The Waterstones Round Up: September's Best Children's Books

Collecting stories composed whilst Pratchett was a journalist in the 1960s and 70s, The Time Travelling Caveman is the final tantalising volume of the much-missed fantasy author’s writing.

The perfect send-off for the marvellous Wizards of Once series, Never and Forever finds Xar and Wish close to fulfilling their quest and defeating the Kingwitch.

Taking Noel Streatfeild’s classic children’s novel Ballet Shoes as its jumping off point, Fletcher’s beguiling tale of stage school kids with big dreams brings the magic of the theatre vibrantly to life.

The first in an exciting new series from the creators of Sam Wu, Dragon Mountain sets a group of children on an epic quest to free a quartet of fire-breathing beasts.

The first-class follow-up to former Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month The Highland Falcon Thief finds Harrison Beck on the trail of a billionaire’s missing daughter whilst travelling from Chicago to San Francisco.

Another glorious romp through the magic of literature from Anna James's Pages & Co. series, as Tilly and Oskar head to America to track down the mysterious archivists.

The thoroughly charming tale of a woodland odd couple, Timberlake’s gentle comedy is beautifully complemented by the distinctive artwork of Jon Klassen.

Fantasy author Grossman’s debut book for children is a bewitching story of two siblings, a steam train with a mind of its own and an assortment of creatures who really need to get home.

Bestselling author and Waterstones favourite Katherine Rundell returns with another exquisitely crafted story about resourceful children let loose in a beautifully rendered locale. The setting is prohibition-era New York and our hero is Vita, determined to claim back her grandfather’s home from the clutches of the mafia. Good old fashioned storytelling that feels as fresh as a daisy.

Packed with bewitching humour and absorbing adventure, Willow Moss returns with her powers run amok and her best friend kidnapped and in great peril.

An inspired riff on the evergreen Gulliver’s Travels, Michael Morpurgo’s latest masterwork interweaves Swift’s classic parable with a tale of the desperate migrant crisis that is very much of the moment.

The second book in the Eldest Curses series dives even deeper into Magnus Banes's exciting and mysterious life and unleashes a sinister showdown in Shanghai.

The peerless Jacqueline Wilson serves up another pitch-perfect slice of fiction with this tender tale of first love and blossoming sexuality. This book contains content suitable for middle grade readers looking for a more challenging reading level.

The Secret Commonwealth: The Book of Dust Volume Two, intertwines the stories of Lyra Silvertongue and Malcom Polstead as they face new and dangerous secrets.

Sending the captivating Ophelia onto the grandest of all arks with a deadly mission, Dabos’s luminous fantasy series continues to reach new levels of brilliance in this third instalment.

A dynamic anthology of modern slam poetry curated by Nikita Gill, poet and author of Great Goddesses, SLAM! gives voice to up and coming British performers with heritage from around the world.

Suffused with the same sensuous sense of adventure as the works of Sarah J. Maas, the second volume of Mahurin’s Serpent and Dove series tantalises with a tale of fugitives on the run from coven and kingdom.

This immersive tale of family trauma and summer romance from the author of All the Bright Places features a whirlwind affair off the coast of Georgia.

Rattling through an A-Z of seating rules for animals, Frog, Cat and Dog return for a further instalment of the bestselling phenomenon that is the Oi! Series.

Compiled from fifty years of Judith Kerr’s exquisite illustrations, Mog’s Birthday is the final Mog story from the much-missed author and illustrator.

The Bear family, from Murphy’s classic picture book Peace at Last, make a triumphant return with this joyously relatable tale of a day where things keep going wrong.

The former Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner and online art sensation enchants and amuses once more with this vibrant, energetic story of a pug that loses it’s Dave.

A treasure trove of hope and optimism, Tomos Robert’s inspiring poem is a perfect bedtime story for challenging times, filled with messages of kindness, hope and resilience.

Boasting breathtaking illustrations, the third and final part of the heartwarming Bear and the Piano trilogy finds Bear set to retire from musical performance – until Little Bear hatches a plan to show how loved Bear’s concerts really are.

Exquisitely illustrated and blessed with enchanting prose, Jackson’s nocturnal tale documents the whirl of activity that takes place whilst children are safely tucked up in their beds.

More interactive shenanigans from Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbott as a naughty witch just won’t stop making a mess in your favourite book.

Told with the inimitable wit and distinctive visual style of Lauren Child, The Goody plays off two siblings against each other in a battle of naughty versus nice.

The coolest grandude in the world presents his very first picture book; a riot of fun about the imaginative bond between grandparents and the youngest generation.

Blessed with stunning illustrations from Britta Teckentrup, the follow-up to former Waterstones Gift of the Year, I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree, celebrates the animal kingdom through a diverse range of poetry, from Lewis Carroll to Grace Nichols.

From Jacqueline Wilson to Malorie Blackman, classic favourites and exciting new writing come together in this beautifully designed anthology in celebration of Puffin's 80th birthday.

The legendary team behind the A Great Big Cuddle anthology return with a similarly exquisite first book of nursery rhymes.

Collating jaw-dropping, record-breaking facts and figures from across the globe and outer space, the 2021 edition of Guinness World Records is the biggest and most illuminating yet.

Highlighting inspirational figures from Greta Thunberg to Malala Yousafzai, the author of the bestselling You Are Awesome delivers an empowering message of difference and diversity, focusing on standing out from the crowd.

Gathered by the Born This Way Foundation founded by Lady Gaga, Channel Kindness features over fifty stories of kindness from children, both of the everyday variety and also involving actions that have kickstarted social movements.

Covering everyone from Mozart to Malala, this beautifully illustrated volume celebrates the lives and achievements of fifty young people from across the world and the centuries.

The Little People Big Dreams series alights upon one of the greatest footballers of all time, highlighting not just his sublime soccer skills but also his sterling work off the pitch helping the most vulnerable in society.

The mighty Dog Man returns for his ninth zany adventure, battling baddies whilst spreading a little kindness and cheer.

The author of the beloved Isadora Moon books unleashes another fabulously feisty heroine in Victoria Stitch, one half of twins cruelly denied their royal birth-right.

The first instalment of a laugh-out-loud series with a seriously brilliant concept, The Pirate Captain’s Cat introduces Furry Purry Beancat, a moggy who goes on a different adventure with each of his nine lives.