Books: children & YA

Anne Coates  reviews The Thrashers, a compelling YA thriller from bestselling author, playwright and actor, Julie Soto. After you read this, you might not want to be in with the elite crowd at school.

Anne Coates has chosen three fabulous new chapter books for confident readers or children who love to be read to: Small Fry by David Baddiel, The First Kid in Space by Tom Mitchell and The Kid Who Fell Through Time by Greg James & Chris Smith.

At Eastertide our thoughts turn to chocolate eggs – but picture books make great presents especially when they deal with eating – or being eaten! – by monsters. I'm Gonna Eat A Monster by Karl Tudor and Scott Wilson and A Good Night's Sleep by Emma Chichester Clark both offer a hilarious take on childhood fears, writes Anne Coates.

Following on from Look out! Hungry Lion and Look out! Hungry Snake comes the next two books in the Look Out! Hungry Animals series by Paul Delaney: Look Out! Hungry Spider and Look out! Hungry Shark. Review by Anne Coates.

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Happy Mother's Day from The Crayons, created by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers is a funny and beautiful celebration of mothers in all their shapes, sizes and and variations. Reviewed by Anne Coates 

Award-winning author and illustrator, John Bond has produced a fabulous tale to delight youngsters from three plus: How Long Is That Dog? Review by Anne Coates.

We are like Birds by Laila Ekboir is a stunning new picture book about family, friendship, identity and resilience reviewed by Anne Coates.

Adult thriller writer, Joanne Sefton has turned her creative hand to writing for young adults with Ring of Truth, a compelling novel about truth and lies, reviewed by Anne Coates.

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Murray the Pirate is the third book in the Murray and Bun series, written and illustrated by Adam Stower. Reviewed by Anne Coates

Inkbound Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Phillippa Leathley is the first in a brand new series that will captivate readers who love magic in their books, writes Anne Coates.

Get Dressed, Belly Button! written and illustrated by Lucie Brunelière and translated by Linda Burgess is a perfectly designed board book for babies and toddler, encouraging naming of clothes and discussion, writes Anne Coates.

Illustrated by Dotty Sutton, Scarlet: Defender of the Universe is the exciting, action packed middle grade debut by James Davis. Review by Anne Coates. 

Illustrated by Steve May Sammy and the Stolen Paintings  by Charlie P. Brooks is another warm and super funny family comedy told from the perspective of Sammy the sniffer dog – perfect for younger readers aged seven and up, writes Anne Coates.

Anne Coates recommends three brilliantly funny books for middle grade readers which make great Christmas presents and stocking-fillers or birthday gifts: Small Fry by David Baddiel, The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson, and The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon. All are published in hardback by HarperCollins  Children's Books.

Three fabulous, seasonal books from HarperCollins Children's Books: Paddington's Trick or Treat by Michael Bond, The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please and The Green-fingered Witch  By Helen Docherty reviewed by Anne Coates.

As we move into Halloween time, HarperCollins Children's Books have four fabulous books full of magic and legend: Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enlightenment by Anna James; Fireborn: Starling and the Cavern of Light by Aisling Fowler; Brielle and Bear Once upon a Time by Salomey Doku and Skulduggery Pleasant The Haunted House on Hollow Hill by Derek Landy.

Lonely Planet Kids’ Atlas of Cats, written by Frances Evans and illustrated by Kelsey Heaton, is the purr-fect book for curious kids who want to learn more about one of our most beloved pets. Whether you're a devoted cat enthusiast or simply curious about the world of cats, this book will delight you, writes Anne Coates.