Are your children normally drowning in a sea of chocolate eggs over the Easter break? A little tradition we have in our house is to give books to each other to help break up the tidal waves of sugar. With a two new picture books for a bed-time read, and two modern classics for your young adults to discover, here are pages of excitement to keep their imaginations active.
by Andrew Hirst
The Knife of Never Letting Go
by Patrick Ness
The first in the Chaos Walking series of young adult fiction is hailed by my 13-year-old as “the best book he has ever read… so far”. A great accolade as he reads a lot. Ness has written an enthralling sci-fi novel which grips readers throughout, presenting them with tough questions about identity, ethics and the nature of truth. I urge all of the young readers to take a book-before-movie approach; not that the Tom Holland movie is awful, it’s just not not in the same league as the novel. Over a decade on since it was first published, the themes are as relevant now as they were then. With two further books penned by Ness to complete the set, the Chaos Walking series is, in my humble opinion, a must for any young readers bookshelf.
Release date: Out Now
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker
by Anthony Horowitz
This classic of young adult fiction, first published 22 years ago, is as well written as it is exciting. The first in the Alex Rider series is a gateway to the adventures of the teenage spy where he is recruited by MI6 after discovering the truth about his uncle’s life and death. Horowitz is a British literary stalwart and is a great way to introduce young readers to quality plot-driven writing. And with thirteen books in the Alex Rider collection there are plenty to enjoy – especially as Horowitz has hinted at a fourteenth book later this year.
Release date: Out Now
Mole’s Spectacles
Tales From Acorn Wood
by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
If you have enjoyed other adventures from Acorn Wood – Cat’s Cookbook and Squirrel’s Snowman – then lift the flaps and join in the fun with Mole’s Spectacles, a brilliant story in the best-selling Tales from Acorn Wood preschool series by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Mole has lost his spectacles. He searches all around his house, in the garden and even in Weasel’s sweetshop, but he can’t find them anywhere! Where could they be? Lift the flaps to help him find them. With sturdy flaps on every spread and rhyming stories that are a joy to read aloud, Mole’s Spectacles joins the best-selling Tales from Acorn Wood which have been delighting parents and children for over twenty years.
Release date: Out Now
Marmalade – The Orange Panda
by David Walliams
What can I say about Walliams? Ever since his first book back in 2008, The Boy in the Dress, he has swiftly become a solid fixture of children’s literature, so much so parents across the land can’t imagine a world without him. With his own fun and flamboyant style, Walliams can quickly engage his young readers with his adventures.
One morning, deep in the forest, a beautiful baby panda was born. The panda was different to all the others, as he had dazzling orange fur. “I will call you Marmalade,” his mummy whispers. This endearing story is a celebration of family love, being yourself and finding your place in the world. It is the perfect story to share with your special someone – big or little.
Release date: Out Now