Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

David O'Connell Books

Koalas in Capes: The Zombie Chickens

Chapter book

This is the first book in the series and what an introduction to the amazingly funny duo, Bob and Archie, two koalas who have recently got superhero powers. Archie has invisibility powers and Bob has super-strength. I really enjoyed this book and the characters were very likeable.

So far they haven’t had much success rescuing anyone. When there is a robbery at the Museum they have no choice but to intervene. Supervillain Ostrich, Dr Colossus is behind the unusual crime and with the help of their friend, Quinn the aadvark they soon have a plan.

With short chapters, lots of illustrations and funny mishaps, this book is sure to be a favourite with readers.

The Naughtiest Unicorn and the Firework Festival

David O’Connell & Pip Bird

Chapter book

Part of the bestselling Naughtiest Unicorn series and the perfect gift for Bonfire Night and Diwali.

It’s time for some firework festival fun at Unicorn School! But there’s only one problem – the fireworks are missing! But the fireworks are very special and magical, created by mysterious creatures who live behind the Fearsome Forest. It’s time for Mira, Dave and the gang to go on an adventure, find out what is going on and make sure that the sparkling, colourful, fizzing firework fun is returned to the festival with a bang!

Beastie Bros: The Cabbage Juice Crime

David O’Connell

Chapter book

This funny, young fiction story from David O’Connell tells the tale of a firefly, a snail and their wacky adventures.

Dash is a firefly with a difference – one wing is shorter than the other. Dribble is a slow snail by name and nature, with all kinds of things tucked away in his shell. So together they make a hilarious duo who bump into trouble, causing chaos wherever they roam!

This short chapter book makes reading accessible to readers 6+ who love fun, laughs and a little bit of cheekiness. Dash flies a little slower than he would like, eating as much of his favourite food, custard, as he goes. Dribble’ favourite food is cabbage alongside inventing things. Readers join them in their first adventure, aiming to foil a criminal plot full of bugs, beetles and lots of giggles.

Children with a love of nature and minibeasts will enjoy this cheeky, sneaky, laugh-out-loud adventure story.

Hercules

David O’Connell & Tom Vaughan

Chapter book

A diary-style book that merges modern life with Greek mythology.

Hercules Braver is desperate to live up to his name and sees starting high school as the perfect opportunity to assert both himself and his two friends, Pav and Hatty, as the coolest new kids in school.

Unfortunately, things don’t go according to plan, but just when things look like they couldn’t get any worse, a miracle occurs – Hercules’ birth dad shows up. He doesn’t just look like a Greek god; it turns out that he is a Greek God. On the plus side, he can grant wishes and make Hercules the coolest kid in town.

A funny, laugh-out-loud book which will appeal to fans of Wimpy Kid as well as those with an interest in Greek mythology. Easy-to-read text with illustrations by David O’Connell.

The Naughtiest Unicorn

David O’Connell & Pip Bird

Chapter book

The first in a joy-filled series of illustrated chapter books, telling the funny story of Mira’s adventures as she starts unicorn school. Mira wishes to be paired up with the most beautiful, sparkly unicorn of her dreams, but the reality presents a grumpy, untidy, doughnut-eating unicorn named Dave.

This humorous adventure series explores themes of friendship, inclusion and loyalty, with a backdrop of rainbows, glitter and a dose of unicorn toilet humour, too. Children love the idea of the secret unicorn school – a bit like a sparklier version of Hogwarts. Illustrations, age-appropriate humour and a diverse cast of characters make this a super choice of chapter book story for readers aged 6-8.

Dr Ranj Brain Power

David O’Connell & Dr. Ranj Singh

Non-fiction

Discover how to train your brain and become the best you can be in this empowering and inclusive guide by the nation’s favourite doctor, Dr Ranj.

If you want to learn how to make the most of YOUR brain, this is the book for you. It doesn’t just explain how the brain works. It’ll teach you how to train your brain to get better at stuff you find difficult. It’ll show you how different people think in different ways and why that makes each person so special. It’ll help you keep your mind happy and healthy. Because when that brilliant brain of yours is in tip-top condition, you can be the BEST version of you.

Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List

David O’Connell & Jenny Pearson

Chapter book

A heartwarming and funny story ideal for Upper KS2. Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List takes the reader on a journey of excitement, adventure, humour and discovery and leaves them understanding life just a little bit more.

Frank sets off to meet his grandpa with high expectations. What he finds is a very sad and lonely old man living in a nursing home who has no interest in establishing any kind of relationship. Not wanting to give up on his chance for happiness (and because Davenport men don’t quit), Frank comes up with the idea of a bucket list of activities to inject some joy back into Grandpa Frank’s life, secretly harbouring hopes of a grand family reunion somewhere along the line. Soon, Grandpa Frank finds himself participating in a whole array of activities most OAPs wouldn’t be expected to do. As they venture together through hot air ballooning, parkour, synchronised swimming and monster truck driving, Grandpa Frank learns that maybe there are more opportunities for joy (and bruises) in life.

Despite the blossoming relationship with his grandfather, it seems that Frank’s dream of a family reunion will never happen. However, after the middle Frank steps a little further over the line than usual, it will take all of Frank Senior Senior and Frank Junior Junior’s newly learned skills to save the day.

Alongside the humour in this story, there are many opportunities for the reader to see through societal stereotypes of older people and also begin to understand the impact of dementia.