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A whimsical journey follows Olive as her beloved hair outgrows ordinary ways of managing it. The central appeal is imaginative problem-solving: she explores striking possibilities while looking for a place where both she and her hair can belong.

A lively introduction to a mathematician whose curiosity shapes both his work and his way of living. The book combines biography with number puzzles, equations and visual discoveries, presenting collaboration and mathematical thinking as central parts of Erdős’s life.

This is a vehicle-rich Christmas adventure: elves design competing sleighs, while one works independently on another solution. It offers imaginative machines, busy illustrations, rhyme, sound effects and a clear focus on making and problem-solving.

A warm, episodic coming-of-independence story: Kiki builds a life through useful work, new relationships and repeated problem-solving. Magic sits alongside ordinary concerns about fitting in, missing home, trusting others and discovering what she can do.

A focused biography about curiosity, family support and persistence: Louis Braille loses his sight, encounters inadequate books and develops a six-dot system to make reading and writing more accessible by touch.

A warm, humorous adventure about a determined young inventor, with imaginative technology, a strong female lead and a clear focus on why sleep matters.

A resourceful teenager creates a solitary life in the Catskills, learning through observation, library research and practice. The story combines practical wilderness detail with an imaginative challenge to ordinary ideas about comfort and possessions.

This offers a contained lunar mystery with clues, suspects, suspense and humour. Its appeal lies in Dash’s investigation, the unusual space setting and the contrast between boredom, danger and intellectual challenge.

A fast-moving fantasy adventure combines fairy-tale reworking, coding, futuristic inventions and family emotion. Amber’s ordered life is disrupted by a rescue mission, while her father’s past adds a more serious strand.

A clue-driven historical adventure centred on a determined violinist, with friendship and perseverance alongside bereavement, abandonment, deception and threats. Its journey spans India, the sea voyage and Victorian England.

A seasonal collection follows Beti through birthday events, a journey to a waterfall, berry picking with Mam, a storm, and winter responsibilities. Friendship, family reassurance, practical problem-solving and living alongside nature shape the book’s gentle world.

A fast-moving dark fantasy about vigilance, ingenuity and family loyalty, with comic grotesquerie alongside genuine suspense. Its imaginative premise may appeal to confident readers who enjoy frightening stories with a strong emotional centre.

This is a lively historical mystery built around a disabled heroine, a group heist and strong friendship. It combines perilous secrets, inventive problem-solving and questions about how disabled children are treated, while keeping the adventure playful and suspenseful.

This is a child-centred story about an autistic protagonist who actively tackles problems, considers solutions and uses coping strategies, presented as a joyful variation on a traditional tale.

A seaside horse-riding holiday shifts from excitement to mystery and possible danger. Caitlin’s feelings about her mother’s absence sit alongside friendship, adventure and a shared effort to avert an unspecified disaster.

A comic-leaning fairy-tale adventure follows Annie as she tries to undo another magical problem, while navigating the demands of her sister, a transformed prince and Prince Liam.