Books: children & YA

The Confidence Code for Girls by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman reviewed by Anne Coates.

Oscar's Book Prize has announce its 2018 shortlist – the fifth time it has chosen the best book for under-fives. After more than 100 submissions, five titles compete for the £5,000 early-years award. The winner of the £5,000 award will be revealed at a ceremony at St James's Palace on 14 May, 2018.

Stories For Boys Who Dare To Be Different written by Ben Brooks, illustrated by Quinton Winter and published by Quercus Books is reviewed by Anne Coates.

Two more fabulous books from HarperCollins Children's Books: It's a Bing Thing! and My First MOG 123.

Lonely Planet's City Mazes is perfect for puzzle fans who love to travel. This fun, challenging and beautifully illustrated activity book takes readers on a journey across 30 of the world's greatest cities. Harriet Coates loved exploring and solving the puzzles.

Judith Kerr's now classic story of Sophie and her unexpected teatime guest has been a great favourite in the Coates household and now HarperCollins Children's books have released a 50th Anniversary Edition.

James and the Giant Peach is one of the top five bestselling Roald Dahl books of all time and it is now available in a brilliant new edition with fuzzy stickers. We have five copies to be won along with a copy of the perfect companion book James’s Giant Bug Book which is packed with fascinating facts about creepy-crawlies, and fun activities to try at home such as making an ant farm and building your very own bug hotel!

Puffin has published the film tie-in edition of Madeleine L'Engle's bestselling novel and winner of the prestigious Newbury Award. Anne Coates reviews.

IMAGINE – Picture Book Set to John Lennon's Lyrics, illustrated by Jean Julien and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group.

Written by Jo Nelson and illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole, Destination: Planet Earth introduces young readers to our physical world. A useful and inspiring publication from Wide Eyed Editions writes Anne Coates.

From Lonely Planet Kids an exciting book which encourages children to travel the world in a variety of modes of transport – from the comfort of the home: Around the World in 50 Ways written by Dan Smith and illustrated by Frances Castle. Reviewed by Harriet and Anne Coates.

Three lovely new books from HarperCollins Children's Books: A Little Caper, Something for Mummy and Numbers! Wipe-clean activity book.

The Story of Life by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams, subtitled A first book about evolution and illustrated by Amy Husband, tells the story of how Earth developed from a hot, noisy, scary place to what it is today. Anne Coates reviews.

From HarperCollins Children's Bools: There's a Snake in my School! by David Walliams and illustrated by Tony Ross.

Translated by Richard Howard,  Antoine Saint-Exupéry's legendary story now takes its rightful place in the Everyman's Library Children's Classics collection. One of the best-selling books ever published, with over 140 million copies sold since publication in 1943, The Little Prince inspires generation after generation.  

Published by the Book Guild, Losing Arthur by Paul A. Mendelson is an excellent and exciting read either for independent readers or for those who love to be read to, writes Anne Coates.

If your you children loved Paddington 2 on screen they'll adore reading his adventures in Paddington 2 The Story of the Movie as well as reliving it with the Paddington 2 Movie Sticker Activity Book, writes Anne Coates.

Twirlywoos Big Book from HarperCollins Children's Books is perfect for toddlers as Kathryn Mayle discovered.