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

**Interview with Imogen Russell Williams on Exciting New Children’s Books**

Imogen Russell Williams: “I’m thrilled to share an exciting lineup of new children’s books that explore a range of captivating themes. Let’s dive in!”

**Interviewer:** Can you tell us about “Mini Touch: Nature – Touch-and-Feel First Colours”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** Absolutely! This charming board book is by Rhiannon Findlay and Mini Magique Studio, priced at £6.99. It’s designed for infants and parents alike, featuring delightful textures and simple rhymes that make it a favorite among young readers.

**Interviewer:** What about “My Bright Shining Star”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** “My Bright Shining Star” is authored by Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread along with Rhian Wright and is available for £7.99. It’s a beautifully crafted picture book that tells the poignant story of young Fatima, who deals with feelings of abandonment when friends leave her children’s home. Her “bright shining star,” Aunty Rae, ensures she feels loved and secure, drawing from Whitbread’s own experiences growing up in care.

**Interviewer:** There’s also “The Café at the Edge of the Woods,” which sounds intriguing.

**Imogen Russell Williams:** Yes! Written by Mikey Please and priced at $12.99, this whimsical tale introduces Rene and her dream café near an enchanted forest. Glumfoot, the resourceful waiter, must convince Rene to change her menu to attract unusual ogre customers. Mikey, a Bafta-winning animator, delivers a wonderfully intricate and delightfully grotesque rhyming picture book that children will adore.

**Interviewer:** I hear “The Remarkables” is quite unique as well.

**Imogen Russell Williams:** Definitely! “The Remarkables” by Clotilde Perrin is an oversized, vibrant catalogue priced at £17.99, featuring children marked by their peculiarities—like a child made of cupcakes and a thunder child. This witty collection is illustrated vividly and is bound to inspire lively discussions among young readers as they recognize similarities with their peers.

**Interviewer:** And what can you tell us about the magical adventure in “The Shop-Witch’s Quest”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** Aisha Bushby and Patri de Pedro bring us this engaging read at £7.99, where shop-witch Laurel finds herself embarking on a thrilling adventure when a young hero seeks her help for a time-sensitive quest. It’s perfect for kids ages 6 and up.

**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on “Into the Volcano”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** “Into the Volcano,” written by Catherine Ard and Wenjia Tang, is priced at £14.99. It combines an accessible introduction to volcanoes with mythology, designed for aspiring volcanologists ages 7 and above. It’s colorful and enticing!

**Interviewer:** What about “Fia and the Last Snow Deer”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** This evocative verse novel by Eilish Fisher and Dermot Flynn is priced at £14.99 and transports readers to a prehistoric Irish village in an eternal winter. Thirteen-year-old Fia faces an ancient prophecy that threatens her bond with her beloved snow deer, Solas. It’s a journey filled with wonder and heartbreak for readers aged 9 and up.

**Interviewer:** Can you recommend something humorous?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** James Fox’s “The Boy in the Suit” fits the bill—priced at £7.99, it tells a poignant yet humorous story of ten-year-old Solo, who feels out of place, especially during funerals with his mother. His journey toward friendship and belonging makes for a relatable read.

**Interviewer:** What can readers expect in “Sword of the Sun”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** In “Sword of the Sun” by Sinéad O’Hart, priced at £7.99, brothers Ben and Fin are uprooted from their Dublin life to their mother’s rural hometown. They confront family histories entwined with Celtic mythology in this eerie adventure perfect for ages 9 and up.

**Interviewer:** How about poetry for teenagers?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** “Tomorrow We Begin” by Matt Goodfellow is a warm, humorous poetry collection priced at £7.99, capturing the ups and downs of teenage life—from the first days of secondary school to the stirring moments of young love.

**Interviewer:** For young adult readers, what stands out?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** “Within the Heart of Wicked Creatures” by Rima Orie, translated by Laura Watkinson, priced at £8.99, follows Priya, a girl with a dangerous power to control others’ wills. As she navigates an elite military academy, she learns her “curse” is highly sought after, all set against a backdrop of war.

**Interviewer:** That sounds intriguing! And what about “Sisters of the Moon”?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** In this story by Marie-Louise Fitzgerald, priced at £8.99, grieving Suzy Button longs for change, and her new friend Rhiannon brings unexpected magic into her life. It’s a touching tale about friendship and healing with ethereal storytelling.

**Interviewer:** Lastly, tell us about “Gentlest of Wild Things.”

**Imogen Russell Williams:** “Gentlest of Wild Things,” by Sarah Underwood, is priced at £14.99 and follows twin sisters Eirene and Phoebe on the enchanting island of Zakynthos. They navigate themes of love, sacrifice, and daunting tasks from a powerful suitor, creating a beautifully reimagined classic tale of Cupid and Psyche with a Sapphic twist.

**Interviewer:** Where can readers order these titles?

**Imogen Russell Williams:** Anyone interested in ordering these captivating reads at special prices can simply click on the titles or visit guardianbookshop.com, keeping in mind that delivery charges may apply.

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