The best new books for toddlers, teens and those in between

Rachel lives in Burma and is looking forward to Purim. She and her cousin Raz pay for an elephant ride, making Rachel feels like Queen Esther – but when she sees the elephant’s feet – bruised and cracked – Rachel realises an animal’s lot is not always a happy one. Elephant and the Purim Crown by Haviva Kierzenblat (Kar-Ben, £13.99) tells how Rachel changed the elephant’s life, as well as introducing us to Burmese Purim food and customs. Rosy-toned illustrations by Rebeca Luciani feature wonderfully wise elephant expressions and intricately observed fabrics and landscapes. A thought-provoking, gently-handled new angle on ‘casting lots’ at Purim. Age two to seven.

​

Who Brought the Hamantaschen? by Marcia S. Gresko, illustrated by Steve Mack (Kar-Ben, £8.99), is a jaunty board book that guides pre-schoolers through the names of colours, fruit and veg. Lily brings red apples to the Purim party, Nate brings blueberries, Ava green grapes… and each child’s choice matches their fancy-dress outfit.

​

“This could not be happening,” thinks Sally. “It could not be that all the people she had ever known were her enemies.” In the community of The Forest Yet to Come, by Sam Thompson, illustrated by Anna Tromop (Little Island, £9.99), outsiders are viewed with suspicion. Sally’s brother, Faolan, is a loner, more comfortable with wild animals than people. One day, the siblings help a stranger, Reynard, climb over the wall to live among them. But when the “shapes” that normally help the community withdraw, the stranger, along with Sally and Faolan, are blamed. Atmospheric world-building and an eerie spirituality make this novel reminiscent of Alan Garner. Age nine to 12.

​

Teenage Amber cycles home one day to be met by screams. She can’t understand why – or who the strange young adult there is. After Life by Gayle Forman (Hot Key, £8.99) is a brilliantly imaginative and believable ‘what if?’ story which leaves YA readers with comfort and hope.