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Age Group: KS2

the time machine next door scientists and stripy socks

The Time Machine Next Door: Scientists and Stripy Socks

Chapter book

A page-turning, laugh-out-loud historical adventure by comedian and podcaster Iszi Lawrence, perfect for fans of Horrible Histories.

Time flies when you’re having fun. But what does it do when you’re not?

Sunil and his extraordinary Auntie Alex are back for another hilarious adventure as they whizz through time. But Auntie Alex’s time machine has started behaving strangely and using it has become even more unpredictable and dangerous than ever. From the dark and gloomy heights of the Tower of London to the tropical Galápagos islands, will Sunil and Alex be able to get home? And can they avoid the sinister Mr Shaykes and his pet kiwi?!

The Time Machine Next Door is an exciting new series of quirky historical chapter books for readers aged 7-9. Written by comedian, podcaster and children’s author Iszi Lawrence, these books bring lesser-known parts of history to life with hilarious plots, real-life characters, fascinating facts and fantastic illustrations.

quiet storm

Quiet Storm

No matter how quiet it is, you’ve got a voice, Storm. You should use it to speak up for yourself.

Storm has never liked to stand out from the crowd, but ever since she started Year 7, her life has been full of people telling her she needs to speak up, make friends and be more like her popular big brother.

Then Storm breaks a school record, and finds herself the new star of the athletics team. But as she’s thrust into the spotlight, her home life and friendships start spiralling out of control, and it’s time for Quiet Storm to show that she has something to say.

A tender, empowering novel about family, friendship and finding confidence in who you are.

how many mice make an elephant and other big questions about size and distance

How Many Mice Make An Elephant? And Other Big Questions about Size and Distance

Non-fiction

How Many Mice Make an Elephant? And Other Big Questions about Size and Distance introduces children to this tricky maths concept in a fun, relatable way.

Fantastically written by Tracey Turner, questions such as ‘How many high jumps to the moon?’ and ‘How many ice cubes make an iceberg?’ get children to think about just how high, how big and how far things are, as well as teaching them the maths to work it out! The logic behind each comparison is explained in clear, simple steps for children to follow along, helping them to reach the answer. Beautiful illustrations by Aaron Cushley couldn’t be further from a maths text book, making learning maths a truly fun experience.

This wonderfully illustrated take on maths-by-stealth includes an introduction by Kjartan Poskitt, author of the bestselling Murderous Maths series.

the great barrier reef

The Great Barrier Reef

Non-fiction

A captivating illustrated introduction to The Great Barrier Reef, written by renowned Oceanographer and author, Helen Scales. Illustrated by up and comer Lisk Feng, this is perfect for intrepid young snorkelers or children curious about the world under the sea.

With nearly 400,000 square kilometres of dazzling colour, intricate ecosystems and unique creatures large and small, The Great Barrier Reef is one of the great natural wonders of our world. Vibrant, dynamic illustrations illuminate this enchanting place, its animal inhabitants, and the people who have embraced it as a centrepiece of their cultures. Learn all about how the reef came to be, its place in the world, and perhaps most importantly, what we can all do to help ensure that The Great Barrier Reef will be around for countless future generations to discover!

when im gone a picture book about grief

When I’m Gone: A Picture Book About Grief

Picturebook

When someone you love has died there will be sad days and angry days but also happy days and fun days.

Nobody lives forever … and some wish they could have stayed for longer …

This sensitively-written and deeply-moving picture book will help children grieve, celebrate and learn how to live and love life when a parent is gone.

With expert advice from the charity, Child Bereavement UK.

can you get rainbows in space

Can You Get Rainbows in Space?

Non-fiction

A colourful compendium of space and science.

Why is blood red? Why are carrots orange? Who invented the lightbulb? Why is the world ‘going green’? Is the sky really blue? And what is ultraviolet light?

You’ll discover the answers to these questions – and many more – in this incredible collection of scientific facts about colour. We’ll talk about light (the most important thing) and waves (not the kind you see at the beach – though you will learn why the sea looks blue!). You’ll find out how some animals are able to glow in the dark and how others change their colours to hide from predators.

Keep reading to discover why leaves change colour in the autumn, why your veins look blue but your blood is red, and how the language we use shapes the colours we see . . .

And you’ll even be taught by a real astronomer, Dr Sheila Kanani, exactly how to make a rainbow – in space.

how to be more hedgehog

How To Be More Hedgehog

Chapter book

Lily has a stammer. The signal between her brain and her mouth is all messed up – and it’s getting worse. When a video of her practicing her class presentation is uploaded onto YouTube – head thrust forward, eyelids fluttering, lips stretched wide – Lily’s nightmare begins. Cyberbullying, kids at school whispering, even best friend Mia laughing behind her back. Lily’s confidence takes a nose-dive and she can only see one way out: run away to Dad in Scotland and start all over again.

But Lily quickly realises that running away isn’t the answer – that her stammer will follow her wherever she goes…

HOW TO BE MORE HEDGEHOG is about friendship and family and finding the courage to speak out.

the sour grape

The Sour Grape

Picturebook

The Sour Grape holds grudges for every reason under the sun. Lime never returned a scarf they borrowed? Grudge! Orange never called back? Grudge! But when a friend holds a grudge against the Sour Grape without listening to an explanation, the Sour Grape realizes how unfair grudges can be. Could a bunch of forgiveness and compassion be enough to turn a sour grape sweet?

Jory John and Pete Oswald serve up another heaping plate of laughs and lessons with this empowering, witty, and charming addition to their #1 New York Times bestselling series!

books for fans of lottie brooks

Branching Out: Books for Fans of Lottie Brooks

books for fans of Lottie BrooksIf you like Lottie Brooks, try these…

The Lottie Brooks books by Katie Kirby are hugely popular with preteen readers. This hilarious illustrated series explores the daily ups and downs of growing up, including facing puberty, navigating friendships, dealing with first crushes and all of the embarrassing moments that come with handling school and family life.

Many readers of the Lottie Brooks series enjoy the laugh-out-humour, the funny doodle-style illustrations and the true-to-life themes covered in the story. Lottie is a relatable character who resonates particularly well with girls in the 9-12 age bracket.

We’ve put together a list of ten similar books for fans of Lottie Brooks. Readers who love stories about real-life themes of family and friendships could try Ella on the Outside or Invisible Emmie. Those looking for another preteen illustrated diary series like Lottie Brooks might like the easy-to-read  Accidental Diary of B.U.G or the humorous gentle fantasy series Diary of an Accidental Witch. For children who enjoyed the compelling first-person voice of Lottie Brooks’ narrative and her positive energy in the face of the everyday challenges of life, we recommend Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel Smile or the Front Desk series – both of which are popular favourites among the 9-12 age group.

Browse the full list below of stories for children looking for more books like Lottie Brooks…

 

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books for fans of bunny vs monkey

Branching Out: Books for Fans of Bunny vs Monkey

If you’re looking for books like Bunny vs Monkey, try these…

The Bunny Vs Monkey series by Jamie Smart has become a popular favourite with children. The stories started as part of the Phoenix Comic and have now been made into a book series of their own. Teachers in the BooksForTopics community have told us what a big hit these funny graphic novels have been in the classroom and the books have also seen success in bestseller lists and book award shortlists.

Readers enjoy the whacky tales of Bunny and his friends Weenie the Squirrel, Pig (the pig), Action Beaver and Skunky the Inventor, who all lived a peaceful life in the forest until Monkey’s rocket crash-landed and he decided to take over. What follows is a riot of chaotic adventures and mayhem that unfolds through a funny comic strip format.

We’ve put together a list of ten similar books for fans of Bunny vs Monkey. Readers who love the graphic novel format could try the Investigators books or the action-packed Mega Robot Bros books. Those looking for a new animal-led whacky adventure to read after the Bunny Vs Monkey books might enjoy Kitty Quest or Grimwood. For children who like a high image-to-text ratio, we recommend trying the 13 Storey Treehouse series or Real Pigeons Fight Crime – both of which are tried-and-tested hits with fans of Jamie Smart.

Browse the full list below of books for children looking for more books like Bunny vs Monkey…

 

 

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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