May is here, and with it the promise of two bank holiday weekends and hopefully some sunshine! We have some fantastic book recommendations for you this month. Do keep an eye on the Mini Travellers twitter account for a chance to win copies of some of the books featured.
Picture Books
We Eat Bananas by Katie Abey (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Packed full of humour and with plenty of things to spot on each page, this is a great way to explore all the different foods the animals are eating (and their favourite ways of eating them.) My four year old son thinks this book is hilarious and always finds something new every time we read it.
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The Dinosaur Department Store by Lily Murray & Richard Merritt (Buster books)
Eliza Jane is desperate for a real dinosaur. But when her parents bravely take her to the Dinosaur Department Store so she can get one of her own, they are all in for a surprise… With bright, bold artwork, a feisty female lead and a great twist at the end, The Dinosaur Department Store is perfect for fans of dinosaurs.
Little Green Donkey by Anuska Allepuz (Walker)
Little Donkey loves eating grass and refuses to eat anything else until one day he wakes up to find he’s turned completely green. This is a very entertaining story about the benefits of trying new foods.
5-8 years
Narwhal Unicorn of The Sea by Ben Clanton (Egmont)
Narwhal is a happy little creature with a big imagination. Together with his best friend Jellyfish, they have some brilliant adventures. With plenty of artwork, these books are perfect for readers who are just moving on from picture books.
We’re Going On a Bear Hunt: Let’s Discover Bugs (Walker Books)
This activity book is packed full of facts, activities and stickers all about bugs. It also features artwork from the classic picture book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt which is now 30 years old.
The Naughtiest Unicorn by Pip Bird and David O’Connell (Egmont)
Mira can’t wait to join her big sister at Unicorn School. But she arrives on her first day to find that all of the glittery, sparkly unicorns are gone. Instead she is paired up with Dave who is more interested in lunch than magical quests… With plenty of humour, friendship, magic and adventure, this new series is perfect for unicorn fans.
8-12 years
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian and Nasaya Mafaridik (Hodder Children’s Books)
Omar is a small boy with a big imagination and a habit of attracting trouble. The reader joins Omar for plenty of hilarity as he moves house and starts at a new school. With cartoon illustrations throughout, this is perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
The Boy Who Flew by Fleur Hitchcock (Nosy Crow)
When his friend Mr Chen is murdered, Athan is desperate to stop the flying machine they were building from falling into the wrong hands, but will he be able to protect his family? This is a fast paced gothic thriller with vivid characters and a gripping ending.
This book is perfect if you’re looking for ways to inspire young readers to spend more time in nature. With a mix of photography and illustrations, Wild Things is full of ideas for activities you can do outside, from brewing magical potions and creating fairy outfits, to finding troll bridges and bringing tree monsters to life.
Wild Things by Jo Schofield and @FionaDanks published by @lpkids is one of our recommended reads this May – more here https://t.co/lZplodHfJU https://t.co/Jf1yiXHCtx For a chance to win a copy simply Follow and RT. Comp closes midnight 19/05. @NaomiJones_1 pic.twitter.com/SGt2YTn5Hn
— minitravellers (@minitravellers) May 4, 2019
Young Adult
The Disconnect by Keren David (Barrington stoke)
When an entrepreneur challenges a class to give up their phones and offers a prize of £1000 to the person who lasts the longest, Esther is determined to win. But can she resist the lure of social media? By award winning author Keren David, Barrington Stoke specialises in books for reluctant and dyslexic readers.
Station Zero by Philip Reeve (Oxford University Press)
By the author of Mortal Engines, Station Zero is full of intergalactic trains, incredible worlds and fantastic characters. This final instalment to the Railhead series is every bit as brilliant as its predecessors.
A Girl Called Shameless by Laura Steven (Egmont)
Two months after an explicit photo of Izzy was leaked, she decides to try and change the state law on revenge porn to make sure no one else ever has to go through the same thing as her. With themes of feminism, friendship and forgiveness – and plenty of Izzy’s humour throughout, this is a really engaging story. It does contain some strong language.
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Mini Travellers Children’s Book Ideas for May 2019
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.