Aztec, Viking, Japanese, Olympian, Cretan, possibly even the West Country sport of cheese-rolling but, equally, perhaps not. Volant has done several other good books of non-fiction for child... read more
The inimitable QB, a delightul book about the Meadowsweet family, a bird called Octavia and a seed the saves the day; we didn't include this in our last list as it was stuck in a warehouse, ... read more
First published in 1950, with hints - not surprisingly - of LB's delightful 'Madeline'. A music school, a music teacher, her dastardly landlord and a lot of umbrellas... A charming book for ... read more
On a night so cold that it bites, five children run away from the Little Tulip Orphanage and embark on a moonlit caper... Lively, funny and exciting adventure set in C19th Amsterdam. Ages 7-... read more
A wonderful introduction to gene theory for the young. ES is one of our foremost illustrators, with an eye for detail and lavish colour, all with a rather old-fashioned appeal. Ages 5-8.
Hugely successful in France, this autobiographical novel moves from the author's happy childhood in Algeria to Paris, where she navigates her own sexuality and the tensions of existing betwe... read more
Baldwin’s ground-breaking first novel draws on his own upbringing in 1930s Harlem. One day in the life of John Grimes, son of a fierce Pentecostal preacher, wrestling with desire and lonel... read more
A tale about the relationship between a New York financier, his waiter lover, a threatening note and a mysterious disappearance from the deck of a ship.
An American academic in Tuscany discovers an intriguing wartime story. The family says she can write about it, but they may regret that when the story turns out to be murkier than they think... read more
An electrifying, Gothic thriller from the youngest ever Booker-shortlisted author ('Everything Under', 2018). Sibling love, and sibling envy, in a house full of unexplained noises and flicke... read more