2020 Book Guide

Coronavirus in the words of children

Gemma Cartworthy

Cardiff university alumni, Gemma Clatworthy, author of The Girl who Lost her Listening Ears has released a new book in support of NHS Charities Together. She carries on her theme of lockdown literature and has gathered over 100 responses from children about what they think of coronavirus, lockdown and how school is different now. All of the author proceeds from this book will be going to NHS Charities Together. Gemma says: “I have really enjoyed putting this book together and reading all of the wonderful responses, which range from heartfelt to hilarious. We all have something to thank the NHS for, so I feel privileged to be able to support NHS Charities Together with this project.” Big Trails: Great

Claudia Quash and the spell of Pencliff

Wendy Hobbs

Claudia Quash A magical book that helps grant wishes to #seriouslyillchildren @DreamsWishesOrg #charity On her thirteenth birthday, Claudia Quash receives a mysterious letter. It unlocks an unsolved crime, and Claudia must clear her family name. Little does she know that she’ll be transported back in time into a magical world, where she also of the British Isles.

discovers special powers of her own. On her journey she’ll be chasing criminals, making new friends, and facing a dark terror that hovers over the land. If she can’t solve the mystery, the land. If she can’t solve the mystery, she might never return home…

to ever play the game, to modern-day YouTube

The Beast and the Bethany

Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Reads like a modern classic. Sharp, funny, original – I thought this was brilliant’ – Sam Copeland, author of tion, they never took a step tion, they never took a step

the bestselling Charlie Changes into a Chicken ‘What a FEAST! A funny and (bone) cracking good read’ – Michelle of MagicMajor fi lm deal announced with Warner Brothers and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts producer, David Heyman.

Big Trails - Great Britain & Ireland

Kathy Rogers & Stephen Ross

Britain & Ireland is an inspirational guide to the most iconic, spectacular and popular long-distance trails in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The twenty-fi ve featured routes take the reader across the best

Hard Men of Rugby

Luke Upton

The true stories behind 20 of the toughest players 20 of the toughest players from pre-WW1 fi rebrands sensations. Irrespective of sensations. Irrespective of size, reputation or opposisize, reputation or opposiHarrison, bestselling author of A Pinch

back on the pitch. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the players themselves, insights from former teammates and a foreword from refereeing legend Nigel Owens, if you legend Nigel Owens, if you love the characters that make rugby great, then this is the book for you.

Lion Pride Before the Fall

George Logan

Acclaimed wildlife photographer George Logan has launched a new book of stunning wildlife photography to support and raise awareness for Africa’s dwindling lion population. The hardback coffee table book, entitled ‘Lion: Pride Before The Fall’, is in conjunction with international wildlife charity Born Free and contains a collection of the London-based photographer’s beautiful and thought-provoking images of lions in the wild in Africa.

Always in the Dark

Diane Harding

This is not an easy read – the pain of the author is tangible – but it is a haunting memoir of a childhood mystery that unfolded painfully and fi nally with a devastating understanding about the shocking truth of her life. This book of surviving in the face of pain and suffering, is a book about courage, of putting others fi rst; and its opposite- a cruelty by her father and his mistress who shared a small intimate space with the mother of a young girl perfectly able to ignore her pain.

Letters From the Dead

Sam Hurcom

Sam Hurcom’s debut, A Shadow on the Lens, published last year and received fantastic reviews, described by The Guardian as ‘gothic, claustrophobic and wonderfully dark’! This is a stifl ing and atmospheric gothic crime novel set in the early 20th century for fans of The Woman in Black, The Silent Companions and

Hank the Hungry Monster

Julie Derrick

It is undeniable that being a parent is rewarding, but it can also be incredibly challenging. Despite increasing conversations around mental health, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood, particularly in children. OCD sufferers have obsessive thoughts, leading to compulsive rituals and behaviours, with around 1.2% of the UK population experiencing the condition. Author Julie Derrick is Little Strangers and I hope you love it!

determined to raise awareness and push for early identifi cation of the condition in children through her new children’s book, Hank the Hungry Monster.