Best Books This Month – March 2026

Maryam and Issa live at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Mali, Africa. One day, they go on an outing with their parents, but this is no ordinary outing. At the edge of the hot, dry desert, people are creating something, something big, something special . . . something green!

In the words of their Uncle Cedric, they’re creating a ‘future’; a better future for the birds, for the bees, for everyone. They are creating a better future, one plant at a time, with adults and children working side by side planting plants across Africa to create a ‘Great Green Wall’.

This is a growing plants story about a fictional family, but the Green Wall project they’re involved in is real, and there are information pages at the back of the book for anyone who would like to know more about this immense, ecological project to grow a green ‘wall’ across Africa, as well as guidance on how to plant a tree yourself.

A beautiful, simple picture book with a valuable message at its heart, one that will hopefully inspire a new generation to go outside and grow.

Who could resist a book with the title The Domesday Cows?  Coupled with being written by Iszi Lawrence, whose books I have enjoyed in the past, this was an irresistible draw for me.

This is a story about the culture clash between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans. Billed as a comedy, this is a romp through the early days of the Norman Invasion and how it impacted the Anglo-Saxon people already living in England (and Wales). It is full of historical details, all cleverly disguised as a funny story. The fact that deer, for example, were no longer permitted to be killed as they belonged to the Normans is all wrapped up in an episode where a deer behaves incredibly stupidly, and the villagers can do nothing about it. I also did not realise the Normans brought rabbits into the country.

The amusing illustrations by Davide Ortu start each chapter with a hint of what is to come, and the tiptoeing cows are very funny. There is a lot to unpack in what seems like a simple book.

Three sisters find their lives turned upside down as war is declared between Britain and Germany. Living in London, the sisters face evacuation, rationing, bombing and loss. Lydia, Peggy and Teddy navigate daily struggles as the war starts to change Britain. The sisters have to stick together as everything changes for them and their loved ones. They find new homes, new foes, new four-legged friends and each of them a passion that brings a spark back into their lives.

The story is split into three sections, and each section tells the story of the sisters in a different part of the war. Lydia (the eldest sister) starts the story in 1939 with the beginning of the war and being evacuated to the countryside to stay with Aunt Phoebe. She tells a story of loneliness and shares a first-hand account of the Blitz when she returns to London, running away. The next section is told by Peggy and narrates from 1943, when the family have relocated back to London. Peggy finds herself befriending a German refugee, and the family have to try and keep safe from the German Doodlebugs that cause major destruction and death. Finally, the last section describes the post-war years and how it is hard for the youngest sister, Teddy, to find a way in the world when all she has known is wartime London.

The story is beautifully and very cleverly written, as you find yourself getting to know the three sisters as you become entwined in their world. Each section is written in a way that shows you how different the sisters are. I really enjoyed reading this book, and it is perfect for a Y6 class when studying World War 2 and a character-driven historical fiction choice for reading for pleasure.

This is the first book in the series about Emba Oak. Originally called Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows, the book has undergone a name change. This book is full of jokes and slightly gross humour (all right, very gross humour in places) and it is delightfully silly.

With dragons and quests being ever-popular story themes, I can see many lower KS2 children absolutely loving this, with its fast-paced plot and amusing characters. It has the feeling of someone chatting to you and telling you this story; the voice is so clear and individual.

There are strong themes of friendship and courage, as well as this being a really fun and easy-to-read book. David Dean’s cover and internal illustrations are a delight, and many will appreciate the great dragon pictures! The chapter heading font and the layout also add to the feeling of a book about a quest, which is exactly what this is.

This is the perfect book for tweens and is sure to be a popular reading for pleasure choice. Birdie is an overthinker, and she currently has a lot of change to navigate in her life, including moving house, becoming a blended family, tending to an elderly hamster and not yet needing a bra!

Birdie and her best friend decide to create a happy list of ideas to help them with their well-being. But, along with daily gratitudes, drinking water and doing things for others, her BFF adds ‘new friends’ to the list! Trying to branch out, Chloe and Birdie find themselves the target of a bullying group of girls.

This book perfectly encapsulates tween life – the happiness, stresses, anxieties, betrayals and joy. The brilliantly chatty tone, mix of font styles and illustrations make it so engaging, and there’s plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Above all, it is filled with supportive friendships and a caring family to help the girls find their way.

A great reading for pleasure book that will resonate with young people making the transition to Secondary School.