Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Picturebook

Topsy and Tim Start School is a perfect, reassuring picture book for children who are just about to start school. Along with favourite characters Topsy and Tim, children will learn what to expect in lessons, in the playground – even in the canteen – and, more importantly, that school can be fun! The Topsy and Tim books have been beautifully updated with contemporary artwork, but they remain instantly recognisable and trusted characters that parents will remember from their own childhoods. This edition also includes a puzzle and a map of Topsy and Tim’s village that parents can use to teach their children basic map skills and directions.

Topsy and Tim have all sorts of new experiences – just like you!

Find out what happens on the twins’ first day at school.

Non-fiction

The beautiful true story of one girl’s journey growing up autistic and the challenges she faced in the ‘normal’ world.

Abigail wass not like the other children in the class at school. Abigail didn’t didn’t know she was autistic until she was an adult.

This is her true story of growing up in the confusing ‘normal’ world, all the while missing some Very Important Information about herself.

There are be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heart-warming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including her dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way you’ll also find some Very Crucial Information about autism.

If you’ve ever felt different, out of place, like you don’t fit in – this book is for you.

Picturebook

Barbara is in a very bad mood. She won’t admit it, but she is.

She has a problem with a sock, and at lunchtime there’s a strange pea… And even though she’s at the park with her friends, it all just gets a bit much. Suddenly Barbara’s WOBBLER is out of control!

But what if Barbara and her Wobbler can work together, so she can be cheerful again?

A brilliantly funny and sensitive way to understand and deal with tantrums.

Chapter book

Opal Plumstead might be plain, but she has always been fiercely intelligent.

Yet her scholarship and dreams of university are snatched away when her father is sent to prison, and fourteen-year-old Opal must start work at the Fairy Glen sweet factory to support her family.

She struggles to get along with her other workers, who think she’s snobby and stuck up.

But Opal idolises Mrs Roberts, the factory’s beautiful, dignified owner. The best thing about Mrs Roberts?

She’s a suffragette!

Opal’s world is opened to Mrs Pankhurst, and the fight to give women the right to vote.

And when Opal meets Morgan, Mrs Roberts’ handsome son , and heir to Fairy Glen- she believes she’s found her soulmate.

But the First World War is about to begin, and will change Opal’s life for ever.

A brilliantly gripping wartime story from the bestselling, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

Chapter book

Jamal loves playing football, which isn’t easy if your goalie only has one leg and you keep having to dodge landmines to get your ball back. Jamal’s stubborn little sister Bibi is even better at football than Jamal. But girls playing football is against the law in Afganistan. When it is discovered that Jamal’s mother has been secretly running a school, the family must leave their home immediately and begin a long and dangerous journey to Australia. The children survive separation from their parents, hunger, and violent smugglers only to find that Australia isn’t as welcoming as they had thought but, even though they face an uncertain future, Jamal, Bibi and their parents know that as long as they are together, that is all that matters.

Non-fiction

Who are refugees? Why are they called that word? Why do they need to leave their country?

In this simple, graphic and bold picture book for young children, author/illustrator Elise Gravel explores what it means to be a refugee. This book is the perfect tool to introduce an important and timely topic to children.

Picturebook

George can’t roller-skate, George can’t paint, and George most certainly can’t dance!

But Bear is very wise. She thinks that, with a little help, George can do all these things – and more!

And, luckily for George, Bear has just a little magic to help . . .

An empowering book about the power of self-belief from picture-book star, Sophy Henn.

Picturebook

When a new family moves in next door, Joe’s mum explains that they are asylum seekers. Joe hears that they are silence seekers, especially as Mum adds that they need peace and quiet. When he sees a young boy from the family sitting disconsolately on the steps, Joe decides to help him find a quiet place in the noisy and chaotic city.

A simple, moving story which is the perfect way to gently open discussion around the refugee crisis.

Chapter book

The unforgettable and life-affirming story of August Pullman – a boy who’s desperate to blend in, but is destined to stand out.

‘My name is August. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.’

Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things – eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary – inside. But ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. Ordinary kids aren’t stared at wherever they go.

Born with a terrible facial abnormality, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life. Now, for the first time, he’s being sent to a real school. All he wants is to be accepted. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath it all?

Astonishingly powerful, WONDER is a read you’ll never forget.

Chapter book

“Mum said to just ignore them and they’ll get tired of teasing. They haven’t got tired yet.”

Mandy is lonely. She’s been bullied at school for as long as she can remember.

But then she meets Tanya. Fun, daring and glamorous Tanya wants Mandy as HER friend! She can’t believe her luck.

There’s only one issue though. Mandy’s mum isn’t happy. She thinks that Tanya is a BAD GIRL, and a bad influence on her daughter. But even if Tanya gets her into a TEENY bit of trouble, she can always get Mandy out of it – right?

From bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson, Bad Girls is a heartwarming story about confidence, friendship and becoming your own person. The perfect read to start difficult conversations with younger readers about bullying and how we treat others.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments