The 18 best books for your kids this summer holiday
SLEEP TIGHT, DISGUSTING BLOB by Huw Aaron (Puffin £7.99, 32pp)
A monstrously original twist on a bedtime story in which Disgusting Blob is lulled to sleep with tales of how the other evil creatures are settling down: the Goblins and Glitches, the Werewolves and Witches – even Dracula has cleaned his fangs . . . Full of reassurance, humour and brilliant illustrations.
WILD by Katya Balen, Illustrated by Gill Smith (Walker Books £12.99, 32pp)
A little girl thrives in the wildness of the woods until her family move to the city. There she sees nothing but grey and worries she has 'lost my wild'. But even urban landscapes keep secrets and by following a bird she discovers that there is nature in everything – if you know where to look. An absolute joy.
LETTERS TO A MONSTER by Patricia Forde, Illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Bloomsbury £12.99, 32pp)
Sophie writes to the monster under her bed, demanding he leave or she'll call the Monster Police. But he replies to say he has already left, because of the gorilla hiding there . . . A friendship grows and Sophie realises she'd like the monster to come back. Perfect bedtime reading.
GOZZLE by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie (Macmillan £12.99, 48pp)
It's spring and a gosling hatches and believes Bear, emerging from winter sleep, is his Daddy. Nothing Bear does can shake off devoted Gozzle until summer arrives, bringing a family with whom he migrates for winter. Bear is bereft – until a lovely twist brings a happy ending. Superb.
FRANK THE PIZZA by Eoin McLaughlin, Illustrated by Mike Byrne (HarperCollins £7.99, 32pp)
His parents know that a little slice of pizza like Frank is too tempting, so when he's invited to a birthday party they protect him by topping him with anchovies and olives. He's shunned, until he meets Frances the cupcake, with similarly unappetising icing... Full of gourmet giggles and silliness.
I COULD BE EATEN BY A SHARK by Marcela Ferreira, Illustrated by Mark Chambers (OUP £7.99, 32pp)
Soothing young children's anxieties gets a clever spin in this story of Louie, terrified that he could be eaten by a shark wherever he goes – even in the park.
Wise Grandpa recounts the story of the bear he feared, until he realised it was stopping him having fun. Gradually Louie gets his life back, with a delightful surprise ending.
Young Fiction
A MERMAID'S DIARY by Chris Riddell (Macmillan £12.99, 240pp)
Sleepy Cove, home of little mermaid Atalanta, is under threat from unscrupulous developers. Outraged Atalanta gathers her 300 siblings and friends to protect the beach. Packed with puns and cultural jokes, Riddell's illustrations are stunning. Age 7+
HOW TO BE A SPY by Cecily Sawyer, Illustrated by David Tazzyman (HarperCollins £7.99, 240pp)
Despite being only ten, Cecily is training to be a spy – assisted by her mouse, Mrs Maple Syrup. But when her parents go missing, Cecily's ability to code-crack and use gadgets prove vital in tracking down the gang who have taken her family. A must for every would-be 007. 8+
THE BOY WITH THE BIG DECISIONS by Helen Rutter (Scholastic £7.99, 360pp)
This book gives readers the choice of where the story goes. Fred's parents make all his decisions – including his school. But Fred prefers the artistic Browtree academy, so when the bus arrives on his first day he (and you) must decide – should he pretend to be a pupil there? 8+
SCHOOL FOR FIREFLIES by Erica Gomez (Knights Of £7.99, 268pp)
When friends Siddy and Zadie are enrolled in a secret, magic school, they discover both their fathers had gone there. But Siddy's dad is missing – accused of killing three former students – so when the girls find a lost diary they must use their powers to expose the enemy. Rip-roaring stuff. 9+
HIDDEN TREASURE by Jessie Burton (Bloomsbury £14.99, 320pp)
During the First World War, Thames mudlark Bo finds precious jewels on the shore. But wicked Lord Muncaster demands she hand over the stones – sparking a thrilling mystery of treachery and deceit. The mystical power of grief that drives this life or death drama is deeply moving. 9+
THE BLOCKBUSTERS! by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Macmillan £12.99, 258pp)
When his mum loses her job, Rafa starts a new school where an inspirational teacher takes him to watch a movie being filmed locally. His resemblance to the child star, BB, leads to him being her body double – until she disappears, and Rafa finds himself on a madcap journey to Hollywood . . . Action-packed. 9+
THE DAWN OF ADONIS by Phil Earle (Andersen Press £7.99, 240pp)
This prequel to Earle's award- winning When The Sky Falls gives the backstory of how Adonis, a silverback gorilla, came to London Zoo during the Second World War. When the baby ape is born at the docks, Toff and vet's daughter Nettie fight to rescue him from Toff's boss, an evil trader in exotic pets. 9+
YA
THE OTHER GIRL by Emily Barr (Penguin £8.99, 368pp)
Rich, troubled teen Tabbi is heading for a Swiss rehab clinic when she meets broke backpacker Ruby on a train and persuades her to swap identities. But who is conning whom? This thriller keeps you guessing until the end. 13+
BEST OF ALL WORLDS by Kenneth Oppel (Guppy Books £14.99, 256pp)
Teenage Xavier, his father and stepmother wake up to find their house transported to an isolated setting. Yet all that's needed to survive is provided. Are they trapped or protected? Then another family arrives – but the dad is determined to escape. Who knows the truth? Gripping. 13+
LIVE by Luke Palmer (Firefly £9.99, 356pp)
George is the driving force of his sixth-form band, but when tragedy strikes, everyone has to find their own way through grief. Tackling hard-hitting issues of online porn and sexism, this is authentic in its portrayal of teen boys, yet ultimately uplifting. 14+
Non-fiction
THERE WAS A ROMAN IN YOUR GARDEN by Bettany Hughes, Illustrated by Nathan Reed (Puffin, £8.99 224pp)
Historian Bettany Hughes asks readers to imagine they have dug up Roman artefacts in their garden and explore what it was like to a be a child 2,000 years ago through things as varied as jewels and knucklebones. Fact-filled, fascinating and fun. 7+
CHOOSE YOUR OWN EVOLUTION by Jules Howard Illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow £14.99, 112pp)
The premise here is intriguing – starting with the most primitive blob, you choose the next step in an evolutionary journey to discover which creature you might develop into next. (But be careful you don't become extinct . . .) 8+
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