Katie Clapham

'ABSOLUTE HEAVEN' INDIA KNIGHT'WARM AND UPLIFTING' AJ PEARCE'THE PERFECT ANTIDOTE TO THE WORLD RIGHT NOW' JENNIE GODFREYMany of us dream of owning a bookshop, but for Katie Clapham it happened by accident, when she moved back to the seaside town she grew up in and went into business with her mum. Once a week, Katie sits behind the counter and chronicles the day's comings and goings - mostly people who were actually hoping to catch her mother. The triumphs here are small but hard won: a tea crisis averted, a book title correctly identified from a cryptic clutch of clues. Not to mention the emotional rollercoaster of being named the Seventh-Best Bookshop in the Country by The Times on a day where takings came to around L16.98. Customers appear for a browse and a chat, in search of a recommendation or the perfect gift. Others enter the shop for more unexpected reasons - to borrow a screwdriver, locate a priest or simply to ask if there's 'a nice place for an omelette around here'. Each day brings its own joys and frustrations, though not always in equal measure . . . Funny, surprising and affectionate, here is a bookseller's year in all its weirdness and wonder - a life-affirming celebration of bad weather, good books and the irreplaceable role of a local bookshop.

- "A fun and pacy picture book on the important job that is showing a new kid around school, aka giving them ''The Tour''. Shireen’s illustrations ramp up the chaotic energy." - The Bookseller - "A simultaneous knee-slapper and heart-warmer that is sure to become a read-aloud hit. A first purchase for collections, offering a humorous, inviting, and fresh approach to the new kid experience." - School Library Journal "A remarkably sweet, funny, and thoughtful picture book. The depiction of school-life is brilliant, with noise, business, games and chaotic fun, all illustrated beautifully to match the energy of a primary setting. " - BooktrustThe hilarious and heartfelt debut picture book from Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen - creator of the bestselling, highly acclaimed Grimwood series and Barbara Throws a Wobbler - will help kids feel better about those first-day-at-school nerves, as well as encouraging all children to create a safe and welcoming space for others.Because, really, starting school can be scary. And being a New Kid in a new school can also be very scary. Luckily, this book will help soothe first-day nerves, make kids feel excited about the challenge and also show children how to be the PERFECT Tour Guide and make any New Kid feel right at home. And did we mention this book is very funny? Because it really is. So, come along and join THE TOUR with Katie Clapham and Nadia Shireen. First stop? The toilets. Because they''re great for singing in. (And also for weeing.) And don''t forget to show them the library and its one MILLION books (remember to use your quiet mouse voice!), the playground (where you can play Worldwide Hairdressers!) and ... the EMERGENCY MEET UP PLACE (just in case anyone gets lost). But REMEMBER, sometimes when you''re a New Kid it can all be ... a bit too much. And that''s when the New Kid doesn''t need you to be a tour guide anymore, they need you to be ... a friend.

"We just want to show that friendships forged here are the real deal. Genuine. Built to last. That sort of thing. For the brochure. Do you mind?" Their school may be making them pose together for photos - but Minnie, Lena and Alice are not friends. And they have other things to worry about. Minnie - The Athlete: her whole life has been sport - but what if that's not all she wants her life to be? How do you even start to change your future all by yourself? Lena - The Princess: she has always resented being in Minnie's shadow - so when a freak accident changes all of her arch-rival's plans, Lena has a chance to become Queen Bee at last. But is ruling the school all she dreamed it would be? And then there's Alice - The Really Tall One: Alice has friends already, she's even got her eye on a potential crush - but she's also got a secret. And that secret is about to bound into all three girls' lives and change them forever. A deliciously funny, heart-warming novel about unlikely friendships and first loves, THREE GIRLS is exactly the joyous burst of energy we all need right now! Perfect for young teen readers of Tamsin Winter, Holly Smale and Louise Rennison.