Announcements, revelations and celebrations: October Kids Highlights

October was a month of announcements and celebrations.

We revealed Australia’s Top 50 Kids Books. More info here
The Children’s Book Council of Australia announced the winners and honour books across all six categories. More info here.
Thousands of children all around Australia celebrated Book Week with book character costumes parades and hundreds of author events (many of them virtual this year!).

It was also an outstanding month for new releases in children’s books, with many authors appearing in our Facebook Live events to chat about their new books. Click on the author name to catch up on all the fun

These were the top titles on our reading list in October:

Will You Be My Friend by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram

Why we love it:

From the creators of Guess How Much I Love You, this heart-warming book about friendship will be a family favourite too. Delicate watercolour illustrations perfectly capture the playful curiosity and joyous adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare as he makes a new friend.

What it’s about:

Little Nutbrown Hare is out exploring on his own. Off he hops until he reaches the Cloudy Mountain where something extraordinary happens: he discovers a new friend. Now the fun begins!

Pirate Stew by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell

Why we love it:

Award-winning author and illustrator duo Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell deliver a joyous romp through the high seas, filled with colourful characters and memorable rhyme. Perfect for reading aloud, this superbly packaged book will be a treasured gift for readers 3+.

What it’s about:

A rambunctious pirate turns up to babysit! Long John McRon invites his boisterous pirate crew into the house and cooks up a magical stew, dances a merry jig and creates a ruckus. Will the children survive this night of mayhem? What will their parents say when they get home?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney

Why we love it:

Number 15 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has hit our bookstores. Pallets of books were strictly embargoed in warehouses and storerooms all around the world. Australian fans were among the first in the world to get their hands on the latest installment of Greg Heffley’s misadventures and the excitement is truly astonishing! Kids all around Australia are finding somewhere quiet so they can read uninterrupted, and that is truly phenomenal.

What it’s about:

Just trust us when we say it is very funny. The Wimpy Kid, Greg, finds himself in all sorts of awkward situations that children and adults find completely relatable. The Heffleys hit the road for a camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime but they become stranded in a holiday park that is not exactly a summertime paradise.

Rangers Apprentice: The Royal Ranger: Book Four: The Missing Prince by John Flanagan

Why we love it:

John Flanagan is an expert at building believable fantasy worlds, making his multitude of books and series popular world-wide. In The Missing Prince our favourite characters embark on a dangerous mission that will have readers turning pages quickly to discover whether their daring exploits are successful. Set in medieval times this is a rip-roaring adventure for readers 9+

What it’s about:

Experienced Ranger Will embarks on a dangerous mission to a foreign land with his young female apprentice, Maddie. Will they survive the journey and reach their destination? What mishaps and injustices will endanger their success? Once they arrive will they be able to extract the missing prince?

The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

Why we love it:

Delving into real-life history author Amelia Mellor brings Coles Book Arcade to life. If you remember Coles Funniest Picture Book, or love magical realism, then dive into this fresh new adventure and help solve the riddles that will save the family and the bookstore.

What it’s about:

The dastardly Obscurosmith has made a deal with Mr Cole that will rob his family of their memories and close the bookstore. The bookstore is magical place that is full of surprises, but more importantly for Pearl and Valley Cole, it is their home. Can they beat the Obscurosmith at his own game?

The Clock of Stars by Francesca Gibbons

Why we love it:

From a brand-new fantasy author, this first book in an exciting trilogy introduces us to a new world and its characters with a fast-paced and frightening tale, incorporating many of the classic devices of gruesome fairy tales and traditional fantasy literature.

What it’s about:

Two sisters follow a Shadow Moth into a magical world, developing friendships and alliances while embarking on a serious quest. Do they each have sufficient courage to surmount the obstacles in their path? Can they overcome prejudice and misunderstanding? Will their own behaviours derail their success?

The Tunnel of Dreams by Bernard Beckett

Why we love it:

Award-winning New Zealand author Bernard Beckett delivers a beautifully crafted new fantasy novel for middle grade readers. It’s a guaranteed great read, set at a cracking pace in a parallel world with echoes of the trials of The Hunger Games and Harry Potter, and the landscape of Hunt for the Wilderpeople and The Hobbit.

What it’s about:

Twins Arlo and Stefan are led through a tunnel to a parallel world where their magic powers are revealed. Caught up in a mission to rescue a young girl held captive by evil forces they find strength they never dreamed of and enlist assistance from surprising sources. Will they succeed? Can they return to their world? Can love and trust overcome fear and greed?

The Werewolves That Weren’t by T.C. Shelley

Why we love it:

The fantastic second book in a richly imagined, darkly monstrous fantasy adventure trilogy is a fast-paced high-stakes ode to loyalty and friendship. Featuring wise-cracking gargoyles, shapeshifters, narcissistic fairies and ruthless power players, this middle-grade novel is compelling reading.

What it’s about:

Sam is half monster, half fairy but he loves his newly adopted human family and is doing his best to make friends at school. When his new friends disappear, Sam is thrust back into the world of monsters and fairies and forced to confront both sides of his identity to save their lives and his own.

Dare To Be You by Matthew Syed

Why we love it:

With worldwide problems looming large in their lives, there has never been a tougher time for young adults to navigate self-doubt and conquer the anguish of fitting in, while trying to find their own path and discover their unique identity. Inspiring and entertaining, this is the book every adult wishes they’d been given during puberty. A book for our times.

What it’s about:

Learn how to stop doubting yourself, embrace change and let your kindness loose. This book has simple steps and easy strategies which will inspire tweens and teens to fearlessly follow their own path. Includes real-life examples of people who have successfully made a difference to their own life and to the world.