Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Non-fiction

This information text all about water contains high-quality photographs and accessible text that explains the science of the water cycle. Recommended for lower KS2.

If you are looking for a gripping novel on the theme of mountains, this one could be for you. This story, from the popular children’s author Michael Morpurgo, recounts the perilous journey of Ashley and his Uncle Sung across the Himalayan Mountains as they battle for survival.

Graphic illustrator Simon Tyler explores the extremes of our planet – and the people who venture there – in his bold and colourful style

Following on from the magnificent Adventures in Space , comes a compendium on a topic closer to home – our planet, the Earth. Learn about the highest and deepest, hottest and coldest places on Earth – travel to the extremes of our environment. Discover the world’s most wild terrain – deserts, mountains, volcanoes, rivers, jungles, oceans, the polar regions and more – as well as the animals that live there and the people who have explored them. Find out how these regions are under threat from global warming and other issues, and learn what we can do to conserve them.

Bursting with information and illustrated in bold and colourful graphics, this book will grab the attention of all avid explorers – big and small.

The exquisite and thought-provoking book from the multi award-winning, internationally best-selling picture book creator of Lost and Found, Oliver Jeffers.

Well, hello.
And welcome to this Planet.
We call it Earth.

Our world can be a bewildering place, especially if you’ve only just got here. Your head will be filled with questions, so let’s explore what makes our planet and how we live on it. From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your journey. And you’ll figure lots of things out for yourself. Just remember to leave notes for everyone else… Some things about our planet are pretty complicated, but things can be simple, too: you’ve just got to be kind.

This non-fiction text is part of the National Geographic ‘Everything’ series and is full of high quality photographs and incredible facts that will build a picture of just how powerful volcanoes and earthquakes can really be.

From the Nation’s Favourite Storyteller Sir Michael Morpurgo comes a poetic celebration of our Queen and longest reigning monarch, beautifully illustrated in watercolour by acclaimed artist Michael Foreman.

There once was a little girl, a princess, who became a queen, our Queen Elizabeth. Now, seventy years later, her reign as the longest serving female monarch in history has seen her stand steadfast through triumph and tribulation, and through the monumental changes that have shaped our world, as this remarkable queen has remained devoted to crown, to country… and a corgi or two!

Beginning with the queen as a little girl, planting an oak tree with her father, There Once is a Queen follows her incredible story in a way that will bring this historic reign vividly to life for readers around the world, big and small. An exquisite gift book and commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee, it marks a unique moment in our shared history and will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come.

This picturebook featuring a familiar favourite bear captures the experience of visiting Buckingham Palace as a tourist, watching the Changing of the Guard and seeking to get a glimpse of the Queen at her home.

Kaspar, Prince of Cats by Michael Morpurgo tells the story of Johnny Trott, a bellboy at the Savoy, who makes friends with a cat named Kaspar. They have many adventures, including being on board Titanic when it hits the iceberg. This novel is only partially set on Titanic, but the sinking scenes are thrilling and are vividly brought to life by gorgeous illustrations by Michael Foreman.

This thought-provoking novel is set in South Africa in the time of Apartheid. The gripping and empathetic story will draw pupils into engaging imaginatively with what life would have been like for families living during this time of racial segregation. A very popular choice for upper KS2.

This novel is a popular choice for KS2 classes.

Loosely based on a true story about the inspiration for Dr Barnado opening his children’s homes, Street Child is the inspirational tale of a poor Victorian boy fighting for survival on the grim streets of Victorian London.

The novel is full of suspense and is a gripping read that will captivate pupils and teachers alike.

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