Children's Books

WITHERING TIGHTS BY LOUISE RENNISON (HarperCollins £10.99)

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

If your teenage daughter's summer holiday seemed empty without a new Georgia Nicolson adventure, then rest easy. Georgia's creator is back with another teenage heroine and is bang-on the 'Glee' bandwagon as star-struck Tallulah Casey goes off to an eccentric summer drama school in rural Yorkshire.

Of course, there's bonkers adults, gorgeous(ish) boys, lots of girly chat, giggling and cringing embarrassment. All fairly familiar territory, but that's just being picky when Rennison carries off her adolescent comedies with such brio and affection.

Pop it in the suitcase with the iPod and the suncream.

Age 13+


ARTEMIS FOWL AND THE ATLANTIS COMPLEX BY EOIN COLFER (Puffin £12.99)

Two years have passed since the ingenious criminal Artemis Fowl last made an appearance but many things have changed.

At 15, he's growing up and is gripped by an uncharacteristic desire to save the world from global warming. But this passion for good comes at a price and Fowl's whole life is in confusion, much to the concern of his fairy sidekicks, who suspect he suffers from guilt-induced Atlantis Complex.

Fowl fans may find this plot is darker and less overtly funny than previous titles but perhaps, as this is the seventh in the series, Colfer is trying to move his hero into a more complex emotional world.

Age 11+



ARTHUR AND THE MEANIES BY JAN FEARNLEY (Egmont £10.99)

As with all the best picture books, there's a gentle but important message underlying this beautifully illustrated story.

No other animal in the jungle wants to play with Arthur the elephant: he's too big, too heavy, has a silly nose - he doesn't fit in.

Only lowly Frog and Duck let him play; until it rains and the other animals want shelter underneath him, only to leave when the sun shines. But Arthur wins the day and the selfish animals learn a lesson - a sensitive lesson in the pain of being left out and the joy of forgiveness.

Age 3+

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