Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

New country. New life. Whole new world . . .

When the coronavirus hits Hong Kong, ten-year-old Knox’s mom makes the last-minute decision to move him and his siblings to California, where they think they will be safe from the virus.

But life in America isn’t easy. At Knox’s new school, the other kids think that because he is from Asia, he must have brought over the virus. At home, Mom’s freaking out because she just got fired, and Dad doesn’t know when he’ll see them all again, because all flights out of Hong Kong have been cancelled.

As racism skyrockets during COVID, can Knox stand up to hate while finding his place in his new country?

Based on her own lived experience, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang spins a heart-warming tale of courage, hope and resilience in the face of unprecedented times.

Chapter book

Turn the page, share the adventure in the bestselling and enchanting family fairytale from actor, comedian and author, Ben Miller.

Lana loves stories. Especially the ones she and her brother, Harrison, share in their make-believe games. But when Harrison decides he’s too grown-up to play with Lana she finds herself feeling lonely. Until something magical happens . . .

Hidden in the strange new supermarket in town, Lana discovers a portal to a fairytale world! But these aren’t the happy-ever-after fairytales that Lana knows, they are darker and more dangerous, and the characters need Lana’s help to defeat an evil witch. But she can’t do it alone. Can she convince Harrison to believe in stories again and journey to the world with her . . . before it’s too late?

Fall into this bestselling classic adventure about the power of stories, with beautiful illustrations throughout from Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.

Chapter book

Christmas magic, delivered! Join Father Christmas and his elves in the funny and heartwarming festive blockbuster. A glittering GOLD stocking filler – the perfect Christmas gift, OUT NOW!

Father Christmas needs a holiday. He isn’t feeling well and someone seems determined to ruin the festivities. It’s up to Christmas Elves, Tog and Holly, to find a way to deliver the presents on time and bring the Christmas magic back for everyone.

A laugh-out-loud race against time from Ben Miller! Discover the magic of life as a Christmas Elf in all three laugh-out-loud stories that will take you round the world on Santa’s sleigh, including Diary of a Christmas Elf and Secrets of a Christmas Elf.

Chapter book

A bold and evocative new adventure novel from Cerrie Burnell, celebrating difference and found family. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson, Katherine Rundell and Catherine Doyle.

Silverthorne is a place of secrets. A forest of twisting paths and tangled thorns. A castle with locked towers and whispers of tragedy. A village trapped between terrors known and unknown. But something is stirring in the leaves . . .

Saffy is a good girl, tired of being told to stick to the forest paths, and always follow the rules.
Aurelia is a hidden girl, locked in a castle tower, dreaming of escaping the fate she’s told awaits her.
Wild Rose is a fierce girl, raised by wolves, full of spells and fearlessness and cunning.

Together, they will change life in Silverthorne forever.

Picturebook

The adorable new story starring Gertie, The Littlest Yak!

In this brand new adventure from award-winning duo Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley, Gertie the Littlest Yak and her family are moving mountains to pastures new. And for Gertie, that means SQUEEZING all her belongings onto her sledge.

But when someone special gets left behind, will Gertie come to see that home is about so much more than the things that you pack?

A gorgeous and heart-melting story about what REALLY makes a home.

Non-fictionPicturebook

Count along in celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, in this luminous picture book from bestselling mother-son duo Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal.

Count up to ten and back down again to the tune of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” while learning about the traditions that make Diwali a fun-filled festival! Celebrated during autumn harvest, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. From sweet treats to intricate henna designs to exciting firework displays, kids will delight in this vibrant glimpse into the Festival of Lights.

Chapter book

The GIGANTIC magical new adventure from Ben Miller, the bestselling author of The Night We Got Stuck in a Story.

Marcus has just started Merlin’s, a very unusual school…

He doesn’t like it and is doing everything he can to get into big trouble and be sent home. When a midnight prank accidentally wakes a sleeping giant called Crom, things take a turn for the magical.

But there are other giants on the move, bigger and angrier than Crom. Realising that Merlin’s and the whole country are in danger, it’s a race against time for the two new firneds to find the magic of their own bravery.

Chapter book

The sixth book in the SUPER graphic novel-like series for readers aged 7+ from the amazingly talented illustrator and author Sophy Henn! Brimming with Sophy’s hilarious illustrations, this is the perfect read for fans of Bunny Vs Monkey, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.

Everyone’s favourite reluctant superhero is back and ready to give this super thing her ALL – she’s even got a BRAND-NEW COSTUME. Pizazz soon discovers that a bunch of baddies have formed TEAM TOXIC and are trying to DESTROY the PLANET for ever, but none of the grown-ups even care!

This time it’s up to Pizazz and her friends to save the world . . . before it destroys ITSELF!

Picturebook

Albie doesn’t want to tidy his toys away but when a comic-book baddie snatches one away, he has to chase after them! Follow Albie into a world of flying superheroes, crazy contraptions and daring rescues in another fantastically fun adventure from the bestselling team of Caryl Hart and Ed Eaves.

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