Amy Sparkes  (author of The House at the Edge of Magic) picks out five recommended children’s books featuring magical houses.

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. So, when I was writing my debut novel, Beauty and the Bin, I had lots of fun with Laurie – the main character – as she and her sister concoct everything from fruity face packs to minty lip balms and bubbly chocolate bath crumble. Here are my favourite children’s books which involve fabulous potions … “

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 realised I’d been “given” an amazing idea… to combine two beloved story worlds in one. Neither of which I knew very much about! So I embarked on a phase of research – looking into pirate history and vampire myth, on the hunt for intriguing factoids and maybe even nascent connections between the two. I made a conscious decision NOT to read pirate fiction or vampire fiction at that point. And, indeed, that remained the rule while I was immersed in writing each book in order to keep my vision unclouded. Since bringing the six-book sequence to a conclusion, I have relaxed that rule a little, to dip my toe in the waters and see how other writers are creatively embracing the swashbuckling world of piracy. Here are a few of my favourites…”

​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 their hats. So to celebrate the publication of My Dad is a Grizzly Bear, my debut picture book illustrated by the roarsome Dapo Adeola, I’ve chosen five of my favourite funny bear books to share with you…”

Our ‘Give Me 5’ lists feature authors and special guests selecting their top 5 children’s books on a given theme.