Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Wainwright Prize

The Wainwright Prize showcases writing that reflects the values of its namesake, Alfred Wainwright: the celebration of nature and our environment, nurturing respect for our planet, and informing readers of the threats that the earth currently faces.

The Children’s Wainwright Prize is awarded across three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Picture Books. All three of this year’s impressive shortlists feature titles from our Recommended Reads booklists, including The Lone Husky in Fiction, The Cave Explorer in Non-Fiction, and The Summer Puppy in Picture Books. Also shortlisted are Isla and the Sky and The Whale that Sings in the Deep, which were among our Summer Picks for 2026.

For more information about the Wainwright Prize click here, or check out the full 2026 shortlists below!

Newly updated: June 2026

This is the BooksForTopics list of 50 recommended books for Year 2 (children aged six and seven). Use this booklist to find the best books to top up your Y2 reading collections with our selection of storytime picturebooks, chapter books, funny stories, illustrated poetry collections, non-fiction texts and more. Keep an eye out for fish who are a bit… fishy, a bat who thinks he can’t fly, and dancing capybaras along the way…

Year 2 children enjoy reading books featuring adventure, friendship, animals, magic and laugh-out-loud humour – and this specially selected Y2 reading list has got you covered with books that have all been carefully matched to the age, developmental stage and interest level of children in Year 2.

This booklist includes popular Year 2 stories such as Marge in Charge, Flat Stanley and George’s Marvellous Medicine , as well as some lesser-known storytime delights that we recommend for Y2, like Don’t Trust Fish, The Emerald Forest, and Jory John’s hilarious gadget-obsessed spud, The Couch Potato.

As well as the Year 2 booklist below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, a downloadable checklist and a handy bookmark for you, and schools can purchase full sets of all 50 books via Peters.

Browse the Y2 booklist below or scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.

The Reception year of primary school is an important phase in developing children’s love of literacy, and it is vital to offer children a choice of high-quality and appealing books, matched to their age and stage. The BooksForTopics Reception Booklist includes popular Reception stories such as Supertato, Oi Frog and Elmer, as well as some lesser-known storytime delights that we highly recommend, like Pumpkin Soup and Jabari Tries.

This list of books for reception has been carefully curated with help from our team of teachers, reviewers and children’s reading experts. From classic tales and funny read-alouds to new releases and information books, we’ve included books to suit all different tastes on this Reception booklist.

As well as the Reception recommended reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, a downloadable checklist and a handy bookmark for you, and schools can purchase full sets of the 50 books via Peters.

Browse the Reception booklist below or click on each book to find out more. Scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.

Newly updated: June 2026

Our team has selected the 50 best books for children in Year 1. Top up your Year 1 reading collections with the BooksForTopics Y1 reading list of recommended storytime favourites, laugh-out-loud picture books, animal stories, early chapter books, illustrated poetry collections, non-fiction texts and more.

This list of recommended reads for Year 1 includes fiction and non-fiction books that cover a variety of themes. From classic stories to modern adventures, our collection is curated to cater to the interests and reading levels of children ages 5 and 6. This booklist includes popular Year 1 stories such as The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, Isadora Moon and Fantastic Mr Fox. as well as some lesser-known storytime delights that we highly recommend, like the beautiful Bear Heart, empathy-boosting The Smile and the charming early chapter book series, Wands Away.

Year 1 forms a very important stage in a child’s reading journey. That’s why our expert team has put together this booklist especially for Y1 children, with stories at just the right level. Whether your children are confident readers or just starting out on their reading journey, our selection of books is designed to encourage a love of reading that will last all through primary school and beyond.

As well as the Year 1 booklist, we’ve also got a printable poster, a downloadable checklist and a handy bookmark for you. Schools can purchase full sets of all 50 books via Peters.

Browse the Y1 booklist below or scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.

Newly updated: June 2026

Welcome to BooksForTopics’ recommended reading list for Year 6 (ages 10-11). If you’re looking for a list of the best books for Year 6, you’ve come to the right place. Our team of experts has selected a list of the 50 best books for Year 6 to read. We’ve tried to include something for all tastes – so look out for gothic adventures, secondary school transitions, tightrope walkers and bubble tea…

With a mix of classic and contemporary titles, our selection of recommended reads is designed to provide Year 6 children with a diverse range of literature that will encourage them to develop a love of reading.

Our list includes popular Y6 books such as Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, Murder Most Unladylike and The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks as well as lesser-known treasures that are equally delightful, like The Not-So Great Escape and My Soul, A Shining Tree.

This reading list of recommended books for Year 6 is curated by experts to match their developmental stage and cater to their interests, as they grow through their final year of primary school and prepare for the step up to secondary.

There is also a downloadable checklist, a printable poster and a handy bookmark, and schools can purchase full sets of the 50 books through Peters.

Browse the Y6 reading list below or scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.