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Books beginning with: T

• A Beginner’s Guide to Ruling the Galaxy

  Author: David Solomons
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  From the most mundane town in the universe to the chaos and exhilaration of battles in outer space and the trauma of almost being eaten by a drooling alien, this surreal, sci-fi adventure will take you on the ride of your life.

• A Double Detectives Medical Mystery: The Cure for a Crime

  Author: Roopa Farooki
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Ali and Tulip's surgeon mum starts acting strangely, it's up to the Double Detectives to solve the mystery.

• A Passing on of Shells

  Author: Simon Lamb Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  This collection of 50 poems, each written in 50 words, will inspire young readers – and make them laugh too. Chris Riddell’s stunning illustrations make this the perfect poetry package.

• Adventures on Trains: The Highland Falcon Thief

  Author: M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Hal doesn't want to join his uncle on the Highland Falcon as it makes its way to Scotland - but when he meets Lenny, a stowaway train enthusiast and the driver's daughter, the two embark on a thrilling adventure to find missing jewels and identify the culprit. Ideal for independent readers who love a good old-fashioned mystery.

• Bedtime Stories: Incredible Irish Tales from the Past

  Author: Rachel Pierce (and 11-year-old Lola-Mae McCormack) Illustrator: Donough O’Malley Erin Brown Eva Byrne Linda Fahrlin Lydia Hughes Róisín and Úna Woods (cover endpapers and border Jennifer Davison)
  Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This entertaining and informative collection of illustrated short stories shines a light on key people and events from Irish history.

• Black Poppies

  Author: Stephen Bourne
  Publisher: The History Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This informative and thought-provoking collection of true stories shines a light on the contributions made by Britain’s Black community during the First World War.

• Gamayun Tales I

  Author: Alexander Utkin Translator: Lada Morozova
  Publisher: Nobrow
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Gamayun, the magical human-faced bird of Slavic mythology, narrates this vibrant and luxurious graphic novel for younger readers. The story is magical and full of the strangeness of the original fairytale that inspired it.

• Lilly & Myles: The Torch

  Author: Jon Roberts and Hannah Rounding
  Publisher: Graffeg Books
  Interest age: 3-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Lilly is holidaying at Grandma’s seaside house in Wales.  She always enjoys her gran’s tall stories about sea monsters living in a cave nearby. When it finally stops raining, Lilly can’t wait to get outside and explore - especially as she’s found an old torch to play with. 

• Secret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street

  Author: Robin Birch Illustrator: Jobe Anderson
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  When best friends Aisha and Jayden become members of the Secret Beast Club, their first magical mission is to rescue a lost unicorn foal before he falls into the wrong hands. An exciting fantasy adventure for confident young readers.

  ---

  Y llyfr llawn cyffro hwn ydy'r cyntaf yn y gyfres Secret Beast Club ac mae'n cynnwys prif gymeriadau Duon ac mae'n ddelfrydol…

• Sticky Pines: The Bigwoof Conspiracy

  Author: Dashe Roberts
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Strange things are happening in the town of Sticky Pines: odd lights in the sky, people disappearing, and now a huge, hairy creature is hanging out in the woods. Can Lucy and Milo unravel the mystery of Bigwoof? Written with wit and humour, Roberts has created a fun new series reminiscent of the X-Files and pitched perfectly for 9-12 year-olds.

• Tabby McTat

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A poetic story of love, adventure and music that demands to be read aloud or possibly sung, depending on the power of the reader's purr.

• Tacos: An Interactive Recipe Book

  Author: Lotta Nieminen
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 2-4
  

  Learn how to make delicious tacos with this fun, interactive, pull-out-and-slide recipe book.

• Ta-Da!

  Author: Kathy Ellen Davis Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  A girl and boy play together with their toys, imagining crystal castles, dragons, pirates and magic wands. This humorous picture book about imaginative play and friendship demonstrates that – with a little give and take – a game shared can be double the fun.

• Tangled Tales: Movies, Magic, Mayhem!

  Author: Jenny Moore Illustrator: Sarah Horne
  Publisher: Maverick Publishing
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Two interlinked stories in one – flip the book to read the second one. Will Derek the vampire and Ruby the unusual fairy become film stars? 

• Tanglewood Animal Park: Baby Zebra Rescue

  Author: Tamsyn Murray
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 7+

  Zoe loves her new home at Tanglewood Animal Park. But can she find Flash, the baby zebra, who goes missing on the morning of the grand opening? An exciting animal adventure with lots of interesting facts - perfect for animal lovers.

• Tanglewood Animal Park: The Troublesome Tiger

  Author: Tamsyn Murray
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Zoe is bursting with excitement – Tindu the tiger is arriving today at Tanglewood Animal Park, all the way from a zoo in Berlin. But when Tindu arrives, he won’t come out of his crate. Perfect for animal lovers.

• Tanglewreck

  Author:
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  This complex but utterly readable book, encompasses chaos theory and time travel but is also filled with humorous asides and a cast of memorable characters.

• Tail-end Charlie

  Author: Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Mick Manning has carefully recreated the hair-raising tales his father told him about life as an RAF tail-gunner during the Second World War

• Take Back the Skies

  Author: Lucy Saxon
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 10+

  As an introduction to other-world fantasy fiction this is engaging and accessible but it will appeal most to younger teens.

• Take the Lead: How to Care for Your Dog

  Author: Elena Browne Illustrator: Jennifer Farley
  Publisher: O'Brien
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This is an excellent handbook for those who are looking for a four-legged addition to grow their family, detailing everything from choosing a breed to grooming to health and well-being.

• Takeshita Demons

  Author: Cristy Burne
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Miku moved to England from Japan, she never imagined that evil spirits would follow her. But one day an unusual looking supply teacher appears at school, and Miku suspects she may be a demon in disguise.

• Taking Shelter (A Hugh Dunnit Mystery)

  Author: Guy Bass Illustrator: Lee Cosgrove
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Hugh is determined to clear his dog's name when she's accused of eating his homework. This hilarious chapter book is full of witty one-liners, daft puns and dynamic black-and-white illustrations.

• Tales From Acorn Wood: Cat’s Cookbook

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan
  

  Part of the adorable Acorn Wood series, Cat’s Cookbook extols the importance of libraries in a fun way, reminding us how nice it is to browse for a book and also find exactly the one we wanted.

• Tales from Acorn Wood: Opposites

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  

  Donaldson and Scheffler are already household names for those with young children, and now even the very newest members of the family can enjoy their work in this lovely board book about opposites, full of traditional illustration.

• Tales from Africa

  Author: K P Kojo Illustrator: Joe Lillington
  Publisher: Puffin Classics
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  A collection of nine diverse African folktales reflecting both the good and bad sides of human nature. Rich and humorous, they will resonate in any culture.

• Tales From Beyond The Rainbow

  Author: Collected and adapted by Pete Jordi Wood
  Publisher: Penguin Random House
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Ancient folklore celebrating LGBTQ+ stories is unearthed and retold in this stunningly illustrated collection of queer fairy tales.

• Tales from India

  Author: Bali Rai
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Discover India’s rich folk-tale heritage and ancient cultures, with this captivating collection of both popular and lesser known, mostly secular Indian folk tales – reworked for a modern audience.

• Tales from Old Ireland

  Author: Malachy Doyle Illustrator: Niamh Sharkey
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Interest age: 6-12
  Reading age: 8+

  This stunningly illustrated collection of stories has its roots in oral storytelling and features giants, demons and wicked stepmothers, with a good dose of magic, cruelty and gentle humour.

• Tales From Outer Suburbia

  Author: Shaun Tan
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 10+

  These often thought-provoking stories look at the reactions ordinary people have to the unusual situations they find themselves in and feature a host of different illustrative styles ranging from collage to painterly Edward Hopper-esque scenes.

• Tales from Schwartzgarten: Osbert the Avenger

  Author: Christopher William Hill
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 9+

  A macabre tale full of ghoulish and gruesome escapades.

• Tales from the Caribbean

  Author: Trish Cooke
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 8+

  Here’s a brilliant collection of tales from all over the Caribbean, perfect for children to read to themselves, but best of all to read together out loud. Some of the stories are famous but each one in this book feels fresh with Trish’s brilliant retelling.

• Tales from the Celtic Countries

  Author: Rhiannon Ifans Illustrator: Margaret Jones
  Publisher: Y Lolfa
  Interest age: 6-13
  Reading age: 8+

  This unusual story collection features a total of 12 tales from the six Celtic countries. Fabulous, ethereal illustrations capture the magical nature of the narratives which, like all the oldest fables, are rather grisly but also hilarious and quirky.

• Tales from the Dead of Night

  Author: Cecily Gayford
  Publisher: Profile Books
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 14+

  Prepare to be scared! Collecting the best of classic ghost stories from E.Nesbit to Ruth Rendell, this anthology is the perfect match to any Halloween party.

• Tales From Weird Street

  Author: Anne Fine Illustrator: Vicki Gausden
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Interspersed with black-and-white illustrations to complement the super readable text, this masterclass in storytelling from a distinguished author is fascinating, entertaining and just creepy enough to leave readers feeling a little bit uneasy.

• Tales of Terror from the Black Ship

  Author: Chris Priestley Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 11+

  Deliciously chilling tales of demons, horrors, curses and hauntings.

• Tales of Terror from the Tunnel's Mouth

  Author: Chris Priestley Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 9+

  The nine tales are contained within an other tale, each as delightfully horrible as the next, and perfect for dark winter nights, to be read out loud or to oneself.

• Tales of the Otori: Across the Nightingale Floor

  Author:
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  A taut, compelling tale in the Samurai warrior tradition

• Tales of World War II: Amazing True Stories from the War that Shook the World

  Author: Dr Hattie Hearn Illustrator: Margarida Esteves
  Publisher: Neon Squid
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Dr Hattie Hearn’s fascinating book of true stories from World War II, which begins with the reasons the war began and takes the reader through the main events and on towards peace, focuses on the human stories behind such a bewildering global event.

• Talking is Not My Thing!

  Author: Rose Robbins
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 3-7

  With speech bubbles, bright colours and characters so lively they leap off the page, this is a vibrant and happy book with a lead character who is non-verbal.

• Talking to Alaska

  Author: Anna Woltz Translator: Laura Watkinson
  Publisher: OneWorld
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 11+

  It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies. Parker’s had a terrible summer and just wants to be invisible, while Sven is desperate to make an impression and be known as anything other than ‘that kid with epilepsy.’

  When Parker discovers her beloved dog Alaska – who she had to give away last year – now belongs to Sv…

• Talking to the Moon

  Author: S.E. Durrant
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Iris’ grandmother is losing her memory. While protecting her, Iris tracks down the secret behind a bracelet and develops a tentative friendship with the boy next door.

• Tall Story

  Author: Candy Gourlay
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Engagingly told in alternate chapters by four-foot, thirteen year-old Andi, in the UK, and her eight-foot, sixteen year-old half brother Bernardo, in the Philippines

• Tall, Thin and Blonde

  Author:
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Jen and Amy have been best friends forever, but when they start High School, they find themselves growing apart.

• Tally & Squill: in a sticky situation

  Author: Abie Longstaff Illustrator: James Brown
  Publisher: Little Brown
  Interest age: 5-9
  Reading age: 8+

  A magical adventure story set in a huge, old house, where a fesity young girl and her pet squirrel must use ancient secrets to solve the mystery of a midnight burglary. 

• Tamar

  Author: Mal Peet
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 9+

  When Tamar's grandfather dies, he leaves behind a box with her name on it. Inside she finds a series of clues and hidden messages which she and her cousin follow...

• Tamara Small and the Monster's Ball

  Author: Giles Paley-Philips Illustrator: Gabriele Antonini
  Publisher: Maverick Arts Publishing
  Reading age: 6+

  It’s a dark night and Tamara Small is whisked away from her bed by a hairy monster to join the Monsters' Ball

• Tamarind and the Star of Ishta

  Author: Jasbinder Bilan
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Tamarind's mum died when she was a baby, so when she goes to stay with her family deep in the Himalayan mountains she's destermined to find out all she can about her. But the house - and family - holds many more secrets than Tamarind thought...

• Tamburlaine's Elephants

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Rusti, a young nomad, lives on the fringes of the warrior horde of Tamburlaine the Great, a powerful ruler whose brutality is legendary.

• Tamsin and the Deep

  Author: Neill Cameron and Kate Brown
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8-12

  A fantastic graphic novel from the team at children's comic The Phoenix, this is a page-turning adventure with a great main character in brave, athletic and reckless Tamsin.

• Tanka Tanka Skunk

  Author: Steve Webb
  Publisher: Random House
  

  • Meet Tanka, the elephant and his friend Skunka.

  • Full of rhythm, great for reading aloud.

  • Enjoy the brightly coloured pictures, this book is bursting with fun!

• Tape

  Author: Steven Camden
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  In 1993, Ryan records a diary on a cassette tape. Twenty years later, Ameliah discovers an old tape in her grandmother's spare room: a tape with a boy's voice on it, speaking directly to her.

• Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine

  Author: Claire Fayers
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An action-packed, otherworldly adventure story featuring lobster assassins, an interworld organised crime gang, a talking plant who is very fond of eggs and a river that swallows memories.

• Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy

  Author: Andy Briggs
  Publisher: Faber Children's Books
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 11+

  A classic with a 21st century twist, this riveting adventure overflows with suspense, danger, brutality and beauty

• Tarzan: The Jungle Warrior

  Author: Andy Briggs
  Publisher: Faber Children's Books
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Reinvented for the 21st-century by Andy Briggs, Tarzan is an eco-warrior - savage and brutal in his dealings with illegal loggers and hunters who plunder his beloved jungle.

• Tatty Ratty

  Author: Helen Cooper
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Molly is very upset when she loses her beloved toy, Tatty Ratty. Her parents console her by helping her imagine all the wonderful adventures Tatty Ratty is having while he is away.

• Teacup House: Meet the Twitches

  Author: Hayley Scott Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Delightful illustrations, bursting with colour, bring this gentle adventure to life. This is the first title in what promises to be an enchanting series of chapter books for newly confident readers.

• Teardrop

  Author: Lauren Kate
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  Ever since her beloved mother died in an astonishing freak accident, Eureka has had little to live for - but then she meets Anders, a strange boy who insists she too is in terrible danger.

• Tease

  Author: Amanda Maciel
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 11+

  Provocative and thought-provoking, this book is sure to divide readers but will certainly get them talking.

• Ted Rules the World

  Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Cate James (cover illustration Chris Riddell)
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7-8

  When a new Prime Minister is elected on Ted’s birthday, strange things begin to happen. At first, Ted thinks it’s a happy coincidence that some of his ideas become government policy. However, as his more obscure thoughts are adopted by the Prime Minister, he wonders if he is genuinely influencing parliamentary decisions. 

• Teddy or Train?

  Author: Anthony Lewis
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Reading age: 2+

  This generously-sized sturdy board book is brimful of babies! Babies playing with cars and bricks, babies swinging and babies reading books.

• Teddy Took the Train

  Author: Nicki Greenberg
  Publisher: Allen & Unwin
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Dot and mummy go shopping and take the train home, but leave Teddy on the train! Oh no! This diverse and heartwarming book encourages children not give in to their fears, especially about separation.

• Telephone

  Author: Mac Barnett Illustrator: Jen Corace
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A colour and pattern-filled picturebook which builds its story on the old children's game, Chinese Whispers.

• Tell me a Dragon

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 5+

  Jackie Morris’s lyrical descriptions imagine each child’s relationship with their own dragon, and the reader is invited to imagine their dragon, too, at the end of the book.

• Tell Me About... Plants

  Author: Emily Dodd Illustrator: Chorkung
  Publisher: Templar Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Did you know that ant plants have ants living inside them? This fantastic first science book is packed with fascinating facts about plants. Perfect for young school children.

• Tell Me the Day Backwards

  Author: Albert Lamb Illustrator: David McPhail
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Reading age: 6+

  In this delightful bedtime story, a young bear tells his mother all about his exciting day - in reverse - inspiring young listeners/readers to do the same

• Tell Tail

  Author: C. K. Smouha Illustrator: Katie Brosnan
  Publisher: Cicada
  

  Dex the dog is a little different to everyone else - he doesn't bark, dig, or fight, but he is happy, his tail won't stop wagging! His family try and get it to stop - but there's a way everyone can be happy together. A thought provoking story about self-expression and acceptance.

• Tempest

  Author: Julie Cross
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 14+

  This gripping time-travel novel fuses the highs and lows of first love with the elements of a fast-paced thriller

• Temple Boys

  Author: Jamie Buxton
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Flea is a pick-pocket, living in Jerusalem in biblical times. When he meets Yeshua and his side-kick Jude, they set off on a dangerous journey.

• Ten Fat Sausages

  Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Tor Freeman
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Everything in this sausagey counting book works perfectly: from the big, bold illustration to the satisfying rhyme that works well for preschoolers. It will also entertain adults and older children, who will really get the silly humour.

• Ten Green Bottoms

  Author: Barry Timms Illustrator: Mike Byrne
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Ten green alien bottoms bounce around, causing mayhem. Based on a well-known song, and with buckets of humour and a light counting theme, this is a very enjoyable read.

• Ten Little Ducklings

  Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Aki
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  A delightful and interactive rhyming book for little ones which uses the Ten Little Ducklings rhyme, but invents a variety of exciting adventures for the ducklings instead, asking readers to play hide and seek with the adorable little ducks. 

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

  Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
  Publisher: Walker Books
  

  With beautiful illustrations of babies born all over the world and gentle rhyming text, this charming book is perfect for sharing with little ones.

• Ten Little Pirates

  Author:
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 4+

  A counting adventure with pirates... and a giant squid!

• Ten Minutes to Bed, Little Unicorn

  Author: Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
  Publisher: Ladybird Books
  

  It’s ten minutes to bedtime, but Twinkle the little unicorn is showing no sign of sleepiness! This bedtime read, which features a rhyming countdown, is just the thing to help little ones wind down at the end of a busy day.

• Ten Terrible Dinosaurs

  Author: Paul Strickland
  Publisher: Picture Corgi
  Interest age: 3-8
  Reading age: 5+

  A fun rhyming counting book which small children will love. They can learn the words, point at the pictures, count the dinosaurs and copy their comical jigging and jiving. Exuberant and amusing illustrations complement the text in this welcome reprint of a popular classic. 

• Ten Ways to Build a Brilliant Brain

  Author: Nicola Morgan Illustrator: Risa Rodil
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  We all have a brain, but it’s likely that, ironically, we very rarely ever think about what it’s doing for us all day long (and at night). But it’s doing some pretty amazing things: keeping us breathing, giving us dreams, regulating our blood pressure and all manner of other complicated things.

• Ten-Word Tiny Tales

  Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Various
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Twenty different artists illustrate twenty different stories in an atmospheric, thought-provoking volume. A visually striking, inspiring call to creativity and imagination.

• Terra

  Author: Mitch Benn
  Publisher: Gollancz
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 12+

  Lbbp, resident of the city of Hrrng in the country of Mlml on the distant planet Fnrr, has a problem in the shape of a tiny human baby.

• Terrible Horses

  Author: Raymond Antrobus Illustrator: Ken Wilson Max
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  Reading age: 6+

  A young boy looks up to his older sister but feels lonely when they argue. He shares his feelings through pictures, and they grow closer. 

• Terror Kid

  Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
  Publisher: Hot Key
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  A powerful, accessible and revelatory novel with its finger firmly on the pulse of contemporary social and political issues.

• Terry Perkins and his Upside Down Frown

  Author: Felix Massie
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  This is a funny, quirky and thought-provoking picture book, with appealing rhyming text.

• Test Trouble

  Author: Serena Patel Illustrator: Louise Forshaw
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Arun hates tests, so when his teacher sets a timed maths test, he does everything he can to get out of it. This light-hearted chapter book explores the importance of resilience and is ideal for reluctant readers.

• Ti a Dy Gorff

  Author: Adam Kay Translator: Eiry Miles
  Publisher: Rily
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Mae creu llyfr ffeithiol sydd hefyd yn gwneud i blant chwerthin yn dipyn o her ond dyna’n union mae Adam Kay wedi llwyddo i’w wneud yn y llyfr hwn.

  ---

  Creating a non-fiction book that also makes children laugh is quite a challenge and that’s exactly what Adam Kay has succeeded to do in this book. 

• Tiara Friends: The Case of the Stolen Crown

  Author: Paula Harrison Illustrator: Michelle Ouellette
  Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Best friends Princess Millie and maid Jess look so similar that they often trade places. When a crown is stolen, the pair team up to solve the mystery of its disappearance. The first in a series of royal crime capers.

• Tickle Time

  Author: Igloo Books
  Publisher: Igloo Books
  

  Red Monster is out and about, playing with his friends. Racing in the garden, jumping around the park and whooshing through town, they’re playing their favourite game: tickling! Red Monster thinks he’s the best at tickling, but what’ll happen when his friends catch up with him and tickle him too?

• Tickle, Tickle

  Author: Helen Oxenbury
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 0+

  Ideal for any time of the day, especially bathtime and bedtime, the language and repetition make this book good to read aloud.

• Tidy

  Author: Emily Gravett
  Publisher: Two Hoots
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Pete the badger likes to keep everything neat and tidy, but his over-zealous cleaning begins to have a damaging impact on the forest. This entertaining picture book, with its rich illustrations, carries an important environmental message.

• Tiddler

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 3-6
  

  Although he looks small and ordinary, Tiddler is a fish who loves to tell tall tales. But one day he is swept up in a fisherman's net and then thrown back in to an unfamiliar part of the sea.

• Tiger

  Author: Nick Butterworth
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Tiger may look like a small, stripy kitten, but in his imagination he is as big and powerful as his namesake.

• Tiger and Friends Pop up book

  Author: Rudolf Lukeš
  Publisher: Scribblers
  Interest age: 1-4
  

  Simple text and subject matter, combined with breathtaking artwork will keep young readers engaged as they learn about these interesting animals. 

• Tiger Days and the Secret Cat

  Author: Sarah Lean Illustrator: Anna Currey
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Tiger Days is a shy nine-year-old girl and when her grandmother, May Days, invites her to stay, she is full of trepidation. This is a gentle tale about friendship, love and building self-confidence.

• Tiger Heart

  Author: Penny Chrimes Illustrator: Levente Szabo
  Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 11+

  Left on the orphanage doorstep as a baby, Fly doesn’t know anything about her past. Working as a chimney sweep, she mostly lives on the streets and has to scrounge for food. But when she decides to run away and jumps down an unknown chimney to escape her employer, she’s surprised to find herself face-to-face with a tiger. She’s even more surprised when the t…

• Tiger in a Tutu

  Author: Fabi Santiago
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Max the tiger longs to be a ballet dancer, but when he twirls majestically through the streets of Paris, people flee in terror. It takes a very special friend to help Max realise his dream.

• Tiger on a Tree

  Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Pulak Biswas
  Publisher: Tara Publishing
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  A highly original picture book from India, this is the story of a tiger who ventures onto human territory.

• Tiger Wars

  Author: Steve Backshall
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Saker and Sinter live utterly different lives - until they find themselves unlikely companions on the run. A breathlessly exciting adventure set in India.

• Tiger, It’s Snowing!

  Author: Daishu Ma
  Publisher: Post Wave Publishing
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 3-6

  Tiger has never seen snow before and is excited to go out and play. But Mei isn’t sure… at first. A funny and charming story about adventure and friendship.

• Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright!

  Author: Various (selected by Fiona Waters) Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  A lavishly illustrated, hardback gift book with an animal poem for every day of the year.

• Tiger, Tiger, Time to Take a Bath

  Author: Jo Lodge
  Publisher: Campbell Books
  Interest age: 0-3
  Reading age: 5+

  With brilliant moving parts made from sturdy, thick card, toddlers will love to wiggle the sliding tabs and help these animal characters with their personal grooming. A fun and useful first book on hygiene and self-care. 

• Tilt

  Author: Mary Hoffman
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 8+

  Netta is desperate to help her father figure out the mystery of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in this super-readable story about a girl who won't let anything stand in the way of her dream.

• Tilly's Moonlight Fox

  Author: Julia Green
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  This sensitively written story with a touch of time-travel magic has a flavour of classic children's books such as The Secret Garden and Tom's Midnight Garden.

• Tilly's Promise

  Author: Linda Newbery
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  A touching story by award-winning Linda Newbery about first love, loyalty and the horrors of war, written in dyslexia-friendly language.

• Tim Hopgood’s Wonderful World of Colours

  Author: Tim Hopgood
  Publisher: Oxford
  Interest age: 0-2
  

  Vibrant pink roses, red strawberries, bluebells in the forest and a resplendent fold-out rainbow at the end of the book make this so much more than an average colours book. 

• Tim Hopgood's ABC

  Author: Tim Hopgood
  Publisher: Oxford
  Interest age: 1-2
  

  A perfect accompaniment to days out in the pushchair for toddlers or repeated reads at home, this is an accessibly beautiful, well-made alphabet book with 1-2 year olds in mind and is a lovely place to start learning letters, animals and words.

• Time After Time

  Author: Judi Curtin
  Publisher: O’Brien
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Imagine your mum gets together with your best friend's dad - and then you find yourself transported to 1984, before any of it happened. A funny and poignant time-slip adventure looking at family break-up, bereavement and step-parents.

• Time for a Nap

  Author: Phillis Gershator Illustrator: David Walker
  Publisher: Sterling
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  This sweet rhyming book about the tricky business of napping keeps the tone light, with cute and colourful illustrations. It could easily become part of the routine at home: ‘What time is it? Time for a nap!’

• Time for Bed, Fred!

  Author: Yasmeen Ismail
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  Fred is a very naughty dog - and he doesn't want to go to bed one bit!

• Time for Bed, Miyuki

  Author: Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soun Ratanavanh
  Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 6+

  It's time for Miyuki to go to bed, but there are so many things she wants to do with her grandfather before then! One of the most beautiful children's books in recent years.

• Time For Bed, Panda

  Author: Jo Lodge
  Publisher: Campbell Books
  Interest age: 0-2
  

  It's time for this adorable googly-eyed panda to get ready for bed - that means having a bath, brushing her teeth and reading a story! A delightfully cuddly and sweet board book for little ones.

• Time for Tea Polly Wally

  Author: Kali Stileman
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Polly Wally has a problem. She’s hungry, but can’t find anything nice to eat. Colourful and comical illustrations accompany this appealing story about a hungry little bird hunting her perfect food.

• Time for Us

  Author: Rebecca Walker Illustrator: María Díaz Perera
  Publisher: DK
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 5-7

  Jackson wants nothing more than to play with Mama, but she’s busy working in her office. Soon they will have their special time together, but until then, Jackson must try and be patient and find ways to entertain himself. A charming picture book that reinforces the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.

• Time Keys: Hunt For the Golden Scarab

  Author: M G Leonard Illustrator: Manuel Sumberac
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This gripping, thrill-packed, time slip adventure whisks readers away to Egypt, both ancient and modern, and is full of fascinating historical detail lived in the first person.  

• Time Stoppers

  Author: Carrie Jones
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  A spell-binding tale of two children transported to a world of magical creatures and horrifying happenings. This book will grip, scare and delight young fantasy fans.

• Time to Eat

  Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
  Publisher: Featherstone
  Interest age: 2-4
  

  Toddlers with ponytails and toddlers with braids enjoy all sorts of delicious snacks and meals in Time to Eat. In addition to the story, there are helpful tips for parents and carers  about how to introduce new food and encourage a healthy and balanced diet.

• Time to Get Dressed

  Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
  Publisher: Featherstone
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  This cheerful and useful little book is made with little ones in mind that are learning to get dressed by themselves, and will be of great help to parents, carers, childminders and nursery practitioners.

• Time to Go to Bed

  Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
  Publisher: Featherstone
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  Ideal to share with toddlers at bedtime as part of a positive sleep routine, this lovely little picture book uses simple language to explore why sleep is essential to help stay healthy and happy, and encourages interaction by asking gentle questions.

• Time to Go with Ted

  Author: Sophy Henn
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  Teeny hands will love turning the flaps of this adorable board book about the very keen and creative Ted on his daily outings. A sweetly interactive read-along that really celebrates the fun of imagination.

• Time to Shine at the River School

  Author: Sabine Adeyinka
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Can Jummy and her friends find out why the Shine-Shine River next to their school smells awful and is running dry? School rivalries, new friends and a mystery to solve make for a satisfying read.

• Time Travel at Puddle Lane

  Author: Emma Shevah Illustrator: Laura Catalán
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Education
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Siblings Ariella and Yosef are transported back in time to Georgian London, where they must save the life of a young girl before they are able to return home.

• Time Travel Twins: The Viking Attack

  Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Garry Parsons
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Twins Scarlett and Thomas have a grandad with a time machine! When Thomas is struggling with his homework on Vikings, Grandad suggests he meets some. So Thomas whooshes back to the year 859AD, but without the crucial device to bring him home. Now Scarlett will have to go after him! 

• Time Travellers: Adventure Calling

  Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A fascinating time-travel adventure exploring the politics and history of suffragettes. 

• Time Travelling with a Hamster

  Author: Ross Welford
  Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 6+

  When 12-year-old Al Chaudry learns there is a time machine sitting in the garage, he has to go and get it - then he can travel back in time and save his father's life. The reader roots for Al all the way, in this fantastic, funny and original adventure story.

• Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic

  Author: Armand Baltazar
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  The Time Collision changed everything. A cosmic cataclysm from beyond the stars has reshaped earth. Continents have shifted, timelines have merged, but humanity has endured. 

• Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies

  Author: Introduction by Mireille Harper Illustrator: Lauren Quinn
  Publisher: DK
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An essential and fascinating book which follows black history across many centuries to today’s contemporary world.

• TimeRiders

  Author: Alex Scarrow
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Maddy should have died in a plane crash. Liam should have died at sea when the Titanic sank. Sal should have died in a tragic fire. But a mysterious man whisked them away to safety.

• Timid

  Author: Harry Woodgate
  Publisher: Little Tiger Group
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  A vibrant and uplifting picture book about managing feelings of shyness to achieve your dreams. Timmy would love to perform on stage but can they tame their inner shy lion to make their dream a reality? 

  ---

  Mae Timmy, sydd â'r rhagenwau eu/nhw, wrth eu bodd yn perfformio. Ond mae yna un peth annisgwyl....dydy Timmy erioed wedi perfformio o flaen cynulleid…

• Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

  Author: Stephan Pastis
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Meet Timmy Failure - a terminally over-confident middle school pupil attempting to make millions by solving local mysteries, such as who ate his classmates’ unattended Halloween candy.

• Timmy Failure: Now Look What You've Done

  Author: Stephan Pastis
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  The clueless, comically self-confident kid detective returns in the sequel to Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made.

• Timothy Top

  Author: Gud
  Publisher: Lion Forge
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  An exciting first volume in an attractive series of graphic novels for junior readers, this tale successfully combines science fiction, humour, family difficulties and environmental concerns in an accessible and entertaining format.

• Tim's Din

  Author: Monica Hughes Illustrator: Bill Ledger
  Publisher: Pearson UK
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 4+

  Tim’s Din is a lively and entertaining story about the mischief that little monkeys can get up to when they’re bored.

• Tinder

  Author: Sally Gardner Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Indigo
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  Award-winning author Sally Gardner teams up with David Roberts to put a new spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy-tale The Tinder Box in this dark and gripping tale.

• Tinsel

  Author: Sibéal Pounder
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  In 1875 orphan Blanche and her friend Rinki invent Christmas, with a little help from a crowd of magical elves all called Carol.

• Tiny and Teeny

  Author: Chris Judge
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 2-4
  

  At the edge of Glengadget, the incredibly helpful Tiny lives with her pet fox Teeny. The colourful imagery in this wonderful picture book is deeply appealing, and there's a gentle message about the good things that happen when we do nice things for others.

• Tiny Crab is a Tidy Crab

  Author: Paula Bowles
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 3-5
  Reading age: 3-5

  Tiny Crab loves looking after his beach and keeping it safe and clean. When he invites a friend to visit, they leave the beach in an absolute mess. With rubbish all over his beloved beach, can Tiny Crab find his voice to speak up?

• Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends

  Author: Rose Lihou
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Shy Bea meets four cute miniature dogs! Can she protect their garden and keep them secret? A delightful young chapter book for newly confident readers, with gorgeous colour illustrations.  

• Tiny Infinities

  Author: J H Diehl
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Thirteen-year-old Alice is trying to stop her family falling apart. A very beautiful and sensitively handled book that touches on themes of mental health, family relationships, friendships and love.

• Tiny Little Fly

  Author: Michael Rosen
  Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 4+

  Tiny Little Fly zips between the elephant's nose and the tiger's claw, outwitting all of the other animals in this beautifully-designed picture book.

• Tiny Reindeer

  Author: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Tiny Reindeer is so small that he can sit in the palm of Santa’s hand. When he sorts through the final Christmas mail, he stumbles across a letter with a specific request. Full of Christmas magic, this heart-warming tale will resonate with any reader who has ever been told they are too small to do something. 

• Tiny the Secret Adventurer

  Author: Aisha Bushby Illustrator: Kübra Teber
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Tiny is a miniature girl who lives among the petals of a sunflower. She embarks on a big adventure when she goes in search of friendship. This gentle, inclusive tale explores the effects of bullying and demonstrates the importance of tolerance and kindness.

• Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Emily Sutton
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  This is an original, special and memorable book that sets the bar high for illustrated children's non-fiction.

• Tinyville Town: I’m a Librarian

  Author: Brian Briggs
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Kevin the librarian knows lots of things - but when the books about elephants go missing in the library, can he hunt them down and solve the case? Available in a sturdy board book with eye-catching and slightly retro illustrations.

• Titanic: Death on the Water

  Author: Tom Bradman and Tony Bradman
  Publisher: A & C Black
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  This readable story, based on material from the National Archives, offers young readers a fresh take on the well-known tale of the sinking of the Titanic.

• To Be A Cat

  Author: Matt Haig
  Publisher: Bodley Head
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Barney Willow doesn’t think life could get much worse: his parents are divorced, he hates his new school...

• To Be Perfectly Honest

  Author: Jess Vallance
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 13-16
  Reading age: 10+

  When Gracie takes a pledge to be totally honest for 50 days, whatever the consequences, she isn’t quite prepared for either the hilarious, or the hurtful, results. An ideal book for teens and young adults looking for a lighthearted yet worthwhile read.

• To Hold the Bridge

  Author: Garth Nix
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 8+

  Beginning with this novella set in the magical world of the Old Kingdom series; this is a fantastic collection of short stories, rich in detail and description, featuring vampires, witches, supernatural and fantasy worlds, science fiction, mystery and adventure.

• To Market! To Market!

  Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Emanuele Scanziani
  Publisher: Tara Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  Ravishankar's modern nursery rhyme takes us through an Indian market, to experience the myriad sights and sounds to be found there.

• To Night Owl From Dogfish

  Author: Meg Wolitzer and Holly Goldberg Sloan
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Told entirely in emails and letters, this sensitive, often funny book examines what it means to be a family, and what happens when families change. Strong and vivid characterisation makes us feel we really know the characters. 

• To the Beach

  Author: Thomas Docherty
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 4months+
  Reading age: 2+

  Lovely story of a boy using his imagination to go on a trip to the seaside

• To The Edge of the World

  Author: Julia Green
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A beautifully written, evocative tale with gorgeous descriptions of the Scottish Islands. It’s a story about learning to be brave and become your true and best self, with some real adventure along the way. Perfect for more grown-up Katie Morag fans.

• Toad and I

  Author: Louise Yates
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  When Kitty's ball bounces over the fence, she meets Toad. His friends are upset about peculiar incidents involving meteorites and monsters, so brave Kitty helps to investigate. A wacky adventure about having fun and making new friends.

• Toad Attack!

  Author: Patrice Lawrence Illustrator: Becka Moor
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  Leo is astounded when he is hit on the head by a flying toad on his way to school. His best friend Rosa is excited because one of her two dads is a television presenter and plans to make a nature programme about the pale, yellow amphibians with bulging red eyes. However, the toads have an insatiable appetite and as the town of Upper Dab is besieged by these …

• Toad Rage

  Author: Morris Gleitzman
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7-11

  Limpy, the cane toad, deeply disturbed that motorists appear to swerve their cars specifically to run toads over, is determined to put a stop to this needless loss of life. He sets out on a perilous journey to try to persuade humans that cane toads are loveable, friendly creatures. He decides to endear himself to the public by becoming a mascot for the Austr…

• Toad Surprise

  Author: Morris Gleitzman
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Limpy, the slightly squashed Australian cane toad, is determined to heal the rift between toads and humans.

• Toby Alone

  Author: Timothee de Fombelle Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 8+

  Winner of the 2009 Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation, this exciting adventure has a serious message about the wisdom of using up the Earth’s resources

• Toby and the Ice Giants

  Author: Joe Lillington
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  A charming story with lively illustrations to learn more about the last Ice Age.

• Toby and the Pixies: Worst King Ever

  Author: James Turner Illustrator: Andreas Schuster
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Toby’s quiet life is turned upsidedown when he discovers an enchanted kingdom in his garden and is crowned King of the Pixies. This laugh-out-loud graphic novel is utterly bonkers and hugely entertaining. 

• Today I Feel… An Alphabet of Feelings

  Author: Madalena Moniz
  Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Madalena Moniz explores an original emotion on every double-page spread of this lovely hardback, which follows a little boy experiencing each one. Helpful for aiding children to talk about their feelings, this is also a fun and attractive alphabet book.

• Today I'm Strong

  Author: Nadiya Hussain Illustrator: Ella Bailey
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This little girl usually loves going to school - but some days, she tells her tiger friend, school feels sad and she just wants to stay at home. A beautiful, gentle picture book about being strong and finding your voice from The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain.

• Toddle Waddle

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  An ideal book for sharing - babies will love imitating the sounds in the text and pointing out details in the illustrations.

• Toffee

  Author: Sarah Crossan
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 13+

  Allison befriends a woman with dementia, and an unusual friendship develops against the odds. This beautiful, profound verse novel goes straight to the heart and asks the questions teenagers most want to explore: who am I and what’s my place in the world? 

• Together

  Author: Emma Dodd
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated board book that celebrates love and togetherness – an ideal "end of the day" shared real that will melt the heart of any grown-up who treasures the time they spend with their little ones.

• Together with You

  Author: Patricia Toht Illustrator: Jarvis
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Come rain or shine, follow this little boy through the four different seasons as he enjoys precious moments with his beloved grandmother.

• Tom and the Siege

  Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Stephen Parkhouse
  Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Tom Bailey is always up to mischief and his mother, Lady Eleanor, has had enough. Tom is to go off to Squire School to turn him into a good boy.

• Tom Fletcher and the Angel of Death

  Author:
  Publisher: Catnip
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Brother Benedict is found dead in Saint Wilfred’s Beast House, eaten by Delilah, the lion he kept to terrorise the people of St Agnes-next-the Sea, there is no shortage of suspects. 

• Tom Gates - Genius Ideas (Mostly)

  Author: Liz Pichon
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The brilliant Tom Gates is back in this, the fourth installment of this award-winning series from Liz Pichon.

• Tom Gates: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures

  Author: Liz Pichon
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Tom discovers lots of family secrets when he embarks on a school project. Another hilarious illustrated book for older readers from multi-award-winning illustrator and author Liz Pichon.

• Tom Thumb

  Author: Katie Daynes Illustrator: Wesley Roins  
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  This traditional tale from English folklore is carefully retold for young readers.

• Tomorrow

  Author: Nadine Kaadan
  Publisher: Lantana Publishing
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A touching story about a little boy trapped in his house in Syria because it’s too dangerous outside. This simple picture book effectively reveals what daily life is like for children living in a war zone.

• Tomorrow We Begin

  Author: Matt Goodfellow
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  

  Matt Goodfellow’s powerful poetry follows a teenager’sjourney as he navigates the emotional highs and lows of secondary school. 

• Tom's Midnight Garden

  Author: Philippa Pearce
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  With no garden or children to play with Tom feels lonely and unhappy, until one night he hears the clock striking thirteen and discovers a secret garden.

• Tony Robinson's Weird World of Wonders: World War II

  Author: Tony Robinson Illustrator: Del Thorpe
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Tony Robinson takes children on a headlong gallop through the history of World War II in this entertaining history book, part of his Weird World of Wonders series.

• Too Close to Home

  Author: Aoife Walsh
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 11+

  If you enjoy books which take a long hard look at family life then this is certainly a book for you.

• Too Many Carrots

  Author: Katy Hudson
  Publisher: Curious Fox
  Interest age: 4-6
  

  Rabbit loves carrots so much that his whole burrow is full of them, and there's no room for him to sleep! Katy Hudson explores the themes of friendship and sharing in this charming and beautifully illustrated picture book.

• Too Many Toys!

  Author: Heidi Deedman
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Lulu has too many toys, so she comes up with a generous plan to tackle the problem. A gentle, humorous tale about the excesses of modern childhood, with delightful illustrations.

• Too Much Stuff!

  Author: Emily Gravett
  Publisher: Two Hoots
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Two magpies want to decorate their nest... but lose their eggs in all the piles of clutter and mess! They're going to need help from some friends... a gorgeous picture book from Emily Gravett about sharing and keeping things tidy.

• Too Much Trouble

  Author: Tom Avery
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 11-16
  Reading age: 10+

  An original interpretation of the Oliver Twist story reflecting a number of critical and significant contemporary issues.

• Too Small for my Big Bed

  Author: Amber Stewart Illustrator: Layn Marlow
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Piper has trouble sleeping all by himself at night and usually ends up in Mummy’s bed.

• Too Small to Fail

  Author: Morris Gleitzman
  Publisher: Puffin Book
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  1 boy. 1 girl. 1 camel. Squillions of dollars. A plan that can't fail. Or can it?

• Too Small Tola

  Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  In this lovely collection of short stories, a young Nigerian girl - tired of the nickname ‘Too Small Tola’- proves that, despite her small stature, she has a mighty personality and a big heart.

• Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls

  Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A collection of three short stories starring the fabulous Tola, who lives with her siblings and Grandmummy in Lagos. A funny, compassionate, and beautifully illustrated book for young readers.

• Too Small Tola Makes It Count

  Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Three excellent short stories about the irrepressible Tola, a little girl with a big heart, living at the centre of her community in Lagos. Warm, fun and full of compassion.

  ---

  Mae'r straeon byrion yn gwneud y llyfr hwn yn un hawdd troi ato, ac mae'r darluniau annwyl yn dod â bywyd Tola'n fyw gyda hiwmor. Dathliad hyfryd o gymuned, teulu a chariad.

• Toot Toot Beep Beep

  Author: Emma Garcia
  Publisher: Boxer Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  In the eyes of a child traffic can be endlessly entertaining and varied

• Tooth Fairy in Training

  Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Briony May Smith
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  This funny, bouncy rhyme is silly and surprising with twists that children really won’t see coming. But there is still enough sparkle and magic to keep little fairy fans happy! A perfect gift for someone who has just lost their first tooth. 

• Top Marks for Murder

  Author: Robin Stevens
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  This teen murder-mystery, set in an exclusive girls’ school in 1936 is reminiscent of Enid Blyton’s boarding school novels, but with a hefty dose of Agatha Christie’s gruesome, puzzling plotlines. A glorious slice of fantastical escapism.

• Top Secret Grandad and Me: Death by Tumble Dryer

  Author: David MacPhail Illustrator: Laura Aviñó
  Publisher: Kelpies
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  Detective work should be easier with a ghost sidekick – unless that sidekick is your grandad! This story is an absolute delight, from the hilarious characters to the fast-paced, page-turning adventure.

• Top Tens

  Author: National Geographic Kids
  Publisher: Collins
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Want to know what the ten most endangered animals are? Ever wondered what the ten weirdest world championships are? What about the ten most expensive paintings in the world? This book is packed with fun and fascinating facts about the world. 

• Topsy and Tim Start School

  Author: Jean Adamson
  Publisher: Ladybird
  Interest age: 3-5
  Reading age: 3+

  Find out what happens on the twins' first day at school.

• Torla & Smorla and the Lower than Average Cloud

  Author: Kes Gray Illustrator: Chris Jevons
  Publisher: Happy Yak
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  When giraffes Torla and Smorla go for a walk, Torla can’t see, as her head is stuck in a cloud, so Smorla guides her around the various obstacles they encounter on their journey. A delightfully funny picture book about trust and friendship. 

• Toro! Toro!

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Antonio gives his grandson an account of the hardships of the Spanish Civil War. Readers will empathise with Antonio, while acquiring an understanding of an important European conflict.

• Tosh’s Island

  Author: Linda Sargent & Joe Brady Illustrator: Leo Marcell
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Tosh meets Louis, they bond over their shared imagining of a magical island. A moving graphic novel about friendship, imagination and chronic illness.  

• Total Mayhem: Monday: Into the Cave of Thieves

  Author: Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Totally zany and madcap, this highly illustrated story centres on Dash dealing with endless Total Mayhem situations at school. Luckily, he can produce gadgets galore! 

• Toto's Apple

  Author: Mathieu Lavoie
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Toto is a determined little worm. By hook or by crook, he is going to reach the juicy red apple hanging from a low branch. 

• Touch and Feel Baby Animals

  Author: Dorling Kindersley
  Publisher: DK
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 1+

  You can explore different textures of the cutest baby animals.

• Touch and Feel Toys

  Author: Alison Jay
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 1+
  Reading age: 5+

  A touch and feel board book, and one of a 'nursery collection', this volume looks at the toys inside a toy box.

• Touch and Tickle

  Author: Sanja Rescek
  Publisher: Chid's Play
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 4+

  Based on research into the benefits of massage and baby exercise, this is a book which stimulates a baby’s senses

• Touch Think Learn ABC

  Author: Xavier Deneux
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  A wonderful gift for a toddler or preschooler, this board book is beautifully and sturdily made. Featuring an original and well-thought-out concept for learning the alphabet, this will be a mainstay you’ll return to again and again.

• Toyetica

  Author: Matt LeGrow
  Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 7+

  Dollington Academy is a unique school helping ‘bittles’ (a race of tiny beings) learn everything they need to have successful careers as doll models. Toyetica is a fantastical and immersive world, with laugh-out-loud humour and some sophisticated themes.

• Toys in Space

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  The toys have been left outside in the garden one summer night. To help to pass the time till morning, Wonderdoll begins to tell a story about the arrival of a mysterious alien spaceship...

• Trace the Trails: Follow That Truck!

  Author: Georgie Taylor Illustrator: Sam Meredith
  Publisher: Imagine That
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  A truck makes its way through a busy city, heading to a construction site and passing houses, farms and children on their way to school. A chunky board book with thick pages for little ones to grasp and hold.

• Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Jonothan Cape
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  The saga of Traction Man reach the beach with the latest in Grey’s series about a small boy’s imaginings of the adventures of the toy who has an outfit (and an answer) for everything

• Traction Man is Here

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 5+

  Transformed in an instant from combat cool to sartorial nightmare, can Traction Man ever be a superhero again?

• Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Sartorial action hero, Traction Man, returns! He and Scrubbing Brush dauntlessly scale the compost heap, cross the swampy pond then return, exhausted.

• Tractor Tractor

  Author: Rachael Saunders
  Publisher: Mama Makes Books
  

  Tractor Tractor is the second book about the humorous goings-on at the Funny Farm, illustrated by Rachael Saunders. Each book has an early-learning concept and Tractor Tractor is all about opposites.

• Tragedy at Sea: The Sinking of the Titanic

  Author: David Long Illustratoed by Stefano Tambellini
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Shortly before midnight on April 14^th, 1912, the world’s most luxurious (and probably most famous) ship, the Titanic, hit an iceberg while crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Britain to America. Even today, more than a hundred years later, it’s the biggest shipping disaster ever and a story that, although most people have heard it, continues to fascinate.

  How c…

• Train!

  Author: Judi Abbot
  Publisher: Little Tiger Press
  Interest age: 2-5
  Reading age: 6+

  Abbot's bright images, with cartoon animals shouting the name of their toy, help young readers to identify and learn the names of objects.

• Trains, Boats and Planes

  Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Jez Tuya
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 7+

  Transport and dogs come together in this bright, joyful picture book which follows a train, boat and plane over the course of a busy day.

• Traitor to the Throne

  Author: Alwyn Hamilton
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 12+

  Traitor to the Throne takes place nearly a year after Rebel of the Sands finishes. The plot races along until the explosive conclusion, which will leave readers desperate for the final book in the trilogy.

• Traitors in Space

  Author: Tim Collins Illustrator: Steven Wood
  Publisher: Buster Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When returning to Earth from a space mission, an alien life form is detected aboard the ship. This interactive pick-your-own-path book has over 45 possible endings, and the reader must make the right choices if they are to catch the alien and save humankind.  

• Transcendent

  Author: Patrick Gallagher
  Publisher: Orion/Hachette
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Genius twins Kira and Jacob must pass a series of trials to join a top-secret organisation known as Transcendent. If chosen, they will be sent to outer space on a mission to save the world. 

• Travels with my Sketchbook

  Author: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  This book pulls together a compilation of some of the thousands of drawings Chris made while Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2015-17. Everyone will enjoy reliving the past two years through Chris’s observant, witty and affectionate eyes.

• Travels with My Sketchbook

  Author: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  Michael Foreman takes us on a truly engrossing trip around the world with this gorgeous collection of sketches, drawings and stories. A book for expanding boundaries: 'Hopefully, children the world over, will feel no horizon is too far.'

• Treacle Street: Marcel’s Parcels

  Author: Kate Hindley
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  Marcel the postman is a busy elephant indeed. He has parcels for everyone in his trolley and yet there’s one parcel left. Surprise! It’s a treat for our postman. A joyful and brilliantly illustrated book that will excite children as they peep inside the post. 

• Treacle Street: Prima's Missing Bunnies

  Author: Kate Hindley
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 2-4
  

  Everyone on Treacle Street is excited about the bunnies’ Dance School’s first performance of their musical Duck Pond. However, Miss Prima, the dance teacher, can’t find the bunnies anywhere! The second book in Kate Hindley’s brilliant Treacle Street lift-the-flap board book series showcases her stunning illustration and is a lovely simple story for litt…

• Treason

  Author: Berlie Doherty
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  In the late 1530s, William Montague arrives at Hampton Court as page to Henry’s son, the infant Prince Edward

• Tree Whispers: A forest of poems

  Author: Mandy Ross Illustrator: Juliana Oakley
  Publisher: Child’s Play
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 4-5

  In a lovely collection of tree-themed poems, Mandy Ross takes us from Joshua Tree in the American desert to the pine and oyamel trees of Mexico, to a snowy forest and the trees in a city – and many more!

• Trial by Fire

  Author: Josephine Angelini
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  The first book in Josephine Angelini's Worldwalker trilogy puts an inventive new spin on the story of the Salem witches.

• Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle

  Author: Rick Riordan
  Publisher: Puffin
  

  Greek god Apollo is having a bad day: he's been stripped of all his powers and banished to earth in the body of a 12-year-old boy. He can't quite remember what he's being punished for, but is determined to get it over with quickly so heads to Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demi-gods. Except when he arrives, the camp is in chaos: kids are going missing and …

• Tribute

  Author: Ellen Renner
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Zara lives in a world where magic means power and those without are forced to work as slaves - but Zara fights against this.

• Trick or Treat?

  Author: Catherine Emmett Illustrator: Laura Brenlla
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A witch is missing the key ingredient for her Sniff-Out-An-Ogre potion – a little girl – so is delighted when one unexpectedly knocks on her door. Perfect for Halloween, this entertaining picture book contains plenty of humour and a marvellous twist at the end. 

• Trickster

  Author: Tom Moorhouse
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Two brother rats must go on an adventure to earn their names and the respect of their clan. Will they return victorious or will the challenges they face be too great?

• Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars - The Collected Edition

  Author: Jessica Abel; backgrounds and design by Lydia Roberts; colours by Walter
  Publisher: Super Genius Comics
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  This collection of Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars, issues 1-3, is a fascinating graphic novel, melding a dystopian Mars society with the popular American sport of women’s Roller Derby. 

• Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown

  Author: Olaf Falafel
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Art-enthusiast Trixie Pickle has a secret superhero identity: as the Art Avenger, she embarks on top secret, art-inspired missions to tackle injustice and challenge bullies. Bursting with zany characters, comic strip illustrations and fact files on real artists, this hilarious tale is hugely entertaining. 

• Troll Swap

  Author: Leigh Hodgkinson
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  A little girl called Tabitha decides to swap places with Timothy the hairy troll in this lively picture book.

• Trollhunters

  Author: Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 11+

  This black comedy has a highly visual, cinematic feel. It is wildly imaginative and rich in description, comedy gore and elaborate use of language, but a little light on plot. Contains strong language and graphic violence.  

• TrooFriend

  Author: Kirsty Applebaum
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Sarah's mum buys her a TrooFriend android, she's not impressed at first - but could there be any truth to the rumours that the robots have feelings? A fascinating exploration of artificial intelligence and what makes us human.

• Troubadour

  Author: Mary Hoffman
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 11-15
  Reading age: 10+

  Early in the thirteenth century, Elinor's parents attempt to marry her off to an elderly nobleman but she escapes disguised as a boy, with a troupe of travelling entertainers.

• Trouble

  Author: Non Pratt
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Fifteen-year-old Hannah is in trouble. She's pregnant, and can't bring herself to tell her family or friends the truth.

• Trouble in Toadpool

  Author: Anne Fine Illustrator: Kate Aldous
  Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  A welcome return for Fine’s happy, hapless and immensely entertaining Mountfield family.

• Trouble Next Door

  Author: Chris Higgins Illustrator: Emily MacKenzie
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Bella isn't keen on her new home, until a new friend, Magda, pops up next door. Unfortunately, Magda's fun ideas have a nasty habit of getting Bella in trouble. A new illustrated series for young readers gets off to a fun start with Magda's naughty antics.

• Truckers

  Author: Terry Pratchett
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  The first title in the Bromeliad trilogy, this is an enchanting fantasy from favourite author Terry Pratchett.

• True Stories of Heroes

  Author: Paul Dowswell
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  From animals to astronauts, and captured spies in World War II, this collection of thirteen short stories celebrates some truly amazing, and amazingly true, heroic acts.

• Trueman Bradley - Aspie Detective

  Author: Alexei Maxim Russell
  Publisher: Jessica Kingsley
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  It is the Aspergers mind which is Trueman’s most powerful asset as a detective and which enables him to develop ingenious crime-solving equation

• Truly Tyler

  Author: Terri Libenson
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 11+

  Tyler is used to being one of the most popular boys in school, so when he teams up with quiet, shy Emmie to draw a comic for a school project, his crew start making fun of him. A gentle graphic novel all about staying true to yourself and the pressure of fitting in. 

• Truly Wildly Deeply

  Author: Jenny McLachlan
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Although a love story, this book is also about peer pressure, family, cultural identity, and having the courage to make one’s own way. Main character Annie is forthright and witty, and has cerebral palsy (although that's not central to the plot). An upbeat story with heart.

• Trust Me

  Author: Malorie Blackman
  Publisher: Corgi Children's
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  Seventeen-year-old Jayna can't wait to go on holiday with boyfriend Andrew - but their trip has unexpected and terrible consequences.

• Tuchus & Topps Investigate: The Underpants of Chaos

  Author: Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Robin Boyden and Katie Kear
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  Can Agatha and Lenny find out who is behind the very strange happenings at school before time runs out and they face oblivion?

• Tuesday

  Author: David Wiesner
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  On a Tuesday evening, the sun is setting, and in the distance, an army of frogs on flying lily pads is approaching.

• Tug of War

  Author: John Burningham
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  In this retelling of a traditional African folk tale, wily Hare outwits Elephant and Hippopotamus when he challenges them to a game of tug-of-war

• Tug of War

  Author: Naomi Howarth
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Stunning illustrations depict a beautiful African landscape in this story about friendship and realising that everyone is special in their own way, whatever their size.

• Tummy Time Farm

  Author: Louise Lockhart
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 0-1
  

  Let’s say hello to the farm animals! A bright and charming board book that will help baby’s development, as well as being a great tool for shared fun.

• Tummy Time!

  Author: n/a
  Publisher: Mama Makes Books
  Interest age: 0-1
  

  This lovely stand-up book contains pictures of a variety of baby faces and two mirrors. Ideal for tummy time, babies can look at the book as they lie on their tummies, building body strength so that they can roll over, sit and crawl. 

• Tumtum and Nutmeg: The First Adventure

  Author: Emily Bearn Illustrator: Nick Price
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  This well-judged story of a doll’s house-sized world coming to life is very appealing.

• Tunnel of Bones

  Author: Victoria Schwab
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 9+

  A claustrophobic, supernatural adventure set in the creepy, underground Catacombs of Paris where the bones (and ghosts?) of hundreds of thousands of long-dead citizens are interred. 

• Tunnels

  Author: Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 8+

  The first in a series of fantasy novels, Tunnels starts slowly, introducing us to Will and building a picture of his unusual and dysfunctional family life. But the pace picks up with the discovery of a mysterious subterranean psuedo-Victorian parallel world, and the unpleasant Styx, who appears to have malevolent designs on its 21st century discoverers.

  C…

• Turf

  Author: John Lucas
  Publisher: The Bodley Head
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  15-year-old Jay is a member of the Blake Street Boyz gang. But when gang leader Shads decides it's time for him to step up and prove his loyalty, Jay realises he has a difficult choice to make.

• Turning to Jelly

  Author: Candy Guard
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Jelly is the flakey, funny heroine in a hilarious new pre-teen series.

• Turtle Boy

  Author: M Evan Wolkenstein
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Will's got hardly any friends, and school bullies call him 'Turtle Boy' because of a facial difference. But when Will meets RJ, a very sick 16 year old, he realises there's more to life than retreating into your shell.

• Tusk Tusk

  Author: David McKee
  Publisher: Andersen
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 4+

  A fable of human conflict, Tusk Tusk deals with a difficult topic is a wonderfully clear way.

• Tutankhamun's Treasure

  Author: David Long Illustrator: Stefano Tambellini
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 12-14

  This is an excellent retelling of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and two of the people who dedicated years of their lives to finding it, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon (although did you know it was actually a young Egyptian boy who found the key to where the tomb lay hidden in the Valley of the Kings?).

• T-Veg: the story of a carrot-crunching dinosaur

  Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Katherina Manolessou
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 7+

  Reg dares to be different - he is a vegetarian T-Rex.

• 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

  Author: Clement C. Moore Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Award-winning illustrator P.J. Lynch brings his characteristically detailed, atmospheric illustrations to this well-loved poem in a beautiful edition of a Christmas classic.

• Tweet! A Slide-and-See Book!

  Author: Maria Jose Ferrada Illustrator: Magdalena Perez
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Interest age: 1-2
  

  In this lovely slide-and-see book, a mystery panel slides open to reveal a picture of a bird on the turn of a page, and a riddle-type text follows so that everyone can guess the bird. Interactive fun with a lovely level of "playability" too. 

• Twelve Minutes to Midnight

  Author: Christopher Edge
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 11+

  Every night at precisely 12 minutes to midnight, the inmates of Bedlam, London's notorious madhouse, all begin feverishly writing - incoherent ramblings that Penelope quickly realises are in fact terrifying visions of the new century to come.

• Twenty Questions

  Author: Mac Barnett Illustrator: Christian Robinson
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Interactive, funny and unique, this bold, colourful picture book sparks conversations and can be different every time you read it together.

  ---

  Mae'r llyfr yn chwareus ac yn ddwys, gyda gwaith celf llachar sy'n ymddangos yn dwyllodrus o syml, mae hwn yn sicr o fod yn un o glasuron y dyfodol yn yr un cywair â Would You Rather? John Burningham.

• Twilight

  Author:
  Publisher: ATOM
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  Edward seems to hate Bella, but it turns out that he is in love with her and he is afraid of what he might do to her.

• Twilight Robbery

  Author: Frances Hardinge
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  The irrepressible Mosca Mye returns! Having departed Mandelion under a cloud, she and Eponymour Clent are running out of places to go.

• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

  Author: Nicola Slater
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 0-2
  

  All the animals are off to a jazz festival – the are deer playing clarinets, the tiger is on the trombone and the elephant is twanging a banjo! When it’s time for a singsong under the stars, what better than Twinkle, Twinkle? This musical board book, with Nicola Slater’s delightful 50s retro-feel illustrations is a lovely one whether for bedtime, playti…

• Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC

  Author: Barney Saltzberg Illustrator: Fred Benaglia
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  A mixed-up, mashed-up melody is the perfect description for this clever sing-song board book. Squishing the ABC song into Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, this fun new song will have little ones jumping and howling along.

• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

  Author: Annie Kubler
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 4+

  This book is all about signing and singing-along! The clear hand movements encourage signing as well as dancing.

• Twister

  Author: Juliette Forrest
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Twister's father has gone missing. Her mother is depressed, and people are accusing her father of starting a fatal fire. Even school is horrible now, despite Twister's love for learning, and other than her Aunt Honey and her dog Point she feels that everyone is now against her. Then one day Twister finds a magic necklace with transformative powers. Will this…

• Twit Twoo School: Mouse's Big Day

  Author: Lydia Monks
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Mouse does NOT want to go to school and feels sad when she gets there... but will her classmates help her see how much fun it can be? A gentle and sensitive book for nervous little ones.

• Twitch

  Author: M. G. Leonard
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Twitch is a kind, sensitive 12-year-old boy, who adores birds. He plans to spend the summer at his secret birdwatching hide, so is frustrated when his peaceful retreat is overrun with police officers on the hunt for an escaped prisoner. This engaging and uplifting tale about friendship, trust and the wonder of nature is seamlessly interwoven with an int…

• Two Can

  Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Ben Javens
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Maybe playing together is better because two can have twice as much fun as one! This is an adorable book about letting others join in your games - and each page has hidden details that young readers will love to discover.

• Two Can Play

  Author: Margaret Sturton
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Reading age: 4-5

  This is a charming, funny portrayal of a feline sibling relationship. The distinctive, colourful artwork is full of humour and observant children will spot Puss in each picture, checking out Cat’s progress and secretly wishing she was involved. 

• Two Frogs

  Author: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 0-5
  Reading age: 5+

  Two frogs are sitting on a lily pad in the middle of a pond; one of them holding a stick.But why?

• Two Good Thieves

  Author: Daniel Finn
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  This nail-biting thriller is also a challenging story about the lives of the world's poorest children.

• Two Monsters

  Author: David McKee
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  A red monster and a blue monster live on opposite sides of a rocky mountain: they can’t see each other, but they can argue through a hole in the rock. After a particularly bad argument they begin throwing rocks at each other, destroying their home - but perhaps they're not so different after all.

• Two Nests

  Author: Laurence Anholt Illustrator: Jim Coplestone
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Two birds, Betty and Paul are perched in a tree. Soon they build a nest, lay an egg and Baby Bird is born - but living together in a small nest isn’t easy.

• Two People Can

  Author: Blessing Musariri Illustrator: Maisie Paradise Shearring
  Publisher: Kumusha Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  

  Now that Dad is gone, Shingai is really missing him. He acts out for a while until he realises that Mum and he still have each other. A sensitive book about grief.

• Two Places to Call Home

  Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Jess Rose
  Publisher: Ladybird
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Florrie has a home with her mum and a home with her dad – and she loves them both! An uplifting picture book to soothe worries about separation or divorce.

• Two Shy Pandas

  Author: Julia Jarman Illustrator: Susan Varley
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Although Panda has lots of toys, it’s pretty lonely at Number 1 Bamboo Gardens.  Panda longs to ask Pandora if she’d like to play, but he’s far too shy to ask.

• Two Sides

  Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Binny Talib
  Publisher: Stripes
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Lula and Lenka are the best of friends until they have an argument and neither will say sorry. Will they ever manage to make up? Polly Ho-Yen beautifully explores the complexity of friendships and learning that there are always two sides of a story. 

• Two Sisters: A Story of Freedom

  Author: Kereen Getten
  Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Set in Jamaica and London in 1781, this insightful novel follows the fate of half-sisters Ruth and Anna, who are born to the same slave mother. As well as highlighting the appalling treatment of slaves, this moving tale celebrates the bond between sisters.

• Two Terrible Vikings

  Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Hack and Whack are two terrible Viking twins who love stealing, raiding islands, and being generally horrible! Early readers will love this hysterical trio of stories from the creator of Horrid Henry.

• Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker

  Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  You might know Francesca Simon from the fantastically popular Horrid Henry book, and the Two Terrible Vikings make Henry look like an angel! Packed with super-silly toilet humour, madcap action, and lively cartoonish illustrations.

• Two Weeks with the Queen

  Author: Morris Gleitzman
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  When his brother becomes seriously ill with leukaemia, Colin is sent to stay with relatives in England. Determined to get the best help possible, he decides to approach the Queen.

• Tyger

  Author: S F Said Illustrator: Dave McKean
  Publisher: David Fickling
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Adam is a boy living in London, but not as we know it. In this alternate universe slavery was never abolished, which has left the UK in a sorry state with rich overlords ruling over a sprawling poor and people with origins anywhere apart from the UK particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. That includes Adam’s family of shopkeepers. Then Adam meets…

• Tyrannosaurus Drip

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  A duckbill dinosaur egg is mistakenly hatched by a fierce, war-loving Tyrannosaurus family.

• Thank You

  Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Sam Usher
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A touching, colourful picture book about gratitude and how a small ‘Thank you!’ can grow and grow and brighten up the world.

• Thanks for the Trouble

  Author: Tommy Wallach
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 12+

  Parker Sante hasn't spoken a word in the five years since his father died. However, he's a pretty good writer. This unusual and sensitive love and coming-of-age story features two great lead characters.

• That Asian Kid

  Author: Savita Kalhan
  Publisher: Troika
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  Fifteen-year-old Jeevan witnesses two teachers snogging (and more) in the woods, and films it on his phone. But should he share this on social media? Funny, thought-provoking and very well-written, with some truths about racism amid the humour.

• That Burning Summer

  Author: Lydia Syson
  Publisher: Hot Key
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  In the long hot summer of 1940, planes are doing battle over the channel, and the south coast of England is braced for a German invasion.

• That Pesky Rat

  Author: Lauren Child
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Pesky Rat lives in Dustbin Number 3, Grubby Alley. People call him 'That Pesky Rat', but he longs for a real name, a home and someone to care for him.

• That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown

  Author: Cressida Cowell Illustrator: Neal Layton
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 5-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Emily and her toy rabbit, Stanley, love to go on adventures together.

• That’s Mathematics

  Author: Chris Smith based on lyrics by Tom Lehrer Illustrator: Elīna Brasliņa
  Publisher: Mama Makes Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A joyful, fun celebration of maths concepts, using everyday activities. Vibrant, energetic illustrations make this a friendly, accessible read.

• That’s Not My Chick

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 2-3
  Reading age: 4+

  A fun touch and feel board book that encourages little fingers to explore the different shapes and textures on each page

• That’s Not My Name

  Author: Anoosha Syed
  Publisher: Ladybird
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  When Mirha’s new classmates mispronounce her name, she’s too shy to correct them. Instead, she decides to change her name to something less complicated. What will her family think?

• That's My Daddy!

  Author: Ruth Redford Illustrator: Dan Taylor
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Featuring a lovely array of different dad activities for all manner of different dads, That’s My Daddy! is an inclusive, adorable book that asks children who their daddy is and what he does.

• That's NOT How You Do It!

  Author: Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar
  Publisher: Child's Play
  

  Lucy is a clever little cat who knows how to do everything. She can eat with a spoon and fork, play the xylophone, even fold fabulous paper stars. In fact, all her friends ask her for help if they cannot do something. When Toshi the panda arrives from far away, Lucy doesn't understand why he does everything differently. She becomes increasingly frustrated wh…

• That's Not My Baby...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 0+

  This book is full of bright pictures with touch-and feel patches.

• That's Not My Bear...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Reading age: 4+

  A different bear is introduced on each page of this colourful board book, but there is something not quite right about most of them.

• That's Not My Fairy...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Reading age: 4+

  Lots of different fairies are introduced throughout this book, but none of them are quite right. "That’s not my fairy. Her wings are too fluffy."

• That's Not My Frog...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Reading age: 5+

  This sturdy touch and feel book features a succession of colourful frogs, from one with silky feet, to another with bumpy spots, to another with shiny toes.

• That's Not My Kitten...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne Books
  Reading age: 0+

  One of a growing series of touch and feel board books with interesting textures and shapes for inquisitive fingers to explore.

• That's Not My Monster...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne Publishing
  Reading age: 5+

  This monster-themed book is an entertaining addition to the much-loved That's Not My... series.

• That's Not My Pirate...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Reading age: 4+

  Lovely, colourful, stimulating book for very young children

• That's Not My Princess...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne Publishing
  Reading age: 4+

  This sturdy and durable board book is perfect for the very youngest children, with touch and feel images full of interesting textures and shapes that are ideal for small fingers to explore.

• That's Not My Teddy...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Reading age: 4+

  Touch-feely book with colourful illustrations and simply text

• That's Not My Tiger...

  Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
  Publisher: Usborne
  Reading age: 5+

  Small children will love touching the tiger’s fluffy ears, soft paws and bumpy teeth and will particularly like tracing his soft, stripy tail on the very last page.

• The 1,000-Year-Old Boy

  Author: Ross Welford
  Publisher: Harper Collins
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Alfie Monk looks like any other 11-year old boy. However, as the title suggests, he is actually 1,000-years old. A truly original read, the plot’s twists and turns are anchored by the warmth, courage and humour of its varied characters.

• The 100 Society

  Author: Carla Spradbery
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 13-17
  Reading age: 10+

  Readers who are happy to suspend their disbelief will revel in a plot that races along with thrills, scares and entire shoals of red herrings littering the path to a gripping and tortuous climax. Ideal for lovers of Point Horror.

• The 10pm Question

  Author: Kate Di Goldi
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 10+

  Like his desk, Frankie likes life to be orderly and neat. But then Sydney arrives, and disturbs Frankie's carefully organised world, forcing him to ask a hitherto unspoken 10pm question.

• The 13-Storey Treehouse

  Author: Andy Griffiths Illustrator: Terry Denton
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 8+

  Griffiths and Denton create a triumph to engage even the most determined hater of books, which includes hilarious cartoon drawings.

• The 5 Misfits

  Author: Beatrice Alemagna
  Publisher: Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Beatrice Alemagna’s highly original illustration style is a wonderful mix of collage and pencil, and her quirky, lovable story about the importance of being yourself –  especially when you might be regarded as odd by others –  is a jewel among children’s books. 

• The 5th Wave

  Author:
  Publisher: Penguin Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  A few months ago Cassie's biggest problem was that the boy she liked didn't know she was alive. Now she is alone, fighting for survival in a world ravaged by an alien invasion.

• The 7 Professors of the Far North

  Author: John Fardell Illustrator: John Fardell
  Publisher: Faber Children's Books
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Three children set out to rescue their Professor Ampersand and his six companions from an evil organisation.

• The 78-Storey Treehouse

  Author: Andy Griffiths Illustrator: Terry Denton
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7-11

  There’s tons of zany fun in this illustrated novel, which is the fifth in the series. With minimal text per page and brilliant black-and-white illustrations taking up most of the space, the story zips past at lightning speed and is a really easy, funny read.

• The 91-Storey Treehouse

  Author: Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Best friends Andy and Terry live in an incredible treehouse, but when their publisher's grandchildren come to stay, things soon get out of control. A laugh-out-loud book perfect for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans.

• The Abominables

  Author: Eva Ibbotson
  Publisher: Marion Lloyd Books
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 9+

  The incomplete manuscript of this irresistibly charming story was found amongst Eva Ibbotson's papers at  her death in 2010.

• The Abominators

  Author: J L Smith Illustrator: Sam Hearn
  Publisher: Atom
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 8+

  It’s Cecil Trumpington-Potts first day in Year 4 at Grimely East Primary School. In fact, it’s his first day ever at school.

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

  Author: Sherman Alexie
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 12+

  In his first book for young adults, Sherman Alexie tells the story of budding artist Junior, a 14-year-old Native American

• The Accident Season

  Author: Moira Fowley Doyle
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  For as long as she can remember, the end of October has been the beginning of the Accident Season for seventeen-year-old Cara and her family: cuts, falls and broken bones. A spooky and psychological modern classic with a twist.

• The Accidental Diary of B.U.G

  Author: Jen Carney
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 8+

  An illustrated diary-style novel in the mode of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, with a sparky narrator who perfectly captures the voice of an upper primary age girl and her thoughts about life. A sensitive and funny story.

• The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Basically Famous

  Author: Jen Carney
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Stardom beckons at Billie, aka B.U.G.’s school when a fancy TV company wants to make an advert about school uniforms – but can Billie be the biggest star of them all? More madcap fun from Billie and her doodle-filled diary.

• The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Sister Act

  Author: Jen Carney Illustrator: Jen Carney
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Billie Upton Green is about to embark on her third accidental diary (which is cunningly disguised as a Spellings jotter so her Mums think she’s studying and not scribbling). And she has life-changing news.

• The Accidental Father Christmas

  Author: Tom McLaughlin
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Father Christmas can’t remember who he is … and it’s all Ben’s fault! Ben must help him deliver the presents in time, or Christmas will be cancelled.

• The Accidental Prime Minister

  Author: Tom McLaughlin
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 8

  Before he knows it, Joe is thrust straight through the limelight and into a seat at Number 10.

• The Accidental Secret Agent

  Author: Tom McLaughlin
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7-9

  Kevin's just your everyday 13-year-old, obsessed with phones and becoming a secret agent. The only reason readers will put down this book is because they're laughing too much to hold onto it.

• The Accidental Wizard

  Author: Kimberly Pauley Illustrator: Jason Cockroft
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A boisterous fantasy adventure in which a humble apprentice is accidentally turned into an all-powerful wizard and finds that fame isn’t quite what he expected. 

• The Adventures of Alfie Onion

  Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Marta Kissi
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 8+

  When Alfie Onion helps his brother Magnifico on a quest to secure a princess wife, things don't quite go as his fairytale-obsessed mother had planned. A hero does rise - just not the one everyone expected.

• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

  Author: Dan Santat
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Seeing the world from the imaginary friend's viewpoint, rather than the child's, sheds fresh light on this familiar yet magical friendship. The stylish, striking, images emphasise its vibrancy against everyday drabness.

• The Adventures of Hermes: God of Thieves

  Author: Murielle Szac Translator: Mika Provata-Carlone
  Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  This accessible introduction to Greek mythology unrolls in one hundred episodes, focusing on the god, Hermes.

• The Adventures of John Blake

  Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Fred Fordham
  Publisher: Fickling Books
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Like the Bourne films with time travel and a ghost ship, Pullman’s story rockets along at thrilling speed, full of secrets, mysterious baddies and emotional drama. Adventure on the high seas meets spy thriller: a fantastically executed, exciting must-read.

• The Adventures of Miss Petitfour

  Author: Anne Michaels Illustrator: Emma Block
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  A charming collection of short stories about eccentric Miss Petitfour, who loves adventures and always travels by tablecloth with her sixteen cats. A lovely, quirky collection book, with delightful illustrations, that is immensely entertaining.

• The Adventures of Pinocchio

  Author: Carlo Collodi Translator: Anne Lawson
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 7+

  The story of the wooden puppet who learns goodness and becomes a real boy is famous the world over, and has been familiar in English for over a century.

• The Adventures of Rap Kid

  Author: MC Grammar
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Can Z – who never speaks at school, in case he automatically rhymes – win the Royal Rap Rumble? Fun and interactive, this even shows you how to write your own rap. 

• The Adventures of Robin Hood

  Author: Marcia Williams
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Reading age: 6+

  A retelling of 11 Robin Hood stories, from his fight with Little John to the firing of his last arrow in humorous comic-strip format.

• The Adventures of Team Pom: Squid Happens

  Author: Isabel Roxas
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Isabel Roxas’ super fun and readable comic about friendship, individuality and heroism is a brilliant read for 8-10 year olds looking for something highly visual and original. 

• The Adventures of Tintin

  Author: Hergé Translator: Michael Turner and Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 9+

  Resourceful junior reporter Tintin embarks on a series of exciting international adventures, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy, in this favourite series.

• The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Random House
  Reading age: 5+

  We all know that the dish ran away with the spoon but Mini Grey's new book explores what happened to the nursery rhyme characters next.

• The Adventures of the New Cut Gang

  Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Martin Brown
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 9+

  The New Cut Gang are a rag-tag group of resourceful young rascals who get up to all manner of adventures on the streets of Victorian Lambeth.

• The After Christmas Tree

  Author: Bethan Welby
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  

  When Brian sees an abandoned Christmas trere on the side of the road, he knows he has to take her home. But his family aren't too impressed - can Brian's little tree spread some post-Christmas cheer?

• The Angel Collector

  Author: Bali Rai
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  This is a thriller suffused with an air of menace, of insecurity, of complex personal tensions and violence.

• The Ali-A Adventures: Game On!

  Author: Ali-A and Cavan Scott Illustrator: Aleksandar Sotirovski
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 7-11

  Ali-A is a popular YouTube gamer and this is his first book, co-written with Cavan Scott. It's a fast-paced, fun read with amazing visuals that gaming fans will love, as well as anyone else that enjoys a good yarn.

• The Alien Next Door: The New Kid

  Author: A I Newton Illustrator: Anjan Sarkar
  Publisher: Little Bee Books (Bonnier Publishing USA imprint)
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  An alien boy tries to fit in at his new school on earth in the first in a new series aimed at early readers. Filled with humour about the yucky stuff Zeke eats, and wonder at the feats he can perform, this inclusive story makes for a very entertaining tale. 

• The Almost Fearless Hamilton Squidlegger

  Author: Timothy Basil Ering
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Reading age: 7+

  Fantastical illustrations complement this exuberant escapade, starring an almost fearless boy who is a tiny bit terrified of the dark.

• The Almost King

  Author: Lucy Saxon
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Young author Lucy Saxon is sticking firmly with fantasy with her second novel.

• The Amazing Adventures of Groana Schmitt

  Author: Finn-Ole Heinrich Translator: from German by Katy Derbyshire
  Publisher: Carl Hanser Verlag
  

  Mona's parents call her Groana because she's sometimes grumpy and loses her temper. She and her mother have moved out of their home and into a strange flat on the other side of town. Mona doesn't know why, and plans to put things right as soon as possible. At her new school, she reluctantly makes friends with a boy called Mo. Mo knows why the new flat is so …

• The Amazing Edie Eckhart

  Author: Rosie Jones Illustrator: Natalie Smillie
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Edie Eckhart is a feisty, funny 11-year-old who has cerebral palsy. She has to make some new special relationships when she moves to secondary school and her best friend goes into a different class. An entertaining diary-format book that sensitively explores growing up. 

• The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Moving from the present day to wartime diary and back again, this ultimately uplifting novel illuminates the effects of the fateful events on the lives of those involved and the generations that followed.

• The Amazing Tale of Ali Pasha

  Author: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  The Amazing Tale of Ali Pasha is a wonderful introduction to World War 1 through the story of young seaman Harry Friston and the tortoise he finds in Gallipoli. Based on a true story, this book is beautifully illustrated and gives the horrors of war a human, and animal, heart.

• The Amber Spyglass

  Author: Philip Pullman
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Lyra and Will, the fiesty protagonists from the first two novels, are reunited to embark on their final, dangerous journey on which the future of all the worlds depend.

• The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel

  Author: Jonathan Stroud
  Publisher: Random House Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  The graphic novel adaptation of the first volume in the best-selling Bartimaeus sequence makes the series more accessible to readers without taking away any of the wit and magic

• The Animal Boogie

  Author: Stella Blackstone Illustrator: Debbie Harter
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Reading age: 4+

  Boogie along with the jungle inhabitants who flap, shake, flap and slide their way through this colourful book

• The Ant Colony

  Author: Jenny Valentine
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Sam and Bo reveal their pasts in alternate chapters, each gradually facing the dysfunctional relationships and traumatic incidents which have triggered their current unlikely friendship.

• The Apothecary

  Author: Maile Meloy Illustrator: Ian Schoenherr
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 11+

  Shifting between spy thriller and enchanting fantasy, The Apothecary is a skilful blend of the magical with the very real nuclear threat of the 1950s.

• The Apple Tart of Hope

  Author: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 12+

  Oscar's apple tarts bring hope to the sad or desperate. He is loved and appreciated for this special gift. Meg is his best friend, but just as their friendship is about to blossom into love she has to go to New Zealand for sixth months.

• The Apprentice Witch

  Author: James Nicol
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 8+

  When Arianwyn fails her witch's assessment, she thinks her life is over - but, really, the adventure has only just begun. A great adventure story, filled with wonderful spells and mysterious creatures.

• The Aquanaut

  Author: Dan Santat
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  When a strange man wearing an old-fashioned diving helmet breaks into her uncle's research lab, Sophia discovers that the aquanaut is in fact a robot controlled by four sea creatures. The creatures in the aquanaut are looking for a safe haven, but when they discover what’s going on at Aqualand, they decide to free the Orca who is kept in a tiny tank and made…

• The Arrival

  Author: Shaun Tan
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 8+

  In this unusual book, we follow a young man as he packs his bags and leaves his family to go and start a new life in another country

• The Art of Being Normal

  Author: Lisa Williamson
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 13+

  David Piper has always been an outsider, labelled a freak by the school bully. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl.

• The Art of Protest

  Author: De Nichols
  Publisher: Big Picture Press
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  Explaining why art can be so powerful within social movements, and the different forms protest art can take, De Nichols introduces young readers to contemporary artists and young activists, with ideas for making your own protest art. A fascinating and brilliantly designed book. 

• The Artist

  Author: Ed Vere
  Publisher: Penguin Random House
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 5+

  A young dinosaur artist (looking a bit like a T-rex but a cute one) sees the dinosaur world as full of joy and beauty, something that some dinosaurs are too busy to notice. She sees all that, draws and paints it and makes it into her art. 

  ---

  Mae deinosor ifanc sy'n artist yn gweld y byd fel lle llawn llawenydd a harddwch – rhywbeth y mae rhai deinosoriai…

• The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse

  Author: Eric Carle
  Publisher: Puffin
  Reading age: 4+

  Eric Carle’s first picture book in four years is a bright, colourful celebration of creativity

• The Ask and the Answer

  Author: Patrick Ness
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Themes of dictatorship, terrorism and privacy reign in Ness’s darker science fiction sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go.

• The Astonishing Case of the Stolen Stories

  Author: Anca Sandu
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  The little prince is terribly upset; all of his bedtime stories have been stolen! Luckily detectives Cat, Fox and Bear are on the case.

• The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody

  Author: Kate Gilby Smith Illustrator: Thy Bui
  Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Alex has always felt she’s a little different. Home-schooled by an eccentric uncle until year 7, when she joins secondary school she finds it really hard to make friends. Even her teacher nicknames her ‘Alex Nobody’. Then there are the groups of oddly-dressed people that often seem to be following her – that’s not normal, right? But when she meets Jasper, ev…

• The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

  Author: MT Anderson
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 13+

  This unusual book tells the dark, often harrowing story of Octavian, a boy in the care of a house of rational philosophers in revolutionary Boston.

• The Astounding Broccoli Boy

  Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Rory Rooney is unremarkable in almost everything, apart from his capacity to attract the attention of the school bully. But when he suddenly and spectacularly turns green, he becomes a superhero!

• The Atlas of Monsters: Mythical Creatures from Around the World

  Author: Stuart Hill and Sandra Lawrence
  Publisher: Big Picture Press
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  The Atlas of Monsters takes the interesting angle of looking at each continent from the point of view of its traditional mythology, and also introduces the book itself as a mysterious source object to be investigated inside a story of strange discovery.

• The Awesome Body Book

  Author: Adam Frost
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 7-12

  The vibrant infographics bring these facts about the human body to life, and make the book wonderfully fun and colourful. Have you ever wondered how many muscles you use when you smile, or realised that humans shed three types of tears?

• The Awesome Book of Animals

  Author: Adam Frost
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  If you have ever wondered which animal moves slowest, is the most deadly, or even poos the most – then this is the book for you! Sure to be a hit with fact lovers and animal lovers alike.

   

• The Awesome Book of Awesomeness

  Author: Adam Frost Illustrator: Dan Bramall
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7+

  This is a super cool non-fiction book, a little bit like a small version of the Guinness Book of Records. It’s packed full of strange and fascinating facts – after reading this book, you will be able to wow everyone you know with your crazy knowledge.

• The Awesome Power of Sleep

  Author: Nicola Morgan
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  This informative non-fiction book looks at the science of sleep and explores the crucial role it plays in the physical and mental health of teenagers.

• The B on Your Thumb: 60 Poems to Boost Reading and Spelling

  Author: Colette Hiller Illustrator: Tor Freeman
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  A fully illustrated, fun and funky collection of 60 poems to help boost reading and spelling or to enjoy as shared reading.

• The Baby

  Author: Lisa Drakeford
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 14+

  Olivia is in the midst of one of the greatest parties ever - her own 17^th birthday party - when she walks in on her best friend Nicola giving birth on her bathroom floor.

• The Baby and Fly Pie

  Author: Melvin Burgess
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Fly Pie and Sham are rubbish pickers, who go to the tip every day to pick rubbish for Mother Shelly. Then one day they come across a dying man and a baby.

• The Baby That Roared

  Author: Simon Puttock Illustrator: Nadia Shireen
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 1+
  Reading age: 5+

  Mr and Mrs Deer don’t have any children, but they would love to have a baby of their own to look after. When a mysterious bundle arrives on their doorstep they are overjoyed.

• The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed

  Author: Helen Cooper
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 6+

  This determined baby refuses to go to bed. Resolved to stay up all night, he takes off in his car to search for like-minded friends.

• The Baby's Catalogue

  Author: Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  Publisher: Puffin
  Reading age: 3+

  This book's packed with lots of baby pictures and baby items. It's great for learning and making up stories - this fantastic book will lead to lots of talk with your child.

• The Bacteria Book: Gross Germs, Vile Viruses and Funky Fungi

  Author: Steve Mould
  Publisher: DK
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Perfect for fans of the Horrible Science series, this colourful book is full of weird and wonderful facts that will release the science enthusiast inside you. 

• The Bad Bunnies' Magic Show

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 4-6
  

  This is a wonderful, inventive and playful picture book about two naughty bunnies and their magic tricks, which will delight young readers and their parents alike.

• The Bad Guys: Episodes 1 and 2

  Author: Aaron Blabey
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Written like a comic book, this is a very funny story, full of action and crazy characters. It's lots of fun and will probably make you laugh out loud.

• The Bad Trousers

  Author: Ros Asquith Illustrator: Mairi Hedderwick
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Reading age: 6+

  Children will enjoy this cheeky tale thanks to Asquith's charming writing and Hedderwick's familiar illustrations. A lovely way to make learning to read fun.

• The Bakehouse

  Author: Joy Cowley
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 11+

  An elderly Great-Grandfather tells his grandson what happened to him during World War II, and it involves a love affair between Bert's sister and a deserter.

• The Baking Life of Amelie Day

  Author:
  Publisher: Curious Fox
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  In some ways Amelie Day is a teenager like any other, much of her day-to-day life revolving around her best friend, school, loyal boyfriend and fretful mother.  However, in other ways, she is rather less typical...

• The Ballad of Cactus Joe

  Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Clive McFarland
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Cactus Joe is lean and mean and happy by himself. Or is he? Funny and visually enticing, this is a must-read for the grumpy cactus’s expressions alone! 

• The Balloon Thief

  Author: Aneesa Marufu
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  When Khadija flees an unwanted arranged marriage on a hot air balloon, she's soon to discover that the world is full of danger - so what will she fight for? A stunning fantasy novel simmering with tension and excitement.

• The Bandit of Barbel Bay

  Author: Sam Bosma
  Publisher: Nobrow
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 7-9

  The second in the Fantasy Sports series starts to unfold a slightly more developed backstory. With more epic sports battles and more tongue-in-cheek humour, this high-action tale of good sportsmanship and friendship is another gem. 

• The Bare Bum Gang and the Football Face Off

  Author: Anthony McGowan
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 6-7
  Reading age: 8+

  As everyone knows, a gang's den is sacred no matter how dirty, dark or smelly it may be so when the Bare Bum Gang's den is at risk they will do anything they can to save it.

• The Barefoot Book of Children

  Author: Tessa Strickland Kate DePalma and David Dean
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 5+

  This is a beautifully comprehensive and thought-provoking picture of the many different ways in which people live around the world. A book to dip into time and time again; a treasure trove of discussion topics, but also an aesthetic delight.

• The Barefoot Book of Jewish Tales

  Author: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand Illustrator: Amanda Hall
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  The eight stories in this thought-provoking collection of traditional Jewish tales combine folklore and scripture, and are retold for children. Gathered from a range of eras and locations, the emphasis of each story is on kindness, compassion and trust in God.

• The Barefoot Books World Atlas

  Author: Nick Crane Illustrator: David Dean
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 9+

  Full of fascinating facts and figures about the earth and beautifully illustrated with David Dean’s bright and colourful maps

• The Bat Book

  Author: Charlotte Milner
  Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  This fabulous all-you-need-to-know book about bats is perfectly pitched for 7-9 year olds. It’s colourful and attractive, with a clear, simple font and an enthusiastic yet factual tone. There’s some lovely tips at the end too for making a bat-friendly garden, making seed balls and supporting bat charities.

• The Battle of the Sun

  Author:
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Jack Snap is a 'boy where magic could happen'; and happen it does when he is imprisoned by a darkly powerful Magus, an alchemist who plans to turn Tudor London into gold.

• The Battlemage

  Author: Taran Matharu
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  The conclusion to the incredibly successful Summoner trilogy has plenty of action, and, while it’s emotional to leave Fletcher and the other well-drawn characters, Matharu ends things on a high with dragons, demons, battles and revelations galore.

• The Beanstalk Murder

  Author: P G Bell
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When a dead giant falls from the sky and squishes their village, two trainee witches find themselves caught up in the hunt for a killer in a land where their suspects could squash them with just a footstep. 

• The Bear

  Author: Raymond Briggs
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Young Tilly is delighted when a polar bear clambers through her bedroom window one night - but are mischievous polar bears really ideal domestic pets? The Bear is a warm story about kindness, caring, and letting go.

• The Bear and the Hair

  Author: Claire Evans
  Publisher: Fourth Wall
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Bear wants a 'cool' new haircut, so off he goes to the hairdressers - but which style will suit him best? A fun story with an attached bear puppet to really bring the tale to life.

• The Bear and the Piano

  Author: David Litchfield
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 5+

  A bear's piano playing makes him a huge star, but he misses the friends and family he has left behind. A moving tale of exploration and belonging from an exciting debut author-illustrator.

• The Bear Cub Bakers

  Author: Caroline Baxter Illustrator: Kathi Ember
  Publisher: Big Sunshine Books
  Reading age: 6+

  A group of young bear cubs go to Miss Betsy Bear's baking school for a week of fun in the kitchen - but who will take home the golden trophy for best baker at the end of the week?

• The Bear in the Cave

  Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Adrian Reynolds
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Reading age: 6+

  The lonely bear from Rosen’s classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt sets off one day to follow the sounds of the city.

• The Bear Whispers to Me

  Author: Chang Ying-Tai Translator: Darryl Sterk
  Publisher: Balestier Press
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 12+

  A short, quiet novel that blurs the lines of fantasy and reality in a dream like fable, The Bear Whispers to Me feels traditional and timeless.

• The Bear Who Did

  Author: Louise Greig Illustrator: Laura Hughes
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A hilarious rhyming tale about two bears who aren't very good at sharing - especially when it comes to honey.

• The Bear Who Went Boo!

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A comical and entertaining book about a little polar bear with a big voice - BOO!

• The Bear's Sea Escape

  Author: Benjamin Chaud
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Parents and children alike will enjoy this touching tale of a father's mission to find his son in this stylish picture book.

• The Beast is an Animal

  Author: Peternelle van Arsdale
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 11-15
  Reading age: 11+

  When unimaginable tragedy strikes her village, Alys is only seven years old, yet she can’t stop thinking that she is somehow to blame. An epic story of triumph over adversity in the style of traditional folk tales.

• The Beast of Harwood Forest

  Author: Dan Smith Illustrator: Chris King
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Pete, Krish and Nancy are excited about their Year 8 geography field trip. However, an exciting adventure quickly becomes a terrifying ordeal. This creepy, dyslexia-friendly tale is the follow-up to The Invasion of Crooked Oak, but can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. 

• The Beast Player

  Author: Nahoko Uehashi Translator: Cathy Hirano
  Publisher: Pushkin Press
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  Elin's mother has a very special job - caring for the magical Toda which protect their kingdom. But when something goes wrong, Elin must flee and discovers an astonishing talent for communicating with creatures. A sophisticated fantasy that will have teen readers gripped.

• The Beasts Beneath Our Feet

  Author: James Carter Illustrator: Alisa Kosareva
  Publisher: Little Tiger Press
  Interest age: 4-12
  Reading age: 7+

  Dip into prehistoric times with this beautifully illustrated book that combines poetry and non-fiction. Introducing dinosaurs and paleontology, readers meet the trilobites that scuttled across the ocean floor; the Meganeuropsis (a buzzing giant dragonfly); the Diplodocus with its whip-like tail; and of course no dinosaur book is complete without the bone-cru…

• The Beasts of Clawstone Castle

  Author: Eva Ibbotson
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Madlyn and Rollo are despatched to live for the summer with their reclusive elderly relatives in decrepit Clawstone Castle.

• The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Vampire Sheep

  Author: Emily-Jane Clark Illustrator: Jeff Crowther
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  After reluctantly moving to the tiny village of Knobbly Bottom, Maggie is astonished when she encounters a flock of vampire sheep who are determined to take over the world. This hilarious chapter book, with a fast-paced plot and dynamic black-and-white illustrations, is the first in a fabulously funny series that is perfect for junior readers.

• The Beaver Who Saved Christmas

  Author: Will Millard Illustrator: Jo Lindley
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 7+

  Elin and her grandad must save a family of beavers after their habitat is filled with plastic and rubbish.A heartwarming story which includes lots of information and an activity inspiration.  

• The Beck

  Author: Anthony McGowan
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 12+

  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.  

• The Bed Book

  Author: Sylvia Plath Illustrator: Cindy Wume
  Publisher: Faber Children’s Books
  Interest age: 2-3
  Reading age: 4-5

  A brilliant, slightly anarchic and yet comforting rhyming book about all the amazing beds that could exist, written by a legendary poet.

• The Bedtime Bear

  Author: Ian Whybrow Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  

  Join Bedtime Bear as he journeys to a variety of places on his way to bed, in this superb lift-the-flap book for young children. 

• The Bee's Knees

  Author: Roger McGough
  Publisher: Penguin
  Reading age: 5+

  These, warm, funny poems will amuse children and hopefully get them wanting to share the rhyme and repetition by reading them out loud.

• The Beetle Collector’s Handbook

  Author: M G Leonard
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A must-have companion for dedicated fans of M G Leonard’s Beetle Boy series, this is the ultimate guide for those who want to find out more about beetles. With illustrations and funny notes in the margins, this is a book for everyone who wants to explore nature.

• The Best Birthday Present Ever

  Author: Ben Mantle
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  When Bear sends out invitations to his birthday party, his guests compete with one another to buy the best present in the toyshop.

• The Best Diwali Ever

  Author: Sonali Shah Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 3-6
  

  Ariana is super excited for Diwali – she’s looking forward to yummy sweets, playing with her cousins, and wearing a lovely outfit – and staying up late to watch fireworks, of course! A gorgeous and relatable book. 

• The Best Eid Ever

  Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Hazem Asif
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Eid al-Fitr is Aisha’s favourite festival. Every year, her family hide gifts in a treasure hunt for her Aisha and her brother Samir to find. But between the chaos and celebrations, will Aisha ever get her presents?

• The Best Kind of Bear

  Author: Greg Gormley Illustrator: David Barrow
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  

  Bear is a very sweet little bear, but he doesn’t know what type of bear he is. Spectacled? Grizzly? Polar? He meets them all but none of them seem quite right - until his best friend Nelly helps him discover that he's the best kind of bear there is. An adorable friendship story that's perfect for young animal lovers.

• The Best Me! A first book of self-care for healthy and happy children

  Author: Marvyn Harrison Illustrator: Rochelle Falconer
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A sweet picture book that boosts children’s self-esteem and encourages them to be their best selves. Lovely to share at any time.

• The Best Medicine

  Author: Christine Hamill
  Publisher: Little Island
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Twelve-year old Philip Wright is a comedian in the making. Then one day, he tells his mother a joke, and she breaks down in tears. It's a brave challenge to unite the themes of cancer and comedy - but this is an entertaining and light-hearted read.

• The Best Mother

  Author: C M Surrisi Illustrator: Diane Goode
  Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Maxine suspects that if she had a different mother, things would be much nicer – until she talks to some other mums. A fun, quirky book for children who might have wondered “what if?”, this story celebrates how perfect our own mothers are just for us.

• The Best Mum

  Author: Penny Harrison Illustrator: Sharon Davey
  Publisher: New Frontier Publishing
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Funny and silly with lots of brilliant detail in the illustrations by Sharon Davey, this is a celebration of all different kinds of mums and a reminder that they love us.

• The Best of Pippi Longstocking

  Author: Astrid Lindgren Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 6-7
  Reading age: 8+

  Pippi is an empowering role model to all young girls; her resourcefulness will inspire all

• The Best of Times

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 8+

  The Prince invites entertainers to the palace to cheer up the Princess. The puppeteers come too and perform the greatest story – the Christmas Nativity story.

• The Best Singer in the World

  Author: Ulf Nilsson Illustrator: Eva Eriksson
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Reading age: 6+

  Astrid Lindgren award winner Eva Eriksson provides quirky, soft-focus and humorous illustrations for Ulf Nilsson's story about a boy who loves singing but is too shy to perform.

• The Best Worst Day Ever

  Author: Sophy Henn
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Sophy Henn’s sweet, fun book about tantrums and how we might best work them out is a real winner. There’s a nod to Where The Wild Things Are, as the story accepts Arthur’s wildness and allows a safe space for him to huff it all out.

• The Best You

  Author: Nima Patel Illustrator: Cally Johnson-Isaacs
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  In this gentle and uplifting picture book, the common question ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ is turned on its head. Children are often asked to think about what job they might like to do from an early age. And whilst there is nothing wrong with ambition, this question can feel difficult – after all, there is still so much to learn about the worl…

• The Bet

  Author: David Grant Illustrator: Garry Parsons
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Ed, Zac, Becca and Kat are all keen to go on a school trip, but then they learn they'll have to earn money to make it there - and soon it's boys versus girls to see who can make the most cash! A dyslexia-friendly book.

• The Betrayal

  Author: Mary Hooper
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 9+

  The final novel in Hooper's At the House of the Magician series, in which Lucy is in London, preparing for the imminent arrival of Dr John Dee, the court alchemist and his family.

• The Bewitching of Aveline Jones

  Author: Phil Hickes Illustrator: Keith Robinson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Aveline loves all things spooky, so is delighted when her mother rents a holiday cottage that overlooks an ancient stone circle, until a mysterious girl appears and strange things start to happen. Convincing characters, an intriguing plot and spine-tingling chills.

• The BFG

  Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7+

  The BFG stands for Big Friendly Giant, who unexpectedly spirits a little girl named Sophie out of bed, and into the land of the child-eating giants.

• The Big Adventure of the Smalls

  Author: Helen Stephens
  Publisher: Farshore
  Reading age: 7+

  When Paul and Sally Small sneak out of bed to take a peek at the goings-on at the Small Hall Grand Ball, Mr Puddles the teddy bear has a nasty accident - he falls through the banisters and simply has to be rescued.

• The Big Amazing Poetry Book: 52 Weeks of Poetry from 52 Brilliant Poets

  Author: Various chosen by Gaby Morgan foreword by Roger McGough Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  There is something for everyone in this superb poetry collection, which features a different poem for every day of the year. Splendidly diverse in subject, genre and style, this rich tapestry of verse is beautifully woven together by Chris Riddell’s characterful line drawings, which adorn every page.

• The Big Book of Beautiful Babies

  Author: David Ellwand
  Publisher: Ragged Bears
  Reading age: 3+

  This book is full of lovely black and white photos – your child will love looking at the pictures of babies’ faces and expressions.

• The Big Book of Football

  Author: Mundial Illustrator: Damien Weighill
  Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A great introduction to the beautiful game, featuring everything from the evolution of the football boot to players' hairdos and Drogba's perfect attacking headers.

• The Big Book of Magical Mixups

  Author: Hilary Robinson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Reading age: 6+

  If you have ever wished you could turn a weedy uncle into an inflatable fairy or a bad-tempered friend into an exploding pencil case then this is the book for you!

• The Big Book of the Blue

  Author: Yuval Zommer
  Publisher: Thames & Hudson
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This wonderful, beautifully illustrated book about all things fishy (and ocean-y) has a gentle sense of humour: presenting digestible facts, ideal for lower primary children, with a light-hearted twist. 

• The Big Dreaming

  Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Daniel Egnéus
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 7+

  It’snearly time for the Big Dreaming. Big Bear and Little Bear will sleep through the Winter and wake in Spring. But Little Bear is worried he’ll run out of dreams, so he sets off on an adventure to find some… Perfect for bedtime reading.

• The Big Snuggle-Up

  Author: Brian Pattern Illustrator: Nicola Bayley
  Publisher: Anderson Press
  Reading age: 6+

  The beautifully detailed illustrations by Nicola Bayley capture the warmth and magic of this delightful story

• The Big Story of Being Alive

  Author: Neal Layton
  Publisher: Wren & Rook
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  In this clever picture book, Neal Layton explains that there are some things that everything alive has in common: they are cellular, they grow and they can reproduce. 

  ---

  Yn y llyfr lluniau clyfar hwn, rydyn ni'n dysgu bod yna rai pethau yn gyffredin i bopeth byw: maen nhw'n gellog, maen nhw'n tyfu ac maen nhw'n gallu atgenhedlu.

• The Bigger Picture: Women Who Changed the Art World

  Author: Sophia Bennett Illustrator: Manjit Thapp
  Publisher: Tate Publishing
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 9+

  For thousands of years, the work of brilliant female creatives has gone unappreciated, whether they were taking part in weaving, sewing, embroidery or crockery. This fascinating book profiles wonderful women artists from across the world and gives their work the attention it deserves.

• The Biracial Butterfly

  Author: Lennox Benson Illustrator: Hari Conner
  Publisher: Pup Ear Books, an imprint of Dog Horn Publishing
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  A warm and simple rhyming story that explores mixed heritage and identity in an imaginative, colourful way, and reassures in its acceptance of difference and variety. 

• The Bird Singers

  Author: Eve Wersocki Morris
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Sisters Layah and Izzie aren't best pleased when their mum moves them to a sleepy village without their Dad. But they soon discover that the village has more to offer than they first thought.

• The Bison and the Butterfly

  Author: Alice Hemming Illustrator: Nancy Leschnikoff
  Publisher: Ivy Kids
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Bison learns how vital she is to the woodland, and to fellow creatures like Butterfly. Based on a real rewilding project in Kent, this charming picture book is sweet and surprisingly informative. 

• The Black Book of Colours

  Author: Menena Cottin Illustrator: Rosana Faria
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Reading age: 6+

  A visually impaired boy introduces us to colours as he experiences them – through his senses of hearing, touch, smell and taste.

• The Black Book of Secrets

  Author: F E Higgins
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  An original and fascinating book by a talented new writer, which explores themes of trust, redemption, forgiveness and natural justice in the context of a dark and gripping mystery.

• The Black Cat Detectives

  Author: Wendy Meddour
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 9+

  Auntie Urooj is lonely so Shaima decides to sign her up with the Truly Deeply Muslims online marriage agency. But her new suitor Rasheed isn't all he appears to be...

• The Black Lotus

  Author: Kierann Fanning
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Three children, each with their own special ability, are plucked from the streets in different cities around the world. They are brought together and trained as ninjas to continue to protect the Moon Sword - a source of great power.

• The Black Lung Captain: Tales of the Ketty Jay

  Author: Chris Wooding
  Publisher: Indigo
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 10+

  In the second gripping installment of the adventures of the Ketty Jay, Captain Darien Frey finds himself seeking an alien treasure on a dangerous island.

• The Blackhope Enigma

  Author: Teresa Flavin
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 9+

  When Sunni’s step-brother unwittingly unlocks a passage into an old painting, they are transported to Arcadia and must find a way out of this dangerous and exciting land.

• The Blackthorn Key

  Author: Kevin Sands
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  A young alchemy apprentice seeks vengeance after his master is murdered by a sinister cult.

• The Blanket Bears

  Author: Samuel Langley-Swain Illustrator: Ashlee Spink
  Publisher: Owlet Press
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Alone in the snow, two little bears are cold, scared and missing much of their fur. Thankfully, help arrives in the form of Tilly, who hopes them to find another home. A gentle and heartfelt story that shows the adoption process in an honest, reassuring way.
  
  

• The Blood Guard

  Author: Carter Roy
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Ronan discovers why his mother has filled all his spare time with classes of every kind, from martial arts to fencing. Think Anthony Horowitz meets Dan Brown and be prepared for a fast and spectacular ride in this first book in a series.

• The Blood List

  Author: Sarah Naughton
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  In 1646, England is gripped by wild tales of witches, murder and changelings.

• The Blue Book of Nebo

  Author: Manon Steffan Ros
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  The End came in the form of a nuclear disaster in Anglesey, and 12-year-old Dylan and his mum are surviving alone in their deserted town, six years on. However, soon tensions begins to surface. A slim book that packs a huge emotional punch.

• The Blue Cat

  Author: Ursula Dubosarky
  Publisher: Allen & Unwin
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Columba, growing up in Australia on the eve of the Second World War, knows Europe only as a far-away place where mysterious events occur and threaten her life. A poetic account of the Second World War.

• The Blue Sword

  Author: Robin McKinley
  Publisher: Firebird
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 12+

  This teen fantasy, originally published in 1982, is a rip-roaring ride filled with fantasy, girl-power, romance and danger.

• The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs

  Author: Fiona Robinson
  Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Fiona Robinson’s beautifully blue book about the life of 19th-century born Anna Atkins is an inspiring testament to a father’s commitment to his daughter’s education, and to her passion for the natural world. Young nature lovers will be inspired by Anna’s story.

• The Body Book

  Author: Hannah Alice
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 7-13
  Reading age: 7+

  This brilliant introduction to the human body shows readers how our bodies have groups of organs (or ‘systems’) that all work together to keep us eating and breathing – like the different parts of a machine. There’s the muscular system, skeletal system, digestive system, and more. Did you know, for example, that your teeth are actually part of your skeletal …

• The Bog Baby

  Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Gwen Millward
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  Two little girls go walking in bluebell wood and rescue a Bog Baby.

• The Boldest White

  Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali Illustrator: Hatem Aly
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  Will Faizah be bold enough to fence in front of others? A warm, beautifully illustrated book with an unusual message on bravery. 

• The Bombs That Brought Us Together

  Author: Brian Conaghan
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  Charlie and Pav's friendship becomes something more complex, when the bombs and the Old Country soldiers come. This compulsive teen read successfully achieves a difficult balance: entertainment and social commentary.

• The Bone Dragon

  Author: Alexia Casale
  Publisher: Faber Children's
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 13+

  An intriguing blend of psychological thriller and fantasy, this is an impressive and unusual debut.

• The Bone Sparrow

  Author: Zana Fraillon
  Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Focusing on a friendship between two young refugees, The Bone Sparrow is one of those rare, special books that will break your heart with its honesty and beauty - but is ultimately hopeful and uplifting.

• The Bonehill Curse

  Author: Jon Mayhew
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 10+

  The year is 1868 and Necessity Bonehill lives miserably in a boarding school for young ladies. Overwhelmed by boredom, she is unable to resist temptation when an exotic-looking bottle arrives from her uncle along with instructions never to open it.

• The Boo! Zoo

  Author: Rod Campbell
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  

  Once again set at a zoo, children get to guess which animal lurks behind each large card flap. Be prepared for lots of enthusiastic yelps from the toddlers reading along, when they spot what looks like an elephant trunk or tiger paws peeking out from beneath! 

• The Book Case

  Author: Dave Shelton
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This sniggeringly funny, totally deadpan adventure is a joy to read. Loosely set in the 1930s, it’s a bit like reading a really well-written and funny Famous Five or Secret Seven by Enid Blyton.

• The Book of Bees

  Author: Piotr Socha and Wojciech Grajkowski Translator: Agnes Monod-Gayraud
  Publisher: Thames & Hudson
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  This glorious book will introduce you to the bee world. It is fantastically illustrated in a cartoonish style that is big, bold and great fun.

• The Book of Blast Off! 15 Real-life Space Missions

  Author: Timothy Knapman Illustrator: Nik Henderson
  Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Discover the details of 15 real-life missions into space – all told in accessible rhyme, and with vibrant illustrations. Not just for space enthusiasts!

• The Book of Blood and Shadow

  Author: Robin Wasserman
  Publisher: Atom
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  Translating the letters of sixteenth century alchemist's daughter Elizabeth Weston, Nora finds herself on the trail of a powerful secret encoded in the mysterious Voynich Manuscript

• The Book of Clouds

  Author: Juris Kronbergs Illustrator: Anete Melece Translator: Mara Rozīte and Richard O’Brien
  Publisher: The Emma Press
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This wonderful book about the magic of clouds is full of surprising and original poems, perfect for upper key stage two children either at school or at home. 

• The Book of Dust 1: La Belle Sauvage

  Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Malcolm is drawn into a dangerous world of secrets and intrigue – and a mission to protect baby Lyra, whatever the cost. La Belle Sauvage gives readers a not-to-be-missed chance to be back in the world of His Dark Materials: full of peril, magic and thrills. 

• The Book of Dust 2: The Secret Commonwealth

  Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: Penguin Books
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 11+

  The Secret Commonwealth is a deeper, darker beast than the previous His Dark Materials trilogy. Some brilliant and excitingly tense set pieces will keep you breathless and with a knot in your stomach – and desperate to know what happens next. 

• The Book of Pearl

  Author: Timothée de Fombelle Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 12+

  Joshua Pearl is a fairy prince in a human world, trying to make his way back to his one true love through our history. This sweeping fairy tale of love and memory will bewitch readers who long for epic romance and otherworldly magic.

• The Book of Stolen Dreams

  Author: David Farr
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 9+

  A tense and exciting fantasy thriller set against the backdrop of a cruel dictatorship. Complex, magical and packed with great characters – both heroic and evil.

• The Book Thief

  Author: Markus Zusak
  Publisher: Black Swan
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 13+

  A powerful story narrated by Death, about: a girl, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery

• The Book with No Pictures

  Author: B J Novak
  Publisher: Puffin
  

  Demanding to be shared, this is a fresh and enormously funny book that children will want to hear time and time again.

• The Bookshop Cat

  Author: Cindy Wume
  Publisher: Macmillan
  

  Cindy Wume’s utterly delightful story about a cute little children’s bookshop and a book-loving cat is a perfect cosy read. Cat fans and keen readers will find themselves well catered to here.

• The Bookshop Girl

  Author: Sylvia Bishop Illustrator: Ashley King
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  When Property Jones's family win the amazing opportunity to take over a huge bookshop in London, they can't wait to move. But Property thinks there's something fishy going on. This crime caper has lots of warmth and laughs.

• The Bookworm

  Author: Debi Gliori
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  

  Max's pet worm loves listening to stories - and also loves curry and chilli crisps. As it grows, Max realises his pet is not a worm after all, but something MUCH bigger. This heartwarming tale of a boy and his unusual pet’s relationship is full of the everyday magic that stories bring.

• The Borrowers

  Author: Mary Norton
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the secret places of old houses - behind the mantlepiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock.

• The Boss Baby

  Author: Marla Frazee
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  From the moment the baby arrived, it was obvious that he was the boss

• The Boundless

  Author: Kenneth Oppel
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 11+

  Travelling on a gigantic train, The Boundless, Will witnesses a brutal murder - and it is up to Will to save the train. A rollercoaster of a read, with thrilling turns, dazzling characters and non-stop action.

• The Box of Delights

  Author: John Masefield Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: The Box of Delights
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 6+

  A magical old man has asked Kay to protect the Box of Delights, a Box with which he can travel through time. But Kay is in danger: Abner Brown will stop at nothing to get his hands on it. The police don't believe Kay, so when his family and the Bishop are scrobbled up just before Christmas, he knows he must act alone...

• The Boy and the Globe

  Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Tom Morgan-Jones
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  When Toby goes to the Globe theatre to thieve, he meets a sad and despairing figure: William Shakespeare. This funny chapter book celebrates the power of art and imagination in all its forms - and has some wonderfully arch illustrations.

• The Boy and the Octopus

  Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: Carmen Saldaña
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Can Stanley’s octopus help Stanley face his fears? A moving and visually stunning book about expressing your emotions through art – with a lovely father-son relationship at its heart. 

• The Boy at the Back of the Class

  Author: Onjali Q Raúf
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 10+

  This is the story about how four classmates have a massive impact on the life of Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria. An inspiring and sweet tale that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.

• The Boy from France

  Author: Hilary Freeman
  Publisher: Piccadilly Press
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 10+

  When Vix’s visiting French exchange student turns out to be a boy, her classmates are jealous. But Vix is regretting being a host – she already has enough to do caring for her disabled mother.

• The Boy in the Black Suit

  Author: Jason Reynolds
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 14+

  When Matt’s mum tragically dies from cancer, it feels like all the joy is sucked out of his life. Then he meets a girl called Love. This is a profoundly beautiful, open-hearted, funny, tear-jerking, readable and relatable story, which explores grief in the truest sense.

• The Boy in the Dress

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens Books
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Despite its sensitive subject matter, this book is filled with humour

• The Boy in the Smoke

  Author: Rachel Faturoti
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Isaiah discovers a time portal in the basement of his tower block, he meets Jacob, who lived in the same building when it was a workhouse in the 1830s. This gripping, multilayered time-slip novel explores poverty from both a historical and contemporary perspective.

• The Boy in the Suit

  Author: James Fox
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Solo and his mum gatecrash a celebrity funeral, they find themselves all over the newspapers and the internet – for all the wrong reasons.  

• The Boy in the Tower

  Author: Polly Ho-Yen
  Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Taking place in a believable urban, multicultural environment that will be familiar to many young readers, Polly Ho-Yen's debut is an impressively moving and thought-provoking story that will touch children and adults alike.

• The Boy Lost in the Maze

  Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Kate Milner
  Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  Theo’s search for his father intertwines with the journey of Theseus towards his father. Each boy works out what it is to be a man. A powerful verse novel with stunning illustrations.

• The Boy on the Wooden Box

  Author: Leon Leyson
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  The harrowing story of Leon Leyson, a Jewish boy who was saved by Oskar Schindler is hard to read at times but it’s wonderfully written and sure to move readers to the core.

• The Boy to Beat the Gods

  Author: Ashley Thorpe
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  With exciting and imaginative battle scenes, and an energetic narrative, this fun-packed fantasy adventure is inspired by aspects of Caribbean and African culture and spirituality. 

• The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon

  Author: David Almond Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 9+

  A child's imagination is a wonderful thing and Paul's is more wonderful and vivid than many. He has a theory - that the moon is not really the moon but a great big hole in the sky.

• The Boy Who Cried Ghost

  Author: Ian Eagleton
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  

  This insightful, haunting, coming-of-age story is a celebration of friendship, diversity and inclusion that gives readers a glimpse into the mind of someone living with OCD.  

• The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die

  Author: Peter Lantos
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The harrowing true story of a Hungarian Jewish boy and his mother and their journey to – and escape from – Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in the Second World War. Extraordinary and moving.

• The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43

  Author: Harriet Goodwin
  Publisher: Stripes
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  A quirky debut novel laced with humour and a dollop of magic

• The Boy Who Fell from the Sky

  Author: Benjamin Dean
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Zed’s dad is the First Hunter of Demons. But when Zed meets a Demon, he discovers that they’renot as terrifying as the myths say. Exciting and full of heart.  

• The Boy Who Flew

  Author: Fleur Hitchcock
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Athan Wilde’s mentor, Mr Chen, is brutally murdered, he rescues secret plans that should enable him to complete the old man’s spectacular flying machine. But Athan needs help and he’s not sure who to trust. A tense and imaginative historical thriller.

• The Boy Who Fooled The World

  Author: Lisa Thompson
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When a famous artist visits his school and is impressed by his artwork, Cole's masterpiece is sold for thousands of pounds. Initially ecstatic, Cole begins to buckle under the media attention and pressure to produce another painting. Lisa Thompson's clever story is full of exciting twists and surprises, while also addressing feelings such as shame and a…

• The Boy Who Grew a Tree

  Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Sojung Kim-McCarthy
  Publisher: Knights Of
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Timi is a quiet little boy who loves to grow plants and is a keen observer of nature. When his mum becomes pregnant, Timi isn’t that happy about being sent to after school club and looked after more by his auntie, since Mum isn’t feeling as energetic as usual. Yet when Mum has the baby early, she has to stay in hospital until Timi’s new baby sister is big en…

• The Boy Who Hit Play

  Author: Chloe Daykin
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  A funny, life-affirming quest for identity that sees 12-year old Elvis Crampton Lucas and his adoptive dad racing across Norway, pursued by a shadowy villain. Captivating and thought-provoking.

• The Boy Who Lost His Bumble

  Author: Trudi Esberger
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A little boy loves the bees in his garden, but as the seasons change, they disappear - will they ever return? A delightful and gently engaging picture book about the cyclical nature of life.

• The Boy Who Loved Everyone

  Author: Jane Porter Illustrator: Maisie Paradise Shearring
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Dimitri is new at nursery, and no matter how many people (and trees) he says 'I love you' to, no one says it back. Dimitri starts to get really sad. Even the guinea pig seems to want to get away!

  When Mum walks him to nursery the next day, she explains that people show their feelings in different ways: the mean old man on the park bench is telling the stray …

• The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh

  Author: Helen Rutter
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Billy's starting secondary school, but he's worried that his stammer will make it hard to fit in. He has to get rid of it before he can pursue his dream of being a stand-up comedian - so he comes up with an unusual list of ways to deal with it...

• The Boy Who Met A Whale

  Author: Nizrana Farook
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Edge-of-seat thrills contrast with the beauty and wildlife of a remote island nation as three youngsters must use their wits and determination to rescue lost treasure and escape a pair of murderous criminals.

• The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair

  Author: Lara Williamson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Becket Rumsey decides to investigate the reasons behind the strange actions of some of the adults in his life. With the help of his brother Billy and his pet snail Brian, he uncovers some difficult truths - and some beautiful ones.

• The Boy Who Sailed the World

  Author: Julia Green Illustrator: Alex Latimer
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4-5

  A little boy who loves the sea builds a boat and goes on an adventure. When evening falls, he loses his way, but doesn’t give up: the compass will show him where to go. When a storm hits the boat, the little boy holds on and mends his sail.

• The Boy Who Saved a Bear

  Author: Nizrana Farook
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When 12 year old Nuwan accidentally gets hold of a priceless key, it's the start of an incredible journey - with a ferocious black bear for company!

• The Boy Who Stole the Pharaoh’s Lunch

  Author: Karen McCombie Illustrator: Anneli Bray
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  When Seth is transported back in time to Ancient Egypt, can he save a friendly hyena, who is destined to become the main course at the Pharaoh’s feast? This engaging time-slip adventure is ideal for reluctant or dyslexic readers.

• The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas

  Author: David Almond Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 10+

  Multi-award-winning author David Almond returns with this pleasingly eccentric story of a ordinary boy who embarks on an unusual adventure.

• The Boy who Switched off the Sun

  Author: Paul Brown Illustrator: Mark O’Hanlon
  Publisher: Fourth Wall Publishing
  Reading age: 7+

  Marcel turns off the sun and plunges the world into the cold and dark. Can he find a way to put things back to normal – and quickly? Bright, glossy, humorous and thought-provoking.

• The Boy Whose Wishes Came True

  Author: Helen Rutter
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Archie Crumb thinks he is nothing special, until a footballing fairy godfather gives him nine wishes and the chance to change everything. A rewarding read that deals with similar issues to Jacqueline Wilson but in a more reassuring way.

• The Boy With Two Heads

  Author: Andy Mulligan
  Publisher: David Fickling
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Richard Westlake is an altogether ordinary boy, until he inexplicably grows another head.

• The Boy With the Butterfly Mind

  Author: Victoria Williamson
  Publisher: Floris Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  The complexities of families divided by break-up and reformed as blended versions of themselves will have been experienced by many readers. Elin and Jamie’s story is a compelling and affecting book about acceptance, openness and family dynamics.

• The Boy With Wings

  Author: Lenny Henry Illustrator: Keenon Ferrell and Mark Buckingham
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A funny and exciting school story that turns into a wild fantasy adventure when Tunde dicovers he can sprout giant wings and his destiny is to save the world! The book is brilliantly inclusive and handles themes of bullying, racism, and the challenges of being adopted. 

• The Boy, The Bird and the Coffin Maker

  Author: Matilda Woods
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Allora is a small town so close to the ocean that fish fly out of the tumultuous sea; it's a town so small that secrets are impossible to keep.

• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

  Author: Charlie Mackesy
  Publisher: Ebury Publishing
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  Four new friends explore the world together, reflecting on everything they see and do, and what life actually means. A celebration of love, compassion and kindness, this is a magical book to dip into or read from cover to cover.

• The Boyhood of Burglar Bill

  Author: Allan Ahlberg
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  It is 1953, and in Oldbury Town there is to be a football competition. Rood End Primary enters its two best teams, but there are a few others who want to make their mark too.

• The Boys

  Author: Lauren Ace Illustrator: Jenny Lovlie
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  This inclusive picture book is very much centred on presenting an alternative to outdated representations of masculinity, and reminding us that boys are just as kind, loving, creative, clever and thoughtful as girls.

• The Brainiac’s Book of Robots and AI

  Author: Paul Virr Illustrator: Harriet Russell
  Publisher: Thames & Hudson
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Enjoyable and fascinating, this non-fiction book explores what robots are and what they can, and might, do. Timely and accessible.

• The Brave Beast

  Author: Chris Judge
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Reading age: 6+

  The Beast is enjoying a lovely bit of peace and quiet when terrified villagers from a nearby island beg for his help in finding the source of a horrifying howling.

• The Brave Little Grork

  Author: Kathryn Cave Illustrator: Nick Maland
  Publisher: Friendly Dragon
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Grorks are shy, easily frightened creatures, and the one in this story is no exception. When his friend, the greep, suggests going for a walk to the wood, the grork is terrified...

• The Bride's Farewell

  Author: Meg Rosoff
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 11+

  A gripping, poetic coming-of-age tale, which considers issues as relevant to 21st century teenage experience as they were in Pell’s time; relationships, duty, love and abuse.

• The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

  Author: Liz Pichon
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This book oozes personality and with so much going on it promises to maintain the attention of young readers for hours at a time

• The Brockenspectre

  Author: Linda Newbery Illustrator: Pam Smy
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 8+

  Tomas sets out to find his father, terrified that the Brockenspectre - a mountain monster which his father had told him about - has got him.

• The Broken Dragon

  Author: Karen McCombie Illustrator: Anneli Bray
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Tyra loves her new life with Nan but is anxious about starting a new school in case she doesn’t fit in. A heart-warming tale, designed specifically to appeal to reluctant and dyslexic readers.

• The Broken Leg of Doom

  Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Thomas Flintham
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Maisie's been taken to hospital after some extreme dancing... and now there are some very strange things going on! A laugh-out-loud tale of mummies, mystery, and cursed tuna sandwiches.

• The Broken Road

  Author: B R Collins
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Celebrating the 800th centenary of the Children's Crusade, The Broken Road imagines the story of a group of young people to Jerusalem to regain the city from the Saracens for the Christianity, which took place in the 13th century.

• The Bubble Boy

  Author: Stewart Foster
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Joe has always lived in a sterile room in a hospital. He's the 'bubble boy': documented on TV because of a rare condition, affecting his immune system, that keeps him vacuum-packed from the rest of society.

• The Bubble Wrap Boy

  Author: Phil Earle
  Publisher: Penguin
  

  Charlie goes in search of something he is good at, that will make him feel better after being picked on at school. When he discovers skateboarding his whole life changes, but can he persuade his overprotective Mum to let him develop his talent?

• The Building Boy

  Author: Ross Montgomery Illustrator: David Litchfield
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  

  The boy loves his grandmother dearly. Best of all, he loves the stories about her life as a prize-winning architect. One day, she promises she'll build him an extraordinary house. Now his grandmother's gone, and he's heartbroken. But in her garden there are bricks and girder and he begins to build….

• The Bumblebear

  Author: Nadia Shireen
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Norman the bear loves honey, so he thinks up an ingenious plan to get his paws on as much as he can eat - by enrolling at Bee School! An endearing tale about friendship and loyalty.

• The Buried Crown

  Author: Ally Sherrick
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  It's World War Two and Britain is on the brink of invasion. George has been sent to live in the countryside  – but he's far from safe. A fast-paced adventure that zips along and mixes up the facts with tantalising mythical and magical elements.

• The Bus is for Us!

  Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Gillian Tyler
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Reading age: 7

  With bold, easy to read rhyming text and beautiful pictures to fire the imagination, this book, exploring all manner of transport and adventure, is one to be treasured and shared.

• The Butterfly Clues

  Author: Kate Ellison
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 14+

  Blending a tense and compelling murder mystery with a thoughtful story of self-discovery , this is an impressive debut novel

• The Butterfly Heart

  Author: Paula Leyden
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Twins Bul-Boo and Madillo are determined to save their friend Winifred from an arranged marriage with her uncle's friend, who is old enough to be her grandfather.

• The Butterfly House

  Author: Katy Flint Illustrator: Alice Pattullo
  Publisher: Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Inside an imaginary glass butterfly house, we make our way through a variety of butterfly and moth species, all fabulously illustrated by the very talented Alice Pattullo. A very lovely and informative read.

• The Button Book

  Author: Sally Nicholls Illustrator: Bethan Woollvin
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  

  This creative picture book invites children to press a series of buttons – drawn onto the pages and powered by the reader's imagination! – to reveal different sounds or actions. Lots of early learning experiences are packed into this imaginative tale, which is sure to become a firm favourite.

• The Café at the Edge of the Woods

  Author: Mikey Please
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 5-6
  

  Rene opens a café, but her only customer is an ogre! By disguising her food as disgusting bats and battered mice, she becomes a hit with the locals. A brilliantly illustrated, hilarious picture book.  

• The Cake the Wolf and the Witch

  Author: Maudie Smith Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 8-14
  Reading age: 10+

  An imaginative, entertaining story about scary new beginnings, featuring some comical, crazy characters and sprinkled with funny illustrations.

• The Call

  Author: Peadar O’Guilin
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  The Call masterfully blends fantasy, horror and folklore. The Sídhe are vicious fairy-type creatures, banished by humans to another land. They take their revenge by 'calling' teenagers to the Grey Lands - where they are hunted, tortured or killed.

• The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens

  Author: First Dog On the Moon
  Publisher: Allen&Unwin
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 10+

  A hilarious graphic novel that manages to be entertaining, informative and utterly bonkers while tackling the very serious issue of global warming and climate change.

• The Cardturner

  Author: Louis Sachar
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 11-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Alton has been unwillingly forced by his parents into being his irrascible, blind, bridge-mad uncle’s cardturner, in the hope that the family will be beneficiaries of the old man’s will.

• The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole

  Author: Michelle Cuevas
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7-9

  When 11-year-old space mad Stella visits NASA, the last thing she expects is for a black hole to follow her and live in her house as a pet. A heartwarming, sensitively funny and uplifting illustrated story of one girl's journey in confronting her grief.

• The Cartoons That Came To Life

  Author: Tom Ellen Illustrator: Phil Corbett
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A zany illustrated adventure about comic characters, Arley and Tapper, who step out of Finn’s sketchbook and into his real life, demanding a final showdown with their sworn enemy, Professor Fart-Munch. A well-told story with lots of laughs. 

• The Cartoons that Saved the World

  Author: Tom Ellen Illustrator: Phil Corbett
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Comic-book creators and best buddies Finn and Isha get more than they bargained for when they are blasted into Toon World, where they encounter a bonkers cast of two-dimensional cartoon characters. An offbeat story, bursting with humour, imagination and dynamic cartoon illustrations on every page.

• The Carhullan Army

  Author: Sarah Hall
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 15-16
  Reading age: 15+

  Britain is in a bad way. Flooding, fuel shortages and overseas military commitments have taken their toll on the environment and the economy.

• The Case of the Good-Looking Corpse

  Author: Caroline Lawrence
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 10+

  P.K. Pinkerton, intrepid 12-year-old Private Eye who (almost) never sleeps, returns in the second book in this lively and original series from Caroline Lawrence, set in America's Wild West.

• The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder

  Author: Kereen Getten Illustrator: Leah Jacobs-Gordon
  Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Fayson has always dreamed of becoming a detective, so is intrigued when she is invited to her cousins’ fancy holiday home to solve a real-life mystery. Set on a Jamaican island, this lively tale is ideal for confident younger readers.

• The Castle

  Author: Sophia Bennett
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  The Castle is a fast-paced adventure story that is sure to keep readers turning pages. It also touches upon issues of domestic slavery, politics and human rights.

• The Castle Corona

  Author: Sharon Creech
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Two orphaned peasant children, Pia and Enzio, find a pouch, stolen from the King and dropped in their path. A fairytale about rich and poor.

• The Castle of Inside Out

  Author: David Henry Wilson Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Alma Books Ltd
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  This is a timeless fantastical story about overcoming greed, power and corruption. Lorina is a brave heroine, who fights for what is right against all odds. There are lots of other fun characters, too - all illustrated by the wonderful Chris Riddell.

• The Cat and the Fiddle: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Reading age: 6+

  The bold, earthy colour palate and close observation of the human and natural world make this a striking collection to be treasured – and remembered

• The Cat and the King

  Author: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 6-7
  Reading age: 8-9

  When the royal castle is destroyed in an Unfortunate Incident involving a fire-breathing dragon, the King and his best friend, the cat, are forced to find an alternative home.

• The Cat and the Rat and the Hat

  Author: Em Lynas Illustrator: Matt Hunt
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  

  A raucous, rhyming tale with a fun tongue-twister text, bright neon artwork and  hilarious animal antics.

• The Cat at Night

  Author: Dahlov Ipcar
  Publisher: Pushkin
  Interest age: 3-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Follow a cat’s journey through a farm at night, seeing through the darkness with brilliant night vision. 

• The Cat in the Hat

  Author: Dr Seuss
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  

  When Sally and her brother are left alone on a rainy day, they think they are in for a dull time - but then the Cat in the Hat appears.

• The Cat Mummy

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Yearling
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 8-9

  A deceptively simple tale which explores the issue of bereavement for younger readers.

• The Cat Who Ate Christmas

  Author: Lil Chase Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
  Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 6-8

  After causing havoc at home, Jingles the playful kitten disappears, and the family spends Christmas frantically searching for their beloved pet. This amusing festive tale, with comical illustrations, is ideal for newly-confident independent readers.

• The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof

  Author: Annie M G Schmidt Translator: David Colmer
  Publisher: Pushkin Children’s
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 8-9

  This is a humorous, surreal and satisfying story with an old fashioned feel.

• The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks

  Author: Katie Kirby
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  It’s Lottie Brooks’ second term at Kingswood High and she is determined to be less awkward and more resilient – at least that’s the plan. Written in the form of a diary that shows all the awkwardness of teenage life, this laugh-out-loud book is perfect for fans of Louise Rennison.

• The Catlady

  Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: John Eastwood
  Publisher: Random House
  Reading age: 7-8

  Miss Ponsonby is reclusive and eccentric. She is certain that she has living with her, in feline form, not only her dead parents and friends, but Queen Victoria.

• The Cave

  Author: Rob Hodgson
  Publisher: Francis Lincoln Children’s Books
  Reading age: 5+

  There is a cave that is home to a creature: a creature that never leaves its cave… Because of the wolf. A laugh-out-loud story with a very BIG surprise and some glorious artwork: perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Chris Haughton.

• The Circle Breakers

  Author: Patience Agbabi
  Publisher: Canongate
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The third book in The Leap Cycle series, this is a great example of a thrilling timeslip adventure which embraces diversity and inclusion.

• The Circles in the Sky

  Author: Karl James Mountford
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 3-4

  Beautifully written and illustrated, this moving story is a sensitive way to talk about death with little ones. 

• The City of Devi

  Author: Manil Suri
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 15-16
  Reading age: 15+

  Manil Suri's new novel, The City of Devi, is a weird postmodern dystopia, a thriller and a love story.

• The City of Secret Rivers

  Author: Jacob Sager Weinstein Illustrator: Euan Cook
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Hyacinth Hayward is on a mission to save her kidnapped Mum. Unfortunately, this involves travelling the length and breadth of London's sewers and meeting some very unsavoury characters... A delightfully silly, surreal and addictive adventure.

• The Climbers

  Author: Keith Gray
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 8+

  This punchy and exciting thriller explores status, friendship and potentially deadly rivalry – and shows how saving face at all costs isn’t necessarily the best strategy. 

• The Clockwork Conspiracy

  Author: Sam Sedgman
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Isaac’s life is thrown into disarray when his dad mysteriously vanishes from the belfry of Big Ben. As they search for him, Isaac and his friend Hattie uncover a sinister plot which threatens Time itself. A fast-paced mystery, which will have readers on the edge of their seats.  

• The Clockwork Crow

  Author: Catherine Fisher
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  Orphan Seren Rhys has been sent to live with her mysterious Godfather after living for 12 years in an orphanage. The possibility of her first happy family Christmas seems like it might finally be within her reach.

  On her solo journey to Wales, Seren is given a mysterious package to look after by a stranger and ends up feeling obliged to take it with her. But…

• The Cloud

  Author: Hannah Cumming
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Reading age: 6+

  Everyone loves art class; everyone except the little girl who sits alone and draws nothing, a black cloud glowering above her

• The Cloud Horse Chronicles: Guardians of Magic

  Author: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The first in a wildly imaginative fantasy series, in which three brave youngsters join forces against those trying to destroy ancient magic. Packed with beautifully intricate illustrations full of character and passion, it’s absorbing and supremely entertaining. 

• The Cloud Hunters

  Author: Alex Shearer
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Many years after an unspecified cataclysm, the Earth has been shattered into a myriad of tiny planetoids floating in a vast ocean of air.

• The Cloudspotter

  Author: Tom McLaughlin
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Franklin was called 'The Cloudspotter' - and he didn't want to share his clouds with anyone. That's why he pops the infuriating Scruffy Dog into a hot-air balloon and lets her fly away. A charming story about a lonely little boy who finds a friend.

• The Clubhouse Mystery: Cass and the Bubble Street Gang

  Author: Erika McGann Illustrator: Vince Reid
  Publisher: The O’Brien Press
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Best friends Cass, Lex and Nicholas are the Bubble Street Gang. Humour, adventure, mystery and plenty of innocent childhood antics pepper this comical chapter book for young readers.

• The Clue is in the Poo and Other Stuff Too

  Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: Claire Almon
  Publisher: Quarto Publishing
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Packed full of fascinating facts and flashes of humour, this non-fiction picture book encourages children to become wildlife detectives. Ideal for any animal enthusiast, this would also be a useful addition to the classroom for use on wildlife projects.

• The Clumsies Make a Mess

  Author: Sorrel Anderson Illustrator: Nicola Slater
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7+

  The Clumsies try to solve lots of Howard’s problems, all with hilarious consequences.

• The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

  Author: Holly Black
  Publisher: Indigo
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 13+

  Welcome to Coldtown. Once you enter, you can never leave. Delightfully dark and gorgeously gothic, it is certain to enchant fans of all things chilling and supernatural.

• The Colour Monster

  Author: Anna Llenas
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 3-8
  Reading age: 7+

  An original and entertaining picture book using colour, collage-effect illustrations and a delightfully cute monster to help youngsters identify and understand different emotions.

• The Colour of Home

  Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 5-9
  Reading age: 7+

  On Hassan's first day at school he paints a colourful picture of his home and family in Somalia, but then adds soldiers, flames and bullets.

• The Colour of Hope

  Author: Ross Mackenzie
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  This classic good versus evil fantasy adventure builds on a fascinating idea of a world devoid of colour and joy. But there’s much more to it than that.

• The Colour of Revenge

  Author: Cornelia Funke
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Return to the magical world of Inkheart as Dustfinger and his allies struggle against the nefarious motives of a resurgent Orpheus. A brilliantly written and layered fantasy story for new and old fans alike. 

• The Colour of the Sun

  Author: David Almond
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  David Almond returns to deliver a powerful story centring around the acceptance of loss of one’s childhood after a parent’s death and the journey towards adulthood, which is portrayed beautifully in this coming-of-age novel.

• The Colour Thief

  Author: Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
  Publisher: Wayland
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Drawing on personal experiences of living in a family blighted by depression, this unusual, yet important, book may help youngsters to make sense of an illness they cannot see.

• The Colours of History

  Author: Clive Gifford Illustrator: Marc-Etienne Peintre
  Publisher: QED Publishing
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Full of fascinating facts about colour, this book focuses on a topic that is not often covered in children’s books. It offers a wide range of opportunities and new ideas for parents and schools, working across the curriculum through art, history and beyond.

• The Collector

  Author: K. R. Alexander
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 11-13
  Reading age: 11+

  There are three rules at Grandma Jeannie’s house: never leave the windows open; no dolls in the house; and never, ever go into the woods. Ideal for readers aged 11+ who enjoy spooky tales about things that go bump in the night. Read on if you dare!

• The Comet

  Author: Joe Todd-Stanton
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  Joe Todd-Stanton’s new picture book explores how a family can create a home filled with imagination and warmth, even in less than perfect circumstances. It’s a lovely one to read with mid-aged primary school children who might be worried about moving house.

• The Company of Eight

  Author: Harriet Whitehorn
  Publisher: Stripes
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This adventure book is a total rollercoaster ride that will catch your breath as gutsy Cass weaves in and out of peril. After all, who doesn't want swashbuckling fun and women warriors with the hearts of lions?

• The Company of Ghosts

  Author: Berlie Doherty
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Over the past year many things have changed in Ellie’s life. When she is told she must go away with her mum and her stepfather on their honeymoon, it’s the last straw and she decides to run away. Fortunately she meets Morag, a friend from orchestra, who says she can stay at her house.

• The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

  Author:
  Publisher: Andrews McMeel
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  The comic-strip adventures of Calvin, a naughty boy with a philosophical bent, and his soft toy tiger companion Hobbes, delighted readers from 1985 to 1995. 

• The Concrete Garden

  Author: Bob Graham
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 7+

  Children join in to draw a beautiful garden with chalk. A gorgeous picture book celebrating community and the positive effect art has on everyone. 

• The Conquerors

  Author: David McKee
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Reading age: 5+

  The General of a powerful country sends his troops into the last unconquered territory, but to their surprise, when they march across the border, they meet with no resistance.

• The Considine Curse

  Author: Gareth P Jones
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Ever woken up to an eerie howl in the night and wondered what it was? This creepy tale about the Considine family might just have the answer

• The Cooking Club Detectives

  Author: Ewa Jozefkowicz
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This delightful detective story has an engaging plot and likable characters. It subtly explores new friendships, the importance of community and issues of food poverty and online bullying, plus includes some easy-to-follow recipes.

• The Coral Kingdom

  Author: Laura Knowles and Jennie Webber
  Publisher: Words & Pictures Press
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  The great beauty and diversity of the coral reef is explored in this stunningly beautiful picture book, which is a true work of art. The rhyming non-fiction text scans well and the information about coral reef conservation is pitched at the right level.

• The Council of Good Friends

  Author: Nikesh Shukla Illustrator: Rochelle Falconer
  Publisher: Knights Of
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Vinay and his “Council of Friends” are disrupted by the arrival of his cousin. Together, they learn to set aside their differences and empathise with each other’s feelings. 

• The Covers Of My Book Are Too Far Apart! (And Other Grumbles)

  Author: Vivian French
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke (Picture Squirrels)
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 5-8

  This accessible and diversely illustrated picture book gives helpful suggestions for more or less any reading issue. It's likely to especially interest schools.

• The Cow That Laid an Egg

  Author: Andy Cutbill Illustrator: Russell Ayto
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Reading age: 4+

  A madcap, yet moving, story about having the courage of one's convictions, even when others doubt you.

• The Cow Who Fell to Earth

  Author: Nadia Shireen
  Publisher: Penguin Random House Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  One night, a little cow falls to earth from the moon, but none of the earth animals speak her language. This lovely book about friendship and belonging is beautifully paced and has all of Nadia Shireen’s recognisable cute characters.

• The Crackledawn Dragon

  Author: Abi Elphinstone
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The third book in the Unmapped Kingdoms series reads very well on its own or as part of the series, with all of Elphinstone’s trademark fantastical beasts and characters.  Most of all, these are stories about friendship, love, and having faith in yourself. 

• The Cradle of All Worlds

  Author: Jeremy Lachlan
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Jane Doe appeared on the steps of the mysterious Manor with her sick father as a baby, and ever since the residents of Bluehaven have considered her The Cursed One. But Jane's about to find out who she really is in a storming, funny and gripping adventure romp.

• The Creakers

  Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7+

  The Creakers is a charmingly written adventure story. Monsters under the bed (AKA The Creakers) are acknowledged as scary, but the warm and humorous narrator will make more nervous children feel they are in safe hands. A really lovely, funny book.

• The Creeper Files: The Root of All Evil

  Author: Hacker Murphy
  Publisher: Oxford Press
  Interest age: 8-9
  Reading age: 8+

  After reading this brilliantly creepy book, you'll never look at a potato in the same way again.

• The Creeper Man

  Author: Dawn Kurtagich
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 12+

  Kurtagich has created an incredibly assured, claustrophobic horror with a fractured and troubled teen narrator that will have you gripped to the very last page.

• The Croc and the Sock

  Author: Claire Evans
  Publisher: Fourth Wall Publishing
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Croc wakes up and there’s a sock left on his floor: a smelly, wet, dirty sock. Who has left it, and where is its matching pair? An engaging story with a rhyming text and a fun Croc puppet attached to bring the story to life.

• The Crocodile Under the Bed

  Author: Judith Kerr
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Matty is sick, and very sad because he's too sick to go to the Queen's birthday party! But when he gets an unexpected visitor, it seems that Matty might not miss out after all...

• The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water

  Author: Gemma Merino
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  

  Little crocodile doesn't like water. It's cold. It's wet. It's embarrassing.

• The Crooked Sixpence

  Author: Jennifer Bell
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Jennifer Bell has built a wonderful new world in which readers can immerse themselves, in this pacey, magical adventure. There are twists and turns, new creatures and strange, 'uncommon' objects to discover around every street corner.

• The Crossing

  Author: Manjeet Mann
  Publisher: Penguin Books
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Sammy wants a new life in Europe, while Natalie wants to escape the realities of her life in the UK. A powerful and hard-hitting verse novel for older readers.

• The Crossover

  Author: Kwame Alexander
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Dynamically-illustrated graphic novel version of a bestselling, award-winning story of twin basketball players and their coming-of-age. 

• The Crossover: Graphic Novel

  Author: Kwame Alexander Illustrator: Dawud Anyabwile
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Dynamically-illustrated graphic novel version of a bestselling, award-winning story of twin basketball players and their coming-of-age. 

• The Crow’s Tale

  Author: Naomi Howarth
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  In the dark depths of winter, Brave Crow sets out on a dangerous journey to find the Sun, and beg for warmth. Inspired by a Native American myth, this beautiful picture book shows how courage and kindness are what really matter.

• The Crowfield Curse

  Author: Pat Walsh
  Publisher: Chicken House
  

  Will finds a small creature caught in a trap in the woods; a hob. The discovery of this magical creature signals the beginning of an incredible adventure for Will. A more challenging read that really fires the imagination.

• The Crowstarver

  Author: Dick King-Smith
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  As ‘Spider’ grows up, it becomes apparent that despite his physical and learning disabilities, he has a remarkable gift for communicating with animals.

• The Cry of the Wolf

  Author: Melvin Burgess
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  The Hunter is a cold, cruel man who lives only to kill rare animals and collect their skins. When the Hunter discovers that a pack of English wolves, long thought to be extinct, live in the Surrey countryside, he resolves to kill them all at any cost.

• The Culture of Clothes: A Celebration of World Dress

  Author: Giovanna Alessio Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
  Publisher: Templar Books
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Perfect for young fashion enthusiasts as well as children interested in world cultures, this is a fascinating read with lots of inspiration for art and crafts, as well as school projects.

• The Cupcake Diaries: Katie and the Cupcake Cure

  Author: Coco Simon
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  It's Katie Brown's first day at her new school and she's already feeling miserable.

• The Cure for Dreaming

  Author: Cat Winters
  Publisher: Amulet Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 8+

  Interspersing her text with archive photos, Cat Winters combines history with the supernatural in her celebration of independent women in early twentieth-century America, and highlights the fight for women's suffrage.

• The Curio Collectors

  Author: Eloise Williams Illustrator: Anna Shepeta
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Can Lily and Tom help their new friend find the special treasure her mother left for her? An engaging historical mystery, set in a dyslexia-friendly way.

• The Curiositree

  Author: Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley Illustrator: Owen Davey
  Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
  Interest age: 10-16
  Reading age: 10+

  Natural World is an extremely beautiful reference book that explores the way that habitats, plants and animals are connected, and the way that all elements of nature work in harmony.

• The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth

  Author: Ellie Hattie Illustrator: Karl Kames Mountford
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Join a young boy named Oscar and a woolly mammoth named Timothy as they race through The Curious Museum trying to track down Timothy’s little brother before the ‘magic hour’ is over – or he gets eaten by a dinosaur!

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

  Author: Mark Haddon
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  This funny, touching and compelling novel was the winner of the inaugural Booktrust Teenage Prize

• The Curse of the Tomb Robbers

  Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: James Weston Lewis
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  This clever picture book aimed at older primary readers combines an adventure story with a series of hieroglyph codes to crack, with a comprehensive fold-out guide to hieroglyph meanings and letters at the back of the book. 

• The Changes Trilogy

  Author: Peter Dickinson
  Publisher: Open Road Media
  Interest age: 14-15
  Reading age: 13+

  Gripped by a strange fear, England closes its doors to the outside world. In a tunnel beneath Wales one man opens a crack in a mysterious stone wall, and all over the island of Britain people react with horror to perfectly normal machines. Abandoning their cars on the roads and destroying their own factories, many flee the cities for the countryside, wh…

• The Chain

  Author: Keith Gray
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 13-14
  Reading age: 8+

  How often do we wonder if things might have turned out differently but for a single random act or event?

• The Cheat Book

  Author: Ramzee
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Will the Cheat Book really teach Kamal how to be cool? A funny, highly illustrated story about a boy facing many typical school issues.  

• The Cherry Pie Princess

  Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Marta Kissi
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 7+

  When a bad fairy plots to kidnap the baby prince, Princess Peony must act fast to save her brother. Engaging characters, plenty of humour and a smattering of magic combine in this contemporary fairy tale for confident independent readers.

• The Chestnut Roaster

  Author: Eve McDonnell
  Publisher: Everything With Words
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A refreshingly original mystery thriller set in 19^th century Paris featuring Piaf; a girl with a unique mind who battles to find missing children and lost memories in the labyrinth below the city.

• The Chicken Nugget Ambush

  Author: Mark Lowery
  Publisher: Piccadilly Press
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 8+

  Roman has a lot of misadventures, and this book is a non-stop comical disaster ride. Ideal for kids who find bodily functions, scabs, bogeys and toilet humour hilarious.

• The Children of the King

  Author: Sonya Hartnett
  Publisher: Scholastic
  

  Brilliantly written, this is an original and exciting story set in England and London during the Blitz.

• The Children who Smelled a Rat

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-7
  Reading age: 7+

  Ahlberg and McEwen's fourth fast, funny and improbable story about the Gaskitt family is as ingenious as its predecessors.

• The Children’s Book of Birdwatching

  Author: Dan Rouse
  Publisher: DK
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  With bird numbers in decline around the world, it’s more important than ever for us to understand what our feathered friends need and how we can help them, and encourage them back to our outdoor spaces.

• The Child's Elephant

  Author: Rachel Campbell-Johnston
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 12-13
  Reading age: 11+

  Bat lives with his grandmother in the central African savannah and rears cows. One day he finds an orphaned baby elephant, and so begins a special relationship.

• The Chinese Emperor’s New Clothes

  Author: Ying Chang Compestine Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale incorporates Compestine’s experiences of growing up in the Chinese Cultural Revolution to provide a thoughtful tale about corruption and poverty. 

• The Chocolate Box Girls: Cherry Crush

  Author: Cathy Cassidy
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Cherry’s single Dad has found a new love, but when he and Cherry move to live with her, there are four daughters already in the family, one of whom is not welcoming.

• The Chocolate Dog

  Author: Holly Webb Illustrator: Sharon Rentta
  Publisher: Scholatic
  Interest age: 7-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Amy is feeling alone: mum is pregnant and tired, dad is cross and little sister Lara is annoying. The only one who seems to have any time for her is her loyal dog, Choc.

• The Chosen Ones

  Author: Scarlett Thomas
  Publisher: Canongate
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Set in a dystopian world where technology is flawed and magic abounds, this is the second instalment in the Worldquake sequence. This exciting fantasy adventure is peppered with portals into other dimensions, evil plots and monsters. 

• The Christmas Bear

  Author: Ian Whybrow Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  

  When Father Christmas sets off to deliver the presents, poor Bear is left behind in the workshop! How will he make it to Tom's house in time for Christmas morning? Lift the flaps to find out, as he chases Santa's sleigh through icy seas and snowy forests, all the way from the North Pole to Tom's cosy bedroom.

• The Christmas Book

  Author: Dick Bruna
  Publisher: Farshore
  Reading age: 4+

  From the creator of Miffy, comes a beautiful edition of Dick Bruna's charming Christmas Book complete with a press-out crib scene. In this delightful title he retells the birth of Jesus using simple text and charming illustrations

• The Christmas Carrolls

  Author: Mel Taylor-Bessent Illustrator: Selom Sunu
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Holly and her family adore Christmas – but when they move house, they discover that not everyone is quite as obsessed. Can they find a way to spread the cheer? A fantastically festive treat!

• The Christmas Department Store

  Author: Maudie Powell-Tuck Illustrator: Hoang Giang
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  

  Not all families can afford a picture-perfect Christmas and some children may feel sad and left out from the celebrations. This heart-warming book shows littles ones that you don't have to have a lot of money or presents to have a special time at Christmas.

• The Christmas Eve Ghost

  Author: Shirley Hughes
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Reading age: 6+

  In 1930s Liverpool, young Bronwen and Dylan find kindness from an unexpected source when they are frightened by what they think is a ghost on Christmas Eve.

• The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel

  Author: Tracey Corderoy Illustrator: Tiny Neal
  Publisher: Little Tiger Press
  

  Frog turns up at Bear’s door, looking for a Christmas Extravaganza he’s seen advertised. A lovely tale about friendship, kindness, and valuing the wonderful parts of the festive season that aren’t directly about consumerism.

• The Christmas Unicorn

  Author: Anna Currey
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Reading age: 6+

  Milly is awakened in the night by a beautiful unicorn who helps to create a magical Christmas for her family.

• The Christmasaurus

  Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  If you ever doubted that dinosaurs and Christmas would work well together, read this book. It is bursting with loveable characters, fast-paced adventure and, of course, Christmas spirit.

• The Christmasaurus (Picture Book)

  Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A festive picture book starring the brave, determined Christmasaurus and a friendly little boy.

• The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch

  Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  The much-adored Christmasaurus is back for more magical adventures in this feel-good sequel to The Christmasaurus. The storybook brings together all the joy of Christmas: warmth, happiness and family squabbles. 

• The Chronicles of Narmo

  Author: Caitlin Moran
  Publisher: Corgi Children's
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Bestselling author and columnist Caitlin Moran wrote The Chronicles of Narmo when she was just a teenager herself

• The Churki-Burki Book of Rhyme

  Author: Gita Wolf Illustrator: Durga Bai
  Publisher: Tara Books
  Reading age: 6+

  An attractive story interspersed with rhymes, telling of two sisters, Churki and Burki, and their dog, based on the artist's own childhood memories in an Indian village.

• The Danger Gang

  Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Franky's life is turned upside down following a terrific storm one night, with flashes of eerie green lightning and a definite whiff of poo - then everyone around him begins to act a bit weird... time for the Danger Gang to save the day!

• The Dam

  Author: David Almond Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7+

  This stunning, wild and atmospheric picture book by two giants of children’s literature tells the true story of a musician father and his daughter who enter each house in the valley to play music and dance, so that they will always contain music – and magic.

• The Dark

  Author: Lemony Snicket Illustrator: Jon Klassen
  Publisher: Orchard Book
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  One night, the night-light goes out, and the dark calls Laszlo down into the basement to meet it.

• The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie

  Author: Yvonne Banham
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Delores Mackenzie has always seen spirits but now they are trying to kill her.

• The Dark Inside

  Author: Rupert Wallis
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  James and Webster, a pair of unlikely friends, embark on a curious rampage across the Devonshire countryside: one to escape life as he knows it, the other on a quest to lift a curse.

• The Dark is Rising

  Author: Susan Cooper
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  This is probably one of the greatest fantasy sequences ever written. Darkly magical and intense Cooper weaves her storytelling wonder over fully realised characters and worlds, drawing in the reader and leading them on a journey that will leave them clambering for the rest of the series.

• The Dark Light

  Author:
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 10+

  This is a gripping and unsettling story with some disturbing characters and a menacing atmosphere which pervades throughout. A dark but compelling read.

• The Darkest Dark

  Author: Chris Hadfield with Kate Fillion Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  One night as a boy, Chris Hadfield watches the Apollo 11 moon landing and decides to be an astronaut. This atmospheric book draws on the Commander's childhood fear of the dark, and his realisation that dreams can come true.

• The Darkest Part of the Forest

  Author: Holly Black
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  With a refreshing spin on the traditional roles and full of sinister undertones and dark magic, this is a bewitching and exciting modern fairy tale for this generation of readers of YA fiction.

• The Dawn Chorus

  Author: Suzanne Barton
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  A warm, reassuring tale about individual talents and about belonging, which will appeal to small children everywhere. Glorious illustrations swirl through the pages in a crescendo of appealing, harmonious images.

• The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish

  Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Dave McKean
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  When Mike swaps his dad for his friend Nathan’s two goldfish his mum is not pleased. But when Mike tries to get his dad back, he finds he's already been traded for an electric guitar.

• The Day I Was Erased

  Author: Lisa Thompson
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  A strange turn of events transports Maxwell to a world where nobody, not even his parents or sister, recognise him. The Day I Was Erased captures the vibrancy and buzz of school life and will ultimately leave readers with a warm glow and lots of hope.

• The Day Louis Got Eaten

  Author: John Fardell
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  Fardell creates a variation on the Old Woman who swallowed a fly in this hilarious adventure

• The Day My Dog Got Famous

  Author: Jen Carney
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Can Ferris train his dog to be an internet sensation in time to save his foster sister’s favourite blanket? A funny, heartfelt story that celebrates family and pets. 

• The Day My Family Disappeared

  Author: Jo Simmons Illustrator: Lee Cosgrove
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 8-10

  Bob is the fifth child in a family of creative geniuses: not only is his mum a nature poet, and his dad a banjo-maker, but his brothers and sisters are all exciting things like opera singers and street dancers. Bob, by contrast, enjoys Hula-Hoops and making terrible sculptures out of mashed potato.

• The Day My School Got Famous

  Author: Jen Carney
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  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. 

• The Day No One Woke Up

  Author: Polly Ho-Yen
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9-11

  A tense and intriguing sci-fi mystery that’s creepy and unnerving with one or two genuinely spine-tingling moments.

• The Day That Aliens Nearly Ate Our Brains

  Author: Tom McLaughlin
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Freddy and Sal just wanted to watch Wrestlegeddon Smackdown when they tried to hijack next-door’s satellite dish. How were they to know it would pinpoint the exact location of Planet Earth to Alan, the grumpiest alien in the universe?

• The Day the Crayons Came Home

  Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  One day, a surprising stack of postcards arrives for Duncan. They are all from his old forgotten crayons, demanding to be brought home to the crayon box. A captivating, comical sequel to The Day the Crayons Quit.

• The Day the Crayons Quit

  Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  Award-winning illustrator and artist Oliver Jeffers has teamed up with film writer and director Drew Daywalt to create this gorgeously colourful picture book.

• The Day the Rains Fell

  Author: Anne Faundez Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
  Publisher: Tamarind
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Long ago, when the world was new, Lindiwe gazed down from the heavens, proud of the earth and the creatures she'd created.

• The Day The Screens Went Blank

  Author: Danny Wallace Illustrator: Gemma Correll
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When all the screens in the world stop working overnight, Stella and her family embark on a hilarious rescue mission to save Grandma.

• The Day War Came

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A heartbreaking picture book that perfectly explains the displacement of people, and especially children, in war, and the trauma experienced by people forced to leave their homes. 

• The Day we Saved the Future

  Author: Ashley Banjo and Jordan Banjo with Alexandra Sheppard Illustrator: Brittney Bond
  Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Earth is threatened by a terrifying supervillain, brothers Micah and Cass travel back in time to stop him. An exciting sci-fi adventure packed with futuristic technology.

• The Dead

  Author: Charlie Higson
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Jack and Ed think things are looking up after they escape boarding school in this sequel to The Enemy, but then something terrible happens that will put them in more danger than ever.

• The Dead House

  Author: Dawn Kurtagich
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 10+

  This is an utterly compelling and creepy psychological thriller which has the reader gripped from the very first page.

• The Dead Men Stood Together

  Author: Chris Priestley
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  In this reinvention of 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' a young boy sets out to sea with his uncle, but the voyage is soon damned by a curse that throws them off course.

• The Dead Ways

  Author: Christopher Edge
  Publisher: Catnip
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Government has a plan to clean up the environment – closing down motorways and returning the roads to nature. When Scott Williams' father is found dead in his government office, Scott resolves to find out the truth behind his death.

• The Deadlands: Hunted

  Author: Skye Melki-Wegner
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A brilliantly imagined thriller in which dinosaurs survived an extinction event and developed the ability to think, speak, make alliances and wage war.

• The Deadly Dare Mysteries

  Author: Malorie Blackman
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  This is a bind-up of three books - Deadly Dare, Computer Ghost and Lie Detectives, all featuring best friends Theo and Ricky.

• The Deadly Seven

  Author: Garth Jennings
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  The story has many twists and turns. Through Uncle Pogo we are introduced to interesting inventions and unusual inventions and the monsters help Nelson to become better at making friends.

• The Deadsoul Project

  Author: Dan Smith Illustrator: Luke Brookes
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 12+

  Siblings Kyle and Lauren must fight to survive when a mysterious illness sweeps through their tower block, resulting in several grisly deaths. Definitely not for the fainthearted, this chilling tale is interspersed with news articles and classified reports, which cleverly draw readers into the story.  

• The Death Defying Pepper Roux

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 11+

  For all of his short life, Pepper Roux has been waiting to die. Now, on his fourteenth birthday, he knows he won't have to wait much longer.

• The Declaration

  Author:
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 8+

  A chilling story of a future where Longevity drugs have made sections of the population almost immortal. This is a thought-provoking read.

• The Deep Dark Wood

  Author: Algy Craig Hall and Ali Pye
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 5+

  A sweet little girl happily sets off to visit her best friend for tea through a deep dark wood full of lurking witches, trolls and giants.

• The Demon Collector

  Author: Jon Mayhew
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  Edgy Taylor has a gift - he can see demons in the crowded streets of Victorian London. A gripping, gothic, horror story lightened by its dark humour and unpredictable characters.

• The Demon Dentist

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Strange things are happening in the dead of night. Children who put a tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy wake to find... a dead slug; a live spider; or hundreds of earwigs...

• The Demon Notebook

  Author: Erika McGann
  Publisher: The O'Brien Press
  

  Have you ever wondered if magic spells actually work? Well, Grace and her four best-friends have.

• The Demon's Watch

  Author: Conrad Mason
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Joseph is a half-goblin boy leading a miserable life as a tavern servant. When he finds a mysterious parcel he hopes that by returning it to its owner he might be offered a new, exciting life as a sailor or pirate. But he soon discovers that there are dangerous magical forces abroad that will stop at nothing to regain the package.

• The Den

  Author: Keith Gray
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  The story of teenage boys navigating friendship and family in summer holidays. 

• The Dentist of Darkness

  Author: David O’Connell Illustrator: Claire Powell
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  Funny and fast-paced, this entertaining story is bursting with mystery, sweets and ancient magic. The enthralling plot, wacky characters and larger-than-life villains are brought to life by witty black-and-white illustrations. 

• The Destiny of Minou Moonshine

  Author: Gita Ralleigh
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A charming, mythical fantasy adventure that is accessible and straightforward with just a few moments of jeopardy but plenty of excitement and personal challenges.

• The Detective Dog

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Detective Dog Nell is famed for her sleuthing skills in this witty detail-packed book, full of exuberant rhyming couplets - perfect for sharing and reading aloud.

• The Detention Detectives

  Author: Lis Jardine Illustrator: Glenn Thomas
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Jonno discovers a dead body at school, he and fellow classmates Daniel and Lydia launch their own murder investigation. This extremely funny murder-mystery tale will keep readers guessing to the very end.

• The Deviants

  Author: CJ Skuse
  Publisher: MIRA Ink
  Interest age: 15-18
  Reading age: 11+

  Ella has a secret so toxic she dare not share it - not even with Max, the guy she loves. Soon the couple get caught up in a cycle of revenge and violence, in this pacey and engaging thriller for young adults.

• The Devil Walks

  Author: Anne Fine
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  A chilling, compulsive horror story pleasantly free from vampires and werewolves

• The Devil's Triangle

  Author: Mark Robson
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  Twins Sam and Niamh accompany their father to Florida each summer while he tries to unravel the mystery of their mother's disappearance at sea nine years ago.

• The Diamond Girls

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  Aimed at older readers, this novel deals with adult themes of birth, sexuality, teen pregnancy, gang-culture, abuse and post-natal depression, but all in Wilson's usual credible, accessible style.

• The Diamond of Drury Lane

  Author: Julia Golding
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Winner of the 2006 Ottakar's Children's Book Prize, this is a pacy thriller about a spirited orphan girl employed by Richard Sheridan at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

• The Diggers are Coming!

  Author: Susan Steggall
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Watch as a new estate is built, from the demolition of old properties to families moving into their new homes.

• The Digits: Number Jumble!

  Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: SR. Sanchez
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  An accessible and fun book which will help little ones recognise numbers and start to think about their order in a scale.

• The Ding-Dong Bag

  Author: Polly Peters Illustrator: Jess Stockham
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  The fast-moving and rhythmic text make this great book perfect for reading aloud, and a subtle arm splint on one of the boys is typical of Child’s Play’s inclusive approach to books.

• The Dinner that Cooked Itself

  Author: J C Hysu Illustrator: Kenard Pak
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 9+

  This retelling of an old Chinese folk tale is beautifully illustrated in a contemporary, cinematic style and offers a glimpse at the culture and traditions of an ancient civilisation. 

• The Dinos on the Bus

  Author: Peter Millett Illustrator: Tony Neal
  Publisher: Ladybird
  

  A dino-tastic spin on the classic nursery rhyme, The Wheels on the Bus, where little dinos travel up and down, round and round, all through the land.

• The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas

  Author: Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter Illustrator: Garry Parsons
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Danny is greedy and spoilt - he already has so many toys there is no space in his room. When he sends Santa a long list for Christmas, St Nick decides to teach him a lesson.

• The Dinosaur’s Packed Lunch

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Corgi Pups
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 5+

  Dinah is having a bad day – nothing seems to be going right: so far she’s made her Dad cross and argued with her best friend

• The Disappearing Children

  Author: Lars Joachim Grimstad Translator: Don Bartlett and Sian Mackie
  Publisher: Phoenix Yard Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 8+

  This enjoyable and very funny story of adventure and intrigue is a brilliantly witty political satire appealing to a wide age range from early teens to adult.

• The Disconnect

  Author: Keren David
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Can Esther give up her phone for two months to win a thousand pounds? A short, snappy and entertaining book with a relatable and healthily balanced premise for teenagers: perfect for supporting conversations about social media, friendship and peer pressure.

• The Disgusting Sandwich

  Author: Gareth Edwards Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Alison Green Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  When a boy brings his mouth-watering sandwich to the park, he’s not the only one who thinks it looks rather appetizing.

• The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree

  Author: Paola Peretti Translator: Denise Muir
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Nine-year-old Mafalda has a degenerative eye condition. She starts to keep a list of all the things she'll miss when her sight goes, but also the constants that surround her. Tender and thought-provoking, with a powerful but unforced message.

• The Diviners

  Author:
  Publisher: Atom
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  In this lively and atmospheric tale of 1920s New York, party girl Evie finds herself investigating a sinister string of occult murders.

• The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly

  Author: Catherine Emmett Illustrator: Claire Powell
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A little Dodo has a dream: she wants to fly, even though Dodos are too round and generally not aerodynamic. There has never been a flying Dodo, but this fact doesn’t stop her: she tries and tries, despite some mean Dodos making fun of her not being able to get off the ground when she practises. She reads all the books and researches flying, but, try as she m…

• The Dog Runner

  Author: Bren MacDibble
  Publisher: Old Barn Books
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  A perilous adventure with dystopian and environmental themes that cut unnervingly close to potential reality, The Dog Runner is a tense, thrilling adventure full of close calls, but also glowing with heart, whether it's the relationship between Ella and Emery or their love for the "doggos" helping them get to where they need to be.

• The Dog that Ate the World

  Author: Sandra Dieckmann
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  The valley was a picture of harmony until the dog appeared and ate everything up. This reads like a myth from an ancient culture and could be seen as a warning against greed and rising extinction rates – though the tone is gentle and the illustration sublime.

• The Dog That Saved Christmas

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Mike Byrne
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A sensitive and fascinating portrayal of how Christmas might be experienced by a boy on the autistic spectrum, and how a therapy dog provides reassurance and helps him enjoy the festive season.

• The Dog That Saved the World (Cup)

  Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 8+

  For Pickles the dog and his owner Elsie, football is everything – they love nothing more than playing the beautiful game together. So when Elsie’s local team win the chance to play a half-time match at the upcoming World Cup, the pair are very excited. But off-pitch, times are hard. Elsie’s dad is struggling to pay for rent and food. To make matters worse, t…

• The Dogs

  Author: Alllan Stratton
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 14+

  Spooky and atmospheric, The Dogs is everything you could want from a murder mystery and ghost story

• The Doldrums

  Author: Nicholas Gannon
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9-12

  A fabulous, funny and heart-warming story of adventure and friendship.

• The Dollmaker of Krakow

  Author: R. M. Romero Illustrator: Lisa Perrin
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Doll Karolina is saved from war in her native Land of the Dolls and transported to Poland to live with a man known as the Dollmaker - only for their lives to be turned upside down by World War II. An unusual novel blending reality with folklore and fantasy that will have a lasting impact on readers.

• The Don't Panic Gang

  Author: Mark Sperring Illustrator: Sarah Warburton
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  The Don’t Panic Gang is a top secret organisation, comprising a doughnut-loving cat, a little blue bird and an unassuming window-box worm - but when they get a call for help, they transform into superheroes! An exciting, funny adventure to read aloud.

• The Door of No Return

  Author: Kwame Alexander
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  In nineteenth-century Ghana, Kofi loves swimming and wants to talk to the beautiful Ama. But he has to fight for his life after a sudden death occurs. A deeply compelling, vital read.

• The Door that Led to Where

  Author: Sally Gardner
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  There's a Dickensian flavour to this satisfying time-travel tale, which takes its teenage hero on a journey from gritty modern-day London, to the city of the 1800s.

• The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight

  Author: Jenny Valentine
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  Jenny Valentine presents another enthralling, perplexing and thought-provoking novel exploring family, friendship and identity.

• The Double Life of Ted Amos

  Author: Simon James Green Illustrator: Jennifer Jamieson
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9-11

  Edward has reinvented himself as Ted at his dad’s new town. Ted is cool and definitely isn’t bullied. But will his lies catch up with him? Hilarious and moving, this is about being who you really are. 

• The Double Shadow

  Author: Sally Gardner
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Sally Gardner lives up to her reputation for delivering ambitious and highly imaginative writing for teenagers in this unusual and complex historical novel.

• The Doughnut of Doom

  Author: Elys Dolan
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  A giant, police-eating doughnut is wreaking havoc in the town square. Will Nancy, ace reporter and peanut butter sandwich, save the day? Dolan’s food-fabulous picture book is full of punny provisions and delectable double entendres.

• The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight

  Author: Ella Woollard Illustrator: Benji Davies
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 7+

  An uplifting story about a timid baby dragon and a friendly young knight who discover they have much more in common than people think - and refuse to fight.

• The Dragon Ark

  Author: Curatoria Draconis Illustrator: Tomislav Tomic
  Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  In this stunning book, Curatoria Draconis - also known as the Dragon Protector - takes us on a journey around the world to meet different kinds of dragons and learn how we can protect them...

• The Dragon in the Bookshop

  Author: Ewa Jozefkowicz
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  An intriguing mixture of contemporary life and Polish folk tale that explores the desolation and trauma of losing a parent and how one boy finds his way back to his friends and family – by rescuing a desperate city from an angry, and very hungry, dragon.

• The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart

  Author: Stephanie Burgis Illustrator: Freya Hartas (chapter headings)
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8+

  When spirited young dragon Aventurine is tricked into drinking some enchanted hot chocolate, she is turned into a human girl. Dragons, magic and chocolate combine in this captivating fantasy adventure.

• The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom: A Very Fiery Fairy Tale

  Author: Beach
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  A delightfully silly rhyming fairy tale story, The Dragon With the Blazing Bottom has plenty of laughs and zany illustrations, with an adorable dragon and his loyal adversary who is absolutely dedicated to helping out his friend. 

• The Dragon’s Hoard: stories from the Viking Sagas

  Author: Lari Don Illustrator: Cate James
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  In this collection of 11 stories about Vikings, you will encounter sailors, traders and explorers. Elemental, unadorned and compelling, these engaging retellings of the Sagas are illuminated by earth-toned illustrations.

• The Dragonsitter

  Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Garry Parsons
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Eddie's uncle has gone on holiday and he has left his dragon behind for Eddie to look after.

• The Dragonsitter Takes Off

  Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Gary Parsons
  Publisher: Anderson Press
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  It had sounded so easy: Edward was going to look after Uncle Morton's unusual pet for a week while he went on holiday. But soon the fridge is empty, the curtains are blazing, and the postman is fleeing down the garden path.

• The Drama Llama: A story about soothing anxiety

  Author: Rachel Morrisroe Illustrator: Ella Okstad
  Publisher: Puffin
  

  Written in clever rhyming verse, this fun picture book uses humour to tackle big feelings of worry and anxiety.

• The Dreamsnatcher

  Author: Abi Elphinstone
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Moll and her wildcat Gryff must fight dark, magical  forces to protect the world they know. An exceptional debut novel that is packed with adventure, magic and humour.

• The Dress and the Girl

  Author: Camille Andros Illustrator: Julie Morstad
  Publisher: Abrams
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Emigrating to America, a girl loses the trunk that contains her beloved dress. The dress then embarks on an epic around-the-world journey to find her. A poetic and exquisitely illustrated story about love, loss, the passing of time and the power of memory.

• The Drum

  Author: Ken Wilson-Max Illustrator: Catell Ronca
  Publisher: Tiny Owl
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  This little but lively book is part of Tiny Owl’s "Children. Music. Life" series, which focuses on musical instruments from around the world, created by award-winning picture book author and artist Ken Wilson-Max. In this book, we meet the drum.

• The Duck Who Didn't Like Water

  Author: Steve Small
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 0-5
  

  Duck doesn't like water - but one day he meets Frog, who loves it! An adorable picture book about making friends in the most unlikely of places.

• The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

  Author: Mo Willems
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Mo Willems’ trademark illustrations and sparse text convey a huge range of emotions in a strikingly minimalist style.

• The Duff

  Author: Kody Keplinger
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 10+

  Seventeen year old Bianca believes her friends are all much more attractive to boys than she is herself. Wesley, a boy whom she hates, confirms this when he tells her she is 'The Duff' - the designated ugly fat friend chosen by other girls to draw attention to themselves.

• The Eagle Trail

  Author: Robert Rigby
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Paul Hansen must follow the dangerous Eagle Trail through the Pyrenees Mountains to get to England and escape Nazi persecution in this well-researched historical drama.

• The Earth Book

  Author: Jonathan Litton Illustrator: Thomas Hegbrook
  Publisher: 360 Degrees
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  Learn about the inner workings of our earth, including earthquakes, volcanoes, thunderstorms and tsunamis; animal life on earth; the earth regions and the impact of humans on the planet, including information on migration, population and sustainability in this comprehensive hardback book celebrating the biodiversity and structure of this fascinating planet.

• The Earth is Singing

  Author: Vanessa Curtis
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 10+

  Based on true events, this first-person narrative tells the story of the Jews of Riga during World War II. Engaging, harrowing and thought-provoking, this is a story that should not be forgotten.

• The Edge

  Author: Alan Gibbons
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Danny and his mother Cathy are on the run from her abusive boyfriend, Chris. They go back to the Edge, Cathy's childhood home, which she left after having Danny at the age of sixteen.

• The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods

  Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  The first book of The Edge Chronicles which sees Twig start his quest to find out who he really is.

• The Edge Chronicles: Doombringer

  Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Cade and his friends are forced into action to defend their beloved home; they must summon the combined forces of the Deadwoods to repel the force of their enemies.

• The Edge Chronicles: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax

  Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  A storm is brewing far in the open sky, headed straight for the floating city of Sanctaphrax. But, when Twig has lost his memory of being warned of this catastrophe, he must find his crew and save the day.

• The Edge Chronicles: Stormchaser

  Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  The second part of the Twig Saga follows Twig as he joins the crew of the Stormchaser in a dangerous quest to collect stormphrax to save the floating city of Sanctaphrax.

• The Edge Chronicles: The Nameless One

  Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Fleeing the scene of his father's murder in the city of Great Glade, Cade Quarter smuggles himself onto the Xanth Filatine, a floating skytavern that journeys over the vast landscape of The Deadwoods.

• The Eel Question

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Beth Holland
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  A mythic-feeling story about a girl who lives on the flat marshes, fishing for eels, and soon befriends an otter that will help her flee danger. As ever, Davies’ love of the natural world is obvious, and her writing sings with a dark exuberance.

• The Egg Incident

  Author: Ziggy Hanaor Illustrator: Daisy Wynter
  Publisher: Cicada Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Humphrey the egg isn’t allowed to do anything energetic – especially not climb walls. But when he and his new friend are locked in the park, he has to escape somehow! A very funny graphic novel that will have children giggling out loud. 

• The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients that Make Up Your Home

  Author: Mike Barfield Illustrator: Lauren Humphrey
  Publisher: Laurence King
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Professor Ohms, a scientific detective, takes you on a journey of discovery around the periodic table. Packed with many weird and wonderful facts, it's perfect for any aspiring scientists (or detectives!). 

• The Elemental Detectives

  Author: Patrice Lawrence
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  A thrilling adventure, where two Black children battle Elemental spirits to save Georgian London from a sleeping sickness. Inventive and packed with adventure and accessible historical detail.

• The Elephant

  Author: Peter Carnavas
  Publisher: Pushkin
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Olive's Dad is followed around by a huge grey elephant that only she can see. It makes him sad and quiet, blocking out all the light in his days. Olive knows she has to get rid of the elephant... but how?

• The Elephant and the Bad Baby

  Author: Elfrida Vipont Illustrator: Raymond Briggs
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and the set off on a great adventure.

• The Elephant and the Sea

  Author: Ed Vere
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 5+

  A picture book about an old elephant looking back to his childhood dreams and how he achieved them 

• The Elephant in the Room

  Author: James Thorp Illustrator: Angus Mackinnon
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Someone has smashed Father Giant’s favourite china elephant. Who is the culprit? This is a magnificent magical mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end about who the culprit might be.

• The Elephant In The Room

  Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Sila is lonely. But she’s not the only one and a chance encounter with an unwanted elephant and a wealthy old gentleman proves to be the start of something unexpected. 

• The Elephant Road

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Annabel Wright
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  This story provides an engaging context in which much wider, complex environmental issues are explored.

• The Elephant that Ate the Night

  Author: Bing Bai Illustrator: Yuanyuan Shen
  Publisher: Everything With Words
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Children and families will enjoy this calming lullaby of a book, with its gentle refrain, muted colours and fairy tale-like charm. It's a great one for children who are scared of the dark, and it's perfect for bedtime and settling down for the night. 

• The Elephant Thief

  Author: Jane Kerr
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 10-12

  This is a fast-paced story, based loosely on a man's real-life journey from Edinburgh to Manchester, while riding an elephant – an event that captivated even Queen Victoria.

• The Elephant's Friend and Other Tales from Ancient India

  Author: Marcia Williams
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  A foolish greedy lion and a disloyal crocodile are two of the animals who get their just deserts in this quirky and beautifully-presented collection of traditional Indian folk tales.

• The Elites

  Author: Natasha Ngan
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  In a distant future in which wars, riots and environmental crises have changed the world as we know it, 15-year-old Silver is an Elite, specially chosen to guard the city of Neo-Babel

• The Elsewhere Emporium

  Author: Ross MacKenzie
  Publisher: Kelpies
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 10+

  This cracking sequel to the Blue Peter Book Award-winning The Nowhere Emporium is chock full of magic and invention. Detailed and original, yet never sacrificing the human story for fantasy, this is a fabulous book that will enchant and inspire.

• The Emerald Atlas - Books of Beginning 1

  Author: John Stephens
  Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
  

  This new fantasy adventure will appeal to lovers of Narnia and Harry Potter.Kate, Michael and their younger sister Emma  have spent their childhoods in a succession of cruel orphanages but their lives are changed when they discover they are linked to a magic book with the power to transport them into the past. Readers will enjoy immersing themselves in …

• The Emergency Zoo

  Author: Miriam Halahmy
  Publisher: Alma Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An unusual and atmospheric story set in the run-up to World War II. As London's children prepare for evacuation to the countryside, they are horrified to discover that their beloved pets are due to be put down.

• The Emperor of Absurdia

  Author: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  The Emperor of Absurdia awakes one morning and can't find his snuggly scarf, so after checking with The Wardrobe Monster, begins to search for it.

• The Emperors New Clothes

  Author: Marcus Sedgwick Illustrator: Alison Jay
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  This is a satirical story about a very vain Emperor who adores beautiful new clothes and has wardrobes full of them!

• The Emperor's New Clothes

  Author: Marina Le Ray
  Publisher: Ladybird Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 5+

  The story is told simply, using short sentences and a small number of frequently repeated words

• The Emperor's Underwear

  Author: Laurence Anholt Illustrator: Arthur Robbins
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 5-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Witty and well illustrated, this is a superb twist on the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes.

• The Empty Stocking

  Author: Richard Curtis Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  Award-winning writer and director Richard Curtis turns his hand to picture books in this magical festive story, beautifully illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

• The Enchanted Horse

  Author: Magdalen Nabb Illustrator: Julek Heller
  Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  A magical tale of a little girl whose enduring love brings a very special horse to life. With a traditional feel and timeless quality, it could be a future family favourite.

• The Enchanted Wood

  Author: Enid Blyton
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  When Joe, Beth and Frannie move into a new home, they discover a mysterious wood on their very doorstep.

• The Enduring Ark

  Author: Gita Wolf Illustrator: Joydeb Chitrakar
  Publisher: Tara Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  This striking picture book is a retelling of the story of Noah and the ark.

• The Enemy

  Author: Charlie Higson
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  When the sickness came, the adults became ill. The lucky ones died but many mutated into brainless, deformed monsters with a seemingly insatiable appetite - for children.

• The Epic Book of Epicness: The world’s most epic facts in pictures

  Author: Adam Frost
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  

  In full colour throughout with great, modern design, this book is extremely well written and fun. Every page is full of genuinely fascinating and unusual facts.

• The Epic Crush of Genie Lo

  Author: F C Yee
  Publisher: Abrams & Chronicle
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  It’s a joy that this pacy, funny Buffy The Vampire Slayer meets kung-fu novel is out there: readers will identify with the difficulties of school and family, and love the realistic teen voices and hilarious dialogue.

• The Ethan I Was Before

  Author: Ali Standish
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  An emotionally powerful story about friendship and grief, family and secrets, with a good dose of mystery and a dramatic, race-against-time conclusion. It's very readable and feels like a future classic.

• The Every Baby Book

  Author: Frann Preston-Gannon
  Publisher: Magic Cat
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  Over the course of one day, we see many different kinds of families engage in the same similar routines: breakfasts, nappy changes, dinners, bedtime. A warm and comforting book with an ultimate message of love and togetherness, which is perfect for bedtime or quieter moments. 

• The Everywhere Bear

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This picture book about a missing toy bear somehow seems like a classic already - with a lovely whiff of nostalgia about it all, while also feeling very current and gently inclusive.

• The Executioner's Daughter

  Author: Jane Hardstaff
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  The crowds at the Tower of London love nothing better than the grisly spectacle of an execution. But as the executioner's daughter, Moss has seen more than her fair share of horror.

• The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife

  Author: Maz Evans Illustrator: Chris Jevons
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A smart, perceptive and utterly hilarious story of one girl’s BIG FEELINGS and the explosive outcome when she tries to keep them inside.

• The Explorer

  Author: Katherine Rundell Illustrator: Hannah Horn
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Fred, Con, Lila and little Max’s plane is on the way to Manaus when it falls out of the sky. Now, lost in the Amazon rainforest, they must figure out the basics of survival. Rundell’s writing is exquisite and this story is completely, utterly wonderful.

• The Extinction Trials

  Author: S M Wilson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 10+

  In Storm and Lincoln’s world, there are two continents... And one is inhabited by vicious, predatory dinosaurs. A tense, brutal fantasy adventure: The Hunger Games meets Jurassic Park.

• The Extincts

  Author: Veronica Cossanteli
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  George loves helping out at Wormestall Farm, a secret sanctuary for exinct and mythical beasts, where unlikely things are always happening.

• The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks

  Author: Emily Kenny
  Publisher: Rock the Boat
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  11-year-old Alice is quite nervous when she starts at Pebblewood, the formidable coastal boarding school that her late mum and her beloved gran both went to as girls.

• The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson

  Author: Devika Jina Illustrator: Maggie Cole
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  This biography of brilliant mathematician Katherine Johnson charts her life from early childhood to the present day. Beautifully designed, the book also includes a wealth of information about space exploration and aspects of American history.

• The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks

  Author: Katie Kirby
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Lottie Brooks is just starting secondary school and she's just about ready to die of embarrassment - she hasn't got a bra, her hair is totally wrong, and the whole class has started calling her Cucumber Girl. Just how cringe can one year be? A hilarious tween diary from Katie Kirby.

• The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone

  Author: Jaclyn Moriarty
  Publisher: Guppy Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A wild quest sends Bronte through a magical, whimsical world. Slowly, she discovers how high the stakes are. This book really has everything: skillfully-spun plot, humour and charm, unforgettable characters and poetry in its language.

• The Extremely Weird Thing that Happened in Huggabie Falls

  Author: Adam Cece Illustrator: Andrew Weldon
  Publisher: Text Publishing
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An utterly nonsensical but engaging romp through the weirdest town in the world, featuring a warty witch, a creepy scientist, vegetarian piranhas and a dastardly plot that could change the town forever.

• The Eyebrows of Doom

  Author: Steve Smallman Illustrator: Miguel Ordonez
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4+

  Dave the bear is innocently sweeping up when th eyebrows of doom latch onto his face and take control. The eyebrows declare their intension to rule the world and proceed to jump from animal to animal in pursuit of their goal. 

• The Fabulous Fairies ABC

  Author: Nancy Trott
  Publisher: Koala Books
  Interest age: 4 months+
  Reading age: 2+

  This is a sparkly, magical ABC - perhaps one for the girls!

• The Fabulous Foskett Family Circus

  Author: John Yeoman Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  A simple rhyme introduces each exuberant personality from the Fabulous Foskett Family Circus.

• The Fabulous Phartlehorn Affair

  Author: M L Peel Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Bruno Pockley is an extraordinary boy with an extraordinary musical talent.

• The Fairy Dogmother

  Author: Caroline Crowe Illustrator: Richard Merritt
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4-5

  Cinders the dog lives at Woofington’s Dog Shelter with a whole host of doggy friends. One day, he’s understandably surprised when Priscilla Paws, a Fairy Dogmother, appears out of thin air and offers to grant Cinders a wish. But what will he wish for?

• The Fairytale Hairdresser and Cinderella

  Author: Abie Longstaff
  Publisher: Picture Corgi
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Fabulous hairdresser to the fairy-tale stars Kittie helps Cinderella meet her Prince in this fun and light-hearted reworking of a favourite fairy story.

• The Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas

  Author: Abie Longstaff Illustrator: Lauren Beard
  Publisher: Picture Corgi
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  It's Christmas Eve, but someone has stolen all the presents - Christmas will be ruined!

• The Fairytale Hairdresser and the Sugar Plum Fairy

  Author: Abie Longstaff Illustrator: Lauren Beard
  Publisher: Picture Corgi
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 5-8

  A retelling of The Nutcracker in an ever-growing series of picturebooks for KS1 girls.

• The Falconer

  Author: Elizabeth May
  Publisher: Gollancz
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Eighteenth century Edinburgh and a dark faerie underworld collide in this fast-moving, gripping Steampunk fantasy romance.

• The Falconer's Knot

  Author: Mary Hoffman
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  Romance, art, monasticism and murder in Umbria, 1316. Hoffman has specialised in creating atmospheric historical novels, filled with intrigue...

• The Fall

  Author: Anthony McGowan
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  Mog isn’t one of the popular crowd, but at least he manages to get by without being troubled much by the bullies...

• The Fall

  Author: Bethany Griffin
  Publisher: Hachette Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 9+

  A creepy and unsettling psychological thriller based on Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.

• The Familiars: Animal Wizardry

  Author: Adam Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Orphaned alley cat Aldwyn is bought by Jack, a likeable young wizard, and has a home and family at last. But when Jack is kidnapped, Aldwyn and his fellow familiars must rescue him.

• The Family Book

  Author: Todd Parr
  Publisher: Little Brown & Company
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5-8

  A joyous picture book about the importance of family and all the strength it can give you, this celebrates family in all its wonderful, diverse glory. The message is subtle, but a crucial one: every family is special and the only thing that matters is love. 

• The Family From One End Street

  Author: Eve Garnett
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Eve Garnett's brilliant depiction of a large, close-knit family and their hilarious escapades is every bit as funny and charming today as it was when it was published in the 1930s.

• The Famishing Vanishing Mahoosive Mammoth

  Author: Hollie Hughes Illustrator: Leigh Hodgkinson
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Mammoth has a problem. He's terribly hungry. His tiny friend Bug brings him food, but one gulp later, it's gone - and Mammoth is gloomy and starving, all over again. A charming, comical, rhyming tale of two unlikely friends.

• The Faraway Truth

  Author: Janae Marks
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Zoe has never met her father, who is in prison for life. But what if he was innocent? When a letter arrives, she sets out on a quest to clear his name.

• The Fault in Our Stars

  Author: John Green
  Publisher: Penguin Children's Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 13+

  John Green tackles the subject of teenage cancer with sensitivity in this witty, life-affirming young adult romance.

• The Fearsome Beastie

  Author: Giles Paley-Phillips
  Publisher: Maverick
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Children quake in the darkness as they hear the terrifying roar of the fearsome beastie as it searches for food...

• The Feathered Man

  Author: Jeremy De Quidt
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Long ago in a German town, Klaus, the tooth-puller’s boy, sees his master steal a diamond from the teeth of a dead man in the wicked Frau Drecht’s lodging house.

• The Fellowship of The Ring

  Author: JRR Tolkein
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 12+

  The first part of J R R Tolkien's epic masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, this is the story of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who finds himself faced with an immense and terrible duty.

• The Ferry Birds

  Author: Helen Dunmore Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
  Publisher: Mabecron Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Dunmore has spun a magical story to show how a small boy in a remote island setting who misses his Dad is reassured by a make-believe trip to visit him in the Far North.

• The Film of Our Life

  Author: Maite Carranza Illustrator: Iratxe López de Munáin Translator: Laura McGloughlin from Catalan
  Publisher: Editorial Cruïlla
  

  When crisis strikes, a girl convinces her brother that they are the stars of a film to protect him from the harsh realities of their new life.

  Twelve-year-old Olívia Tancredi lives in Barcelona with her actress mother Íngrid and her little brother Tim. When Íngrid can't find work, money to pay the bills runs out, their furniture is repossessed, and they are …

• The Final Year

  Author: Matt Goodfellow Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
  Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When he falls out with his best friend and then his little brother is rushed into hospital, Nate’s world is turned upside-down. This incredibly powerful novel, written entirely in free verse and accompanied by thoughtful illustrations, is an emotional read.

• The Fintastic Diary of Darcy Dolphin

  Author: Sam Watkins Illustrator: Vicky Barker
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7-9

  Darcy might be a dolphin, but her daily life at school and home will be incredibly relatable to primary school children.

• The Fire Chronicle

  Author: John Stephens
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  The second in the Books of Beginning fantasy series continues the story of Kate, Michael and Emma.

• The Fire-Eaters

  Author: David Almond
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Bobby begins a new school and endures sadistic cruelty at the hands of his new teachers, he is drawn away from his old friends and towards newcomer Daniel.

• The Firework Maker's Daughter

  Author: Philip Pullman
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  A fantasy adventure story of a determined girl called Lila.

• The First Case

  Author: Ulf Nilsson Illustrator: Gitte Spee
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9

  A warm, delightful story, charming and perceptive, with appealing whimsical illustrations.

• The First Christmas

  Author: Jan Pienkowski
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Jan Pienkowski's silhouette illustrations lend an air of mystery and drama to this text, taken from the King James Bible.

• The First Egg Hunt

  Author: Adam & Charlotte Guillain and Pippa Curnick
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  This original take on how Easter egg hunts really started is a fun, rhyming tale, with plenty of humorous detail in Pippa Curnick’s bright and lovable illustrations. The message is that working as a team is the best way forward.

• The First Noel: A Christmas Pop-Up

  Author: Jan Pienkowski
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  From the moment that Mary conceives Jesus to his birth in a humble stable, the Nativity is depicted simply and with great beauty in this five double-page spread pop-up book. A delightful gift book. 

• The First Shadow Dragon

  Author: Lee Newbery Illustrator: Laura Catalan
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  In this follow-up to The Last Firefox, a naturally timid boy is forced to find his inner strength in order to defeat the fearsome Draig which is destroying the lifeforce of Fargone, a magical but dangerous land.

• The Fish Who Could Wish

  Author: John Bush Illustrator: Korky Paul
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Deep in the ocean lives a very special fish whose wishes come true.

• The Five of Us

  Author: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Tate Publishing
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 4+

  This book is testament to Blake's belief that all children need to be able find themselves in books.

• The Flask

  Author: Nicky Singer
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  When her new baby brothers are born critically ill, Jess becomes convinced that the strange and beautiful flask in Aunt Edie's desk has the power to help them.

• The Flute

  Author: Ken Wilson-Max and Catell Ronca
  Publisher: Tiny Owl
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  In a bright meadow full of fruit and flowers, a boy plays a flute that sounds full of magic. This poetic book is the second in a series of books for babies and toddlers about musical instruments from around the world and how they make us feel and move. 

• The Fly

  Author: Petr Horacek
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  Energetic illustrations and some lift-the-flap sections add interest as the humble housefly buzzes through this lively book

• The Foggy Foggy Forest

  Author: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Who's lurking in the foggy forest? Look through the trees and guess the shapes to find out.

• The Footballing Fairy

  Author: Elli Woollard Illustrator: Irina Avgustinovich
  Publisher: Magic Cat
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  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.  

• The Foreshadowing

  Author: Marcus Sedgwick
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  17-year-old Sasha travels to France as a volunteer nurse in an attempt to rescue her beloved brother Tom from a terrible death. But can she really change the future?

• The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm: Tales from Alagaësia

  Author: Christopher Paolini with Angela Paolini
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This volume comprises three new short stories set in the fictional world of Alagaësia, the setting for the Eragon books: Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance. Existing fans will adore the extra world- and character-building that this book lends.

   

• The Four Branches of the Mabinogi

  Author: Siân Lewis Illustrator: Valériane Leblond
  Publisher: Rily
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Enchanting, engrossing and beautifully illustrated, this is a wonderfully accessible retelling of the most ancient of recorded legends, and a great introduction to the ancient storytelling heritage of Wales.

• The Four Seasons of Lucy McKenzie

  Author: Kirsty Murray
  Publisher: Allen and Unwin
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  An engrossing fantasy adventure that will appeal to a wide audience.

• The Fourth Horseman

  Author: Kate Thompson
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 8+

  What will happen when the fourth and final rider appears, will his appearance signal the end of the world?

• The Fowl Twins

  Author: Eoin Colfer
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The Fowl twins are completely unlike each other, but they make the perfect team when the evil ACRONYM attacks them. Readers will find a well-developed fantasy world with a plot that is full of clever, satisfying twists and turns. 

• The Fox and the Ghost King

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Harper Collins
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  This sweet story weaves Morpurgo's effortless storytelling with ancient and very recent history: Leicester City's win of the Premiership title. Beautiful illustrations make it a lovely gift: football fans, history fans and fox fans are all taken care of here.

• The Fox and the Wild

  Author: Clive McFarland
  Publisher: Templar Publishing
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Fred the fox would like to find ‘the wild’, but he only knows the city. A book to enjoy sharing with young children.

• The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle

  Author: Victoria Williamson
  Publisher: Kelpies
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Told in dual narrative, this story follows Reema and Caylin as they negotiate a shaky friendship: one, an asylum seeker from Syria, and the other, a girl whose mum is struggling to cope. A truly excellent and ultimately uplifting book with plenty of heart.

• The Frank Show

  Author: David Mackintosh
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  A clever and thoughtful picture book showing how much fun the older generation can be and the valuable contribution they can make to young lives.

• The Frog Prince Continued

  Author: Jon Scieszka
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 4+

  After the Princess kissed the frog, he turned into a handsome prince, and they lived happily ever after… or did they?

• The Front Room

  Author: Michelle Magorian Illustrator: Vladimir Stankovic
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 7+

  Hannah and her brother Benjy are on holiday. But instead of relaxing, Hannah is terrified: convinced there's something dreadful in her room. The suspense builds chillingly in this pared-down, atmospheric ghost story.

• The Frozen Sea

  Author: Piers Torday
  Publisher: Quercus Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This brilliant sequel to The Lost Magician is a nail-biting adventure of twists and turns from award-winning author Piers Torday. Readers will flit between hiding under the covers during battle scenes to laughing hysterically at the antics of Jewel's hamster, Fizz. 

• The Funniest Boy in the World

  Author: Helen Rutter Illustrator: Andrew Bannecker
  Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Billy dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, so can’t believe his luck when celebrity comic Leo Leggett offers to be his mentor. At first, Billy loves the attention, but after a while, he begins to question Leo’s motives. A funny, heart-warming tale about the trappings of fame and the importance of standing up to bullies.

• The Funny Life of Pets

  Author: James Campbell Illustrator: Rob Jones
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Is it fiction or non-fiction? You decide! This highly interactive book mixes together real and made-up facts about pets, with hilarious results. Packed with cartoon-style illustrations, The Funny Life of Pets is a comical take on how to choose and care for a pet.

• The Funny Life of Sharks

  Author: James Campbell Illustrator: Rob Jones
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This is a non-fiction book with a difference: not only is it bursting with a wealth of fascinating information about sharks, such as their appearance, habitat and diet, but it also contains an amusing array of untruths and daft anecdotes about totally unconnected topics. 

• The Funny Life of Teachers

  Author: James Campbell Illustrator: Rob Jones
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  You shouldn’t believe everything you read in this imaginative and inventive ‘guide’ to anything and (almost) everything related to school and teachers!

  Packed with cartoon-style illustrations, this highly interactive book mixes together real and made-up facts about school and teachers, with hilarious results. Topics include the different types of teachers an…

• The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-Cat

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Charlotte Voake
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  At the end of Edward Lear's much loved poem, the happily married Owl and the Pussy-cat are dancing hand-in-hand on the edge of the sand... but what happened next?

• The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit

  Author: Emma Thompson Illustrator: Eleanor Taylor
  Publisher: Frederick Warne
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  Oscar-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson has turned her hand to children's books in this new continuation of Peter Rabbit's adventures.

• The Fury

  Author:
  Publisher: Faber Children's Books
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 13+

  Cal, Brick and Daisy are three very different teenagers, living very different lives, but one horrific day they are thrown together in unimaginable circumstances.

• The Galloping Ghost

  Author:
  Publisher: Catnip
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  This gently humorous chapter book was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009; black and white line drawings add to its appeal and the length is perfect for emerging readers.

• The Game of Finger Worms

  Author: Hervé Tullet
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 5+

  This lovely new series of baby books includes games with art, patterns and light, all designed to get very young children to have fun with exploring and using their imagination.

• The Game of Lines

  Author: Hervé Tullet
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 0-5
  

  Learn how to create crazy patterns and have fun with all the combinations you can create!

• The Game of Tops and Tails

  Author: Hervé Tullet
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 0-5
  

  The Game of Tops and Tails is a book to inspire the imagination.

• The Garbage King

  Author: Elizabeth Laird
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  This pacy coming-of-age adventure concentrates on the private hopes, dreams and feelings that drive its characters along, but also keeps enough sense of the gritty realities of street life.

• The Garden of Lost Secrets

  Author: A. M. Howell
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A beautifully written story full of mystery and family secrets, set in Edwardian England against the backdrop of the First World War.

• The Genius Aged 8¼

  Author: Jeremy Strong Illustrator: Jamie Smith
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 8+

  Alfie's parents are very silly, and it's no time at all until young Alfie shows common sense beyond his years. Soon, he is headteacher, town mayor and prime minister of the country - all before his ninth birthday. Giggles and guffaws aplenty.

• The Get Rich Quick Club

  Author: Rose Impey
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Banksy is dedicated to his ambition to become mega-rich through his various money-making schemes. His business partners - and next-door neighbours - are the Baxter Brothers. Billy has boundless confidence and enthusiasm, and Sam is six going on sixty. And then there's Dingdong, their cousin, who is reluctantly allowed to join in, especially if she can help t…

• The Getaway

  Author: Ed Vere
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Notorious cheese thief Fingers McGraw is on the run (or rather, on the moped) from chief law enforcer The Elephant.

• The Ghost Box

  Author: Catherine Fisher
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  This spooky thriller is a short and simple read ideal for reluctant and struggling readers.

• The Ghost Cat Who Saved my Life

  Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Monika Filipina
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 6-8

  When Sav and Liam hear a cat meowing in the upstairs flat, they decide it must be a ghost, so go to investigate. An engaging, heart-warming mystery, ideal for reluctant and dyslexic readers. 

• The Ghost of Gosswater

  Author: Lucy Strange
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Agatha is cast out of her family home by her cruel cousin and sent to live with a man she has never met. Could a ghostly figure at the window be the key to unlocking Agatha's past and finding out who she really is?

• The Ghost of the Trenches

  Author: Helen Watts and Taffy Thomas
  Publisher: A&C Black
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  This slim volume includes 14 'war stories' made up of poems, songs and re-tellings of ghostly sightings and mysterious coincidences, themed around World War One.

• The Ghosts and Jamal

  Author: Bridget Blankley
  Publisher: Hope Road Publishing
  Interest age: 12-18
  Reading age: 12+

  Jamal wakes to find that everyone in his West African village have been killed. He alone has survived because of how others perceive his epilepsy. This is a powerful, moving and mesmerising story, set in a violent world and seen through a 13-year-old's eyes. 

• The Ghosts of Creakie Hall: Ace Ghosts

  Author: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Catnip Publishing Ltd
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Creakie Hall is falling down but there is no money in the bank so Aunt Gardenia Bogey-Mandeville needs to come up with a money-making scheme pretty quickly...

• The Ghosts of Heaven

  Author: Marcus Sedgwick
  Publisher: Indigo
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  The Ghosts of Heaven is an excellent book that will open up new avenues of thought and future reading and introduces teenage readers to a more inventive understanding of storytelling.

• The Giant of Jum

  Author: Elli Woollard and Benji Davies
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  The illustrations brim with jokes and delightful details, the rhyming text is breezy fun, and the line between darkly gruesome and good-hearted is deftly maintained.

• The Giant Turnip

  Author: Henriette Barkow Illustrator: Richard Johnson
  Publisher: Mantra Lingua
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  The children in Miss Honeywood's class decide to grow vegetables in their school garden. What a shock they get when they discover a huge turnip that they are unable to move.

• The Giants and the Joneses

  Author: Julia Donaldson
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  Jumbeelia, a young girl giant from Groil, the Land of Giants, loves the stories of the iggly plop who climbed up the bimblestonk and was chased back down again by a giant.

• The Giant's Loo Roll

  Author: Nicholas Allan
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  A giant is caught short when his loo roll drops to the floor and rolls away. As it rolls through the town the people make use of the enormous sheets to devise all sorts of useful creations.

• The Gift of Dark Hollow

  Author: Kieran Larwood Illustrator: David Wyatt
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  This is the masterly sequel to the The Legend of Podkin One Ear. We are taken right back to the action, with Podkin, his sister Paz and the poor rabbits they rescued sheltering in the Dark Hallow warren. A modern-day classic.

• The Girl at Midnight

  Author: Melissa Grey
  Publisher: Atom
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 13+

  Everything about this book is exquisite. When seven-year-old Echo, a runaway and thief, is discovered in the library by a mysterious lady covered in feathers her life is changed for ever.

• The Girl at the Front of the Class

  Author: Onjali Q Raúf Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 5+

  A boy wonders why his new classmate won’t join in and looks so sad, then discovers she has had to flee her home and everything she knows. A gorgeously illustrated book celebrating being welcoming and kind. 

• The Girl Guide: 50 lessons in learning to love your changing body

  Author: Marawa Ibrahim Illustrator: Sinem Erkas
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  This is a book all tween girls should have. Like a chat with a friend with an excellent sense of humour, The Girl Guide is precisely the straight-talking and empowering read girls need at what can be a confusing and awkward time.

• The Girl in Wooden Armour

  Author: Conrad Mason Illustrator: George Ermos
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Hattie knows her grandmother Dee is quite eccentric. But even after receiving a cryptic note from her, asking the family to visit, when Hattie arrives in the town of Brokewood, the last thing she expects to discover is a magical legacy she knew nothing about, and that Brokewood shares an otherworldly border with a nightmare world called the Un Forest.

  A dead…

• The Girl of Ink and Stars

  Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  When her closest friend disappears into the island's Forgotten Territories, Isabella Riosse volunteers to guide the search. A stunning debut, full of myth, magic and mapmaking.

• The Girl Savage

  Author: Katherine Rundell
  Publisher: Faber Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  When Wilhelmina Silver's home is sold, she is torn from her best friend, her adopted monkey and her pet horse, and banished to an inhospitable boarding school in England.

• The Girl Who Became a Fish

  Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Sojung Kim-McCarthy
  Publisher: Knights Of
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Despite being terrified of water, Ita feels strangely drawn to the nearby river and, when she ventures to put her hands beneath the surface, discovers something unexpected and magical that gradually changes how she sees the world. 

• The Girl Who Became A Tree

  Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Kate Milner
  Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  In Joseph Coelho's story told in poems, the ancient Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo is seamlessly woven into the modern-day tale of a 14 year old girl who becomes lost in the tangled woods of her grief and anger .

• The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

  Author: Catherynne M Valente
  Publisher: Corsair
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When the Green Wind turns up and carries September away to Fairyland, she soon finds herself battling to stop the evil Marquess.

• The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie

  Author: Radhika Sanghani
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Can thirteen-year-old Priya be honest about how she feels without ruining her life? Funny, fresh and full of heart.  

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon

  Author: Kelly Barnhill
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  When babies are left in the forest as an offering, the witch Xan protects them and feeds them on starlight. But one day, Xan feeds a baby the moon by mistake – and fills her with a dangerous amount of magic. A thoughtful book about belonging and fear. 

• The Girl Who Fell To Earth

  Author: Patricia Forde
  Publisher: Little Island
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A thought-provoking science fiction thriller that looks at Earth and humanity through alien eyes.

• The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

  Author: Yasutaka Tsutsui Translator: David Karashima
  Publisher: Alma Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is the story of 15-year-old schoolgirl Kazuko, who accidentally discovers that she can leap back and forth in time after a strange encounter with a shadowy figure at school.

• The Girl who Lost a Leopard

  Author: Nizrana Farook Illustrator: David Dean
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  This exciting adventure raises awareness of the illegal trade in wild animals and encompasses themes of friendship, loyalty and standing up for what is right. The chapter headings are illustrated with striking black-and-white artwork, which will help readers to visualise the characters and setting of this engaging tale.

• The Girl Who Lost Her Shadow

  Author: Emily Ilett
  Publisher: Kelpies
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Combining fantasy and realism, a gripping tale full of danger, loss, hope, friendship and the strength of sisterhood.

• The Girl Who Speaks Bear

  Author: Sophie Anderson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Found in a bear cave when she was a baby and raised by her foster mother, Yanka has always wondered who she really is. Readers will be gripped by her quest to find out in this marvellous tale inspired by Russian folklore.

• The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

  Author: Nizrana Farook
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Against the backdrop of a stunning South Asian landscape, three youngsters are on the run from the King’s guards – on an elephant! With themes of morality, friendship, teamwork and loyalty, this exciting adventure book also has lots of tension and jeopardy.

• The Girl Who Thought Her Mother Was a Mermaid

  Author: Tania Unsworth Illustrator: Helen Crawford-White
  Publisher: Head of Zeus
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Stella sets out to discover if her mother really was a mermaid. A beautifully written story with some tense, nailbiting moments and giddy splashes of magical realism. 

• The Girl Who Walked on Air

  Author: Emma Carroll
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  Louie is a feisty heroine, loyal to her friends and determined to succeed in this engaging historical adventure.

• The Girl with No Nose

  Author: Georgia Byng Illustrator: Gary Blythe
  Publisher: Conkers
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Life is tough in Victorian times, the world into which Alice Peasbody is born - and Alice is a girl with no nose. A wonderful, thoughtful book that teaches compassion, celebrates difference and tackles some weighty issues with a gentle touch.

• The Girl With Space in Her Heart

  Author: Lara Williamson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Mabel's dad walked out, he left a big space in Mabel's heart. She wants to talk to Mum and her sister, but she can't - so she keeps all her worries inside an imaginary suitcase, which is getting heavier and heavier. Whilst this moving story explores sensitive issues, including anxiety, depression, and family break-up, it's also warm-hearted and written …

• The Girl With Two Dads

  Author: Meg Elliott
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Elliott’s bright picture book featuring the friendship between two girls is a great representation of a family with two dads and how, of course, having two dads is exactly the same as having a mum and dad, especially when it comes to rules, mealtimes and all the usual parent-y things.

• The Girl with the Bird's-nest Hair

  Author: Sarah Dyer
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Hollie's hatred of the hair brush results in her tangled curls attracting a range of nesting birds.

• The Girl With the Parrot on her Head

  Author: Daisy Hirst
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Daisy Hirst has created a fun and funky picture book.

• The Girl with the Shark’s Teeth

  Author: Cerrie Burnell
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When mysterious men kidnap her mother, Minnow has to set sail alone for the magical, dangerous and beautiful Wild Deep. This book is full of lyrical, breathless prose and Burnell’s imagination is marvellous.

• The Girl, the Cat and the Navigator

  Author: Matilda Woods
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Oona Britt is born, she is made to feel like a disappointment, but she doesn’t let this stop her achieving her dream of joining her father on one of his voyages. Readers will become utterly engrossed as they join Oona on her adventure of a lifetime.

• The Girls

  Author: Lauren Ace Illustrator: Jenny Lovlie
  Publisher: Caterpillar Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Four friends find a tree that becomes their Secret Meeting Place. As they grow into four very different young women, their friendship stays as strong as the tree. This touching picture book perfectly encapsulates the value and joy of female friendship. 

• The Glass Children

  Author: Kristina Ohlsson
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  After the death of her father, Billie and her mum are moving to a new town for a fresh start. But the house - or somebody in it - is trying to drive them out.

• The Glass Demon

  Author: Helen Grant
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 8+

  Legend has it that Bonschariant, the demon, haunts a medieval stained glass window and emerges from it to bring death and destruction to anyone who sees him.

• The Glass Mountain

  Author: Jan Pienkowski and David Walser
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 7

  A wonderfully entertaining collection of Polish fairy tales, with striking illustration by Pienkowski.

• The Glass Mountain: Favourite Tales from Poland

  Author: Retold by David Walser Illustrator: Jan Pienkowski
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7-10

  Jan Pienkowski was born in Poland, a land replete with folk tales and with a cultural tradition of paper cutting, which he has utilised in his artwork for this beautiful book of darkly wonderful Polish fairy tales.

• The Glory

  Author: Lauren St John
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11

  Part gripping adventure, part love story, this powerful novel travels through an exhilarating yet terrifying landscape.

• The Goat

  Author: Anne Fleming
  Publisher: Pushkin Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A mountain goat, a girl called Kid and a boy who speaks in spoonerisms are the main characters in this quirky novel about love, fears and friendship. Surprising, tender and engaging.

• The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat

  Author: Em Lynas Illustrator: Matt Hunt
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 7+

  A hilarious, zany picture book about a stoat, a boat and a goat (in a colourful coat!) written in clever rhyme and tongue twister text.

  ---

  Mae Stoat yn arnofio yn ei hoff gwch nes i afr, sydd awydd arnofio mewn cwch, darfu arno. Ond dydy Stoat ddim yn hapus o gwbl – cwch Stoat ydy hwn ac yn sicr nid yw'n lle addas i afr!

• The Gobbledegook Book: A Joy Cowley Anthology

  Author: Joy Cowley Illustrator: Giselle Clarkson
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s most popular children’s writers and this delightful volume is a perfect introduction to her poems, if you haven’t read them before. If you liked Chris Riddell and Michael Rosen’s A Great Big Cuddle, you’ll love this.

• The Goggle-Eyed Goats

  Author: Stephen Davies Illustrator: Christopher Corr
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  Al Haji has three wives, seven children and an assortment of animals including five goggle-eyed goats. But his goats eat everything in sight and Al Haji's family have had enough.

• The Golden Cage

  Author: Anna Castagnoli Illustrator: Carll Cneut Translator: Laura Watkinson
  Publisher: Book Island
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  A spoilt princess sends her servants far and wide to bring her the most beautiful, impossible birds - but what will happen when she decides she wants one that talks? A gothic tale with astonishing illustrations.

• The Golden Hare

  Author: Paddy Donnelly
  Publisher: O’Brien
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 6-8

  Paddy Donnelly’s lovely book – inspired by a unusual type of hare found on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland – is a must for young nature lovers, or for anyone looking for a sweet, calming read with some lovely nature facts woven in.

• The Golden Unicorn: Secrets and Legends

  Author: Selwyn E Phipps Illustrator: Aitch Oana Befort and Rae Ritchie
  Publisher: Michael O’Mara Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  The first book in The Magical Unicorn Society series was immensely popular, and this attractive follow-up volume is perfect for any unicorn-hungry child desperate to delve deeper into the myths and stories associated with these most elusive creatures.

• The Goldfish Boy

  Author: Lisa Thompson
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Matthew has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Can he help an investigation into the abduction of a child, perhaps without even leaving his house? A captivating read, combining a compelling whodunit with an engaging protagonist.

• The Goldsmith's Daughter

  Author: Tanya Landman
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Landman’s latest novel is much more than a mere account of the bloody encounter between the Aztecs and the invading Spanish Conquistadors.

• The Golem’s Eye

  Author: Jonathan Stroud
  Publisher: Corgi Children's
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Golem’s Eye is the second of the Bartimaeus trilogy, and is set in an alternate Europe in which magicians and their otherworldly servants, the reluctant djinni, hold power.

• The Good Bear

  Author: Sarah Lean Illustrator: Fiona Woodcock
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A lonely girl far from home encounters a frightened bear, hiding in the woods and desperate for food. This beautiful modern fairytale from Sarah Lean is full of heart and family, and brimming with winter magic

• The Good Germ Hotel

  Author: Kim Sung-hwa and Kwon-Su-jin Illustrator: Kim Ryung-eon
  Publisher: What on Earth Books
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A funny, fascinating, illustrated guide to the trillions of good bugs that live inside the human body and how they help to keep us healthy.

• The Good Hawk

  Author: Joseph Elliott
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  When Agatha and Jaime's clan is attacked, the two teenagers have no choice but to leave their remote Scottish island and venture into the unknown. A gripping historical fantasy full of suspense and adventure.

• The Good Morning Game

  Author: Hervé Tullet
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  The finger puppets are back for another adventure. This time the finger puppet experiences various morning rituals: waking up, having a shower, having breakfast, getting dressed, and going to school.

• The Good Night Garage

  Author: Tori Kosara Illustrator: Meg Hunt
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A perfect rhyming bedtime book for little ones – especially children that love trucks, cars and big vehicles.

• The Good Turn

  Author: Sharna Jackson
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  Can Josephine and her friends solve a local mystery, and help someone? A pacy mystery with true heart. 

• The Good Thieves

  Author: Katherine Rundell
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  If you try to steal back something that has been taken from your family by trickery, is that a crime or is it justice? A thrilling adventure, set in 1920s New York, rich in period detail and tensely dramatic moments.

• The Goodnight Star

  Author: Amy Sparkes
  Publisher: Red Fox Picture Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  A glittering shooting star helps a little girl overcome her fears of the dark at bed time.

• The Goody

  Author: Lauren Child
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Chirton is an angelic child who helps out, eats his greens and looks after his little sister Myrtle. Myrtle, however, is very naughty, and nobody ever lets her forget it. But what happens when they decide to swap places?

• The Goozillas! Escape from the Monstrous Maze

  Author: Dexter Green Illustrator: Jake Dash
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  In this second adventure in the series, Max and the Goozillas must navigate through the monstrous maze, avoiding the pixelated ghosts. This fast-paced, accessible series will appeal to fans of computer games, comics and all things slimy.

• The Goozillas!: Trapped in the Bog of Beasts

  Author: Dexter Green Illustrator: Jake Dash
  Publisher: Oxford Univerity Press
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 6+

  While Max is playing on his favourite game on his tablet, he manages the impossible. With just one sneeze, Max manages to transport himself into the game itself, World of Slime.

  There, he meets a slimy and gross cast of characters called the GOOZILLAS. This gang of slimeballs need Max's help. Their world is being take over by the obnoxiously sweet and fluffy…

• The Graces

  Author: Laure Eve
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Like everyone else in town, River is obsessed with the Graces: attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? A beautifully written, deliciously dark YA fantasy with a fresh take on witches.

• The Grave Robber's Apprentice

  Author: Allan Stratton
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  Orphan Hans is running away from a life of grave-robbing; Countess Angela wants to avoid death at the hands of the evil Archduke and his Necromancer. Together, can they escape?

• The Graveyard Book

  Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  After his family are killed, Bod is brought up in a graveyard by ghosts.

• The Great and Dangerous

  Author: Chris Westwood
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Ben and his friend Becky work for the Ministry of Pandemonium, guiding recently dead souls safely to the afterlife. But the enemy, the Lords of Sundown, are never far away and have unfinished business.

• The Great Animal Escapade

  Author: Jane Kerr
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  With an intriguing plot, shadowy characters and a collection of marvellously exotic animals, this exciting Victorian escapade – set in a zoo – is a compelling read. 

• The Great Balloon Hullaballoo

  Author: Peter Bently Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Simon the squirrel and his friends head to outer space in a hot air balloon in this lively picture book.

• The Great Barrier Reef

  Author: Helen Scales Illustrator: Lisk Feng
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  This lovely non-fiction book is filled with incredible facts about the Great Barrier Reef, from the weird and wonderful creatures that live there to the sheer scale of it - the size of 70 million football fields - and is stunningly illustrated by Lisk Feng. 

• The Great Big Body Book

  Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Ros Asquith
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 5+

  How does the human body develop and change in a lifetime? Hoffman and Asquith explore these questions and more in this honest, entertaining and fact-filled celebration of the human body, which also reflects the diversity of the world we live in.

• The Great Big Book of Families

  Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Ros Asquith
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  The Great Big Book of Families is about the diversity of families. The simple message is that every family is unique and special and that there is no such thing as 'normal' or 'abnormal'. Books simply don’t get much more inclusive than this.

• The Great Big Book of Feelings

  Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Ros Asquith
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  How are you feeling today? This warm-hearted and thoughtful picture book explores a whole range of emotions that children might experience.

• The Great Big Green Book

  Author: Mary Hoffman
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 7+

  The Great Big Green Book is filled with facts about our planet, and asks lots of questions to help children think about green issues. The book also gives simple tips on how you can save the environment.

• The Great Cat Conspiracy

  Author: Katie Davies Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Tom's cat likes to kill small animals. When it kills the Vicar's expensive Koi carp, Mum is so cross that the cat is locked out of the house. But then it goes missing...

• The Great Cheese Robbery

  Author: Tim Warnes
  Publisher: Little Tiger Press
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Patrick thinks Daddy Elephant is not scared of anything until a mouse comes to call.

• The Great Cheese Robbery

  Author: Chris Mould
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 7+

  When the skirting board mice kidnap the ship's cat for a cheese ransom, the pirates are ready for action. An easy-to-read and exciting adventure story, which is perfect for readers starting to read alone.

• The Great Dog Bottom Swap

  Author: Peter Bently Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 6+

  A cheeky, rhyming picture book for curious dog lovers.

• The Great Dragon Bake Off

  Author: Nicola O'Byrne
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Flamie Oliver is a terrifying dragon with a secret: he's passionate about pastry! But he must kidnap a princess and eat her in order to pass Ferocious Dragon Academy!

• The Great Dream Robbery

  Author: Greg James and Chris Smith Illustrator: Amy Nguyen
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  An exciting comedy thriller that celebrates imagination and the power of dreams, as well as banana-loving llamas and a unicorn singing show tunes.

• The Great Explorer

  Author: Chris Judge
  Publisher: Anderson Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  Tom’s explorer father is lost somewhere near the North Pole...

• The Great Food Bank Heist

  Author: Onjali Q. Raúf Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  This heartwarming book about a food bank shortage is marvellous on so many levels. The intriguing mystery has touches of humour and is underpinned by a wealth of information about food poverty, expressed in a straightforward manner.

• The Great Galloon

  Author: Tom Banks Illustrator: John Kelly
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  

  The Great Galloon is an enormous airship, built by Captain Meredith Anstruther and manned by his crew, who might seem like a bit of a motley bunch but who are able to fight off invading marauders whilst drinking tea and sweeping floors!

• The Great Hamster Getaway

  Author: Lou Carter Illustrator: Magda Brol
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  Raffelton Grey is bored of his life and longs to be free from his cage. After hatching a master escape plan, he finally gets to experience life at the seaside, but is being free as fun as he thought it would be?

• The Great Hamster Massacre

  Author: Katie Davies Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  According to Anna's mum, hamsters are BAD NEWS. But that doesn't stop Anna and her friends from hatching a plan to persuade Mum to let them get a hamster.

• The Great Henna Party

  Author: Humera Malik Illustrator: Sonali Zahra
  Publisher: Lantana
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Noor’s cousin is getting married and Noor’s family is throwing a henna party to celebrate. Noor is especially excited to play the ‘henna name game’ – when you choose a loved one’s name to be hidden in the henna. A heart-warming tale of tradition, family and love.

• The Great Ice Cream Heist

  Author: Elen Caldecott
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Shy Eva lives a quiet life with her protective Dad - until the noisy McIntyre family move in next door.

• The Great Paper Caper

  Author: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 8+

  This is an intelligent and entertaining picture book, with unique and fascinating illustrations.

• The Great Rabbit Rescue

  Author: Katie Davies Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Davies attracts young readers with her familiar plot, engaging characters, and understanding of nine year-olds' minds.

• The Great Race

  Author: Nathan Kumar Scott Illustrator: Jagdish Chitara
  Publisher: Tara Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Kanchil, the mouse deer, boasts he is the fastest animal in the forest - but Pelan the snail believes he can beat him in a race.

• The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

  Author: Christopher Corr
  Publisher: Quarto
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  The Great Race gently introduces and celebrates Chinese culture in a fun and vibrant way. This read-aloud story also provides a great stepping stone for introducing other cultural ideas to young children.

• The Great Sheep Shenanigans

  Author: Peter Bently Illustrator: Mei Matsuoka
  Publisher: Anderson Press
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  Lou Pine is one hungry wolf who cunjurs up a cunning plan to catch a sheep for his dinner. But the sheep are not as dumb as they first appear…
  
  This hilarious romp from the award-winning creators of The Great Dog Bottom Swap, which was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize will have you rolling in laughter.

• The Great Shelby Holmes: Girl Detective

  Author: Elizabeth Eulberg Illustrator: Matt Robertson
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  Detective genius, Shelby Holmes, may be small but she comes up trumps when the police are flummoxed by a 'dognapping' in a wealthy part of New York.

• The Great Theatre Rescue

  Author: Judith Eagle
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Set in 1930s theatreland, this historical adventure is full of joy but also features shadowy characters, dramatic getaways, just the right level of jeopardy and some puzzling mysteries to unravel. 

• The Great Unexpected

  Author: Sharon Creech
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  In the little town of Blackbird Tree, friends and fellow orphans Naomi and Lizzie are startled when a strange boy, Finn, falls out of a tree.

• The Great War

  Author: Various Illustrator: Jim Kay
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Each story is inspired by a different object from World War I, from a soldier's writing case to the nose of a Zeppelin bomb.

• The Greatest in the World! (A TaterTales Book)

  Author: Ben Clanton
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Rot the mutant potato claims that he’s the Greatest in the World, but his grumpy big brother, Snot, disagrees and challenges him to an epic contest to determine which of them is the best. This comic-strip chapter book is full of witty illustrations and quirky humour.  

• The Greatest Magician in the World

  Author: Matt Edmondson and Garry Parsons
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7-9

  A sweet story about believing in yourself with a series of fantastic magic tricks included in various ingenious slots, boxes and envelopes – all engineered to provide an exciting book full of brilliant activities, as well as a storyline.

• The Greatest Show of All

  Author: Jane Eagland
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 11-13
  Reading age: 8+

  Kitty's predestined role is to marry, have children and keep house, but her dream is to work with horses. So she disguises herself as a boy and runs away to join the circus. Kitty's story is about following your dreams and staying true to your values.

• The Greatest Show on Earth: The 4.6 Billion Year Story of Life on our Planet

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6-8

  Rod the Roach and his troupe of cockroach performers (what better animals to tell the story than the insects known to be the best at surviving?) are about to perform the Greatest Show on Earth from their Shoebox Theatre in the middle of a rubbish dump – and it’s a pretty great show.

• The Green Bicycle

  Author: Haifaa Al Mansour
  Publisher: Dial Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Wadjda's dream is to ride through Riyadh on a green bicycle.  She develops plans, schemes and enlists the help of her friend Abdullah to help her achieve her dream.

• The Green Ship

  Author: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Two bored children climb over a neighbour's wall in search of adventure...

• The Grimm Legacy

  Author: Polly Shulman
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Blending fairy-tale elements into a modern-day adventure,  this fantastically-written and superbly researched debut novel will enchant readers from the opening paragraph.

• The Grindle Witch

  Author: Benjamin J Myers
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 11-16
  Reading age: 10

  Bravery and loyalty take on ancient evil in this shocking, breath-taking thriller.

• The Grotlyn

  Author: Benji Davies
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 7+

  Atmospheric illustrations with a nostalgic feel help build suspense in this delightful rhyming story about how your mind can play tricks on you.

• The Gruffalo

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 1-5
  

  In this much-loved picture book, a little mouse walks through the woods and encounters a fox, an owl and a snake.

• The Gruffalo Song and Other Songs

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  The ever-popular Gruffalo returns in musical form in this book of songs to sing and play from Julia Donaldson.

• The Gruffalo's Child

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Five years after the publication of multi award-winning The Gruffalo, author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler return with a much-awaited sequel.

• The Grumpus and his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan

  Author: Alex T Smith
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The Grumpus hates Christmas. Will he be able to stop it? A beautifully illustrated, heart-warming festive delight.

• The Grunts All at Sea

  Author: Philip Ardagh Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 8+

  The Grunts are back and as disgusting as ever! 

• The Grunts In Trouble

  Author: Philip Ardagh Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 8+

  Meet deliciously disgusting duo The Grunts in the first of an irreverent series from Philip Ardagh

• The Guard Dog

  Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Jocelyn Wild
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Join the little Guard Dog on his search to find a new home

• The Guggenheim Mystery

  Author: Robin Stevens (based on an idea by Siobhan Dowd)
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  

  When Ted Spark's Aunt Gloria is framed for the theft of a painting from the Guggenheim Museum, he must race through the streets of New York to find the real culprit. An exciting and heartwarming tale from Robin Stevens, continuing the legacy of late author Siobhan Dowd.

• The Gun

  Author: Bali Rai
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 9+

  Deep down, Jonas knew that he shouldn't have taken the gun home: shouldn't have hidden it, shouldn't have shown it to Kamal and should definitely not have let him take it away.

• The Hackney Martian

  Author: Paul Brown Illustrator: Rowena Blyth
  Publisher: Fourth Wall Publishing
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Sam and his new friend Max the Martian decide to steal a diamond from the Tower of London. They need to power Max's spaceship back to Mars, in this exciting tale of bravery and friendship.

• The Hairdo That Got Away

  Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Fiona Lumbers
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This is a lovely and gentle picture book to share with young children to prompt discussion about how upsetting situations, such as parental separation, can provoke feelings which are difficult to manage and may lead to uncharacteristic behaviour.

• The Harder They Fall

  Author: Bali Rai
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 10+

  Bali Rai once again hits home with a current and unfortunately necessary book. As always, the characters are fully fleshed out, the dialogue both believable and accessible, and the plot well paced and worthy of its subject matter.

• The Hat

  Author: Carol Ann Duffy Illustrator: David Whittle
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  Bubbling over with humour and life, the poems in The Hat paint pictures, evoke smells, conjure sounds and encapsulate events both contemporary and historical.

• The Hat Full of Secrets

  Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Wazza Pink
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6-8

  Henry has a secret and doesn’t want to tell anyone about it. Luckily, Grandad can relate, and gives Henry a special hat where he has kept all his secrets over the years. But when all of Grandad’s wishes (written on luggage labels) escape, he and Henry go looking for them in all the places where they were made. In doing so, Grandad tells Henry the wonderful s…

• The Hate U Give

  Author: Angie Thomas
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 12-18
  Reading age: 12+

  The Hate U Give is rightly named by many critics as one of the most important books of 2017. It's a profound, deeply compelling modern-day classic that explores race in America.

• The Hatmakers

  Author: Tamzin Merchant Illustrator: Paola Escobar
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Cordelia is part of a proud, magical hat-making dynasty in an alternate Georgian Britain - but will she ever find her father, lost at sea?

• The Haunted Mobile

  Author: Robert Dodds
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 7+

  When Jake receives a mysterious text, he assumes his friend Roddy is just playing tricks. But the increasingly desperate messages are from an unknown girl called Alice.  And they seem to come from his own phone.

• The Haunting of Aveline Jones

  Author: Phil Hickes Illustrator: Keith Robinson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  When Aveline finds a book about local ghosts in a second-hand bookshop, she is intrigued to learn that it once belonged to 11-year-old Primrose Penberthy, who mysteriously disappeared thirty years earlier. As Aveline is drawn deeper into the tales, events take an unsettling turn. This chilling chapter book is the first in a compelling series of ghostly myste…

• The Haunting of Charity Delafield

  Author: Ian Beck
  Publisher: Bodley Head Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Haunting of Charity Delafield is a heart-warming tale of friendship, family and love with an uplifting, magical twist

• The Haunting of Fortune Farm

  Author: Sophie Kirtley Illustrator: Ben Mantle
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Edie is thrust into a world of restless spirits and fearsome Viking warriors in this chilling ghost story that will send shivers down your spine. 

• The Haunting of Tyrese Walker

  Author: J P Rose
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A compelling mix of Caribbean folklore and the story of a boy’s overwhelming grief create extraordinary tension in this creepy ghost story set in Jamaica.

• The Haven

  Author: Simon Lelic
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  A well-layered action thriller, this is perfect for readers who enjoy a tense story packed with life-threatening danger.

• The Heart and the Bottle

  Author: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  An inquisitive little girl, who is enchanted by the world around her, is badly shaken when she loses someone she loves.

• The Hello Atlas

  Author: Ben Handicott Illustrator: Kenard Pak
  Publisher: Wide Eyed Books
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  The Hello Atlas is the ideal book for children eager to learn more about the world around them (and parents, too). Teach your little ones useful phrases in over 100 different languages, while finding out more about people from all over the globe.

• The Herd Boy

  Author: Niki Daly
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Malusi lives in rural South Africa, where he spends his days tending his grandfather’s flock, and wishing for a dog to keep predators away. One day, a baboon injures a baby lamb, and as Malusi carries it home, a large car stops.  The elderly man inside asks Malusi what he hopes to do in the future, and  Malusi tells him that one day he will b…

• The Here and Now

  Author:
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 8+

  An exciting thriller, including time travel, romance and even climate change and plague.

• The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero

  Author: Rick Riordan
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Percy has been missing for three days, and Jason has mysteriously found himself transported into the Camp where he grapples with a variety of malevolent supernatural challenges.

• The Hideaway

  Author: Pam Smy
  Publisher: Pavilion
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Pam Smy’s heartbreaking yet heartwarming illustrated novel has a supernatural element, but is really about the terrible impact that domestic violence can have on a family. 

• The Hidden Princess

  Author: Katy Moran
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 8+

  The sequel to Hidden Among Us, this is an absorbing and chilling tale of magic, love and loyalty and the importance of family.

• The Hidden Star

  Author: K Sello Duiker
  Publisher: Cassava Republic Press
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  Part mystery, part quest, this book uses magic realism to tell an absorbing story about friendship and courage, which is filled with talking dogs, renegades who occupy the space between good and bad, and evil night riders that must be defeated.

• The Hidden Story of Estie Noor

  Author: Nadine Aisha Jassat Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Estie feels her truth is unheard when she is expelled from school and sent to Scotland for the summer. When she discovers a secret story from the past, she gains the confidence to find her own lost voice. 

• The High Street

  Author: Alice Melvin
  Publisher: Tate
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  Sally has a list of 10 items she needs to buy

• The Highway Rat

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Alison Green Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  This rhyming tale of a villainous Highway Rat is the latest book from Children’s Laureate Julian Donaldson and her Gruffalo collaborator Axel Scheffler. The Highway Rat, gallops along the highway stealing food from other animals – clover from a rabbit, nuts from a squirrel and even his own horse’s hay, until he encounters a cunning duck! Ea…

• The Hippo at the End of the Hall

  Author: Helen Cooper
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 7-12

  Ben and his mother's ordinary life is disturbed when Ben receives an invitation to a museum of curiosities. With exquisite descriptions ratcheting up tension along the way, this book will convince you that magic really does exist. 

• The History Keepers

  Author: Damian Dibben
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  A wonderfully imaginative adventure thriller giving an excellent introduction to fantasy fiction

• The History Keepers: Circus Maximus

  Author: Damian Dibben
  Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  In this exciting installment of the History Keepers series, Jake must embark on risky missions to 18th century Sweden and Ancient Rome.

• The Hit

  Author: Melvin Burgess
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Melvin Burgess has gained a reputation for dealing with shocking and controversial issues in books like Junk, and The Hit is no exception.

• The Hobbit

  Author: JRR Tolkien
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10+

  This well-loved fantasy story has delighed readers ever since its first publication in 1937.

• The Hog, the Shrew and the Hullabaloo

  Author: Julia Copus Illustrator: Eunyoung Seo
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Harry the Hog is fast asleep until a strange noise wakes him up.

• The Honest Truth

  Author: Dan Gemeinhart
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10

  Mark has cancer. He can't bear more doctors, so he runs away with his dog Beau for company.

• The Horne Section: Make Some Noise

  Author: Alex Horne Illustrator: Rob Flowers
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This bumper guide to all things musical is packed full of weird, wonderful and fascinating music-related information. The chatty style, abundance of jokes and black-and-white illustrations make the book accessible to a range of readers.  

• The Horror of Dunwick Farm

  Author: Dan Smith Illustrator: Chris King
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 8+

  A nightmarish thriller that will make your skin crawl – presented in a super-readable format.

• The Horse That Jumped

  Author: Thomas Docherty
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 0-5
  

  A lyrical picture book about always making time for adventures and the importance of friendship.

• The Hospital Dog

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  This is the charming story of Dot the dalmatian, a very special dog indeed, who finds out just how important her hospital visits are. The story is told in rhyming couplets which are delicious to read aloud and share with children, and the bright, inclusive illustrations are full of life, warmth and expression.

• The Hot Cross Bunny

  Author: Carys Bexington Illustrator: Mark Chambers
  Publisher: Happy Yak
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Steve the bunny is cross. He's failed to grow any chocolate eggs. Will his new recipe do the trick? An eggs-cellent adventure!

• The House in Poplar Wood

  Author: K E Ormsbee
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Thirteen-year-old twins, Felix and Lee, live in the same house but lead very separate lives. Skilfully combining a gripping plot, intriguing characters and a convincing alternative world, populated by sinister beings, this is a dark and compelling novel.

• The House in the Tree

  Author: Bianca Pitzorno Illustrator: Quentin Blake Translator: Stephen Parkin from Italian
  Publisher: Alma books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  A totally surreal story that puts a new spin on a magical faraway tree – Pitzorno’s story is full of surprises and delightfully silly scenes.

• The House of Clouds

  Author: Lisa Thompson Illustrator: Alice McKinley
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 11-13
  Reading age: 10+

  Everything is feeling very upside-down in Tabby’s life right now. Not only has her best friend gone off and found another entirely different best friend, but since her grandad moved in, all her mum’s time seems to be occupied with looking after him. Plus Tabby finds her grandad and his strange stories quite irritating – she’s not a little child anymore, afte…

• The House of Light

  Author: Julia Green
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A wonderfully imaginative and beautifully written story about a climate change-wrecked world that feels very timely and shows us the power of hope and resilience. 

• The House of Shells

  Author: Efua Traoré
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  Kuki doesn’t have any friends at her new school, so when she meets Enilo at an abandoned beach house, she’s delighted. But what dangerous secret is Enilo hiding? 

• The House on Hoarder Hill

  Author: Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Hedy and Spencer are staying at their Grandpa's spooky house over Christmas, and nothing is quite what it seems... with the help of some very unusual new friends, they must unravel the mystery of Grandma Rose's disappearance.

• The House on Hummingbird Island

  Author: Sam Angus
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  At the age of 12, Idie Grace learns that she has inherited a large estate on Hummingbird Island: a tropical but remote island in the West Indies, full of exotic wildlife and secrets.

• The House Rabbit

  Author: Lesley White
  Publisher: David Fickling
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  In a dark, old house upon a hill, the House Rabbit wakes up with a terrible thought, ‘What if the house falls down?’ and suddenly a crash sends him scurrying from his bed.

• The House With Chicken Legs

  Author: Sophie Anderson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 9+

  A story of death, magic and the afterlife told by Marinka, who is desperate not to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and wants to find her own destiny. Loosely based on the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga, this story is delightfully macabre and utterly engrossing.

• The Hug

  Author: Eoin McLaughlin Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Tortoise and Hedgehog are both feeling sad, and they both want a hug - but Tortoise's shell is putting the animals off, and Hedgehog is too prickly. Will they ever find a squeeze? A clever, touching flip book.

• The Hunger Games

  Author: Suzanne Colins
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Welcome to Panem: its Capitol repressively rules twelve satellite Districts, enslaving the populations as workers and controlling them through hunger.

• The Humans

  Author: Jonny Marx Illustrator: Charlie Davis
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This highly-illustrated reference book celebrates the incredible achievements of various ancient civilisations, exploring their lifestyles, discoveries and inventions, many of which have influenced modern-day society. 

• The Humiliations of Welton Blake

  Author: Alex Wheatle
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Welton Blake's life goes from brilliant (Carmella's agreed to go out with him - YES!) to dreadful (broken phone, school bullies, and a really embarrassing dad) in the blink of an eye. How much humiliation can one kid take?

• The Humpback's Wail

  Author: Chrissie Gittens Illustrator: Paul Bommer
  Publisher: Rabbit Hole Publications
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  A variety of funny, thoughtful, playful and sensual, image-rich poems, probably most suitable for primary school-age children.

• The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog

  Author: Jeremy Strong Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Trevor’s mother offers him £30 if he’ll walk the dog every day for summer. It sounds easy enough, but the dog - Streaker - has other ideas.

• The Hypnotist

  Author: Laurence Anholt
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  As a young black boy living in the American Deep South in 1963, expectations for 13-year-old Pip aren't great. Jack, his tutor, soon realises the danger that Pip is in... This is a gripping novel looking at a turbulent period of American history.

• The Icarus Show

  Author: Sally Christie
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10-12

  This is an original, heartfelt and powerful story that sensitively looks at issues of loneliness, depression and bullying, but also the power of friendship.

• The Ice Bear

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 4+

  In icy northern lands, a great white bear gives birth to tiny cubs. But raven the trickster steals one cub away, dropping the creamy bundle of fur in a hunter’s path.

• The Ice Bear Miracle

  Author: Cerrie Burnell
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  As a child, Marv Jackson survived a polar bear attack on a frozen river - and when he hears about ice skater Tuesday and Promise, her skating polar bear, he's sure he knows them both from somewhere. Full of magic and snowy mystery, Cerrie Burnell's beautiful story spins legend and real life into a fairy tale of family and belonging.

• The Ice Monster

  Author: David Walliams
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  The Ice Monster is an epic, loosely historical adventure that is funny, easy to read and shoots along at a rocket pace. Tony Ross’ glorious cover and artwork on almost every page are also a joy. 

• The Ice Whisperers

  Author: Helenka Stachera Illustrator: Marco Guadalupi
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 8+

  When Bela finds a way to travel to an icy spirit world, she discovers she has a sister living there. But will the duo be able to save the world from a dangerous threat?

• The Iliad and The Odyssey

  Author: Marcia Williams
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  Marcia Williams’s brilliant wheeze of depicting classic myths and legends in humorous comic-strip format has introduced to very young readers some of the most famous stories.

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements

  Author: Lisa Congdon
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This is probably the best book you’ll read about the periodic table of the elements, and brings a potentially dry subject to life with a bang. Congdon, an ex-teacher and now professional artist, explains things in simple terms, and her illustrations are brilliant and appealing.

• The Illustrated Mum

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  This is a moving yet unsentimental account of two children coming to terms with their mother’s depression, mental instability and alcohol problem.

• The Imaginary

  Author: A F Harrold Illustrator: Emily Gravett
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  This is young fiction of the very best quality, showcasing inspiration, inventiveness and an intoxicating passion for storytelling. The Imaginary has the potential to be a family favourite and a future classic.

• The Imagination Box

  Author: Martyn Ford
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 11-13
  Reading age: 9+

  When fate throws together a lonely youngster and an eccentric scientist, the result is an Imagination Box.

• The Immortal

  Author: Ricard Ruiz Garzón Illustrator: Maite Gurrutxaga Translator: Rahul Bery from Spanish
  Publisher: Edebé
  

  A coming of age story about chess, tolerance, immigration and what it means to be a true champion.

  Judit is an 11-year-old girl who lives in Geneva with her mother and grandfather. A keen artist, she draws in charcoals by the giant chess boards in her local park, practicing for a prestigious art competition. She gradually becomes interested in chess, until o…

• The Immortals: Evermore

  Author: Alyson Noel
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  In the first book of The Immortals series, find out what Ever will do after discovering she can read auras and hear thoughts

• The Impossible

  Author: Mark Illis Illustrator: Bimpe Alliu
  Publisher: Quercus Children's Books
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 12+

  Hector Coleman, your average teenager living a normal boring life in a dull town with, let's face it, a rubbish name. Until he and his mates start genetically mutating ... and everything changes. Everything that is, other than his rubbish name and his girl troubles, oh and his embarrassingly low number of social media followers. All those things, unfortunate…

• The Impossible Knife of Memory

  Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
  Publisher: Scholastic Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 8+

  This is a gripping and powerful story about the effects of PTSD on families as seen through the eyes of a typical teenager.

• The Incredible Book Eating Boy

  Author: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Henry loves books. However, his pleasure isn't derived from reading them but from eating them instead, and the more he eats, the smarter he gets.

• The Incredible Luck of Alfie Pluck

  Author: Jamie Rix Illustrator: Craig Shuttlewood
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  What do a worried prime minister, a chicken dropped from a skyscraper window, a bully called Fox and an alien invasion have in common? All are ingredients in Jamie Rix's riotous tale.

• The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau

  Author: Jon Agee
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Felix Clousseau brings his painting of a duck to a big art contest. Everyone laughs at it until it comes to life! A fascinating and funny picture book that takes a thoughtful look at what people want from art, and what they don't. The ending is a glorious surprise, too.

• The Incredible Record Smashers

  Author: Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Erica Salcedo
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Featuring an encounter with a pair of escaped robbers, some sparkly, gold catsuits and a lot of squashed kumquats, this is a book that really does have something for everyone.

• The Infinite

  Author: Patience Agbabi
  Publisher: Canongate
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Only a very few Leaplings (born on 29th February) have ‘The Gift’: the ability to leap backwards or forwards through time. Elle Bibi-Imbelé Ifiè - who loves her name, white food, and her Nigerian heritage - is one of them. The first book in Patience Agbabi's Leap Cycle series is fresh, exciting, bold and witty, with a thoughtful character-driven plot an…

• The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day

  Author: Christopher Edge
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  On Maisie's birthday, she finds that her family have disappeared and her house is being consumed by darkness. A brilliant introduction to physics wrapped inside a great story.

• The Infinity Files

  Author: S M Wilson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  When Ash's dream of becoming a starfighter pilot is shattered, she's given a new job – the Guardian of the mysterious Library at the End of the Universe. A pacy and gripping sci-fi adventure.

• The Inquisition

  Author: Taran Matharu
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  The perfect balance of excitement, adrenaline-rich action, magic, fantasy and gaming, the second in the Summoner series is perfect for fantasy fans, gamers and action-loving kids (and adults).

• The Insiders

  Author: Cath Howe
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  This poignant novel about the complexities of friendship dynamics is perceptive, insightful and sensitively written, with touches of humour. The chapters are narrated in turn by Callie, Ted and Billy, which will help readers to develop empathy, as they are able to explore different viewpoints and understand that people’s circumstances can dramatically affect…

• The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

  Author: Ambelin Kwaymullina
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 7+

  The first in a four part series, this imaginative and engrossing story is a clever spin on the dystopian genre. The author expertly creates a believable, alternative world featuring a strong, moral heroine.

• The Invasion of Crooked Oak

  Author: Dan Smith Illustrator: Chris King
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Nancy mentions that her mum and dad are acting strangely, her friends Pete and Krish are keen to find out more - especially as other people in their village are starting to display similar behaviour. Fast-paced and sinister, this compelling science fiction adventure will have readers on the edge of their seats.

• The Invention

  Author: Julia Hubery Illustrator: James Munro
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  When Fili sees that her neighbours in her tower block don't talk to each other, she invents something to change it. Championing community and connection through imagination and creativity, this is delightful.

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures

  Author: Brian Selznick
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  This book inspired the recent Martin Scorsese film, Hugo. Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and her grandfather, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret, are put i…

• The Invincible Tony Spears

  Author: Neal Layton
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  After Tony moves house, the kitchen in his new place turns into a spaceship called The Invincible. Amid all the zaniness, there's an important message tucked in here about just trying your best.

• The Invisible

  Author: Tom Percival
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  When Isabel's family moves to a new neighbourhood, everything is strange and different. Isabel feels like people look right through her - that is, until she starts to notice the other invisible people trying to make the world a better place.

• The Invisible Boy

  Author: Alyssa Hollingsworth
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Superhero-obsessed Nadia dreams of becoming a brilliant reporter like her hero Lois Lane. This summer she needs to uncover a great story for the Junior Journalists competition - so finding a real superhero in her neighbourhood is just ace.

• The Invisible Story

  Author: Jaime Gamboa Illustrator: Wen Hsu Chen Translator: Daniel Hahn
  Publisher: Lantana Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A beautiful translated picture book celebrating braille.

• The Iron Man

  Author:
  Publisher: Faber Children's
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Subtitled 'a children's story in five nights' this powerful, moving and beautifully-written fable from poet Ted Hughes is a true modern classic.

• The Iron Man

  Author: Ted Hughes Illustrator: Chris Mould
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Whether you’re already a fan of this classic children’s story or a new reader, this wonderful version is a real treat. Chris Mould’s mechanical Iron Man has a great deal of personality and this luxury hardback would be a delight to share at home or at school.

• The Iron Witch

  Author: Karen Mahoney
  Publisher: Corgi Children's
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  In an American society which unknowingly exists alongside the world of Faerie, dark elves are resentful of humans, and desperate to regain both their eternal life and their kingdom.

• The Island

  Author:
  Publisher: Allen and Unwin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  This chilling picture book about prejudice, intolerance and the plight of refugees will spark classroom discussions with older readers.

• The Island at the End of Everything

  Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Amihan lives on the secluded island of Culion with her sick mum, who has leprosy. But when the government decides the island must be quarantined, Ami and all the children who don’t have the disease are forced to leave – while her mum must stay behind, along with everything Ami has ever known.

• The Isobel Journal

  Author: Isobel Harrop
  Publisher: Hot Key
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  Subtitled ‘Just a Northern Girl from Where Nothing Really Happens’, this beautifully-presented book from 18-year-old debut author Isobel Harrop is a vivid scrapbook of teenage life.

• The It Girl: Superstar Geek

  Author: Katy Birchall
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Anna Huntley just moved to London and isn’t the most popular girl at school. But when her dad gets engaged to one of the most famous actresses in the world, Anna is thrust into the spotlight. A funny book about friends, family and learning to be yourself.

• The Jade Boy

  Author: Cate Cain
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  What is Count Cazalon's sinister plan - and can Jem and his friends stop him?

• The Jam Doughnut That Ruined My Life

  Author: Mark Lowery
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Roman loves jam doughnuts, but bringing a secret doughnut on a school trip brings about all sorts of mayhem.

• The Jamie Drake Equation

  Author: Christopher Edge
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Jamie’s dad is an astronaut on the International Space Station. One day, Jamie's phone picks up a up a weird signal. Could it be a message from his father? Filled with Christopher Edge's trademark combination of wit, pathos and hilarity.

• The Jolley-Rogers and the Cave of Doom

  Author: Jonny Duddle
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Nugget and her big brother Jim Lad Jolley-Rogers are off on an expedition with their pirate parents when they happen on the enchantingly dangerous Cave of Doom, and find themselves in a bit of a pickle.

• The Jolley-Rogers and the Monster's Gold

  Author: Jonny Duddle
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 6-7
  Reading age: 6-7

  The Jolley-Rogers are just your everyday pirate family, doing everyday pirate family things. This clever series serves up lots of nautical giggles, and will be enjoyed by all children.

• The Jolly Christmas Postman

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  Follow our favourite jolly postman as he delivers Christmas cards and gifts to fairytale folk

• The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  Brilliantly designed with lots of little details to spot, this old favourite will be enjoyed time and time again

• The Journey

  Author: Francesca Sanna
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  What is it like to leave everything behind and travel somewhere strange? This incredibly poignant story introduces the concept of refugees with straightforward language, tackling this difficult subject with truth, clarity and strikingly beautiful illustrations.

• The Jungle

  Author: Pooja Puri
  Publisher: Ink Road
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  Mico is a young African boy who's lost his family and livelihood, and is trying to get to safety in England. Stuck in the notorious, makeshift refugee camp at Calais that became known as the Jungle, Mico never has enough to eat, and like many refugees, has no money either. Hunger and difficult circumstances make the lure of joining the gangs and turning to c…

• The Key to Flambards

  Author: Linda Newbery
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  After a car accident and her parents' divorce, Grace spends the holidays at Flambards, a quiet countryside arts centre. It’s a summer that will slowly change Grace’s feelings about her past, her future and her very place in the world. Readable and engaging. 

• The Kick Off

  Author: Dan Freedman
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Packed full of footballing tips, fumbled free kicks and nail-biting penalties, every reader will be on Jamie's side.

• The Kid Who Came from Space

  Author: Ross Welford
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Tammy disappears, her brother Ethan instinctively knows she's still alive. A few days later, a short, hairy alien called Hellyann crash-lands in the reservoir and tells him that Tammy has been abducted and taken to a human zoo. Can Ethan and Hellyann rescue Tammy - and will they ever return? A hilarious science fiction adventure from an award-winning au…

• The Kids Who Knew Too Little

  Author: Gitty Daneshvari Illustrator: James Lancett
  Publisher: Little Brown
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 9+

  When Jonathan's parents are framed and arrested by the CIA, he and his fellow spy Shelley will have to pull together to find the real villains... if they can stop eating junk food and come up with some kind of plan. Another fun adventure in the League of Unexceptional Children series.

• The King and the Sea

  Author: Heinz Janisch and Wolf Erlbruch Translator: Sally-Ann Spencer
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 8

  The King and the Sea is a collection of 21 extremely short stories that each feature the same little king. Each story is presented on one page with beautiful minimalist illustrations on the other.

  The heart of each story is a funny yet puzzling little thought that will spark the imagination. Beautiful, surreal, funny and philosophical, this book will deli…

• The King Arthur Trilogy

  Author: Rosemary Sutcliff
  Publisher: Vintage Children's Classics
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  One volume combines Rosemary Sutcliffe's three classic books2 about King Arthur and his knights. Beginning before Arthur's birth and ending with the disintegration of the brotherhood of the Round Table, this mystical retelling of the ancient legends takes readers on a magical journey through the England of the Dark Ages. The story of the Sword in the Stone a…

• The King of Tiny Things

  Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Gwen Millward
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 8+

  Two little girls and are very excited about camping in the garden but when bedtime comes and all the nighttime bugs come out, the idea doesn't seem so appealing.

• The King Who Wouldn't Sleep

  Author: Debbie Singleton Illustrator: Holly Swain
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  The King is determined not go to sleep until he's found the perfect prince for his daughter to marry. But the Princess wants to make up her own mind - can a farmer with a flock of sheep provide some help?

• The King’s Runaway Crown

  Author: Rosalind Spark Illustrator: Ian Smith
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Colin the dog has run off with the King’s crown on the day of the coronation! Can anyone catch Colin? A fun picture book to share, with the message that everyone is nervous sometimes.

• The Kingdom Over the Sea

  Author: Zohra Nabi Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Yara’s life is thrown into disarray when, following the death of her mother, she learns that they’re from Zehaira, a kingdom of sorcerers, alchemists and magic. In this compelling fantasy adventure, Yara bravely embarks on a dangerous quest to save her magical homeland.

• The Killer Cat Strikes Back

  Author: Anne Fine Illustrator: Steve Cox
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 6+

  This is Tuffy's third adventure, in which he takes exception to Mum's art class, and ruins almost all of her new masterpieces.

• The Killing Woods

  Author: Lucy Christopher
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 13+

  When Emily's father stumbles from the woods one night carrying the dead body of Ashlee Parker, Emily's life changes forever. 

• The Kindest Red

  Author: Ibtihaj Mohammed and S. K. Ali Illustrator: Hatem Aly
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Faizah wants the world to be kind – and she and her class set about being kind to each other.

  ---

  Mae athrawes Faizah yn gofyn i'w dosbarth pa fath o fyd hoffen nhw ei gael. Mae rhai eisiau byd hufen ia neu fyd uncorn; hoffai Faizah fyd caredig, felly aeth hi a'i ffrind Sophie ati i greu un yn yr ysgol.

• The Kiosk

  Author: Anete Melece Translator: Elīna Braslina
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  Olga works and lives in a kiosk, but when a group of mean kids knock it over, she makes a wonderful discovery. A lovely story about the brilliant things that can happen when your life is turned upside down.

• The Kiss

  Author: Eoin McLaughlin Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  Crocodile and Tiger are both feeling as sleepy as can be, and they both need someone to give them a goodnight kiss. Unfortunately, no one will, until they find their parents in the middle of the book who are always there to help them into dreamland.

• The Kite Rider

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Haoyou feels powerless when the man responsible for his father's death demands to marry his mother. Determined to support her himself, the young boy joins a travelling circus.

• The Kites are Flying

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Laura Carlin
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  This dual narrative tale of a modern day conflict is both tragic and joyful. An accessible portrayal of the human consequences of political strife.

• The Knife of Never Letting Go

  Author: Patrick Ness
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  The first in a series, this enthralling sci-fi/fantasy novel grips readers throughout, presenting them with tough questions about identity, ethics and the nature of truth.

• The Knife That Killed Me

  Author: Anthony McGowan
  Publisher: Definitions
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Paul isn't one of the tough kids, but when he ends up delivering a message from Roth, the terrifying school bully, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous rivalry.

• The Knights of the Drop-Leaf Table

  Author: Kaye Umansky Illustrator: Ben Whitehouse
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7+

  To celebrate their new round drop-leaf table, the Knights decide to hold a party, and the French Knight, who has a hankering for yucky snails, volunteers to do the food. What could go wrong? A perfect, Monty Python-esque introduction to Camelot for kids.

• The Ladybird Big Book of Dead Things

  Author: Ned Hartley Illustrator: Binny Talib
  Publisher: Ladybird
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Welcome to the Museum of Dead Things! Discover fascinating facts about dinosaurs and learn about fossils, plus much more. This wonderful hardback is full of fun and interest for young readers, with a genuine sense of discovery and excitement. 

• The Ladybird Big Book of Slimy Things

  Author: Imogen Russell Williams Illustrator: Binny Talib
  Publisher: Ladybird Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  A fascinating, gruesome, and utterly hilarious book filled with facts all about slime - from the slime sun-cream made by hippos to the monstrous fatberg hiding under the streets of London.

• The Language of Cat

  Author: Rachel Rooney
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 7+

  A wonderful testament to the scope and versatility of language which youngsters will enjoy reading and which is likely to inspire them to be creative in their own poetic endeavours.

• The Land of Green Ginger

  Author: Noel Langley
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10

  Noel Langley's pantomime-esque adventure story is reprinted in its 'much-celebrated longer text' for a new edition included in Faber's list of children's classics.

• The Land of Neverendings

  Author: Kate Saunders
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  Emily’s sister Holly has died, and nothing will ever be the same at home: Holly’s bedroom is an empty cave that Emily is scared to walk past at night. Emily’s also just started at secondary school, and she doesn’t understand why her best friend Maze is ignoring her, just when she needs her the most.

• The Land of Roar

  Author: Jenny McLachlan Illustrator: Ben Mantle
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Is the Land of Roar real or imaginary? You’ll have to make up your own mind in this exciting and tense coming-of-age adventure that has echoes of Jumanji and Peter Pan.

• The Last Bear

  Author: Hannah Gold Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8+

  When April and her father move to an uninhabited island in the Arctic Circle, she isn't expecting to meet a lonely polar bear - how can she help him? A moving, beautifully written story about how everyone has the power to make a difference.

• The Last Boy

  Author: Eve McDonnell
  Publisher: Everything with Words Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An extraordinary story based on the horror of child exploitation in Victorian times, but crammed with positivity, determination, hope and edge-of-seat drama. Anyone lucky enough to read it will not forget it for a very long time. 

• The Last Chance Hotel

  Author: Nicki Thornton
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  A magical murder mystery tale set in a crumbling hotel at the heart of a remote and sinister forest. A fabulous cast of weird and wonderful characters and a plot that reveals its secrets very gradually will draw readers in and keep them hooked. 

• The Last Dragon

  Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Charis Loke
  Publisher: Knights Of
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An encounter with a real-life dragon in Milton Keynes helps 12-year-old Yara learn who she is.  

• The Last Dragon on Mars

  Author: Scott Reintgen Illustrator: Steve Stone
  Publisher: Rock the Boat
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Suspend disbelief and fly through a solar system where every moon, planet and star has its own dragon avatar to represent and protect it. A nerve-jangling sci-fi adventure that will take your breath away.  

• The Last Dragonslayer

  Author: Jasper Fforde
  Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Times are tough for Jennifer Strange, manager of Kazam Mystical Arts - then predictions of a new Dragonslayer coming to slay the Last Dragon begin...

• The Last Firefox

  Author: Lee Newbery Illustrator:
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A funny, enchanting adventure about a scared boy, a magical fox, a monstrous shape-shifting beast and finding the courage to protect what you love.

• The Last Kids on Earth

  Author: Max Brallier
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10-12

  Jack Sullivan is 42 days into the monster zombie apocalypse and doing pretty well, but that's all thrown into jeopardy when a monster called Blarg becomes intent on killing him off... A fast-paced, funny story that's a mix between Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Shaun of the Dead.

• The Last Mapmaker

  Author: Christina Soontornvat
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Apprentice mapmaker, 12-year-old Sai, joins an expedition to sail the southern seas and chart new lands, but how much is she willing to risk in order to make her fortune? This Thai-inspired fantasy adventure is a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

• The Last of the Spirits

  Author: Chris Priestley
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  This book is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone who has watched and loved a film adaptation of A Christmas Carol but who isn't quite ready for Dickens himself just yet!

• The Last Seaweed Pie

  Author: Wenda Shurety Illustrator: Paddy Donnelly
  Publisher: Storyhouse
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 7+

  A charming yet poignant story about the impact of waste on the environment and the benefits of recycling.

• The Last Summer of Us

  Author: Maggie Harcourt
  Publisher: Usborne Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 9+

  After her mother’s funeral, Limpet is only too glad to get away for a few days and join her best friends Steffan and Jared on a summer road trip.

• The Last Taboo

  Author: Bali Rai
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  A story of powerful emotions and strong language, which provides no easy answers to the fact that racism exists in communities of all kinds.

• The Last Tiger

  Author: Rebecca Elliott
  Publisher: Lion Children's
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Luka lives in a drab, grey world where there are no more trees, flowers or animals - or so Luka thinks, until he meets the last tiger.

• The Last Whale

  Author: Chris Vick
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  Action-packed, moving and thought-provoking, this is an epic tale with a strong eco message that will take your breath away.

• The Last Wild

  Author: Piers Torday
  Publisher: Quercus Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  In a world where animals no longer exist, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes sometimes feels like he hardly exists either. Locked away in a home for troubled children, he's told there's something wrong with him.

• The Last Wolf

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Powerful illustrations underline this captivating tale of loyalty and bravery.

• The Last Wolf

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  The Last Wolf ranks alongside Mini Grey’s other picture book masterpieces, with all her trademark rich, characterful illustration, quirky humour and perfect pacing. The story has an environmental message but is in no way preachy or boring.

• The Last Zoo

  Author: Sam Gayton
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Pia lives on the last zoo: a floating armada that houses the strangest collection of creatures the world’s ever seen, from genies to mirror-orangutans to hummingdragons. Collectively called ‘voilas’, they each have a special ability, and everyone hopes these will help save the world from environmental catastrophe.

• The Last Zookeeper

  Author: Aaron Becker
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 4+

  A wordless picture book featuring a robot protagonist and a flooded landscape. It is a beautifully illustrated modern retelling of the Noah’s ark story. 

• The Laugh

  Author: Fay Evans Illustrator: Ayşe Klinge
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A deeply moving picture book about grief and bereavement that will be sure to help children feel that someone understands what they’re feeling.

• The League of Unexceptional Children

  Author: Gitty Daneshvari
  Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Jonathan and Shelley are surprised to be selected to join The League of Unexceptional Children. They are used to people forgetting them as soon as they've met them - so why are they about to be trained as spies?

• The League of Unexceptional Children Get Smart-ish

  Author: Gitty Daneshvari Illustrator: James Lancett
  Publisher: Little Brown
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Jonathan and Shelley are unremarkable American twelve year olds, who also happen to be spies. Summoned to London by the Prime Minister, they must recover a dangerous virus which has been stolen by a rogue British agent before it is unleashed on an unsuspecting world. This is the second amusing title in this fast-paced, offbeat spy series, which contains plen…

• The Legend of Captain Crow's Teeth

  Author: Eoin Colfer Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  With characters last seen in Colfer's The Legend of Spud Murphy, this is another light-hearted adventure for younger readers, in which the issue of sibling rivalry is deftly and humorously handled.

• The Legend of Kevin

  Author: Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Max longs for adventure in his life – then one day, a flying pony called Kevin crashes into his flat, blown in by a magical storm. Mayhem, friendship and a brilliant cast of characters combine in this fabulously funny tale.

• The Legend of Sally Jones

  Author: Jakob Wegelius Translator: Peter Graves
  Publisher: Pushkin Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Jakob Wegelius’ graphic novel prequel to the novel The Murderer’s Ape tells the gorilla Sally Jones’ sad origin story with great compassion. It reminds us of the terrible ways humans have treated gorillas and orangutans.

• The Legend of Spud Murphy

  Author: Eoin Colfer Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Will and Marty are horrified when their parents decide to find them something educational to do during the holidays, condemning them to three afternoons a week at the library.

  How will they cope when they meet the librarian, the legendary Spud Murphy, for the first time? And will she use the gas-powered spud gun she keeps under her desk? When Marty steps …

• The Legend of the Loch Ness Lilo: You, Me and Thing

  Author: Karen McCombie
  Publisher: Faber Children's
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  The third in Kaen McCombie's series about Ruby and her next-door neighbour Jackson, who have a secret - at the end of their gardens they are hiding the small, cute but very troublesome ‘Thing’.

• The Letter for the King

  Author: Tonke Dragt Translator: Laura Watkinson
  Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 11+

  A young squire named Tiuri has his meditation disturbed by a desperate cry for help.

• The Letter With the Golden Stamp

  Author: Onjali Q Rauf Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Is someone spying on Audrey and her family? Fun, fast-paced chapter book on the adventures of a young carer. 

• The Library Book

  Author: Gabby Dawnay Illustrator: Ian Morris
  Publisher: Thames & Hudson
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  Zach absolutely hates books. Can a trip to the library with his friend Ro convince him otherwise? This wonderful story is a joy to read aloud and a lovely tribute to libraries.

• The Lie Tree

  Author: Frances Hardinge
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  This dark, exciting novel delves into the world of religion versus science in the late 1800s, and twists towards a thrilling climax.

• The Lies We Tell Ourselves

  Author: Robin Talley
  Publisher: Mira Ink
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 13+

  This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings is set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice.

• The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke

  Author: Kirsty Applebaum
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Lonny Quicke is a lifeling and has the power to prevent death – but he must keep this gift a secret at all costs. A stunning, unusual and very moving contemporary fairy tale which, like all the best fairy tales, is as scary as it is compelling.

• The Light in Everything

  Author: Katya Balen Illustrator: Sydney Smith
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Shy Tom and determined Zofia couldn't be more different. But when their parents fall for one another, they are united in a common struggle- to navigate the complex challenge of building a new family together.

• The Light That Gets Lost

  Author: Natasha Carthew
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 8+

  A powerful and moving tale of growing up and moving on.

• The Lightning Catcher

  Author: Clare Weze
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Alfie moves to the village of Folding Ford, he is baffled by a series of strange occurrences. This exciting, science-packed novel is a cracking read and bursts with action, warmth and humour.

• The Lines on Nana's Face

  Author: Simona Ciraolo
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  A touching exploration of old age and the discovery that wrinkles are not just marks on the skin but also reminders of special moments in time.

• The Lion Above the Door

  Author: Onjali Q Raúf
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Leo and his best friend often feel like the odd ones out at school and in the small village they live in, where everyone else is white. Another sensitive, thoughtful book from Onjali Q Rauf that highlights racism and bullying in children’s lives today.

• The Lion and the Mouse

  Author: Jerry Pinkney
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 4+

  This retelling of Aesop’s fable is told without text through pictures alone

• The Lion and the Unicorn

  Author: Shirley Hughes
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Lenny is bullied by the children at his new school, but draws courage from a badge his father gave him, and comes to terms with his fear and loneliness when he befriends Mick.

• The Lion Who Lost his Roar, but Learnt to Draw

  Author: Paula Knight and Daniel Howarth
  Publisher: QED
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Lionel the lion cub, like many of the book's readers, loves to make a lot of noise. But sometimes he scares the other animals with the noise he makes.

• The Lion Who Stole My Arm

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Annabel Wright
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7-9

  When a lion attacks Pedru and bites off his arm, he vows to find the lion and kill him. But as he learns more about these formidable creatures, he realises strength and courage come in different forms. An uplifting story in the excellent Heroes of the Wild series.

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

  Author: C S Lewis
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - step through a wardrobe door in the strange country house where they are staying, they find themselves in the land of Narnia.

• The Lipstick

  Author: Laura Dockrill Illustrator: Maria Karipidou
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A boy finds his mum’s lipstick and decides it will brighten up the house. Most families will identify with the “drawing on the walls” stage, and this bright and funny book really captures the child's excitement, as well as the "whoops" moment that comes later.

   

• The List of Things That Will Not Change

  Author: Rebecca Stead
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Bea’s dad is gay and he’s marrying his boyfriend Jesse, who Bea loves. Bea lives half of her week with mum, half of the week with dad. When Sonia, Jesse’s daughter, comes to stay, Bea is really excited about the prospect of a new sister, but it all feels strange to Sonia. Will Bea get the sister she’s always wanted?

• The Listener

  Author: Elizabeth Laird
  Publisher: A C Black
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  A story about a young boy who is sent to stay with his Gran for the weekend when he would rather be at a football match with his friend watching his hero making his debut.

• The Liszts

  Author: Kyo Maclear Illustrator: Julia Sarda
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Every member of the Liszt family makes lists - lists about ghastly illnesses, dreaded chores, cheeses, Bowie songs. But with all of their time spent categorising the world, what will they do when an unexpected visitor arrives?

• The Little Book of Football Jokes

  Author: Joe King Illustrator: Nigel Baines
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Featuring a whole host of football funnies and goalie gags, this collection of soccer silliness is a must for any young fan of the beautiful game.

• The Little Fir Tree

  Author: Christopher Corr
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 5+

  In this beautifully illustrated modern retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, the values of appreciating what we already have and the cycles of nature are explored. The story of the little fir tree is brought to life with the vivid, folk-inspired artwork.

• The Little Gardener

  Author: Emily Hughes
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  With diverse illustrations, and a clear story to follow, this wonderful book is the perfect read - especially when your own garden is full in bloom.

• The Little Hen and the Great War

  Author: Jennifer Beck Illustrator: Robyn Belton
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 5+

  A stunning picture book for older readers, about a soldier's friendship with a little hen during World War One.

• The Little Island

  Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Robert Starling
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 5+

  The message here is that compassion for others and strength in togetherness is what makes us thrive. The Little Island may raise as many questions as it answers, but that’s precisely why global ideas should be introduced to children at such a young age.  

• The Little Match Girl Strikes Back

  Author: Emma Carroll Illustrator: Lauren Child
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  12 year-old Bridie sells matches on the mean streets of Victorian London. Her mother works 14 hours a day making matches in the Bryant and May factory… and the poison from the factory is making her ill. Even though they work so hard, they are very poor and often hungry. Then one New Year’s Eve, when Bridie seems to have lost everything, she lights her three …

• The Little Mermaid

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean Illustrator: Laura Barrett
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 7+

  McCaughrean has written an alternative happy ending to Hans Christian Andersen’s tragic and bloody tale, so while this stunningly illustrated version is for the most part faithful, young readers and listeners won’t be too disturbed by Delphine’s story.

• The Little Mistake

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Cathy Fisher
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Rose learns that not all mistakes are bad when she helps her mum watch over their sheepdog Trix and its litter of puppies – including one that definitely isn't going to be a prize-winning sheepdog. Another brilliant wildlife story from Nicola Davies. 

• The Little Pioneer

  Author: Adam Hancher
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Inspired by letters and diaries from the 1800s, this enjoyable picture book explores the origins of modern-day America and the life and motivation of early pioneers.

• The Little Prince

  Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery Translator: Katherine Woods
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  An air pilot makes a forced landing deep in the Sahara Desert. There, he makes a mysterious Little Prince, who tells him a series of wise and enchanting stories.

• The Little Red Train: Green Light

  Author: Benedict Blathwayt
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 3-7
  Reading age: 6+

  The guard tells Duffy the Driver to 'keep going as long as the lights are green' and Duffy does just that - without realising that he has taken the train through the Channel Tunnel!

• The Little Things

  Author: Emma Dodd
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  International bestseller Emma Dodd is back with another typically heartwarming and sumptuous book for young children. This one follows a giant panda and its adorable cub as they discover the importance of helping others and what really matters in life.

• The Little War Cat

  Author: Hiba Noor Khan Illustrator: Laura Chamberlain
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  With stunningly emotive illustrations, this is an accessibly and inspiring story for 4-5 year olds showing how hope and kindness can still thrive during times of extreme adversity.

• The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess

  Author: Tom Gauld
  Publisher: Templar Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A king and queen in a faraway land long for a child, so they consult a wise witch and royal inventor, who give them a girl and boy made from wood. This comic-style picture book is a lovely story about unconventional siblings with a strong and loving bond. 

• The Littlest Dinosaur

  Author: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  When mother dinosaur’s last egg finally cracks open, out comes a minute dinosaur. He doesn’t grow any bigger – and when he’s playing football he is in danger of being trodden on.

• The Littlest Dinosaur's Big Adventure

  Author: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 8+

  When a small, bouncy frog interupts his daydream, the littlest dinosaur is delighted to find a friend his own size.

• The Littlest Yak – Home is Where the Herd Is

  Author: Lu Fraser Illustrator: Kate Hindley
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4+

  This beautiful rhyming picture book re-introduces Gertie the little yak and her yak family as they are about to embark on an epic journey to relocate to a new home for the herd. Will Little Gertie get to their new home without any disasters? Funny and heart-warming.  

• The Littlest Yak: The New Arrival

  Author: Lu Fraser Illustrator: Kate Hindley
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  Gertie, the littlest yak, is thrilled to learn that she will soon be a big sister but worries that there won’t be enough room in Mummy's heart for two little yaks. This humorous picture book is perfect to reassure young children who are expecting their own new sibling. 

• The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger

  Author: J T Williams Illustrator: Simone Douglas
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 8+

  Can Lizzie and Belle solve an attempted murder in eighteenth-century London? A cracking mystery inspired by real Black historical figures.

• The Loblolly Boy

  Author: James Norcliffe
  Publisher: Allen and Unwin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A lyrically written and memorable story with an ultimately hopeful resolution

• The Longest Night of Charlie Noon

  Author: Christopher Edge
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Charlie Noon is lost in the woods. But which woods, and when? During this nightmarish time, only friends can keep Charlie on track and safely back home. This short but powerful novel keeps the reader guessing throughout and leads to a stunning conclusion.

• The Longest Strongest Thread

  Author: Inbal Leitner
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  A little girl is moving with her family to a cold country and leaving her grandmother behind; it’s too cold for her where they’re going, so she’s going to stay at home. A touching, gentle story about saying goodbye to our loved ones - and being distanced from them.

• The Longest Whale Song

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Corgi Yearling
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When a rare condition causes her mum's pregnancy to go wrong, leaving her lost in a coma, Ella's life goes into free-fall. Suddenly, nothing is as it was before.

• The London Eye Mystery

  Author: Siobhan Dowd
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Ted likes the weather, he also likes statistics and routine but his life is thrown into disarray when his Aunt Gloria and cousin Salim arrive, like a hurricane, to stay in London en-route to a new life in New York.

• The Look

  Author: Sophia Bennett
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Ted is an awkward, gangly teenager constantly following in her older sister Ava’s confident footsteps...

• The Lost and the Found

  Author: Cat Clarke
  Publisher: Quercus
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  Faith's sister re-appears after being abducted 13 years before, but is it Faith's sister?

• The Lost Book of Adventure

  Author: Unknown Adventurer and Teddy Keen
  Publisher: Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  On a recent expedition to the Amazon, outdoor enthusiast Teddy Keen stumbled across a sealed metal container. Inside the box were sketchbooks and notebooks by an unknown adventurer. They have now been restored and pieced together in this treasure of a book.

• The Lost Diary of Sami Star

  Author: Karen McCombie
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Hannah’s parents seem to have forgotten her, preoccupied by current quarrels with her older sister. School isn’t much better – Hannah’s noticing a rift with her two so-called best friends, who seem wholly concerned with boys and whether other people are wearing the 'right' jeans. Then she finds a journal in the park. Hannah is fascinated by its creator, Sami…

• The Lost Girl

  Author: Sangu Mandanna
  Publisher: Definitions
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Eva is an echo, created by the mysterious Weavers as an exact copy of someone else. When her 'other', Amarra is killed in a car accident, Eva must take over her life.

• The Lost Homework

  Author: Richard O’Neill Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman
  Publisher: Child’s Play
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Sonny lives on a Traveller community site with his family and he’s super excited about a family wedding. This smart, charming book is written by an author of Traveller heritage and has a lovely message about informal learning opportunities being all around. 

• The Lost Kitten

  Author: Komako Sakai Lee
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  One day, Hina and her mother open the door to find a scrawny little kitten waiting outside with its mother. The kitten has something wrong with its eye, and it seems as though the mother cat wants Hina and her mother to look after it, so they take it in.

• The Lost Magician

  Author: Piers Torday
  Publisher: Quercus
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 10+

  This beautiful homage to Narnia sees renowned children’s writer Torday explore what it is to be a reader and the power of books and libraries, as well as the imagination. Fantastical but with real heart, this immersive story is sure to become a firm favourite.

• The Lost Property Office

  Author: Emily Rand
  Publisher: Tate Publishing
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  When a little girl leaves her teddy on the train, her Grandpa has a brainwave and takes the little girl to the Lost Property Office, which is full of all manner of amazing things. A reassuringly lovely and vivid story about where the lost things go – and are found. 

• The Lost Stars

  Author: Hannah Cumming
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  A thought provoking tale of the beauty of the natural world and a reminder to value it in our increasingly busy lives

• The Lost Tide Warriors

  Author: Catherine Doyle
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  On the Irish island of Arranmore, a dark power is awakening and Fionn Boyle is worried that his powers are lacking. The second book in the Storm Keeper series is a rich, atmospheric and uniquely modern Irish mythology for children: highly recommended.

• The Lost Thing

  Author: Shaun Tan
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A version of this unique book was the winner of Best Animated Short Film at the 2011 Oscars. A boy is out walking on the beach, when he spots a weird looking thing - it looks lost. The boy asks around, but nobody seems to know where it came from, so the boy begins a quest to find the thing somewhere to call home. This memorable picture book can be enjoyed on…

• The Lost Whale

  Author: Hannah Gold Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
  Publisher: Harper Collins
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Rio is used to caring for his mother, but when he arrives in California, he finds a new role – caring for grey whales. A novel with a strong environmental message and an atmosphere aided by the striking illustrations of Levi Pinfold, which help the story come to life.

• The Lotterys Plus One

  Author: Emma Donoghue Illustrator: Caroline Hadilaksono
  Publisher: MacMillan
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Sumac lives with her huge and diverse family. All is chaotic, offbeat brilliance until the 82-year-old grandfather the kids have never met moves in. Told with utter charm and a lightness of touch, ultimately The Lotterys Plus One is about acceptance.

• The Lottie Project

  Author: Jaqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Yearling
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 10+

  At odds with her strict new teacher, and concerned that her unmarried mother is falling for the divorced father of the little boy she childminds, Charlie's life becomes increasingly stressful.

• The Love Report

  Author: BeKa Illustrator: Maya
  Publisher: Hippo Park
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Lola and Grace try to unravel the mystery of romance by learning from couples at school – and by Lola getting her first boyfriend! A sweet graphic novel that gently points out the pitfalls of forgetting your friends to focus on love, and of focusing on appearances. 

• The Lucky Bottle

  Author: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Jack is shipwrecked, he concocts a perilous plan to get back home. With pirates, sharks and sea monsters circling him, he’ll need an awful lot of luck! A ripping adventure with a classic feel.

• The Lucy Variations

  Author: Sara Zarr
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Lucy once had a promising future as a concert pianist, but the incessant pressure from her family made her give it all up. Can she learn to love music again - this time on her own terms?

• The Magic Bojabi Tree

  Author: Diane Hofmeyr Illustrator: Piet Grobler
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  In the hot and dusty African plains, Python is guarding the mango-melon-pomegranate tree. He will only let the hungry animals eat the fruit if they can tell him the name of the tree.

• The Magic Callaloo

  Author: Trish Cooke Illustrator: Sophie Bass
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 6-8

  In a wonderful allegorical story highlighting a crucial part of Black history, superstar children’s author Trish Cooke tells a tale inspired by the real stories of enslaved Africans who made patterns in their cornrowed hair, using them as maps to escape their enslavers.

• The Magic Carpet’s Guide to Earth’s Forbidden Places

  Author: Patrick Makin Illustrator: Whooli Chen
  Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Fly an imaginary carpet over some of the most forbidden and mysterious places in the world in this gorgeously illustrated picture book.

• The Magic Faraway Tree

  Author: Enid Blyton
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  When Joe, Beth and Frannie move to a new home, an Enchanted Wood is on their doorstep. And when they discover the Faraway Tree, it proves to be the beginning of many magical adventures! Join them and their friends Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy as they discover which new land is at the top of the Faraway Tree.

• The Magic of Sleep

  Author: Vicky Woodgate
  Publisher: DK
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This fascinating non-fiction picture book for older readers explores all aspects of sleep. Readers are guided through the pages by Mimi Cat, an entertaining feline, who is an expert on snoozing. 

• The Magic Paintbrush

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Joel Stewart
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  When Shen is given a magic paintbrush, she promises only to use it for the good of the poor. But how will she avoid painting for the greedy emperor?

• The Magical Snow Garden

  Author: Tracey Corderoy Illustrator: Jane Chapman
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Wellington Penguin wants to grow a garden - but how can he do that in the snow? A vibrant picture book about how you never know what you can achieve until you try.

• The Magical Unicorn Society: Official Handbook

  Author: Selwyn E Phipps and Jonny Leighton Illustrator: Harry and Zanna Goldhawk and Helen Dardik
  Publisher: Michael O’Mara Books Limited
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7+

  After centuries of mystery, the mythical Magical Unicorn Society has published its official handbook. It's a treasure chest of unicorn lore – the where, why and what of these elusive beasts.

• The Magician’s Daughter

  Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: George Ermos
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Abby finds a book that will allow her and her magician dad to perform real magic! A miraculous story about the magic of community, family and friendship from an award-winning Welsh author.

• The Magician’s Map

  Author: Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  A quest to find a miraculous artefact that can manipulate time is fraught with danger, filled with excitement, and threatened by treachery. The second Hoarder Hill House adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seats. 

• The Magician's Daughter

  Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: George Ermos
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 10-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Mae Dad Abby yn gonsuriwr ond pan mae pethau’n mynd o chwith yn ei berfformiad diweddaraf mae’n penderfynu ei bod hi’n amser rhoi’r gorau i’r hud a lledrith.

  ---

  Abby’s father is a magician but when things go awry in his latest performance he decides it’s time to call it a day on magic. While Dad finds a new job, Abby finds it hard to bid farewell to the past.

• The Maker of Monsters

  Author: Lorraine Gregory Illustrator: Meg Hunt
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  With some terrifyingly monstrous creations chasing the story to its exciting conclusion, and a scatter of humour throughout, this is a must-read for those who love adventure and nail-biting suspense, and need to believe in the hero within.

• The Making of Mollie

  Author: Anna Carey
  Publisher: O’Brien
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Mollie discovers big sister Phyllis is part of the suffragette movement, she’s determined to do something to help. A sweet epistolary novel that makes the historical context accessible to modern audiences.

• The Maloneys' Magical Weatherbox

  Author: Nigel Quinlan Illustrator: Keith Robinson
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9

  Mr Maloney is a Weatherman, an important and powerful man. It is his task to open the door of a magical telephone box that allows one season to leave and another to begin.

• The Man

  Author: Raymond Briggs
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7+

  The Man is a dialogue between a boy, John, and a tiny naked man who appears in the middle of the night, demanding clothes. The book perfectly captures an enchanting friendship with its message of kindness and intolerance of prejudice.

• The Man on the Moon!

  Author: Simon Bartram
  Publisher: Templar Publishing
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Bob knows almost everything there is to know about the moon - but there's something going on behind his back that he hasn't spotted...

• The Man Who Wore All His Clothes

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katherine McEwan
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Mr Gaskitt works as Father Christmas in a department store, his wife is a taxi driver and Horace, their cat, loves spending much of his time watching sad old movies on TV.

• The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting

  Author: Holly Bourne
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 14+

  Holly Bourne has written an intriguing and well-written YA novel that keeps you turning the pages and is a meaner Mean Girls of sorts.

• The Many Worlds of Albie Bright

  Author: Christopher Edge
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  A son of two scientists, it's only natural that Albie uses quantum theory when his mum dies, to find a parallel universe where she's still alive. Considering the topics covered, it's a light read that even reluctant readers might be tempted to try.

• The Map to Everywhere

  Author: Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Extraordinarily vivid alternate worlds, strong characters and hair-raising adventures are interwoven in this fast-moving fantasy quest.

• The Mapmakers' Race

  Author: Eirlys Hunter Illustrator: Kirsten Slade
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When their mother gets left behind at a train station, the Santander siblings decide to take part in the Great Race to create a new route for a railway without her. A timeless, thrilling adventure full of derring-do and heart.

• The Marsh Road Mysteries 2: Crowns and Codebreakers

  Author: Elen Caldecott
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 8+

  The second in the Marsh Road Mysteries series once again brings together friendship, adventure and solving mysteries.

• The Marsh Road Mysteries: Diamonds and Daggers

  Author: Elen Caldecott
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9

  With a fast-moving plot and satisfyingly diverse group of young investigators, this humorous whodunit has a contemporary feel and will appeal to a wide range of young readers.

• The Martian Girl

  Author:
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Aliens, humans, mad scientists and flying saucers abound, all leading up to the reveal of a dangerous secret.

• The Marvels

  Author: Brian Selznick
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  More than just a mystery, The Marvels is a heart-warming story about growing up, identity and family, full of cinematic and captivating illustrations.

• The Marvellers

  Author: Dhonielle Clayton
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Ella Durant is the first Conjuror to attend the Marveller school in the sky, but not everyone is welcoming. And then her favourite teacher goes missing... Magical fantasy adventure in an intricately detailed world.

• The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me

  Author: Serena Holly Illustrator: Selom Sunu
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  A humorous, heart-warming story about the special relationship between a girl and her granny and how they team up to make an unbeatable double act.

• The Match

  Author: Russell Ayto
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 6+

  A man and his dog watch their favourite football team getting beaten over and over again - but could a surprise substitute change the game? A quirky tale that fans of football (and dogs) will love.

• The Matilda Effect

  Author: Ellie Irving Illustrator: Matthew Jones
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8-12

  Matilda loves science and wants to be an inventor. When she discovers that her grandma was an astrophysicist who didn't get any credit for discovering a planet, they go on an adventure to change things.

• The Medici Seal

  Author: Theresa Breslin
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 9+

  A carefully reasoned and historically informed novel about growing up and making choices

• The Memory Cage

  Author: Ruth Eastham
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Alex needs to act fast or his family will be torn apart

• The Memory Key

  Author: Nigel Baines
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Lily and her grandfather travel back in time to share memories from his past as they both struggle to deal with his worsening Alzheimer’s. 

• The Memory of an Elephant

  Author: Sophie Strady Illustrator: Jean-Francois Martin
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 5+

  The Memory of an Elephant is one of the most unusual picture books of the year. Marcel's marvellous book will be a real conversation piece.

• The Memory Thieves

  Author: Darren Simpson
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 10+

  A multi-layered thriller set in an isolated sanctuary for troubled teens, where traumatic memories can be suppressed – but not entirely erased. Compelling and thought-provoking.

• The Merchant of Venice: A Shakespeare Story

  Author: Andrew Matthews Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  Shakespeare's dialogue is greatly abridged, but key passages are kept, and the well-known sayings remain.

• The Mermaid Atlas: Merfolk of the World

  Author: Anna Claybourne Illustrator: Miren Asiain Lora
  Publisher: Laurence King
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This beautiful and informative guide to the world’s varied mermaid myths is lovely to look at but also full of surprising information about mermaid sightings all over the world (even as recently as 2012!)

• The Mermaid in the Millpond

  Author: Lucy Strange Illustrator: Pam Smy
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 8+

  A short, engrossing, historical mystery tinged with fantasy elements that has a surprising amount of tense action and emotional heft. Presented in a super-readable format. 

• The Messenger Bird

  Author: Ruth Eastham
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Messenger Bird is an exciting adventure story with a twist, and will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who is interested in history and the Second World War.

• The Midnight Carnival

  Author: Erika McGann
  Publisher: The O’Brien Press
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Grace and her five friends, all trainee witches, have to battle dark magic when the carnival comes to town.

• The Midnight Gang

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 8-12

  Poor Tom has been hit on the head by a cricket ball and wakes up in the Lord Funt Hospital. David Walliams’ tongue-in-cheek fun continues to amuse in this new adventure that also tugs at the heartstrings in just the right way.

• The Midnight Guardians

  Author: Ross Montgomery
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Col is evacuated, his sister Rose stays behind in London to help with the war effort. But when he learns Rose is in danger, Col and his guardians - his childhood imaginary friends - must embark on a quest to save her.

• The Midnight Hour

  Author: Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A humorous rollercoaster adventure filled with extraordinary characters and a likeable, big-mouthed heroine on a quest to save the world as we know it.

• The Midnight Palace

  Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon Translator: Lucia Graves
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  In Calcutta in 1916, after the deaths of both their parents in bizarre circumstances, two babies are separated at birth.

• The Midnight Panther

  Author: Poonam Mistry
  Publisher: Templar Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A stunning book, full of magnificent, decorative artwork, with a powerful message: we are all glorious in our own way.

• The Midnight Peacock

  Author: Katherine Woodfine
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10-12

  In book four of The Sinclair’s Mysteries, Sophie and Lil’s fledgling detective agency is making ripples across London. A tightly woven and engaging adventure, The Midnight Peacock is full of characters you can’t help but root for.

• The Midnight Swan

  Author: Catherine Fisher
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This gripping conclusion to the compelling Clockwork Crow magical trilogy is set in a dream-like fantasy world, reminiscent of Alice’s Wonderland and rich with elements from Welsh folklore.

• The Middle of Nowhere

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Life in the Australian outback is hard enough, but when a deadly snake in the laundry basket kills her mother, Comity Pinny finds herself in a whole new type of wilderness.

• The Middler

  Author: Kirsty Applebaum
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  In the town of Fennis Wick, there are two rules: eldests go to military camp when they turn 14, and you don’t talk to wanderers, like Maggie. This dystopian novel, set in a seemingly idyllic town, will send a shiver down the spine. 

• The Mightiest Bite

  Author: Howard Calvert Illustrator: Mike Moran
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6-7
  Reading age: 7+

  In this fun and riotous picture book, a cast of animals – some big and some bite-sized - squabble it out over who has the mightiest bite of all... A young girl takes a chomp out of a juicy apple and wonders whether she might just have the mightiest bite in the entire world. However, it is not long before a rabbit, a dog, a piranha, a hippo, and a whole host …

• The Mighty Dynamo

  Author: Kieran Crowley Illustrator: Marta Kissi
  Publisher: MacMillan
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Noah is sure that getting signed to a big football club is the only way he will earn enough money to fix everything going wrong in his family. This book has it all: laugh-out-loud moments, lump-in-throat moments and an exciting storyline.

• The Million Pieces of Neena Gill

  Author: Emma Smith-Barton
  Publisher: Penguin Random House
  Interest age: 12-18
  Reading age: 12+

  A beautifully written story about grief, mental illness, family, friendship, empathy and love.

• The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook

  Author: Joyce Lankester Brisley
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  Milly-Molly-Mandy lives with her mother, father, uncle, aunt, grandmother and grandfather in a 'nice white cottage with a thatched roof'.

• The Ministry of SUITs

  Author: Paul Gamble
  Publisher: Little Island
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Ministry of Strange, Unusual, and Impossible Things is a hilarious, madcap adventure. It is as strange as the title suggests - and ridiculously good fun.

• The Ministry of Unladylike Activity

  Author: Robin Stevens
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  With plenty of opportunities for readers to evaluate the evidence, collect clues and use their own powers of deduction, this is a gripping, historical crime thriller perfect for young murder mystery fans.

• The Miracle on Ebenezer Street

  Author: Catherine Doyle
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When George discovers a snow globe containing a memory of his late mother, he and his Christmas-hating dad end up going on an adventure... but can their family begin to feel joy again? A beautiful, sensitive homage to A Christmas Carol.

• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

  Author:
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Edward Tulane is an impressive and immaculate china rabbit. Abigail, his owner, adores and cares for him completely, but Edward does not return her love.

• The Misadventures of Frederick

  Author: Ben Manley Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
  Publisher: Two Hoots
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 7+

  Emily is playing in the forest when she sees a boy watching her from a grand house. She invites him to play, but his mother refuses - will Emily be able to convince him to face his fears and come outside? A sophisticated, skilful picture book.

• The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero

  Author: Rachel Renée Russell
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Max is put in a locker by the school bully after everyone has left for the long weekend - and then three thieves break in to the school. Written in journal format and peppered with humorous illustrations, Max's (mis)adventures are sure to be a hit.

• The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie

  Author: Chris van Allsburg
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4-6
  

  Sweetie Pie is the last hamster in the shop. One day a girl with pigtails comes into the shop and takes him home.

• The Missing Bookshop

  Author: Katie Clapham Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman
  Publisher: Stripes
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Katie Clapham's love of books and bookshops shines through in this absolutely delightful story, illustrated by the very talented Kirsti Beautyman, about love, family, books and community. Absolutely delightful.

• The Missing Piece

  Author: Jordan Stephens Illustrator: Beth Suzanna
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A lovely book about a young girl who loves jigsaw puzzles.

• The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II

  Author: Michael Rosen
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  A fascinating family memoir and a very personal story about terrible loss, The Missing describes the impact of the Holocaust on one family, which provides a relatable pathway into this overwhelming event for young readers.

• The Mizzy Mysteries: A Skeleton in the Closet

  Author: Claire Hatcher-Smith
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A perfect middle-grade introduction to murder mysteries with a captivating neurodivergent hero.

• The Moment Collector

  Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 9+

  Anderson's poetic descriptions of the lakes, their weather and their wildlife underpins her narrative to provide an unusual, intuitive and thought-provoking YA novel.

• The Monster Doctor

  Author: John Kelly
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  There's chaos at the local monster doctor's surgery - so Ozzy steps in to help out. It's one calamity after another in this fast-paced story, packed with oddball characters and irresistible illustrations.

• The Monsters of Rookhaven

  Author: Pádraig Kenny Illustrator: Edward Bettison
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  Mirabelle and her family of monsters live in the gothic mansion of Rookhaven, hidden from the human world by a magical glamour. But when two human children stumble into their garden of bloodthirsty flowers, something sinister creeps in after them - something that even the monsters fear.

• The Monstrous Child

  Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Olivia Lomenech Gill
  Publisher: Faber & Faber / Profile Books
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Hel is just like any other teenage girl - but she is also a Norse goddess and a monster. A good story with black humour and mythological detail, this will appeal to tweens and young teens looking for a strong heroine to root for.

• The Monstrous Tale of Celery Crumble

  Author: Ben Joel Price
  Publisher: Oxford
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  A witty, dynamic, cautionary tale about a seemingly angelic little girl who doesn’t like saying sorry. 

• The Moon Keeper

  Author: Zosienka
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This lyrical picture book introduces children to the concept the lunar cycle through the eyes of Emile the polar bear, helping them to understand the different phases of the moon. Stunning illustrations create a meditative atmosphere, making this magical tale of kindness, hope and faith ideal for bedtime reading.  

• The Moon of Gomrath

  Author: Alan Garner
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 8+

  The Brollachan, an ancient evil, is threatening the elves. They ask to borrow Susan’s magic bracelet to use its power. Vulnerable without it, Susan is attacked and almost lost...

• The Moonlight Dreamers

  Author: Siobhan Curham
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Amber craves excitement and adventure. Then she finds three like-minded girls, and the group soon call themselves the Moonlight Dreamers. A charming and inspirational story about friendship and being true to yourself.

• The Moonlight Zoo

  Author: Maudie Powell-Tuck Illustrator: Karl James Mountford
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 5+

  Eva's cat, Luna, has been missing for two days and Eva is really worried. Yet, as Eva stares out at the moon, wishing for Luna to come home, she hears a noise under her bed and finds The Moonlight Zoo, a place that keeps all lost animals safe at night. A magical tale with high colour artwork and a reassuring story.

• The Moon's Gorgonzola

  Author: Debra Bertulis Illustrator: Zoe Williams
  Publisher: Troika
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 5+

  A vibrant poetry collection that is perfect for Key Stage 1, or ages 5 and above. Packed with poems  spanning the silly, the thought-provoking and the emotional, there is something for everyone to enjoy here. 

• The More Monster

  Author: Hayley Wells
  Publisher: Pavilion
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This sophisticated and thought-provoking picture book is one for mid-primary school aged readers, or even older children, who can understand and discuss ideas of material possessions, consumerism and even how capitalism works. 

• The Most Beautiful Place in the World

  Author: Ann Cameron
  Publisher: Tamarind Books
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Ann Cameron provides the reader with detailed descriptions of Guatemala. The beauty of the setting compares harshly with hardships Juan faces in his life.

• The Most Exciting Eid

  Author: Zeba Talkhani Illustrator: Abeeha Tariq
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Safa loves Eid! A heart-warming celebration of community, family and making people happy.

• The Mouse Family Robinson

  Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Ben Cort
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Old Mr Brown has had seventy-eight children. And with the Robinson's first babies on the way he advises them to name them following the letters of the alphabet.

• The Mouse Who Ate the Moon

  Author: Petr Horacek
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 7+

  This peep-through story book has beautiful illustrations which are brought to life with the peep-through hole on each page. An endearing and funny story with friendship at its heart.

• The Mouse Who Reached the Sky

  Author: Petr Horacek
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  A simple tale of friendship and cooperation between animals, beautifully illustrated in Horáček's distinctive style.

• The Mouse Who Wasn’t Scared

  Author: Petr Horáček
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 3-6

  Little Mouse is fearless and one morning decides to go exploring in the deep, dark woods. One of a collection of Little Mouse tales, this light-hearted picture book demonstrates that fear can come in all shapes and sizes.

• The Mozart Question

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Reporter Lesley is told she can ask world-renowned violinist Paolo anything about his life and career as a musician, but on no account must she ask him the Mozart question...

• The Mulberry Bush

  Author: Annie Kubler
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 5+

  A large-format picture book with strong pages and peep-through holes.

• The Mum Hunt

  Author: Gwyneth Rees Illustrator: Chlo March
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  When Esmie is 11, she decides it’s about time her dad got himself a new girlfriend and is convinced that her French au pair Juliette is the perfect choice.

• The Murderer’s Ape

  Author: Jakob Wegelius Translator: Peter Graves
  Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10+

  Sally Jones is an engineer and loyal friend to Captain Koskela. She’s also an ape. When Koskela is falsely accused of murder, she's the one who must unravel the mystery. A brilliant adventure, rich with lovable characters.

• The Music in Me

  Author: Sophy Henn
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  

  The Music in Me uses music and rhythm as a metaphor for emotion, which could be a good way to start a conversation with a child about their feelings and even develop a way to communicate feelings between parent and child using playful sounds.

• The Muttcracker

  Author: Anna Kemp Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Will Biff the ballerina dog be the Sugar Plum Fairy – or have to settle for a less starry part? A joyous tale of friendship and positivity. 

• The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

  Author: Chris Van Allsburg
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 5+

  A man called Harris Burdick leaves a set of drawings with a publisher, with the promise of returning with the stories the next day, and then disappears, never to be heard from again.

• The Mysterious Misadventures of Clemency Wrigglesworth

  Author: Julia Lee
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Clemency Wrigglesworth arrives in England from India, orphaned and penniless, she hopes that her long-lost relations will be waiting for her.

• The Mystery of Me

  Author: Karen McCombie
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  

  A touching story about identity and how something horrific, like an accident, can actually be life-changing in a positive way.

• The Mystery of the Colour Thief

  Author: Ewa Jozefkowicz Illustrator: Sophie Gilmore (front cover)
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  The book paints a convincing picture of a harrowing time in a young life, and the time, talking and friendship that helps her to process trauma. But this is by no means a gloomy read, offering ample humour, hope and optimism.

• The Mystery of the Haunted Farm

  Author: Elys Dolan
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Farmer Greg is terrified. Monsters, ghosts and horrible slimy creatures have all moved into his farm. A comical look at all things scary, this is perfect for feisty, funny children who aren't afraid of things that go bump in the night.

• The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth

  Author: Katherine Woodfine
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  In the follow up to The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, we are reunited with Sophie, Lil and the rest of the gang, and Woodfine introduces some fantastic new characters. Perfect for fans of Chris Riddell, Enid Blyton and Robin Stevens.

• The Mystery of the Missing Mum

  Author: Frances Moloney
  Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 6-8

  Nine days before Christmas, Jake’s world is turned upside-down when he wakes up to discover that his mum has disappeared. Desperately concerned about her welfare, he cannot understand why nobody else seems worried.

• The Mystery of Wickworth Manor

  Author: Elen Caldecott
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  This lively story from Elen Caldecott is packed with humour and action, but also has a serious side, touching on the history of the slave trade.

• The Name of the Star

  Author: Maureen Johnson
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Louisiana teenager Rory is embarking on a new life at an East London boarding school. But even as she arrives at her new school for the first time, a terror is stalking the city streets.

• The Name of this Book is SECRET

  Author: Pseudonymous Bosch
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Eleven-year-old Cass is a ‘survivalist’ and her school friend, Max Ernst, an expert at puzzles.

• The Nanny Goat's Kid

  Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 4+

  The tiger cub is different to the other Kids and the sisters criticise the way Nanny Goat is bringing him up.

• The Naughtiest Unicorn at Christmas

  Author: Pip Bird Illustrator: David O’Connell
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Join in the festive fun at Unicorn School with Mira and Dave – the naughtiest unicorn!

• The Naughtiest Unicorn: Unicorn School Rules!

  Author: Pip Bird Illustrator: David O’Connell
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  A humorous fantasy adventure featuring unicorns of many colours, a magical quest and tons of glitter, rainbows – and poo! Amid all this, there are also underlying themes of diversity, inclusion and positivity.

• The Neighbors

  Author: Einat Tsarfati Translator: from Hebrew by Annette Appel
  Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 5+

  The Neighbors is cool, original and simple, presenting a character’s journey up the stairs of her building, imagining all the families and situations behind closed doors. It manages to express ideas about difference, tolerance and the sheer variety of lives lived.

• The Nest

  Author: Kenneth Oppel Illustrator: Jon Klassen
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  When wasps invade Steve's dreams under the pretence of helping him, their meticulous work is a thing of wonder - and the stuff of nightmares. This is a chilling family drama with skillful storytelling, atmospheric illustrations and a sting in its tale.  

• The Neverending Story

  Author: Michael Ende Translator: Ralph Manheim
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Bastian hides in an antique bookshop to escape bullies, he stumbles across a mysterious leatherbound book which carries him into adventures beyond his wildest dreams. 

• The New Baby and Me!

  Author: Christine Kidney Illustrator: Hoda Haddadi
  Publisher: Tiny Owl
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  This joyful picture book beautifully celebrates the birth of a child and highlights the importance of recognising everyone’s unique qualities and interests. The charming collage illustrations are full of detail, creating a warm, imaginative setting.

• The New Football Coach

  Author: Dominique Demers Translator: Sander Berg Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Alma Junior
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  The Black Duck Brook Football Club are hoping their new coach Miss Charlotte will help lead them to victory - but she seems to have some very unusual methods. A quirky, warm story about doing your best.

• The New Girl

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Cathy Fisher
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  A new girl joins the class, but the other children laugh and shout at her as she doesn't look like them and speaks a different language. Slowly, compassion blooms amid the origami flowers she makes for her classmates.

• The New Neighbours

  Author: Sarah McIntyre
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Sarah McIntyre returns to Pickle Rye, the setting for her comic Vern and Lettuce, in this clever book about tolerance and not believing gossip. Readers will love her customary attention to detail, as well as the message about being a good neighbour.

• The New Policeman

  Author: Kate Thompson
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  JJ Byrne’s mum never has enough time and JJ decides to buy some for her birthday. This unusual quest leads him to Tir na n’Og, land of eternal youth, where time stands still.

• The New Small Person

  Author: Lauren Child
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  An endearingly funny story, featuring Lauren Child's heart-warming illustrations, about the arrival of a new sibling and the havoc that ensues.

• The New Teacher

  Author: Dominique Demers Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Alma Books
  Interest age: 5-12
  Reading age: 5-12

  A delightful little story that welcomes a fabulously eccentric character in the form of Miss Charlotte. She's a bit Mary Poppins, a bit Nurse Matilda, and a whole lot of fun.

• The Newborn Child

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  The day the angel came, her life changed forever. A pregnant woman makes her way through the desert to pay her taxes. Visually stunning, Jackie Morris adds an image-rich layer of fruitfulness and bountiful love to this most famous Nativity story.

• The Next Together

  Author: Lauren James
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  A couple keep coming together time after time in order to change world events.

• The Night Before Christmas

  Author: Clement C Moore Illustrator: Christian Birmingham
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  There have been countless editions of Clement's poem but none has transcended this one illustrated by talented artist Christian Birmingham.

• The Night Before Holi

  Author: Swapna Haddow Illustrator: Aditi Kakade Beaufrand
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-5
  

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

• The Night Bookmobile

  Author:
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  In the early hours of a summer morning, a young woman encounters a mysterious mobile library while walking down an empty suburban street.

• The Night Bus Hero

  Author: Onjali Q. Raúf
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Hector is a bully who reports an innocent homeless man to the police because he thinks he's probably responsible for a spate of thefts - but when Hector discovers he's got it wrong, he must race to restore justice.

• The Night Dragon

  Author: Naomi Howarth
  Publisher: Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Maud the multi-coloured dragon isn’t like the other night dragons, but that's perfectly all right. The artwork is the star of the show in this gorgeous picture book, especially the dragons, and its story of self-belief is an important one. 

• The Night Gardener

  Author: The Fan Brothers
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4-9
  Reading age: 5+

  A sumptuously illustrated, heart-warming tale of a sad town and lonely orphan, given new life by the kindness of The Night Gardener. There is little text, leaving the emotional impact to the gorgeous pictures. This has the feel of an instant classic.

• The Night I Met Father Christmas

  Author: Ben Miller Illustrator: Daniela Terrazzini
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This magical story of the origins of Father Christmas is utterly festive and charming, and adults will recognise and enjoy the nod to A Christmas Carol. A perfect bedtime story while counting down the days to Christmas.

• The Night Itself

  Author: Zoe Marriot
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 13+

  Mio feels a little anxious when she secretly takes her family's katana from her parents' attic, so she can use it as part of a fancy dress costume.

• The Night Knights

  Author: Gideon Sterer Illustrator: Cory Godbey
  Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Night time might be considered a time for monsters, except heroic Night Knights guard children’s houses when darkness falls. A magically reassuring book for bedtime.

• The Night Pirates

  Author: Peter Harris Illustrator: Deborah Allwright
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  A band of rough, tough, girl pirates steal the front of Tom's house for disguise and agree to take him off on an adventure. The youthful pirates attack Captain Patch and his grown-up pirates, who have never seen a sailing house before and who hide in the trees like cowards; the girls take their treasure chest and sail away home again. On the pirate's return,…

• The Night Sky in my Head

  Author: Sarah Hammond
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  Mikey’s life changed following an injury to his head when he was very young. Now aged fourteen, he lives in a confusion of half-remembered events from a dark and shadowy past.

• The Night Spinner

  Author: Abi Elphinstone
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  The Dreamsnatcher Trilogy concludes with another epic journey for Moll Pecksniff and her band of loyal friends. Dangerous landscapes and dark magic threaten at every turn. Bravery triumphs, but fans will need tissues handy.

• The Night Train

  Author: Matilda Woods Illustrator: Penny Neville-Lee
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  The magical Night Train takes some very special passengers to Sleepy Town, where they will become the main characters in children’s dreams. An imaginative, wintery tale with short chapters and colourful, expressive illustrations. 

• The Night the Reindeer Saved Christmas

  Author: Raj Kaur Khaira Illustrator: Kasia Nowowiejska
  Publisher: Studio Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  It's Christmas Eve and Santa is getting ready to deliver all the presents - but disaster strikes and his sleigh won't fly! Will he find the perfect helper to save Christmas?

• The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick

  Author: Larry Hayes
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
  Interest age: 7+
  

  Can Finn face his fears and the monsters spilling out from his dreams? Funny and scary, this is an action-packed adventure. 

• The Nights Before Christmas

  Author: Various Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A beautifully illustrated collection of 24 classic stories, poems and carols that focus on the traditions and the spiritual origins of Christmas. Ideal shared reading for each December night of Advent.

• The Nightsilver Promise

  Author: Annaliese Avery
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  This compelling fantasy novel, the first in a trilogy, is set in an imaginative world that fuses magic and science. An exciting tale of trust and courage that explores the concept of free will.

• The Nine Night Mystery

  Author: Sharna Jackson
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Can Wesley and his friends find out why his neighbour died – in nine nights? A mystery full of twists and turns, with cracking dialogue. 

• The Noisy Book

  Author: Soleded Bravi
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 5+

  A robust and fairly long board book with 54 different examples of funny things and ordinary things making sounds, this is a perfect shared read with your toddler or baby - and a perfect excuse to get really silly making all the odd noises!

• The Nose, Toes and Tummy Book

  Author: Sally Nicholls Illustrator: Gosia Herba
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 0-1
  

  This is your nose. BEEP! What a noisy nose! A delightful, interactive book for babies.

• The Not Bad Animals

  Author: Sophie Corrigan
  Publisher: Francis Lincoln
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  For too long people have misrepresented, maligned and demonised animals like hyenas, vultures and rats. In this myth-busting fact book these creatures set the record straight and explain that they're actually a friendly bunch! Jaw-dropping facts and adorable illustrations make this a perfect book for animal-lovers.

• The Not-So-Little Princess: What’s My Name?

  Author: Wendy Finney Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 6+

  The Little Princess is not so little anymore. She must use a more appropriate name, but her real one is so awful that no one wants to tell her what it is. This is a perfect extension to the well-loved picture books about the rude but lovable young royal.

• The Not-So-Perfect-Penguin

  Author: Steve Smallman
  Publisher: QED
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  Big, lively illustrations and a simple message make this book ideal for classroom circle times. Points for discussion are included at the back.

• The Notwitches

  Author: Gary Panton Illustrator: Dotty Sutton
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9-11

  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. 

• The Nothing to See Here Hotel

  Author: Steven Butler Illustrator: Steven Lenton
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Frankie Banister and his family run the Nothing to See Here Hotel, which is cunningly hidden from human view by magic and lots of really bad TripAdvisor reviews. The cast of characters in this laugh-out-loud book are full of sparkle, oddness and vitality.

• The Nothing to See Here Hotel: Sea-ing is Believing

  Author: Steven Butler Illustrator: Steven Lenton
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  A riotous rollercoaster of a read featuring fantastically weird magical creatures, a disgusting hotel menu and fiendishly wicked ancestors. Perfect for middle grade readers who love absurdity and wild imagination in their books.

• The Novice

  Author: Taran Matharu
  Publisher: Hodder
  

  If you enjoyed Eragon by Christopher Paolini or you are a fan of The Hobbit then this is the book for you.

• The Nowhere Emporium

  Author: Ross Mackenzie
  Publisher: Floris Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  Daniel's life changes forever when he stumbles upon The Nowhere Emporium in Glasgow. A dazzling and quirky tale, full of imagination and wonder - perfect for fans of JK Rowling, Philip Pullman and Neil Gaiman.

• The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’s Christmas Shenanigans

  Author: Alex T. Smith
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 8+

  When the Mouse King steals all the sweets across the land, the Nutcracker embarks on a riotous journey to Marshmallow Mountain to save Christmas. This hilarious tale with vibrant, energetic illustrations is sure to become a festive favourite.  

   

• The Oak Tree

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Victoria Sandøy
  Publisher: Alison Green Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This is the story of an oak tree, told in Julia Donaldson’s trademark rich rhyme, with beautiful illustrations showcasing the diversity of life in and around the tree.

• The Oathbreaker's Shadow

  Author: Amy McCulloch
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 14+

  Aspiring warrior Raim lives in a world in which people tie a knot for every promise they make. Anyone who breaks an oath is shunned and cast out into the desert.

• The Obsidian Mirror

  Author: Catherine Fisher
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  There's a touch of wild magic to this gripping adventure combining elements of folklore, fantasy and science-fiction.

• The Odyssey

  Author: David Walser Illustrator: Jan Pieńkowski
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Homer’s classic Greek tale, The Odyssey, is retold for a contemporary audience in this thrilling picture book for older readers. It is an epic tale of gods and goddesses, violent battles and fearsome monsters, presented in bold collage illustrations. 

• The Odd Egg

  Author: Emily Gravett
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  All the birds have laid an egg and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their chicks, but poor Duck can’t understand why he hasn’t produced an egg too.

  Then Duck finds a big, spotted egg – the most beautiful egg he has ever seen – and claims it for his own.
  
  One by one, eggs hatch for Hen, Owl, Parrot and Flamingo, but despite waiti…

• The Offline Diaries

  Author: Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené Illustrator: Tequitia Andrews and Ruthine Burton
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Centred around some typical pre-teen issues, including friendship, loyalty, bullying and sibling relationships, the book also sensitively explores the difficult topics of bereavement and parental separation.

• The Ogre of Oglefort

  Author: Eva Ibbotson
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Hag, the Troll, Dr Brainsweller and a most unmagical orphan, Ivo, are despatched to dangerous lands to slay the flesh-eating Ogre of Oglefort and rescue the princess.

• The Ogress and the Orphans

  Author: Kelly Barnhill
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A tale set in a fun fairytale land in which the dragon slayer Mayor isn't necessarily to be trusted and the new Ogress may just save the day.

• The Okay Book

  Author: Todd Parr
  Publisher: Little, Brown
  

  With reinforced binding and bright primary colours, this fun little book encourages children to recognise that everything is okay, from wearing glasses or having freckles...to being friends with a mouse!

• The One Dollar Horse

  Author: Lauren St John
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Casey Blue lives with her father in a tower block in Hackney, London , but despite her urban existence, she dreams of one day becoming an equestrian champion.

• The Ones That Disappeared

  Author: Zana Fraillon
  Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
  Interest age: 12-17
  Reading age: 12+

  Esra, Miran and Isa are enslaved children who escape with the aid of the magical Riverman. This powerful but harrowing read is best suited to older readers, unafraid to tackle difficult subjects. 

• The Onion's Great Escape

  Author:
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  A beautifully presented and innovative picture book telling the surreal story of a poor little onion who wants to escape the chopping board

• The Only Pupil in the School

  Author: Liu Hsukung
  Publisher: Balestier Press
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 7+

  A delightful story about the first day of school where there is just one pupil, but lots of eager teachers...

• The Orchard Book of Love and Friendship

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean Illustrator: Jane Ray
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrator Jane Ray team up to produce this beautifully crafted collection of folk tales centred around the themes of love and friendship.

• The Ostrich of Pudding Lane

  Author: Jeremy Strong Illustrator: Sarah Horne
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  When Mad Iris, a large and crazy ostrich, escapes from a local farm, Ross and Katie decide that they have to look after her and keep her at their school, Pudding Lane Primary. A fun, frantic and extremely readable story.

• The Other Alice

  Author:
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Michelle Harrison's dark take on middle-grade fairytale fantasy will appeal to those readers with a leaning towards the Grimm. Murder and mystery are afoot - and it's fabulously good fun.

• The Other Side of Truth

  Author: Beverley Naidoo
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 11-16
  Reading age: 10+

  The family knew that Papa’s journalism might put them at risk. But now Mama is dead, their passports are seized and Papa must try to get the children to safety – illegally. A story of terror, loss, love and humanity. This novel wholly deserves its classic status. 

• The Other Side of the Valley

  Author: Ashling Lindsay
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 7+

  This simple and moving picture book tells the story of Pip and his fear of the unknown. After pushing himself beyond his comfort zone, he learns that new experiences can be positive. 

• The Otherwhere Emporium

  Author: Ross MacKenzie
  Publisher: Kelpies
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  11 year old Mirren is dismayed to learn that her mother is being held captive inside the Nowhere Emporium, an enchanted shop which appears at will in any time or place. Mirren and her friends must race against time to save her from the evil overwhelming the shop. This is a thrilling conclusion to the award-winning Nowhere Emporium trilogy. 

• The Outlaw Varjak Paw

  Author: S F Said Illustrator: Dave McKean
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, Varjak Paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang

• The Outsiders

  Author: SE Hinton
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  SE Hinton was just 17 years old when she wrote this exciting story of gang rivalry. The story features the Socs and the Greasers and explores themes of class conflict, affection, brotherly love and coming of age. This is teenage fiction at its best.

• The Owl Service

  Author: Alan Garner
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  When Alison finds a curious dinner service in the attic, the discovery sets off a strange chain of events that look set to affect everyone's lives. This extraordinary and powerful story is a modern classic, blending together mystery, adventure and history.

• The Paper and Hearts Society

  Author: Lucy Powrie
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 13-16
  Reading age: 10+

  Tabby hopes that moving to a new town will release her from the relentless bullying of her ex-best friend. This debut novel from a well-known book blogger and YouTuber is an absolute must for anyone who is fed up with trying to fit in.

• The Paper Dolls

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  A little girl makes a string of paper dolls with her mother, and then takes them off to play in an imaginative world of her own - until a pair of scissors threaten.

• The Paradise Bird

  Author:
  Publisher: Minedition
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5

  The crows are bored. They sit on their branch from noon to night, waiting for they don't know what.

• The Parent Agency

  Author: David Baddiel
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Barry Bennett has a long list of things he dislikes about his parents, but what if the tables were turned and children could choose their parents? What would Barry do?

• The Parent Problem

  Author: Anna Wilson
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9
  Reading age: 9+

  Skye's life is an endless cycle of embarrassing incidents. She needs someone to talk to, but her mum is too busy doing ballroom dancing. This easy read will make pre-teens laugh out loud when they're not cringing on Skye's behalf.

• The Parrot Song

  Author: Édouard Manceau
  Publisher: Tate Publishing
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  The three little parrots are here to teach you a song. Are you ready to learn it? This stunning book has simple, striking illustrations and easy-to-follow rhyming.

• The Patch

  Author: Justina Chen Hedley Illustrator: Mitch Vane
  Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 5+

  Becca has amblyopia and needs to wear both glasses and an eye patch to strengthen her weak eye.

• The Pavee and the Buffer Girl

  Author: Siobhan Dowd Illustrator: Emma Shoard
  Publisher: The Bucket List
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Jim's from a traveller family and has never been to secondary school, but one day his dad says he has to go - and it's horrible. Stunningly illustrated by Emma Shoard, this short story by the late Siobhan Dowd is full of sensitivity and subtle, deft storytelling.

• The Pawed Piper

  Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Chinlun Lee
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 2-4
  

  This feline twist of the classic tale The Piped Piper is a sweet and playful story. A great book to share with little readers that will strike a chord with anyone who has ever yearned for a cuddly cute pet. 

• The Pea and the Princess

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  This is the real story of the princess and the pea, which recounts events from the Pea’s perspective.

• The Pearl in the Ice

  Author: Cathryn Constable
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Marina can’t bear being sent to boarding school, so she stows away on her father’s ship instead. But her father has dangerous secrets. With evocative, powerful writing and a great sense of building suspense, this is an entrancing read. 

• The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods

  Author: Samuel J Halpin
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Is there something in the woods stealing children? A creepy, compelling and deliciously dark modern fairytale. For maximum tension and thrills, try reading under the covers by torchlight. 

• The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy

  Author: Richard Pickard
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  One night, Marina hopes to make her life as exciting as her imagination by exploring the abandoned pie where she lives. But even Marina couldn’t have dreamed up the miraculous creature she finds there... A funny, touching contemporary fairy tale about acceptance, betrayal, greed and love.

• The Peculiars

  Author: Maureen McQuerry
  Publisher: Amulet Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Set in an alternative 1800s, this is the story of Lena, who sets out on her 18th birthday into the Scree - a lawless land where she hopes to find her lost father and discover the truth about her identity

• The Penguin Who Wanted to Find Out

  Author: Jill Tomlinson Illustrator: Paul Howard
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  This charming picture book is a must for animal-loving children.

• The Penalty

  Author: Mal Peet
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  Paul Faustino is reluctantly drawn into investigating the disappearance of San Juan's teenage football prodigy El Brujito.

• The Pencil

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Bruce Ingman
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  In this metafictional tale, a pencil discovers its creative powers, at first tentatively drawing a boy, then more confidently providing him with what he asks for; a dog, then a cat.

• The Penderwicks

  Author:
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  Four eccentric sisters and their loving but distracted father take a holiday cottage in the beautiful Arundel estate.

• The People Awards

  Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Ana Albero
  Publisher: Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  The People’s Awards is about to begin – make sure you grab your seat for this excellent celebration of inspiring activists, trailblazers, artists, musicians, athletes, scientists and politicians: here are 50 of the most important people from antiquity to the present day.

• The Peppers and the International Magic Guys

  Author: Sian Pattenden
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Monty and Esmé's parents have left them for a week in the care of their magician uncle, Potty.

  Monty has been happily drawn in to be Uncle Potty's assistant in his magic tricks, but unfortunately, his routine keeps going disastrously wrong.

• The Perfect Picnic

  Author: Ciara Flood
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Squirrel and Mole do everything together, including going on picnics. But Squirrel is determined that the picnic will be perfect. A soft palette of colours in this picture book present a warm and comforting story about friendship.

• The Perfect Present

  Author: Petr Horacek
  Publisher: Otter Barry Books
  Interest age: 2-3
  

  Tom and Mot give each other brilliant presents, but what would be the best present of all? A heart-warming picture book about the power of imagination and friendship.

• The Perfect Shelter

  Author: Clare Helen Welsh
  Publisher: Little Tiger Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  It’s the perfect day to build a shelter, the perfect day for a family expedition, the perfect day to play in a den. However, joy turns to concern as it becomes clear that the narrator’s sister is sick. This beautiful book tackles a tough subject with real tenderness.

• The Perfect Sofa

  Author: Fifi Kuo
  Publisher: Boxer Books
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Panda and Penguin love their old sofa, but decide it's time to go shopping for a new one when the springs start to poke through. Fifi Kuo’s illustrations bring warmth and humour to the story of learning to appreciate and love what we already have in our lives. 

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  Author: Stephen Chbosky
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  High school student Charlie prefers to look on life from the sidelines, but he can't be a 'wallflower' for ever, and soon finds himself grappling with the challenges of adolescence.

• The Person Controller

  Author: David Baddiel Illustrator: Jim Field
  Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 7+

  Twins Fred and Ellie are being bullied and finding life hard at school - until they receive a special video game controller. This funny fantasy adventure has a sweet little moral about self-belief and standing out from the crowd.

• The Pets You Get!

  Author: Thomas Taylor Illustrator: Adrian Reynolds
  Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  A boy disagrees with his sister that a guinea pig would make a good pet: he would much prefer something more exciting and fun.

• The Pied Piper of Hamelin

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  A spell-binding modern retelling of a classic children's tale by master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, with glorious illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark

• The Pigeon Spy

  Author: Terry Deary Illustrator: James de la Rue
  Publisher: A&C Black
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Terry Deary retells the true story of the heroic pigeon Cher Ami and his 16 year-old handler Joe in an easily accessible format.

• The Pigeon wants a Puppy

  Author: Mo Willems
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Pigeon is like a typical under-five year old. He wants a puppy, and he’s wanted one forever – at least since last Tuesday.

• The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist

  Author: Anders Sparring Illustrator: Per Gustavsson Translator: Julia Marshall
  Publisher: Gecko Press
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  The Pinchers are a family of thieves who are very excited to visit a local diamond exhibition. This hilarious crime caper is full of eccentric characters and accompanied by colourful, quirky illustrations.

• The Pirate Mums

  Author: Jodie Lancet-Grant Illustrator: Lydia Corry
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This brilliantly fun story about a day out gone awry - and two seriously committed pirate mums - is a lovely book to read aloud, with a heart-warming message.

• The Pirate Tree

  Author: Brigita Orel Illustrator: Jennie Poh
  Publisher: Lantana Publishing
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Sam and Agu play together in the tree in a make-believe world of desert islands and stormy seas. A gentle story that is atmospheric and sensitively told, and touches lightly on the theme of acceptance.

• The Pirates Next Door

  Author: Jonny Duddle
  Publisher: Templar Publishing
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Lots of humour and irrepressibly rakish pirates combine in this entertaining book about looking beyond appearances

• The Pocket Chaotic

  Author: Ziggy Hanaor Illustrator: Daniel Gray-Barnett
  Publisher: Cicada
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Alexander is a baby kangaroo who loves snuggling up in his mum's warm, cosy pouch. The only problem is she's extremely messy - and is always popping things like felt-tips, broken necklaces and spatulas into her pouch! Can Alexander sort it all out?

• The Poet X

  Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
  Publisher: Electric Monkey
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 13+

  Xiomara, a teenage girl of Dominican heritage, is starting to notice boys, but her strict Catholic parents have decided on no contact with the opposite sex until marriage. A verse novel that sings with the rhythms of slam poetry, this is powerful and affecting.

• The Poetical Institute’s Peculiar Powers of Vegetables & Fruits

  Author: Sharada Keats Illustrator: JiaJia Hamner
  Publisher: Tiny Tree
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  The overarching theme that fruit and vegetables are essential to help you grow strong and smart is repeated through 48 poems that push the theme to places no one could expect, with super silly rhymes and poems. 

• The Poison Boy

  Author: Fletcher Moss
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Dalton Fly is a poison boy, tasting the food and drink of Highlion's rich and powerful citizens.

• The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club

  Author: Alex Bell Illustrator: Tomislav Tomic
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10-12

  Stella wants to join The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club – although technically, she can't, simply because she's a girl. Stella is determined to prove she can be as good an explorer as anyone. This is a magical and charming adventure with memorable characters.

• The Polar Express

  Author: Chris Van Allsburg
  Publisher: Anderson Press
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  An enchanting Christmas story, beautifully written and illustrated with pictures full of warmth and light

• The Pond

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Cathy Fisher
  Publisher: Graffeg Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  A young boy and his father are planning a pond in their back garden - but they only get as far as digging a muddy hole when Dad passes away. A raw, emotional but ultimately hopeful take on grief, loss, nature and love.

• The Poodle Problem

  Author: Anna Wilson Illustrator: Clare Elsom
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  An amusing and entertaining mystery story starring chatty Pippa Peppercorn, who jumps at the chance of working for local hairdresser Mrs Semolina Ribena Fudge, and soon finds herself uncovering a sneaky plot.

• The Positively Last Performance

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Gracie’s parents arrive in the seaside town of Seashaw with a plan to restore its run-down Royal Theatre – but it is there that Gracie meets the ghosts.

• The Power of Dark

  Author: Robin Jarvis
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 11-15
  Reading age: 10+

  Set in Whitby, allegedly the most haunted place in Britain, this is a creepy, tense and multi-layered gothic horror story. It might be wise to set aside a whole weekend before starting this book as, once begun, it’s almost impossible to put down. 

• The Power of Five 1: Raven's Gate

  Author: Anthony Horowitz
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  In trouble with the law and facing prison, Matt Freeman opts for an experimental fostering programme.

• The Power of Five 2: Evil Star

  Author: Anthony Horowitz
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Having defeated the Old Ones at Raven's Gate, Matt would like life to settle down for a while but a second gate is about to open on the other side of the world...

• The Power of Five 3: Nightrise

  Author: Anthony Horowitz
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 9+

  Scott and Jamie Tyler possess extraordinary powers of mind control. Their guardian forces them to use their powers onstage until a sinister organisation, Nightrise, tries to kidnap them.

• The Power of Six

  Author: Pittacus Lore
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  This second volume of Lorien Legacies maintains the relentless pace and tension of the first book

• The Powerpuff Girls: Brain Freeze

  Author: Cartoon Network
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Superhero sisters, the Powerpuff Girls, are eager to enter a competition to invent a new ice cream flavour. This light-hearted adventure, packed full of girl-power, humour and ice cream, is ideal for reluctant girl readers.

• The Prehistoric Times: The Newspaper for Discerning Dinosaurs

  Author: Stella Gurney Illustrator: Naeve Parker and Matthew Hodson
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books / Natural History Museum
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7-11

  The Prehistoric Times is out! Presented in a style between vintage tabloid newspaper and puzzle book, The Prehistoric Times is huge fun for kids looking for something different to satisfy their dino appetites. It’s a dip-in, dip-out kind of book, perfect for fans of non-fiction.

• The Prey

  Author: Tom Isbell
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  Tom Isbell has created a future dystopia where those who are the lives of some are considered to be cheap. This book is perfect for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner and Divergent.

• The Primrose Railway Children

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Rachel Dean
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A compelling, engrossing story about the complexities of family and the joy of railways, loosely based on E Nesbit's classic The Railway Children. Jacqueline Wilson at her storytelling best.

• The Prince of Mist

  Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 9+

  This is a chilling and haunting story of magic and mystery

• The Prince of Pants

  Author: Alan MacDonald Illustrator: Sarah McIntyre
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  It's Prince Pip's birthday, and the first decision of the day is: which pants to wear? Morning pants? Evening pants? Pirate pants? Maybe the Magician's pants so he can play tricks on people. But - oh no! All the pants have disappeared from his pants drawer! 

• The Princess and the Christmas Rescue

  Author: Caryl Hart Illustrator: Sarah Warburton
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Princess Eliza lives in a beautiful palace amid a forest - but living in a palace is about the only bit of being a traditional princess she really does. Eliza is in fact a brilliant, brainy inventor, and she can make anything you want from a bit of wood and some pieces of wire, However, what she can't make is a friend, and so she goes out into the forest to …

• The Princess and the Foal

  Author: Stacy Gregg
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Based on the early life of Princess Haya of Jordan this is the story of how a sad little girl found purpose in her life and achieved great things through the sheer force of her own will and determination.

• The Princess and the Pea

  Author: Lauren Child Illustrator: Lauren Child and Polly Borland
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  Lauren Child's highly imaginative retelling of this well-known fairy tale is sure to become a new classic in its own right.

• The Princess and the Peas

  Author: Caryl Hart Illustrator: Sarah Warburton
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  In this light-hearted take on a favourite fairy-tale, Lily-Rose May is allergic to peas - so the doctor decides that she must be a princess!

• The Princess and the Pee

  Author: Effua Gleed Illustrator: Juanita Londoño Gaviria
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  How can Princess Amma stop wetting the bed? A gorgeous and practical book that is both reassuring and gently funny.

• The Princess and the Pit Stop

  Author: Tom Angleberger Illustrator: Dan Santat
  Publisher: Abrams
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 6+

  A celebration of girl power and horsepower as a Princess tries to overtake her fairy tale rivals on the final lap of a grand prix. With full-colour graphics, it’s the pictures that do much of the storytelling.

• The Princess and the Pony

  Author: Kate Beaton
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Princess Pinecone wants a warrior horse for her birthday - imagine her disappointment when she gets a short, fat, farting pony instead. However, the Princess is determined to make the best of things, and she and the farting pony prove that they have what it takes to win.

• The Princess and the Wizard

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Lydia Monks
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Princess Eliza is having a birthday party. But just as she blows out the seven candles on her cake, the wicked wizard arrives… uninvited.

• The Princess Diaries

  Author: Meg Cabot
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  Mia hides her real feelings as she takes care of her disastrously disorganised mother, until her absent father drops a bombshell: She is actually Princess Amelia of Genovia.

• The Princess Diaries: Seventh Heaven

  Author: Meg Cabot
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Mia is back and she's under pressure, worried that she may have blown it with Michael and lost a load of money.

• The Princess in Black

  Author: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
  Publisher: Candlewick Press
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 5+

  A prim and proper princess leads a double life as a superhero ninja

• The Promise

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Laura Carlin
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  On the dark streets of a city that is mean and hard and ugly, a young thief tries to steal an old lady's bag.

• The Proudest Blue

  Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali Illustrator: Hatem Aly
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Faizah sees her sister as a princess wearing her beautiful blue hijab, but not everyone at school sees it this way. Inspired by the experiences of Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad, this is a beautiful and powerful story about the bond shared between siblings and being proud of yourself and your beliefs. 

• The Puffin Baby and Toddler Treasury

  Author:
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 4+

  Favourite nursery rhymes, lullabies, poems and stories in one book

• The Puffin Book of Fantastic First Poems

  Author: Various Editor: June Crebbin
  Publisher: Penguin
  

  Poets ranging from Robert Louis Stevenson to Eleanor Farjeon are featured in each of the themed sections devoted to subjects such as animals, night time, food and nonsense verse.

• The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry

  Author: Various Editor: Brian Patten
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 8+

  Ten utterly individual poets contribute a selection of poems as varied as the colours of a rainbow to this glorious celebration of the power of verse

• The Puffin Keeper

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Benji Davies
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Michael Morpurgo’s story of Allen Lane, the founder of Puffin Books and the man who would become his father-in-law, is a wonderful tale of survival, love, loneliness and friendship, beautifully illustrated by Benji Davies.

• The Phantom Tollbooth

  Author: Norton Juster Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 12+

  Milo is bored and can’t see the point to anything. But when a mysterious tollbooth suddenly appears in his bedroom, Milo decides to give it a go. This classic book has some vividly strange scenes that children will remember for many years.

• The Phenomenals: A Tangle of Traitors

  Author: F E Higgins
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  A creepy and gripping tale of a murderous world where drifting stones and a fortune-teller’s cards reveals surprising truths, and nothing is quite as it seems. 

• The Phoenix of Persia

  Author: Sally Pomme Clayton Illustrator: Amin Hassanzadeh Sharif
  Publisher: Tiny Owl
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This atmospheric picture book retells a traditional Iranian story, taken from the Shahnameh, an epic poem which was written a thousand years ago. It's a superb collaboration between author, illustrator and musicians and is ideal for use in schools. 

• The Queen & Mr Brown: A Day for Dinosaurs

  Author: James Francis Wilkins
  Publisher: The Natural History Museum
  

  This picture book will make younger readers chuckle as the Queen and her corgi take a trip to London's Natural History Museum and ponder about what really made the dinosaurs die out.

• The Queen On Our Corner

  Author: Lucy Christopher Illustrator: Nia Tudor
  Publisher: Lantana
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This marvellous picture book with stunning artwork from Nia Tudor will quite possibly provide an introduction to young children about the concept of homelessness, and it does so in a gentle but still realistic way. 

• The Queen’s Knickers

  Author: Nicholas Allan
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 0-6
  Reading age: 4-6

  Let's face it: knickers are funny, and in The Queen's Knickers, Nicholas Allan makes them even funnier with this cheeky look inside the Queen's wardrobe.

• The Queen’s Wardrobe: The Story of Queen Elizabeth II and her Clothes

  Author: Julia Golding Illustrator: Kate Hindley
  Publisher: Two Hoots
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 7+

  This is a gorgeous book that chronicles the Queen’s life in a fascinating and unusual way – through her clothes. A fascinating read for 6-9s interested in fashion and the Royal Family, or indeed anyone who wants to learn more about one woman’s extraordinary life.

• The Queen's Nose

  Author: Dick KingSmith
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Harmony's Uncle Ginger sends her on a treasure trail - which ends in finding a 50p piece.

• The Questioneers: Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion

  Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Amulet Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  A thrilling mystery about a group of quirky characters who must solve the mystery of an ancient house before it's too late.

• The Questioneers: Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters

  Author: Andrea Beatty Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Amulet Books
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 8+

  The character of Rosie Revere, engineer, makes her transition from picture book to early reader chapter book in a suitably messy and lively story about building a painting machine for an accident-prone artist.

• The Questioneers: Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote

  Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Amulet
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Sofia and her class are excited to be getting a pet - but what will they choose? They put it to a vote, and Sofia finds herself in charge of making sure the vote is fair. A great introduction to politics and how elections work.

• The Quick Brown Fox Cub

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Lucy Richards
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  Frisk is an inquisitive fox cub who would rather spend the day exploring than sleeping. One day he follows a little girl to school, which leads to his most exciting adventure yet!

• The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!

  Author: Louise Fitzgerald Illustrator: Kate Hindley
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Settle down with this laugh-out-loud book – and then get up and join in all the necessary things to do before listening to the super-quick ten-word bedtime story! Huge fun.

• The Quiet Crocodile Goes to the Beach

  Author: Natacha Andriamirado Illustrator: Delphine Renon
  Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Fossil the quiet crocodile loves the beach but doesn't like the idea of going in the water. Lots of little ones aren’t sure about going in to paddle in the sea or swim in a pool, so this is the perfect summery book to soothe their fears.

• The Quiet Music of Gently Falling Snow

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: GRAFFEG
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8-12

  A collection of original folk tale-style stories inspired by her own music-themed paintings, this beautiful large hardback is an ideal gift for any Jackie Morris fan, and will appeal to adults and children alike.

• The Quietness

  Author: Alison Rattle
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Growing up in Victorian London, Queenie and Ellen lead very different lives, but they find themselves drawn together in dark and dangerous circumstances.

• The Rabbit and the Shadow

  Author: Melanie Rutten
  Publisher: Book Island
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7

  Dazzling illustrations complement the warmth of this story, which touches lightly on independence, the unknown, fractured families, responsibility, fear, friendship, growing old and ultimately, love.

• The Rabbit Listened

  Author: Cori Doerrfeld
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Taylor creates a magnificent structure from building blocks and is devastated when it is destroyed by a passing flock of birds. Sensitive and insightful, this poignant story provides an ideal starting point for discussion about how it feels when things go wrong. 

• The Rabbit, the Dark and the Biscuit Tin

  Author: Nicola O’Byrne
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  It's starting to get dark but Rabbit doesn't want to go to sleep, so he traps the Dark in his biscuit tin. Can the Dark convince Rabbit about the benefits of night-time and to let him out? The perfect book for little ones who might be a bit reluctant to put down their toys and say goodnight. 

• The Rabbits

  Author: John Marsden Illustrator: Shaun Tan
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 6+

  Rabbits invade a peaceful land and the inhabitants become wary and frightened as their lives are gradually taken over.

• The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop

  Author: Clare Balding Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  Charlie's convinced that Noble Warrior can win the Derby, even though the odds are against it. After all, the prize money could save her family's farm from bankruptcy. An emotionally powerful, nail-bitingly tense story of courage and passion.

• The Radleys

  Author: Matt Haig
  Publisher: Walker Cannongate
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  Matt Haig takes an original and witty approach to the supernatural genre in this quirky young adult novel about the Radleys: abstaining vampires, living in a peaceful English village.

• The Railway Children

  Author: E Nesbit Illustrator: C E Brock
  Publisher: Vintage Publishing
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Now nearly 100 years old, this story centres on the lives of three children whose comfortable, middle-class existence ends when their father has to go away unexpectedly.

• The Rain

  Author: Virginia Bergin
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 13+

  A funny, smart and wonderfully British take on dystopia that will leave readers eager for the next installment of Ruby's story.

• The Rain Door

  Author: Russell Hoban Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  This adventurous tale is a flawless blend of excitement and surrealism that children are sure to adore.

• The Rainbow Bear

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  The white snow bear, wandering in his arctic homeland, sees a rainbow and longs to catch it for himself.

• The Rainbow Chameleon

  Author: Yusuke Yonezu
  Publisher: Minedition
  Interest age: 1+
  Reading age: 2+

  This sturdy board book about Leon Chameleon is an absolute delight from start to finish. Both covers contain a wheel that allows little hands to change Leon's colour with ease: beautifully illustrated, interactive and entertaining.

• The Rainmaker Danced

  Author: John Agard Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  The exuberant John Agard shares his infectious love for the world and its words in this new collection of poetry for children. The poems are thoughtful and thought-provoking, and like all good children’s books, they inspire questions and discussions.

• The Ransom of Dond

  Author: Siobhan Dowd Illustrator: Pam Smy
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The last of Siobhan Dowd's novels, this is a wonderfully atmospheric story, that will sweep readers away to the wild, windswept island world where it is set.

• The Rapping Princess

  Author: Hannah Lee Illustrator: Allen Fatimaharan
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4+

  Shiloh's a princess – she’s supposed to sing, not rap. But she can't sing at all and has better flow than all the princes of the land put together. A hip-hopping fairy tale about feeling brave to stand out and accept your uniqueness

• The Raven Boys

  Author: Maggie Stiefvater
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  Popular author Maggie Stiefvater is in top form in what is arguably her most complex and ambitious book to date, and the first in a magical new series. 

• The Raven Mysteries: Flood and Fang

  Author: Marcus Sedgwick Illustrator: Pete Williamson
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Strange things happen in Castle Otherhand, which isn't surprising given its eccentric inhabitants. Lord Valevine spends his time performing experiments on frogs, his wife Minty prizes her baking tins almost as highly as her children, ten-year-old Cudweed tears around the castle with his annoying pet monkey, and teenage beauty Solstice is the castle's kindly …

• The Raven’s Children

  Author: Yulia Yakovleva Translator: Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp from Russian
  Publisher: Puffin books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10-12

  It’s 1938 and siblings Shura and Tanya are good Soviet citizens and comrades. But there are spies and enemies everywhere. Gripping and at times quite surreal, the book – which is popular in Russia – is inspired by true events from the author’s family past.

• The Reason I Jump

  Author: Naoki Higashida
  Publisher: Sceptre Publishing
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  An invaluable tool for family members trying to understand autistic behaviour but also a fascinating and powerful read in its own right.

• The Red Gloves and other stories

  Author: Catherine Fisher
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  A creepy collection of nine short stories with a strange, supernatural edge inspired by myth, legend and ancient tales. 

• The Red Necklace

  Author: Sally Gardner
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Gardner skilfully sets the scene, in which extra-sensory abilities can be turned to many uses, and where good and evil, identity and destiny are not as clear cut as we might think.

• The Red Ribbon

  Author: Lucy Adlington
  Publisher: Hotkey
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  It’s Ella’s job in the camp, where everyone must either work or be killed, to make beautiful clothes for the wives of Nazi officers and female guards. The Red Ribbon is a moving story of friendship, kindness and heroism under impossible circumstances.

• The Red Shoes

  Author: Eleri Glass Illustrator: Ashley Spires
  Publisher: Simply Read Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  This is the story of a small girl taken by her mother to buy new shoes. Among the shelves of boring, dull, colourless lace-ups she spots a pair of red shoes and sets her heart on them.

• The Red Tree

  Author: Shaun Tan
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The perfect blend of words and pictures, this is a wonderful book to share with anyone suffering from depression or uncertainty

• The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen

  Author: Susin Nielsen
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Nielsen tackles a hugely difficult subject with a deceptive lightness of touch. Henry’s life will never be the same, but day by day, he can begin to live again. A terrific, sad, beautiful and essential read.

• The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist

  Author: Amy Kim Kibuishi
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 11+

  This sumptuously illustrated graphic novel tells the story of Tabetha Simon, a thirteen year old dreamer and doodler who lives with her Mum in a strange version of our world following the death of her Dad. 

• The Rescue of Bunny Wunny

  Author: Emma Chichester Clark
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Bunny Wunny belongs to Imelda. He has been her favourite toy ever since she was a baby. However, it’s not always easy being the favourite toy of such a bad-tempered girl. A wickedly funny story that highlights the importance of manners and respecting others. 

• The Rescue of Ravenwood

  Author: Natasha Farrant
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Can Bea, Raffy and Noa save their home – and the ancient ash tree – in time? A compelling, moving adventure with a classic feel.

• The Rescue Princesses: The Stolen Crystals

  Author: Paula Harrison
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  An exciting mystery in the Rescue Princesses series, which celebrates friendship, courage and kindness. Short chapters, line drawings and an intriguing plot make this an ideal series for newly-independent girl readers.

• The Restless Girls

  Author: Jessie Burton Illustrator: Angela Barrett
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  After their mother, the dashing, adventurous Queen Laurelia dies, her 12 daughters are imprisoned in their bedroom by King Alberto.

  Alberto rules a kingdom where girls and women are not valued. After his wife’s death and, now that Laurelia isn’t around to manage their education, Alberto simply doesn’t know what to do with his daughters.

  The 12 princesses, al…

• The Ring of Sky: Young Samurai

  Author: Chris Bradford
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  This final installment in Bradford's Young Samurai series, about an English boy stranded in Japan in the seventeenth century, sees Jack's adventures reach a thrilling conclusion.

• The Rise of Wolves

  Author: Kerr Thomson
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 10+

  When Innis spots a large, black wolf on his island home, he thinks he must be hallucinating. Wolves became extinct in Scotland centuries ago – didn’t they? A multi-layered mystery adventure with a gripping plot.

• The Rising

  Author: Tom Moorhouse
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Strife is a strong female character in this absorbing, exciting adventure (second in the series) which vividly recreates an ecosystem in desperate danger.

• The Rithmatist

  Author: Brandon Sanderson Illustrator: Ben McSweeny
  Publisher: Orion Publishing
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Joel has always been fascinated by the privileged Rithmatists: those who have the magical power to bring chalk drawings into life and use them to do battle.

• The River

  Author: Patricia Hegarty Illustrator: Hanako Clulow
  Publisher: Caterpillar Books
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  A little fish goes on an epic adventure from the top of the mountain, downstream towards the sea.The book could be of use to teachers as inspiration for an art or writing project around nature, but is also a gentle bedtime rhyme.

• The River Singers

  Author: Tom Moorhouse
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Sylvan the water vole is desperate to explore the world outside his burrow and the time has finally come.

• The River's a Singer

  Author: Valerie Bloom Illustrator: Sophie Bass
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  There’s something for everyone in this eclectic collection of more than 80 poems from award-winning poet Valerie Bloom. 

• The Road of Bones

  Author: Anne Fine
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  Anne Fine subtly but accessibly explores the nature of state repression, personal freedom and responsibility in this thrilling, darkly chilling adventure.

• The Road to Ever After

  Author: Moira Young
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 8-14
  Reading age: 10+

  This beautifully written, sad and bittersweet story about family, bereavement and having faith in your own abilities has a truly timeless feel. Readers will root for Davy and the indomitable Miss Flint.

• The Robbersons

  Author: Siri Kolu Translator: Owen Witesman from Finnish
  Publisher: Otava Publishing Company
  

  In the hilarious anarchic tone of Pippi Longstocking, a high-speed-loving bandit family who usually steal sweets kidnap a girl instead.

  Vilja Vainisto's summer is going nowhere until a van flying a pirate flag bears down on her family's BMW. While the thieving Robberson clan strips Vilja's family car of any sweets they can find, their leader, Crazy Kaarlo, k…

• The Robot and the Bluebird

  Author: David Lucas
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  A Robot with a broken heart is sent to the scrapheap. An exhausted, migrating Bluebird shelters where the Robot’s heart used to be; he builds her a nest of wires.

• The Robot Dinner Lady

  Author:
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 6+

  In these three short stories Jake tells his own incredible tales of the mayhem which follows when a normal boy investigates a variety of what seem to him to be unbelievable events.

• The Rock from the Sky

  Author: Jon Klassen
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  The Rock From The Sky will definitely not disappoint. Like the best children’s picture books, the story is very simple, the artwork is remarkable and the hilarious story has a kind of sophistication that adults and kids both love.

• The Rollercoaster Boy

  Author: Lisa Thompson Illustrator: Gemma Correll
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Todd's life is like a rollercoaster ride, with endless twists and turns, exacerbated by the unpredictable behaviour of his mentally ill father. A wonderful, multi-layered story, with an intriguing plot, fabulous characters and plenty of humour. 

• The Roman Mystery Scrolls: The Poisoned Honey-Cake

  Author: Caroline Lawrence
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Beggar boy Threptus joins force with the comical soothsayer Floridus in this, the second installment of Caroline Lawrence's The Roman Mystery Scrolls.

• The Roman Mystery Scrolls: The Sewer Demon

  Author: Caroline Lawrence Illustrator: Helen Forte
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Historically accurate, wonderfully atmospheric, peppered with humour and, being set in a sewer, features plenty of poo, wee, bottoms and farting.

• The Romans: Gods, Emperors and Dormice

  Author: Marcia Williams
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A comic-strip style retelling of the most famous stories from Roman history, from the birth of Romulus and Remus to the death of Julius Caesar.

• The Rose Muddle Mysteries: The Amber Pendant

  Author: Imogen White
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Rose Muddle, a maid in a grand house, is astonished when her mistress says she is to become the guardian of a magical amber pendant. This thrilling Edwardian adventure is packed full of mystery, magic, treachery and friendship.

• The Rose Society

  Author: Marie Lu
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 14+

  Can Adelina harness the darkness within her, or will it lead to her downfall? An exceptionally well written and hugely enjoyable read, which is the second book in the Young Elites Trilogy.

• The Royal Bake Off

  Author: Clémentine Beauvais Illustrator: Becka Moor
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Holly and Anna Burnbright try to win the Royal Bake Off so they can afford to go on holiday.

• The Royal Rebel: The Life of Suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh

  Author: Bali Rai Illustrator: Rachael Dean
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This fascinating tale highlights a troubling period of British history in an accessible manner. It explores the appalling impact of British rule on India, as well as the brutal treatment faced by women in Britain who demanded equality.

• The Ruby in the Smoke

  Author: Philip Pullman
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Determined to discover the truth about her father's tragic death, Sally Lockhart is plunged into a dangerous and terrifying adventure that takes her to the dark heart of Victorian London.

• The Runaway Dinner

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Bruce Ingman
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  Banjo sits down to eat his dinner of sausage, vegetables and fries, but before he can begin, his dinner runs away, along with the knife, fork, plate and his table and chair.

• The Runaway Pea

  Author: Kjartan Poskitt Illustrator: Alex Willmore
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 5+

  It’s time for tea! But this plate full of veggies are VERY shocked when one little pea decides that, no, he does NOT want to be eaten, thank you very much. It’s not time for tea; it’s time for adventure!

  With a hop, skip and a jump, this independent pea is seeking freedom. But what challenges will he meet along the way? Squidging through tomato ketchup, spla…

• The Runaway Pea Washed Away

  Author: Kjartan Poskitt Illustrator: Alex Willmore
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  The Runaway Pea returns in this madcap adventure which sees him washed down the plughole and on his way to the big wide world! 

• The Runaway Troll

  Author: Matt Haig Illustrator: Julek Heller
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Samuel's not allowed to enter Shadow Forest. But what's to stop the forest from coming to him? There's one thing every troll child dreads more than anything - and that's being sent to the Betterer.

• The Rhyming Rabbit

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Lydia Monks
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  The Rhyming Rabbit isn’t like the other rabbits, he likes to make up rhymes about the world around him but not everyone is interested in hearing them.

• The Rhythm of the Rain

  Author: Grahame Baker-Smith
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 6+

  Grahame Baker-Smith is a huge talent in picture book illustration. Baker-Smith explores the global life cycle of water and weather, reminding children that small actions and experiences are always a vital part of the bigger picture.

• The Sad Ghost Club

  Author: Lize Meddings
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  A sad ghost wants to go to a party, but his social anxiety keeps holding him back. When he meets another anxious ghost, he realises he's not alone. A charming graphic novel for older readers about depression, friendship, and finding a kindred spirit.

• The Sad Ghost Club 2

  Author: Lize Meddings
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  The second instalment in Lize Meddings’ brilliant comic about anxious introverts and their attempts to band together, make friends and start to operate in the outside world is hugely appealing, especially for kids in secondary school who want a quick but cool read. 

• The Safari Stomp

  Author: Caryl Hart Illustrator: Nicola Slater
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A lively rhyming picture book with fun, inclusive illustrations and brilliant repetition that will have children joining in with the actions. 

• The Salt-Stained Book

  Author: Julia Jones
  Publisher: Golden Duck
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Granny has always fiercely protected Donny and his profoundly deaf, dyslexic mum, Skye

• The Same Inside

  Author: Liz Brownlee Matt Goodfellow and Roger Stevens
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The Same Inside is a thought-provoking and heart-warming collection of poems from three renowned British poets, Liz Brownlee, Matt Goodfellow and Roger Stevens.

• The Santa List

  Author: Kieran Crowley Illustrator: James Lancett
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  When Aisling and Joe find themselves on the naughty list after a run-in with a super-strict babysitter, it's a race against time to get back in Santa's good books before Christmas.

• The Savage

  Author: David Almond Illustrator: Dave McKean
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Blue’s father has died suddenly, and finding that the school’s counselling increases his anguish, instead he turns to writing a story.

• The Savages

  Author:
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  The Savages seem like a perfectly ordinary family - but they have a dark and unusual secret to hide.

• The Scarecrow and His Servant

  Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Peter Bailey
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Struck by a sudden bolt of lightining, Scarecrow comes alive. A young boy called Jack hears the Scarecrow's call for help and is persuaded to become his servant.

• The Scarecrow Queen

  Author: Melinda Salisbury
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 14-18
  Reading age: 13+

  This is the gripping finale in the trilogy that began with The Sin Eater's Daughter. It is a quick-paced, addictive read that will leave readers holding their breaths until the very last page.

• The Scariest Monster in the World

  Author: Lee Weatherly Illustrator: Algy Craig Hall
  Publisher: Boxer Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 4+

  Once there was a very scary monster. His fur was wild and weird, he carried a club with giant bristles on it, and his teeth were green and mossy because he never, ever brushed them.

• The Scariest Thing of All

  Author: Debi Gliori
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Little Pip is the smallest rabbit in his family but he is the biggest worrier. He's scared of everything from tree stumps to unusually-shaped clouds. Then one day, his fear gets out of control.

• The Scarlet Files: Cat Burglar

  Author: Tamsin Cooke
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 9+

  Scarlet McCall is schoolgirl by day and a cat burglar by night. Her father has taught her to help him burgle houses and return artefacts to their rightful owners. When her father vanishes she must use all the skills he has taught to find and rescue him.

• The Scorpio Races

  Author: Maggie Stiefvater
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 13+

  Told from two contrasting perspectives, this is a beautifully-written and distinctive fantasy with a subtle hint of romance.

• The Scruffs

  Author: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A funny, heartwarming story about a pampered puss who discovers friendship and fun for the first time - and gets covered in gerbil shavings, ice cream and rotten vegetables into the bargain at the seriously smelly Perfect Pet Shop.

• The Scruffs: Showtime!

  Author: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-9
  Reading age: 6+

  Scruffy Mr Straw is in serious trouble. If he can’t pay off his loan, the Perfect Pet Shop will be sold. An appealing animal adventure, starring the scruffiest dog imaginable and his band of loyal friends.

• The School for Good and Evil

  Author: Soman Chainani
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 11+

  Every four years, two children are chosen from Sophie's village to join the fabled School for Good and Evil and become fairy tale heroes or villains.

• The School of Art

  Author: Teal Triggs Illustrator: Daniel Frost
  Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
  Interest age: 8-14
  Reading age: 8+

  With quirky, comical illustrations and a useful glossary, this is an unusual, interesting and informative reference book for any budding artist.

• The Sea House

  Author: Lucy Owen Illustrator: Rebecca Harry
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  A thrilling, edgy and exciting underwater fantasy that works both as an adventure story and an original take on loss, grieving, survival and hope.

• The Seal Children

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
  Interest age: 4-9
  Reading age: 6+

  A tender and mythical exploration of the selkie myth in a family context, with a gentle and evocative use of watercolour, this breathtakingly beautiful book is one to treasure.

• The Seal’s Fate

  Author: Eoin Colfer Illustrator: Victor Ambrus
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9
  Reading age: 9

  A young boy is put in a difficult position when his father implores him to kill a seal to protect their livelihood. The illustrations match the traditional style of this short tale of family and fishermen. Dyslexia-friendly.

• The Search for Carmella

  Author: Chloe Savage
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  Marine biologist Dr Rose takes a submersible craft down into the deep ocean to search for a legendary beast. Will they find her?

• The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish

  Author: Chloe Savage
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  In this delightful picture book, scientist Dr Morley sets out to achieve her lifelong dream of finding the mysterious giant Arctic jellyfish. This is a creature that everyone talks about but no one has ever seen. Could it be real or is it just a myth?

• The Secret Cooking Club

  Author: Laurel Remington
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Since Scarlett became the main subject of her mum's popular lifestyle blog, her confidence has plummeted - but a happy accident and an old recipe book open the door to new interests, friends and opportunities.

• The Secret Countess

  Author: Eva Ibbotson
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  The Russian revolution sees Anna's father killed and their old way of life gone forever. Along with her mother, brother and governess, she flees the country finding refuge in England...

• The Secret Deep

  Author: Lindsay Galvin
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 11+

  If you thought you had found a potential cure for cancer, how far would you go to test your theory? A believable,  daring and unnerving sci-fi thriller for teens.

• The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

  Author: Sue Townsend
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 9+

  The first book in the Adrian Mole series, this was a publishing sensation back in the 1980s, but still has the power to entertain pre-teen, teen and even adult readers, and make them double up with laughter.

• The Secret Fire

  Author: CJ Daugherty & Carina Rozenfeld
  Publisher: Atom Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 8+

  Sacha is destined to die and unleash something terrible upon the world on his 18th birthday, and he needs help from a Taylor, an A-level student in Paris with secret powers who has no idea who Sacha is.

• The Secret Garden

  Author:
  Publisher: HarperPress
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When the spoilt and bad-tempered Mary is orphaned at the age of ten, she is sent from India to live with her hunchback uncle on the Yorkshire Moors. This classic novel is a satisfying and absorbing read.

• The Secret Hen House Theatre

  Author: Helen Peters
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10+

  Helen Peters has drawn on her own childhood on a farm, and her memories of writing and acting out her own plays, to create this lively story with a very convincing rural setting.

• The Secret History of Tom Trueheart: Boy Adventurer

  Author: Ian Beck
  Publisher: Oxford Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Tom’s quest to discover his own story and his courage unrolls through an elegantly described magical landscape.

• The Secret Horses of Briar Hill

  Author: Megan Shepherd Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 8-12

  It’s 1941. Emmaline is sent to Briar Hill Hospital, for children with tuberculosis. Now she keeps seeing mysterious, beautiful winged horses in the mirrors. Are they real? A magic-realist, bittersweet story about children in wartime.

• The Secret Keepers

  Author: Trenton Lee Stewart Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-13
  Reading age: 9+

  When Rueben finds an unusual old pocket watch, he discovers it has a secret power: it makes the holder invisible for 15 minutes at a time. Unfortunately, the sinister ruler of the city will stop at nothing to possess it. A captivating page-turner.

• The Secret Life of Daisy Fitzjohn

  Author: Tania Unsworth
  Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10-12

  Daisy has never left the dilapidated stately home where she lives with her reclusive mother. When her mum suddenly disappears, and a mysterious stranger starts snooping around, she must rely on her wits. A compelling thriller for pre-teens.

• The Secret Message

  Author: John Townsend
  Publisher: Ransom
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 12

  This short novel tells the story of Sam, who discovers the diary which his great-great-grandfather wrote during World War I. One of a new series of 'Cold Fusion' books suited to more able readers.

• The Secret of Haven Point

  Author: Lisette Auton
  Publisher: Penguin Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 12+

  A middle-grade novel packed with magical realism and messages of freedom, independence and the power of friendship.

• The Secret of Nightingale Wood

  Author: Lucy Strange
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  A sensitive and intriguing story set in a time when mental illness and depression were new ideas in the medical world. Some spooky moments shake up the story and the creepy characters will keep readers turning the page. A writer to watch.

• The Secret of Platform 13

  Author: Eva Ibbotson
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 8+

  Under Platform 13 at Kings Cross Station is hidden a quite remarkable secret. Every nine years a doorway opens to an amazing, fantastical island.

• The Secret of Ragnar’s Gold

  Author: Mark Dawson and Allan Boroughs Illustrator: Ben Mantle
  Publisher: Welbeck
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  Can Joe and his friends solve the mystery of where the lost Viking treasure is hidden? A modern adventure with a classic feel. 

• The Secret of the Blue Glass

  Author: Tomiko Inui Translator: Ginny Tapley Takemori
  Publisher: Pushkin Press
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10-12

  The Ashe family are just a few inches tall. The children of the big house look after them, until World War Two clamps its jaws shut on the city. This gentle tale feels like a real children’s classic: enchanting and charming, with a lovely lightness of touch.

• The Secret of the Egg

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Abbie Cameron
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  There are so many different kinds of egg! Nicola Davies and Abbie Cameron introduce us to some of their favourites in a fun, bouncy and fascinating book.

• The Secret of the Moonshard

  Author: Struan Murray Illustrator: Vivienne To
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Domino discovers that she's a powerful Wizard and is the only one who can stop the moon – the source of all magic – from being destroyed. This epic magical adventure, with larger-than-life characters and clever plot twists, will have readers on the edge of their seats.

• The Secret of the Purple Lake

  Author: Yaba Badoe Illustrator: Gbolahan Adams
  Publisher: Cassava Republic
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This collection of interlinked folk tales has a truly global feel, with stories reaching from Africa to the Orkney Islands, by way of Spain and Norway.

• The Secret of the Tattered Shoes

  Author: Jackie Morris Illustrator: Ehsan Abdollahi
  Publisher: Tiny Owl
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Jackie Morris' retelling of the classic fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses is accompanied by Ehsan Abdollahi's transfixingly beautiful illustration, updating the story for a new generation.

• The Secret Railway

  Author: Wendy Meddour Illustrator: Sam Usher
  Publisher: Oxford
  Interest age: 5-9
  Reading age: 7+

  A magical, thrilling and slightly scary ‘first chapter’ book featuring the adventures of a brother and sister who stumble into a hidden world. Tense, imaginative and highly recommended.
  

• The Secret Starling

  Author: Judith Eagle Illustrator: Kim Geyer
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 10+

  A cracking child-led mystery story featuring a lonely girl, her despicable uncle, a crumbling mansion and dangerous exploits.

• The Secret Sunshine Project

  Author: Benjamin Dean Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  How will a sleepy village react when Bea attempts to bring the glitter and rainbows of Pride to their doorstep?

• The Secret Time Machine and the Gherkin Switcheroo

  Author: Simone Lia
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  Marcus lands himself in trouble with his best friend Laurence when he claims his aunt has built a time-travelling machine - he'll either have to confess that he lied, or invent time travel. And he doesn't want to confess... A fantastically silly story.

• The Secrets Act

  Author: Alison Weatherby
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  Recruited to work at Bletchley Park, Ellen and Pearl are working hard to crack codes - but when a driver is killed, they have a brand new mystery to solve. A breakneck historical thriller.

• The Secrets Club: Alice in the Spotlight

  Author: Chris Higgins
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A lively, warm and entertaining story about friends, family and the ups and downs of school life.

• The Secrets of Stonehenge

  Author: Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  

  Travel back in time 5,000 years and more, and relive the incredible true story of this awe-inspiring monument…

• The Seed of Compassion

  Author: His Holiness the Dalai Lama Illustrator: Bao Luu
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This interesting non-fiction book introduces children to the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, charting his life from early childhood to the present day. 

• The Selkie’s Mate

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Claire Jenkins
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Lyrical text is enhanced by evocative watercolour illustrations in this haunting and heart-wrenching tale of love, loss and trust, which is inspired by Selkie legends from around the world.

• The Senses

  Author: Matteo Farinella
  Publisher: Nobrow
  Interest age: 11-16
  Reading age: 11+

  Diane starts to explore her five senses with the help of a virtual reality headset. It’s extremely unusual to see scientific knowledge presented in this kind of fiction/nonfiction mash-up, and this top-quality graphic novel works incredibly well to draw in readers.

• The Series of Unfortunate Events: Austere Academy

  Author: Lemony Snicket Illustrator: Brett Helquist
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The unfortunate Baudelaire children have been enrolled into Prufrock Preparatory School under the safe keeping of Vice Principal Nero and his advanced computer

• The Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

  Author: Lemony Snicket Illustrator: Brett Helquist
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  The Bad Beginning is the first of 13 volumes in the appropriately named collection, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

• The Series of Unfortunate Events: The End

  Author: Lemony Snicket Illustrator: Brett Helquist
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  You'll not enjoy this final instalment of the Baudelaire's story; like peeling an onion, the distressing layers keep coming.

• The Shadow Keeper

  Author: Abi Elphinstone
  Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Moll and Gryff are back, with Alfie and Siddy by their side, ready to fight the Shadowmasks and find the second amulet. The second instalment in the adventures of Moll Pecksniff is just as exciting and fast-paced a story.

• The Shadows of Rookhaven

  Author: Padraig Kenny Illustrator: Edward Bettison
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  This gothic glory of a novel for older readers is as thoughtful and exciting as the first. Perfect for Neil Gaiman fans, the Addams Family vibe is completely charming and though there are some scary moments, it’s still an exciting and immersive read.

• The Shape Game

  Author: Anthony Browne
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  The Shape Game emerged as a result of Anthony Browne's experiences as Illustrator in Residence at the Tate gallery, and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award. 

• The Shape of My Heart

  Author: Mark Sperring Illustrator: Alys Patterson
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Publishing
  Interest age: 1+
  Reading age: 5+

  The world is filled with shapes to explore in this distinctive and stylish picture book

• The Shark and the Scar

  Author: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  This gripping mystery will keep readers guessing to the end and asks some difficult questions about right and wrong and how sometimes they can both look the same.

• The Shark Caller

  Author: Zillah Bethell Illustrator: Saara Katariina Söderlund
  Publisher: Fritha
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Following the death of her parents, Blue Wing moves in with Siringen, a gentle village elder. When a new girl arrives on the island, a surprisingly, sisterly bond begins to form. A beautiful novel exploring complex emotions of grief and guilt.
  

• The Sheep-Pig

  Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Mike Terry
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  When Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair, he is amazed that Fly, his sheep-dog, welcomes him as one of her own pups.

• The Shell House

  Author: Linda Newbery
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  Graveney Hall is a beautiful home that burned down during the First World War. It links the stories of Greg, a photography student, and Edmund, the Graveney family's last heir.

• The Shepherd's Crown

  Author: Terry Pratchett
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  The final Terry Pratchett novel shows there is something menacing in the air, change is coming and the veil between worlds is dangerously thin. Tiffany Aching knows she must be ready for whatever battle is ahead but with all her new found responsibilities she has no time to prepare for the fight.

• The Shop of Impossible Ice Creams

  Author: Shane Hegarty Illustrator: Jeff Crowther
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6-8

  Limpet’s mum sells impossible ice creams, like carrot and garlic flavour. When Mr Fluffy launches his rival ice cream shop, Limpet must fight back. A madcap, very funny adventure.

• The Shy Book

  Author: Howard Pearlstein Illustrator: James Munro
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 7+

  This book will hide away from you, but you can help it become more confident by answering its questions and becoming its friend. A really creative and funny book which teaches readers social skills.  

• The Sign of One

  Author: Eugene Lambert
  Publisher: Electric Monkey
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  A thrilling YA sci-fi adventure reminiscent of Hunger Games and Star Wars, The Sign of One is a fantastic page-turner with great characters in Kyle and Sky.

• The Singing Mermaid

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Lydia Monks
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  When Sam Sly invites the Singing Mermaid to join the circus, she is excited by the promise of fame and fortune. But things are not what they seem, and the Singing Mermaid soon finds herself confined to a fish tank, longing for the freedom of the ocean.

• The Silence Seeker

  Author: Ben Morley Illustrator: Carl Pearce
  Publisher: Tamarind
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  This story explores the vibrancy and diversity of city life through gritty, yet child-friendly illustrations that are beautifully atmospheric and evocative.

• The Silent Striker

  Author: Pete Kalu
  Publisher: Hope Road
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Marcus lives and breathes football. He might even have the makings of a professional player. But Marcus' life is about to change. Neither a book 'about' deafness or disability, nor another stock football story, this is an uplifting and accessible read.

• The Silver Donkey

  Author: Sonya Hartnett Illustrator: Laura Carlin
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  In French woodland, sisters Coco and Marcelle find and help a blind English deserter from the battlefront, trying to ensure he reaches home. In return, he tells them marvellous tales...

• The Silver Road

  Author: Sinéad O’Hart
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Dealing with contemporary concerns such as climate change, yet steeped in ancient Irish myth, history and folklore, this thrilling fantasy crackles and fizzes like the magic within its pages. 

• The Silver Sword

  Author: Ian Seraillier
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  In the chaos of World War II, Ruth, Edek and Bronia are separated from their parents, and left alone to fend for themselves, hiding from the Nazis in the ruins of their city.

• The Silly Book of Side-Splitting Stuff

  Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: Scott Garrett
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Ever wanted to know what kind of animal an aye-aye is? Or how much gravy the boot of a Mini Cooper Convertible can hold? What about which country's residents dine on maggot cheese?

• The Silly Book of Weird and Wacky Words

  Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: Scott Garrett
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  A thorough tour through the odd world of our mother tongue, there is much to love and learn in this funny book that should delight young readers - and have parents flicking through, too.

• The Sin Eater's Daughter

  Author: Melinda Salisbury
  Publisher: Scholastic Press
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  The Sin Eater's Daughter is a truly original fantasy set in a richly imagined world full of complex and complicated characters.

• The Siren

  Author: Kiera Cass
  Publisher: Harper Collins
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Inspired by universal Siren legends, Kahlen and Akinli's forbidden love is unashamedly romantic, as is the story's central dilemma: should Kahlen follow her heart or follow the rules?

• The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

  Author: Ann Brashares
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  Bridget, Carmen, Tibby and Lena have been inseparable all their lives and are about to embark on their first summer apart.

• The Skeleton Pirate

  Author: David Lucas
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  A fun swashbuckling adventure featuring a beautiful mermaid, a golden ship packed with treasure, and a whale with a very bad tummy ache

• The Sky is Everywhere

  Author: Jandy Nelson
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  Grief has turned Lennie's world upside down - Bailey, her charismatic older sister, has died unexpectedly, forcing Lennie to step out from behind her shadow for the first time.

• The Skylarks' War

  Author: Hilary McKay
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Clarry and Peter love spending their summers in Cornwall with their cousin Rupert, but how will things change when he enlists for the First World War? A hugely evocative, powerful and impressive story.

• The Sleeper and the Spindle

  Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Chris Riddell
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  This magnificent book combines two well-known fairy tales and challenges everything familiar about them. A spectacular book that deserves a spot on every bookcase.

• The Sleeping Army

  Author: Francesca Simon
  Publisher: Profile Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods

• The Sleeping Prince

  Author: Melinda Salisbury
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 11+

  This sequel to The Sin Eater's Daughter is filled with magic, poison, alchemy and secrets. It is a fantasy to keep teenage readers gripped and on a knife-edge - and leave them wanting more.

• The Sleeping Stones

  Author: Beatrice Wallbank
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Why are Gruff and Mat being irresistibly drawn towards the dangerous waters around their Welsh island? Can they right an ancient wrong? A gripping story of legend and magic, set in a close-knit community in Wales.

• The Sleeping Sword

  Author: Sir Michael Morpurgo
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Like Michael Morpurgo's other stories, this is a convincing and compelling tale that illustrates beautifully the value of friendship, family and positive thinking.

• The Slightly Annoying Elephant

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  When a ginormous blue elephant arrives on Sam's doorstep and announces he's come to stay, Sam is very surprised

• The Smart Cookie

  Author: Jory John Illustrator: Pete Oswald
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4-7
  

  This sweet and pun-filled story about gaining confidence in yourself and understanding your strengths and learning styles is rather lovely, and full of fun, foody illustrations of cakes, gingerbread houses, bakeries and other yummy details.

• The Smartest Giant in Town

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  George is the scruffiest giant in town, so he buys a new outfit to smarten himself up. On the way home, however, he meets others who are in greater need of his clothes than he is...

• The Smeds and the Smoos

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Alison Green Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  On a far-off planet, a young red Smed called Janet falls in love with a young blue Smoo called Bill. The newest rhyming picture book from the stellar pairing of Donaldson and Scheffler provides all their usual invention, quirkiness and read-aloud expertise.

• The Smile Shop

  Author: Satoshi Kitamura
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  A captivating and surprising picture book packed with intricate illustrations and a strong message – that kindness is more important than money.

• The Smug Pug

  Author: Anna Wilson
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Pippa can’t wait to introduce new girl Tallulah Foghorn, and her pet pug Smug to Mrs Fudge and Dash the dachshund, at the Chop-and-Chat pooch-pampering parlour and hair salon.

• The Snail and the Whale

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  This book by the award-winning Gruffalo partnership is about a tiny snail who longs to see the world, and the enormous grey-blue humpback whale who gives him a lift on his tail.

• The Snake who Came to Stay

  Author: Julia Donaldson
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  

  Polly’s holiday home for pets is much in demand. There are guinea pigs, a  noisy mynah bird -  and now Doris the snake.

• The Snatchabook

  Author: Helen Docherty Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
  Publisher: Alison Green Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  This delightful picture book from husband-and-wife team Helen and Thomas Docherty is a real treat.

• The Snow Angel

  Author: Lauren St John Illustrator: Catherine Hyde
  Publisher: Zephyr, Head of Zeus
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Twelve-year-old Makena was born for the mountains, and she dreams of following in his footsteps. However, the arrival of the Ebola virus shatters her world and her life becomes a struggle to survive. A story of resilience, kindness and the power of nature. 

• The Snow Beast

  Author: Chris Judge
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Somebody has been stealing the friendly snow beast's tools, just when he's about to help the local village put on a snow festival. 

• The Snow Girl

  Author: Sophie Anderson Illustrator: Melissa Castrillón
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Tasha is delighted when her snow girl comes to life and wishes the winter could last forever, as she cannot bear the thought of losing her only friend. An enchanting story about courage and friendship, enhanced by magical illustrations. 

• The Snow Goose

  Author: Paul Gallico Illustrator: Angela Barrett
  Publisher: Random House Childrens Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  A lonely artist sets up home in an isolated lighthouse with only seabirds, boating and painting for distraction. Gradually he builds up a sanctuary where wild birds are safe from storms and hunters.

• The Snow Leopard

  Author: Jackie Morris Illustrator: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 8+

  The Mergich Realm, a sacred and secret place hidden high in the tallest mountains of the world, comes under threat when soldiers arrive seeking slaves and gold.

• The Snow Merchant

  Author: Sam Gayton
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Lettie Peppercorn hasn't left her house-on-stilts for ten years. Then a mysterious frozen man arrives at her door, and her life is changed forever.

• The Snow Queen

  Author: Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator: Lucie Arnoux Translator: Mishka Hoekstra
  Publisher: Pushkin Children’s
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Kai and Gerda are neighbours and best friends. But one day, a shard of glass from the devil's mirror lodges itself in Kai's eye and into his heart, and he's transformed into a cruel boy who makes fun of the people around him.

• The Snow Queen

  Author: Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator: P J Lynch
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Lynch's vivid yet ethereal illustrations capture the balance between the wondrous and the recognisable in this powerful story about the redemptive nature of love and the passing of time.

• The Snow Womble

  Author: Elisabeth Beresford Illustrator: Nick Price
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  With a story taken from Elizabeth Beresford's first book, this picture book will bring favourite characters the Wombles to a new young audience.

• The Snowiest Christmas Ever

  Author: Jane Chapman
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 5+

  A gentle story about the exciting build-up to Christmas, this is a lovely, cosy read, which will also make adult readers feel nostalgic for the "will-it-won’t-it" snow anticipation when they were children.

• The Snowman

  Author: Raymond Briggs
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 3+

  James builds a snowman in the garden, then wakes up in the night to find that it has come to life.

• The Snowman

  Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Robin Shaw
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  To mark the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs' The Snowman, Michael Morpurgo has written a chapter book for those who hanker for backstory, but still want the timeless magic of the original. A book made for Christmas snuggles and wishes. 

• The Snowman and the Sun

  Author: Susan Taghdis Illustrator: Ali Mafakheri Translator: Azita Rassi
  Publisher: Tiny Owl
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Told from a snowman’s perspective, this unusual, charmingly wintery tale explores the water cycle, the continuous journey water takes from land to sky and back again.

• The Snowy Day

  Author: Ezra Jack Keats
  Publisher: Viking Press
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  When Peter wakes up one winter morning to find the world has turned white, he can’t wait to put on his snowsuit and get out into the snow.

• The Snuggle Sandwich

  Author: Malachy Doyle Illustrator: Gwen Millward
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Toddler Annie starts her day with a snuggle in bed with her parents and Edward, her teddy bear, before the rush of a family having breakfast and variously setting off for school and work.

• The Song of Seven

  Author: Tonke Dragt Translator: Laura Watkinson
  Publisher: Pushkin Press
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10-12

  Schoolteacher Frans finds himself deep in a conspiracy around a legend that concerns the boy trapped in the House of Stairs. A book with pace and imaginative storytelling that is sure to go down as a classic in children's literature.

• The Song That Sings Us

  Author: Nicola Davies
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A complex, exciting, dystopian thriller with global ambitions and a compelling narrative that brings environmental issues and the interconnectivity of species into focus. Anyone who enjoys a really good adventure thriller will love it.

• The Somerset Tsunami

  Author: Emma Carroll
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This is another glorious example of historical fiction from Emma Carroll: a feisty, female-led adventure based on the real-life events of witch trials and floods in 17th-century Somerset, which also encourages girls to have faith in themselves.

• The Soul Hunters

  Author: Chris Bradford
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 9+

  Genna is a First Ascendant - a reincarnating soul from the dawn of humankind - being relentlessly pursued by Soul Hunters intent on destroying humanity. With a thrilling plot, exciting characters and moderate violence, this fast-paced fantasy adventure is the first instalment of a riveting trilogy.

• The Soul Seekers: Fated

  Author: Alyson Noel
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Fans of The Immortals will not be disappointed by this, the first in a new series by Alyson Noel, which offers readers plenty of romance, excitement and mystery

• The Sound of Whales

  Author: Kerr Thomson
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Fraser Dunbar and his family live on the tiny Scottish island of Nin – so small and unknown it’s even left off many maps. His younger brother Dunny hasn’t talked for many years...

• The Soup Movement

  Author: Ben Davies
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  Jordan is in remission from cancer but finding it difficult to make friends at his new school. One day, he gives a homeless man some soup and then, in the spirit of doing kind things, ends up secretly running a soup kitchen. Very funny and deeply moving. 

• The Space Race: The Journey to the Moon and Beyond

  Author: Sarah Cruddas
  Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  If you’re looking for a thorough overview of the development of space travel and the various moon landings, as well as some tantalising glimpses into our future adventures in space, this is an ideal place to start.

• The Space We’re In

  Author: Katya Balen Illustrator: Laura Carlin
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  A heart-rending read about having a severely autistic brother, from the perspective of the older sibling, Frank. The addition of references to coding and powerful observations about life, the universe and everything, make this memorable and satisfying.

• The Spectacular Revenge of Suzi Sims

  Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Julia Patton
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  This short chapter book, written in diary style, is the ideal companion for children going through tough days at school. Exploring friendship, bullying and the ups and downs of school life, it captures primary school life perfectly.

• The Spectacular Suit

  Author: Kat Patrick Illustrator: Hayley Wells
  Publisher: Scribble
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  This is an empowering and reassuring story of a child who (possibly) feels that she doesn’t fit into a traditional gender role, and the ways that her family support her in a positive way. 

• The Spectaculars

  Author: Jodie Garnish Illustrator: Nathan Collins
  Publisher: Usborne Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Harper is delighted to be offered an apprenticeship at the Grand Wondria Music Hall and Theatre to study the dramatic and magical arts. When she is accused of bringing bad luck to the theatre, she is determined to clear her name, despite the dangers. This epic tale of magic, intrigue and treachery is an enthralling read.

• The Spook's Apprentice

  Author:
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  A fantasy book set in the north of England where Thomas Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, must prove himself capable of facing ghosts and witches...

• The Spy Who Loved School Dinners

  Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Thomas Flintham
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Izzy is really excited to be picked to look after the new girl, Mathilde, but the new girl isn't quite what Izzy and her friends were expecting...

• The Square Root of Summer

  Author: Harriet Reuter Hapgood
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  The Square Root of Summer is a completely unique and beautiful look at all the different ways our hearts can break. Brilliantly told and full of sweeping prose, swoon-worthy romance and just a touch of physics.

• The Star of Kazan

  Author: Eva Ibbotson
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Rescued by a Viennese cook, an abandoned baby girl is taken to the house of three eccentric professors, where she is raised by the servants. Then suddenly, her mother arrives to claim her...

• The Star Outside My Window

  Author: Onjali Q Raúf
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A heartbreaking but sensitively-told story of domestic abuse, loss and friendship from the author behind The Boy at the Back of the Class.

• The Star Tree

  Author: Catherine Hyde
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  It is midnight at midsummer, and little Mia is awake. When the Great White Owl comes to the window and sings to her, it is the start of many magical journeys. A beautifully atmospheric book and a perfect bedtime read.

• The Star-faced Crocodile

  Author: David Melling
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  When a banjo-playing bear sees a crocodile in a pool whose face is framed in the reflection of a star, he wants it as a friend.

• The Starlight Watchmaker

  Author: Lauren James
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 8+

  A lowly, abandoned android thinks he has nothing in common with aristocrats, until he investigates a crime with one. A charming and funny story with a touch of satire and a tinge of steampunk, which can be read as a tale of friendship or a light romance. 

• The Starman and Me

  Author: Sharon Cohen
  Publisher: Quercus
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  Twelve-year-old Kofi discovers Rorty Thrutch, a prehistoric human, on a supermarket roundabout. Themes of bullying and friendship run alongside those of science and the possibilities of DNA in this clever debut novel for upper primary or Year 7/8 readers. 

• The Stars Just Up the Street

  Author: Sue Soltis Illustrator: Christine Davenier
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  A beautiful bedtime book about a little girl and her grandfather, who both love the stars, and a lovely theme around the importance of memory - which in turn gently introduces a message about urban light pollution.

• The Star-Spun Web

  Author: Sinead O’Hart
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A device called the star-spinner takes Tess on an adventure through multiple worlds in search of her lost family. Well-written and entertaining, this book convincingly weaves together strands of history and alternative history.

• The State of Grace

  Author: Rachael Lucas
  Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Grace is nearly 16, and like many girls her age, has a lot on her mind - but they're heightened by the fact that Grace has Asperger's syndrome. An absorbing story of first love, friendship and family tension; any young reader can relate to Grace.

• The Steves

  Author: Morag Hood
  Publisher: Two Hoots Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  What do you do when you meet a fellow Steve who is trying to out-Steve you? Two puffins called Steve come face to face and lots of funny competitiveness follows in this gigglesome and memorable picture book about friendship and difference. 

• The Stickleback Catchers

  Author: Lisette Auton Illustrator: Valentina Toro
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Can Mimi save her gran from losing her memories? An inclusive, searingly emotional story with magic realism elements.

• The Stink Before Christmas

  Author: Sam & Mark Illustrator: Tom Knight
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  When one of Santa's huge parps dislodges the presents from his sleigh, will he be able to get them back? A fun book - but one strictly for households where trumps, pumps and stinks are required entertainment.

• The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales

  Author: Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 5+

  Jon Scieszka introduces some really stupid off-the-wall fairy tales including: Chicken Licken, The Princess and the Bowling Ball; The Really Ugly Duckling, and Jack's Bean Problem. Chosen by children as the Book of the Year for the Federation of Children's Book Groups, this book was described by "She magazine" as, 'The most delightful collection of stories a…

• The Storm Keeper’s Island

  Author: Catherine Doyle
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10-12

  Fionn and his sister Tara are spending their summer on the remote island of Arranmore, off the coast of Ireland, staying with their grandfather. Readers will be swept away by the setting, atmosphere and magic of Arranmore as Fionn discovers its history and secrets. 

• The Storm Runner

  Author: J C Cervantes
  Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents, Disney Hyperion
  Interest age: 9-14
  Reading age: 9+

  The Storm Runner is a great introduction to Mayan mythology, but the adventure story is the main draw to this book, with a self-deprecating hero, modern humour, and excitement to the bitter end.

• The Storm Swimmer

  Author: Clare Weze
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Ginika meets a boy who lives in the sea, they strike up a secret friendship - but what will happen when he gets ill? A very exciting, unusual and truly imaginative adventure story which is expertly told.

• The Storm Whale

  Author: Benji Davies
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Noi finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm and decides to take it home to care for it.

• The Storm Whale in Winter

  Author: Benji Davies
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  The follow up to Benji Davies' The Storm Whale, this atmospheric story about friendship and family is perfect for cosy winter bedtimes.

• The Story Machine

  Author: Tom McLaughlin
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Elliot finds a strange machine - it doesn't bleep or buzz and it doesn't even have an on/off button!

• The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught her to Fly

  Author: Luis Sepulveda Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura Translator: Margaret Sayers Peden
  Publisher: Alma Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10+

  An oil-soaked gull asks an unsuspecting cat to look after her egg and protect the baby inside. The cat must find a way to teach a helpless seagull to fly - and in the process, they become a family.

• The Story of Antigone

  Author: Ali Smith Illustrator: Laura Paoletti
  Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Ali Smith's wonderfully presented adaptation of Sophocles's play opens on a battlefield with a crow contemplating which bit of a fallen soldier she might like to eat first.

• The Story of Babar

  Author: Jean De Brunhoff Translator: Merle S. Haas
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 7+

  ' In the great forest, a litle elephant was born. His name was Babar...'

• The Story of Conservation: A first book about protecting nature

  Author: Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Illustrator: Amy Husband
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  In the twentieth century, conservationists began to understand ecosystems, and scientists started to think about ways that humans could fix the problems that they had created. New technologies can help humans, as well as working with the indigenous communities who have always known how to work with and not against nature.

• The Story of Doctor Dolittle

  Author: Hugh Lofting
  Publisher: Vintage
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  Mice in the piano, rabbits in the pantry, hedgehogs in the cellar: welcome to the home of Dr Dolittle, the greatest animal doctor ever known. This classic animal story, despite being nearly a hundred years old, still entertains and delights.

• The Story of Ferdinand

  Author: Munro Leaf Illustrator: Robert Lawson
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Ferdinand the bull doesn't want to butt heads or fight the Matador - he just wants to sit quietly and smell the flowers. Munro Leaf's gentle picture book about simply being yourself is just as poignant and powerful today as it has ever been.

• The Story of King Arthur

  Author: Siân Lewis Illustrator: Graham Howells
  Publisher: Rily
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A comprehensive and illustrated retelling of the story of King Arthur and his knights, from the years before his birth to his final departure for Avalon. 

• The Story of Life on Earth - Extinct: Hainan Gibbon

  Author: Ben Garrod Illustrator: Gabriel Ugueto
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  Part of a series of eight full-colour volumes featuring the causes and effects of the extinctions of iconic animals (including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Thylacine, Trilobite and other creatures spanning millions of years on earth), Extinct: Hainan Gibbon tells the story of how these particular gibbons have come so close to extinction, and why extincti…

• The Story of Life: A First Book About Evolution

  Author: Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Illustrator: Amy Husband
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 7+

  This is an ideal starting point to promote scientific discussion and ignite the interest of young enquiring minds.

• The Story of Matthew Buzzington

  Author: Andy Stanton
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Reading age: 8+

  Matthew Buzzington is a boy who is desperate to turn himself into a fly!

• The Story of Space: A first book about our universe

  Author: Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Illustrator: Amy Husband
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  This bright and engagingly illustrated space book includes just the right level of fact and information for younger readers.

• The Story of Tantrum O'Furrily

  Author: Cressida Cowell Illustrator: Mark Nicholas
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Set on a wild and windy night, a stray cat called Tantrum O'Furrily is out and about with her three hungry kittens. Soon, they discover the power of stories and the courage they can give you. Cressida Cowell's story reads like a heartwarming fairy tale.

• The Story of Tracy Beaker

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Tracy lives in a children's home but constantly hopes that her absent, glamorous Mum will come and take her away.

• The Story of Tutankhamun

  Author: Patricia Cleveland-Peck Illustrator: Isabel Greenberg
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Everything you ever wanted to know about the famous boy-Pharaoh whose amazing tomb has taught the world so much about ancient Egypt and its people.

• The Story of the Blue Planet

  Author: Andri Snaer Magnason
  Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8

  Told in short chapters with attractive colour illustrations throughout, it's a brave and eccentric book about the nature of greed.

• The Story of the Car

  Author: Giles Chapman Illustrator: Us Now
  Publisher: Wren & Rook
  Interest age: 5-12
  Reading age: 7-11

  Starting from the invention of the car and journeying through its development as a mode of transport (and a thing of beauty in itself) to electric cars and the future of motoring, this fascinating book about the history of cars feels well overdue. It’s not a subject that has received much attention in children’s nonfiction, despite a great interest among you…

• The Story of the Treasure Seekers

  Author: E Nesbit
  Publisher: Hesperus Press
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  The first book from classic children's author E Nesbit, this is the much-loved story of the Bastable family.

• The Story Orchestra: I Can Play

  Author: Katy Flint Illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle Adapted by Rowan Baker
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 2-6
  

  The Story Orchestra series is back, and this time, it’s time for children to play some tunes! Featuring a collection of refrains from ballets and operas such as Swan Lake, The Four Seasons and The Nutcracker, each double page spread begins by telling children and parents a little bit of information about the piece of music and how it’s played, foll…

• The Story Tree: Tales to Read Aloud

  Author: Hugh Lupton Illustrator: Sophie Fatus
  Publisher: Barefoot Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  A jolly anthology of folk tales contains seven traditional stories from many parts of the world

• The Storyteller's Secrets

  Author: Tony Mitton Illustrator: Peter Bailey
  Publisher: Picture Corgi
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Toby and Tess meet an old man in an old fashioned robe carrying a staff. He gives his name as Teller and he tells the children five traditional tales in rhyming verse.

• The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

  Author: Leslye Walton
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  This is the story of Ava Lavender, a girl born with the wings of a bird.

• The Stranger

  Author:
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Working in India at the Golden Tiger Reserve is Charlotte's dream job; then a horrific train crash tears her world apart. Amid the wreckage, handsome, unsettling Jack latches on to her. 

• The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

  Author: L D Lapinski
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  When Flick moves to a rural village with her family, she finds herself drawn to a mysterious old shop and a strange young man with a magical piece of glass. So begins her adventures at the Strangeworlds travel agency - where, to find incredible new worlds, you need only step inside a suitcase. Original, fantastical, and with moments of real peril, the first …

• The Strangeworlds Travel Agency: The Edge of the Ocean

  Author: L. D. Lapinski
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  When Flick and her friend Jonathan are summoned to a watery world filled with pirates and mer-people, they find themselves in a race against time to save it.

• The Street Beneath My Feet

  Author: Charlotte Guillian and Yuval Zommer
  Publisher: Words & Pictures Press
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 6-10

  Young readers will enjoy taking an underground journey through the layers of the earth in this attractively illustrated, artistic piece of narrative non-fiction.

• The Strongest Boy in the World

  Author: Jessica Souhami
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6

  Kaito, a Japanese boy who is the unbeaten wrestling champion of his village, sets off to the city to compete in the world-famous Sumo wrestling tournament.

• The Strongest Mum

  Author: Nicola Kent
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Children’s books celebrating mums often focus on all the great things mums do and how tireless and inventive they are, so it’s lovely to see a story about a hardworking mum that gets tired and sometimes needs a bit of help.

• The Stuff of Nightmares

  Author: Malorie Blackman
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 10+

  Kyle is the only one conscious after an horrific train crash, but how long can he survive when death is stalking the carriages looking for him?

• The Subtle Knife

  Author: Philip Pullman
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  On the run, 12-year-old Will stumbles upon a mysterious parallel world where he meets the savage young girl, Lyra. Their two seemingly separate missions lead them on a dangerous and compelling fantasy adventure.

• The Subtle Knife

  Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  In this second instalment of the illustrated books of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, Chris Wormell has created another jaw-droppingly brilliant set of images that will delight existing fans and enthral new readers.

• The Suitcase

  Author: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  A strange animal arrives with a big suitcase, very tired after travelling a long way. But what is really in his suitcase? A powerful, succinct story about kindness and empathy.

• The Suitcase Kid

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Distraught at her parents' divorce, Andy cannot decide who she wants to live with. She spends one week at Mum's house, the next at Dad's, but never really feels that she belongs anywhere.

• The Sultan's Tigers

  Author: Josh Lacey
  Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  When Tom discovers his ancestor stole one of eight jewel encrusted tigers that once adorned the throne of an Indian Sultan, he embarks on an adventure to track it down.

• The Summer Gang

  Author: Cornelia Funke
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Living on a remote farm, Charlie wants nothing more than sneak off with a gang of friends for adventure. This summer she's going to make it happen, no matter what.

• The Summer I Robbed a Bank

  Author: David O'Doherty Illustrator: Chris Judge
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Rex is not the sort of person to rob a bank... until he's sent to stay with his Uncle Derm for the summer! Expect high jinks, close calls and lots of silliness in this delightful heist adventure.

• The Summer I Saved the Wild

  Author: Rachel Faturoti
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  An engaging coming-of-age story, that embraces diversity and individuality, showing what can be achieved with teamwork and determination. 

• The Summer I Turned Pretty

  Author: Jenny Han
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  What at first appears to be a frothy beach read ends up tackling some tough issues and exploring both the joys and sorrows which characterise a girl's transition to adulthood.

• The Summer of Telling Tales

  Author: Laura Summers
  Publisher: Piccadilly Press
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  This compelling teenage novel is told in the alternating voices of sisters Ellie and Grace, whose lives are turned upside down when their mum plucks up courage to leave their abusive father.

• The Summer We Turned Green

  Author: William Sutcliffe
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  When Luke’s dad joins climate protestors squatting in the house opposite, it rocks their family’s foundations. Funny and moving, with convincing characters.

• The Sun is Also a Star

  Author: Nicola Yoon
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 13+

  Two people who couldn't be more different, from their upbringing to their outlook on life, collide in a whirlwind of love, tragedy and hope.

• The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates

  Author: Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Rob Biddulph
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Do miracles really happen? Freddie Yates isn’t convinced. Until the summer he goes on an unexpected journey with his two best friends.

• The Super Sunny Murder Club

  Author: Various Editor: Serena Patel and Robin Stevens Illustrator: Harry Woodgate
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A collection of exciting, action-packed mystery stories from 13 brilliant contemporary authors – all with a summer theme. A perfect summer holiday read. 

• The Supreme Lie

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  When the all-powerful head of state, the Suprema, flees her flood-devastated country to avoid public scrutiny, her 15 year old maid Gloria finds herself impersonating the ruler  -and suddenly having the fate of millions of people in her hands.

• The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling

  Author: Wai Chim
  Publisher: Allen & Unwin
  Interest age: 12-18
  Reading age: 12+

  Anna's Ma hasn't got out of bed for weeks and it's up to Anna to take care of her family. But when Ma finally leaves her room, things don't exactly go as Anna had planned. This beautiful book takes a nuanced and sensitive approach to a loved one experiencing a mental health problem, and highlights the importance of our own emotional wellbeing. 

• The Swallows’ Flight

  Author: Hilary McKay
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  Hilary McKay’s ultimately uplifting Second World War story is full of brilliant characterisation, reflecting the experiences of young people on both sides of the war. It’s an immersive and thoughtful read.

• The Swifts

  Author: Beth Lincoln Illustrator: Claire Powell
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude is attacked during a family reunion, Shenanigan Swift and her sisters must work together to identify the would-be killer before they strike again. This hugely entertaining murder mystery is brimming with dire villains, secret passageways and deadly games of Scrabble.

• The Switching Hour

  Author: Damaris Young
  Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Courage, determination and friendship abound in this spine-tingling fantasy adventure. A gripping read, which will prompt readers to securely lock their doors and windows at night.

• The Switch-Up

  Author: Katy Cannon
  Publisher: Little Tiger Press
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 12+

  Willa and Alice meet for the first time in the unaccompanied minors lounge at LAX airport. They look so alike that they’re mistaken for sisters, but in reality they’re chalk and cheese: Willa is outgoing and precocious; Alice is quiet and serious.

  They’re both being sent away for the summer: Willa to Italy to stay with an aunt she’s never met; Alice to Londo…

• The Sword of Herobrine

  Author: Jim Anotsu
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Arthur's sister Mallu is obsessed with Minecraft. When a mysterious code sucks her into the Overworld, he has no choice but to follow her. This unofficial fan story has all the thrills and spills of an accessible adventure story.

• The Tail of Emily Windsnap

  Author: Liz Kessler Illustrator: Sarah Gibb
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  Emily Windsnap has lived on a boat her whole life but her mother has seemed strangely anxious to keep her away from the water itself.

  All is explained when Emily is finally allowed to have swimming lessons and she makes a startling discovery. As she learns more about herself, and her mermaid origins, Emily explores the glorious world under the sea, where Nep…

• The Táin

  Author: Alan Titley Illustrator: Eoin Coveney
  Publisher: Little Island Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  A gory re-telling of Ireland’s traditional battle epic, with many gruesome details of the violence that the warrior Cúchulainn inflicts on his enemies. Suitable for older children, this is a prose version of the myth that explores courage, jealousy and the futility of violence.

• The Tale of Angelino Brown

  Author: David Almond Illustrator: Alex T Smith
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9-12

  The Tale of Angelino Brown is a gorgeous, heartfelt poem to the hope that all children bring to the world, if only they are allowed to fly. An absolute delight that should be read by all politicians and leaders making decisions about education.

• The Tale of Kitty - In - Boots

  Author: Beatrix Potter Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 8+

  Miss Kitty is an elegant and graceful house cat, well-behaved and doted on by her owner. However, at night she sneaks out to the woods to pursue her favourite pastime: poaching!

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit

  Author: Beatrix Potter
  Publisher: Warne
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5-7

  Beatrix Potter's iconic tale of the naughty rabbit has been a favourite with children and parents ever since it was published in 1902 - it has a timeless charm.

• The Tale of Truthwater Lake

  Author: Emma Carroll
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  In 2032, Polly dives into the world of the submerged town Syndercombe in 1952, where Nellie has set herself a swimming challenge she can only complete with the help of two good friends. Another superb story from the Queen of Historical Fiction.

• The Talent Show

  Author: Jo Hodgkinson
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  When four friends see a sign for a talent show, they decide that they simply must enter!

• The Tales of Beedle the Bard

  Author: J K Rowling
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  Each of these five tales contains a life lesson for children and parents alike, from the importance of trusted friendships to the redemptive power of love.

• The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other)

  Author: Geoff Rodkey
  Publisher: Orion Children's
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10

  This fun illustrated report of the twins' argument will appeal to fans of Dork Diaries and Wimpy Kids. The humour and references are up-to-the-minute current.

• The Tapper Twins Run for President

  Author: Geoff Rodkey
  Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10-12

  The third installment in the hugely popular Tapper Twins series, this book doesn't disappoint. Full of quirky illustrations, photos, screenshots and interviews, it gives a hilarious and entertaining account of the Twins' battle to rule the school.

• The Tapper Twins Tear up New York

  Author: Geoff Rodkey
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  Wacky, fast-paced, silly and quite unique - The Tapper Twins Tear Up New York proves that once again, Geoff Rodkey knows exactly what a 13 year old wants to read about.

• The Templeton Twins Have an Idea

  Author: Ellis Weiner Illustrator: Jeremy Holmes
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  When John and Abigail Templeton are kidnapped, will their Professor father have to turn over his latest genius invention to the villains - or will the Templeton Twins manage to save the day?

• The Terrible Two

  Author: Mac Barnett and Jory John Illustrator: Kevin Cornell
  Publisher: Amulet
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9

  Mac Barnett has written some outstanding picture books and by teaming up author Jory John they had produced what must be an early contender for the funniest middle grade novel of the year.

• The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket

  Author: John Boyne Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: Corgi
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10+

  Barnaby Brocket has an unusual gift: he defies the law of gravity and floats. Embarassed by their child's 'abnormality', his parents set out to keep his feet on the ground.

• The Territory

  Author: Sarah Govett
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 13+

  This is a truly exceptional novel, exciting, gripping and intense, with relatable protagonists whose agonies become the reader’s own.

• The Territory: Escape

  Author: Sarah Govett
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  An action-packed sequel to its excellent precursor, Escape lets us see the feared Wetlands: the nightmare of all that live in The Territory, a protected community where limited space means only the academically 'best' can stay.

• The Territory: Truth

  Author: Sarah Govett
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 13-17
  Reading age: 10+

  This is the final instalment in a dystopian trilogy, set in a world where passing exams as a teenager is, quite literally, a matter of life and death.

• The Terror of Hilltop House

  Author: Dan Smith Illustrator: Chris King
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When something sinister escapes from Hilltop House scientific research centre, best friends Pete, Krish and Nancy must stop it before it reaches the village and destroys everything in its path.

• The Tiger Who Came to Tea

  Author: Judith Kerr
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay to tea.

• The Tiger Who Sleeps Under My Chair

  Author: Hannah Foley
  Publisher: Head of Zeus
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9-12

  In 1884, Emma Linden dreams of being a fossil hunter like her hero Mary Anning - but her world comes crashing down when her brother James becomes mysteriously ill. Meanwhile, in 2023, football-mad Jude finds a friend in Rosie Linden, who is plagued by visions of tigers and the need to protect the ones she loves.

• The Time of Green Magic

  Author: Hilary McKay
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Moving house is the last thing Abi needs. She has enough stress with her two annoying stepbrothers. What's more, odd things start to happen in their new home. An unsettling, magical thriller that leaves you unsure where reality ends and the supernatural begins.

• The Time Tider

  Author: Sinéad O’Hart
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Someone is stealing Lost Time and Mara must stop them and find her missing father, before it’s too late. Full of twists and turns, this gripping page turner, set in the Republic of Ireland, is an exhilarating and imaginative read.

• The Time Traveler's Wife

  Author:
  Publisher: Vintage
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  This extraordinary, magical novel is the story of Clare and Henry who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty.

• The Time Traveller and the Tiger

  Author: Tania Unsworth
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Elsie time travels back to India, where only she can stop her grandfather from killing a tiger.

• The Tin Snail

  Author: Cameron McAllister
  Publisher: Jonathan Cape
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  Loosely based on the story of the development of the 2CV, the story also touches on parental and romantic relationships.

• The Tindims of Rubbish Island

  Author: Sally Gardner Illustrator: Lydia Corry
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Combining eccentric characters, short chapters and lively illustrations, this delightful new series from a talented mother-daughter team is ideal for confident, independent readers

• The Tiny Seed

  Author: Eric Carle
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  In the autumn, flower seeds are blown up in the air and across the land. Some seeds are burned by the sun while others land on ice and die.

• The Toilet of Doom

  Author:
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  When a new interactive computer program works too well, Jiggy McCue and his friend Angie find, to their horror, that they have swapped bodies.

• The Tornado Chasers

  Author: Ross Montgomery
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  While this is an engaging, humorous story, with lively characters; it is also substantial in its reflection on what is more frightening: risking our lives or wasting them.

• The Touch Book: A Sensory Book To Explore

  Author: Nicola Edwards Illustrator: Thomas Elliott
  Publisher: Little Tiger
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  Little fingers explore fluffy, crinkly, bumpy, sticky, rough, and spongy surfaces in this beautifully presented touch-and-feel board book for very young children.

• The Train of Dark Wonders

  Author: Alex Bell
  Publisher: Rock the Boat
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A charming fantasy adventure, in which Bess travels to the Land of Halloween Sweets on a remarkable train meeting a host of peculiar people and creatures including a ghost cat, goblins, miniature mermaids with razor-sharp teeth and a tiny bat called Mish who enjoys swimming in jam.

• The Train to Impossible Places

  Author: P.G. Bell Illustrator: Flavia Sorrentino
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  When a huge magical train takes a shortcut through her downstairs hallway, Suzy Smith is drawn into a world of trolls, wormholes, and negotiable gravity. A fun adventure full of fantastical new ideas.

• The Train to Impossible Places: The Great Brain Robbery

  Author: P G Bell Illustrator: Flavia Sorrentino
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  The second in a series of fun fantasy adventures, set in a troll world where the scientific rules that govern our universe do not apply! The plot is a riotous trip from one impossible place to another. 

• The Traitor Game

  Author: B R Collins Illustrator: Peter Bailey
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 9+

  Set in two worlds, both real and fantasy, this intelligent and moving story of friendship, fear, misunderstanding and forgiveness, was awarded the Branford Boase Award.

• The Travels of Ermine: Trouble in New York

  Author: Jennifer Gray Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  Starring a resourceful and spirited young stoat, a friendly megabucks millionaire and his young son, two not-so-bright escaped jewellery thieves, a luggage mix-up, and an enormous, missing diamond, Trouble in New York is a fun, fast-paced adventure.

• The Traveller

  Author: Theresa Breslin Illustrator: Nelson Evergreen
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 6+

  Long ago, on a harsh winter’s night, a traveller stopped at an inn seeking directions to the castle of Aleslan.

• The Treasure of Pirate Frank

  Author: Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham Illustrator: Jez Tuya
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  

  This accessible, rhyming story gradually builds up as each new obstacle the main character encounters is added in, offering gentle repetition but without the story becoming actually repetitive.

• The Treekeepers

  Author: Kieran Larwood Illustrator: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  When a plague of rot and poison threatens their world, Liska and Lug are forced to undertake a perilous quest. A stunning, complex and wildly imaginative fantasy adventure.

• The Trilogy of Two

  Author: Juman Malouf
  Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  Fans of Philip Pullman’s sophisticated fantasy will love Juman Malouf’s intricate, strange world of urchin children in a shadowy world full of evil cats, mysterious spheres, circus performers and a remarkable cast of ragtag characters.

• The Troll

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  This fun and unusual picture book brings together two classic tales with a modern twist

• The True Colours of Coral Glen

  Author: Juliette Forrest
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Coral misses her grandmother and feels partly responsible for her death. Will the promise of one last conversation with Gran persuade her to make a pact with the ghostly guardian of her local cemetery? Deeply human, imaginatively supernatural and darkly comic.

• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

  Author: Jon Scieszka Illustrator: Lane Smith
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  What really happened to the three little pigs and the big bad wolf? Find out the truth in this hilarious picture book.

• The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean

  Author: David Almond
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Complex and difficult issues are reflected in both narrative style and content.

• The Truth about Celia Frost

  Author: Paula Rawsthorne
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  This gripping novel builds tension from the start and is sure to stay with readers long after they turn the last page

• The Truth About Martians

  Author: Melissa Savage
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Mylo Affinito knows there's no such things as Martians... until an alien spaceship crash lands near his family's farm! A funny, warm tale which delicately deals with issues of grief, depression and tolerance.

• The Truth About My Unbelievable School

  Author: Davide Cali Illustrator: Benjamin Chaud
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 5-7
  Reading age: 6+

  When Henry is asked to show a new pupil around the school, he takes her to see some rather fantastical things. A brilliantly quirky book, which is a quick read but still feels super cool.

• The Truth About Peacock Blue

  Author: Rosanne Hawke
  Publisher: Allen & Unwin
  Interest age: 13-16
  Reading age: 10+

  Set in contemporary Pakistan, this is a disturbing story - inspired by real-life events - in which a schoolgirl is accused of blasphemy and finds herself at the mercy of a brutal judicial system.

• The Truth According to Arthur

  Author: Tim Hopgood Illustrator: David Tazzyman
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Illustrations buzzing with energy graphically illustrate Arthur's conscience-filled wrestle with Truth - ingeniously portrayed as a small grey creature - in this wry, immediately recognisable cautionary tale about fibbing.

• The Truth Detective

  Author: Tim Harford Illustrator: Ollie Mann
  Publisher: Wren and Rook
  Interest age: 11+
  

  How to track down the truth in a world full of statistics, information overload and fake news 

• The Tulip Touch

  Author: Anne Fine
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Natalie befriends a loner called Tulip, who, from the start, displays some sinister character traits.

• The Tunnels Below

  Author: Nadine Wild-Palmer
  Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The Tunnels Below is a zippy and captivating read, full of cliffhanger chapter endings and inventive fantasy. Reminiscent of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this funny, clever and quirky tale is sure to keep middle-grade readers thrilled and entertained. 

• The Turkey That Voted for Christmas

  Author: Madeleine Cook Illustrator: Samara Hardy
  Publisher: Oxford
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Timmy the turkey sees things differently to the rest of his fellow birds - but can he persuade them to join his pro-Christmas campaign? A charming picture book about listening to different points of view.

• The Twelve Cats of Christmas

  Author: Alison Ritchie Illustrator: Marisa Morea
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  This rhyming, feline take on the twelve days of Christmas is a purr-fectly delightful countdown picture book that young animal lovers will adore. 

• The Twenty-Elephant Restaurant

  Author: Russell Hoban Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 8+

  This is sure to raise lots of giggles and become a firm favourite, especially this lovely new hardback edition, which would make the perfect gift.

• The Twin Giants

  Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  At the age of twenty and the height of eighteen feet, twin brothers Normus and Lottavim each decided to look for a wife.

• The Twirly Wiggly Dance

  Author: Farrah Riaz Illustrator: Navya Raju
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Will Intisar learn the correct dance in time for her auntie’s wedding? A lovely book that celebrates individuality. 

• The Twisted Tree

  Author: Rachel Burge
  Publisher: Hot Key Books
  Interest age: 14-18
  Reading age: 12+

  Martha’s life was turned upside down when following an accident, she became blind in one eye and discovers she has a strange ability. This atmospheric debut from Rachel Burge is a creepy thriller interweaved with Norse mythology that gets under your skin. 

• The Twistrose Key

  Author: Tone Almhjell
  Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9

  An exciting fantasy adventure with an 'always winter' world, human-sized animals, a missing prince and a brave heroine.

• The Twits

  Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  Mr and Mrs Twit are extremely nasty, so the Muggle-Wump monkeys and the Roly-Poly bird hatch an ingenious plan to give them just the ghastly surprise they deserve!

• The Two Jacks

  Author: Tony Bradman
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  When the new supply teacher muddles up Jack Baker, the Perfect Pupil, and Jack Barker, the Naughty Boy, the class wait with baited breath to see how the two boys will react...

• The Tzar’s Curious Runaways

  Author: Robin Scott-Elliot
  Publisher: Everything With Words
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This is a magical tale that immediately scoops up the unsuspecting reader to propel them on a breath-catching journey across snow-capped Russia. A thrilling page-turner, fusing historical fact with magic, mystical maps, wizards and wood spirits.

• The Thames and Tide Club: The Secret City

  Author: Katya Balen Illustrator: Rachael Dean
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Clem and her friends love mudlarking – but when they find a strange object by the shores of the River Thames, they discover a whole new secret world… Dive in to this fun, friendly new fiction series!

• The Thief of Farrowfell

  Author: Ravena Guron Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Jude is infuriated when she realises that the rare magic she has stolen to impress her criminal family is protected by a curse. Darkly humorous, with a myriad of magical twists and turns, this inventive novel is a thrilling read.

• The Thief who Sang Storms

  Author: Sophie Anderson Illustrator: Joanna Lisowiec
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Linnet and her father Nightingale are alkonosts: bird people who live on the floating island of Morovia. This beautifully written tale of a divided nation is loosely based on characters from a Russian folksong. It ultimately celebrates the power of friendship, trust and hope to reunify enemies and establish peace.

• The Thing About Jellyfish

  Author: Ali Benjamin
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  When Suzy's best friend drowns, there has to be a scientific reason that she can hold on to - and she tries to find an answer through her school project on jellyfish. A smart, interesting and memorable novel - Ali Benjamin is a name to watch.

• The Think-Ups!

  Author: Clare Alexander Illustrator: Clare Alexander
  Publisher: Walker
  Interest age: 4-6
  

  Bored sisters Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors on a rainy day. They decide
  to try out a new game – the Think Ups. The rules are simple, all you need to do
  is think up a Think-Up and it will appear. One at a time, they think up more
  and more Think-Ups until things get out of control. What can be done to stop
  the mayhem?

• The Thirteen Curses

  Author:
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 8+

  Red can see fairy creatures and most of them make trouble. Orphaned and sent to a children’s home, she discovers children are being stolen by fairies.

• The Thirteen Days of Christmas

  Author: Jenny Overton Illustrator: Shirley Hughes
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Since their mother died, Annaple has frustrated her younger siblings with her over-zealous housekeeping, and terrible cooking. Overton creates a delightful tale of a close-knit family.

• The Thirteenth Home of Noah Bradley

  Author: Amber Lee Dodd
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 10+

  Noah Bradley has moved home too many times to count, but this time he actually likes his new school and he wants to stay. What he doesn't want is the 'uncool' neighbour he's been seen with to ruin his newfound popularity, or the bad omens, freak weather events, and the deadly family curse that's followed him from town to town...

• The Thornthwaite Inheritance

  Author: Gareth P Jones
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Ovid and Lorelli Thornthwaite, come from a long line of murderers, or so they have been led to believe

• The Thousand Nights and One Night

  Author: David Walser (retold by) Illustrator: Jan Pienkowski
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8-11

  The Thousand Nights and One Night are full of classic tales of intrigue, trickery, love and magic. Retold by David Walser with spellbinding full-page illustrations by the inimitable Jan Pienkowski. 

• The Threads of Magic

  Author: Alison Croggon
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 9+

  When Pip picks a wealthy pocket and gets hold of a valuable silver box, he is both fascinated and horrified by what he finds inside. 

• The Three Little Pugs and the Big Bad Cat

  Author: Becky Davies Illustrator: Caroline Attia
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Using a photomontage style with pug photos alongside painted illustration makes this fun fairy-tale retelling stand out from other animal books, and plays on the current vogue for all things pug.

• The Thunk

  Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Deborah Allwright
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4+

  This is a fabulously funny picture book by the author of Ten Fat Sausages, brimming full of Michelle Robinson’s trademark silly humour. 

• The Ugly Duckling

  Author: Masumi Furukawa
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 4+

  Mother duck has six eggs. Round yellow ducklings hatch from five, but from the final one emerges something dark, big and awkward.

• The Ultimate Guide to Money

  Author: Emmanuel Asuquo Illustrator: Selom Sunu
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  

  A fabulous introduction to managing money for young people, providing fun and interactive education around finances and investment.

• The Unadoptables

  Author: Hana Tooke
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Milou and her friends have lived at the Little Tulip orphanage all their lives, doing back-breaking chores and eating watery cabbage soup under the watchful eye of the cruel Matron Gassbeek. But Milou is determined to find her real family - and time is running out...

• The Unbelievable Biscuit Factory

  Author: James Harris
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8-9

  A laugh-out-loud story that definitely doesn’t include orange fluffy monsters, a biscuit factory that’s actually a super-secret science lab and a judo-kicking superhero rabbit wearing glasses. Fast-moving, funny – and all-round fabooly.

• The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig

  Author: Emer Stamp
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  Pig is quite happy on the farm - until Duck reveals the terrible truth that Farmer doesn't love him at all and is simply fattening him up to become his dinner.

• The Uncracked Code

  Author: Tamara Macfarlane Illustrator: Eugene Ramirez Mapondera
  Publisher: Troika
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A missing comic sparks a superhero-inspired hunt to catch the criminal before a much-loved comic shop is taken over by developers. With its multicultural London setting and very current theme of gentrification, this is an interesting addition to bookshelves.

• The Undefeated

  Author: Kwame Alexander Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
  Publisher: Andersen press
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 8+

  An illustrated poem filled with stunning painted portraits, written to commemorate the birth of Alexander’s daughter and the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2008, The Undefeated remembers unforgettable, unafraid and unbowed, famous and overlooked figures from black history. While this is a book that would be best read with an adult who can give con…

• The Underwater Fancy-Dress Parade

  Author: Davina Bell Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
  Publisher: Scribe
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  A useful book for children who suffer with anxiety or shyness, but the gorgeous style will appeal to those with artistic eyes too.

• The Undrowned Child

  Author:
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 8+

  As a baby Teodora survived a boating accident which left her orphaned, and she now returns to Venice, where an encounter with a mysterious book takes her into a dystopian world.

• The Unexpected Find

  Author: Toby Ibbotson
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  This intriguing novel weaves together the stories of three seemingly disparate characters to create a rich tapestry of mystery, myth and adventure. Extremely unusual and beautifully written, this is a compelling and moving read. 

• The Unexpected Tale of the Bad Brothers

  Author: Clare Povey
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A madcap race around 1920s Paris to collect clues and ultimately bring down some truly despicable baddies.

• The Unfinished Angel

  Author: Sharon Creech
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A deceptively simple story about the nature of angels, full of wit, humour and insight.

• The UNICORNE Files - A Dark Inheritance

  Author:
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  A Dark Inheritance is an exciting start to a new series by Chris D'Lacey, who already has a big fan base for his Last Dragon Chronicles.

• The Universe's Greatest Dinosaur Jokes and Pre-Hysteric Puns

  Author: Artie Bennett
  Publisher: Sterling Publishing
  Interest age: 6-10
  Reading age: 6+

  The Universe's Greatest Dinosaur Jokes and Pre-Hysteric Puns sums it all up in its title: this is a book wholly, purely dedicated to teasing out all the possible punniness out of our prehistoric reptile friends. It's zany, it's silly, and perfect for the dino-obsessed.

• The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones

  Author: Will Mabbitt Illustrator: Ross Collins
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7

  Mabbit sprinkles his text with plenty of daringly naughty words, which will engage his readers.

• The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B

  Author: Teresa Toten
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  Teresa Toten has written a beautiful book which lovers of John Green are sure to enjoy. 

• The Unlikely Outlaws

  Author: Philip Ardagh
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 8

  Three cracking comic adventures about the Green Men of Gressingham, a rum bunch of outlaws living in the forest all dressed in…brown (because it hides the dirt better).

• The Unmorrow Curse

  Author: Jasmine Richards
  Publisher: Uclan Publishing
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9-11

  As Buzz and Mari walk home from school through Tangley Woods, they are astonished to find a woman bound to a tree with a magical rope. She is Sunna, Norse goddess of the sun and Sunday’s guardian, and has been captured by Loki, the trickster god.

• The Usborne Book of Night Time

  Author: Laura Cowan Illustrator: Bonnie Pang
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 5+

  This gorgeously illustrated book gives readers a sneak peek into some of the things that take place around the world when darkness descends.

• The Usborne Book of Nursery Rhymes

  Author: Editor: Caroline Hooper and Emma Danes
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 6months+
  Reading age: 3+

  A big collection of over forty rhymes to enjoy together.

• The Usborne Book of the Moon

  Author: Laura Cowan Illustrator: Diana Toledano
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Where is the moon? How old is it? How big is it? Does anything grow there? Is it made of cheese? Aimed at mid-Primary aged children, this attractive book covers a variety of topics connected to the moon, both scientific and mythological. 

• The Usborne Official Astronaut's Handbook

  Author: Louie Stowell
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 9+

  This is a fun, fact-packed and practical guide to launching your interstellar career!

• The Valley of Lost Secrets

  Author: Lesley Parr
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Jimmy and his little brother have been evacuated to a sleepy village in Wales to escape the bombs falling on London. When they find a mysterious artefact hidden in a tree, they begin to unravel its secrets.

• The Vanishing Lake

  Author: Paddy Donnelly
  Publisher: O’Brien Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Can Maera and Grandad solve the mystery of the vanishing lake? A lovely starting point for chats about imagination and amazing natural phenomena, with gorgeous illustrations to pore over.

• The Vanishing of Katharina Linden

  Author: Helen Grant
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  This unusual crime novel is both gripping and haunting, and builds to an unforgettable ending.

• The Variety of Life

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Lorna Scobie
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Did you know there are 400,000 species of beetle but only eight species of bear? Jam-packed with fun facts and figures, this is a glorious celebration of our world by non-fiction specialist Nicola Davies.

• The Velvet Fox

  Author: Catherine Fisher
  Publisher: Firefly Press
  Interest age: 10-13
  Reading age: 10+

  A creepy and unsettling tale of faerie folk, revenge and a sinister soft toy, set in the Victorian era.

• The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real

  Author: Margery Williams Illustrator: Sarah Massini   
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Since 1922, The Velveteen Rabbit has grabbed the hearts of families everywhere. It's the story of a toy rabbit who becomes 'Real' through a little boy's love - and a lovely reminder for children to keep believing in magic and imagination and hope.

• The Versatile Reptile

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Abbie Cameron
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Reptiles are amazing! Find out more in this simple nature picture book with a rhyming refrain.

• The Very Busy Spider

  Author: Eric Carle
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  One morning in a farmyard a spider begins to spin a web. All the animals try to persuade her to stop but she doesn't answer any of them; she is too busy spinning her web.

• The Very Dizzy Dinosaur

  Author:
  Publisher: Caterpillar Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  All children love dinosaurs, and this book introduces eight of the best in an engaging and exciting way

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar

  Author: Eric Carle
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Little fingers will love to follow the very hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through the pages of this classic, colourful, interactive picture book.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Hide & Seek

  Author: Eric Carle
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 1-4
  

  An interactive board book with cut-out finger trails and sturdy flaps that encourage youngsters to explore the forest in the company of the very hungry caterpillar.

• The Very Merry Murder Club

  Author: Various authors Editor: Serena Patel and Robin Stevens Illustrator: Harry Woodgate
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Featuring stories by Elle McNicoll, Joanna Williams, Maisie Chan, Patrice Lawrence, Roopa Farooki, Serena Patel and Sharna Jackson, this is a festive treat of a book for all young mystery lovers: perfect with a cup of hot chocolate and a cosy chair.

• The Vicar of Nibbleswicke

  Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This is the highly amusing tale of Reverend Lee, who does not realise that his dyslexia is affecting his sermons.

• The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case Of Grave Danger

  Author: Sophie Cleverly
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  When a dead boy seems to come back to life, Violet Veil is fearless and determined in her pursuit of truth and justice in this exciting, Victorian, gothic mystery. 

• The Visible Sounds

  Author: Yin Jianling Illustrator: Yu Rong Translator: Filip Selucky
  Publisher: UCLan Publishing
  Interest age: 4-8
  

  A two-year-old girl loses her hearing as a result of illness. At first, little MiLi feels frustrated, tearful and cross. Then one day she realises that "sound" is not just something you hear – it can be touched, seen and felt within the body. A thought-provoking and multi-faceted depiction of deafness. 

• The Voyage of Sam Singh

  Author: Gita Ralleigh
  Publisher: Zephyr
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A thrilling historical adventure quest, with elements of magic realism, set in a fictionalised version of colonial India and exploring aspects of imperialism and the exploitation of indigenous peoples. 

• The Waggiest Tails

  Author: Brian Moses and Roger Stevens Illustrator: Ed Boxall
  Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7+

  This slim book manages to pack in a lot of poems and they’re all about dogs. Covering every canine topic, from smells to snacks and sticks, there are short silly rhymes and longer poems and verse to enjoy.

• The Walking School Bus

  Author: Aaron Friedland and Ndileka Mandela with an afterword by Julian Lennon Illustrator: Andrew Jackson Obol
  Publisher: Greystone Kids
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  How can Shaka and Nandi walk to school safely? Their ingenuity and hardy spirits will find a way. This gorgeous picture book will spark conversations about other countries and resilience.

• The Wall

  Author:
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 11+

  Living in a divided city, 13-year-old Joshua discovers a tunnel that leads under The Wall and into unknown territory.

• The Wall in the Middle of the Book

  Author: Jon Agee
  Publisher: Scallywag Press
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Jon Agee is a well-known picture book author-illustrator in the US and this deceptively simple concept about walls, and what they keep in and out, is exceptionally well executed. A thought-provoking, topical book about relating to others.

• The Walled City

  Author: Ryan Graudin
  Publisher: Indigo
  Interest age: 16+
  Reading age: 14+

  The Walled City tells a powerful story about trust, family, and hope.

• The War Next Door

  Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  The War Next Door turns its focus to Masher, the bully of Storey Street. Part of the Storey Street series, Phil Earle's book has all the usual wit, pace, fun and silliness - but also gives a nicely rounded perspective on bullies.

• The Way Back Home

  Author: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  The boy from How to Catch a Star and Lost and Found returns for a third adventure, this time discovering an aeroplane in his cupboard.

• The Way of Dog

  Author: Zana Fraillon
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  If you have ever wondered what goes on in a dog’s mind, this verse novel could be the closest you ever come to finding out! Be prepared to feel angry, sad, vengeful and elated – and maybe even to cry just a bit.

• The Way Past Winter

  Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  Mila lives alone with her sisters and brother in a land where a harsh winter came the year her father disappeared. When her brother vanishes too, Mila sets out on a dangerous journey. A thrilling adventure with the feel of a beautiful modern-day fairytale. 

• The Way to Treasure Island

  Author: Lizzy Stewart
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Matilda is determined to find the treasure on a nearby island - but her Dad is far too disorganised! A lovely picture book about appreciating differences in others and working as a team.

• The Way to the Zoo

  Author: John Burningham
  Publisher: Red Fox
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Sylvie notices a door in the wall of her bedroom that leads to a zoo. Even more unexpectedly, the animals want to come back to Sylvie’s room with her. This bewitching and yet simple imaginative story taps into the dreamlike thoughts of children.

• The Ways of the Wolf

  Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Jonathan Woodward
  Publisher: Wren & Rook
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A big, stunning hardback that pays tribute to a misunderstood animal: the wolf. There's a nice middle-ground, conservational message here that the wolf is just looking to survive, like everything else – including us.

• The Weather Girls

  Author: Sarah Webb
  Publisher: O’Brien
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  When a German fighter plane crashes nearby, Grace saves the pilot’s life. But she will play an even greater part in World War II than she realises. Sheds light on an unusual part of wartime history. 

• The Weaver

  Author: Qian Shi
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Stanley the spider is an imaginative creature who loves collecting things to incorporate into his beautifully woven web. This stunning book is sure to captivate young readers with an interest in wildlife and creativity.

• The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag

  Author: Alan Bradley
  Publisher: Orion Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Intricate plotting and plenty of wry humour

• The Week At World’s End

  Author: Emma Carroll
  Publisher: Faber
  Interest age: 11-13
  Reading age: 9+

  Against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Stevie finds a girl hiding in her garden shed. A personal, inspiring story of injustice and courage set against the backdrop of dramatic global events.

• The Weight of Water

  Author: Sarah Crossan
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 9+

  This beautiful book is written in verse and captures 13-year-old Kasienka’s emotions and experiences perfectly

• The Weird Friends Fan Club

  Author: Catherine Wilkins
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 10+

  Grace micro-manages her life and friends to make sure her online identity is super-attractive and super-cool (#blessed). Written as diary entries, emails and texts, Grace and Erin’s story is unpredictable, revealing and very funny. 

• The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

  Author: Alan Garner
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  First published in 1960, Alan Garner's fantasy adventure follows Colin and Susan, who come to stay in a lonely farm in the eerie rural landscape of Cheshire's Alderley Edge.

• The Whale Watchers

  Author: Dougie Poynter Illustrator: Amberin Huq
  Publisher: Owlet Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Can Finn and his new friend Skye save the beached minke whale? A charming story about how you can make a difference to the planet, no matter how small you are.

• The Whales on the Bus

  Author: Katrina Charman Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  Most of us might know the nursery rhyme The Wheels on the Bus, but what if there were two whales in a double decker, driven by a goldfish? Or a tiger in a glider – or a sheep in a jeep? A hilarious and gorgeously illustrated update on the best-loved nursery rhyme.

• The Wheel of Surya

  Author: Jamila Gavin
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 9+

  A story of adventure, trauma and courage set in India and England against a backdrop of imperialism, a world war and the violent unrest that followed the partition of India. 

• The Whisper

  Author: Bali Rai
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Credible, hardhitting and couched in the street language for which he is well-known, this will be welcomed by fans of Rai's fiction.

• The Whisperer

  Author: Nick Butterworth Illustrator: Nick Butterworth
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 5+

  This fabulous new title from bestselling author-illustrator and former Kate Greenaway medal winner, Nick Butterworth, has been dubbed 'a feline West Side Story'.

• The Whisperling

  Author: Hayley Hoskins Illustrator: Kristina Kister
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Set in 1897, this spooky tale centres around twelve-year-old Peggy Devona, whose parents run an undertaking business on the outskirts of Bristol. Peggy is a Whisperling, someone who can speak to the dead. She is careful to hide her gift, as many folk are suspicious of such skills, particularly the vindictive vicar, Reverend Silas Tate.

• The Whispers

  Author: Greg Howard
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  The Whispers is one of those compelling, slippery books that shifts in tone and genre as you read along – moving from magic and mystery into a sensitive and compelling look at trauma, bereavement and pre-teen sexuality. 

• The Whisperwicks

  Author: Jordan Lees
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 10+

  In this haunting fantasy adventure, a parallel world is ruled by a terrible monster and citizens are controlled by fear and a legion of masked Hanged Men. 

• The White Darkness

  Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  Introspective 14-year-old Symone is obsessed with Antarctica but when her 'Uncle' Victor takes her to the land of ice, the journey soon turns into a nightmare of madness and death.

• The White Fox

  Author: Jackie Morris
  Publisher: Conkers/Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 6-12
  Reading age: 8-12

  A wonderful story about family and belonging, The White Fox is also a magical book about our spiritual connection to animals and nature, enhanced by Jackie Morris's beautiful paintings.

• The White Giraffe

  Author: Lauren St John Illustrator: David Dean
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  Devastated by her parents' death, Martine is sent to South Africa and a grandmother she didn't know existed. When she glimpses the legendary white giraffe one night, the connection between them is instantaneous.

• The White Hare

  Author: Michael Fishwick Illustrator: Emma Ewbank
  Publisher: Zephyr (Head of Zeus)
  Interest age: 11-14
  Reading age: 11+

  Robbie is what many people would call a troubled boy, since his mum died and he moved to the countryside. Then he is introduced to the local lore of the white hare. A magical and thoughtful tale about the rifts that occur in families and friendships.

• The White Tower

  Author: Cathryn Constable
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 11-13
  Reading age: 10+

  Following her best friend's death, Livy joins a school founded by an ancestor with potentially dangerous scientific ideas. Livy's journey through grief - quite literally facing her demons - is a winning combination of science, fantasy and emotion.

• The Wicked Deep

  Author: Shea Ernshaw
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 14-17
  Reading age: 10+

  The Swan sisters have been dead for almost two centuries but their vengeful spirits return to the town of Sparrow every summer, and lure innocent young men to their deaths. A thrilling, threatening mix of ghost story and murder mystery.

• The Wicked Tricks of Till Owlyglass

  Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Fritz Wegner
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 8+

  Atmospheric pen and ink illustrations show how Till's clever tricks made people laugh and cry, made him very rich as well as very poor and did a good job of exposing cheats and charlatans.

• The Wickford Doom

  Author: Chris Priestley
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Harry and his mum have just inherited Wickford Hall from his father's family. They know it's a grand house by the sea, but when they arrive, what they find is not what they were expecting. This is an atmospheric and gripping mystery story.

• The Wild Before

  Author: Piers Torday
  Publisher: Quercus
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  Little Hare’s story is a prequel to the environmental and animal-focused series that began with The Last Wild. Although the story's a sad one, this is a uniquely enjoyable book.

• The Wild Book

  Author: Juan Villoro Translator: Lawrence Schimel
  Publisher: Restless Books
  Interest age: 10-14
  Reading age: 10+

  When Juan goes to spend the summer with his strange uncle Tito, the last thing he expects is to be sent on a quest in his labyrinthine library. This quirky, magical adventure is a must for book-lovers everywhere.

• The Wild Folk

  Author: Sylvia V Linsteadt
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 10+

  When the City's stargold starts running out, the leaders are set on destroying everything to find more – including the countryside and the reclusive Wild Folk. Magic and mythology combine in this breathtaking adventure story with an environmental theme. 

• The Wild Girl

  Author: Chris Wormell
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 6+

  A little stone age girl and her dog live alone in a cave on a mountainside. One snowy winter night they discover that a bear has visited their home.

• The Wild Life of Animals

  Author: Mike Barfield Illustrator: Paula Bossio
  Publisher: Buster Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Brilliantly entertaining and informative, this guide to wild animals is a must-read for all nature fans. Told in comic style, with dialogue from the animals themselves, it’s great fun.

• The Wild Life of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals: The Amazing Lives of Earth’s Earliest Animals

  Author: Mike Barfield Illustrator: Paula Bossio
  Publisher: Buster Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  

  In this fabulous comic-style book, readers can go back in time and meet many of Earth’s previous occupants from prehistoric times.

• The Wild Robot

  Author: Peter Brown
  Publisher: Piccadilly Press
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  Robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time on a remote island. She has no idea what her purpose is, apart from to survive. This book is a meditation on what it is to be human but also an incredibly fun adventure. A modern-day classic in the making.

• The Wild Way Home

  Author: Sophie Kirtley
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A thrilling time-slip adventure in which a scared boy runs into an ancient forest and falls into the Stone Age.

• The Wilderness War

  Author:
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  For Noah and his friends, the empty lot in front of their houses is incredibly special - and they will fight to keep it. An enjoyable tale of friendship, bravery and hope.

• The Wildest Cowboy

  Author: Garth Jennings Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  The Wild West isn’t usually a setting for many picture books (at least in the UK), which seems a shame based on this riotous, colourful adventure, which fuses the joy of fancy dress with the dusty remoteness of a pioneer town. 

• The Wildstorm Curse

  Author: Eve Wersocki Morris
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Kallie and her new friends at theatre camp must fight an ancient evil. This thrilling and action-packed story celebrates unlikely yet worthy heroes, like Kallie, who is dyslexic but loves stories.

• The Wind in the Willows

  Author: Kenneth Grahame Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 8+

  Follow the adventures of Mole, Ratty and Toad in this beautiful new edition of a much-loved classic, illustrated by David Roberts.

• The Wind Singer

  Author: William Nicholson
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 11+

  This is a stunningly original fantasy, set in the mythical city of Aramanth, where every hosehold is judged solely on its members' ability to perform in examinations.

• The Windvale Sprites

  Author: MacKenzie Crook
  Publisher: Faber and Faber
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 10+

  Acclaimed actor Mackenzie Crook has written this beguiling fantasy about an undiscovered magical species and a boy’s quest to help them

• The Winner's Curse

  Author: Marie Rutkoski
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 8+

  The first in the Winner's Trilogy, this is a skilfully woven story of intrigue, action and romance. A clever mix of historical fiction and fantasy, this is a gripping and engrossing read.

• The Winter Place

  Author: Alexander Yates
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 12+

  The line between family drama and folklore fantasy is blurred in this unique story of two orphaned siblings. Each is trying to get back some sense of a family after they are forced to move to Finland. 

• The Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valour

  Author: Ally Carter
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  April and her new friends find themselves in the Winterborne Home for orphans - but there's more to the Winterborne history than meets the eye.  A thrilling mystery for whodunnit fans looking for their next Nancy Drew.

• The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice

  Author: Rachel Chivers Khoo Illustrator: Rachel Sanson
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Can Felix and his new friend the wishkeeper stop a monster from destroying everyone’s happiness? A delightfully charming and perfectly plotted adventure that packs a real emotional punch.

• The Witch of Salt and Storm

  Author: Kendall Kulper
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  A powerful, passionate fantasy, exploring a female dynasty facing age-old, yet surprisingly familiar, conflicts between expectation, tradition and personal desire.

• The Witch of Turlingham Academy

  Author: Ellie Boswell
  Publisher: Atom
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 8-12

  The Witch of Turlingham Academy is full of mystery and magic, and a very cute squirrel called Gally. With themes of friendship, loyalty and breaking down barriers, it’s an enjoyable start to a new fantasy series. 

• The Witches

  Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Real witches disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise.

• The Witches: The Graphic Novel

  Author: Roald Dahl and Pénélope Bagieu
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Pénélope Bagieu updates Roald Dahl's classic story in this brilliant graphic novel, bursting with character and full of fun.

• The Witchling's Wish

  Author: Lu Fraser Illustrator: Sarah Massini
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 4-6
  

  Lu Fraser and Sarah Massini’s warm, magical and sweet story about friendship and kindness has a witchy theme, but more than anything it’s about the enchantment that occurs when we make a new friend. 

• The Witch's Boy

  Author: Kelly Barnhill
  Publisher: Piccadilly
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  A classic fantasy tour de force, this riveting adventure story is deep with meaning and yet an accessible read, both intelligent and fun and with beautiful writing that never gets in the way of the plot. 

• The Witch's Children Go to School

  Author: Ursula Jones Illustrator: Russell Ayto
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  It's Gemma's first day day school and she's scared, so the witch's children turn her into an ogre to give her courage. But school is no place for an ogre, so what do you think the witch's children do next?

• The Wizard in My Shed

  Author: Simon Farnaby Illustrator: Claire Powell
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Medieval magic meets a 21st century TV talent show when a vengeful warlock, an ordinary girl and a talking guinea pig are thrown together by a miscast spell. 

• The Wizards and the Whale

  Author: Anthinula Tori Illustrator: Jean Tori
  Publisher: Jean Tori Books
  Interest age: 4-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Wizards from 12 different kingdoms discover that Earth needs their help and send a message to children worldwide in this beautiful picture book with an environmental theme.

• The Wizards of Once

  Author: Cressida Cowell
  Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Wish is a girl from a warrior tribe and Xar is a boy from a wizard tribe, living in a world loosely based on Ancient Britain at the beginning of the Iron Age, but where magic is real. A fabulously imaginative, funny and unpredictable adventure. 

• The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times

  Author: Cressida Cowell
  Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  This is the third book in the Wizards of Once series, set 3,000 years ago in an ancient magical time. Knock Three Times is thrilling, fast-paced, funny, sad, scary and philosophical, and full of inspiration for children on how to find inner strength in crisis.

• The Wizards of Once: Never and Forever

  Author: Cressida Cowell
  Publisher: Hodder
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Wish and Xar face one last battle as Cressida Cowell's Wizards of Once series comes to a close in this compelling, mesmerising and captivating final instalment.

• The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic

  Author: Cressida Cowell
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  The sequel to the glorious The Wizards of Once picks up almost exactly where we left it – and it's just as thrilling, gorgeously written and illustrated. Prepare to get totally drawn into a magical world.

• The Wizerd! and the Potion of Dreams

  Author: Michael Sweater and Rachel Dukes
  Publisher: ONI Press (Diamond Phil)
  Interest age: 8-10
  Reading age: 8+

  A wizard has to make a strength potion for a princess - or else! So they set off together on a madcap quest to gather ingredients. A tongue in cheek magical adventure for fans of Adventure Time (one of the creators worked for Cartoon Network).

• The Woebegone Twins

  Author: Christopher William Hill
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  

  You are taken on the adventures of a life time with the Mortenberg twins Felix and Greta and with them encounter witches, befriend monsters and watch them become heroes in their own story. The reader is drawn in in by the lure of gingerbread and hot chocolate.

• The Wolf Princess

  Author: Cathryn Constable
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 10+

  Lost on a school trip to Russia, Sophie and her friends are rescued by the beautiful Princess Anna Volonskaya, who whisks them away to her crumbling yet magnificent Winter Palace.

• The Wolf Wilder

  Author: Katherine Rundell
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  

  When the murderous hostility of the Russian Army threatens her very existence, Feo is left with no option but to go on the run. What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, about standing up for the things you love and fighting back. And, of course, wolves.

• The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse

  Author: Mac Barnett Illustrator: Jon Klassen
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  With a resolution reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, this surreal and hilarious picture book could only come from the brilliant pairing of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.

• The Wolf's Secret

  Author: Myriam Dahman & Nicolas Digard Illustrator: Julia Sarda
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A wolf in the forest becomes enchanted by the sound of a young woman singing, and promises to tell her his stories in exchange for her music. This stunningly illustrated folk-tale style story is surely one of the most beautiful books you’ll read. 

• The Wolves in the Walls

  Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Dave McKean
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  When Lucy hears noises in the walls of her home, she tries to warn her family that the wolves are coming. However, they do not heed her warnings – until it is too late.

• The Wolves of Currumpaw

  Author: William Grill
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 10+

  In New Mexico in the late 1800s, the wolves that had once roamed the landscape of the Old West were becoming scarce because of the rising number of settlers to the area. 

• The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

  Author: Joan Aiken
  Publisher: Vintage
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  There are wolves outside the walls of Willoughby Chase, but for cousins Bonnie and Sylvia, the real danger lies inside.

• The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

  Author: Tamora Pierce
  Publisher: Atheneum Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  The newly knighted Alanna of Trebond has set off for the desert of Tortall, yet once she reaches the desert plains she is captured by the Bloody Hawk Tribe.

• The Woman Who Won Things

  Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  When Mrs Gaskitt hits a winning streak, she starts to receive prizes - large and small - non-stop, and begins to long for her old, less lucky self.

• The Wombles

  Author: Elisabeth Beresford Illustrator: Nick Price
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  A wayward umbrella, a life-like snowman and a landslide with a near-miss make young Womble Bungo’s first year out of the burrow a very exciting one indeed.

• The Wonder Brothers

  Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 8+

  A funny, glitter-spangled, mystery thriller for anyone who likes a dose of danger with their magic.

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

  Author: L Frank Baum Illustrator: Robert R. Ingpen
  Publisher: Templar
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 9+

  First published in 1900, this children's classic is still popular. Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves in the strange land of Oz after a cyclone hits her Aunt and Uncle's house in Kansas.

• The Wonderful World of Water: From Dams to Deserts

  Author: Sarah Garré and Marijke Huysmans Illustrator: Wendy Panders
  Publisher: Prestel
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Humans would not survive on Earth without water. But what is it exactly, and how do planet Earth’s weather and environments cycle water around so that we always have it? How does urine get cleaned up and put back into rivers and oceans? How do plants take water out of the ground, how do dams work, and what is the future of water in the world? 

• The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince

  Author: Ian Eagleton Illustrator: Davide Ortu
  Publisher: Owlet Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Kai the lonely woodcutter meets the cursed Snow Prince – but can they ever be friends?

• The Word Bird

  Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Abbie Cameron
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Davies and Cameron ably depict the sheer variety of the feathered world accessibly for little ones, conveying a sense of wonder and joy. There's a fun little puzzle at the end, too!

• The Wordsmith

  Author: Patricia Forde
  Publisher: Little Island Books
  Interest age: 13-17
  Reading age: 11+

  Letta is a Wordsmith: responsible for handing out words to people who need them, she has never questioned why language is rationed. This post-apocalyptic thriller is full of jeopardy, nail-biting tension and some profound themes.

• The World Beneath

  Author: Janice Warman
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  This short novel could introduce an important part of our very recent history, apartheid in South Africa, for the first time to many children.

• The World in Infographics: Animal Kingdom

  Author: John Richards and Ed Simkins
  Publisher: Wayland
  Interest age: 8-12
  Reading age: 7+

  Marvel at amazing facts about the world of animals - all visualised in beautifully designed infographics and graphic organisers.

• The World of Norm

  Author: Jonathan Meres Illustrator: Donough O’Malley
  Publisher: Orchard Books
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  A funny illustrated book likely to find favour with fans of Wimpy Kid, Big Nate and Tom Gates.

• The World of Peter Rabbit: Hide and Seek!

  Author: Rachel Bright Illustrator: Nicola Kinnear
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Everyone’s favourite rabbit in a blue jacket is back – and this time, he’s using all of his ingenuity to outwit his old enemy, Mr Tod the fox.

• The World of the Unknown: All About Monsters

  Author: Carey Miller Illustrator: David Jefferis
  Publisher: Usborne
  Interest age: 8-11
  Reading age: 8+

  First published in 1977, this new edition of a classic pictures book introduces a range of monster phenomena, from the Loch Ness monster to the Minotaur and Medusa of the Greek legends, and its delightfully ghoulish and vivid illustrations are just as likely to appeal to young readers now.

• The World to Come

  Author: Robert Macfarlane & Johnny Flynn Illustrator: Emily Sutton
  Publisher: Magic Cat
  Interest age: 3-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Based on meditative walks that Johnny Flynn took with his son during lockdown, this lyrical book explores nature and evokes a sense of hope as its characters muse on the promise of a world to come. 

• The World’s First Rollercoaster and Other Amazing Inventions

  Author: Mike Barfield Illustrator: Franziska Höllbacher
  Publisher: Templar Books
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  Find out the stories behind some of the world’s most important inventions in this funny, comic style, illustrated non-fiction book. 

• The World’s Most Pointless Animals

  Author: Philip Bunting
  Publisher: Happy Yak
  Interest age: 6-9
  Reading age: 7+

  From sugar gliders to red-lipped batfish, this collection of strange and unusual animals from around the world is an enjoyable factfile with lovely illustrations and an amusing read thanks to its rogue narrator, who shares jokey facts and silly names for each animal.

• The World’s Worst Children 2

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 7-12
  Reading age: 8+

  A wicked selection of Walliams’ Dahl-esque stories with wonderful illustrations from the multi-award-winning Tony Ross. Reading about these beastly brats, parents may decide their kids are quite angelic, after all…

• The World-Famous Cheese Shop Break-in

  Author: Sean Taylor Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  When Daddypops and his two baby rats discover a cheese shop even stinkier than ancient socks, there is only one thing for it…they have to break in! A comical story, with hilarious illustrations, that's perfect for reading out loud.

• The Worries: Shara and the Really Big Sleepover

  Author: Jion Sheibani
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6-8

  Shara’s mum is going away for a couple of days with her netball team, and so Shara and her little brother Keita are going to stay with her grandfather Baba while she’s away. The thing is, Shara doesn’t want to admit it, but she’s actually quite worried about Mum being away. 

• The Worries: Sohal Finds A Friend

  Author: Jion Sheibani
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  Sohal's worries dominate his life - so much so that he has to carry them around in his school bag to avoid them being seen! A light-hearted tale tackling the subject of anxiety in an accessible, encouraging way.

• The Worry Jar

  Author: Lou John Illustrator: Jenny Bloomfield
  Publisher: Oxford
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Frida is a bit of a worrier. She worries what clothes to wear to go out, whose table to sit at at school, the peas on her plate and she definitely worries about swimming. What if there’s a shark in the pool?

• The Worry Website

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson
  Publisher: Random House
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 7+

  A Jacqueline Wilson title popular with boys and girls alike that deals with the issues children can have. Good for children to read by themselves but also a good chapter-a-night or read-aloud book.

• The Worst Class in the World

  Author: Joanna Nadin Illustrator: Rikin Parekh
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 6+

  This fabulous book for independent junior readers contains two side-splitting stories about the escapades of the colourful characters of Class 4B, dubbed ‘literally the worst class in the world’ by headteacher Mrs Bottomley-Blunt. 

• The Worst Class in the World Dares You!

  Author: Joanna Nadin Illustrator: Rikin Parekh
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  This is the third book in a hilarious series about the disorderly pupils of Class 4B, labelled 'the worst class in the world' by their brusque headteacher. With two side-splittingly funny short stories, it will delight mischievous children and strike fear into all teachers.

• The Worst Children's Jobs in History

  Author: Tony Robinson
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9-12

  This book will tell you things you probably didn't want to know about the back-breaking realities of being a child in the past.

• The Worst Girlfriend in the World

  Author: Sarra Manning
  Publisher: ATOM
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Set in a northern seaside town, this is a funny, smart story of the ups-and-downs of teenage friendship.

• The Worst Princess

  Author: Anna Kemp Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  With a rhyming text by Anna Kemp and delightfully humorous illustrations by Sara Ogilvie, this entertaining picture book offers a refreshingly tongue-in-cheek spin on the conventional fairy tale princess.

• The Worst Thing About My Sister

  Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt  
  Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  Sisters Marty and Melissa just about manage to get along until they are forced to share a bedroom. Soon they are fighting every day, and to make things worse, Marty finds herself in trouble at school too.

• The Worst Witch

  Author: Jill Murphy
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Long before Harry Potter first went to Hogwarts, trainee witch Mildred Hubble embarked on life at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches...

• The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star

  Author: Jill Murphy
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Lovable but disaster-prone trainee witch Mildred Hubble returns in this delightful story from much-loved author and illustrator Jill Murphy.

• The Worst Witch Saves The Day

  Author: Jill Murphy
  Publisher: Penguin
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Mildred Hubble returns for her third year at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, with her faithful (if not exactly broomstick friendly) cat Tabby at her side.

• The Worst Witch to the Rescue

  Author: Jill Murphy
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 6+

  Mildred Hubble is actually looking forward to the new term at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. Her holiday proect can’t fail to impress Miss Hardbroom, her form teacher...

• The Wrong Kind of Bark

  Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Garry Parsons
  Publisher: Farshore
  Interest age: 5+
  Reading age: 7+

  When asked to bring things in for the nature table, Finlay gets the wrong end of the stick. But it’s when he brings in the wrong kind of bark that the chaos really begins!

• The Wrong Pong

  Author: Steven Butler Illustrator: Chris Fisher
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 9+

  Full of mischievous fun, wonderful language and fantastic characters, this hilarious story about the anarchic troll world will have you snorting with laughter

• The Wrong Shoes

  Author: Tom Percival
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Will and his dad don’t have much, and when there’s the chance to make easy money, Will must make a difficult decision. Moving and gritty, this is a fantastic read. 

• The Wrong Side of the Galaxy

  Author: Jamie Thomson
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Funny, fast-paced and comical, this is the first of a new series about the resourceful Harry.

• The Year of the Rat

  Author: Clare Furniss
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  This unflinching portrait of a teenage girl dealing with the death of a parent is an enormously compelling read.

• The Yes

  Author: Sarah Bee Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
  Publisher: Anderson Press
  Interest age: 4+
  Reading age: 6+

  Stunning illustrations complement this quirky story to encourage reluctant adventurers to overcome their anxieties and grasp life with both hands.

• The Yoga Game: By the sea

  Author: Kathy Beliveau Illustrator: Denise Holmes
  Publisher: Simply Read Books
  Interest age: 3-7
  

  This is a lovely and imaginative way to get children stretching into gentle yoga poses. It takes parts of a seaside scene - boats, ocean, fish - as inspiration and uses a 'What am I?' guessing game to keep things fun.

• The Yoga Ogre

  Author: Peter Bently Illustrator: Simon Rickerty
  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 5+

  Ogden is a very large ogre whose jim-jams have become mysteriously small. To help him fit back into them, his friends suggest he takes up a sport. But finding the right one proves tricky...

• The Young Inferno

  Author: John Agard Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 12+

  John Agard’s mash up of Dante’s Inferno and Aesop’s Fables, with quirky and sometimes horror-influenced illustrations from Satoshi Kitamura, takes young readers through the circles of Hell in an abbreviated version of 13 poem-chapters

• The Young Magicians and the 24 Hour Telepathy Plot

  Author: Nick Mohammed Illustrator: Noémie Gionet Landry
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Young Magicians Zack, Sophie, Jonny and Alex return in this magic-infused crime caper. In their previous adventure, the children saved the Magic Circle from financial ruin when they secured a generous donation from the Queen, after foiling a plot to steal the crown jewels.

• The Young Magicians and the Thieves’ Almanac

  Author: Nick Mohammed
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  Comedian and real-life magician Nick Mohammed weaves together an action-packed and laugh-filled adventure, while at the same writing a heart-felt love letter to a childhood obsession with magic.

• The Young World

  Author: Chris Weitz
  Publisher: Atom
  Interest age: 16+
  Reading age: 15+

  Although this may not be the first time a post-apocalyptic, teenage-run world has been written about, it is one of the best in the genre.

• The Zebra’s Great Escape

  Author: Katherine Rundell Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Can Mink save Gabriel the zebra’s parents from the evil Mr Spit? A beautifully illustrated longer picture book, perfect for animal lovers.

• The Zombie Project

  Author: Alice Nuttall
  Publisher: Chicken House
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Merian’s mum Gwen studies and protects zombies, but an unexpected zombie outbreak plunges them both into extreme danger. This highlyoriginal, dystopian novel is a thrilling and thought-provoking read.  

• The Zoological Times

  Author: Stella Gurney Illustrator: Matthew Hodson
  Publisher: Lincoln Children's
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 8+

  The Zoological Times is laid out like a newspaper and jam-packed with news, fun facts and interactive features. It's all kept light and is very, very funny. It's s a brilliant way to keep kids entertained in the holidays – and they won't even realise they're learning. 

• Then

  Author: Morris Gleitzman
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 11+
  Reading age: 10+

  Then opens with Felix and Zelda running for their lives from a train taking them to a concentration camp.

• Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters

  Author: Jordan Kopy Illustrator: Chris Jevons
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  Theodora Hendrix is a human raised by monsters - but when she reaches ten years old, and ominous letters start arriving threatening to expose her family's secret, Theodora takes matters into her own hands! A gruesomely funny, spooky mystery.

• Theodore Boone

  Author: John Grisham
  Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth.

• There Are Birds Everywhere

  Author: Britta Teckentrup
  Publisher: Big Picture Press
  Interest age: 6-11
  Reading age: 7+

  A beautiful book that is full of facts about birds and their amazing variety and skills.

• There are Cats in this Book

  Author: Viviane Schwarz
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  The cats investigate boxes, play with wool and snuggle down under pillows and blankets, with much of the action revealed under the flaps.

• There Is a Tribe of Kids

  Author: Lane Smith
  Publisher: Two Hoots
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  A little boy spends a day finding different groups of things: a pod of whales, an unkindness of ravens, a formation of rocks. However, even the stars have a family, and the boy might be feeling just a tiny bit lonely. Where are the other kids?

• There Is No Dog

  Author: Meg Rosoff
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 12+

  In the beginning there was Bob

• There May be a Castle

  Author: Piers Torday
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  11-year-old Mouse is more of a thinker than a talker, whose dreamy personality drives his mum and big sister Violet to distraction. When the family car crashes one very snowy Christmas Eve on the way to visit their grandparents, Mouse seems to be transported into a fantasy world...

• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

  Author: Pam Adams
  Publisher: Child's Play
  

  One of the Classic Books-with-Holes that have been around for 30 years. This new edition is perfect for small hands and the holes in the page really draw the child through the book.

• There Will Be Lies

  Author:
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 15+
  Reading age: 14+

  This intriguing thriller is split between the 'real life' Shelby who is dealing with an unnerving upheaval in her life and 'dreaming' Shelby.

• There’s a Bear on My Chair

  Author: Ross Collins
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  

  This rhyming story is very simply and effectively told with a balance of straightforward language and some stretch words and fun describing words.

• There’s a Bug on my Arm That Won’t Let Go

  Author: David Mackintosh
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  What do you do when you a bug lands on your arm and won’t buzz off? Similar to his previous work, this David Mackintosh book is witty and sharp with a distinctive style, and a heart-warming story. 

• There’s A Monster in Your Book

  Author: Tom Fletcher
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Uh-oh… There’s a cute little blue monster stuck in this book! This is a fantastically fun interactive book that parents and little ones will love.

• There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom

  Author: James Sellick with a foreword by Emma Thompson Illustrator: Frann Preston-Gannon
  Publisher: Wren & Rook
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  A cute but rather badly behaved little orangutan has appeared in a little girl’s bedroom. Rang-Tan explains that there are humans in her forest, destroying trees. A helpful picture book for introducing this issue to children. 

• There’s a Shark in the Bath

  Author: Sarah McIntyre
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  One morning, Dulcie notices that dad hasn't let the water out of the bath tub. But, hang on - what's that, swimming around in the water? A SHARK FIN? This signature silly and stylish tale from Sarah McIntyre gives plenty of ideas for bathtime fun.

• There’s a Snake in my School!

  Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  It's bring-your-pet-to-school-day and Miranda has brought her pet python, who is brilliant fun and entertains the children by turning herself into a climbing frame, a fireman's pole and the numbers one to nine. Riotous and with just enough yuckiness.

• There’s a Tiger in the Garden

  Author: Lizzy Stewart
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 6+

  A sweet and surreal story with lush painterly illustrations and a high quality production. Nora's tiger is sure to delight little ones who dream of tigers coming to tea, and then staying to play in the garden!

• There’s a Walrus in My Bed!

  Author: Ciara Flood
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  A gloriously funny story about that memorable moment when a child moves from a cot to his own big bed. Perfect for bedtime, adults and children will all fall for Flynn and his whiskery Walrus friend.

• There’s a Werewolf in my Tent!

  Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Thomas Flintham
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 8+

  Izzy and her friends are excited about their camping trip - until they realise there may be a dangerous creature in their midst. Full of humour and tension, as the children's wild imaginations construct a hilarious back story to make sense of events.

• There’s an Elf in your Book

  Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Greg Abbot
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Ho, Ho… Oh! There seems to be a very mischievous elf in this book. This fun and interactive story (with lots of instructions to move the book about and make noises as you read it) is bound to be a new Christmas favourite. 

• There’s Broccoli in my Ice Cream!

  Author: Emily MacKenzie
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Granville loves all things sweet, sugary and generally chocky-wocky gooey. But definitely not fruit and vegetables, which is a shame because he comes from a family of greengrocers and gardeners. Deliciously funny to read.

• There's a Dinosaur in My Bathtub

  Author: Catalina Echeverri
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Amelia has a giant secret: he’s very large, green and scaly with a wonderfully curly moustache

• There's A Ghost In This House

  Author: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  A little blue-faced girl welcomes you to her grand old house, which she’s heard is haunted. Yet, try as she might, she can’t find the ghosts anywhere. Where can they be?

• There's a Hamster in my Pocket

  Author: Franzeska G Ewart Illustrator: Helen Bate
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  This chapter book is perfect for newly confident readers, it’s very funny and contains enough mystery to keep readers interested until the satisfying resolution.

• There's a House Inside My Mummy

  Author: Giles Andreae Illustrator: Vanessa Cabban
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 2-7
  Reading age: 6+

  This is just the book to explain to inquisitive children what going on inside mum during pregnancy.

• There's a Lion in the Library!

  Author: Dave Skinner Illustrator: Aurélie Guillerey
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  Little Lucy Lupin loves to tell lies - and she looks so sweet and innocent that everybody believes her! Until one day, when a big fierce lion appears in the library, it looks like her lies might catch up with her after all...

• There's a Mouse in my House

  Author: Ross Collins
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Long-suffering Bear has a mouse in his house that just won't leave - and he's eating all the food and making such a mess! Themes of tolerance and looking past first impressions are illustrated beautifully in this fun rhyming book about two unlikely housemates.

• There's an Alien in the Classroom

  Author: Gervase Phinn Illustrator: Tony Ross
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 8+
  Reading age: 7+

  A new collection of humorous, touching and observant poems by Gervase Phinn, covering such subjects as school, holidays, family and animals.

• There's Going to be a Baby

  Author: John Burningham Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 2+
  Reading age: 6+

  A mother tells her little boy that ‘there’s going to be a baby’, but the little boy doesn’t like the sound of this – he doesn’t think they really need the new baby…

• There's No Such Thing as a Silly Question

  Author: Mike Rampton Illustrator: Guilherme Karsten
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 7-11
  Reading age: 7+

  An engaging, illustrated non-fiction book which answers 213 unusual questions about a range of subjects with accessible, humorous and informative explanations. No question is too silly!  

• There's No Such Thing as Dragons

  Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Katy Halford
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 3-5
  Reading age: 8+

  When a little boy is told by his grandpa that there’s no such thing as dragons, he doesn’t believe it for a second. But if the boy has any chance of proving that the mythological beasts are real, he needs proof!

  ---

  Yn llawn darluniau bywiog, lliwgar, mae yna lawer o fanylion i'w mwynhau, gan gynnwys dreigiau cudd y bydd y plant wrth eu boddau'n dod o hyd iddyn…

• There's No Such Thing As Elves

  Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Katy Halford
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  A little boy’s best friend tells him that there’s no such thing as elves, but can she really be right about that? Keen to prove that elves really are real, the boy looks through the kitchen cupboards, the garage, the shed and even the sweet shop where the shopkeeper assures him that they absolutely don’t exist.

  Feeling rather sad, the little boy sees his fri…

• these are the words

  Author: Nikita Gill
  Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 11+

  Fearless verse for the times when you need a friendly, wise voice. Feminist, inclusive and warm – this must-have collection of poems will speak to all teens.

• They All Saw a Cat

  Author: Brendan Wenzel
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 4-6
  Reading age: 5+

  A cat goes out for a walk and runs into a few other animals on the way... but isn't it funny how they all see the feline differently? A lovely story about different points of view.

• They Didn’t Teach This In Worm School!

  Author:
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 7-9
  Reading age: 7-9

  This is a story of a worm who bonds with a flamingo over a shared love of travelling. They soon a hatch a plan to fly to Kenya. What follows is an extraordinary adventure of getting lost, liking pickled onions and finding your new best friend.

• They Say Blue

  Author: Jillian Tamaki
  Publisher: Abrams
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  In They Say Blue, we follow a young girl as she explores the colours in the world. A beautiful, poetic picture book that will inspire conversations with your child about what they can see around them, and the free association ideas and memories this prompts.

• Thicker Than Water

  Author: Anne Cassidy
  Publisher: Barrington Stoke
  Interest age: 13-16
  Reading age: 8+

  A confident retelling of Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men,updated for a modern audience and presented in a super readable/dyslexia-friendly format.

• Things A Bright Girl Can Do

  Author: Sally Nicholls
  Publisher: Andersen Press
  Interest age: 12-17
  Reading age: 12+

  Offering a historical snapshot of a society in turmoil, this comprehensive coming-of-age novel is a thought-provoking and highly engaging story of love, life and hope, with strong themes of feminism, social class and the First World War.

• Things That Make Me Happy

  Author: Amy Schwartz
  Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  This simple board book pairs rhyming items on each spread: ‘red socks – building blocks’. Illustrations are clearly presented on a clean white page for even the youngest readers to see. 

• Things the Eye Can't See

  Author: Penny Joelson
  Publisher: Electric Monkey
  Interest age: 12-14
  Reading age: 12+

  When a former classmate gives 15 year old Libby a mysterious envelope, she finds herself drawn into a a very strange and potentially dangerous mystery.

• Thimble Monkey Superstar

  Author:
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 7-10
  Reading age: 7+

  Thimble the monkey may bring Jams's family back together again, in this accessible, light-hearted and fast-paced adventure, full of madcap humour. The main character has cerebral palsy, which is incidental to the plot.

• Thimble Wonga Bonkers

  Author: Jon Blake Illustrator: Martin Chatterton
  Publisher: Firefly
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 7+

  When Jams, Dad and Thimble the monkey are left alone for a week, with no money, things go swiftly and hilariously wrong.

• Thirteen Chairs

  Author: Dave Shelton
  Publisher: David Fickling Books
  Interest age: 12-16
  Reading age: 12+

  A young boy's adventure investigating a myth in a local haunted house. A collection of short ghost stories that creatively navigate a number of adult themes, this is a great read for older children and those that love a good scare!

• This Bear, That Bear

  Author: Sian Wheatcroft
  Publisher: Templar Publishing
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  There's a bear parade and every bear you can imagine is there! This lovely singsong text has a rhythm reminiscent of We're Going on a Bear Hunt. It brims with alliteration and internal rhyme and is incredibly fun to read aloud.

• This Bonny Baby

  Author: Michelle Sloan Illustrator: Kasia Matyjaszek
  Publisher: Floris Books
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  What does your bonny baby love to do? This board book - complete with a shiny mirror - is one you'll return to again and again.

• This Book is Anti Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action and Do the Work

  Author: Tiffany Jewell Illustrator: Aurelia Durand
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-12
  Reading age: 9+

  This attractively designed, engaging book is a fabulous primer probably for kids aged 10+ around understanding what racism is, both on a personal and structural level. 

• This Book Is Cruelty Free

  Author: Linda Newbery
  Publisher: Pavilion
  Interest age: 12-15
  Reading age: 12+

  In this thorough, well-researched and impassioned guide for older readers, Linda Newbery offers tips and advice on how to live a life that doesn’t cost the earth.

• This Book is Gay

  Author: Juno Dawson Illustrator: Spike Gerrell
  Publisher: HotKey
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  A fantastic book for classrooms and school libraries, This Book is Gay is a must-read for teachers and parents, as well as teens themselves.

• This Book is Not a Bedtime Story

  Author: Eoin McLaughlin Illustrator: Robert Starling
  Publisher: Pavilion
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This isn’t a comforting bedtime story – or is it? Children will learn to laugh at their fears with Fluffy.

• This Book is Not Rubbish: 50 Ways to Ditch Plastic, Reduce Rubbish and Save the World

  Author: Isabel Thomas Illustrator: Alex Paterson
  Publisher: Wren & Rook
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  There are some worrying realities in the world at the moment when it comes to the environment. Luckily, this readable gem is full of ideas for kids to take charge of their home’s impact on the environment. 

• This Book Just Ate My Dog!

  Author: Richard Byrne
  Publisher: OUP
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Bella decides to take her dog for a walk but as she crosses from one page to the next her dog disappears between the pages!  Many people come to investigate including Bella's friend Ben, a dog rescue van and the police. Eventually the reader is asked to help by shaking the book until all of the characters reappear. 
  
  This Book Just Ate My Dog! is th…

• This Book Will Save the Planet

  Author: Dany Sigwalt Illustrator: Aurélia Durand
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  This powerful book for older readers explores links between inequality and the climate crisis, with suggestions about how to effect change to ensure climate justice for everyone.  

• This is a Dog

  Author: Ross Collins
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  A mischievous dog has taken over this copy of ‘My First Animal Book’! Lots of fun and a real delight to read, this is a great book to share with little ones, full of beautiful simplicity. 

• This is a SERIOUS Book

  Author: Jodie Parachini Illustrator: Daniel Rieley
  Publisher: Faber & Faber
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  This self-proclaimed serious book is determined not to allow any silliness within its pages, but the characters that venture into the tale have other ideas. The naughty antics of a medley of rebellious animals will provoke plenty of giggles in this exuberant tale of merriment, which is wonderful to read aloud.

• This is Actually My Party

  Author: Lauren Child
  Publisher: Puffin Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Lauren Child's much-loved characters Charlie and little sister Lola are back in this fun birthday story.

• This is Crab

  Author: Harriet Evans Illustrator: Jacqui Lee
  Publisher: Caterpillar Books
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Meet Crab! He needs a bit of encouragement to come out of his cave - and he might need some help in learning not to pinch a nearby octopus. This tongue-in-cheek picture book for little ones combines gentle humour with plenty of movement cues, and is a surefire hit at bedtime.

• This is How We Do It

  Author: Matt Lamothe
  Publisher: Chronicle Books
  Interest age: 6-13
  Reading age: 6+

  Following the daily lives of seven kids from around the world, the book explores the similarities and differences in childhoods. This a brilliant and engaging non-fiction book that shows the common theme of unity in our lives.

• This is Lulu

  Author: Camilla Reid Illustrator: Ailie Busby
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  Although Lulu is only ‘quite little’, she manages to pack an awful lot into her day!

• This Is Me!

  Author: George Webster and Claire Taylor Illustrator: Tim Budgen
  Publisher: Scholastic
  Interest age: 2-6
  

  CBeebies presenter George Webster invites us to have fun exploring the world, working out what makes us ‘glow’ and giving everything a go in this delightful, inclusive picture book.

  ---

  Mae gan bob un ohonon ni ein hoff bethau a'n cas bethau, a'r gallu i serennu yn ein ffyrdd arbennig ein hunain. Mae gan bawb gasgliad o gynhwysion unigryw sy'n ein gwneud ni yn …

• This is my Book

  Author: Mick Inkpen
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 2-7
  Reading age: 7+

  The Snapdragon really is a nuisance. Every Tuesday he whizzes in and does nasty things to the words in the book.

• This is My Rock

  Author: David Lucas
  Publisher: Flying Eye Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5

  Little Goat's story is an endearing one about the importance of sharing. Beautifully illustrated.

• This is Not a Bedtime Story

  Author: Will Mabbitt Illustrator: Fred Blunt
  Publisher: Puffin
  Interest age: 4-7
  Reading age: 5+

  Bedtime stories go bonkers in this inventive, subversive version of a traditionally restful night-time tale. Funny illustrations accompany the witty text. 

• This Is Not a Book

  Author: Jean Jullien
  Publisher: Phaidon
  Interest age: 1-5
  

  This is a book that isn't a book at all - except it is. Filled with wonderful illustrations like laptops, piano keys and scary dinosaur faces, it's a great book to create stories around.

• This is Not a Dinosaur

  Author: Barry Timms Illustrator: Ged Adamson
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4-5

  Join a young boy and his new friend – who is absolutely NOT a dinosaur – on a whirlwind journey of discovery, as they perform magic tricks, scale mountains and go deep-sea-diving.

• This is Not Forgiveness

  Author: Celia Rees
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  A hard-hitting, compelling novel about the effects of war

• This is Not My Hat

  Author: Jon Klassen
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  A little fish has stolen an equally small bowler hat from a much bigger fish. Hiding himself in the weedsm, he is confident he won't be discovered - but the big fish is on his trail...

• This is Our House

  Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Bob Graham
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 5+

  George wants his cardboard house all to himself. But when he goes to the loo, his friends fill his house to bursting point.

• This is the Kiss

  Author: Claire Harcup Illustrator: Gabriel Alborozo
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 1-3
  

  Every page of this book is a delight. The intricate, endearing images show a small bear on his way to bed, and all the stages it takes to get there. It is a very simple story, with few words, so it is ideal as a bedtime story.

• This Little Piggy

  Author: Annie Kubler
  Publisher: Child's Play
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 4+

  Annie Kubler’s exuberant characters tell the well-known rhyme. One child uses a supported chair.

• This Little Piggy

  Author: Jarvis
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 0-3
  

  In this bright, fun counting book, pigs play bongos, eat potatoes, refuse to shower and do a fair amount of mud-swimming. Perfect for toddlers learning to count, but who maybe want a bit of fun along the way.

• This Little Pirate

  Author: Lucy Lyes
  Publisher: Ladybird
  Interest age: 0+
  Reading age: 4+

  Toddlers and young children will love interacting with the friendly touch-and-feel pirates in this sturdy board book

• This Moose Belongs to Me

  Author: Oliver Jeffers
  Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
  Interest age: 5-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Wilfred owned a moose. He hadn't always owned a moose. The moose came to him a while ago and he knew, just KNEW, that it was meant to be his.

• This Poison Heart

  Author: Kalynn Bayron
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 12+

  When Briseis inherits a house from her birth family, she feels like it's the perfect chance for a fresh start - but she's about to discover a dark and sinister secret. A magical, inclusive and thrilling fantasy tale.

• This Raging Light

  Author: Estelle Laure
  Publisher: Orchard
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 11+

  A complex, moving and utterly absorbing story of love, loyalty, friendship and survival against the odds. A great addition to any young adult collection.

• This Rock is Mine

  Author: Kaye Umansky Illustrator: Alice McKinley
  Publisher: Alison Green Books
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 4+

  This is a fabulously funny picture book by the author of Ten Fat Sausages brimming full of Michelle Robinson’s trademark silly humour. So The Thunk is a beast, a bit like a skink, although more like a skunk on account of the stink, thought to be extinct but young explorer Hector Voltaire who’s had his fair share of other kids saying his head’s full of air, i…

• This Song Will Save Your Life

  Author: Leila Sales
  Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
  Interest age: 14+
  Reading age: 14+

  When high school misfit Elise stumbles upon an underground indie club night, Start, she unexpectedly finds a place she belongs

• This Zoo is Not For You

  Author: Ross Collins
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  It is interview day at the zoo! Gentle humour, rhyming text and fabulous illustrations combine to create this wonderful picture book, which highlights the importance of being open, friendly and welcoming to all. 

• Thomasina

  Author: Paul Gallico
  Publisher: HarperCollins
  Interest age: 10+
  Reading age: 9+

  When pet cat Thomasina falls ill, Mary becomes sick and refuses to talk to her father, who she feels is responsible. Can Lori the Witch mend what’s gone wrong – even broken hearts? A compelling, atmospheric story with a leading cat that steals the show.

• Thorfinn and the Awful Invasion

  Author: David MacPhail
  Publisher: Young Kelpies
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Thorfinn is possibly the nicest and politest Viking that ever lived, which is absolutely no good at all from the point of view of his dad, Chief Harald the Skull-Splitter, who wants him to Viking-up a bit more. So Harald decides to send Thorfinn to Scotland on a boat full of nasty smelly Vikings to toughen him up?

• Thorfinn the Nicest Viking and the Raging Raiders

  Author: David MacPhail Illustrator: Richard Morgan
  Publisher: Young Kelpies
  Interest age: 6-8
  Reading age: 6+

  Thorfinn is a polite, considerate Viking - unlike the rest of his family, who love raiding, pillaging and generally causing havoc. With short chapters and plenty of laughs on every page, this is ideal for confident independent readers.

• Threadbear

  Author: Mick Inkpen
  Publisher: Hachette
  Interest age: 2-5
  

  Threadbear is an old, much loved bear who has been patched and mended many times, but who has never been able to squeak.

• Three Billy Goats Fluff

  Author: Rachael Mortimer Illustrator: Liz Pichon
  Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 7+

  Mr Troll is kept awake by the sound of the Three Billy Goats Fluff trip-trapping over his bridge, and he threatens to put the billy goats in a stew if they disturb him again.

• Three by the Sea

  Author: Mini Grey
  Publisher: Red Fox Picture Books
  Interest age: 3+
  Reading age: 6+

  Dog, Cat and Mouse are perfectly happy until a stranger arrives and begins to suggest to each that the others are boring and lazy, resulting in a dreadful row between the friends.

• Three Dark Crowns

  Author: Kendare Blake
  Publisher: Macmillan
  Interest age: 13-18
  Reading age: 13+

  Three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and possessor of a coveted magic - and when they are 16, they must battle to the death to become Queen of the island. This story is feminist, fierce and unforgettable - perfect for fans of Game of Thrones.

• Three Girls

  Author: Katie Clapham
  Publisher: UCLan Publishing
  Interest age: Teen
  Reading age: 12+

  Minnie, Lena and Alice are thrown together for a photo for their school's brochure. At first, they are sure they have nothing in common but they soon find out that they share a common secret.

• Three Keys

  Author: Kelly Yang
  Publisher: Knights Of
  Interest age: 10-12
  Reading age: 9+

  The sequel to Front Desk - Mia's best friend is from an undocumented migrant family, and it means she may be thrown out of school. Mia and the Calivista family band together to help her.

• Three Little Monkeys

  Author: Emma Chichester Clark Illustrator: Quentin Blake
  Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Three Little Monkeys is the tale of Hilda Snibbs's attempts to keep a trio of messy monkeys under control - and the disasters that occur when she pops out for the afternoon. The story is a romp and promises lots of laughs.

• Three Little Vikings

  Author: Bethan Woollvin
  Publisher: Two Hoots
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Best friends Wren, Ebba and Helga live with the Viking folk and love playing together. One day, a scary noise surrounds the village. The Chieftain says it’s just a thunderstorm, but does he really know best? A fairy-tale themed story with a Moomin-esque mood.

• Three Pickled Herrings

  Author: Sally Gardner Illustrator: David Roberts
  Publisher: Orion
  Interest age: 7+
  Reading age: 8+

  A clever young girl called Emily, an 11-year-old fairy, and Fidget the talking cat run a detective agency, Wings & Co.

• Throne of Glass

  Author: Sarah J Maas
  Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
  Interest age: 13+
  Reading age: 13+

  Infamous teenage assassin Celaena Sardothien has been condemned to a life sentence of hard labour in the salt mines of Endovier, until young Captain Westfall appears and offers her freedom,  - but only if she'll compete in a deadly contest.

• Through Dead Eyes

  Author: Chris Priestley
  Publisher: Bloomsbury
  Interest age: 12+
  Reading age: 10+

  Alex’s life is a mess. He decides to dodge the fallout and join his father on a business trip to Amsterdam - but once there, the seemingly random purchase of a mask changes everything.

• Through My Eyes: Amina

  Author: J L Powers
  Publisher: Allen and Unwin
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 9+

  This moving story transports the reader to Somalia and allows them to experience the challenges faced by the Somalian families who chose to stay in their war torn country.

• Through my Window

  Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Eileen Browne
  Publisher: Frances Lincoln
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 6+

  Jo is ill and has to stay in bed for the day, but her mum promises her to bring her home a surprise to make her feel better.

• Through the Eyes of Me

  Author: Jon Roberts Illustrator: Hannah Rounding
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 3-5
  

  Told in the first person, the book delivers a simple but effective glimpse into Kyla’s life, with help from her father (the author). We see that one way she might differ from some children is that she has autism. Beautifully effective artwork and uncluttered layout complete this delightful portrait.

• Through the Eyes of Us

  Author: Jon Roberts
  Publisher: Graffeg
  Interest age: 3-6
  Reading age: 5+

  Kya and Martha are like ‘two different colours sitting on a beautiful rainbow’. They are both on the autistic spectrum, but this certainly does not mean that they are the same. A beautiful book, rich in its universal sense of childhood fun and friendship. 

• Through the Magic Mirror

  Author: Anthony Browne
  Publisher: Walker Books
  Interest age: 6+
  Reading age: 7+

  Toby is fed up and doesn't feel like doing anything. So imagine his amazement when a whole new world opens right in front of his eyes…

• Through the Mirror Door

  Author: Sarah Baker
  Publisher: Catnip Publishing
  Interest age: 9+
  Reading age: 8+

  Angela has been living in a children's home, until her horrible aunt and cousins collect her for an unexpected holiday. She soon discovers a door behind a mirror, which leads to the bedroom of a dying boy. Can she save him before it is too late?

• Thunder Boots

  Author: Naomi Jones Illustrator: Rebecca Ashdown
  Publisher: Oxford University Press
  Interest age: 4-5
  

  This bright and joyful picture book draws awareness to both the difficulties and strengths of Dyslexia in a way that is authentic and empowering. The author’s first-hand experience of dyslexia is evident in the care and attention to detail throughout the book; the lovely character design and dyslexia-friendly layout make it both an accessible and memorable r…

• War of the Wind

  Author: Victoria Williamson
  Publisher: Neem Tree Press
  Interest age: 9-11
  Reading age: 9+

  Max is sure that the new wind turbines on his island are sinister, but will anyone listen to a frustrated deaf schoolboy? Gripping, eerie and thought-provoking, this has a brilliant cast of characters.

• When I Became Your Brother

  Author: Susannah Shane Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup
  Publisher: Nosy Crow
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 7+

  A heartfelt picture book that celebrates the special bond between a brother and his new sibling. Two fox cub siblings share woodland adventures together from morning until night.

• Y Deinosor Bach Yma / This Little Dinosaur (bilingual)

  Author: Coral Byers adapted by Elin Meek Illustrator: Alberta Torres
  Publisher: Dref Wen
  Interest age: 4-5
  Reading age: 5+

  Mae deg plentyn bach yn gwisgo fel deinosoriaid ac archwilio'u hamgylchedd drwy chwarae yn y llyfr stori a llun bywiog a llachar hwn.

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  Ten little children dress up as dinosaurs and explore their surroundings through play in this lively and vibrant picture book.