Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Format: Chapter book

A magical fairy-tale adventure set in a winter wonderland, this gift hardback makes the perfect Christmas present for fans of Frozen, The Snow Queen and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

In this enchanting fantasy, an imprisoned princess needs the help of a girl from the modern world to undo a wish gone wrong and save her snowy kingdom.

Every day, a lonely princess digs through the snow in search of a way to undo the terrible wish she made – one that has left her with an empty kingdom. But one day, a mysterious girl named Ela tumbles through the kingdom’s protective mist barrier. The princess is determined to bring Ela to her father, the king, as proof that her wish can be undone. Meanwhile, Ela is shocked to discover she’s stumbled upon the very Snow Princess whose picture graces the cover of the locked book that Ela’s mom won’t let her read.

Can these two brave girls from different worlds come together to set things right? This captivating adventure of courage, belonging and unlikely friendship would make a wonderful stocking filler, and is the perfect book to curl up with on winter nights.

Inspired by Hindu mythology, Anya’s Quest is an enchanting tale of a young girl’s journey to protect the planet, from the Costa-winning author of Asha and the Spirit Bird and renowned illustrator Jane Ray. A beautiful book to treasure for ever.

The earth’s lullaby is falling silent. Our world is in danger…

When the mighty goddess Ganga hears a forgotten melody in the night, she follows its tune to a palace in the icy Himalaya and to a young girl called Anya. For she has a quest for Anya – she needs her help to heal the fragile planet.

Flying on her dragon Makara, Ganga leads Anya and her friend Mahi on an epic journey through time and across India, in search of elusive spirit animals and forgotten lullabies. Together, they must confront their fears and discover friends new and old, as they join their voices in a celebration of the planet.

A brilliantly funny young murder mystery from a rising stand-up comedian, podcaster and filmmaker – and exciting new talent in children’s fiction.

Many people go their whole lives without noticing anything that is afoot, amiss, or even untoward; without ever experiencing that toe-tingling, stomach-twisting sensation that a mystery is about to unfold.

Not Bonnie Montgomery – the world’s best detective. Not that anyone (other than Grampa Banks) has heard of her… But they might have heard of the great Montgomery Bonbon, the well-dressed gentleman detective who (apart from the hat and moustache) looks suspiciously like a 10-year-old girl.

Their newest case: solving the mystery surrounding a highly suspicious death at the Hornville Museum. Together they’ll interview some dodgy witnesses, scour the scene for clues and – above all – hope no one notices that Bonnie and Montgomery are never in the same room at the same time…

The first in the mischievous, laugh-out loud and charming ADVENTURES OF A POSTMOUSE series from a beloved and bestselling illustrator.

It’s Marty Moose’s first day on the job as Postmouse. He’s ironed his uniform, polished his buttons and waxed his whiskers; he’s ready to go! But things take a tricky turn when he gets lost in Whisker Warren and needs rescuing by a doolally rabbit named Nibbles, and then gets caught in the crossfire of two less-than-neighbourly toads. Who knew postage could be so perilous!

With lively, funny and characterful illustration and a brilliantly charming voice, this series is perfect for newly confident readers.

The Borrowers meets The Magic Faraway Tree in this enchanting illustrated adventure. Timeless and classic in feel, it makes a perfect gift for ages 7-10, and will be loved by fans of Wildsmith, The Boy Who Grew Dragons, Five Children and It and The Wood Where Magic Grows.

Meet the Finders, the magical collectors of lost items… This delightful animal adventure story of friendship, courage and caring for the environment is ideal for independent readers or for reading aloud, and makes a perfect cosy bedtime story.

“We Finders have what we call the Golden Rule: Finders Keepers.”

While hunting for an old time capsule that his grandma once buried in the woods, Max never expects to discover the home of a small magical creature. Nor does he expect that magical creature to have an extensive collection of lost items, all catalogued and labelled. Yet this is how he meets Tuftorious Snook, collector of lost objects, and just one of the many Finders living in Silverthorn Forest.

Thrilled by his discovery, Max can’t wait to find out more about the Finders. But when he accidentally breaks their most important rule – never steal – he’s banished from their home. With Silverthorn Forest in danger, however, Max must somehow find a way to save Tuft and the other Finders before it’s too late.

Madagascar meets Gladiator in this hilarious, exciting and action-packed new illustrated chapter book series from celebrated cartoonist Gary Northfield.

From the hilarious, celebrated cartoonist Gary Northfield – author of The Terrible Tales of the Teenytinysaurs! – comes a brand-new illustrated chapter book series set in Roman times! From a smelly watering hole deep in the heart of the Serengeti to the ferocious clamour of the Colosseum, join Julius Zebra and his motley menagerie of friends as they gear up to be … gladiators! Only if they win the love of the Roman crowds will they win back their freedom. But do Julius and his pals have what it takes to succeed in a world where only the meanest and toughest survive? Madagascar meets Gladiator in this exciting, action-packed and hysterically funny story brimming with entertaining Roman facts.

“Welcome to Paddock Grove, a boarding school for the best, providing equestrians of tomorrow with state-of-the-art facilities and world-class tuition in everything from stable management to competitive riding…”

A scholarship to Paddock Grove is a dream come true for George, but when her local riding school shuts down and the horse she hoped to borrow is sold, it seems her dreams are over before they’ve begun – until her parents surprise her with a pony of her own. Unfortunately, that pony is Bear, a scruffy cob with tangles in his mane, feathers around his hooves and a mischievous streak a mile wide. He’s the complete opposite of the well-bred show horses her classmates are riding.

Between George’s new-school nerves and Bear’s naughty tricks, everything goes from bad to worse. If George and Bear can’t learn how to work together, they might lose their place at Paddock Grove for good…

The first of four titles in a brand new pony series set in an elite equestrian boarding school from rising star J. P. Rose.

Welcome to the magical school where you’ll learn spells, potions and everything you need to know about Unicorns!

Claudia is excited to start her first day at the Unicornia Academy of Magic, where she’ll even be able to fly on her very own unicorn!

But first she has to pass a flying test. Claudia is super nervous, but luckily her new friends are here to help.

With colour illustrations, this magical chapter-book series is great for building confidence in newly independent readers.

Can YOU solve the case? Choose your suspect, choose your next move – choose the story!

YOU VS is a series of interactive adventure stories where the reader gets to choose what happens next! Full of maps, diagrams and illustrations, YOU VS gives readers the chance to star in their own stories: big genre adventures with huge stakes, real heart and a sense of humour. Oh, and lots and lots of endings.

In YOU VS The Poison Plot, it’s the eve of the school talent show, but the school’s drama teacher has suddenly collapsed with four witnesses at his side! As editor of the school newspaper and a seasoned journalist, you investigate – and smell foul play. You’ve got ‘til tomorrow’s show to follow your nose and unravel the mystery…

Perfect for fans of Cluedle and Murdle Junior as well as The Boy With Big Decisions, this first book in the series is an attempted-murder mystery where YOU get to solve the case!

Meet Wanda!

Things about me: I don’t go to school (even though I’m 12), I have ADHD (my mum says I don’t), me and my mum travel around the world (with backpacks),  I’m homesick (for a home that doesn’t exist) and I’ve just discovered a HUGE secret (and I need to find out if it’s true)! Maybe it’s time for me to have an adventure of my own. You’ll never guess what, but something mind-melting has just happened to my family – or should I say a SOMEONE happened!…

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