Secrets of Dumbledore Movie Magic

 Published 14th April 2022

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore transports fans once again to the wizarding world.

Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

Packed with captivating facts and incredible images from the making of the film, Fantastic Beasts - The Secrets of Dumbledore: Movie Magic features behind-the-scenes profiles of the characters, magical locations, beasts and artefacts seen on-screen. This interactive volume also comes filled with bonus inserts ­- from posters reproducing props from the film to bookmarks and stickers ­- that will delight fans of all ages.

INTERACTIVE ARTEFACTS: Filled with stickers, pull-out prop replicas, posters and other features.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES: Explore never-before-seen images, interviews, insights and more from Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: Features interviews from the cast and crew, including Academy Award-winner Eddie Redmayne, Mads Mikkelsen, Jude Law, Jessica Williams, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and more.

STUNNING ART AND IMAGES: Photos from the film and gorgeous illustrations bring the wizarding world to life!

Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton: The 143-Storey Treehouse

Published 19th June 2022

There are lots of laughs at every level in The 143-Storey Treehouse, the eleventh book in the number one bestselling Treehouse series from Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, out in hardback.

We've added thirteen new levels to our Treehouse (it used to be 130 storeys, but it keeps on growing!) including a word-o-matic (it knows every word in the whole world!); a recycling depot; a wrecking ball; a deep, dark cave with a real live, fire-breathing dragon; a complaining room; a spooky graveyard (where it's always midnight, even in the middle of the day); and a camping ground where you can have a nice, relaxing camping holiday.

Andy's been a bit stressed, so Terry has decided the perfect way for them to relax is to head up to their new camping ground level for a much-needed holiday. But it turns out to be not quite as relaxing as Terry originally planned. . .

Terry forgets to pack the tent and the food, their attempt at fishing ends in disaster, the spooky campfire stories are a little too spooky and then, to make matters worse, all of Andy’s fellow campers start mysteriously disappearing.

Can Andy brave the dark, dark woods and rescue them in time to finish writing their next book?

Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up!

Marcus Rashford: Breakfast Club Adventures - The Beast Beyond the Fence

 Published 26th May 2022

Dive into an exciting and mysterious adventure full of fun-filled friendships, fantastical creatures and incredible investigations by the #1 bestselling author Marcus Rashford!

The Breakfast Club Adventures is the first fiction book by England International footballer, child food-poverty campaigner and bestselling author Marcus Rashford MBE, inspired by Marcus's own experiences growing up! Written with Alex Falase-Koya, it is the third title in the Marcus Rashford Book Club and is packed with tons of illustrations by Marta Kissi, making it the perfect book for children aged 8-11.

There's something fishy going on at school . . .

When twelve-year-old Marcus kicks his favourite football over the school fence, he knows he's never getting it back. Nothing that goes over that wall ever comes back. But when Marcus gets a mysterious note inviting him to join the Breakfast Club Investigators, he is soon pulled into an exciting adventure with his new mates Stacey, Lise and Asim to solve the mystery and get his football back!

Packed full of friendship, adventure, community and fun, you won't want to miss The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence, Marcus Rashford's first fiction book for children.

'Breakfast Club guaranteed I had the best possible start to my day and welcomed me with open arms. It wasn’t just about food. It was about forming friendships, about togetherness, about escape. It was where some of my greatest memories were made. I want to capture that feeling in my debut fiction book.' - Marcus Rashford MBE

A F Steadman: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

 Published 28th April 2022

Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life; to train together and race for glory; to be a hero.
 
But just as Skandar’s dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island’s most powerful unicorn – and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow apart his world forever . . .
 
Get ready for unlikely HEROES, elemental MAGIC, sky battles, ancient secrets, nail-biting races and FEROCIOUS UNICORNS, in this EPIC ADVENTURE series that will have your heart soaring..

Michael Morpurgo: There Once Is a Queen

Published 12th May 2022

From the Nation’s Favourite Storyteller Sir Michael Morpurgo comes a poetic celebration of our Queen and longest reigning monarch, beautifully illustrated in watercolour by acclaimed artist Michael Foreman.

There once was a little girl, born a princess. While she was still a young woman, she became a queen, our Queen Elizabeth. Now, seventy years later, her reign as the longest serving female monarch in history has seen her stand steadfast through triumph and tribulation, and through the monumental changes that have shaped our world. This remarkable queen has remained devoted to crown, to country . . . and a corgi or two!

Beginning with the queen as a little girl, planting an oak tree with her father, There Once is a Queen follows her incredible story in a way that will bring this historic reign vividly to life for readers, big and small, around the globe. An exquisite gift book and commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee, it marks a unique moment in our shared history and will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come.

Alice Melvin: Mouse's Wood

 Published 28th April 2022

An exquisitely illustrated novelty picture book with die-cut flaps that follows the woodland ramblings of Mouse through the change in seasons.

Written in a gentle rhyme that reflects the slow pace of Mouse’s rambling journey, and illustrated in the inimitable style of Alice Melvin, Mouse’s Wood is a heart-warming celebration of slow living in nature.

The story follows Mouse, who first ventures out in wintry January to visit his friend Squirrel. Mouse moves on to wake up Hedgehog for the arrival of spring and as he continues along the path in the wood, Mouse’s journey from friend to friend maps out the changes in seasons from January through to December, from picnicking among the bluebells with Mole in May and picking berries with Dormouse in June, to taking refuge in Fox’s cozy caravan as winter draws in.

Jacqueline Wilson: The Magic Faraway Tree - A New Adventure (Inspired by Enid Blyton)

 Published by 26th May 2022

Discover the Magic Faraway Tree and explore the amazing lands it can lead to! An irresistible new story by bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, set in a much-loved world.

Three kids, Milo, Mia and Birdy, are on a countryside holiday when they wander into an Enchanted Wood. Among the whispering leaves, there is a beautiful tree that stands high above the rest. The Magic Faraway Tree is home to remarkable creatures including a fairy called Silky, her best friend Moonface and more. Birdy is delighted to find that fairies are real. Even her older brother and sister are soon won over by the magic of the Faraway Tree and the extraordinary places they discover above it, including the Land of Unicorns. But not every land is so much fun. Danger looms in the Land of Dragons. Will Moonface's magic work in time to save the children?

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton was Jacqueline Wilson's own favourite book as a young child. Now Britain's favourite contemporary children's author, creator of Hetty Feather and Tracy Beaker, revisits this glorious magical world, weaving a brand-new story perfect for the next generation of young readers. Discover the magic!

Benjamin Zephaniah's Nature Trail

 Published 1st April 2022

A joyful celebration of nature and the wonder of the world around us by legendary poet and performer Benjamin Zephaniah, one of The Times' top 50 British post-war writers.

At the bottom of my garden, there's a hedgehog and a frog,
And a lot of creepy-crawlies living underneath a log . . .

All around us, from parks to gardens and flowerpots to pavements, there's a world of wonder just waiting to be discovered. Why not look a little closer and see what you find?

This joyful celebration of nature reminds us all to take a closer look at the world around us, and enjoy the wonder of nature wherever we find it. Packed with animals and minibeasts galore, this imaginative rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud.

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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