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From Pooh to polar bears, young readers are given plenty of paws for thought in our critic's guide to the best children's books

. . . are you reading now? Three books at the moment. The first is not yet published, but I’ve been given the bound proof. It’s the new children’s book from Kiran Millwood Hargrave, called Julia And The Shark. Ten-year-old Julia is the narrator. Her story is a seascape; there’s a lighthouse and storms and wild weather. Also, there are the lights and storms and wildness of people learning to live together. I’ve loved Kiran’s books since The Way Past Winter, but this one is extra special. It has wonderful illustrations too, by Tom de Freston. Hilary McKay (pictured) is currently rea...

Emily Bearn's guide to the latest fiction for young readers, from board books to novels

Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth by Wole Soyinka (Bloomsbury) The Nobel laureate’s first novel in almost 50 years promises “murder, mayhem and no shortage of drama” in contemporary Nigeria. The Thursday Murder Club 2 by Richard Osman (Viking) Last year the Pointless co-host’s cosy crime debut set in a retirement home broke sales records; here comes the sequel. Waters of Salvation by Richard Coles (W&N) A new crime series from everyone’s favourite vicar begins as a proposal to refurbish a village church ends in murder; Canon Daniel Clement must investigate. O...