This month we have a moving story written from the perspective of a wild dingo, a humorous horror story perfect for Halloween, the latest Kate DiCamillo (always an event in itself!), a beautiful cookbook focused on seasonal produce, and stunning picture books from two award winners, Zana Fraillon and Oliver Jeffers. What a wealth of riches!

You can find our round-up of YA titles this month here.

KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH

Wandi by Favel Parrett

A young cub is snatched from his family and home by a giant eagle, then dropped, injured and alone, in a suburban garden. This is where he meets his first Human, and begins his long journey to becoming the most famous dingo in the world.

He will never see his mountain home again, or his family. But it is his destiny to save alpine dingoes from extinction, and he dreams of a time when all cubs like him can live in the wild in safety, instead of facing poison and bullets and hatred.

A children’s literary classic in the making from one of Australia’s most-loved authors for readers aged 7 and up. Read my full review here.

FIVE OTHER FANTASTIC NEW TITLES TO READ

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

A mysterious child appears at the monastery where Gentle Brother Edik resides. Beatryce is curled in a stall, wracked with fever, coated in dirt and blood and holding fast to the ear of Answelica, the recalcitrant goat.

As the monk nurses Beatryce to health, Edik uncovers her dangerous secret - one that imperils them all. And so it is that a girl with a head full of stories must venture into a dark wood in search of the castle of a king who wishes her dead. But those who love her - a wild-eyed monk, a man who had once been king, a boy with a terrible sword and a goat with a head as hard as stone - will never give up searching for her.

A magical medieval tale for all readers aged 9 and up. Read our review here.

Horror Heights 1: The Slime by Bec Hill

Connie hasn’t found her talent yet, but at least she has her slime collection! She hopes that by adding a few extra ingredients to a simple recipe she will uncover a talent for slime-making, but alas, all she uncovers is a hot, stinky mess. It’s shaping up to be another uneventful weekend … until her failed slime experiment wakes her up the next morning. It’s alive! And can talk! And is named… Big Yikes!

Big Yikes adores Connie and wants to protect her from everything at all times, which is very sweet. At first. But when it gets bigger, grows teeth and threatens to eat her friends and father, can Connie uncover her true talents to protect everything from THE SLIME?

This is the first in a creeptastic new series for readers aged 8 and up. Read our review here.

A Year in Fleurville by Felicita Sala

In each garden, someone is tending to their produce. Maria’s picking asparagus, Ramon’s mum is watering the cucumbers, and a gaggle of kids are eating cherries fresh from the tree.

Meet the many people of Fleurville, delight in their produce, learn their recipes, and find comfort in the cycle of the seasons from the author of Lunch at Pomegranate Street.

A Year in Fleurville is a cookbook, a mini guide to gardening, and a picture book rolled into one, celebrating the joys of sharing the rich rewards of our gardens and kitchens for ages 5 and up. Read my full review here.

The Curiosities by Zana Fraillon

Miro wakes one morning to find the world isn’t quite the way he thought it was. When the Curiosities choose Miro as the one they nest on, Miro is led to discover all the marvels waiting in the shadows where no-one else looks. Sometimes though, the Curiosities can make Miro feel alone and invisible in the darkness. But perhaps Miro isn’t as alone as he thinks…

A beautiful celebration of disability, diversity and pride in who you are, suitable for ages 3 and up. Read our review here.

There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers

A captivating new picture book with interactive transparent pages, from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers.

A young girl lives in a haunted house, but has never seen a ghost. Are they white with holes for eyes? Are they hard to see? She’d love to know!

Step inside and turn the transparent pages to help her on an entertaining ghost hunt, from behind the sofa, right up to the attic. With lots of friendly ghost surprises and incredible mixed media illustrations, this unique and funny book will entertain young readers over and over again!

A delightfully dark read for ages 4 and up.

NEWS, EVENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• We recently recommended some great graphic novels for middle schoolers.
• British writer Lauren Child gave an impassioned plea to take children’s books as seriously as we do books for adults in this article and you can also read her manifesto here.
• For a round-up of favourite recent animal rescue stories take a look here.
• For a fun collection of truck books for toddlers check here.