It’s the start of a new school year, which means new shoes, a new bag and a new pencil case.
What about a new bedtime read too?
If you are sick of the usual suspects, there are stacks of enticing new children’s books out this week, and the following ones, to suit everyone.
Here are 20 that we are most looking forward to reading…
1. The Grotlyn by Benji Davies. £12.99 (hardback), HarperCollins Children’s
Beautiful illustrated in a Victoriana style, you can practically see the mists of mystery swirling over the pages of this atmospheric and suspenseful tale about things that go bump in the night. Sure to be another bestseller for the superstar author-illustrator of The Storm Whale.
Watch the trailer for The Grotlyn
2. The Hundred And One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, adapted by Peter Bently and illustrated by Steven Lenton. £6.99 (paperback), Egmont
The children’s classic turned Disney film gets the picture book treatment for the first time. This beautiful new version about Missis and Pongo’s fight to save their pups from the clutches of Cruella de Vil is sure to win the 61-year-old story a new generation of fans.
3. Oi Cat! by Kes Gray and Jim Field. £12.99 (hardback), Hodder Children’s Books
The dream team behind Oi Frog! and Oi Dog! reunite for a third installment of tongue-twisting, super silly seating scenarios. We thought nothing could top the wit and wordplay of cheetahs sitting on fajitas in the last book, but this new story has a pony sitting on macaroni, no less.
4. Hortense and the Shadow by Natalia and Lauren O’Hara. £10.99 (hardback), Puffin
This stunning debut from the O’Hara sisters draws on classic fairy stories and fables, along with their Eastern European heritage. It’s both classic and contemporary all at once – a picture book to treasure and a duo to watch.
Read what Natalia and Lauren had to say about their inspirations
5. The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field. £12.99 (hardback), Orchard Books
Their last collaboration picked up the Evening Standard Oscar’s Book Prize 2017. And the latest tale by this dynamic duo has the same laugh-out loud moments and feelgood message, as two polar opposite squirrels do battle over the last nut of the season.
6. Hugo Makes A Change by Scott Emmons and Mauro Gatti. £9.99 (hardback), Flying Eye Books
Hugo is stuck in a mealtime rut (know the feeling, mums and dads?!) so does something no other vampire has tried before – going veggie! The result is a book of bold, eye-catching artwork and lovely rhyming text. It might inspire your child to try their greens too.
7. Franklin’s Flying Bookshop by Jen Campbell, illustrated by Katie Harnett. £11.95 (hardback), Thames & Hudson
Franklin the dragon loves stories and reading them to people, but everyone is too scared to listen… until he meets bookworm Luna. The result is a 21st century fairytale that is sweet, inspiring and beautifully illustrated.
8. Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC by Barney Saltzberg, illustrated by Fred Benaglia. £8.95 (board book), Phaidon
You’ve sung them countless times but probably never thought about how Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and ABC share the same tune. This book mashes the two together with lively new lyrics, vivid colours and stylised typography.
Why we love Nosy Crow’s first concept books in conjunction with the British Museum
9. I Want To Be In A Scary Story by Sean Taylor, illustrated by Jean Jullien. £11.99 (hardback), Walker
It’s the classic Halloween dilemma. You want to hear a scary story but not TOO scary, okay? This is the problem Little Monster faces as he battles with the narrator in this smart and playful book, with in-your-face artwork by hot French graphic designer Jean Jullien.
10. Mister Cleghorn’s Seal by Judith Kerr. £12.99 (hardback), HarperCollins Children’s
The legendary children’s writer has penned and illustrated her first novel in 37 years, about a man who takes a home an abandoned seal pup. Aimed at slightly older readers, it will appeal to parents as much as children. There’s an audiobook read by Bill Nighy too.
11. The Ugly Five by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. £12.99 (hardback), Scholastic
Everything they touch turns to gold and this newest offering from Gruffalo creators Julia and Axel looks to be no different – a joyful and funny celebration of the savannah’s ugliest animals, that teaches how we all deserve love, no matter how we look.
Read our review of The Gruffalo Trail at Mountain View Ranch
12. Hibernation Hotel by John Kelly, illustrated by Laura Brenlla. £7.99 (paperback), Little Tiger
A heartwarming and hilarious tale about a hibernating bear going to extreme lengths to just get a bit of shut-eye, a scenario that might strike a chord with a few parents… Looks stylish and reads wonderfully.
13. I Thought I Saw A Lion! by Lydia Nichols. £5.99 (board book), Templar
Enjoy a game of hide-and-seek with this smart slider book as you attempt to find a cheeky lion lurking in the bookshop, hairdressers and fancy dress shop. A witty interactive read by the Google Doodle illustrator. There’s also a dinosaur version.
14. Charlie and Lola: A Dog With Nice Ears by Lauren Child. £12.99 (hardback), Orchard Books
The beloved brother-sister duo are back in this much-anticipated sixth original story by the new Waterstones Children’s Laureate. As the siblings mull over the right sort of dog to get, it soon becomes clear that quirky Lola’s dream breed is, in fact, a rabbit…
15. The Gritterman by Orlando Weeks. £17.99 (hardback), Particular Books
The former frontman of indie band The Maccabees has created a touching tale about an ice cream man who only feels happy in winter when he turns to gritting roads. Reminiscent of Raymond Briggs, thanks to its gentle illustrations and melancholic edge. An accompanying album will also be released simultaneously.
16. Moon: Night-time Around The World. Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, words by Patricia Hegarty. £10.99 (hardback), Little Tiger
A visual feast await in this atmospheric die-cut picture book by the award-winning illustrator. Peek through the waxing and waning moon as it watches over the night-time life of the world’s wonderful creatures.
17. That’s Not My Witch by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells. £6.99 (board book), Usborne
Every family will have one of these much-loved textured baby books and this new spooky installment is destined to be a favourite. Ideal for Halloween.
Read about our 10 best books of baby’s first year
18. The Wildest Cowboy by Garth Jennings, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. £11.99 (hardback), Macmillan
Salesmen Bingo B Brown is the charismatic star of this raucous Western by acclaimed music video and film director Garth Jennings, whose latest movie Sing was nominated for a Golden Globe.
19. Up & Down: A Walk in the Countryside by Rosalind Beardshaw. £6.99 (board book), Nosy Crow
This fourth title in this lovely National Trust range of concept books takes you on a winter walk as the characters explore opposites. The three previously titles look at the alphabet, colours and numbers, with each one set in a different season.
20. The Cranky Caterpillar by Richard Graham. £10.95 (hardback), Thames & Hudson
There’s an ethereal quality to this story about a piano that’s part caterpillar and the attempts by a little girl called Ezra to cheer him up. The artwork was apparently inspired by the condition colour synesthesia, where people perceive sounds as colours.
Books with Baby 