Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Holly Webb Books

The Woodland Badger

Chapter book

Poppy loves spending time at her mum’s allotment and the tangle of wild woodland behind it. They regularly see foxes and hedgehogs, but one special evening, just as they are about to head home, they spot a young badger. It’s the first time Poppy has ever seen one in real life, and she’s entranced.

Then Poppy learns that the woodland has been sold and there are plans to build houses on it. Poppy and her mum are horrified. Is there anything they can do to save the young badger’s home?

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

The Runaway Tortoise

Holly Webb & Ocean Hughes

Chapter book

When Albert makes a daring escape, Ava realises that tortoises might not be quite as boring as they seem in this gentle animal story from worldwide bestseller Holly Webb.

Ava thinks that Albert, her 45-year-old tortoise, is the most boring pet ever. She can’t take him for walks or even cuddle him!

But when Auntie Grace’s dog frightens Albert with all his barking, Ava comes home from school to find a great big hole under the fence — and no Albert!

Now that he’s gone, Ava realises just how much she loves her tortoise. Will she be able to track Albert down and bring him home?

The Firefighter’s Kitten

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

When Lola’s mum gets a job at a fire station in a different town, it means moving away from all her friends.

Lola is proud of her mum, but she’s really worried about starting a new school.

There is one good thing, though – her parents have promised that they can think about getting a cat!

Then one day Lola and her new neighbour Noah spot a kitten high up in a tree.

It looks scared and soggy from the rain.

A worried crowd forms and the fire brigade are called – including Lola’s mum.

Can they rescue the stray kitten and help find him a new home?

The Snowy Penguin

David Dean & Holly Webb

Chapter book

This book is an absolute wintry delight.

It begins with the main character ‘Bella’ joining her single mum (her dad died when she was younger, which is briefly mentioned) on an exciting adventure to study penguins in Antarctica. It promotes women working in STEM in a setting that is not usually seen in children’s fiction stories. Whilst there, Bella spots an unusual penguin with a pale brown coat instead of the typical black which is integral to the story. What we thought was going to be an adventure about a girl and penguins turned out to have an historical twist with mystery and suspense – to add to the what was already a lovely story.

This is a brilliant bedtime read and would also be a good classroom story to share for Year 2. There were lots of discussions about vocabulary and meanings, for example, crevasse (which is a deep crack in the ice). This felt like a favourite because there was something for everyone – adventure, mystery, suspense, Antarctica and of course, because it’s Holly Webb, animals!

A Girl’s Guide to Spying

Holly Webb

Chapter book

A new series from Holly Webb, A Girl’s Guide to Spying, introduces sisters Phyllis and Annie who join the Guides and soon find themselves wrapped up in a First World War mystery involving secret messages, spies, war secrets and Watergate House – headquarters of MI5.

The Girl’s Guide to Spying focuses a lot on girls being brave and capable. Phyl and Annie show that girls can be trusted, can think for themselves, and can help others, including during hard times like war. This is a great message for young readers, especially girls, and ties well into the book’s interest in the history of Girlguiding, while also touching on Suffragettes, gender stereotypes and the role of women on the home front.

One of the strongest parts of the book is the relationship between the sisters. It shows how important it is to work together, look out for each other, and stay loyal. Children reading this can relate to having siblings or friends and learning how to support one another. The Girl Guide skills in the story also show that learning practical skills, solving problems and working as a team really matter. The book also introduces life during the First World War without being too scary or confusing. It helps children see how normal people were affected and how everyone tried to do their part.

Overall, this book is good for children because it builds confidence and shows that even young people can make a difference. It encourages kindness, courage, and believing in yourself.

The Guinea-Pig Party

Holly Webb & Rosie Butcher

Chapter book

Katy can’t believe her luck when she finds the perfect pet guinea pig hiding in the lettuce patch, but is everything as it seems?

Katy has always longed for a pet of her own, so when a cute ginger-and-white guinea pig turns up in her mum’s vegetable patch, she thinks her dreams have come true!

Katy calls the guinea pig Lettuce, as that seems to be her favourite food, and makes a lovely home for her in an old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden.

But where has Lettuce come from and will Katy really be able to keep her?

The Lost Puppy

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Ruby loves playing with Toby and can’t wait to take him for proper walks – they’ll have such fun! But on an outing to the woods, Toby’s curious nature gets the better of him and he runs off in search of adventure. Soon the puppy is lost in the woods, frightened and all alone. Will he ever be reunited with his beloved best friend Ruby?

From the best-selling author Holly Webb comes another heart-warming animal story.

Sam the Stolen Puppy

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Sam, a golden Labrador puppy, is Emily’s best present ever! The two become great friends and Emily is sad to leave him at home when she starts back at school. When Sam is stolen from the back garden one afternoon, Emily is desperate with worry. She is determined to get her precious puppy back – but how will she find him?

Timmy in Trouble

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

Katie can’t believe it when her parents agree that she can have a puppy. And when she sees the lively Timmy, she’s sure her family will fall in love with him, just as she has. But her sister Jess is worried about how Misty the cat with react to the new arrival. Katie thinks they’ll get used to each other, but things don’t go as planned. Every time Timmy tries to play with Misty he upsets her and gets into trouble. Timmy is so sad. Why doesn’t Misty want to be friends?

The Frightened Kitten

Holly Webb & Sophy Williams

Chapter book

When Maddy’s best friend moves away, Maddy feels like she’ll never be able to replace her. To cheer her up, her parents get her a kitten – a gorgeous tortoiseshell who she calls Biscuit. Biscuit quickly settles into her new home, and can’t wait to go out for the first time and explore.

But little does she know that a neighbour’s two big tom cats see the garden as their territory. Together, the mean cats do their best to scare off the new arrival, and soon poor Biscuit is frightened to go out at all and spends most of her time hidden away. Will Maddy ever find a way to help her beloved kitten?

From best-selling author Holly Webb comes another heart-warming animal story.