We’re huge fans of Anne Booth and her books. This is the story of a little boy who makes friends with a ‘troll’ who lives in a cave in the park. He begins to make little drawings outside the cave, always leaving a piece of chalk for the troll. Each day when he returns, he finds that the troll has finished his drawing. Little by little the troll begins to come out of his cave and they become friends.
The perseverance of the little boy is wonderful and it shows how kindness can achieve all kinds of things. We really liked how all of the other children also began to play together, all brought together by drawing. The illustrations are gorgeous and add to the enjoyment of the story.
This latest historical fiction from Tony Bradman has all the elements of a traditional historical adventure story, with a thoughtful and courageous hero who’s out to prove himself navigating the Roman world and who’s naturally skilled in a classic sword fight. The story is exciting, tightly plotted, and grounded in enough research for the setting to be thoroughly convincing.
Lucius is eager to be adopted by his new stepfather and to make his way in Rome, but instead finds himself packed off to Londinium, where he discovers a ruthless assassin on his tail. To escape, he joins the Roman army under a false name. His bravery and loyalty quickly earn him recognition from his commanders, but the more he gains success, the more he wishes he could reclaim his true identity. As danger looms on the northern border, Lucius’s position becomes more precarious and secrets from his past threaten to resurface and destroy everything he has fought for.
While not especially complex, the narrative is pacy and well-written, with great chapter headings that read like newspaper headlines. It would make an excellent page-turning read-aloud or ‘read for pleasure’ recommendation in any class studying Roman Britain at Key Stage 2.
Augustus the tiger has lost his smile and he now feels sad. This delightful book follows his journey through different landscapes to find his smile again. He looks everywhere he can think of to find his smile but is initially unsuccessful in his search. Only when he spots his reflection in a rain puddle does Augustus realise that his smile returns whenever he is happy – in this case because he has found happiness looking at the wonderful world around him.
This is a beautifully illustrated picture book with images that capture the emotions of the story and bring them alive for young readers.
Izzy loves science. She loves experiments and wants to be an inventor. When she is summoned to help get some fairy tales back on track, she is sceptical – she doesn’t believe in fairies and magic. But can she use her science knowledge, along with a little imagination, to help everybody out?
This early, illustrated chapter book by Zanna Davidson is great for budding scientists or anyone with a curious mind. Mixing well-known fairy tales with science and experiments shows that you don’t have to believe in just one or the other. Izzy is a strong character who knows her own mind but who also realises that sometimes you have to adjust your beliefs. The book is set out in a way that makes it very accessible for emerging readers. There are no long pages full of text: the story is set out in a way that incorporates the illustrations by Elissa Elwick as part of the story, rather than an addition. Speech bubbles, maps, explanations and experiments are interspersed throughout the book as integral elements of telling the story.
This makes it very user-friendly and an ideal book to those starting out with longer texts. That’s not to say it’s and easy book- the vocabulary is challenging in places and scientific vocabulary is used appropriately throughout.This would be a great addition to any class book shelf or school library.
The book is perfect for an Early Years classroom library or would support an All About Me topic, linking with Knowledge and Understanding of the world (Science) and Maths.
The story introduces children to concepts for different types of non-standard measurement, facts about the five senses and interesting information about the human body related to measurement, for example, the smallest and largest bones in the body. The height chart at the back was a bonus and is also full of facts, which, when put on the wall, facilitated a lot of comparative language conversations in the classroom between children about their height.
The diverse illustrations include a child with a walking frame, a girl with a head scarf and a child with a tracheostomy collar. The number of opportunities to be curious is maximised in this book- a book that we will come back to again and again for sure!
Previous Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho returns with his well-loved character Luna. This time, Luna is exploring the magic of gardening.
Luna is impressed by the community allotment when she visits with her family. Luna takes time to wonder about each seed she encounters – where in the world it came from and what it will turn into. With the help of Grandpa and Nana from Jamaica, Luna realises that every new seed planted will have its own story to tell.
This is a really beautiful picture book celebrating nature, gardens, community, the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of stories. Fiona Lumbers’ artwork is stunning, drawing out the elements that most capture a young child’s imagination with an abundance of colour, while also contrasting the vibrancy of the community garden with the grey, surrounding cityscape.
This wonderful gardening-themed story is an essential story for modern classrooms and home libraries.
A joyful story that celebrates imagination, outdoor play and intergenerational relationships, all about a grandpa and grandaughter’s playful take on sheltering from a storm in their beach hut. Carol Thompson’s illustrations in Storm Dragon by Diane Hofmeyr, bring as much to this gorgeous book as the words themselves – painting, as they do, an ethereal dance as Grandpa and granddaughter hurtle across the windswept beach.
The simple storyline will capture the imaginations of the youngest readers, with just a shadow of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and ‘Lion Hunt’, in the narrative.
Full of simple phrases and commands, the story will work well to build imaginative play or to herald splattery autumn art sessions! With its dramatic build-up and cosy ending, this book is also likely to become a bedtime favourite.
A heartwarming tale that casts a vast net, capturing themes of perseverance, friendship, and self-belief in a vibrantly illustrated, marine-filled adventure perfect for the primary classroom.
Rob Biddulph transports the reader into an ocean teeming with life, where we meet our unlikely hero, Gigantic, the smallest blue whale in the stormy Atlantic. Despite his size, Gigantic’s journey is one of might and mettle, where his diminutive stature in the ocean’s vastness doesn’t deter his big-hearted valiance.
The rhythmical prose lends itself beautifully to read-aloud sessions, with the alliterative play and evocative imagery poised to capture children’s imaginations. Biddulph’s illustrations are equally engaging, using a palette that mirrors the stormy yet spirited oceanic setting. Beyond the narrative, the book serves as a springboard for discussions on oceans, ecosystems, and the importance of determination. It illustrates that even the smallest creature has value and strength, a message that resonates with children navigating their place in the world.
This best-selling story from acclaimed writer David Almond is a classic choice in Upper KS2.
When Michael moves to his new house, his world begins to unravel. His little sister is born prematurely and is struggling to thrive, his new home and garden are in much need of repair, and his parents have no time, patience or energy for him. Then two chance encounters bring a fresh perspective and focus to his life; Mina, an inquisitive and sometimes outspoken neighbour, and the ‘person’ in the garage.
David Almond’s million-copy bestseller is beautifully brought to life with the soulful addition of Tom De Freston’s artful illustrations. Dark and abstract, they provide a glimpse into the mind’s eye without overtelling the story, enhancing what is already a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking tale and another fabulous source for prediction and discussion.
The story could be challenging for some children and contains mature themes, but if sensitively approached, it is a uniquely memorable narrative that provides a good challenge in Year 6.
This is an extraordinary verse novel about the final year of primary school, told through poetry. The verse captures the character of Year 6 pupil Nate as he navigates issues of school, family illness, emotions, change and friendships. Year 6 is a difficult year for many children, and whilst they are unlikely to have it quite as difficult as Nate, the book still captures some of that flavour, including the run-up to SATs, friendship issues and anxiety during a time when a sense of big changes is in the air.
Through his powerful verses, ex-primary school teacher Matt Goodfellow pays testament to the impact of a great teacher in supporting pupils through this time as well as the power of words and writing to help manage big emotions.
This is a very emotional and immersive story. A mature child will be able to ‘read between the lines’ and understand the text at a deeper level, even in Year 6. A great Y6 transition read!
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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
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