Thursday 29 August 2019

Five fantastic new books to kick off a superb Autumn release schedule from Oxford Children's Books / OUP.

We're delighted to bring you five new books in OUP / Oxford Children's Books Autumn release schedule.

So let's start with a fantastic cross-generational celebration of how awesome grandparents are in "Tibble and Grandpa" by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egneus.

Tibble absolutely adores his Grandpa, but sometimes lately Grandpa seems a little distracted.

Grandpa has stopped talking, and sometimes he gets a strange faraway look in his eye.

Tibble is frustrated, because he wants to talk to Grandpa NOW - but he comes up with a brilliant plan to get Grandpa talking again. A fantastic game of "Top Threes" - and before long, Grandpa is reminiscing and remembering - and telling Tibble awesome tall tales once again.

A delicate and brilliant story helping kids understand growing old, even touching on themes of dementia. "Tibble and Grandpa" by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egneus is out on 5th September 2019, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books.

Next up, a cool tale with a thought provoking message at its core, the superb "Jazz Dog" by Marie Voigt.

In a divided world of cats and dogs - where dogs only play dog music and cats only play cat music - one little dog chooses to follow the music in his heart, and that means jamming with the cats!

Jazz Dog just wants to play, and enjoy the sensations that playing with friends can bring - but will the world adapt to the idea that dogs and cats can live together in harmony after all (Ray, Egon, Peter, Winston, you stay out of this OK?)

Brilliant stuff celebrating diversity, inclusivity and friendship. 

"Jazz Dog" by Marie Voigt is out on 5th September 2019, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books. 

Last but not least, the return of two of our all-time favourite children's characters in an all-new adventure. 

"Winnie and Wilbur: The Bug Safari" by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul is a truly superb story featuring the hapless witch and her long-suffering moggy sidekick. 

This time Winnie and Wilbur shrink down to miniscule sizes in order to go on a super bug safari around their garden, meeting all manner of fascinating minibeasts and bugs on their travels. 

But some of those bugs aren't quite as friendly as others. Will Winnie and Wilbur survive?

...and how will Winnie work her magic when her wand is 50 times bigger than she is?

Superb stuff, and it's so fantastic to see Valerie and Korky still producing such utterly brilliant and amazing stories (and we are still completely hooked on Korky's scritchy-scratchy art style so chock full of detail). 

"Winnie and Wilbur: The Bug Safari" by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul is out on 5th September 2019, published by OUP / Oxford Children's Books (all books kindly supplied for review). 

Older readers needn't miss out, as there's a pair of fantastic early middle grade readers to tempt you with too!

"Isadora Moon Puts on a Show" is the latest brilliant adventure for Harriet Muncaster's fab half vampire / half fairy.

It's almost time for the vampire ball, and Isadora can't wait! There's just one problem: she's got to compete in a talent show with the other vampire children. Isadora's talents aren't very vampire-y, what if the audience laugh at her? The show must go on, but will Isadora be brave enough to perform. . . ?

With irresistible pink and black artwork throughout by author/illustrator Harriet Muncaster and a totally unique heroine with an out-of-this-world family, this is a beautiful, charming, and funny series of first chapter books.

Perfect for fans of Claude, Dixie O'Day, and Squishy McFluff, Isadora Moon is the ideal choice for readers who want their magic and sparkle with a bit of bite!

We love this series, as it's not your usual 'girly' Fairy stuff, definitely for little girls who love their female characters with more tenacity and verve!

"Isadora Moon Puts on a Show" by Harriet Muncaster is out on 5th September, published by OUP. 

Finally, get ready for another rollicking round-rumped romp with a plump little pony!

Following on from "The Legend of Kevin" comes Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre's latest adventure for the rotund little hoss, in "Kevin's Great Escape".

Kevin is a roly-poly flying pony. He has everything he needs - a constant supply of biscuits (Custard creams please!) and his best friend, Max.

Misty Twiglet is a famous pop star. She has everything she needs except for a perfectly quirky, one-of-a-kind pet. The roly-poly flying pony kind. You can see where this is going, right?

When Kevin is kidnapped, Max and his sister daisy come to Kevin's rescue, and there's no way they're giving up on him without a fight.

Brilliantly funny storytelling with Sarah's absolutely peerless illustrations, this is a fab new adventure in the series. 

"Kevin's Great Escape" by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre is out on 5th September, published by OUP. 

(all books kindly supplied for review).