8 top books to curl up with

As the seasons turn and the weather gets colder, there’s something delightfully cosy about curling up with a fantastic book, and I can recall with such fond clarity the feeling of being ten years old on a rainy November afternoon and so utterly engrossed in a story that the world outside felt as if it had been entirely washed away. 

One of the enduring appeals of children’s fiction, for me, is its generosity: when we’re young, we are hungry for the world; hungry for knowledge; hungry for wonder and surprise and joy – and the very best children’s books are feasts for the imagination, heart and mind that feed that appetite in abundance. Not only that, but when the real world so often feels uncertain and unjust, I believe children’s books are uniquely placed to help develop young people’s confidence, critical thinking skills and resilience, every bit as much as they offer comfort and escapism. 

It was in this spirit that I wrote and illustrated Cinnamon Crumb, Baking Detective: The Great Cake Caper, a tale of secrets, sabotage, sponge cakes, and more pastry puns than you can shake a baguette at. This book combines many of my favourite story ingredients to create what I hope is a recipe for the perfect cosy mystery: a spoonful of suspense, a generous dollop of laughter, several tantalising twists, and lashings of hand-drawn illustrations on almost every page. 

It also features a diverse cast of characters, with neurodiverse, trans and disabled representation throughout the series, and I hope that when children set foot in Cinnamon’s baking-obsessed town of Marzipan, they feel welcome, respected and valued – like the first sip of hot chocolate on a chilly day. 

Here are just a few of my favourite cosy reads to curl up with, ranging across wintry fantasy yarns, twisty murder mysteries, heartwarming family tales, sci-fi graphic novels and beyond, which I think will appeal to all kinds of young readers (and adults, too!). Sweet treats optional but recommended for the ultimate cosy experience.

This entire series, as far as I am concerned, is a masterclass in highly illustrated middle-grade fantasy fiction. With its snow-blanketed setting, fearsome monsters and motley crew of characters – all of whom have been so vividly imagined and brought to life through Jamie’s expressive illustrations – it balances brilliant emotional beats with some genuinely scary moments and a fast-paced plot that I would have raced through as a kid. 

If Only Murders in the Building and Knives Out were transformed into a children’s mystery series, The Swifts wouldn’t be far off the result. Replete with a gloriously Gothic setting, a diverse and eccentric family of characters whose names are inspired by nominative determinism, and spidery pen-and-ink illustrations practically oozing with panache, I love how this series blends humour and intrigue with some of the most well-observed commentary on inequality, protest and prejudice I’ve read in children’s books from recent years. 

Set during the Great Frost of 1683, this wintry tale follows Thomasina and her best friend Anne as they discover a magical Frost Fair hosted each night on the frozen Thames by the mysterious Father Winter, who has the power to grant even the most impossible wish… for a price. At once heart-breaking and heart-mending, this book explores themes of grief, mental health and friendship, all within a hugely entertaining, beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated historical fantasy adventure. 

Featuring fantastic LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity representation, this brilliantly observed story follows William and Florence’s increasingly desperate – and hilarious – attempts to stop their dads from dating. The precision and care with which Ian writes about children’s emotions and everyday experiences is evident from the first page, and I think you would be hard-pressed to finish this book without feeling thoroughly warmed, replenished and filled with hope. 

Deeply atmospheric and evocative, this mystery set in Victorian London follows Cassia Thorne, a young ballad-seller at Bartholomew Fair who investigates the disappearances of children from the city’s streets. As well as being brilliantly crafted and utterly transportive, this book tackles themes of poverty and homelessness that are as relevant now as they were in the Dickensian era. 

Hilariously camp, farcical and festooned with Claire Powell’s marvellous illustrations, this series about the impeccably dressed gentleman detective Montgomery Bonbon – who is definitely not a ten-year-old girl named Bonnie Montgomery – is delightfully tongue-in-cheek and will thoroughly entertain any young Agatha Christie fans. 

This latest instalment in what is one of my all-time favourite middle-grade series is every bit as engrossing as its predecessors. In Silverborn, we get to explore new corners of the fantastical city of Nevermoor, as Morrigan and her friends are drawn into a twisty murder mystery featuring a resplendent wedding, dragon riders and several dark secrets. 

With exquisitely rendered, whimsical illustrations and a story of courage, friendship and resourcefulness, this graphic novel encapsulates so much of what I adored in books as a child and is a feast for both the eyes and the imagination. Sarah Soh’s brilliant character design and masterful command of light, perspective and visual storytelling make this a world into which children will love escaping.

Cinnamon Crumb, Baking Detective: The Great Cake Caper by Harry Woodgate is out now.