Ross Welford claims that lockdowns, social media rage and climate change inspired him to write about a parallel world in which people live in peace - and how tempting that sounds.
by Steve Small (S&S £12.99, 32 pp)
We’ve all heard the expression ‘takes to it like a duck to water’ but not this Duck, who would far rather snuggle up with a good book in a warm, dry house than get his webbed feet wet.
When a young, lost frog who’d moved in with him returns to his river home, Duck realises that he’s lonely and braves a scary journey to find him again.
A joyful celebration of friendship overcoming your fears.
THE DUCK WHO DIDN’T LIKE WATER by Steve Small, pictured left, and right, THE ROCK FROM THE SKY by Jon Klassen
THE GRAVEYARD RIDDLE
by Lisa Thompson (Scholastic £6.99, 304 pp)
The children from Lisa Thompson’s bestselling The Goldfish Boy make a welcome reappearance here, but the focus is now on Melody Bird, an only child who finds her special friendship with OCD-sufferer Matthew has been hijacked by cocky local lad, Jake. She then discovers an older boy, hiding out in the ruins of a churchyard plague house, who claims to be an undercover spy and enlists her help. Lonely Melody willingly agrees to trap a wanted criminal but Matthew is sceptical. Who should she trust?
As ever, Thompson weaves threads of complicated family relationships and emotional pain into an absorbing detective mystery with great wit and warmth. Let’s hope we see more of Melody and Matthew.