A heartbreaking, beguiling debut . . . This poignant journey through the badlands of grief is crammed with tenderness, wit and warmth.

Howard pulls off the trick of making Riley's real quest even more heart-wrenching than the fantasy that drives it. This taut, moving tale delves beyond loss into issues of sexuality, conformity and self-acceptance . . . "The Whispers" is a masterful exploration into the power of storytelling but also its dangers, including self-denial and escapism.

Howard triumphs in the delicate treatment of complex themes - trauma, religion and sexuality, to name a modest few - rendering The Whispers a suitable tale for readers of R. J. Palacio's thoughtful bestseller, Wonder.

Nadia Shireen's Billy and the Beast celebrates the experience of those often left out of picture books, with its brave brown heroine and the outrageous array of props she stores in her huge cloud of hair. Lively, energetic, full of well-timed humour (and a sidekick called Fatcat), it's a great story for everyone, especially those not used to seeing themselves centre stage.

These are the most brilliant, beautiful and silly picture-books out there at the moment. Little doorways of joy.

A gripping piece of fantasy

Bloody, fast paced and adventurous

It snares your attention, and keeps it

Sally Green has fully captured me with this new series

A magical adventure that practically explodes off the page