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 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:
The excellent Baby Touch series is a real feast for the senses for newborns, and is the perfect introduction to books for the tiniest fingers. Large tabs make turning the pages easier and the peekaboo animals are a nice touch.
This beautifully produced little board book is sure to capture the attention of even the youngest babies. A tiger is hiding in the book, and there are soft felt flaps to investigate behind.
The squirrels are squabbling. He thinks the nuts are his and she thinks the nuts are hers. A really funny book to read aloud, which would be perfect for early years' classroom use, as well as an important lesson to share at home.
A mischievous dog has taken over this copy of ‘My First Animal Book’! Lots of fun and a real delight to read, this is a great book to share with little ones, full of beautiful simplicity.
Treacle Street: Marcel’s Parcels
Marcel the postman is a busy elephant indeed. He has parcels for everyone in his trolley and yet there’s one parcel left. Surprise! It’s a treat for our postman. A joyful and brilliantly illustrated book that will excite children as they peep inside the post.
Billy and her sidekick, the amusingly monobrowed Fatcat, are at a fancy dress party when a very large REAL dragon swoops down from nowhere and grabs Fatcat! As always, Shireen’s comic timing is first class.
This joyful celebration of black hair demonstrates a range of styles and will inspire children to experiment with their own look.
A funny, light-hearted picture book about a common childhood issue that will prompt plenty of chuckles and delight young fans of Simon, the little rabbit with lots of personality.
Sam and Agu play together in the tree in a make-believe world of desert islands and stormy seas. A gentle story that is atmospheric and sensitively told, and touches lightly on the theme of acceptance.
On a far-off planet, a young red Smed called Janet falls in love with a young blue Smoo called Bill. The newest rhyming picture book from the stellar pairing of Donaldson and Scheffler provides all their usual invention, quirkiness and read-aloud expertise.
This book is an ingenious and hilarious hunter/prey story with a delightful twist. Highly recommended for fans of a funny picture book with an extra cheer for a clever underdog.
This colourful guide to all elements of grandmotherly life reminds us that grannies, like everyone else, are full of wonderful variety. They might be hiking around Senegal in their slippers or chilling in their comfy, cauliflower-scented bed, but we love them all.
Nell goes on a journey to the polluted Big City to reveal a machine that can clean the city's air. A beautiful picture book that demonstrates the power of the people against "the man", and will fill every child with big dreams to make the world a better place.
Rainbow Magic: Jae the Boy Band Fairy
Best friends Kirsty and Rachel are dismayed when Jack Frost steals a magical golden microphone, causing boy band Me-2-U to be struck by stage fright. This tale in the popular Rainbow Magic series of fairy adventures will delight young children.
With a lightness of touch, this book encourages children to record their feelings, as they consider how they interact with others. A perfect way to help any child develop confidence and support good mental health through fun activities.
Wild Lives: 50 Extraordinary Animals that Made History
In this fascinating book, children can learn about 50 courageous creatures from around the world and throughout history. There is enough wonder here to inspire kids to consider the richness of animals, and why we should treat them with respect and care.
Read more about Wild Lives: 50 Extraordinary Animals that Made History
Newt has been living and working in the horrendous conditions of Bearmouth mine from an early age. Any kind of way out isn’t even contemplated until Newt meets Devlin. This story is exciting, ambitious, unpredictable and breathtakingly brilliant.
Three children discover they are descendants of the Guardians of Avantia, courageous heroes who entered the human world through a portal. Full of monsters, dragons and magic, this fantasy adventure is enhanced by striking graphic novel-style illustrations.
Dragons of the Prime: Poems About Dinosaurs
Although budding palaeontologists will love this captivating poetry collection, no interest in prehistoric life is necessary to experience the joy, humour, poignancy and sheer wonderment contained in its pages.
This exhilarating story is written by Andy (SAS) McNab, together with Phil Earle. The adrenaline-pumping-pace and unashamed use of slang is a reminder that reading is ultimately about enjoyment and opening readers’ eyes to new experiences.
Izzy and her friend Eric just can’t wait for Dungeon City to arrive – until Izzy find that she’s sucked into the game. Sarah Graley’s fantastic and fun games-themed new comic novel is perfect for 8-11s, gaming-mad or not.
Schoolgirl-turned-private investigator Lori must use all her prestigious detecting skills if she is to solve the mystery of her best friend’s disappearance. A fast-paced crime adventure that is funny, sad and challenging, and always a true page-turner.
When Max meets Tal and his two dads, he learns that there are lots of different ways to be a man, and that his own dad’s expectations of him at such a young age aren't fair. An utterly remarkable book about families, being a boy and coping with loss.
Mythologica: An Encyclopedia of Gods, Monsters and Mortals from Ancient Greece
This guide to Greek mythology combines accessible facts with amazing visuals for a truly amazing read. The artwork really is the star of the book.
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Princess Avariella is heir to the throne of the magical kingdom of Biscotti. Bored of behaving with grace and decorum, she gets a BMX bike. A fast-paced contemporary fairy tale with quirky characters, a hilarious plot and funny black-and-white illustrations.
The Boy With the Butterfly Mind
The complexities of families divided by break-up and reformed as blended versions of themselves will have been experienced by many readers. Elin and Jamie’s story is a compelling and affecting book about acceptance, openness and family dynamics.
Found in a bear cave when she was a baby and raised by her foster mother, Yanka has always wondered who she really is. Readers will be gripped by her quest to find out in this marvellous tale inspired by Russian folklore.
Whether you’re already a fan of this classic children’s story or a new reader, this wonderful version is a real treat. Chris Mould’s mechanical Iron Man has a great deal of personality and this luxury hardback would be a delight to share at home or at school.
The Poetical Institute’s Peculiar Powers of Vegetables & Fruits
The overarching theme that fruit and vegetables are essential to help you grow strong and smart is repeated through 48 poems that push the theme to places no one could expect, with super silly rhymes and poems.
Read more about The Poetical Institute’s Peculiar Powers of Vegetables & Fruits
A heart-rending read about having a severely autistic brother, from the perspective of the older sibling, Frank. The addition of references to coding and powerful observations about life, the universe and everything, make this memorable and satisfying.
The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times
This is the third book in the Wizards of Once series, set 3,000 years ago in an ancient magical time. Knock Three Times is thrilling, fast-paced, funny, sad, scary and philosophical, and full of inspiration for children on how to find inner strength in crisis.
This teen murder-mystery, set in an exclusive girls’ school in 1936 is reminiscent of Enid Blyton’s boarding school novels, but with a hefty dose of Agatha Christie’s gruesome, puzzling plotlines. A glorious slice of fantastical escapism.
This story is about leaving childhood and entering a world where, as George says, 'things are not simple anymore'. Children will love the adorable tale of friendship between boy and dog and Gizmo’s doggie memoirs, which are peppered throughout.
Jo’s terrified about bringing friend Tina home to meet her parents and revealing that she lives above a Chinese takeaway. In reading Jo’s diary, we understand the tension within her family, as well as the racism and homophobia in the world around her.
Jemima Small Versus the Universe
Jemima Small is brilliant and the ideal candidate to go on her favourite TV quiz show, Brainiacs. But why on earth would anyone want to watch a girl as big as her on TV? A compelling, empowering tale about a big girl, small minds and self-discovery.
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