Brilliant books to read to primary school children

Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good

Reading books to children has lots of amazing benefits, even when they're learning to read – or can read – themselves.

Cuddling up together to share a story or a fascinating information book is a great way to bond. This experience can in the long term give children improved mental wellbeing and the tools to progress at school. But, most importantly, it's fun! We hope you enjoy settling down together with these brilliant books.

  • Drew, Moo and Bunny, Too

    Author: Owen Sheers Illustrator: Helen Stephens

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 7+

    Flip
  • Drew, Moo and Bunny, Too

    Author: Owen Sheers Illustrator: Helen Stephens

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 7+

    With soft yet dramatic illustrations, and a rollicking rhythm and rhyme to the words, this is a delight to read aloud. It would be…

    ; Flip
  • Bad Panda

    Author: Swapna Haddow Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey

    Interest level: 8-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Flip
  • Bad Panda

    Author: Swapna Haddow Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey

    Interest level: 8-11

    Reading age: 8+

    If being good gets you sent to a zoo thousands of miles from home, maybe being bad will get you sent back? Anyone who’s ever …

    ; Flip
  • The Worst Class in the World

    Author: Joanna Nadin Illustrator: Rikin Parekh

    Interest level: 6-11

    Reading age: 6+

    Flip
  • The Worst Class in the World

    Author: Joanna Nadin Illustrator: Rikin Parekh

    Interest level: 6-11

    Reading age: 6+

    This fabulous book for independent junior readers contains two side-splitting stories about the escapades of the colourful charact…

    ; Flip
  • Two Terrible Vikings

    Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 6+

    Flip
  • Two Terrible Vikings

    Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 6+

    Hack and Whack are two terrible Viking twins who love stealing, raiding islands, and being generally horrible! Early readers will …

    ; Flip
  • Grimwood

    Author: Nadia Shireen

    Interest level: 6-9

    Reading age: 7+

    Flip
  • Grimwood

    Author: Nadia Shireen

    Interest level: 6-9

    Reading age: 7+

    Fox siblings Ted and Nancy live in the big city but decide to find Grimwood, a faraway forest where they can lie low. Nadia Shiree…

    ; Flip
  • Marv and the Mega Robot

    Author: Alex Falase-Koya Illustrator: Paula Bowles

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 6+

    Flip
  • Marv and the Mega Robot

    Author: Alex Falase-Koya Illustrator: Paula Bowles

    Interest level: 6-8

    Reading age: 6+

    This illustrated early reader is fast paced with an inspiring Black superhero and plenty of adventure for young readers just makin…

    ; Flip
  • Diary of an Accidental Witch

    Author: Perdita and Honor Cargill Illustrator: Katie Saunders

    Interest level: 6-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Flip
  • Diary of an Accidental Witch

    Author: Perdita and Honor Cargill Illustrator: Katie Saunders

    Interest level: 6-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Bea Black is unenthusiastic about moving to Little Spellshire and is upset when Dad accidentally enrols her at the wrong school.&n…

    ; Flip
  • Varjak Paw

    Author: SF Said

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Flip
  • Varjak Paw

    Author: SF Said

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Pedigree cat Varjak Paw lives in a luxurious mansion with his family, but when trouble comes to their door, he's forced to escape …

    ; Flip
  • High-Rise Mystery

    Author: Sharna Jackson

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Flip
  • High-Rise Mystery

    Author: Sharna Jackson

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    High-Rise Mystery is the perfect ‘whodunnit’. As the two girls sift through red herrings and reveal a series of tower block secret…

    ; Flip
  • A Kind of Spark

    Author: Elle McNicoll

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    Flip
  • A Kind of Spark

    Author: Elle McNicoll

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    When 11 year old Addie, who is autistic, learns about the 16th century women who were persecuted for witchcraft, she starts to lob…

    ; Flip
  • Moonflight

    Author: Gill Lewis Illustrator: Pippa Curnick

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Flip
  • Moonflight

    Author: Gill Lewis Illustrator: Pippa Curnick

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 8+

    Could Tilbury Twitch-Whiskers really be the rat hero to return the legendary diamond and break its curse? A thrilling adventure wi…

    ; Flip