In this captivating sequel to Artezans: The Forgotten Magic, adopted twins Ed and Elodie Crane are eager to learn more about their powers and find the other two Artezan Masters. The twins, their dads, and the family cat, Mr Biscuits, are on their way to Norway when they are suddenly shipwrecked on a secret magical island in the North Sea, home to more than just friendly faces and homemade strawberry ice-cream.
A mythical and magical world, the Archipelago is full of colour and opportunity for children to lose themselves in their imaginations. Fans of the first book in this series, Impossible Creatures, will be delighted to meet Christopher and other characters again, but Princess Anya is an excellent addition to the cast.
Lovers of Greek legends will enjoy being whisked into Phoebe’s own odyssey as she gets swept up into a fantasy world, led there by her grief. Phoebe’s beloved grandmother Cass, once a talented artist before she began forgetting all she knew, is slipping away. Everything that was once certain is now foggy, and as we go with Phoebe to places where she must face her fears, both mythological and very real. With every page, it is clear that Gray has expertly weaved grief and escapism, adventure and poignancy into one epic tale that will surely inspire and challenge eager readers.
Set in Dublin in 1986, Gwen is bright, imaginative and has been homeschooled by her mother for as long as she can remember. This changes dramatically when her mother becomes too ill to care for her and Gwen is sent to Loughmoe Abbey, a mysterious boarding school in the countryside.
Catherine Doyle has done it again! Skipping three months into the future from where The Dagger and the Flame left off, Seraphine has left the city of Fantome to start up her own order, the Flames, leaving Ransom behind as the leader of the Daggers.
‘It’s November, midnight: the perfect time to steal a corpse.’ From the first sentence of Dracula & Daughters, the first book in Emma Carroll’s new adventure series, we are plunged straight into a fully realised alternative reality. Temstown (a version of London; say it aloud and it makes sense) has managed to stay free of vampire ‘contagion’ for twenty years. But when a popular young actress, Elsie Irving, dies onstage fear stalks the streets. Is Elsie safely in her grave, or have vampires once more unleashed their horror?
It is over 130 years since Oscar Wilde published his stories for children, brought to life again in this sumptuous volume by Dublin-based Lauren O’Hara. Since then, scores of artists have adapted these magical, sometimes dark and allegorical tales, though this new addition holds its own.
Fans of the Friendship Fairies series are in for another treat. This story, a sequel to Jess Gets Her Wings, is set right before Jess, our protagonist, begins school. Jess is excited to start school but is suddenly daunted by the prospect of discovering her special brand of magic. Her big sisters already know what their magic is and they, alongside their eccentric new neighbour Mrs Doggy-Waggy, set out to help Jess in her task.
Ellora McGee has just moved to Ballyshee and is starting a new school. As though that isn't stressful enough, she also is just coming to terms with being a Trainee Banshee – the first banshee in her family since her great-great-granny Norah!
Are you a primary school teacher or early years educator looking for inspiration for your next read aloud, class novel or story time book?
