Spring has sprung but the weather doesn’t seem to have caught up yet! If you can get outside and explore nature with some of the wonderful books below, then great. If not, there are plenty here to choose from and settle down with indoors, out of the way of the cold, wind and rain! Enjoy this month’s books below …

Board books

Let’s Play! – Henre Tullet (author and illustrator), Handprint Books  (imprint of Chronicle Books LLC) (publisher)

Do you have a copy of Mix It Up? Or Press Here? Our copy of Press Here has been so well-loved, it is almost falling to pieces!! So, we jumped at the chance to review this board book by the best-selling creator, Henre Tullet.

And what a fun, interactive board book it is! Our little yellow dot of joy and sunshine is here again to brighten our world! At yellow dot’s invitation, your little one can set out on a journey of fun times and good cheer by following little yellow dot and the finger line on their travels.

Be prepared for fun and games. For reading and play. For counting, and blowing, and shaking and growing (your little one’s mind). It’s interactive, it’s imaginative, it’s filled with learning through play … it has that dazzling dynamic of being fun yet also educational.. it’s a brilliant board book. And not only that, but the chunky pages will withstand even the queue of little hands that are sure to be lining up to play with this fun edition. A stunner of a book for any nursery classroom and a fantastically fun book for boredom busting with your little one. It’s also a super size to pop into a changing bag or put under a pushchair if you need something to entertain your younger reader while you are out and about.

Picture books

Turtle Rescue  – Jonny Marx (author), Xuan Le (illustrator), Little Tiger (publisher)

What a superb work of “faction” (a blend of fact and fiction) this book is!  Join Flora, Fauna and little toddler Bud, the world’s greatest explorers, on the expedition of a lifetime!  This is the second book in this series following this adventurous young family and we absolutely adored the first book so we were so excited to read this one. 

Your little one can join this amazing, adventurous family as they go off in search of the sea turtles that are not flocking to the sandy beaches of Central and South America any more. The story sails its way through the stunning natural watery world, encountering fantastic wildlife (and the marine life is pointed out throughout the story, together with some mind-blowing facts – have you ever heard of a species of jellyfish that does not die – it simply turns into a baby again when it gets too old!!!!???), twisting and turning, much like the journey itself.  

Your little ones will really feel like they are travelling with Flora and Fauna as they have to turn the book at various points to enjoy the story.  There are flaps to lift, facts to read and absolutely amazing scenery to bask in (ha – isn’t that a type of shark!?!) through the illustrations of the story.  The piece de resistance is a huge central fold that opens out to display the stunning underwater world  of the coral reef in all its glory.  Superb!  We were shocked as we read through the story to find out just how much rubbish is being dropped in the oceans  – Bud’s favourite word is “jellyfish” and he counts these in the water as they travel, although they are actually plastic bags. Find out whether Flora, Fauna and Bud ever get to see the terrific sea turtles they were searching for on this really wet and wild adventure.  

We adore this book. Not only is it incredibly engaging, with its interactive elements, but it is fascinating in the extreme with its blend of fact and fiction.  The book is an artwork in itself: the illustrations are mind-blowingly stunning.  So detailed and beautiful that you really feel like you are experiencing that part of the world along with the family.  We love the facts about sea turtles provided in the book, as well as the information about the other animals encountered and we appreciate how the book highlights the escalating problem of litter in our seas and on our beaches  and provides information and facts about plastic which are really quite eye-watering.  

A book for any animal lover, a book for any adventurer, a book for any eco-warrior, a book to be loved and passed on for others to do the same.  A shell-ebration of these marvellous marine creatures, we love it.

A Sprinkle of Happiness – Lucy Rowland (author), David Lichfield (illustrator), Scholastic (publisher)

What a stunner of a book!!! Seeds, sunflowers, kindness, a joyful text and exquisite illustrations, what more can you want from a picture book?! 

When a boy and his grandmother find a tiny sunflower seed and plant it, their patience, love and care sees it growing into a beautiful, tall sunflower that brings joy to the whole community. For not only does the sunshiney yellow flower cry out to be noticed by passers by but the kind boy and his grandma decide to sprinkle some kindness seeds to those passing their garden through kind words and smiles. But when the sunflower blows down in a storm, the little boy is devastated and thinks it has all been for nothing. What he doesn’t realise is that kindness grows and the seed that the boy and his grandma had sown has now blossomed into something even bigger and even more special.

With breathtaking illustrations by one of our favourite illustrators, designed to uplift and bring joy, this book cannot fail to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. The rhyming text is joyful and fun and the messages of kindness and community spirit are truly touching. We also love the portrayal of the intergenerational bond between the boy and his grandma, as well as the gentle educational elements of the story in relation to the life cycle of a seed. Added to all of that, the story encourages a love of the outdoors, gardening and respecting nature, as well as teaching children about patience. A sprinkle of kindness might be what the book suggests but it will truly bring you oodles of joy. 

Small Steps, Big Change – Annemarie Cool (author), James Jones (illustrator, Little Tiger (publisher)

It’s not often you find across a book that you know is a must-have addition to any KS1 and KS2 classroom but this is certainly one of them!

A book on sustainable living, inspired by The Sustainable Development Goals (formulated by the UN), with its own set of stunning super heroes, this book is an inspirational wonderland to engender positive change in our world. And it is all through small steps. Small steps that can have big impacts. Small, helpful hints and tips that provide children with everyday goals to aim for to help foster that positive attitude and hopefulness for the future. For mankind and the world. 

Your young readers can take inspiration from the 12 heroes of the book (their fun and quirky characters are set out on the front end page in colourful detail) as they provide ideas and hints to help children build a better tomorrow. From taking care of your heart through activity and games, to building bug hotels, from spreading kindness, to donating toys you no longer play with, this book really puts the power in the children’s hands. And they just love getting involved in all these suggestions and ideas for making positive changes to our world, one step at a time. Because when we all come together, we can achieve so much. 

The illustrations by James Jones are fun, vibrant and characteristically quirky and we adore all the details on each colourful two-page spread. Inspirational, brimming with positivity, ideas, colour and empathy, I can see this small book making a big change.

Hen in the Bed – Katrina Charman (author), Guilherme Karsten (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Join the animals in the bed. Or maybe you don’t want to… it’s kinda cramped in there! And you might be forced to roll over. Ooops, we all know what happens when they all roll over: someone’s going to fall out. Bump!!

With cow, lion, sheep, cat, duck and snake falling out and screeching, who will be left in the bed? And will they be feeling cold and lonely?

This is a hilarious romp of a backwards counting book following the style of the familiar nursery rhyme. We loved the unique split-page spread making this a really fun counting book. We loved the noises the animals made when they rolled, flopped and tumbled out of bed (guaranteed to raise a giggle or two) and we adored the adorable and down-right laughter-inducing illustrations. Bold and colourful with a sweet ending, this is a fun twist on an old favourite that will have your little ones chortling along while counting. 

Is it a Seed? – Emily  Ann Davison (author), Adriena Fong (illustrator), Flying Eye Books (publisher)

Well, this book has captured the attention of my twins!! They have just planted sunflowers at school and are learning all about the life cycle of a plant so this has been the perfect book to read to them!

When two young children discover a strange seed and plant it, they begin to delve into the depths of their imagination and wonder what it could become. As the seed begins to take root underground, above ground wild dreams and adventures are beginning to unfold…. What will this seed be? A beautiful flower? A beanstalk leading to a magical dimension? A strong and sturdy tree? The children certainly have the imagination but do they have the patience to discover what this seed will grow into?

This is a stunner of a book from both a visual and a creative context. The illustrations are vibrantly colourful and exquisite (even the endpapers are breathtakingly beautiful) and the lyrical text whisks your child away on a journey of imagination and beauty. Not only that but it is the perfect introduction to gardening for young children as well as gently encouraging them to have patience, learn to look after things and connect with the natural world around them. A celebration of nature, wonder and imagination, we love it.

The Book That Can Read Your Mind – Marianna Coppo (author and illustrator), Chronicle Books LLC (publisher)

Look into my eyes. Deep into my eyes. Now slowly count to three…..

Ha, don’t worry, I cannot hypnotise you but this book sure can read your mind. Don’t ask me how. It’s just magic. But, take it from me, prepare to be amazed as you open the pages of this book….

Meet Lady Rabbit. She’s going to make your jaw hang open in wonder, she’s going to blow your mind because for her next act, she is going to read your mind. Yes, really read it. You pick a member from the magician’s adorable audience, you keep it in your head, and then this book will tell you which audience member you have chosen. Without fail. It’s magic I tell you!

My children have genuinely been blown away by this book. You can play over and over again. It encourages a  love of reading through fun and games, it inspires a love of magic tricks and it is interactive in the extreme. My little boy is just getting into independent reading and it is just perfect for that because he delights in interacting with it, making me and his sisters pick audience members repeatedly and trying to outsmart it. A celebration of books, magic and games, this is a brilliant book … and, yes, it can read my mind because I thought that all along!

I Love Green and I Love Yellow – Jane Foster (author and illustrator), Templar Books (imprint of Bonnier Books) (publisher)

From award-winning author and illustrator, Jane Foster, come these two adorable rhyming picture books.

What’s your favourite colour? Mine is yellow so I have to say that I have a soft spot for the yellow one of these books! It’s a colour that just sings happiness to me. But my youngest adores green so she loves the green one of these books. There’s one thing for certain though: whatever your favourite colour, you will love sharing these books with your little ones. 

Both books are a fun celebration of all things green or all things yellow. From counting the bright green peas on a plate to noisy green dinosaurs, or sunshine yellow doors to yummy yellow custard, these rhyming books are filled with colour and fun. They are just made to be read aloud with their bouncy rhyming words. The illustrations are adorable in the extreme, really engaging young readers and reinforcing colours for them. 

Sweet, stylish and fun, these books are adorable works of art for your little ones. Which colour will you choose? Maybe both!! 

This is the Ship that Jack Built – Peter Millett (author), Sam Caldwell (illustrator), Buster Books (publisher)

Do you love a story that builds and builds? With echoes of the nursery rhyme, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, this rhyming romp of a rollicking picture book is a superb read aloud with your little ones.

Jack has built a ship and it has set sail with a precious cargo of golden goodies in the hold, but a whole host of thieves are out to snatch it away from him. From the whale that splashed its tail and the crab that sneakily grabbed, to the gull that flew from the hull and the turtle that swam in a circle, these sea creatures are all out for themselves! Poor Jack doesn’t stand a chance. Will he ever get his swag back?

This book is a laugh out loud, joyful rhyming text which trips off the tongue. The tale builds and builds with its repeated lines and ends in a fun crescendo, like a wave crashing to the shore. The illustrations are bold, bright and beautiful, not to mention totally giggle-inducing (we love the faces of the disgruntled greedy sea creatures!). You can be guaranteed that your little ones will want to board the ship that Jack built over and over again: it’s such fun. 

 Night Flight – Katie Cottle (author and illustrator), Puffin Books (publisher)

Ellie used to live in a quiet village where she could watch the beautiful birds until her heart was content. But now, Ellie lives in a bustling, sprawling city and she is sad to see that it’s difficult to spot many birds. She stares out of the window, looks to the skies, scans the trees and bushes … but they are nowhere to be found. 

One night, she is visited  in her dreams by a huge, magical starling who asks for her help: the birds have become lost and confused by the bright lights of the city and they can’t navigate their way by the stars anymore. So Ellie is determined to help her feathered friends. But what can one girl do alone? Well, quite a lot when she puts her mind to it! She uses her voice and asks people to back her campaign to switch off their lights at a certain time of night. But will it be enough?

This is a beautifully illustrated story about environmentalism and protecting our planet and its stunning wildlife. It’s also about standing up for what we believe is right, finding our voice and using it, like Ellie does in the story. The illustrations are vibrantly colourful and exquisitely detailed and sprinkled with just the right amount of magic and wonder to accompany the story. A heartwarming tale of fighting for what’s right, blending magic with environmental themes, this is a powerful picture book. Enjoy.

How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many? Lou Peacock (author), Nicola Slater (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Bold, bright and beautiful, this is the perfect counting book for any dinosaur-loving little one. 

When a dinosaur comes to play, you are guaranteed to have lots of fun. But one dinosaur cannot possibly be enough. Surely two would be better…. Or three, or four …. or, well, TEN would be amazing, right?! Hmmm, maybe that many dinosaurs might be too riotous, too big, too messy, too hungry and probably just a little bit too naughty! Perhaps one special dinosaur might be just perfect, after all.

This is a rhyming romp of a picture book, just made to be read aloud. The colourful pages of funny illustrations with popping neon colours are filled with detail and humour and my twins have laughed aloud at the antics of the cheeky dinos. It’s a book filled with friendship and fun, as well as being a great way for young children to familiarise themselves with early counting and numbers. Roarsome stuff.

Sam Plants a Sunflower – Kate Petty (author), Axel Scheffler (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Do you have a little green-fingered child? Does your little one love the garden and watching things grow? Are they interested in nature and the outdoors? 

Then this book, the latest in this series produced in collaboration with The National Trust, is just the book for them. And this one couldn’t have come at a better time for my twins because they came home proudly carrying some planted sunflower seeds from school on Friday. Here’s hoping we can keep them alive!! 

Wonderfully seasonal, this book continues the series with a fun blend of “faction” (fact and fiction) with its gentle, sweet story about the wonder and joy of growing things. Sam loves the sun but he doesn’t understand why it just can’t shine every single day (he can’t be from the north of England, is all I am going to say!!). He thinks it is a wonderful idea to plant some sunny sunflower seeds but is rather impatient to see them bloom. This story encourages a love of nature and the outdoors as well as an understanding of how things grow and the care and patience that looking after plants requires.

This book has interactive and exciting flaps to lift and there is a huge and colourful pop-up 3-d surprise in the middle of the book which your children will be sure to love (I bet you will love it too!). 

There are fascinating and age-appropriate facts throughout the story – your child can learn with Worm and Ladybird – so that your child can understand how seeds grow and how sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day, and how the life-cycle of these flowers takes place, for example . The story is beautifully illustrated by the iconic Axel Scheffler and the pages are vibrantly stunning and so visually appealing. 

Educational, hugely fun, encouraging a love of the outdoors and nature, this latest book in the series is truly superb. We are donating our copy for whole school class to learn with and enjoy.

Chapter Books

Super Sausage to the Rescue – Rachel Morrisroe (author), Jenny Taylor (illustrator), Puffin Books (publisher)

The first in a PAWsome new series from best-selling picture book author, Rachel Morrisroe, this book is a guaranteed giggle-fest for your children.

Harry has always wanted a dog. He’s been pestering his dad for years and having to show him how responsible he can be and when he sees (half) sausage-dog Dottie at the shelter, he knows she is the dog for him.  What he doesn’t realise though is that Dottie isn’t your average daschund! She sure is a pawsome pooch -she can talk and flap her “hearers” and fly. Why, she’s a super-pup! 

When Harry and Dottie receive a mysterious message via Agent Nibblebottom (a super squirrel) inviting them to Superpets HQ (also known as Rebecca Refractor’s garden shed!), they become swept up in their very first mission with Rebecca and the Superpets. Together the children and their super pets must try to keep the world a safe place, something that is very difficult to do when Sparkletta Collector is freezing super pets and plotting to take over the entire world!! Mwah ha ha! Will Dottie and Harry be able to thwart Sparkletta’s dastardly plans before all the super pets are frozen?

We absolutely adored this fun, fresh chapter book. It’s laugh out loud funny, particularly the chapters written by Dottie – the names she calls things are hilarious (like “taily- wagger” and “hearers”) and her dog-speak is so cute (“incredibubble”, you might say!). We loved the creative world the author has built, the villains, the twists in the story and the bonds between animals and their owners which shines through, as well as the love and friendship in the story. A tail-wagglingly wonderful chapter book, chock-full of superb black and white illustrations, we have loved this book. Five big fat stars from us! 

Porky Pies – Ross Montgomery(author), Marisa Morea (illustrator), Barrington Stoke (publisher)

As I  sure you all know, we are huge fans of this series of Little Gems books by publisher, Barrington Stoke. They are brilliant books for early chapter book readers, like my six year old twins. 

This book is a new favourite! My son has always been fascinated with “the big, bad wolf” in stories and the tale of the three little pigs has been well-loved in our house. But this book combines all of that with a fun prankster and a Boy Who Cried Wolf vibe. You see, Porky Pies is a mischievous young trotter who is always telling fibs about the Big Bad Wolf, trying to frighten his brothers and sisters. They are fed up of it. He’s so excited to plan his most daring prank yet, but he might just find that the last laugh is not from his snout. In a hilarious fairytale twist, he might find that the joke is on him this time! 

Barrington Stoke, test all their books for children by children and this one is a superb early chapter book helping children navigate the tricky world of pranks, games, truth and deception. There are plenty of gaps between the paragraphs, short text blocks of story and lots of cute, colourful illustrations by Marisa Morea interspersing the wonderful words. We also love the funny porcine-themed jokes at the front of the book, providing your little reader with even more ways to engage with this sweet book. 

This book is filled with family dynamics and humour (there was a lot of laughter at the twist to the end of this story!) and we enjoyed the messages surrounding not playing games on family members, trying not to tell fibs and empathising with others to see how our actions might impact upon them. We love the books in this series and they are perfect for those starting out on their independent reading journey or those wanting a longer story than a picture book.

The Island Vet – Pirates and Sea Monsters – Gill Lewis (author), Irina Avgustinovich (illustrator), Barrington Stoke (publisher)

There is absolutely nothing that I didn’t love about this book! Adorable animals – tick. Exciting adventure – tick. Gorgeous illustrations – tick. Sweet, charming storyline – tick. Larger font-size and short paragraphs for ease of reading – tick. This book just makes me happy. And it will be sure to make your little animal lover happy too.

Tia’s mum has accepted a new job as the vet on Gull Haven Island, the largest of the Gull Islands. There is a lot for her to do and Tia is excited to help out. But when Tia’s mum is called away to look after a sick cow on a nearby island and then gets stuck there because of a storm, Tia has to step up to responsibility and care for all the animals in the vet surgery on Gull Haven Island. There’s a squeaky bird, a poorly lamb and a dog about to have puppies- that’s a lot of work for one little girl. And that’s not all! Tia finds a bedraggled, mysterious, green creature on the beach, washed up on the shore and she knows one thing for certain: that her new life on these islands is going to be full of adventures! 

We loved this charming chapter book right from the first page. The story is sweet, the adorable black and white illustrations are plentiful and really bring the characters and the islands to life, and we thought that the representation of those who help save lives (life boat rescuers and vets) was wonderful. We cannot wait for the next book in this new adventure series following Tia and her life on the islands. 

The Time Machine Next Door – Rebellions and Super Boots and The Time Machine Next Door – Rule Breakers and Kiwi Keepers – Iszi Lawrence (author), Rebecca Bagley (illustrator), Bloomsbury Published Plc (publisher) (recommended reading age – 7 plus)

These books are so unique- a blend of fact, fiction and time-travel, all rolled up into one which is perfect for fans of Horrible Histories . 

These books are the latest in this time- travelling series but you don’t need to have read the others to understand the premise: there’s a little synopsis at the beginning of each book – Sunil lives next door to an awesome inventor named Alex. She’s harnessed the power of boredom to slow time down and put it in reverse… hence the time-travel. She invented a machine – the  Boring Machine- to explore events of the past … but often things don’t go that smoothly!

In these two books, Sunil and Alex come across some real life figures such as Rosa Parks, Queen Cartimandua and Ghengis Khan, as well as becoming absorbed in some fascinating events in history such as the Battle of Bosworth, the witch trials and even the Roman invasion of Britain. Not to mention the animals along the way – cats and kiwis abound!!

We loved the historical details in both of these books (we enjoyed the history explored in Rule Breakers and Kiwi Keepers more, but that’s just personal preference) and occasionally laughed out loud at the funny footnotes and asides. The black and white illustrations, which are plentiful, are brilliant additions to the book as they bring the wit and humour of the particular time period to life. We did feel that occasionally the stories were somewhat disjointed at times but, then, perhaps that is a consequence of time travel!! Ha ha. The larger font size used throughout the books is also perfect for the target audience. These would be great gifts for any little historian or adventure lover.

Jack-Jack – A Dog in Africa – Ben Garrod (author), Charli Vince (illustrator), Zephyr books (publisher)

Is your child a dog lover? If so, this is the book for them! Based on the real life story of Professor Ben Garrod’s falling in love with a scruffy dog whilst on trip to Africa filming Baby Chimp Rescue, this narrative is told through the eyes of Jack-Jack and is a hilariously fun adventure story.

Jack- Jack spent his days licking his bottom, scratching his two fleas, Jump and Hop, and looking after orphaned baby chimpanzees in Africa. He and his best friend, an Egyptian Vulture with only one working wing, were inseparable. Until that is, he laid his eyes on his human, Ben. From that moment on, he knew that his life was going to change and he readied himself for an adventure like no other- from a sunny, warm Africa to a rainy, chilly “YooKay”.

This is a fun, quirky animal story, filled with lashings of black and white illustrations of animals from Africa and hilarious insights into Jack-Jack’s loveable canine personality.   The story is funny – lots of bottom sniffing and snack-time references which any animal lover will laugh out loud at. We love Jack-Jack’s roguish, fun personality – his loyalty and friendship, his laziness, his love of snacks and much more. We cannot wait for your next book in the series, Jack-Jack.

Graphic Novels

This Book Will Self-Destruct – Ben Sanders (author and illustrator), Little Tiger (publisher)

Who doesn’t love a book which makes you laugh out loud?!

Join Agent Harrier in his top-secret mission to stop this book from self-destructing and be prepared for paw-fulls of giggles along the way! With the fate of the entire book and all its characters hanging in the balance, it’s one tough day at the office for Agent Harrier. 

You will have to keep your wits about you and trust absolutely no-one. Certainly not that innocent-sounding narrator! The story twists and turns like the proverbial dog with its nose to the ground following the scent of a bone. But is something fishy going on? You’ve no time to waste, you have to read on… the clock, ahem, I mean, bomb, is ticking …….

We loved this graphic novel in its popping colour tones of neon-red, grey, black and white which really add to the storyline and draw the reader in. It’s explosively funny, very witty and incredibly clever, inviting your young reader into the brilliantly-plotted story. We love the superb illustrations throughout, the brilliant twists and turns and the clever nods to the spy world. It’s captivating, clever and extremely funny, engaging your reader in the best of ways. A pawsome spy story and we cannot wait for the next adventure with Agent Harrier. My youngest declared it her favourite book ever and said “can you get me another one please, Mummy?”. High praise indeed! 

 Juniper Mae – Secrets of the Guardian Knights  – Sarah Soh (author and illustrator), Flying Eye Books (publisher) – 7 plus

Meet Juniper Mae, Knight of Tykotech City, the brave and fearless (sort of!) inventor. She’s back in this, the second book in the series, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Deep in the forest, Juniper Mae and her best friend Albie, the cutest little tama-tama you ever did see, are working hard to become Guardian Knights. They are searching for ancient artefacts, helping the tamas -tamas out  with fabulous new inventions, and much more. But when Juniper discovers a giant bug bot with its head still in tact, and becomes set on re-programming the “evil”ness out of it, a rift forms between the two best friends.

Meanwhile, in Tykotech City (a marvellous, peaceful place, filled with amazing technology), President Kozen has resigned to spend more time with her daughter and the sinister Mr Onyx has come to power. He threatens the deep green forest with his plans to expand into it and destroy the wildlife…… Juniper Mae and Albie are going to have to work together to save the home that they love. But trouble just seems to find the pair when they chase  down the bug bot into a cave and something ancient and evil is awoken. When the bug- bot saving Juniper’s life, he gets embraced as part of the family (and is named Bot-L) and the scene is set for these three friends to continue the fight for the survival of the forest and against evil in the next book. 

We love this graphic novel from Sarah Soh, the second in trilogy about Juniper Mae. I’d highly recommend reading the first book before this one so that you understand the previous storyline. We love Juniper Mae – the shy, quiet girl who has grown in courage and confidence through the books and inspires young children to pursue their dreams, to have confidence and to embrace learning.  We love her strong female presence. The themes of friendship and community are superb in this book and we particularly like the way that the story highlights that friends can disagree but can ultimately remain friends. There are also environmental themes of looking after the land, appreciating the planet and caring for animals and others which are brilliant to see, particularly as this book is publishing in Earth month. 

The world building is superb and this is particularly brought to life by the illustrations which are vibrant, cute and fresh, providing colour, fun and excitement to the already pacey plotline.  There’s also a great cliffhanger at the end of the book, paving the way for the next in this fresh and fun graphic novel sci-fi series.

Middle Grade Books

Secrets of the Snakestone – Piu Dasgupta (author), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

I am a sucker for a historical fantasy read and this is one of the most unique and engaging that I have ever read. I was captivated from the very first page.

It’s Paris. 1895 and Zelie has travelled from Calcutta to become a maid in a grand house. But no one trusts her. Because of the colour of her skin, everyone thinks that she is a witch. She just wants to return home but she hasn’t heard from her father in months. So when Jules, a sewer boy, gives Zelie a golden locket that used to belong to her father and that he found down the drains, she knows that something is seriously wrong. The locket used to hold the magical Snakestone and should be with her father in Calcutta, so what was it doing in the overflowing drains of rain-soaked Paris?

Zelie and Jules embark on a dangerous journey full of twists and turns, like a writhing snake itself, to try and discover the truth. But a deadly society, known as the Brotherhood of Blood, are also after the elusive Snakestone and its terrible powers. Jules and Zelie will have to wade through mucky sewers beneath the ancient city to discover the truth. But that is the easiest part of their journey – there are riddles and mysteries to solve that twist and turn the two friends towards danger and deadly intentions. Will they ever find Zelie’s father? Will they all make it out alive?

Ooo, gosh. I adored this book. I loved the geography and detail of the Paris portrayed in the 1890’s. I loved the characters of Zelie and Jules. I loved the themes of friendship and not judging by appearances. I loved the mystery, intrigue, hint of dark magic and exotic wonder. A truly marvellous mystery, filled with fantasy, magic and history, it’s a five star read for me.

Puppet – David Almond (author) Lizzy Stewart (illustrator), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)

Oh my! What a book! I smiled in happiness, I cried tears of grief and sadness but, my goodness, did I live in the moment of this book.

Silvester is now an old man. All alone and left to his thoughts of days gone by when he used to travel the world with his beloved Belinda and their puppet theatre. But Silvester’s puppets have now been taken to a local museum and he is left with all the spare parts. What’s an old puppet master to do with them?! Why, make one last puppet, of course. And what he makes is a miracle. A walking, talking strange little thing, full of awe for the world. He loves jam sandwiches and cake and is so excited to explore his surroundings. So, Silvester takes Puppet out into the big, wide world … and what they find surprises them both. Yes, there are dangers and strangers, but there is also so much friendship and love. And new beginnings.

The pair meet Fleur and her mother and they fall in love with Puppet too. From that moment on, Silvester’s puppet-making takes on a new lease of life as he teaches Fleur all he knows and she begins to make marvellous puppets of her own. Perhaps this is not the end of something, after all, but the start of something new and wonderful … Will they all be able to put on another puppet-show for the world?!

What a heart-warming, wonderful story this one is. It’s filled with love, hope and optimism as well as a sprinkle of magic that all the best books have. It’s chock-full of creative genius and wonder but also gently explains the circle of life and the emotions that come with this. I absolutely adored it. The black and white illustrations throughout the pages of the story really bring this work of artistic genius to life. Do find yourself a copy of this book, you won’t regret it. 

Uprising- Jennifer A. Nielsen (author), Scholastic Press (publisher)

I cannot get enough of children’s books about the Second World War. I find them absolutely fascinating. And this one is one of the best I have read. 

1 September, 1939. Somewhere in the idyllic countryside of Poland. And the planes begin to attack. From that moment on, life is never the same for 12 year old Lidia and her family. Poland falls under German occupation and Lidia’s father goes off to bravely fight for his country once more, never to be seen again. 

Lidia is desperate to fight against the Nazis and the cruelty that she sees them inflict but she is too young. She and her family move back to Warsaw where their home is but are forced out of their house by the Nazis and they have to live with their Jewish housekeeper in a squalid apartment, leaving behind Lidia’s beloved piano. Over the coming years, life becomes much more intolerable for Lidia and her close friends and family. Their Jewish friends are rounded up and held captive in the Warsaw ghetto and there is little to no food for anyone. Lidia is determined to help those inside the ghetto but when that doesn’t work, she is resolute on following her brother’s footsteps and joining the Polish resistance. Soon, she begins work as a courier and she doesn’t look back. When the Warsaw City Uprising begins, Lidia’s tasks become much more dangerous and she and her peers fight with everything they have to defend their freedom. But will it be enough?!

Based on the extraordinary real-life story of Polish teenager Lidia Zakrzewski, this book is a page-turning, heart in mouth, inspirational account of the Polish resistance fighters. I absolutely adored it. I forgot it was a “children’s book”. It obviously packs a weighty punch in terms of subject matter, having to deal with the events of the second world war but I feel that it strikes the perfect balance here between providing information without giving too many graphic details. My only slight criticism was that the ending felt a tiny bit rushed, like we found out the final parts of Lidia’s journey very quickly. Having said that though, I genuinely found this book to be unputdownable and would highly recommend it to anyone with a historical interest in the events of the Second World War. Five stars from me. 

 Bringing Back Kay-Kay – Dev Kothari (author), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)

Lena cannot imagine her life without her older brother, Kay-Kay. He’s the only one that sticks up for her with her Ma and Dad; he’s the only one who really believes in her. So when he does not get off the train after a trip away, and everyone realises that he has gone missing, Lena’s world comes crashing down around her. 

She knows that he hasn’t just run away like the police believe. Her Kay-Kay would never do that. She knows that something terrible has happened but she just doesn’t know what. The more digging she does, the more she realises that she didn’t know as much about her brother’s life as she thought she did … she’s sure one friend in particular knows a lot more than he is letting on. But she knows her brother in her heart. She knows the beautiful poetry he writes and she is determined to do something… to find him… even though no one will help her search. Can she find the courage to keep going and face whatever lies ahead?

I was captivated by this story and raced through the pages, desperate to know what was going to happen next. I liked the mystery and the intrigue; I liked the setting in a part of the world I have never visited; I liked the poetry; I liked the strong, female lead. But what I loved was the strong sibling connection. Love between brother and sister who may be compared against one another but who are best friends nonetheless. I thought the handling  of mental health issues, parental pressure, exam stress and anxiety and ravaging grief were all dealt with extremely well in the book and handled with sensitivity and care. A brilliant, lyrical debut of a novel which left me with a warm heart and a smile on my face. 

The Royal Jewel Plot – A.M.Howell (author), Usborne Publishing Ltd (publisher)

Oooo, I cannot tell you how much I adored the first book in this Mysteries at Sea series (there’s something I love about boats and the era that these books are set in) so this, the second book, went straight to the top of my reading pile when it came through the door. And what a book this is! 

It’s August 1936 and Alice and Sonny are together now and excited to explore their family’s new luxurious steam yacht, The Lady Rose. And their voyage upon the beautiful boat is all the more exciting because the King of England and his special friend Wallis Simpson will be on board. Not only that, but there is a beautiful gemstone and a poisonous octopus aboard the yacht. When the rare opal and the octopus guarding it go missing, Alice and Sonny have to investigate once again in order to save their family’s boat.

The search is on to retrieve the priceless gem, and everyone comes under suspicion as secrets are discovered … Will the pair manage to find the gem before the ship reaches its destination and they find themselves in hot water? The journey to the truth will have them questioning everything, even their friends …

Ooo, I sailed through this marvellous mystery. I adored the glamorous setting aboard the luxurious yacht and all the sumptuous detailing of the decadent boat. I adored the brilliant plot – which was filled with twists and turns – the mystery and intrigue and the characterisations of the main players. I loved the historical insights, the octopus facts, the research and detail that has gone into this book. The black and white illustrated map of the yacht was a wonderful inclusion in a book brimming with secrets and sabotage. A marvellous maritime adventure, truly deserving of five stars from us. 

Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters – The Trouble with the Two-Headed Hydra – Karen Foxlee (author), Freda Chiu (illustrator), Pushkin Press (publisher)

My eldest daughter stole this book as soon as I had read it because we both adored the first in this wonderful series, all about Miss Mary Kate and her detective skills and monster hunting.  This book is a wonderful read for any time of year but especially now we are coming up to the summer months because it really evokes sunshine and adventure, being set on the Greek Island of Galinios.

Miss Mary-Kate Martin is back. Dressed in her sparkly red shoes, carrying her sparkly red backpack containing her strawberry scented notebook, Mary-Kate accompanies her archaeologist mother to the Greek Islands to investigate a fascinating old mosaic that has been unearthed. Mary Kate will surely just get the chance to have a nice, relaxing holiday in the sunshine, for surely this can’t concern her? But when a message arrives asking for her help… she knows she will have to get involved. Maybe the local legend that she has heard about the Two-Headed Hydra is more than just folklore? And what could have made this gentle creature go on the rampage? And can it have anything to do with the famous sardine plant on the island? 

With the help of her new friend and local boy, Nikos, Mary-Kate is determined to face her fears and get to the bottom of this mystery. She’s sure that monsters are there to be helped, not hunted. But does everyone agree with her? And will she be able to solve the mystery of the Two-Headed Hydra? She might like things just so to help ease her anxiety but she is certainly not afraid to try and get to the bottom of this mystery and embroil herself in adventure..

Both my daughter and I adored this book. We loved the subtle message about the sea and oceans and keeping them free from pollution. We loved the characters and all their charms: Nikos’ enthusiasm and loyalty, Mary-Kate’s brave determination even in the face of her sometimes crippling anxiety, and the strong female character that her mother portrays as Professor Martin. The storyline is witty, fast-paced and thrilling and the brilliant black and white illustrations dotted throughout the book make this an even more engaging and thoroughly absorbing read. Five stars from us! We cannot wait for more books in the series!

Alex Neptune – Zombie Fighter – David Owen (author), Usborne Publishing Limited (publisher)

This is the fourth book in this brilliantly briny adventure series by author David Owen and it is great to be back with Alex and the (growing) gang! If you haven’t read the others, I highly recommend that you do – only because we adore them, not because it is a pre-requisite to reading this adventure set on the high seas. These books give a quick recap of Alex’s powers so they can easily be read as standalones. 

In this sensationally spooky story, Alex, protector of the seas and all its aquatic animals, has got a rather large and creepy problem. You see, a freezing fog has rolled into Haven Bay and Alex and his friends and family are attacked by some spooky crab-riding Zombies!! If that wasn’t bad enough, they are being controlled by the evil spirit of Brineblood, the bloodthirsty, terrifying pirate. 

In order to stop the creepy-crustacean army of zombies, Alex, Zoey and Anil have to locate a powerful trident which has been broken apart into three pieces and is now located in three deadly worlds. The friends must try and use their sea magic in these deadly worlds to try and retrieve the pieces of the trident before the zombies can catch them. If that wasn’t hard enough, the Water Dragon has been frozen by the zombies and they are sure that old Argosy is not telling them everything they need to know about the deadly worlds. With the help of some penguins, some otters, an octopus and a seal, surely the fate of the oceans is in good hands?!

Brimming with brine, this is a brilliant, fast-paced nautical adventure which will take your reader on a fantastic journey.  It’s filled with imagination, funny dialogue and a treasure trove of action and adventure, not to mention a clawful of creepiness in the form of those clicking, crab-riding zombies.

With themes of family, friendship (we’ve loved the new additions to the friendship group in this book), self-belief, confidence, eco-activism and love, it’s a pacy, rich and imaginative story which we absolutely adored. 

Shadow Fox – Carlie Sorosiak (author), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

When a book comes through the door by one of my favourite middle grade authors (I Am Clementine has to be my all-time top middle grade read) then I am not not going to put it right to the top of my reading list!

And I am so glad I did. Because Carlie Sorosiak has written another belter of a book, brimming with emotion, wildness and magic. Told through the eyes of YAAAARRRRAAAWWWAAAAAARRR (I may have missed a few ‘A’’s and ‘R’’s here), or Shadow, a wild, scrappy yet affectionate fox, this is a heartwarmingly beautiful story of love, loss, friendship and humour with oodles of magic. 

Bee’s nan is the only human that Shadow has ever trusted. She’s nice and gives her fish sometimes, outside her lakeside inn. But when Bee’s nan goes missing, Bee is sure that she wouldn’t go off without a very good reason. While everyone around Bee tries to tell her that her nan may have drowned, Bee just cannot believe that. And neither can Shadow. The two seem to be drawn together by an inexplicable connection and together they share a magical adventure to discover what has happened to Nan. Along the way, they encounter magic like they never knew existed. There are secret islands and beautiful wildernesses but there is also danger. The Earth is in trouble and it will take a particular brand of wild and beautiful magic to save it. Will Shadow and Bee be up to the challenge?

This is a truly captivating story that enchanted me from the get-go. I loved the messages about respecting nature and loving our planet, as well as the themes of love, loss and friendship within the story. I ADORED the character of Shadow: her wildness, her huffiness, her penchant for shoes, her prickly yet loveable nature. And I loved the magic. Everything a fantastical middle grade should be!

Alyssa and the Spell Garden – Alexandra Shepard (author), Faber & Faber Ltd (publisher)

I raced through this absolute page-turner of a book and finished it in almost 24 hours, so good was the storyline and so intrigued was I to find out what was going on in the book!

11 year-old Alyssa is forced to spend the summer holiday with her creaky, old Great-Aunt Jasmine, who she has never met before, in North London. And she’s not particularly happy about it. Until, that is, she realises her Aunt’s jumbled old tea shop and garden aren’t quite what they seem and Alyssa’s latent magical powers quite literally explode into life! 

You see, her Aunt owns a secret spell garden and runs a special, magical school out of it where local children can harness and hone their plant power. The beautiful and enchanted  garden grows magical spell ingredients that have protected the family, the local area and the community around the garden for decades. But something sinister is afoot. The neighbourhood is under threat from a powerful development company who are pushing people out of the area. And ever since Alyssa arrived, the magic seems to be running out, it’s life water draining away. Could it be all Alyssa’s fault? Or can Alyssa learn to harness her wild and unruly magic to set things right and save the spell garden and the community?

I loved this pacy, magical adventure story. The creativity and world-building is superb (I’d love to meet a flicker bee!) and I loved the fantastical storyline that the author has conjured up. I really enjoyed the themes of community- spirit, Jamaican heritage, the power of solidarity and neighbourhood spirit as well as the threads of love, friendship and family which weave through the story. I loved the magic and the spells. But what I really loved was the “greenness” of this book – the idea that gardens, green spaces  and plants can be good for our very souls and can encourage us to give back to the planet because they make us happier. There are darker themes of greed, corporate power and corruption, and sadness over broken family relationships running through the book but these are handled very sensitively. Magical, inclusive, environmentally friendly, encouraging a love of gardening and the outdoors, this book gets five big fat stars from us. 

When the Wild Calls – Nicola Penfold (author), Little Tiger (publisher)

First things first, there is a book before this one which I haven’t read. Did that impact on my enjoyment for this book, no. But, having said that, I think I might have understood some of the background detail a little more had I read the first book. You didn’t need it though and I still thought that this book was a five star read.

Juniper and her brother Bear have escaped the oppressive life in the city and they spend their days exploring the wonders of the Wild. But with reports of sickness and rebellion in the city, Juniper is terrified for the safety of her beloved grandmother and her best friend Etienne who she left behind in the city. So, Juniper and Bear make the long journey back again to rescue their loved ones. 

Meanwhile, Etienne’s soul is slowly dying as he longs for the Wild, even though his body is getting stronger with the drugs they are trialling on him. As everything in the city seems to be getting worse and worse and disease is spreading, Etienne knows that he must fight for what he believes in. But when he is captured and taken off to the Institute, it becomes a race against time – will he be able to stay safe until Juniper can take him to the Wild? Will Juniper be able to save everyone she loves?

I loved this action-packed wild adventure story. Set against a backdrop of environmental crisis and human error, this is a stand out story highlighting the impact of humans on the natural world and the climate crisis but striking a hopeful and heartwarming note for the future. I loved the twists and turns of the book and the adrenaline-fuelled journey of love and hope that the characters are wrapped up in. Filled with friendship, family, love, hope, nature and the environment, this is a stunner of a story for any child who enjoys a dystopian adventure and every child who has an interest in the future of the world (that’s all of them, btw!!). A thought-provoking, brilliant book.

A Spy in the Jam Factory – Chrissie Sains (author), Jenny Taylor (illustrator), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)

What’s your favourite flavour of jam?! Mine’s raspberry, unless it is on a scone and then only strawberry with lashings of cream and butter will do!

So, what do you get when you cross alien inventions with a jam factory?! A big, sticky mess most likely! The latest in this series (but this book can easily be read as a standalone like I did), Scooter McLay (chief inventor at McLay’s jam factory) and his cute little alien friend Fizzbee are testing a new range of jam made with fun, alien ingredients. The problem is that not everyone agrees that they are fun and poor old Fizzbee’s popularity is waning with his neighbours. I guess that happens when hair changes colour, children start floating and gigantic vegetables grow! Fizzbee begins to feel unwanted and unloved, and really rather homesick. 

So Scooter and his friends need to find a way to try and make Fizzbee popular again. That wouldn’t be quite so difficult if someone wasn’t trying to make Fizzbee look bad so that she can be evicted from the planet. Agent Fleur De Vious wants Fizzbee out of this world and she will stop at nothing to make Earth alien free. Will she succeed? 

This book was quirky, fun and packed with sticky adventure and mayhem. We loved that one of the central characters – Scooter – has cerebral palsy and that this is explained to readers in the book through words in the story, celebrating the fabulously creative way that Scooter’s brain functions, as well as providing a two page spread at the back of the book explaining the condition and the different ways it can have an effect on people. There are laugh out loud black and white illustrations on practically every page of this book, really bringing the humour of the story to life. An uplifting, engaging and fun alien adventure story. With jam. Yum.

Interdimensional Explorers – Alien Apocalypse- Lorraine Gregory (author), Jo Lindley (illustrator), Farshore (publisher)

This is the second book in this out of this world series but it can easily be read as a standalone (we hadn’t read the first book and followed the story without issue). Danny, Inaaya and Modge, the three great friends, are back in a sensational new space adventure! 

Danny isn’t like your average 11 year old! No, he is an apprentice caretaker of a super secret Interdimensional Lost Property Office. And now that his Grandad has gone off on a last-minute holiday, he is unexpectedly in charge. Luckily, he has his best friend’s Inaaya and Modge to help out again. But will they really want to help him forever? When a special star is stolen, they are all going to need to work together to get it back or else the whole multiverse will be in danger. Your reader can get ready for a super space ride across the galaxies for an out of this world adventure like no other!

We enjoyed this fun, space-travelling story which is filled with friendship, alien life/forms and lashings of originality. The black and white illustrations dotted throughout the story are brilliant and bring the creativity and imagination of the author to life. A perfect series for any child who loves a space adventure. 

Non-Fiction Books

Encyclopaedia of Animals – Jules Howard (author), Jarom Vogel (illustrator), Wide Eyed Editions (imprint of Quarto) (publisher)

Do you have an animal- lover at home? A child who is obsessed with animals, whatever their guise? Then this is THE book for them! This beauty of a non-fiction book covers over 275 species of animal from every corner of the kingdom and ensures that you and your children know the difference between your spotted wobbegong and your Hispaniolan Solenodon. Nope, I am not speaking gobbledygook- if you don’t know what I am talking about then you need to read this book!

Split into six areas:

Invertebrates,

Fish,

Amphibians;

Reptiles;

Birds; and 

Mammals,

there is a handy guide at the front of the book explaining how to use it. You can navigate your way through the handy tabs at the side to work out which group of animals you are reading about, looking at the chapter header for more information on how the species on these pages are linked together. Each animal has its English name and scientific Latin name and some fascinating short paragraphs of information about it. We love that you can pick up and put down this book, read it in any order, take it with you wherever you go, or snuggle down under the duvet with it. You are bound to discover lots of awesome animals that you never knew existed. I have been blown away by the breadth of information in this book.

Combined with absolutely captivating illustrations of the animals and mesmerising and colourful two page spreads of the wildlife, this truly is a fabulous fact book celebrating the amazing animals on Earth. A go-to guide to dip in and out of, or an engaging encyclopaedia to pore over, you and your animal loving children are sure to adore it (and I guarantee that you will learn lots!). 

Stay Curious and Keep Exploring – Next Level – Emily Calandrelli (author), Chronicle Prism (imprint of Chronicle Books LLC) (publisher)

From the host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab comes this brilliant book packed full of bold, brand new experiments to bubble, pop, sparkle and explode into your lives!

There are 50 experiments in this scientific book to try with the whole family so scientists of all ages can have a real blast learning about lots of different STEAM concepts. There are ten different subject types to explore – superhero science, scary science, bubble, bubbles, bubbles, just add water, let’s go outside, glam, glitz and flow, science with friends, food science lab, science in colour, and head, shoulders, hands and toes- so your children can work through each experiment in each of these topics or just jump about and try whatever experiment they fancy! Each experiment contains the science behind it, the materials needed and some easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, together with some gorgeous artwork. It’s learning filled with play and will be sure to spark curiosity and fuel a passion for science in your little readers.

There’s also a great glossary at the back of the book for scientific terms highlighted in yellow in the book and (for parents!) a helpful shopping list of basic, useful ingredients. 

We have barely scratched the surface with this book, only trying a honeycomb experiment (yum) and a ketchup scuba diver experiment, but we know we are going to love it for years to come. A perfect book for a rainy day which will keep your little ones learning and curious. 

A Little World of Ants – Cara Rooney (author and illustrator), Two Hoots (imprint of Pan MacMillan) (publisher)

Welcome to the world of adorable ants in this gorgeously fun work of non-fiction for younger readers.

With engaging and fun interactive lift-the-flaps featured throughout, simple language and vibrantly coloured illustrations, this marvel of a book about these mini-beasts is sure to be a hit. The colourful pages, with their interesting and creatively-shaped lift-the-flap details, encourage exploration for little hands and the short blocks of text are sure to provide your young reader with a deeper understanding and insight into the world of adorable ants. 

We love how this book provides fun details and engaging snippets of information about these clever insects and yet also encourages a love of the outdoors and is perfect for inspiring a love for the little things and the wonder of the world. A super work of non-fiction for any little nature lover, particularly those with an interest in mini-beasts. 

Hello Bugs – A Little Guide to Nature – Nina Chakrabarti (author and illustrator), Laurence King (imprint of Hachette Children’s Group) (publisher)

I just love a book which encourages children to get outside into nature. This riotously colourful work of non-fiction is one of the best to encourage children to get into nature and explore the marvellous world of minibeasts. 

Your child can find out fun facts – did you know that bugs are a specific type of insect?; that all insects have six legs?; that there are more species of beetle than any other insect on the planet?; that scout ants are sent out to find good things to eat?- whilst poring over the pages of this beautifully illustrated book. There’s some fun nature activities for your little ones to try at the back of the book, as well as fabulous hints and tips on spotting bugs in nature. We also loved the two page spread on bugs in folklore! Fascinating. The information is set out in short paragraphs of text, providing the right amount of detail for its target audience.

The entire book is exquisitely illustrated in stunning colours, really bringing the world of bugs and beasties to life in the best of ways. This is a beautiful book and we love that this little guide is such a handy size to pop in your pocket to take with you on your outside adventures. Happy bug hunting! 

Totally Chaotic History – Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly – Greg Jenner (author), expert interruptions by Dr Campbell Price, Rikin Parekh (illustrator), Walker Books Ltd (publisher)

Ever wanted to know how many pairs of pants King Tutankhamun was buried with? Fancy reading the true (ish) diary of Queen Cleopatra VII? Maybe you’d like to tune into the live News Feed for pyramid building? All of this and more are (sort of) possible in this hilarious romp through history with historian Greg Jenner and his chief expert (hilarious) interrupter, Dr Campbell Price. 

So, get yourself involved in the unruly and chaotic world of the Ancient Egyptians. Step back in time through history to meet the mummies from the past – even discover how to make one – don your detective’s coat and try to solve a pharoah’s murder, have a read of the sales pitch for moving to the town of Hetep- Senwosret! Join medical school or meet the mighty gods, there is so much to read about in this fantastic fact book.

You may think you know Ancient Egypt but you can think again! You’ll journey on a funny and epic adventure from ancient Egypt’s brilliant beginning to its delightful demise and you will enjoy every minute of it.

We love the brilliantly humorous black and white illustrations on practically every page of this book, really bringing the world of ancient Egypt to life, as well as the fabulous interruptions – some funny, some wonderfully factual- by Dr Campbell Price.

For fans of Horrible Histories, this book is an epic Egyptian history lesson of the most funny and brilliant kind. We highly recommend it.

Climate Action – Georgina Stevens (author), Katie Rewse (illustrator), Little Tiger (publisher)

Earth Day is 22 April 2024 and this is a particularly brilliant book to read this month (and at any time you fancy picking it up!). This is a book not to make you feel hopeless but to provide you with facts and to help with changing the world for the better. The future is in our hands, indeed, and we all have the power to change things and to stand up and make a real difference. 

With incredible stories from real-life children who have found their voices and are standing up for what they believe in and taking action, this is ultimately a hopeful and inspirational book for readers.

This book will help readers understand what climate change is and what it means for us and our planet. It looks at the human impact on the land – from greenhouse gases, through deforestation, to what it means to have a carbon footprint – and how this is effecting our wonderful world through rising sea levels, storms, heatwaves, wildfires and much more. But it also looks at not just how we have contributed to the climate crisis but suggests ideas for meaningful change before then providing some stories from some  inspirational young change makers from around the globe.

We love this book. It provides hope for the future if we can all do something to change some of our ways. I like the way it is not too overwhelming or doom-mongering (particularly for those children with climate crisis anxiety) but gently suggests ways that children can find their voice and get involved, delicately suggesting that they don’t try too much at once! I cannot sign off without mentioning the stunning illustrations in the book: bold and beautiful drawings of the natural world surround the text blocks of information and make for a visuality stunning read. Bold, vibrant, inspirational, accessible and truly beautiful, this is one book that every child should read.

Activity Books

Return of the Wild Colouring Book – Helen Scales (author), Good Wives and Warriors 2024 (illustrator), Laurence King (imprint of Hachette Children’s Group) (publisher)

Do you and your children enjoy colouring? Do you find it therapeutic, or a nice, calming activity to do when they just need some chill-out time?

This book is a combination of the best of all worlds. It’s a reading book, it’s a work of non-fiction and it contains over 25 stunning illustrations to colour in. So, let me explain …. This book provides hope to our children. When they are often reading about animals fading away and facing extinction, this book provides some good news stories about nature and the helping hands that it has been given by humans. That’s not to say that it doesn’t explain that nature is in trouble; it does do that but it also provides optimism and hope and allows your child yo see that there are lots of humans trying to protect our planet and they can be part of that too. 

There are stories about vultures being made safe, parrots being protected, blue whales returning to the Southern Ocean, coral reef homes recovered and fish thriving, tigers returning to the wild, rare flowers flourishing on urban rooftops and many more. They are hopeful stories of recovery in the wild and these are set side by side with exquisite, intricately detailed pictures for your child to colour in and absorb themselves in the wonder of nature.

We also love the two-page spread at the back of the book encouraging your children to help make a difference to the natural world by providing some ideas of how they can assist. 

A truly captivating book which is so much more than a colouring book for children. It’s perfect for any fact-lover, any eco-warrior, any “reluctant reader” (as the font size is larger and the text is set out in short paragraphs which are easy to digest) or anyone who loves colouring. We love it.

Around the World Colouring Book – Ancient Egypt – Andy Passchier (illustrator), Nosy Crow Ltd (publisher)

Produced in collaboration with The British Museum, this is a creative collection of colouring and sticking activities for your little historian to get creative over! 

The colouring book is split into two-page spreads detailing brilliantly busy scenes based on ancient life. Your child can explore life at the markets, see what it was like in the mummification chamber, sit down at a festive banquet, delve into ancient music, toys and games, marvel at amulets and trinkets, gaze at tomb paintings and hieroglyphs and so much more… there are 20 stunning scenes and patterns to explore, decorate and colour.

With over 90 amazing photographic stickers featuring real ancient objects, this book is the ideal introduction to ancient Egypt because it makes learning fun. There are short text blocks of information to cover each particular theme or area, as well as the stickers to decorate them with and then all your child needs to do is get our their colouring pencils or felt-tips and let their creative juices flow.

My youngest daughter is fascinated with ancient Egypt so this is THE book for her as it combines all her favourite activities – reading facts, colouring and sticking! Bringing history to life through the comfort of your own home, what’s not to love?!