New children's books we love

Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we like best in March: guaranteed to get your child reading... 

Whether they're a teeny toddler or a very particular teen, this is where you can find your child's next amazing book: just scroll down to find books for a range of ages. 

We've sorted our favourite new books into rough age ranges, but this is just a guide and readers might find something they'll love in a different category. 

Fancy writing a book review yourself? Read our handy guide and have a go!

How to write a book review

For ages 0-3 and up

Mirror Magic: Hello Bunny!

Author: Sharon King-Chai

Bunny is in a magical mirror world! Can you spot the other creatures too? An innovative, unique board book that’s perfect for young children with additional sensory needs. 

Read more about Mirror Magic: Hello Bunny!

Get Dressed Belly Button!

Author: Lucie Brunellière

A completely unique, original baby book that will delight both babies and adults. Turn the pages to layer on the clothes and get the baby dressed! 

Read more about Get Dressed Belly Button!

First Friends: Shapes

Author: Mk Smith Despres Illustrator: Aya Watanabe

A lovely first concept book about the everyday shapes in a busy nursery. 

Read more about First Friends: Shapes

The Only Monster

Author: Matt Coyne Illustrator: Brendan Kearney

A little monster gets sad that she doesn’t have any siblings until Dad reassures her that families are measured by love and not numbers.

Read more about The Only Monster

Slug Life

Author: Moesha Kellaway 

Join Stevie the World’s grumpiest slug as he learns about all the things that makes slugs special in this hilarious picture book. A mixture ofnarrative and non-fiction with excellent illustrations 

Read more about Slug Life

Wrong Time Rooster

Author: Michael Parkin

This lovely, sweet and funny book is both an amusing animal story but also a useful guide to telling the time.

Read more about Wrong Time Rooster

Are You a Hungry Monster?

Author: Guilherme Karsten

Monster Friend makes a yucky sandwich for lunch, but when he eats it, he realises maybe heshouldn’t have…

Read more about Are You a Hungry Monster?

Recycling Day: What Happens to the Things We Throw Away

Author: Polly Faber Illustrator: Klas Fahlén

Faber and Fahlén’s brightly illustrated bookshows children the mechanics of what happens in different kinds of recycling and waste control solutions, demystifying what happens to things when we throw them away.

Read more about Recycling Day: What Happens to the Things We Throw Away

Rescue Crew

Author: Suzy Senior Illustrator: Mike Byrne

Mechanic Cat and Rescue Rat are the best at fixing vehicles and rescuing their pals. That's why they are called the Rescue Crew. But when the Rescue Crew’s breakdown truck gets stuck, who will be able to save them? 

Read more about Rescue Crew

We Are Definitely Human

Author: X Fang

An alien family crash into the house of Mr and Mrs Li and insist they are human.  

Read more about We Are Definitely Human

The Night Before Holi

Author: Swapna Haddow Illustrator: Aditi Kakade Beaufrand

Who will win the powder paint challenge? One girl and her grandad will try their best. A colourful celebration of a colourful festival! 

Read more about The Night Before Holi

Irish Book of the Month

Meep

Author: Máire Zepf Illustrator: Paddy Donnelly

Meep the robot is sent to Mars to search for aliens, but there are none to be seen. Littledoes she know, there are in fact hundreds of cheeky aliens just out of sight! A superbly illustrated space adventure. 

Read more about Meep

For ages 4-5 and up

The Footballing Fairy

Author: Elli Woollard Illustrator: Irina Avgustinovich

Femi the fairy adores playing football, but her shots aren't always on target, which often gets her into trouble. A charming picture book about following your dreams, with rhyming text and vibrant illustrations.  

Read more about The Footballing Fairy

You and Your Body

Author: Dr Punam Krishan Illustrator: Verónika Cháves Morales

Your heart is constantly pumping blood. Your lungs are always breathing. And your brain controls it all! Find out more details in this fun and informative lift-the-flap book. 

Read more about You and Your Body

Water Songs: A Cascade of Poems

Author: Mandy Ross Illustrator: Sam Rudd

Featuring poems about the many songs of water, from the cracks of glaciers and the whirl of blizzards to the rushing of rivers and the crashing of the sea, Mandy Ross considers water in all its diversity in this illustrated collection of new poems.

Read more about Water Songs: A Cascade of Poems

For ages 6-8 and up

Meet the Mubbles

Author: Liz Pichon

The mischievous Mubbles live in peace on the Isle of Smile until a mysterious delivery begins to cause chaos. Liz Pichon’s first graphic novel for younger readers is a huge amount of silly fun!  

Read more about Meet the Mubbles

Squeak! Squawk! Roar! Amazing Animal Poems

Author: Kate Williams Illustrator: Hannah Asen

This delightful collection of poems celebrates a host of different animals, from buzzy wasps and delicate dragonflies to elegant elephants and graceful giraffes.  

Read more about Squeak! Squawk! Roar! Amazing Animal Poems

The Notwitches

Author: Gary Panton Illustrator: Dotty Sutton

MelandaNotwitch's three awful aunts make her life a misery, so she turns to magic to rid herself of the problem. This outlandish adventure features a host of larger-than-life characters who are brought to life by superb black-and-white illustrations. 

Read more about The Notwitches

Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower

Author: Nathanael Lessore Illustrator: Simran Diamond Singh

In a town full of people with powers, will Sara ever find her superpower? Solving the mystery of the stolen football trophy might help. The first in a hilarious series for young readers. 

Read more about Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower

Julius Zebra: Commotion in Ancient China

Author: Gary Northfield

This madcap historical adventure is told both in regular text and as lively and hilarious cartoons making it ideal for reluctant readers or lovers of graphic novels. 

Read more about Julius Zebra: Commotion in Ancient China

Wales Book of the Month

My Dog

Author: Olivia Wakeford Illustrator: David Litchfield

Rhys has to move to London from Wales, to live with his dad. But Dad doesn’t know about his new dog Worthington . . . Beautifully moving.  

Read more about My Dog

Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion

Author: Abiola Bello Illustrator: Emma McCann

Twins Misha and Ziggy have secret superpowers! Misha can talk to animals and Ziggy can shapeshift into them. But can they save a black lion without their dad finding out? Fun magical adventure. 

Read more about Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion

For ages 9-11 and up

Vanya and the Wild Hunt

Author: Sangu Mandanna Illustrator: Kristina Kister

11-year-old Vanya is catapulted into a world of magic and monsters when she joins the enchanted school of Auramere. There, she must battle against the forces of the Old Ones and a dark family secret.. 

Read more about Vanya and the Wild Hunt

Wildlands

Author: Brogen Murphy

Set in a utopian landscape and addressing big questions about humanity’s relationship with the environment, this is a gripping and refreshingly original story of survival against the odds. 

Read more about Wildlands

Hidden Treasure

Author: Jessie Burton

Bo finds a beautiful jewel when mudlarking next to the Thames. But others want it too – and will stop at nothing to get it. A magical, historical adventure. 

Read more about Hidden Treasure

Café Chaos

Author: Catherine Wilkins Illustrator: Katie Abey

Hope’s family cafe desperately needs money, but can dressing up as a giant ice cream really save it? Relatable, funny and relevant for all those moving up to secondary school.  

Read more about Café Chaos

Grumpfort

Author: Jamie Hammond

Mo is a reluctant warden and monster catcher. In an effort to prove himself, he ends up on a perilous adventure with a band of monsters and discovers that their terrible reputation is not entirely accurate. 

Read more about Grumpfort

The Day My School Got Famous

Author: Jen Carney

Ferris’s new foster brother is a tornado of chaos, but when their school is closed down, can the foster brothers work together? Funny and moving, and packed with comic strips and cartoons. 

Read more about The Day My School Got Famous

Ella Jones vs the Sun Stealer

Author: Lucy Edwards with Katy Birchall Illustrator: Caroline Garcia

All humans have been plunged into darkness by a pagan god and only Ella Jones and her trusty guide dog can save them. Gripping. 

Read more about Ella Jones vs the Sun Stealer

The Beck

Author: Anthony McGowan

Kyle bonds with his eccentric grandad over ashared passion for protecting wildlife in a local stream.This powerful book includes themes of illness and bullying but maintains an optimistic, humorous tone.  

Read more about The Beck

It’s a Brave Young World: A Guide to Life, Relationships and Speaking Up

Author: Anu Adebogun Illustrator: Soofiya & Lila Cruz

In this appealing, friendly and informative book, Anu Adebogun guides young people through a variety of personal development, cultural and social topics as they grow into tweens and teenagers.

Read more about It’s a Brave Young World: A Guide to Life, Relationships and Speaking Up

Bookfinder

Use the Bookfinder to find the perfect book for you, your family and friends.

You can use our special tools to search hundreds of children's book reviews by age, category and theme.

Try the Bookfinder now

You might also like...

Themed booklists

Looking for a great book on a theme? Our booklists cover a large range of subjects, from everyday issues to genre, disability, diversity, sporty books, funny books and more.

Great Books Guide

Looking for new books to get kids hooked? The Great Books Guide gives you the lowdown on the ONE HUNDRED best children's books published in the last year.

100 best books over 100 years

This is our list of the 100 best books for children from the last 100 years. It is the ultimate booklist to read before you're 14, with books for children across a wide range of ages.