Welcome to our monthly book recommendations post for February! Last month our reading travelled all over, from history and nature, to mystery and friendship. Come along with us below, and see what we’ve been reading!
Fiction
Shiver Point: Beneath the Ghostly Graves – Gabriel Dylan (pub. Piccadilly Press)
We were genuinely sorry to see that this is the final instalment of the Shiver Squad’s escapades, having really got to know the intrepid adventurers of supernatural events at Shiver Point.
Dylan certainly saved the best until last with this one. When Mo’s little brother Zunaid becomes trapped in the cemetery by school bully Bethany’s little sister (who is obviously following in her sister’s footsteps), Mo has to face his fears to rescue him. But intent on proving his bravery to Zunaid, Mo goes too far by calling on a legendary spooky entity…and not all legends stay in the past.
This is a gloriously chilling read, ideal for those who love the thrill of light horror with added goosebumps. We can’t wait for Dylan’s next venture!
Murder For Two (A Tariq Twins Mystery) – Niyla Farook (pub. Piccadilly Press)
Ani and Riri may be twins, but they couldn’t be more different. Ani is everything Riri isn’t: loud, adventurous, and impulsive, and the last time they were together wasn’t exactly a success. So when Ani is told Riri is coming to stay, she’s sure the summer will be ruined – and Riri isn’t keen on renewing their sibling relationship either. But then there’s a murder, and the community where Ani and her dad live is thrown into turmoil.
Ani is intent on solving the crime, dragging a very reluctant Riri along. When their dad becomes the prime suspect, can the girls work together to free him?
There are plenty of twists and turns with nothing quite as it seems, like any good murder mystery! The way the chapters alternate between the two sisters allows you to really understand their relationship and what makes them tick, in the first of this new mystery series.
Guardians Of the New Moon: Ming and Miaow’s Great Race – Eric Huang and Phùng Nguyên Quang (pub. Little Tiger)
An exciting introduction to a new series for young readers who are gaining confidence, drawing on Chinese myths and legends.
When boredom strikes, the Jade Emperor decides to hold a race. Every animal on Earth is invited to take part with some more keen than others, and there will be twelve winners.
Miaow, the reserved temple cat, joins reluctantly and is intent on keeping to himself. Unfortunately, Ming, the shapeshifting nine-tailed fox, has other ideas!
As the rules are set (no flying, no digging, and NO MAGIC) and the Great Race begins, there are some that will stop at nothing to win…
With black and white illustrations throughout and a useful glossary at the back, this is an engaging and action-packed story based on the Lunar Zodiac that kids will love!
Terrible True Tales: The Stone Age/ Greeks/ Egyptians/ Romans – written by Terry Deary, illustrated by Tambe and Helen Flook (pub. Bloomsbury Education)
It’s wonderful to see Terry Deary’s history tales back in print!
Each book is a compilation of four titles that were originally published individually for the different historical periods.
Based on real events, the stories give an insight into the life and times of each era and place that is easily accessible to younger readers. And with their lively illustrations, they’re a fun way to peek into the past!
Each story also has a new bonus fact section and activities at the end, making it ideal for class use as well as at home.
Non-fiction
Off They Go! Animal Migrations – James Carter and James Munro (pub. Graffeg)
Carter’s skill in making tricky concepts easier to understand for younger readers by his use of poetry comes to the fore here, enlivened by Munro’s vibrant illustrations.
His catchy, rhyming text encourages readers to follow migrations across the world. From a barn swallow to the Christmas Island crab, he highlights the many journeys animals take, and their reasons for doing so. With a section at the back covering how animals navigate and some of the more unusual routes, this is a great introduction to the amazing migrations different species make that’s ideal for sharing and KS1 topics.
If you’re looking for more animal magic, then we recommend also keeping an eye out for Carter’s latest title ‘Boing! a bouncy book of bugs’, illustrated by Neal Layton and published by Otter-Barry Books.
Lemur Saves Energy – Sue Graves and Trevor Dunton (pub. Franklin Watts)
Another book for younger readers, this one is part of the ‘Nature Matters!’ series.
Using humorous, illustrated stories with animals as the main characters, these books promote important environmental issues and the simple things we can do to help lessen our impact.
Lemur doesn’t think about wasting energy; she leaves the lights on and doesn’t close the outside door so it gets cold inside. That is until Mum and Dad get a huge energy bill, threatening a family day out. After talking to her Aunt, Lemur draws up a plan to save energy and therefore money.
With discussion notes at the back, this series is ideal for gently highlighting ways children can help the environment and family budgets.
Wildlives: 50 Extraordinary Animals That Made History – Ben Lerwill and Sarah Walsh (pub. Nosy Crow)
Still on the animal theme but for KS2 up, this wonderfully detailed book looks at an enormous range of courageous animals from around the world.
Some are already well known; Greyfriers Bobby the loyal dog, Elsa the lioness in Born Free, and the science breakthrough Dolly the Sheep. But there are many others whose actions are little known but just as extraordinary, such as Binti Jua, the gorilla who rescued a child, Winnipeg the bear who was the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh, or Pickles the dog who found the stolen World Cup in 1966.
With 50 different entries about the furry and not-so-furry friends who have impacted humans over the years, there is a story here for each and every animal or history lover!
Graphic novels
Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum – Hannah Tunnicliffe and Erica Harrison (pub. Flying Eye Books)
The first title in a brilliant new series for younger graphic fans.
Newly-retired Detective Stanley eases into his first day off with a breakfast of pancakes – until a letter arrives with a call for help from the museum director. So Detective Stanley dons his deerstalker and cape in a Holmesian fashion, collects his ‘sleuthing tools’, and is soon on the case. But all is not as it seems…
With easy to follow text and clean, clear, matte illustrations, this is a great addition to the growing catalogue of younger graphic titles.
Picture books
Panda and Penguin Find a THING – Zehra Hicks (pub. Andersen Press)
A brilliant book highlighting the effects a ‘thing’ can have; the ‘thing’ in question being a mobile phone.
Panda and Penguin are best friends and do things together, that is until they find the thing. At first they’re unsure what it is, but it has lights and funny faces (emojis). They soon find though that when one of them has the thing, they are no longer interested in playing with their friend anymore. Arguments erupt over it, and their friendship suffers.
Although they do make up in the end, it’s a light-hearted but cautionary tale about the effects modern technology can have on young children, with cute and cuddly characters in bold and colourful settings.
Albert and the Thief and Albert and the Flood – Ian Brown and Eoin Clarke (pub. Graffeg)
Meet Albert, the ever helpful tortoise in his colourfully illustrated adventures!
We fell in love with Albert in the two books we read. These are gentle stories, ideal for sharing with young children, who will be entranced by the characters Albert shares the garden with. From the strict ant commander and fluffy spiders, to the worms, woodlice and snails, all beautifully captured in their minibeast glory. And of course Albert: sensible, calm, kind, and ever ready to lend a hand!
That’s it for February’s recommendations, including a few new series that we can’t wait to read more of. Join us on Threads, Bluesky, or Twitter/X, and let us know what you’ve been reading!
If any of the books have grabbed your attention, then you can pick up a copy of them via our recommendations list below.
(Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.)
If you’re looking for more book round-ups, check out our previous reviews here.
