Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Topic: Reading for Pleasure

Chapter book

A gorgeous, snowy adventure, set in the wilds of Siberia, full of magic and wonder, for junior readers.

A world of magic is only a whisper away… Born in a Soviet prison camp, Lina has never seen the world outside until the night she escapes with her best friend, Bogdan. As the pair journey across a snowy wilderness, they are pursued by a vengeful sorceress and her pack of shadow wolves. The children will need every ounce of courage – and a whisper of magic – if they are to survive…

Perfect for fans of Abi Elphinstone, Sophie Anderson and Catherine Doyle.

Chapter book

Brat has always lived in the isolated castle on the island, taking care of the vicious creatures that his master creates, waiting in terror for the moment when they are ready to be put to use. But then the unthinkable happens. The monsters get out. Now Brat must overcome his fears, and venture into the world he has hidden from his whole life. For the fate of everyone rests on his shoulders alone. . . A thrilling new standalone adventure from Lorraine Gregory.

Picturebook

A stunning illustrated guide to the orchestra, from the instruments that comprise it to some of the most groundbreaking composers and great modern works. Before there were DJs, rock stars, pop groups and jazz trios… there was the orchestra. Whether it takes centre stage or brings performances and motion pictures to life, the orchestra is the magificent original musical voice of the west. Learn about all of the ingenious instruments that make up the orchestra and the luminary composers whose work has endured for centuries. Travel from the Wiener Musikverein in Vienna to the world’s greatest recording studios to see stunning orchestras in action, all illuminated by David Doran’s stylish and immersive illustrations.

Non-fiction

Why is a flamingo pink? Can a parrot talk? Is a bald eagle really bald? This follow-up to the hugely successful The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts and The Big Book of the Blue answers these questions and many more. It opens with introductory spreads explaining how to recognize different bird’s eggs, the bird family tree, why different species of birds have different beaks and feathers, and why some birds migrate and travel vast distances every year. Subsequent spreads, illustrated with various habitats, are dedicated to specific varieties of bird, including hummingbirds, peacocks, flamingos, bald eagles, secretary birds, albatrosses and red-crowned cranes. Some will teach children how to spot different birds within a specific variety, for example how to differentiate the American robin from the European robin. Others explore bird habitats, for example showing how birds adapt to live in cities. Finally, the book invites young bird spotters to protect birds where they live and make their gardens bird friendly. This is a big, beautiful book to look at again and again.

Picturebook

A book that encourages children to name their emotions and manage them effectively using breathing exercises.

Little Unicorn is just like all the other unicorns – well, nearly.

He has a magic mane that changes colours depending on how he is feeling.

Today he is feeling angry.

Nothing is going the way he wants it to. He doesn’t want to walk to school and he certainly doesn’t want to have a bath! Now he fees like he’s been invaded by a big black cloud of anger.

Kids can discover how to manage angry feelings and feel good again, with easy to master ‘teach yourself calm’ breathing exercises.

Children can join Little Unicorn in a calm-inducing breathing exercise and follow 3 easy steps designed to regulate overwhelming emotions.

Chapter book

“If you go into the woods, Old Crony will get you.”

Secrets, spies or maybe even a monster… What lies in the heart of the wood? Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are determined to discover the truth, but when night falls without warning they find themselves trapped in a nightmare. Lost in the woods, strange dangers and impossible puzzles lurk in the shadows. As time plays tricks, can Charlie solve this mystery and find a way out of the woods? But what if this night never ends…?

A timeless novel for anyone who’s ever felt lost. From the award-winning author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright and The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day.

Picturebook

This inspiring picture book retells the story of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg – the Swedish teenager who has led a global movement to raise awareness about the world’s climate crisis – using allegory to make this important topic accessible to young children.

Greta is a little girl who lives in a beautiful forest threatened by Giants. When the Giants first came to the forest, they chopped down trees to make houses. Then they chopped down more trees and made even bigger homes. The houses grew into towns and the towns grew into cities, until now there is hardly any forest left. Greta knows she has to help the animals who live in the forest, but how? Luckily, Greta has an idea…

A section at the back explains that, in reality, the fight against the ‘giants’ isn’t over and explains how you can help Greta in her fight .

This book has been printed sustainably in the UK on 100% recycled paper. By buying a copy of this book, you are making a donation of 3% of the cover price to Greenpeace UK.

Non-fiction

Did you know that there are over 4,000 known species of frog? Some are bigger than your dinner plate, while others are small enough to sit on your fingernail, and in between is about every colour and size you can imagine! Leap into this fascinating illustrated guide to the most diverse amphibians in the world, from the lumbering common toad to the beautiful but deadly poison dart frog.

Chapter book

From the bestselling author of The Garden of Lost Secrets comes a thrilling new mystery filled with ticking secrets and gripping adventure, set against an Edwardian backdrop of invention and change.

JUNE, 1905.

Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are swept off to Cambridge when her father is appointed clock-winder to one of the wealthiest men in England. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop.

Soon Helena discovers the house of one hundred clocks holds many mysteries; a ghostly figure, strange notes and stolen winding keys… Can she work out the house’s secrets before time runs out?

Chapter book

Bonnie is scavenging on a beach when she finds a battered old row boat. And under the boat, a bare-footed boy-cold, hungry, and in need of help. The authorities have already been troubling Bonnie and Granda for breaking rules, but how can she leave this boy when he has no-one? Bonnie does her best to keep the boy hidden from the border guards, but as their suspicions grow, she wonders if it’s time to escape the life she’s always known. Under cover of darkness they set sail to the ‘house of light’ in search of a new beginning, and a sense of hope.

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