Lovereading 4 Kids Updates from the world of children’s books

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Mayfly Day Jeanne Willis Its message is one to treasure.  Mayfly lives for only one day. Is she sad? No, everything about that one day is to be celebrated. Mayfly sees buds burst open, she sees babies being born; she feels breezes blowing and … Download free opening extract
2		Zog (Paperback and CD-Audio) Julia Donaldson Winner of the Galaxy Children’s Book Award 2010. Book and CD edition. The creators of the best-selling Gruffalo have invented a delightful new character – Zog the little dragon who always wants to do best at school. Zog’s determination to win … Download free opening extract
3		Peppa Pig: Peppa Meets the Queen Join Peppa Pig as she goes to the Palace and gets to meet the Queen! Miss Rabbit is invited to the Palace to get an honour and Peppa and her friends are going too! It’s a wonderfully celebratory day out … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Monster Machine Nicola L. Robinson June 2012 Book of the Month. Have monster fun with the making of monsters and what they do next! Topped up with the right ingredients of slugs, toenail clippings, earwax, spiders and some special glue, the monster-making machine churns out … Download free opening extract
2		The Worst Princess Anna Kemp May 2012 Book of the Month. A funny new picture book from the team behind the successful Dogs Don’t Do Ballet and Rhinos Don’t Eat Pancakes! Girls everywhere will be cheering for Sue in this story of determination and derring-do. The galloping, tongue-in-cheek rhyming text … Download free opening extract
3		Where the Wild Things are Maurice Sendak Jacqueline Wilson, February 2012 Guest Editor: “The text is very minimal but perfect – and the illustrations are glorious. This isn’t a scary book in the slightest, though the monsters are grotesque, equipped with very sharp teeth and pointy claws.  Little Max … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Horrid Henry’s Monster Movie Francesca Simon June 2012 Book of the Month. Horrid Henry loves scary movies! The problem is Perfect Pete hates them. And so do mum and dad. How will Henry ever get to see The Vampire Zombie Werewolf ? As ever, in this … Download free opening extract
2		Horrid Henry Meets the Queen (Early Reader) Francesca Simon For all Horrid Henry fans here’s the perfect book to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  Bestselling Horrid Henry celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in his own special way… When Perfect Pete is asked to greet the Queen and present her … Download free opening extract
3		Me, the Queen and Christopher Giles Andreae, Tony Ross A touching and funny story about a 7 year-old girl’s adventure having tea with the Queen. Told with Giles Andreae’s trademark warmth and humour, but with an added poignancy when the Queen meets Christopher, Freya’s brother, this is a perfect … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Dragonsitter Josh Lacey May 2012 Book of the Month. A hilarious story full of useful tips for any dragon-minder. When Eddie’s Uncle Morton goes off on an urgent mission he leaves his dragon behind with Eddie as the babysitter. But a dragon is not … Download free opening extract
2		Little Manfred Michael Morpurgo June 2012 Book of the Month. Award-winning author and illustrator duo Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman have created a touching story about the way lives become entangled during conflict and how, unexpectedly, those ties can lead to enduring friendship. When … Download free opening extract
3		Muddle Earth Too Paul Stewart Invention after invention propels this witty new Muddle Earth story by best-selling duo Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell, now in paperback. Joe turns up in Muddle Earth entirely by accident when he falls through a portal while trying to build … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		White Dolphin Gill Lewis May 2012 Book of the Month. Bestselling Gill Lewis’s new story tells of the amazing, life-affirming powers of dolphins.  Kara’s life is in a mess; her mum has disappeared, she is in trouble at school and her father is about to … Download free opening extract
2		The Sleeping Army Francesca Simon May 2012 Book of the Month. Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she … Download free opening extract
3		The Messenger Bird Ruth Eastham May 2012 Book of the Month. Cleverly interweaving a modern day storyline with one from the 1940s, it’s the story of Nathan who must find out what the link is between his father’s recent disappearance and that of Lily, an ex-Bletchley Park employee, before it’s too late … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Hero on a Bicycle Shirley Hughes May 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling illustrator Shirley Hughes writes beautifully in this gripping story set during World War Two. Living in Italy during the occupation by the Germans, Paolo and his sister Constanza long to do something for the … Download free opening extract
2		A Dog Called Homeless Sarah Lean May 2012 Debut of the Month. How a young girl finds hope and a way forward after the death of her mother and the collapse of her familiar life is a deeply touching story. Cally stops talking when no one believes … Download free opening extract
3		The Kane Chronicles: The Serpent’s Shadow Rick Riordan May 2012 Book of the Month. This is the third and final book in this awesome and electrifying Kane Chronicles series that is set in ancient Egypt. Carter and Sadie have their biggest and most important quest yet; to defeat the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Slated Teri Terry May 2012 Debut of the Month. This is a debut novel not to miss. It’s an original and haunting psychological thriller that’s packed with intense mystery and secrets that will have you gripped from the very first page.  It’s the story of Kyla … Download free opening extract
2		Insurgent Veronica Roth May 2012 Book of the Month. This is heart-pounding dystopian fiction at its very best.  Insurgent is the thrillingly dark sequel to the New York Times bestselling debut, Divergent.  No teenager should miss these great reads. Will have fans of The … Download free opening extract
3		The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins Jacqueline Wilson, February 2012 Guest Editor: “I don’t usually go for blockbuster dystopian stories – but this trilogy is imaginatively conceived and well written and a genuine page-turner. Sixteen year old Katniss takes part in a terrifying annual televised game where teenagers fight … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Mayfly Day Jeanne Willis Its message is one to treasure.  Mayfly lives for only one day. Is she sad? No, everything about that one day is to be celebrated. Mayfly sees buds burst open, she sees babies being born; she feels breezes blowing and … Download free opening extract
2		Peppa Pig: Peppa Meets the Queen Join Peppa Pig as she goes to the Palace and gets to meet the Queen! Miss Rabbit is invited to the Palace to get an honour and Peppa and her friends are going too! It’s a wonderfully celebratory day out … Download free opening extract
3		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Where the Wild Things are Maurice Sendak Jacqueline Wilson, February 2012 Guest Editor: “The text is very minimal but perfect – and the illustrations are glorious. This isn’t a scary book in the slightest, though the monsters are grotesque, equipped with very sharp teeth and pointy claws.  Little Max … Download free opening extract
2		Charlie and Lola: We Completely Must Go to London Best-selling Charlie and Lola and their best friends Marve and Lotta are very excited to be going on a trip to London! They gaze up at Buckingham Palace and wonder which is the Queen’s Bedroom, they look in wonder at … Download free opening extract
3		The Worst Princess Anna Kemp May 2012 Book of the Month. A funny new picture book from the team behind the successful Dogs Don’t Do Ballet and Rhinos Don’t Eat Pancakes! Girls everywhere will be cheering for Sue in this story of determination and derring-do. The galloping, tongue-in-cheek rhyming text … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		HM Queen Elizabeth II: Diamond Jubilee This is a very special Ladybird souvenir edition to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. … Download free opening extract
2		Me, the Queen and Christopher Giles Andreae, Tony Ross A touching and funny story about a 7 year-old girl’s adventure having tea with the Queen. Told with Giles Andreae’s trademark warmth and humour, but with an added poignancy when the Queen meets Christopher, Freya’s brother, this is a perfect … Download free opening extract
3		The Perfect Pet Shop (Early Reader) Vivian French A delightful animal story, perfect for early readers. There’s nearly a pet shop disaster when a noisy puppy won’t stay quiet at night time. How will the other animals ever get to sleep? Maybe telling stories will do the trick? … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Dotty Inventions And Some Real Ones Too Roger Mcgough May 2012 Book of the Month.  Best-selling poet Roger McGough hits some real Eureka! moments in this cheerfully wacky picture book full of fabulously ingenious inventions. Professor Dotty Dabble is a great inventor so is sure she’ll win the National … Download free opening extract
2		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
3		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		White Dolphin Gill Lewis May 2012 Book of the Month. Bestselling Gill Lewis’s new story tells of the amazing, life-affirming powers of dolphins.  Kara’s life is in a mess; her mum has disappeared, she is in trouble at school and her father is about to … Download free opening extract
2		The Sleeping Army Francesca Simon May 2012 Book of the Month. Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she … Download free opening extract
3		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		A Dog Called Homeless Sarah Lean May 2012 Debut of the Month. This is an outstandingly assured debut novel from a sparkling new talent.  When Cally Fisher sees her dead mother, real as anything, no one believes her. So Cally stops talking – what’s the point … Download free opening extract
2		Hero on a Bicycle Shirley Hughes May 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling illustrator Shirley Hughes writes beautifully in this gripping story set during World War Two. Living in Italy during the occupation by the Germans, Paolo and his sister Constanza long to do something for the … Download free opening extract
3		A Waste of Good Paper Sean Taylor A moving, first person story that captures the frustrations and pent-up fury of a boy with a lot of problems. Jason has been told to write something in his new journal everyday. The trouble is there is nothing he wants … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Changeling Philippa Gregory May 2012 MEGA Book of the Month. Best-selling Philippa Gregory’s first book for teenagers is a thrilling story of malice and betrayal, courage and passion. Tricked out of her inheritance by her greedy and duplicitous brother, Isolde must swap ruling … Download free opening extract
2		Slated Teri Terry May 2012 Debut of the Month. This is a debut novel not to miss. It’s an original and haunting psychological thriller that’s packed with intense mystery and secrets that will have you gripped from the very first page.  It’s the story of Kyla … Download free opening extract
3		When It Happens Susane Colasanti May 2012 Book of the Month. A terrific romantic comedy drama for all those searching for The One! Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the … Download free opening extract

Welcome to our mid-April children’s book update. Read on for some terrific titles from an already award-winning new children’s publisher, Nosy Crow, this month’s pre-publication exclusives and lots of ‘spring cleaned and refreshed’ book categories including a focus on dyslexia friendly titles…

Something to Crow About

Nosy Crow is new, independent, vibrant and within its first year has become an award-winning publisher of children’s books and apps. Find out more about some of the books in their exciting range in this special section we’ve created to celebrate their first year.

A Debut for 14+ readers Not to be Missed

Matched meets The Hunger Games in our April 2012 MEGA Debut of the Month, Starters by Lissa Price. This is an outstanding and action-packed futuristic dystopian thriller in which teenagers are at the mercy of wealthy geriatrics who will go to any lengths to use them for their own gain, whilst anyone aged 20 to 60 has been killed off.

Hot off the press next month but read an extract today!

Hitler’s Angel William Osborne 9 + Perfect for fans of Henderson’s Boys or the Young Bond series’. Download Extract   More info	White Dolphin Gill Lewis 11+ Engaging story of unlikely friendship and courage against adversity. From the author of Sky Hawk. Download Extract   More info
Unrest Michelle Harrison 14+ Chilling ghost story from an award – winning young writer. Download Extract   More info	Insurgent Veronica Roth 14+ Fast paced, high-octane fuelled dystopian thriller from the author of Divergent. Download Extract   More info

Carnegie and Greenaway shortlists just announced

The shortlists for these two prestigious children’s book awards have just been announced. Browse all the chosen books below. The winners will be announced on 14 June 2012.

Carnegie Medal shortlisted titles

Greenaway Medal Shortlisted titles

Dust off the Musts – Essential Reading for Kids …

We don’t want to blow our own trumpet but: TOOT-TOOT!! You have told us how much you love our Essentials ‘must read’ section – a comprehensive compilation of timeless classics brought back for a new generation. New this month:

Lady Lollipop Dick King-smith 5+ Lollipop is a pig with a difference. And it is lucky that she is as Lollipop becomes the pet pig of the very, very spoilt Princess Penelope. Download Extract   More info

Pippi Longstocking Astrid Lindgren 7+ Not to be missed, this classic story about a very special little girl with a great new cover by the wonderful Tony Ross. Download Extract   More info

Picture Books you’ll want to read again and again

Our Picture Book Picnic category is another of your favourites – and you’ll find a few more titles added to the collection. We LOVE this feast of a section dedicated to picture books for toddlers and early readers. And we’re glad you love it too!

A Walk in London Salvatore Rubbino 5+ All the best sights of London brought to life on a mother-daughter walk. Download Extract   More info

You’re a Hero, Daley B! Jon Blake 5+… or is he just a rabbit? This will be one of your favourites! Download Extract   More info

Great news for reluctant readers or children with dyslexia

If your child struggles to get into a book then take a browse through our totally revamped Dyslexia Friendly section. Shorter books from first class authors, with inspiring content, realistic characters and a gripping plot will help crack the reading code. The bulk of the books are from Barrington Stoke, the UK’s best known publisher of dyslexia friendly titles, and they are all sorted by interest age and reading age so you can quickly find the ones that are right for your child.

And if your child is not dyslexic but needs cajoling into getting into a good book then check out our Reluctant Reader category as this is chock-full of some really great reads that will hook them right from the start.

 

April Competitions with books galore up for grabs

If you haven’t visited our Free Prize Draw section this month then you are missing the chance to get some amazing prizes.

Courtesy of Pavilion Children’s Books, publisher of The Gentle Lion and the Little Owlet, you can win a family day out at a zoo! And the lovely people at Walker Books has given us a limited edition print of the brilliant picture book Oh No George. Not to be outdone, Templar Publishing has given us a load of Robert Ingpen books and signed book plates to celebrate the bicentennial publication of The Owl and the Pussycat.

Next up, we have 100 copies to give away of the horrifically good The Vampire Hunters from award-winning humorous author Pete Johnson. This new series continues with The Vampire Fighters, out in June, but you can start reading it now in our Pre-Publication section.

Finally, linked to the publication of Jasmine Skies, the second breathtaking novel from the winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, we have five signed copies of Sita Brahmachari’s debut novel Artichoke Hearts to be won.

Happy reading until your next Lovereading4kids instalment.