David Long and Stefano Tambellini are a tried and tested Barrington Stoke partnership and once again they serve up a brilliant and knowledge-rich historical read.

Between 793 and 1066 CE, a period during the Middle Ages, Norsemen knows as Vikings were at the forefront as they raided, colonised and conquered their way across Europe. Reaching as far afield as North America, Asia, Africa, Russia and the Middle East, this terrifying force changed history across the globe. At times brutal, they were also merchants, expert sailors and master craftsmen. They fished and farmed, taught their children practical skills and voted democratically to pass laws and settle disputes. Incredible adventurers and brave explorers, the Vikings would leave a lasting impression on the world…

Woof, woof! Willa and her furry BFF, albino Irish wolfhound Woof, are back for another fun-filled adventure together and this time they are facing their biggest challenge yet.

Summer has arrived in Hibiscus Gardens and everyone in Willa’s family is excited for Aunty Jane’s wedding. Woof has the special job of ring bearer and Willa has a fancy new dress to wear that looks a bit like a meringue. With summer comes bushfires and when a fire burns the wedding venue to the ground it looks like the big day is off and wedding bells won’t be sounding anytime soon. Willa is determined that Aunty Jane will get married as planned but will she and Woof be able to save the day…

Historical non-fiction is always interesting as it affords the opportunity to learn, understand and to imagine an event that we did not experienced firsthand. This moving and loving tribute to a brave grandfather transports readers back to 1915 and the beaches of Gallipoli where a ferocious war is playing out.

Life is grim for the ANZAC soldiers in the trenches of Gallipoli. After months of fighting, bodies are exhausted, hungry and falling foul of the Gallipoli gallop. With the fighting at an impasse, evacuation orders would send a seismic shockwave through the camp. For the evacuation to work, a series of plans needed to be executed to perfection. Whilst soldiers would slip away into the dark of the night, someone would need to stay behind. It would mean a certain death, it was a suicide mission. So who would be the last man out? Would it have been you?

I love reading Kate Foster’s books, she writes such heart-warming and empathy-filled stories that address real issues that many children (and adults) have to deal with. Her latest read is pitched at a younger audience than Paws and The Bravest Word (one of my favourite reads of last year) so even more children can enjoy her storytelling.

Eight-year-old Harriet Hound is obsessed with dogs. This is a good thing as she and her family run a rescue shelter for dogs. Harriet also has a very big secret…a birthday gift from her nana has given her the power to summon the exact dog needed in any situation. She and her canine companions have been very busy lately, saving humans, animals, insects, bicycles and even a toilet.

There are a plethora of brilliant stories set amongst the backdrop of World War II and Tony Bradman’s highly original read is another essential book for the classroom.

It has been over three long years since the war started and eleven-year-old Susan and her mum wish for the day when it would all be over. The constant doom and gloom, long hours at the factory, and constantly worrying about Susan’s dad who is fighting overseas are all taking their toll on mum.

Susan is determined to put a smile back on her mum’s face and she has hatched the perfect plan. She just needs to find a delicious banana, something that hasn’t been seen on the streets of London for who knows how long. Let Operation Banana commence…

Horse-loving Meg is back in the saddle aboard her trusty steed Merlin for a third outing in Tanya Landman’s and Sònia Albert’s horsey series. 

Meg is super excited to be spending a whole day with Merlin. Along with her new friend Sam Houseman and her horse Alfred, they have the perfect day of riding, exploring and picnicking planned. But after a wonderful day things start to go awry. Meg takes a wrong turn and when Merlin gets spooked he charges down the country lane heading straight towards the main road. With the pair heading for certain disaster can Meg get her horse back under control…

Little children often hear the phrase, ‘Soon, you’ll be big.’ But what does that mean exactly? The idea of being big has a young imagination running wild in Karen Blair’s sweet story of family and what it means to be the big sibling.

A little girl used to be small, in fact she still is quite small, but lately everyone is telling her that she’ll be a big girl soon. At first the prospect of being bigger is exciting; she’ll be able to climb faster, reach higher, jump further and be more helpful. But just how big will she become? Is there ever such a thing as too big? And why is everyone so obsessed with her becoming the big girl in the family…

The need to be aware of and carefully nurture the mental health of young children has never been more important. Step forward Mini & Milo, a delightful elephant and rabbit combo who are here to develop resilience, positivity and a growth mindset.

Lots of things are tiny in Mini the elephant’s life. She has a tiny bedroom, a tiny bed, a tiny dollhouse, and best of all, a tiny best friend named Milo who dreams of being magician. Mini also has a big secret…there’s a tiny voice in her head. Sometimes the voice is helpful, supportive and encouraging but at other times it can be mean, gets her into trouble, brings on self-doubts and whines all the time. When the voice in her head gets too much, she decides it has to go. Try as she might the voice will not go away. But maybe it doesn’t have to. Can Mini find a way to embrace the little voice in her head…

A magician will try to pull the wool over your eyes and have you believe you are seeing things you are not. There’s no pulling the wool over any eyes here though as I tell you that Justyn Edwards’ sequel to The Great Fox Illusion is spectacular. 

After being victorious in a televised magic contest, Flick Lions and her accomplice magician Charlie are in the Swiss town of Linth. Flick is hoping to find her father and that the Great Fox is true to his word. The Great Fox hopes to become the new chancellor of The Global Order of Magic. For them both to get what they want, Flick must pull off a seemingly impossible trick…steal a priceless necklace from the most secure bank vault in the world…

Inquisitive minds at the ready for this brilliant and thought-provoking extravaganza.

What can you tell from a picture? What assumptions do you make? Where does your imagination go? Can you tell what the boy is hiding behind his back? And what do the tortoise in a wheelchair and ostrich have to do with things? Which lady do you think robbed the bank? Why have you come to that choice? Speculate your heart away with these twenty questions and their endless possibilities…