This creative advent calendar features 25 seasonal projects, ranging from simple cupcake toppers, tree decorations and gift tags to making marshmallow snowmen and sewing a Christmas sack. Pop-out stencils are provided for many of the papercrafts, and every activity is illustrated with step-by-step instructions. Slightly off-mint. Age 7+

Opening with an introduction that explains core electronics skills such as stripping wires, soldering and building a simple circuit board, plus a list of essential components, Mike Warren goes on to present fourteen step-by-step projects for aspiring inventors. Graded easy, intermediate or advanced, the designs include a mini vibrating robot, potato clock, LED bookmark and pocket torch. Age 7+

Slightly off-mint.

Slightly off-mint.

This picture book introduces the characteristics of a Bengal Tiger by placing a friendly member of the species in everyday settings such as a playground (he's good at climbing but not so good at coming down), and the kitchen (he could eat 100 tins of cat food in one go). Age 4+

When his spaceship breaks down in a wormhole, our hero needs maps and measurement to get back to earth. Age 9–12

In search of treasure, Commander Geo leads an expedition through the shapes, sizes and angles of the world of geometry. Age 9–12

Professor Function has been kidnapped! By solving the number problems, our hero can rescue him from the spooky hotel. Age 9–12

The Maths Quest books are designed to motivate children to develop and apply their maths skills through comic-style adventure stories. Each story works as a game, with the reader as the hero who must solve a series of mathematical puzzles and problems to get to the exciting conclusion. If an answer is wrong, the reader is directed back, to get an extra clue and have another try. The school’s computer network is under attack. Only statistics can kill the deadly viruses. Age 9–12

With eight limbs and 200 suckers, how would an octopus get on at a fancy-dress party or manage to cook a meal? The silly answers in this non-fiction picture book help readers to learn real facts.

From early steam engines to Hyperloop trains of the future, this information book offers descriptions of the different types of train, introducing some special locomotives, their history and the jobs they do, accompanied by colour photographs and a glossary and index. Age 4+

Would you prefer a mouse for a mum or a hamster for a sister? There are four options for each pet-related question, with humorous illustrations and interesting facts about every choice. Age 4+

Meet a possum in the city and a tiger in the mangroves… This visual safari travels through various habitats to introduce the animals that live there, with simple descriptions, bright illustrations, a fun quiz and activity, and a jacket that unfolds into a colourful poster. Age 5+

The Rubik’s-cube core of the world’s most important computer has been stolen, and it is the reader’s mission to recover it. Rather than reading from front to back, young adventurers must use their knowledge of shape, geometry and patterns – as well as their common sense – to solve the puzzles and plot their own unique path through the story. Age 7+

Hadrian’s Wall and the Great Wall of China are world famous, but they are not exceptional phenomena. This impressively researched volume shows how, throughout history and across the globe, societies have built such barriers to reinforce their control over territory. Illustrated with numerous photographs and specially commissioned maps, the book ranges from Mesopotamia to Kievan Rus to examine their construction and strategic function, and identifies a recurrent theme: the separation of nomadic peoples from areas of settled agriculture.

With accurate illustrations of the animals and a great range of puzzles, quizzes, mazes, sticker activities and even a wall poster, this is an enjoyable way to learn about the world’s mammals. Age 6+

Arranged around 50 key topics, this colourfully illustrated book introduces, through succinct texts, fact boxes and infographics, the global conflict of 1939–1945, including the rise of fascism, the Blitz, D-Day and the atomic bomb. Age 7–12.