New Novels and Chapter Books We’re Looking Forward to Sharing With the Kids We Know

Venturing to the bookshop soon?

While January and February tend to be quieter times in stores, particularly in terms of brand new titles arriving on the shelves, you’ll still find some real gems in the new release section.

Here are some of the books we’re most looking forward to (click on the titles or cover images below to learn more about each book or purchase a copy).

Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters is the first book in a brand new Australian series for early readers (it sits somewhere around the same reading level as ‘Lulu Bell’, ‘EJ12’ and ‘WeirDo’). The series features a little bit of intrigue, some clever problem solving and wonderful family dynamics. We’ve just finished reading Book One and can’t wait to meet the appealing, curious, mischievous and relatable characters again in future books.

Anyone But Ivy Pocket is written by an Australian author under the pseudonym Caleb Krisp. Now available in an accessible paperback edition, it’s packed with tongue-in-cheek humour and would appeal to Lemony Snicket Fans. You can read our interview with Caleb Krisp here.

‘Witch Wars’ is a fairly new series for readers of around 8 and 9, starring just about the glitziest, chic-est witches we’ve ever seen! Book Two, Witch Switch, has just been released.

Reading series books can be incredibly motivating for kids (we talk more about the appeal of series in this article), and we’re sure the kids we know will be thrilled to see new instalments of three favourites hitting the shelves:

– Diary of a Tennis Prodigy continues Marcus’ hilarious, ill-fated attempts to try new sports – this series is very much loved by both boys and girls we know, of around 7 and up.
– Pony School Showdown is the latest in the Ella Diaries series. Our friend Nicole Brownlee, founder of The Story Box Library, describes this series as easy reading, ‘ full of fun, random little moments.’
– And Coco Banjo and the Super Wow Surprise is the third in a pacy, humorous series from N.J. Gemmell, set in the world of an Aussie primary-schooler who is brave and bold and has a little of the Pippi Longstocking about her. You can read our interview with N.J. Gemmell here.

We’re also excited to see new editions of some of our favourite stories hitting the shelves, driven by new TV series. Little Lunch Triple the Treats features three stories from Danny Katz and Mitch Vane’s series, each of which deals with the crazy things that can happen during a 15 minute school recess. The text is accompanied by kooky illustrations.

We have fond childhood memories of reading the very quirky, environmentally-themed Bottersnikes and Gumbles stories. Originally published in the 1960s, some of the stories have now been turned into an animated TV series. The Selected Adventures of Bottersnikes and Gumbles has been released to tie in.

For more great reading published in 2015 or earlier, check out our list of 42 recommended novels and chapter books, prepared with the help of parents and kids we know.

You might also be interested in our selection of brand new picture books we’re looking forward to sharing.

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