2022 will go down for us as a year bookended by a Roar and a Tyger. It’s been such a thrill to see them everywhere, in the shops. Hats off to Eoin, Polly and SF.

It’s been a boon for our three-year-old to have some novelty on the list this year: Claire Alexander‘s The Think-Ups has been eagerly thumbed (flaps still in place!) and Rob Jones‘ Who’s Tickling Tilly? is just as good at being a house, I’m pleased to report, as Where’s Brian’s Bottom? before it.

A hat-tip too, to a pair of very different summer books. Sean Taylor and Alex Morss’ Wild Summer manages to balance the wonders of nature with the perils that face them, in a warming world. It’s good to see it on the Bookstagang Best of 2022 list. You’d think the heat would be a problem for Michelle‘s latest food-with-feelings, in When Ice Cream Had a Meltdown. But no, it’s the feels – ALL the feels. With sprinkles on top.

Sean‘s first book of poems for Walker – The Dream Train – is just exquisite. No other word for it. And a special mention to a debutante, and someone you’ll be hearing a LOT more from in future: Sarah Tagholm. Wolves in Helicopters is such a daring debut. If you haven’t looked it up yet, then you must – but beware! It’s a book about nightmares, and it pulls no punches!