Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Age Group: EYFS

Chapter book

Meet Isadora Moon’s mermaid friend, Emerald! Emerald is learning how to be a mermaid princess, but there are just so many rules! She loves having fun with her friends and exploring her underwater world with her pet octopus, Inkibelle, she doesn’t want to be stuck in the palace with everyone looking at her and checking that she’s doing things the proper, royal way.

When Emerald and her stepsister, Delphina, sneak out of the palace in search of sea sprites they know it isn’t strictly ‘perfect mermaid princess’ behaviour, but they can’t resist!

Far from Scallop City they discover a glimmering coral reef. And nestled in the reef are three little shimmering sea sprites . . .

Emerald and Delphina are about to learn that being a mermaid princess is about more than just following the rules – it’s also about following your heart.

Non-fiction

Cover designed by Faith Booker.

Step into the book and see how you measure up against some of the world’s most amazing DEADLY animals. Watch out for the LIFESIZE black caiman jaws, burmese python, slow loris and much more!

This interactive non-fiction adventure features LIFESIZE illustrations of some of world’s smallest and largest deadly animals and invites children to think about how they compare with these amazing creatures.

This huge, playful book is the perfect introduction to animals for young children from picture book star, Sophy Henn.

Climb into the book for a truly wild adventure . . .

Picturebook

If you want to try new things, you have to be brave. But you can’t be brave without also being scared.

While Jennie grew up wanting to please other people, Abram followed his heart from an early age. The two couldn’t have been more different, and yet when they met Jennie fell in love with Abram’s fearlessness.

But when life takes a turn for the worst and Abram is no longer by Jennie’s side, will she find her own courage?

This poignant and heart-felt picture book explores themes of love, grief and believing in yourself in a gentle and uplifting way. With a contemporary setting and characters which many readers will see themselves in, this book is great for inspiring little ones and starting important conversations.

With vibrant artwork and biographical text.

Picturebook

All aboard for an exciting new Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam escapade!

When Shifty and Sam are asked to bake on board the Pawrient Express, travelling to Venice for Carnival night, they find themselves caught up in a robbery. A sneaky thief has stolen the posh passengers’ gems and she’s making her escape in a getaway gondola! The doggy detectives are hot on her tail, but can they unmask that kitty-cat criminal and save the day?

Tracey Corderoy is a multi-award-winning author and has written over 70 books for children including collaborations with Rosalind Beardshaw and Sarah Massini.

Steven Lenton has created many books with Tracey Corderoy and also illustrates books by David Baddiel, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Peter Bently. His books have won awards such as the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award and have been selected for the WHSmith Children’s Book of the Year and Tom Fletcher Book Club.

Picturebook

Get ready for this fast-paced and big-hearted rhyming adventure about a penguin who loves curry!

When Pierre the penguin tries Nabil’s delicious biriyani rice, Pierre decides to leave the zoo and go home with him! But Nabil will be in BIG TROUBLE if his mum finds out. And Pierre is EVERYWHERE – honking, dancing, bouncing on the bed and making a HUGE bubbly mess in the bathroom . . . Will Nabil’s parents let Pierre stay?

Brimming with personality, this hilarious story with a lovable, hapless hero is perfect for fans of Paddington.

Chapter bookGraphic Novel

Best friends Bumble and Snug are Bugbops – little monsters filled with BIG feelings! Join them and a VERY excited unicorn, in this new, full-colour graphic novel, as they go on a thrilling, funny adventure and learn about the world outside and inside.

Bumble and Snug are in the magical unicorn forest when they get into a spot of trouble. Luckily, they are rescued by a unicorn and together they have the great idea to become superheroes.

Introducing the super buddies! From a runaway ice-cream van to a lost teddy bear, Bumble, Snug and Sparklehoof the unicorn save the day. But not everybody is happy when Sparklehoof gets too excited with his magic.

Bumble and Snug have to come up with a super action plan to stop Sparklehoof. And with a giant kitten on the loose and a jelly city, they will have to work FAST!

Bumble and Snug and the Excited Unicorn is a story about being too excited and how to listen, friendship and magic, and three new SUPERHEROES!

Perfect for readers just starting to enjoy stories independently, for visual readers and for wise kids to share with their grown-ups. For fans of Narwhal and Jelly and Dogman.

Non-fiction

Being tiny is tough! You can’t reach the highest shelf where the cookie jar sits, and the big kids always steal your lunchtime snacks. Don’t get me started on going to theme parks, you can never get on the rides and you’re always told to have an adult present for everything you do. But what if I told you that being small didn’t suck at all? But was in fact really, really cool.

Focus your eyes on the world of micro animals and learn what it’s like to be so small. Discover how these tiny creatures stay safe, or hunt for their lunch. Zoom in on their superpowers, like having the ability to shoot microscopic darts, spring-loaded jumps which take them to incredible heights or the amazing ways in which tiny hunters defend themselves from much bigger creatures. Maybe it’s not so tough to be tiny after all!

Non-fiction

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Alexander von Humboldt, the botanist and adventurer.

As a kid, Alexander wasn’t a great student. He had a naturally curious mind, but he saw the world differently to his teachers and fellow pupils, and just couldn’t quite fit in. But when he began collecting plants as an adult, Alexander realised he’d found his passion.

From then on, he become a great explorer, travelling the world to document all kinds of plants and species. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the scientist.

Picturebook

Trim was a cat born for adventure …

This is the true story of a courageous, mischievous and fearless cat called Trim, who sailed with Matthew Flinders on his voyages to map the coastline of Australia and beyond.

From best-selling creators Corinne Fenton and Craig Smith, this charming picture book brings Trim’s story to life.

Picturebook

Right from the start, the boy loved the sea! He ran along the sand, danced in and out of the waves, his heart full of longing and delight’

The boy has always loved the sea. So he builds a boat and sails away on a voyage of adventure…

The wonders of the world await you in this beautiful and inspiring book about following your dreams.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments