Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Get ready for superheroes, supervillains and super-hilarious adventures in this series about four young sidekicks.

Superheroes have it easy. They don’t have to clean their secret headquarters, wash the alien bloodstains out of their costumes or be responsible for taking Super Mutt out for a walk. No, they leave all that for their sidekicks like me, while they get all the credit!

Being a superhero sidekick isn’t as fun as you think. You do all the work, beat the bad guys and save the planet, only for your grown-up partner to get all the credit. Junior Justice is sick of it, so he and his sidekick pals, Flygirl, Dinomite and Goo, have decided to form their own super team.

But before they can start saving the world they’ll have to prove to the adult heroes that they’re more than just sidekicks. And once the evil Dr Enok discovers his favourite pet Goo has left him to join a super team, the world might need saving sooner rather than later!

The Ice Whisperers is set in beautiful, mysterious, icy Siberia. When Bela’s mother dies, she is summoned to deepest Siberia to stay with an uncle she’s never met. Exploring his strange scientific workshop, she uncovers a secret she was never meant to find – a doorway that opens to an icy land, frozen in time and full of legends come to life. But this frozen land is in danger, and it’s up to Bela to find a way to save it. To succeed, she must join forces with the impossible: a long-lost sister she never knew she had, born 40,000 years before . .

The book is perfect for children who love fantasy novels; Ren-ya’s land is filled with ancient creatures and references to myths from long ago. The theme of friendship and the intense bond that sisters have draws comparisons with Frozen too.

This would be a fantastic novel to share with a lower key stage two class and would fit perfectly with topics that deal with frozen landscapes as well as prehistory. There are themes of ecology to draw upon and it would be a great novel to use in order to commence a geographical study of this landscape that contrasts so starkly with our own.

Reviewer: Claire Coates

Gretel, a woolly mammoth from prehistoric times, has been encased in ice for thousands of years until one peaceful Tuesday morning when the ice cracks and she pops out to greet the world again. At first, everything is marvellous – she learns about the modern world, shares amazing stories and is loved by the locals (some very friendly seabirds). But all these new changes are a little fast and overwhelming and, being the last mammoth left on Earth, Gretel starts to feel a bit lonely.

Gretel the Wonder Mammoth shows us that, no matter your size, how many talents you have and even if you are surrounded by friendly faces, everyone can feel anxious, alone and sad. It demonstrates how important it is to speak up and share your feelings when life becomes overwhelming and stressful. This very relatable story is perfect for younger pupils and teaches its readers that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.

The illustrations are fun and engaging, with simple language and cheeky sea birds adorning the pages. The colours link to the emotions of the text and one cannot help but instantly take to the gentle, gregarious Gretel.

I would highly recommend this book for younger readers – in PSHE lessons, assemblies or for children requiring support in overcoming their fears.

Reviewer: Gabby McConalogue

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Shona (SENDCo & parent of a 10 Year old boy)

Shona says, “This series has caught our attention with its fantastic illustrations and thrilling story line. It is a super follow up to Frostheart and we are already eagerly anticipating the final book of the trilogy. It is a book of adventure, friendships and unexpected twists!”

We think that this beautifully written re-working of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is destined to become a future classic. It combines huge emotional impact with a sparklingly entertaining story sprinkled with magic and magnificent characters. George and his dad embark upon a soul-searching quest to visit Christmases past, present and future. With the help of an amusing cast of friends from energetic elves to reluctant reindeer, all the magic of Christmas is brought back to the family just in time for Christmas day itself. 

Nominated for “Favourite Books of 2020” by: Emma (Year 2 Teacher)

A follow up to The Lost Words in a new pocket-sized form, The Lost Spells introduces another beautiful set of nature-based “spell-poems” and artwork by formidable creative duo Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris. Emma says, “Visually stunning motivational poems which tell stories and inspire.”

A stunning new picture book bringing Darwin’s theories alive for young readers.

This is a book that you could read straight through like a story, or spend hours poring over like an encyclopaedia – or both! I can see Radeva’s interpretation of Darwin being hugely popular in class libraries, one of those rare books that all children can get something from and talk about.

The artwork is truly lovely, keeping the same style for both pictures and diagrams which makes it coherent overall. Some of the images are reminiscent of creation story illustrations and this opens up scope for dialogue about different pupils’ beliefs and understandings. Scattered throughout the book are illustrated quotes of Darwin’s original words – these provide a challenge for the more advanced reader, and could easily be used as a discussion topic in class or a focal point for a display.

Finally, the book includes not only a useful glossary but a section detailing how our modern knowledge of genetics expands and confirms Darwin’s work, along with a page on misconceptions. I must also mention the endpapers, so often overlooked – both front and back contain a wealth of insects for children to look out for and hone their skills as naturalists.

Step into a magical world of enchanted forests, talking animals and wicked witches . . .

These six magical stories will thrill and enchant you. Watch Blackberry Blue rise from the bramble patch; follow Emeka the pathfinder on his mission to save a lost king; join Princess Desire as she gallops across the Milky Way on her jet-black horse.

These beautifully written and original stories will delight readers of all ages, and the stunning illustrations by Richard Collingridge will take your breath away.

Sam likes being a twin. He likes having two mums. He likes cheese sandwiches and his dog and drawing comics with his friend Pea. He does not like humus – or heights . . .

His twin sister Sammie likes being a twin too. She knows that she’s perfect best friend material for somebody – the girls in her class just haven’t realised yet. And she knows that she’s the best Sam – Sam A.

Both Sam and Sammie – and everybody in their lives seems to be keeping secrets – which ones will come out?

This is a brilliant picture book describing all the amazing things which could happen if you show a T-Rex a book. It is a love letter to librarians and libraries everywhere, with engaging and vibrant illustrations which leap off the page. A must for reading aloud during class visits and storytime!

Funny, interactive, joyous, imaginative and playful!

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