Ruth’s favourite new releases!
As summer comes to an end and we’re forced back to normality, it can all seem a bit gloomy, but never fear! I have some of the best new releases for children that are sure to cheer up anyone who is feeling less than enthusiastic about a return to school! Here are my top picks of the best of the bunch so far for this month, many of which seem to have a very feminist theme, all of which are well worth a read!
For our younger readers there have been some hilarious new additions to our picture book collections courtesy of Kate Beaton and Yasmeen Ismail.
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton (3-5)
Fast becoming a story time favourite in our Saturday sessions, The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton is not your average fairy tale. Princess Pinecone knows exactly what she wants for her birthday this year. A BIG horse. A STRONG horse. A horse fit for a WARRIOR PRINCESS!!! But when the day arrives, she doesn’t quite get the horse of her dreams… Featuring a fearsome warrior princess and possibly the most adorably round pony you will ever lay eyes on, this is a laugh out loud story which has been given a gold star from our story time crew.
I’m A Girl! by Yasmeen Ismail (3-5)
At Charlie Byrne’s we love a book that promotes positive ideas of gender roles, Irish author and illustrator Yasmeen Ismail’s I’m A Girl! is a perfect feminist tale for anyone reluctant to be a “girly girl.” The girl in this book likes to WIN, she’s spontaneous, fast and strong. She does things LOUDLY… and she is forever being mistaken for a boy!! Hugely topical, this is a perfect and long over-due story for explaining to young boys and girls that it’s ok to be different and to not conform to gender stereotypes. Inspiring and colourful, this is sure to be a big hit.
For developing and confident readers we’ve also got some nicely illustrated and hilariously funny new additions;
Danger is STILL Everywhere by David O’Doherty illustrated by Chris Judge (7-9)
Danger is STILL Everywhere is the amazing sequel to Danger is Everywhere by David O’Doherty and illustrated by Chris Judge. Narrated by Docter Noel Zone, this is a brand-new handbook for avoiding danger, in this bonkers book danger has come to the Docter Noel’s house The Dangerzone in the form of a tiny, yip-yapping , pee-and-poop-doing HAVOC machine called Napkin!! Now Docter Noel is hiding inside Gordon (the wardrobe) to finish his handbook so that you too can become a FOD (Full-On Dangerologist) and together we can tell the world that DANGER IS STILL EVERYWHERE!! The only warning this book should come with is to use caution when reading publicly as you will inevitably laugh out loud like a crazy person at it. Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure, this is sure to be as much of a hit as the original.
The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale (5-8)
Another princess story with a difference for 5-8 year olds is Shannon and Dean Hale’s The Princess in Black illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Stopping monsters is no job for a prim and perfect princess in pink. So when trouble calls Princess Magnolia transforms into her alter ego and confronts the monsters as… THE PRINCESS IN BLACK! This book re-defines traditional ideas of being a princess with a main character who combines princess femininity with gutsy superhero bravery. Perfect for developing readers, this is the beginning of what is sure to be a very entertaining series!
New releases for teens and young adults just keep getting better and better and this month sees two of the best new releases!
One by Sarah Crossan (Teen/YA)
A fantastic new release for teens and young adults is One by Irish author Sarah Crossan. Grace and Tippi are twins – conjoined twins. and their lives are about to change. No longer able to be homeschooled, they must venture into the world – a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? and what about love? But what neither Grace nor Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined… Beautifully written in Crossan’s signature verse style, this is a captivating story about soulmates, sisterhood and identity, perfect for any fans of RJ Palacio’s Wonder and a new favourite of our kid’s manager Ruth.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (Teen/YA)
Patrick Ness’ long anticipated new novel The Rest of Us Just Live Here is another great read for teens and young adults. Not everyone HAS to be the chosen one. The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death. What if you were Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again. And what if there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world and you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life? Even if your best friend might be the God of the mountain lines… Combining the popular tropes of romance and fantasy with some hard-hitting issues and experiences, this novel covers a multitude of topics from the unique perspective of the one who isn’t chosen…
All of the above brand new titles are available in our kid’s section at full price. If you have any questions or would like to reserve a copy, please feel free to ask Ruth our kid’s section manager or simply contact us.