The Ghost of Gosswater
The Lake District, 1899 The Earl is dead and cruel Cousin Clarence has inherited everything. Twelve-year-old Lady Agatha Asquith is cast out of Gosswater Hall to live in a tiny, tumbledown cottage with a stranger who claims to be her father. Aggie is determined to discover her real identity, but she is not alone on […]
Tell Me a Dragon
In this enchanting book, Jackie Morris conjures a world where everyone has their own dragon, exploring all their variety through lyrical text and beautifully realised illustrations. This children’s classic is now available in this larger, high-quality production format for full enjoyment of the art work and the wonderful creatures it presents.
Books Featuring Family Secrets & Lies
Five Books Featuring Family Secrets & Lies – by Ann-Marie Howell Ann-Marie Howell, author of Mystery Of The Night Watchers, joins us this week to share some books featuring family secrets and lies. Ann-Marie’s book is a gripping new historical adventure set in East Anglia, and the story sees the unearthing of some family secrets dangerous […]
Vampirates
Orphaned twins Connor and Grace Tempest take to the ocean in a desperate attempt to flee from a terrible life on shore. But a vicious storm wrecks their ship and leaves them fighting for their lives. For Connor his only salvation is a pirate ship… but this is no ordinary pirate ship. Desperate to survive […]
4.50 from Paddington
Agatha Christie’s audacious mystery thriller, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers. For an instant the two trains ran together, side by side. In that frozen moment, Elspeth witnessed a murder. Helplessly, she stared out of her carriage window as a man […]
The Polar Express
Discover The Polar Express, a true Christmas classic. “Magical” Guardian “Evocative and atmospheric” Sunday Times “A thrilling tale” Independent All aboard the Polar Express to the North Pole! Follow one boy’s journey to receive a very special gift from Santa himself: a bell that only true believers in Father Christmas can hear ring. Discover the […]
Neverwhere
Neverwhere is the stunningly original first novel from Neil Gaiman, the bestselling and prizewinning author of The Ocean at the End of the Lane and American Gods . Wired called it ‘the sort of book Terry Pratchett might produce if he spent a month locked in a cellar with Frank Kafka’. This is a must-read […]
The Railway Children
When Roberta, Peter and Phyllis’s father is taken away and they move to a tiny cottage in the countryside, the only advantage is the nearby railway. Join them on their adventures as they befriend all those who work with the trains, prevent a railway disaster and try to discover the truth behind their father’s disappearance. […]
Bloom
Sorrel Fallowfield is so good at being good that teachers come to her when they need help remembering the school rules – and there are LOTS. Luckily, Sorrel doesn’t have any trouble following them, until the day she discovers a faded packet of Surprising Seeds buried under a tree in her backyard. Now she’s hearing […]
Books For Reluctant Readers
We are delighted to host a guest post from Kate at Beanstalk, a children’s literacy charity that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to provide one-to-one reading support to primary school children to improve their reading ability and confidence. In this blog post, Kate discusses some of the strategies and resources that Beanstalk volunteers use and […]
Books Featuring Dragons
Andy Shepherd’s Top 5 Dragon Books Author Andy Shepherd picks out some of her own favourite books featuring dragons. Andy says, ‘Ever since Puff, I’ve loved dragons. And of course I’m not alone. There is magic in dragons. And mystery. Which makes them perfect for readers and authors alike. Whether it’s the fierce and majestic […]
Books About E-Safety
With internet safety always on the minds of parents and teachers, BooksForTopics founder Alison has picked out five great children’s books for exploring the concept of e-safety with primary school pupils.
Middle Grade Funny Books
Following the launch of Aliens Invaded My Talent Show! (you can read our review here) we are delighted to host a guest post from author Matt Brown. In this blog post, Matt tells us about some of his own favourite funny books. My new book, Aliens Invaded My Talent Show!, is what is known in […]
Books About Trains
With the Adventures on Trains series launching this week, author Sam Sedgman has picked out his own top 5 children’s chapter books about trains.
Books About Inventors and Inventions
Top Five Books featuring inventors and inventions – Holly Rivers My debut mystery-adventure, Demelza and the Spectre Detectors, focuses on a young inventor named Demelza, who loves nothing more than spending time in her attic bedroom creating weird and wonderful contraptions. As a child, I too was forever making, drawing and imagining — in fact, […]
Books Celebrating The Joys of Childhood
5 Picture Books Celebrating The Joy Of Childhood – Ashok Banker With his own new picture book ‘I am Brown’ celebrating being a child, Ashok Banker picks out 5 favourite picture books that celebrate the joys of childhood.
Books Set in Cities
Top Five City Stories – Judith Eagle For as long as I can remember I have loved stories set in cities. Cities are full of hustle and bustle, noise and life, movement and change and – best of all – jam-packed with places to get lost in and find adventure!
Books That Are Great For Making You Laugh
Five Books that Made Me Laugh – Martin Howard I never get tired of banging on and on about funny books, because they’re important books. (I swear I’m not just saying that because I write funny books!) Whatever your brand of humour – dark, silly, clever, snippy, absurd – laughter has a bazillion benefits from […]
Funny Chapter Books for 6-9 year olds
Top Funny Books for 6-9 – Angela Woolfe To celebrate her new book ‘Roxy & Jones: The Great Fairytale Cover-up’, author Angela has picked her top 5 funny books, all short chapter books suitable for readers aged 6-9.
Picture Books on BIG Topics for Small Children
5 books on big topics for small children, selected by author Donna David. Donna says ‘Picture books are my favourite thing! They can make me snort with laughter or quietly chuckle. They can inspire me to visit somewhere or learn a new skill. Sharing books with my young children make up a large portion of […]
Books Featuring Epic Journeys
5 books featuring epic journeys, selected by author. Jenny Pearson Jenny says, ‘I love a story involving a journey. I love that you can feel like you are on an adventure with the characters and that you are able to visit places you may never get a chance to see or visit, other worlds that […]
Books About Siblings
Five books about siblings, selected by author Clare Helen Welsh. Clare says, ‘For those of us lucky enough to have brothers or sisters, siblings are often our first friends. Sibling relationships can be loving, fun, but challenging too, which makes for a dynamic story set up. Throughout my childhood and adult life, I have enjoyed many […]
Books About Robots
Five Books Featuring Robots – Kirsty Applebaum With her new story about artificial intelligence launching this month, TrooFriend author Kirsty Applebaum has picked out her own top 5 books about robots.
Books About Lions and Tigers
Catherine Rayner – author of Arlo The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep (available here) – has picked out her top five recommended children’s books featuring lions and tigers. Catherine says: The very first picture book I wrote and illustrated was about called Augustus and his Smile. Augustus is a tiger and he holds a very special […]
Books About Caring For The Environment
Catherine Emmett – author of King of the Swamp (available here) – has picked out her top five recommended children’s books about caring for the environment.
Books About Brilliant Grannies
Author Ewa Jozefkowicz has picked out some favourite books showcasing brilliant Grans – starting with Flick’s Grandmother Sylvie in Ewa’s own new book, The Key to Finding Jack.
Books About Tigers!
Julia Golding – author of The Tigers in the Tower (available here) – has picked out her top five recommended children’s books featuring tigers. Julia says: How many children’s books can you think of that feature tigers? I had a fun time coming up with this list and it made me realise something: many of us authors choose tigers […]
Books About Our Blue Planet
Author Leisa Stewart-Sharpe’s Top Five Books about our Blue Planet. Leisa says, “My first children’s book splashed into the world this week – Blue Planet II. You might remember seeing the show on the tellie a few years back. Well I got to work with the people who made the show, the BBC, some people […]
Books Inspired by British Folklore
Author Ross Montgomery’s Top Five Books Inspired By British Folklore Ross says, “When I started writing THE MIDNIGHT GUARDIANS, I had rediscovered the classic books that I read in my childhood: stories filled with mythical and mysterious figures from British folklore. I’ve always loved folktales – British ones have their own unique strain of weirdness (if […]
Books About Magical Adventure Stories
Author Katharine Orton’s Top Five Magical Adventures.
Books About Magical Houses
Amy Sparkes (author of The House at the Edge of Magic) picks out five recommended children’s books featuring magical houses.
Books Featuring Potions
Joanne O’Connell, author of Beauty and the Bin, has picked out her top five recommended children’s books about potions. Joanne says “I’ve always been fascinated by potions and lotions. And children’s books are full of them, from the bottle of ‘Drink Me’ in Alice in Wonderland to the swirling chocolate river in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. […]
Chapter Books about Bullying
Helen Harvey, author of Emmy Levels Up, has picked her top five recommended children’s books that explore the theme of bullying.
Books About Pirates
Ahoy there! Justin Somper, author of the Vampirates series, has picked top five recommended children’s books about pirates. Justin says, “The idea for “VAMPIRATES” came to me very simply – and thrillingly – when the word “VAMPIRATES” just landed in my head one day. Cue tingles down the spine, excitement, nerves, impostor syndrome etc… As things settled down, I […]
Books About Bears!
Swapna Haddow, whose new picture book with Dapo Adeola – My Dad is a Grizzly Bear – is out this week, has picked her top five recommended books for children all about bears. Swanpa says, ‘I have always loved bears. I love cuddly ones, fluffy ones, sleepy ones, grumpy ones, funny ones and especially ones with marmalade sandwiches under […]
Give Me Five!
Our ‘Give Me 5’ lists feature authors and special guests selecting their top 5 children’s books on a given theme.
Books For Readers Who Love Sci-Fi
Tom Huddleston shares his sci-fi recommendations. My futuristic adventure story FloodWorld and its sequel DustRoad are set centuries from today, in a world reeling from the effects of climate change. I’ve always loved sci-fi stories, from intergalactic action to time-travel tales to speculative fiction about humanity’s future. Here are five of my favourites for younger […]
Detective Stories For Children
From murder mysteries to crimes to crack, detective fiction remains a popular genre with children in Key Stage 2. Katherine Woodfine – author of The Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series – shares her recommendations of the best books for children who love detective stories.
Books About Dads
Five Books That Celebrate Dads! With Father’s Day just around the corner, BooksForTopics founder Alison has picked out five favourite children’s books all about fabulous fathers.
Books About Mums
Five Books That Celebrate Marvellous Mums! With Mother’s Day just around the corner, BooksForTopics founder Alison has picked out five favourite children’s books all about marvellous mums.
Books About Pancakes
Five Flippin’ Great Books about Pancakes! Mix a pancake, stir a pancake, pop it in the pan; fry the pancake, toss the pancake, catch it if you can! With Pancake Day just around the corner, BooksForTopics founder Alison has picked out five great children’s books all about pancakes!
Books Featuring Limb Difference
Susan Brownrigg, author of Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest (available here), has picked some recommended children’s books featuring children with limb difference – which is the partial or complete absence of individual limbs.
Books About The Football World Cup
As the football World Cup approaches, we are delighted to host a guest post from best selling author Tom Palmer. In this guest booklist, Tom discusses his top 10 recommendations for World Cup themed books to inspire reading among young football fans. Reading for pleasure often begins with what the reader is passionate about. For […]
Books About Being on Stage
Laura Wood, author of The Animals of Madame Malone’s Music Hall, has picked her top five recommended books for children and teens about being on stage. Laura’s new book explores the topic of helping to save a music hall – and despite being written pre-pandemic, its publication comes at a time when local theatres need […]
Books About Art
Natascha Biebow, author of The Crayon Man: The True Story Of The Invention Of Crayola Crayons, has picked her top five recommended children’s books about the love of art. Natascha Biebow’s favourite crayon colour is periwinkle blue because it makes her heart sing. She loves to draw and make stuff, just like the inventor of […]
Whole School Picturebooks
Five Picturebooks Suitable for the Whole School With whole-school assemblies and book days to organise, lots of you have been asking us for suggestions of single books that can be used across the whole primary school age range. BooksForTopics founder Alison Leach gives us five recommendations for books that make great whole-school projects.
Inspirational Real Life Stories
Zoë Armstrong, author of Find the Spy, has selected five books featuring inspirational real life stories. Zoë says, “I have a huge soft spot for picture books that explore the lives of real people – especially those that inspire us or teach us something new. I’ve always been curious about other human beings – I think […]
Books About Kindness
Simon James Green, author or Fabulous Frankie, has picked out five favourite books for children all about being kind. Simon told us, “In my new picture book, Fabulous Frankie, a rather ostentatious flamingo learns it isn’t the glitz and glamour that makes him fabulous, it’s being kind. In a world that can often feel like kindness […]
Books About Germs, Handwashing & Viruses
Five Books That Explain Germs, Hand Washing & Viruses Topics of germs and the importance of hand washing are not always easy for children to understand. BooksForTopics founder Alison Leach has picked out five books that help to address these concepts with children.
Books About Friendship
To celebrate the launch of her pre-school book series Mini Monster, author Caryl Hart has picked out five recommended books about friendship.
Books Set in The Middle Ages
Medieval Britain is a fascinating period to study, yet many school libraries are lacking in stories set during this time. Barbara Henderson – author of The Siege of Caerlaverock – has picked out her top five recommended children’s books set in the Middle Ages.
Books About The Titanic
Lindsay Littleson, author of The Titanic Detective Agency, has helped us to pick some recommended children’s books about the Titanic. Lindsay says, “As soon as I began the research for The Titanic Detective Agency I became hooked, and what had been a passing interest became a bit of an obsession. Part of the research involved […]
