Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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David Dean Books

The Snowy Penguin

Chapter book

Bella is thrilled to be joining her mum on an expedition to study penguins on the Antarctic coast.

While exploring one of the islands she discovers an unusual penguin with a pale brown coat instead of the typical black.

But before Bella can investigate further, she spots an old pirate ship sailing to the island, then she blinks -and it disappears!

Bella is convinced that she imagined it, until she goes out searching for the pale penguin again and bumps into a boy named Jules.

He has arrived with a group of sailors from the 1800s, and they’re desperate to catch the rare penguin for themselves…

A magical wintry tale from best-selling author Holly Webb.

For fans of Michael Morpurgo andTHE SNOW FOAL, this is the perfect book to snuggle up with and enjoy this winter.

The Lost Bear Cub

David Dean & Holly Webb

Chapter book

Lucy is so excited to spend the summer holidays with her cousins in Canada, but when they tell her to watch out for wild bears in the forest, her excitement turns to fear.

One day, she stumbles upon a bear cub on its own. At first she’s scared, before realizing that the poor creature is lost. Can Lucy help the cub find its mother without also putting herself in danger?

A heartwarming story about family and the beauty of nature from best-selling author Holly Webb.

When Lissa spends the summer with her dad on his boathouse, she can’t help but feel a little lonely. She misses her mum and sister back home, and her dad’s job means that he can’t spend as much time with her as she’d hoped.

Then one morning during a paddle boarding lesson she spots a lost seal pup in the river trying to find its way home. Lissa wants to help her, but can she protect the young seal without scaring her away?

A heartwarming story about family from best-selling author Holly Webb.

The Arctic Fox

David Dean & Holly Webb

Chapter book

Ellie is so excited to spend her Christmas holiday in Lapland – they’re going to visit Santa, go on a reindeer sleigh ride and watch the Northern Lights. She’s even dreamed about seeing her favourite animal – the arctic fox.

Ellie’s parents say this is unlikely, though, as hunting has left the species endangered. But when she hears a strange whining noise in the middle of the night, she follows the sounds and discovers a little arctic fox caught in a trap. Can Ellie rescue him in time?

A magical wintry tale from best-selling author Holly Webb. For fans of Michael Morpurgo and?THE SNOW FOAL, this is the perfect book to snuggle up with and enjoy this winter.

Land of the Last Wildcat

David Dean & Lui Sit

Chapter book

A debut middle grade novel from Lui Sit, Land of the Wildcat rests beautifully as an adventure novel with an environmental undertone.

Puffin Lau, the 10 year old protagonist of the story, has lost both of her parents and lives with her best friend Lance and his grandad Moe. Thankfully, Lance shares Puffin’s love of adventure, but when her mother fails to keep her promise to deliver a talk to her class on the Kuri, long, lost wildcat of Linger Island, Puffin takes it upon herself to act as museum guide, a role she feels well qualified for.

Before she has time to complete her talk, her Mum’s boss Professor Smoult takes over and Puffin, smarting with anger, decides to investigate for herself just what her Mum felt was so important that she couldn’t be there for her daughter.

While at times fantastical, Sit masterfully weaves the emotions and relationships of each of the characters in an animal tale that explores folklore and conservation work, while keeping up the pace of the adventure and painting a picture of each scene in the story, taking the reader on a real journey of exploration.

The Summer Dolphin

David Dean & Holly Webb

Chapter book

The Summer Dolphin takes readers to the Welsh coast, where Lillie’s holiday is overshadowed by loneliness as her sister excludes her. This is the latest in a series of animal stories by beloved children’s author Holly Webb. A glimpse of dolphins offers Lillie brief joy, but a desire to prove herself leads Lillie on a risky solo trip to a tidal island, where she faces danger.

This poignant story expertly captures the raw emotions of a younger sibling while beautifully evoking the Welsh coast and its wildlife.

David Dean’s illustrations bring the characters and nature to life, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy short chapter adventures about family and animals. An adventurous and joyful animal story.

Delta and the Lost City

Anna Fargher & David Dean

Chapter book

Follow Delta the wolfdog around Pompeii in 79 AD while the shadow of the great volcano Mount Vesuvius looms, from the bestselling, award-winning author of The Umbrella Mouse, Anna Fargher. Illustrated throughout in black and white by David Dean.

It’s the year 79 AD, and the earth around Pompeii is quaking.

Young wolfdog Delta finds herself on the run and escaping her family’s villa after bearing witness to a horrible crime. With the help of her eagle friend, Bellona, Delta navigates the tricky terrain full of threatening creatures and thieves outside the ancient Roman city’s walls.

But the earth is warning of a much larger threat, and determined to warn her family, Delta must race against time and find them before it’s too late . . .

Journey with Delta through an inspiring journey around the ancient city of Pomepii and the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The Boy Who Saved a Bear

David Dean & Nizrana Farook

Chapter book

Set in a Sri Lanka, this adventure story tells the story of a friendship between a boy and a bear.

During his work as a deliverer of books, a boy called Nuwan mistakenly comes to possess a valuable key that implicates him in a crime. On the run, he befriends a terrifying bear and before long the pair find themselves on a thrilling adventure during which they must unlock big secrets, stop the criminals and find their way safely home again.

I’m a huge fan of Nizrana Farook so when I was given the opportunity to review this new book, I pounced on it. I’ve read all of her other books and loved them! This one was no exception and it made me want a sloth bear to come live with me so that I can protect it! The way the bear’s character and personality were written helps the reader to develop empathy and see the bear in a different light, not just as a dangerous animal. Nuwan’s journey is really one of self discovery as he realises that he is special and loved, not in the shadow of his older brother as he thought. The evocative settings pull you right into the story, whether it’s a bear cave, big city or rainforest, you’re there.

Highly recommended for classrooms, the super choice of a story covers themes close to the hearts of of KS2 children including animal protection, self-understanding and friendship.

Good Dog Lion

Alexander McCall Smith & David Dean

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

A beautiful, heartwarming story set in Africa about a young boy and his yearning for a pet dog. From internationally bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. Timo and his mother do not have much money – in fact, they have almost none. But that does not matter too much, because Timo has his mother and she has him. They have their little house. They have friends and neighbours. They have the world about them. All of that can be enough for happiness. There is one more thing, though, that Timo would like to have …A dog! High quality cream paper and a special easy-to-read font ensure a smooth read for all.

Dead Man’s Cove

David Dean & Lauren St John

Chapter book

11-year-old Laura moves to live with her uncle in Cornwall, where she soon discovers mystery is in store. Why won’t her uncle let her go to Dead Man’s Cove? Who has left a secret message in a bottle for Laura to find? The award-winning first book in Lauren St John’s Laura Marlin series is an absolute delight. It has all the ingredients of a classic children’s mystery story: friendship, adventure, a seaside setting and of course, a loyal dog.

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