From a mouse detective to a dystopian reality TV satire, this season's crop of children's and young adult books offers a wealth of imaginative storytelling. Here are some of the standout titles.
Picture Books Celebrate Play and Inclusion
My Dad Can by Stephen Lightbown, illustrated by Claire Sahara Lemp (Quarto, £7.99), follows Iris, whose dad can transform into dinosaurs, unicorns, and anything she imagines. However, some people see Dad's wheelchair and assume he can't do anything. This soft-smudged, colorful picture book celebrates the playfulness and creativity of parenthood, challenging perceptions about disability.
The Fluffy Futon by Yuichi Kasano, translated by Cathy Hirano (Gecko, £12.99), is a delightful bedtime read. When Grandma spreads a futon on the sunny porch to air, it becomes so fluffy that kittycat, Grandma, hen, chicks, and the whole household join each other for a nap.
Princess Pete by Zoey Allen, illustrated by Frenci Sanna (Walker, £7.99), features imaginative Princess Pete, who loves blue wellies, butterfly sandals, getting mucky, and playing salons. Pete doesn't always feel like a boy or a girl, but their parents accept them just as they are in this inclusive, softly sparkling picture book.
Early Chapter Books and Graphic Novels
Monsieur Mustard: The Disappearance of Fabio Fangtooth by Charley Rabbit (Andersen, £9.99) is a funny, enticing mix of highly illustrated chapter book and graphic novel for ages 7+. Famous mouse detective Monsieur Mustard investigates a string of mysterious animal disappearances, hindered by his flatulent young assistant Mobbsy.
How to Build a Chocolate Bridge by Roma Agrawal, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng (Laurence King, £14.99), is an absorbing scientific handbook for ages 7+. Structural engineer Agrawal investigates the physics of materials via seven hands-on challenges, including constructing chocolate bridges reinforced with gummy laces and meringue rockets with ice-cream inside. Punchy information about pioneering scientists is interspersed with Sae-Heng's bright, welcoming illustrations.
Mythological Retellings for Older Readers
The Odyssey: A Modern Retelling by Liv Albert, illustrated by Hazem Asif (DK, £18.99), presents a satisfyingly nuanced, rich, and pacy version of Odysseus's homecoming. Podcaster and 'myth nerd' Albert provides thoughtful historical and geographical context, a tally of crew members lost to each misfortune, and more. Asif's lush, dynamic full-color illustrations invite readers aged 7 or 8+ to lose themselves in the story.
The Othernauts by Clare Pollard, illustrated by Macha Yao (Piccadilly, £7.99), follows young would-be witch Phoebe as she stows away with the Argonauts. The voyage leads to fearsome peril: hungry harpies, clashing cliffs, thirsty whirlpools, and skeleton soldiers. Phoebe and her dubious prophecies, alongside Cora the tone-deaf baby siren and apprentice shapeshifter Perry, help the crew. This witty, original, irreverent take on Greek myth will delight 8+ Loki fans.
Magical and Thrilling Adventures
Wishbound by Clemency Brown (Chicken House, £7.99) is set in the Wishmaker Institute, where rebellious Leonie is trained to control her magic. She is destined to be Matched with a rich child and dedicate her life to making wishes come true. When she escapes her Matching and flees to our world, Leonie makes a new best friend, Cress. As forces from her past pursue her, she must grant Cress a dangerous wish in this enthralling, thought-provoking magical fantasy for ages 9+.
Demon Hunters: Soul Feeder by Jennifer Killick, illustrated by Marina Vidal (Barrington Stoke, £7.99), is a punchy, pared-back horror for ages 9+ from an award-winning author and dyslexia-friendly publisher. When Caiden and Sam help Caiden's dad clear a creepy house, they unknowingly bring back a terrifying uninvited guest.
Time Travel and Grief in Middle Grade
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller by Amelia Tait (Starboard, £8.99) follows Lily Tripp, an ordinary 13-year-old with one small exception: every New Year's Day, she wakes up in a new century. She must navigate first love, avoid her ever-present nemesis, and cope with life without chicken nuggets. Meticulously researched history meets hilariously relatable misadventure in this surefire winner for 10+ Lottie Brooks fans.
Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Starboard, £8.99), is a heartbreakingly poignant verse novel for ages 11+. Since his mum died a year ago, Alfie hasn't spoken to his stepdad. As the six-week summer holidays begin, he heads out on his bike, trying to navigate the darkness and chaos of his grief. When a pedal comes off, Alfie must seek help from the person he hates. Todd-Stanton's shadowy, sweet black-and-white illustrations heighten the delicate tracing of acceptance and healing.
Young Adult Novels Tackle Climate and Identity
A Flood of Memories by Nadia Mikail (Guppy, £8.99) is set in Malaysia, where urgent flood warnings bring 18-year-old Leila back to Sarawak to help her widowed mother protect the family home. The house is tainted by memories of her alcoholic father, whose conditioning has shaped her in ways she can't escape. This deeply affecting YA novel from the winner of the Waterstones children's book prize interweaves the depredations of the climate crisis with the old scars of familial trauma and the first shoots of tentative new love.
Runaway Road by Sue Divin (First Ink, £9.99) follows 16-year-old Ezra, whose only hope is to cross the Northern Irish border, even if that means leaving his quirky, beloved sister with their foster parents. For Evie, Ezra means home, and she has no intention of being left behind. This powerful, compassionate story for ages 14+ explores two siblings searching for safety and acceptance.
Dystopian Satire for Teens
Survival Show by Juno Dawson (S&S, £16.99) is set in Starmaker, the world's most watched reality TV show. The winner will be wealthy for life, but losing contestants are literally eliminated. Talented Taryn must survive increasingly brutal challenges to bring the Starmaker machine down from the inside. Described as Squid Game meets The X Factor, this sharply executed dystopian satire is for ages 14+.
