Books for reluctant readers (younger children)
There's a book out there for every child, even the most reluctant of readers. Try a few of the books below to see if they click with your child and help them love reading.
There's fiction, non-fiction, rhyme and laugh-out-loud moments! Let us know which one works for your 5-8 year old.
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The Wolves in the Walls
Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Dave McKean
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
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The Wolves in the Walls
Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Dave McKean
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 8+
When Lucy hears noises in the walls of her home, she tries to warn her family that the wolves are coming. However, they do not hee…
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Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Melanie Demmer
Interest level: 6-9
Reading age: 7+
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Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Melanie Demmer
Interest level: 6-9
Reading age: 7+
When Grandma Gertie visits Anna and Kasper from Barbados, they discover that the ghost of Grandpa Bert is in her handbag! Meanwhil…
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Evil Emperor Penguin: Book 1
Author: Laura Ellen Anderson
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
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Evil Emperor Penguin: Book 1
Author: Laura Ellen Anderson
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
Far away in the icy wastes of Antarctica lives a warm and cuddly, kind-hearted penguin who only wants to do good in the world...NO…
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Kitchen Disco
Author: Clare Foges Illustrator: Al Murphy
Interest level: 3+
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Kitchen Disco
Author: Clare Foges Illustrator: Al Murphy
Interest level: 3+
Reading age:
Did you know when you go to sleep all the fruit in the bowl comes to life and has a fun-filled, night long party?
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Super Happy Magic Forest
Author: Matty Long
Interest level: 4+
Reading age: 6+
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Super Happy Magic Forest
Author: Matty Long
Interest level: 4+
Reading age: 6+
This anarchic and amusing picture book deserves much praise for taking commonplace story elements - pixies, goblins, unicorns and …
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The Genius Aged 8¼
Author: Jeremy Strong Illustrator: Jamie Smith
Interest level: 6+
Reading age: 8+
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The Genius Aged 8¼
Author: Jeremy Strong Illustrator: Jamie Smith
Interest level: 6+
Reading age: 8+
Alfie's parents are very silly, and it's no time at all until young Alfie shows common sense beyond his years. Soon, he is headtea…
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The Powerpuff Girls: Brain Freeze
Author: Cartoon Network
Interest level: 6-8
Reading age: 6+
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The Powerpuff Girls: Brain Freeze
Author: Cartoon Network
Interest level: 6-8
Reading age: 6+
Superhero sisters, the Powerpuff Girls, are eager to enter a competition to invent a new ice cream flavour. This light-hearted adv…
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Pigsticks and Harold: Lost in Time!
Author: Alex Milway
Interest level: 6-9
Reading age: 7+
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Pigsticks and Harold: Lost in Time!
Author: Alex Milway
Interest level: 6-9
Reading age: 7+
Fast-paced and funny, this chapter book with full-page graphic-novel style artwork is a hilarious romp through history. This is th…
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Tom and the Siege
Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Stephen Parkhouse
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 7+
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Tom and the Siege
Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Stephen Parkhouse
Interest level: 7+
Reading age: 7+
Tom Bailey is always up to mischief and his mother, Lady Eleanor, has had enough. Tom is to go off to Squire School to turn him in…
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Superdad’s Day Off
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Steve May
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
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Superdad’s Day Off
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Steve May
Interest level: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
Stanley is an ordinary boy from an ordinary family, with one notable exception: his father is a superhero. With lively, colourful …
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Bunny Vs Monkey
Author: Jamie Smart
Interest level: 7-12
Reading age: 6+
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Bunny Vs Monkey
Author: Jamie Smart
Interest level: 7-12
Reading age: 6+
In this hilarious comic, life is far from straightforward for these not-entirely-fluffy animals. The stories are inventive, origin…
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My Friend’s a Gris-Kwok
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Andy Rowland
Interest level: 5+
Reading age: 6+
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My Friend’s a Gris-Kwok
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Andy Rowland
Interest level: 5+
Reading age: 6+
Malorie Blackman's 1994 Scholastic story has been adapted by Barrington Stoke for their series of dyslexia/reluctant reader-friend…
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The Goozillas!: Trapped in the Bog of Beasts
Author: Dexter Green Illustrator: Jake Dash
Interest level: 6-9
Reading age: 6+
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The Goozillas!: Trapped in the Bog of Beasts
Author: Dexter Green Illustrator: Jake Dash
Interest level: 6-9
Reading age: 6+
While Max is playing on his favourite game on his tablet, he manages the impossible. With just one sneeze, Max manages to transpor…
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Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kittens
Author: Dav Pilkey
Interest level: 7-9
Reading age: 7+
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Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kittens
Author: Dav Pilkey
Interest level: 7-9
Reading age: 7+
Fans of this series will be delighted to see the return of the fast-paced high jinx in this graphic novel. Readers will be outrage…
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Wonder Woman at Super Hero High
Author: Lisa Yee
Interest level: 8-12
Reading age: 8+
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Wonder Woman at Super Hero High
Author: Lisa Yee
Interest level: 8-12
Reading age: 8+
Wonder Woman is thrilled when she enrols at Super Hero High School, but not everyone is keen to have her on board. This first nove…
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Louie Lets Loose!
Author: Rachel Hamilton Illustrator: Oscar Armelles
Interest level: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9
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Louie Lets Loose!
Author: Rachel Hamilton Illustrator: Oscar Armelles
Interest level: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9
Louie the unicorn lives a quiet life with his parents in Story Land, until his invite to the New York School of Performing Arts ar…
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The Bad Trousers
Author: Ros Asquith Illustrator: Mairi Hedderwick
Interest level: 6+
Reading age: 6+
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The Bad Trousers
Author: Ros Asquith Illustrator: Mairi Hedderwick
Interest level: 6+
Reading age: 6+
Children will enjoy this cheeky tale thanks to Asquith's charming writing and Hedderwick's familiar illustrations. A lovely way to…
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