New children's books we love
Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we liked best in January: guaranteed to get your child reading...
Whether they're a teeny toddler or a very particular teen, this is where you can find your child's next amazing book: just scroll down to find books for a range of ages.
You can also keep track of the latest titles by looking at our past reading recommendations for:
December | November | October | September | August | July
We've sorted our favourite new books into rough age ranges, but this is just a guide and readers might find something they'll love in a different category.
This fun-filled board book, full of stylish illustrations and detail, contains an array of animals and vehicles which will delight young children.
Supertato is on a mission to teach Evil Pea a lesson and rallies the Super Squad to help - but what do sprinkle-covered cupcakes have to do with defeating their nemesis? A hilarious, action-packed, and delicious picture book.
A poem of a mother’s love in the age of the Black Lives Matter movement, stunningly illustrated by Bryan Collier, this book seeks to remind children that regardless of their background, they are important and valued.
Cassi watches the swifts as they fly across an African plain, on their way to Japan where a little boy awaits them eagerly. Breathtaking illustrations chart the journey of the wind, and of the birds migrating from season to season.
Two magpies want to decorate their nest... but lose their eggs in all the piles of clutter and mess! They're going to need help from some friends... a gorgeous picture book from Emily Gravett about sharing and keeping things tidy.
Alexander is a baby kangaroo who loves snuggling up in his mum's warm, cosy pouch. The only problem is she's extremely messy - and is always popping things like felt-tips, broken necklaces and spatulas into her pouch! Can Alexander sort it all out?
When the moon is high and the farm animals have gone to bed... it's time for the vegetables to wake up and throw a party!
Blaine LOVES sparkles and glitter - but there are a few kids at school who think he's weird and call him names. It's up to Blaine's friends to help him get his sparkle back (and spread a bit of bling themselves too!)
Fergal is perfectly happy with his Mum and Dad - but then Baby Fern turns up. This heart-warming tale explores feelings of anger, jealousy and love and will strike a chord with any child who is adjusting to the arrival of a new sibling.
Dex the dog is a little different to everyone else - he doesn't bark, dig, or fight, but he is happy, his tail won't stop wagging! His family try and get it to stop - but there's a way everyone can be happy together. A thought provoking story about self-expression and acceptance.
Wanda the little witch loves school, but she's a little shy - and very nervous about the school magic contest!
The Questioneers: Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote
Sofia and her class are excited to be getting a pet - but what will they choose? They put it to a vote, and Sofia finds herself in charge of making sure the vote is fair. A great introduction to politics and how elections work.
Read more about The Questioneers: Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote
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.
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.
Great Lives in Graphics: Cleopatra
If reading about historical figures usually seems like hard work, this exciting, colourful, graphics-packed book about the legendary Cleopatra could be the one to change your mind.
Freddy is proud to be a robot boy - but he keeps getting into trouble at school! This funny, light-hearted chapter book examines what it feels like to be different and explores issues of friendship, jealousy and bullying.
A wolf in the forest becomes enchanted by the sound of a young woman singing, and promises to tell her his stories in exchange for her music. This stunningly illustrated folk-tale style story is surely one of the most beautiful books you’ll read.
The Magic Carpet’s Guide to Earth’s Forbidden Places
Fly an imaginary carpet over some of the most forbidden and mysterious places in the world in this gorgeously illustrated picture book.
Read more about The Magic Carpet’s Guide to Earth’s Forbidden Places
Highly-illustrated biography of Manchester United striker and anti-poverty campaigner Marcus Rashford.
Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies
An essential and fascinating book which follows black history across many centuries to today’s contemporary world.
Read more about Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies
A fascinating, beautiful and occasionally tongue-in-cheek book of maps featuring civilisations as diverse as the Tang Dynasty, the vast empire of Genghis Khan, the Maurya empire, and many more.
Sofia's mother is the most sought-after bone-crafter in Italy - but when she goes missing, Sofia must uncover her secrets and find out what she was running from. A story about family, full of action, history, and beautiful detail.
There's something a bit weird about the new boy in class, George. Maybe it's something to do with the fact his ear just fell off. A funny, profound, and beautifully illustrated story from Skellig author David Almond.
The Humiliations of Welton Blake
Welton Blake's life goes from brilliant (Carmella's agreed to go out with him - YES!) to dreadful (broken phone, school bullies, and a really embarrassing dad) in the blink of an eye. How much humiliation can one kid take?
Part thriller, part historical adventure and featuring meticulous research and masterful storytelling, Darwin’s Dragons blurs the lines between fact and fiction and will leave you wondering just how much might actually be true.
When Pip@256X#YY.3_7, who lives in 3020, arrives in 2019 through an XL toilet seat, Rahul, genius child-inventor, faces a race against time to return Pip to her own world.
Trying to save endangered otter pups stops Luke and Meg focussing on the bad stuff in their lives but sometimes it takes a brush with real loss to make you fully appreciate what you have.
Jake thinks his dad is just embarrassing, but it turns out he’s an alien! This is a funny and heart-warming sci-fi story about a father and son relationship.
Black and British: A Short, Essential History
David Olusoga’s latest edition of Black and British has been revised and rewritten especially for secondary school children, and explains and illustrates the much-overlooked history of Black peoples in Britain and beyond.
Read more about Black and British: A Short, Essential History
A lonely girl far from home encounters a frightened bear, hiding in the woods and desperate for food. This beautiful modern fairytale from Sarah Lean is full of heart and family, and brimming with winter magic
Franky's life is turned upside down following a terrific storm one night, with flashes of eerie green lightning and a definite whiff of poo - then everyone around him begins to act a bit weird... time for the Danger Gang to save the day!
Set in a future world where rising sea levels have collapsed the governments and everyday resources are precious commodities, Across the Risen Sea is a page-turning adventure starring a wild spark of a character who must save her home.
BookTrust HomeTime
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