New children's books for July

Hi again from Lovereading4kids, your first port of call for outstanding children's books. We're like literary godparents, full of gifts and wisdom to get your kids super keen on reading. We hope you're having a great summer and squeezing some reading in between park outings, and all the sport on the telly. Two great children's authors were born in July: Beatrix Potter in 1866 and J K Rowling in 1965. But there's plenty of brilliant brand new names too – just see below!

Author of the Month – Eoin Colfer of Artemis Fowl fame

Eoin's wildly original and adventure-packed books have been delighting young readers for over a decade.

His incredible Artemis Fowl stories chart the escapades of a teenage criminal mastermind, and the 7th, The Atlantis Complex, is out now! And as well as the Artemis Fowl series we have lots of his books to show off his comic storytelling genius.

STOP PRESS – Talk to Eoin Colfer ‘virtually live’ 20 July visit Lovereading4kids to find out more

Creator of a 280 year old cat! Our Illustrator of the Month Judith Kerr

Judith has produced some all-time classic picture books that generations of readers have kept as sentimental heirlooms well into adulthood.

But if you've misplaced your copies of 'Mog, the Forgetful Cat' (now 40, or 280 in cat years!) and the brilliant ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’, then invest in new ones for your family bookshelf now.

Books of the Month for July

There’s a wonderful bookshelf chock full of Book of the Month nuggets. The personal favourites in the office are, for babies and toddlers brand new Moomins titles, for 5+ Tumtum and Nutmeg’s Seaside Adventure , Rainbow Orchid II for 7+ year olds and for older readers books by Sophie Mckenzie and Ali Sparkes among others.

Award-winners - The Carnegie Greenaway Medals

The winners of two of the most prestigious awards in the children's book world, the Carnegie Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal, have just been announced.

We're thrilled

to announce that the deserving winner of this year's Carnegie Medal for the most outstanding novel is... drum roll please... the ever-astounding Neil Gaiman! His inventive, spook-filled Graveyard Book is a masterpiece of storytelling.

And the Greenaway Medal goes to the beautiful Harry and Hopper, written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. This book is a wonderful visual exploration of one boy's feelings when he loses his best friend, a dog called Hopper.

Novelist, wood-carver, drummer, and now our Guest Editor – Marcus Sedgwick

The amazingly energetic and multi-talented Marcus Sedgwick is an award-winning novelist, part-time woodcarver, and drummer in two bands.

His impeccable new Gothic thriller, White Crow, is perfect for fans of the Twilight series, and it's on our site now as a Pre-publication sneak preview.

You can also take a peek at the books by other authors that have inspired him, firstly as a child and more recently during his writing journey.

Summer Reading – the no batteries holiday entertainment

Whether you're off on holiday once the school term has ended or your family holiday is closer to home this year you’ll need some holiday diversions, or if you want to help your kids keep the magic of summer going long beyond July, take a look at our Summer Reading section. They're a great way to foster a lasting love of reading away from the dreaded classroom...

Turn your teenagers into literature lovers

Canongate and Walker, two of the very best independent publishing houses in the UK, are getting together to bring modern literary classics (such as Booker prize winning The Life of Pi by Yann Martel) to a new younger audience – giving them new covers to reflect the YA audience and adding extra content such as Reading Group notes.

Making a big entrance – our Debuts of the Month

By Midnight A Ravenwood Mystery Mia James Something sinister is going down at the expensive and glamourous Ravenwood academy – but can new girl April discover what before it's too late?... Download Extract Buy £6.74 Saving £2.25 (25%)

The Loon in the Moon Chae Strathie A terrifically fun and whimsical picture book that follows the Loon as he searches for children's dreams to keep the moon glowing bright. Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)

Fallen Lauren Kate Angels are the new vampires according to Lauren, and here's the proof – this totally absorbing and involving novel sees a girl sent to a grim reform school and finds herself in grave danger from a parallel world... Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)

Discover a new series and read the 1st book for free

Also in Summer Reading is a brilliant series, perfect for 9+ keen and reluctant readers alike The Wardstone Chronicles by Joeseph Delaney. The 7th one Spook’s Nightmare is just out and if you’re fearful of buying something that your child might not like then go to www.spooksbooks.com where they can read all of the first book in the series free!. Once hooked there, we’re pretty sure they’ll want to read two to seven and we have free Opening extracts of them all on Lovereading4kids ….Find out more.

Win your way to book heaven

Lovereading4kids has an ever-updating array of exclusive, free to enter competitions, giving you the chance to win some remarkable book goodies. This month alone there are prizes linked to Dinosaur Cove, the Picture Book Parade, and Mog the Cat's 40th anniversary.

Help is at hand for budding authors – the 2011 Writers' and Artists' Yearbooks

If you're a budding writer, this annual publication, that’s just out now, is an essential companion and overview of the publishing industry. With a wealth of practical information about literary agents and publishers and articles by leading authors, illustrators and media experts, this book will answer your every question, from copyright issues to the latest trends in publishing. Its companion volume is a Children’s Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook that’s perfect for budding children’s book writers to get their teeth into.

The series of the year – Conspiracy 365

Conspiracy 365: July has just been just been released. The books are short so it’s perfectly possible to catch up on the 6 titles so far published this year – they’re slim and cracking page-turning reads. Find out more today.

Finally July sees the film release of the next Twilight film – Eclipse – but if your children are a little young for the Stephenie Meyer books we recommend getting them to read The Vampire Handbook. It will keep 9+ children entertained and amused for longer than the film and much more suitable!

So there you go – a great round-up of what's hot in the children's book world, and hopefully some inspiration for you

Read on to see our recommended reads in the age ranges you have said you are interested in.