Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Two spud siblings face off in a series of epic challenges in the first of a hilariously silly graphic novel series from the bestselling creator of the Narwhal and Jelly books.

Rot is a mutant potato who wakes up feeling great, maybe even…the greatest in the world! But that only makes Rot’s brother Snot the grumpiest in the world. The only solution? An epic contest to prove who is the greatest once and for all, judged by the only impartial party they can find—their small fry little sister, Tot.

But as the stakes get higher through the muddy potato sack race, sacred hot potato roll, and a hilarious laughing contest, their rivalry spirals out of control. Suddenly Rot’s not feeling so spudtacular anymore. Will this tater trio ever be able to determine who the greatest in the world really is?

I’m a really big fan of Rainbow Grey so I was really excited to review this first book in the new series from Laura Ellen Anderson. It certainly didn’t disappoint!

Marnie is a very young moth, who finally having gained her wings, is off to Mini Beast Academy to learn what being a mini beast is all about. She has always dreamed of visiting the moon like her hero Lunora Wingheart, who was lost on a mission to the moon. When she arrives at school, Marnie soon begins having visions and hearing Lunora calling for help. However, whenever she asks about the moon, the adults go quiet. Marnie and her friends Floyd and Star discover that their teacher Mr. Atlas has a devious plot to destroy the moon. Can they stop him in time and save Lunora?

I enjoyed how the characters lived in a world that was just like ours, except hidden from human sight. Marnie, Floyd and Star are brilliant characters. They have completely different personalities, but they become the best of friends. This is a fabulous book for ages 6-9 for teaching friendship, determination and resilience. The world building and descriptive language are exceptional, making it easy to picture the book in your mind; perfect for young readers. I think this is going to be a fantastic series for engaging young readers exploring short, illustrated chapter books.

A fabulously funny take on a classic story from two giants of children’s books!

Goldilocks and her little dog are off on an adventure, looking for that house again – the one with the chairs, the porridge and beds. The sound of the sea calls to them and before they know it, they have found quite a different sort of a house . . . there are bowls, and chairs and sort-of beds . . . plus some rather unexpected and hilarious inhabitants!

From Michael Rosen, the highly regarded author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, comes this wonderful new take on the famous nursery rhyme, brilliantly brought to life by David Melling, the creator of Hugless Douglas.

Love fairy tales? Love animals? Love laugh-out-loud storytelling? Look no further!

Cindergorilla loves to dance. She longs to go to the Saturday Night Disco Ball, where the other gorillas strut their stuff, but her horrid aunt and cousins, Gertrude and Grace always say no. Instead Cindergorilla must stay home and do the housework!

But all that changes when Cinder gets a visit from her Hairy Godmother . . .

The second hilarious title in a fun-filled fairytale series with empowering messages for young readers!

Perfect for fans of The Fairytale Hairdresser and The Lion Inside series.

Watch out! Here comes Duck in a brand new edition of the first book in the million copy bestselling series!

This is the tale of a duck in a truck –
a truck that was stuck in some yucky brown muck.
A sheep in a jeep and a frog in a bush
saw the truck stuck and gave it a push.
But the truck stayed stuck!
What now, can you guess?
Could a goat in a boat
get them out of this mess?

Picturebook

Penguin Blue is back, in a swashbuckling new adventure about pirates, treasure, and friendship from Rob Biddulph, the creative genius behind the #DrawWithRob phenomenon and the bestselling and award-winning Blown Away!

A favourite Penguin and his friends are back in a new adventure, and this time they’re pirates – ARRRRR!
Sailing the seven seas in search of treasure, Captain Blue and his friends are unexpectedly SUNK! But with a shipwreck to explore and a mysterious stranger on a desert island to meet, they might still find some treasure after all…

A much-loved adventure on the high seas from Peter Harris and Deborah Allwright. Perfect for every reader who loved Pirates Love Underpants and The Pirates Next Door.

One night, young Tom is awoken by noises outside his house. He peeps out of the window and what should he see but PIRATES. And stranger still they’re GIRL PIRATES stealing the front of his house! Tom joins their adventure across the high seas to an island where some rather lazy and silly grown-up pirates are guarding their treasure. Not very successfully! Tom and the girl-pirates make a surprise attack and are soon off on the seas once more with the treasure!

This swashbuckling pirate story from Peter Harris and Deborah Allwright has become a modern-day classic. Great fun to read-aloud and entertaining for both boys and girls, The Night Pirates is a bedtime story to inspire the imagination of kids aged 3 and up.

The Grinch’s newfound Christmas spirit is in jeopardy with the arrival of the Whoville’s Christmas tree competition, but can one special Who remind him of what’s really important?

A sequel to the timeless classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! featuring all your favourite characters!

The Grinch has grown to LOVE Christmas, so when the Grinch sees a poster for Who-ville’s Christmas tree contest, he has an awfully crafty idea… he will show off his new festive spirit by making the tallest, most spectacular Christmas tree the Whos have ever seen!

But when things don’t go as planned, will the Grinch return to his grinchy ways, or can one special Who remind him of the true meaning of Christmas?

Celebrate the season alongside all your favourite characters with this sequel to the timeless classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas is a delightful tale that blends the enchantment of the festive season with the joy of music, and one that will appeal to the many children who love both. What sets this book apart is the clever addition of QR codes sprinkled throughout the narrative, linking to a musical soundtrack of songs that enhance the reading experience. Readers can fully immerse themselves in Leo’s world, with printed lyrics encouraging them to join in the musical adventure.

The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas recounts the heartwarming story of Leo, a big fan of all things Christmas, as he navigates the challenges of planning the perfect Christmas while his grieving family is coming to terms with the recent loss of his mother. Leo’s journey to create a magical Christmas for his family unfolds with unexpected twists and challenges, but with a sprinkle of Christmas magic, a happy ending is just around the corner. This story captures the hope that Christmas has to offer even in bleaker seasons of life, and a time to reflect on what truly matters amid busy Christmas preparations.

As an aside, fans of a certain Baked Potato may notice a little cameo in the catchy song “Chips”, which adds a playful touch that both children and adults may appreciate.

Drawing on his background in comedy and musical theatre, Matt Lucas injects a whimsical charm and a touch of originality into the crowded market of Christmas chapter books this year. The story has earned a spot on our Christmas Booklist for KS2, and the songs and additional activities are available via the author’s website

An exquisite flagship gift edition of an iconic classic, illustrated by the former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child.

When Mary Poppins arrives at their house on a gust of the East Wind and slides up the bannister, Jane and Michael Banks’s lives are turned magically upside down.

Who better to reimagine this endearing children’s classic than today’s most instantly recognisable and best-loved artist-illustrator? Lauren Child brings the magic of Mary Poppins into the hearts and imagination of readers and fans new and old.

First published in 1934, Mary Poppins has been delighting readers ever since, both in books and on film. This stunning deluxe edition is published ahead of the release of the hotly anticipated Disney film Mary Poppins Returns.

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