Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Jamie Littler Books

One Dog and His Boy

Chapter book

All Hal had ever wanted was a dog. But a dog would damage the carpets in Hal’s house, and so his parents refused to let him have one.

Then they discover Easy Pets, a convenient dog-rental agency.

Terrier Fleck arrives on Hal’s birthday, but when he discovers that his dog must be returned, he runs away.

An irresistible adventure from a truly great and much-loved children’s author that every dog-loving child will adore.

Perfect for fans of 101 DALMATIANS.

With lovely line drawings on each chapter head

As a big fan of Jamie Littler’s previous fantasy series ‘Frostheart’, I was very excited to read this new book. Happily, I was not in the least bit disappointed. There is something about the combination of world-building and Jamie Littler’s illustrations that is enormously attractive and compelling.

The heroine, Juniper Bell, is wonderfully feisty and creative and the book is peopled with vivid characters. Arkspire, the city setting for the story, is a richly imagined world, with real social divides and class issues that ring true for the present day. The magic is both scary and fantastic and the reader sees the glamour fall away from Juniper’s eyes and experience her new understanding that the way things are is not necessarily the way they should be. The heroine is flawed, she argues with her sister and does not always do the right thing. She challenges authority and the ‘religion’ of the city and that is why the reader is drawn to her. The love/hate relationship between siblings was well observed.

I am a fantasy fan and this book seems like the start of another great fantasy series from Jamie Littler.

Frostheart 2: Escape From Aurora

Jamie Littler

Chapter book

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Shona (SENDCo & parent of a 10 Year old boy)

Shona says, “This series has caught our attention with its fantastic illustrations and thrilling story line. It is a super follow up to Frostheart and we are already eagerly anticipating the final book of the trilogy. It is a book of adventure, friendships and unexpected twists!”

The Abominables

Eva Ibbotson & Jamie Littler

Chapter book

Another novel on the theme of mountains, but this one is a more light-hearted choice, popular with lower KS2. Full of humour and imagination, this laugh-out-loud book tells the story of a young woman who is kidnapped by the Yetis of the Himalayan Mountains and given the tasks of bringing up their unruly children. Although this book is very funny, it also carries a strong message about caring for our planet.

The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler’s Daughter

Jamie Littler & Philip Ardagh

Chapter book

The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask: Smuggler’s Daughter is set in 18th-century Cornwall. It’s an exciting, action-packed adventure told in diary form. Kitty and her family live in a small fishing village. Her father is the head of a gang of smugglers who are trying to keep their contraband and illegal activities hidden from the excisemen. Kitty is supposed to stay safely at home but she regularly creeps out at night to watch her father and his men at work. Very soon she gets caught up in the action. There’s a shipwreck, secret caves, betrayal and a prison break.

I enjoyed how the book is a mixture of fact and fiction. The characters and settings are fictional but the book is packed with interesting factual detail – much of which is included in the footnotes. The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask is highly entertaining historical fiction for a young audience; it really brings a place, a time and a way of life alive for its readers.

Kitty is an excellent lead character: brave, resourceful and quick-thinking. Philip Ardagh has created a lively supporting cast of colourful characters and sinister villains too. The book is wonderfully illustrated throughout and is perfect for newly independent readers who are ready for a longer chapter book.

The Secret Diary of Jane Pinny, Victorian House Maid

Jamie Littler & Philip Ardagh

Chapter book

This illustrated and easy-to-read diary focuses on Jane Pinny, a hard-working maid in a Victorian house. A good choice for lower KS2 or less confident upper primary readers.

The Secret Diary of Thomas Snoop, Tudor Boy Spy

Jamie Littler & Philip Ardagh

Chapter book

Part of Philip Ardagh’s popular ‘The Secret Diary of…’ series, this is highly entertaining historical fiction for a young audience, bringing a place, a time and a way of life alive for its readers. This one focuses on Thomas Snoop, a trainee spy looking to uncover Tudor traitors making plots against the king.