Picture Book

Fox and the Mystery letter
Written and illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths
(Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 28th August 2025)

Fox lives alone. He breakfasts alone - one bowl, one spoon; he fishes alone and he reads alone. He likes it that way. Then one day everything changes when a letter arrives containing a cryptic message and a clue to follow. Maybe he could just follow the first clue then head straight back home? This is the sweetest book about a friendship being repaired after a big row. It is extremely heartfelt and there’s no blame: just a bear who reaches out, knowing that if Fox can follow the clues, he might find Bear and - in doing so - find a way back to their friendship: a journey of the heart and soul. Perfect for children in year 2 and up, especially to help with friendship difficulties. 

Collection of illustrated short stories

Oscar Wilde’s Short Stories for Children
Illustrated by Lauren O’Hara with foreword by Colm Tóibín
(Little Island, 21st October 2025)

This renowned works of Wilde, ostensibly for children but with very clear messaging intended for adults has been given a fresh new lease of life in this stunning collection. O’Hara’s use of soft, muted watercolour creates such depth to the short narratives with borders, full-page spreads and smaller illustrations to engage the eye. When we as adults know the desperately sad context surrounding Wilde’s estrangement from his two sons following marital breakdown, there’s an even deeper layer of poignancy.

This would be such a perfect gift for children in key stage 2 and adults alike, given that the narratives operate cleverly upon two (several, actually!) levels. The publisher received Arts Council of Ireland funding for this project, making it an ideal purchase if we are to support smaller publishing houses as well as ensure generations to come enjoy the rich literary heritage that not just Ireland but also the world has to offer. 

Graphic novel for children in KS2

Oliver’s Great Big Universe
By Jorge Cham
(Simon & Schuster Children’s UK, 11th September 2025)

In this the second book in this brilliant series, Cham has created part novella, part graphic novel, part narrative and part non-fiction-perfection! Oliver loves reading comics and playing video games but when his friends all begin to make excuses as to why they don’t want to game together, he realises why: his computer is so old that it frequently lets Oliver down. He prepares a presentation to convince his parents that he needs a new computer but when that doesn’t work, he vows to earn the money needed instead. Along the way are hilarious tangential anecdotes, hard and fast facts and bags of humour, much of which is rather sophisticated. Very clever and we feel that this could be such a great recommendation for a reluctant reader in UKS2 as it’s of high interest but presented in an entirely manageable way.

Novel

Dracula and Daughters
By Emma Carroll
(Faber and Faber, 25th September 2025)

Could this much anticipated book by Emma Carroll be her best work yet? Carroll’s books are always astonishing and what we have observed time and again is the trust that she puts in her readers: intricate plot lines; expertly woven connections between characters and existing literature; complex narratives yet so utterly readable. This is no different, but it could also be a powerful gateway book into gothic classics such as Dracula itself, Frankenstein and all manner of other-worldly fantasy novels. But what perhaps is even cleverer is that the characters in this fantasy are so relatable.

For Mina, keen to make her mark in her profession at just 12, she’s prepared to break the rules. But when she crosses the water to the land of the dead - so-placed to ensure that the undead cannot cross into the main town - her corpse-exhuming mission does not go to plan… instead she encounters fierce and plucky Bella. But they realise simultaneously that something dreadful has happened: the freshly buried body of local star of the stage, Elsie Irving, isn’t there… but the coffin is still sealed, save for a ragged hole in the lid. 

Non-fiction book for young children

My First Picture Atlas
Written by Catherine Bruzzone and illustrated by Stu McLellan
(b small, 2nd October 2025)

What a delightful introduction to the world of cartography! Our youngest children in schools will love poring over pages about each continent, geographical details, information about crops, languages spoken and native animals. There are pictures for children to find, which many children will be able to do independently once shown and features to spot, which would work brilliantly in small adult led groups. It would also be lovely for children in a mixed age class to share with the older children guiding the younger ones.

Gorgeously illustrated, this would be such a good addition to EYFS and KS1 book corners and school libraries.

Non-fiction book for children in key stage 2 and up 

Flush it down: The story of sewers through time
Written and illustrated by Rob Flowers
(Cicada, 2nd October 2025)

Well- not that we wish to lower the tone - but this book is extremely poo-centric. There’s no other way of putting it! Readers can learn about why poo smells; the pooping habits of the prehistoric and the ingenuity that was Cloaca Maxima - ‘The Great Sewer’, constructed by the Ancient Romans. And - as an aside - if you’ve ever wondered where the term, ‘getting the wrong end of the stick’ derives from, it is here that you’ll find your answer…

Then there’s the very real risk of explosions caused by gases in a build-up of faecal matter and the link between poor sewage systems and the spread of disease. Surprisingly fascinating and so well written with facts, trivia and illustrations that are not dissimilar to the nostalgic, cartoony style of Richard Scarry (just with humans instead of anthropomorphic creatures!) We think children in key stage 2 would love this and it’s actually a brilliant foundation on which to build study of the Industrial Revolution in KS2 as well as the spread of the great plagues and cholera, which are often studied as part of the KS4 history curriculum. 

Non-fiction book for children in key stage 2 and up 

All The World’s Your Stage - Shakespeare for Today
Written by Farah Karim-Cooper, illustrated by Manjit Thapp
(DK Children, 6th November 2025)

The Bard himself, whose plays have been performed the world over and have been translated into ‘almost every language’, is explored from every angle in this highly accessible book. Hailed as being ‘a gift to the world’ by Artistic Director of The Globe, Michelle Terry, we delve into Shakespeare’s childhood; his family; the joy of falling in love with Anne Hathaway and the devastating sadness at the loss of his son, Hamnet. Children can read about each play and discover a plethora of ‘behind the scenes’ facts, including the arguable grimness of Elizabethan London – see also Flush it Down above (as well as the good bits!); the history of fairies and multiculturalism in Europe, where the myth that Black people didn’t come to Europe until the 1950’s is dispelled. A thoroughly enjoyable read with gorgeous illustrations by Manjitt Thapp. This would be perfect for any key stage 2 book corner and school library.