Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: EYFS Topics

Atlas of Dinosaur Adventures

Non-fiction

This is a brightly coloured, large-scale book in which readers will be happily absorbed in the world of prehistoric creatures. Find out all about the weird and wonderful dinosaurs that lived on different parts of the planet and compare their locations with modern-day cities and countries. A hugely appealing non-fiction book to which young readers will return again and again.

Toys Around the World

Joanna Brundle

Non-fiction

An information book covering the topic of toys from different cultures around the world. You may also like the other book in the same series, Toys From the Past.

The Story of Pinocchio

Katie Daynes & Mauro Evangelista

Picturebook

The picture book retells the classic story of a toy puppet called Pinocchio who is brought to life to become a real boy. This version has simple text and vibrant illustrations. There is also Michael Morpurgo’s chapter book version of Pinocchio available from Amazon, suitable for more confident readers.

Stomp, Dinosaur, Stomp!

Alex Ayliffe & Margaret Mayo

Picturebook

This rhyming text with bright, bold illustrations is great fun to read aloud and after hearing the story once or twice you will find the children joining in with you. The book features different types of dinosaurs (including a handy pronunciation guide!) and is part of a series by the popular picture book author Margaret Mayo.

Superhero Books

The best superhero stories and superhero themed children’s books

Get ready to bring out your inner hero and zap into adventure mode with our list of recommended children’s books about superheroes. From caped crusaders and vile villains to amazing everyday heroes and heroines, our list of best superhero stories for children shows that superheroes come in all shapes and sizes.

From the classic superhero story Supertato, the unlikely superhero who is on a mission to protect the other vegetables from the Evil Pea and children’s favourite Julia Donaldson’s Superworm, we also include How to Save a Superhero – a heart-warming book with fun characters, rhyming text and a wonderful take-away message about standing up for what’s right, which makes a great addition to the superhero bookshelf.

If you are looking for recommended superhero story books for children, this specially selected reading list for EYFS and KS1 has got you covered…

Eliot Midnight Superhero

Alex T. Smith & Anne Cottringer

Picturebook

This is a superhero picture book that children will quickly learn by heart due to its predictable structure and repetitive style. It tells the story of the unlikely superhero Eliot, who is a quiet boy by day but transforms into an incredible superhero when the clock strikes midnight.

Dogger

Shirley Hughes

Picturebook

A nostalgia-filled tale that adults love just as much as children, making it an all round winner for read-aloud story times in the Early Years. This classic reading book by beloved children’s author-illustrator Shirley Hughes was voted the public’s favourite CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner.

We are very fond of this lost-and-found story, in which Dave accidentally loses his favourite stuffed toy, Dogger. Shortly afterwards, Dogger turns up on a stall at the school fete, but there are a few bumps along the way before the pair are happily reunited.

This is a sincere toy-themed story about a very familiar scenario. Many children (and parents) will know the heartbreak of losing a favourite toy, and hopefully some will also relate to the joy of being reunited! Beautiful written and illustrated, this tender children’s picturebook is a must-read for young children.

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Dinosaurs

Non-fiction

We highly recommend DK’s ‘My Very Important Encyclopedia’ series, which also features volumes on animals, oceans and sport. It is not easy to find comprehensive non-fiction books that are suitable for the younger age range, but the spacious pages, simplified text and high ratio of images (both photographs and illustrations) make this a brilliant choice for Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 children.

Each page features a different dinosaur or dino-themed word or topic (like fossils or carnivores) and there is a handy pronunciation guide to less well-known words or dinosaur names. It feels like a real encyclopedia but is perfectly pitched for the youngest readers without having any overwhelming chunks of text or overly complicated diagrams.

This absolutely super young non-fiction book will become a go-to for dinosaur-loving children who are curious to learn more.

Supertato

Paul Linnet & Sue Hendra

Picturebook

In every Reception or Infant class, you’ll find fans of Supertato and his hilarious crew of vegetable friends (not forgetting his nemesis, Evil Pea).

Written by husband and wife team Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, the books are enjoyed by readers who like a high dose of action and hilarious characters who mean business.

This is a tremendously popular story that has now been developed into a series of books and a TV show. It tells the funny tale of Supertato, the unlikely superhero who is on a mission to protect the other vegetables from the Evil Pea. A laugh-out-loud story that children want to hear again and again.

Traction Man Is Here

Mini Grey

Picturebook

This is a high quality text full of detailed comic-style illustrations.

It follows the adventures of an Action-Man style hero with an outfit for every occasion. His daily superhero challenges include rescuing lost toys, diving in the sieve-wreck and saving distressed damsels.

Highly recommended for KS1 and filled with humorous details to pore over, this is a winner of a book.

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Topic: EYFS Topics

The best superhero stories and superhero themed children’s books

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