Books to go with Abiola Bello's BookTrust Represents virtual workshop

Like Abiola Bello’s Wild Magic series, this selection of books includes fun stories for young readers, and facts about animals and geography.

  • Our World: A First Book of Geography

    by Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Lisk Feng 

    2020 4 to 9 years 

    • Around the world
    • Board books
    • Non-fiction
    • Travel

    A beautiful, nostalgic-feeling book that will delight younger primary school readers and help introduce them to the idea of geography and differing environments for the first time.

  • Weird and Wonderful Nature

    by Ben Hoare, illustrated by Kaley McKean 

    2024 5 to 9 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Discover more about strange and fascinating species and behaviours, with colour photographs and bite-size facts. Perfect for fact-obsessed children who aren’t squeamish.  

  • Keisha Jones Takes on the World

    by Natalie Denny, illustrated by Chanté Timothy 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Funny

    Keisha wants to be like her inspiring Great Aunt Bee and stand up for what’s right. Her first cause is the price of bunnies in the pet shop. Funny and packed with brilliant illustrations, this will have young readers coming back for more in the series.

  • Our Earth is a Poem: poetry about nature

    By various, illustrated by Annalise Barber, Mariana Roldan, Masha Manapov and Nabila Adani 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Poetry and rhyme

    A stunning collection of poems, beautifully illustrated, that explores and celebrate nature in its various magnificent forms. Perfect for reading aloud, and for curling up with.

  • Meet the Maliks, Twin Detectives The Cookie Culprit

    by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Kyan Cheng 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Funny

    Can Maysa and Musa solve the mystery of who destroyed the competition cookies? Relatable and funny, this is a story about everyday family life, with a gentle mystery and a BIG lie at the heart of it. 

  • Secret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street

    by Robin Birch, illustrated by Jobe Anderson 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Fantasy

    When best friends Aisha and Jayden become members of the Secret Beast Club, their first magical mission is to rescue a lost unicorn foal before he falls into the wrong hands. An exciting fantasy adventure for confident young readers.

  • Africa Amazing Africa

    by Atinuke, illustrated by Mouni Feddag 

    2019 5 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Picture books
    • Travel

    A perfect book for young children interested in their cultural heritage or for those with a passion for travel and geography, this would also make a gorgeous gift for anyone interested in Africa.

  • Red Panda Rescue

    by Jess Butterworth, illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman 

    2021 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Diaries and journals

    When Tilly wins a competition to help protect red pandas in Nepal, she finds herself riding a yak, looking at poo, and outwitting poachers to save a pregnant red panda. The mix of engaging adventure and cute animals, along with the many illustrations, will appeal hugely to young readers. 

  • Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion

    by Abiola Bello, illustrated by Emma McCann 

    5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books

    Twins Misha and Ziggy have secret superpowers! Misha can talk to animals and Ziggy can shapeshift into them. But can they save a black lion without their dad finding out? Fun magical adventure. 

  • Children For Change

    By various authors and illustrators, edited by Konnie Huq 

    5 to 14 years 

    • Short stories

    A brilliant anthology of stories, poems, illustrations and activities about climate change and the actions we can each take to protect the planet. Free to download as an ebook – find the link in the full review. 

  • Wild Magic: Journey of the Lost Elephant

    by Abiola Bello, illustrated by Emma McCann 

    2025 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Chapter books

    Magical twins Misha and Ziggy are back for a whole new adventure when they travel to India with their dad. This time, they must use their emerging powers to save a lost elephant calf.

  • Animalium

    by Jenny Broom, illustrated by Katie Scott 

    2014 5 to 14 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Quirky yet authoritative, this book is bursting with information to engage young naturalists, whilst the spectacular illustrations in a rich colour palette give it real wow’ factor.

  • Hamza’s Wild World

    by Hamza Yassin, illustrated by Louise Forshaw 

    2024 9 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction
    • Dyslexia

    An incredibly engaging collection of amazing animal facts, from naturalist and cameraman Hamza Yassin. 

  • Africana

    by Kim Chakanetsa, illustrated by Alabi Mayowa 

    2022 9 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction

    A fascinating treasure trove of information about the 54 countries in Africa, and their landscapes, animals and people. With stunning illustrations and bite-size facts, this is the perfect gift book for all non-fiction fans.

  • Endangered Animals Atlas

    by Tom Jackson, illustrated by Sam Caldwell 

    2023 9 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    This illustrated non-fiction book takes the reader on a journey of discovery around the globe, identifying animals who are under threat from dangers such as habitat loss, climate change and hunting. 

  • One Home

    by Hiba Noor Khan, illustrated by Rachael Dean 

    2023 9 to 14 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Stunningly illustrated, the stories of these eighteen young environmental activists, and their home landscape and animals, will inspire and inform all readers. A passionate and inspiring call to action to save our planet, our one home.

  • Amazing Asia

    by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Jason Lyon 

    2024 9 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction

    This beautifully designed book celebrates the diversity of Asia, with in-depth information about the world’s largest and most populated continent. 

  • Land of the Last Wildcat

    by Lui Sit, illustrated by David Dean 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Chapter books

    An exciting magical mystery and adventure story about the Kuri, legendary wildcat of Linger Island.