Year 4 Booklist: 50 Recommended Reads

An absolute winner of a story and a brilliant choice for KS2 children in Year 4, 5 or 6. As you might expect from former Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, who really is a master storyteller, this fantastic series is full of delightful characters, exciting expeditions and sumptuous settings. There’s plenty of action, and a good dollop of humour too.

Hiccup is a small Viking. As part of the initiation process for his tribe, he is required to lead a group of novices in their task of dragon training. Unfortunately, Hiccup’s designated dragon is far from what he’d dreamed of, but despite all odds, it doesn’t take long for Hiccup to prove himself to be a true hero.

We love this exciting action-packed series and thoroughly recommend the series to fantasy and adventure fans.

Maggie is an orphan who has recently escaped from a workhouse after losing her mum. Her mum had given her a letter to deliver to a Monsieur Passepartout and said that he would help her.

In tracking down Monsieur Passepartout, Maggie also finds Mr Fogg, a gentleman who has made a wager that he can travel around the world in only eighty days. She also discovers that Mr Fogg is believed to have stolen a lot of money from a bank in London.

Maggie accompanies Mr Fogg and Monsieur Passepartout on their journey around the world and tries to prove Mr Fogg’s innocence along the way. Their journey is not a straightforward one – they encounter lots of people along the way, some helpful and some not so helpful. Not everyone wants Mr Fogg to succeed in his endeavour.

‘The Girl Who Raced the World’ is a fantastic reimagining of ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’. Maggie and Monsieur Passepartout are both incredibly likeable characters, and I like how their relationship develops as they get to know each other better. Mr Fogg is mysterious but perhaps not as stern as he first appears. The story moves at a pace and is a fantastic adventure for Y4 and up. It would make a great read-aloud in the classroom or a good independent read.

It’s show time! Meet Blackpool’s very own Nathan and Middy, together they are The Wonder Brothers! Of course, they couldn’t perform their acts without a support team comprising the steadfast Brodie and his giant white rabbit, Queenie (the real star of the show!). Together, the children have spent summer holidays in Blackpool, perfecting the art of magic, but when a legendary magician comes to visit and makes Blackpool’s prominent landmark vanish, they go on a mission to get it back. The Blackpool Tower has disappeared, and when Middy is interviewed by the press, she promises that they will return it.

Along the way, the children are guided by a magical code of conduct, channelling their energy into positive outcomes and using their somewhat limited resources effectively.

This is children’s laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce at his very best. Alongside the glorious illustrations by Steven Lenton, the magic and mystery ooze off the pages. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with a fantastic cast of characters who will leave even the most sceptical reader wondering just how the tricks are done. Great for Year 4 and up.

A beautifully heartfelt and moving story with strong environmental themes. This story highlights the topic of global warming, but also draws a picture of the wonderful connection that can develop between children and animals.

When April heads to a remote Arctic island with her father, who is there for scientific research, she’s not sure exactly what to expect. The trip to ‘Bear Island’ has the potential to be a very lonely trip – with endless summer Arctic nights, an isolated wilderness and, according to her father, no actual polar bears left on the island for April to spot despite its name.

Surprisingly, April encounters a real polar bear on the island when nobody else is around. Isolated from his family, the bear is starving and alone, with nobody to help him. Over time, a friendship develops and April becomes more determined than ever to save the bear. 

There’s something magical about this story – from the wonderfully evoked Arctic setting to the glorious friendship that develops between April and the bear. This is a powerful and important story that will stir the heart through its gently unfolding message that places hope in the hands of the young to make a difference in the planet’s future.

Emma Swan has nailed the gap in the market for a female protagonist on the level of Tom Gates or Wimpy Kid. Cruise Ship Kid is everyday life with a difference – the protagonist, Silver, lives on a cruise ship. This opens up a myriad of intriguing and wonderful conceits – where does she do her schooling, how does she shop, and of course, the most pressing matter for Silver – how does she make and keep friendships.

The book is offered as a detective story with motives and clues and red herrings as well as how to solve the mystery of making friendships whilst being true to yourself. Delightfully funny, the novel is written in casual, confessional first person with an authorial wink so that the reader can glimpse things that perhaps Silver herself can’t see, as well as have Silver explain to the reader what her life is like.

Silver is both lovable and authentic, the ship is extraordinarily detailed and interesting, and the text is accessible, super modern, and fun. This book is highly illustrated throughout, with a revolting vomit scene and also bottom jokes, as well as giving information on the tourist stops where the ship docks. Something for everyone – just like a cruise ship.

The Mr Gum books have become absolute classics for children who love funny books and appeal to those with a wacky style of humour.

You’re A Bad Man, Mr.Gum is a stonkingly funny read from Andy Stanton, full of pure silliness and with a track record of delighting children aged 7-10. Mr Gum is mean, untidy, grumpy and grizzly, but he is very good at keeping his garden neat. When an excitable giant dog called Jake makes a mess in Mr Gum’s garden, Mr Gum’s mean streak comes out in hilarious and fairly ineffective ways.

Children enjoy the randomness of the dialogue, the unpredictable plot, the funny character names and the author’s witty asides. Illustrations capture the madcap tone of the book and add to the fun.

We love this laugh-out-loud funny book and recommend it for Year 4.

The world faces the terrible prospect of running out of chocolate. A chocolate loving girl called Jelly and her clever gran investigate, foiling a Dahl-esque villain called Garibaldi Chocolati.

This illustrated book is a light-hearted, fun read-aloud with chocolate-related hijinks, characters you’ll love and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

A wonderfully silly and gloriously bonkers adventure that introduces the brilliantly funny heroine, Betty Steady.

Bustling with quirky characters, clever wordplay and outrageous situations, this book plunges readers into a world of surreal humour, where Mr Gum meets Starfell. When Betty lands herself in trouble, she finds herself shrunken and trapped by the mischievous Toad Witch, who plans to take over Wobbly Rock.

This story is a riot from start to finish, perfectly matched by Sarah Horne’s exuberant illustrations. This is a series that will fondly appeal to humour-loving readers in KS2.

We always enjoy Ross Welford’s dry and intelligent humour, and this diary-style adventure with a difference is a real treat. It follows Prince Kal, a tiny and somewhat haughty royal alien from the Imaginaria Forests, who ends up stranded on a Northumberland beach after a mishap. In his diary, he logs his experiences of encountering the ways of Earth.

Interspersed with humorous observations and comical illustrations, this is an enjoyable blend of science fiction, satire and sharp wit.

From the moment orphaned Dilly arrives on Ollipest Island to live with her grand-Aunt Florence, whom she has never met before, she can sense that there is something unusual about the place, yet she feels strangely connected to it – the storybook cottage is comforting and her aunt is kind, although for some reason distant, and she immediately feels like somehow she belongs.

Dilly quickly starts to notice some very strange happenings on the island, and when she and her new friend Callum decide to go to the reopening of a local museum, things become even more bizarre, and the pair find themselves on a quest to uncover the mysteries of this strange island. What follows is a fast-paced, fantastical adventure where time is critical and the stakes are high.

With mystery, fantasy and adventure rolled into one, The Museum of Lost Umbrellas is an engaging read from start to finish, and it is sure to capture the imagination of KS2 readers. The use of rich, vivid and descriptive language creates a strong sensory experience, and readers will find themselves transported into the fantasy world. I cannot wait for the next book in series!

This is an adrenaline-filled rollercoaster ride of a story!

The story begins with a bang and the race is on to find sixteen ‘lightstreams’ hidden across the globe. When the lightstreams have been discovered,  the finders transported to Imagination Island. There, we encounter larger-than-life characters with traits, strengths and weaknesses, who work with, and sometimes against, each other to save the island for generations to come.

The storyline is fast and furious with a hectic romp through puzzles and adventures. The family characters are well construed and Mel Taylor-Bessant paints a clear picture of shy Luca and each of his siblings. The appeal will sit well with years 3 and 4 while the language and some of the content are informal and strong in places, and the pace rarely lets up, perhaps leaning towards older readers too.

This story is full of imagination, adventure and excitement and makes for a perfect read-aloud choice for storytime. Land of Roar is an instantly gripping adventure where childhood games become a reality for two twins. I raced my way through it, wondering what dangers twins Rose and Arthur were going to encounter next, whilst simultaneously wanting to visit Roar myself!

Land of Roar makes for a fantastic portal story where you can’t help but be dragged into this magical land of make-believe in a story full of adventure, magic and friendship. I love the idea of childhood games coming to life and the idea appeals well to the imaginations of children aged 8  to 10 – old enough to remember make-believe games from a younger stage but still young enough to allow themselves to be swept away by imagination and magic.

Land of Roar is the kind of fantasy adventure that grips you from the first page to the last and keeps you wanting more…so it’s a good thing there’s a sequel!

There is something about a girl being brought up in a rhubarb shed that is instantly interesting and captivating! We only find out why at the end, but it is so compelling and awful and yet at the same time the reader knows there must be a good reason. That is how the story starts and the contrast between the enclosed space and the wide-open spaces is very much in evidence as the story progresses.

As a Londoner I loved the London setting. This is exactly the sort of story I love, combining fantasy and real places and there is even the ubiquitous school to train the students who have magical abilities – in this case wings. The school setting (the Starminster of the title) is actually St Paul’s Cathedral, which is such a fun place for a school.

Suitable for Key Stage 2, this is a wonderful and original story which fantasy lovers (and bird lovers!) will really enjoy.

Andy Shepherd, bestselling author of The Boy Who Grew Dragons, returns with another enchanting story in The Wood Where Magic Grows.

This beautifully written tale follows Iggy as he adjusts to big changes — moving house and learning to live with his new stepbrother, Cal. But when the boys begin exploring their garden, they discover that the mysterious wood at the end holds secrets beyond their wildest dreams.

Rich with nature imagery and magical surprises, this story is bursting with awe and wonder. Fans of Shepherd’s previous work will feel right at home with the familiar tone, engaging vocabulary, and heartfelt themes of friendship, family, and discovery. It’s a perfect pick for children who love imaginative adventures grounded in relatable emotions.

A gentle, magical story that draws readers to the joys of the natural world, inspires discussion and encourages children to never stop being curious.

Peanut Jones is a wonderfully imaginative story with likeable characters and plenty of action and adventure.

Pernilla Jones (Peanut to her friends) isn’t having the best time. Her dad suddenly disappeared over a year ago, her mum is moving on and dating someone Peanut can’t stand and she has been made to move schools, leaving her beloved Melody High behind in favour of St Hubert’s School for the Seriously Scientific and Terminally Mathematic. Peanut is paired with Rockwell Riley as part of a study buddy scheme to help new students settle and she couldn’t be more disinterested.

One day, when she finds a magic pencil which has the power to make drawings a reality, Peanut sets out to find out what really happened to her dad. She takes Rockwell and her little sister, Little Bit, along for the ride in this alternate dimension where there is always danger and surprise around the corner. The story follows her journey into a hidden world where she must think quickly and use her drawing powers to save herself, her friends and the people she meets from those who wish to destroy all creativity – all the while, searching for the truth about her dad.

Throughout the book, there are superb, detailed drawings which are in black, white and orange, giving the book a unique style. The short chapters make it easy to read.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years. This is a stand-alone read, but if you would like to explore more of the Narnian realm, pick up the full series.

The idea that undiscovered magic is on your doorstep, or possibly even in your bedroom, is wonderful. This remains a favourite childhood book and a true classic for children in KS2.

A classic children’s book from beloved author Dick King Smith.

There’s something magical and original about this story, in which a girl called Harmony comes to own a magical 50-pence piece that will grant seven wishes. An exciting adventure ensues, with highs and lows that will make the reader feel truly invested in the story, as Harmony has to make choices about what to spend her wishes on, and some of them have unforeseen consequences that make the phrase ‘Be careful what you wish for’ ring true.

Readers root for Harmony, who is likeable and relatable, as she deals with the frustrations of family life and learns to stand on her own two feet in facing the aftermath of her independent choices. Harmony’s magic coin helps her to think about appreciating the things that are dear to her and slowing down to consider the consequences of her decisions – both good lessons to learn as children grow up.

We love this charming animal story, which explores themes of family and responsibility with a sprinkling of thrilling magic realism.

This wow-factor history book takes the reader on a 12,000-year journey to find out the story of a single UK street, showing the street during a different historical period on each page.

Many young readers love any non-fiction books that explore or peek behind closed doors. A Street Through Time does this in the best possible way and over thousands of years. You can see what people’s kitchens and bedrooms (and loos!) looked like from the Romans to the Victorians (Roman toilets I’d avoid….!).

We also love how busy this book is, so many brilliant details to explore again and again and how it shows the change in a single place over a long period. A classic among children’s non-fiction – and for good reason.

This Roald Dahl classic remains a classroom favourite and has been the inspiration for numerous films, keeping it in the hearts of children’s imaginations over the decades since it was first published in 1964.

The story follows the life-changing moment Charlie Bucket finds a coveted Golden Ticket and wins a visit to see inside Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. His trip is taken with his much loved Grandpa Joe, alongside four other winners who prove to be humorously flawed in their own ways.

This is a fantasy rags-to-riches tale with moments of both dark and light humour.

Grimwood is a wacky, anarchic animal story, full of nonsensical mayhem.

The story will certainly appeal to children in KS2 who love funny books (although possibly not the most sensitive in this age group – as there are incidents of biting off heads, tails or feet!). There’s a dark and wacky humour to the story that will delight fans of Roald Dahl or Mr Gum and plenty of discussion points such as the relationship between the fox cubs, the changes in their personalities and the desire to find refuge.

The book could work as a class reader and a fun and quirky independent read for ages 7-11.

A highly illustrated diary-style story that will appeal to fans of Tom Gates, Wimpy Kid or Loki.

To begin with, I found myself curious to know how the events which loom so large in Hari’s mind – particularly the film competition and his friendship with schoolmates – would unfold. His doodle-filled diary was a perfect way to view the drama from his perspective; ‘drama’ being the right word for someone with ADHD and autistic traits for whom small things can prompt BIG feelings.

We have teacher Mr Gill to thank for suggesting that Hari keep a journal. More than that, I enjoyed getting an inside look into a mind – one who is aware that he’s neuro-divergent and is not ashamed to admit it, but who, nonetheless, struggles sometimes with expectations, noise, deadlines, focus and relationships. Just as well his BFFs, Rahim and Lily are non-judgmental and forgiving, which is more than can be said for Martin the bully. But what of new boy Cameron? Whose side is he on? And will he help or hinder Hari’s bid to become a Bollywood superstar?

Read it and see, all those who love a good laugh, KS2 children especially.

Guy Bass’s Scrap books have been among my favourite books of the last few years, so I was keen to read Stitch Head, particularly having seen trailers for the film recently. This version also has stills from the film inserted into the book.

Who could resist little Stitch Head with his woeful face, admirably rendered by Pete Williamson. The book is a shorter read, made easier by those illustrations, which I loved. The story is not complex, but the emotions are. The reader really feels for poor Stitch Head and the way he has been abandoned, and how he clings to the past. The villain is suitably villainous, and whilst the book is littered with monsters, this is not a scary read, and the scariest ones are actually the people.

Sometimes illustrations enhance a story, but in this case, they are part of the story and I’m sure that the visual aspect of storytelling is what made the book so ripe for being turned into a film.

Jen Carney writes with love and humour. A brilliantly funny, family-friendly story perfect for fans of dogs, pranks and adventures. Cleverly illustrated with comic strips and cartoons this is both easily accessible and inclusive, with representation of families of different shapes and sizes.

Ferris Foster’s neighbour Destiny boasts about videos of her dog going viral. So in retaliation, Ferris claims that his dog Aldo can become an even bigger internet star. However, despite being his best friend, Aldo is not big or clever or talented. He is a dog! So when Aldo is filmed doing what looks like an amazing trick, Ferris believes he is onto a winner.  will Aldo give Ferris the break he needs and live up to his comic book alter-ego? Or will this be Failure with a capital F? Who doesn’t want to be famous these days, anyway?

This is a funny, feel-good, laugh-out-loud adventure to prove that family and friends are everything.

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.

The Accidental Viking is an easy-to-follow and entertaining adventure story, with a few twists and turns along the way.

In true Barrington Stoke fashion, the text and print used mean this story is inclusive and accessible for all readers. The story is told through short, manageable chapters with illustrations running alongside.

The Accidental Viking also includes interesting historical facts about Viking life, which would further support the understanding of any reader learning about this era of time, in particular those linking to a Viking village. Some of the facts are quite humorous, particularly those about Viking toilets!

The story has a funny, playful undertone throughout, and readers will no doubt like the personalities of Alfie and Kat – the two main characters – as well as their approach to managing life as Vikings and their reasons behind this. This book would be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in Vikings or as part of a reading bank to support learning about Vikings in a classroom.

We are very fond of Tony Bradman’s history-themed fiction, and this new 1941 Blitz adventure is a fantastic addition. It follows the Cobb Street Commandos, a spirited gang of East End children determined to support the war effort in their own way.

The story weaves in details about rationing and the Home Guard, handling wartime themes in a way that will make sense to today’s young readers. The characters are brave and full of pluck, showing the power of community spirit in overcoming hardship.

With an accessible font and well-spaced layout, this is a top recommendation for KS2 pupils who enjoy a history themed read.

From the author of the popular Horrible Histories, this book is a set of four of Terry Deary‘s ‘Saxon Tales’ short stories.

Our favourite of the four is the story about King Vortigern (who may or may not have existed in real life, but many believe that he did) and his servant Mervyn, as they are faced with the threat of invading Saxons and Picts. The book also includes The Shepherd Who Ate His Sheep, The Witch Who Faced the Fire and The Lord Who Lost His Head – covering different perspectives on Anglo-Saxon life without ever passing the opportunity to explore the gruesome bits with characteristic humour.

Each story provides a relatively short text, which is accompanied by fun illustrations, making the volume easily accessible to most pupils in lower KS2.

A full-steam-ahead adventure that had me hooked from the get-go. The Highland Falcon Thief is a middle-grade mystery story set on a steam train. With a high spirit of adventuring and a good and proper mystery that unfolds with clues and red herrings along the course, this is a brilliantly fun story that is sure to be on track to find itself set among the very best in the children’s mystery genre.

Harrison Beck (Hal) ends up aboard the last-ever journey of a famous royal steam train, ‘The Highland Falcon’, unwillingly accompanying his travel-writer uncle. Hal doesn’t think much of steam trains, and he is even less impressed when he finds there are no other child passengers on board and no electricity to charge his devices. Before long, Hal finds himself caught up in entertainment of a more old-fashioned kind. A mystery begins to unravel among the passengers and what’s more, Hal befriends a secret stowaway girl called Lenny and the pair set to work to solve the mystery before The Highland Falcon reaches the end of its last-ever journey.

It’s a full-throttle mystery with likeable characters and a well-paced plot that is especially full of treasures for anyone who loves trains. Even those who are not particularly into trains – like myself – will enjoy the feeling of being immersed in the world of locomotions, and the joy of being on board one comes across with great passion. Highly recommended!

This is a delightful book celebrating family and friendships and is part of a very popular series. Anisha is a funny and resourceful character, whose love of STEM and eye for detail makes her the perfect detective in this humorous series of mysteries.  Anisha has an extended family that proves to be strong and supportive when things go wrong. There are authentic cultural references exploring Anisha’s Indian heritage, particularly around food and family.

The illustrations by Emma McCann help to reflect the humour in the story and the text is often broken up with lists and diagrams, making the book particularly appealing to children who may be daunted when faced with full pages of text. 

This story was partially inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford’s own experiences growing up and is written with children’s author Alex Falase-Koya. Marcus remembers the breakfast clubs he attended growing up, and said “Breakfast Club guaranteed I had the best possible start to my day and welcomed me with open arms. It wasn’t just about food. It was about forming friendships, about togetherness, about escape. It was where some of my greatest memories were made.” This fiction book pays homage to the role breakfast club played in his upbringing.

In the story, Marcus attends Breakfast Club along with his football-loving friends. Since he lost his lucky football over the fence, his magic touch is gone and he’s lost his enthusiasm a bit. Everybody knows that he won’t get the football back because the other side of the fence is a no-go zone with a derelict, abandoned building. Before he knows it, Marcus ends up swept up on an adventure with the Breakfast Club Investigators involving a mysterious note, a strange creature and a deep dive into what really lurks beyond the fence.

This fun, pacey adventure full of twists and turns is a big hit with Key Stage 2.

Set in secondary school, this short and dyslexia-friendly title tells the story of Jay and his quandary over doing what makes him happy or keeping in with his friendship group.

Jay has an interest in computing, and a talent for it too, according to his teacher, Mr Chan, although his friends think it’s for nerds. They have only one interest – football – so when his best friend Noah’s Dad starts a new football club, the pressure on Jay to join in is huge.

Jay knows that he’s not very good at football and would much rather go to Mr Chan’s new Computing Club, but the club falls on the same days as football practice, and Jay is torn between the two. He ends up lying to his friends in order to attend the club, but then an announcement regarding a competition and an amazing prize raises the stakes, and Jay’s web of deceit falls apart.

The characters are believable, with the bonus of seeing from the illustrations that various ethnic groups are represented.  It certainly gets the positive message across that everyone is different, and I could see it being very useful in some football-obsessed classes in my school!

This story from award-winning author Elizabeth Laird is a great choice for KS2.

When young Finn takes a dive in the water near his fishing village, he is delighted to find dolphins to swim with. However, the dolphins face a terrible threat due to the masses of rubbish floating around in their water. It is up to Finn to find a way to save the sea creatures and prevent their natural environment from becoming ruined.

This is a topical and thought-provoking novel with environmental and ocean themes.

This is a truly lovely story with themes of refugees and inclusion, pitched just right to build empathy, promote kindness, and encourage readers to challenge stereotypes and question opinions that may not be based on fact. The story is filled with so much warmth and truth, pitched perfectly for stimulating some really great discussions with youngsters.

Ahmet is a refugee, and is given a previously empty seat at the back of the class when he starts a new school. He is befriended by the narrator of the story. Through the story, we learn about Ahmet’s background and the ups and downs of integrating into a new school. Kindness and friendship triumph, and the story develops empathy and encourages human connection. A good story for KS2 children to read and discuss.

A simple but punch-packing tale from storytelling master David Almond.

When a brand new boy called George starts at school, Daniel and his best friend Maxie are looking forward to getting a chance to enjoy the company of a new classmate. Daniel agrees to keep an eye on the new boy, although he has to admit there are a few unusual things about George. A series of questions without answers begins to unravel – like why George is ushered unwillingly into a black van at the end of the play date, or why the teachers seem to have a weird response to George in class, or why there’s a sudden announcement that George will leave the school. And what exactly is inside that tall box that is wheeled into assembly the following week?

This is an innovative story that weaves themes of compassion, hope and community as well as what it means to be alive. The dignity and compassion with which Daniel and his friends treat George are beautiful. I also loved the characterisation of Daniel’s mum, who is full of love, acceptance and a happy dose of Geordie warmth. The way people have been treated in the family home often naturally affects how they treat strangers, and Daniel is a prime example of this. The dangerous impact of technology on children is touched upon, but so is its potential to enhance human experience when treated sagely, with respect for human experience kept at its heart.

True to style, David Almond weaves a thought-provoking tale with hints of darkness, plenty of hope and pause for reflection on what it means to be alive.

We love the sumptuous Sri Lankan setting and adventurous heart of this fast-paced tale. The story follows Razi, who has avoided the ocean since his father’s death, until a mysterious traveller named Zheng washes ashore. Joined by his twin sister Shifa, Razi is swept up in a mission while outrunning a pair of ruthless villains.

Farook’s writing is rich with island details and the joys of the natural world. The setting is so evocative it makes you want to visit! Encounters with majestic turtles and a giant whale help Razi find his courage once again, and many readers will love the animals in the story as much as Razi.

A thrilling tropical treasure hunt with plenty of emotional depth, this is a top recommendation for KS2 classrooms.

The Bunny Vs Monkey series by Jamie Smart has become a popular favourite with children. The stories started as part of the Phoenix Comic and have now been made into a book series of their own. Teachers are seeing what a big hit these funny graphic novels have been in the classroom and the books have also seen success in bestseller lists and book award shortlists.

The stories follow the wacky tales of Bunny and his friends Weenie the Squirrel, Pig (the pig), Action Beaver and Skunky the Inventor, who all lived a peaceful life in the forest until Monkey’s rocket crash-landed and he decided to take over. What follows is a riot of chaotic adventures and mayhem that unfolds through a funny comic strip format.

If you enjoy this series, check out our list of more books for fans of Bunny vs Monkey.

The opening to the book has illustrations that introduce you to some of the characters, followed by a unique map, which gives you a brief overview of The Garden, showing the Unfairies and Tree Fairies holdings. Pip, the little hero fairy of this story, sets out with his new friend Midge by his side to deliver a report on how the winter food stores have gone mouldy. Danger seems to follow him throughout, or perhaps he follows danger!

His encounters with sticky, bug-bum honey, a crash involving a beetle and centipede and the carrying of a prophecy are just a few of the quests set out for Pip. Throughout the book, double-page spreads share a map or information page based on different areas of The Garden and Oakhold, both unique and humorous.

This graphic novel is a fantastic combination of a Welsh author, who provides endless laughs, and an Italian illustrator, who brings the colours and vibrancy. It ticks all the boxes for a fun read.

This is a hilarious graphic novel about a girl who falls down a hole into the underworld and has to battle the ruler, while navigating terrifying challenges such as the “bog of intense emotions”.

A funny, weird, mysterious and absurd page-turner!

Simon Lamb’s collection is a treasure. Each of the fifty poems is exactly fifty words long. We love this concept, which pupils can easily replicate in their own writing or simply enjoy reading.

The poems cover a playful range of topics, from beach scenes to witches, and showcase a mix of haikus, shape poetry and rhyme.

Chris Riddell’s illustrations add an extra layer of atmosphere, bringing humour and emotion to every page through line sketches . At just fifty words, these pieces are the perfect length to dip into, meaning the poems never feel overwhelming – yet manage to pack a huge amount of depth in their word count! 

A must-have for any primary poetry shelf.

This poetry collection from Joshua Seigal is a good choice for school libraries and book corners, with plenty of humour and lots of wordplay and puns. Some of the poems include vocabulary that will stretch even the strongest Year 6 readers, while others are very easily accessible to much younger readers. This range is one of the strengths of the book.

The cover art leans into the silliness of Seigal’s style, and many of the poems are undeniably and joyously silly, but there are also some that tackle heavier emotions. These are handled sensitively and powerfully and the juxtaposition with the silliness of previous poems is effective. The order of poems is well planned too, so that the more difficult emotional themes are followed by themes of love and optimism, so the overall effect is of giving space for those hard issues while keeping them in a healthy balance.

The collection encourages writing for pleasure. The playfulness of the language used offers children the freedom to express themselves beyond the rigid rules of correct English, whether by example with poems like Ponky Woem or by explicitly discussing the freedom of writing as in Poetic Licence and Saturday Morning.

Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright contains an animal poem for every day of the year. It’s a real stunner of a book – a gorgeously bound hardback compendium with full-page colour illustrations by Britta Teckentrup.

Readers can have fun dipping in and out of the pages and reading animal poems both familiar and new to us – flicking through to the entries for today, tomorrow, our birthdays, family and friends’ birthday and other special dates in the calendar, as well as pausing on random pages that catch our attention due ot the illustrations or the titles of the poems.

It’s the kind of collection that is perfect for a teacher’s desk or family coffee table to open when there’s a spare few minutes in the day. This is a book to treasure and one that sings of the joy of poetry as much as the wonders of the natural world.

The Barnabus Project is a unique and beguiling picture book that will intrigue KS2 children, with magical illustrations and an original storyline.

Barnabus lives in a lab for genetically engineered pets, but is left hidden away in a jar as a ‘failed project’. He dreams to escape, and calls on an eclectic group of fellow rejects to put his escape plan into action.

If you are familiar with the work of the incredible Fan brothers, you’ll know to except stunning illustrations with details designed to intrigue, delight and challenge. There’s plenty of peril and suspense in the story, and KS2 children will love getting stuck into this ‘older’ picturebook. Ultimately the messages are of teamwork, acceptance and not giving up on dreams – with scope for some deeper discussions about the ethics of genetic engineering and animal captivity, as well as conversations about celebrating difference.

This stunning book is a Key Stage 2 picturebook must-read.

Flooded is a visually stunning book with a powerful story about learning to face up to problems before they grow too big.

In Flooded, the city faces a problem. It seems like a normal day; the city wakes up to find itself a little bit wet. No one minds at first as it was just a little bit of water, but as the city carries on with its usual rhythm, the smaller animals start to realise that it is all becoming a rather big problem.

Flooded is a fun story illustrating how small problems can grow into bigger problems if we don’t give them enough attention. It is also a story about how problems are easier to solve together and communities that work with a positive common goal can be very powerful.

This book is full of surprises and has a pull-out page at a very significant part of the story, which really creates excitement for younger children as they are reading the book. When sharing this book with my class, it really made them think and predict about how the animal’s problem could be solved. They absolutely loved the artwork featuring gorgeous, blues and blacks as well as yellow shades for a very significant character within the book.

‘Into The Volcano’ is an engaging and informative text full of interesting facts for a Key Stage 2 audience. The book supports the National Curriculum objective of understanding the processes that give rise to key physical features of the world – it describes, in a way that the reader will be able to understand, whilst still using ambitious vocabulary, how and where volcanoes are formed, the different types of volcanoes, as well as discussing their positive and negative effects.

We enjoyed the inclusion of myths and legends inspired by real-life volcanoes, details about books and films that feature volcanoes (both real-life and fictional ones); and stories of artists who have chosen volcanoes as their subject.

Throughout the book, there are fascinating ‘Did you know?’ snippets – for example, did you know that scientists believe that the ‘scream heard piercing through nature’ which inspired Edvard Munch’s world-famous painting ‘The Scream’ was in fact the effects of Krakatau exploding?

This volcano-themed children’s book is a fascinating read from start to finish.

This is a brilliantly visual re-telling of Ernest Shackleton’s adventures from pole to pole, published to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Shackleton’s historic expedition.

This engaging text is filled with diagrams, maps, infographics and fascinating facts that will both delight readers and transport them through an imaginary exploration of frozen worlds.

We recommend Shackleton’s Journey as a good non-fiction text to use for engaging reluctant readers in KS2. There is also an accompanying activity book available from Amazon.

Written with humour and clarity, this non-fiction book breaks down complex ideas associated with the Internet –  like data packets, algorithms, networks, and cybersecurity – into manageable and child-friendly explanations supported by diagrams and real‑world examples.

The book also discusses online risks, including scams, hacking and privacy concerns. These are handled in an age‑appropriate, factual way that would be great for starting discussions around e-safety, cyber security and Safer Internet Day.

As a teacher, I find it a strong choice for developing digital literacy and supporting cross‑curricular learning in computing, science, and PSHE.

History’s Most Epic Fails is a fantastically funny compendium of some of the most disastrous things to happen to historical figures ever! Athena Kugblenu achieves the rare feat of being able to present the facts in a witty and appealing way without losing historical authenticity. She doesn’t just mock the figures, she explores the context that made them possible. This reminds the reader that history is quite often a series of human mistakes, rather than a perfectly planned path towards the present day.

The book is a wonderful resource for the Upper Key Stage Two classroom as there are so many different historical figures discussed. Due the short paragraphs and page design, it’s also incredibly accessible, making it ideal to use with reluctant readers.It can be used to consider how ‘failures’ can often be a catalyst for positive change and how even the most powerful leaders in history had issues where things went wrong!

Wish Upon a Star gives the reader a vibrantly illustrated insight into our galaxy and beyond. The book looks at stars from a scientific, historical and cultural perspective, allowing the reader to understand the importance of stars across all aspects of our lives on Earth.

Each double-page spread has a different focus and is beautifully illustrated, with short, age-appropriate captions which support the reader in building their vocabulary around the subject.

The early pages of the book have a scientific focus, with pages which look at ‘Galaxies’ and ‘When a Star Dies’. These pages balance easy-to-read insights with some useful topic vocabulary. The book tends to keep the information given fairly brief, giving opportunity for further investigation and research if needed.

The latter pages of the book consider how stars are central to the traditional tales across many different cultures, with insight into Chinese, Maori and the Anishinaabek communities, amongst others.

It is ideal as a core text for topic work around the Earth and Space and would be perfect for Key Stage Two classrooms.