New books this September!

Axel Scheffler’s Fairy Tales: Axel Scheffler’s Nursery Rhymes by Axel Scheffler

A gorgeous board book collection of much-loved nursery rhymes illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the bestselling team of The Gruffalo and Zog.

Climb up the waterspout with Incy Wincy, help the king’s men try to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, dance along with the cat playing his fiddle and so much more! Brought to life with Axel Scheffler’s stunning illustrations, this collection of beloved nursery rhymes such as Twinkle Twinkle and Mary Had a Little Lamb, is the perfect bedtime read for the whole family to enjoy.

Stick Man: A flip-the-flap book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Join Stick Man on a flip-the-flap adventure! Lift the colourful, chunky card flaps in this fun board book, perfect for small hands.

With a gentle opposites theme, this board book will also help increase hand-eye co-ordination, develop speech and aid learning through repetition. Based on the bestselling book Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the creators of The Gruffalo.

The Baddies by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

This fabulous picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a riot of slapstick fun and silliness. *

The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land. They just adore being bad, and fight over who is the worst. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But the little girl quickly shows them that you don’t have to be big to be brave, and baddies don’t always win.

Tom Gates 20: Happy to Help (eventually)* by Liz Pichon

The top-of-the-class, extra special 21st book from multi-million copy selling author and illustrator Liz Pichon.

Q: Who wants their FIVE STAR funny story included in Oakfield School’s story book? A: EVERYONE! But what will Tom write about?

Inspiration strikes when he looks at his excellent collection of ODD OBJECTS and remembers the funny stories behind each one. Starting with Great Great Aunt Aggie’s fake bird hat, the weird stone with a hole and his very special doodle pen. Marcus wants to write about Tom (which is annoying), Amy’s got a funny poem and Norman’s story is all about… cheese. But Mr Fullerman can only choose the FIVE STAR STORIES – will Tom get his work in on time? And will Granddad read Tom’s story and find out what REALLY happened to Aunt Aggie’s hat? (Spoiler alert – probably)

Horrible Histories: Horrible History of the World (newspaper edition) by Terry Deary and Martin Brown

Discover all the blood-curdling stories with: The Horrible History of the World.

Jay – sorry, Jennifer – and her family move to a new town for a fresh start, after bullying at her last school went too far.

The master of making history fun, Terry Deary, turns his attention to the foul but fascinating story of humans, from brain-nibbling Neanderthals to terrified teenage soldiers in the twentieth century. From gory stories of what smelly sport was played by samurais to who baked their enemies a cake made from poisoned bath-water, it’s all in Horrible Histories: The Horrible History of the World.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Movie Tie-in by Suzanne Collins

The tie-in edition to the star-studded blockbuster movie. *

Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price. It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmanoeuvre his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low.

Their fates are now completely intertwined – every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favour or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

The Case of the Chaos Monster: an Elemental Detectives Mystery* by Patrice Lawrence

A stunningly imagined, action-packed fantasy adventure for fans of Nevermoor, Neverwhere and Mortal Engines, from bestselling and award-winning author Patrice Lawrence.

Step into a London lit up by the Elemental spirits: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs. Marisee and Robert – the Elemental Detectives – are back to solve another mystery on the streets of eighteenth century London. An orchestra explodes in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and suddenly the music of London disappears… and a terrifying monster stirs off the Greenwich peninsular, threatening to trample London underfoot.

The detectives must track down the thief behind the music’s disappearance – via the Whispering Gallery of St Paul’s Cathedral, a Windmill-with-teeth on the Isle of Dogs and the dark streets of Soho… where a shadowy villain and his mechanical animal spies live.

Zombie Season by Justin Weinberger

Read the book. Play the Game. Fight the undead. You know the protocol. You’ve completed countless drills. Your go-bag is waiting by the door. Yet nothing can truly prepare you for what’s coming. No one is ever ready for zombie season…

It’s a hard time to be in California. Every scorching summer brings the predictable disaster. Property destroyed. Lives on the line. Because every summer, catastrophe begins in the woods. Every summer, zombie season arrives. Joule refuses to evacuate with her mom. She can’t leave town while her dad’s still missing.

Regina is proud of her scientist parents, especially now that they’re working on a weapon to keep the zombies at bay. But when she discovers a dark underside to their new technology, she must decide what matters most.

Oliver is sick of the drills. What’s the point in pretending you can run and hide when it’s clear the zombies are growing faster and stronger than ever? But when the adults refuse to accept this scary truth, Oliver must find a way to sound the alarm.

Fantastic Families by Omari McQueen and Sophia Green

A celebration of family from Omari McQueen, the youngest award-winning vegan chef in the UK.

Omari’s family is unique – but then again, isn’t everyones?! Omari’s story shows us how families can come in all shapes and sizes, and why families of all kinds are so special. The perfect picture book celebrating the diversity of families and the importance of love and togetherness. Families are like food … some spicy … some savoury … some sweet … but always the most delicious dish!

Growing Up Black in Britain by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Stuart Lawrence, and Simone Douglas

What is it like to grow up Black or Black dual heritage in Britain?

Stuart Lawrence, brother of Stephen Lawrence, talks to seven inspirational figures about their childhood experiences, as well as sharing insight into his own. This is a collection of courageous, thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful pieces set to educate and inspire young people.

Cat on the Run: Cat of Death by Aaron Blabey

What happens when the world’s #1 Cat Video Star gets accused of a crime she didn’t commit? She becomes a cat on the run, that’s what.

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE BAD GUYS comes another hilarious illustrated series starring a pampered cat who is way tougher than anyone realizes. How do you avoid capture and prove your innocence when you are the most famous feline on the planet? Well, it ain’t easy.

Follow Princess Beautiful — for that is her name — as she goes from meme megastar #1 to public enemy #1 and cheer her on as she fights to clear her name. Is she a super villain? An internet-famous buffoon? Or a butt-kicking gal who’s just been seriously underestimated? YOU be the judge…

Courage to Dream by Neal Shusterman and Andrés Vera Martínez

National Book Award winner Neal Shusterman presents a graphic novel exploring the Holocaust through surreal visions and a textured canvas of heroism and hope.

Courage to Dream plunges readers into the darkest time of human history – the Holocaust. This graphic novel explores one of the greatest atrocities in modern memory, delving into the core of what it means to face the extinction of everything and everyone you hold dear.

A Taste of Darkness from YA’s biggest and bestselling authors

A chilling, thrilling collection of 13 haunting tales. Perfect for every YA reader!

From supernatural thrillers to contemporary horror, creepy ancient legends to murders gone wrong – this insatiable anthology is impossible to put down, and even more difficult to forget. From some of the most celebrated authors writing in this space, this must-have collection will keep you awake at night and inhabit your darkest dreams.

Featuring stories from: Amy McCaw, Maria Kuzniar, Kat Dunn, Kat Ellis, Rachel Faturoti, Kathryn Foxfield, Dawn Kurtagich, Amy McCulloch, Cynthia Murphy, Melinda Salisbury, Louie Stowell, Rosie Talbot, Mary Watson.

Future Hero: Escape from the Clay City by Remi Blackwood

The third book in this major series: FUTURE HERO – featuring high-octane adventure, perfect for fans of Black Panther!

Destiny is Near… The land of Jarell’s ancestors, is still not safe, and he must return if he is to stop the sorcerer Ikala from gaining power. Together with the help of Kimisi, and their new ally Bo-de, the trio must journey to a city of clay if they are to find what they need to defeat their enemy. But danger lies ahead…

Goosebumps: House of Shivers by R.L. Stine

A brand new Goosebumps series is coming―prepare to be scared like never before!

From the delightfully twisted mind of R.L. Stine comes a fresh new vision for the fan-favorite brand. This new series will feature an ALL NEW line-up of incredible villains, with iconic monsters as you’ve never seen them before, whose antics are destined to make them every bit as beloved as Slappy.

Nimbus by Jan Eldredge

Nimbus had a rough start as a kitten. But her fortunes changed the day she met Fletcher.

The boy nursed her back to health from a life-threatening injury and adopted her. But when Fletcher’s aunt brings home a mysterious jar, an ancient demon is unwittingly unleashed. Despite battling the monster to save her friend, Fletcher’s superstitious aunt blames Nim for the attack and secretly abandons her at a dump.

There, Nim is befriended by a theater-loving rat and taken in by a kindly witch named Agatha and her motley crew of cats. Nim soon discovers that her battle with the demon left her with special powers—but more than that, she begins to suspect that she has always been destined for something extraordinary. To return to her beloved Fletcher, Nim will need to harness her magical powers and enlist the help of her new friends. Along the way, she will discover she may be braver and luckier than she ever imagined.

The Thirteenth Vampire by Alice Hemming

From Alice Hemming, the bestselling author of The Dark Unicorn series, comes a brand-new story filled with vampires and a mystery only one girl can solve.

In the town of Valesti, a notorious family of btwelve vampires once terrorized the populace until hunters supposedly eradicated them. Yet, rumors of their return persist, particularly surrounding Castle Bezna, home to a mysterious countess. She has a history of taking village girls as companions, none of whom have returned.

When Vivi is enticed by the offer of education and boarding, she ventures to the castle. Suspicion grows as she witnesses odd occurrences, leading her to investigate the legend of the thirteenth vampire. Will she unveil the truth or become another vanished girl from Castle Bezna?

Norse Folktales Myths and Legends by Anika Hussain and Kate Forrester

A beautiful new edition of retellings – including legends from Norse mythology and a selection of fairy tales from Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Enjoy a rich collection of folktales, myths and legends from Scandinavia, retold for young readers with charm, warmth and gentle humour by Anika Hussain, an author born and raised in Stockholm. This book contains traditional favourites, including the legends of Norse gods Loki and Thor and the fairy tales Little Thumbelina and The Three Billy Goats Gruff, with a host of other Scandinavian stories to discover. Includes 20 Norse and Scandinavian folktales, myths and legends in a perfect, child-friendly package.

Part of the Scholastic Classics collection: introducing generations of book lovers to timeless stories, repackaged especially for young readers Classic stories told from a modern perspective

A History of the World (According to Cats!) by Kimberlie Hamilton and Jocelyn Kao

A cat’s-eye view of history! Discover secrets, stories and facts about history’s most fascinating felines! Young historians may never look at the past – or cats! – in quite the same way again.

Cats have prowled Earth for millennia, yet the history of the world has always been told through the eyes of humans. But now it’s time to – finally! – set the record straight and uncover the key role that cats have played in shaping the course of history.

Discover unknown stories about real-life felines, including WWII heroes, courageous adventurers and even an astrocat that travelled in space (and made it back to Earth to tell the tale), this book places cats as the heroes of their own stories. Full of real-life stories, with all the boring stuff left out, this book takes a look at the world’s history through feline eyes.

Sirens by Braden Cawthon

A thrilling, apocalyptic horror debut from Braden Cawthon, perfect for fans of KR Alexander and Joe Hill!

Joel Walker wakes up to a world suddenly and frighteningly changed. In the wake of a massive power outage, an otherworldly siren begins to blare, changing all that listen to it for too long in frightening ways. Desperate to find his mother and little sister, Joel will have to survive in a world that is coming apart at its seams.

An edge-of-your seat thriller that will have readers guessing until the end, this debut novel is sure to make a huge splash with YA readers.

Bad Food 5: Night of the Living Bread by Eric Luper and Joe Whale

Slice, Scoop, and Totz return to take on a new threat in this original series featuring the art of viral sensation Joe Whale, a.k.a. the Doodle Boy, and fan-favourite Eric Luper.

For years, Slice, Scoop and Totz have heard the spooky stories of the zombie food that walks the halls of Belching Walrus Elementary, but never thought anything of it. But when Richard the Dictionary and Specs pay an unexpected visit to the cafeteria, our trio of foodie friends know something is up. Someone (or something) is trailing ketchup all over the library! Amidst the arguing, Scoop spots shadows in the hallway.

Could this be the legendary zombie food? Well, they are certainly going to find out. Join Totz, Slice, and Scoop in this spooky survival adventure!