Books we love in May 2023

Time to Shine at the River School.jpg

Just a selection of books we love in May 2023!

  • Let’s Stick Together

    Author: Smriti Halls Illustrator: Steve Small
    Publisher: Simon and Schuster
    Interest age: 4-5

    Squirrel and Bear are the best of friends, but sometimes they don’t see things in quite the same way. For instance, when Squirrel decides they should have a party, Bear is very into the idea until anxiety strikes and he starts to feel that perhaps it would be better for everyone if he just went to bed.


    Y stori odledig hon gan Halls a Small ydy'r ddiweddaraf…

  • Move and Play: I Want to be a Duck

    Author: Illustrator: Pintachan
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
    Interest age: 2-3

    A fun and bright early picture book with fun things to learn and plenty of play opportunity. 

  • Sheep School

    Author: Ross Montgomery Illustrator: Marisa Morea
    Publisher: Barrington Stoke
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 5+

    William the lamb can’t stand still or be quiet for very long – but this proves useful when the Big Bad Wolf comes along! Accessible and full of humour, this is a very enjoyable story for new readers.


    Mae'r ychwanegiad pleserus hwn at y gyfres Little Gems yn llawn i'r ymylon â hiwmor, yn berffaith ar gyfer y rheini sy'n dechrau darllen ac wrth eu boddau'n ch…

  • The Artist

    Author: Ed Vere
    Publisher: Penguin Random House
    Interest age: 4-5
    Reading age: 5+

    A young dinosaur artist (looking a bit like a T-rex but a cute one) sees the dinosaur world as full of joy and beauty, something that some dinosaurs are too busy to notice. She sees all that, draws and paints it and makes it into her art. 


    Mae deinosor ifanc sy'n artist yn gweld y byd fel lle llawn llawenydd a harddwch – rhywbeth y mae rhai deinosoriai…

  • Reading Time

    Author: Mama Makes Books
    Publisher: Mama Makes Books
    Interest age: 0-1

    A delightful tummy time first words books for babies, encouraging brain development and bonding.

  • Luna Loves Books

    Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Fiona Lumbers
    Publisher: Andersen Press
    Interest age: 4-5

    Luna loves books and dresses as her favourite book character – but then her costume rips! What will she do? A delightful board book showing the joy of imaginative play and of stories.

  • The Kingdom Over the Sea

    Author: Zohra Nabi Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    Yara’s life is thrown into disarray when, following the death of her mother, she learns that they’re from Zehaira, a kingdom of sorcerers, alchemists and magic. In this compelling fantasy adventure, Yara bravely embarks on a dangerous quest to save her magical homeland.

  • Steady for This

    Author: Nathanael Lessore
    Publisher: Hot Key Books
    Interest age: 12+
    Reading age: 10+

    When Shaun, aka MC Growls, goes viral, and not in a good way, he and his mate Shanks become a laughing stock. Told with infectious enthusiasm for life, and with many laugh-out-loud moments, this hilarious and moving coming-of-age story is perfect for young teens.

  • Wild

    Author: Ele Fountain
    Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
    Interest age: 12+
    Reading age: 10+

    Jack is devastated when his dad dies. As his behaviour spirals out of control, his mum takes him on a work trip to South America, where they journey deep into the rainforest in search of an indigenous tribe who are at risk from illegal loggers. This powerful, multi-layered novel is highly recommended.

  • Time to Shine at the River School

    Author: Sabine Adeyinka
    Publisher: Chicken House
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Can Jummy and her friends find out why the Shine-Shine River next to their school smells awful and is running dry? School rivalries, new friends and a mystery to solve make for a satisfying read.

  • The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat

    Author: Em Lynas Illustrator: Matt Hunt
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 4-5
    Reading age: 7+

    A hilarious, zany picture book about a stoat, a boat and a goat (in a colourful coat!) written in clever rhyme and tongue twister text.


    Mae Stoat yn arnofio yn ei hoff gwch nes i afr, sydd awydd arnofio mewn cwch, darfu arno. Ond dydy Stoat ddim yn hapus o gwbl – cwch Stoat ydy hwn ac yn sicr nid yw'n lle addas i afr!

  • Max & Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island

    Author: Jamie Smart
    Publisher: David Fickling Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 5+

    Max has just moved to Animal Island where there are lots of new friends – including a chaffy. But Chaffy is lost! Can you help Max find Chaffy? This very young, colourful graphic novel series is brilliantly interactive and full of fun.

  • Ajay and the Jaipur Moon

    Author: Varsha Shah Illustrator: Sònia Albert
    Publisher: Chicken House
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Ajay and his fellow Mumbai street kids are in a race to Jaipur, to find a crashed meteorite. This big story could save the newspaper they run! Only, there may be a bigger story – about a threat to the whole world… A thrilling adventure with a lot of heart.

  • The Way of Dog

    Author: Zana Fraillon
    Publisher: Chicken House
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    If you have ever wondered what goes on in a dog’s mind, this verse novel could be the closest you ever come to finding out! Be prepared to feel angry, sad, vengeful and elated – and maybe even to cry just a bit.

  • The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice

    Author: Rachel Chivers Khoo Illustrator: Rachel Sanson
    Publisher: Walker Books
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Can Felix and his new friend the wishkeeper stop a monster from destroying everyone’s happiness? A delightfully charming and perfectly plotted adventure that packs a real emotional punch.

  • Wren

    Author: Lucy Hope
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    Wren feels trapped, but she’s not the only one to be inextricably linked to her home – an ancient Welsh castle. Exploring mythical creatures, grief and what it means to be free, this historical novel is also packed with drama and soaring action.   

  • My Name is Sunshine Simpson

    Author: G. M. Linton
    Publisher: Usborne
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    What is special about Sunshine Simpson? She needs to find something to say about herself for a school assembly – but what? A delight of a book, exploring grief, friendship dynamics and finding your voice in a friendly, relatable manner.

  • Squeeze in, Squirrel!

    Author: Tony Neal
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
    Interest age: 2-3

    It’s time for a fun day at the beach and Squirrel and Rabbit are setting off for the day in Rabbit’s car. But, uh-oh! Other friends keep getting in the car with all their stuff while Squirrel is busy trying to lug in her big trunk! Before she knows it, Rabbit’s car is full to bursting point… will there be any room left for her?

  • The Thames and Tide Club: The Secret City

    Author: Katya Balen Illustrator: Rachael Dean
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Clem and her friends love mudlarking – but when they find a strange object by the shores of the River Thames, they discover a whole new secret world… Dive in to this fun, friendly new fiction series!

  • Lenny Lemmon and the Invincible Rat

    Author: Ben Davis Illustrator: James Lancett
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    Let the mayhem commence, as Lenny brings a rat to ‘Olden Days’ day at school. Packed with energy and humour, with great illustrations and short chapters, this is a fun story that will appeal hugely to young readers.


    Mae hon yn stori ddoniol iawn. Mae Lenny a'i ffrindiau'n ceisio dal Ratty gyda chanlyniadau sy'n mynd yn fwy a mwy dinistriol, ac wrth gwrs yn …

  • Swimming on the Moon

    Author: Brian Conaghan
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
    Interest age: 12+
    Reading age: 10+

    Anna is fiercely protective of her autistic twin brother Anto. While their parents argue, Anna does everything she can to keep the family together. Many key topics are thoughtfully explored in this sensitive novel for older readers.

  • Friendship Never Ends

    Author: Alexandra Sheppard
    Publisher: Knights Of
    Interest age: 12+
    Reading age: 11+

    An insightful and engrossing portrait of a unique friendship that might be threatened when four girls have to spend their summer away from one another.

  • The Thief of Farrowfell

    Author: Ravena Guron Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
    Publisher: Faber
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    Jude is infuriated when she realises that the rare magic she has stolen to impress her criminal family is protected by a curse. Darkly humorous, with a myriad of magical twists and turns, this inventive novel is a thrilling read.

  • The Deadlands: Hunted

    Author: Skye Melki-Wegner
    Publisher: Walker Books
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    A brilliantly imagined thriller in which dinosaurs survived an extinction event and developed the ability to think, speak, make alliances and wage war.

  • Global

    Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
    Publisher: Hodder
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9-11

    In this stunning graphic novel – by the same author and illustrator team as Illegal, which told the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy fleeing grinding poverty in his small village in Africa and travelling to Europe as an illegal immigrant – we see two different stories belonging to two different children. Both are at the mercy of climate change.

  • Trains, Boats and Planes

    Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Jez Tuya
    Publisher: Andersen Press
    Interest age: 4-5
    Reading age: 7+

    Transport and dogs come together in this bright, joyful picture book which follows a train, boat and plane over the course of a busy day.

  • Animal Crackers

    Author: Ruby Wright
    Publisher: Rocket Bird Books
    Interest age: 4-5

    Maisie loves animals, but Mum says she can’t have a pet in their small flat, even though other kids Maisie knows have pets that don’t need to go outside. There’s Orla, whose gerbils live in a cage in her room, and Conrad has house rabbits!

  • Tree Whispers: A forest of poems

    Author: Mandy Ross Illustrator: Juliana Oakley
    Publisher: Child’s Play
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 4-5

    In a lovely collection of tree-themed poems, Mandy Ross takes us from Joshua Tree in the American desert to the pine and oyamel trees of Mexico, to a snowy forest and the trees in a city – and many more!

  • Rida & Madiya

    Author: Niyla Farook Illustrator: Umair Najeeb Khan
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 8+
    Reading age: 6-8

    This fun, short read from the Bloomsbury Readers series, Rida & Madiya is a relatable story for all brothers and sisters who may have to accept each other’s irritating habits – and brilliant talents – from time to time.

  • Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials

    Author: Jamar J. Perry
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 9+

    Friends Cameron, Zion and Aliyah embark on a second epic adventure to Chidani, a hidden kingdom populated by duplicitous gods, chilling monsters and powerful magic.