YLG News –March 2019- Part 2 Publishers

WELCOME Here is where you will find all the publishers' news, offers and exciting titles to look out for. Keep reading

FEATURED PUBLISHER OFFER HIGHLIGHTED PUBLISHER NEWS FROM CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS

FEATURED PUBLISHER OFFER ABRAMS & CHRONICLE We have THREE brilliant books to shout about, and some fabulous giveaways for each one!

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug By Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck Chronicle Books Tiny T. Rex has a HUGE problem. His friend Pointy needs cheering up, and only a hug will do. But with his short stature and teeny T. Rex arms, is a hug impossible? Not if Tiny has anything to say about it! Join this plucky little dino in his very first adventure – a warm and funny tale that proves the best hugs come from the biggest hearts. For your chance to win the most adorable giveaway there has EVER been, including a copy of the book, poster, badges and sticker sheets, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘YLG Tiny’. We also have downloadable activities and classroom tips on the website page here.

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles Thomas Lennon, illustrated by John Hendrix Amulet Books 14-year-old Ronan Boyle is the youngest and lowliest recruit to the secret Garda, an Irish police force that handles the misdeeds of numerous magical creatures. To show he’s got what it takes, he’ll have to confront a fiery , a sinister harpy and a whole world of monsters hidden in plain sight next to real-life Ireland. Fast paced, action packed and completely hilarious, Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is the first book in a new must-read middle-grade series by actor and writer Thomas Lennon that’s perfect for fans of The Land of Stories and Artemis Fowl. For your chance to win a copy of this brilliant book for your library as well as a poster and badges, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘YLG Ronan Boyle’.

And here’s a sneak peek at an exciting new title coming next month… Ada Twist and the Perilous Pantaloons Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts Amulet Books In this new chapter-book adventure publishing in April, Ada must rely on her curious mind, her brave spirit and her best pals Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck to solve a mystery in her own backyard. For a chance to win a copy of the new book plus a Questioneers tote bag and pencil, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘YLG Ada Twist’.

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLISHER TATE PUBLISHING – The Bigger Picture: Women Who Changed the Art World written by Sophia Bennett and illustrated by Manjit Thapp The Bigger Picture explores the lives and work of some of the world’s most renowned and inspirational women artists. From the pioneers who paved the way to contemporary artists working today, all the artists featured in this beautifully illustrated book have broken boundaries, fought to have their voices heard and changed the way we look at art. As well as biographies of over 30 women artists including Rachel Whiteread, Yayoi Kusama and Paula Rego amongst others, 16 original interviews have been conducted with some of the living artists, and Maria Balshaw, the first female director of Tate has written the foreword for the book. This book offers an amazing glimpse into the struggles and successes of these artists whilst helping to demystify the art world, build confidence and inspire a new generation. It offers a glimpse into the inspirational world of art and truly reveals the bigger picture! 9781849766210 | Hardback | £14.99 | 8+

Stars and Poppy Seeds by Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv The daughter of world-famous mathematicians, Flora loves to count more than anything in the world. She counts everything from grains of sand to words in her father’s newspapers. But when Flora tries to count the stars, she finds the task bigger than she ever expected. But Flora soon learns that to achieve your dreams you must start with the simplest steps… A captivating, magical story about our ability to achieve whatever we put our mind to 9781849766203 | Hardback | £11.99 | 3+

How to Put a Whale in a Suitcase by Raul Guridi What happens if you have to suddenly leave home and out everything you love into a suitcase? How do you behin to fit everything in? As a boy tries to squeeze his whale into a suitcase, it becomes clear that the whale symbolises something much bigger. A sensitive exploration of migration and its impact 9781849766234 | Hardback | £11.99 | 3+

The Big Little Thing by Beatrice Alemagna It passed by. It slipped under a hand. It nestled in a snowflake and it often catches people completely unaware. They call It – happiness! 9781849766456 | Hardback | £12.99 | 3+ Competition!

This month to celebrate Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day and the publication of The Bigger Picture: Women Who Changed The Art World by Sophia Bennett and Manjit Thapp, we’re giving away 5 copies! To enter simply send your name, favourite female artist and postal address to [email protected] with the e-mail subject line: The Bigger Picture Competition. Closing Date: 15th March 2019

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NEWS FROM CHILDREN’S PUBLISHERS All publisher offers have deadlines of 31st March unless they say otherwise (and some do, so read carefully and don’t miss out!). Make sure you do read to the very end!

OTTER-BARRY BOOKS Migrations: Open Hearts Open Borders With an introduction by Shaun Tan Illustrators from around the world join in the creation of a unique book to show their personal visions of the migrant crisis. In 2018 the University of Worcester through The International Centre of the Picture Book hosted an exhibition curated by Piet Groblar and Tobias Hickey. They asked illustrator friends from across the world to create original postcards on the theme of Migrations. In order to ensure as wide an audience as possible can experience these images Otter-Barry Books are publishing this book in which 50 of the postcards mailed from 32 countries are reproduced in actial size. The book will be published in May, and all royalties will be shared between Amnesty International and IBBY https://www.otterbarrybooks.com/

WALKER Circle By Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Jon Klassen From the dynamic, dream team of Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett comes the final instalment in the hilarious shape trilogy. Triangle and Square are visiting Circle, who lives at the waterfall. When they play hide-and-seek, Circle tells the friends the one rule: not to go behind the falling water. But after she closes her eyes to count to ten, of course that's exactly where Triangle goes. Will Circle find Triangle? And what OTHER shapes might be lurking back there? Competition: the first 5 people to e-mail [email protected] with the heading I Need A Circle In My Life will win a copy of the book.

Counting with Tiny Cat By Viviane Schwarz Illustrated by Viviane Schwarz Let's count with Tiny Cat – the completely adorable feline from Viviane Schwarz's Kate Greenaway shortlisted There Are Cats in This Book and There Are No Cats in this Book. At first Tiny Cat has none. Then, what’s that? One! Two! Three! And … four! Oops, bonk, now there’s more! Soon Tiny Cat has as many red balls of wool as you can get. Then some extra. Too many…?! Will Tiny Cat ever have just enough? With very few words – and loads of visual humour – this is a very funny first counting book with a wonderfully feline twist in the tail!

The Quiet at the End of the World By Lauren James

How far would you go to save those you love? Lowrie and Shen are the youngest people on the planet after a virus caused global infertility. Closeted in a pocket of and doted upon by a small, ageing community, the pair spend their days mudlarking and looking for treasure – until a secret is uncovered that threatens their entire existence. Now Lowrie and Shen face an impossible choice: in the quiet at the end of the world, they must decide what to sacrifice to save the whole human race...

Joe Quinn’s Poltergeist By David Almond Illustrated by David McKean A dark, powerful and moving short story from the internationally acclaimed author of Skellig. Joe Quinn tells everyone about the poltergeist in his house, but no one believes him. No one that is, except for Davie. He’s felt the inexplicable presence in the rooms, he’s seen random objects fly through the air. And there’s something else … a memory of his beloved sister, and a feeling deep down that somehow it might be possible for ghosts to exist. A beautifully imagined story.

FABER Chester Parsons is not a Gorilla by Martyn Ford Being able to jump into the body of anyone or anything sounds really cool, until someone steals your body and you’re stuck as a gorilla…. When Chester discovers he can mind jump, his sister Amy wastes no time in putting his new skills to work boosting the viewing figures on her video blog. And when a TV company takes them global, he does his most daring mind jump yet, into the brain of Tito the gorilla. The trouble is, when he tries to return to his own body – it’s gone! A mad cap, body hopping adventure from Martyn Ford, author of the Imagination Box series. Perfect for 8-12s. We have 10 to give away - please email [email protected] with YLG GIVEAWAY - GORILLA in the subject title to be in with a chance of winning.

Dave Pigeon: Royal Coo by Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey Dave Pigeon and his best friend Skipper are visiting London, pecking around the gates of the Royal Palace, and looking for high-brow snacks to feast on. Then they meet Prince Raju Pigeon, one of the Queen’s personal birds from the Royal Lofts. While Raju is tired of royal life and longs to see life beyond the palace gates, Dave would be happy to be pampered in the Royal Lofts. So they decide to swap. What could possibly go wrong? Is living the high life all it’s cracked up to be? The last (for now!) adventure for Dave Pigeon, brought to life by the wonderful Swapna Haddow and Sheena Dempsey, this highly illustrated, laugh filled story is a joy to readers of 7+. We have 10 to give away - please email [email protected] with YLG GIVEAWAY - PIGEON in the subject title to be in with a chance of winning.

Cat Morgan: The Pirate Cat by T.S.Eliot Illustrated by Arthur Robins I once was a Pirate what sailed the ’igh seas— But now I’ve retired as a com-mission-aire: And that’s how you find me a-takin’ my ease And keepin’ the door in a Bloomsbury Square. Join Cat Morgan as he tells you his life story – a cat who was once a dashing pirate but has now retired to a more sedentary life, at a little known publisher called Faber & Faber…Published as part of Faber’s 90th Anniversary, Arthur Robins’ new Old Possum picture book celebrates the only poem which featured a real cat. We have 10 to give away - please email [email protected] with YLG GIVEAWAY - CAT in the subject title to be in with a chance of winning. BLOOMSBURY The Astro Naughty Naughty Baddies by Mark Sperring & David Tazzyman The Naughty Naughty Baddies are wickedly wicked, awfully awful and diabolically dreadful, and they are about to blast off to the moon to make more mischief than ever in an adventure that is quite simply OUT OF THIS WORLD! Funny and irreverent, kids will enjoy sniggering along with the Naughty Naughty Baddies in this astronomically mischievous plan involving aliens, badmobiles and rocks and a stich up of Presidential proportions. Be part of the intergalactic impishness and find out whether our favourite fiendish fraudsters will finally come undone – email your name and address to [email protected] with the subject line THE ASTRO NAUGHTY NAUGHTY BADDIES for your chance to win one of five hardback competition copies. Winners will be chosen at random.

Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine by Greg James and Chris Smith, illustrated by Erica Salcedo. You don’t need superpowers to be a hero… OR DO YOU?! Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine is the hugely anticipated third book in the bestselling, award-winning Kid Normal series from super-authors and broadcasters Greg James and Chris Smith. Despite having no super powers, Murph Cooper is part of the best team in the Heroes’ Alliance. After a dramatic jailbreak at a top secret prison, the planet's most dangerous supervillains are on the loose and when supervillian Magpie declares all-out war, Kid Normal and the Super Zeroes lead the charge. But though they manage to bring in a whole host of baddies, they can't find their nemesis Magpie anywhere. However Magpie has joined forces with the super smarmy Nicholas Knox to develop a machine that could turn the world of super heroes upside down. When Kid Normal enters the Shadow Machine, the world will never be the same… Join the Heroes Alliance and email your name and address to [email protected] with the subject line KID NORMAL for your chance to win one of five signed competition copies of Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine. Winners will be chosen at random.

Win Perfectly Peculiar Pets Well, not living ones. From armadillos, flamingos and umbrella birds to quokkas and iguanas, Elli Woollard presents a lovely collection of poems for younger children about pets which are just a little bit peculiar... The first 5 people to email their name and address to [email protected] with their ideal pet in the subject line will win a copy of the book PLUS some early years and primary goodies!

CHILD’S PLAY Child of St Kilda by Beth Waters ISBN: 978-1-78628-187-6 Norman John Gillies was one of the last children ever born on St Kilda, five years before the whole population was evacuated forever to the British mainland. People had lived on these islands for over four thousand years, developing a thriving, tightly-knit society that knew nothing of crime or money, and took care of its weakest members without hesitation. At the mercy of the seasons and the elements, a unique lifestyle evolved, based around resilience, mutual trust and caring. What was it like to grow up in such harsh conditions? Why and how did this ancient way of life suddenly cease in 1930? Where did the islanders go, and what became of them? And what became of Norman John, child of St Kilda?

King Leonard’s Teddy by Phoebe Swan ISBN: 9781786281838 King Leonard is so rich that he can buy whatever he wants. Anything old or broken is thrown onto the growing pile of trash outside his castle. But one day something breaks that can’t be easily replaced. And what’s worse, King Leonard can’t find anyone who knows how to fix it. Phoebe Swan’s striking illustrations grace this powerful story with a strong environmental message. A perfect introduction to upcycling and reducing waste!

Where Did you Go Today? By Jenny Duke ISBN: 978-1-78628-200-2 A visit to the local play area becomes an exciting adventure thanks to the transforming powers of a child’s imagination. landscapes turn into exotic and mysterious worlds to discover and explore. For a chance to win one of three sets of these fantastic new picture books, please email [email protected] with the subject ‘YLG-Child’s Play’ – good luck!

PUSHKIN Arnica, the Duck Princess by Ervin Lázár, illustrated by Jaqueline Molár, translated by Anna Bentley. Publishing 7th March, Hardback. Pushkin Children’s Books are the first to translate Erin Lázár’s work into English. Arnica, the Duck Princess is a tale full of love, friendship and laughter. Everyone loves sweet Princess Arnica, but she only has eyes for Poor Johnny. Luckily he loves her too, and her father the King is happy for her to marry Poor Johnny. So all is well. Except for the Witch with a Hundred Faces has other ideas, casting a spell on Arnica and Johnny which means that at any one time one of them must always be a duck! There is only one person who can help them- the Seven Headed Fairy. But that is only if they can find her… Ervin Lazar (1936-2006) was an award- winning and much loved Hungarian children’s author.

Gribblebob’s Book of Unpleasant by David Ashby, publishing 28th March. When Anna and Nils meet Bob Grible after school one night, little do they know his true identity Gribblebob, a from the other side fo the veil. As the mystery of his presence in their village unfolds, Anna and Nils after school routine gets tipped on its head, as they beome embroiled in a wonderful adventure to save some books from a very evil witch, while also dealing with an invisible dog and two not entirely heroic heroes amd making lots of a new friends along the way. A delightful, hilarious and brilliantly inventive adventure story by debut author David Ashby.

Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee Featuring the fabulously brave and tenacious Lenny, Karen Foxlee’s newest breathtaking children’s book Lenny’s Book of Everything is a beautifully written and moving novel which, like Wonder by R.J. Palacio, tackles a complex subject by exploring the humanity of the people involved. Davy is growing. And growing and growing. And for Lenny, it isn’t always easy being the sister of ‘the giant’. But this isn’t all they have to deal with. Both Davy and his sister Lenny are also trying to figure out where their father went, if they have a grandmother, what is going to be in the next issue of the encyclopaedia that is heading their way in the post and which letter is their favourite. Through the encyclopaedia, they both dream of the adventures they’ll have in the future – but as Davey’s health deteriorates, Lenny begins to realises their dreams may never become a reality. For your chance to receive a finished copy please email [email protected] with the word Lenny in the heading and your name and address in the body of the email. The first 20 will receive a finished copy.

BOXER BOOKS Welcoming spring in, and, of course, perfect for mother’s day, we have an outstanding picture book by Lisa Stickley. Bake Like Mummy (Hardback, £11.99, 978-1-910716-46-5) is beautifully designed and illustrated and a great celebration of the mother / daughter relationship which was established in Dress Like Mummy. Poppy loves to bake like mummy in the kitchen. Cupcake cases make great towers and saucepans make good hats. Poppy also loves the tinkling sound of hundreds and thousands as they scatter on the floor! A book about creativity and fun, and spending time together.

Friends for Mouse by Rosalinda Kightley (cased board book, £9.99, 978-1-910716-16-8) is the second Bear, Hare and Mouse adventure. Like A Home for Hare and Mouse, it has a die cut hole on every spread . Read with your baby and guess the animals on each spread, as Mouse goes for a walk and tries to find someone to play with. Simple, fun and perfect for the very young.

ALMA BOOKS Space on Earth by Sheila Kanani Illustrated by Del Thorpe - 9781846884559 A beautiful, educational and fascinating book about space, focusing not only on showing children the awe and wonder of the universe, but also on teaching them why space is relevant to us here on Earth. It's been written by a planetary physicist and science presenter and she is the Education, Outreach & Officer at the Royal Astronomical Society. The book is widely illustrated by Del Thorpe. Have you ever looked up into the sky and wondered about space, astronomy and the universe? Perhaps you have. But you’ve probably never looked around you – at the water you drink, the sunglasses you wear or the selfies people take – and thought about space. The truth is, there is more of space on earth than you realize… Full of amazing facts about everyday innovations inspired by space travel and sections on the people who brought them to us, Space on Earth is an entertaining and fascinating look at space and the untold relationship with the planet we live on, helping children not only to feel the awe and wonder of the universe, but also to understand the reasons why space is relevant to us here on Earth. We have five copies to give away – to be in with a chance of winning, simply enter at https://almabooks.com/space-on- earth-giveaway/!

HACHETTE

Highlights from Hachette Children’s Group this March.

Hodder Children’s Books publishes a charming new bumper collection, Animal Stories by Enid Blyton. A fantastic collection of 30 stories about animals of all shapes and sizes, this will charm children aged 6 and up. From pet puppies to woodland wildlife, garden birds to pond-dwelling frogs, Enid Blyton was a devoted and knowledgeable animal-lover. Readers who feel the same way are bound to love her wonderful stories about our furry friends - and scaly, feathery or fluttery ones too!

Orchard Books brings the red-hot prequel to the thrilling Slated series, Fated by Teri Terry. Sam's cosy life as daughter of the Deputy Prime Minister is about to end. These are turbulent times. Borders have closed and protests are turning violent. The government blames the country's youth, and is cracking down hard. Mobile phones are blocked, gatherings are banned and dissent is brutally crushed. Sam is torn between family loyalty and doing what is right. When she meets Ava and Lucas her mind is made up. One girl, one choice. She can make a difference: she must. Even if her life - and her heart - are on the line ...

Orion Children’s Books publishes the brand-new eighth book in the series, Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler. When Emily Windsnap's boyfriend Aaron is captured by pirates there's only one option - join a rival pirate crew and persuade them to help rescue him. The Pirate Prince agrees, as long as Emily assists in finding the Trident's Treasure first. But as if boarding a pirate ship weren't dangerous enough, Emily soon discovers that pirates hate . If her true identity is revealed, her life - and Aaron's - will be at risk. How will Emily keep her secret when the only way to win the treasure is by turning into a ?

Wren & Rook brings us the inspiring, empowering, fantastically feminist and totally true story, The Brontës by Anna Doherty this month. Meet the incredible Brontë family - Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell Brontë are no ordinary children. Growing up on the wild, lonely moors of Yorkshire, they have nothing to entertain them but their imaginations and each other. So they invent extraordinary imaginary worlds, full of wars and love stories, soldiers, heroes and villains, ruled over by powerful women. As they grow up, the Brontës discover that the real world isn't such a great place to be a girl. But they are so determined that their voices be heard, they overcome almost unbeatable odds to be bestselling authors.

Pat-A-Cake presents the fabulous Flip Flap Friends: Fancy Dress. Mix and match fun fancy-dress costumes to make lots of new flip flap friends with this colourful split-page book. Watch as spacesuits, tiger costumes and footballers get all mixed up in this rainbow book of new fancy dress friends. With 72 possible combinations s to mix and match, children will keep coming back for more flip flap fun.

This month Quercus Children’s publishes the spellbinding The Lost Magician by Piers Torday. 1945. They have survived the Blitz, but when Simon, Patricia, Evelyn and Larry step through a mysterious library door, it is the beginning of their most dangerous adventure yet. They discover the magical world of Folio, where an enchanted kingdom of fairy knights, bears and tree gods is under threat from a sinister robot army. The many stories of the Library are locked in eternal war, and the children's only hope is to find their creator - a magician who has been lost for centuries. What they find will change not just their own lives, but the fate of the world, for ever ... This month we have 10 copies of Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince to give away. To enter, email [email protected] with the subject header ‘YLG March Comp’.

THE EMMA PRESS Wain by Rachel Plummer Publication date: 28th February 2019 ISBN: 9781910139479 Price: £12.00 Wain is a collection of LGBT themed poetry for teens based on retellings of Scottish myths accompanied by full colour illustrations by German artist Helene Boppert. The collection contains stories about , , and the , alongside perhaps lesser-known mythical people and creatures, such as , Ghillie Dhu, and the Cat Sìth. These poems immerse readers in an enriching, diverse and enchanting vision of contemporary life. The collection is fun, surprising, and full of a magical mix of myth and contemporary LGBT themes – it is a perfect read for teens who are learning more about themselves, other people, and the world around them. The book was commissioned by LGBT Youth , the largest youth and community-based organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Scotland, and funded by Creative Scotland. The Emma Press have ten copies of Wain to give away - email Emma Wright at [email protected] with ‘YLG March Newsletter Offer’ as the subject.

BONNIERZAFFRE Piccadilly Press Potkin and Stubbs by Sophie Green, illustrated by Karl Mountford Lil Potkin lives in bleak Peligan City. Her mum works in City Hall and is rarely at home, so aspiring journalist Lil has all the time she needs to explore the city in her bright yellow raincoat, investigating unsolved stories. One rainy evening Lil meets a sad-looking boy sitting by himself in the bus station and buys him a hot chocolate. That night Lil wakes to find him in her bedroom. He doesn't want to admit to being a ghost, but when he finally remembers his name (Nedly ... possibly) he explains that he needs Lil's help to find out what happened to him after he disappeared from his orphanage a year ago. So Lil and Nedly team up to solve their mystery, and they call in the reluctant help of once-famous detective Abe Mandrel. Except - Mandrel thinks it's only Lil he's working with. And Lil realises she is the only person in the whole of Peligan City who can see Nedly. Which can come in handy when trying to solve crime... We have ten copies to giveaway; please email [email protected]

Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix After Lady Truthful's magical Newington Emerald is stolen from her she devises a simple plan: go to London to recover the missing jewel. She quickly learns, however, that a woman cannot wander the city streets alone without damaging her reputation, and she disguises herself as a moustache-wearing man. During Truthful's dangerous journey she discovers a crook, an unsuspecting ally, and an evil sorceress but will she find the Emerald? We have ten copies to giveaway; please email [email protected]

Hot Key Books The Secret Runners of New York by Matthew Reilly When Skye Rogers and her twin brother Red move to Manhattan, rumours of a coming global apocalypse are building. But this does not stop the young elite of New York from partying without a care. And then suddenly Skye is invited to join an exclusive gang known as the Secret Runners of New York. But this is no ordinary clique - they have access to an underground portal that can transport them into the future. And what Skye discovers in the future is horrifying . . . As society crumbles and Skye and Red race to figure out how to use their knowledge to survive the impending annihilation, they soon discover that the chaotic end of the world is a fine time for revenge . . . We have ten copies to give away; please email [email protected]

DAVID FICKLING BOOKS Emily Lime, Librarian Detective: The Book Case – a hilarious mystery for #SpiritedGirls – and boys! – by award- winning author and illustrator Dave Shelton Dave Shelton won the prestigious Branford Boase Award for his book A Boy and a Bear in a Boat, and has created an unforgettably feisty and tenacious protagonist in Emily Lime. This deliciously funny adventure is perfect for fans of Robin Stevens, and irresistible for book lovers everywhere (its release coincides ideally with World Book Day). If you’ve got a reading group full of spirited bookworms, email [email protected] telling us why you should win a set of the new paperbacks!

The Invasion – Peadar O’Guilin Are you brave enough to follow Nessa to the Greylands? Fans of Game of Thrones will devour this “original and spine- chilling” (The Bookseller) sequel to The Call. Follow Nessa and Anto in the thrilling conclusion of their quest to protect Ireland from evil magical forces – and each other from mortal danger. To win one of 3 copies, please email [email protected].

Evil Emperor Penguin almost takes over the World – Laura Ellen Anderson Evil Emperor Penguin is back! And this time, nothing will stop him taking over the world…except, possibly, Evil Cat. Which evil genius will ultimately succeed? Who has the power and determination to achieve world domination? How does Evil Emperor Penguin’s love of spaghetti hoops play into this?! Find out in the series’ third explosive graphic novel, from the creator of Amelia Fang. To win one of 3 copies, please tweet @DFB_Storyhouse with a photo or drawing of an animal that you think would be best at taking over the world!

QUARTO

Frances Lincoln Children’s Books The Great Big Book of Life Illustrated by: Ros Asquith Author: Mary Hoffman ISBN: 9781786031808 A glorious, diverse celebration of human life, from birth to death, by Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith. The sixth title in the Great Big Book series explores every stage of human life. From birth to starting nursery, being a teenager to becoming an adult, from work to relationships, homes and jobs, to aging illness and death. A universal but challenging topic is dealt with Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith's trademark sensitivity and humour and inclusivity.

To win this series, email [email protected] your name and address details with the subject line: YLG MARCH FLCB for a chance to win 1 book! Do not change the subject line.

HIGHLIGHTS: Words & Pictures Bright Start Series: With simple stories and engaging illustrations, the Bright Start series of board books opens conversations about emotions and mental well-being, providing you with the tools and language needed to develop and nurture emotional intelligence in your child. Bright Start responds to recent research showing that emotional development begins in infancy, when children first bond with their caregivers. Early development of emotional intelligence helps children to form healthy and long-lasting relationships, builds the foundations for stable mental health and lays the groundwork for academic achievement. Bright Start - A Thank You Walk A story about gratitude Author: Nancy Loewen Illustrated by: Hazel Michelle Quintanilla ISBN: 9781786033000 A dog’s tail wagging, a bird’s chirping, a horse’s neighs, a child’s smile – a mother and daughter discover different ways of expressing gratitude as they take the family dog for a walk. Bright Start - Feel Better Daddy A story about empathy Author: Nancy Loewen Illustrator: Hazel Michelle Quintanilla ISBN: 9781786033031 Daddy’s nose is red. His eyes are sleepy. A big pot of ‘soup’, a beautiful drawing, a snuggle – a girl explores the different ways she can show empathy when her daddy is sick.

QED Publishing Reading Gems Series: Featuring original stories, delightful characters and humorous illustrations, Reading Gems is a series designed to spark a love of reading. It is a supplementary reading programme that is graded into four levels to perfectly suit a child’s reading ability from an emerging reader to a confident, independent reader. Parents and teachers can be reassured that children are reading books that support their ability, challenge their reading skills and encourage reading confidence with every word on the page. Reading Gems: I Want to Be a Bat! (Level 1) ISBN: 9781786035981 Mouse wants to fly like Bat. He wants to sleep upside down like Bat to, but he doesn't like eating moths! Yuck! Reading Gems: Story Town (Level 1) ISBN: 9781786036001 Every night, Jazz reads her stories to the children of Story Town. But she is very busy, so she needs a plan… Reading Gems: Fun at the Beach (Level 2) ISBN: 9781786036025 A rhythm and rhyme story about a family’s trip to the beach. Reading Gems Phonics: Munch Crunch Lunch (Book 3) ISBN: 9781786036100 Reading Gems Phonics: Pem's Snack (Book 1) ISBN: 9781786036063 Reading Gems Phonics: The Bug Robot (Book 4) ISBN: 9781786036124 Reading Gems: Top Spot (Level 2) ISBN: 9781786036049 Flat Fizz is not quick like Sprat. He is not bright like Dot and he is not fun like Puff. But is Fizz the dullest fish in the sea? Reading Gems Phonics: Zipp! Zapp! (Book 2) ISBN: 9781786036087

Wide-Eyed Editions Step Into Your Power: 23 lessons on how to live your best life Illustrated by: Andrea Pippins Author: Jamia Wilson ISBN: 9781786035868 From the team who brought you Young Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present comes a brightly illustrated follow-up guide that will teach you to harness your own power to achieve greatness. Listen up little sister! You’ve heard about heroes and read about the greats, but how do you actually get there yourself? This book shows you how to make your big dreams a big reality. Learn from the lived experience of author Jamia Wilson and illustrator Andrea Pippins as they mentor you through growing up in the modern world, and teach you how to STEP INTO YOUR POWER. Unlock your power and be yourself – you may just change the world!

EK Books March Giveaway Thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway for Saying Goodbye to Barkley, and congratulations to Gillingham Library for winning the lucky draw. The third giveaway of the year gives you a chance to win a free copy of The Incurable Imagination, a fun story about the chaos that ensues when a serious case of “imaginitus” takes hold in school. To enter and be in with a chance to win a free copy for your library, send an email to [email protected] with the subject ‘EK Books Giveaway.’ Remember to include your address so we can send you a copy if you win.

EK Books Titles The Box Cars by Robert Vescio & Cara King (£10.99, February 2019) Liam and Kai are the best of friends. Each day in the park they race around in their box cars, pretending to be everything from policemen to limo drivers! One day they notice a little girl watching them — she’s keen to join in, but there’s only room for two. A fun-filled story of friendship, sharing and creative problem-solving! Saying Goodbye to Barkley by Devon Sillett & Nicky Johnston (£10.99, March 2019) Olivia and her dog Barkley are inseparable. He’s her sidekick, her partner in crime-fighting — they’re the perfect pair. But then, Barkley dies and Olivia is heartbroken. Gradually, however, she realizes that Barkley wouldn’t want her to be unhappy for the rest of her life. So she comes up with a clever plan to get her happiness back. The Incurable Imagination by Paul Russell & Aśka (£10.99, March 2019) Audrey has the worst case of 'imagination' her teachers have ever seen! While other children paint their families, Audrey paints the ogre who lives under her bed drinking tea. It's clear that her condition is incurable. What's worse, it’s contagious and soon the other kids in her class start showing symptoms! As the dreaded ‘imagination' spreads, the teachers are horrified. But perhaps it isn't such a bad disease after all? Up to Something by Katrina McKelvey & Kirrili Lonergan (£10.99, May 2019) One day, Dad invites Billy into his shed to build something, but Billy soon finds out that he is only allowed to watch. Billy takes Dad's off-cuts and other items from around the yard and shed and starts to copy what his Dad is building. Dad remains blissfully unaware! At the end of the day, they reveal their creations and Dad discovers that Billy has more skills and abilities than he had ever imagined! Discover a beautiful exploration of the father - son relationship.

EK Books is an imprint of Exisle Publishing and distributed in the UK by Quarto. For enquiries, email [email protected]

HARPERCOLLINS Tad by Benji Davies Tad, is the stunning new title from award-winning and adored picture book creator Benji Davies. Meet Tad, she’s the smallest tadpole in a big pond and lives there with all her tadbrothers and tadsisters. But it seems something else lives there too… BIG BLUB! And when everyone else starts to disappear, Tad starts to wonder if Big Blub will get her too. Tad is big story about a tiny tadpole – the perfect story for everyone who’s ever grown up, or still has a way to go.

Mister Dog and the Rabbit Habit by Ben Fogle March also brings the launch of Mr Dog, a new adventure series for children aged 7+, written by Ben Fogle and co- written by Steve Cole. Inspired by Ben’s real-life animal experiences, Mr Dog, follows the story of a scruffy mutt as he travels around the country aiding animals in peril. The first book in the series, Mr Dog and the Rabbit Habit finds Mr Dog helping out some rabbits. When a mother rabbit is captured in a trap, he ends up playing bunny-sitter. But someone wants rid of all the rabbits, not just this one, and time is running out for Mr Dog to save them…

How to Rob a Bank by Tom Mitchell How to Rob a Bank is the brilliantly funny new young teen debut from, Tom Mitchell. This captivating read is the perfect stepping stone for middle graders, especially boys, looking for laughs before they take that big leap into teen fiction. When Dylan accidently burns down the house of the girl he’s trying to impress, he thinks only a big gesture can make it up to her – like robbing a bank. Really, what’s the worst that could happen?!

CHICKEN HOUSE We have three marvellous middle-grade March books for you!

She Wolf by Dan Smith (ages 9+) 9781910655931 She Wolf is a brand new direction and cover look for Dan Smith, publishing along with a stunning new edition of his classic WW2 story My Friend the Enemy. A startlingly original, emotional and compelling adventure set in the Dark Ages, this Viking adventure has an unforgettable heroine and lots of curriculum links. Northumbria, 866. Washed ashore on an English beach, Ylva’s survived. She will not cry. She’s meant to be strong. She’s a Viking. But when her mother dies at the hand of a three-fingered man, and the wolves of the forest circle closer, Ylva will need more than the memory of her mother’s stories to stay alive. Can she shape her own legend? Will it end in revenge – or is there another way?

A Witch come true by James Nicol (ages 8+) 9781910655986 The spellbinding finale to the Apprentice Witch trilogy is here! James Nicol has created his own brand of retro, cosy magic in his acclaimed series – perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli or Diana Wynne Jones. This enchanting finale is perfect for reading curled up in an armchair with a hot cup of chocolate! The war is done and Arianywn has discovered the secret of the quiet of glyphs at last, but her troubles are far from over. Her day-to-day work as Lull’s witch is tricky enough: winter has set in, bringing endless rain, ice and some rather befuddling Yule traditions. But when enemies and dark magic converge on Lull, stealing away someone very dear indeed, our witch faces her greatest challenge so far. What really makes a witch come true? Our loveable heroine is about to find out …

The Great Animal Escapade by Jane Kerr (ages 9+) 9781911490340 Introducing the second novel from Jane Kerr, BBC journalist and author of the critically acclaimed The Elephant Thief. Full of charming animals and devious villains, The Great Animal Escapade is a brand new standalone historical adventure set in the same world – middle-grade readers will be enchanted. Danny works at Belle Vue Zoo, where – alongside training the famous elephant Maharajah – he helps out with the day- to-day tasks of caring for the animals. But when animals start escaping, Danny is the prime suspect: after all, he was a former street urchin and pickpocket. When a man turns up claiming to be his father, the plot thickens. Can Danny untangle the mystery of the animal escapade – and find out where he really belongs – in order to clear his name?

We have 3 bundles of our three March books to give away. For your chance to win, email [email protected] with the subject line YLG MARCH BOOKS by 5pm 22nd March 2019 (UK only). Three winners will be chosen at random. T&Cs can be found here: www.chickenhousebooks.com/terms

NOSY CROW The Boy Who Flew Written by Fleur Hitchcock Published 7th March 2019 Age 9 + Athan Wilde dreams of flight. When his friend, Mr Chen, is murdered, Athan must rescue the flying machine they were building together and stop it falling into the wrong hands. But keeping the machine safe puts his family in terrible danger. What will Athan choose – flight or family? Be the first to get your hands on this brilliantly pacy and vivid adventure, filled with danger and heroism from master storyteller, Fleur Hitchcock. It’s a bold new historical fantasy, reminiscent of Phillip Pullman and perfect for fans of Cogheart, called “brilliant” by Gill Lewis and “heart-stopping” by Catherine Johnson – and it will send you soaring. For your chance to be one of ten winners, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘YLG – The Boy Who Flew’.

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Aliens are Coming! Written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Steven Lenton Published 7th March 2019 Age 5+ Join Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam for three more thrilling canine and cake-based adventures… this time, you might need to bring your laser-beam baguettes! Things are HOTTING UP! Someone is CHEATING in the SANDCASTLE competition! There’s something FISHY about the new CAFE! But it’s the ALIEN INVASION that REALLY makes Shifty and Sam lose their COOL! Anyone for an ICED bun?! The Aliens are Coming! is the fourth in the series of two-colour fiction titles featuring everyone’s favourite robber-dogs- turned-bakers, featuring three more hilariously slapstick adventures from our favourite dynamic duo, Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton. For your chance to win your very own neon copy, email [email protected] with the subject line ‘YLG – Shifty and Sam: The Aliens are Coming!’.

EGMONT We’re delighted to share a selection of our March titles, including our International Women’s Day offering of empowering female voices available for all ages.

Captain Sparklebeard, by Timothy Knapman illus. Sam Lloyd 7th March | ISBN 9781405291316 |£6.99 | 3+ FOR REBEL GIRLS WITH BIG DREAMS! ARRRRR you ready for this unmissable adventure? When the pirates come to town, Peg can’t wait to join their crew. But they won’t let her join because she’s small, she loves to read and she doesn’t even have a beard! Can Peg outwit the pirates to find the treasure and prove that she’s the greatest pirate there ever was?

Amelia Fang and the Half-Moon Holiday, by Laura Ellen Anderson 7th March | ISBN 9781405292092 |£6.99 | 7+ A brand new title in the bestselling gorgeously gothic and wickedly funny Amelia Fang series It’s the half-moon holiday in gloomy Nocturnia which means no school for Amelia and her friends! Instead they are going to spend it with their Rainbow Rangers troop, (led by unicorns Ricky and Graham) earning badges on Sugarplum Island. But whilst exploring, Amelia and the gang stumble upon an ancient curse – and are shrunk to the size of bugs! How will they make the bloodcurdlingly BIG journey to break the curse when they are all so very TINY?

Wishing-Chair Adventure: The Royal Birthday Party, by Enid Blyton 7th March | ISBN 9781405292665 |£5.99 | 5+ A brand new full-colour short story from Blyton's magical Wishing-Chair series - an excellent companion to the successful Magic Faraway Tree Adventure series When Mollie and Peter go to buy their mother a birthday present, they discover the most extraordinary thing: a chair that can fly and grant wishes! Together with their friend Binky the , Mollie and Peter wish to become a prince and princess for the day, celebrating the birthday of Princess Peronell at the royal palace. But whatever do you give a princess for their birthday? Short chapters and beautiful full-colour illustrations from Alex Paterson make the Wishing-Chair Adventures series perfect bedtime reading for children aged five and upwards.

Speak Up!, by 7th March | ISBN 9781405294690 |£8.99 | 12+ The must-have empowering book and inspiring guide by Laura Coryton, leader of the incredible international campaign against tax. Speak Up! gives you the tools to find your voice and stand up for what you believe in so that YOU can make a difference. Channel Laura’s campaigning superpowers with her step-by-step toolkit and create your own successful campaign. Laura’s experience will give you the confidence to deal with setbacks and internet , and ways to speak up about everyday situations, such as relationships, too.

"Speak Up! is a wonderful and timely guide to activism for women and girls " – Helen Pankhurst, great granddaughter of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, author and women's rights activist

A Girl Called Shameless, by Laura Steven 7th March | ISBN 9781405288620 |£7.99 | 12+ Funnier. Ruder. Angrier. Izzy O’Neill is back in the hilarious sequel to The Exact Opposite of Okay. It’s been two months since eighteen-year-old Izzy O’Neill was slut-shamed in a national scandal. As well as coming to terms with the fact that thousands of people have seen her foofer – Izzy is juggling high school, writing a screenplay and figuring out what to do next with her life. When another girl’s nude photos are leaked, Izzy and the Bitches Bite Back team decide to take action. They’re taking the fight all the way to the top . . . and won’t let anyone bring them down. It’s time for the shaming to stop!

LITTLE TIGER PROUD Compiled by Juno Dawson Contributors: Steve Antony, Dean Atta, Kate Alizadeh, Fox Benwell, Alex Bertie, Caroline Bird, Fatti Burke, Tanya Byrne, Moïra Fowley-Doyle, Frank Duffy, Simon James Green, Leo Greenfield, Saffa Khan, Karen Lawler, David Levithan, Priyanka Meenakshi, Alice Oseman, Michael Lee Richardson, David Roberts, Cynthia So, Kay Staples, Jessica Vallance, Kristen Van Dam and Kameron White. 9781788950602 |Paperback|£7.99|Age 13+ A stirring, bold and moving anthology of stories and poetry by top Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ YA authors and new talent, giving their unique responses to the broad theme of pride. Each story has an illustration by an artist identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community. A boy’s coming out is overshadowed by gay penguins, a music-loving teen overcomes her shyness about approaching a girl and a trans boy joins a ragtag football team. From a China where a lantern-maker has a pet phoenix to the Travelodge hideout of two teens on the run, these stories shine with glorious moments of pride. Championing diversity in young adult literature, PROUD is an important addition to the Stripes list after the celebrated A Change is Gonna Come, winner of the YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award 2018. Request a PROUD POS pack for your library display whilst stock lasts by emailing [email protected] with ‘PROUD POS’ in the subject line, download the free Teaching Guide and Reading Notes resource, join the conversation @StripesBook #ProudBook and read with Pride.

Jasper and Scruff Written and Illustrated by Nicola Colton 9781788950695|Paperback|£5.99|5 – 8 year olds A laugh-out-loud tale of friendship with colour illustrations by talented author-illustrator Nicola Colton, perfect for new readers moving on from picture books. Jasper has everything he could want – a fancy apartment, bow ties in every colour and a large book collection. The only thing he’s missing is the right type of friends! Jasper wants to become a member of ‘The Sophisticats’, a society for exceptional felines, more than anything. When they accept Jasper’s dinner invitation, he knows his chance to impress has arrived. But a boisterous puppy called Scruff follows Jasper home and his evening doesn’t quite go to plan…

This is Owl Written by Libby Walden & Illustrated by Jacqui Lee 9781848578005|Hardback|£11.99|3-6 year olds This quirky, light-hearted book encourages children’s imaginations to take flight as they find owl and help the birds on their adventures. With flaps and interactive play, this humorous and playful title will have young readers clapping and flapping along! Expressive and striking illustrations make the story of Owl come to life. Perfect for story time sessions.

This Love Written by Isabel Otter Illustrated by Harriet Lynas 9781848578012|Hardback|£11.99|3 - 6 year olds Love is understood and shared by people all around the world. Whether playing with friends or sharing a special moment with family – love can unite us all. A verse exploration of the gentle power of love, This Love is a heart- warming celebration of children’s relationship with the world around them and all the people in it. It features beautifully evocative and cheerful scenes from across the world to emphasise love’s universality.

The Wolves who came to Dinner Written by Steve Smallman Illustrated by Joëlle Dreidemy 9781788813327|Hardback|£11.99|3 - 6 year olds The much-anticipated sequel to The Lamb Who Came for Dinner. One little lamb. Four hungry wolves. And a forest full of animals out to save the day. But sometimes things are not always what they seem…A brilliant book about breaking down boundaries, unlikely friendships, and challenging . Smallman’s heart-warming text is perfect to read aloud.

For your chance to win a fabulous bundle including all the above books, please email Charlie Morris at [email protected] with ‘MARCH LITTLE TIGER BUNDLE’ in your subject line. Good Luck!

USBORNE Usborne Farmyard Tales Poppy and Sam We're thrilled to announce the return of Poppy and Sam! Who remembers the Usborne Farmyard Tales series, with the Little Yellow Duck to spot on every page, and Poppy and Sam's adventures on Apple Tree Farm? We're bringing Usborne Farmyard Tales to a new generation, with lovely new editions of family favourites and lots of exciting new titles coming throughout 2019! The following library-suitable titles are publishing in March, with lots more to come throughout the year: Poppy and Sam's Animal Hide and Seek (9780746055755) Poppy and Sam's Animal Sounds (9781474958912) Poppy and Sam's Easter Egg Hunt (9781474952767) You can find out more at usborne.com/poppyandsam

The Usborne Book of Planet Earth 9781474936620, HB, £14.99, 7th March 2019 David Attenborough fans will adore this spectacular picture book, taking readers on a fascinating tour of our amazing planet, from the deepest parts of the ocean to soaring mountain peaks in the Himalayas. WIN: We have 10x copes of The Usborne Book of Planet Earth to giveaway! Email [email protected] with the subject line PLANET EARTH by Friday 15th March to enter.

Managing Your Money 9781474951265, PB, £6.99, 7th March 2019 Down-to-earth guide filled with practical advice on everything from how to budget and be a smart shopper to student loans, mortgages and insurance. An essential book for equipping young people with the skills they need to manage their money now and in the future. The book is the same format as the hugely successful Looking After Your Mental Health, and includes website links for more tips and advice. WIN: We have 10x copes of Managing Your Money to giveaway! Email [email protected] with the subject line MONEY by Friday 15th March to enter.

Scavengers 9781474956024, PB, £6.99, 11+, 7th March 2019 Selected for the Summer Reading Challenge 2019 Landfill has lived his whole life as a scavenger, running with wooflers, swimming with turtles and feasting on fresh gull. Old Babagoo has always looked after him, on one condition – follow his rules. NEVER COME LOOKING OUTSIDE. NEVER RISE ABOVE THE WALL. But despite the dangers, Landfill longs to see Outside. And some rules are made to be broken.

My Secret Lies With You 9781474958240, PB, £7.99, 14+, 13th June 2019 Three close friends… Two unforgettable summers… One girl’s deepest secret… Alys appeared last summer, and then she vanished without a trace. Ifan fell in love with her. Hannah hated her. And Marko regrets what they did. This summer Cait is new in town, and a girl has been reported missing. Cait needs to uncover the truth. What happened last summer? And who is Alys? WIN: We have 10x advance proof copes of My Secret Lies With You to giveaway! Email [email protected] with the subject line SECRET by Friday 15th March to enter.

LANTANA In celebration of World Book Day, we’re pleased to bring you Maisie’s Scrapbook by debut author Samuel Narh and Jo Loring-Fisher. A joyful celebration of a mixed-race family and the love that binds us all together, it’s the perfect book to explore the beautiful coming together of different backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and perspectives in every family. Read on for a chance to WIN a copy of this book!

Maisie’s Scrapbook by Samuel Narh and Jo Loring-Fisher 978-1-911373-57-5; 7th March 2019; Ages 4-8

As the seasons turn, Maisie rides her bull in and out of Dada’s tall tales. Her Mama wears linen and plays the viola. Her Dada wears kente cloth and plays the marimba. They come from different places, but they hug her in the same way. And most of all, they love her just the same. For a chance to win one of two copies of Maisie’s Scrapbook, simply email your name, postal address and the name of the school or library in which you work to [email protected] using the subject line ‘WBD Giveaway’ by 8th March, Friday.

PATRICKGEORGE Planet Rescue: New title by PatrickGeorge on Kickstarter, March 2019 Throughout the month of March, you will be able to order Planet Rescue, the latest book by Patrick George, on Kickstarter. While Animal Rescue was all about freeing animals from captivity, Planet Rescue is all about fun and easy suggestions to help save the planet. By flipping a transparent page from right to left, the reader can magically transform the picture on the page as if they are controlling the action. The inside title page shows a collection of young children asking the question ‘What can we do to help save the planet?” Turn the page and cue the first suggestion: ‘leave the car at home’ where a father and son are seen driving a car. Flip the transparent page and the reader ‘puts’ the car back in the garage, revealing the father and son now on a bicycle. Turn the page and reveal the next scenario “pick up litter” whereby flipping the transparent page clears the sea of plastic and places it into the hands of kids on the beach heading for the litter bin, and so on. The book takes a positive approach to respecting our environment and should delight children as young as three years old. Planet Rescue is available on Kickstarter as ‘PLANET RESCUE BOOK’. The public can pledge £10 for a book or more for extra rewards such as a signed copy and a giclée print from the author. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/patrickgeorge/planet-rescue-book The indie publishing duo are looking to fund the title, which they would like to make available in the shops at the end of September 2019. Ideal for EYFS and KS1 classrooms.

BARRINGTON STOKE Toad Attack! is the brilliantly quirky Barrington Stoke debut from Patrice Lawrence, with fun-filled illustrations by Becka Moor. This hilarious middle-grade adventure is a gold standard in comedy capers and features a diverse and inclusive cast of characters. After a toad lands on his head as he leaves his house one morning, Leo is determined to find out where it has come from and why. Together with his friend Rosa, he needs to come up with some answers before the angry residents of Upper Dab take matters into their own hands and the toads become toast! We have two incredible YA titles for March. First, a powerful and deeply moving coming-of-age drama set in 19th century America from Tanya Landman called One Shot, inspired by the life of infamous sharpshooter Annie Oakley. When Maggie and her family are thrown into a life of destitution, Maggie tries to provide for her family the way her father always had – with his hunting rifle and whatever animals the forest would provide. But her mother disapproves of her “unladylike” behaviour and sends her away. With no one to care for her and only the hope of escape, all Maggie can do is survive. We’re also delighted to be publishing a companion novella to the recent Kate Greenaway longlisted The Family Tree, from the same incredible author-illustrator collaboration of Mal Peet and Emma Shoard. Good Boy is a powerful and unsettling novella featuring stunning full-colour artwork which will leave you guessing long after its final page. Sandie has been battling it since her childhood; the hulking, snarling black dog of her nightmares. Although her precious pet dog Rabbie may have fought back against this monster for years, when he is no longer there to protect her the black dog will return and Sandie’s nightmare will come back to haunt her ... For your chance to win either a copy of Toad Attack by Patrice Lawrence and Becka Moor or Good Boy by Mal Peet and Emma Shoard, please email [email protected] with the subject line of either YLG MARCH PRIMARY or YLG MARCH SECONDARY, depending on the title you hope to win. Deadline March 28th.

ZEPHYR Girl 38: Finding a Friend Last month, Ewa Jozefkowicz’s brilliant debut, The Mystery of the Colour Thief, was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. We’re thrilled to be following it with Girl 38: Finding a Friend, a middle grade novel about friendship and learning to be brave. Ewa weaves the real-life experiences of her 93-year-old grandmother in WWII Poland with a contemporary story about finding friendship where you least expect it. Full of empathy, Ewa's writing is wonderfully accessible and will resonate widely with readers.

The Girl Who Thought Her Mother Was a Mermaid Out in paperback this month, Tania Unsworth’s The Girl Who Thought Her Mother Was a Mermaid, with glorious artwork gracing the cover by Helen Crawford-White. All Stella has to remember her mother by is a necklace called ‘the word of the sea’. It gleams an unearthly light. What does it mean? And why is Stella drawn so obsessively to the water’s edge when it fills her with fear? On a quest to discover the truth about who she really is, Stella has no idea how terrifying that will be... It taps into a number of key themes, including friendship and empathy, memory and mermaid legends, discussed in full in the readers’ notes at the back.

SCHOLASTIC We have an exciting array of books publishing in March and we can’t wait to share with you! Including the sequel to Melinda Salisbury’s State of Sorrow, the new edition Mortal Engines prequels featuring Ian McQue’s stunning cover artwork, the third Lightning Girl adventure from Alesha Dixon and some giveaways too. How Not to Lose It written by Anna Williamson, We’re proud to publish How Not to Lose It: Mental Health Sorted by Anna Williamson – the go-to guide to empower children and support strong emotional well-being. Anna is a trained therapist, Childline counsellor and ambassador for Mind and The Prince's Trust – as well as a bestselling adult mental health author. With reassuring, relatable and practical advice delivered in a chatty and honest tone, Anna addresses all the key issues affecting children today including: anxiety, depression, relationships, social media, family phobias, , peer pressure, self-esteem and much more. See our competition section for an opportunity to win a copy!

The New Boy written by Paula Rawsthorne, 9781407180267 | £7.99 | 12+ When new boy Jack starts at Zoe's school, something about him makes her nervous - he's so perfect, he can hardly be real. But Zoe is soon swept up in how charming, popular and handsome he is. Soon, they're dating and he's everything she dreamed he might be - kind, attentive, full of romantic gestures. Eventually, though, the cracks start to show and Zoe wonders whether she was right all along. Is Jack too good to be true?

Song of Sorrow written by Melinda Salisbury 9781407180281 | £7.99 | 12+ Sequel to State of Sorrow by best-selling fantasy author Melinda Salisbury. Sorrow Ventaxis has won the election, and in the process lost everything... Governing under the sinister control of Vespus Corrigan, and isolated from her friends, Sorrow must to find a way to free herself from his web and save her people. But Vespus has no plans to let her go, and he isn't the only enemy Sorrow faces as the curse of her name threatens to destroy her and everything she's fought for. Romantic, thought-provoking and beautifully written; literary fantasy with a touch of Game of Thrones intrigue.

COMPETITIONS WIN Lightning Girl 3: Secret Supervillain written by Alesha Dixon The third laugh-out-loud, high-voltage adventure from superstar Alesha Dixon in collaboration with Katy Birchall Aurora Beam is a SUPER-ANNOYED SUPERHERO. She's desperate to help her mum and grandma track down the stolen precious stone that holds the key to her family's powers, but there's a DANGEROUS SUPERVILLAIN on the loose with a deep-seated desire for revenge, and not even Lightning Girl and the Bright Sparks may be a match for him or her... To be in with a chance of winning 1 of 5 copies, simply email your name and full address to [email protected] using the subject header ‘YLG: Lightning Girl 3’. The three winners will be picked at random after the closing date of 31st March 2019.

WIN How Not to Lose It written by Anna Williamson To be in with a chance of winning 1 of 5 copies, simply email your name and full address to [email protected] using the subject header ‘YLG: How Not to Lose It’. The three winners will be picked at random after the closing date of 31st March 2019.

WIN 1 of 3 Mortal Engines Prequel Bundles Fever Crumb, A Web of Air and Scrivener’s Moon, from the critically acclaimed MORTAL ENGINES series by Philip Reeve – NEW EDITION prequels featuring groundbreaking cover artwork by Ian McQue. To be in with a chance of winning one of three bundles, simply email your name and full address to [email protected] using the subject header ‘YLG: Mortal Engines Prequels’. The three winners will be picked at random after the closing date of 31st March 2019.

TINY OWL

Grobblechops by Elizabeth Laird, ill. Jenny Lucander [978-1-910328-41-5] Amir is worried about the little monster lurking under the bed. What if it tries to eat him up?! And what if that monster has a dad and a mum too? As Amir’s father tucks him in, he wonders if the monster might become a friend instead...A timeless tale of monsters under the bed inspired by an ancient tale from Rumi. Age 4+

Dare by Lorna Gutierrez, ill. Polly Noakes [978-1-910328-42-2] Dare to be what you truly are. A light in the dark – be you; a star. This simple yet inspirational picture book encourages children everywhere to dare to dream big, to help others and speak out for what is right, but also to take time for simple joys and to be comfortable in their own skin. With charming rhymes and energetic and inclusive illustrations, this is a book to empower every child. Age 3+

The Flute by Ken Wilson-Max, ill. Catell Ronca. [978-1-910328-35-4] Hear the whisper of the flute and see how it floats like a butterfly or blows like cold, grey wind. Discover how music can make you move and feel! The second book in series Children. Music. Life, which introduces early years children to the joy of music. Age 0+

FIREFLY Walker by Shoo Rayner Publishing 14 March 2019 £6.99 PB All Walker wants is a dog, but his mother is allergic. So he decides to set up his own business walking his neighbours’ dogs. This works better than he could have imagined when he finds he can talk to the dogs and understand what they say to him! The dogs lead him to a terrible puppy farm hidden in the wood by Arlington Wherewithall, a famous TV star and owner of a pet food company, the richest man in their area. He knows nobody will believe him, so it is down to Walker and the dogs to stop the farm and save the puppies. The beginning of a series of stand-alone mysteries where Walker saves the day because he can talk to dogs.

THE BIT AT THE END Don’t forget - we always want to know what is going on in your school or authority! Send us any information you want to share – about book awards or anything else relating to YLG or Children's and Young People's Library Services. We also welcome your feedback on the newsletter – contact by email at [email protected]