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You Choose Party Time by Pippa Goodhart ill. Nick Sharratt

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 19 Aug 2026

Publisher: Penguin Random House 
ISBN: 9780241730836

There are now some half a dozen You Choose titles and this new one will be just as popular as the previous ones.

What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes?

The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which will inspire children age 3 and upwards to make their own adventures again and again – a fantastically fun sequel to YOU CHOOSE, YOU CHOOSE YOUR DREAMS, YOU CHOOSE IN SPACE, YOU CHOOSE FAIRY TALES and YOU CHOOSE CHRISTMAS.

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An Anthology of Christmas compiled by Auriol Bishop

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 2 Dec 2025

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A coffee table gift book for the whole family. Presented in true DK Books lavish style. Once children have pored over it for the fascinating background details of Christmas customs and traditions it can be used by grownups pegged back at appropriate spreads as backdrops to seasonal decorative displays.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas and discover the history of more than 50 yuletide traditions in this festive anthology and enjoy a treasure-trove of Christmassy facts from the natural world, each with their unique story to tell, from why the traditional Christmas tree is usually a pine, spruce or fir to the Yule Goat, a lively character found throughout Scandinavia who likes to demand gifts!

This ninth book in Dorling Kindersley’s bestselling Children’s Anthologies series, explores some of the most amazing Christmassy facts from the natural world.

Beautiful photography and illustrations complement storybook descriptions, teaching children all about this magical time of year.

Did you know that the custom of kissing under the mistletoe originates from Norse mythology, or that the Christmas wreath has its origins from ancient times when people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows?

Auriol Bishop is a storyteller from London whose favourite stories are about nature. Her father once gave Father Christmas a ride into town in his pony and cart, so perhaps it’s no surprise that she grew up to write books about Christmas! As well as DK’s beautiful An Anthology of Christmas, she is the author of Christmas is Coming: A Treasury of Simple Ways to Celebrate Festive Days.

This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets selected by Traci N. Todd ill. Jade Orlando

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 28 Nov 2025

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“This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black.” SLJ
“A stunning collection of poetry by Black poets, celebrating Blackness across the world.” BookTrust


A beautiful, bold and moving gift collection of 100 poems by Black poets for the whole family to treasure.

Discover classic favourites and new stars in a book that belongs on every child’s bookshelf. This gorgeously-illustrated children’s anthology makes the perfect introduction to poets such as Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, Benjamin Zephaniah, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, Amanda Gorman, Caleb Femi and Joseph Coelho. It also features brand new work from celebrated writers such as Nikki Grimes and Carole Boston Weatherford.

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Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children ill. Lauren O’Hara

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 20 Nov 2025

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See also:
The Magic Of The Ballet [ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Oct 2022]
Frindleswylde [ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 Nov 2021]
Madame Badobedah [ACHUKA Book of the Day 25 Nov 2019]
The Bandit Queen
Hortense And The Shadow
Once Upon A Fairytale

Oscar Wilde’s children’s tales have enchanted readers young and old alike for over a hundred years. This stunning new hardback edition is beautifully illustrated in full colour by Lauren O’Hara, one of ACHUKA’s favourite illustrators, and features six of Wilde’ classic tales, including ‘The Happy Prince’ and ‘The Selfish Giant’.

Lauren’s lovely watercolour illustrations are the perfect accompaniment here.

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My Book of Classic Nursery Tales by James Mayhew

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 12 Nov 2025

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See also:
A Symphony Of Stories [ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Nov 2024]

A handsome home library edition of favourite tales, illustrated using cut-outs and collage.

A beautiful new collection of traditional stories for younger children, including all the favourite classics, delightfully retold and enchantingly illustrated by James Mayhew, internationally bestselling author and illustrator of Once Upon a Tune, A Symphony of Stories, the Mrs Noah series and many other much-loved picture books.

The stories included are: Goldilocks and the Three Bears* (England), Little Red Riding Hood (Germany), The Billy Goats Gruff (Norway), The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf (England), The Enormous Turnip (Ukraine), The Tortoise and the Hare (Ancient Greece), The Gingerbread Man (North America) and , not so well known, The Vain Little Mouse (Spain).

Two pages at the end of the book provide background information on each of the tales. 

*James Mayhew always feels sorry for the bears so in his retelling they are much nicer than Goldilocks.

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Life: The Wild Wonders Of Biodiversity by Jennifer N. R. Smith

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 4 Nov 2025

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See also:
Glow, The Wild Wonders Of Bioluminescence [ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 Jul 2023]

Using luminous HUV (High Ultra Violet) printing, Life immerses readers in the wonders of life on our wild planet.

This immersive, intricately illustrated book introduces the concept of biodiversity to children and explains why it’s so important to the world we live in. Explore the fascinating relationships between different species – from the crab that uses sea anemones as boxing gloves to shrimp that ride around on sea slugs. Learn how unlikely animal friends rely on each other for survival and discover why without pesky midges there would be no chocolate!

 

Stunning illustrations and informative diagrams bring to life such important concepts as food chains, pollination and genetic diversity. Learn the difference between a biome and a habitat, and discover the remarkable ways that different species have adapted to their natural environment. This book highlights the importance of protecting and supporting biodiversity in our natural world and looks at ways that we can help to save our planet’s wildlife.

Inspiration (and a great gift) for young ecologists.

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Omnibird: An Avian Investigator’s Handbook by Giselle Clarkson

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 3 Nov 2025
An ACHUKA Book of the Year 2025

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See also:
The Observologist [ACHUKA Book of the Day 26 Sep 2023]

“The book’s detective framework cleverly reframes birding as puzzle-solving rather than memorization, making it equally appealing to dedicated young ornithologists and reluctant nature observers. The thick, durable paper and eco-friendly vegetable ink printing enhance the detailed, delightful illustrations while demonstrating a genuine commitment to environmental values—a perfect complement to its nature-focused mission. A truly stellar work that will delight bird enthusiasts while converting the ambivalent into eager avian investigators.” KIRKUS

Q&A with Giselle Clarkson

This truly remarkable book is highly like to be chosen as one of ACHUKA’s Books of the Year 2025. But the year’s not done yet, so that decision has yet to be made.

Have you seen a bird today? Probably, unless you’re reading this in bed. Did you truly look at the bird? To open your ornithological eyes and ears, meet the Omnibird.

An Omnibird contains the essential birdiness of every bird.
It was born from an egg, has feathers, two legs, a beak and gizzard, perhaps some premium features like spurs or a curuncle. Once you recognize the Omnibird, you’ll see the remarkable in any bird. You’ll be expert at finding extraordinary things around you, just by looking.

The Omnibird describes 12 common birds from habitats around the world—eagles, owls and seabirds, starlings, ducks and swans. You will explore the incredible internal structure of bird bones, learn what a gizzard stone is for, meet the tiny creatures that live on birds, and find the fascinating in eggs, bird poop, feathers, and flight patterns.

Now you’re an Omnibird expert, you’ll look at every bird in new ways every day.

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Pierre the Maze Detective: The Hunt for the Maze Pyramid by Hiro Kamigaki

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 22 Oct 2025

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Phantom thief Mr X has escaped Lockmaze Prison, announcing his intention to steal the precious Maze Pyramid from the Valley of the Mazes. Travel with Pierre and Carmen to the Kingdom of Caramelia and journey through an endless desert aboard an enormous mechanical camel. Marvel at the Maze Pyramid and puzzle your way out of a confusing Christmas market and a spectacular Ice Palace.

The book features 15 brilliantly intricate mazes. Trace your way through each maze, search for hidden objects, spot clues and solve some extra mystery challenges along the way, as you become a key member of the maze detective team!

The Pierre the Maze Detective books have sold 1 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 30 languages.

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Hiro Kamigaki is a Japanese illustrator and founder of the award-winning IC4DESIGN collective based in Hiroshima.

Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales: Magical Stories of Dragons, Fairies and Selkies from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and more retold by Lari Don ill. Elise Carmichael

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 17 Oct 2025

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A splendid new anthology of Celtic folktales fromScottish publisher, Floris Books

Travel to the magical Celtic lands to meet shapeshifting selkies, duelling dragons, a terrifying waterhorse, a cheeky changeling, a cunning fairy and a bloodthirsty giant…

In this sumptuously illustrated new collection, award-winning Scottish author and storyteller Lari Don retells classic tales of myth, magic and mischief.

Elise Carmichael’s exciting and luminous illustrations bring the rich shared folklore of the Celtic lands—Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany—to life in an outstanding collection that will enchant younger and older readers alike.

Lari Don is an award-winning Scottish children’s author and storyteller. She is the author of more than 30 books for children of all ages, including the folktale retellings Dragon’s Hoard, Breaking the Spell and Girls, Goddesses and Giants, as well as picture books based on traditional tales such as The Secret of the Kelpie and The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster. She lives in Edinburgh.

Elise Carmichael is an illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for children’s literature. She studied Art and Design at Towson University, Maryland, USA and has a Masters in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland. When she isn’t drawing, Elise enjoys hiking, photography and learning new languages. She also lives in Edinburgh.

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 75th Anniversary Edition by C. S. Lewis ill. Pauline Baynes

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 16 Oct 2025

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A beautiful hardback gift edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, book two in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition is complete with cover and interior art by the original illustrator, Pauline Baynes.

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