Red House Children's Book Award

• The Pencil
• Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman
• Walker
• 9781406309621

This beautiful picture book builds from a very simple theme – ‘Once there was a pencil, a lonely little pencil, and nothing else’ – into something wonderful. The pencil begins to draw, starting with a boy, and so the world of the book expands. The family created grows and begins to behave as families will – complaining and squabbling, until a new ingredient – a rubber – is added to the mix. Rubber gets very excited, rubbing out everything in its path; disaster looms, until pencil draws another rubber into existence. Every sentence, every drawing oozes humour and originality. A treat from start to finish!

• Beware of the Frog
• William Bee
• Walker
• 9781406309812

Every illustration in this remarkable and unusual picture book is striking and bold. This eccentric story centres around about Mrs Collywobbles, an old woman who is absolutely terrified of all the monsters who live in the dark, scary wood next to her house and relies on her little pet frog to protect her. Our young testers enjoyed finding Mrs Collywobbles hiding behind the curtains watching the monsters read the sign on her gate ‘Beware of the Frog’ and laughed even louder at the superbly distorted fairy tale ending. This highly-original tale is great fun for young children and their parents.

• A Lark in the Ark
• Peter Bently and Lynne Chapman
• Egmont
• 9781405225502

In this humorous picture book a familiar story is given an imaginative twist. The constant rain is making everyone on board the ark a little bored, so Noah suggests a game of hide and seek to have some fun. Where will they hide? Will they dare to hide in the only room which says NO ANIMALS? Our young testers relished lifting the flaps to reveal wacky comments including ‘llamas in pyjamas’ and ‘owls in towels’. The last spread provides a final surprise – a fold out page which reveals all the animals having lots of fun on the ark. A wonderful interactive story!

• The Three Horrid Pigs and the Big Friendly Wolf
• Liz Pichon
• Little Tiger
• 9781845066284

Mother Pig has had enough of her three horrid pigs so she packs their bags and sends them off. But how will the lazy pigs cope in the big wide world? Will they accept help from the friendly wolf? Liz Pichon has refashioned a traditional tale into a satisfying, modern fable. It tells a simple story with a strong rhythmic narrative. Delightful illustrations capture the emotions of all the animals, and the text provides strong clues for joining in with the ‘huffs’ and ‘puffs’. After finishing this quirky tale you’re sure to hear the words “Again! Again!”

• CIA - The Wild West Moo-nster
• Steve Cole
• Random House
• 9781862301924

Genius cow Professor McMoo and his trusty sidekicks, Pat and Bo, are star agents of the C.I.A. – Cows In Action. There’s a Gold Rush taking place in the American Wild West where a Ter-Moo-Nator is cheating the locals out of the land they own and herds of cattle are disappearing. There’s also a sinister Monster on the loose, so who better to solve the strange case than our worthy Professor McMoo and his friends, Pat and Bo. Steve Cole knows how to keep young readers enthralled with adventure, humour and mad capers at every turn of the page.

• Daisy and the Trouble with Zoos
• Kes Gray
• Random House
• 9781862304932

Daisy loves surprises especially when they involve trips to the zoo! Who’d have known that a rhino could do so much wee in one go. Who’d have imagined an elephant tooth was that heavy! But the biggest surprise for Daisy is yet to come. Young children will adore Daisy’s logical attitude and funny outlook on life. This witty story is accompanied by lots of fun line drawings which bring even more energy and life to the tale, easily capturing the imagination of inexperienced readers.

• The Cat Who Liked Rain
• Henning Mankell
• Andersen Press
• 9781842708437

Lukas received a most precious gift for his seventh birthday – a little black kitten. He was so thrilled and named the ebony bundle of fur, Night. When Night disappeared he was devastated. Family and friends joined in the search but Night was not to be found. Lukas was so devastated that he refused to believe the kitten had really gone. This wise and gentle story, set in Sweden, wonderfully captures the young boy’s hurt and anger at the loss of a pet whilst concluding with a satisfying ending. This modern fairy tale is truly beautiful and moving.

• Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior
• Chris Bradford
• Puffin
• 9780141324302

Set in the seventeenth century, this story seethes with energy and action. After being shipwrecked off the coast of Japan our hero, Jack, is rescued by legendary sword master, Masamoto. He is enrolled in a school for samurai warriors and becomes skilled in their art of fighting, the value of friendship and the limits of endurance. He has to fight the bullies to prove himself a worthy samurai. This book is a thrilling historical romance and provides a fascinating insight into Japanese culture, accessible to both boys and girls. Our readers can’t wait for the next book in the series!

• Blood Ties
• Sophie McKenzie
• Simon & Schuster
• 9781847382757

Moving from London, to Scotland and then to Washington DC, this gripping thriller explores issues of genetic engineering and personal identity within a tightly constructed plot. The relationship between the protagonists prompted much thoughtful discussion amongst our older readers who empathised with the teenage characters as they struggled with their sense of identity. This fast-paced novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they join Rachel and Theo in their nail-biting race to survive against the odds.

• Broken Soup
• Jenny Valentine
• HarperCollins
• 9780007229659

Rowan Clark is only fifteen years old but the consequences of her brother’s accidental death two years before have forced adult responsibilities on to her young shoulders as her family falls apart. Her mother is deeply depressed; her father has left home unable to cope so Rowan is left alone to look after her mother and her younger sister. One day a stranger hands her a photographic negative. Soon Rowan is transported into a puzzling mystery full of excitement and suspense. Prepare to be hooked by this exciting and original story.