Children's Picks - Autumn 2025

Here are our children's picks for autumn 2025! Have a browse through to help focus your gift buying for this season, and beyond!

 

Skandar and the Spirit War (A.F. Steadman)

Don’t miss this epic final adventure in the number 1 bestselling SKANDAR series, for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Impossible Creatures. Skandar is in hiding after the Chaos Cup where Rex Manning revealed a game-changing secret. But as Rex prepares to invade the Mainland, the Islanders are not sure who to trust.

With one of Skandar’s closest friends now fighting for the enemy, Skandar must build new alliances – including an uneasy truce with Kenna. To defeat Rex, Skandar and his friends will need to look back to the origins of the Island, and harness the full power of their elemental magic.

Can Skandar become the leader he needs to be – to save the Mainland and the heart of the Island itself? Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns in this highly anticipated adventure that will keep you reading after lights out!

 

The Poisoned King (Katherine Rundell)

When Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months he’s dreamed of returning to the Archipelago – the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon’s lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket and a ravenous hunger for justice...

 

The Legend of Viking Thunder (M.G. Leonard)

Sim's Uncle Emmett is missing and on the run from the ruthless Council of Keys. Sim and his cousin Jeopardy are determined to find him. Their search takes them through a hidden door in time to Viking Norway and a desperate mission across land and sea to stop the legendary Gjallarhorn – said to herald Ragnarök, the end of the world – from falling into the wrong hands.

The Legend of Viking Thunder can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the thrilling Time Keys series written by M. G. Leonard. Follow Sim and Jeopardy's adventures in the series in Hunt for the Golden Scarab.

 

Animal Magic (Michael Morpurgo)

Four wonderful stories from the world of nature written by master storyteller, Michael Morpurgo.

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors and travel around the country in these four heart-warming modern fables. Join Michael, who spots a whale on the shores of the river Thames, Mrs Pettigrew in her railway carriage by the sea, Bonny who wishes to follow her dreams cycling along country lanes and a refugee named Ho who finds his voice working with horses in a Devon farmyard. These four nostalgic stories are thought-provoking, touching and inspiring and will linger in your mind, long after you turn the final page.

 

Oh Dear, Look What I Got! (Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury)

A classic new picture book by the creators of the bestselling We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

'I went to the shop to get me a carrot. Oh dear, they gave me …. a parrot! Oh dear, look what I got! Do I want that? No I do NOT!' From beloved author and illustrator pairing Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury comes a brilliant new picture book that will delight a new generation of children. Each visit to the shop brings an animal surprise in this playful read-aloud, with a final twist and a joyful ending. Young readers will love joining in the rhyming text and guessing what comes next in this hilarious picture book, sure to become a timeless classic.

 

Paper Chase (Julia Donaldson & Victoria Sandoy)

A captivating paper chase, and an unforgettable adventure. . .

Two children meet under a tall tree. James has a book. Ginger has a paper plane. They become friends . . . but then they're parted. Will they ever meet again?

But this isn't just James and Ginger's story: it's a paper chase!

Much-loved storyteller Julia Donaldson weaves the children's tale of friendship into the amazing story of how paper is made. With perfect, read-aloud rhymes and glowing illustrations by Victoria Sandøy, this is a story of friendship and adventure like no other. 

Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson has created a heartfelt, joyful story with a totally unique twist Children will be fascinated to see the remarkable journey of one tall tree as it's turned into paper, and becomes all sorts of things that we use, from bags and boxes to letters, cards and books.