Book of the Month
Every month our Book Club editors choose a Book of the Month for each age range – the perfect stories to share at home or in the classroom. Here are our children’s book experts’ top picks for May 2024.
Ages 0–2 Book of the Month
The Leaf Thief: Colours by Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater
“Our Book of the Month for age 0+ is the Leaf Thief – Colours a gorgeous new board book from the talented duo of Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater. Join Squirrel and Bird on a day out spotting colours, can you spot them too?
This lift-the-flap adventure if perfect for young children, with large and sturdy flaps which are great for little hands! With bright and engaging illustrations this is sure to excite young children, and aid them in learning their first colours!”
Ages 3–4 Book of the Month
Excuse Me, Are you a T-Rex? by Clare Elsom
“Our Book of the Month for age 3+ is Excuse Me, Are You a T-Rex?, an incredibly sweet new picture book from talented illustrator Clare Elsom. This little Dinosaur is on a mission – a mission to find a T-Rex! All the other little dinosaurs are a little bit scared, but not our little dinosaur! Join him on his adventure to find out if he does find a T-Rex, meeting lots of other dinosaur friends along the way!
This is a lovely title, with cute illustrations, sure to engage children in story time as they wait to see if we do find a T-Rex after all! This is great for any dinosaur enthusiasts, with lots of dinosaur species to discover!”
Ages 5–6 Book of the Month
Marv and the Humongous Hamster by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles
“Our Book of the Month for age 5+ is Marv and the Humongous Hamster, a great two-colour reader from talented duo Alex Falase-Hoya and Paula Bowles. In this new instalment of Marv’s adventures disaster strikes when Dr Boom shows up with his latest invention, accidentally making Nibbles, the classroom hamster, HUMONGOUS! It’s time for Marvin to get in his super-suit and become Marv-unstoppable! Can he put and end to Dr Boom’s mischief and rescue Nibbles?
The Marv series is perfect for children just starting their independent reading journey, with two-colour illustrations that make the story more accessible and engaging. With plenty of other stories in the series, children can join Marv as he overcomes a number challenges, learning about friendship, courage, resilience and much more along the way!”
Ages 7–8 Book of the Month
Tom Gates Book of Everything by Liz Pichon
“Our Book of the Month for age 7+ is the new companion book for Liz Pichon’s million-copy selling series: Tom Gates: Book of Everything! This must-have journal for all Tom Gates fans is packed full of brand-new activities, creative makes, and original stories. Includes pages for recording words that make you laugh, sticking photos of your friends pulling funny faces, making a Christmas decoration, summer reading lists and much, much more!
Leave boredom behind in the honest, silly and laugh-out-loud funny world of Tom Gates. The Book of Everything provides endless hours of doodling fun and is full of brilliant activities to fill in all year round. Author Liz Pichon has won countless children’s book prizes for the Tom Gates series and this latest interactive instalment is no exception. Perfect for reluctant readers, fans of Roald Dahl or David Walliams, and any boys & girls who love to laugh themselves silly.”
Ages 9–10 Book of the Month
North and the Only One by Vashti Hardy
“Our Book of the Month for age 9+ is North and the Only One, a stunning new novel from Vashti Hardy, author of The Brightstorm Chronicles. Twelve-year-old Rose can’t remember anything before last week. The only thing she recognized when she woke up was her puppy, North. Mother tells her not to stray beyond the garden out into the city of Luminelle, but Rose can’t shake the feeling that something, or everything, isn’t right. When Rose flees to the outside world with North it quickly becomes clear that she is not only different, but she’s dangerous.
This powerful and original new story is set in a surprising world filled with action, adventure and big questions about family and what it means to be human. Vashti Hardy’s writing is full of warmth and humour and Rose’s journey of discovery about herself will expand reader’s hearts and minds. Perfect for fans of Ross Welford and Piers Torday.”
Ages 11+ Book of the Month
Nush and the Stolen Emerald by Jasbinder Bilan
“Our Book of the Month for age 11+ is Nush and the Stolen Emerald by the Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird, Jasbinder Bilan. Anushka is furious. As princess of an Indian Kingdom, she has watched the British East India Company take land and her family’s most divine jewel – an emerald the size of an apple. So when her father, the Maharaja, decides to visit Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace, Nush goes too – determined to bring back the gem that can heal her country.
This fabulous new historical novel explores difficult themes such as colonialism and identity, alongside an action-packed royal mystery. Beautiful and atmospheric writing from Jasbinder Bilan brings this stunning and important story to life. Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens, Katherine Rundell and Philip Pullman.”
Teen Book of the Month
Your Time is Up by Sarah Naughton
“Our Book of the Month for Teen readers is Your Time is Up by Sarah Naughton. One has a secret, one of them saw, there’s blood on the papers, who’ll take the fall? Zaina never meant to get involved. The plan was always to focus on her exams, make her dad proud. But none of this is what she’d planned for. Chanelle never made it to the exam; Nero’s convinced he saw something last night and Ysla can’t stop crying. As Zaina starts to scratch the surface of secrets which desperately want to stay hidden, she begins to wonder…how far will they go to keep her from the truth?
A new real-time thriller set over the course of a maths A-Level exam, Your Time is Up is pacy gritty and full of twists. A perfect blend of extreme tension and intrigue, Sarah Naughton will constantly have you questioning which of these students will take the fall? A perfect read for BookTok fans who loved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, One of us is Lying, and Win Lose Kill Die.”
Browse all May Books of the Month
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The Leaf Thief - Colours
Book of the month
- eur prices
- Offer price: €8.00
- Rewards/RRP: €10.39
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Marv and the Humongous Hamster
Book of the month
- eur prices
- Offer price: €6.50
- Rewards/RRP: €9.09
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Nush and the Stolen Emerald
Book of the month
- eur prices
- Price: €8.00
- Rewards: €10.39
