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Topic: Picturebooks Lower KS2

Picturebook

Best Picturebooks for Years 3 and 4 

Picturebooks are wonderful for all ages in primary schools and are not to be limited to the younger classrooms alone. As children’s author Kate Cunningham says, “Telling a child that they are too old for a picture book is like telling them that they are too old for chocolate ice cream or computer games“.

In Lower KS2, picturebooks offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the interplay between images and words, as well as being brilliant for opening discussions on important issues like in The Emerald Forest. Others are perfect for exploring new ideas like If I Were Prime Minister, for boosting empathy like It’s a No Money Day and for developing critical thinking like Fearless. Sometimes they simply provide a fun reading experience that caters to a visual appetite that begins to be increasingly excluded from chapter books for the age group – like in Until I Met Dudley and Professional Crocodile.

This list features our top selection of recommended picturebooks that are most suitable for children aged 7-9….

Picturebook

Colin Thompson’s books are mystical and complex, they will appeal to children and adults alike and demand to be returned to as there is always a new image to see . . . something more to catch the eye. Peter and his family live among the Quinces in the cookery section of a mystical library, and at night, when the library comes to life, Peter ventures out of his home to find a missing volume: How To Live Forever.

Picturebook

Mr. Crocodile loves his job. Every morning he gets up with an alarm. He brushes his teeth. He chooses the right tie to match his outfit, eats a quick slice of toast, and heads off to work on a crowded train. But what is his job? The answer may surprise you. Readers will want to pore over this witty, wordless book again and again, finding new details and new stories with every reading.

Picturebook

The mouth-watering new book from acclaimed author illustrator, Oliver Jeffers.

Henry loves books… but not like you and I. He loves to EAT books! This exciting story follows the trials and tribulations of a boy with a voracious appetite for books.

Henry discovers his unusual taste by mistake one day, and is soon swept up in his new-found passion – gorging on every delicious book in sight! And better still, he realises that the more books he eats, the smarter he gets. Henry dreams of becoming the Incredible Book Eating Boy; the smartest boy in the world!

But a book-eating diet isn’t the healthiest of habits, as Henry soon finds out…

Picturebook

He came over the pastures like a mean thunderstorm… fast as lightening was the dirty dog. All of the animals of the valley lived in peace and harmony until the big greedy dog appeared. He was so greedy that he gobbled up everything he could see! Happily for our animal friends, there was plenty of room for them all to live and play in the dog’s big bad belly. Perhaps it’s not so great to be the biggest and baddest animal in the valley after all…

Picturebook

From the minds of the former Children’s Laureate Chris Ridell, and award-winning fellow of the Royal Society of Literature Roger McGough, comes a fun-filled book about how things work.

Have you ever wondered how a toaster works? Or a fridge-freezer, or a washing-up machine? In this fun-filled book of how things work, Dudley, the techno-wizard dog, provides the answers. Roger McGough’s delightfully ingenious text and Chris Riddell’s striking illustrations take children from the furthest realms of fantasy into the fascinating world of technology to discover the workings of familiar machines, making it an exciting book which will delight again and again.

At first, it describes how a child thinks things work… (gnomes in the toaster) and then Dudley tells you how the various household appliances really work. Includes all the appliances a curious child would be interested in: the dishwasher, the fridge-freezer and more.

Picturebook

The perfect introduction to the legendary world of dragons, The Dragon Machine uses a clever mix of text and illustrations to describe how George, a young, overlooked boy, becomes aware of dragons hiding all around him.

But when it becomes apparent that they don’t belong in George’s ordinary world, he endeavours to do the best for his new friends and find them the home they deserve.

A heart-warming and magical tale from award-winning illustrator, Helen Ward.

Picturebook

Morris Lessmore loved words.

He loved stories.

He loved books.

But every story has its upsets…

Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds. But the power of story will save the day.

Stunningly brought to life by William Joyce, one of the preeminent creators in children’s literature, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmoreis a modern masterpiece, showing that in today’s world of traditional books, eBooks, and apps, it’s the story that we truly celebrate ~ and this story, no matter howyou tell it, begs to be read again and again.

Picturebook

What if words got stuck in the back of your mouth whenever you tried to speak?

After a day of being unable to speak when asked, and of being stared at, a boy and his father go to the river for some quiet time. “It’s just a bad speech day,” says Dad. But the boy can’t stop thinking about all the eyes watching his lips twisting and twirling. When his father points to the river bubbling, churning, whirling and crashing, the boy finds a way to think about how he speaks. Even the river stutters. Like him. “I talk like a river,” he says.

An incredibly moving picture book that offers understanding rather than a solution, and which will resonate with all readers, young and old. Masterfully illustrated by Sydney Smith, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Picturebook

Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests: slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets… While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere – she even brought a crocodile to school!

When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the Natural History Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children’s tea parties – with her komodo dragon as the guest of honour.

With a lively text and vibrant illustrations, scientist and writer Patricia Valdez and illustrator Felicita Sala bring to life Joan Procter’s inspiring story of passion and determination.

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