This month’s new releases are packed full of some of the biggest authors kidlit has to offer – Shaun Tan, Rick Riordan, Mem Fox to name a few – as well as some great events. Here are the highlights.

A new picture book from Mem Fox and Judy Horacek

Mem Fox and Judy Horacek are a children’s picture book dream team: Where Is the Green Sheep is probably the most memorised book by all visitors under the age of five to our store, which means that when there’s a new picture book out by this author/illustrator team, it’s really something to celebrate. This & That is an adventure tale of kings and queens, crazy giraffes, and a chimp with a magic hat.

For an extra special treat, come along to a special story time at Readings Hawthorn on Wednesday 28 October to hear Fox and Horacek read from their book.

Reluctantly reading?

Do you know somebody who would rather do anything but read? There are two books this month that are sure to make a believer out of even the most reluctant of readers.

Superstar author Rick Riordan of Percy Jackson fame has a brand new series, this time diving into the world of Viking mythology. In The Sword of Summer, Magnus Chase is contacted by an uncle he never knew he had, and discovers he’s the son of a Norse god. As if that’s not enough to get his head around, the gods are preparing for war and Magnus is stuck in the middle. Our St Kilda children’s specialist Isobel Moore gave the new book her blessing. In her review she writes: “The fast-paced plot is supported by an immensely relatable emotional through-line and humour aplenty.“

The other book that promises to make a bookworm out of any 9 to 12-year-old is the new David Walliams. The taller half of the Little Britain comedy duo is quickly becoming a successor to Roald Dahl, and the hilarious new Grandpa’s Great Escape will really tickle the funnybones of readers as they follow Jack and his ex-Spitfire pilot grandfather.

Christmas wishes

It might be a little early to break out the C word (i.e. Christmas), but What Do You Wish For? is so lovely we don’t think you’ll mind our premature holiday cheer. Ruby’s friends are preparing for Christmas by writing their wishlists: Tom wants a basketball, Cassie would like to find a lost cat, and Jack wants his Lego to come alive. But Ruby doesn’t quite know how to put her wish into words. This is such a magical book and deserves to be read on a big comfy couch with the whole family gathered around.

If you’d like your very own copy signed by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker, come along to their book launch at Readings Hawthorn on Sunday 11 October.

Beautiful books for kids of all ages

Two stunning books that are turning heads in store are Shaun Tan’s Singing Bones and Brian Selznick’s The Marvels. Both are works of art in book form – Tan brings to life tales from the Brothers Grimm with a series of sculptures, and Selznick has created another dual narrative in the style of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, one part written, one part illustrated.

Sometimes it’s hard not to judge books by their covers when they’re as beautiful as these!

Holly Harper