The summer holidays are almost here and we’ve got a great selection of children’s book ideas to help keep the kids busy.
Picture Books
How to be a Lion by Ed Vere (Puffin)
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Leonard isn’t like any lion you’ve ever met before. He’s a dreamer whose best friend is a duck called Marianne. But what will they do when their friendship is threatened? This is a beautiful story about courage and the power of staying true to yourself.
Errol! By Zanni Louise and Philip Bunting (Scholastic)
Errol always keeps his mum waiting but one day he doesn’t come back before she counts to three! Whilst penguins aren’t very seasonal, I loved the humour in this story as Errol embarks on his icy adventure.
Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Oliver Jeffers’s latest book was conceived when he had his first child. It’s a beautiful exploration of life on planet earth and one my toddler loves reading again and again.
5-8 years
Jane Austen by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Katie Wilson,
Georgia O’Keeffe by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Erica Salcedo and
Harriet Tubman by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Pili Aguado (Lincoln Children’s Books)
The latest titles in this inspirational series feature three more amazing women. With bright, bold illustrations, these books are a fantastic celebration of achievements that haven’t always got the attention they’ve deserved. Also available from the National Theatre Bookshop.
Usborne Little Children’s Holiday Pad (Usborne Publishing)
Packed full of nearly 100 puzzles, word searches, spot the differences and more, this holiday themes activity book will be sure to keep your little ones entertained. The activities have all been designed to develop crucial writing, counting and observation skills.
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Animal Ark: Kitten Rescue by Lucy Daniels (Orchard Books)
Animal-mad Ameila is sad to move house until she discovers Animal Ark where vets look after all kinds of creatures that need help. Ameila is keen to help when she discovers a littler of kittens, but can she find their mum in time? Perfect for animal lovers – this is a brand new adventure from the bestselling series.
8-12 years
Possibly too large to take on holiday, but fantastic to read before you set off, Great Voyages is a treasure trove of information for intrepid adventurers. Packed full of details about epic voyages from well-known explorers such as Columbus and Charles Darwin as well as the lesser known Gertrude Bell and Maria Sibylla Merian, this is a fascinating read.
Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens (Puffin)
At Deapdean School for Girls, Hazel and Daisy have set up their own detective agency but are struggling to find any real crimes to investigate, that is until they discover the Science Mistress lying dead in the gym… Packed full of friendship, intrigue and humour this thrilling mystery is the first in a fantastic crime series.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio (Corgi Childrens)
Now an Oscar nominated film, this powerful story is about ten year old August who was born with a facial abnormality. He feels normal on the inside but when he starts going to school after always being homeschooled, will he be able to convince his classmates he’s actually just like them?
Young Adult
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (Orion)
With her chaotic family and mismatched clothes, new girl in town Eleanor sticks out like a sore thumb. Park is the boy at the back of the bus with his headphones on who thinks he’s invisible. But he isn’t to Eleanor. Slowly, inevitably, over mix tapes and late night conversations they are drawn together in this beautiful coming of age love story.
The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (Walker Books)
I really enjoyed this story by award winning writer Patrick Ness. It imagines what it’s like if you aren’t the chosen one who has to fight zombies, or vampires or whatever the new thing is, but just want to work out the courage to ask your crush out to prom before your school is blown up (again).
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge (Macmillan)
This dark atmospheric novel won the Costa Book of the Year 2015. When Faith’s father dies in strange circumstances she discovers a strange tree amongst his belongings. Faith soon figures out this tree only grows and bears fruit when you whisper lies too it. But as the tree grows, Faith’s lies start to take on a life of their own.
Why not Pin this post about Mini Travellers Children’s Book Ideas for July 2018
A mum of two, Naomi Jones spent eight years working for Children’s Publishers in London and now works as a freelance writer, editor and children’s publishing professional.