Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels

The Moon Seed by Sally Anne Garland, Sunbird, £7.99Taken into space aboard a rocket, a sycamore seed spots something beautiful. Once planted back on Earth, the growing tree pines for the Moon, waking only by night and yearning to reach it – until at last it sees the dawn revealing that where it stands is the beautiful planet once viewed from afar. A quietly spectacular picture book, reimagining the journey of a seed aboard Apollo 14.
What We Wear When We Take Care by Sarah Finan, Walker, £7.99Lively and energetic, full of zooms, whooshes, honks and screeches, this blue and yellow picture book paean to safety equipment, from helmets to boots, is terrific toddler fare, ideal for reading aloud.
Mama Car by Lucy Catchpole and Karen George, Faber, £7.99This resonant picture book chronicles a child’s fond relationship with her mother’s wheelchair, from adventurous kitchen expeditions to loving consolation when there’s a tumble (“The Mama Car is warm and I just have Mummy all around me”). With a pitch-perfect young narrator and engagingly bright, warm pictures, this celebratory story provides much-needed representation for disabled parents.
The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston, Walker, £14.99When Dictionary decides to tell a story like the other books, chaos ensues as a hungry Alligator pursues a Donut through a Ghost and all the way to the Moon. After Tornado’s tantrum jumbles her words, Dictionary needs Alphabet’s song to put them right, in this intricate, playful picture-book collaboration, layered with whimsical dictionary definitions that slightly older readers will enjoy alongside the main story.
Welcome to AI by Matthieu Dugal, illustrated by Owen Davey, Wide-Eyed, £14.99This thought-provoking 7+ history of AI moves from its Ancient Greek origins via automatons, algorithms, avatars and more to the pressing questions of what might happen next. Multicoloured graphic illustrations elegantly complement the succinct and fascinating text.
She Speaks: The Women of Greek Myths in Their Own Words by Honor Cargill-Martin, illustrated by Camelia Pham, Magic Cat, £16.99From Pandora to Helen, Medusa to Medea, the witches, warriors and anti-heroines of Greek mythology narrate their own stories in this lavishly illustrated and dynamic collection of retellings for 7+.
The Beanstalk Murder by PG Bell, Usborne, £7.99When a dead giant falls from the sky and destroys the village of Old Stump, young meadow-witch Anwen is appalled to realise he’s been murdered – and when she and her rival, Cerys, are snatched up a beanstalk into the Giants’ world, Anwen is determined to solve the crime. An intensely readable, Gulliver-flavoured fairytale whodunnit for readers of 8+.
The Summer I Saved the Wild by Rachel Faturoti, Hodder, £7.99Passionate conservationist Kamaria has strict, over-protective parents – but she longs to explore wild nature. When her rebellious cousin comes to stay for the summer, and strange magical creatures appear, seeking Kamaria’s help, can she manage to break free and make a difference? A heartfelt, fantastical eco-quest for readers of 8+.
The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant, Faber, £7.99Jakov is worried about his mum and sister, left behind in his war-torn home. Skylar is worried about her grandpa, slowly recovering from a stroke. Both are fascinated by the mysterious, wonderful Golden Island. So when its eccentric owner announces a competition to win it, they’re determined to succeed, despite dangerous challenges and unscrupulous rivals. But do they really stand a chance? A thrilling, peril-spiced summer adventure for 9+ from a Costa-winning author.
A History of My Weird by Chloë Heuch, Firefly, £7.99Mo’s secondary school career is off to a bad start – the teachers aren’t meeting her needs, and her old friends have rejected her. When she meets gothy Carys, things improve – but can their new friendship survive risky exploits like exploring an abandoned Victorian asylum? A comic, compelling and poignant 10+ story of self-discovery and acceptance, perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll.
Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef, Simon & Schuster, £8.99Fifteen-year-old Marjan grew up on her father’s stories of mythical beasts, but after his murder she discovers his work as a vet wasn’t limited to pets. As she follows in his footsteps, attempting to treat magical creatures and solve the mystery of her father’s death, she uncovers a desperate threat to both beasts and humans in this tense, meaty, beautifully written fantasy bestseller, best suited for 12+ readers.
Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan, Atom, £16.99In Florence, 1517, teen grifter Rosa Cellini has handpicked a crew of miscreants (including an inventor, a fighter, a master of disguise, and Michelangelo) for her audacious plan to rob the Pope. But the would-be thieves each have issues of their own. Can the gang hold together long enough to break the Medici stranglehold on Florence? A riotously readable YA historical fantasy caper.
The Dark Within Us by Jess Popplewell, Chicken House, £8.99When homeless schoolgirl Jess makes a bargain with charismatic young demon Luc, they hope to win back Jess’s soul – and save Luc from a grisly fate. Following a demon into hell will test Jess’s courage to its limits, though – and can Luc really be trusted? Witty, original and allusive, this YA take on Dante’s Inferno combines gripping quest and unlikely romance.
Songlight by Moira Buffini, Faber, £8.99In a post-apocalyptic, war-torn future a minority have developed a telepathy known as songlight. Hunted and reviled, they are mutilated if caught, or bound into service and used as spies. But when Lark, a teenager from a fishing village, makes contact with a girl in a city far away, their bond presents a threat to the ruling order – especially as the war ramps up, and information becomes ever more crucial … The first in a trilogy, this hard-hitting, imaginative, wide-ranging YA dystopia will leave readers thirsting for the next instalment.