Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Computing, Gaming & Coding

Best Children’s Books About Computing, Gaming and Coding

Are you looking for the best children’s books about computing, gaming, and coding? Whether you are a teacher looking to integrate STEM into your primary classroom or a parent searching for high-interest reads to engage a young gamer, our expert-curated booklist is designed to help you level up your library.

In today’s digital-first world, there is an ever-increasing thirst for stories that reflect the excitement of video games, the logic of computer programming and the appeal of the internet. Our collection bridges the gap between entertainment and education, featuring a mix of fast-paced gaming fiction, beginner-friendly coding guides and inspiring biographies of computing pioneers like Ada Lovelace and Steve Jobs.

These quality texts are perfect for KS1 and KS2 children, helping to build digital literacy, logical thinking and an enthusiasm for technology. Explore our top recommendations for gamers and computer science enthusiasts.

Weather and Seasons Topic

Best Children’s Books about the Weather and Changing Seasons

Come rain or shine, there’s always a good book to match the weather! From sunshine and showers to hailstones and hurricanes, we’ve put together a list of the best children’s books and stories about weather and seasonal changes.

Recommended for children aged 4-7, this collection features children’s books that explore the fascinating and ever-changing world of weather. From seasonal changes and snowy days to rainclouds and storms, these books offer insights into the science behind different weather patterns, as well as how weather can impact our daily lives.

With our recommended books for children, you can be sure that you’re providing your child with the best possible resources to learn about the weather and the changing seasons. Whether you’re looking to incorporate science into your curriculum, inspire a love of reading, or simply enjoy some quality storytimes, these books are a perfect fit – whatever the weather!

We also have separate booklists for each season:

Children’s Books About Spring

Children’s Books About Summer

Children’s Books About Autumn

Children’s Books About Winter

Minibeasts Topic

Recommended children’s books about minibeasts

Creepy crawlies, minibeasts, bugs or insects – dig deep into the miniature worlds of these fascinating creatures, with over 25,000 of the species found in Britain and many thousands more all around the globe.

From bluebottles and butterflies to wasps and wiggly worms, there’s plenty to discover in the minibeasts topic, including habitats, lifecycles and learning to recognise just how important these tiny creatures are to our planet’s ecosystems. From classic children’s stories like EYFS favourite The Very Hungry Caterpillar to beautifully illustrated non-fiction gems like The Big Book of Bugs , there are plenty of minibeast stories for children to discover on our list.

Dig deep into the topic with our list of the best children’s books about minibeasts and insects…

Space Topic (KS2)

Best space books for children

The topic of space is always a big hit with primary school children, who love to learn facts about the solar system and imagine the infinite possibilities of what lies beyond our galaxy. In KS2 Science, children learn about the Earth, Sun and Moon and how their movement affects our days, nights and seasons. Many children learn about the planets, space exploration and famous astronauts too. Blast off into the topic with our list of the best books for children about space.

This list is aimed at children aged 7-11. For recommended space books for younger children, try our KS1 Space Booklist.

Space Topic (KS1)

Recommended space books for children

Blast off on an intergalactic adventure with our stellar selection of the best children’s books about space. From planets and constellations to spacecraft and moon landings, budding stargazers and future astronauts will find plenty of top space facts to explore in our list of recommended children’s books for space topics.

This list is aimed at children aged 5-7. For space books for older children, try our Space Booklist for KS2.

Growing Plants Topic

Best Children’s Books about Growing Plants and Gardening

There is nothing quite so magical as the process of watching a plant grow – from seeds and shoots to leaves and flowers. Learning about growing plants is part of the Science curriculum in primary schools, with children learning to name local wildflowers and trees, exploring the functions of different parts of a plant and investigating what plants need to grow and thrive.

We’ve put together a list of recommended books to support the topic of growing plants at KS1 and EYFS, covering everything from seed dispersal and life cycles to edible plant parts and activities for green-fingered budding gardeners. From stories about gardening like Lulu Loves Flowers and Oliver’s Vegetables, to beautifully illustrated non-fiction choices like The Big Book of Blooms, this booklist provides a handpicked selection of the best children’s books about growing plants.

NB: This selection of stories about growing plants is aimed at children aged 4-7. If you are looking for books for older children, try our KS2 Plants and Trees list.

Plants & Trees Topic (KS2)

Plants and Trees Topic Booklist

What makes ‘plants and trees’ such a fascinating science topic at KS2? Perhaps because trees are among the longest-living organisms on Earth and come in so many different shapes and sizes. Or maybe it’s because trees have been found to communicate to each other, or perhaps it’s the way that plants make their own food. Many children are also fascinated by the role plants and trees play in our planet’s ecosystem and are inspired to learn about our ability to step in and protect them. From petals and pollination to bark and branches, there’s plenty to enjoy in our selection of the best children’s books about plants and trees.

NB: This selection of books about plants and trees is aimed at children in KS2 (7-11). For books for younger children, try our Growing Plants KS1 list.

Animals Topic (KS2)

Recommended children’s books about animals

Animal books have always been wildly popular with children, ever since the very first children’s books were printed. In Science at KS2, children learn about animal life cycles, habitats, classification, survival and adaption, looking at different types of animals from around the globe. From marvellous mammals and brilliant birds to interesting invertebrates and clever carnivores, there’s plenty to explore in the animal kingdom. Our list of recommended children’s books about animals will help you to dig your claws right into the very best texts for the topic.

NB: This animal topic booklist is aimed at children in Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). If you are looking for animal books for younger children, try our All About Animals (KS1) booklist.

Human Body Topic (KS2)

Best Children’s Books about Healthy Human Bodies

Learning to look after our bodies is an important part of growing up. As we can’t easily see inside our own bodies, high-quality children’s books about human bodies can play a key part in developing biological understanding in children.

In KS2 science, children learn about the human body, covered through topics about basic anatomy, teeth and bones, digestion, human organs and systems, healthy lifestyles and human growth.

From comprehensive guides to the human body like Kay’s Anatomy and Marvellous Body, to entertaining stories that dive into the topic of human health like Alice Dent and the Incredible Germs or stories about medical ethics like Pig Heart Boy, this list of children’s human body books equips teachers and families to help children aged 7-11 learn all about the science of human biology.

The subject of human bodies often fascinates children. Therefore, we’ve put together a selection of the best children’s books about human bodies, health and growth that will help you to really get to the bones of the topic.

NB: This human body topic booklist is designed to cover Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). Additionally, for human body books for younger children, try our Human Bodies KS1 Topic Booklist.

All About Me Topic Booklist

Best ‘All About Me’ Books for Children

Celebrate individuality with our list of the best children’s books to support an ‘All About Me’ or ‘Ourselves’ topic for EYFS and KS1 – a popular topic in classrooms as children learn more about themselves and others.

Each child is unique from the tips of their toes to the end of their nose – with different hobbies, feelings, hairstyles, eye colour, cultural heritages or body shapes.

Whether you want EYFS and KS1 All About Me books celebrating individuality like Super Duper You and Can I Build Another Me or stories about wonderful growing bodies like Measuring Me and Hair Love, we’ve got this All About Me topic covered with this booklist. We’ve also included stories celebrating difference and diversity, including Hats of Faith and All Are Welcome.

Our booklist features recommended All About Me children’s books to help children understand more about their bodies and to positively celebrate the similarities and differences individuals encounter as they find their place within their communities.