Copies of our Croaky: Search for the Sasquatch pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
Are any of the characters or events based on real people and their experiences?
No, that’s not really how I work - though I can think of one character in Postcards from Valhalla who might remind readers of somebody who actually exists in real life: Zack Stride is a tech-mad, billionaire who feels that his immense wealth and power put him on a par with the heroes of mythology. But of course, any similarities to a living person are entirely coincidental…
What research did you do for the book and did you learn anything that surprised you?
I travelled around Shetland for a week, from Sumburgh in the South to the Northernmost point in the UK in Unst and decided that my characters should travel the same route. I filmed some stuff along the way which can be accessed via 5 QR codes hidden in the book. I learned a lot about Shetland - how it was first given to Scotland by a cash-strapped Danish king as a dowry when his daughter married James III in 1648. I also learned that there are no trees on Shetland because the Vikings cut them all down 5000 years ago so they could rear sheep! And a combination of hungry sheep and harsh weather ensured that the trees never grew back again.
Which character do you have most sympathy for and why?
Viggo, the lead character. He has lived most of his life in the shadow of his older, more reckless brother, Magnus, who is a bit of an expert on Norse mythology and has travelled all over the world having wild adventures.
Viggo is also still in mourning for his father, Jonathan, who went missing in Shetland years ago and has never been seen since. Viggo still isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life but by the end of the story, he has found his direction.
What do you hope young readers will take away from the story and how it unfolds?
If there’s a message in Postcards from Valhalla it’s about the importance of family and of discovering your true self, which is often hidden deep within you and only really emerges in times of crisis. I also hope that after glimpsing the parts of Shetland hidden in those QR codes, readers might choose to visit the place for themselves. It is truly extraordinary.
Why did you choose to write books for this age group?
I was a teenager myself (back in the middle ages) and I like to go back in my mind and try to recapture the things that were so important to me back then - whilst also marking how much things have changed! When I was a teen, there were no computers, no mobile phones, no internet and I was certain of only one thing. I wanted to be a writer. My mindset hasn't changed much. Writing is still the most important thing in the world to me and I enjoy the challenge of trying to reach young readers.
Do you have a favourite place to write?
I do. It’s the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, just fifteen minutes walk from where I live. Up in the reading rooms, it’s warm and comfortable and you can hear a pin drop. I go there most days, sit at a computer and write like a demon. It’s free to use if you live in Edinburgh and have a library card. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to write. It’s a place that simply oozes inspiration.
Which other books with mythological themes for tweens and teens would you recommend our subscribers read next?
I would highly recommend the wonderful novel, The Owl Service by Alan Garner, a brilliant tale based around Welsh mythology. It’s not exactly a new book (it was published back in 1967 and I first read it as a teenager myself) but it’s an object lesson in how to mix the traditional and the contemporary in one seamless adventure.
Copies of our Postcards From Valhalla pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>Our Macaw subscribers are heading to Japan this month with Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai, a magical, compelling and thought-provoking novel with a stunning setting, a hugely relatable lead character and a powerful message about identity, memory and the passing of time. We were gripped by Sora's coming-of-age story, the mystery she finds herself at the centre of, and the brilliant blend of philosophy, science and storytelling. Here Clara tells us all about what inspired the book and which other stories set in Japan she recommends our tween and teen readers turn to next.
What inspired you to write Catfish Rolling?
The inspiration came from a few different places—firstly, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and its aftermath. The Japanese myth of the catfish is of course a big inspiration, and how it causes earthquakes. The idea of time breakage came after I learned that the 2011 earthquake was so big that it shifted the earth on its axis. Our planet now spins faster—and as a result our day is a tiny bit shorter. That actually seems like science fiction to me, even though it’s real!
Are any of the characters or events based on real people and their experiences?
None of my characters are really based on real people, though some of their experiences are. In particular, some of the things encountered by characters who are multiracial (Sora and Maya) and Japanese-American (Naomi) are based on experiences that I and other multiracial people I know have had. These might be small (people thinking you can/can’t speak a certain language) or big (trying to figure out where your home is).
What research did you do for the book and did you learn anything that surprised you?
Reading is always a big part of my research, and usually the first place I start. I read books, articles and interviews by and about people who survived the 2011 disasters. I visited the TEPCO nuclear plant in Fukushima and some of the evacuated areas nearby, and went to museums and memorials that preserve objects and testimonies from 2011. I did some writing workshops in a high school that was built to replace several schools that had been destroyed in the tsunami and I’ve travelled quite a bit through the Tohoku region (the north east of Japan). I think that something that might be surprising to people is that Fukushima prefecture is really beautiful! There’s sometimes a perception that it’s a scary or desolate place, and while the evacuated areas have a sense of sadness and loneliness, the majority of the prefecture has lovely nature, communities and friendly people.
Which character do you have most sympathy for and why?
I have the most sympathy for Sora, probably unsurprising because she’s the main character. She’s at a difficult crossroads: in between high school and university, and torn between staying at home with her father and going to a new and exciting place like Tokyo. She’s also caught between past and future, and who she is and what she wants. But if she didn’t have all those troubles we wouldn’t have a book!
What do you hope young readers will take away from the story and how it unfolds?
A book can be a mirror or a window, so I guess I hope that readers find something for themselves in the book. For multiracial readers, I would be very happy if they feel seen; for other readers maybe it’s a new insight into what it’s like to be a mixture of races and cultures. There are big themes of grief, growing up and new relationships which I hope resonate with a lot of people. But of course I’m also delighted if readers simply think it’s a good and entertaining story!
Why did you choose to write books for this age group?
I think that when you’re a teenager it’s a time full of a lot of new and often complicated experiences. It’s also a period of exploration, when you’re trying to work out who you are and looking for your place in the world. That always makes for a lot of conflict and drama! For me, the books that I read as a teenager had a huge impact on me so I also want to recreate that for others.
Do you have a favourite place to write?
In my library/office at home! I have very green bookshelves and a cat that likes to sleep on my arm while I type.
Which other books set in Japan would you recommend our subscribers read next?
For YA and middle grade I recommend Traci Chee’s A Thousand Steps Into the Night, The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi (translated by Cathy Hirano), Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba (translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa), Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura (translated by Philip Gabriel) and The Colour of the Sky is the Shape of the Heart by Chesil (translated by Takami Nieda). A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman is also a wonderful anthology of Asian-inspired stories (not just Japanese). Also Shigeru Mizuki, who wrote a lot of manga (which was also adapted to an anime) about yokai, which is fun.
Our Cockatoo subscribers are heading off on a magical international adventure this month with the wonderful Aliya to the Infinite City by Laila Rifaat. With a brave and relatable heroine, a stunning Egyptian setting, history, mystery and adventure, this book has it all! It's the first in a trilogy and we can't wait to see where the story goes next. And we're thrilled that Laila was able to answer our questions and tell us more about what inspired the book and her favourite fantasy books for kids.
This trilogy began with a desire to teach my children something about their country's history. I took a lot of inspiration from Cairo, the city I live in - from both its present chaotic charm and its long, fascinating history.
I had to do a lot of research because my time-travel hub has characters from all over Egyptian history. It was quite challenging to keep all those facts in my head! When I was researching the 19th century I came across some very brave feminists and intellectuals who dressed in the traditional all-covering dress with face-veils. It was interesting to find out that women who seemed so conservative could have such radical ideas and fight for their rights.
Mr. Kamel is perhaps a bit inspired by Sherlock Holmes, at least in terms of his attitude and sense of dress. Great-aunt Gigi is inspired by the many glamourous society ladies I've met here in Cairo. Most of my characters are a mix of real people, fictional characters sprinkled with an ample amount of imagination.
I think it would be cool to be as good at disguises as Fuad. That way I could hide from my kids and eat biscuits and read novels in peace.
That family can be found, and that one has to do the right thing, even when it's hard.
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I usually write my book sitting on my bed. I have four kids, so there's no space for my own office. I sometimes go to a nice coffee shop though.
I love the imagination, adventure and hopefulness of middle-grade novels!
I really love the Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend. I also love the works of Philip Pullman.
Copies of our Aliya to the Infinite City pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
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On 8th March 2024 we will be celebrating International Women's Day. As part of the celebrations we've invited Rebecca Pedelty-Cox, Learning & Development Manager at our charity partner Coram Beanstalk, to share her favourite recommendations for books featuring fearless females. There are so many Parrot Street favourites on this list - we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Children need to be able to see themselves and their lives in the books they read to feel connected. And it’s equally important for them to read books that widen their understanding of the lives of others too. Coram Beanstalk’s dedicated reading helpers focus on helping children to discover the books and characters which they connect with the most in their one-to-one sessions.
To celebrate International Women’s Day this year we have selected a range of Beanstalk Brilliant books which feature fearless female characters or real-life heroines past and present. Each of these books showcase different stories of girls and women who have demonstrated bravery, courage, inventiveness and creativity when faced with adversity and challenge.
As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil that she could use to redraw reality. She hoped to use it to help make the world a better place. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells Malala’s story, in her own words, for a younger audience, showing how she held onto hope and made a difference.
In Speak Up! by award-winning duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola, we see the brave and passionate side of protagonist, Rocket really coming through. Here we see her use her courage and confidence to save her local library from being close down, after being inspired by reading about Rosa Parks’ life. It will warm your heart and show you the power of peaceful protest and what we can all achieve by speaking up and getting others to listen.
Fantastically Great Women who Saved the Planet by Kate Pankhurst celebrates a diverse range of female climate activists from Jane Goodall to Ursula Marvin. A great book to dip in and out of with engaging illustrations and arrows that help the reader move from fact to fact.
Another showcase of exceptional women in history is Vashti Harrison’s Little Leaders: Visionary Women around the World. This book inspires future generations of artists, scientists, architects and leaders through the stories and experiences of women who have persevered to achieve great things.
In Quiet Storm, we meet Twelve year old Storm whose life is a whirlwind. Despite the noise around her, Storm is quiet and reserved. She’s incredibly shy which means that she finds social situations extremely difficult. She usually relies on her best friend to help her but she’s been put into a different form group so she now she’s has to face challenges alone. That is until one day during her PE lesson, everything changes for Storm. She breaks a school record to become the fastest sprinter ever at her school.
A Kind of Spark tells the story of 11-year-old Addie as she campaigns for a local memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her Scottish hometown. Supported by her older sister, Keedie, Addie hopes to challenge how people see her, and her autism, and make a difference.
In Roller Girl we meet Astrid who is beginning to learn who she really is. She wants to join the roller derby but her best friend, Nicole, wants to do ballet. Astrid decides to be brave and go it alone but she soon discovers it’s harder than it looks.
This graphic novel showcases beautifully the difficult transition into secondary school with struggles and triumphs, navigating changes in friendship, and most importantly the power of perseverance.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is another great story of female empowerment. The first in this superhero series, this book tells the story of Onyeka, a girl who has often felt insecure about her hair, until she finds out that it is in fact her superpower. She is sent by her mother to train at the Academy of the Sun in Nigeria where she makes friends, who have powers just like her, and finds herself in the middle of an epic battle.
Kimberly Whittam said, “Just like Storm, quiet children across the country let their lack of confidence stop them from joining in. I wrote Quiet Storm to show these children that they can achieve everything that they set out to; if they take the brace leap and go after their dreams.”
We hope that by sharing and celebrating this selection of stories featuring fearless females, many children will feel inspired to do just that!
Don't miss our collection of inspiring and empowering children's chapter books
]]>In the pandemic, I sat down to write my next adult novel, but a persistent voice kept whispering in my ear. Nesta Tenniel - the protagonist of This Tale is Forbidden - is not one to be quietened, and in the end I had to stop what I was doing and listen! I’ve always loved fairy tales. I think I’m drawn to their darkness and that twisted creepiness that always gives me a delicious shiver. I wanted to write something that was the opposite of the sickly sweet princess story.
Fairy tales have been told and retold for centuries throughout the world. I read a lot of versions whilst writing this book, and it’s incredible how much changes from author to author as a story is retold, and how much gets mixed up or changed in translation, a bit like the way a piece of gossip grows more and more scandalous the further it’s spread. I love that we are finally giving a voice to the girls and women who so often before now have been written as docile and sweet. Now these girls are beginning to shout!
I think history is fascinating, but all accounts of history are flawed - we can only ever know part of the truth. Nowadays, with glossy social media, and algorithms only showing us what we want to see, it’s even harder to make our minds up. History is hindsight - it should enlighten us, help us choose the right way forward. In itself it’s not dangerous, but the ways it is told can be.
I trained as a forest school leader, and I love nature and being outside. I spend a lot of time in the woods, walking my dog, Nell, a scruffy lurcher. I write novels for adults too, and these are often anchored in landscape and nature. I live near a city, and love the contrasts of these two places. I think in my novel, the city represents technology and modernity, and the woods is more like my own childhood - far less distractions! In the woods, I can barely get a signal on my phone! It’s a calming, inspiring place. A good place for dreaming up stories.
When I was growing up, I loved reading about girls who knew their worth, and weren’t afraid to speak up. I had hoped as I got older that there wouldn’t be a need for stories like these, but although we have come some way since then to ensure gender equality, there is always more work to do.
As a teen, I wanted books that reflected my own thoughts, that fuelled and inspired my passion for the world. I want to inspire that same fire and determination in others. We all have power - we just need to work out how to use it.
I’ve always read books for teens. They deal with important topics in a very direct, punchy way that is rare in adult fiction. Despite being a mum now, I still feel about sixteen inside! I think there’s probably a very vocal teenager in there somewhere, shouting to be heard!
I write everywhere. Train journeys, on walks, in bed at 4am when I can’t sleep! I have a writing shed in the garden, but at this time of year I’m more likely to be curled up by the fire. The only problem with this is as soon as I sit down, both the dog and the cat flop down on top of me! I end up using them as a sort of lopsided laptop stand, typing with one hand whilst stroking them with the other.
I love Francis Hardinge’s books. I recently read Deeplight, which had a strange glittering magic to it. I adored Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s The Deathless Girls, an imagined story of the brides of Dracula. And of course I couldn’t not mention His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, which I have read so often that the pages have started to come away from the spine!
Copies of our This Tale is Forbidden pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
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This month our Macaw subscribers are reading a lovely gem of a book. On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop is a highly original, hugely moving, magical and mysterious fantasy with a stunning watery setting, a gripping plot and an inspiring heroine. It has such a classic feel, but buckets of contemporary relevance and was an easy pick for our February boxes. Here Sylvia tells us what inspired the book and it's beautiful landscape.
To develop the plot, I took inspiration from all the wonderful, strange myths in British history about river creatures. It’s a rich store! They naturally started to mutate and change as they slotted in to this particular story, but the original stories were my starting point.
I’ve already mentioned that I love water. More specifically, I’ve always felt there’s something secret about water. Even where rivers run right through our towns, everything below the surface is hidden. It was this sense of mystery that really inspired me.
Getting the descriptions right was then the product of a lot of research! Most of this doesn’t really end up in the book, actually. The important thing was to understand what would shape the sensations and experience of travelling by river – not to provide a blow-by-blow. But to get there, I had to immerse myself in every detail I could find out about this hidden world.
Firth, Kelda’s brother. I have never written anyone so closely based on me before, which was unintentional and unexpected. And I was writing him from the viewpoint of his sister, who finds him difficult to understand, so I had to look at him – at me – from the outside.
He’s given some important advice, in the middle of the book. I think I was mostly writing to myself, there – my younger self, perhaps. I’ve never been more invested in a character.
I hope none of my readers will ever have to fight off river monsters! But Kelda is also dealing with uncertainty, in a world where hardship makes her long for certainty. And she is dealing with the complexity of other people – people she loves hurt her, and she has to decide who can be forgiven, and how.
I think overall she is transitioning from a world where we can be reassured that grown-ups know everything and that good people are easily distinguished from bad people, and entering the real world, where important things are unknown and all people are complicated. She’s learning not to be overwhelmed by that, and to find her way through it all. I wanted to tell a story about that transition, but also to have a setting that testifies to a world that is still very, very beautiful.
Well, I’m in the process of writing another book – but it’s not finished, so even I still have some questions! Watch this space…
This age was when I read most voraciously. It was utterly immersive and real – my imagination was so powerful then that I really could live inside those books, so I could stay in bed all day and go on amazing adventures. I’m not as good at this now.
Those are the readers I want to write for! They’ll make something more magical from this book than I could ever create by myself.
My own little desk in my own little room! I’m a creature of habit and routine. I have an up-cycled bureau desk in crimson and yellow, tucked into an alcove by my window, and I love it.
I also tend to write well on trains. I actually had the idea for this book on a train. There’s something about being underway on a journey that sets my mind rolling.
For me, Dianna Wynne Jones is the undeniable goddess of tween and teen fantasy. If you haven’t read her yet, run to the nearest bookshop, immediately. Go, now. Why are you still reading this? You should already be there…
Copies of our On Silver Tides pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>A few years back, my son was obsessed with Highwaymen. His favourite book was The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson, and his favourite cartoon was Disney's Robin Hood. He used to dress up in the tricorn hat from his pirate's costume, a sparkly party mask, and grab his nerf gun, then he'd jump out from behind doors and shout, 'Stand and Deliver!' So I wanted to write a book that he'd enjoy when he was a little older, one with Highwaymen in. And of course, I had to add a dash of magic, because magic makes everything better.
The character Diamond Jack isn't based on anyone in particular, but was influenced by famous highwaymen like Dick Turpin. He's also influenced by Robin Hood, and the idea of 'good' Highwaymen, who rob from the rich to give to the poor, although there's no solid evidence that Robin Hood existed in anything other than legend.
I did some online research and read a couple of books about Highwaymen. I learnt about fashions, weapons, taverns, carriages and horses. I hadn't realised most rich people wore white wigs, including the men, or that Highwaymen always attacked carriages as they travelled up hill, because that was when the carriage slowed down. My biggest discovery was about turnspit dogs: little dogs made to run on giant hamster wheels that turn a spit over a fire, allowing dinner to roast perfectly. It made me chuckle so much that I had to feature a turnspit dog as a character.
Ernest. He's just so enthusiastic and positive, but also really quite resourceful. We could all do with someone like Ernest as a friend.
That sometimes we have to pretend to be something until it comes naturally. So Bram pretends to be brave by pretending to be Diamond Jack, and soon, she realises she is brave. We all wear masks sometimes, and that's OK. Also, I think she learns that it's OK to feel sad and miss her parents, and that sadness is a natural part of life and can exist alongside joy and love.
Honestly, I don't know. I'd love there to be a sequel, but so far there isn't a solid plan.
I love writing for this age group because I enjoy writing silly and funny scenes. I also think children are very wise and understand a lot more than some grown ups give them credit for, so authors can touch on some quite difficult themes like loss and grief. I also loved reading as a child, and I love to be able to give that gift to other children.
I'm a huge Amy Wilson fan - Snowglobe is my favourite of hers. I also love the Who Let the Gods Out series by Maz Evans, and The Apprentice Witch books by James Nicol. They're all full of adventure and magic, which are two of my favourite things.
Copies of our Diamond Jack: Your Magic or Your Life pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>I was inspired to write Dreamweavers because I love magical stories. My favourite books to read are fantasy and ever since I was a child mystical creatures have intrigued me. I wanted to write a book that incorporated my love of all things magical with plenty of humour too and that's where Dreamweavers came from.
In this book, I think the most important lesson Tito learns is that he doesn't need to change who he is in order to have fun adventures. In fact, being sensitive is what makes him special. He learns to see it as one of his gifts.
I don't think I'm like Tiff or Murray but I wish I had Tiff's confidence and Murray's sporting talent!
My Dreamweaver symbol would be a spiral - I'm always attracted to spirals and often find myself doodling them!
Tito and Neena are going to meet even more weird and wacky jinn. Plus, their teamwork and Dreamweaving skills will be really put to the test as they face the evil alliance.
I love writing for middle grade as you get to be really imaginative and silly with your ideas. The weirder the better! When you're writing comedy like I am, that's very useful.
I love writing in a cafe so I can people-watch and get ideas. Otherwise, anywhere where I can get coffee and snacks.
Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka by Davina Tijani.
Copies of our Dreamweavers: Night of the Scary Fairies pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>We're looking forward to World Book Day 2024, how about you? We love the fact that children and adults come together to celebrate and discuss their favourite books and characters. We thought it would be helpful to share 8 World Book Day highlights we're particularly looking forward to.
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Are you looking forward to World Book Day 2024?
We definitely are! We love the fact that children and adults come together to celebrate and discuss their favourite books and characters. The excitement of dressing up as book characters and getting stuck into book-themed activities adds an extra layer of enjoyment!
This year's World Book Day falls on Thursday 7th March and the official website is brimming with suggestions to keep you busy in the run up to the event and on the day.
We thought it would be helpful to share some of our particular highlights with you:
Each year, World Book Day enlists a group of talented children's authors to craft a series of exclusive books designed specifically for the occasion. These fantastic books are available for just £1 each or in exchange for a World Book Day £1 book token (distributed through schools and nurseries across the UK).
It's wonderful to know that so many children will be getting their hands on new and exciting books. These stories will keep on giving joy long after March 2nd, as they can be read again, shared, and loved by kids at home and in libraries.
Our biggest challenge is always choosing which £1 books to get! To help those facing the same dilemma, we're sharing our favourite fiction picks:
Marv and the Ultimate Superhero features 5 short stories in which the loveable superhero tackles new challenges and learns more about himself in the process.
We love Marv and sent the first book in the series, Marv and the Mega Robot, to our Parakeet subscribers back in August 2022. The series has expanded since then and we’d thoroughly recommend you check it out with any chapter book lovers aged 5+
Find activity and dressing up ideas, videos and more here.
InvestiGators: Hi-rise Hijinks by John Patrick Green is a laugh-out loud adventure presented in an engaging comic strip style. The InvestiGators, Mango and Brash, have a new case to crack and must go undercover to solve it.
We love the InvestiGators series, which blends gripping mysteries with humour and fantastic illustrations. They’re particularly great for reluctant readers because the graphic novel style can feel less overwhelming and the big belly laughs help make the reading experience fun too!
View sample chapters, activity ideas and more here.
You may also be interested in checking out our carefully curated graphic novel collection.
Loki: Tales of a Bad God is the most recent in a fantastic series by Louie Stowell which is presented in a diary style, complete with drawings and doodles. We’ve loved the first few books in the series, based on the exploits of Norse god Loki who has been banished to live on earth as an 11-year-old boy after playing one too many tricks on the other gods!
Learn more, watch videos and take part in activities here.
The wonderfully imaginative and inclusive Onyeka and the Secret Superhero is a great choice for confident readers aged 8+.
Twelve-year-old Onyeka is enrolled at the Academy of the Sun, a school for superheroes called Solari. When she’s sent on a mission with her friends to investigate a series of freak weather incidents in a remote village, they aren’t expecting to find a top secret Solari with extraordinary superpowers.
Read a sample chapter, find activity ideas and watch author videos here.
If you’re looking for even more fantasy adventures for 8+ why not check out our fantasy chapter book collection?
Jennifer Killick is the queen of middle grade horror and her Dread Wood series is immensely popular with confident readers who enjoy pulse-racing, nail-biting but totally age-appropriate stories.
In Dread Wood: Creepy Creations Angelo and the rest of Club Loser must venture deep into the tunnels underneath Dread Wood High to rescue their favourite teacher, Mr Canton from the hideous creatures that lurk there.
Read, Scream, Repeat is a collection of thirteen spooky stories from award-winning children’s authors, curated by Jennifer Killick which will chill, thrill and delight middle-grade readers.
World Book Day is organizing a line-up of online events featuring children’s authors and illustrators, which everyone can participate in from home or school.
We also love the range of free audiobooks offered on the World Book Day website. Our top picks if you to check out would be: Maggie Sparks and the Monster Baby, Danny Cheung Does Not Do Maths, Steady for This and Adam-2.
There are a number of competitions to enter, organised by World Book Day. We're most excited to see that there's an opportunity to win a full set of Bad Panda books by Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey. These hilarious, illustrated capers are perfect for all readers aged 5+.
Are you dressing up for World Book Day this year? Stuck for ideas? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Join our email list and we’ll send you an exclusive download with 40+ easy World Book Day costume ideas.
We’ve brought together some brilliantly bookish activities in our One-Stop Guide to Celebrating World Book Day!
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We are so excited this month to be sharing Candy Gourlay's Wild Song with our Macaw subscribers. Set in 1904, the book follows Luki who has lived a tribal life in the mountains of the Philippines. She has always dreamed of becoming a warrior, rather than a wife and mother as her community expects. When her tribe are offered a journey to America to be part of the St. Louis World's Fair, Luki jumps at the opportunity to escape. But she soon discovers that the land of opportunity does not share its possibilities equally.
It's an extraordinary adventure story and a powerful depiction of an historical event that few readers will be familiar with, but which has so much contemporary resonance. Here Candy answers our questions about what inspired Luki's story, her experience of writing the book, and which other historical novels for tweens and teens she recommends you turn to next.
Fifteen years ago, I stumbled upon a photo of a large woman of the Edwardian era dancing with a tiny half naked man who I immediately recognised as an Igorot, native to the mountains of the Philippines where I was born. Researching it, I learned that the photo was taken at the World's Fair in St Louis Missouri inn 1904. But something was off. For several years before the Philippines had been at war with the United States, with millions of Filipino casualties. Why would that man be happily dancing with an American? And wasn't 1904 a modest era, when people covered up and men and women didn't dare hold hands? Looking for the answers to these questions led me to years of obsessive research which culminated in writing Wild Song.
Yes, many of the characters are composites of real people who lived during the time. Truman Hunt was a real person, and he really was the manager of the Igorot Village. And Walter Loving really was the band leader of the Philippine Constabulary Band. Though I fictionalised the details, the stories I tell in Wild Song are based on true events.
I did so much research. I read many academic books and histories about the World's Fair. I also searched auction sites for actual objects that appear in my book such as Crayola crayons and late 19th century gramophones and cameras. I found historical archives online filled with photos from the Fair, as well as videos.
There were many surprises in my research, things that I didn't expect. One was the story of the Wild West Show. Wild West Shows of the time sounded to me like terribly racist shows, with native Americans portrayed as the baddies against heroic white American settlers. I was surprised to discover that Native Americans were not averse to appearing in the shows. At the time Native Americans were forced to live in Reservations and banned from speaking their own languages, practicing their religion or wearing their traditional clothes. But at the Wild West Show they could do all these things – in front of a paying audience.
I loved writing Little Luki. In Bone Talk she was supposed to be a minor character but she was so interesting that I kept giving her a bigger and bigger role until she came close to stealing the limelight from the hero. In Wild Song, she is older but just as impetuous and rebellious. The other character I loved writing was Sadie Locket, the cowgirl. I based her on Annie Oakley, who hated the way 19th century society treated girls and found not just freedom but success and fame in Wild West Shows.
I hope young readers, realising that Wild Song is based on true events and real people, will realise that there are many players involved in every moment in history – but some of them don't get to tell their story.
I think people of this age group are the most exciting readers. They are experiencing the world for the first time, discovering life and language – they are becoming whoever they are going to become, and it is thrilling to think that my stories have a part in that!
I would love them to read Persepolis by Marjane Sartrapi – it's a graphic novel about how a revolution changes everything for a young girl, brilliantly drawn, wise and addicting. Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhá Lai follows a Vietnamese girl from war to Alabama in the United States. It is emotional and beautifully written. I also loved The Kindest Lie by Angela Cerrito about a girl smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto in World War 2 with a new name, new papers, a new identity, and how she struggles not to forget her old one. Hitler's Canary by Sandy Toksvig about the German invasion of Denmark through the eyes of a boy with a rather dramatic mother. Funny and filled with pathos at the same time.
Copies of our Wild Song pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
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I wanted to write something funny and highly illustrated for younger readers. Once I had the two characters the rest followed.
I wrote the first story while Francesca drew sketches of the characters to get them right. I love the way they’ve both turned out with Flapjack’s glasses making him look bookish and worried.
I’m probably more like Flapjack. I think things over before doing something while Huxley jumps in feet first.
Listening - the world could do with more listeners!
The second book involves a submarine...
I like the fact that you can do almost anything in the story and felt there should be more fun, highly illustrated chapter books.
I have a writing room overlooking the back garden, essential for daydreaming.
The Claude series by Alex T. Smith.
Copies of our Huxley and Flapjack pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>Robots! And the mind-blowing pace and power of consumerism. But mostly robots.
I wanted the robots to be very human and relatable - I wasn’t really interested in them having approximated emotions or non-human motivations. I like the idea that after rejecting humanity and embracing their own path, the robots basically make all the same mistakes we do. The fact that they are obsessed with upgrading (their bodies as opposed to their phones) comes from a very human place – it’s really an obsession with status, which is hard to resist but leaves everyone poorer.
I read a lot about the history of robots in science fiction – as a metaphor for our better selves, marginalization, the nightmare of unrestrained progress … Also, the idea of robots as an analogy for raising children, which I’d never really dug into. We want our children to develop into content, decent and productive adults but also the fear that they’ll disobey / usurp / replace the older generation (sort of inevitable, which is maybe why it’s scary!)
Gnat was a lot of fun to write because she has an enviable outlook on life. She always tries to stay positive and imagines that anything is possible. When we meet Scrap he’s just starting to look on the bright side of life … then the Brightside children appear and shake his outlook again. Gnat totally believes in Scrap will save the day, which is helpful when your hero’s a curmudgeon. I also loved writing Harmony Highshine – single-mindedness is always fun to write, especially when it results in villainy.
That it’s not who you are, it’s what you do that matters. One day I might write a book that doesn’t include that lesson, but probably not.
Well, Scrap gets the cover and the title, so he’s pretty sure it’s him. The book definitely follows his journey as he decides whether he can be the robot that Paige and Gnat need him to be. The book is introduced by an older Gnat, so I guess that gives her a head a start on her sister. But for me at least, this was always meant to be Paige’s story – certainly as the story progresses in future books. Maybe the three of them can share ‘real hero’ status equally!
If it’s true that, however old you get, you remain a certain age in your head, then I’m about ten. Writing for this age group (and/or my ten-year old self) feels like a very comfortable fit.
For old school sci fi, go for The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. More new school (and a smidge older but great), try Game Over: Rise of the Raid Mob by MJ Sullivan. Mighty Mechs. Loyal friends. Hope in the face of impossible odds – plus, the second book in the series is out in March.
Copies of our SCRAP pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>Our kids love getting involved in the kitchen and baking sweet treats are a particular favourite. It’s why we always include a recipe in the activity packs that we send to our Parrot Street Book Club subscribers.
These gingerbread story book characters are a perfect accompaniment to any World Book Day celebration. With a bit of coloured icing the kids can get creative with the decoration and I’m sure you’ll be amazed by what they create.
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Our kids love getting involved in the kitchen and baking sweet treats are a particular favourite. It’s why we always include a recipe in the activity packs that we send to our Parrot Street Book Club subscribers.
These gingerbread story book characters are a perfect accompaniment to any World Book Day celebration. With a bit of coloured icing the kids can get creative with the decoration and I’m sure you’ll be amazed by what they create.
This recipe makes between 12 and 15 gingerbread biscuits.
Can you identify the characters from these photos? Scroll to the very bottom for the answers!
You may be interested to check out our 40+ easy World Book Day costume ideas and 6 fun World Book Day activities to enjoy at home or school.
World Book Day also organising a lot of great activities and, of course, published their brilliant £1 books for families to enjoy. This is our pick of the World Book Day 2024 books and activities we’re getting excited about.
Answers: Rosie Revere, Tom Gates, Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, Asterix!
]]>I’ve always loved those movies where two polar opposite characters have to work as a team to solve a problem and this led me to the idea of Jess and Tilly. I needed something to tie them together and Tilly’s heart was the answer. The idea of heart transplant surgery fills me with awe – it’s almost like magic!
When I was at uni, I shared a house with a group of girls – we had a real north/south split and a mix of rich versus ‘normal’ (or poor as Tilly might call someone who lives in a house with only one bathroom!). There was lots of bickering before we finally bonded but, despite our differences, those guys are still among my best friends.
Probably Jess as she’s a bit like me – northern and down to earth. My parents even argue just like hers (despite this, they’re still happily married)! We see Tilly only through Jess’s eyes and I hope readers can see that she has more depth to her than Jess first thinks. I’d secretly love to be a bit more Tilly – she has a good heart but she’s self-confident and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. Plus, she has loads of great clothes!
Not to be too judgy when you first meet someone – friendship can take you by surprise. And that we should embrace our differences, not allow them to divide us.
Not without spoilers!
I really enjoyed writing the banter between the two girls. Early on, I had an idea for Tilly to modify a famous Oscar Wilde quote to suit her own argument. I liked how this bit turned out and had a lot of fun thinking up other famous people for her to misquote!
I love writing for this audience – young people are so accepting and inclusive. Anyway, I enjoy reading YA myself – it’s for everyone, not just for teens!
Curled up on the sofa with the dog snoozing on my feet.
Mirror Me by Jan Dunning – a Snow White inspired thriller with magic, mystery and a fascinating peek behind the scenes of the fashion world. It also has a timely message about embracing your true self, flaws and all.
Copies of our Totally Deceased pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>The book we've shared with our Cockatoo subscribers this month tells an inspiring, heart-warming story of family, friendship and community that had us completely gripped. Misty and her father are forced to leave their home and move to a new town, to an estate where ponies run free. City of Horses is incredibly moving, exploring issues around finding your place in the world, overcoming challenges and speaking up for what you believe in. Young readers will find so much to relate to and we're excited to hear what our subscribers think. In the meantime, we're delighted that author Frances Moloney was able to answer a few questions for us. Here she tells us more about what inspired the book and which animal-inspired books for middle grade readers she recommends you read next.
I have always loved horses and horsey books. When I started thinking about writing one myself, I wanted to bring in my own experience of growing up in an inner-city environment. It might surprise some people, but even a city like London has horses in it if you know where to look.
I take a lot of inspiration from the world around me. Another inspiration for City of Horses were the working-class equestrian communities in Dublin & Swansea whose way of life is under threat from gentrification and urban expansion. The character of Fred was partly inspired by the actor Cliff Parisi who played Minty in EastEnders!
Part of my research were the formative years I spent reading every pony book I could get my hands on and going back to these as an adult and thinking about what I could do differently. I watched a great documentary, the BBC’s The City of Horses and Saoirse by the hugely talented Marion Bergin. If you watch that short film closely, you’ll see horses getting the bus and visiting department stores – very surprising!
I think Dylan was the most fun to write. I wanted to create a character who was older than his years in some respects but who had also kept hold of the some of the lightness and innocent way of looking at the world that a young child has. I hope I have achieved it.
Past of the importance of Dylan as a character is that he brings out the fun side in Misty. Misty is quite negative and introverted when she arrives in Redbridge, partly due to the fact she is still grieving her mother’s death and partly due to the pressure she is under moving to a new place. When she meets Dylan, she learns to face her prejudices, overcome new challenges, and makes new friends. I think the most important lesson she learns from all this is that the most authentic friendships are made when you don’t prejudge people but appreciate them for who they really are.
I adored reading as a child and this age, when I started reading independently, was particularly magical. You choose books that you want to read for yourself, discover the authors you admire and foster a lifetime love of reading. It’s a very exciting time.
I mainly write on a foldout desk in my bedroom – not very glamorous! I do enjoy getting out of the house to gain a fresh perspective sometimes. Two of my favourite places to write are the cosy café at my local cinema and the library. What better place to be inspired than somewhere where you are surrounded by books.
There are a lot of good ones out there at the moment. If you like a fast-paced action-packed adventure, I’d recommend Lauren St John’s Finding Wonder. I was in awe of S F Said’s Tyger which I read recently, a beautifully-evoked vision of London with a strong political and social message at its heart. The illustrations are wonderful too.
Copies of our City of Horses pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
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With a couple of tweens and a teen between us, we know from experience how tricky it can be to find books for story-loving tweens who might be coming to the end of their middle-grade years, but aren’t quite ready for so-called young adult books.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of recently published titles that work particularly well for this age group. They straddle both middle grade and young adult categories, but in all cases we’d say the content is age-appropriate for 10+ - and we’d be happy passing these on to our own 10, 11 and 12-year-olds!
We sent this heartwarming, historical adventure to our Macaw subscribers in August 2023. Set in wartime Paris, it is packed with empathy and a brilliant cast of characters, not least our extraordinary heroine, Safiyyah, whose bravery and compassion shine through in the darkest of times.
This action-packed and highly illustrated adventure draws on African mythology and would be perfect for fans of Percy Jackson. Cursed with a weird name and an illness to match, Koku thinks life can't get any worse - until he unleashes a demon on a school trip and is hurled into an impossible quest filled with magic and monsters!
Lina has left China to live with her parents and sister in the US, after five years apart. She’s been waiting for this moment but it’s not exactly like the postcards. When her teacher is challenged for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear in order to choose a future where she’s finally seen.
This gripping sci-fi tale, from Irish Children's Literature Laureate Patrica Forde, is truly thought-provoking. Aria lives on a well-ordered planet whose people have eradicated illness and even death. Brought up to believe that humans are inferior, Aria is shocked to discover that she is herself half human, and amazed to find that Earth-dwellers live life to the full and feel love for each other, even though they are mortal.
This amazing verse novel has been a runaway hit in our bookshop. Life can be tough in your last year of primary school. Tests to take, preparing for the change to high school. With struggles at school and at home Nate's world turns upside-down. His new teacher, Mr Joshua, sees a spark inside of Nate that’s lit by his love of reading and writing and shows him how to use this to process what’s going on. But with so much working against him, and anger rising inside him, will this be enough?
This is the first in an epic new middle grade trilogy from master storyteller Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Ysolda has lived her life in the shadow of the wolf queen's tyrannical rule but, safe in her forest haven, she has never truly felt its threat. Until one day when a mysterious earthquake shakes the land and her older sister Hari vanishes in its wake.
From our award-winning monthly book subscriptions to chapter books, letterbox gifts, stocking stuffers and ideas for a Christmas Eve box, we’re here to help you give the gift of reading this Christmas. Head to the dedicated Christmas area on our website for everything you need this festive season!
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From the comfort of familiar characters to the anticipation of unfolding adventures, there are so many reasons why kids love a book series. 2023 has been a year brim-full with creativity and epic storytelling in the world of children’s literature and we’ve seen the launch of some fantastic new literary adventures that promise to keep giving for years to come. We’ve scoured the bookshelves and were spoilt for choice, but here we’ve selected 10 of our favourite new series of 2023.
From magical lands filled with mythical creatures to heart-warming tales of friendship and self-discovery, these chapter book series have earned their place as must-reads for the next generation of readers. Whether your child is a budding adventurer, a science enthusiast, or a fan of fantastical worlds, our list covers a diverse range of genres and themes. Packed with enchanting narratives, vibrant characters, and rich illustrations, these series really stand out in the ever-expanding landscape of children's literature.
Adventuremice by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
Author and illustrator dream-team Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre have really spoilt us this year with the launch of their brilliant new series of highly illustrated early chapter books for younger readers, Adventuremice. With full colour illustrations, whimsical characters and entertaining storylines, the three books in the series, Otter Chaos, Mermouse Mystery and Mice on the Ice have been flying off our virtual shelves.
Montgomery Bonbon by Alasdair Beckett-King
Detective fiction is always a huge hit with middle grade readers. This fun new murder mystery series is packed with humour and has a classic feel that is perfect for fans of Robin Stevens. The books star Bonnie Montgomery, the world’s best detective - not that anyone (other than Grampa Banks) has heard of her… But they might have heard of the great Montgomery Bonbon, the well-dressed gentleman detective who (apart from the hat and moustache) looks suspiciously like a 10-year-old girl! Death at the Lighthouse and Murder at the Museum were both released in 2023. A third volume will publish in July 2024.
Villains Academy by Ryan Hammond
Welcome to Villains Academy – the most prestigious villain school in the ENTIRE land. You will either leave here as a fully-formed villain . . . or in tatters! Newly independent readers will love the villainously funny stories and witty illustrations in this exciting new series. Ryan Hammond is a debut author/illustrator and we're excited to see where the series goes next! Fans of Loki, Dogman and Amelia Fang will love these. Villains Academy and Villains Academy: How To Steal a Dragon are out now. Book three will publish in April 2024.
Time Travel Twins by Josh Lacey
Discover two sides of history with the Time Travel Twins! We love this series of historical time-travel adventures, packed with fun illustrations by Garry Parsons and perfectly pitched for younger middle grade readers. The books tie in brilliantly with the KS2 curriculum. Twins Scarlett and Thomas travel back to the Viking and Roman periods in the first two volumes and will be taking trip to the Stone Age in the third book which publishes in May 2024.
Fairytale Ninjas by Paula Harrison, illustrated by Monica de Rivas
Nothing very exciting EVER happens in the town of Hobbleton. Then Red, Snow and Goldie are trained up as fairytale ninjas, and find that anything is possible… Fairytale Ninjas is a fun new illustrated series for 5+, perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Isadora Moon. The first two books in the series, The Glass Slipper Academy and The Magic Crown, are both packed with magic, adventure and a cast of inspiring female characters. A third volume, Two and a Half Wishes, will publish in January 2024.
Mysteries at Sea by A.M. Howell
Combining two of our favourite genres, mystery and historical, this brand-new series promises to get our pulses racing! The first book in this fun new series, Peril on the Atlantic, is a twisty and heart-pounding historical mystery set at sea, perfect for readers aged 8+. Set sail for a nautical adventure that is perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Judith Eagle and the Adventures on Train series. Book two will publish in April 2024.
Izzy the Inventor by Zanna Davidson, illustrated by Elissa Elwick
Newly independent readers will be inspired by this brilliant new STEM-inspired series starring Izzy the Inventor, who LOVES science and does NOT believe in magic! These super accessible early chapter books combine an entertaining story with witty illustrations and actual science experiments that you can do at home - plus a healthy dose of magic and sparkle. The first two volumes, Izzy the Inventor and the Unexpected Unicorn and Izzy the Inventor and the Curse of Doom, are available now. Two more volumes will publish in 2024.
Di Island Crew Investigates by Kereen Getten
Another fab new detective series for younger middle grade readers, these gripping mysteries are set on the island of Jamaica and star Fayson, who has always wanted to be a detective and whose dreams seem to come true when her cousins recruit her to their top secret gang. But the Greatest Gang of All Time don’t live up to their name, and keep getting distracted from missions by things like food, falling asleep and a fair bit of squabbling! The first two mysteries, The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder and The Case of the Haunted Wardrobe, have already been huge hits with young readers. A third volume will publish in February 2024.
Lenny Lemmon by Ben Davis, illustrated by James Lancett
The first volume in Ben Davis's Lenny Lemmon series, Lenny Lemmon and the Invincible Rat, was a huge hit with our Parakeet subscribers earlier this year and we love the second volume, Lenny Lemmon and the Trail of Crumbs, just as much! The books are packed with slapstick humour, relatable characters and brilliant illustrations. Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid or Pamela Butchart. A third volume will publish in April 2024.
Momo Arashima by Misa Sugiura
Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind is a thrilling fantasy adventure for readers aged 8+ and one the books we’ve been most excited about this year. Young readers will be transported by this hugely entertaining and original fantasy, the start of an exciting new series that is packed with action and empathy. We love the Japanese-inspired setting and the epic world-building and can't wait to see where the series goes next. Book two will publish in March 2024.
From our award-winning monthly book subscriptions to chapter books, letterbox gifts, stocking stuffers and ideas for a Christmas Eve box, we’re here to help you give the gift of reading this Christmas. Head to the dedicated Christmas area on our website for everything you need this festive season!
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This fun recipe makes 12-15 doughnuts that will be a sure-fire hit with kids and adults alike.
1. Preheat the oven to 200C. Lightly grease a doughnut tin if you have one. A small cupcake tray will also work, although the shape of your doughnuts will be different.
2. Put the butter, oil and both sugars in a large bowl and use a handheld mixer to beat until smooth. Add the eggs and beat until fully combined.
3. Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
4. Gradually stir in the flour, alternating each spoon with some of the milk, until everything is fully combined.
5. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared tray. If you are using a cupcake tray, fill each hole so that it is about ¾ full. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the doughnuts are pale golden brown. To check they are cooked, insert a skewer into one of the doughnuts – if it comes out clean, they are ready.
6. Turn out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
Sing If You Can't Dance, one of the books we picked for our Macaw subscribers this month, had us alternately laughing, crying and screaming with frustration! We love Ven, a hugely relatable lead character who we think young people will find inspiring. This is an emotional but ultimately hopeful novel that celebrates diversity and the power of young people to do good in the world. We are delighted that author Alexia Casale has agreed to tell us more about writing for teens and which books with real-world settings she recommends you read next.
Nothing! The main character just turned up and refused to give me a moment’s peace till I told her story. When you start the book, you will understand exactly what I mean.
I only ever put people into books when (a) I don’t know them very well, and (b) I don’t like them at all. Real people are too complicated to fit in a book, no matter how rich the characterisation. But when someone’s awful, I sometimes take a piece of their behaviour and give it to a character I dislike. (O sweet, sweet literary revenge.)
As for other elements and events – yes! I was the lone atheist in a revelation rock-gospel choir at uni, and I used to be Box Office Manager at a music festival, so I brought my own knowledge, expertise and emotional experiences to the book regarding how it feels to perform with a group, what it’s like helping to run an event with tens of thousands of people over multiple days… But none of it is an exact version of my experience because it’s Ven’s story.
Ha! As if Ven would have ever, ever let that happen! Unthinkable!
However, I am working on a new book that may, one day, indirectly provide a good answer to this question.
I always try to write books that ask questions, rather than delivering messages, so I hope readers will take away their own thoughts, feelings, imaginings, curiosities – and, most of all, that they keep thinking about the book long after they finish the final page. Dear reader, what do you all make of the story? What did you like? What surprised you? What do you wish I’d written differently? Is there anything you’ve looked up or done having read the book? If you’ve got any questions, do feel free to chat to me on Instagram or Twitter/X! I’m a friendly little human-bean.
Um… I can only say no comment or my publisher will kill me. 😉
World domination is definitely a possibility though.
I write both YA and adult fiction, so it just depends on what the story is, which always depends on who the main character is (or are, if there’s a group). Ven determined everything about this book. With The Bone Dragon, my debut, it was similar, though Evie’s a bit younger. I try to do the equivalent of ‘method acting’ – putting myself into the body, mind, life of the main character then seeing how that person talks, acts, thinks and imagines. Sing was super fun because of Ven’s sense of humour – though I did tone down her swearing as it lands much harder in a book than when people speak and it’s not worth putting people off a story they’d otherwise love. Overall, though, I don’t write differently for children, young people or adults, I just write different things, and the nature of those things mean each story takes on its own shape, tone and language.
Yes! I have a covered porch at the back of my home so I can be outside and look at the garden as I write. A fresh cup of tea, and a purring cat beside me, and life is bliss! I’m there right now and the robin I share the garden with has just dropped by to say hello.
I am a huge fan of Holly Bourne, so it was an absolute honour to have her blurb Sing If You Can’t Dance. Louisa Reid writes amazing verse novels – it takes about 5-10 pages to get into the narrative the first time you read one, but they offer an amazing reading experience once you’re in the flow. Christi Daugherty does action-packed thrillers, often with an intriguing political edge grounded in the shifting sands between espionage and diplomacy. Karen Gregory writes beautiful books – Skylarks is a great place to start if you like a little romance alongside a story about important social issues. And… there are just too many!
Copies of our Sing If You Can't Dance pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>I had just finished my Dark Unicorns series and wanted to write another book of a similar length, with twists and turns, but on a different subject: something a little spookier. I settled on vampires, but I knew I didn’t want my book to feature modern vampires. Instead, my starting point was Gothic fiction. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, of course, but also The Pale Lady by Alexander Dumas and Victorian penny dreadfuls. I knew I wanted to have a travelling coach approaching a mysterious castle by the light of the moon!
I began, as I so often do, with the title. I liked the sound of The Thirteenth Vampire and it raised a number of questions in my mind. If I was writing about a thirteenth vampire, then what had happened to the other twelve? The plot developed naturally from there.
None of the characters are based on real people, although they become real to me. The idea of the countess came from the famous Count Dracula. I thought it would be interesting to take a familiar character and play with it. Making the countess female was my starting point. I did the same with the coach driver. I’d never read or seen anything featuring a female coach driver and thought it might be interesting. Vivi’s name means ‘life’ and I wanted her character to be full of life in every way to contrast with the vampires.
Although the story takes place in a made-up town in an unspecified country, I wanted it to feel real, and did a lot of research. Everything from Victorian laundries to sunflower fields to the best way to pick a pear!
Thank you. I loved writing it. The castle is such an important part of the book, almost like another character, and I wanted it to feel real. As well as reading about spooky castles and watching vampire films, I also took an online tour of a Romanian castle.
Then, about halfway through writing the book, I couldn’t keep track of where everything was, so I drew out a very detailed map. Map-drawing isn’t a skill which comes easily to me, so it took me ages. I did the same with the castle grounds and pinned them up on a notice board behind my computer. I also had reference pictures of crumbling fountains, mazes and crypts.
Hahaha! Great question. The honest answer is that if I’d have been in Vivi’s position I would never have applied for the position at the castle. I’d have been quite happy to stay in Valesti, working at the laundry and eating fluffy plum dumplings. But then who knows what would have happened. Thank goodness that Vivi is brave enough to take a few foolish risks! As an author it can be great fun to write about things that you would never do yourself.
I am lucky enough to have a little writing shed at the top of my garden and it’s my favourite place to work. I like to go out and find inspiration too, though, and I sometimes write on trains and in cafés.
If you like feisty female protagonists and mysteries with attention to historical detail, then you’ll probably enjoy The Clockwork Sparrow and the rest of The Sinclair’s Mysteries by Katherine Woodfine. Also, Black Powder by Ally Sherrick is set at the time of Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot. Perfect for this time of year!
Copies of our The Thirteenth Vampire pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – book gifts make the best gifts. If you’ve got gifts for kids under 10 on your Christmas shopping list this year, you really can’t go wrong with a book. Adventure, imagination, rip-roaring humour – the best contemporary kids’ books have it all! And if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. We’ve put together a guide to some of the best book gifts for kids under 10 in 2023.
The Wonder Brothers by Frank Cottrell-Boyce
When the famous Blackpool Tower dramatically vanishes the night of the Grand Lights Switch-On, showman and magician Nathan announces live on TV that he and his cousin will magic it back home! Packed with heart, adventure and laugh-out-loud moments, we're thrilled to be offering signed copies through our online bookshop.
Kevin the Vampire: A Most Mysterious Monster by Matt Brown
This monstrously funny, illustrated adventure was a hit with our Parakeet subscribers in October 2023. When Kevin and his family of carnival performers arrive in the quiet, boring town of Lower Drudging they discover that it has a monstrous secret of its own. A secret that is old, very hungry and has just woken up!
Oh Maya Gods! by Maz Evans
This hilarious mythic adventure is perfect for readers aged 8 and up. This is the first in a spin-off series from the bestselling Who Let the Gods Out series. It's the turn of football-loving Vesper and super bright Aster to take on the world's worst-behaved immortals - beginning with Maya bad boy, Kizin, and his Lords and Ladies of Death!
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
The reigning queen of children’s literature is back with a brand-new fantasy series full of thrilling adventures and marvellous magic. Christopher's grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the non-magical world and the Archipelago, a cluster of magical islands where mythical creatures live and breed and thrive alongside humans. They have been protected from discovery for thousands of years but now, terrifyingly, the protection has worn thin and creatures are breaking through!
Meesh the Bad Demon by Michelle Lam
This is the first in an exciting graphic novel series featuring a band of outcasts in an epic fantasy adventure. Bullied by the other demons, twelve-year-old Meesh is more likely to be reading magazines from Plumeria City - the fairy realm - and fangirling about the fairy princesses. But when disaster strikes and all of demon-kind is threatened, Meesh must journey to other worlds in search of help.
Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power by P. A. Staff
This is a gripping and powerful debut novel set in an imaginative and spectacular fantasy world. Casander Darkbloom has no memory, lives outside a curiosity shop, and experiences random surges of uncontrollable energy in his limbs. When he inexplicably brings a stuffed raven to life, he unravels a strange and thrilling magical world.
Honey's Hive by Mo O'Hara
This delightful early chapter book, perfect for newly independent readers, was an easy pick for our Parakeet boxes earlier this year. All the bees in Honey's HIve have a job to do. But Honey is buzzing for adventure and none of the jobs seem right for her. Until the hive is attacked and someone has to save the Queen. Could it BEE Honey?
Finding Bear by Hanna Gold
Hannah Gold’s multi award-winning The Last Bear combined phenomenal storytelling, an inspiring lead character, a stunning setting and an important message. This much anticipated sequel sees April Wood return to the Arctic and set off on a dramatic journey to save a polar bear cub. Perfect for animal lovers aged 8+.
Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers
This is a funny and heartwarming illustrated tale, perfect for newly independent readers. Michael’s dream is to go from being an unknown pup to a Hollywoof sensation and global su-paw-star. But becoming famous is no walkies in the park...
The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson
This beautiful hardback edition, complete with detailed two-colour illustrations, is a book to be treasured and would make a perfect gift. This wintery tale, from master storyteller Sophie Anderson, is about friendship, belonging and bravery. Ideal for readers aged 8+.
Adventuremice: Mice on the Ice by Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre
For slightly younger readers aged 5+, this colourful illustrated chapter book is packed with fun and adventure. The Frost Fair is coming but when a surprise snowfall puts the mice's plans at risk, it's up to Pedro and the team to save the Fair and bring joy to the town! Grab a copy from us and we'll include a signed bookplate and exclusive print too.
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King's Christmas Shenanigans by Alex T. Smith
Another hardback edition to treasure, this is the newest Christmas story from author and illustrator Alex T. Smith. In this fun retelling of a classic story the Mouse King is up to some very sneaky shenanigans. The night before Christmas he steals the key to the Kingdom of Sweets and sets out to cause as much festive mayhem as he can! Clara and Fritz Strudel, and their new friend the Nutcracker, are the only ones who can stop him!
Perfect for reading in bed or snuggled in a reading den, kids will love this fantastic booklight which clips directly onto their book.
This beautifully illustrated set of 80 labels feature 8 adorable forest friends and are perfect to help any bookworm keep track of their personal library!
For more brilliant bookish Christmas gifts for girls and boys, head to our dedicated Christmas page, where you’ll find all the information you need on our gift subscriptions, gift sets and stocking fillers for young bookworms and more.
]]>We’ve said it before, but we don’t think you can ever go wrong buying a book as a gift. Of course, we’re biased but we think a book subscription is an excellent choice for kids and you can read about the benefits here. (link to blog post).
But there are lots of option for branching out when it comes to buying presents for booklovers. Why not opt for a book-themed gift or a special something to accompany the book you’ve chosen?
We’ve been window shopping on your behalf and have put together this list of 9 fantastic presents for book lovers from 5 to 99-years-old!
We’ve got one of these t-shirts wrapped, ready and waiting to give to my 9-year-old on Christmas Day. But I know plenty of adults who would love one too. It looks like they're currently sold out but keep an eye out for updates. Or the A5 foil prints are a great option too!
Another of my own purchases, this stylish print looks fantastic propped on my daughter’s bookshelf.
his stylish sweatshirt. Plus, £10 from the sale of every sweatshirt goes to Cheltenham Festivals to help support all the work they do promoting the benefits of reading literature and inspiring the next generation of readers.
This month's Parakeet book is an inspirational read with characters that newly independent readers will really relate to. We immediately fell in love with Keisha Jones and we know you will too! She's feisty and brave and will inspire young readers to stand up for what they believe in. It's such a fun story brought to life by Chanté Timothy's brilliant illustrations and we're excited to be sharing it with our subscribers. Here author Natalie Denny tells us what inspired the book and which illustrated chapter books for younger readers she recommends you read next.
It was an initial idea from Little Tiger that we worked on together to bring to life. In my own life I am involved in activism and loved the idea of creating a character that wanted to make their community a better place.
That you are never too young to make a positive difference in this world.
I think the best outcome was achieved for everyone involved. The Bee Squad was formed, and the kids learnt about the Women's Liberation movement and how to organise, Manny's pet shop was inundated with budding pet owners, families welcomed a new fluffy member, the community was shown the power of working together and standing up for what you believe in.
The next book in the series is called Keisha Jones is a Force of Nature and is all about The Bee Squad's next cause to save green spaces and Very Important Trees or V.I.T.s for short.
It's a fun and interesting age to write for. Children see the world in a very special and unique way and stories that speak to them are always a joy to write.
I do like going to Gladstone Library, but I tend to write in my cosy living room in front of my bookcase and ladder!
I love the books from Storymix so Aziza's Secret Fairy Door or The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me. Little Tiger also have great books for young readers.
I like snakes, bearded dragons, kangaroos, pandas, and koala bears.
Copies of our Keisha Jones Takes on the World pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>I’ve always loved folklore and fairy tales – there’s just something timeless about the characters and the world they inhabit. I loved the idea of taking a traditional fairy tale, with familiar characters, a magical world and mythical beings, and catapulting it into a more modern and uncertain future.
I wrote Cloudlanders during the first COVID lockdown, at a time when we were all being told to shut ourselves away, and I think that spilled over into the story! I had this very clear picture of a fairy tale society who had escaped some great and terrible threat and were now hiding from it. Traditional fairy tales served as a warning to children: don’t go off into the woods and don’t trust big bad wolves. There was always some terrible threat to look out for and, while we don’t have to worry so much about wicked witches, I wanted to create a modern threat with a fairy tale twist, and that’s where the Wavewrecker comes in.
The Wavewrecker, like climate change, is responsible for rising sea levels, freak storms, and natural disasters. It has wiped out every other country on earth and, although the Cloudlanders are afraid of it, they must come together and work out a way to stop it before it’s too late. I wanted to show that, no matter how big the threat, we all have a better chance if we set aside our differences and work together to overcome it.
Originally, Bastion was just an island in the middle of a deep and endless sea. It was dark and gritty, all salt spray and shadows, but as time went on and the characters developed, I realised the setting wasn’t quite right. I went back to my favourite fairy tales and began thinking about ‘fairy tale what-ifs’. What if Little Red Riding Hood was the one hunting the wolf all along? What if Pinocchio wasn’t a puppet carved from wood, but a boy with mechanical limbs?
As these characters began exploring their island, it became clear that this was a magical place with a deep and mysterious history. I had a lot of fun mixing fairy tale magic with modern technology, and it was at this point that my wonderful editors pointed out the grim setting wasn’t quite working with the fun, fast-paced adventure. So, we had a rethink and decided to shift the setting somewhere else.
I was then talking to my wife one night and we came back to those ‘fairy tale what-ifs’, and she suggested one: what if the world at the top of the beanstalk was set adrift after Jack cut it down? I loved that idea but wanted to tie it into the story we already had, so instead of a beanstalk there was lightstone: the magical material that’s lighter than air and allows the Cloudlanders to float up above the clouds. Suddenly, we had our world, we had our characters, and from there everything else fell into place.
Because he was the first character I wrote, I will always have a soft spot for Kurt the Shroomling, the walking, talking, eight-foot mushroom with a big heart and a fear of heights. However, I think the most fun character to write was Aliana. She’s a Fowler, which means she tracks down dangerous creatures for a living, but she’s also fiercely protective of her friends and her twin brother. Aliana starts the story on the trail of a big, bad wolf who has been terrorising local villages, but she soon learns that this wolf isn’t all that big or bad. In fact, maybe he isn’t even a wolf at all…
Oh, that’s a tough one! If I had Lycan’s ability to transform into any mythical creature in Bastion, I would go with a Centaurasus – a cross between a Centaur and a Pegasus. That way you get the wings and speed of a Pegasus, but still have a human head and torso. If that’s cheating and I have to pick a real animal, then I’d go with a dolphin because they’re super clever, I love swimming and there’s a lot of unexplored ocean out there. Plus, they’re very cute.
Well, the Augur can answer any question you can imagine, but there’s a catch: her magic always comes with a hidden cost. So, while I’d like to ask something big and important like ‘what is the secret to living forever?’ or ‘will they let me write a sequel to Cloudlanders?’ I think I would probably play it a bit safer and just ask what the winning lottery numbers will be next week. Hopefully she won’t punish me too harshly for that!
Because they are simply the best readers ever! You can throw an island of magic and mayhem that somehow floats above the clouds and is full of walking, talking mushrooms and gemstone faeries at them, and they just go: “Yup, that all makes sense to me.” There is something truly wonderful about children’s imagination – they are so curious and creative, they could probably come up with an even wackier story than I can!
There’s just this limitless possibility and I love how varied and interesting middle grade fiction is. I can go to the library and pick up three books, all aimed at the same age group, and get three wildly different stories. One might make me laugh, one might make me cry, and one might just give me a headache with how strange it is, but that’s not a bad thing. Variety is the spice of life, and children’s fiction is the spiciest kind of fiction.
We have an armchair in our flat that sits between the fireplace and the bay window. I love to sit and write there, but it also has these wings that you can rest your head against, so it’s very easy to find yourself napping! I also write a lot on trains if I get the space – something about the movement and the countryside flying by always helps. My biggest tip though would be to just write wherever you can – whether it’s on the floor, the kitchen table, or hanging upside down like a bat.
If it works for you, then just spend some time writing. You don’t really need a special spot or a magic sleepy armchair, just some time alone with your thoughts.
I’ve always loved the work of Sir Terry Pratchett and grew up reading his novels, from The Wee Free Men and his Johnny Maxwell trilogy to the Discworld novels, he was a master of fantasy for all ages. The books I read most as a child were probably Groosham Grange by Anthony Horowitz and, if you want something a bit more out there, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster is another great read. North Child by Edith Pattou is a beautifully written and spellbinding story too.
In terms of more recent books, Tyger by SF Said is a mesmerising story with some stunning imagery, Malamander by Thomas Taylor is a delightfully creepy mystery, and L.D. Lapinski’s The Strangeworlds Travel Agency books are gripping and packed full of adventure. There’s also Justin Davies’ fabulously fishy Haarville, with its misty, mysterious setting and compelling characters. And, lastly but not leastly, the wonderful Cornelia Funke is another excellent fantasy author, especially The Thief Lord!
Copies of our Cloudlanders pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>We all know a young (or not so young!) fan of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter. My own son repeatedly returns to books in the series, rereading them over and over again. The series has done so much for inspiring a love of reading among young people, but we often hear from parents whose children are stuck in a bit of a Harry Potter rut and are struggling to break out of it. Fortunately, middle grade fantasy is thriving as a genre and there are some fantastic books out there that we think are perfect for Harry Potter fans of all ages. Here are just six of them.
Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power by P.A. Staff
Hot off the press, this brand-new fantasy story is perfect for readers aged 8+. It’s a magical book that celebrates difference, written by a debut author with an extraordinary and authentic voice. It’s also the first in a new series. Cas is the Foretold, the one prophesied to defeat the malevolent Master of All. Under the protection of Wayward School, Cas must learn to master his magical abilities. But, as he soon discovers, all may not be quite as it seems – and Cas will need to take control of his own destiny if he is to find the strength to fight the powers of evil.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Without a doubt a candidate for our book of the year, Impossible Creatures is the first in an epic new trilogy by one of the most exciting voices in contemporary children’s literature – and perfect for fans of Fantastic Beasts. Christopher’s grandfather is the guardian of one of the ways between the non-magical world and a place called the Archipelago, a cluster of magical islands where mythical creatures live and thrive alongside humans. They have been protected from being discovered for thousands of years; now, terrifyingly, the protection has worn thin, and creatures are breaking through.
Fablehouse By E.L. Norry
An action-packed magical adventure for 8+, Fablehouse is a thrilling fantasy with a brilliant cast of diverse characters. We love the atmospheric setting and the story that focuses on friendship and finding your place in the world. Newly arrived at a mysterious mansion surrounded by ancient woodland, Heather roams the countryside with some of the other mixed-race kids who are in care there. Before long they find a stone tower that feels strangely magical. There they meet Palamedes, the Black knight from King Arthur's court. He warns them that danger lurks in a world beneath their feet.
Spellstone By Ross Montgomery
We are huge fans of Ross Montgomery's books – he’s an exceptional talent, writing contemporary classics that both kids and adults love. Spellstone is no exception, packed with magical storytelling and brilliant characters. Recruited into the Order of the Stone, a secret magical organization, Evie finds herself at the heart of an ancient battle to protect the Spellstone, the most powerful magical weapon in the world. Evil is returning to the land, and Evie is the only person who can stop it. But how can she when she doesn’t even know how to use her own powers?
The Spectaculars: The Four Curses by Jodie Garnish
A middle grade novel that combines magic, the theatre and a travelling boarding school is sure to be a hit. Young readers will be immersed in a world of magic, theatre and danger with a large pinch of starstuff in this exciting new series. When Harper joins The Spectaculars at their travelling boarding school, she can't wait to learn all kinds of magic. But when the song of the Four Curses comes to life, and a terrifying creature threatens everything, she must use her new powers to save her school...
The Marvelllers by Dhonielle Clayton
Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds for Marvellers from around the world. Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy but she finds friendship in fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, a boy with a fondness for magical creatures and support from her Elixirs teacher, Masterji Thakur. We know young readers are going to love this new series - a diverse cast of characters, incredible world-building and a story packed with magic, mystery and friendship are the perfect ingredients for a middle grade hit.
From our award-winning monthly book subscriptions to chapter books, letterbox gifts, stocking stuffers and ideas for a Christmas Eve box, we’re here to help you give the gift of reading this Christmas. Head to the dedicated Christmas area on our website for everything you need this festive season!
]]>2023 has been another bumper year for new kids’ books and some of Parrot Street’s favourite authors have been especially busy.
If you’ve been following us for a while, you will know that we are huge champions of new authors and series, and brilliant books that are flying under the radar. The books and authors we select for our subscription boxes all have a very special place in our hearts and it gives us enormous pleasure to see those authors enjoying more and more success.
All the books listed below were published in 2023 and are authored by writers we’ve included in our boxes over the last five years.
So, if you’re a Parrot Street subscriber looking to boost your library this Christmas or simply a children’s book fan looking for the best new books by the finest children’s authors, here’s our guide to some of the books you won’t want to miss:
Too Small Tola Makes it Count by Atinuke
We sent the first in this delightful illustrated series to our Parakeet subscribers back in March 2020 and are so pleased to see it still going strong.
In this book lockdown is over and Too Small Tola has returned to the crowded family flat in Lagos, Nigeria. Even though she is back home and safe, there are still plenty of problems for Tola to solve. These fun and gentle stories are perfect for reading together.
Lenny Lemmon and the Trail of Crumbs by Ben Davis
Our Parakeet subscribers enjoyed Lenny Lemmon's first madcap adventure earlier this year. With slapstick humour, relatable characters and brilliant illustrations this series is perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid or Pamela Butchart.
When an important visitor turns up at school one day, Lenny and his friends are surprised to find themselves sent to the back field to count the footballs and tidy up the bibs. But the teachers' plan to keep Lenny, the school dog and the important visitor ends up going hilariously wrong!
The Dog Squad: The Newshound by Clara Vulliamy
This is the first in a new series from the illustrator of The Book Cat, which we featured in one of our Parakeet subscription boxes and was a near-instant sell out. Clara has both written and illustrated this beautiful animal adventure brimming with heart.
Eva has always wanted to be a journalist, so when she finds a stray dog outside her home, she might just have found her first case. Can she, along with her best friends at the Newshound newspaper, Simone and Ash, find Wafer’s real owner?
Pixies vs Fairies by Dave Lowe and Charlotte Colwill
Dave Lowe's The Incredible Dadventure was one of the first books we ever sent to our book club subscribers. This short, illustrated adventure is full of magic and sparkle with a colourful cast of characters. Perfect for fans of Amelia Fang or Isadora Moon.
Alice's family have moved to the countryside and there are no adventures to be found at all. But everything changes when she meets seven-year-old Max who shares the most wonderful secret - there are three pixies living at the bottom of his garden!
Stink: Worst. Fairy. Ever by Jenny McLachlan
We sent the first in Jenny's epic Land of Roar series to our Cockatoo subscribers back in 2019. This hilarious, highly illustrated caper for younger readers is something completely different and would be perfect for fans of Louie Stowell's Loki series and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Stink is the rudest, naughtiest fairy there’s ever been. Instead of sparkles, Stink makes mess. Instead of being kind, Stink plays pranks. She also eats woodlice and rides on rats. From the moment Stink flies out of the fairy door and attaches herself to his hair, Danny knows that Stink is trouble.
The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze
Clare's debut novel, The Lightning Catcher, was a huge hit with our Cockatoo subscribers a few years ago. This new book is a perfect middle grade fantasy adventure, infused with science and friendship.
Summer was supposed to be Ginika's time for fun, friends and fairs. But instead she's been sent to live at the dead-end seaside boarding house her grandparents run. Everything changes when she meets Peri. He leaps and dives through the water like a dolphin and he talks like a burst of bubbles. He's not exactly a mermaid, but he's definitely something Ginika's never seen before!
The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle
The author of The Pear Affair, which we sent our Cockatoo subscribers in 2021, is one of our favourite kids’ authors. Her newest novel, another classic historical adventure story, is perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Ross Montgomery.
When Caro Monday's mother disappears on one of her jaunts, she has no choice but to go and stay with a miserable woman that she's never met. Not only that but she's told that her beloved rabbit, His Nibs, is not allowed to go with her. Luckily, Caro's not one for following rules. With her rabbit in hiding, and her wild behaviour getting her into trouble as soon as she walks through the door, Caro is only going to find herself in deeper water. In the lining of her suitcase is a small but extraordinary painting of a thrush . . . a painting that some dangerous art thieves are hunting down!
The Housetrap by Emma Read
Emma's Milton the Mighty was a huge hit with our subscribers. Scooby Doo meets Escape Room in this brilliant new book packed with puzzles, spooks and mystery!
Amity has run off into Badwell Woods. Her brother Claude goes after her, only to discover his little sister’s scarf dangling near a house in the trees. Has she gone inside? He enters, not expecting a three storey-building with NO stairs. And a party laid out when there’s nobody else around. Only when the front door locks behind him does he realize it’s a housetrap. And they’ve been caught...
The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell
Jenny's stories are vividly told, relatable and carry hugely important messages about our environment. We sent subscribers Zillah's debut children's novel, The Extraordinary Colours of Auden Dare, back in 2018 and have followed her career with interest since then.
When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She's wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she's carrying a strange, heavy case. She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets...
Spellstone by Ross Montgomery
We have been huge fans of Ross Montgomery's books ever since we sent Max and the Millions to our Cockatoo subscribers back in 2018. He's an exceptional talent, writing contemporary classics that both kids and adults love.
Evie is used to not being noticed. However, when she meets the mysterious Wainwright, she discovers that going unnoticed might just be what makes her unique. Recruited into the Order of the Stone, a secret magical organization, Evie finds herself at the heart of an ancient battle to protect the Spellstone, the most powerful magical weapon in the world. Evil is returning to the land, and Evie is the only person who can stop it. But how can she when she doesn’t even know how to use her own powers?
Sweet Skies by Robin Scott-Elliot
We sent our Macaw subscribers Robin's gripping World War 2 adventure Hide & Seek last year. His latest novel is another historical thriller, this time set in a post-war Berlin.
Otto Hartmann would do anything to be a pilot. With Berlin blockaded by the Soviets, the Americans fly to the rescue and Otto's captivated by the matinee-idol pilots dropping chocolate for the city's hungry kids. But never mind the Hershey bars - he wants to be up there with them. Now Otto has to choose between those he loves or flying from a ruined city where danger lurks around every corner.
The Song that Sings Us by Nicola Davies
Back in 2018 we sent our youngest subscribers Nicola's Ariki and the Giant Shark - a beautiful illustrated adventure set on a remote Pacific island. Her newest novel is for older readers and blends a cast of fantastic human and animal characters with important environmental themes and a gripping adventure. Perfect for fans of Piers Torday and Katherine Rundell.
Harlon has been raised to protect her younger siblings, twins Ash and Xeno, and their outlawed power of communicating with animals. But when the sinister Automators attack their mountain home they must flee for their lives. Xeno is kidnapped and Harlon and Ash are separated. In a thrilling and dangerous adventure they must all journey alone through the ice fields, forests and oceans of Rumyc to try to rescue each other and fulfil a mysterious promise about a lost island made to their mother.
The Last Whale by Chris Vick
Back in 2021 we sent our first Macaw subscribers Girl. Boy. Sea by Chris Vick, a moving adventure story packed with empathy. Chris's newest book offers more of the same action-packed adventure combined with a fiercely emotional and important message about climate change set in the present and future worlds.
Just Like Everyone Else by Sarah Hagger-Holt
Sarah's Proud of Me, a contemporary story of family, friendship and figuring stuff out, was one of the first books ever chosen for our Macaw subscribers. Her books brilliantly explore real world issues with humour and empathy which we know really resonates with tweens and teens.
Thirteen-year-old Aidan can't breathe in his crowded family home. When his mum announces that she is a surrogate for gay couple Justin and Atif, Aiden is furious...and scared. Aidan thinks he might be gay, and he's really struggling to accept this possibility. He's definitely not ready to come out, but what if being around Justin and Atif exposes him as gay? If only he was just like everyone else.
If you're interested in more recommendations like these check out our Book Club Authors collection!
]]>This month our Macaw subscribers are looking at our world through a whole new lens as they meet Aria, The Girl Who Fell to Earth, in the brilliant new book by Irish Children's Literature Laureate Patricia Fforde. Aria comes from a planet that looks and feels a lot like our own, but couldn't be more different. This highly original book will get young readers thinking. They will also find much to relate to amongst the young cast of characters, both human and alien. It's a story about friendship and empathy, but also asks some big questions about the world we live in and the future we want for it. Here Patricia answers our questions about what inspired the book and which other fantasy books for tweens and teens she recommends you read next.
I like to speculate. I started wondering about the size of the Universe and the possibility that there was life on other planets. I wondered what other creatures would make of us and the way we had laid out our stall. In particular, I wondered what they might think of the way we were destroying our only home.
I was also concerned about where we get out information and how young people in particular might be worried about that.
Like all writers, I want them to enjoy the story first and foremost. I'd also like them to consider how we might look to strangers from another world. I'd like them to consider how beautiful and fragile Earth is and our place in the Universe. I'd also like them to see that when we get to know people who are very different to us, we often discover that we are more similar than we first thought. Aria and Megan are aliens to one another but friendship builds a bridge between them.
I like the idea of a memory disc where you can store your memories and upload them whenever you want! I'd like to relive some childhood days that I have forgotten. I remember only special days - either days that were a bit traumatic or days when something funny or amazing happened. I'd rather remember ordinary days. In Terros the memory disc protects people from dementia, another great advantage.
On Terros no-one dies from disease and a lot of the terrible diseases are eradicated in the womb. Cancer, in particular, has destroyed so many lives here. I would love to see that eradicated.
On Terros, there is no racism, and Aria finds it difficult to grasp the concept. A huge improvement on life on Earth where we still discriminate against people based on the colour of their skin.
Yes. Things like our health system seem barbaric to her and from her point of view, I realised that everything will change. With the advance of technology, we will carry out surgery without ripping bodies apart. That seems inevitable now. I did a lot of research for this novel and one of the things that scientists are working on is death itself. We humans see death as inevitable but Aria does not. Now I don't either! Aging is a disease like any other and very clever people are trying to find a way to cure it. Some day, they will.
I think she will not be welcome on Terros. As a speaker of the truth, she poses a threat to the people who are in power. But Aria is tough. I think that in the end, she will prevail!
I think that tweens are on the cusp of change. They are about to leave childhood behind and move on. All change brings uncertainty and that is a good place to start a story. There is no story without change and I like that idea. I also feel that this age group is open to possibilities. They don't have all the answers, but they are looking to the future, so speculative fiction suits them.
I like to write in my study at home. It's the darkest room in the house and I like that. It feels like a cocoon. I like total silence while I work. I might listen to music for inspiration, but when I am actually putting words together, I like silence!
Epic and Saga by Conor Kostick and the WARP series by the wonderful Eoin Colfer are both great for this age group. |
In speculative fiction you have Tin by Padraic Kenny and Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden. There's also the Mortal Engines series by Philip Reeve and of course there is the amazing Northern Lights from Philip Pullman.
Copies of our The Girl Who Fell to Earth pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
]]>We hear all the time from parents whose kids are hooked on the Dog Man or Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates series. It’s easy to see why these books are so popular. They are visually engaging and super accessible, combining graphic novel-style illustrations with humorous storylines. But when your child has exhausted a particular series, or is stuck in a bit of a reading rut, or you’re simply looking for a book gift and don’t want to risk duplicating something they’ve already got, where do you go next? Here’s our guide to some of the best new books that are perfect for fans of Dog Man et al:
The Inflatables by Beth Garrod and Jess Hitchman, illustrated by Chris Danger
A funny, sunny, splash-tastic new series of graphic novels that we would recommend for young readers aged 5+. They will laugh out loud and these hugely entertaining stories set in a waterpark, where there’s slides, rides and fried ice cream – and a cast of inflatable pool floats who live in an almost-forgotten pool next to the Lost and Found office. Hilarious and perfect for newly independent or reluctant readers.
Stink by Jenny McLachlan
Don’t miss this hilarious adventure written and illustrated by bestselling author Jenny McLachlan. We are long-time fans of Jenny’s Land of Roar series and are thrilled that she’s turned her hand to illustrated fiction for younger readers. We all know fairies are sweet and sparkly and lovely, right? WRONG! Stink is the rudest, naughtiest fairy there’s ever been and young readers are going to love her!
Press Start! Game On, Super Rabbit Boy! By Thomas Flintham
This is the first in an eye-catching, full colour series packed with humour and action. These lively, fully illustrated graphic novels are short, super accessible, and ideal for kids who love gaming. Can Sunny help Super Rabbit Boy get to Level 6 and rescue Singing Dog and restore joy to Animal Town? Only if he defeats the Robot Army, dodges the Robo-Crabs and Lakes of Lava before battling King Viking himself!
Barry Loser Action Hero! By Jim Smith
You might already be familiar with the Barry Loser series - the books were a game changer for the Parrot Street crew. Now Barry is back in a series of full-colour graphic novels - absolutely perfect for fans of Dog Man and Bunny vs Monkey. This engaging book contains three brand new Barry Loser stories along with ‘how to draw’ sections to help you make your own comic books.
Peanut, Butter & Crackers: Puppy Problems by Paige Braddock
A goofy new puppy turns the lives of two rescue pets upside down in this fun new series of graphic novels for younger readers. The illustrations are absorbing and the story is packed with humour. Anyone who enjoyed The Secret of Life of Pets will love the hilarious characters. Complete the set with two further books in the series, Doggy School and River Rescue.
Monster Bogey by Anna Brooke
Monster Bogey is a monstrously funny and highly illustrated adventure which we would recommend for newly independent readers aged 5+. Prepare for some brilliantly bonkers humour in this weird and wacky book, packed with laugh-out-loud fun and brilliant illustrations throughout. Plus it’s the first in a new comedy series and we can’t wait to see what comes next!
Evil Emperor Penguin: Antics in Antarctica by Laura Ellen Anderson
Join the cutest evil genius ever in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel by bestselling author-illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson. The stories are hilarious and Evil Emperor Pengiun is cute and evil in equal measure – kids just love him! This volume brings together two fantastic stories in a visual comic feast.
Rex Dinosaur in Disguise by Elys Dolan
Newly independent readers will laugh out loud at this comic story by Lollies Prize-winning author Elys Dolan. Rex Dinosaur in Disguise is a brilliantly illustrated funny book for younger readers and was a huge hit with our Parakeet subscribers last year. It’s a comic caper starring the instantly lovable Rex and a cast of unexpected time-travelling heroes – we loved it!
The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Vampire Sheep by Emily-Jane Clark
If you’re looking for something for slightly older readers aged 8+, this laugh-out-loud, highly illustrated funny book, packed with wacky jokes and puns, is just the ticket. Maggie McKay is NOT happy that her mum has decided to move to Knobbly Bottom (the most BORING village ever invented). But Maggie soon discovers that Knobbly Bottom is also full of SECRETS. The sheep are growing FANGS, their eyes are turning RED, and they're planning to take over the world...
The Underpants of Chaos by Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson
A hilarious spy mystery for, this bonkers adventure story is highly illustrated and authored by an epic storytelling team in Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson – both brilliant and bestselling authors in their own right. It’s a bit more text-heavy than some of the books we’ve mentioned so far, but ridiculously funny and perfect for taking that next step in their reading journey. Follow up with the sequel, Attack of the Robot Librarians.
From our award-winning monthly book subscriptions to chapter books, letterbox gifts, stocking stuffers and ideas for a Christmas Eve box, we’re here to help you give the gift of reading this Christmas. Head to the dedicated Christmas area on our website for everything you need this festive season!
]]>When I was in primary school, in year 5 or 6, I found a book in the library called Creepies. It had a picture of various monsters on the front, and it was full of short, scary stories. It felt a little forbidden, like it shouldn’t have been in there, or an adult had left it in our library by accident. I flicked through, a little scared by the pictures that were waiting for me, and stopped at a short story about a zombie outbreak on Mars, which was way scarier than it sounds. I absolutely loved it, and from then on I was hooked on scary stories. So I guess I wanted to scare MG readers the way Creepies scared me, and open them up to a world of (not too scary!) horror. As well as scary books, I love all the books and TV shows about groups of kids who are the only ones who can see the real monsters out there, so I think that inspired me too.
I grew up in the north of England, and then moved to Cornwall when I was a teenager, and I fell in love with those sleepy little towns by the sea that shut down in the winter, and feel forgotten by the modern world, with closed down cinemas, deserted beaches, rusty piers and abandoned fairgrounds and a sense that nothing ever happens, but that if you look close enough you might find something sinister lurking just under surface. I wanted to capture that in Shiver Point, but also create a setting that all children could relate to as well, with high streets and playgrounds and woods and all the things they walk past every day in their own home towns.
Ha-ha, this is tricky, as I think there’s a little bit of me in every one of my characters (except Riley as I’m rubbish at fixing things and DIY!). But Oli’s love of films comes from me, I teach Film Studies in my day job and I love horror films (nothing too scary though, I had to turn off the new Evil Dead film the other day, I was too scared!). Alex is a bit like me too, I loved to skateboard and surf when I was younger and I never fitted in and only really found my own Shiver Squad later on in secondary school. Like Sophia I’ve always believed in working hard, and trying to do the best you can, and like Mo I think there’s nothing wrong with admitting when you’re scared!
I think maybe Mo, because he’s the heart of the group in a lot of ways, and although he’s the most scared that makes him the bravest too, as he has to overcome his fears. He’s the one that holds things together when there’s an argument, and he’s the character that first gets the group together in book 1. Without him there might not have been a Shiver Squad at all!
More monsters, for sure! I can’t say too much, but there’s a creepy farm I walk past most days, surrounded by empty fields, and I always find myself walking a little quicker when I’m nearby! So that definitely plays a part in book two, as does the creature that lurks there in my story, but you’ll have to wait until February to find out more. Book two is actually already written, and I’m just planning book three right now. I grew up watching all the classic horror films from the 80s and 90s and it’s no secret that I try to reference them a little in my books. There’s so many cool monsters out there I’m spoilt for choice!
I think that 9-12 age range is just such a great age. I’ve got three children, and two of them fall into the MG boundary, and we have such great chats about monsters and fairy-tales and I think at that age there’s still that sense that anything is possible. I’ve loved horror and the strange and supernatural since I found Creepies back in primary school, and that love has never left me. I think that with Google Earth and cameras everywhere there’s far less mystery in the world than there was thirty years ago, which is sad in a lot of ways. For middle grade readers, I think it’s great for them to let their minds run free and imagine that in some lonely, far-off corner of the world, monsters and creepy things really could still exist.
I’ve got three young children, so anywhere I can get a little peace from them! I’m lucky in that I don’t have to get ‘into the zone’ to write – I can write anywhere, anytime, so before school, on lunch-breaks, whilst I’m waiting for my children at football training or Dungeons and Dragons club. My dream place to write would be somewhere by the sea or somewhere snowy, so that I could write for a couple of hours and then go off for a bit of time surfing or snowboarding.
There’s so much good MG horror out there right now! Top of my list of books I want to read are short story anthologies – Read, Scream, Repeat compiled by Jennifer Killick and A Taste of Darkness compiled by Amy McCaw. I love the Jennifer Killick Dread Wood series, as well as the Crater Lake books. For older readers, Little Tiger’s Red Eye range is fantastic, with some very creepy titles like Frozen Charlotte, Fir, and my own YA horror, Whiteout.
Copies of our Shiver Point pack, including a copy of the book and loads of fun activities to go with it, are now available for individual purchase. Grab a copy while stocks last!
This post includes affiliate links to our bookshop.org page, meaning we receive a small percentage of the sale should you purchase through them. Additionally, a percentage from all sales on the platform goes directly to local UK bookshops which is an initiative we're delighted to support!
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