Summer books of 2019: Children’s books

Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Blue Moon , by Sally Gardner, Zephyr, RRP£6.99

In a story as surreal as any dream, Betsy and her circus-owner friend Mr Tiger travel to Gongalong Island in order to collect special wish-granting berries and lift the curse on a princess who has been turned into a toad. The book delights in its whimsicality, and readers should too.

The Golden Butterfly , by Sharon Gosling, Stripes, RRP£6.99

A sprightly adventure yarn about conjurors, set in Victorian London. Sparky heroine Luciana investigates the secret of her late grandfather’s greatest stage illusion, defying convention and thwarting malevolent rival magicians along the way. Gosling’s confident, dexterous novel has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

The Bluest Of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs, by Fiona Robinson, Abrams, RRP£12.99/$17.99

The life story of pioneering early-19th-century botanist and photographer Anna Atkins is turned into a beautifully illustrated meditation on the scientific mind. Robinson shows how Atkins, who displayed skill and a quiet perseverance all her life, deserves to be better remembered than she is.

A Girl Called Justice , by Elly Griffiths, Quercus, RRP£6.99

Excellent Blyton-homaging detective romp from crime novelist Griffiths, in her first offering for younger readers. Boarding-school newcomer Justice Jones unravels not only a murder mystery at snowbound Highbury House but the knotty issues of homesickness, cliquey peers, and hostile teaching staff.

For a look at the best summer books across genres, go to ft.com/summerbooks2019

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