Kristina Kister – illustratör

From the author behind The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna’s magical adventure series for kids begins with Vanya and the Wild Hunt, with stunning illustrations by Kristina Kister. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, A. F. Steadman and Pari Thomson. Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen can talk to books. But more importantly, the books talk back.When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in legends, Vanya discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets, and that monsters do exist. Soon, she is whisked off to the enchanted school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.Auramere is full of magic … and monsters. And the Wild Hunt is on the prowl. It’s up to Vanya to unmask its leader and stop them from destroying the only place she’s ever truly belonged.

With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention in this high-stakes story from Lindsay Galvin. Will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for a talented young healer?Ann Storer has inherited her grandmother’s mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family’s apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of a young Isaac Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers.But seventeenth-century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town.So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them? Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Catapulted back in time by a mysterious machine, Eric joins forces with a young Ada Lovelace to find a way home in this atmospheric fusion of science-fiction and history from acclaimed author Lindsay Galvin. When Eric Finch discovers a mysterious machine hidden in his attic, he realises that his mother has been keeping a huge secret.A brilliant mathematician, Eric’s mother has used designs from an old journal belonging to her ancestor Ada Lovelace to build the machine, but Eric has no idea how it works or what it does.Unable to resist tinkering with the machine, Eric finds himself thrust into an unforgettable adventure. But his actions have also threatened the very fabric of time, with possibly terrifying consequences … Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

A fascinating look into the secrets of the supernatural world for curious children obsessed with magic and mystery. Featuring bright and bold illustrations, Mysteries, Magic, and the Unexplained traces the story of myth and magic from ancient superstitions to medieval alchemy and divination to the modern-day fascination with UFOs.This book for children aged 7-9 explores every aspect of magic through the ages and across many cultures. It traces the history of magic ritual from spells and potions to alchemy and divination, as well as investigating other mysteries of the paranormal. While it's a fun read, it takes its subject seriously - taking a historical approach to the supernatural world across all cultures.This book about magic for children aged 7-9 offers:- Beautifully illustrated, imaginative and informative reference pages on wizards, witches, ghosts, cryptids, and other supernatural beings.- A look into UFOs and Extraterrestrials with possible explanations.- An explanation of the origins of festivals, rituals, from the history of Halloween and China's Hungry Ghost Festival to Mexico's Day of the Dead.- Special features on famous mysteries that were actually hoaxes.This compendium for kids of all things magical and unexplained throughout the ages will capture the imagination of kids everywhere. Taking a neutral stance, it explores the facts behind spells, seances and tarot cards, fortune tellers, witchcraft and wizardry, unexplained natural phenomena, and more.

In this thrilling mystery from an award-winning author, Zander is determined to do whatever it takes to save his grandmother's nineteen-story out-of-this-world department store-perfect for fans of The Swifts and The Mysterious Benedict Society.Zander Olinga's grandmother is the owner of the fabled Number Nine Plaza, the spectacular nineteen-story skyscraper. The Nine, as it's called, has everything imaginable, including a massive Ferris wheel on its rooftop, monorail tracks suspended from its ceiling, and twenty-five glass elevators. But there's something evil looming in the shadows, and strange accidents start befalling the guests. When Zander and his friend Natasha come across a series of inscriptions hidden throughout the walls of The Nine, they discover that the clues will lead them to a magical object which protects the store's very existence. With the future of The Nine on the line, the pair are determined to recover the mysterious object before the luxury plaza and its many guests are destroyed. Featuring an unforgettable setting and a larger-than-life cast of characters, here's a spellbinding mystery involving puzzles, art, and high-stakes adventure.

A fascinating look into the secrets of the supernatural world for curious children obsessed with magic and mystery. Featuring bright and bold illustrations, Mysteries, Magic, and the Unexplained traces the story of myth and magic from ancient superstitions to medieval alchemy and divination to the modern-day fascination with UFOs. This book for children aged 7-9 explores every aspect of magic through the ages and across many cultures. It traces the history of magic ritual from spells and potions to alchemy and divination, as well as investigating other mysteries of the paranormal. While it’s a fun read, it takes its subject seriously – taking a historical approach to the supernatural world across all cultures.This book about magic for children aged 7-9 offers:- Beautifully illustrated, imaginative and informative reference pages on wizards, witches, ghosts, cryptids, and other supernatural beings.- A look into UFOs and Extraterrestrials with possible explanations.- An explanation of the origins of festivals, rituals, from the history of Halloween and China’s Hungry Ghost Festival to Mexico’s Day of the Dead.- Special features on famous mysteries that were actually hoaxes.This compendium for kids of all things magical and unexplained throughout the ages will capture the imagination of kids everywhere. Taking a neutral stance, it explores the facts behind spells, seances and tarot cards, fortune tellers, witchcraft and wizardry, unexplained natural phenomena, and more.

Waterstones Children's Book of the Month for March 2026Enter a world of enchanted books and monstrous secrets in Sangu Mandanna's magical fantasy. Vanya and the Wild Hunt is a gripping series opener filled with stunning illustrations by Kristina Kister. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, A. F. Steadman and Pari Thomson.'Vanya is my new favourite neurodivergent fantasy heroine! A wondrous magical world, curious secrets and monsters from myths makes an exciting new fantasy adventure. I adored it!' - Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Vivi Conway and the Sword of LegendEleven-year-old Vanya Vallen can talk to books. But more importantly, the books talk back.When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in legends, Vanya discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets, and that monsters do exist. Soon, she is whisked off to the enchanted school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.Auramere is full of magic . . . and monsters. And the Wild Hunt is on the prowl. It’s up to Vanya to unmask its leader and stop them from destroying the only place she’s ever truly belonged.

Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen can talk to books. But more importantly, the books talk back.When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in legends, Vanya discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets, and that monsters do exist. Soon, she is whisked off to the enchanted school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.Auramere is full of magic … and monsters. And the Wild Hunt is on the prowl. It’s up to Vanya to unmask its leader and stop them from destroying the only place she’s ever truly belonged.Sangu Mandanna’s magical adventure series begins with Vanya and the Wild Hunt, with stunning illustrated by Kristina Kister. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, A. F. Steadman and Pari Thomson.

Two quarrelling rulers lead their kingdom into danger. Who will save Folia?With two bickering brothers taking it in turns to rule, Folia is a kingdom split in two. When an angry dragon is awoken, who will save Folia from attack? Frost and Flame is a thought-provoking story about the importance of family, community and listening to the thoughts and feelings of others. This book is a Readerful Book for Sharing. It is for an adult to read aloud to children aged 10 to 11. Readerful: Inspiring Children to Read MoreReaderful is a specially designed reading library that motivates children aged 4-11 to develop a lifelong love of reading. The series offers contemporary, inclusive books across three key collections: Books for Sharing: Picture books to be read aloud by an adult for inspiring reading sessionsIndependent Library: Fiction, graphic texts, character mini-series and non-fiction for children to read independentlyRise: Fully decodable books for older struggling readers to read independently.How Readerful works: • Read aloud the Books for Sharing for magical reading sessions that motivate children to read more. • Encourage children to choose a book to read by themselves, from Readerful's Independent Library or from Rise. You'll find links between the books' topics, vocabulary, characters and authors - all designed to keep children reading, boost their vocabulary and develop their knowledge of the world around them.

Get more children reading more! This pack of six picture books - including stories, non-fiction and poetry - is from the Readerful Books for Sharing collection. They are designed for adults to read to children aged 10 to 11 years. Readerful: Books for Sharing Y6/P7 Singles Pack A (Pack of 6) contains:• 1 x Readerful Books for Sharing: Year 6/Primary 7: Down the Oyoko Hill • 1 x Readerful Books for Sharing: Year 6/Primary 7: Frost and Flame • 1 x Readerful Books for Sharing: Year 6/Primary 7: To Meet a Comet • 1 x Readerful Books for Sharing: Year 6/Primary 7: Bessie Sings the Blues • 1 x Readerful Books for Sharing: Year 6/Primary 7: The Hyde Park Detectives • 1 x Readerful Books for Sharing: Year 6/Primary 7: Wings Wide Open: Poems to Share Readerful: Inspiring Children to Read MoreReaderful is a specially designed reading library that motivates children aged 4-11 to develop a lifelong love of reading. The series offers contemporary, inclusive books across three key collections: Books for Sharing: Picture books to be read aloud by an adult for inspiring reading sessionsIndependent Library: Fiction, graphic texts, character mini-series and non-fiction for children to read independentlyRise: Fully decodable books for older struggling readers to read independently.How Readerful works: • Read aloud the Books for Sharing for magical reading sessions that motivate children to read more. • Encourage children to choose a book to read by themselves, from Readerful's Independent Library or from Rise. You'll find links between the books' topics, vocabulary, characters and authors - all designed to keep children reading, boost their vocabulary and develop their knowledge of the world around them.

When Kristin uses a special worm to increase the size of her gold ring, she doesn't expect the worm itself to grow and grow.... Kristin and the Worm is part of the Galaxy range of books from Rising Stars Reading Planet. Galaxy provides captivating fiction and non-fiction for Pink A to White band. The rich collection of highly decodable books immerses children in a range of cross-curricular topics and genres. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and activities to support reading at home as well as comprehension questions to check understanding. Reading age: 6-7 years

A magical NEW story filled with adventure, wonder and edge-of-your-seat excitement, set in a world of daring dragons and magical maladies by the best-selling author of Sky Song, Abi Elphinstone . . .‘This new fantasy series for younger readers is bubbling with action and imagination… A joy.’ The Daily Mail'Elphinstone has the confidence to embrace fantasy's most popular tropes - unicorns, dragons, dark-hearted villains - and make them thoroughly her own.'  TheTelegraphRusty Fizzbang, vet to magical beasts, needs an apprentice. Ember Spark, looking for adventure, is his newest recruit - and together with an unlikely friend, Arno, she is sent to help a baby dragon whose parents have gone missing. But keeping magical beasts a secret isn’t an easy task, especially with arch-villain, Jasper Hornswoggle, hot on their heels and keen to derail them…Praise for Ember Spark:‘A total masterclass in high-action, high-stakes, high-fun adventure.’Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse  ‘Quirky and magical, this wonderful adventure proves what everyone should know – Abi Elphinstone is a writer to be cherished.’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls  ‘Ember Spark herself is a wonderful heroine – she’s brave, curious and always up for an adventure.’ Katie Tsang, author of the Dragon Realm series  ‘I adored Ember Spark. Abi is a master storyteller . . . she’s created a thrilling adventure fizzing with heart and magic and wonder.’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea  ‘Kids are going to go wild for this joyful, moving, thrill-ride of a book, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Every word is magic.’ Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe series‘Sure to ignite any reader’s imagination and warm their heart. Wonderful and wonder-filled!’ Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons'Utterly charming, wonderfully wild and sprinkled with gutsy characters, dastardly villains & magical creatures galore . . .' Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries  'Ember Spark is bursting with adventure, magic & that very special Abi Elphinstone sparkle . . .' Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls

The third title in this magical SERIES filled with adventure, wonder and edge-of-your-seat excitement, set in a world of daring dragons and magical maladies by the best-selling author of Sky Song, Abi Elphinstone . . .‘This new fantasy series for younger readers is bubbling with action and imagination… A joy.’ The Daily Mail'Elphinstone has the confidence to embrace fantasy's most popular tropes - unicorns, dragons, dark-hearted villains - and make them thoroughly her own.'  TheTelegraphEmber Spark, vet to magical beasts, is whisked off on a surprise flight, destination unknown! Soon she and her friend, Arno, find themselves deep in the Amazon rainforest. And with a new arch-villain tracking their every move, only a unicorn’s secret can save them...Praise for Ember Spark:‘A total masterclass in high-action, high-stakes, high-fun adventure.’Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse  ‘Quirky and magical, this wonderful adventure proves what everyone should know – Abi Elphinstone is a writer to be cherished.’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls  ‘Ember Spark herself is a wonderful heroine – she’s brave, curious and always up for an adventure.’ Katie Tsang, author of the Dragon Realm series  ‘I adored Ember Spark. Abi is a master storyteller . . . she’s created a thrilling adventure fizzing with heart and magic and wonder.’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea  ‘Kids are going to go wild for this joyful, moving, thrill-ride of a book, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Every word is magic.’ Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe series‘Sure to ignite any reader’s imagination and warm their heart. Wonderful and wonder-filled!’ Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons'Utterly charming, wonderfully wild and sprinkled with gutsy characters, dastardly villains & magical creatures galore . . .' Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries  'Ember Spark is bursting with adventure, magic & that very special Abi Elphinstone sparkle . . .' Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls

Assemble the ingredients of our solar system as it forms over billions of years - from the very first supernova to today!For space lovers of all ages, get to know our solar system in a fun and memorable way! It's an 'astronomy cook book' with ingredients that include stardust and solar winds! Professor Raman Prinja, a true expert when it comes to cosmic ingredients, breaks down the steps that formed our little corner of the Universe.In Recipe for a Solar System, readers experience the coming together of the remnants of the Big Bang. Through this recipe process, we can see the amazing connects between us - humanity - and, for example, the frozen seas on distant planets. And we can appreciate the relationship between the wonky tilt of Uranus and the craters we know so well on the surface of our Moon. Here's a hint: they were all caused by powerful impacts with stray cosmic bodies in the early days of the Solar System.You've never seen space science like this, with each step brought to life through fiery illustrations by Kristina Kister. Every page builds upon the last and shows you how to assemble dashes of planetesimals, to stir the solar nebula cooking pot, add a sprinkling of dwarf planets and cook a big batch of moons. And don't miss the food-based baking recipes at the end of the book, where you can take the space fun into the kitchen and enjoy the results. Making astronomy delicious!From the international award-winning author of Planetarium, Wonders of the Night Sky and The Future of the Universe.

Assemble the ingredients of our solar system as it forms over billions of years - from the very first supernova to today!For space lovers of all ages, get to know our solar system in a fun and memorable way! It's an 'astronomy cook book' with ingredients that include stardust and solar winds! Professor Raman Prinja, a true expert when it comes to cosmic ingredients, breaks down the steps that formed our little corner of the Universe.In Recipe for a Solar System, readers experience the coming together of the remnants of the Big Bang. Through this recipe process, we can see the amazing connects between us - humanity - and, for example, the frozen seas on distant planets. And we can appreciate the relationship between the wonky tilt of Uranus and the craters we know so well on the surface of our Moon. Here's a hint: they were all caused by powerful impacts with stray cosmic bodies in the early days of the Solar System.You've never seen space science like this, with each step brought to life through fiery illustrations by Kristina Kister. Every page builds upon the last and shows you how to assemble dashes of planetesimals, to stir the solar nebula cooking pot, add a sprinkling of dwarf planets and cook a big batch of moons. And don't miss the food-based baking recipes at the end of the book, where you can take the space fun into the kitchen and enjoy the results. Making astronomy delicious!From the international award-winning author of Planetarium, Wonders of the Night Sky and The Future of the Universe.

From a multi-million-copy-selling author whose work spans seven decades comes a humorous and warm-hearted story about a family of dragons in a world where humans have always been a myth ... until now.Red is a rare red dragon who lives with his Mag and Dag in a world where dragons and Uprights are sworn enemies. Then Red meets his first Upright, a girl called Lou, who is nothing like he had imagined: she's smart, and funny ... and kind! As the pair become friends, Red learns that not only can the two species live in harmony – but maybe it's his destiny to bring them back together.

From a multi-million-copy-selling author whose work spans seven decades comes a humorous and warm-hearted story about a family of dragons in a world where humans have always been a myth ... until now.Red is a rare red dragon who lives with his Mag and Dag in a world where dragons and Uprights are sworn enemies. Then Red meets his first Upright, a girl called Lou, who is nothing like he had imagined: she's smart, and funny ... and kind! As the pair become friends, Red learns that not only can the two species live in harmony – but maybe it's his destiny to bring them back together.

Dive deep into the world of dragons, mermaids and fairies and discover all there is to know about these magical creatures! Why are they so hard to find? What do they eat? When do they sleep? Overflowing with fascinating facts that are sure to enchant and enlighten readers. This deluxe treasury includes a luxe design – gold foil with oversized hardback format and features enchanting artwork by Kristina Kister, Helene Magisson and Vlad Stankovic and engrossing text by magical creature expert Izzy Quinn. Perfect for readers aged 3 to 10.

From the Magical Unicorn Society's Department of Unicorns, Myths and Monsters comes this all-new collection of stories dedicated to the amazing mythical creatures – good and bad – that exist alongside unicorns.Introduced by department head and intrepid explorer, May Shaw, there are tales of fearsome, fire-breathing dragons, phoenixes rising from the ashes, mysterious kraken that lurk in the deep, imps, sprites and werewolves in mythical forests, as well as the eight unicorn families and those who have encountered unicorns throughout history.Each of the eight stories is accompanied by striking, full-colour artwork that shows the powers of the specific mythical creature in more detail, as well as an epic illustration of a key moment from the text. Perfect for fans of the previous bestselling titles in the Magical Unicorn Society series, but can also be read alone.

The Magical Unicorn Society is opening its doors once again to reveal eight brand-new stories about the world’s most magical and elusive creatures. This time, the stories reveal the little-known facts about young unicorns, which are notoriously secretive and difficult to study.This beautifully illustrated compendium brings together tales of rare encounters with young unicorns, called younglings, from each of the eight unicorn families. Each story tells the tale of a special relationship formed between a youngling and a baby animal, as witnessed by a young person who is then bonded with the unicorn for life. Find out how a Mountain Jewel unicorn creates a lifelong bond with a wild panda cub and a young man, and follow the Water Moons as they help a young girl and a baby dolphin save their island from a sea monster.Discover the differences between younglings and adult unicorns, from magical powers that are just developing to the colours of their coats and tails. Follow the flow chart to find out which baby unicorn would be your best friend and discover what happens when a unicorn is born and what their favourite foods are.The book also features an introduction by Valentina Luz, the head of the Baby Unicorn division at the Magical Unicorn Society.Also available in the series:The Magical Unicorn Society 9781782439639The Magical Unicorn Society Official Colouring Book 9781789290561The Magical Unicorn Society: The Golden Unicorn – Secrets and Legends 9781789291551The Magical Unicorn Society: Unicorns, Myths and Monsters 9781789293494

A truly unforgettable journey of wonder, courage and magic from the creator of BBC's The Night Manager David Farr, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Philip Pullman. Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.Plunged into danger when they help their father steal a forbidden book, Rachel and Robert are forced to go on the run. To save their father from prison, they must discover the truth about The Book of Stolen Dreams.But the cruel and powerful President Malstain knows its secrets and will stop at nothing to snatch the book's magic for himself. The hunt is on. Rachel and Robert face a desperate battle to stop the book falling into Malstain's hands - for if it does, he could destroy everything."A new and important voice for young people." Michael Morpurgo"Dazzling! An instant classic. An eye-wateringly funny and jaw-droppingly fantastical adventure, chock-a-block with rare books, airships, and penguin-shaped hats." Ben Miller"A wonderful story. Gripping and magical." Anthony Horowitz