Superhero books for 5-8

Dust off your cape and wear your underpants on the outside of your trousers in celebration of superheroes – in whatever form. We’ve assembled a team of super books to make a super booklist for readers aged 5–8.

  • Superbat

    by Matt Carr 

    2017 0 to years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Pat the bat is bored. Everyone else is asleep, but Pat doesn’t want to be like everyone else, he wants to stand out. He dreams of being as special as the superheroes in his favourite comics. He dreams of being… Superbat!

  • Superworm

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2012 2 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Superworm is a hero with a difference. Super-long and super-strong, he’s always on hand to help out the other creatures – until the evil Wizard Lizard captures him.

  • Supertato

    by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet 

    2014 2 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    It’s night-time in the supermarket and all is quiet and still. But wait. Something has escaped from the freezer, something with evil plans. This little escapee (or escapea?) wants to cause chaos. Can Supertato save the day? A hilarious and anarchic story with truly brilliant characters – one that you’ll be asked to read again and again.

  • Superwolf

    by Helen Docherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty 

    2024 3 to 7 years 

    • Poetry and rhyme
    • Early Learning
    • Picture books

    Can a wolf really be a superhero, especially if everyone seems to be scared of them? 

  • Juniper Jupiter

    by Lizzy Stewart 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Picture books

    Juniper Jupiter is a real-life superhero, but something is missing. What is a hero without an amazing sidekick? An utterly witty and earnest story about the quest for friendship and realising special bonds already forged.

  • Super Goat Girl

    by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Dapo Adeola 

    2025 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    In this comic-inspired picture book, Super Goat Girl realises she’s not like the other heroes in her new superhero school. As chaos ensues in the playground, it’s up to Super Goat Girl to discover what makes her super special and save the day.

  • Hamster Heroes

    by Peter Bently, illustrated by John Bond 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    An action-packed and hilarious rhyming adventure which sees a team of hamster superheroes battle against a variety of rodent foes. 

  • A Superhero Like You

    by Dr Ranj, illustrated by Liam Darcy 

    2021 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    Lily wakes up one day and decides she wants to be a superhero – but not the kind that flies around in a cape or wears their underpants over the trousers. It turns out, superheroes are everywhere…

  • Wigglesbottom Primary Super Dog

    by Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Becka Moor 

    2017 5 to 14 years 

    • Funny
    • Short stories

    From the winner of the Blue Peter Best Story Award come three new tales in one rip-roaring book. Comical illustrations complement this selection of funny school stories.

  • Traction Man is Here

    by Mini Grey 

    2006 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Transformed in an instant from combat cool to sartorial nightmare, can Traction Man ever be a superhero again?

  • Superhero Mum

    by Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Joe Berger 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    No one is more heroic for the little girl featured in this retro Pop Art-styled picture book than her playground-chasing, cake-making, teddy-finding, bubble-bearded Supermum.

  • Spyceratops

    by Alex Willmore 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Spy goggles? Check. Spy bike? Check. Get ready for a top-secret action-packed Spyceratops mission. Super fun – with a surprise ending.