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Now You Know Your ABC: . . . or do you? by Caspar Salmon ill. Matt Hunt

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 27 Apr 2026

Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd
ISBN: 9781839949685

A fresh take on books about the alphabet.

A is for apple.
B is for ball.
C is for castle.
But wait! D is NOT for dog.

There’s a wolf in this book and it’s lurking right behind you. YOU are the hero of this story! Can you spot the sneaky wolf hiding throughout this book, escape its clutches and make it all the way to Z? You better watch out for its devious disguises!

How well do you know your ABC?

You can follow Caspar Salmon on

The illustrator Matt Hunt is there too:

Sorry, Sammy by Scott Rothman ill. Tom Tinn-Disbury

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Apr 2026

Publisher: Happy Yak / Quarto 
ISBN: 9780711298903

“Grown ups will be pleased to hear that Sammy does eventually stop the chain of events he’s inadvertently set in motion, and apologises properly – but this is far from a po-faced morality tale. It has humour, a relatable child (who’s also an inventor) and cracking illustrations with lots of detail to spot.” BookTrust

This book is hilarious.

A clever, funny picture book about one of life’s most important skills: the art of saying sorry.  
 
Sammy is in trouble. He’s stuck in his room (on his mum’s birthday!) writing sorry letters for things he shouldn’t have done. But what exactly has Sammy done?  


 
Told entirely through Sammy’s letters, this inventive and laugh-out-loud story gradually reveals the chaos behind his well-meaning plan. As one apology letter leads to another, the story of Sammy’s robot-related adventure unfolds . . .  

sammy2 
But the big question is will Sammy make it out of his room in time to celebrate his mum’s birthday? And what’s going on with all the robots? 

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The writer, Scott Rothman, is on too:

My Tiger by Joy Cowley ill. David Barrow

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 24 Mar 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798765683200

See also by Joy Cowley:
The Fierce Little Woman And The Wicked Pirate [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Jul 2025]
Twigs And Stones [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Apr 2025]
A Lot of Silly (also ill. David Barrow) [ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 Dec 2024]
Good Night, Good Beach [ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 Jun 2024] 

“The minimal text takes up very little space here, consisting of just a few lines of short sentences, with the refrain of “He only eats cake” repeating throughout. It’s the artwork that must carry the humor, then, and it does so with aplomb: multiple full spreads comedically emphasize Tiger’s huge body in relation to the little boy as Tiger licks a bakery window in anticipation or as the boy drags Tiger by his tail across the page toward the dentist’s office. The color palette is made up of aptly candy-colored pastels with the giant, expressive orange and black tiger standing out in every scene.” MUSE
“A deeply amusing, wonderfully subversive look at defying expectations and watching what you eat.” KIRKUS

This popular story has been collected in many anthologies but now gets full picture book treatment with a magnificent and endearing new tiger.
Rachel Lawson, Publisher

My tiger loved cake, and I went with him to the cake shop.

Then he got a bad tooth, so I went with him to the dentist.

My tiger didn’t like sitting in the waiting room, climbing onto the dentist chair, or being told by the dentist what to eat. Especially when she said no more cake!

What’s a tiger supposed to eat?

A bossy adult is made to look silly and a charming tiger wins the reader’s heart in this subversively funny story about a love of cake and the pull of natural tiger instincts.

The book has glorious tiger-striped end papers:

You can follow David Barrow on

Finn’s Epic Fails by Phil Earle ill. Al Murphy

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 29 Jan 2026

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
ISBN: 9781398546165

“A warm-hearted comedy delight… Every page is comedy genius.” ScopeForImagination
“Fast-paced, hilarious, and full of personality.” BookTrust

See also:
The Dawn Of Adonis [ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 Jun 2025]
Northern Soul [ACHUKA Book of the Day 17 Jan 2024]
While The Storm Rages [ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 Jun 2022]
When The Sky Falls [ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Jun 2021]

A hilarious new series by bestselling author Phil Earle which introduces Finn N. O. Hope and his life of epic failure! 

​Finn just wants to survive Year 7, but his life is destined to be a series of epic fails. It’s only Tuesday and his scheming, unicorn-obsessed little sister has already stuck a horn to his head (with superglue) and his properly evil older brother has wedgied him 278 times. And don’t even ask what happened at swimming, in front of the whole class. At least he has best friends Laszlo (a hopeless romantic) and Google (ask her anything) by his side as he attempts to turn failure into victory in his very own book that is definitely not a diary. 

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The Not-So Great Escape by Emma Green

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 Jan 2026

Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 9781836045663

A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:

  • An accidental robbery
  • A night in a haunted wood
  • And becoming internet famous 

As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn’t just running from the police, he’s also running from the truth. And as his world comes crashing down, will Hedley play it safe, or take his biggest risk yet?

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Postman Planet by Ben Davis ill. Yasmin Sheikh

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 12 Jan 2026
Times Children’s Book of the Week 11 Jan 2025

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
ISBN: 9781398545953

A short illustrated chapter book full of laughs, with themes of friendship, teamwork, and sharing.

Postman Planet has a big secret. ​Although he pretends to be the best postman in the Universe, he’s actually only nine. Anyway, he’s on a mission to make an essential delivery to the Planet of Fluffy Unicorns: an inflatable planet that is, as we speak, deflating. It’s up to Postman Planet and his annoying new assistant Stamp, who is part-robot part-dog, to save the day. ​

Ben Davis writes:

Postman Planet is the story of a kid (pretending to be an adult) who is employed as the top intergalactic postman. They have normal post people for everyday deliveries, leaving our hero with only the most dangerous, difficult, cool missions.

The first book is about a delivery to the Planet of Fluffy Unicorns, which is a giant balloon. Postman Planet points out that a load of creatures with sharp horns on their heads living on a balloon is a silly idea, but it is the way things are, and no amount of logic will change that.

The planet is fast deflating and will only be saved by the delivery of a new helium canister. The problem is, all previous attempts have been foiled by Space Vikings, who keep stealing it. I promise you, I was stone cold sober when I came up with all this.

Writing these books is an absolute joy. Like the Lenny Lemmon books, my main concern is getting in as many laughs as possible, but I made the conscious decision to make this series more surreal, more wacky, more fourth-wall breaking, more fun. I was inspired by kids’ TV shows like the Amazing World of Gumball, where reality can be stretched to breaking point, but it ultimately has a solid foundation and a big, beating heart.

Read more…

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A post shared by Yasmin Sheikh (@nerderella)

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The Blockbusters! by Frank Cottrell Boyce ill. Steven Lenton is

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Dec 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

“Packed with jokes, non-stop action, and enticing wish-fulfilment fantasies all put across with the author’s usual supreme wit, his latest story never lets up for a moment.” BfK 5-star review
“Bursting with humour.” BookTrust
“Marvellous mayhem from a master at work.” DailyMail

ACHUKA’s primary purpose is to promote books of quality that might not automatically be on the general public’s radar. For that reason, if there’s a choice between listing a promising debut and a title by an established and already well-regarded author, the debut will always be the one that’s featured here.

But the end of the year is nigh and it would be ridiculous not to see the latest novel by Frank Cottrell-Boyce included in our Fiction listings. I am saving a close reading of this title until the appearance of the paperback in February next year (I’ve read the first few pages and it’s very funny) when I will give it a proper review. In the meantime, it being by Frank, it can be recommended with confidence.

Year 6 goes to Hollywood!

Head to Tinseltown in this hilarious and heart-warming adventure by the UK Children’s Laureate 2024-2026 and bestselling, award-winner Frank Cottrell-Boyce. The Blockbusters! is fabulously illustrated in black and white throughout by Steven Lenton.

When new boy Rafa and his friends accidentally stray onto the set of a Hollywood blockbuster, the last thing they expect is to become part of the action. Rafa’s likeness to the famous movie star, BB, gives him VIP access all areas, including the banquet of catering doughnuts!

But Rafa isn’t the only one having an adventure. His big brother, Cillian, is missing. He sent Rafa a clue to his location, but he can’t really be in actualHollywood, can he? It’s up to Rafa to keep acting the part of a movie star, if he is to find his brother – and home.

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 Dec 2025
Laugh Out Loud 6-8 2025 Award Winner

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
Trixie Pickle Art Avenger [ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Jul 2022]

A weird sickness bug has been spreading through Wormwood Town and everyone is wondering if there’s something in the water. Trixie Pickle Art Avenger uses the power of art to investigate – can she get to the bottom of the mystery around the town reservoir?

She’s got a lot on her plate – being bored to sleep by Money Week at school, making comics with her best friend Beeks and finding a way to bring down the local mean girls – but with artistic inspiration from Botticelli, Damien Hirst and Kehinde Wiley, the Art Avenger is sure to win the day.

Highly illustrated throughout by Olaf and with fact files of hilarious and irreverent details about real artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Hokusai, Trixie Pickle is perfect for fans of Konnie Huq, Sam Copeland and Liz Pichon.

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Betty Steady and the Fidgety Wizard – Betty Steady Book 3 by Nicky Smith-Dale ill. Sarah Horne

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 27 Nov 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

When the twin princesses fall under a dreadful spell, little Betty and her gang must find the cure — oh, and stop a wicked wizard from building a theme park on the island of Little Dollop. Iced bun, JOB DONE!

The princesses of Wobbly Rock, Pam and Pamm, have swooned into a coma, thanks to a bunch of poisonous daffodils inadvertently given to them by Betty’s swashbuckling, moustachioed 11-year-old cousin, Freddy Steady. Now the gang must go in search of wicked weasels on the island of Little Dollop to find the cure. But naughty sorcerer Hearty Stu has plans of his own for the princesses. And our noble stallion Simon Anderson has plans for Freddy Steady’s SUPER annoying green unicorn Salad whom he doesn’t like even a tiny little bit no sir nuh-uh.

Look out for the two previous titles:

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I’m Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book by Oliver Jeffers

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 24 Oct 2o25

Waterstones
Bookshop

“Quirky illustrations, droll humor, and an amusing twist elevate this concisely told tale. Bridget and her friends each appear in a different, fantastical hue, including teal, pink, blue, lavender, green, and orange. Simply drawn faces convey a wealth of emotions. Sporting distinctive articles of clothing, each character sprouts exaggeratedly skinny arms and legs. Backgrounds are minimal, with a few key details standing out against the abundant white space. Cleverly avoiding the predictable, this jaunty tale nonetheless offers a happy ending and celebrates the joys of friendship.” KIRKUS
“The visual gags throughout are sweet and goofy, from a bald pal whose plan for the day is to wash his hair to a friend who needs to “see a man about a dog” walking an invisible canine. Additional giggles will surely come from the forgetful friends’ refusals to admit to each other they nearly missed Bridget’s special day. Each of the pals is rendered fully in a single pastel color, and poor Bridget wanders through the plain white backgrounds, teal-colored and, like her friends, wearing an extremely simple but wildly expressive face. Jeffers is the master of doing a lot with a little, and these sparsely worded and unadorned pages manage to feel full, especially when all the pals come together to eat chocolate cake under a “woo-hoo” banner for Bridget’s party. Quietly quirky, this readaloud is sure to spark conversations about feelings, friendship, and last-minute celebrations.” MUSE

It’s Bridget’s birthday, and she thinks it would be fun to spend the day with friends. But Royal has places to go, Rodney has to see a man about a dog, Regis has to wash his hair and Pearl has a list of items she needs to cross off as quickly as she can. Bridget’s friends are all too busy to hang out!

Will Bridget have to spend her birthday all alone?

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