Exciting books to read in 2016

The New Year and new school term is all about fresh starts and, of course, deciding what to read next. Whether you’re after action and adventure, stories of friendships or books to make you laugh, these are the big debuts and highlights from Puffin for your reading list this year. Happy reading!

 New books by your favourite authors…

Romans on the Rampage: Jail Break! by Jeremy Strong

Perilus and his family are in trouble again! This is a laugh out loud book that brings Romans to life for young readers. It is a good pick to support kids learning about Romans at school.

Out now

 

 

 

 

The Diary of Dennis the Menace, The Great Escape! by Steven Butler 

The naughtiest boy in fiction returns for another prankster-packed story. In this story Dennis has been packed off to an elite boarding school. Help! Desperate to get back to Bash Street he plots his great escape.

Out in February

 

 

 

Jolly Foul Play by Robin Stevens

Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong have returned to Deepdean for a new school term and meet the new head girl and her group of prefects, who are not good eggs! The fourth book in the Murder Most Unladylike Mystery series is another thrilling read.

Out in March

 

 

 

Mabel Jones and the Forbidden City by Will Mabbitt

Mabel fans will be thrilled to hear their favourite heroine is back for a second adventure. Follow her exciting quest as she swashbuckles her way through the jungle to save her little sister from the wicked Witch Queen.

Don’t miss! Look out for the latest Danger book out this year and the exciting new Rick Riordan out in May.
 

 
 

 

Unmissable books to read for the first time or again…

The Butterfly Club by Jacqueline Wilson

New in paperback, is this terrific tale about teeny-tiny Tina, a triplet who is much smaller than her two sisters. A story about learning to be independent. Out now

 

 
 

 
 

 

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Whoopsy splunkers! Read it before you see it. Our delumptious giant is coming to the big screen in July 2016, so now’s the time to read or re-read this gloriumptious story. Out now

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney

Out in paperback this month is the ninth Wimpy Kid book. Join Greg for a laugh out-loud story of a family road trip, that of course is packed with disasters, a lost key, a crazed seagull and even a runaway pig. Out in January

 

 

 

 

 

Fortune Cookie by Cathy Cassidy

Grab your tissues, Sweet Honey is the sixth and final book in Cathy Cassidy’s Chocolate Box Girls series. Out in February

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Book 1) by Rick Riordan

Half boy. Half God. All Hero. The first in the Percy Jackson book series is one to read for the first time – or for demigod fans to read again.

Out now

 

 

 
 

 

Debut fiction – new authors to discover in 2016

Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden

The first book in a new series about an orphan boy who discovers he is part of a secret army that protects the world from a race of shadowy monsters.

Out in April

 

The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell

Welcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems. The story follows  Ivy Sparrow’s magical adventures in Lundinor, a city beneath London where ordinary objects have extraordinary powers.

Out in June

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

‘Annabelle has lived in Wolf Hollow all her life: a quiet place, still scarred by two world wars. But when cruel, manipulative Betty arrives in town, Annabelle’s calm world is shattered…’ This powerful story is set to be a future children’s classic.

Out in July  

Puffin Podcast episode 12: Adventures in Wonderland

Follow that white rabbit! To celebrate the 150th unbirthday of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, BAFTA winning actress Sheridan Smith exclusively shares how she came up with the voices for the new audiobook. What’s more, host Ally McCrae will be exploring modern-wonderlands inspired by Lewis Carrol’s classic, like Cathy Cassidy’s intriguing Looking Glass Girl read by Helen Baxendale and the soon-to-be Hollywood blockbuster The Fifth Wave.

For the especially curious amongst you, there’s a curious cast of characters:

ANSWERS TO CHARACTER QUIZ at the end of the episode… No cheating please! 

Could you name all  the curious characters at the end of the episode? Here are the answers . . .

• The Cheshire Cat
• Frog Footman
• The Duchess
• The Dormouse
• The Mad Hatter
• The March Hare
• The Caterpillar
• The Queen

So that just leaves one question, why is a raven like a writing desk?

Let us know you’re listening using the hashtag #ListenwithPuffin
Tweet @puffinbooks

Children’s Books: Give a gift of friendship

Books are a perfect place to find a best mate. Whether you’re looking for a friend to round out your show-stopping musical act, a sidekick to help you get through your first love and the scary school dance, or simply a buddy to see you through the everyday, our list of books about BFFs has something for everyone. You never know where you’ll find your next partner-in-crime, so why not bury yourself in the pages of these tales about friendship? With a book by your side, you’re always in good company.

Children’s Books: Give a gift of wonder

We’ve gathered a list of beautiful books guaranteed to inspire wonder in every reader. From Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to creative colouring books, adding any of these treasures to your Christmas list will make for one beautiful book shelf.

Puffin Virtually Live: Cathy Cassidy celebrates 150 years of Alice!

Alice in Wonderland is celebrating its 150th (un)birthday this year – so we thought we’d throw a bit of a party.

On Tuesday 19th May at 2pm, join us for a fun filled, action packed show to explore the history of this classic story with the amazing Cathy Cassidy, author of over 25 books, including Looking-Glass Girl.

Don’t miss Cathy LIVE on stage with the cast of Adventures in Wonderland – the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the rest of the gang – who’ll be bringing the story to life in new, exciting and curious ways.

Register to watch the show for free now at www.puffinvirtuallylive.co.uk. You can even download a fantastic party pack and linked lesson plans!

So pull up a chair and grab a jam tart – it’s going to be brilliant.

Alice: Be Your Own Hero!

by Cathy Cassidy

When I first read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, I identified strongly with Alice… her wide-eyed innocence, her curiosity, her struggle to make sense of a world that had suddenly turned upside-down. I admired Alice because she never gave up… she kept on trying to make sense of things, to find the ‘wonder’ in life.

As I moved through my teens, I tried to do the same, even though it was sometimes a challenge. I often wished I could fall down the rabbit hole and find a whole different world, or push through the looking glass to find a life less tiresome, less dull, than the one I was stuck with. Alice, both the fictional version and the Victorian child who inspired her, was strong, determined, spirited… but one hundred and fifty years ago, when Lewis Carroll’s book was first published, not every girl could be a heroine. For most girls back then, there were few opportunities to push the boundaries. These days, we have a whole lot more freedom – and every girl can be her own hero.

Whether you are loud and confident or whether you’re quiet and shy, remember that you have a whole lot of courage and potential. You can do whatever you set your mind to. Brave, strong, feisty girls… we need them now more than ever; girls who will stand up, speak up, change the world for the better, girls who can look around and see the beauty and wonder in a world that can seem more than a little crazy. Whatever your style, stick to your beliefs and don’t be afraid to dream big and speak out when you need to. Be your own hero… there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Looking Glass Girl

Looking Glass Girl by Cathy Cassidy is available from all good bookshops from 2 April 2015.

For more from Cathy Cassidy, the latest book news and cool competitions, sign up for the monthly Puffin Newsletter, BeakSpeak!

Secret Santa! #SeasonsReadings (The Outtakes!)

Just twenty three more sleeps until Christmas and Puffin is looking forward to mince pies, presents, shiny new books, (re-reading dusty old books) and even a couple of Brussels sprouts.

As the windows of advent calendars across the land burst open – some of the brightest and most brilliant authors have had a few early festive surprises. That’s right, the Penguin Office Christmas Secret Santa has begun and Puffin has got a rather excellent, totally exclusive, absolutely behind the scenes, sneaky-peeky video. It seems even grown-up authors get excited about a mysterious box in shiny paper – get ready for wrapping ripping and some absolute crackers.

Starring (in order of appearance):

Sophie Kinsella, Cathy Cassidy, Malorie Blackman, Caitlin Moran, Giovanna Fletcher, Zoe Sugg (aka Zoella), Colm Tóibín, Sebastian Faulks, Graeme Simsion, Simon Mayo, The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas and John Cleese.

Want to find out who gave what and to whom? Shimmy over to the Penguin YouTube channel to find out!

Warning: Contains dinosaur poop

 

How to make Marshmallow Cupcakes

Behold this irresistible Yummy Marshmallow Cupcake recipe, inspired by Cathy Cassidy‘s Marshmallow Skye.

You will need;
120g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1 ½ a teaspoon of baking flour
A pinch of salt
45g unsalted butter
120ml whole milk
1 egg
¼ tsp vanilla extract
12 medium pink marshmallows
Vanilla frosting/buttercream
200g mini marshmellows

Step 1
Pre-heat the oven to 170C.

Step 2
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter with a handheld electric whisk until smooth. Then mix in half the milk (make sure it’s just half, you’ll need that for the next step!)

Step 3
Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl. Then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until combined.

Monday Make and Do – Cathy Cassidy’s Cupcakes

Today's Make and Do comes from the wonderful Cathy Cassidy, author of The Chocolate Box Girls series. More recipes, activities and fab freebies are available from www.cathycassidy.com

#WhereIRead – Cathy Cassidy

In the sunny weather I've been reading in the hammock in the
evenings when it gets a little cooler. There are fairy lights clipped to the
washing line strung above the hammock, and most evenings my lurcher Finn jumps
in too, getting in on the act. My other lurcher is too big/old/dignified for
such things and usually watches sedately from the grass.

If my kids are outside
there'll be a soundtrack of indie-folk songs going on in the background, and
maybe the smell of woodsmoke from the firepit… who needs TV?

Cathy Cassidy, Author of the Chocolate Box Girls

Cathy is now tweeting merrily away – follow @cathycassidyxx 

and join in with our project by posting your Summer Reading destinations using the #WhereIRead hashtag. We're collecting them all in a marvellous storify and each month we'll be sending one winner a special book-shaped prize!