Topic: Reading for Pleasure

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our Review Panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read, with something for all young readers including two chapter books, a graphic novel, a picturebook and an information book.

An outstanding non-fiction choice, We are All Animals explores the traits that we as humans have in common with animals, introducing complex scientific concepts in child-friendly language accompanied by clear, attractive illustrations. Our Review Panel describe this title as a “a great book to dip in and out of, but also useful in science lessons as it discusses areas covered in the National Curriculum for Science in clear and interesting ways.” STEM themes also feature in Supa Nova, the first in a brand new series of graphic novels which follows Nova as she searches for solutions to environmental problems in her secret lab.

May’s chapter book recommendations include popular middle-grade author Jenny Pearson’s first step into the historical fiction genre with Shrapnel Boys, a gripping story about the lives of a group of young boys during the Second World War, published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Equally thought-provoking is Land of the Last Wildcat, a fast-paced debut novel from Lui Sit which takes the reader on a beautifully described and illustrated adventure while exploring themes of folklore and conservation.

For younger readers, this month’s selection includes a picturebook from Mr Gum author, Andy Stanton. Danny McGee Drinks the Sea is highlighted by our Review Panel as “a funny and boldly illustrated story book” with playful rhyme that would make a great classroom read-aloud.

Discover our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in May 2025.

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our Review Panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read, with something for all young readers including two picturebooks, two chapter books and a verse novel.

The topic of school transition is explored in two of this month’s selected titles. Zak Monroe is (Not) My Friend is a thought-provoking chapter book about friendships and self-belief in year 6, while verse novel The First Year picks up in year 7, as protagonist Nate tackles challenges both at home and at his new school.

Action and adventure are at the heart of Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed, a chapter book for upper KS2 which weaves themes of loyalty, kindness and fairness through a story of theft and deception.

For younger readers, this month’s selection includes two picturebooks. Fluffy, Flying Seed is a non-fiction pick, following a seed as it drifts through the air, lands and grows into a beautiful flower. In contrast, We Are Definitely Human is a riotous story of crash-landing aliens and a suspicious dog, with a clear message about kindness to those who are different from us.

Discover our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in April 2025.

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our Review Panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read, and there is real variety in this collection, featuring characters that children will love to read about. There’s Mr Norton and his menagerie of animals in the joyous picturebook Mr Norton’s New Hat – a simple story for readers in EYFS and KS1 with a powerful message of kindness and acceptance, while for older readers in KS2, there’s Monday the 16th, an unlikely hero who must prove his worth against the fearsome monsters in Grumpfort. Our reviewer also loved the wannabe detective main character in The Mizzy Mysteries, who’s hoping to solve her very first mystery!

Themes of family and friendship run through the remaining two picks: The Adventures of Rap Kid, written in a highly relatable style for independent reading; and Cafe Chaos, a vibrantly illustrated and entertaining story that will appeal to readers who are embarking on the transition to secondary school.

Discover our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in March 2025.

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our Review Panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read, and although this month’s picks are all fiction texts, there is real variety in this collection. My Dog weaves sorrow, joy and hope together in a moving tale of one boy’s journey in the aftermath of his mother’s death, supported by a special companion. Adventure and make-believe meet in Dragon Riders of Roar, while The Great Theatre Rescue is described by our reviewer as a “gloriously detailed historical novel” with “shades of Dickens”.

Funny and serious all at once, Speedwheels 3000: The Race Against Crime has themes of family, loss, resilience and hope set against a backdrop of racing cars and mystery. And younger readers will delight at Eid for Nylah, which follows a curious cat who wonders why everyone is so busy, before finally joining in the big celebration they’ve all been preparing for.

Discover our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in February 2025.

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our Review Panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read, and real life tales feature strongly in this collection. Martin Impey’s picturebook BLITZ brings to life the experience of a family living in London in World War Two, told from the children’s perspective and accompanied by atmospheric watercolour illustrations. For older readers, Cleopatra challenges preconceptions of one of history’s most fascinating women, and is recommended by our Review Panel for classes studying Ancient Egypt or biography writing. Rise and Fall is commended by the panel for its eye-catching illustrations and a well-organised structure, making the complex and detailed history of empires accessible and enjoyable.

The panel’s fiction picks for this month include an epic quest in Super Happy Magic Forest and the Humongous Fungus, a colourfully illustrated first chapter book featuring a cast of five happy heroes and a lot of fun – perfect for reading aloud! Adventure also awaits older readers in Hunt for the Golden Scarab, the first in a new time-travelling series from M.G. Leonard. Our Review Panel particularly recommend this historically-backed book to accompany any curriculum unit on Ancient Egypt.

As the new year dawns, discover our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in January 2025.

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our review panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read, and festive titles feature strongly among their recommendations. From beloved children’s author Jarvis, Mr Santa is highlighted by our panel as a dreamlike story of Christmas wonder and curiosity which would make a cosy read-together for EYFS children. For older readers, Simon Stephenson’s The Snowman Code offers a heartwarming tale of an unconventional friendship with a message of love, kindness and togetherness.

Dr Henry Admoni’s Robots offers a timely and topical dive into the world of robotics and AI. This vibrantly illustrated non-fiction text explores some of the amazing ways that robots can help us, and answers key questions about the future of this technology. A fabulous gift for fans of fact books, this title also features in our gift guide for 9-11 year olds.

Middle-grade readers seeking mystery and adventure will enjoy the story of Lizzie’s search for the truth about her mother in The Bletchley Riddle. This exciting story is set during World War 2, and our review panel loved Lizzie’s characterisation as well as the way the story sheds light on the achievements of the Bletchley Park codebreakers which they described as “a historically important story, which is rarely told in children’s literature”.

Here at BooksforTopics, we were saddened to hear of the passing of Jeremy Strong, who created so many unforgettable characters and wrote some of our favourite children’s stories. His final book, Fox Goes North, was written as he navigated terminal cancer and published posthumously, and is strongly recommended by our review panel as “the definitive guide for children on saying goodbye well, in a story that celebrates friendship, home, the woods and the wild”. This book is also featured in our gift guide for 7-9 year olds.

With the festive season just around the corner, take some time together to enjoy a story from our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in December 2024. And if you’re still looking for inspiration for gifts for the young readers in your life, have a look at our hand-picked Christmas gift guides!

It’s easy to feel lost in the flood of so many new children’s books available. Each month, our review panel reads scores of new books and we highlight five of our recently published favourites.

This month, our panel of experienced teachers, librarians and children’s book experts has carefully selected five outstanding titles for you to read. Chris Haughton’s The History of Information offers a unique and engaging perspective on the evolution of human communication, from the earliest cave paintings to the digital age. The review panel highly recommended this as a beautiful children’s gift book that Upper KS2 readers will enjoy exploring, Also for older primary children, Eilish Fisher and Dermot Flynn’s captivating fantasy verse poem, Fia and the Last Snow Deer, is a must-read. With its stunning world-building and unforgettable characters, this book is sure to transport readers to a magical realm and will capture children who have enjoyed the recent popularity of children’s verse novels like The Final Year.

For younger readers, Monica Saigal and Abeeha Tariq’s Papa’s Butter Chicken is a heartwarming tale of family, food, and sharing, celebrating cultural diversity and encouraging young readers to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. The review panel enjoyed this heartwarming picture book so much that it has earned a place on our brand-new Community Themed Booklist. Emily Gravett’s Bothered by Bugs is a fun and informative look at the importance of insects in our ecosystem and is a must-read for those who have previously enjoyed Emily Gravett’s witty and detailed picturebook offerings. For a dose of giggles at storytime, Seb Davey and Alex Willmore’s Donut Touch! is a hilarious and interactive story about sharing and friendship, perfect for younger readers.

As darker November evenings draw in, snuggle up in the warmth of a story from our Review Panel’s top new children’s books for you to read in November 2024.