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Booklists beginning with: D

• Best children's books to help talk about divorce and separation

  Family break-ups are a sad and delicate time for everyone involved. Here are some of our favourite children's books for easing those difficult conversations, suitable for a range of ages.

• Best diary books for how it feels to be a teenager

  There's something about the diary or journal format in a book that really helps you get under a character's skin. This must be why diary books are at their most powerful when you are a pre-teen or a young teenager: battling through puberty, everyday life, and trying to figure out who you are and want to be.

• Books about being afraid of the dark

  Children are often fearful of the dark at bedtime, but these books will gently allay their fears, while acknowledging them. There are also books that show the benefits of the dark and the beauty of it.

• Books about bullying for 8-12s

  Almost everyone gets bullied at some point in their life – so if this is happening to your child, they are not alone.

• Books featuring characters with dyslexia

  We've put together a list of brilliant books which feature characters with dyslexia.

• Books featuring Single Dads

  Parents are not usually the focus of books for children – they’re not the ones having the adventures, after all! Here are some of our favourite stories that happen to have a single dad, including some adoptive dads, in the background. Sometimes this is through death, sometimes divorce, and sometimes the reason is never mentioned. All children will enjoy thes…

• Books that celebrate Diwali

  Diwali, or the festival of lights, is celebrated all around the world each October - and there are lots of ways to join in the fun! Here's our pick of the best children's books about Diwali.

• Books with positive images of disability and neurodivergence: see the best of the year 2024

  Here are the children's books which we highlighted in 2024 as useful for discussing disability, neurodiversity and inclusive issues with young readers. 

• Children's books about dogs

  This list includes some classic reads, as well as newer books, all about different doggies. Perfect for children aged three and older.

• David McKee: an incredible career

  David McKee, creator of Elmer and Not Now, Bernard, has won the 2020 BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award. Here's our top pick of his unique, funny, and poignant collection of picture books.

• David Walliams's Britain’s Favourite Children’s Book

  Over the Christmas period David Walliams looked at Britain's Favourite Children's Books.

• Deaf Awareness Week

  This booklist includes books that feature deafness as a key theme, books with a deaf protagonist, and books that happen to include children with hearing aids and cochlear implants, in a subtle and natural way.

• Detective stories

  Follow clues, unravel mysteries and uncover secrets with these engaging detective stories. These stories are ideal for adventure loving, puzzle solving, unnecessarily inquisitive older children.

• Dickens adaptations

  Charles Dickens is one of the most famous authors of all time. Here are some fun and accessible adaptations to introduce children and young people to the great writer.

• Down's syndrome awareness

  Around 750 babies in the UK every year are born with Down's syndrome. This equates to one in every thousand. Here’s a list of children's and young teen books that feature characters who have Down's syndrome. 

• Dyslexia-friendly books

  This list aims to provide a range of books that may appeal to young people, aged 7+, with reading difficulties. 

• Dyslexia-friendly picture books

  These picture books can be enjoyed by all members of the family. They support parents who are unconfident readers in passing on a love of reading to their child by reading with them. 

• Favourite books about difference, acceptance and bullying for teens

  Here are some books to help teens who may be experiencing bullying or finding it tricky to make friends.

• Favourite dystopian books

  Teens just love a good dystopia, don't they?! Discover an array of dystopian worlds in our recommended booklist.

• If you love Roald Dahl books...

  ...why not try one of these hilarious books from some of our favourite funny authors?

• Inclusive Christmas books

  Everyone deserves to be included in the festive fun at winter. Here are some Christmassy books that reflect the wonderful diversity of our society. We think they’re real crackers!