This season's children's and young adult releases span picture books for the youngest readers through complex fantasy and psychological thrillers for teens, offering stories about blended families, imaginary play, classical mythology, small-town secrets and dark conspiracies.
Picture Books for the Very Young
Sarah Massini's illustrated tale features a tiger whose irritation at discovering three human cubs climbing on his back gradually transforms into affection as the youngsters refuse to be intimidated. The narrative unfolds as a sweet, classic-feeling fable elevated by tender, expressive artwork.
Circle Yuen explores the emotional complexity of family change through Ruby's perspective as her mother prepares to marry. The picture book thoughtfully examines how the child navigates mixed feelings about the upcoming wedding and her relationship with her father Daniel, rendered in gorgeous, nuanced illustrations.
Scott Rothman and Tom Tinn-Dinsbury collaborate on a story where an older brother struggles to accept that his younger sibling genuinely believes he has become a squirrel, complete with nut-gathering and tree-leaping behaviour. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when a hawk enters the scenario, creating a funny, acutely observed exploration of sibling dynamics and the boundaries of imaginative play.
Shingo Nagasaki's Japanese narrative, translated by Lisa Wilcut, presents an urgent crisis when the Squirrels' treehouse begins to collapse. The Moles arrive with construction equipment to rebuild the structure in this hugely engaging story designed for four-year-olds and older, particularly appealing to children fascinated by vehicles and machinery.
Middle-Grade Fiction and Graphic Novels
Sally Nicholls and John Broadley reimagine the Bluebeard fairy tale with a subversive twist. A charismatic, wealthy Devil arrives in town seeking an obedient wife, setting his sights on one of a widow's three daughters. The elegant retelling, illustrated with intricate pen and ink artwork, captivates readers aged seven and above as well as older children.
Phil Corbett's graphic novel follows Ghost, who awakens in a haunted mansion with no memory of arrival, only to discover an unlikely companion in Toast—a sentient slice of browned bread with a cheerful disposition. Surreal humour permeates the story as the odd pair work to defeat the villainous Croissant, creating a daft, delicious adventure for seven-year-olds and up.
Danny Wallace and Tor Freeman present eight-year-old Henry Tudor as supremely confident in his own abilities, constantly making rude and obnoxious demands. When a mysterious challenger emerges, Henry must confront the possibility that he might not excel at everything, leading to a highly illustrated, laugh-filled diary that subversively plays with historical elements for readers aged seven and above.
Jessica Wilson and Sophie Bass weave together storytelling traditions from West Africa and the Caribbean in a lush, joyful collection for eight-year-olds and older. Tales range from the trickster figure Anansi to the Jamaican rivermaid, with each story accompanied by enticing details about food, culture and landscape. Bass's boldly coloured, swirling illustrations enhance Wilson's ornate prose.
Jack Mackay's debut horror novel follows Peter as he makes a disturbing discovery in his uncle's sinister mansion, prompting him to question whether the old legends hold truth. The central mystery involves Old Splinter's mysterious Wishing Claw and whether it can grant wishes—and at what price. This superlatively creepy reimagining of The Monkey's Paw appeals to eight-year-olds and marks the emergence of a brilliant new horror writer.
AM Dassu and Mia Saine collaborate on an informative and timely book produced in partnership with Show Racism the Red Card. The straightforward volume provides a comprehensive understanding of racism and its consequences, examining systemic inequality, the formation of beliefs and strategies for challenging racism in all its manifestations. The resource serves as essential classroom material for readers aged eight and above.
Young Adult Fantasy and Thrillers
Katherine Rundell returns to the world of Glimourie with a new adventure in which Christopher and Anya must complete a series of desperate tasks after a dear friend is kidnapped from the Glimt Midsummer Feast. According to NPR, Rundell is the author of the Impossible Creatures series, and this fantasy follow-up is layered with powerful themes of conservation, love, sacrifice and hope for readers aged nine and above. The narrative balances humour and violence while drawing richly on classical mythology.
Holly Bourne's psychological thriller is set in the seemingly perfect small town of Maple Lakes, where the facade shatters when cheerleader Abigail begins screaming during an exam. As more girls experience similar episodes, student journalists Clover and Brody investigate, uncovering the sad, terrible secrets concealed beneath the town's tranquil surface. Bourne's fiercely feminist narrative proves gripping and emotionally resonant for her devoted YA audience.
Beck Kubrick's blackly comic graphic novel opens with the discovery of five murdered teenage girls in Clossdale, with suspicion immediately falling on 17-year-old Ash, whose mother is the notorious serial killer known as "Evil Evelyn". Determined to prove her innocence, Ash devises a plan to halt the killings while working alongside her foster sister and best friend. The investigation uncovers a dark conspiracy spanning generations of power, making this splendidly camp narrative essential reading for YA slasher-film enthusiasts.
Alan Carrigan's debut young adult novel centres on 17-year-old Sam, who has cerebral palsy and seeks greater autonomy over his own life. When an inaccessible bus prevents him from attending a school trip, Sam launches a campaign for change, discovering that the effort pushes him beyond his comfort zone and forces him to confront his own internalised ableism. The narrative becomes a humorous yet sometimes painful exploration of what happiness might mean for him in the present rather than in an imagined distant future.
Ann Sei Lin's dark fantasy draws on Chinese mythology to tell the story of Kasu, a mortal who sold her soul to a demon and now works in a lower-world gambling den, exchanging ghosts' treasures for gambling tiles. She lives virtuously in hopes of eventual reincarnation, but when Arun, a mortal prince, arrives in the underworld searching for his mother, Kasu finds herself drawn into his quest despite her initial reluctance. The lush, delectable narrative explores themes of sacrifice and redemption for readers aged 14 and above.
What's Coming Next
According to publishing records, Rundell has another new release scheduled for October 2026, indicating that her output continues at a prolific pace following this Glimourie sequel.
Key Facts
- This roundup represents part of an ongoing monthly series of children's book selections, providing regular curated recommendations for families and educators
- Titles span ages four through 16, covering picture books, middle-grade fiction, graphic novels and young adult literature
- Several releases offer fresh perspectives on classic narratives, including reimaginings of Bluebeard and The Monkey's Paw
- Themes include disability representation, anti-racism education, mythology, family dynamics and psychological suspense
- Multiple titles feature illustrated or graphic novel formats, appealing to visual learners and reluctant readers
