Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Publisher: Tiny Owl Publishing Ltd

Picturebook

Inspired by an Ethiopian folk tale, Gloria’s Porridge shows young children how one act can cause a chain reaction and affect other people’s lives.

When Cat wanted some of Gloria’s porridge, he ignored her saying no and ate it all. Gloria then scares Cat who tickles the donkey, who interrupts the bees who then frighten the hen. It is up to the fox then to show the others the importance of not letting this setback slow them down.

This re-imagined folk tale tackles difficult ideas like having to take responsibility and overcoming setbacks in a fun and simple manner, ideal for young readers. Toby Newsome’s colourful illustrations are inspired by his South African surroundings.

Picturebook

In a bustling marketplace in Iran, a traditional storyteller regales her audience with the tale of Prince Zal and the Simorgh. High up on the Mountain of Gems lives the Simorgh, a wise phoenix whose flapping wings disperse the seeds of life across the world. When King Sam commands that his long-awaited newborn son Zal be abandoned because of his white hair, the Simorgh adopts the baby and raises him alongside her own chicks and teaches him everything she knows. But when the king comes to regret his actions, Prince Zal will learn that the most important lesson of all is forgiveness.

In this special edition, the story has been set to music, with each instrument representing a different character. You can download music composed by Amir Eslami (ney), Nilufar Habibian (qanun), Saeid Kord Mafi (santur), and Arash Moradi (tanbur). The music accompanies Sally Pomme Clayton’s stunning narration of this classic tale from the Shahnameh.

Picturebook

An unlikely friendship between Miss Bandari and Mr Magarmach forms when the pair meet under the great plum tree, deep in the heart of India. Mr Magarmach is old and his hunting days are over but Miss Bandari loves hearing his stories as they munch plums together. One day their friendship is tested but with courage, trust and forgiveness they discover that living happily together tastes just as sweet as Miss Bandari’s golden plums.

The story of the monkey and the crocodile is a fable from the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal fables dated to 300 BCE. But it’s a tale from around the world and versions can be found in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, China, Japan and the Caribbean.

Picturebook

A charming new Christmas story from acclaimed author Pippa Goodhart and artist Ema Malyauka – for ages 5 and over.

Christmas is the most magical time of the year, and Old Bear is excited to spend it with her friends! If only these spindly spiders would stay out of the way! The tree is decorated perfectly for the party, but whilst Old Bear sleeps, the spiders come out to play, decorating the tree with their wondrous webs! Will Old Bear and friends see the beauty in the spiders’ hard work?

Old Bear is nostalgic for the Christmasses of her childhood, when everything felt magical – maybe she can recreate that feeling with her friends this year by throwing a party! Shooing away the pesky spiders, Old Bear decorates her house from top to toe, with a glorious Christmas tree, delicately iced cookies and colourful paper chains. While she sleeps soundly that night, the spiders, sad that they haven’t been invited, decide to peek at the jolly decorations and weave their winding wondrous webs. Morning dawns and Bear is distraught – what will her friends think?! But when the spiders beautiful work is revealed in the sunlight to the party guests, it evokes the magical Christmas feeling Bear was craving all along.

Picturebook

Jaguar is feeling very lonely being all on her only! Why doesn’t anyone else look like just like her? When clever Ladybird comes to play, she points out that they have more in common than Jaguar might think – they both have simply spectacular spots! Snake and Rockhopper are dotty too, and so the top secret dotsy club is formed! Zebra is so sad when he can’t join the club because of his stripes. The club will just have to become a PATTERNS club so he can join in the fun too! But wait! What is a game that all the animals can play together? No one can think of anything! Monkey has an idea, but he’s all plain – he can’t join the patterns club! Yet, Monkey doesn’t mind one bit. He is part of the best secret club of all, the Everybody Club, and anyone can join – the badge of honour is in your heart! The animals agree that the Everyone Club is the best of all.

Picturebook

Beautifully retold by the award-winning author Beverley Naidoo, this earliest-known version of Cinderella is brought to life for the modern-day reader. Rhodopis is a Greek girl who is sold into slavery by bandits and taken to Egypt. Along the way she becomes friends with the storyteller Aesop and a host of playful animals. Her master gives her a pair of beautiful rose-red slippers, making three other servants jealous. But when Horus, the falcon, sweeps in to steal her slipper, Rhodopis has little idea that this act will lead her to the King of Egypt.

Picturebook

A sassy cat from the back alleys of Paris believes she is quite different to the rest of the rabble. She can do anything she sets her mind to – even if others don’t think so. Leaving her cat family behind, she sets off to explore Paris. Cat meets legendary singer Edith Piaf, creates her own stunning designs at a high-fashion atelier and dances with the infamous dancer Josephine Baker and her cheetah. But is this the life she really wants? What about her friends and family?

Poetry

Dare to dream. Dare to aspire. Dare to trust… dare to inspire!

This simple yet inspirational poem encourages children everywhere to dare to dream big, to help others and speak out for what is right, but also to take time for simple joys and to be comfortable in their own skin. With charming rhymes and energetic and inclusive illustrations, this is a book to empower every child.

Picturebook

If there’s room in the world for all the birds in the sky and whales in the ocean, why do humans always fight for space? This young child’s reflections carry a profound message of peace and tolerance .

A child grows and discovers the world. As he lies awake at night, he sees there’s enough room in the sky for all the stars and the moon. When he visits the ocean, he sees there is enough room for all the fish, even for the whales. As he grows up, he doesn’t understand why people fight for space. Surely, if we are kinder to one another, there will always be room for everyone?

This is a beautiful and profound picture book – a testament of our time and a touching allegory for war and the refugee crisis.

Picturebook

Koya and her friends, Hassan and Alex, love to visit their neighbour, Mrs Fig. When they find out Mrs Fig is moving to a retirement home, they want to help their parents plan her going away party! When cooking for the party, the children are aware of everyone’s dietary needs and are excited to prepare yummy vegan and vegetarian food everyone will be able to eat! Everyone on Redbird Road gather to celebrate Mrs Fig and enjoy the food!

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