Books: children & YA

Now in its eighth year, Oscar’s Book Prize celebrates the best in storytelling for under-fives, crowning the UK’s best picture book. The prize was created to remember Oscar Ashton, who was three-and-a-half when he died from an undetected heart condition in 2012.

Curls written by Ruth Forman and illustrated Geneva Bowers is an affirming board book for those with black hair, reviewed by Anne Coates.

Sharon M. Draper's beautifully written novel, Blended about an eleven-year-old's struggle to be herself not what or how other people see her. Review by Anne Coates.

Reaching for the Moon is the inspirational autobiography of NASA Mathematician, Katherine Johnson. Review by Anne Coates. 

Future Friend is David Baddiel's first foray into writing science fiction and it's a brilliant entry into the genre with fabulous illustrations by Steven Lenton writes Anne Coates.

Published by HarperCollins, Draw With Rob At Christmas by Rob Biddulph is perfect for the run up to the festive season, writes Anne Coates.

A Girl's Guide to Being Fearless subtitled How To Find Your Brave by Suzie Lavington and Dr Andy Cope who guide girls to find their best selves and the publication date falls during Anti-Bullying Week 2020 (16 to 20 November), and 'The Chapter About Bullying' is dedicated to providing strategies for overcoming this. Anne Coates reviews.

The climate crisis is everyone’s crisis and we need to work together to solve it. Ejected by Dawn Pape is a novel for teenagers and young adults that shows how, with the will and wisdom to do it, we can. We are all accountable for the damage being done, but we can also all help to fix it.

When lockdown put an end to award-winning children's author Christina Gabbitas' planned events and visits to schools, she felt she needed to organise something positive. Using her connections from her charity Children’s Literature Festivals, she set up a competition for children and their teachers to submit poems about life during the pandemic. Lockdown Life is the result.

HarperCollins Children's Books consistently publish brilliant books for all ages. Here Anne Coates reviews What We'll Build by Oliver Jeffers and The Snowflake by Benji Davies.

The Shadow Moth is the first book in the A Clock of Stars trilogy written by Francesca Gibbons and illustrated by Chris Riddell. Anne Coates was captivated.

A wonderful adventure for teens and young adults, N E Carlisle's Mermaid's Curse explores a family curse, mermaids and the lore of the sea. Anne Coates reviews.

That Time I Got Kidnapped by Tom Mitchell, author of How to Rob a Bank and published by HarperCollins. Reviewed by Anne Coates

Dog Gone The Day I Lost My Human is a fabulous new picture book by Rob Biddulph, writes Anne Coates. 

How To Change Your Parents Into Superstars by Pete Johnson and illustrated by James Cottell is funny and reassuring – perfect for confident readers, writes Anne Coates.

Asking for a Friend by Kate Mallinder, a YA novel explores how being on the autistic spectrum, social media bullying and fear of serious illness affects the lives of three teens. Reviewed by Anne Coates. 

Lonely Planet Kids Book, Build Your Own History Museum by Claudia Martin is reviewed by Liz Bull and her nine year-old granddaughter, Lottie. 

Bing – My Reward Chart Sticker Activity Book