We begin with Tres, i tres, i tres fan… (Bindi Books), an illustrated album that collects some of the most emblematic tales from Catalan folklore. Forgotten stories from our tradition are revived in this contemporary adaptation by Sherezade Bardají, with illustrations by Neus Caamaño. It includes some tales that, over time, have been relegated to the background, others that are still quite popular, and others that are very similar variations of stories that have accompanied us in our childhood. A rewarding experience for children, whether as independent reading or in the company of an adult.
We continue withDracologia: El gran llibre dels dracs (Baula), by Templar Books and translated by Maria Luna Cuberta, where each page immerses us in a world where magic and fantastic creatures take center stage, and it is the perfect guide to learning everything there is to know about dragons. The illustrations by Wayne Anderson, Douglas Carrell, and Helen Ward, full of meticulous detail, showcase the infinite variety of species that exist worldwide. Dracology has a scientific and solemn tone that makes reading a playful and immersive experience ideal for fantasy lovers and reminds us why impossible creatures fascinate us so much.
In a dystopian world, in Frances Hardinge's El bosc dels mil ulls (Bambú), translated by Xavier Pàmies, Centella is a girl who has only known life within a wall, a closed and narrow world that has become humanity's last refuge. Beyond that stone limit, the Forest advances relentlessly, swallowing villages and roads, becoming a living and threatening presence. When her reality is turned upside down by a deception, Spark ventures beyond the wall to discover what societies hide in the cracks of a lost world. Illustrated by Emily Gravett, El bosc dels mil ulls unfolds a rich and complex imaginary with a simple and subtle prose for young readers. A reading about the human condition, inner strength, and the desire for freedom
Emerging from dystopia, Tot sol a la ciutat (Cruïlla) poses the question of what it would be like to wake up one morning and discover you are alone in the world. This children's story by David Nel·lo, with illustrations by Cristina Losantos, is the winner of the El Vaixell de Vapor Prize 2025; a work about the importance of friendship, companionship, and, above all, facing adversity. Amidst inhospitable loneliness, the protagonist will learn that bonds with animals can be as strong as those forged between humans, and that a deserted city is full of dangers, but also opportunities.
And as is well known, children and animals have a very special bond. And Animals, the new book by Joana Santamans, shows us just that. Children's bedrooms seem like small zoos: a herd of stuffed animals watching from the bed, a drawer overflowing with plastic animals, National Geographic stickers hidden in every corner… There is no passion more intense than that of a five-year-old child in love with dinosaurs or fascinated by a whale the size of a universe. With this work, we recall the pure joy of seeing a fish jump in the water, the laughter that erupts at a talking parrot, or the magic of a chameleon transforming before our eyes.
With a political backdrop, Les cruentes batalles de la reina Xinxeta (La Galera, Emili Teixidor Prize 2025) by Quim Crusellas with illustrations by Aina Bonet is a story full of fantastic elements, unexpected twists, and valuable lessons in a world where anything can happen. Queen Xinxeta wants to go for a walk, but her horse cannot walk. Since the palace coffers are empty, Governor Tapet proposes forming an army of one hundred soldiers to declare war on another country and take its treasures. A book that helps dismantle the prejudices that lead us to war.
Also in a political vein but more youthful, in Cròniques d’un vampir una mica humà (Animallibres), a writer from Barcelona goes for a walk one night and finds the memoirs of a mysterious man who turns out to be a fifteen-year-old vampire born centuries ago. He has lived through wars and pandemics, and has experienced some of the most significant episodes in human history. With a satirical tone, Jaume Cela invites the reader to engage in historical memory and consider the morality of past and present situations.
Likewise, the latest book by Katherine Rundell, one of the most prominent voices in contemporary fantasy literature, El rei enverinat, published by Estrella Polar and recognized as Best Children's Book 2024 at the British Book Awards, solidifies the "Impossible Creatures" saga as one of the most appealing offerings for young readers who enjoy imaginative fantasy narratives. With this edition, Rundell presents us with a captivating read where she tackles universal themes such as power, corruption, and integrity.
Finally, on a more romantic note, we propose two works. The first, Set dies per dir-te t’estimo (Fanbooks) by Roser Macià is a novel about distance, friendship, and second chances. The common thread is the tender, early, and slow-cooked love that arises between the protagonists. They are childhood friends and have never looked at each other with different eyes, so the awakening of these feelings is experienced gradually and hopefully. Their experiences show that, despite being separated by physical and emotional distance, if they act with courage and sincerity, perhaps not all is lost.
The second proposal starts from the premise that confronting an unknown past during a time of grief can be a profoundly destabilizing experience. This is what Muriel Villanueva reflects in El cel de l’aigua (Sembra), a story of overcoming, intrigue, and love in all its forms. Villanueva shows the challenges of an ordinary teenager in finding herself and beginning to define who she is and who she wants to be, but in exceptional circumstances that test her resilience. In the midst of preparing for the neighborhood's main festival, Quer meets many people who will change her life's trajectory and, in some cases, her conception of love and friendship. Her heart is divided between her blood family and her chosen family, and it contains "a volcano of opposing feelings" about her sexuality and the complexity of her relationships. This reading about fears, unforeseen events, and abundant revelations is moving and can easily connect with young people.
