BOOKS OF THE MONTH

The best new picture books and novels for children and teenagers

When You Joined Our Family

By Harriet Evans, illustrated by Nia Tudor A tender picture-book exploration of the developing bonds between small children and adoptive parents, moving sweetly from first meetings to new traditions.

Sometimes, I Just WON’T

By Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Joe Berger Some days, everything goes to plan – but sometimes baths are awful, it’s too scary to pet the dogs in the park and we hate the taste of peas! A hilarious look at strong toddler emotions and navigating “just won’t”.

The Zebra’s Great Escape

By Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie When Mink, an indomitable girl, meets a baby zebra on the run, she knows it’s up to her to liberate his parents – and the rest of evil Mr Spit’s captive menagerie. This 5+ picture book is joyously anarchic in both word and illustration, sizzling with imagination and colour.

And Everything Will Be Glad to See You

Curated by Ella Risbridger, illustrated by Anna Shepeta From Maya Angelou to Amanda Gorman, this wide-ranging selection of poetry by women and girls is uplifting, moving and invigorating. Atmospherically illustrated and luxuriously bound, it’s a wonderful gift for children of 6+.

Which Way to Anywhere

By Cressida Cowell

The unusual O’Hero children and the downto-earth Smiths are an uneasy not-yet-blended family (although they all adore baby Annipeck). But K2 O’Hero has a gift – his drawings can transport people between worlds. Wild magic, Cowell’s trademark bonkers humour, rich environmentalism and the complexities of family love are woven deftly through the first book in a fabulous new series for 8+.

The Elemental Detectives

By Patrice Lawrence

In an ancient London filled with elemental spirits, Marisee and Robert are drawn into a battle against the deadly Shepherdess, whose sleeping sickness threatens to kill all humans. An awardwinning YA writer turns her hand to writing for 9+ readers, with spectacular results – the worldbuilding is particularly striking.

The Ministry of Unladylike Activity

By Robin Stevens

A new crew of resourceful children takes the helm in Stevens’s follow-up to the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series. In wartorn 1940s Britain, young would-be spy May Wong gets herself evacuated to a manor house with her new pal, Eric. Their mission is to investigate its owner – but they don’t expect to stumble across a murder. Meticulous, lightly worn research and sharp character observation will please 9+ newcomers and longstanding fans alike.

The Eternal Return of Clara Hart

By Louise Finch

A Groundhog Day story with a difference, this exceptional YA debut features a grieving teenage boy and a girl who dies, over and over again, until Spence can figure out what he needs to change in order to save her life. A careful, thoughtful, compulsively readable examination of toxic masculinity and normalised sexual abuse.