New children's books we love
Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we like best in September: 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:
August | July | June | May | April | March
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.
Nikolas Ilic’s lovely counting book takes little ones all the way up to 12 and introduces an adjective that describes each set of animals, as well as an action, making this point-and-say numbers book a fun reading experience for adults too.
If you have ever wondered what your cat is really thinking, then Cat Chat from expert vet and CBeebies presenter Dr Jess French is the perfect read. An insightful board book that looks at feline body language to help young pet owners figure out their furry friends.
The hungry mouse likes eating cheese, the rabbit likes carrots and the monkey likes bananas, but what about the hungry tiger? Find out in this fun and inventive touch-and-feel book from Rod Campbell, the author of Dear Zoo.
I'm Thinking of a Sea Creature
This delightful board book is great for older toddlers who might already recognise some of the animals featured (a turtle, an octopus, a shark and a seahorse) or can make a guess at who might be hiding in the pull-out tabs.
Ruffles and the Teeny, Tiny Kittens
Meet Ruffles, the playful puppy, as he learns to share his space and belongings with a litter of kittens. There's no finger-wagging here, only tail wagging – the tone is light and fun and the message about sharing with others sinks in through humour and repetition.
Funny and heart-warming, this entertaining picture book for preschoolers explores the familiar experience of falling over, and is ideal to encourage language and storytelling development.
The author of this book would like you to be sensible and not open its fold-out pages. Still, who could resist having just a peek? An original book that delights in the fun that can be had when we’re really, really silly.
A beautifully illustrated book about a young girl who gets more than she bargains for when she buys a packet of unicorn seeds for her grandmother. Fun and magical.
See What I Can Do! introduces a range of characters (based on real-life children) who each share an insight about disability and point out the challenges but also positive aspects of their lives. A beautiful book that celebrates individuality, empathy and understanding.
Shiloh's a princess – she’s supposed to sing, not rap. But she can't sing at all and has better flow than all the princes of the land put together. A hip-hopping fairy tale about feeling brave to stand out and accept your uniqueness
Best friends Wren, Ebba and Helga live with the Viking folk and love playing together. One day, a scary noise surrounds the village. The Chieftain says it’s just a thunderstorm, but does he really know best? A fairy-tale themed story with a Moomin-esque mood.
We're Going to Find the Monster
A lovely slightly fairy tale-inspired tale about a family with two younger siblings and a teenager getting ready for breakfast, featuring the wonderful storytelling and word wizardry of Malorie Blackman and the illustrations of prize-winning Dapo Adeola.
Fox siblings Ted and Nancy live in the big city but decide to find Grimwood, a faraway forest where they can lie low. Nadia Shireen’s first illustrated middle grade novel is a brilliantly hilarious and heartwarming tale, full of her trademark anarchic humour.
All Maddy’s family and friends have at least one talent but the only thing Maddy is good at is armpit farts. Surely there must be something else she can do well?
This fascinating picture book for junior readers delves into the hidden world of microbes, explaining what they are, where they are found and why they are essential to our existence.
A simple yet exciting illustrated tale, featuring a runaway cave girl and her pet bear, a tribe of ruthless bear stalkers and a hopeless mammoth hunt.
Three hilarious illustrated stories featuring the Real Pigeons – a motley band of airborne crime fighters, whose mission is to solve the most mysterious mysteries! Not to be read under the desk at school, as the teachers will catch you when you snort with laughter.
The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess
A king and queen in a faraway land long for a child, so they consult a wise witch and royal inventor, who give them a girl and boy made from wood. This comic-style picture book is a lovely story about unconventional siblings with a strong and loving bond.
Read more about The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess
The World’s Most Pointless Animals
From sugar gliders to red-lipped batfish, this collection of strange and unusual animals from around the world is an enjoyable factfile with lovely illustrations and an amusing read thanks to its rogue narrator, who shares jokey facts and silly names for each animal.
In a world devastated by 200 years of brutal conflict between humans and intelligent machines, could Adam-2 hold the key to ending the war? And, if so, which side should he save? A breathtaking science fiction thriller.
In this important anthology, ten illustrated short stories from present day black authors and illustrators thrill readers with the stories they’ve been waiting for, featuring black protagonists at the centre of a huge variety of fictional worlds and situations.
Born in Sudan but brought up in Australia, funny and clever Layla longs to be an inventor, but life takes her back to Sudan in the middle of a revolution. To which country does she belong? This powerful book would be a great addition to any school library.
Did you know that Marie Curie was the single mother of two daughters, Irene and Eve, one of whom would later get a Nobel Prize, just like her mother? The story of a family of remarkable women, this is a truly fascinating and inspiring read.
Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City
A magical pencil takes art-mad Peanut and her friends on a quest beyond her wildest imagination in the search for her lost father.
Lily and Erin are sisters, but they couldn't be more different. So what on earth will happen when they find that their bodies have been swapped? A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud story with lots of heart.
This engaging and uplifting novel, which celebrates friendship and community, is based on Ian Wright’s own childhood experiences and will appeal to any aspiring sportsperson.
The Royal Rebel: The Life of Suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh
This fascinating tale highlights a troubling period of British history in an accessible manner. It explores the appalling impact of British rule on India, as well as the brutal treatment faced by women in Britain who demanded equality.
Read more about The Royal Rebel: The Life of Suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh
Against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Stevie finds a girl hiding in her garden shed. A personal, inspiring story of injustice and courage set against the backdrop of dramatic global events.
Little Hare’s story is a prequel to the environmental and animal-focused series that began with The Last Wild. Although the story's a sad one, this is a uniquely enjoyable book.
Co-written by an author and a young autistic person, the book introduces us to Tally and her family on the road to a diagnosis. Tally’s story of family, friendship and growing up will resonate with any young person while also busting many an autism myth.
Abigail, the author and illustrator of this exceptional non-fiction book, spent most of her life not knowing she was autistic. Insightful, accessible and easy to navigate, this is an essential book for autistic and allistic (non-autistic) readers of all ages, including adults.
Pam Smy’s heartbreaking yet heartwarming illustrated novel has a supernatural element, but is really about the terrible impact that domestic violence can have on a family.
BookTrust HomeTime
Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy storytime with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters.
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