happened to his father, who went missing soon after joining the fight. As his family is evacuated to the country, he ascertains crucial information from a prisoner of war and sets off in search of the truth in this compelling wartime adventure.
Piccadilly Press, £7.99
A Little Boy and His Bear by Jane Riordan
Ages 5-9
With this year marking the centenary of Winnie-the-Pooh, what better way to celebrate AA Milne’s iconic creation than with this authorised and very gorgeous gold-foiled story collection? The tales inside act as a sequel, following what the characters did next, and are every bit as warm and moving.
Farshore, £20
Mouse Goes to the Mountains by Alice Melvin
Picture book
Melvin’s award-winning Mouse series has rightly become beloved in recent years. The latest sees our eponymous creature leave urban life behind and head up to a distant peak. With beautiful illustrations and subtle messaging about nature and the environment, it makes another lovely bedtime read.
Thames and Hudson, £14.99
Magic School for Dogs by Pippa Curnick
Ages 5-9
As night falls on Barker Street and humans go to sleep, their pets sneak away to the school of magic. Chip the cocker spaniel is one such student, busy learning spells which don’t always go to plan. The first book in a charming new series.
Orchard Books, £10.99
Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
Young adult
Painter’s novel Better than the Movies was an international bestseller set to be adapted by Netflix. Now she’s back with an opposites-attract story following Julia, who lives a quiet, small-town life until her family unexpectedly inherits a fortune and she moves to a New York private school for the uber wealthy – and meets the likes of Damion.
Simon & Schuster, £9.99
The Bat who Didn’t Like the Dark by Steve Small
Picture book
All bats thrive in the dark – apart from our hero, who very much doesn’t. Until, that is, an owl helps the bat discover the magic under the stars. Another poignant read about overcoming fear from the author of The Duck who Didn’t like Water.
Simon & Schuster, £12.99