Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

How to Catch a Star

Picturebook

How to Catch a Star by popular author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers is about a little boy who wants a star of his own and goes on a quest to find one. Star-catching is not as easy as he first thought – he tries climbing a tree, finds a lasso, jumps super high and even asks the bird to help him. Wondering whether it is time to give up, something catches his eye in the shiny reflection of the water and he follows a new lead to find a star of his very own on the sand.

The illustrations capture the determination of the boy as well as the highs and lows of his emotions along the way – the hopeful ambition of pursuing his goal, the sadness of nearly giving up and the sheer joy of fulfilling his dream, even if it is not how he first imagined it to be.

Oliver Jeffers’ books always make for calm story times that tap into positive human values like the joy of friendship, the wonder of the natural world, following dreams and not giving up. Younger children may also sometimes wonder whether stars can (or should) be caught, or perhaps be able to relate to the experience of wanting to collect something really beautiful from the natural world, like a shell, flower or a special stone. The language is short and simple and the pictures are appealing to children aged 4-7. There’s plenty of scope for imagination, discussion and innovation based on the story.

Who Are You?

Ali Pye & Smriti Halls

This is a joyful celebration of all the pieces, places and people that make us who we are. It is a wonderful way to get children thinking about and learning about their own families, and also opening up discussions about all of the other pieces that come together to make us all unique: from our friends and food we eat, to activities we get up to and the places we go.

Children will enjoy finding out more about themselves and their families, and thinking about other families and friends who are similar or different to their own.

The Last Bear

Hannah Gold & Levi Pinfold

Chapter book

A beautifully heartfelt and moving story with strong environmental themes. This story highlights the topic of global warming, but also draws a picture of the wonderful connection that can develop between children and animals.

When April heads to a remote Arctic island with her father, who is there for scientific research, she’s not sure exactly what to expect. The trip to ‘Bear Island’ has the potential to be a very lonely trip – with endless summer Arctic nights, an isolated wilderness and, according to her father, no actual polar bears left on the island for April to spot despite its name.

Surprisingly, April encounters a real polar bear on the island when nobody else is around. Isolated from his family, the bear is starving and alone, with nobody to help him. Over time, a friendship develops and April becomes more determined than ever to save the bear.

There’s something magical about this story – from the wonderfully evoked Arctic setting to the glorious friendship that develops between April and the bear. This is a powerful and important story that will stir the heart through its gently unfolding message that places hope in the hands of the young to make a difference in the planet’s future.

No Longer Alone

Joseph Coelho & Robyn Wilson-Owen

Picturebook

In this poignant picture book from award-winning performance poet, Joseph Coelho, a little girl is sad and feels alone. People say she’s quiet or shy, but she’s not. She’s dealing with loss in her own way and, when she’s on her own, she makes a “racket” to express her sorrow. By talking to her dad, she realises that she’s not alone. A big cuddle from Dad doesn’t make the sorrow disappear, but it makes it manageable. The last spread, with Dad and his daughters, surrounded by pictures of a missing mother, is poignant and moving.

Narwhal’s Otter Friend

Ben Clanton

Chapter book

Narwhal and Jelly – and Otty?! In the fourth book of this blockbuster early graphic novel series, exuberant Narwhal and sceptical Jelly test the waters of adding a new friend to their pod when they meet Otty the super-adventurous otter!

A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three short stories and a super fun ocean fact page – and joke page too!

Welcome

Barroux

Picturebook

When Polar Bear and his friends are swept away from their icy home, they hope to find refuge in a new land. But when they are turned away from one new place after another, they start to doubt that they will ever find somewhere they will be made welcome. Author-illustrator Barroux has crafted a powerful story with a twist ending about hugely important and current issues. A great opportunity for educators and parents to discuss with children the plight of migrants and refugees, as well as global warming, in a gentle, open-ended way.

Bears Don’t Read

Emma Chichester Clark

Picturebook

This is a story that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the feeling that the learning journey seems impossible. When George the Bear finds a book, he picks it up and longs to learn how to read it. But others quickly tell George how silly he is because ‘bears don’t read’. George will need a great deal of determination, resilience and a little help from a kind friend in order to overcome all the obstacles on the path to success.

The Dinosaur Who Lost Her Voice

Francesca Gambatesa & Julie Ballard

Picturebook

Dinosaur Milly Jo loves to sing and enjoys performing for her dinosaur friends. One night there is a terrible storm and a tree falls on Milly Jo’s neck, causing her to lose her singing voice. Her friends rally round and realise that when she sang, it cheered them up. Can Milly Jo overcome her sadness and teach her friends how to sing? And will Milly Jo realise that she is still a valuable member of her group of friends with her own contribution to make? A vibrant picture book exploring themes of resilience and teamwork.

The Heart and the Bottle

Oliver Jeffers

Picturebook

This book touches on depression and loss but also looks at the power of imagination and love. It sparked great conversations of loss and sadness with my Year 2 class. A wonderful soulful story capturing a little girl’s loss and path through bereavement, complimented by beautiful illustrations. One to be shared while being mindful of those who may have experienced similar loss and who are perhaps struggling to talk about it or see any light afterwards.

The Boy in the Dress

David Walliams & Quentin Blake

Chapter book

12-year-old Dennis lives with his older brother John and their Dad. Dennis misses his mother, who has left them. When Dennis experiments with dressing in girls’ clothes and even goes to school in a dress, he is taunted and teased by the other children and expelled by the Head Teacher. Playing in a football match wearing a dress, rather than his usual football kit, gets him seen in a different light and his story turns a corner. A light-hearted story exploring family relationships, freedom of choice and tolerance of difference.

Best Books by Age

Life Changes Booklists

Values-Based Booklists

Real-World Issues Booklists

Popular Children's Authors

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

News: BooksForTopics Founder Alison Leach Named a Bookseller Rising Star of 2026

NEWS: Summer Reading Bingo is Back for 2026!

Father’s Day 2026: 5 Children’s Books about Dads and Father Figures

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review