New children's books we love

Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we like best in October: guaranteed to get your child reading…

Whether they’re a teeny toddler or a very particular teen, this is where you can find your child’s next amazing book: just scroll down to find books for a range of ages. 

We’ve sorted our favourite new books into rough age ranges, but this is just a guide and readers might find something they’ll love in a different category. 

All these books are available to order at Bookshop.org (affiliate link) – or why not borrow them from your local library? 

Fancy writing a book review yourself? Read our handy guide and have a go!

Best books for ages 0–2 and up

  • Peggy Goes for a Walk

    Author-illustrator Tonka Uzu 

    2026 2 to 5 years 

    • Board books

    Join Peggy and her grandad for a gentle outdoor adventure as they take an autumnal walk together. Perfect for little ones who love exploring the world around them.

  • Flip-Flap-Peekaboo Owl

    by author-illustrator Ali Pye 

    2026 1 to 5 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive

    Meet adorable nocturnal animals in this gorgeous lift-the-flap board book. Lift the flaps TWO ways! Ideal for developing fine motor skills and for sharing with young children. 

Best books for ages 3–5 and up

  • Come to the Park

    by Margaret Bateson-Hill, illustrated by Suhayla Ibrahim 

    2026 2 to 5 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    There is so much to do at the park! Rain or shine, wind or snow, join everyone playing in the park. A charming picture book with a rhyming text and a diverse, inclusive cast of characters.

  • The Weather Shop

    by Thomas Lee 

    2026 3 to 5 years 

    • Picture books

    In the magical town of Dragon Hill Village, Mole’s Weather Shop sells all manner of weather-based products from rain shower balloons to fog bread and snowman spray.

  • The Pumpkin Seed

    by Poppy O’Neill, illustrated by Brizida Magro 

    2026 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    A young girl struggles when her mum’s new partner moves in and everything changes. 

  • I Am Going to Jump This Log

    by Stephanie Stansbie, illustrated by Jack Viant 

    2026 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books
    • Funny

    A delightful, funny story about resilience, trying again – and accepting help and your own limitations – is a real delight. Its zany humour coupled with Jack Viant’s hilarious close-up illustration will have readers giggling, as well as rooting for Frog. 

  • Ravi’s Dancing Hands

    by Sumana Seeboruth, illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    Ravi’s big sister Ruhi-di is getting married, and she’s having a mehndi party for her closest family and friends. Unfortunately, Ravi isn’t allowed to come to the party, until he offers to assist Madam Mehndi, the henna artist.

Best books for ages 5–8 and up

  • Moth the Veggie Vampire

    by Dotty Sutton 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Funny

    Can Moth, who still looks like a boy but is actually over 200 years old, save a group of innocent children from some very thirsty vampires? 

  • One Little Lamp

    by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Navya Raju 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Diversity and inclusion

    Jai is looking forward to Diwali – a time of celebration. But he notices some sad people around him. How can he bring light to their lives? A heartwarming, gorgeous picture book shows the reader the values of Diwali – community, gratitude and sharing – and celebrates kindness.

  • An Alien’s Guide to Dinosaurs

    by Myles McLeod, illustrated by Lee Cosgrove 

    2026 5 to 9 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Join Fraz, Pleg, Coll, Ern and Gleo, a team of very inquisitive aliens from the planet Proxima as they travel back in time on earth to observe dinosaurs in their natural habitats. 

  • Funcles

    by Yashika Mody, illustrated by Adriena Fong 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    A little boy makes a family tree of all the uncles in his life. When he realises they aren’t actually related to him, Dad explains that they’re ​“funcles” – fun uncles that are part of the greater community around him.

  • Bison Rule, OK!

    by Sarah Ziman, illustrated by Nia Havilliard 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Funny
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This lively collection of poems with a distinctively Welsh flavour is an absolute joy to read. The poems range from funny and daft to moving and thought-provoking, and are accompanied by expressive black-and-white line drawings that add extra depth.

  • Newton is Floating

    by Eoin McLaughlin, illustrated by Matt Hunt 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Non-fiction

    McLaughlin and Hunt’s brilliantly anarchic and fun picture book about what would happen without gravity is an original gem which is both genuinely funny and thought-provoking. 

  • Witchy Boo: Casts Her First Spell

    by Arden Jones, illustrated by Saoirse Lou 

    2026 7 to 9 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Ghost story

    Boo is a young ghost who doesn’t like scaring people. When she discovers that she has magical powers, she becomes Witchy Boo, the first ever ghost witch. A sweet, highly illustrated chapter book for fans of Isadora Moon.

  • African Queens: Incredible stories of Africa’s Legendary Women Leaders

    Author-Illustrator Onyinye Iwu 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Around the world
    • Historical
    • Non-fiction

    Highly illustrated non-fiction book about 12 African Queens across 2000 years.

  • Ghost and Toast: Slice to Meet You!

    by Phil Corbett 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Funny
    • Graphic novels

    Meet Ghost and Toast – one’s dead; one’s bread. They have adventures in a spooky mansion – watch out for the evil croissant! A very silly graphic novel that’s full of energy.

  • Diplo Dinosaur Wants a Roar-some Friend

    by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Yiting Lee 

    2026 5 to 9 years 

    • Chapter books

    Diplo is jealous of the new dino in school. Can he get his best friend back? A charming chapter book to explore feelings about friendship. 

  • Davey’s Daydreams

    by Louise Gooding, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich 

    2026 4 to 5 years 

    • Picture books
    • ADHD

    A fun picture book about a child navigating inattentive ADHD at school.

  • Rapunzel is a Lettuce

    by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Shirley Hottier 

    2026 7 to 14 years 

    • Funny
    • Poetry and rhyme

    An illustrated collection of poetry from Joseph Coelho that explores the wonders of everyday life. 

Best books for ages 9–11 and up

  • Creepy Araminta

    by Anne Fine, illustrated by Emily Jones 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Ghost story
    • Thriller
    • Dyslexia

    Jess finds the perfect picture for her bedroom in a charity shop – a lovely portrait of a smiling girl called Araminta. However, when she starts to have terrifying nightmares, Jess worries that the painting is haunted. A chilling tale for junior readers, featuring fabulous black-and-white illustrations. Read it if you dare!

  • Lumi and the Wolf

    by Lottie Saakho, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Diversity and inclusion
    • Autistic spectrum conditions
    • Neurodiversity

    In Lapland, an autistic girl embarks on an epic adventure to save the life of a lone wolf. 

  • When Skeletons Rise

    by Coral Rumble, illustrated by Twink Addison 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Historical
    • Mystery
    • Behavioural/​emotional/​social

    Arlo has finally begun to settle into his new life in Cornwall, but everything unravels when he discovers his mum has lied about his dad’s mysterious disappearance. An exciting, thought-provoking story about friendship, trust and local history.

  • How to Understand and Apply AI

    by Sam Hutchinson, illustrated by Ste Johnson 

    2026 7 to 14 years 

    • Non-fiction

    This non-fiction book gives an informative, accessible and concise introduction to AI.

  • Henry Tudor: The Incredible Diaries of Me!

    by Danny Wallace, illustrated by Tor Freeman 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Funny
    • Historical
    • Diaries and journals

    Henry Tudor is 8 and a half, and he’s the best at everything. But when a mysterious stranger challenges him to a series of competitions, things don’t always go Henry’s way. Outrageous! A very funny diary of one self-obsessed future king.

  • Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much

    Author-illustrator Aaron Blabey 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Funny
    • Chapter books

    This highly illustrated, easy to read, incredibly funny book about Griff whose pet axolotl Bob has a terrifying revelation for him. 

  • The Animal Queendom

    by Catherine Blackledge, illustrated by Kasia Bogdańska 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Non-fiction

    A fascinating celebration of fearless female animals – some of whom you’ve never heard of! Packed with astonishing facts and detailed illustrations, this is ideal for animal lovers.

  • The Haunting of Old Splinter

    by Jack Mackay 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Horror

    Two brothers learn that magic has implications when they find a wishing hand that begins to tear their blended family apart. A brilliantly chilling middle grade book.

Best books for age 12 and up

  • The Worst Thing That Could Possibly Happen

    by Guy Bass, illustrated by David Roberts 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Horror
    • Short stories

    A deliciously chilling set of interlinked horror stories, illustrated with terrifying detail. Despite the dark sense of humour throughout, these are not for the faint-hearted! 

  • The Other Boy

    by Hamed Amiri, illustrated by Sònia Albert 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Chapter books
    • Around the world

    This is the true story of how Hamed and his family fled Afghanistan and Taliban rule in 2000 when Hamed was 10 years old. 

BookTrust Northern Ireland Book of the Month

Brilliant book by a creator from NI or the Republic of Ireland

  • Saving Grace

    by Sinéad Moriarty 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Behavioural/​emotional/​social

    When Grace is burned in an accident at a Halloween party, her life changes in an instant. This moving story thoughtfully explores feelings of anger, anxiety, guilt and resentment, showing how trauma can affect everybody involved and helping young readers to develop empathy. 

BookTrust Cymru Book of the Month

Brilliant book by a Welsh creator or adapted into Welsh

  • Our World: Wales

    by Heather Davies, illustrated by Nia Havilliard 

    2026 1 to 5 years 

    • Around the world
    • Board books

    Let’s spend a day in Wales! Join the family as they eat traditional food, go to a castle and sing outside the capel. A delightful board book that includes a few numbers and colours in Welsh.

Explore some of our previous favourites

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