Get our suggestions for brilliant books to enjoy if you know children who have loved Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Image: Axel Scheffler
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a classic picture book, greatly loved by families.
There is much to enjoy when reading it together – the trademark irresistible rhyme and repetition from Donaldson and the gorgeous, friendly characters drawn by Scheffler, of course. But also, the celebration of generosity, of teamwork, and of friendship.
Donaldson and Scheffler’s body of work is packed with similarly warm stories, but once you’ve explored all of them, what to read next?
Image: Jan Pieńkowski
There are many iconic witches in picture books – not least Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul. Her various chaotic adventures are always observed by her long-suffering cat Wilbur and are great fun.
Meg and Mog are another classic witch and cat pairing – Helen Nicoll and Jan Pieńkowski bring style and charm to a simple story.
For something more modern, try Trick or Treat by Catherine Emmett and Laura Brenlla, which has a brilliant twist that readers won’t see coming. And Wanda’s Words Got Stuck by Lucy Rowland and Paula Bowles is a relatable story about a shy witch who is worried about performing spells at a magic concert. Charming.
Image: Kim Hillyard
The witch in Room on the Broom always says, ‘YES!’ to animals hitching a ride with her. Similarly, the mole in The Mole and the Mound (and the House Underground) by Will Hamilton-Davies and Kasia Fryza is immediately generous to his friends.
However, Ned the hamster might need to be persuaded to think of others in the very funny Ned and the Great Garden Hamster Race by Kim Hillyard. And if you prefer picture books with humans, The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Mohammed, SK Ali and Hatem Aly has a little girl imagining a kind world – and setting out to create one in her own school, along with her friends. Delightful.
by Will Hamilton-Davies, illustrated by Kasia Fryza
4 to 7 years
Image: Nakul P
In Room on the Broom, the witch’s companions save her, thanks to their teamwork. Zog and the Flying Doctors is another fantastic Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book about teamwork – imagine doctors riding a dragon!
The excellent Super Uma by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Nakul P has a young superhero teaming up with her nani and a unicorn sidekick to save the day in a gloriously colourful world. And in Speak Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola, Rocket rallies her community to stop the library from being closed. Inspiring.
Those are some of our ideas – but what about you? Let us know your favourites by messaging us on social media @BookTrust!
These picture books, featuring witches, wizards and monsters, are perfect to share with little ones as the nights draw in and there’s a touch of frosty magic in the air.
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