Great Books Guide 2021: For 6 to 7 year olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year (2021), which we think any child aged 6 to 7 years will love.
In our selection, you'll find everything from modern fairy tales to exciting adventures and intriguing non-fiction.
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Space Detectives
Author: Mark Powers Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+A summer holiday job selling ice cream aboard the exotic space station of Starville turns into a race against time to avoid a catastrophic collision with the moon. Bring on the Space Detectives!
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Cally and Jimmy: Twins in Trouble
Author: Zoe Antoniades Illustrator: Katie Kear
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Four funny, touching short stories ideal for newly confident readers and reflective of a diverse, inclusive family.
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Squishy McFluff, The Invisible Cat: On With The Show!
Author: Pip Jones Illustrator: Ella Okstad
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+A funny and engaging rhyming story with colourful illustrations about Ava, her invisible cat and what happens when the circus comes to town.
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The Goody
Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Orchard
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Chirton is an angelic child who helps out, eats his greens and looks after his little sister Myrtle. Myrtle, however, is very naughty, and nobody ever lets her forget it. But what happens when they decide to swap places?
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The Don't Panic Gang
Author: Mark Sperring Illustrator: Sarah Warburton
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 4-8
The Don’t Panic Gang is a top secret organisation, comprising a doughnut-loving cat, a little blue bird and an unassuming window-box worm - but when they get a call for help, they transform into superheroes! An exciting, funny adventure to read aloud.
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Fearless Fairy Tales
Author: Konnie Huq and James Kay Illustrator: Rikin Parekh
Publisher: Piccadilly
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+A hilarious, subversive collection of thoroughly modern fairy tales reflecting a new morality inspired by 21st century issues.
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Two Terrible Vikings
Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 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 love this hysterical trio of stories from the creator of Horrid Henry.
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Cat Kid Comic Club
Author: Dav Pilkey
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Lil' Petey the cat and Molly the tadpole have started the Cat Kid Comic Club - for kids that love to draw comics! This lovely, funny story about working together also has some great tips for aspiring illustrators and comic makers.
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The Ladybird Big Book of Slimy Things
Author: Imogen Russell Williams Illustrator: Binny Talib
Publisher: Ladybird Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+A fascinating, gruesome, and utterly hilarious book filled with facts all about slime - from the slime sun-cream made by hippos to the monstrous fatberg hiding under the streets of London.
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The Tindims of Rubbish Island
Author: Sally Gardner Illustrator: Lydia Corry
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Combining eccentric characters, short chapters and lively illustrations, this delightful new series from a talented mother-daughter team is ideal for confident, independent readers
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The Little War Cat
Author: Hiba Noor Khan Illustrator: Laura Chamberlain
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 4-5
With stunningly emotive illustrations, this is an accessibly and inspiring story for 4-5 year olds showing how hope and kindness can still thrive during times of extreme adversity.
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Sona Sharma: Very Best Big Sister
Author: Chitra Soundar Illustrator: Jen Khatun
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7+Sona Sharma is not sure about being a big sister: it will mean she has to share her family and her favourite things. But when the new baby arrives, she knows she wants to be the best big sister ever.
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Interview With a Tiger
Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: Nick East
Publisher: Welbeck
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Packed with quirky, surprising and sometimes disturbing facts, presented in an accessible and entertaining question and answer format, this book is a must for any animal lover or budding conservationist.
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How to Change the World
Author: Rashmi Sirdeshpande Illustrator: Annabel Tempest
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+This fascinating picture book presents a selection of true stories about incredible people who have challenged injustice and worked together to make the world a better place.
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Stars With Flaming Tails
Author: Valerie Bloom Illustrator: Ken Wilson-Max
Publisher: Otter-Barry
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+A stunning collection of poetry for children by poet Valerie Bloom, as fun to read aloud together as it is poignant and powerful.
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Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Missing Puppies
Author: Megan Rix Illustrator: Tim Budgen
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+When Lizzie spots a suspicious man stealing a puppy from a garden, she's determined to investigate! An engaging illustrated early reader book, this is the first in the series to feature Lizzie (who is deaf) and Lucky the dog.
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The Puffin Keeper
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Benji Davies
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Michael Morpurgo’s story of Allen Lane, the founder of Puffin Books and the man who would become his father-in-law, is a wonderful tale of survival, love, loneliness and friendship, beautifully illustrated by Benji Davies.
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Johnny Ball: Undercover Football Genius
Author: Matt Oldfield Illustrator: Tim Wesson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A wise, witty and very funny illustrated story of the youngest football coach ever and his race to finish at the top of the league.
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Pizazz
Author: Sophy Henn
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Meet Pizazz - a superhero who hates her superpower! Sophy Henn’s new illustrated adventure aimed at younger to middle-primary school aged readers is perfect for fans of her previous series Bad Nana, with the same level of illustration and zany text throughout.
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Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+A collection of three short stories starring the fabulous Tola, who lives with her siblings and Grandmummy in Lagos. A funny, compassionate, and beautifully illustrated book for young readers.
