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The Waterstones Round Up: June's Best Children's Books
As summer hoves into view things are hotting up in the world of children's books, with beloved authors like David Walliams, M.G. Leonard, and Abi Elphinstone delivering rip-roaring new reads as well as thrilling novels arriving from Kalynn Bayron, Jenni Spangler and Faridah Abike-Iyimede. With recommendations for all age groups, discover a future kids classic with the Waterstones blog.
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Available
As the Second World War escalates and bombs start to fall, Joseph is charged with protecting Adonis the gorilla in this nerve-shreddingly tense thriller based on a true story.
£6.99
£5.99
Paperback
In stock
Available
The multi-talented Ben Bailey Smith delivers a winningly funny and highly relatable story about a teenage comedian and the lengths he is prepared to go to to get a laugh.
£7.99
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Out of stock
Join a birdwatching detective called Twitch on the trail of a dangerous robber in this gripping first instalment of a new adventure series from the bestselling author of Beetle Boy.
£6.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Available
A madcap time travel adventure with a lovable main character and lashings of laugh-out-loud humour, the first book featured in the Marcus Rashford Book Club sees a genius young inventor accidentally send her sister back to the Cretaceous age.
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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A startlingly accomplished children’s debut from Ella Risbridger, The Secret Detectives finds the freshly orphaned Isobel attempting to solve a heinous crime aboard the SS Mariana in a pitch perfect homage to Golden Age crime writing and children's classic The Secret Garden.
£6.99
Paperback
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With echoes of a subterranean Crystal Maze, the debut children’s novel from actor Stephen Mangan plunges Jack and Cally into a mysterious world underneath a fairground where solving a series of fiendish puzzles is the only way out.
£10.99
Hardback
In stock
Available
Adorned with colourful illustrations, this adaptation of Hislop’s bestselling novel for younger readers focuses on the experience of children on the Greek island of Spinalonga and reflects the ways we treat those who are different.
£7.99
Paperback
Out of stock
Nevermoor is under threat from a terrifying new illness and only Morrigan Crow can save the day, in the continuation of Jessica Townsend’s immersive fantasy series.
£6.99
Paperback
5+ in stock
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Maisie’s traditionally boring family holiday perks up when she is kidnapped by bandits and becomes one of the gang herself in this riotous comedy perfect for fans of David Walliams and Danny Wallace.
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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The third instalment of the Unmapped Chronicles packs fire krakens, underwater palaces and mysterious kingdoms into a rollicking adventure with serious environmental undertones.
£7.99
Paperback
5+ in stock
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The author of former Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month The Vanishing Trick returns with another deliciously gothic tale, full of fantastical inventions and sinister figures in a grand theatrical setting.
£7.99
Paperback
5+ in stock
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This enthralling mystery follows brave princess Mim whose life has been surrounded by secrets and followed by a strange curse, until one day she sets out on an epic adventure to set everything right at last.
£7.99
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10+ in stock
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Briseis’s control over flowers and plants wreaks dangerous consequences as she discovers long buried secrets in the garden of her rambling inherited home in this gripping, empowering fantasy from the author of Cinderella is Dead.
£8.99
Paperback
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Buried secrets burst into the open at an exclusive high school in this explosive thriller which doubles as a blistering critique of institutionalised racism.
£12.99
Hardback
In stock
Available
Taking a mature and unflinching look at living with HIV, Rocha’s thoughtful novel explores not just the physical effects of the disease but also its impact on personal relationships and social standing.
£7.99
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Out of stock
Combining the talents of half a dozen of YA’s biggest authors, Blackout tells a series of love stories between Black teens that occur when a power failure plunges New York into darkness.
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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The Eldest Curses dives even deeper into Magnus Banes's exciting and mysterious life and unleashes a sinister showdown in Shanghai.
£7.99
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Out of stock
Filled with the heat and illicit passion of long summer days, The Great Godden is a shimmering coming-of-age tale from the trailblazing Young Adult author.
£7.99
Paperback
In stock
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From the author of Shatter Me comes a singularly powerful story set in America in the wake of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as conflicted Shadi must face both personal problems and the escalating tensions in her Muslim community.
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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From the bestselling author of The Sun is Also a Star comes the heart-wrenching story of Evie who, thanks to an unusual gift she possesses, is increasingly disillusioned about love – until one day at the dance studio she meets someone who just might change her mind.
£8.99
Paperback
In stock
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A fully intersectional guide to feminism from the same series as This Book is Anti-Racist, Wilson’s wide-ranging and accessible book is aimed at everybody eager to understand the history and importance of feminism in the twenty-first century.
£12.99
Hardback
5+ in stock
Available
A heartwarming celebration of the enduring love between fathers and sons, the debut picture book from Megan, The Duchess of Sussex combines inspiring rhyming text with the beautiful watercolour illustrations of Christian Robinson.
£12.99
Hardback
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The evergreen tale of the ugly duckling gets a minibeast spin in this adorable picture book from the legendary Julia Donaldson, in which an unremarkable caterpillar is about to undergo a fabulous transformation.
£7.99
Paperback
In stock
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Former recipient of the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year award Dapo Adeola crafts a tender and inspiring picture book about growing up Black, incorporating stunning artwork from eighteen illustrators of colour.
£7.99
Paperback
5+ in stock
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Spreading love and acceptance with as much charm as her Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted predecessor, Julian is a Mermaid, Jessica Love throws Julian into a wonderful wedding to remember.
£7.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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The Wheels on the Bus gets a really wild makeover as a lion, a panther and a crocodile get on board in this hilarious spin on a traditional classic.
£6.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Available
With sea shanties, pet parrots, fishy decorations and adventures aplenty, Pirate Mums is a riotous story about how what makes a family different is what makes them special.
£14.99
£11.99
Hardback
10+ in stock
Available
Evil experiments abound at a sinister school - located on a treacherous volcanic island - in this monstrously funny adventure from bestselling phenomenon David Walliams and iconic illustrator Tony Ross.
£6.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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The third side-splitting adventure in Sophy Henn’s winning series sees Pizazz facing down the irritatingly flawless supervillain Perfecto – but our reluctant superhero may have a trick or two up her sleeve.
£6.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Available
Expert sniffer dog detective Indiana Bones and his friend and owner Aisha go on wild adventures all the way to the Egyptian pyramids in this fun-filled opening story of the new series from the creators of Shiny Pippin.
£6.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
Available
Unicorns, princesses, naughty fairies and mischievous shapeshifters populate this magic-filled story of Aziza and an exciting birthday present that leads her to a fairy land.
£5.99
Paperback
10+ in stock
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A frolicsome cousin and bored baby sister are at danger of ruining Isadora’s big day as her aunt’s bridesmaid in this delicious new adventure in the beloved Isadora Moon series.
£9.99
Hardback
In stock
Available
Indigo Wilde lives at Jellybean Crescent with a colourful cast of magical creatures discovered by her famed explorer parents, but when one dangerous specimen goes missing, heaps of chaos and hilarity ensue.
£12.99
Hardback
In stock
Available
Boakye’s captivating and deeply insightful book explores the key moments in Black history through twenty-eight powerful songs from ground-breaking musicians, from Lord Kitchener to Stormzy.
£18.99
Hardback
5+ in stock
Available
Boasting stunning illustrations, this beautiful guide to 15 real-life aquariums showcases coral reefs, seagrass nurseries and more, alongside the remarkable and diverse wildlife that call them home.
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