Dr Emily McDonagh: Growing Up for Girls

 Published 6th January 2022

A reassuring, fact-packed book for girls on what to expect when growing up.

From Dr Emily MacDonagh, practising NHS doctor and OK! magazine's popular Health and Parenting Columnist.

Dr Emily talks about the physical and emotional changes of puberty in a simple and friendly way.

Topics include:

• When and why will your body start to change?

• How will you feel different and why?

• What's happening to the boys?

• Plus expert tips on healthy eating, positive body image, self-esteem, and lots more.

• With colourful illustrations and useful diagrams.

• Written in collaboration with a Consultant Paediatrician and School Nurse.

Mother of two and step-mother to teenagers, Dr Emily lives with her husband Peter Andre and children in Surrey.

Growing Up for Boys: Everything You Need to Know is out in May 2022.

Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler: Mole's Spectacles

 Published 17th February 2022

Lift the flaps and join in the fun with Mole's Spectacles, a brilliant story in the bestselling 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 bestselling Tales from Acorn Wood which have been delighting parents and children for over twenty years.

More lift-the-flap adventures from Acorn Wood: Fox's Socks, Postman Bear, Rabbit's Nap, Hide-and-Seek Pig, Cat's Cookbook and Squirrel's Snowman.

Hannah Gold: The Last Bear

 Published 6th January 2022

Imagine making friends with a polar bear… The Last Bear is perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold – winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and illustrator of Harry Potter 20th anniversary edition covers.

“This is an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable.” Michael Morpurgo.

There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…

This moving story will win the hearts of children the world over and show them that no one is too young or insignificant to make a difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.

‘A dazzling debut . . . A magical, confidently told story – with beautiful illustrations by Levi Pinfold . . . I predict a roaring success’

John Flanagan: The Royal Ranger

 Published 14th December 2021

International bestselling author John Flanagan returns to world of Ranger's Apprentice in the fifth installment of the Royal Ranger series starring Maddie, Will Treaty's fearless young apprentice.

After their plan to rescue the prince of Gallica has gone horribly wrong, Will Treaty and his apprentice, Maddie, are being held captive at the Chateau des Falaises in Gallica. The dangerous baron Lassigny is intent on keeping them--and the prince--no matter what. But Will and Maddie are determined to escape.

If they ever want to return to their home, they'll have to find ways to outwit the baron and get outside the locked tower. When friends from home endeavor to find their own way to help it seems escape is closer than ever. But the dirty tricks of the baron are no laughing matter.

Facing dangerous threats, battles with knights, and a new and risky plot to save the prince--the odds are stacked against them. But the Rangers will use all the tools of their trade to save themselves and save the day.

Internationally bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice and Brotherband series, John Flanagan returns in the captivating next installment of the Royal Ranger series: The Royal Ranger: Escape from Falaise. Perfect for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Jacques's Redwall, and George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones!

Katie Kirby: The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks

 Published 3rd March 2022

The hilarious new sequel to The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by the bestselling creator of Hurrah for Gin.

Lottie Brooks is back for spring term at secondary school and with her best friends Jess and Molly at her side, she can face anything.

No more trying to impress mean girls Amber and Poppy. And absolutely no more being nicknamed Cucumber Girl.

Plus, the spring musical means Lottie can dazzle her mega-crush Daniel with her talent as a singing crustacean. But her friendship with Jess and Molly seems to be going off the rails however much she tries to keep them all together.

What's she going to do? Three isn't really a crowd . . . is it?

If you loved Norse Myths, be sure to check out the other title in this series called Greek Myths. This volume explores more than 30 enthralling Greek myths - and some you may not have heard before! It's complete with a reference section to provide context and a handy pronunciation guide.

M G Leonard & Sam Sedgman: Sabotage on the Polar Express

 Published 17th February 2022

Dav Pilkey: Mothering Heights

 Published 23rd March 2022

Dog Man and Petey face their biggest challenges yet in the tenth Dog Man book from worldwide bestselling author and illustrator Dav Pilkey.

Dog Man is down on his luck, Petey confronts his not so purr-fect past, and Grampa is up to no good. The world is spinning out of control as new villains spill into town. Everything seems dark and full of despair. But hope is not lost. Can the incredible power of love save the day?

Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including:

• empathy
• kindness
• persistence
• and the importance of doing good.

Full colour pages throughout.

Everyone Digs Dog Man!

Little People, Big Dreams: Florence Nightingale

 Published by 1st March 2022

In this book from the highly acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the incredible life of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Growing up in an upper-class family, it was expected that Florence would find a husband and live a life of luxury – but that kind of life wasn’t for her. Her calling was caring for the sick and the poor, so she followed her passion with her whole heart and trained to be a nurse.

When war broke out, Florence travelled to nurse wounded soldiers but found that the hospitals were so dirty that they were making people ill! This experience inspired her to lead a healthcare revolution, and she became the mother of modern nursing, introducing care practices still followed today.

This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the social reformer’s life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Robert Muchamore's Robin Hood

 Published 3rd February 2022

Join Robin and Marion fighting for the desperate and destitute again in the fourth action-packed adventure from international bestseller Robert Muchamore.

'Strikes the bullseye.' - The Times Children's Book of the Week (Robin Hood: Hacking Heists & Flaming Arrows)

As conditions in Sherwood Forest grow more precarious, time is running out for inhabitants of the abandoned shopping mall. With constant pressure on them from Sheriff Marjorie and gangster Guy Gisborne, Robin decides to engage his brother Little John as undercover spy. And John strikes gold when he discovers his mother's plan for the ailing Sherwood Castle resort.

Robin and Marion join in an audacious plan to scupper their oppressors, but the Sheriff has her response prepared - and it's ferocious. Have they bitten off more they can chew this time?

Pip Bird: The Naughtiest Unicorn on a Treasure Hunt

 Published 3rd February 2022

A brand new book in the bestselling NAUGHTIEST UNICORN series – the funniest unicorn books EVER! The perfect gift for Easter or for readers of 6+ and fans of The Worst Witch and Pamela Butchart.

It’s spring time at Unicorn School and time for a super fun scavenger hunt!

But when Dave the naughtiest unicorn uncovers a mysterious, hidden RIDDLE the day gets even MORE exciting! Will the riddle it will lead them to some TREASURE? One thing is for sure, with Dave around they are bound to have lots of FUN along the way!

Pip Bird is the pseudonym for a small group of brilliant, funny children's book writers. They all believe in magic and dream of having a Unicorn Best Friend Forever.

The Naughtiest Unicorn series:
The Naughtiest Unicorn
The Naughtiest Unicorn at Sports Day
The Naughtiest Unicorn and the School Disco
The Naughtiest Unicorn at Christmas
The Naughtiest Unicorn on a School Trip
The Naughtiest Unicorn on the Beach
The Naughtiest Unicorn and the Spooky Surprise
The Naughtiest Unicorn on Holiday
The Naughtiest Unicorn in a Winter Wonderland

Lee Newbery: The Last Firefox

 Published 3rd March 2022

A heartwarming story about family, friendship and finding your inner fire.

Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he's made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier.

Because Cadno isn't just any fox: he's a firefox - the only one of his kind - and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail.

Swept up into an unexpected adventure to protect his flammable friend, Charlie's going to need to find the bravery he never thought he had, if he's going to save the last firefox . . .

Sarah Louise: Meet The Grubblers

 Published 13th December 2021

Meet Emily, who finds life hard when school suddenly closes and her family and friends can no longer visit.

Suddenly, Emily finds herself whisked into a magical world where she meets Lucy who is on a quest to find her missing cousin. On their quest the pair meet the crafty yet comical grubblers. How helpful will they be?

What is the strange connection between these new-found friends? Join Emily and Lucy for a time-travelling feast with lots of delicious fruit cake!

The small print: Books Monthly, now well into its 24th year on the web, is published on or slightly before the first day of each month by Paul Norman. You can contact me here. If you wish to submit something for publication in the magazine, let me remind you there is no payment as I don't make any money from this publication. If you want to send me something to review, contact me via email at paulenorman1@gmail.com and I'll let you know where to send it.

  In this Issue:

  The Front Page

  Fiction books

  Fantasy & Science Fiction

  Nonfiction Books

  Nostalgia

  Growing Up In The 1950s

  The Silent Three

  The Four Marys

  Living with Skipper

  Acker Bilk Sleeve Notes

  Pen and Sword Books

  Sundays with Tarzan

  The Back Page

  Email me

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