Suggested reading for Reception and Year 1: Autumn Term

Under the Same Sky

Here are some of our favourite books that are perfect for pupils in Reception and Year 1 to read during the Autumn term.

  • Sleep Well Siba & Saba

    Author: Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl Illustrator: Sandra Van Doorn
    Publisher: Lantana Publishing
    Interest age: 2-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Sisters Siba and Saba are always forgetting where they have left things. They leave sweaters on buses and sandals at the beach. At night, they have magical dreams of the things they have lost.

  • Alive Again

    Author: Ahmadreza Ahmadi Illustrator: Nahid Kazemi Translator: Azita Rassi
    Publisher: Tiny Owl
    Interest age: 3-8
    Reading age: 5+

    A young boy asks his father what happens to the word 'blossom' when the blossom is blown from the trees. Does the word die, along with the blossom? What about rain, wheat or a journey? If these things disappear, do the words disappear too?

  • The Three Little Pugs and the Big Bad Cat

    Author: Becky Davies Illustrator: Caroline Attia
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 4-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Using a photomontage style with pug photos alongside painted illustration makes this fun fairy-tale retelling stand out from other animal books, and plays on the current vogue for all things pug.

  • Lots: The Diversity of Life on Earth

    Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Emily Sutton
    Publisher: Walker Books
    Interest age: 4+
    Reading age: 6+

    This is a book to pore and ponder over, from reading the story to picking out the different creatures in each picture, to reading the funny and fascinating animal names.

  • Hedgehog Holidays

    Author: Ruth Green
    Publisher: Tate
    Interest age: 3-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Herbert and Hilda Hedgehog have been enjoying a book about the seaside and decide to go and see it for themselves. This gentle story has a bouncy rhyme, and the tone remains sweet and upbeat throughout.

  • Kiki and Bobo’s Sunny Day

    Author: Yasmeen Ismail
    Publisher: Walker Books
    Interest age: 3-5

    Kiki and Bobo have decided to go to the seaside for the day. A lovely book with bright, welcoming illustrations and clever lift-the-flaps. The perfect read for holidays.

  • Daddy Do My Hair: Beth’s Twists

    Author: Tola Okogwu Illustrator: Chanté Timothy
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster
    Interest age: 4-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Softly rhyming text and glowing, illustrations in this calm, gentle book celebrate an apparently insignificant domestic ritual, which means everything to this father and daughter as they make time for each other. 

  • Anywhere Farm

    Author: Phyllis Root Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
    Publisher: Walker Books
    Interest age: 4-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Rhyming text and warm illustrations create an uplifting tale that celebrates the joys and pleasures of growing not just food and flowers, but also friendships and communities.

  • Under the Same Sky

    Author: Britta Teckentrup
    Publisher: Caterpillar Books
    Interest age: 4-6
    Reading age: 5+

    Under the Same Sky is a beautiful book with dreamy collage illustrations. It shows the way that animals across the world can have the same interests, hopes and dreams, allowing young readers to reflect on the community of our united world.