children's & YA recommendations on the go
ACHUKA Book of the Day Mon 1 Jun 2o20
OLD books get NEW doodles…
The classics as you’ve never seen them before! A hilarious new series that brings the classics to life with illustrations by Jack Noel.
“A funny, thought-provoking treat, it’s the ideal way into an author whose verbosity is off-putting to most children, but whose meaty plots and unforgettable characters offer much.” GUARDIAN
ACHUKA Book of the Day Thu 7 May 2012
This book, published in The New York Review Children’s Collection, pulls together half a dozen stories that were originally created for beginning readers. They were developed (in the early 1970s) from conversations the authors had with children, paying attention to both vocabulary and cadence.
The stories have been newly illustrated by Quentin Blake and are produced in a wonderfully solid-feeling hardback with big bold text.
A superb omnibus edition that will be at home in a range of settings, from an Early Years book corner, to an adult bibliophile’s collection cabinet.
OUP Children’s Books will be publishing a number of special titles this year to celebrate 75 Years of Pippi Longstocking… Coming in May, some titles illustrated by Mini Grey.
Meanwhile these are available now…
ACHUKA Book of the Day Fri 6 Mar 2020
The TV series tie-in edition of this classic YA novel, first published nearly 20 years ago (2001).
The first episode was broadcast on BBC1 on Thursday 5th March (World Book Day) and the whole series is available on iPlayer.
Sephy is a Cross: she lives a life of privilege and power. But she’s lonely, and burns with injustice at the world she sees around her. Callum is a nought: he’s considered to be less than nothing – a blanker, there to serve Crosses – but he dreams of a better life. They’ve been friends since they were children, and they both know that’s as far as it can ever go. Noughts and Crosses are fated to be bitter enemies – love is out of the question. Then – in spite of a world that is fiercely against them – these star-crossed lovers choose each other. But this is love story that will lead both of them into terrible danger . . . and which will have shocking repercussions for generations to come.
The story eventually evolved into a sequence of 6 titles, culminating in Crossfire, published last summer [2019].
ACHUKA Book of the Day Wed 26 Feb 2020
Topsy and Tim are the twins who have entertained, guided and delighted children for 60 years. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of publishing, Topsy and Tim: On the Farm is a gorgeous new edition of one of the very first stories about these loveable twins, complete with original artwork.
Jean Adamson is the creator of more than 100 much-loved children’s books spanning five decades. She studied Illustration at Goldsmiths where she met her husband and writing partner Gareth. They worked on children’s books together, Gareth producing the storylines and Jean the illustration. Over 140 Topsy and Tim titles have been published, selling upwards of 21 million copies around the world. Since 1998, over a million copies have been sold in the UK alone.
Orphaned as a child, tormented by her guardian and cast out to a harsh boarding school, Jane Eyre has been raised in the shadow of cruelty and isolation. But when she takes a job as governess in Thornfield Hall, where secrets lurk in the attic and strange laughter echoes through the night, Jane meets the elusive Mr Rochester – and her life is irrevocably transformed.
Poignantly and powerfully retold in this stunning edition, Jane Eyre is the tale of a spirited heroine’s search for love, independence and belonging.
Welcome new edition of Doherty’s 2004 novel…
Grace put out her hand, almost touching the mirror. Her image did the same. ‘There’s another world in there.’ ‘We could float in and out of it.’
Deep in a Derbyshire valley live two girls, twins, so alike that even their family can’t tell them apart. But tragedy is waiting. When the valley is sold to be flooded for a huge dam, the villagers are forced to leave their homes. Deep secrets are uncovered. New characters enter their lives and desires, love and grief come to the surface.
Originally written by Barbara Newhall Follett in 1927, when she was only twelve years old, The House Without Windows is an enchanting fable about the rhapsodic beauty of the natural world, and one of our very favourite books of the year. A magical story of self-discovery and the lure of the great outdoors, Follett’s masterpiece follows the free-spirited Eepersip in her quest to break away from the confinement of her family home and immerse herself in the wonders of nature.
A rare treat for young and old alike, The House Without Windows has now been republished in a stunning new edition illustrated by the award-winning artist behind The Lost Words, Jackie Morris.
This ‘classic’ reissue is likely to appeal to adults more than children. Melanie McDonagh finished her review in The Pectator by saying, “My 12-year-old found the interminable nature descriptions intolerable.”
Available again after nearly 70 years out of print…
Aunt Cathy’s wedding is tomorrow, but Father insists on keeping Osbert the family dog away from the festivities. Father says he’s too unsightly! Can the heartbroken children work a miracle in time?
Suba, a Hungarian-born American illustrator, died in 2012 (b. 1913).
“A charming historical curiosity.”
Collectable and giftable.
A welcome new edition of this much-loved children’s classic.
Christina is sent to live with her uncle in his country house, Flambards, and knows from the moment she arrives that she’ll never fit in. Her uncle is fierce and domineering and her cousin, Mark, is selfish-but despite all this, Christina discovers a passion for horse-riding and finds a true friend in Will. What Christina has yet to realize, though, is the important part she has to play in the future of this strange household . . . A welcome new edition of this exciting story which will appeal to old and new readers alike.