Staff Favourites 2020
By The Alligator's Mouth
By The Alligator's Mouth
It's been a difficult year, but along the way there have been some wonderful and important publications we wouldn't want you to miss. Here's a selection of staff and customer favourites encompassing non-fiction, picturebooks, early readers, junior fiction and young adult. Happy (and hope-filled) New Year!
Please note: The term 'Backorder' rather than 'Available' may mean the title is unavailable temporarily or long term. If in doubt, you are welcome to contact The Alligator's Mouth on 02089486775 or [email protected] and we can retrieve more exact information about how quickly a title is likely to arrive.
The Germ Lab: The Gruesome Story of Deadly Diseases
RICHARD PLATT
£12.99 £12.08A timely title with a lightness of touch and sense of humour that are very welcome. Learn about how disease spreads, the histories of deadly plagues and the amazing tales of medical breakthroughs against all odds. Accessibly written by Richard Platt and colourfully illustrated by John Kelly. Mark
Stories Of The Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage
Carey Wallace and Nick Thornborrow
£18.98 £17.65
A Journey Through Greek Myths
Marchella Ward and Sander Berg
£16.98 £15.79Flying Eye apply their high quality production values to a stunning illustrated Greek myths collection. There are some brilliant moments that you won't see illustrated in other Greek myth collections. Mark
My First Cook Book: Bake, Make and Learn to Cook
David Atherton and Rachel Stubbs
£14.99 £13.94Jam-packed with fantastic recipes and useful tips, this cookbook written by Bake Off winner David Atherton and illustrated by Rachel Stubbs is my new favourite cookbook and deserves to be in every toddlers kitchen. Mark
Slow Down: Bring Calm to a Busy World with 50 Nature Stories
Rachel Williams and Freya Hartas
£16.98 £15.79
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! - An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year: National Trust
Fiona Waters and Britta Teckentrup
£25.00 £23.25
Poems Aloud: An anthology of poems to read out loud
Joseph Coelho and Daniel Gray-Barnett
£11.99 £11.15
Little Fish and Friends: Touch and Feel
Lucy Cousins
£8.99 £8.36The size of this book and its big touchy feely elements are really satisfying and easy for baby to find. Lucy Cousins' books are always sure to put a smile on your face. Mark
Gnome
Fred Blunt
£12.99 £12.08For this little gnome, the answer to everything is 'NO!' Yet he will rue the day he is rude to a witch... Say 'YES!' to this mercilessly funny cautionary tale. And hear 'Angry Gnome', a song Tony and I sang in its honour, on our Youtube channel. Mark
Octopus Shocktopus!
Peter Bently and Steven Lenton
£6.99 £6.50This bright and bold tale of the time when an octopus landed on top of house is super fun and never fails to make me smile. -Helen
Herbert's Garden
Lara Hawthorne
£12.99 £12.08A picturebook that stands out for its thoughtful message and unique illustration. Herbert the slug is busy moving around the garden, in awe of all the amazing things that the other bugs can do and the beautiful things they're creating. But perhaps if he takes the time to look behind him, he'll realise he's creating something rather beautiful too. Mark
A Mummy Ate My Homework
Thiago de Moraes
£8.99 £8.36Hilarious time travel fun, written and illustrated by Thiago de Moraes. His non-fiction titles Myth Atlas and History Atlas have already proved he is a huge talent. Mark
Kiki's Delivery Service
Eiko Kadono and Joe Todd-Stanton
£10.99 £10.22Finally, the Japanese children's favourite, long ago adapted into a Studio Ghibli film, is available in translation as a smart little hardback. Just as charming and timeless as the film. Mark
The Wizards of Once: Never and Forever: Book 4
Cressida Cowell
£12.99 £12.08More wizards vs warriors in this atmospheric illustrated fantasy by the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. Customers have been clamouring for these sequels! Mark
Crystal of Storms
Rhianna Pratchett
£6.99 £6.50Rhianna Pratchett is the latest guest author in the newly resurrected Fighting Fantasy series. Fighting Fantasy is a series where the reader is the hero, making decisions about where in the book to turn next and rolling dice to combat enemies along the way. Mark
Wonderscape
Jennifer Bell
£7.99 £7.43Whilst getting trapped inside of a VR game may not be ideal, it sure makes for an excellent plot! From exploding gnomes to historical figures, I really enjoyed this gripping read. -Helen
The Strangeworlds Travel Agency: Book 1
L.D. Lapinski
£6.99 £6.50When Flick stumbles upon The Strangeworlds Travel Agency in her sleepy new town, she has no idea of the adventures that await her – adventures that are just a suitcase away...! I raced through this, desperate to know more. -Helen
Uki and the Outcasts
Kieran Larwood and David Wyatt
£7.99 £7.43Following on from the Podkin One-Ear books, firm staff and customer favourites, this is the first story of rabbit hero Uki.
Return to Roar
Jenny McLachlan and Ben Mantle
£6.99 £6.50A brother and sister re-enter the imaginary world they built together as children in this wonderful sequel to The Land of Roar. Mark
A Kind of Spark
Elle McNicoll
£6.99 £6.50Addie is horrified to learn of her town's involvement in the witch trials, and starts a campaign for a memorial. Being unfairly treated by some because of her autism, Addie is passionate about commemorating those who were wrongly treated in the past just for being different. A tale of friendship, bravery, and making your voice heard. -Helen
When Life Gives You Mangoes
Kereen Getten
£7.99 £7.43As Clara tries to remember what happened last summer, her friendship with Gaynah starts to fracture. And as new girl Rudy begins to take her place, they uncover a family secret that will cause Clara to regain her memories and face what really happened. An atmospheric and gripping tale that gently simmers to a plot twist that I definitely did not see coming. -Helen
The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell
£7.99 £7.43After Vita's grandfather is swindled out of their family home, she vows to get it back with the help of an unlikely group. I love Katherine Rundell's writing, and I love heists, so this was the perfect combo for me. -Helen
Cat Kid Comic Club: the new blockbusting bestseller from the creator of Dog Man
Dav Pilkey
£10.99 £10.22
The Inkberg Enigma
Jonathan King
£12.99 £12.08An intriguing graphic novel from Gecko Press, who pick up on a lot of interesting titles from Aussie and New Zealand. Mark
Heavy Vinyl: Y2K-O!
Carly Usdin and Nina Vakueva
£10.99 £10.22Chris is loving working at Vinyl Destination, being a part of the secret vigilante fight club with her colleagues, keeping the justice in the music world, and dating her crush/coworker, Maggie. This time, the gang have to infiltrate the Battle of the Bands, but will they be able to stop the shadowy corporate masters of the music industry in time? Super fun and kickass, I was overjoyed to see this sequel come out this year. More please! -Helen
Heartstopper Volume Three
Alice Oseman
£10.99 £10.22The next installment of Nick and Charlie's story, featuring a school trip to Paris and Nick finding the courage to come out to his mum. Oh so sweet whilst never being saccharine, this graphic novel series is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. Vol 4 comes out soon, and I can't wait! -Helen
You Should See Me in a Crown
Leah Johnson
£7.99 £7.43When Liz's college scholarship plan falls through, she decides to enter the competition to win Prom Queen – and a $10,000 scholarship. But as new girl (and fellow prom queen tryout) Mack start to fall for each other, will Liz be able to win both the crown and the girl? Hands down, my favourite book of the year. -Helen
Raybearer: The epic and phenomenal New York Times bestselling YA fantasy
Jordan Ifueko
£7.99 £7.43Tarisai is trying to find her place in the world whilst attempting to break a curse placed on her by her mother – one that would result in her murdering her best friend, the Crown Prince. An epic West African inspired fantasy packed with adventure, danger, lies and wishes. A stunning debut! -Helen
The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #3)
Holly Black
£7.99 £7.43The concluding part in the Folk of the Air trilogy sees Jude deal with the twists and turns of the Fae world she calls home — whilst being in exile. With so much intrigue and plot twists and drama like the first two books, I couldn't wait to see how it would all pan out. I heart my stabby queen, Jude. -Helen
The Black Flamingo
Dean Atta and Anshika Khullar
£7.99 £7.43A captivating and heartfelt verse novel, chronicling Michael's journey from a small child to becoming The Black Flamingo. A tale of friendship, love, and finding who you are. -Helen