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Graphic Novels ~ Middle Grade
Boss of the Underworld.
Shirley vs the Huge Beast
Created by Tor Freeman
Published by Hachette Children’s Books
Boss of the Underworld, Shirley, is still being bossy. That is of course, in the best possible way. After all it was the Under-Underworld who crowned her as Queen as soon as she arrived with the faithful George, her cockroach companion by her side keeping her in line!
Shirly was the Boss in the Underworld but a trip to the Under-Underworld, where she’s had to go in order to rescue George from his kidnapper, a large mole, finds her crowned Queen. Now she. Has a new sidekick, Peels the banana-skin royalist and together they are going to rescue George and along the way they might find the time to confront the Huge Beast who has been terrifying the land. With trash bats, a rubbish compactor and many more perils this story will have you on the edge of your seat and laughing whilst you’re there!
Cat School: Odd Cat Out
Created by Rose Robbins
Published by Scallywag Press
Cat School is ready for a new term and it's doors are wide open, ready to welcome all those curious kittens who can't wait to have a chance to learn how to become confident cats. In this, the first book in this charming new series, we meet Pelly, Tangle, Eno and their teacher, Miss Bloom.
Each of the kittens, and their teacher have their own distinctive personalities, their own unique traits, giving us plenty to learn about them and perhaps even relate to ourselves. For Tangle and Eno this new school might make them nervous but as old friends they know they have one another. Pelly is completely new and she is aware her neurodivergence makes her a little different. Rather than show her true self she tries to fit in and hide her differences. Can her new friends draw the true Pelly out of her shell? An absolutely charming story, based on Rose Robbins' own experiences and presented with a gentle and calming two tone illustration style there is so much to love about this story and to look forward to discovering.
Chicken Hill: Attack of the Zombie Cactus
Created by Beccy Blake
Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Chicken Hill. An odd name perhaps but honestly it’s simply your every day, average town. Pets can talk, the frogs rule their very own underwater empire and aliens could attack any day. Perfectly normal that is until the day that weird just gets weirder…
Ferdy, Gripper and Tink are going to be our guides to Chicken Hill and they are going to be at the front of the action too. Ferdy is the tech whiz who is great at inventions and finding trouble. Gripper is his pug who is far too self-absorbed and Tink, well that’s his brothers very, very sleepy cat. An odd crew but they are kept busy in Chicken Hill, especially when there is an invasion of Zombie Cactus’. With this crew everything can go wrong but at the same time there is always adventure and something to be busy with. Are you ready for the chaos?
Dadbot. Rise of the Badbots!
Created by Jack Noel
Published by Piccadilly Press
If you enjoyed Dadbot then you are going to love the second book, which see the rise of the Badbots. Are the Dadbots going to be any competition to these intruders? It’s hard to. Know when they seem, at first, to be so practical and helpful… don’t be fooled!
Now the summer holidays are over Josh and Daisy are going back to school and Dadbot is staying home, on his own. When Honey, an AI home assistant is left on their doorstep Dadbot is delighted, he can have help and company! Josh and Daisy aren’t so sure, there is something about Honey which is suspicious, not least her changing voice and the way she is luring Dadbot away from them comes the power cut and the danger to the whole town. Josh and Daisy need to find out what is going on, save the town and save Dadbot!
Froggy. Autumn Antics!
Created by Paige Walshe
Published by Flying Eye Books
Froggy is back in a second story that guarantees not only will you fall in love with this wonderful character but also with the stunning book his story is held in. With it’s purple theme, including sprayed edges, it has a beautiful feel to match the fun story!
Froggy is having the most fun ever. The nights are getting longer, it is getting a little colder and darker with each passing day, it can mean only one thing. It’s Autumn. My favourite time of year, maybe Froggy’s too. One thing is certain, nothing is going to stop him from being himself. He wants to make soup, roast marshmallows and have fun in leaf piles, all with his friends, old and new. There are also ghosts to chase and tasty treats to enjoy. But when his friends are hibernating who will Froggy find to share in all his fun and games? You'll have to wait for the surprise to be revealed and you'll enjoy the journey. Adorable!
Korobá. The Case of the missing Kolo
Created by Alabá Onajín
Published by Scallywag Press
A charming new graphic novel set in Nigeria, with echoes of Tintin and something quite unique too. This is the first book in a new mystery series, does the graphic novel format allow for additional sleuthing? Possibly but don’t think it’s going to be easy!
Korobá may only be ten-years-old but she knows everyone in Makoko, the Nigerian fishing village she calls home. Usually, she does chores for her mother and roams the area with her two best friends and her dog, Popi. Makoko is a lovely, friendly place so a thief is an unexpected development but it is clear that one of her friends’ piggy banks has been stolen and it is up to them to find the culprit. Enter the rich, colourful world of Africa, enjoy an authentic slice of life in this fun mystery and find yourself adamant you will help find the theif!
COMING OCTOBER 2026
Marionetta
Created by Miriam Bonastre Tur
Published by Rock the Boat
I hope you are a patient reader since this is a little bit of a teaser review. Marionetta might be a Webtoon that you can enjoy but this paperback graphic novel won't be available until October 2026.
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What can you expect? A fantastic show ... a travelling circus ... secrets ... magic ... death ... exclusive new content ... never-seen-before illustrations ... a brand new original story...
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Julie Lazarrett has an honest if predictable life and she's perfectly happy with it. But when he best friend, Kamille, convinces her to visit a travelling circus what happens next is something neither could have predicted. Will Julia strike the impossible deal required of her so that she can survive this new world?
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Fans of dark fantasy will love this one!
Unfairies: Death by Toad
Created by Huw Aaron
Published by Puffin Books
Have you had the pleasure of meeting the Unfairies yet? I hope so and if not then now you have not one but two books filled with their antics to enjoy. This is their second hilarious adventure and one that I guarantee you will fall in love with!
Oakhold is the place the Unfairies call home and it is there we find ourselves again. With a new leader - Pip. Pip first came to Oakhold in book 1, now they are in charge and that can mean only one thing – even more chaos! Pip is irreverent, impulsive, chaotic and, above all else, brave. All the best qualities for a leader and of course even more appropriate for the Unfairies. Pip’s best friend is their frenemy, Twig. When Twig is kidnapped Pip must mount a rescue mission but there is something sinister sitting in wait. There is a Toad in the Garden. Will Pip be able to rally the Unfairies, use all their leadership skills and save the day before the Toad can act? Bonkers and brilliant!
Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom!
Created by Dave Roman
Published by Hodder Children's Books
Brian has thought of himself as different, even before he grew a horn. Not just any horn either but a unicorn horn. That might have been easy to accept but he then discovered that muffins could talk and eat – the one he met managed to swallow the ruler of the underworld!
That would all be weird enough for most people, I’m sure you agree. But now Brian has received an invitation, to a Unicorn-Only sleepover. He accepts, because why wouldn’t he, sleepovers are always so much fun. This one, being for Unicorns only should be perfect for him, a chance to meet his fellow magical creatures, perhaps make some new friends and finally feel as though he fits in. But then he arrives and things are not what they seem. Yes, it’s a glitzy magical party, it’s in the sky but something If off. Unicorn Boy is going to have to find his inner hero if he wants to save the night and his fellow unicorns… Lots of laughs and lots of love can be found in this colourful story.