Books we loved in June

A sturdy and engaging board book with pull-out flaps, ideal for children who love transport and vehicles. 

Created by a potty-training expert, Ready for My Potty is an upbeat and straightforward book that will help little ones trying the potty for the first (or second) time, as well as their parents and carers.

This charming board book with a simple story will be super reassuring and helpful for little ones starting nursery or preschool. Acknowledging that there might be nerves, Beardshaw reminds young readers that preschool is actually fun – and that home and family are still there when little ones return. 

This adorable Cinderella story with a football twist is a lovely tale about resilience, trying hard and making your wishes come true, as well as featuring a family with two dads.

Waffles loves hugs, but Julius definitley does not. In this charming picture book, Waffles tries his hardest to get a hug from the grumpy Julius, before realising that it’s important to give your friends the time and space they need.

When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her Ama’s favourite cup, she thinks the world is going to end. But, with gentle support, she learns that each repair can tell its own unique story. A beautiful picture book. 

An enchanting story that celebrates swimming and encourages children to pursue what they love, even when there are challenges. A picture book with a lovely father-daughter relationship. 

Hugely inventive and funny. Take an alphabet book, break all the rules, add in a trip to France, and you have this book, which will make children and adults laugh and laugh.

Mole is digging a lovely new house. Bird, Beaver and Bee aren’t impressed – until they need shelter! A heart-warming story about kindness, with bright, quirky illustrations and a rhythmic rhyming text.

Join Salty Dog, Kitty and Bernard as they have fun together. Four gentle stories to delight young readers, with adorable colour illustrations.

Magpie takes all the interesting words for herself, but then the woods grow silent. Can she learn to share? A lyrical rhyming story about friendship and sharing, with an array of sparkling vocabulary and a glossary.

The young Dylan Thomas loves Swansea, where he lives – a ​“sea town” – in which there is a park, full of terrors and treasures, where he and his friends play. A beautifully illuminated and nostalgic memory of what childhood once was, and the playful and innocent quality that it still has. 

Goat and Mole want to play a game, but they can’t agree on what to play. Full of puns and silly rhymes, this is a very funny story about friendship. 

Poetry is everywhere! Find inspiration with the rhythm and rhyme of the late poet Benjamin Zephaniah in this charming picture book. With soft, energetic illustrations by Nila Aye.

In the midst of World War II, Jimmy and his friends are keen to play their part in the war effort. Three stories in one volume, with energetic illustrations throughout.

Discover the fascinating stories behind some of history’s most intriguing lost items in this non-fiction book, including missing masterpieces, people, knowledge and more.

When dark forces threaten the peace of the Jindari Empire, Scarlett Thawn, a trainee mage, must discover her powers to save the day and claim her legacy.

Nick and his friends are abducted by aliens and taken to Planet Bigpu, where they must represent Earth in the intergalactic Galaxy World Cup, despite being dreadful at football. This hilarious, fast-paced alien adventure is perfect for junior readers. 

Bursting with humour and mayhem, this hilarious retelling of the classic Greek myth Jason and the Argonauts is highly accessible and hugely entertaining for junior readers. 

The world’s most famous (and most fashionable) mouse detective is back in his home town of Bath to solve the case of the missing Fabio Fangtooth. A fun, highly-illustrated detective story for readers 7 and up.

Learn about engineering principles and the properties of materials through seven brilliantly fun practical experiments in this illustrated non-fiction book. 

Humans fear giants. Giants fear humans. Can Jacq and Corman find a way to help each other, despite their differences? A pacey adventure that grapples with giant issues of empathy, acceptance and prejudice. 

Can Leonie escape her fate of having to make wishes come true? A pacy adventure about magic, identity and friendship.

Will Sparrow’s magic ever be as powerful as that of her brother’s? A pacy story set in a magical school with amazing illustrations by the author.

A fascinating full-colour exploration of the history of art by only women artists. This is a child-friendly edition of the bestselling adult non-fiction book, and features women artists from around the globe. 

There’s an evil presence in the warehouse with Sam and Caiden. It’s killed before. Can they stop if before it kills them? A gripping short story from the queen of horror – presented in a dyslexia-friendly way.

Presented as a compact, graphic novel with black and white illustrations, this is a retelling of the classic story of a monstrous hellhound and a mysterious death on the moors by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle. 

Meg knows the Spirits can be angry if the sacred rituals are not followed. And right now, they are really, really angry. Set in Stone Age Britain, Meg’s story is rich in spirituality, myth and superstition as people try to make sense of a world they can’t fully understand. 

12-year-old Jonty travels to a magical world filled with creatures from Japanese mythology to try and save his grandfather’s fading memories. An action packed and emotional adventure with stunning anime-style illustrations.

At the end of Year 8, Alfie has a long summer ahead of him. He misses his mum terribly. So Alfie gets on his bike and rides and rides and rides. But then a broken pedal means that he has to connect with someone who also loved his mum … An incredibly moving verse novel with beautiful illustrations.