Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Ellie Snowdon Books

Jasmine is delighted to be nursing an injured hedgehog back to health until, on the afternoon of Bonfire Night, Snuffle escapes. As darkness falls and everyone prepares their bonfire celebrations, can Jasmine find Snuffle’s hiding place before the first match is lit?

Brilliant storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation. Perfect for readers aged seven and up.

Much-loved children’s author Helen Peters delivers another beautiful wildlife tale with An Otter Called Pebble, perfect for lower KS2 readers and in particular, animal lovers.

Jasmine and Tom rescue a tiny otter cub, Pebble, from the river. Before the pair know it, they face a race against time to reunite Pebble with her elusive family.

As with Helen Peters’ other animal rescue stories, this book is filled with hope and determination, empowering children to make a difference to the natural world around them. Its short chapters and line illustrations offer an enjoyable adventure alongside fascinating insights into protected wildlife, making it an ideal independent read for Year 3.

Andy Shepherd, bestselling author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons, returns with another enchanting story in The Wood Where Magic Grows.

This beautifully written tale follows Iggy as he adjusts to big changes — moving house and learning to live with his new stepbrother, Cal. But when the boys begin exploring their garden, they discover that the mysterious wood at the end holds secrets beyond their wildest dreams.

Rich with nature imagery and magical surprises, this story is bursting with awe and wonder. Fans of Shepherd’s previous work will feel right at home with the familiar tone, engaging vocabulary, and heartfelt themes of friendship, family, and discovery. It’s a perfect pick for children who love imaginative adventures grounded in relatable emotions.

A gentle, magical story that draws readers to the joys of the natural world, inspires discussion and encourages children to never stop being curious.

Chapter bookDyslexia-friendly
dyslexia-friendly

A moving tale of friendship and foxes from award-winning author Berlie Doherty, perfect for budding countryside explorers.

Bella has a secret – one that she is very good at keeping. That secret is a den hidden on a little muddy hill, wild amid the trees and nestled beside some foxes with a den of their own. But soon the secret is betrayed, and the foxes’ lives are put in danger…

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.

The third in a fantastic series of animal stories for younger readers by Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted author Helen Peters, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ellie Snowdon.

A sick puppy abandoned on Jasmine’s farm urgently needs her help to survive. And though he adores her, Jasmine doesn’t know if Sky will ever trust people again. But it’s not until she gets into terrible danger that she finds out…

Brilliant storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation. Perfect for readers aged seven and up.

Check out Jasmine’s other adventures: A Piglet Called Truffle, A Duckling Called Button, A Kitten Called Holly and many more!

Jasmine’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and keeping them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means she gets into hot water herself…
A perfect animal story for younger readers by Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted author Helen Peters, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ellie Snowdon.

When Jasmine finds a lost foal in her father’s field, she can’t believe her eyes. Who would abandon such a beautiful creature, especially as it’s hurt its leg? With the race on to reunite Storm with his mother, Jasmine is determined to solve the mystery and bring the culprits to justice!

Brilliant storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation.

We highly recommend this gentle series of  animal stories for younger readers, which are standalone animal-rescue adventures featuring loveable character Jasmine Green. There are plenty of books to keep readers going in this series, each based on a different type of animal.

In this story, Jasmine finds a pair of lost rabbits and hopes to take care of the frightened creatures until they can be united with their owners.  Twists and turns mean that Jasmine has a number of challenges to face, especially when one of the rabbits called Clover proves to be very good at escaping.

Animal lovers and fans of collectible series will be keen to dip into this lovely story.

The thirteenth in a fantastic series of animal stories for younger readers by Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted author Helen Peters, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ellie Snowdon.

Jasmine’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and keeping them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means she gets into hot water herself…

When a newborn seal pup is abandoned on the riverbank, Jasmine and Tom are determined to care for her until she’s old enough to be released. But there are other dangers for baby seals, and when Pearl’s life is threatened again, nobody knows what the future will hold. Will Pearl ever be able to return to the sea?

Brilliant storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation. Perfect for readers aged seven and up.

Chapter bookDyslexia-friendly
dyslexia-friendly

Ruby’s dad has arrived home with a wonderful surprise – Coco the sausage dog puppy! And when the family go on holiday to the seaside, of course Coco will be coming too. The beach is a thrilling place for a dog – so many sights, smells and holes to dig! Ruby and Coco can’t wait to spend the day splashing in the waves and playing in the sand. But disaster strikes when Coco disappears. Suddenly she’s lost and all alone on the huge, busy beach … Will she ever find her way back to Ruby?

Worldwide bestseller Holly Webb makes her Barrington Stoke debut with a truly adorable sausage-dog tale!

Laura’s own book The Animals of Madame Malone’s Music Hall is a charming tale of believing in one’s self and the importance of community, with a cast of creative creatures taking centre stage and a super-readable and dyslexia-friendly format.

Summer by the seaside with Gran isn’t exactly what Callie expected. Instead of sunshine and ice cream, she’s stuck helping Gran’s drama group save their local theatre. Worst of all, they’ve asked her to star in their play. But when she goes exploring backstage, Callie stumbles into an altogether different world – another theatre, run by a wise fox and her troupe of talking animals. And the strangest part of all? Callie’s set to play the lead in their show too. Forced to face her fears will Callie be up to the challenge of saving Madame Malone’s Music Hall?

Wildly imaginative with an unusual array of animal characters and a sensitive message of self-belief, this uplifting story will appeal to animal lovers and fans of the theatre alike. (Ages 8+ / ‘super-readable ‘ format).

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments