Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Author & Illustrators

Trish Cooke Books

Brilliantly told and sumptuously illustrated, The Magic Callaloo is based on the fairy-tale “Rapunzel” and inspired by stories of enslaved Africans.

Long ago and far away, a magic callaloo plant grew in a village square. Whoever ate one of its leaves was granted a wish. But a greedy selfish man wanted all the wishes for himself so he stole the callaloo. With only one leaf left, Mister and Missus, desperate for a child, pluck it to make their dream come true. But the greedy man wants everything and he kidnaps their beloved daughter, who will ultimately make the most remarkable escape.
Trish Cooke says, “The Magic Callaloo pays homage to my ancestors and the roads they walked to freedom.”

Mum and baby are home alone when – DING DONG! – Auntie and then Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and the cousins come to visit. And they all want to hug and kiss and squeeze and eat the baby right up … because everybody loves the baby SO MUCH!

A special 25th anniversary edition of a multiple award-winning story, So Much is a celebration of family life. Helen Oxenbury’s characteristically warm, funny illustrations, paired with Trish Cooke’s rhythmic, cumulative story capture the joy of being a baby in a large extended family – a baby who knows that he is absolutely, utterly adored.

With a foreword and gorgeous golden foil on the cover and spine, this edition is one to share and treasure.

Mary is a brave nurse. When a war starts in the Crimea she sails across the sea to help, and even enters the battlefield!

Hopscotch Histories are brand new stories in historical settings, told in under 400 words, perfect for children who are building up their reading confidence

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