Books we loved in January 2026

A selection of the books we loved in January 2026

  • Fairy Trails: Jack and the Beanstalk

    by Nosy Crow, illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan 

    2026 1 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Fairy tale
    • Interactive

    Help tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk by moving the sliders in this bright, fun board book. Perfect for little hands.

  • My Dinosaur Shoes

    by Eleni Tassopoulos Wehner, illustrated by Danamarie Hosler 

    2025 1 to 5 years 

    • Board books
    • Autistic spectrum conditions
    • Neurodiversity

    Roscoe doesn’t want new shoes. Can Ivy persuade him to wear the dinosaur shoes? A chunky board book about everyday experiences, from a neurodivergent point of view.

  • Blizz Builds a Snowman

    by Caroline Crowe, illustrated by Nia Gould 

    2025 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books

    This sweet story about learning to work as a team and being kind to your friends is part of a series exploring different early years themes such as starting school and sharing. 

  • There There Little Kitten

    by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs 

    2025 1 to 3 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive

    Help look after Little Kitten by stroking its soft fur in this adorable touchy-feely board book. 

  • Goldilocs

    by Ella McLeod, illustrated by Rochelle Falconer 

    2026 3 to 7 years 

    • Fairy tale
    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Diversity and inclusion
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Goldilocs rewrites her story. She’s not a porridge-stealer or a chair-breaker! This twist on a classic fairy tale uses bouncing rhymes and a fresh perspective to create a truly engaging picture book. 

  • I’m Not Scary … I’m Just a Dinosaur!

    by Ben Lerwill, illustrated by Erica Salcedo 

    2025 3 to 7 years 

    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Are you ready to meet some dinosaurs? This book will tell you why they had powerful legs, long necks and sharp teeth. Get ready to join in with some dino actions!

  • The House with the Little Red Door

    Author-Illustrator Grace Easton 

    2025 3 to 7 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books

    Easton’s stunning picture book about friendship and home has all the cosy feels, complete with beautiful papercraft and a heartwarming message. 

  • Teeny Tiny Science: I See A Star

    by Saskia Gwinn, illustrated by Daniela Sosa 

    2025 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Non-fiction

    Written for very young readers, this enchanting picture book about the life cycle of a star breaks down the stages of its life into easily understandable chunks. 

  • Baxter’s View

    by Kerri Cunningham 

    2025 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • ADHD
    • Autistic spectrum conditions
    • Neurodiversity

    Baxter’s View presents a cosy and happy neurodivergent family, a heartfelt story about acceptance and a deep appreciation of the joy of stopping to notice what’s around us. 

  • Lulu Moves Home

    by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw 

    2025 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Diversity and inclusion

    Lulu’s family is growing, so it’s time to move to a bigger home. A very calming read for little ones facing moves, new siblings, or any kind of transition.

  • Harmony House

    by Monika Singh Gangotra, illustrated by Nicci Martin 

    2025 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    A lovely, music-themed book about tolerance, diversity and working together highlights urban living, cultural diversity and a brilliant range of different musical instruments in a gorgeously illustrated picture book. 

  • The Dreamies

    by author-illustrator Iona Campbell 

    2026 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    The Dreamies love to paint amazing dreams for children to enjoy. If they get too scary, a little imagination can save the day. A charming picture book about the power of dreams.

  • Brown Girl in the Snow

    by Yolanda T Marshall, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer 

    2025 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    Inspired by the author’s experience of moving to Canada from Guyana, this is a personal and profound story about belonging and how things like food and plants can have an important impact on how we feel at home. 

  • Where’s Dragon in His Castle?

    by David MacPhail, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson 

    2026 5 to 9 years 

    • Interactive
    • Non-fiction
    • Historical

    Learn about medieval history with Blaze the Dragon as he takes you on a tour of his castle in this fascinating search-and-find book. 

  • The Prince of Stars

    by M. O. Yuksel, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia 

    2025 5 to 9 years 

    • Historical
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    Discover the inspiring story of Ulugh Beg, a pioneering scientist from the 15th century, in this powerful, illustrated book.

  • Letters from the Upside

    by Katya Balen 

    2025 7 to 11 years 

    A compelling story of difficult feelings and how they can dominate a life but also how help and kindness can be found in the most unlikely places. 

  • Things Scientists Don’t Know Yet

    by Peter Gallivan, illustrated by Daniela Gamba 

    7 to 11 years 

    • Non-fiction

    A fascinating look at questions that are still unanswered – like why does gravity exist? Why do we have fingerprints? Could time travel become a reality?

  • Animagicals: Mia’s Tiger

    by Paula Harrison, illustrated by Erwin Madrid 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Fantasy
    • Mystery
    • Diversity and inclusion

    When Mia discovers that she can change into animal form, she attends Wild Haven boarding school in the enchanted land of Animagia to hone her animagical skills. This exciting, magical adventure centres around kindness, friendship, and animal welfare. 

  • Louis Braille

    by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Ana Albero 

    2025 7 to 11 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Learn about the remarkable life of Louis Braille, who invented the tactile communication system still used by millions today.

  • The Spectaculars

    by Jodie Garnish, illustrated by Nathan Collins 

    2023 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Fantasy
    • Funny

    Harper is delighted to be offered an apprenticeship at the Grand Wondria Music Hall and Theatre to study the dramatic and magical arts. When she is accused of bringing bad luck to the theatre, she is determined to clear her name, despite the dangers. This epic tale of magic, intrigue and treachery is an enthralling read.

  • Escape from the Child Snatchers

    by Sufiya Ahmed 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Chapter books
    • Historical
    • Mystery
    • Diversity and inclusion

    It is 1865 and Humza’s big brother Dani has been missing for two years. Humza and his best friend Ranj make the four-month journey from India to England by ship, determined to find him. A gripping historical tale, set among the treacherous streets of Victorian London. 

  • Finn’s Epic Fails

    by Phil Earle, illustrated by Al Murphy 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Diaries and journals
    • Funny

    Finn just wants to survive Year 7 but faces cringe and embarrassment at every turn. Follow his hilarious year in this brilliantly funny and relatable illustrated diary format book. 

  • Where the Dragon Waits

    by Tom Moorhouse 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Chapter books

    Following an accident, Ed wakes up in a magical realm, where he meets Steff. As they search for a way home, the children encounter deadly butterflies, bloodthirsty wolves and a dragon. Fantasy and reality blurs in this compelling, imaginative adventure.

  • Diagnosis Detectives: Tummy Trouble

    by Ben Elcomb, illustrated by Terri Po 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Join the Diagnosis Detectives on a tour of the human body as they try to find and destroy viruses and bacteria. Brilliantly illustrated and highly informative.

  • Quill and the Last Generation

    by C M Lewis, illustrated by Maria Vidal 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Coming-of-age
    • Fantasy
    • Myths and legends

    Inspired by Celtic myths and Welsh language stories, this wonderful tale about life, death, the fate of human souls and the courage to embrace your destiny, even if it scares you, is packed with memorable characters. 

  • The Monsters at the End of the World

    by Rebecca Orwin 

    2025 9 to 11 years 

    • Coming-of-age
    • Science fiction

    In a poisoned world, monsters are seen as the enemy but when a young girl rescues an injured monster, she discovers that not everything she has been taught about them is true. 

  • Robin

    by Sarah Ann Juckes, illustrated by Linde Faas 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Coming-of-age

    This poetic, allegorical tale takes a hard look at the reality of living with a chronically ill sibling and how it affects family dynamics, with both seen and unseen consequences.

  • Murder Academy: Lessons in Death

    by Sophie McKenzie 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Crime

    A fiendishly challenging whodunnit in which Georgia and her friends must try and solve a murder which no one else believes has taken place. 

  • Nadia Islam, On the Record

    by Abida Jaigirdar, illustrated by Avani Dwivedi 

    2026 9 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Coming-of-age

    When Nadia visits Bangladesh for Ramadan, she joins her journalist aunt to write up a story on the environmental crisis in the area while exploring her own faith and connecting with her heritage.

  • Swanfall

    by Sophie Kirtley 

    2025 9 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Fantasy
    • Ghost story
    • Mystery

    When Pip and his friends learn about the legend of the missing Children of Lir, they are drawn into a chilling world of witches, spells and ghosts, which puts them all in terrible danger. Inspired by Irish folklore, this enthralling tale is beautifully written. 

  • New You For Ever

    by Steve Cole, illustrated by Chris King 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Dystopia
    • Science fiction
    • Thriller
    • Dyslexia

    Save the planet and live forever. Just upload your personality into a Pleeka, a replica human body which doesn’t consume food or produce waste. But at what cost? This futuristic, dystopian thriller will have readers on the edge of their seats.