Great Books Guide 2024-25: best new children's books

Here are 100 books from the last year that we think are great – and so will children.

Our priority is to get children excited about books, stories and rhymes because if reading is fun, children will want to do it. That's why we've put together this guide full of books we think are absolutely brilliant, carefully chosen to engage and excite children from 4 to 11. We believe that the "right" book is always the book a child wants to read – and we hope this guide inspires you to find that book. 

Win all 100 books for your school here!

Check out the books by age below, or download the full Great Books Guide 2024-25 (PDF, 10 MB).

We are partnering with Browns, who offer a schools discount. For every book sold through this link, Browns will make a donation to BookTrust. 

Order from Browns

Alternatively, order books from Waterstones. They are also donating to BookTrust with every sale from this page.

Order from Waterstones (affiliate link)

Search great children's books by age

We've grouped together the books by interest age. Click on the list to see the books and read our reviews.

Does a Bear Wash Its Hair?

Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 4 to 5 year olds

Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 4 to 5 will love.

Carrie and the Roller Boots

Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 6 to 7 year olds

Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 6 to 7 will love.

Taking Shelter a Hugh Dunnit Mystery

Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 8 to 9 year olds

Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year, which we think any child aged 8 to 9 will love.

Saffiyah’s War

Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 10 to 11 year olds

Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year (2024), which we think any child aged 10 to 11 will love.

Rewild

Great Books Guide 2024-25: For 11+

Our Great Books Guide recommends brilliant children's books for 4-11 year-olds - but we also have some suggestions to keep them reading as they get older!

ration of a girl smiling while reading with a big pile of books next to her

Great Books Guide Cymru 2024-25

Here are over 100 books from the last year that we think are great – and so will children.

View the Great Books Guide Cymru

Decorate the staff room with our poster!

This year, our Great Books Guide is being sent to primary schools along with a fun poster highlighting how school staff model a love of reading.

You can download an additional copy of the poster! 

Download the poster

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Themed booklists

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Find a great book for your child

Looking for the best book for a 5-year-old? Trying to find something great to read out loud? We may well have the answer – just see for yourself.

New books we love

Illustration of a toddler riding a horse to a castle with a dragon inside

Our favourite reads of the month

We review lots of new books every month, and here's where you can find the ones we liked best of all.

Search past Guides

Supported by:

If your organisation is interested in supporting the Great Books Guide 2024-25, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].