The Princess in Black

Title: The Princess in Black

Series: Princess in Black

Author: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

This is the first book in the Princess in Black series.

Princess Magnolia, in her glass slippers and frilly pink dress, is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when the monster alarm (her sparkly ring!) goes off. It’s time for her to change into her black super hero costume and go off to save the day. At the same time, she also has to make sure that nobody, including the suspicious Duchess, knows her secret identity.

The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are cute and colourful, and a perfect accompaniment to the action that Princess Magnolia gets into.

Series Website

Book Trailer

Listen to a reading here

Claude in the city

Title: Claude in the City

Series: Claude

Author and Illustrator: Alex T. Smith

Claude in the City is the first book of the Claude series.

Claude is a small dog who lives with Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes. He has never been to the city. One day, after Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes go to work, Claude decides to go the city with Sir Bobbblysock, his stripey best friend. He has a list of things for them to do – visit a café, do some shopping and tour a museum. Stopping a burglary was not on that list!

This story is accompanied by whimsical black, white and red illustrations.

Author website

Draw Claude with Alex T. Smith

Fun fact: Alex T. Smith was the official World Book Day illustrator in 2014

Claude has been turned into a TV series! You can watch some short epidoes and previews of longer episodes on Disney UK's Youtube channel here

Zac Blasts Off

Title: Zac Blasts Off

Series: Zac Power Spy Camp

Author: H. I. Larry

Zac Blasts Off is the first book of the Zac Power Spy Camp series.

To become a super boy spy for the GIB, which stands for Government Investigation Bureau, Zac Power starts training at Spy Camp to learn some important spying skills. First up, space training! What can be more fun than dodging space lasers?

If you like action, adventure, and explosions then this book (and series) is for you.

Kids with older siblings who are fans of the original Zac Power series, which has sold over 3 millions books in Australia, can now join in the fun with this series aimed at younger readers.

Goodreads

Books in the series

EJ Spy School

Title: The Test

Series: EJ Spy School

Author: Susannah McFarlane

The Test is the first book in the EJ Spy School series.

Emma Jacks is 8 years old. What does she love? Going to school. What else does she love? Maths! What doesn’t she love? Tests! But wait, what is this test about?

Join EJ as she starts her training as a special agent at SHINE Agency's Spy School. She will be playing with some fun spy accessories and gadgets along the way.

Kids with older siblings who have read the original series, EJ12, can now join in the fun.

Series website

Series activities and games

Book trailer
Author website