Paddington's Trick or Treat by Michael Bond (HB £12.99)
Illustrated by RW Alley, everyone’s favourite bear, Paddington, is off on a hilarious new adventure. It's Halloween. Mr Brown isn't looking forward to the evening but Judy and Jonathan have promised to take Paddington trick or treating. The children prepare their home for a small family party while our endearing bear goes shopping for pumpkins and Garibaldi biscuits. As you might imagine some things go wrong... but does Paddington get to trick anyone?
An enchanting story for our special bear.
The audiobook is narrated by Jim Broadbent.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please (PB £7.99)
Illustrated by the author, a BAFTA award-winning and OSCAR nominated animation director, this outrageously original new picture book will have children – and adults – laughing our loud.
René dreamed of an haute cuisine restaurant so saved her money and built a café at the edge of the woods. When there was only one applicant for the waiter's job she grudgingly took on the rather strange creature, Glumfoot. But no one came to the café _ was the edge of the woods the wrong site?
Glumfoot disappeared and returned with a customer. An ogre! An ogre whose appetite was somewhat strange to the chef. But Glumfoot had his way and changed the menu to suit the client who then brought his family and friends – monsters and weird creatures who made the café a roaring success.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
The Green-fingered Witch By Helen Docherty (PB £7.99)
Illustrated by Steven Lenton this is a lovely story about a little witch, Cress, who doesn't fit in. All the others are green-skinned; she only has green fingers and from the start everything goes wrong. Her clothes are different, her broomstick dumps her in the river, and her spells backfire. Each morning, when the other pupil witches sleep, she goes home to tend her vegetable garden.
Then the pumpkins due to be delivered to the school fell off the lorry. Imagine a Halloween without pumpkins! Of course Cress comes to the rescue and her talents are recognised.
A funny story told in rhyming couplets (always appealing to children) about finding your strengths and discovering there’s a little bit of magic in everyone. From two award-winning picture-book creators.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
All three books are published by HarperCollins Children's Books and are available from bookshops and online.