Penguin Random House Children's UK Archives

Mr Big

Picturebook

Mr Big is strong, Mr Big is tough, Mr Big is . . . well . . . BIG!

He has just one small problem – because of the way he looks he just can’t get people to stick around.

How can he show them that although he may look a little scary, he is just a great big softy inside?

With his trademark bold colour and masterful graphic simplicity, Ed Vere sensitively and humorously tackles the universal and current subject of inclusion, reminding the reader that to get to know someone you need to look beyond their exterior.

Night Flight

Picturebook

From author-illustrator Katie Cottle comes a breath-taking journey about light pollution and saving the birds

When Ellie moves from her quiet village to a bustling city, she finds that the many different birds she loves to watch are missing. She stares out of her window, searches the skies on walks, but they are nowhere to be found. Then one night, she’s visited by a giant starling which asks for her help. The birds are lost because of the shimmering glow from the city’s bright lights.

Night Flight is a hopeful, inspiring story about the power of using your voice.

The Girl Who Wasn’t There

Chapter book

And we’re going to live here, happily ever after, just like a fairy tale.’

When Dad tells Luna and her little sister Aurora that they’re moving to live in a real tower, it’s almost like they’ve stepped inside a fairytale.

But everything is not as magical as it first seems. The tower needs patching up, Dad still doesn’t have a job and they’re not even allowed in the room up at the very top.

When it’s time to start at their new school, Luna quickly finds a friend, but six-year-old Aurora absolutely hates the children in her class. She prefers to spend her time with her imaginary friend Tansy. Aurora’s make-belief life causes problems for them all – and it seems like Aurora really believes Tansy exists…

Is there really a curse on the tower – and will Luna be able to break it?

A spine-tingling tale from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

Tales of the Greek Heroes

Chapter book

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child.

Heracles hauling the triple-headed dog Cerberus from the underworld. Jason voyaging across oceans to seize the golden fleece. Odysseus and the Trojan wars. Tales of the Greek Heroes tells the mysterious and exciting legends of the gods and heroes in Ancient Greece.

Greek mythology has inspired stories for thousands of years, with tales of lost love and magic. Join our heroes in their journeys of resilience and revenge, guilt and love, and trials and betrayal.

This edition includes a special introduction by Rick Riordan, creator of the highly successful Percy Jackson series, inspired by the great Greek myths.

The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing

Non-fiction

Alan Turing was:

A mathematician

A scientist

An inspiration

Alan Turing was a mathematician, scientist and codebreaker who helped defeat the Nazis in the Second World War with his incredible decoding of secret messages from enemy soldiers.

Discover his life story in this beautifully illustrated book, from his childhood as a quiet boy who loved maths, to becoming one of the most important scientists and codebreakers in history.

The Secret of the Moonshard

Chapter book

The thrilling new magical adventure from Branford Boase winner Struan Murray.

Domino has lived her whole life believing that just one drop of magic could kill her.

Held in a floating laboratory by scheming Science Barons, she has never known a single day of freedom.

When Domino discovers that everything she’s been told by the Barons is a lie, she escapes to Abzalaymon, a wondrous city filled with scientific marvels, hulking thunder lizards and hidden magic.

But the Barons are soon on Domino’s trail. Because a war is brewing between science and magic. A war that could destroy the world. And Domino might just be the key to saving everyone…

Strong Like Me

Picturebook

A heartwarming picture-book story about finding your own ways to be strong, from writer and social commentator Kelechi Okafor.

Kamara loves being super strong – it makes her feel fizzy and zappy! But her classmates and their negative words lead her to question herself and the confidence she has in her physical ability.

With sport’s day and the Big Race looming, does Kamara have what it takes to reach the finish line?

Strong Like Me is a timely picture-book debut by writer, social commentator and podcast host, Kelechi Okafor. This inspirational story sets out to help children discover their power, champion themselves, and be unapologetically secure in who they are. Packed full of heart, the story opens important conversations around ability, intersectionality, race and identity.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde

Graphic Novel

In Diper Överlöde, book 17 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley is finding out that the road to fame and glory comes with some hard knocks.

When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper, Greg doesn’t realize what he’s getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.

Can Greg help Löded Diper become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick’s band be a diper överlöde?

Geoffrey Gets the Jitters

Picturebook

From the creator of Barbara Throws a Wobbler – the ultimate story to chase (and laugh) your worries away.

Geoffrey’s got the jitters! It started last night when he was thinking about school – a funny, wiggly feeling in his tummy that grew and grew. But when Geoffrey’s tummy jitters started talking to him – that’s when he knew they were out of control. Geoffrey had to do something…

Through a laugh-out-loud story and loveable character, Nadia Shireen shows how to understand and dispel anxieties, one jitter at a time.

Selected as one of The Sunday Times Best Children’s Book of the Year.

The Guggenheim Mystery

Chapter book

My name is Ted Spark. Three months ago, I solved the mystery of how my cousin Salim disappeared from a pod on the London Eye. This is the story of my second mystery.

This summer, I went on holiday to New York, to visit Aunt Gloria and Salim. While I was there, a painting was stolen from the Guggenheim Museum, where Aunt Gloria works. Then Aunt Gloria was blamed for the theft, and I realised just how important it was to find the painting, and discover who really had taken it.

Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

History

Geography

Science, Maths & Computing

Literacy & Reading

PSHE & Emotional Literacy

Diversity & Inclusion

Seasonal & Events

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Mr Big

Night Flight

The Girl Who Wasn’t There

Tales of the Greek Heroes

The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing

The Secret of the Moonshard

Strong Like Me

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde

Geoffrey Gets the Jitters

The Guggenheim Mystery

What's new on BooksForTopics?

NEWS: BooksForTopics Launches 2024 Year Group Booklists

The Magic of Librarians – Anna James

Humour and Reading for Pleasure – Tom Mitchell

Join our Mailing List

For the latest news on primary books and our booklists, as well as a chance to win in on one of our regular giveaways, sign up to our mailing list!

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to our Mailing List

Booklists by Topic

Booklists by Age

More About Us

Subscribe to our newsletter

Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

What's new on BooksForTopics?

NEWS: BooksForTopics Launches 2024 Year Group Booklists

The Magic of Librarians – Anna James

Humour and Reading for Pleasure – Tom Mitchell

Join our Mailing List

For the latest news on primary books and our booklists, as well as a chance to win in on one of our regular giveaways, sign up to our mailing list!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl