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Age Group: Year 4

Picturebook

Best Picturebooks for Years 3 and 4 

Picturebooks are wonderful for all ages in primary schools and are not to be limited to the younger classrooms alone. As children’s author Kate Cunningham says, “Telling a child that they are too old for a picture book is like telling them that they are too old for chocolate ice cream or computer games“.

In Lower KS2, picturebooks offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the interplay between images and words, as well as being brilliant for opening discussions on important issues like in The Emerald Forest. Others are perfect for exploring new ideas like If I Were Prime Minister, for boosting empathy like It’s a No Money Day and for developing critical thinking like Fearless. Sometimes they simply provide a fun reading experience that caters to a visual appetite that begins to be increasingly excluded from chapter books for the age group – like in Until I Met Dudley and Professional Crocodile.

This list features our top selection of recommended picturebooks that are most suitable for children aged 7-9….

Politics and Democracy Booklist

Discussions about politics and general elections can be confusing for children (and adults!) at the best of times. To help, we’ve put together a list of the best children’s books about politics, including both fiction and non-fiction books that explore themes of parliament, elections, democracy and political systems.

Medieval Britain is a fascinating period to study, yet many school libraries are lacking in stories set during this time. Barbara Henderson – author of The Siege of Caerlaverock – has picked out her top five recommended children’s books set in the Middle Ages.

Children’s books about gaming, computing and coding

We’ve put together a list of books for young readers interested in computers and video games. There is an increasing thirst for books on this topic, which holds such a high interest to many young readers. Level up your reading collection with our selection of the best books about gaming, computers and coding.

Best space books for children

The topic of space is always a big hit with primary school children, who love to learn facts about the solar system and imagine the infinite possibilities of what lies beyond our galaxy. In KS2 Science, children learn about the Earth, Sun and Moon and how their movement affects our days, nights and seasons. Many children learn about the planets, space exploration and famous astronauts too. Blast off into the topic with our list of the best books for children about space.

This list is aimed at children aged 7-11. For recommended space books for younger children, try our KS1 Space Booklist.

Plants and Trees Topic Booklist

What makes ‘plants and trees’ such a fascinating science topic at KS2? Perhaps because trees are among the longest-living organisms on Earth and come in so many different shapes and sizes. Or maybe it’s because trees have been found to communicate to each other, or perhaps it’s the way that plants make their own food. Many children are also fascinated by the role plants and trees play in our planet’s ecosystem and are inspired to learn about our ability to step in and protect them. From petals and pollination to bark and branches, there’s plenty to enjoy in our selection of the best children’s books about plants and trees.

NB: This selection of books about plants and trees is aimed at children in KS2 (7-11). For books for younger children, try our Growing Plants KS1 list.

Recommended children’s books about animals

Animal books have always been wildly popular with children, ever since the very first children’s books were printed. In Science at KS2, children learn about animal life cycles, habitats, classification, survival and adaption, looking at different types of animals from around the globe. From marvellous mammals and brilliant birds to interesting invertebrates and clever carnivores, there’s plenty to explore in the animal kingdom. Our list of recommended children’s books about animals will help you to dig your claws right into the very best texts for the topic.

NB: This animal topic booklist is aimed at children in Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). If you are looking for animal books for younger children, try our All About Animals (KS1) booklist.

Best Children’s Books about Healthy Human Bodies

Learning to look after our bodies is an important part of growing up. As we can’t easily see inside our own bodies, high-quality children’s books about human bodies can play a key part in developing biological understanding in children.

In KS2 science, children learn about the human body, covered through topics about basic anatomy, teeth and bones, digestion, human organs and systems, healthy lifestyles and human growth.

From comprehensive guides to the human body like Kay’s Anatomy and Marvellous Body, to entertaining stories that dive into the topic of human health like Alice Dent and the Incredible Germs or stories about medical ethics like Pig Heart Boy, this list of children’s human body books equips teachers and families to help children aged 7-11 learn all about the science of human biology.

The subject of human bodies often fascinates children. Therefore, we’ve put together a selection of the best children’s books about human bodies, health and growth that will help you to really get to the bones of the topic.

NB: This human body topic booklist is designed to cover Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). Additionally, for human body books for younger children, try our Human Bodies KS1 Topic Booklist.

Oceans and Seas Topic Booklist

Welcome to the Blue Abyss topic! Spanning aspects of Geography and Science, the topic of oceans and seas is a popular one in primary schools. At KS2, children learn about the physical features of the sea, layers of the ocean, sea explorers, ocean habitats, marine wildlife and the theme of pollution. From whales and whelks to shipwrecks and sharks, we’ve got the topic covered with our curated collection of the best children’s books about oceans and seas.

NB: This booklist is aimed at KS2 (ages 7-11). If you are looking for KS1 or EYFS books about the sea, we have a separate booklist here.

USA Topic Booklist

Get ready for a road trip across the USA! Take in the sights and sounds of America, from skyscrapers and statues to canyons and coastlines. Learn about the varied geography of the 50 states of America, influential people from history and native American folklore. We’ve got the topic covered with our handpicked selection of recommended children’s books for the USA topic.

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