Books of the Week | New Children's Books - Peters

Please note that we will automatically hold all schools orders from 30 March 2026 to 17 April 2026 due to the Easter break. We know that Easter holiday start dates vary this year so that the holiday period extends over three weeks. If your school remains open for delivery for all or part of this time and you'd like your books delivered, please let us know at online checkout, or by calling us on 0121 666 6646 or emailing hello@peters.co.uk.  

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Books of the week

Each week, our librarians and children's book specialists select their favourites of the most recently published children's, teen and young adult titles, from picture books to YA fiction. Our favourites are highlighted as recommended reads, and the books with the highest number of votes from the team are named 'Books of the week'.

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Reviews

Happy list

Happy list

Nat Luurtsema
Usborne

A great read with lots of laugh-out-loud moments & really relatable characters. Lots of self-help tips are explored as part of the story so readers can take ideas away without it feeling heavy handed. I love that the story explores that not all stress-busting ideas suit all people and that you're unlikely to find an instant solution to worrying. Overthinkers of all ages could enjoy this one!

Nikki Gray Reviewed by Nikki Gray on 19th March 2026
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Feed your robot!

Feed your robot!

Anna Milbourne
Usborne

This is wonderful!  The illustrations are funny, bright and bold.  The interactive wheels are sturdy with rolling text that makes you laugh.  A fabulous board for toddlers to chew over!  They'll all become engineers after reading this!  Perfect for adults and their toddlers!  

Emma McElwee Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 18th March 2026
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Once upon an island

Once upon an island

Alice Albinia
Magic Cat Publishing

Discover 20 wondrous islands - from the rugged landscape of the Orkney islands that people of the Stone Age once called home, to the sunny coasts of the Isles of Scilly.

 

This book is beautifully produced and illustrated with a range of islands covered. The double page spread for each island is detailed and full of interesting facts and information. Excellent for island topics or as a leisure read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 missing Reviewed by Peters team on 11th March 2026
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Whack a moley

Whack a moley

Bethan Clarke
Little Tiger Pr

Goat and Mole want to play a game. But what should they play? Goat has an idea but Mole isn't so sure... With a brilliant use of language and expressive illustrations, this funny and inventive read is sure to delight. Goat and Mole are great characters and their moods are perfectly captured in both the story and pictures. As a follow-on from Holey Moley this works brilliantly, but it also stands alone as a hilarious picture book that would work well for story times or reading one-to-one. 

Katie Merrick Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 4th March 2026
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Boy vs reality

Boy vs reality

James Fox
Scholastic

The writing is lovely, flows well with subtle humour and there are some beautifully observed details. The social media theme is on trend and it's an exploration into the effects that social media can have on family life. It also explores how reality can be difficult to deal with when problems arise. This would make a good class reader as there is lots to think about and discuss. It's also just a very good story as reading for pleasure.

 

Michaela Owen Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 25th February 2026
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The whale that sings in the deep

The whale that sings in the deep

Yuval Zommer
Oxford U P

The story is methodical, lyrical with some repetition so it's all quite hypnotic as we follow a blue whale on it's migration journey. The illustrations are beautiful with lots to see and overall, it's a thoughtful, immersive experience. A gentle read

Michaela Owen Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 18th February 2026
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Snot Jelly Island

Snot Jelly Island

Olaf Falafel
Puffin

When attending a funfair, five children - and one grumpy amateur magician - are accidentally transformed into magical creatures. But then the wand used to change them is lost, and they must go on a very strange quest to find it. 

This wildly inventive, laugh-out-loud tale is a delight. Ignore the daft title as it's not all toilet humour, and settle in for a wild journey through a bonkers world filled with lively characters. The bright, expressive artwork perfectly complements the text and this hugely enjoyable start to a new series is bound to appeal. Great for Bunny vs Monkey fans, or anyone looking for a surreal and hilarious read. 

Katie Merrick Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 11th February 2026
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Don't do it, Doug

Don't do it, Doug

Maudie Powell-Tuck
Little Tiger Pr

Doug is a very recognisable character - someone who just finds it too hard to resist temptation! The text is quite sparse so some discussion with an adult may help; it does mean that the funny illustrations really shine. Worth having in any library

Natalie Wise Reviewed by Natalie Wise on 6th February 2026
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Better the devil

Better the devil

Erik J Brown
Hodder

Juicy murder/identity theft mystery with lots of twists and unexpected turns. You really root for "Nate" despite his calculated (or desperate) deception, and the finale is incredibly tense. Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson. A real page turner.

Lucy McConnell Reviewed by Lucy McConnell on 28th January 2026
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Gaslit

Gaslit

Megan Davidhizar
HarperCollins

When a night of babysitting turns fatal, a girl burdened with survivor's guilt becomes increasingly convinced that someone is responsible for the gas leak that killed her family member - and that she was the intended target all along.

This story with so many twists and turns will have you guessing right until the end. The characters are powerfully drawn and grow throughout. The insights into living with a brain tumour add another fascinating dimension. 

Dawn Franklin Reviewed by Dawn Franklin on 21st January 2026
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Terrible traitors

Terrible traitors

Terry Deary
Scholastic

It's funny and gruesome in equal measures. The topic has great appeal and it's a sure winner in this popular series.  The chosen characters are a mix of well known and lesser known historical figures. They spread out from the awful ancients to the woeful second world war.  They're interesting, full of fascinating facts and the reader can decide if they think they are true traitors. What a lot of devious people there are in the world! The illustrations are simple but effective and littered with jokes and silliness.  It's great for reluctant readers and absorbing for fans of history. Good stuff.

Emma McElwee Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 10th December 2025
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Mullets

Mullets

Nick Sharratt
Puffin

Energetic style and perky, understated humour work perfectly with Sharratt's trademark simple-yet-expressive illustrations. A fun and carefree read that will hopefully not lead to a return of the hairstyle...

Lucy Forrester Reviewed by Lucy Forrester on 1st December 2025
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The secret world of seahorses

The secret world of seahorses

Nicola Davies
Walker Bks

It can be difficult to spot a seahorse! Seahorses don't look like other fish and they don't swim around in shoals. They like to hide deep in the ocean amongst the rocks and reefs and weeds. But over the years, it has become harder and harder to spot these elusive creatures...

This is a fabulous book that highlights the plight of seahorses, and the vibrant water colour illustrations complement the text perfectly. It encourages empathy and responsibility to young readers and teaches the importance of protecting this beautiful species.

Zeena Ark Reviewed by Zeena Ark on 20th November 2025
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Flipped

Flipped

Philip Caveney
Fox & Ink Books

The cover which is a bit dull really doesn't do this book justice. The plot is clever and the characters from Dickens' Great Expectation leap off the page. The Victorian house on the marshes that Flip discovers (and first meets the Dickens' characters) is atmospheric and Gothic but we also get to explore modern day concerns and when Flip finds out that his father is having a baby with his 'new partner', we really feel Flips rejection and range of emotions, which are captured beautifully in the writing. A really enjoyable, relatable read

Michaela Owen Reviewed by Michaela Owen on 13th November 2025
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The rose field

The rose field

Philip Pullman
Penguin

Explores complex philosophical and political themes that has parallels to the world we currently inhabit, that mark it as requiring a high reading level, but the depth and quality of writing make it something very special. Something to savour and a resounding and moving end to Lyra's story.

Lucy McConnell Reviewed by Lucy McConnell on 7th November 2025
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