Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd

A Day in the Life of Fossils, Fire and Other Fantastic Finds

Non-fiction

A Day in the Life of Fossils, Fire and Other Fantastic Finds gives a sweeping journey through the history of discovery in comic book form.

The subjects are wildly and wonderfully diverse in scope and scale. As the introduction states, you can jump in anywhere. Each page tells its own story of a discovery. As with the previous titles in the A Day in the Life series (such as A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, Mars and the Distant Stars and A Day in the Life of a Poo, A Gnu and You), this book stretches the brain in many directions. The examples are drawn from across the sciences, geography and history, and the appealing short-form bursts of information are great for opening windows to new potential interests.

The comic strip format blends well with the jokes that break up the facts. It’s fun and informative, and would be great for social reading times.

The Amazing Book of World Mythology

Stella Caldwell

Short story collection

The Amazing Book of World Mythology offers short and accessible retellings of mythical stories from around the world.

It is pleasing to see the stories grouped not by place of origin but by their themes. This emphasises the commonalities of the global tradition of storytelling and the connections between the stories we have all told and been told. Each of the six themed chapters is divided into four or five stories, which can be read in isolation and are well-suited to reading aloud, whether as a short bedtime story or to a whole class. Each chapter finishes with a double-paged spread introducing more stories, objects or characters relating to the theme, further emphasising the similarities in storytelling across the world.

The book is attractively illustrated, and using a different illustrator for each of the myths is particularly effective. The diversity of the artists and their art styles is an essential part of why the book works so well and how it offers such an effective broadening of horizons. In combination, the quality of the storytelling, the illustrations and the breadth of the stories offered mean this is one of those books that every child should have access to. It’s a perfect addition to any collection of mythology books for children.

The Maps and Flags Book

Andy Rowland & Joe Fullman

Non-fiction

This fun and engaging book contains everything kids need to know about maps and flags of the world.

The book features a detailed introduction, so readers can learn how maps are created, how countries are defined and some useful background information about flags before they get stuck in.

The rest of the book is laid out by continent, with every country in the world listed, alongside its flag and some key stats, such as population, capital city and area. Each entry is accompanied by a fascinating fact to unpack the meaning and symbolism of each flag. Bonus quirky maps are dotted throughout, covering topics such as national animals, journeys of exploration, pirate maps and flags, and time zones.

Packed with information and exciting facts, this is the perfect introduction to maps and flags for young geographers.

Slow Down, Monkey!

Dr Jess French & Eefje Kuijl

Picturebook

It’s a spider monkey’s birthday and every animal in the rainforest is invited to her party.

But that means there’s some seriously speedy planning needed to make sure it’s a celebration to remember. Monkey rushes through the jungle to get the special cake, funky band and colourful decorations she needs, but nothing seems to be going right. That’s until she meets a super-chilled sloth, who teaches her how to slow down and really look at, listen to and experience the vivid world around her in a much more mindful manner.

The rhyming text, set to a jumping, jungle beat, is written by Jess French, TV presenter, vet and conservationist, and is brought to life with beautiful illustrations by picture book talent, Eefje Kuijl.

This colourful picture book also includes a charming info-spread on the animals featured and mindful tips for parents and children.

This is the Ship that Jack Built

Peter Millett & Sam Caldwell

Picturebook

We got on board for a pirate adventure on the high-seas and enjoyed the bold and colourful illustrations that accompany this re-telling of a classic rhyme. We particularly enjoyed the landscape-to-portrait page turns when reading aloud, which conjured up a feeling of sea-sickness and added to the larger than life storytelling ambiance.

The super-catchy, repeated lines make for great predictive reading aloud with younger children, who will want to hear it again and again.

Am I Made of Stardust?

Chelen Ecija & Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Non-fiction

Award-winning scientist and BBC broadcaster Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (MBE) is here to answer all the questions curious kids will ever have about the Universe.

How long would it take me to fly to a star? What would happen if I fell inside a black hole? Would I get a phone signal in space? From whether there are rainbows on other planets to what dinner tastes like on the International Space Station, this book is packed full of fabulous facts, mind-blowing insights and engaging explanations from the renowned space scientist.

Written in Dr Maggie’s fun, accessible style, and featuring out-of-this-world illustrations throughout, it’s guaranteed to bring the wonders of space and science to life for young readers. Publishing in the UK in time for World Space Week (4th–10th October 2022).

Sheldon’s New Shell

Lily Murray & Sam Caldwell

Picturebook

This is a great, rhyming, picture book which will really appeal to younger children.

Written in conjunction with Surfers Against Sewage, the book has a strong environmental theme and covers real-life ecological issues facing our world. The story follows Sheldon the little hermit crab as he tries to find a new home. Unfortunately, some of the homes he finds are tin cans, plastic bottles etc, all washed up on the beach.

The environmental theme in the book is very topical and it would really suit a classroom project on pollution as well as the seaside. The story is written in rhyme and the pictures really bring the story to life. This is a definite ‘must have’ for classes studying pollution and the seaside.

A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, Mars and the Distant Stars

Jess Bradley & Mike Barfield

Non-fiction

This colourful, cartoon-style reference book brings facts to life with humour and fun illustrations. Following on from the enormous success of its award-winning predecessors, this latest book in the ‘Day in the Life Of..’ series is packed full of information and facts about space, presented in an entertaining comic style that is a joy to read.

Readers will enjoy the variety of scientific information, which felt like a balanced view of different areas, including science, technology, astronomy and the history of space travel. This would be a great book for children who love a highly visual element to what they read. Readers could dip in and out of the various topics individually, or teachers could choose sections to share as a class when exploring related topics. When added to a classroom library, this series is sure to be in high demand during independent reading time.

Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories

Amanda Li & Amy Blackwell

Non-fiction

This book tells the stories of girls and boys from around the world and the challenges they have faced and overcome.

It features over 29 tales of amazing young girls and boys who have achieved the unimaginable – from surviving a plane crash in the jungle to striking against climate change. There are tales of triumphing over illness and injury, and of overcoming bullying. Entries include Greta Thunberg, Boyan Slat and Phiona Mutesi, to name a few.

Each incredible story is narrated in an exciting and engaging style, and is combined with visually stunning illustrations by Amy Blackwell. Children can lose themselves in the remarkable true-life tales of ingenuity, courage and commitment.

Practical tips and skills accompany every entry, from how to deal with altitude sickness to how to be more green. They provide children with an exciting springboard and the confidence to apply the knowledge to their own life situations – now and in the future.

A perfect gift for every fearless child you know, these empowering stories show that no matter who you are, how old you are, and what you do, you can rise to the challenge.

The Dinosaur Department Store

Lily Murray & Richard Merritt

Picturebook

Our feisty heroine Eliza Jane isn’t your average child. Instead of a cute, fluffy bunny, she has her heart firmly set on a prehistoric pet. Join Eliza Jane and her parents on a marvellous magical tour of their local dinosaur department store.

From huge, stomping sauropods stretching their necks to a pair of loved-up Ankylosaurs called Maud and Frank, there are plenty of amazing dinosaurs for Eliza Jane to choose from. But this wild child is hatching a fantastic plan of her own.

With the rich and vivid art of bestselling illustrator Richard Merritt and a witty rhyming text by picture book author Lily Murray, this truly wild picture book will appeal to dino-loving, adventurous children everywhere.

Best Books by Age

Popular Children's Authors

Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd

NEWS: BooksForTopics Launches 2026-2027 Year Group Booklists

NEWS: Entries Open for the HarperCollins Reading for Pleasure Awards 2026

The Rise of the ‘Comic Strip Myth’ in the Classroom (plus Giveaway!) – Stephen Davies

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review