Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Age Group: KS1

Non-fiction

Step back in time 2,000 years to visit the powerful Roman Empire.

This beautifully illustrated book will transport you back in time to a world of emperors and centurions. Meet the Roman people and discover the treasures of their glorious empire.

See gladiator battles and chariot races. Discover mythical tales of magic and monsters. Visit an ancient fast-food stall or banquet in style. Marvel at intricate mosaics, splendid treasures and ingenious inventions.

Every page reveals a fabulous treasure and its unique story.

Chapter book

I Was There… is a perfect introduction for younger readers into stories from the past, allowing children to imagine that they were really there.

I Was There… Boudica’s Army is a fast-paced and fascinating account of a young girl in the Iceni tribe in AD 60. As Queen Boudica leads her people to march on Roman-occupied Colchester, young Kassy’s beloved pony, Honey, is stolen away and taken to war. Will Kassy be able to find her and bring her home safely?

Amazing black-and-white illustrations throughout bring the story to life!

Brilliantly reimagined, readers aged 7+ will love this vivid first-hand account of a child’s experience of life in ancient Britain.

Graphic Novel

A thrilling illustrated tale complete with lions, gladiators, assassination plots and a dare-devil rescue.

Henry is back in the present day – but he isn’t happy about it.

His little sister is driving him mad and no one believes that he travelled through time.

But all that is about to change when Henry finds himself travelling back to ancient Rome – where he soon realises that sibling rivalry can take a darker turn…

A toga-tickling, gladiatorial gallop through Ancient Rome! A Gladiator Stole My Lunchbox is a time-travel adventure with a difference.

From talented author-illustrator Thiago de Moraes, creator of A Mummy Ate My Homework, History Atlas, and Myth Atlas.

Packed full of accidental assassination attempts, marauding lions and steaming piles of poo!

Best Children’s Books About Summer

As the weather warms up and the summer holidays beckon, why not celebrate this season of sunshine and adventures with some Summer-themed books for children?

From classic seaside tales like Lucy and Tom at the Seaside and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, to laugh out loud stories of animal adventures like You Can’t Take an Elephant on Holiday and The Great Hamster Getaway, our selection has something for everyone to enjoy. This Summer booklist is recommended for parents, teachers and librarians looking to inspire a love of reading and a thirst for adventure in young children.

Get ready to dip your toes in and explore the sights, sounds and smells of the summertime with our list of recommended children’s books about Summer.

Picturebook

Sometimes I think my mind is like a house.

Just like a house, I need to treat my mind with love and care . . .

Written by a child psychologist, this beautiful book follows a young boy as he learns to love and accept himself, with all his flaws! Relatable characters and a gentle storyline introduce little ones to the concept of mental health in an accessible and engaging way, encouraging them to think about how to look after themselves and accept themselves for who they are. Featuring exquisite illustrations and tips on how to foster a life-long sense of wellbeing, this is a stunning addition to any library.

Be yourself in the world. Don’t give up! And love yourself for who you are.

Picturebook

The first-ever picture book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker.

This is the hilarious (and admittedly a tiny bit gross) tale of Amy, a small piece of sweetcorn who is eaten by Noah, a medium-sized boy. The story follows Amy on her funny, gooey and anatomically-accurate adventure through the human body as she discovers lots of facts about digestion. (It’s fair to say that parents might learn a little bit too.)

Picturebook

Ayla and her marine biologist mum live on a beautiful tropical island, surrounded by a coral reef. One morning, Ayla notices that many of the fish have disappeared, and the once vibrant corals have turned pale. Is it too late to save the reef?

This stunningly illustrated picture book captures the beauty and magic of the coral reef, and the important role it plays in the ocean’s eco-system. From the impact global warming has on reefs to the amazing things marine biologists are doing to protect it, readers will love learning about this fascinating topic. Clara Anganuzzi’s gentle text and breathtaking artwork looks at the complex topic of global warming in an eye-opening but positive way, showing us that we have time to reverse the damage which has been caused.

Chapter book

You don’t have to be big to be brave! A brand new inclusive series full of heart-warming adventure perfect for young readers. Tiny is a small creature with a big heart living in a school garden. Her animal neighbours don’t like her because she looks like a human. They think humans are big, noisy and messy and they’re scared. But when Frog is in danger Tiny comes to the rescue and makes friends!

A brand new series full of heart-warming adventure perfect for fans of The Naughtiest Unicorn and Hotel Flamingo. With gorgeous black and white illustrations by Kübra Teber.

Chapter book

The sixth book in the SUPER graphic novel-like series for readers aged 7+ from the amazingly talented illustrator and author Sophy Henn! Brimming with Sophy’s hilarious illustrations, this is the perfect read for fans of Bunny Vs Monkey, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.

Everyone’s favourite reluctant superhero is back and ready to give this super thing her ALL – she’s even got a BRAND-NEW COSTUME. Pizazz soon discovers that a bunch of baddies have formed TEAM TOXIC and are trying to DESTROY the PLANET for ever, but none of the grown-ups even care!

This time it’s up to Pizazz and her friends to save the world . . . before it destroys ITSELF!

Picturebook

What’s the point of art? This is the question Henri asks himself when his class is taken on a school trip to the local art gallery. Who wants pictures of old soup cans or melting watches? But when he encounters a painting with the most perfect blue, it creates a beautiful feeling. It’s blueberries, oceans, summer skies and butterflies all rolled into one. And then he wanders into a room with a chair and a sign that reads “Is this really a chair?” Henri decides to test it out, unleashing an explosion of creativity! Finally Henri understands what art is all about…

Following Isabelle Marinov’s successful Leo and the Octopus, this is a fun and encouraging story of a boy learning to appreciate art and its boundless creativity.

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