Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Ross Montgomery Books

Small Wonder

Chapter book

Small Wonder by Ross Montgomery was the winner of the Children’s Book Award in 2025. Tick, his little brother, Leaf, and their horse, Pebble, are in an epic race across the country to safety before the gates close.

Summed up in 5 words: thrilling, epic, roller-coaster, danger and adventure!

Ant Party

Ross Montgomery & Sarah Warburton

Picturebook

From the highly acclaimed creators of Ten Delicious Teachers and Penguin Huddle comes a vibrant comedy of friendship, bravery and BIG surprises.

Written by the award-winning author of the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2024.

It’s another busy day at the ant hill. The farmer ants are collecting food, the worker ants are building tunnels and the soldier ants are guarding the queen. But for Andy, it’s a very special day: it’s his birthday! Word spreads for his “small gathering” and, in no time at all, thousands of ants arrive to bust their best moves and tuck into dips. But as the party gets into full swing an unwanted guest arrives… The ants must work together to save the day (and the dips!) in this charming, original comedy picture book that will empower even the shyest of us all to shine and make a difference.

Gruff Justice

Marisa Morea & Ross Montgomery

Picturebook

Inspired by the traditional tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff, this wonderful book tells the story of Big Goat Gruff, who has been accused of taking a bite out of the farmer’s birthday cake. Whilst this greedy goat has a reputation for eating food from all around the farm, this time he is not the culprit, but he must find the real guilty party to prove his innocence!

This light-hearted story is full of humour and gentle references to traditional tales, which young readers will gain great pleasure in spotting.

Part of the Little Gems range, this book is perfect for early or struggling readers, with its font-friendly feel, engaging pictures and manageable amounts of text to read.

Porky Pies

Marisa Morea & Ross Montgomery

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Tia and her mum start an adventurous new life on Gull Haven Island, finding lots of animals who need their help along the way.

Tia’s mum has a new job as the vet on Gull Haven Island and there are a lot of animals who need her help.

When she’s called away to help a sickly cow on a nearby island and gets trapped there in a storm, Tia has to step up and care for the animals staying in the surgery. It’s a big responsibility and then she has to deal with a mysterious creature that washes up on the shore after the storm.

Their new life on the Haven Islands is clearly going to be full of adventures!

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

I Am Rebel

Ross Montgomery

Chapter book

Any child who has loved Phil Earle’s war stories or Sheila Burnford’s ‘The Incredible Journey’ will love ‘I am Rebel’.

Ross Montgomery tells the story of Tom, a restless and idealistic farm boy, who makes the dangerous decision to join a civil rebellion against an oppressive and heartless king, and Rebel, his brave and faithful dog. Rebel, determined to track Tom down, sets out on a journey to find him and makes friends along the way. What begins as one dog’s search for his boy turns into an epic animal odyssey.

Montgomery draws in all kinds of issues to his narrative; the desire of a young boy to rebel and follow the promise of a dream in defiance of his parents, his misguided trust in an unknown adult, and, more positively, the power of love and faithfulness in friendships and family.

It is often said of new releases that they read like classics – but this one truly does. Ross Montgomery’s vivid and emotive storytelling paired with simple language make it a must for school libraries. It’s timeless, touching, and thrilling throughout.

Ten Delicious Teachers

Ross Montgomery & Sarah Warburton

Picturebook

‘Ten Delicious Teachers’ is one of those books that instantly feels like a classic. With its terrific pictures and perfectly composed rhymes, ‘Ten Delicious Teachers’ is such a superb read that can be enjoyed time and time again.

The premise of the book is simple, yet expertly delivered. Ten school teachers leave school after a long day of teaching, only to discover that the last bus home has just left without them. The teachers then decide to take the path through the dark woods, much to the excitement of a band of monsters who start picking each of them off one by one.

This is an all-join-in book to be read aloud for classroom giggles and bonding – with plenty of visual humour and in-jokes for teachers too! In ‘Ten Delicious Teachers’, I enjoyed how all ten monsters have their quirks and characteristics just as the teachers do. Definitely one to be shared!

Hurly Burly: Macbeth Mayhem

Mark Beech & Ross Montgomery

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Fair is foul and foul is fair … bestseller Ross Montgomery returns with a laugh-out-loud, perfectly pitched introduction to Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Beth has been looking forward to the Prizegiving Assembly all year. She’s won best-behaved pupil two years in a row and is confident that she’ll triumph again for a third time.

But as preparations continue for the ceremony, which includes a performance of Macbeth by the drama club, Beth finds out that she’s been pipped to the post by not one but two of her classmates, leaving her in third place.

Beth cannot bear to lose, so she channels her inner Macbeth and will stop at nothing to tarnish the reputation of her competitors. But as she puts her dastardly plans into action, she realises that villainy comes at a high cost!

Fortune’s Fools: A Romeo Roller Coaster!

Mark Beech & Ross Montgomery

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Top school athletes Dom and Blake have been best friends for ever – B and D, D-Dog and B-Unit, the Cool Combo … But with Sports Day approaching, their friendship is suddenly under threat. Mr Fortune, their headmaster, has pitted the school houses against each other by naming them after characters from his favourite Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet. With Dom in Montague House facing Blake from Capulet House, will B and D end the day as mortal enemies or will brotherly love prevail?

Prepare for Sports Day carnage as the Montagues and Capulets battle it out for the House Medal in this laugh-out-loud Shakespeare-inspired drama from Ross Montgomery!

Sheep School

Marisa Morea & Ross Montgomery

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

A thwarted thespian must use his talents to save his flock from a woolly situation in this hilarious gem from bestselling children’s author Ross Montgomery.

William the lamb just can’t stand still. His feet are always tapping, ready to dance, and he loves nothing more than bursting into song. But his talents aren’t always appreciated at Sheep School. Cast out of the flock, he wanders miserably away only to witness the rest of the sheep being captured by the Big Bad Wolf. Can William find a way to put his artistic skills to use to save the day?

Penguin Huddle

Ross Montgomery & Sarah Warburton

Picturebook

There’s something about penguin-themed stories that always seems to charm both children and adults. This Antarctic story is a delightful and amusing tale about penguins that get stuck in their huddle due to a strong wind and then embark on a journey to find help in separating themselves.

Children will love the funny humour of the penguins’ situation (how much fun would it be to be stuck in a hug?). Along the way, the penguins meet a variety of animals and encounter a number of obstacles and giggle-worthy situations. Only an idea from the very smallest penguin of all seems to work in the end. This entertaining storytime hit with a heartwarming ending is sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.