Books We Love in July 2024
A selection of books we loved from July 2024
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Reek
Author: Alastair Chisholm Illustrator: George Caltsoudas
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Set against the backdrop of a climate catastrophe, this gripping dystopian thriller is oppressively atmospheric as it depicts a reality where if you can’t pay, you can’t breathe.
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Angel of Grasmere
Author: Tom Palmer
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+In the midst of war, a mysterious figure is performing acts of kindness in a Lake District village. Can Tarn find out who it is? An excellent addition to fiction about World War II.
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Bear’s Wash Day
Author: Nicola Kent
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 2-3
Can you help Bear do the washing by lifting the flaps and turning the wheels? Lots of interactive fun for babies and toddlers, which will improve their fine motor skills.
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Puppet
Author: David Almond Illustrator: Lizzy Stewart
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11A puppet comes alive right at the end of his maker’s life and they set about making friends together.
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The Double Life of Ted Amos
Author: Simon James Green Illustrator: Jennifer Jamieson
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11Edward has reinvented himself as Ted at his dad’s new town. Ted is cool and definitely isn’t bullied. But will his lies catch up with him? Hilarious and moving, this is about being who you really are.
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The Day My Dog Got Famous
Author: Jen Carney
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Can Ferris train his dog to be an internet sensation in time to save his foster sister’s favourite blanket? A funny, heartfelt story that celebrates family and pets.
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Tangled Tales: Movies, Magic, Mayhem!
Author: Jenny Moore Illustrator: Sarah Horne
Publisher: Maverick Publishing
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Two interlinked stories in one – flip the book to read the second one. Will Derek the vampire and Ruby the unusual fairy become film stars?
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Babies Laugh at Tickles
Author: Dr Caspar Addyman Illustrator: Ania Simeone
Publisher: Campbell Books
Interest age: 2-3
A delightful board book depicting lots of giggling babies. With an irresistible sound button to press.
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A History of My Weird
Author: Chloe Heuch
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An absorbing story about friendship and acceptance, featuring a neurodivergent protagonist.
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Holey Moley
Author: Bethan Clarke Illustrator: Anders Frang
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 4+Moles live in holes, right? This funny book plays with rhyme as Gus the Goat tries to guess where his friend Mavis Mole lives.
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100 Things to Know About Sport
Author: Usborne
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Delve into the world of sports with this compilation of fascinating facts from around the world. Featuring engaging information, illustrations and infographics, this is a great choice for all sports lovers!
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Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise
Author: Adeola Sokunbi
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 5+Destiny feels nervous about going to her first sleepover. When she meets a friendly monster, the two of them conquer their fears together and have loads of fun on the way!
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And I Hear Dragons
Author: Various Editor: Hanan Issa Illustrator: Eric Heyman
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A joyous collection of poems celebrating Welsh identity in its many forms – and the dragons inside us all.
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Flame Chasers
Author: Julie Pike
Publisher: Firefly
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Julie Pike’s writing conjures a rich, magical world full of ancient secrets and mystery. As with her widely acclaimed debut The Last Spell Breather, she combines a wonderfully imaginative storyline with relatable and well-developed characters.
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Beti and the Little Round House
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Emily Hughes
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 7+Follow the adventures of Beti and her baby goat Naughty in this beautifully written and illustrated book as they explore the natural world which surrounds her little round house in the Welsh countryside.
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Old Macdonald Had a Farm
Author: Camilla Reid Illustrator: Jill Howarth
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 2-3
Young children will love singing along to the familiar nursery rhyme Old Macdonald while learning to count to five in this delightful, interactive board book.
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The Voyage of Sam Singh
Author: Gita Ralleigh
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A thrilling historical adventure quest, with elements of magic realism, set in a fictionalised version of colonial India and exploring aspects of imperialism and the exploitation of indigenous peoples.
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Wild Planet: The Inspiring Life and Wisdom of Sir David Attenborough
Author: Hayley Rocco & John Rocco
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 9-11This wonderful picture book highlights the work of David Attenborough, a national treasure, and carries an important message about rewilding and conservation.
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The Weather Girls
Author: Sarah Webb
Publisher: O’Brien
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When a German fighter plane crashes nearby, Grace saves the pilot’s life. But she will play an even greater part in World War II than she realises. Sheds light on an unusual part of wartime history.
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The Boy to Beat the Gods
Author: Ashley Thorpe
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+With exciting and imaginative battle scenes, and an energetic narrative, this fun-packed fantasy adventure is inspired by aspects of Caribbean and African culture and spirituality.
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The Bison and the Butterfly
Author: Alice Hemming Illustrator: Nancy Leschnikoff
Publisher: Ivy Kids
Interest age: 4-5
Bison learns how vital she is to the woodland, and to fellow creatures like Butterfly. Based on a real rewilding project in Kent, this charming picture book is sweet and surprisingly informative.
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Does a Bear Wash Its Hair?
Author: Moira Butterfield Illustrator: Adam Ming
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4+A fact-filled, rhyming picture book about self-care routines. Animals are just like you!
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Toby and the Pixies: Worst King Ever
Author: James Turner Illustrator: Andreas Schuster
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Toby’s quiet life is turned upsidedown when he discovers an enchanted kingdom in his garden and is crowned King of the Pixies. This laugh-out-loud graphic novel is utterly bonkers and hugely entertaining.
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Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest
Author: Ranger Hamza Illustrator: Kate Kronreif
Publisher: Ivy Kids
Interest age: 4-5
Ranger Hamza takes readers on a wonderful quest to discover a variety of brilliant natural elements, from rainwater to lichen, dead wood, snails, acorns and seaweed.
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Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces
Author: Carlos Sánchez
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 7+Chiri and Dai discover a hidden world filled with secrets and magic. After discovering their own hidden powers, the pair team up with a band of unlikely heroes to take on the sinister Shadow King.
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I Really Really Don’t Like Parties
Author: Angie Morgan
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+Dora finds parties loud and overwhelming. But when she meets a similarly quiet child at a birthday, she realises they may not be so bad after all.
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Aqua Boy
Author: Ken Wilson-Max
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 4-5
Aaron is scared of going under the water. But when he finds an octopus stranded on the beach, he must be brave. A gentle story about facing fears, and about ocean conservation.
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Cat Nap
Author: Steve Antony
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 2-3
An adorable little ginger kitten is sleepy – but they need everything to be just right to get to nap time.
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The Last Zookeeper
Author: Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 4+A wordless picture book featuring a robot protagonist and a flooded landscape. It is a beautifully illustrated modern retelling of the Noah’s ark story.
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Wise Up! Wise Down!
Author: John Agard and JonArno Lawson Illustrator: Satoshi Kitamura
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This lively collection of poems by two acclaimed poets takes readers on a meandering, thought-provoking and imaginative journey. Humorously illustrated with energetic black-and-white drawings.
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Poetry Comics
Author: Grant Snider
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Beautifully simple poems are paired with comic-book style panel illustrations. Two characters across the course of the year as they express themselves through poetry.
