As Christmas arrives in the Children's Bookshop, we have an abundance of beautiful new books to curl up and enjoy.
For a book to read little ones, Well Done Mummy Penguin (Walker Books £12.99 age 3-5) by Chris Haughton is the perfect bedtime tale. Mummy penguin undertakes a perilous journey over the ice, through the ocean, behind the seals... all to bring dinner home to her waiting family! Gently reassuring and with expressive illustrations.
For children who enjoy their books more interactive, Colours Colours Everywhere (Pan Macmillan £14.99 ages 3-5) by Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai is an explosion of colour and imagination – flaps and delicate die-cut pages invite exploration, and draw out Donaldson’s famous rhyming text. We’re very excited to be hosting Julia and Sharon in a sell-out signing at the bookshop on December 10 – keep your eyes peeled for signed copies!
For those struggling to get into the festive spirit, Alex T Smith's Grumpus (Pan Macmillian £14.99 age 5+) is a defiantly funny story of a grumpy creature who hatches a plan to stop Christmas once and for all. A glorious and curmudgeonly treat for children, with Smith’s brilliantly funny, warm illustrations.
As the nights draw in, older children can retreat with The Chestnut Roaster (Everything With Words £7.99 ages 9-11) by Eve McDonnell – a magical, historical novel set in Paris. A thief has stolen everyone’s memories of the year, leading the heroine Piaf to embark upon a dangerous journey through the Catacombs. A gripping read with rich, atmospheric writing, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell. Similarly compelling, Tyger (David Fickling Books £12.99) by local author SF Said is a spectacular alternative history of London, filled with hope and bravery.
We’ve seen a huge appetite for graphic novels this year – which we’ve been feeding with our monthly graphic novel club. This month we have been enjoying Thieves by Lucie Bryon (Nobrow £14.99), which has filled the gap for our teenage Hearstopper fans. The sugar-sweet romance that blossoms between Ella and Maddie is threatened only by the mystery of the strange artefacts that have turned up in Ella’s bedroom.
We were also delighted to launch The Worst Journey in the World (£18.99) by Sarah Airriess, published by the independent North London press Indie Novella. An adaptation of Cherry-Aspard’s account of Scott’s Polar expedition, this both captures the spirit of adventure and quest for science on the treacherous seas, and celebrates the unexpected friendships that can grow through shared hardships. Airriess’s illustrations evoke the detailed research behind the graphic novel, and there are breath-taking scenes of movement and landscape. Truly a book for all ages.
With nativities, pantomimes and ballets in full swing, children can get in the mood with a range of books. In the Hall of the Mountain King (Frances Lincoln £16.99) by Jessica Courtenay-Tickle is the latest book in the popular Story Orchestra series, and proves an adventure through music and storytelling. Familiar extracts from Peer Gynt feature on every page with the press of a button, and the illustrations take us from bright morning village scenes straight into the dark and dreaded hall of the mountain king and his trolls.
The Magic of the Ballet (Walker £16.99) by Vivian French & Lauren O’Hara tells familiar ballet stories with soft, dreamy illustrations. Pair with Curtain Up by Lauren O’Hara to explore the magic behind the stage at the Royal Opera House, with an insight into costuming and stage effects.
The Children's Bookshop is at 29, Fortis Green Road, N10. https://www.childrensbookshoplondon.com/
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