Firefly Press has acquired World English rights for the debut middle-grade detective story Libby and the Parisian Puzzleby popular book blogger and school librarian Jo Clarke (AKA BookloverJo) from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary. Publishing in April 2022, Libby and the Parisian Puzzle is the first in a projected series set in a school that travels the world, and will be illustrated by Becka Moor.
In Libby and the Parisian Puzzle, mystery-lover Libby is excited but nervous when she’s sent to live with her aunt, while her mother is working abroad. Her aunt runs an extraordinary travelling school that moves from country to country. Libby joins it in Paris, where she is just starting to find her feet and make friends, when she’s devastated to see her aunt, the headteacher, arrested for a daring robbery. Can Libby and her new best friend Connie find out who set her up and save her aunt?
‘I am thrilled to be publishing my debut with Firefly Press, their enthusiasm and excitement about Libby and the Parisian Puzzle from the start convinced me that I had found the perfect home. I’m a huge fan of illustrated fiction so am absolutely delighted that the brilliant Becka Moor will be illustrating my book. As a school librarian and book blogger I have a huge passion for children’s books and it’s my dream come true to have my own book published. I’ve loved writing this book and can’t wait for readers to meet Libby and Connie as they travel the world, solving mysteries along the way.’
Jo Clarke, Author
‘Libby is everything a reader wants in a detective, brilliant at solving puzzles and driven by bravery, loyalty and kindness. Jo has given her a genuinely satisfying mystery to solve, full of clues for readers to spot. It’s packed with vivid characters, good and bad, that will burst to life in Becka Moor’s illustrations. And who wouldn’t love to go to a school that travels the world?! It’s a truly special story and I am so excited we’re publishing it.’
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve no place to go, let us read, let us read, let us read!
Since the start of December, we’ve been starting to feel rather Christmassy at Firefly Press. We love anything that gets us and our families into the Christmas spirit, whether it be films, food, music and, of course, books!
And seeing as having no place to go feels particularly appropriate for 2020, we thought we would share some of our favourite children’s Christmas books that you and your kids can cosy up with this December. Whether it be a bedtime story for the both of you to enjoy, or a book for older kids to enjoy themselves – we’ve got you covered.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
We’re kicking off our list with an absolute classic. The Night Before Christmas is one of the oldest and most popular Christmas poems. Those infamous first few lines are sure to get adults and children alike into the Christmas spirit. A must read at bedtime on Christmas Eve.
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
Pick a Pine Tree may be a relatively new book but we’re guessing it will soon become a Christmas classic for lots of young children and their families.
This magical Christmas rhyming book tells the story of one family picking their Christmas tree, taking it home, decorating it and then enjoying it with friends and family. A wonderfully illustrated and enchanting tale that the whole family can relate to, a must have Christmas book for toddlers and young readers.
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
The Clockwork Crow is the perfect Christmas book for middle grade readers to cosy round the fire with this December.
Orphan Seren is hoping for a magical family Christmas in a snowy mid-Wales mansion but things don’t seem to be working out as planned. Tomas has been missing for a year and a day and Seren fears the strange and dangerous Family may have taken him. Armed only with a talking bird, a magical snow globe and her own courage, Seren must stand up to the Family that no one else dares to.
Follow along on the magical Victorian adventure and watch your child be transported to a mystical, mesmerising and sometimes dangerous wonderland this Christmas.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas
We couldn’t miss an opportunity to include a book that celebrates Christmas in Wales. In this enchanting storybook Thomas shares memories of his childhood Christmases in Wales in the 1920s.
Snuggle in with A Child’s Christmas in Wales and find yourself transported back in time with nostalgic tales of family gatherings, handmade decorations and Christmas Eves by the fire. Perfect to enjoy with confident young readers aged 6+.
Alex Sparrow and the Zumbie Apocalypse by Jennifer Killick
From a nostalgic Christmas tale to a unique and modern story, Alex Sparrow and the Zumbie Apocalypse is a hilariously funny Christmas book for readers aged 9-12.
Things are feeling festive in the lead up to Christmas until the members of Cherry Tree Lane Zumba class start apparently ‘dying’ and coming back to life. Laugh out loud as you follow Alex, Jess and Dave try to save Christmas from the zumbie apocalypse. Find out why the zumbies are attracted to Christmas lights, what the mysterious octopus sign means and who the evil genius behind it all is.
The Flying Bedroom by Heather Dyer
We think this is the perfect bedtime story for young readers all year round, but The Flying Bedroom seems particularly magical at Christmas time.
Elinor’s bedroom may look ordinary but each night when she goes to sleep, her bedroom flies away, transporting her to a tropical island, a theatre show, a pirate ship or even even the moon! But it always gets her safely home by morning. Join her on the adventure to find out where she ends up this Christmas…
Were your favourite children’s Christmas books included on our list? Let us know what books you and your kids will be reading this December!
Christmas is on the horizon and for parents that often means one thing – Christmas shopping! Some kids may be asking for shiny new toys, others may want a new Xbox game, some older children may even want new clothes. But if your child is a young bookworm, they want one thing and one thing only – new books!
Here at Firefly Press we were all young bookworms too, and fantastic, gripping and exciting new books are still at top of our Christmas wish list every year.
So, with that in mind, here is our selection of the best Christmas presents for kids and young book lovers to snuggle down with.
You will make Christmas for fans of the popular Clockwork Crow series by gifting them The Midnight Swan. It is the eagerly awaited final instalment in the series.
Join Seren on her most dangerous journey yet. This middle-grade fantasy adventure book will take your young bookworm on a quest to the garden of the Midnight Swan. But with an invisible girl, a parliament of birds, a pen that writes by itself and more – will they ever be able make it there in time?
The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith by Loris Owen
Enter the brave new world of Quicksmiths with this children’s fantasy book about friendship. Join the College of Strange Energy and discover the Mowl, Wormholes, Dark Forces and the alluring riddles of the Ark of Ideas. Help Kip Bramley solve the 400-year-old treasure hunt before his family and the school end up in danger…
Lori and Max and the Book Thieves by Catherine O’Flynn
Lori and Max and the Book Thieves is the ideal gift for a young Inspector Clueso. This kid’s detective book is the second instalment in the much-loved Lori and Max series, and a Time children’s Book of the Week in October.
Two new mysteries present themselves in the shape of a stolen phone and an unruly dog; and a buried lunchbox and an antique children’s book. Are you intrigued yet? Buy the book to join the girls on their latest funny adventure.
Crater Lake has been a standout children’s book of 2020 which was selected by Book Trust for its Bookbuzz school programme, and was a Times Children’s Books of the Week. Don’t miss out on this crazy scary story for Middle Grade kids.
Crater Lake is the Sixth-Year school trip from hell! A bloodstained man, a near abandoned activity centre and strange goings on in the night… this definitely wasn’t the adventure Lance and his friends had planned. Things are starting to get scary and only one thing is for certain, if you want to survive the night – Don’t. Ever. Fall. Asleep.
Wilde by Eloise Williams
Eloise Williams is the first Children’s Laureate of Wales and her novel, Wilde, is a masterful children’s book about witches.
This enthralling tale follows the protagonist, Wilde, as she moves to Witch Point Place. She’s scared that strange things always happen around her and moving in with her aunt has only seemed to make things worse. What’s more rumours about the Witch called Winter are starting to circulate and people are receiving curse letters. Join in on the adventure this Christmas and help Wilde solve the mystery!
My Name is River by Emma Rea
My Name is Riveris a truly original and hilarious children’s adventure book and the perfect Christmas present for the young explorer in your life.
Dylan’s family farm is being sold to a global pharmaceutical company and he decides it must be stopped. His mum may think he is on a school geography trip, but Dylan is on his way to Brazil. Whilst on his mission he makes a friend named Lucia (a street child armed only with a puppy and a thesaurus) and together they uncover the scandalous truth of what the company are up to.
Thimble Wonga Bonkers by Jon Blake
Laugh out loud with Thimble Wonga Bonkers, the third instalment of the hilariously funny children’s book series – Thimble Monkey Superstars.
When Mum goes away for the week, Jams, dad and Thimble the Monkey are left to their own devices. With only £30 to do the week’s shopping, dad makes a plan. However, things take a turn for the worse when Thimble gets hold of the trolley. Before they know it, the money is gone, and dad is thinking about selling his soul to make ends meet. Will Jams and Thimble be able to save the day?
Separated by 150 years, two boys share a unique gift or curse – they can draw the future. Blaze is alone in 1865, orphaned and swapping his pictures for protection from the workhouse and witch trials. Noah lives in the present, ashamed of his powers and shunned by his parents and school. Both boys are fighting their own battles, but will their drawings set them free?
Asking for a Friend by Kate Mallinder
Asking for a Friend is an uplifting YA book about friendship. This feel good story explores the power of friendship in the face of loneliness, fear of illness and social media bullying.
Follow Agnes, Hattie and Jack as the go on holiday for a week. They’ll risk their lives, face their fears and find themselves with the support of each other.
Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring
Jesobel Jones is happy, confident and a terrific baker. Living with her hand-model mum and ex-musician father, she makes no apologies for her imperfect family, her noisy house, her single relationship status or her weight – until a girl at school calls her fat…
Rebel with a Cupcake is a YA novel that explores themes of bullying and self-image and is a great Christmas present for teen girls.
What do you think of our list? Let us know what Christmas gifts for children you’ll be buying this year!
