Books

Quiet Please! and Other Humorous Tales: The feel-good short-story collection bringing laughter back to everyday life

If your Christmas list includes someone who desperately needs a laugh (and frankly, who doesn’t in December?), Quiet Please! and Other Humorous Tales by Denise Dumont may be the most delightful little stocking filler you didn’t realise you needed. It arrives with all the charm of a hand-written Christmas card and the warm glow of a well-brewed cuppa, bringing together twenty light-hearted…
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Books we love: Things You Didn't Know About Chimneys by John Hughes

If you’re on the lookout for a quirky new read to spark your child’s imagination, London Irish author John Hughes has something rather special up his sleeve. His latest children’s novel, Things You Didn’t Know About Chimneys, is already drawing comparisons to the mischievous magic of Roald Dahl. The story follows ten-year-old Millie, who finds herself dispatched to the…
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BOOKS WE LOVE: The Recyclosaurus and EggBangers: A Fable for a New Generation

A R Trent’s The Recyclosaurus and EggBangers invites young readers to step into LA-LA Forest Park for an unforgettable eco-adventure. When young Ed Williams gets lost, he discovers a secret world of homeless wild animals, a runaway stray dog, and a wise old crow – all debating who’s to blame for the planet’s climate crisis. Along the way, Ed befriends EggBanger, Little Bro, and learns…
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BOOKS WE LOVE: Good Bits by Kes Gray, illustrated by Ruby Wright

Bestselling and award-winning author Kes Gray is back with a brand-new book that’s bound to get kids reading, laughing and letting their imaginations run wild. Good Bits is a collection of story-bites that will captivate readers and encourage them to delve into the endless possibilities of imaginative storytelling. In a world of increasingly decreasing attention spans, Kes Gray is on…
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BOOKS WE LOVE: Ella the Superstar (7 Rules for a Happy Life)

If your child has ever doubted how special they truly are, Ella the Superstar will remind them that the brightest magic lies within. This heart-warming tale by Goose in Gold, beautifully illustrated by Kris Lillyman, captures that universal childhood worry – “Am I good enough?” – and turns it into a joyful journey of discovery, courage and kindness. When Ella is given an…
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Prince Andrew - A Royal reckoning

Let’s not dress this up in polite court language: the monarchy has been called into account – and yes, I’m cheering. The man formerly known as Prince Andrew, scion of privilege and poster-boy for entitlement, has been stripped of his princely style, uprooted from his Windsor estate, and quite possibly forced to stare at a life he never truly earned. The Facts: The end of “Prince…
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Books we love: Humphrey’s Hum - Joyful New Picture Book Explores Big Feelings and the Healing Power of Mum and a Hum

Humphrey’s Hum is a gentle, reassuring tale about feeling ‘under the weather’ and the quiet comfort of being cared for. With his mother providing love, rest and understanding, Sophie Hyndman shares how Humphrey is coaxed back to his usual happy self – hum and all. Bursting with warmth, creativity, and charm, Humphrey’s Hum is the heartwarming children’s book that parents, carers…
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Building a strong foundation for your first book

Ready to finally write that book? Starting a first book is an exciting but daunting prospect. There are so many details to think about from outlining the book to developing characters to finally finishing the manuscript. But here’s the thing… Like most authors, making all the mistakes others have made before is common—that’s why so many people never get past the planning stages and…
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Books We Love: Tree Spirits Around the World by Louise Wannier

Following the success of her award-winning debut Tree Spirits, author Louise Wannier returns with a sequel that once again blends nature, imagination, and interactivity in a way that feels fresh and magical. Tree Spirits Around the World takes children on a global journey alongside Tilly the mouse, a curious and gentle character who invites readers to explore the hidden magic of trees across six…
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Books we love: Suburban Secrets and Surprising Transformations - Victoria Webster’s Two-Part Series

Behind the neat hedges and freshly painted doors of suburbia, life isn’t always as polished as it seems. That’s the world Victoria Webster opens up in her compelling two-part series, The Con Artist and Abigail’s World -two novels that blend humour, drama, and suspense in equal measure. Webster, who writes under a pen name, didn’t set out to become a novelist early in life. But after years…
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