New children's titles for May 2022
by Sophie Green
Looking for new titles for your little ones? Take a look at our brand new children's fiction and non-fiction books for May 2022.
Book of colours and Book of opposites, by Oliver Jeffers
These are spectacular concept board books from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers, based on his global phenomenon 'Here We Are'! This is the perfect gift for families to treasure forever, and a must for all nurseries.
The music in me, by Sophy Henn
This reassuring, playful picture book from the brilliant Sophy Henn is the perfect way to get to know all kinds of emotions! Have you ever stopped to think about all the different kinds of music that make you, you? There are happy tunes and slow beats, a marching stomp and a sleepy swoon. Maybe, some days, you can't find your rhythm and you feel all out of sorts, and then on other days your music will come together and you'll march to the beat of your own drum. All this music and more is celebrated here. A rousing rhyming text that's sure to get those toes tapping is accompanied by Sophy's signature bold, bright and stylish illustrations.
Flooded, by Mariajo Ilustrajo
Flooded is a beautifully illustrated book which tells the story of animals living in a city which is slowly flooding, carrying important messages about climate change, the importance of community and dealing with problems before they get too big.
Granny came here on the Empire Windrush, by Patrice Lawrence and Camilla Sucre
One day, Ava is asked to dress as an inspirational figure for assembly at school, but who should she choose? Granny suggests famous familiar figures such as Winifred Atwell, Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks, and tells Ava all about their fascinating histories, but Ava's classmates have got there first - and she must choose someone else. But who? And then Ava finds a mysterious old suitcase - Granny's 'grip' - and Granny begins to share her own history, and how she came to England on the Empire Windrush many years ago.
She tells her story through the precious items that accompanied her on the original voyage, each one evoking a memory of home, and as Ava listens to how Granny built a life for herself in England, determined to stay against the odds and despite overwhelming homesickness, she realises that there is a hero very close to home that she wants to celebrate - her very own brave and beloved granny.
Borrow Granny came here on the Empire Windrush →
How to survive time travel, by Larry Hayes
Fresh from saving their parents from the jaws of frenzied billionaire Mr Noah, ten-year-old Eliza and her genius little brother, Johnnie, are called upon once again. Their parents have disappeared into thin air and it's up to the kids to save the day, travelling back in time to 5000 BC Egypt! Can they overcome friendly locals, a mysterious boy-god, snakes, a rainbow-coloured Sphinx and another plot to end the world? And - most importantly of all - will they survive TIME TRAVEL?
Borrow How to survive time travel →
Where seagulls dare, by Anthony Horowitz
Private investigators Tim and Nick Diamond haven't had a case for three months and are down to their last cornflake. So when a glamorous woman comes into their office offering them a pile of cash to find her missing father, they think Christmas has come - only it turns out they are the turkeys! Before they know it, they are caught up in a case involving bike-riding hitmen, superhackers and a sinister far right organisation, the White Crusaders. The Diamond Brothers are in the soup and in it over their heads.
The Magic Faraway Tree: a new adventure, by Jacqueline Wilson, Mark Beech and Enid Blyton
Three kids, Milo, Mia and Birdy, are on a countryside holiday when they wander into an Enchanted Wood. Among the whispering leaves, there is a beautiful tree that stands high above the rest. The Magic Faraway Tree is home to remarkable creatures including a fairy called Silky, her best friend Moonface and more. Birdy is delighted to find that fairies are real. Even her older brother and sister are soon won over by the magic of the Faraway Tree and the extraordinary places they discover above it, including the Land of Unicorns. But not every land is so much fun. Danger looms in the Land of Dragons. Will Moonface's magic work in time to save the children?
Borrow The Magic Faraway Tree: a new adventure →
Treehouse tales too silly to be told... until now!, by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Climb the storeys with bestselling author Andy Griffiths and illustrator Terry Denton as we journey together through 13 adventures starring Andy, Terry and their friends. Featuring stories such as: Terry and the Magic Wand, Chair-up-your-nose Day, The Day Terry Flushed Me Down the Toilet, The Mystery Case of the Missing Doodles ... and many, many more! Well, what are you waiting for? Come on up!
Borrow Treehouse tales too silly to be told →
The Breakfast Club adventures, by Marcus Rashford, Alex Falase-Koya and Marta Kissi
When twelve-year-old Marcus kicks his favourite football over the school fence, he knows he's never getting it back. Nothing that goes over that wall ever comes back. But the next morning, during Breakfast Club, Marcus gets a mysterious note inviting him to join the Breakfast Club Investigators, and he is soon pulled into an exciting adventure with his new mates to solve the mystery and get his football back!
Borrow The Breakfast Club adventures →
Behind the scenes at the Space Station: experience life in space
Revealing a new perspective into the world of space exploration and the daring astronauts who make it possible, 'Behind the Scenes at the Space Station' takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the space station. Learn what the astronauts do once they make it to the space station, from experiments to repairs, and so much more!
Borrow Behind the scenes at the Space Station →
How not to get eaten: more than 75 incredible animal defenses, by Josette Reeves and Asia Orlando
For many animals, life is a constant battle to stay off a predator's menu. This book explores lots of cunning ways they avoid being eaten. From camouflage and colour-changing, natural armour, playing dead, great escapes, detachable body parts, and impressive ways of fighting back, the range of survival tactics in the natural world is quite astonishing (and sometimes pretty disgusting). 'How Not To Get Eaten' is a brilliant introduction to the ingenious anti-predator strategies in the natural world. Discover how meerkats post sentries to guard their homes and possums play dead, to how mimic octopuses change their shape and bombardier beetles unleash a chemical weapon attack.
Minecraft bite-size builds: over 20 exciting mini-projects, by Thomas McBrien and Ryan Marsh
Learn how to design, build and customise 20 mini-projects in Minecraft, from firefighter planes and deep-sea submarines to hidden bunkers and mini arcade games.
Borrow Minecraft bite-size builds →
It's our business to make a better world: meet 12 real-life children building a sustainable future, by Rebecaa Hui and Anneli Bray
Meet kids just like you whose acts of social enterprise are raising awareness around our responsibility to people and the planet. Learn about the work they do and discover how the future of our world starts here. with you. This non-fiction picture book includes a how-to-help section, with simple steps to inspire young readers to take action at home and at school.
Borrow It's our business to make a better world →
Find more recommendations for children.