Must Read Children’s Books for January 2025

An achingly beautiful, timeless picture book by bestselling author Jonathan Freedland and illustrated by Emily Sutton, inspired by a story from Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, author of The Passenger

It’s King Winter’s birthday, and he wants his party to be really special. He asks all of his brothers and sisters to be there: Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn.

But the wind and the trees whisper a warning, and as the four play magical games, something strange begins to happen outside.

Inspired by a story from Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, written while he was interned on the Isle of Man during the Second World War, this timeless fairy tale is a celebration of nature’s rhythms, and of a chaotic world restored to balance.

Pluto Rocket and Joe Pidge are back, with more hats and hijinks than ever before, in the second book of this hilarious new early graphic novel series, for fans of Narwhal and Jelly.______

Pluto Rocket and greatest-ever tour guide Joe Pidge are back!

But – oh no! – the two pals face the disastrous loss of Joe Pidge’s outstanding hat. What’s a super-classy pigeon to do without the one thing that makes him unique?

Together they’ll explore what makes someone truly special, and how to uncover your most excellent bravest self when faced with a tricky moment. From strutting like the coolest pigeon in town, to pretending to be a giant tentacled monster, sometimes the greatest way to feel special is just hanging with your best friend.

Panda Finds Out About Money offers a gentle introduction to the concept of money for young children.

This funny, charming story is the perfect way to introduce young children to what money is and how it works. Also included are suggestions for activities and ideas to talk through together to help children understand the concept.

When Panda swaps toys with Lion, she finds out that swapping items is how money started. But she has a lot of questions. How much is it worth? Where is it kept? And most importantly, what can she afford to buy?

The Money Matters series of picture books provide a gentle means of promoting concepts of money management, boosting self-esteem and reinforcing good behaviour. Supports the Personal, Social and Emotional Development Area of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and is also suitable for use with children in KS1 and can be used to discuss citizenship and values. Suitable for children under 5.

Meerkat Earns Money offers a gentle introduction to the concept of earning money for young children.

This funny, charming story is the perfect way to introduce young children to the concept of working to earn money. Also included are suggestions for activities and ideas to talk through together to help children understand the concept.

Meerkat loves his tree house, but it’s falling down, and it will take a lot of money to fix it. Meerkat is determined to work hard and earn enough money for the repairs.

The Money Matters series of picture books provide a gentle means of promoting concepts of money management, boosting self-esteem and reinforcing good behaviour. Supports the Personal, Social and Emotional Development Area of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and is also suitable for use with children in KS1 and can be used to discuss citizenship and values. Suitable for children under 5.

WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS 2020

Published for the first time in paperback, this book tells the stories of girls and boys from around the world and the challenges they have faced and overcome.

It features over 29 tales of amazing young girls and boys who have achieved the unimaginable – from surviving a plane crash in the jungle to striking against climate change. There are tales of triumphing over illness and injury, and of overcoming bullying. Entries include Greta Thunberg, Boyan Slat and Phiona Mutesi, to name a few.

Each incredible story is narrated in an exciting and engaging style, and is combined with visually stunning illustrations by Amy Blackwell. Children can lose themselves in the remarkable true-life tales of ingenuity, courage and commitment. Practical tips and skills accompany every entry, from how to deal with altitude sickness to how to be more green. They provide children with an exciting springboard and the confidence to apply the knowledge to their own life situations – now and in the future. A perfect gift for every fearless child you know, these empowering stories show that no matter who you are, how old you are, and what you do, you can rise to the challenge.

Catch the aliens before they catch you! This out-of-this-world middle-grade fiction title immerses the reader in a page-turning alien adventure.

You are a brilliant young scientist who has been chosen for a research mission to a distant planet. On your way back to Earth, you are woken early from cryosleep by the ship’s computer. It has detected an alien life form, but there doesn’t seem to be any sign of one.

You look at your fellow crewmates and wonder if one of them has been taken over by an alien intelligence. Can you work out who can be trusted and who the aliens are before they take over your mind, too…?

This exciting adventure story for readers aged 9+ features a fast-paced branching structure with over 45 possible endings. At the end of each page there are two distinct options that will take the reader on different paths through the action – meaning that the reader controls the narrative (and their destiny!) throughout.

Twenty illustrated puzzle missions are woven into the narrative at key turning points, so the reader is fully immersed in the story. Featuring gripping plot twists and atmospheric illustrations, this is an alien adventure like no other.

World War I gets the Hazardous Tales treatment in this story of warfare, treachery, strategy, and more

World War I set the tone for the 20th century and introduced a new type of warfare: global, mechanical, and brutal. Nathan Hale has gathered some of the most fascinating true-life tales from the war and given them his inimitable twist. Easy to understand, funny, informative, and lively, this series is the best way to be introduced to some of the most well-known battles (and little-known secrets) of the infamous war. Each of the Bigger & Badder editions of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales features 16 pages of new content, plus an oversize trim and a gorgeous gifty cover.