History and historical fiction

Marking the 10th Anniversary, this edition of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls has been expanded to include twenty-two new women, organized alphabetically by first name. Women included span history from 1479 BC to present day and represent countries all over the world as activists, athletes, conservationists, creators, performers, politicians, and scientists, among other occupations. However, mastery takes dedication and persistence, no matter how naturally talented one is. The volume’s message is clear: it does not matter what you do so long as you enjoy it.

SOS signals at nighttime – but what could it mean?

When bad news is everywhere and we feel helpless in the face of injustice, this book reminds us of the rights we have, who fought for us to have them, and how they did it.

The term mega-fauna describes animals the size of a sheep or larger, which is more diminutive than imagined, but the focus in this clever non-fiction book really is on the largest extinct, and largest still surviving, of various groups, from mammals (elephants, monkeys, ungulates and others), to birds, reptiles, fish and even molluscs.

Karun Chandhok’s experience and expertise really shines through in this book as he weaves the story of the past and present of Formula One – from Senna and Prost to Hamilton and Verstappen.

This is a beautiful and inspiring picturebook that introduces young readers to the work and mindset of the renowned artist Agnes Martin. The story offers a gentle, poetic exploration of how art can express love and emotion, while also highlighting the struggles that come with the creative process.

The second in this series from Alexander following The Door of No Return, Kofi’s granddaughter, Charlene, or Charley as she prefers, is focalized. Where the first story of the series is set in 1860 in Africa, this story is set in 1922 in segregated Virginia, USA.

Joan’s life was already fraught before the pact between the Fae and humankind fell; her magic, skin colour, and gender all make her stand out in her worlds of metalworking and swordsmanship. Now William Cecil’s targeting her, the Queen has made Joan her plaything, and responsibility for restoring the pact and keeping London safe has fallen on Joan’s shoulders. The burdens are heavy, but she’s not alone in carrying them; her family and friends are always at her side.

This captivating picture book masterfully balances enriching vocabulary with accessibility, offering young readers a meaningful exploration of ancient civilizations. The text neither oversimplifies nor feels lofty, presenting a poignant message: power must be wielded responsibly, all populations from all over the world are deeply interconnected, and even the mightiest rulers eventually fall.