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Children's reading lists

15 must-read fantasy books for 9-12-year-olds

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Crafts & activities

How to make frosty paper snowflakes

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Competitions

Win a limited edition frost-heart crystal, signed print and the Frostheart book series

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Reading lists

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An image from the book Frostheart by Jamie Littler of main character Ash

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Children's quizzes

Can you solve the Frostheart riddles?

Extract: The Edge of the Map by Jamie Littler

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Extracts

The Edge of the Map by Jamie Littler

Arkspire

'A triumph . . . The magic is mesmerising, the humour masterful and the adventure magnificent.' - A. F. Steadman, bestselling author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief 
 
'Full of fabulous characters, fantastic humour and breakneck thrills.' - Jonathan Stroud, bestselling author of Lockwood &amp; Co. 
 
Glorious, powerful, magic; a city of twists, turns and tricksters; extraordinary secrets which only one girl can uncover . . . welcome to the world of Arkspire. 
 
Arkspire is a city obsessed by magic. The five Arcanists - a group of all-powerful magicians - have protected the great city for as long as anyone can remember. Within the hustle and bustle of these cobbled streets lives Juniper Bell, a thief who'd do anything for her family - even her unbelievably annoying sister, Elodie. 
 
Then one night, something incredible happens. A mysterious stolen relic (nothing to do with Juni, ahem...) explodes, revealing a mysterious creature, Cinder - who appears to 'bond' with Juni. The only creatures like that are allegedly dangerous enemies of the Arcanists . . . and it's not long before they turn their attention to Juni. 
 
Soon Juni, Cinder and everyone she loves are pulled into an extraordinary world of magic, power and prestige - but also grave danger. It seems the world Juni thought she knew is nothing but a lie - and now only Juniper and Cinder can bring it down. 
 
A thrilling adventure and astonishingly illustrated new fantasy series, from the bestselling author of Frostheart. 
 
Praise for the Frostheart series: 
 
'Wild, funny, lavishly illustrated and filled with excitement' - The Guardian 
 
'A rip-roaring action adventure, full of humour, heart and unforgettable characters' - The Bookseller 
 
'Littler is an expert at pushing reluctant readers from one chapter to the next' - The Times

Arkspire is a triumph - Mortal Engines meets Lockwood & Co. An endlessly imaginative world, explored through perfectly drawn heroines I adored. The magic is mesmerising, the humour masterful and the adventure magnificent. Jamie, you absolute genius!

A. F. Steadman, bestselling author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Jamie Littler has created a masterful adventure, teeming with fabulous characters, eerie monsters and ancient mystery. Text and art both crackle with marvellous invention. If you like incredible cityscapes, break-neck thrills, sassy heroines and irritable shadow-demons (and hey, who DOESN'T love all that?), Arkspire is the book for you.

Jonathan Stroud, author of Lockwood & Co.

Praise for Frostheart: Littler is an expert at pushing reluctant readers from one chapter to the next via strategic cliffhangers and this freezing world should warm the hearts of young readers

Littler's debut is wild, funny, lavishly illustrated and filled with excitement.

A heart-stopping tale ... [that] really lives up to the hype

[Y]oung fantasy lovers will find a feast of Leviathans and grumpy Yetis in Frostheart, a gloriously imagined first novel by the illustrator Jamie Littler.

Jamie is an author-illustrator whose debut middle-grade novel, Frostheart, was a number one bestseller. He has also illustrated Hamish and the Worldstoppers which was the bestselling children's debut of 2015 and Wilf the Mighty Worrier, shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards.

Arkspire is a city obsessed by magic. The five Arcanists - a group of all-powerful magicians - have protected the great city for as long as anyone can remember. Within the hustle and bustle of these cobbled streets lives Juniper Bell, a thief who'd do anything for her family - even her unbelievably annoying sister. 
 
Then one night, something incredible happens. A mysterious stolen relic (nothing to do with Juni, ahem...) explodes, revealing a mysterious creature, Cinder - who appears to 'bond' with Juni. The only creatures like that are allegedly dangerous enemies of the Arcanists . . . and its not long before they turn their attention to Juni. 
 
Soon Juni, Cinder and everyone she loves are pulled into an extraordinary world of magic, power and prestige - but also grave danger. It seems the world Juni thought she knew is nothing but a lie - and now only Juniper and Cinder can bring it down.

Rise of The World Eater

Frostheart 3

The bestselling Frostheart trilogy concludes with this epic story of bravery, loyalty and friendship. 
 
Ash faces his greatest challenge yet as the EVIL Wraith leader Shaard unleashes the DREADED Devourer from its centuries-long imprisonment. 
 
Only by uniting can the peoples of the Snow Sea hope to stand against the monster's wrath, but as the Devourer targets the stronghold of Aurora, the tribes remain as divided as ever. 
 
In a last desperate move, Ash and the crew of the Frostheart journey to the yeti lands, where humans are forbidden, in search of the truth about the Devourer's origins, and the one weakness that may prove its undoing&hellip; 
 
Discover what readers are saying about Frostheart: 
 
'A feast for the eyes and the imagination!' Laura Ellen Anderson, bestselling author of Amelia Fang 
 
'A rip-roaring action adventure, full of humour, heart and unforgettable characters, all enhanced by Littler's wonderfully detailed black and white line drawings . . . expect big things.' The Bookseller

Praise for Frostheart: Wild, funny, lavishly illustrated and filled with excitement

A heart-stopping tale . . . [that] really lives up to the hype

This freezing world should warm the hearts of young readers

Jamie is an author-illustrator who graduated from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth in 2008, and has won a High Commendation in the Macmillan Children's Book Award. When not trying to tame his un-naturally fast growing hair or having staring matches with next door's cat he likes drawing, colouring in, cutting things out and sticking things in. He sometimes uses a scanner and a computer, and too often is tempted to throw his printer out of the window. But he would just have to go and pick it up again. His interests are pretty wide and varied; although he does have a soft spot for wild animals and things that go bump in the night. Jamie's illustration work includes Hamish and the Worldstoppers which was the bestselling children's debut of 2015 and Wilf the Mighty Worrier, shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards. Frostheart is his first foray into fiction.

The bestselling Frostheart trilogy concludes with this epic story of bravery, loyalty and friendship. 
 
Ash faces his greatest challenge yet as the EVIL Wraith leader Shaard unleashes the DREADED Devourer from its centuries-long imprisonment. 
 
Only by uniting can the peoples of the Snow Sea hope to stand against the monster's wrath, but as the Devourer targets the stronghold of Aurora, the tribes remain as divided as ever. 
 
In a last desperate move, Ash and the crew of the Frostheart journey to the yeti lands, where humans are forbidden, in search of the truth about the Devourer's origins, and the one weakness that may prove its undoing&hellip; 
 
Discover what readers are saying about Frostheart: 
 
'A feast for the eyes and the imagination!' Laura Ellen Anderson, bestselling author of Amelia Fang 
 
'A rip-roaring action adventure, full of humour, heart and unforgettable characters, all enhanced by Littler's wonderfully detailed black and white line drawings . . . expect big things.' The Bookseller

Escape from Aurora

Frostheart 2

Sequel to the bestselling Frostheart - the crew are back for another thrilling adventure! 
 
Ash and the rest of the Frostheart's brave crew have finally arrived at the majestic stronghold of Aurora - and Ash's mind is blown. 
 
It's an extraordinary place - unlike anything he's ever seen - and he can't wait to solve the next clue that will lead him to his parents. 
 
But it's quickly clear that even Aurora isn't safe for Song Weavers. A fanatical Pathfinder captain has turned the city against Ash and his kind - and it's not long before the Frostheart has to make another break for freedom. 
 
But when a vicious Wraith attack leaves Ash, Lunah, Rook and Tobu stranded on the ice, they will have to use all their strength and cunning to reach safety. But what they find is even more incredible... 
 
Praise for Frostheart: 
 
"Littler's debut is wild, funny, lavishly illustrated and filled with excitement." Guardian 
"A heart-stopping tale ... [that] really lives up to the hype" Sunday Post 
"This exhilarating snowy adventure will have kids reading under the covers long after lights out." i Newspaper

Offers oodles of thrilling moments . . . interspersed with an acute understanding of heartfelt storytelling

Ash and the rest of the Frostheart's brave crew have finally arrived at the majestic stronghold of Aurora - and Ash's mind is blown. It's an extraordinary place - unlike anything he's ever seen - and he can't wait to solve the next clue that will lead him to his parents. But it's quickly clear that even Aurora isn't safe for Song Weavers. A fanatical Pathfinder captain has turned the city against Ash and his kind - and it's not long before the Frostheart has to make another break for freedom. 
 
But when a vicious Wraith attack leaves Ash, Lunah, Rook and Tobu stranded on the ice, they will have to use all their strength and cunning to reach safety. But what they find is even more incredible...

Frostheart

The number one bestseller! Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2020. 
 
Set off on a magical and joyful adventure on the Frostheart! 
 
Bursting with brilliant characters and heart-stopping adventure, this magical tale is perfect for fans of Nevermoor, Frozen and How to Train Your Dragon! 
 
Way out in the furthest part of the known world, a tiny stronghold exists all on its own, cut off from the rest of human-kin by monsters that lurk beneath the Snow Sea. 
 
There, a boy called Ash waits for the return of his parents, singing a forbidden lullaby to remind him of them &hellip; and doing his best to avoid his very, VERY grumpy yeti guardian, Tobu. 
 
But life is about to get a whole lot more crazy-adventurous for Ash. 
 
When a rescue attempt reveals he has amazing magical powers, he's whisked aboard the Frostheart, a sleigh packed full of daring explorers who could use his help. 
 
But can they help him find his family&hellip;? 
 
'A feast for the eyes and the imagination!' Laura Ellen Anderson, bestselling author of Amelia Fang 
 
'A rip-roaring action adventure, full of humour, heart and unforgettable characters, all enhanced by Littler's wonderfully detailed black and white line drawings . . . expect big things.' The Bookseller

A truly cinematic and gripping read, jam-packed with engaging characters and stunning illustrations throughout. Frostheart is a feast for the eyes and the imagination!

Laura Ellen Anderson – bestselling author of Amelia Fang

Littler is an expert at pushing reluctant readers from one chapter to the next via strategic cliffhangers and this freezing world should warm the hearts of young readers

This exhilarating snowy adventure will have kids reading under the covers long after lights out.

Mail on Sunday - 'Must-Read Books of the Year'

Happily, this is one that really does live up to the hype. Littler is best known as the illustrator of Danny Wallace's Hamish and the Worldstoppers series, but here he proves himself to be a huge fiction talent too. It's a rip-roaring action adventure, full of humour, heart and unforgettable characters, all enhanced by Littler's wonderfully detailed black and white line drawings . . . expect big things.

The Bookseller, Children's Book of the Month

Full of intriguing worldbuilding details, as well as a cast of memorable, enchanting characters, Littler's saga offers oodles of thrilling moments of danger interspersed with an acute understanding of heartfelt storytelling. The inclusion of striking illustrations, which heighten reader immersion, further delineates each character's charm . . . The enthralling dawn of an unmissable voyage.

Littler's world is vivid and evocative, filled with bizarre creatures, lost technology, and dark secrets, as well as colorful characters. Ash's journey of self-discovery and maturation is satisfying, while the underlying sense of mystery and excitement keeps the story moving forward. Littler's interior spot illustrations depict the scenes with a gentle energy that further brings his vision to life.

A debut novel by an extraordinary author/illustrator [which] takes us on a breathtaking adventure

An exhilarating snow-bound ride that is perfect for fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Nevermoor

A magical, memorable story brimming with all those things that children love best... high-octane adventure, bags of derring-do, brilliant characters, and plenty of giggles

With exquisite artworks to match the finely tuned world-building, illustrator turned author Jamie Littler has written a captivating fantasy adventure

Jamie Littler is one of that small band of exceptionally talented people who can write brilliant stories and illustrate them as well. The illustrations are superb, and enhance the reading experience for pre-teens no end. The story is simply perfect, and contains all of the elements that will attract young readers to the SF/fantasy genre in later years. It's a win-win situation, a hugely attractive book that is both well written and beautifully illustrated!

Jamie is an author-illustrator whose varied illustration work includes the bestselling Hamish and the Worldstoppers series and Wilf the Might Worrier. Frostheart is his first foray into writing fiction.

Way out in the furthest part of the known world, a tiny stronghold exists all on its own, cut off from the rest of human-kin by monsters that lurk beneath the Snow Sea. There, a little boy called Ash waits for the return of his parents, singing a forbidden lullaby to remind him of them... and doing his best to avoid his very, VERY grumpy yeti guardian, Tobu. 
 
But life is about to get a whole lot more crazy-adventurous for Ash. When a brave rescue attempt reveals he has amazing magical powers, he's whisked aboard the Frostheart, a sleigh packed full of daring explorers who could use his help. But can they help him find his family . . . ?

Jamie Littler

In the magical city of Arkspire, Juniper Bell’s Order of Misfits have one mission – to take down the five powerful (not to mention evil) Arcanists who control everything. 
 
Juni’s already survived one deadly Arcanist trial, and with mysterious shadow creature Cinder at her side, the rest will be easy. You just have to think positively about these things. 
 
But the Arcanists might have more tricks up their sleeve than Juni had anticipated. And Cinder’s power is growing, along with his insatiable thirst for revenge. Has Juni bitten off more than she can chew this time? 
 
THE SECOND THRILLING ARKSPIRE ADVENTURE FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FROSTHEART

Jamie Littler

Arkspire 2: The Order of Misfits

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