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

A mouse detective; a fresh take on the Odyssey; a dangerous wish; and the world’s most watched reality TV show

My Dad Can by Stephen Lightbown, illustrated by Claire Sahara Lemp, Quarto, £7.99
Iris’s dad can turn into dinosaurs, unicorns, anything she imagines – though some people see Dad’s wheelchair and believe he can’t do anything. This soft-smudged, colourful picture book celebrates the playfulness and creativity of parenthood.

The Fluffy Futon by Yuichi Kasano, translated by Cathy Hirano, Gecko, £12.99
When Grandma spreads a futon on the sunny porch to air, it’s so fluffy that kittycat, Grandma, hen, chicks and the whole household join each other for a nap in this delightful picture book, perfect for enjoying at bedtime.

Princess Pete by Zoey Allen, illustrated by Frenci Sanna, Walker, £7.99
Imaginative Princess Pete, who loves blue wellies, butterfly sandals, getting mucky and playing salons, doesn’t always feel like a boy or a girl – but their parents accept them just as they are in this inclusive, softly sparkling picture book.

Monsieur Mustard: The Disappearance of Fabio Fangtooth by Charley Rabbit, Andersen, £9.99
This funny, enticing 7+ mix of highly illustrated chapter book and graphic novel follows famous mouse detective Monsieur Mustard as he investigates a string of mysterious animal disappearances, hindered by his flatulent young assistant Mobbsy.

How to Build a Chocolate Bridge by Roma Agrawal, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng, Laurence King, £14.99
In this absorbing, engaging 7+ scientific handbook, structural engineer Agrawal investigates the physics of materials via seven hands-on challenges. Guides to constructing chocolate bridges reinforced with gummy laces and meringue rockets with ice-cream inside are interspersed with punchy information about pioneering scientists, all complemented by Sae-Heng’s bright, welcoming illustrations.

The Odyssey: A Modern Retelling by Liv Albert, illustrated by Hazem Asif, DK, £18.99
Podcaster and “myth nerd” Albert presents a satisfyingly nuanced, rich and pacy version of Odysseus’s homecoming in this superb revisiting, with thoughtful historical and geographical context, a tally of the crew members lost to each misfortune and more, while Asif’s lush, dynamic full-colour illustrations invite readers of 7 or 8+ to lose themselves in the story.

The Othernauts by Clare Pollard, illustrated by Macha Yao, Piccadilly, £7.99
When young would-be witch Phoebe stows away with the Argonauts, the voyage leads to fearsome peril: hungry harpies, clashing cliffs, thirsty whirlpools and skeleton soldiers. Fortunately, Phoebe and her dubious prophecies are there to help, alongside Cora the tone-deaf baby siren and apprentice shapeshifter Perry. This witty, original, irreverent take on Greek myth will delight 8+ Loki fans.

Wishbound by Clemency Brown, Chicken House, £7.99
In the Wishmaker Institute, rebellious Leonie is being trained to control her magic. One day she’ll be Matched with a rich child, and dedicate the rest of her life to making their wishes come true. When she escapes her Matching and flees to our world, Leonie makes a new best friend, Cress – but as forces from her past pursue her, she has no choice but to grant Cress a dangerous wish, in this enthralling thought-provoking 9+ magical fantasy.

Demon Hunters: Soul Feeder by Jennifer Killick, illustrated by Marina Vidal, Barrington Stoke, £7.99
When Caiden and Sam help Caiden’s dad clear a creepy house, they don’t realise they’ve brought back a terrifying uninvited guest. A punchy, pared-back 9+ horror from an award-winning author and dyslexia-friendly publisher.

Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller by Amelia Tait, Starboard, £8.99
Lily Tripp is an ordinary 13-year-old – except for one small thing. Every New Year’s Day, Lily wakes up in a new century, trying to navigate first love, avoid her ever-present nemesis, and cope with life without chicken nuggets. Meticulously researched history meets hilariously relatable misadventure in this surefire winner for 10+ Lottie Brooks fans.

Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, Starboard, £8.99
Since his mum died a year ago, Alfie hasn’t talked to his stepdad. Now, as the six-week summer holidays begin, all he can do is head out on his bike, trying to navigate the darkness and chaos of his grief – until a pedal comes off, and Alfie needs help from the person he hates. This heartbreakingly poignant 11+ verse novel delicately traces the slow, non-linear processes of acceptance and healing, heightened by Todd-Stanton’s shadowy, sweet black-and-white illustrations.

A Flood of Memories by Nadia Mikail, Guppy, £8.99
In Malaysia, urgent flood warnings bring 18-year-old Leila back to Sarawak, where she must help her widowed mother protect the family home. But the house is tainted by memories of her alcoholic father, whose conditioning has shaped her in ways she can’t escape. A deeply affecting YA novel from the winner of the Waterstones children’s book prize, interweaving the depredations of the climate crisis with the old scars of familial trauma and the first shoots of tentative new love.

Runaway Road by Sue Divin, First Ink, £9.99
In desperate trouble, 16-year-old Ezra’s only hope is to cross the Northern Irish border – even if that means leaving his quirky, beloved sister with their foster parents. As far as Evie’s concerned, though, Ezra means home, and she has no intention of being left behind. A powerful, compassionate 14+ story of two siblings searching for safety and acceptance.

Survival Show by Juno Dawson, S&S, £16.99
In Starmaker, the world’s most watched reality TV show, the winner will be wealthy for life, but losing contestants are literally eliminated. Can talented Taryn survive increasingly brutal challenges to bring the Starmaker machine down from the inside? Squid Game meets The X Factor in this sharply executed 14+ dystopian satire.