Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Format: Graphic novel

Donut Squad: Make a Mess!

Graphic novel

This is part of the wildly madcap Donut Squad series, which features collections of short comic sketches, each 1-2 pages long, that will have huge appeal to fans of series such as Bunny vs Monkey.

The short nature of these sketches will make them call out to reluctant readers as well as graphic novel fans, and the sections at the end featuring drawing tips will appeal to keen illustrators too. This will be a popular title on bookshelves – visual, jammy and perfectly wacky.

Bumble and Snug and the Worried Dragons

Mark Bradley

Graphic novel

A young graphic novel series, about two friendly ‘bugbops’ called Bumble and Snug.

This brightly illustrated story told through comic form is lovely for Key Stage 1 to read independently. The characters are lovable, the story is fun and easy to follow, and the comic strip style makes for a really fun read. There are oodles of fun moments to enjoy, from dragon eggs to treasure!

Visual readers new to the graphic novel format will find this a real treat.

Hupo and the Wonder Thief

Billy Partridge

Graphic novel

Hupo is on a mission to restore dreams and wonder to his home once again, before the Wallower destroys everything this story is about…

Hupo and the Aletha love to amble through the bustling streets of their city, talking to shopkeepers and recounting tales of their favourite adventurer, the Great Humdingo – much to the annoyance of everyone around them.

But when mysterious, zombifying mists creep into town and the Aletha is captured by a sinister force in the mountains, Hupo’s on a mission to set everything to rights.

But can he hold onto who he is when everything around him seems so terrible?

Creator Billy Partridge whisks us into his magical tale with whimsical artwork and a story about imagination, adventure, and having the courage to be yourself – even if you have a big personality.

Comic Strip Science Adventures: Amazing Inventions

Paul Mason

Graphic novel, Non-fiction

An entertaining collection of comic strip stories uncovering the stories around some incredible inventions.

Discover how the Wright Brothers got into flying planes, the science behind the lightbulb, some incredible child inventors and more. This book is sure to entertain children, while giving them an insight into the many challenges and rivalries behind scientific achievements and how scientists learn from mistakes. It is produced by the same team as Comic Strip Science with hilarious comic strips illustrated by award-winning artist Jess Bradley and written by Paul Mason, who is well known for making science learning fun. Key science concepts are pulled out in more depth in feature spreads. The book has a specialist text consulant, science educator Peter Riley.

Comic Strip Science Adventures is a series of comic books that are perfect for young scientists aged 7 plus. Each book has specialist subject consultants. Titles in the series: Digging for Dinosaurs, Exploring Space, Medical Marvels, Amazing Inventions.

Comic Strip Myths: Norse Myths, Monsters and Viking Voyages

Seaerra Miller & Stephen Davies

Graphic novel

Comic Strip Myths: Norse Myths, Monsters and Viking Voyages went straight into our Y5 reading area and hasn’t been back on the shelf since! It is an engaging and accessible introduction to Norse mythology that would appeal strongly to KS2 readers, particularly those interested in myths, legends and history. Combining comic-strip storytelling with factual information, the book brings Viking myths and characters vividly to life in a way that feels both entertaining and educational. It is a must have for any KS2 class exploring the Vikings as part of their history curriculum.

The colourful illustrations and comic format make the book especially approachable for reluctant readers, while the fast-paced retellings help children engage with complex myths and unfamiliar characters more confidently. Themes of bravery, adventure, trickery and heroism run throughout the stories, providing plenty of opportunities for discussion and comparison with other mythological traditions.

The Gumdrops: Quest for Bravery

Elissa Elwick

Graphic novel

Deep inside us all there’s a spark of imagination just waiting to come out and this book can help bring that to life. In this younger graphic novel, you’ll meet Hope, Bubbles, Sparky and Rainbow (the Gumdrops) on their adventures in the Yummy Gummy Land. The story draws on themes of expression emotions, how to be brave, resilience and teamwork.

This is an interactive graphic novel that draws in the reader and is best suited for key stage one pupils. It would also make a change to the usual picture book for key stage one classrooms- the audience interactions would make it a great follow along book.

Wildful

Kengo Kurimoto

Graphic novel

A beautiful graphic novel about nature and dealing with grief, perfect for fans of The Secret Garden, October, October and Greenwild.

Nothing’s been the same since Gran passed away. Mum is too sad to leave the house, so Poppy has started taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighbourhood.

When Poppy discovers a forgotten patch of woodland and meets a new friend, she learns that you can find magic in the wild – if you know where to look, what to listen for and how to wait… but can Poppy help her mum see it too?

It Might Be An Apple

Shinsuke Yoshitake

Graphic novel

It Might Be an Apple is a boisterous, philosophical shaggy dog story for young children – and probably a few adults.

The story follows a child’s hilarious, wildly inventive train of thought through all the things an apple might be if it is not, in fact, an apple.

Distrusting the apple’s convincing appearance, the child’s imagination spirals upwards and outwards into a madcap fantasy world – maybe it’s a star from outer space with tiny aliens on board?

Perhaps it wants a cool hairstyle?

Does it feel scared, or snore at night?

Children can see what all these crazy, funny things might look like.

This book is not only huge fun, but it also encourages a questioning, challenging approach to the world around us.

Chicken Hill: Attack of the Zombie Cactus

Beccy Blake

Graphic novel

Welcome to Chicken Hill: join Ferdy, Gripper and Tink as they investigate all things strange in their seriously weird town.

Three hilarious and off-the-wall stories in one full-colour graphic novel, perfect for fans of Dog Man and Bunny vs Monkey.

Chicken Hill: Just your average, everyday, run-of-the-mill small town, where the pets can talk, the frogs rule over a secret underwater empire and you’re only ever one day away from an alien invasion.

Chicken Hill is home to Ferdy, a tech wiz with a knack for invention and a habit of running into trouble. Always with him is Gripper, his farty and self-obsessed pug, and Tink, his brother’s forever-tired cat. Together, they investigate the many wild and weird happenings in town…

And whether fending off an invasion of zombie cactuses, or trying to keep an army of cloned conspiracy theorist cats out of office, there’s no shortage of things to keep them busy. Because in Chicken Hill, there’s only one rule: if you think things can’t get weirder, they always can.

Mismatched

Anne Camlin & Isadora Zeferino

Graphic novel

Evan Horowitz has it all: beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing Cupid for the clueless. So when shy new student Natalia shuffles into school, Evan recognises a Project with a capital P! With so many matches to choose from, it’s not long before he sets a plan in motion, much against the better judgement of his level-headed best friend, Davi. When he takes things too far, a web of drama spirals out of his control. Can Evan learn to put his friends before his misguided ambition? Or will he lose them and his own chance at romance, too?

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Format: Graphic novel

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