Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels

Grotti by Leonie Lord, Walker, £7.99When a knight discovers a lost green baby, battling beasts and defending kingdoms must give way to making Grotti happy. But what will happen once Grotti finds his family? A funny, sweet, original picture book about adapting to babies’ needs.
Best of All – The Magical Mix That’s You by Smriti Halls and Chaaya Prabhat, Two Hoots, £12.99A joyful, poetic picture-book paean to diverse heritage, family stories and the unique mixtures that make up every child.
Smelly Peggy by Helen Stephens, Walker, £12.99Rescue dog Peggy loves to be naughty, especially by rolling in terrible smells. But after all, no one’s perfect …. This acutely observed picture book distils dogs’ unrepentant joy in stinky mischief, and their small owners’ secret delight.
Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener and DeAnn Wiley, Barefoot, £7.99Little Marley struggles with crowds and loud noises, but this year their Zaza is getting an award at the Pride parade, and they’re determined to go, too. A rich, inclusive picture book for 5+, particularly focused on nonbinary identities, which treats sensory issues with warm understanding.
Me and My Hair by Kimberley Kinloch, illustrated by Jessica Gibson and Sandra Becker Borrée, Usborne, £9.99This superbly informative and engaging picture book for 6+ follows Kyra as she explains her feelings about her Afro hair, learning about different hair types, styles and hair discrimination before holding a hair-themed party for her friends.
Gordon, the Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer, Oxford, £6.99There are plenty of mean geese out there – but Gordon is the meanest of them all. When Anthony Piglet gives him a flower, however, his whole world goes into freefall in this hilarious little 6+ story of a bumpy road to redemption, heightened by Latimer’s expressive illustrations.
Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood and Joe Todd-Stanton, Nosy Crow, £7.99Part gnome, part dwarf, young gnorf Kit has always dreamed of being a Dungeon Runner – even though he’s so small. When an unexpected space in the League opens up, can Kit’s misfit team make it through the dungeon’s mazes, puzzles and terrifying monsters to kickstart their Dungeon Runner journey? Highly illustrated, humorous and immediately enthralling, this first volume in a new series will appeal to 7+ D&D fans in particular.
The Last Dragon by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by Charis Loke, Knights of Media, £7.99Worried about her little sister in hospital, good girl Yara finds it hard to stay out of trouble at school. When the last dragon on Earth finds Yara in a public park, her life becomes still more complicated, as the dragon leaves her a gift, one that will force her to take radical action. This moving, powerful allegory of humans’ responsibility to the natural world is a cracking read for 8+, with fantastic illustrations.
I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery, Walker, £7.99Good dog Rebel loves his boy, Tom. When Tom leaves their beloved farm to join the Reds in an uprising against the tyrannous King, he leaves Rebel behind – but Rebel knows Tom needs him to find him, save him and bring him home. Narrated by the naively charming and tenacious dog of the title, this poignant, stirring animal adventure is a surefire winner for 8+ Phil Earle fans.
Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo, Bloomsbury, £12.99Mayowa’s Grandpa Edward is an eccentric with a secret. By jumping on a book, he can harness the emotions inside it and direct them into other people. But when Mayowa discovers she shares the family ability, she and her grandfather face some difficult choices – especially when they have the chance to save the lives of refugees, but must contend with hate-fuelled opposition. Full of heart, energy and a satisfying, unusual take on inherited magic, this lively 9+ fantasy is the first in a trilogy.
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar, Usborne, £8.99Said and Tiwa used to be inseparable, until a spectacular falling-out several Eids ago. Now Said’s at boarding school far away, and the two of them never talk. But when Said comes home for a funeral and the Islamic centre burns down on the same day, the former best pals are forced to team up as they campaign to rebuild it. Will their loathing revert to friendship – or turn to stronger feelings? This spirited, engrossing enemies-to-lovers romance is written by a duo of bestselling YA authors (and real-life best friends).
Now, Conjurors by Freddie Kölsch, Electric Monkey, £8.99
Nesbit is heartbroken when he finds the mauled body of Bastion, his fellow witch and secret boyfriend, in the woods of North Dana, Massachusetts. But Bastion’s death is just the beginning. Now Nesbit and the other members of North Coven must sift the mysteries of Bastion’s life to discover his dreadful red-gloved nemesis, living somewhere beneath a mausoleum in the town cemetery – and attempt to defeat it. Set in 1999, this sensational YA debut blends tense, terrifying horror with dark humour, queer romance and hugely original storytelling.
Us in the Before and After by Jenny Valentine, Simon & Schuster, £8.99Mab and Elk have been best friends since they were 11. Now, aged 16, a tragic accident robs them of their bond – but they aren’t yet ready to say goodbye. Instead, they relive their lives together in conversations, remembering how Elk fell in love with Mab’s brother, and what led up to the moment that can’t be undone. The award-winning Valentine’s return to YA is tearjerking, elegant and beautifully written, perfect for fans of John Green and Kathleen Glasgow.