Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Seasonal Events

The Big Freeze

Picturebook

Shama and Bahama Llama can’t wait for winter – skating, snowballs, hot chocolate . . . and best of all, the Winter Woolly Party!

But when The Big Freeze suddenly arrives they discover that their jumpers are in a sorry state! Cue a major panic as everyone sets out on a wild race to Granny Brock’s Jumper Shop to nab the perfect woolly jumpers.

Will they make it to the top of the queue before she sells out? Or will they learn that sometimes the only way to get what you want is to work together?

The perfect winter warmer, with a gentle message about working together and a light environmental touch.

Snow Birds

Jenni Desmond & Kirsten Hall

Picturebook

Discover birds who survive winter against all odds in this poetic, gorgeously illustrated picture book.

Snowflakes whirling, snow-flocks swirling, streaks of white twirl through the night…

You’ve heard of birds who migrate to warmer climates in the wintertime-but what about those who persevere through snowy weather and freezing temperatures? With elegant verse and striking illustrations, Snow Birds salutes the brave and resourceful birds who adapt to survive the coldest months.

The Snowy Day

Ezra Jack Keats

Picturebook

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season.

New York Public Library’s #1 book on the list of “Top Check Outs of All Time”

In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day.

Bear Has a Story to Tell

Erin E Stead & Phillip C Stead

Picturebook

It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy. But first, Bear had a story to tell . . . And so Bear sets out to tell his friends, but with winter fast approaching they are all far too busy to listen. By the time Bear is through helping his friends get ready for winter, will anyone still be awake to hear his story?

I Love the Seasons: Winter

Lizzie Scott & Stephanie Fizer Coleman

Non-fiction

Young children can explore and discuss the season of winter with this beautiful non-fiction picture book. Very simple text, high frequency and decodeable words and strong art-to-text matching make this a perfect book for early readers. It also features questions to encourage readers to relate the information to their own experiences.

It is part of the series ‘I Love the Seasons’ which helps young children aged 4+ to discover the seasons. The books are great for seasonable topics and projects in the early years.

Action Replay: 25 Greatest Moments in Sports

Adam Skinner & Mai Ly Degnanan

Non-fiction

Slam the ball home with Michael Jordan. Scale mountain heights with Marielle Goitschel. Flip through the air with Simone Biles. Take a front-row seat and relive history’s greatest sporting moments as they happened. This richly illustrated book showcases the defining moment of notable athletes from around the world in more than twenty sports, making it a treasure trove for all the family to share.

Michael Jordan (Little People, Big Dreams)

Lo Harris & Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Non-fiction

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of time.

Little Michael wanted to be the first at everything – especially if that meant beating his older brother. One day, he came home crying… he’d been rejected from the basketball team at school. With his mum’s message of ‘go out and earn it’ ringing in his ears, Michael practised all summer. Soon he was the star of the team , going from school, to college, to the Olympics.

After six titles, more than 1,000 games and exactly 32,292 points, MJ had become a sporting legend, who encouraged kids to ‘make it happen!’ This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back , including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the baller’s life.

Wheelchair Sports at the Paralympics: Paralympic Sports

Matt Bowers

Non-fiction

Find out all about Paralympic wheelchair sports and the people who participate in them in this exciting photo-illustrated book. Events covered include Paralympic basketball, tennis, rugby and fencing, with descriptions of their rules and how they differ from their Olympic counterparts. The accessible text includes a Q&A element, as well as information features such as a glossary and index.

Christmas Books (KS2)

Best Christmas Books for Children Aged 7-11

Our list of the best children’s books about Christmas features books that celebrate the joy of the festive season, as well as stories about being kind to others, celebrating with loved ones and enjoying the magic of Christmas Eve. Get into the festive spirit with our hand-picked recommendations of children’s books all about Christmas, featuring plenty of appearances from Father Christmas, herds of flying reindeer and magical snowmen…

As the festive season unfolds, children looking for Christmas chapter books will delight in funny festive favourites such as The Christmas Carrolls, heartwarming and magical tales of friends made from snow like in Sophie Anderson’s The Snow Girl, and action-packed Christmas adventures like Sprouts.

Our handpicked selection includes a range of recommended Christmas stories for children aged 7-11. If you are looking for Christmas picturebooks for younger readers, try our Christmas EYFS/KS1 booklist.

Books about Winter

Best children’s books about Winter

As the air turns chilly and mornings become frosty, why not cosy up inside with a book all about the season of Winter? Our selection of best children’s books about Winter covers everything from magical snowmen and beautiful snowflakes to winter bird migration and hibernating animals…

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