Nicholas Allan is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than thirty children’s books, including the much-loved The Queen’s Knickers, Father Christmas Needs a Wee, Jesus’ Christmas Party, The Giant’s Loo Roll and The King’s Pants. His funny, inventive picture books have been translated into twenty languages, won numerous awards and inspired stage productions, including West End musicals.

Nicholas also created Hilltop Hospital, which was adapted into a BAFTA-winning animated television series shown around the world. Nicholas studied painting at the Slade School of Art and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia before becoming a full-time writer and illustrator. He is also Patron of the Isle of Wight Children’s Literary Festival and continues to delight young readers with his wonderfully mischievous take on familiar stories and characters. 

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FATHER CHRISTMAS GOES TO THE NATIVITY 

It’s the very first Christmas Eve – and Father Christmas is ready to go. There’s just one problem… he’s far too early!

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Father Christmas has a very important present to deliver to a very special baby. But Baby Jesus hasn’t been born yet, the star hasn’t appeared, and the Shepherds and Wise Men haven’t even begun their journeys. While an increasingly impatient Santa is raring to set off, the Angels must find a way to stop him arriving at the Nativity before everyone else!

Full of Nicholas Allan’s trademark warmth and humour, Father Christmas Goes to the Nativity  brings together two much-loved Christmas traditions in a wonderfully playful retelling of the Nativity story.

A perfect festive read for younger children and a welcome return to the world of Jesus’ Christmas Party and Father Christmas Needs a Wee. 

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Publishes on the 8th October 2026. 

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www.nicholasallan.co.uk

James Anthony is an award-winning, multi-genre author from London whose writing combines sharp observation, humour and a distinctly irreverent style.

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He is best known for retelling all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets in modern verse, published by Penguin Random House in 2018 and described by Stephen Fry as “a dazzling success”. He continues to rework Shakespeare’s greatest plays through his popular Shakespeare Retold series. 

James is also an acclaimed travel writer. His Slow Road books follow his journeys through lesser-known places and communities, earning him comparisons with Bill Bryson. When he isn’t writing, James also performs internationally as a solo tribute to English singer-songwriter Billy Bragg.

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THE SLOW ROAD TO DEADHORSE

Burnt out from running his own business, James Anthony sets off from Key West, Florida, with one destination in mind: Deadhorse, Alaska, on the edge of the Arctic Ocean.

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Avoiding the obvious tourist routes, James travels the backroads of North America, meeting the people and discovering the places, histories and stories that are often overlooked.

Along the way, he is serenaded in an African-American church, goes peanut farming in Georgia, crosses the Mississippi with moonshine-drinking locals, survives a haunting in Saskatchewan and narrowly avoids being flattened by a buffalo. Funny, thoughtful and full of unexpected encounters, The Slow Road to Deadhorse is a warm and unconventional journey through a side of North America that most travellers never see.

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www.james-anthony.com

P.G. Bell is a native of South Wales, where he was raised on a diet of Greek mythology, ghost stories and Doctor Who. Peter's had all sorts of jobs over the years, from lifeguard to roller-coaster operator, but has always wanted to write stories. He lives in Wales with his wife Anna and their two children. 

The Train to Impossible Places, P.G.'s debut series, has enjoyed widespread success, including shortlistings for the Branford Boase Award, the Crimefest Awards and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

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www.pgbellwriter.com

Francis “Franny” Benali MBE is a former professional footballer, Southampton FC legend, charity endurance athlete and motivational speaker.

Known for his fierce determination and wholehearted style of play, Francis spent the vast majority of his playing career with Southampton, making 389 appearances for the club and becoming a firm favourite with Saints supporters. Since retiring from professional football, Francis has channelled the same determination into a series of extraordinary endurance challenges for Cancer Research UK. His feats have included running more than 1,000 miles between every Premier League ground, running and cycling to all 44 Premier League and Championship clubs, and attempting seven Ironman-distance triathlons in seven days. Together, his challenges have raised more than £1 million for charity.  Francis was awarded an MBE in 2020 in recognition of his charitable work and services to football and the Southampton community. 
 
FRANCIS BENALI: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY
From the uncompromising tackles of top-flight football to pushing his body to its absolute limits for charity, Francis Benali: The Autobiography tells the remarkable story of one of Southampton Football Club’s most loved players. Francis looks back on his journey from a football-mad youngster in Southampton to a career spanning nearly 400 appearances for his boyhood club, sharing stories of the players, managers, matches, triumphs and setbacks that shaped his life in professional football. But his story did not end when he left the pitch. Searching for a new challenge, Francis turned to endurance sport, taking on a series of gruelling running, cycling and Ironman challenges that would ultimately raise more than £1 million for Cancer Research UK.
 
Written with sports journalist Matt Barlow, Francis Benali: The Autobiography is an inspiring story of determination, resilience and refusing to give up – on the football pitch and far beyond it. The book was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2022. 

www.francisbenali.com

Nicholas Bowling is a critically acclaimed children’s author whose stories blend history, mystery and the strange and unexpected.

His novels for young readers include Witchborn, In the Shadow of Heroes, Song of the Far Isles and The Undying of Obedience Wellrest. In the Shadow of Heroes was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award.  Nicholas studied English and Classics at Oxford University and spent ten years teaching Latin and Classical Civilisation before becoming a bookseller. He also writes fiction for adults under the name Nick Newman. Now living in London, Nicholas enjoys climbing mountains, swimming in very cold water and, unsurprisingly, spending a lot of time surrounded by books. 

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THE UNDYING OF OBEDIENCE WELLREST

A dark and deliciously Gothic mystery where magic, science and death collide.

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Young gravedigger Ned has discovered something disturbing: bodysnatchers have been creeping into his churchyard under cover of darkness. Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Obedience Wellrest has problems of her own. Her overbearing father is determined to marry her off to wealthy man of science Phineas Mordaunt. But when Mordaunt begins investigating the mysterious research of Obedience’s late Uncle Herbert, long-buried family secrets begin to surface. Soon Obedience finds herself caught in a dangerous game with Death itself – and Ned may be the only person who can save her. Atmospheric, eerie and full of mystery, The Undying of Obedience Wellrest is a gripping Gothic adventure exploring science, magic, mortality and just how far people will go to defeat death. Perfect for readers aged 13+. 

Lil Chase is an author with 6 books written under her own name and countless others under various pseudonyms. She’s created everything from lift-the-flap board books, hilarious teenage dramas, to the whole history of human existence in just 48 pages. Her first book - Boys For Beginners - started its life as a novel, written in pencil, complete with drawings, when Lil was just 11. Lil lives in London with her family and their dog, Dougal.

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www.lilchase.com

175 years ago, Charles Dickens and his family spent three summer months on the Isle of Wight. While here, he was writing chapters of David Copperfield - his most autobiographical of novels. 

Ian Charles Dickens is a great-great grandson (and an Island resident) and has been bringing his illustrated talk on the rags to riches tale of Dickens’s life, to numerous Primary school classes across this anniversary year. 

Maz Evans is a bestselling, award-winning author and the creator of the hugely popular Who Let the Gods Out?, Vi Spy and Scarlett Fife series for children.

Her books have travelled to 24 countries and received more than 50 award nominations, including the Carnegie Medal, the Branford Boase Award, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Books Are My Bag Awards. As Maz herself points out, she hardly won any of them. Known for her brilliantly funny live events, Maz has appeared at festivals including Hay, Edinburgh, Bath and Cheltenham and loves inspiring children to read, write and embrace the glorious chaos of storytelling. She believes passionately in the power of words, the importance of stories and, above all, the necessity of kindness.

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WHO LET THE GODS OUT?

When Elliot wishes upon a star, he definitely isn’t expecting a constellation called Virgo to crash into a dungheap on his family farm.

Unfortunately, that is only the beginning. Before long, Elliot and Virgo accidentally release Thanatos, the evil Daemon of Death, and need the help of the Greek gods to put things right. But instead of heroic immortals, they find a rather chubby Zeus, a highly opinionated Pegasus and a collection of gods who may be every bit as troublesome as the monsters they are supposed to defeat.

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Packed with outrageous adventures, Greek mythology and laugh-out-loud humour, Who Let the Gods Out? is the first book in Maz Evans’ bestselling series. Funny, fast-paced and full of heart, it is perfect for readers aged 8–12 – whether they already love Greek myths or have never met Zeus before.

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www.maz.world

Lindsay Galvin is an acclaimed children’s author whose books combine adventure with her fascination for history, science and the natural world. She is the author of novels including Darwin’s Dragons, Call of the Titanic, The Great Phoenix of London and her latest book, Cleopatra’s Amulet, as well as novellas and educational books for young readers.

With a degree in English Language and Literature and more than twenty years’ experience as a teacher, Lindsay now writes full-time and regularly visits schools and festivals. 

When she isn’t writing, researching, mentoring or reading, Lindsay can usually be found spending time with her sons and pets, dancing in the rain or sea swimming – whatever the weather.

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CLEOPATRA'S AMULET

An epic adventure through Ancient Egypt, filled with magic, mystery, gods and monsters.

Twelve-year-old Cleopatra has grown up as a Princess of Egypt and the Pharaoh’s favourite daughter. But when her father is kidnapped and Cleopatra is forced into exile, her privileged world is suddenly turned upside down. Someone wants the throne – and they may be willing to kill for it. Armed with a precious amulet and an enchanted board game capable of summoning the animal gods of Egypt, Cleopatra sets out to uncover the truth. With her cat Bastet and a Roman slave boy beside her, she must race through a dangerous world of gods, monsters and enemies before it is too late.

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Packed with adventure, magic and real history, Cleopatra’s Amulet brings Ancient Egypt thrillingly to life and is perfect for mythology-loving readers aged 9+. 

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www.lindsaygalvin.com

Hannah Gold is a multi-award-winning and bestselling children’s author known for her heartwarming adventure stories celebrating animals, the natural world and our connection to the planet.
Her books include The Last Bear, The Lost Whale, Finding Bear, Turtle Moon and The Lone Husky, and have won major awards including the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Her stories have been translated into 28 languages and sold more than one million copies around the world. In 2026, Hannah was also selected as an official World Book Day author with Bear Rescue.  Passionate about wildlife and conservation, Hannah is an ambassador for Whale and Dolphin Conservation and writes stories that inspire young readers to care about the natural world. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband, tortoise and two kittens. 
 
THE LONE HUSKY
Can she win his trust… and win the race?

April Wood is no stranger to adventure. She lives in the Arctic, after all, and her best friend is a polar bear. But when she volunteers to take part in the Polar Race, a gruelling long-distance dog-sled race across the frozen tundra, even April begins to wonder whether this adventure might be one step too far. Competition is fierce, and experienced young dog-sledder Finn seems determined to win at any cost. But April has something the other teams don’t – Blaze, a solitary husky with a troubled past. If April can earn his trust, Blaze might just become the friend and teammate she needs.
Set in the world of The Last Bear and Finding Bear, The Lone Husky is a breathtaking Arctic adventure filled with courage, friendship, animals and the beauty – and danger – of the frozen wilderness. Beautifully illustrated by award-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold, it is perfect for readers aged 8+. 

www.hannahgold.world

Liz Hyder is an award-winning writer for young adults and adults, as well as an experienced creative writing workshop leader.

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Her debut YA novel, Bearmouth, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers and the Branford Boase Award, and was named Children’s Book of the Year by The Times. Her second YA novel, The Twelve, won the Nero Prize for Children’s Fiction and a Tir na n-Og Award, and was selected as a Book of the Year by both the Financial Timesand The Guardian.

Liz has also written two acclaimed historical novels for adults, The Gifts and The Illusions. Her latest book for young readers, The Teller of Tall Tales, is published by Pushkin Press in October 2026 and illustrated by Tom de Freston. Alongside writing, Liz runs creative workshops in schools, libraries and festivals and has worked extensively with young writers. 

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THE TELLER OF TALL TALES

You haven’t seen your grandmother, Oma, for years. Your parents have kept her away because of something that happened when you were too young to remember.

Then suddenly, everything changes. Once a month, you are allowed to visit Oma at her remote cabin, where she tells extraordinary stories of dragons and giants, gods and monsters, wild quests and impossible adventures. But there is one story she refuses to tell – the truth about why she disappeared from your life.

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As pressures at home and school begin to overwhelm you, Oma’s stories become more important than ever. And the secret she has kept hidden may hold the key to understanding everything.

Beautifully illustrated by Tom de Freston, The Teller of Tall Tales is a moving and magical story about family, identity, imagination and the extraordinary power of storytelling. 

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www.lizhyder.co.uk

Megan Jacobs is an Isle of Wight–based palaeontologist, author and PhD researcher at the University of Portsmouth; her work explores dinosaur footprints, pterosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Passionate about sharing the island’s prehistoric story, she co-runs Wight Coast Fossils, leading fossil walks around the Isle of Wight all year round. She is also the author of  A Field Guide to the Fossils and Geology of the Isle of Wight, her first book promoting the Island's geoheritage, published by Medina Publishing. 

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A FIELD GUIDE TO THE FOSSILS AND GEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT

A Field Guide to the Fossils and Geology of the Isle of Wight offers a welcoming and informative introduction to one of the UK’s most fossil-rich landscapes.

Written by local palaeontologist Megan Jacobs, it supports readers in exploring the Island’s unique geology and prehistoric past — whether visiting for the first time or developing a long-standing interest. Designed with both clarity and practicality in mind, the guide is suitable for use in the field and offers a step-by-step approach to understanding local rock formations and identifying fossils. It covers key locations across the Island, combining clear explanations with helpful visuals to make complex topics easier to grasp. Whether used by students, amateur fossil hunters, or families keen to learn more about the past beneath their feet, this guide brings the Isle of Wight’s deep history to life in an accessible and enjoyable way. Portable, durable and easy to navigate, it is an ideal companion for anyone with a curiosity about the ancient world.​​​​​

Gareth P. Jones has been a children's author since 2007, when the first book of his Dragon Detective series was published.

Since then, he has published 50+ books. He won the Blue Peter Book of the Year in 2012 for The Considine Curse. His other novels include The Thornthwaite Inheritance, Constable & Toop & Death or Ice Cream? He has written series about Ninja Meerkats, Steampunk Pirates, Pet Defenders.

His most recent series is Solve Your Own Mystery, in which you the reader get to decide what happens next. His picture books include Rabunzel, CinderGorilla, Snowy White & his most recent contribution the world of literature... There's Nothing funny about BUMS!  Gareth is also a performer, musician and composer. He has currently turned three of his picture books into mini musicals, which he performs in music festivals, schools, libraries and sometimes just under trees. 

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www.garethwrites.co.uk

Philip grew up in Athens, fell in love in Dublin and built a home in Windsor. He writes constantly: stories, screenplays, sketches, poems.

As an engineer, he works in sustainability for one of the biggest brands in the world, and, as a Scout leader, he takes kids on real-life adventures. But most of all, Philip loves dinner with his family and snuggling for a movie.

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www.philipkavvadias.com

The Right Honourable Stuart Lawrence is a consultant, youth engagement specialist, coach and public speaker. He is also the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence, the British teenager murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993.

Stuart has worked in graphics and design and has had a 15-year career as a secondary school teacher in southwest London. He has also worked for the Home Office and HMP Belmarsh.

Silence is Not an Option is Stuart’s first book (for readers aged 10 +) and is interspersed with reflections on his bother Stephen’s life and murder. Stuart talks about what he has learned from life and the tools that have helped him live positively and kept him moving forwards when times have been tough. From role models to self-control, failure to imagination, Stuart’s aim with this book is to use his own experience to help young people – to help all people – harness the good in themselves and in the world around them, using that fire of positivity to create change in their lives.

Stuart campaigns for racism awareness and devotes time to the promotion of Stephen Lawrence Day, on 22 April annually.

www.stuartalawrence.co.uk

Born in Chichester and now based on the south coast with his family, multi award-winning author and Illustrator Neal Layton works on a plethora of publications for children from his treasure filled studio on the Isle of Wight. 

A former student at Newcastle and Central St Martins, Neal has become an avid collector and compulsive scribbler, deftly combining a multitude of styles and techniques in colour and black and white, from pen and ink to collage and digital methods creating fresh and spontaneous illustrations for both fiction, non-fiction and novelty books.

With a clutch of awards under his belt including the prestigious Sheffield Children’s Book Prize Neal has been lucky enough to collaborate with some of the country’s best loved authors including Cressida Cowell, Andy Stanton and Michael Rosen. Neal is extremely passionate about conservation and inclusivity and this shines through in many of his recent author illustrated publications.

Well versed in discussing and demonstrating his work Neal is available for a variety of events from schools and bookshops to large scale festivals and conferences. You can find Neal on Instagram and Twitter for insightful sneak peeks, reviews and regular updates on new projects. 

The Tree. Home to a family of birds in their nest, squirrels in their drey and rabbits in their burrow. But what happens to the animals when a man and woman decide to cut it down and use it for their dream house? Can the tree be home to both the animals and the humans? A simple yet fun and distinctive picture book, with a strong environmental message about the importance of respecting animal habitats.

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www.neallayton.co.uk

Fidan Meikle is a multi-award-winning Azerbaijani-British writer, linguist and translator. Her debut middle-grade novel, My Name Is Samim, won the Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize and the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Children’s Book Award, as well as several regional awards, and was selected for the 2026 Read for Empathy Collection.

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My Name Is Samim and its companion novel, My Name Is Zayn, are inspired by the real-life experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK. Through powerful, hopeful storytelling, Fidan explores friendship, courage, belonging and what it means to find a place to call home. Fidan lives in West Lothian, Scotland.

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MY NAME IS SAMIM

Thirteen-year-old Samim is a loyal friend, a gifted chess player – and a refugee.

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After losing his family in a bombing, Samim is forced to leave Afghanistan and make a long and dangerous journey to the UK. But arriving safely is only the beginning. To be allowed to stay, Samim must tell the authorities his story, taking him back through the people, friendships and dangers that shaped his journey. As he begins school and tries to build a new life, Samim faces an uncertain future while holding on to the memories of those he has left behind. Powerful, moving and ultimately hopeful, My Name Is Samim is a story of courage, friendship and resilience that gives young readers an insight into the experiences of children seeking safety and a place to call home.

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MY NAME IS ZAYN

“I’ll find you, Samim.”

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Thirteen-year-old Zayn is a loyal friend, a talented footballer – and a refugee.

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After making the dangerous journey from Afghanistan alongside his best friend Samim, the two boys are separated when their dinghy sinks in the English Channel. Zayn reaches the UK alone, but refuses to believe that Samim is gone. As he begins rebuilding his life, starting school, playing football and making new friends, Zayn is still determined to find Samim. But when children begin disappearing from the hotel where he is living with other asylum seekers, he finds himself facing another frightening mystery. Full of heart, courage and Zayn’s quick-witted humour, My Name Is Zayn is a gripping companion to the award-winning My Name Is Samim – a story about friendship, resilience and the search for safety and belonging.

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www.fidanmeikle.com

Ben Mercer is an author, creator and former professional rugby player whose work brings together his passions for sport, books and getting more young people reading.

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Ben played professional rugby in England, Australia and France before turning to writing. He is the author of four non-fiction books, including the bestselling Fringes: Life on the Edge of Professional Rugby, which was longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. Today, Ben shares books and ideas with an online audience of more than 270,000 people and is co-founder of The Boys’ Book Club. He also founded The Boys’ Literacy Project, which brings athletes into schools to help teenage boys discover reading through people and stories they can relate to.

Whether through books, social media or school visits, Ben is passionate about showing young people that reading belongs to everyone.

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FRINGES : LIFE ON THE EDGE OF PROFESSIONAL RUGBY

What is it really like to be a professional rugby player when you’re not one of the famous names lifting trophies or playing for your country?

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In Fringes, former professional rugby player Ben Mercer takes readers behind the scenes of life at the outer edges of elite sport – where contracts can be uncertain, injuries can change everything and most players will never experience the fame and fortune associated with the very top of the game. Drawing on a career that took him through professional rugby in England, Australia and France, Ben explores the friendships, pressures, sacrifices and unforgettable experiences that come with making sport your job. Funny, thoughtful and refreshingly honest, Fringes offers a very different sporting story – not about becoming a superstar, but about ambition, identity, resilience and what happens when the dream doesn’t turn out quite as you imagined.

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www.benmercer.me

Lottie Saahko is an award-winning Finnish author, speaker, presenter and content creator.

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Originally from Finland and raised in several countries, she now lives in London and has published thirteen books in Finnish. Her writing explores neurodivergence, nature, identity, belonging and what it means to grow up between different cultures. Her first English-language novel, Lumi and the Wolf, brings many of these themes together in an adventure set in the snowy wilderness of Finnish Lapland. When Lottie isn’t writing, she loves drawing and painting in her Forest Diary, spending time with her grandfather and, during the Finnish winter, ice-swimming.

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LUMI AND THE WOLF

When Lumi meets a wild white wolf in Lapland, she has no idea that within a week she will walk a hundred kilometres to save his life.

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Lumi isn’t thrilled when she is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle in the frozen wilderness of Lapland. But everything changes when she encounters a solitary white wolf and discovers that hunters are closing in on him. Determined to save him, Lumi sets out with local boy Oskár on a dangerous journey across snowy fells towards the safety of a national park. To succeed, she must learn to trust the very things that make her different – her sharp senses, the patterns she notices in the natural world and her fierce determination.

Lumi and the Wolf is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure about friendship, bravery, neurodivergence, nature and finding somewhere you truly belong. Perfect for readers aged 8–12.

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www.lottiesaahko.com

Chrissie Sains is a children’s author with a lifelong love of imagination, adventure and storytelling. Growing up in Billericay, Essex, she was described by her teachers as having a “lively imagination” and spent much of her childhood seeking adventure – and occasionally finding trouble!

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Chrissie is the author of the hilarious An Alien in the Jam Factory series and the magical Beastopia series, both illustrated by Jenny Taylor. She also co-wrote I Got This with Cara Mailey.

Passionate about inclusion, creativity and helping children believe in themselves, Chrissie loves visiting schools and festivals, sharing the story of her own journey to becoming an author and encouraging young people to let their imaginations run wild.

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AN ALIEN IN THE JAM FACTOR

Get ready for aliens, inventions, magical creatures and plenty of adventure with children’s author Chrissie Sains! In An Alien in the Jam Factory, meet Scooter – a brilliantly inventive young hero whose world changes when friendly alien Fizzbee crashes through the jam factory window. Together they embark on a hilarious series of adventures packed with wild inventions, friendship, villains and, of course, lots of jam.

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BEASTOPIA

Then step into Beastopia, a hidden world where magical creatures really do exist. When Digby Griffin discovers that his beloved pet mouse, Cheddar, may be in danger from the mysterious Curse of the Tenth Birthday, he, his sister Mog and best friend Tai are drawn into an extraordinary adventure. Perfect for young readers aged 7+, Chrissie’s stories are funny, imaginative and full of heart, celebrating friendship, creativity and the courage to be yourself.

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www.chrissiesains.com

Darren Simpson is the critically acclaimed children’s and young adult author of Scavengers, The Memory Thieves, Furthermoor, Thirst and Lykewise.

His award-winning books have been translated into several languages, and he has twice been nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. He also once won a budgie at school.

Darren lives in Nottingham with his wife and sons. When he isn’t writing strange, unsettling and imaginative stories, he enjoys long walks with his headphones on, playing the drums and reading in bed on rainy Sunday mornings.

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LYKEWISE

Don’t look too closely into the mirror. It may look back…

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The village of Harrowmere is a place of foggy boglands, eerie wraithlights and the unsettling legend of Grasping Jack. But local boy Dunn Caulkner is about to discover that the darkest danger of all may be waiting inside a mirror. When a travelling salesman arrives selling looking glasses, nobody thinks there is anything to fear. Nor do Dunn and his friends see the danger in trying a strange ritual said to reveal your true self. After all, what could possibly be dangerous about a reflection? The answer is everything.

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Creepy, clever and dripping with atmosphere, Lykewise is a gripping supernatural horror story from Carnegie-nominated author Darren Simpson, perfect for young readers who enjoy mysteries, ghost stories and being deliciously scared.

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www.darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk

Andy Stanton lives in North London. He studied English at Oxford but they kicked him out. He has been a film script reader, a cartoonist, an NHS lackey and lots of other things. He has many interests, but best of all he likes cartoons, books and music (even jazz).

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One day he’d like to live in New York or Berlin or one of those places because he’s got fantasies of bohemia. His favourite expression is ‘Good evening’ and his favourite word is ‘captain’. Andy has now written more than one book, but less than twenty.

Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man. He’s absolutely grimsters. But this book’s not just about him. There’s also a little girl called Polly, an absolute winner called Friday O’Leary, an evil butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and a furry wobbler of a dog called Jake WHO MUST BE SAVED FROM TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE EVIL. Oh yes, it’s all happening in this book.

www.mrgum.co.uk

Christopher Stevens began telling stories to his children and their friends more that 25 years ago and is never more complimented than when they are retold to him by these ‘children’, now in their twenties. His sense of adventure combined with this interest in history and passion for storytelling have culminated in him writing his children’s novels, The Pirate Queen and Half-Plucked Chicken and The Lost Uncle and the Elixir of Life. Chris lives in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. 

Chris will be sharing The Lost Uncle and the Elixir of Life- When they stumble across a one-hundred-year-old journal detailing the disappearance of their Uncle Cecil, the Baldwin family set off for Sri Lanka in search of the truth. Has he gone in search of the butterfly flower with its magical healing powers? As the trail goes cold, so fate lends a helping hand, and what they discover is a land beyond their wildest dreams. But when things go horribly wrong, Charlie and Lizzie need to draw on all their courage; the fate of an entire civilization lies in their hands!

Thomas was born in Norwich but grew up in Wales and lived for many years in France. He is the author of the acclaimed and multi-award-winning 'Eerie-on-Sea' series, starting with Malamander, which has been translated into twenty languages and has sold more than half a million copies worldwide. Thomas has also written and illustrated a number of picture books, and collaborated as illustrator with author Marcus Sedgwick on the graphic novel Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter. Thomas's first professional illustration commission – after graduating from Norwich School of Art – was the cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling.

MALAMANDER | AN EERIE-ON-SEA MYSTERY

Nobody visits Eerie-on-Sea in the winter. Especially not when darkness falls and the wind howls around Maw Rocks and the wreck of the battleship Leviathan, where even now some swear they have seen the unctuous Malamander creep…

Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, knows that returning lost things to their rightful owners is not easy – especially when the lost thing is not a thing at all, but a girl. No one knows what happened to Violet Parma’s parents twelve years ago, and when she engages Herbie to help her find them, the pair discover that their disappearance might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster, the Malamander. Eerie-on-Sea has always been a mysteriously chilling place, where strange stories seem to wash up. And it just got stranger...

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www.thomastaylor-author.com

Holly Webb is the bestselling author of more than 170 children’s books, which have been translated into 33 languages around the world.

Holly began writing twenty-three years ago while working as a children’s book editor and now writes full-time. She is especially well known for her much-loved animal stories, alongside magical adventures, mysteries and historical fiction for young readers. Her recent books include The Proud Puppy, The Littlest Puffling and the middle-grade mystery A Girl’s Guide to Spying.

Holly lives in Reading with her husband and two demanding cats. Her children are now students, although they have a habit of turning up unexpectedly!

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THE LITTLEST PUFFLING

Alice is camping in Yorkshire with her family, but she’s finding it difficult adjusting to life with her new stepdad and younger stepsister, Hattie.

Then, while trying to get some time to herself, Alice discovers a frightened baby puffin – a little puffling – alone beside a rock. Alice desperately wants to help, but local wildlife volunteers have warned that getting too close to the birds can cause more harm than good. Can she find a way to help the tiny puffling safely return to the sea?

A gentle and moving wildlife adventure, The Littlest Puffling is a story about family, compassion and discovering how we can protect the animals around us. 

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A GIRL'S GUIDE TO SPYING

When Phyl reluctantly goes along to Girl Guides with her younger sister Annie, she certainly isn’t expecting to become involved with MI5.

But Britain is at war, and Phyl is offered the chance to work as a secret messenger. Soon she and Annie are caught up in a mystery involving spies, secret codes and the disappearance of the suspicious Major Warren. Could he really be a double agent? Inspired by the real-life Girl Guides who worked with MI5 during the First World War, A Girl’s Guide to Spying is a thrilling mix of history, mystery and espionage, packed with secret messages, ciphers and a determined group of young investigators. 

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THE RUNAWAY TORTOISE

Ava thinks her 45-year-old tortoise, Albert, might just be the most boring pet in the world. He can’t go for walks, he isn’t cuddly and he certainly doesn’t seem as exciting as a dog.

But when Auntie Grace’s noisy dog frightens Albert and Ava comes home to discover a huge hole beneath the garden fence – and no tortoise – everything changes.

Suddenly Ava realises just how much Albert means to her. Now she and her dad must find their runaway tortoise before he wanders into real danger.

Warm, funny and full of heart, The Runaway Tortoise is a gentle animal adventure about caring for pets, appreciating what makes them special and discovering that even the slowest animals can have adventures of their own.

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