Booktrust's 2011 Best Book Guide brings together reviews of some of our favourite books published during the last year (July 2010 to July 2011).
The selected books include picture books, graphic novels, poetry, short stories, fiction and non-fiction in the following age categories: 5 years and under; 5 to 8 years; 9 to 12 years; Teens and Young Adults.
Best Book Guide 2011
Booktrust's 2011 Best Book Guide brings together reviews of some of our favourite books published during the last year (July 2010 to July 2011).
The selected books include picture books, graphic novels, poetry, short stories, fiction and non-fiction in the following age categories: 5 years and under; 5 to 8 years; 9 to 12 years; Teens and Young Adults.
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I Love My Mummy
Orchard BooksWhat is it about Mummies that makes them so lovable and so very special? -
Artichoke Hearts
Macmillan Children's BooksThis empathetic account of the process of bereavement, a month’s diary, reassures readers that we grow from our experiences, however painful they are. -
Guji-Guji
Gecko PressOne day a rather unusual egg rolls into Mother Duck's nest and it hatches to reveal a baby crocodile. The little creature becomes a perfectly happy 'crocoduck', until one day he is asked to betray his duckling brothers and sisters…This... -
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A Place to Call Home
Walker Books LtdA family of furry animals grow too big for their home in an old mattress and have to go out into the unknown world of the back yard to find a new one. This endearing and engaging picture book about... -
Jack and the FlumFlum Tree
Macmillan Children's BooksWhen Jack’s granny falls ill with the moozles, the doctor tells him that the only thing that will cure her is the fruit of the mysterious flumflum tree. -
In The Sea There Are Crocodiles
David Fickling BooksFirst published in Italian last year, the story of Enaiatollah Akbari's journey from Afghanistan to Italy has now been translated into English -
A Roman Rescue
TemplarCharlie and his trusty dog Bandit fall down a sinkhole and are transported to ancient Rome where he meets Cosmo and goes on an adventure... -
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Losing It
Andersen PressThis is a collection of eight short stories about growing-up, virginity and sex for teenagers. -
A Bit Lost
Walker BooksLittle Owl falls asleep in his (rather precarious) nest, falls onto the ground with a 'bump' and becomes 'a bit lost'. But Squirrel comes to his rescue... -
Unhooking the Moon
QuercusBob has a stubborn younger sister with disturbing fits and upsetting premonitions. She foretells her best friend's murder, their dog's disappearance and her father's death. Bob calls her the Rat. -
One Dog and His Boy
Marion Lloyd BooksAll Hal wants for his birthday is a dog and when he is given one he is overjoyed. But when Hal realises Fleck was only his for the weekend, he sets off on an adventure with the dog... -
Actual Size
Frances LincolnHave you ever looked a giant squid in the eye, shaken hands with a gorilla or been face to face with a tiger? -
The Parade
Frances LincolnWhy do hippos live under water, bees live in holes and spiders hide in dark places? Find out in this lively collection of Ananse stories from Ghana. -
Taff in the WAAF
Frances Lincoln ChildrensAn account of the secret work carried out during WWII at Bletchley Park, based on the experience of Manning's own mother, Taff. -
Moon Pie
David Fickling BooksA deceptively simple novel for older Key Stage 2 readers: easy to read but addressing serious and complex issues around bereavement, self-image, family relationships and loyalty. -
A Beautiful Lie
Bloomsbury Children's BooksSet in India during the summer of 1947, A Beautiful Lie follows the tumultuous events of the Partition of India through the eyes of Bilal who is looking after his ill father. -
Counting Birds
Tate PublishingThis stylishly illustrated counting book from a Best New Illustrator, opens with a vibrant cockerel crowing to welcome the day and ends with a solitary barn owl flying off the page and slipping into the night. Perfect for learning how... -
Penny Dreadful is a Magnet for Disaster
UsborneBoys as well as girls will race through these stories giggling all the way! -
A Monster Calls
Walker Books LtdConnor's mum has cancer and life is changing. There is the nightmare, then there is school, where people avoid him, or persecute him. And then there is the immense, mythic Monster. -
Life: An Exploded Diagram
Walker Books LtdClem's coming-of-age story is woven around a tense account of the mounting Cuban Missile Crisis and the threat of looming nuclear war, leading to a shocking and unexpected climax. -
The Django
TemplarThis book, based on the story of legendary jazz musician Django Reinhardt, is illustrated in a detailed and painterly style. -
Killing Honour
Corgi Children'sA blood-curdling murder story set in Leicester’s Asian community where family honour seems sometimes to count for more than family love -
Withering Tights
HarperCollins Children's BooksWhen Tallulah’s parents pack her off to an am-dram college - Dother Hall, she hopes she will become a toppity-top-actress type without accidentally tripping over her knees or involuntarily doing Irish dancing. -
The Language of Cat
Frances Lincoln Children's BooksA 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 Little Prince
Walker BooksA pilot marooned in the desert is visited by a little prince, and they become friends. This is a lovely book for children and adults alike to keep and revisit time and time again. -
The Raven Mysteries: Lunatics and Luck
Orion Children's BooksWhen the body count mysteriously starts climbing, horrible new schoolteacher Mr Brandish’s suspicious-looking heavy wooden trunk starts to look, well, very suspicious indeed. -
Good Little Wolf
Jonathan Cape Children's BooksRolf is a good little wolf - he likes baking cakes, eating all his vegetables, and is always nice to his friends -
It’s a Book
Macmillan Children's BooksJackass, playing on his computer, wants to know what Monkey is up to. Monkey is reading a book -
Dead Man's Cove
Orion Children's BooksWhen mysterious uncle Calvin rescues Laura Marlin from her gloomy life in an orphanage, she can't believe her luck! But she soon realises that her Cornish paradise is full of mysteries... -
When You Reach Me
Andersen PressMiranda's familiar world begins to unravel when her best friend is hit by a stranger and refuses to speak to her anymore. Then mysterious notes start to arrive with clues about the future. -
Do Igloos Have Loos?
Red FoxFrom the stupidest criminal in the world to the intelligence of your right foot, this book has an answer to anything and everything. -
Press Here
Chronicle BooksAn ingenious picture book that uses the power of the imagination to create a fun interactive experience for children aged two upwards -
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Andersen PressA 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. -
A Taste of Chlorine
Jonathan CapeThis beautifully drawn book cleverly examines the intricacies and complications of friendship -
One Smart Fish
Red FoxA small silver fish has done everything he can possibly do in the ocean - he sings, dances and even performs plays, but has never walked upon the land. -
Dog Loves Books
Red FoxWith an engaging hero and simple, understated text animated by witty, subtly coloured illustrations, this book about the sheer pleasure of books has a refreshing jaunty elegance.
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The Django
'I am a grandmother, and I loved this book. The story is gently humorous, and the pictures are so absorbing....'
Barbara H
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Dear Zoo
'Dear Zoo is read eight times a day and my daughter knows the books inside out now and can join...'
Bookstart mum
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