Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Topic: Reading for Pleasure

Non-fiction

Earth? Space? Animals? History? STEM? Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia has them all.

This beautifully illustrated, 424-page compendium of knowledge is a must-have addition to every family bookshelf and library collection!

With more than 100 expert consultants from around the world, and over 1000 images, including specially commissioned illustrations and stunning photography, this single-volume Children’s Encyclopedia takes Britannica s reputation for authentic, trustworthy information and brings it to a whole new audience.

Unlike old encyclopedias that are structured from A to Z, this encyclopedia takes you on a journey from the beginning of time to the present day and even into the future! It explores a wide range of topics and is divided into eight chapters by subject: Universe, Earth, Matter, Life, Humans, Ancient & Medieval Times, Modern Times, and Today & Tomorrow.

This book of amazing facts you can trust will provide hundreds of hours of fun learning for curious children and their families.

Chapter book

Imagine having the perfect friend, one who never steals, lies or bullies. Now you can, with the TrooFriend 560, the latest in artificial intelligence! What can go wrong with a robot buddy? Especially one that’s developing human characteristics and feelings, and who has just run away with her human?

A topical and sinister middle-grade novel about artificial intelligence from the Waterstones Children s Book Prize shortlisted author of The Middler.

Non-fiction

Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered…

Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth’s surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter creatures of the deep and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus – the biggest organism in the world. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your own back garden.

Under Your Feet offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the natural world and soil-dwelling creatures big and small. Bursting with colourful illustrations and photography, this is the perfect book for budding young plant experts, animal fanatics, and geologists, and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.

Chapter book

Pack your suitcase for a magical adventure! Perfect for fans of The Train to Impossible Places and Pages & Co.

At the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, each suitcase transports you to a different world. All you have to do is step inside . . .

When 12-year-old Flick Hudson accidentally ends up in the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, she uncovers a fantastic secret: there are hundreds of other worlds just steps away from ours. All you have to do to visit them is jump into the right suitcase. Then Flick gets the invitation of a lifetime: join Strangeworlds’ magical travel society and explore other worlds.

But, unknown to Flick, the world at the very centre of it all, a city called Five Lights, is in danger. Buildings and even streets are mysteriously disappearing. Once Flick realizes what’s happening she must race against time, travelling through unchartered worlds, seeking a way to fix Five Lights before it collapses into nothingness – and takes our world with it.

A magical adventure for 9+ readers that will take you to whole new worlds.

Chapter book

Louie doesn’t have the best luck when it comes to nurturing small animals – not even lightning bugs, worms or goldfish. So when his father brings home a sickly newborn little donkey, he’s determined to save him. Taking care of him helps Louie feel closer to brother Gus, who has just left home. Everyone worries that Winslow won’t survive, especially Louie’s quirky new friend, Nora. But as his bond with Winslow grows, surprising events prove that this fragile donkey – and Louie – are stronger than anyone could have imagined.

Chapter book

Can she break the curse of the witch called Winter?

Being different can be dangerous. Wilde is afraid strange things happen around her. Are the birds following her? Moving to live with her aunt seems to make it worse. Wilde is desperate to fit in at her new school. But In a fierce heatwave, in rehearsals for a school play telling the local legend of a witch called Winter, ‘The Witch’ starts leaving pupils frightening curse letters. Can Wilde find out who’s doing it before everyone blames her? Or will she always be the outsider?

Picturebook

The flood is over – but while Mr Noah builds a house out of the ark, Mrs Noah creates a garden. Luckily her famous pockets contain seeds and she has some help from the children – and the creatures. Midsummer morning brings some very special surprises!

This magical story from the creators of Mrs Noah’s Pockets explores new beginnings, care for nature and, above all, home.

Chapter book

A hilarious modern fairy-tale mash-up set in a world in which witches are real, magic is real and fairy tales are not only real … but recent history.

Once Upon a Modern Time, in the city of Rexopolis, in the Kingdom of Illustria, lived twelve-year-old Roxy Humperdinck, half-sister to Hansel and Gretel (yes, THE Hansel and Gretel, not that she knows it). Enter Cinderella (“Call me Jones”) Jones, who most definitely does NOT want to marry ghastly Prince Charming and is far too busy hunting for lost relics of the Cursed Kingdom. But now she needs Roxy’s help. And Roxy’s about to discover the truth about her world and her family: that witches are real, magic is real and fairy tales are not only real … but recent history.

Chapter book

Gaming and time travel collide in this exhilarating middle-grade adventure, from bestselling author Jennifer Bell.

THE GAME IS ON. TRAVEL WITH WONDER.

When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a mysterious explosion on their way to school, they find themselves trapped aboard The Principia – a scientific research ship sailing through hazardous waters, captained by one Isaac Newton.

Lost in the year 2473 in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some unlikely historical heroes, to play their way home before time runs out.

Jumanji meets Ready Player One in this fast-paced adventure featuring incredible real-life heroes, from the internationally bestselling author of The Uncommoners series.

Chapter book

A hilarious and unique graphic novel of friendship, family, and what happens when you defy and exceed expectations.

Donut (middle name: The; last name: Destroyer) has a heart of gold and incredible strength.

She lives in a world where everyone is born with a special ability and can choose whether to develop it for good or evil.

Donut has just received the best news of her life — she’s been accepted to Lionheart School for Heroes!

But her parents are the most infamous villains around, and her best friend, Ivy, can’t understand why Donut would choose a life of boring heroism and ruin their plans to cause chaos.

Donut is determined to prove that, despite her last name, she’s meant to go her own way and be a hero.

Meanwhile, Ivy cooks up a plan to get Donut kicked out of Lionheart — and back on track to villainy!

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