Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Chris Chatterton Books

The Hideysaurus

Picturebook

This rhythmic story offers a reassuring take on handling shyness.

When a party becomes too much for Hideysaurus, she hides! There is a gentleness and empathy to the pacing of this tale that feels perfect for preschoolers, providing a comforting choice for any child finding crowds or a new school a bit daunting.

With bright and gentle illustrations and fun characters that capture real emotions, this is a lovely addition to the EYFS book corner that encourages connection and understanding. By focusing on small steps rather than forced bravery, it serves as a warm prompt for chatting about big feelings at a child’s own speed.

The Wobblysaurus

Chris Chatterton & Rachel Bright

Picturebook

A funny and reassuring tale about perseverance and resilience, by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton, creators of The Worrysaurus.

When Wobblysaurus gets her very first bicycle, she can’t wait to go and ride with all her friends. But every time Wobblysaurus sets off her new wheels, she wibbles… wobbles… and falls!

This little dinosaur is just about ready to give up, but then a word from a wise Grannysaurus reminds her that when you really want something, it’s always worth trying again.

An empowering story with a reassuring reminder that everyone starts off wobbly when trying something new. From the author of the bestselling The Lion Inside.

Wanda the Warthog who Worried

Chris Chatterton & Frances Stickley

Picturebook

Wanda the Warthog Who Worried is a delightful story that celebrates the power of self-belief. It is a gentle and warm tale that is ideal for encouraging children to be happy with who they are.

Wanda is a warthog and is proud to be her. But one day, a group of scarlet macaw parrots appears, and Wanda starts to doubt herself. She changes who she is, and she needs the help of her friends to remind her that she is great just the way she is.

This is a perfect book to support PSHE lessons and celebrate differences.

The Princess Rules: The Mammoth Adventure

Chris Chatterton & Philippa Gregory

Chapter book

Originally written by Philippa Gregory for her daughter, and now (20 years later) reimagined for her grandchildren, the Princess Rules stories are truly empowering for young girls.

These short story books are set in a classic fairytale world – but Princess Florizella is far from your classic fairytale princess. I adored the humour in these stories and I think this will appeal to an adult reading to a child too, especially the fact that Gregory blames the parents for not following the princess rules, with fabulous quotes like this: ‘The queen was particularly neglectful – she completely forgot to die and leave her daughter to a cruel stepmother to make her herd geese or sit in cinders’. Florizella, as a result, is left to grow into a sassy, confident princess who certainly didn’t want to sit around waiting for a prince to rescue her, or grow up to marry a prince.

In these tales, Florizella finds herself with sea serpents, a travelling circus, pirates and fairy godmothers to deal with.

The fantastic storytelling, together with Chris Chatterton’s beautiful illustrations, makes this a very popular read for Year 3 and beyond.

The Stompysaurus

Chris Chatterton & Rachel Bright

Picturebook

A reassuring tale about coping with overwhelming feelings and frustration, The Stompysaurus is the latest book in the DinoFeelings series by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton, creators of The Worrysaurus.

One morning, Stompysaurus wakes from a happy dream, feeling excited for the new day, until things start to go a bit wrong. His brother’s being a tease, his breakfast isn’t his usual favourite and NOTHING is going right. His STOMPS and ROARS start rising inside him, until they EXPLODE!

But a tricky start doesn’t have to mean a stompy finish. Can Stompysurus find a new way of looking at things and turn his day around?

The perfect picture book to help children learn to overcome feelings of anger and annoyance when it seems like everything is going wrong. From the author of the bestselling The Lion Inside.

The Princess Rules

Chris Chatterton & Philippa Gregory

Chapter book

Princess Florizella may live in a classic fairy-tale world, but she’s no ordinary princess…

In Philippa Gregory’s The Princess Rules, rebellious Prince Florizella broke all the rules and embarked on some daring adventures across the Land of the Seven Kingdoms.

With beautiful illustrations from Chris Chatterton, the Princess Rules series make a perfect gift for little princes and princesses who don’t want to obey conventional rules.

The Hugasaurus

Chris Chatterton & Rachel Bright

Picturebook

This is an utterly charming book about a little Hugasaurus who sets off to play with some new friends for the first time. It goes well… until the other little dinosaurs start to squabble. Can Hugasaurus make everything better using the power of kindness? With fabulous rhyming text, and really sweet, colourful illustrations, this book is perfect for opening up conversations about being kind.

The Worrysaurus

Chris Chatterton & Rachel Bright

Picturebook

A fun and reassuring tale about dealing with worries, all about a Worrysaurus who faces a series of worried thoughts about the picnic he has planned. Can Worrysaurus find a way to chase his fears away and have fun?This story can be used to support children with high levels of anxiety, to help children to recognise the physical affects of anxiety and to support a whole school focus on developing resilience.