10 brilliant new children's books to get kids reading this autumn

Age 8 plus:

The Neverland Thieves by Katie and Kevin Tsang - buy now

Take the second star to the right and carry straight on to Neverland for a daring, dazzling and delightful Peter Pan spin-off adventure from award-winning husband and wife authors Katie and Kevin Tsang. Published in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital charity – to whom JM Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan in 1929 – this thrilling tale of friendship, belief and magic brings an extra sprinkling of fairy dust to the wonderful world of Neverland.

Tom Skywood has been a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital for nearly three months and he still doesn’t know how long his treatment will last. He finds it difficult to take an interest in anything but when his best friend, Felix, comes to visit, exciting and mysterious things start to happen. Gold dust suddenly appears, music plays and the stone creatures in the chapel magically come to life. Soon Tom, Felix and their new friend Daisy, the doctor’s daughter, are flown to the magical world of Neverland. Adventures lie ahead with mermaids, pirates and the Lost Boys and Lost Girls. But trouble is afoot in this magical place and soon the three friends find themselves blamed for a series of thefts. To clear their names, they are going to have to take on the villainous Beekeeper or be branded as the Neverland Thieves forever… it’s time to take back the magic!

Tingling with magic and wonder, The Neverland Thieves features familiar favourites from Barrie’s original Peter Pan story as well as a new cast of Lost Boys and Lost Girls, new mermaids, new fairies, Captain Hook’s granddaughter... and some dragons, of course! With hope and heart threaded through every page of this glorious adventure, it’s good to know that the book’s royalties will help the hospital charity fund groundbreaking research, medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities, and support services for seriously ill children and their families. Publishers Simon & Schuster are also making a donation to the charity for every print copy of the book sold in the UK.

(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 12 plus:

Marvel: Agatha Harkness: Fall of the Coven by Sara Shepherd - buy now

When Agatha Harkness finds herself yanked out of her mysterious past and plopped in a modern-day high school, the race is on to find the key to saving her coven… all while discovering first love and battling an ancient foe! Sara Shepherd, bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars, returns with a new story featuring the Marvel witch Agatha Harkness as seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV show Agatha All Along.

Agatha is a powerful witch stuck living amongst an untalented group of witches in 1690s Salem, Massachusetts. But that’s OK because the dreary coven meetings and fake herbal potions will all be worth it once she finally gets her hands on one of the most magical artefacts in existence… the Darkhold, a book of extraordinary power. But just as it’s within her grasp, disaster strikes the coven! Agatha is about to reluctantly save the day when she is rebuffed by the nosy, stuck-up Martha. Now, thanks to the interference, Martha, Agatha and the Darkhold have been unceremoniously dropped in one of the most terrifying locations a witch has ever encountered… a modern-day high school. Armed with just her smarts and her spells, Agatha embarks on a quest to recover the Darkhold and an incognito Martha. Along the way, she encounters a meddlesome crow, a potential first crush, and a new coven. She almost starts to feel like she has found her home… until Martha returns from the shadows and this time with dire consequences. Packed with powerful witchcraft, deadly rivalries and young love, this is the perfect read for fans of dark tales with an irresistible romantic twist.

(Studio Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus:

The Hexton Chronicles: The Trouble with Magic by Amy Wilson and Eric Deschamps - buy now

‘Magic is the tiny seed deep inside everyone… but it doesn’t always grow into something good.’ Prepare to be spellbound by the first book of a rich and evocative magical fantasy series from Carnegie-nominated author Amy Wilson. Brought to rich and vibrant life by Eric Deschamps’ black and white illustrations, this is a dazzling evocation of an enthralling other-world, full of storytelling perfection in all its rich and atmospheric drama.

When Fray’s hidden magic is revealed, he is forced back to Hexton… the magical town from which his family were banished because his parents committed an unspeakable betrayal. With no one to trust and nowhere to turn, Fray must face people who see his very name as a curse, others who believe he might be the solution they’ve been searching for, and those desperate to get their hands on his mysterious Croxometer – one of the most powerful magical objects to ever exist which was left by his grumpy grandfather Old Skeg. And with the very essence of Hexton in danger, can Fray – who has a whole load of magic in his veins – live up to his legacy while also finding the place where he belongs? Wilson’s imagination moves into overdrive, sweeping us away to a world of spine-tingling magic, menace and self-discovery as Fray battles to uncover past secrets and step out of the shadows and into the light. A magical adventure with the power to thrill!

(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

The Animal Queendom: A Celebration of Nature's Fearless Females by Catherine Blackledge and Kasia Bogdańska - buy now

Welcome to the animal queendom, home to the world’s most amazing wildlife! Fact-checked and written by non-fiction author and former science journalist Catherine Blackledge, with advice from the University of Cambridge, this magnificent book celebrates the incredible members of the queendom – female animals that deserve their turn in the scientific spotlight after being overlooked or underestimated. From murderous mammals and record-breaking birds to spectacular snakes and self-cloning insects, readers can enjoy unearthing something new about a familiar species or be totally surprised by an animal they have never heard of! Explore thirty-seven spreads that break through stereotypes, spotlight biodiversity and encourage children to see the wonder of all kinds of female creatures. With Blackledge’s fascinating, accessible text, Polish illustrator Kasia Bogdańska’s amazingly detailed full-colour artwork on every page, a glossary and index to help animal enthusiasts navigate the book and expand their vocabulary, and a stunning tactile cover, this impressive and inspiring gift book allows youngsters to discover for themselves the incredible female wildlife that helps shape our planet.

(Nosy Crow, hardback, £16.99)

Age 8 plus:

Cinnamon Crumb, Baking Detective: The Great Cake Caper by Harry Woodgate - buy now

Award-winning author and illustrator Harry Woodgate whips up a storm of secrets and sabotage in the first ‘course’ of a simply delicious new detective series which puts baking mysteries at the heart of the reading menu. With a list of ingredients that includes three charismatic friends, large helpings of magic, a liberal sprinkling of fun, and Woodgate’s brilliantly detailed black and white illustrations on almost every page, this is the tastiest crime romp you will find this autumn.

Meet Cinnamon Crumb. In the town of Marzipan, home to bakers of near-magical talent, Cinnamon burns toast. Yes, she’s definitely not a baker… but she IS about to become a baking detective because all is not sweet between Marzipan’s two rival superstar bakers, Victoria Sponge and Madeleine Macaron. They will stop at nothing to win the coveted Twelve Tier Crown at the Great Cake Carnival… even sabotage is not off the menu. So when Victoria sets Cinnamon a mission to spy on Maddie, Cinnamon reluctantly agrees. But when Maddie asks Cinnamon to spy on Victoria too... well, Cinnamon is in a situation stickier than sticky toffee pudding.

Youngsters will love getting their teeth into this irresistibly entertaining mystery which dishes up fast-paced adventures and a truly delicious cast of vibrant characters, proving that double agents and lashings of double cream really do make for a perfectly baked new series!

(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus:

Secrets of the Museum: Solar System by Joalda Morancy and Kelsey Oseid - buy now

Hello, all young explorers, look up at the night sky and find the amazing planets just waiting to be explored… and prepare to be surprised! Secrets of the Museum: Solar System is part of a collectable non-fiction series for younger readers from the team behind the lavishly illustrated and fact-packed Welcome to the Museum books which enable children to enjoy the experience of a museum from the comfort of home.

In this epic adventure, written by Joalda Morancy and illustrated by Kelsey Oseid, we blast off through the solar system and meet up with fiery planets and icy moons, and uncover jaw-dropping facts and dazzling secrets about space. With a curious curator as guide, readers explore a one-of-a-kind exhibition, discovering all eight planets and learning how they are formed, visiting tiny but mighty moons, zooming past sparkling comets and peeking into the mysterious asteroid belt. And what an unforgettable journey it is, brimming with real scientific insights from an aerospace engineer, amazing discoveries and some fun surprises. And along the way, keep your eyes peeled for clues and questions hidden throughout the pages… solve them all to reveal a mystery message at the end! With Oseid’s out-of-this-world illustrations, mind-blowing facts and interactive challenges, Secrets of the Museum: The Solar System turns learning into an exciting space mission. So if you’re brave enough to unlock the secrets of our universe, climb aboard and let’s go!

Also in this exciting and informative series is Secrets of the Museum: Predators, which sees young readers trekking through the rainforest, braving the desert heat and swimming to the depths of the ocean to discover the world’s most captivating predators! From the cryptic turtle that vacuums up its prey to the cutest (and deadliest) species of wild cat that catches its victims in mid-air, the predators that inhabit our world spring some unexpected surprises. Discover the predators that stalk, swim and swoop across different habitats on Earth. With real scientific insights from wildlife ecologist Tyus D.Williams and Hannah Bailey’s rich and colourful illustrations, this is wildlife in all its glories. And don’t forget to spot the clues and questions hidden throughout the pages so that you can reveal a mystery message at the end!

(Big Picture Press, hardback, £14.99 each)

Age 6 plus:

Star Kitties: Forest Kitty and the Monster Surprise! by Laura Ellen Anderson - buy now

Return to the magical world where stars are grown and forever friends are made in the second book of a cute and cuddly two-colour, highly-illustrated young fiction series from best-selling author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson. Stars of the show are the lovable, magical Star Kitties, the cutest cats ever, and they get up to all sorts of fun adventures and mischief in Whiskery Paw with their best human friend Tabitha Flair. Tabitha just loves exploring the magical Mew Forest with Flora the Forest Kitty. But today strange things are happening in the woods… the starflowers are being squashed, something has been pouncing on passers-by, and precious plants are being plundered! Is a creepy creature lurking in Whiskery Paw? It’s up to Tabitha and Flora to set a trap to catch the mystery monster… but they are in for a very cute surprise! With each book strikingly illustrated, the Star Kitties series is just purrfect for cat lovers and readers looking for a first chapter book filled with adventure, friendship and feline antics. Get ready to join in the furry fun!

(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus:

Little Minotaur by Gaia Alessi - buy now

Imagine if we knew the infamous Minotaur from Greek mythology as a boy instead of a monster? Welcome to Little Minotaur, a stunning picture book retelling of the half-man, half-beast Minotaur legend by Gaia Alessi, an author and illustrator whose artwork aims to offer an unexpected outlook on the world. And this dazzling tale about finding your voice, belonging, bravery and family is certain to catch the imagination of any child who has ever felt they are ‘different.’

The popular Greek myth is the brutal tale of a half-man, half-beast trapped in a maze underneath the palace on the island of Crete in ancient Greece. But this story is not about a monster. Instead, it focuses on the Minotaur as a boy… a little minotaur named Asterion. This minotaur is a gentle child who is happy amongst the birds and out in nature. With his bull head, he struggles to speak but is supported always by the love of his sister, Ariadne, and his mother, Queen Pasiphaë. He can communicate in his own particular way and find the right word when he needs to. But as Asterion grows bigger and taller, and rumours on Crete begin to swirl around him about what he is and what he can do, he must fight against prejudice and shame to find his place in the world. And he will learn that he is not a terrifying beast at all but a misunderstood boy called Asterion, deserving of love. And maybe he can rewrite his own ending… Alessi’s vivid and colourful illustrations put light and life into the minotaur’s tumultuous journey to find a place he can truly call home and kin he can call his own. A beautiful retelling full of heart and compassion.

(Walker Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 4 plus:

The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours by Chloe Savage - buy now

Journey into deep space and discover a new alien race in this exciting picture book story from Chloe Savage, winner of the 2024 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Best Illustrated Book. Perfectly created for aspiring astronauts and those who dare to explore the far reaches of the solar system, this space odyssey offers science with a magical twist. So strap yourself in and race across the cosmos with Commander Julia, her team of astro-scientists and her trusty dog, Khan, as they search for life in the stars. Travelling for ten years in their packed spaceship, they visit countless moons and planets of every size and colour, searching for the answer to the greatest question of all… are we alone? Just as they’re about to give up, Khan leads them to an incredible discovery… the existence of a (friendly!) alien race. Getting to know this welcoming species calls into question everything these space explorers have ever known about what to do next, who they are, and what it means to have a home. The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours is part of the excellent Hidden Wonders series for children featuring award-winning picture book adventures where science meets myth and magic, making STEM topics accessible to all children.

(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus:

Grizzly by Hervé Le Goff - buy now

Is swimming too wet, a nap too boring, and are blackberries too prickly? Find out as we follow Grizzly the bear who doesn’t feel like doing anything in a humorous and heartwarming picture book from French author and illustrator Hervé Le Goff. It's the perfect day for a stroll, thinks Raccoon, but this morning, his best friend Grizzly who is finding everything too much… well, grrr, except for grumbling! Youngsters will love joining in the fun as the exuberant racoon and his grumbly best friend spend a day in nature, going swimming, eating berries, napping in the shade and, best of all, complaining! Grizzly might growl and grumble at everything Racoon suggests but, in the end, there’s nothing he loves more than spending time with his best friend. Packed with comedy and Le Goff’s adorably bold and endearing illustrations, this relatable tale of grumpiness is sure to put a smile on even the grouchiest of little ones!

(Post Wave Children’s books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus:

BANG! by Sam Usher - buy now

‘When I woke up this morning, I was excited… it was egg, chips and peas for lunch.’ Join a little boy and his Grandad on a thrilling expedition to return a dragon egg to its nest in BANG! the final book of author and illustrator Sam Usher’s Adventures with Grandad Transport Quartet, starring his much-loved Boy and Grandad double act. In their new wild and wonderful adventure, Boy and Grandad are busy in the garden collecting the eggs, picking the peas and digging up potatoes for their special lunch when they accidentally dig up a dragon’s egg. It’s going to be a dangerous mission… can they brave a bubbling pool of lava, spiky stalagmites and deep, dark caves to return it to its nest in one piece? Fortunately, Boy has just the plan to get it there… Once again, Boy and Grandad’s skills are put to the test as the pair recycle and reuse everyday items to create incredible inventions and ingenious new forms of transport.

Usher’s warm-hearted, original and inspirational stories celebrate the special bond between children and their grandparents, and the power of imagination and invention. With themes of creativity, resourcefulness and shared adventures, and some subtle science facts, Usher’s quirky and charming story is complemented by a palette of gloriously funny watercolour illustrations which add extra character and texture to the enchanting and life-affirming adventure.

(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Robber Rabbi by Lucy Rowland and Alessandro Montagnana

Meet a rabbit who simply WON’T share! Learning to share is one of life’s earliest social lessons so introduce your tiny tots to this cute and cautionary tale from award-winning author Lucy Rowland and illustrator Alessandro Montagnana about a Rabbit who turns robber and discovers that being kind and considerate is much more fun. When all the forest food gets blown next to Rabbit’s tree, he takes it all for himself and protects it at all costs… after all, it fell by his tree! And he even builds a tall wall to protect it. But then the other animals start to go hungry, and Rabbit begins to wonder if he did the right thing. After all, if you’re able... you don’t build tall walls, but a much longer table. Rowland’s delightfully funny and heartwarming rhyming picture book story is perfect to read aloud with little ones while Montagnana’s stunning illustrations bring Rabbit and the woodland creatures to life in a glorious autumnal palette of colours. With important messages about the rewards of sharing and a fabulous fold-out finale to enjoy, this is the ideal book for home, nursery and school.

(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

No Way! I'll Stay! by Donna David and Dao Linh

Seasons come and go… and sometimes it’s hard to accept that change is inevitable. Little ones will love laughing along with a stubborn little bird who refuses to migrate in an adorably imagined picture book from ‘seasoned’ author Donna David and debut-picture book illustrator Dao Linh. When the trees of Farley Forest turn red and golden, the animals know that it’s time to prepare for the colder months. Bear eat lots of food to be ready for the big, winter sleep, Fox grows a longer, thicker coat, and Bird gets ready to leave. But what’s this? ‘No way!’ says Bird. ‘I will do no such thing. I'll stay right here!’ Bird is quite stuck in his ways and so might need a bit of convincing to leave his home. Can Bear show Bird that he should embrace the change that the new season brings? David’s story is packed full of cheeky fun, important messages about being brave and embracing change, and fascinating facts about migration, all brought to life by Linh’s bold and colourful illustrations. The perfect pre-school package for talking about change…

(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

The Home That Beaver Built by Christine Pym - buy now

Sharing isn’t always easy for a little beaver who wants a home ALL to herself! Youngsters will adore author and illustrator Christine Pym’s gorgeously illustrated picture book starring a reluctant beaver learning to share. When Beaver builds a new home, it’s perfect. It’s calm, quiet, and best of all… it’s just for her. She doesn’t have to share a thing! But soon a chatty Frog decides Beaver’s dam is the perfect home for HIM too… and then an otter, and some geese. As more and more animals join the dam, can Beaver find a way to welcome them, or will she and the dam finally… BURST? With themes of learning to accept others, this is the perfect story for little ones who are struggling to share, and learn that beavers’ dams create vital habitats for many animals. Once built, other animals move into the dam, just like the story! With adorable illustrations and awash in vital life lessons, this an ideal picture book for home, nursery and school.

(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)