BAKER-SMITH, GRAHAME (text by Angela McAllister) LEON AND THE PLACE BETWEEN
Templar (Age range: 8+)
ISBN: 9781840118018

When Leon goes to the magic show, he is the only one who believes. His brothers and sisters are in for a big surprise however: this is no ordinary show and Abdul Kazam is no ordinary magician. Leon is taken on a journey right into the Place Between, where magic becomes really real.

This is a wonderful production, in different media with fantastic use of sumptuous colour and light throughout. The jacket just invites you to pick it up and you really feel as if you are watching a show as you read it: there is so much for the reader to look at.

BLACKWOOD FREYA (text by Margaret Wild) HARRY & HOPPER
Scholastic (Age range: 6+)
ISBN: 9781407111391

Harry and his dog Hopper have done everything together ever since Hopper was a jumpy little puppy. But one day the unthinkable happens and Hopper will never be there again. But Harry is not ready to let him go just yet.

This book really stands out with its excellent use of muted colour, perspective, and exterior and interior space. The result is a powerful take on the father-son relationship, and a much-loved pet's death; an issue that is very well handled, with Harry's emotions and memories of Hopper expressed visually to great effect.

JEFFERS,OLIVER THE GREAT PAPER CAPER
HarperColllins (Age range: 4+)
ISBN: 9780007182299

There was once a forest where all was well until the strangest things started happening. Without any warning, branches started disappearing from trees. Something would have to be done, everyone agreed – everyone that is, except for someone who was acting very mysteriously indeed.

This is a brilliant whole production which makes wonderful use of colour, jacket and endpapers to convey an eco-message with a light touch. There are lots of witty little references and touches of humour to pick up on in this book which definitely rewards repeated re-reading.

KITAMURA, SATOSHI MILLIE'S MARVELLOUS HAT
Andersen (Age range:4+ )
ISBN: 9781842709245

Millie loves the hats in the shop window but she can't afford them. The man in the hat shop might have a solution for her though, if she dares to imagineÉ..

The strength of this impressive book, with its nice twist on the Emperor's New Clothes story lies in the way that the illustrator visualises the little girl's imagination in Kandinsky-esque explosions of colour. The hats are fabulous and the peacock breathtaking. A joyful and uplifting picture book.

MCKEAN, DAVE (text by Neil Gaiman) CRAZY HAIR
Bloomsbury (Age range: 6+)
ISBN: 9780747595267

Everyone is fascinated by Mister's wild hairstyle and feels compelled to tame it. However, Mister feels his hair is misunderstood, and so begins a hair-raising adventure as Bonnie and her comb are acquainted with the beasts, musicians and pirates jostling within it.

A technically brilliant and highly imaginative book about daring to be different, which makes great use of colour and varying styles to surreal and often creepy effect. A fresh and incredibly clever picture book.

RIDDELL, CHRIS (text by Neil Gaiman) THE GRAVEYARD BOOK
Bloomsbury (Age range: 9+)
ISBN: 9780747569015

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, would be a completely normal boy if he didn't live in a graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts. For it is in the land of the living that real danger lurks, a danger that has already killed Bod's family.

The black and white illustrations, reminiscent of old-fashioned book plates, really add to the story, enabling the reader to visualise its weird and wonderful cast of characters. The portraits of Eliza, and the four Jacks are particularly memorable.

ROBERTS, DAVID (text by Paul Fleischman) THE DUNDERHEADS
Walker (Age range: 8+)
ISBN: 9781406322552

Miss Breakbone is a fearsome teacher: she shouts, she confiscates, she makes kids cry. Until the Dunderheads – an unlikely band of kids, with extraordinary hidden talents, decide to teach Miss Breakbone a lesson she won't forget.

This enjoyable story makes great use of a wide range of styles and periods in a book which works well for older readers as well as younger ones. The different personalities of the children are beautifully conveyed and the book is further enlivened by its filmic references, visual and literary puns and touches of humour.

SCHWARZ, VIVIANE THERE ARE CATS IN THIS BOOK
Walker (Age range: 2+)
ISBN: 9781406300949

It's time to play with the cats in this – Tiny, Moonpie and AndrŽ. All you have to do is turn the pages. PS There are fish in this book too.

An enticing book, which makes a real statement and holds a lovely conversation with the reader. The cats are very expressive, the flaps are varied and not too obvious, and the graphics are uncontrived and cleverly used. A charming book to use with young children.