Books: children & YA

Published today, three beautiful new picture books: A Book of People Like Me by Joelle Avelino, How to Grow a Mermaid by Rachel Morrisroe and Steven Lenton, and Countdown to Bedtime Sleepy Dragon by Tom Knight. Anne Coates reviews.

Two beautifully illustrated picture books exploring big themes for little people reviewed by Anne Coates.

Written and illustrated by Alison Brown, Billie's Buzz is a delightful picture book for young children – introducing them to the wonderful world of bees. Reviewed by Anne Coates. 

Written by the directors of award-winning short film Adan, Mark Arrigo and Steven Chatterton and illustrated by the incredible Syrian artist Diala Brisly  this picture book tells the heart-warming story about the power of love, hope and determination.

Thanks to publishers The Book Guild we had five copies of Wonderground by Harry Miller and illustrated by Stephanie Zhao to be won. Here are our competition winners.

Anne Coates reviews two new picture books to inspire young readers: My First Draw with Rob: Unicorns and Frida the Rock-and-Roll Moth plus two new edition of old favourites: How to catch a Star and Cars and Trucks and Things that Go.

Hamza may be best known by grown-ups as the winner of Strictly Come Dancing but in his TV programme for children on BBC CBeebies, he shares his passion for the outdoors, wildlife, the environment and conservation. This passion is continued in Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, illustrated by Kate Kronrief. It was a hit with Christine Mayle and her young grandson.

With illustrations by Xin Li, You and the Universe by Stephen Hawking with Lucy Hawking is an inspiring book for curious young minds published by Puffin Books and reviewed by Anne Coates.

Anne Coates reviews two new board books by Chris Chatterton, the bestselling author of the iconic bedtime series, Ten Minutes to Bed. Uh-oh Niko Bathtime and Uh-oh Nico Bedtime are published by Ladybird Books.

April is Earth Month and QuartoKids recommends these books to explore environmental issues and create consciousness about climate change with your children: My Friend Tree by Dawn Casey & Genevieve Godbout; Always Carry Me With You by Hervé Eparvier and illustrated by Fred Benaglia; The Secret Life of Bugs by Moira Butterfield & Vivian Mine and  Rewild the World at Bedtime by Emily Hawkins & illustrated by Ella Beech. 

Anne Coates recommends some picture books to give for Easter: are you big? by Mo Willems, Sleepy Unicorn by Candy Bee anTom Knight and Maybe Later, Georgie by Luke Scriven.

HarperCollins Children's Books have just launched the first two books in the Look Out! Hungry Animals series by Paul Delaney: Hungry Snake and Hungry Lion, both hide-and-seek flap books for little ones. Reviewed by Anne Coates.

The Dog Squad:The Race written and illustrated by by Clara Vulliamy is a perfect introduction to chapter books for your readers, writes Anne Coates.

Two and a Half Wishes is the third book in Paula Harrison's Fairytale Ninjas series published by HarperCollins Children's Books.

HOW THE GRINCH LOST CHRISTMAS! is the official sequel to the beloved holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 

The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas by Matt Lucas and illustrated by Forrest Burdett is a perfect Christmas story writes Anne Coates.

It's Black History Month so we're highlighting two fabulous picture books: Mama's Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writing as Nwa Grace-James and What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa, reviewed by Anne Coates.

Anne Coates reviews Hannah Gold's sequel to the award-winning Last Bear. Finding Bear is an amazing adventure in the Arctic where bears and the environment are under threat. April Wood is mocked at school for her love of bears but that drives her to return to Svarlbard over a year later convinced Bear needs her.