Read the latest book reviews of Minipreneur’s favourite children’s books published this season by Macmillan Children’s Books, Oxford Children’s, Walker Books and What on Earth! Books.
A Poem for Every Summer Day
Written by acclaimed anthologist Allie Esiri, A Poem for Every Summer Day is a beautifully curated celebration of the season, inviting families to pause and savour the long, golden days through the timeless power of poetry. Drawing from Esiri’s bestselling collections, this enchanting anthology pairs each summer day with a carefully chosen poem and an engaging introduction that connects the verse to its place in the calendar. Featuring literary giants including Lord Byron, Sylvia Plath, Rudyard Kipling, W. B. Yeats and Langston Hughes alongside contemporary voices such as Michael Rosen, John Agard, Brian Bilston and Kae Tempest, the collection offers a rich tapestry of styles, emotions and perspectives. Whether shared aloud on warm evenings or enjoyed in quiet moments alone, these poems encourage curiosity, reflection and a lifelong appreciation of language. Parents will cherish the opportunity to create meaningful family reading rituals, and children will discover the joy, beauty and imagination woven through every page. £9.99 published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
InvestiGators: Weather or Not
Written by bestselling graphic novelist John Patrick Green, InvestiGators: Weather or Not delivers another wildly inventive adventure featuring everyone’s favourite crime-solving alligators, Mango and Brash. Bursting with colourful comic-book artwork and brilliantly absurd humour, this ninth instalment sees the investigative duo tackling one of their strangest mysteries yet after the city’s water supply mysteriously turns into milk, green rain begins to fall and an army of monkey scientists appears to be involved. Alongside the newly recruited InvestiGatos, Mango and Brash must untangle a series of increasingly ridiculous clues using quick thinking, teamwork and plenty of determination. Green’s energetic storytelling and expressive illustrations make every page fizz with excitement, while the accessible graphic novel format continues to build reading confidence through visual storytelling and laugh-out-loud comedy. Parents will appreciate its positive messages about perseverance, collaboration and creative problem-solving, and children will race through its wonderfully chaotic mysteries, eccentric characters and irresistible humour. £12.99 published by Macmillan Children’s Books
The Mubbles: When Berry Met Terry
Written and illustrated by the much-loved Liz Pichon, this second full-colour graphic novel in The Mubbles series delivers exuberant humour and immersive world-building. Berry longs for a friend to play with, until the Uncertain Curtain delivers Terry the dog – chaotic, untrained and utterly irresistible. As havoc unfolds on the Isle of Smile, Berry’s plan to disguise Terry as a Wibble leads to escalating silliness and warmth. Packed with expressive illustrations, visual jokes and gentle emotional insight, the story celebrates friendship, loyalty and problem-solving. Parents will enjoy the positive messages and inventive format, and children will laugh their way through every colourful page. £8.99 published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Palm Pals: Super Cute Search-and-Find
Created by Palm Pals, Palm Pals Super Cute Search-and-Find is an irresistibly charming activity book that brings the world of collectible soft toys to life through a playful search-and-find adventure. Perfect for young readers aged 4-8, this colourful book invites children to explore 14 richly detailed scenes, from busy supermarket aisles to underwater worlds and skies filled with stars, while hunting for hundreds of hidden objects and adorable Palm Pals characters. Each page offers a bonus character to discover, encouraging children to look closely, concentrate and persevere as they work through increasingly absorbing visual challenges. With its appealing combination of observation, problem-solving and gentle entertainment, the book offers a screen-free activity that can be enjoyed independently or shared with family. Parents will appreciate its ability to build concentration and visual awareness while keeping little ones happily engaged, and children will delight in discovering their favourite super-cute characters hiding in unexpected places. £7.99 published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
Gordon Saves the Day
Written by and illustrated by bestselling creator Alex Latimer, Gordon Saves the Day is another brilliantly funny instalment in the wonderfully offbeat series starring children’s literature’s grumpiest goose. Bursting with sharp humour and expressive black and red illustrations, the story finds Gordon facing an unexpected challenge when a heroic newcomer, Captain Quack, arrives in Grover Gardens and quickly wins everyone’s admiration. As Gordon struggles with jealousy and questions whether there is room for two geese in town, readers are treated to a hilarious adventure that explores empathy, kindness and the possibility of personal growth without ever becoming preachy. Latimer’s witty storytelling strikes the perfect balance between comic mischief and heartfelt emotion, making this an engaging read for newly independent readers. Parents will appreciate its thoughtful exploration of friendship, self-awareness and redemption, and children will laugh out loud at Gordon’s outrageous antics while cheering for his unlikely transformation. £6.99 published by Oxford Children’s.
Croaky: Danger at Crater Canyon
Written by and illustrated by award-winning creator Matty Long, Croaky: Danger at Crater Canyon is a fast-paced adventure packed with humour, mystery and irresistible charm. Croaky Hopper has always dreamed of living the daring life of his television hero, and when the Woggle Scouts investigate reports of mysterious UFOs at Crater Canyon, he finally has the opportunity to prove his adventurous spirit. Alongside his loyal friends Sheena and Winston, Croaky must brave scorching deserts, swaying rope bridges and strange unexplained sightings while discovering that true courage often comes from teamwork rather than fearless bravado. Long’s colourful illustrations and energetic storytelling create an accessible, highly visual reading experience that keeps the action moving from page to page. Celebrating friendship, resilience and curiosity, this delightful adventure is ideal for developing readers eager for excitement. Parents will appreciate its positive messages and engaging humour, and children will be captivated by its lovable characters, thrilling escapades and laugh-out-loud moments. £6.99 published by Oxford Children’s.
Nine Times I Nearly Died
Written by renowned explorer Benedict Allen, Nine Times I Nearly Died is an exhilarating collection of true-life adventures that takes young readers deep into some of the world’s most challenging environments. Perfect for curious readers aged 8+, this gripping narrative non-fiction title recounts nine extraordinary moments when Allen’s survival skills, courage and determination were pushed to their limits, from battling freezing Arctic conditions with a team of huskies to navigating the dangers of the Amazon rainforest and surviving a shipwreck en route to Australia. Combining thrilling storytelling with practical survival advice, fascinating facts and insights into different cultures and landscapes, this book encourages children to embrace curiosity, resilience and a spirit of exploration. Accessible chapters and informative pull-out sections make it ideal for independent reading or dipping in and out. Parents will admire its inspiring lessons about perseverance and discovery, and children will be captivated by its real-world adventures, survival challenges and extraordinary encounters. £8.99 published by Walker Books.
Michael Rosen’s NICE! Poems
Written by multi-award-winning poet Michael Rosen and illustrated by Hannah Robinson, Michael Rosen’s NICE! Poems is a joyful celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved voices in children’s poetry. Perfect for readers aged 8+, this refreshed edition brings together some of Rosen’s funniest and most memorable poems, including much-loved favourites such as “Hot Food”, “No Breathing in Class” and “The Babysitter”. With his trademark warmth, playful observations and brilliant understanding of childhood imagination, Rosen transforms everyday experiences into moments of laughter and connection. Robinson’s lively illustrations add fresh energy to these much-loved verses, making the collection an inviting introduction to the pleasures of poetry. Ideal for reading aloud, sharing together or encouraging children to explore language independently, this charming anthology demonstrates how poetry can be funny, surprising and wonderfully relatable. Parents will treasure the opportunity to share these timeless poems, and children will delight in the silliness, rhythm and irresistible humour found throughout. £7.99 published by Walker Books.
One Ocean: A Journey Beneath the Waves
Written by award-winning zoologist and children’s author Nicola Davies and illustrated by acclaimed artist Jenni Desmond, One Ocean: A Journey Beneath the Waves is a breathtaking celebration of our planet’s interconnected seas and the remarkable creatures that call them home. Through the discovery of a “sea heart” carried around the world by ocean currents, readers follow a fascinating journey that reveals how every ocean is connected and why protecting these vast ecosystems matters to us all. Combining accessible science, lyrical storytelling and spectacular artwork, Davies and Desmond create a deeply engaging exploration of marine life, from the smallest organisms to the largest ocean inhabitants. With an important message about climate change woven naturally throughout, this beautifully presented book inspires environmental awareness while encouraging wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Parents will value its thoughtful approach to conservation and discovery, and children of all ages will be fascinated by its extraordinary creatures, captivating facts and magnificent underwater journey. £14.99 published by Walker Books.
The Palace of Facts
Written by Kate Olesin and illustrated by Andy Smith, The Palace of Facts is a dazzlingly inventive fact book that turns learning into a grand exploratory adventure. Perfect for readers aged 8+, this lavishly illustrated title invites children into a magnificent palace where 400 astonishing facts are hidden across treasure rooms, fossil halls, observatories and dungeons, with Pip, Alice and their dog Charley guiding the way. Inspired by the memory palace technique, the book makes information feel both beautiful and unforgettable, whether children are discovering dinosaurs, space, architecture, animals, history or music. Olesin’s crisp, accessible facts are perfectly matched by Smith’s richly detailed scenes, which reward close attention and encourage readers to linger, search and return. With its generous format and gift-worthy presentation, it is ideal for curious minds and reluctant readers alike. Parents will appreciate its educational depth and visual appeal, and children will delight in its treasure hunt of knowledge and wonder. £20 published by What on Earth! Books.
How to Do (Almost) Everything
Written by Becky Baines and illustrated by Laurie Avon, How to Do (Almost) Everything is a wonderfully practical and beautifully produced guide that equips children with the skills to navigate the world with confidence, curiosity and creativity. Perfect for readers aged 8+, this substantial hardback offers an impressive range of life skills, from tying knots and packing a suitcase to baking a cake, solving a riddle, meditating, writing an algorithm and even teaching a dog a trick. Each activity is supported by expert advice, clear step-by-step diagrams, lively illustrations and photography, giving the book both authority and accessibility. What makes it especially appealing is its breadth, moving seamlessly from science and maths to kindness, problem-solving and collaboration, while encouraging children to think independently and engage more fully with real life beyond screens. Parents will value its intergenerational appeal and lasting usefulness, and children will enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering each new challenge. £25 published by What on Earth! Books.
