Reading Quest: Naughty Nags of Newmarket

Why do horses wear shoes? How do horses 'speak'? And why can't horses burp? Answering 20 curious questions about the equine species, this book is a charming blend of zoology, history and popular culture that celebrates why horses have been such beloved companions for centuries. Lily Snowden-Fine's quirky and dead-pan paintings illustrate a collection of facts and stories about horses in a memorable way, while Dr Nick Crumpton's succinct and pithy text delivers expert information with light-hearted humour. Featuring a myriad different horse breeds, readers will discover what's so unique about a horse's body and its behaviour, and why they deserve to be well cared for.

Dido is the only girl ever to have raced to victory at the Circus Maximus, Rome's greatest sporting arena. Now she and her beloved horse, Porcellus, are in hiding, and Emperor Caligula has put a price on their heads. Can she outwit the emperor and his bounty hunters? And will a shocking family secret stop her in her tracks, or spur her on to make a daring return, helped by a one-eyed mare with a heart as brave as her own?

Rowan starts to embrace her gifts as a magical wildsmith who heals and speaks to animals. But saving a young pegasus brings difficult decisions. Danger comes closer than ever, threatening her family and even Rowan's own life. When she is betrayed, which friends can she trust? With her family divided and war still raging, where does Rowan belong now?

Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life; to train together and race for glory; to be a hero. But just as Skandar's dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island's most powerful unicorn - and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow apart his world forever.

When Roo Thorn's beloved dad passes away, she doesn't expect to inherit much. Their unconventional life wasn't a wealthy one. But then she finds a winning lottery ticket in his coat pocket. Suddenly, Roo can have anything she wants - except her dad. And then she reads a letter from him, telling her to enjoy any money he's left her, to 'grab life by the wings and fly.' Roo makes a quick decision: she's going to buy what she's always wanted, a prize racehorse named Wonder Boy. When she arrives at Wonderboy's stables, the horse is everything she had dreamed of. Until he is stolen, from right underneath their noses, leaving no clues, no trail and Roo's dream in tatters. But if Roo's dad taught her anything, it's to keep dreaming, and so she and her aunt set off in their camper van, on a mad dash around the country, as more prize horses are stolen and the need to rescue them gets greater and greater.

Shaman by name and shaman by nature. Billy just hasn't found his magic yet - but he is learning fast. No one is more surprised than Billy when he wakes up on a Chinese battlefield. Scooped from the jaws of death by a boy called Han, Billy's far from rescued. Taking refuge in the royal stables, the boys are soon held hostage by the Emperor Wu. He's at war with the Horse King whose powerful and magical herd of horses, the heavenly horses of Ferghana, he wants for his own. It takes all Billy's skills and a very special spirit horse to get Han to safety and Billy back to his friend Charles Darwin, a two-hundred-year-old talking tortoise. Join Billy, a new kind of explorer who sets out to return artefacts to their original home.

Charlie's racehorse has certainly earned the name Noble Warrior: he won the Derby against all odds and bested a bunch of nasty kidnappers. But now Noddy is facing his greatest challenge yet. Charlie's best friend Polly is still recovering from an accident that left her almost paralysed. But Polly has a real talent with horses - and she and Charlie are determined not to let it go to waste. Can the two best friends find a way to make Polly's equestrian dreams come true, and forge a new path for the racehorse who wouldn't gallop?

This powerful picture book for younger readers tells the enduring story of a friendship between a boy and his horse and is a gateway to help children understand the history and deadly chaos of the First World War. As we move beyond centenary commemorations and continue to strive for peace across the world, 'War Horse' remains an important book for generations to come.

When Sugarlump the rocking horse longs to see the world, a magical unicorn with a silver horn and sparkling blue eyes grants his wish and turns him into a real horse. But after trotting around the farm, galloping around a racetrack and even dancing at the circus, Sugarlump learns to be careful what he wishes for. Luckily the unicorn has one more wish to grant. This title includes a specially written letter, images and photos from the author and illustrator about how they came up with the idea for the story and characters.

Something or someone is living inside Duck's teapot! Who are they? What do they want? How will we get them out? Never fear, for Tiny Horse is here! Tiny Horse has a trampoline. She has a magnificent hat. She has a stick of celery. What more could anyone need to save the day? Here is a laugh-out-loud story with a message about kindness, starring Duck and Tiny Horse.