Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Y1 50 Recommended Reads

You Matter

Picturebook

For fans of Jon Klassen, this sensitive and impactful picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Christian Robinson is all about seeing the world from different points of view, and the perfect entry point for parents to help teach their little people about empathy and community.

The small stuff too small to see.
Those who swim with the tide and those who don’t.
The first to go and the last.
You matter.

In this bright and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored – from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding, from the hugest dinosaur to the tiniest fly.

Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected and that everyone matters.

Paddington

Michael Bond & R. W. Alley

Picturebook

The Paddington Bear books by Michael Bond are classic stories for children and have been enjoyed for years. Paddington is a real bear, all the way from darkest Peru, and his well-meaning misadventures in England are funny.

Paddington moves in with the Brown Family in London and has a series of accidental adventures with his new clan. The stories have a timeless appeal and there is something charming about all the mishaps that Paddington finds himself in.

Paddington is a loveable and memorable iconic children’s character and the stories are really well told, with warmth and gentle humour that is perfect for children aged 5-8.

Search and Find A Number of Numbers

AJ Wood & Allan Sanders

Picturebook

Take a ride through 26 fully illustrated search and find spreads, each one themed on a number.

Count the animals going into Noah’s Ark two-by-two, spot 13 scary skeletons at the haunted house on Halloween and visit Farm Fifteen where everything from one scarecrow through to 15 apples need to be found. Allan Sanders’ weird and wonderful drawings are packed full of funny things to spot and plenty of Where’s Waldo style humour, making this the best way to learn your 1, 2, 3s…

Great for parents and guardians to use with kids, or for young readers to enjoy independently, the 26 fun puzzles will keep readers entertained for hours.

Monster Hungry Phone

Fred Benaglia & Sean Taylor

Picturebook

Monster is HUNGRY. He wants PIZZA. And he’s got a PHONE! But uh oh . . . who is he going to call?

Hold the line – Monster is in for a wild ride!

WARNING: This book may make you laugh your socks off!

A hilarious picture book that’s perfect for anyone who’s ever REALLY wanted PIZZA. With bold, bright illustrations by the talented Fred Benaglia, it’s an unmissable treat, and perfect for fans of Oi Frog!

Kitty and the Twilight Trouble

Jenny Løvlie & Paula Harrison

Chapter book

Paula Harrison’s early reader series features a girl called Kitty and her crew of felines as they embark upon brave rooftop adventures in the moonlight.

Illustrated in cool blacks and oranges, these fun-filled mystery adventures with talking cats are likely to be a purrrfectly popular independent reading choice among ages 6-8. Brilliant for fans of Isadora Moon or for those looking to make the leap into chapter books for the first time.

My Dad is a Grizzly Bear

Dapo Adeola & Swapna Haddow

Picturebook

This is a sweet story about one imaginative boy’s special bond with his father, whom he images as a loveable grizzly bear. It’s full of humour, from the exaggerated facial expressions and bear-like attributes captured in Dapo Adeola’s vibrant illustrations, to the humorous asides in the text about Dad’s wild habits.

This is a playful and heartwarming picture book that perfectly captures the way in which young children observe familiar adults with curiosity, wonder and imagination – but also with pure adoration. Filled with giggles and with the theme of family bonds at its heart, this is a bear-illiant choice for storytime.

Tiger Walk

Dianne Hofmeyr & Jesse Hodgson

Picturebook

One day Tom draws a tiger, inspired by his visit to the art gallery… That night, when Tom can’t sleep, the tiger pads out of his drawing and purrs, “Let’s go for a walk!” It’s the beginning of a magical and life-changing adventure, as the tiger helps Tom to overcome some of his biggest fears.

Lights on Cotton Rock

David Litchfield

Picturebook

An out-of-this-world picture book from David Litchfield, the best-selling author of The Bear and the Piano and Grandad’s Secret Giant .
Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Heather is a little girl who wants to go to Outer Space, where the stars sparkle with magic and wonder . When a spaceship lands at Cotton Rock, it seems that all of her dreams have come true. But soon the alien has to leave. Will the spaceship ever come back? And if it does, is Heather ready to leave everything on Earth behind? This beautiful story for ages 4-7 about family and dreams travels through space and time to show us that what we are looking for might be closer than we think.

David Litchfield is the author of best-selling books including The Bear and the Piano , which won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize , Illustrated Book Category in 2016 and has sold over 120,000 copies in the UK.

Around the World in 80 Ways

DK & Katy Halford

Non-fiction, Picturebook

A fascinating and engaging picture book exploring 80 exciting ways to travel, both past and present – from the obvious, to the crazy!
Travel around the world by yacht, tram, train, unicycle, jetpack, camel… any way you can imagine, in this non-fiction children’s book.
Every mode of transport is part of a charming scene. See how astronauts travel around space, watch surfers ride the waves at the beach, and race to an emergency with the firefighters. Illustrator Katy Halford’s beautiful drawings brings the scenes to life and fun complementary facts will prompt discussion and laughter between readers. How would you choose to travel? Donkey, pedalo, moon buggy? From the small to the big, the familiar to obscure, take your pick from the amazing 80 shown in DK’s Around the Way in 80 Ways!

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Jill Tomlinson & Paul Howard

Chapter book

This beautiful story about a little barn owl who struggles to fight his fear of the dark is a true classic story book for children.

Plop the barn owl is afraid of the dark. To help him overcome his fear, Mummy Owl sends Plop on a mission to seek out the opinions of others about the dark. He finds out from children, adults and a cat that they all have things they love about the dark. In the end, Plop decides he can embrace the night time darkness like a true nocturnal creature.

This is a joyful short chapter book, tenderly told by Jill Tomlinson, whose animal stories are highly recommended for Key Stage 1.

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