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Books we love


Trying to find books that are engaging and the right age range for a child can be tricky, so we've put together some suggestions to help you find the best books for young children.



You Choose!: Sticker Frieze

You Choose!: Sticker Frieze

Nick Sharratt
Corgi Childrens
ISBN: 9780552560351

Why we love this book

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Where would you live? And who would you like to live with you? Just some of the questions posed in this book to get children thinking imaginatively about their lives, friends and family.
There are simple story lines and stickers provided so that children can make their own stories and a letter. Great fun and a good starting point for story-building.


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Return to the Hundred Acre Wood

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood

David Benedictus
Egmont Books Ltd
ISBN: 1405247444

Why we love this book

So what happened to the animals of the Hundred Acre Wood when Christopher Robin left for school? This is the starting point of this beautifully-produced story that revisits the classic Winnie-the-Pooh books by AA Milne. The story follows Christopher Robin’s time with his Forest friends during his first summer holiday back at home after starting school. As you expect, Pooh loses his honey, Eeyore feels left out, Piglet is busy and Tigger growls energetically.


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Bob and the Disappearing Moon

Bob and the Disappearing Moon

Simon Bartram
Templar Publishing
ISBN: 1840117192

Why we love this book

The Disappearing Moon is the first fiction story based on the bestselling picture book, Man on the Moon, which won a Blue Peter Award and which many children will recognise in an instant. This is an entertaining story that young readers will enjoy and the wacky humour of Bob’s early picture book adventures is very much in evidence.


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The Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book

The Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book

Steve Alton
Bodley Head Children's Books
ISBN: 0370329759

Why we love this book

This is a clever look at the respiratory and circulatory system for young (and older) readers with some interesting details that will have instant child-appeal (such as, what is pus?). The facts are given simply and in bite-sized chunks that make them easily digestible while the pop-ups are useful as well as entertaining. They might also be tempted by the first book in the series, Gooey Chewy Rumble Plop book, created by the same team of authors, which looks at the digestive system.


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The Pirates' Treasure

The Pirates' Treasure

Emily Bearn
Egmont Books Ltd
ISBN: 1405246251

Why we love this book

This is the third adventure about the mice couple Nutmeg and Tumtum, who live in the broom cupboard of Rose Cottage and keep a watchful eye on the two children who live there. This is an exciting adventure story for younger children, told with charm and gentle humour.


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Shadow Goblins

Shadow Goblins

David Melling
Hodder Children's Books
ISBN: 0340930519

Why we love this book

The Shadow Goblins is the fourth book in a series about goblins, their habits and habitats, by author David Melling. Goblins have many different habits and personalities but also things in common, including all things gross and laziness. They also have a tendency to end up in trouble....


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Creaky Castle: Tom and the Siege

Creaky Castle: Tom and the Siege

Tony Bradman
Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 0746081219

Why we love this book

This is part of a series of funny stories based on what life might have been like in a medieval castle. The high jinx and scrapes that the characters get themselves into will be enjoyed by Horrid Henry fans.


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That Pesky Rat

That Pesky Rat

Lauren Child
Orchard Books
ISBN: 1841212768

Why we love this book

Lauren Child, best known for her 'Charlie & Lola' stories, has also written a range of picture books that slightly older children will enjoy. The illustrations support the story, helping early readers to grow in confidence.


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The Pea and the Princess

The Pea and the Princess

Mini Grey
Red Fox
ISBN: 0099432331

Why we love this book

Children continue to love picture books as they learn to read and many begin their first reading steps with books like 'Dear Zoo'. As they develop as readers they can progress onto more sophisticated stories, like this one by Mini Grey.


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The Ant and the Grasshopper

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Katie Daynes
Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 0746096534

Why we love this book

Children will be able to progress through Usborne's Reading Programme books as they develop in confidence. This book belongs to First Reading Level 1. Like the others, carefully chosen text is supported with beautiful full-colour illustrations in a small, hardback format. A real treat.


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Flotsam and Jetsam

Flotsam and Jetsam

Tanya Landman
Walker Books Ltd
ISBN: 1844281191

Why we love this book

The Flotsam and Jetsam books are very likeable and the stories engaging for confident early readers. Otherwise, do share these quiet but warm stories with children who are still gaining in confidence.


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Eye Eye, Captain!

Eye Eye, Captain!

Jane Clarke
A & C Black Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 0713684186

Why we love this book

The Chameleons series (A&C Black) has been designed to help early readers develop in confidence with strong storylines supported by black and white illustrations.


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Puddle Goblins

Puddle Goblins

David Melling
Hodder Children's Books
ISBN: 0340930500

Why we love this book

Author and illustrator David Melling has created a series that will appeal to young boys especially. The stories, supported by great illustrations, explore what it really means to be a goblin.


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Whizz-bang Winnie

Whizz-bang Winnie

Laura Owen
Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192727524

Why we love this book

Developing readers will enjoy moving from picture books to chapter books with the Winnie books, especially if they are familiar with the Winnie picture books. These are simple stories with black and white illustrations and careful text.


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Pirate Patch and the Black Bonnet Attack

Pirate Patch and the Black Bonnet Attack

Rose Impey
Orchard Books
ISBN: 1843629747

Why we love this book

The Pirate Patch books use large, bold text and illustrations, with text kept to a manageable length, to support and encourage early readers.


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Littlenose the Leader: No. 5

Littlenose the Leader: No. 5

John Grant
Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
ISBN: 1847382002

Why we love this book

More confident early readers will enjoy the Littlenose story - Littlenose the Hunter / Hero / Joker etc. Action-filled books with plenty of scrapes for Littlenose to find his way out of.


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I am Invited to a Party!

I am Invited to a Party!

Mo Willems
Walker Books Ltd
ISBN: 1406314692

Why we love this book

This is a new series from Walker Books, from the author of 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus', which brings humour and friendship into everyday events, including going to a party.


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Book of the week

Winnie's Dinosaur Day

Valerie Thomas

Winnie's Dinosaur Day

~ Babies & Toddlers
~ Pre School
~ Early Readers
~ Confident Readers
~ Young Adult

Meet the Author

Jez Alborough


Jez Alborough

Author and illustrator Jez Alborough (Duck in the Truck, Six Little Chicks) talks about his new picture book, Nat the Cat, which was inspired by the smile of a stranger some 20 years ago!

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