Rainbow Magic: what to read next

Go for Rosie Banks’ sparkling Secret Princess series about two princesses who make dreams come true, starting with The Magic Necklace or her Secret Kingdom universe. You could also try Janey Louise Jones’ Princess Poppy books, illustrated by Samantha Chaffey.

Start with something animal-ly and a little bit glittery too: Holly Webb’s Magic Molly series (you could try The Witch’s Kitten, for example). Then you might be ready to move on to her animal stories, like Sammy the Shy Kitten.

You could also try the Zoe’s Rescue Zoo books by Amelia Cobb and Sophy Williams, and Linda Chapman’s magical Star Friends series is lovely too. Or go for Helen Peters’ sweet Jasmine’s Adventures series, which starts with A Piglet Called Truffle, a heart-warming tale of a girl that raises the runt of a litter.

Ready for something else? You could read the truly heavenly Sophie Series by Dick King Smith, recently republished with illustrations by Hannah Shaw. Then you can move onto other Dick King Smith classics like The Sheep-Pig.

Try Unicorn Academy: Where Magic Happens by Julie Sykes and Lucy Truman – at the time of writing this article, there are six books in this fun adventure series. Or Linda Chapman’s rather thrilling My Secret Unicorn series.

If you think you could move on to mermaids, definitely go for Sibéal Pounder’s hilarious Bad Mermaids. And later, perhaps try a bit of ballet: Michaela de Prince’s moving and fabulous Hope in a Ballet Shoe and Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes. 

We asked children’s books expert Imogen Russell Williams for her recommendation on what to read after Rainbow Magic:

We had so many brilliant suggestions from you on social media – thank you so much! Here are just some of the recommendations you had:

• Children’s book consultant @Jake_Hope was quick off the mark on Twitter with some fantastic suggestions: Josh Lacey’s Dragonsitter stories (‘witty and well-realised – offer humour and heart’), Eoin Colfer’s ​‘sassy, stylish and sophisticated’ Artemis Fowl series and Anne Fine’s ​‘delicious’ Charm School (‘to subvert gender stereotypes’).
• Kate Saunders’ books were popular with author Alison Brown, who tweeted: ​‘Leave the rainbow people behind and read Kate Saunders’ Magicalamity for an eye ‑opener on what fairies are really like! While you’re there, try The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop and The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix, also by Kate Saunders, equally magical.’
• There can’t be a better recommendation than what children in school libraries have loved! @ALibraryLady suggested the Wings & Co series by Sally Gardner (‘an inspired choice’, according to Jake) along with Tamara McFarlane’s Amazing Esme books and Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi’s The Spiderwick Chronicles. Meanwhile, @TanyaEfthymiou suggested that Tracey Corderoy’s Hubble Bubble books will go down a storm: ​‘None on shelf – all on loan!’

• As school librarian @bookloverJo pointed out, fans of Rainbow Magic might fancy reading about more excellent women! ​‘Kirsty and Rachel in the Rainbow Fairies are determined to defeat the goblins. For more series featuring determined girls I would recommend Clara Vulliamy’s Dotty Detective series, Polly Faber and Clara Vulliamy’s Mango and Bambang series, and Kate Pankhurst’s Mariella Mystery series.’
• We were really excited to find out what’s worked for your children and @thebookishmummy pulled through, telling us: ​‘My daughter loves her Rainbow Fairies – a large part of it is sorting and categorising them! We’re now branching out to Amelia Jane [by Enid Blyton], Daisy by Kes Gray, Pamela Butchart’s books, Tracey Corderoy’s chapter books and current best favourite Isadora Moon by Harriet Muncaster. So many great books!’ Aren’t there, though?
• More tried and tested suggestions came from @TraceyEnright81, who explained that her daughter has now moved on to Vivian French’s Tiara Club, Rosie Banks’ Secret Kingdom and Secret Princess series, Roald Dahl’s books, the classic Winnie the Witch stories and the Magical Animal books by – that’s right – Daisy Meadows. Sometimes you just need more Daisy!

• We got some great suggestions over on Facebook, too: Gillian explained that her daughter loved the ​‘fabulous’ Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke, while Jessica praised Lynne Reid Banks’ The Fairy Rebel: ​‘Definitely a stage on and with some darker themes but so wonderful!’
• Meanwhile, Estelle backed Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy, and Sherry-Anne had some great ideas: The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, The Cat and the King by Nick Sharratt, and Dean Hale and Shannon Hale’s The Princess in Black books.
• Still got room for a few more? Oh, go on then – publishing company Nosy Crow suggested the Rescue Princesses, Zoe’s Rescue Zoo and Secret Rescuers books, while Cas Lester’s Nixie series came recommended by @TanyaEfthymiou and @juliesykesbooks.
   
• Finally, @KarenMcCombie suggested Tamsyn Murray’s ​‘lovely’ Tanglewood Animal Park series for animal lovers and Abie Longstaff’s Trapdoor Mysteries, while @BB_Taylor_ had high praise for Paula Harrison’s stories: ​‘A firm favourite in our household.’ And we think that should keep you going for a while…

Those are some of our ideas – but what about you? What do you love reading?

Let us know by messaging us on social media @BookTrust using the hashtag #WhatToReadAfter