Books we loved in May 2026

Join Nell and Beany on a fishing adventure. Push and pull the sliders to see what they might catch!

An adorable picture book about everyday life, with Baby creating mess and Daddy having to clean up! With short, simple text and gorgeous illustrations, this would be perfect to share with young toddlers.

Prepare to blast off for a space adventure with this brilliant board book that features interactive sliders, tabs and wheel mechanisms.

A charming board book about everyday life in Nigeria.

Today is the Big Bug Race, so get ready to race insects across the page by tilting and using sliding tracks in this fun and interactive board book.

A sweet story about two friends, with themes of emotions and friendship. A chunky board book for little hands.

When all the toys are kidnapped by King Dust Bunny, it’s up to the Kid Rex to save the day. A fun, comic book-style story full of dino-tastic action.

A charming picture book with a fun, bouncy rhyme to read out loud, which references a number of well-known fairy tales. 

Cajee and Schmida’s lovely picture book about bringing different communities together is a thoughtful and sensitive story that might well appeal to mixed race children in particular or those who inhabit more than one family culture. 

Vixie’s daddy has to go away for a while, but promises he’ll be back. A reassuring, beautifully illustrated picture book about separation anxiety, and staying connected.

A brilliantly funny and fast-moving picture book featuring a lot of fun racing phraseology, Chicken vs Egg introduces little ones to a familiar philosophical question, mashed up with the theme of the tortoise and the hare. There’s a fun unexpected ending here and plenty of jokes along the way. 

A very funny, surreal picture book all about what we can expect from the future.

When Tabitha steps into the shed at the bottom of her garden, she is transported to the magical planet of Whiskery Paw, home of the Star Kitties. In this first adventure of the series, Tabitha must help the kitties find their missing Queen. 

A very funny graphic novel about pets with superpowers! 

Hear the cyclops’ side of the story! A fun, highly illustrated version of a classic Greek epic tale.

Join Michael ​“The Mic” Rosen and MC Grammar on a ridiculously funny rhyming journey around town in this illustrated poetry book.

When Riley Wright joins a new school in Year 4, she is determined to make a best friend and ensure that no one finds out her dad is the new head teacher. Written as a diary, this warm, funny tale is brought to life with dynamic illustrations. 

Ferris plans to spend half term creating a comic-strip for a competition, but his autistic foster brother Arthur needs his support at Space Camp. This funny and heart-warming tale thoughtfully explores neurodiversity, friendship and ethical dilemmas. 

This engaging and accessible non-fiction book explores the everyday lives of the Edo people, who lived in the Kingdom of Benin, a small but rich and powerful country in West Africa, between the twelfth and nineteenth centuries. 

Combatting a rise in climate anxiety among children and young people, this helpful and reassuring book by much loved conservationist Chris Packham helps children to understand that nature should not just be a source of anxiety, but something to be celebrated. 

A lively poetry collection for primary school-age children, inspired by everyday moments and the natural world, beautifully illustrated by Chris Riddell.

An upbeat, fun and appealing book which aims to educate readers as to what fake news is and how not to fall for it.

Ex-England rugby star and champion of the deaf community Jodie Ounsley (Fury from Gladiators) presents readers with a motivational and inspiring book about developing emotional, mental and physical resilience and strength – and using that strength to help others.

Wanzu and his friends must use the wisdom of nature to save their island home from flooding. An excellent chapter book adventure which champions the power of friendship and the environment.

Three damaged and starving birds set out on foot for a destination they may never reach. A very special book tackling diverse themes: disability, love, hope, determination, survival, friendship and loyalty. 

Learn everything there is to know about surviving an apocalypse in this brilliantly fun, full-colour non-fiction book.

Mammoths have been brought back from extinction through cloning technology and have mostly been left alone. But, when a rare white calf is born, it attracts the attention of poachers, leading to an icy adventure as Ash tries to protect the herds. 

This sinister, chilling snapshot of life under an authoritarian regime is brilliantly constructed and subtly disturbing. 

A diary-style, very funny book about 11-year-old Bím’s trials and tribulations as she starts secondary school.

Lily Tripp travels back in time every New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, mean girl Georgia also time travels with her – and this time Lily is her servant! Can Lily cope with being bossed around, and – worse – live without chicken nuggets? A funny diary that teens will very much enjoy.

Owais is a confident teen with a supportive network around him. When his estranged cousin, Abass, comes to stay for the summer, Owais’s compassion and patience are tested to their limits as he attempts to connect with his angry, vulnerable relative.