Books beginning with: T
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A Beginner’s Guide to Ruling the Galaxy
Author: David Solomons
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11From the most mundane town in the universe to the chaos and exhilaration of battles in outer space and the trauma of almost being eaten by a drooling alien, this surreal, sci-fi adventure will take you on the ride of your life.
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A Double Detectives Medical Mystery: The Cure for a Crime
Author: Roopa Farooki
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Ali and Tulip's surgeon mum starts acting strangely, it's up to the Double Detectives to solve the mystery.
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A Passing on of Shells
Author: Simon Lamb Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+This collection of 50 poems, each written in 50 words, will inspire young readers – and make them laugh too. Chris Riddell’s stunning illustrations make this the perfect poetry package.
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Adventures on Trains: The Highland Falcon Thief
Author: M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Hal doesn't want to join his uncle on the Highland Falcon as it makes its way to Scotland - but when he meets Lenny, a stowaway train enthusiast and the driver's daughter, the two embark on a thrilling adventure to find missing jewels and identify the culprit. Ideal for independent readers who love a good old-fashioned mystery.
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Bedtime Stories: Incredible Irish Tales from the Past
Author: Rachel Pierce (and 11-year-old Lola-Mae McCormack) Illustrator: Donough O’Malley Erin Brown Eva Byrne Linda Fahrlin Lydia Hughes Róisín and Úna Woods (cover endpapers and border Jennifer Davison)
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This entertaining and informative collection of illustrated short stories shines a light on key people and events from Irish history.
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Black Poppies
Author: Stephen Bourne
Publisher: The History Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This informative and thought-provoking collection of true stories shines a light on the contributions made by Britain’s Black community during the First World War.
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Gamayun Tales I
Author: Alexander Utkin Translator: Lada Morozova
Publisher: Nobrow
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 8+Gamayun, the magical human-faced bird of Slavic mythology, narrates this vibrant and luxurious graphic novel for younger readers. The story is magical and full of the strangeness of the original fairytale that inspired it.
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Lilly & Myles: The Torch
Author: Jon Roberts and Hannah Rounding
Publisher: Graffeg Books
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 6+Lilly is holidaying at Grandma’s seaside house in Wales. She always enjoys her gran’s tall stories about sea monsters living in a cave nearby. When it finally stops raining, Lilly can’t wait to get outside and explore - especially as she’s found an old torch to play with.
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Secret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street
Author: Robin Birch Illustrator: Jobe Anderson
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+When best friends Aisha and Jayden become members of the Secret Beast Club, their first magical mission is to rescue a lost unicorn foal before he falls into the wrong hands. An exciting fantasy adventure for confident young readers.
Y llyfr llawn cyffro hwn ydy'r cyntaf yn y gyfres Secret Beast Club ac mae'n cynnwys prif gymeriadau Duon ac mae'n ddelfrydol…
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Sticky Pines: The Bigwoof Conspiracy
Author: Dashe Roberts
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Strange things are happening in the town of Sticky Pines: odd lights in the sky, people disappearing, and now a huge, hairy creature is hanging out in the woods. Can Lucy and Milo unravel the mystery of Bigwoof? Written with wit and humour, Roberts has created a fun new series reminiscent of the X-Files and pitched perfectly for 9-12 year-olds.
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Tabby McTat
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+A poetic story of love, adventure and music that demands to be read aloud or possibly sung, depending on the power of the reader's purr.
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Tacos: An Interactive Recipe Book
Author: Lotta Nieminen
Publisher: Phaidon
Interest age: 2-4
Learn how to make delicious tacos with this fun, interactive, pull-out-and-slide recipe book.
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Ta-Da!
Author: Kathy Ellen Davis Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+A girl and boy play together with their toys, imagining crystal castles, dragons, pirates and magic wands. This humorous picture book about imaginative play and friendship demonstrates that – with a little give and take – a game shared can be double the fun.
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Tangled Tales: Movies, Magic, Mayhem!
Author: Jenny Moore Illustrator: Sarah Horne
Publisher: Maverick Publishing
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Two interlinked stories in one – flip the book to read the second one. Will Derek the vampire and Ruby the unusual fairy become film stars?
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Tanglewood Animal Park: Baby Zebra Rescue
Author: Tamsyn Murray
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 7-12
Reading age: 7+Zoe loves her new home at Tanglewood Animal Park. But can she find Flash, the baby zebra, who goes missing on the morning of the grand opening? An exciting animal adventure with lots of interesting facts - perfect for animal lovers.
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Tanglewood Animal Park: The Troublesome Tiger
Author: Tamsyn Murray
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+Zoe is bursting with excitement – Tindu the tiger is arriving today at Tanglewood Animal Park, all the way from a zoo in Berlin. But when Tindu arrives, he won’t come out of his crate. Perfect for animal lovers.
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Tanglewreck
Author:
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+This complex but utterly readable book, encompasses chaos theory and time travel but is also filled with humorous asides and a cast of memorable characters.
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Tail-end Charlie
Author: Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+Mick Manning has carefully recreated the hair-raising tales his father told him about life as an RAF tail-gunner during the Second World War
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Take Back the Skies
Author: Lucy Saxon
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Interest age: 11-14
Reading age: 10+As an introduction to other-world fantasy fiction this is engaging and accessible but it will appeal most to younger teens.
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Take the Lead: How to Care for Your Dog
Author: Elena Browne Illustrator: Jennifer Farley
Publisher: O'Brien
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This is an excellent handbook for those who are looking for a four-legged addition to grow their family, detailing everything from choosing a breed to grooming to health and well-being.
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Takeshita Demons
Author: Cristy Burne
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+When Miku moved to England from Japan, she never imagined that evil spirits would follow her. But one day an unusual looking supply teacher appears at school, and Miku suspects she may be a demon in disguise.
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Taking Shelter (A Hugh Dunnit Mystery)
Author: Guy Bass Illustrator: Lee Cosgrove
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Hugh is determined to clear his dog's name when she's accused of eating his homework. This hilarious chapter book is full of witty one-liners, daft puns and dynamic black-and-white illustrations.
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Tales From Acorn Wood: Cat’s Cookbook
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Macmillan
Part of the adorable Acorn Wood series, Cat’s Cookbook extols the importance of libraries in a fun way, reminding us how nice it is to browse for a book and also find exactly the one we wanted.
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Tales from Acorn Wood: Opposites
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Donaldson and Scheffler are already household names for those with young children, and now even the very newest members of the family can enjoy their work in this lovely board book about opposites, full of traditional illustration.
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Tales from Africa
Author: K P Kojo Illustrator: Joe Lillington
Publisher: Puffin Classics
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+A collection of nine diverse African folktales reflecting both the good and bad sides of human nature. Rich and humorous, they will resonate in any culture.
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Tales From Beyond The Rainbow
Author: Collected and adapted by Pete Jordi Wood
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 9+Ancient folklore celebrating LGBTQ+ stories is unearthed and retold in this stunningly illustrated collection of queer fairy tales.
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Tales from India
Author: Bali Rai
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 8+Discover India’s rich folk-tale heritage and ancient cultures, with this captivating collection of both popular and lesser known, mostly secular Indian folk tales – reworked for a modern audience.
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Tales from Old Ireland
Author: Malachy Doyle Illustrator: Niamh Sharkey
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 6-12
Reading age: 8+This stunningly illustrated collection of stories has its roots in oral storytelling and features giants, demons and wicked stepmothers, with a good dose of magic, cruelty and gentle humour.
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Tales From Outer Suburbia
Author: Shaun Tan
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 10+These often thought-provoking stories look at the reactions ordinary people have to the unusual situations they find themselves in and feature a host of different illustrative styles ranging from collage to painterly Edward Hopper-esque scenes.
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Tales from Schwartzgarten: Osbert the Avenger
Author: Christopher William Hill
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 9+A macabre tale full of ghoulish and gruesome escapades.
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Tales from the Caribbean
Author: Trish Cooke
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 8+Here’s a brilliant collection of tales from all over the Caribbean, perfect for children to read to themselves, but best of all to read together out loud. Some of the stories are famous but each one in this book feels fresh with Trish’s brilliant retelling.
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Tales from the Celtic Countries
Author: Rhiannon Ifans Illustrator: Margaret Jones
Publisher: Y Lolfa
Interest age: 6-13
Reading age: 8+This unusual story collection features a total of 12 tales from the six Celtic countries. Fabulous, ethereal illustrations capture the magical nature of the narratives which, like all the oldest fables, are rather grisly but also hilarious and quirky.
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Tales from the Dead of Night
Author: Cecily Gayford
Publisher: Profile Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+Prepare to be scared! Collecting the best of classic ghost stories from E.Nesbit to Ruth Rendell, this anthology is the perfect match to any Halloween party.
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Tales From Weird Street
Author: Anne Fine Illustrator: Vicki Gausden
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+Interspersed with black-and-white illustrations to complement the super readable text, this masterclass in storytelling from a distinguished author is fascinating, entertaining and just creepy enough to leave readers feeling a little bit uneasy.
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Tales of Terror from the Black Ship
Author: Chris Priestley Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 11+Deliciously chilling tales of demons, horrors, curses and hauntings.
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Tales of Terror from the Tunnel's Mouth
Author: Chris Priestley Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 9+The nine tales are contained within an other tale, each as delightfully horrible as the next, and perfect for dark winter nights, to be read out loud or to oneself.
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Tales of the Otori: Across the Nightingale Floor
Author:
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+A taut, compelling tale in the Samurai warrior tradition
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Tales of World War II: Amazing True Stories from the War that Shook the World
Author: Dr Hattie Hearn Illustrator: Margarida Esteves
Publisher: Neon Squid
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Dr Hattie Hearn’s fascinating book of true stories from World War II, which begins with the reasons the war began and takes the reader through the main events and on towards peace, focuses on the human stories behind such a bewildering global event.
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Talking is Not My Thing!
Author: Rose Robbins
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 3-7With speech bubbles, bright colours and characters so lively they leap off the page, this is a vibrant and happy book with a lead character who is non-verbal.
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Talking to Alaska
Author: Anna Woltz Translator: Laura Watkinson
Publisher: OneWorld
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 11+It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies. Parker’s had a terrible summer and just wants to be invisible, while Sven is desperate to make an impression and be known as anything other than ‘that kid with epilepsy.’
When Parker discovers her beloved dog Alaska – who she had to give away last year – now belongs to Sv…
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Talking to the Moon
Author: S.E. Durrant
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Iris’ grandmother is losing her memory. While protecting her, Iris tracks down the secret behind a bracelet and develops a tentative friendship with the boy next door.
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Tall Story
Author: Candy Gourlay
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Engagingly told in alternate chapters by four-foot, thirteen year-old Andi, in the UK, and her eight-foot, sixteen year-old half brother Bernardo, in the Philippines
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Tall, Thin and Blonde
Author:
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+Jen and Amy have been best friends forever, but when they start High School, they find themselves growing apart.
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Tally & Squill: in a sticky situation
Author: Abie Longstaff Illustrator: James Brown
Publisher: Little Brown
Interest age: 5-9
Reading age: 8+A magical adventure story set in a huge, old house, where a fesity young girl and her pet squirrel must use ancient secrets to solve the mystery of a midnight burglary.
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Tamar
Author: Mal Peet
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 9+When Tamar's grandfather dies, he leaves behind a box with her name on it. Inside she finds a series of clues and hidden messages which she and her cousin follow...
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Tamara Small and the Monster's Ball
Author: Giles Paley-Philips Illustrator: Gabriele Antonini
Publisher: Maverick Arts Publishing
Reading age: 6+It’s a dark night and Tamara Small is whisked away from her bed by a hairy monster to join the Monsters' Ball
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Tamarind and the Star of Ishta
Author: Jasbinder Bilan
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Tamarind's mum died when she was a baby, so when she goes to stay with her family deep in the Himalayan mountains she's destermined to find out all she can about her. But the house - and family - holds many more secrets than Tamarind thought...
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Tamburlaine's Elephants
Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+Rusti, a young nomad, lives on the fringes of the warrior horde of Tamburlaine the Great, a powerful ruler whose brutality is legendary.
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Tamsin and the Deep
Author: Neill Cameron and Kate Brown
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 8-12
Reading age: 8-12A fantastic graphic novel from the team at children's comic The Phoenix, this is a page-turning adventure with a great main character in brave, athletic and reckless Tamsin.
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Tanka Tanka Skunk
Author: Steve Webb
Publisher: Random House
- Meet Tanka, the elephant and his friend Skunka.
- Full of rhythm, great for reading aloud.
- Enjoy the brightly coloured pictures, this book is bursting with fun!
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Tape
Author: Steven Camden
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+In 1993, Ryan records a diary on a cassette tape. Twenty years later, Ameliah discovers an old tape in her grandmother's spare room: a tape with a boy's voice on it, speaking directly to her.
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Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine
Author: Claire Fayers
Publisher: Firefly
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An action-packed, otherworldly adventure story featuring lobster assassins, an interworld organised crime gang, a talking plant who is very fond of eggs and a river that swallows memories.
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Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy
Author: Andy Briggs
Publisher: Faber Children's Books
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 11+A classic with a 21st century twist, this riveting adventure overflows with suspense, danger, brutality and beauty
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Tarzan: The Jungle Warrior
Author: Andy Briggs
Publisher: Faber Children's Books
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+Reinvented for the 21st-century by Andy Briggs, Tarzan is an eco-warrior - savage and brutal in his dealings with illegal loggers and hunters who plunder his beloved jungle.
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Tatty Ratty
Author: Helen Cooper
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 5+Molly is very upset when she loses her beloved toy, Tatty Ratty. Her parents console her by helping her imagine all the wonderful adventures Tatty Ratty is having while he is away.
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Teacup House: Meet the Twitches
Author: Hayley Scott Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 7+Delightful illustrations, bursting with colour, bring this gentle adventure to life. This is the first title in what promises to be an enchanting series of chapter books for newly confident readers.
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Teardrop
Author: Lauren Kate
Publisher: Doubleday
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+Ever since her beloved mother died in an astonishing freak accident, Eureka has had little to live for - but then she meets Anders, a strange boy who insists she too is in terrible danger.
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Tease
Author: Amanda Maciel
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 13-18
Reading age: 11+Provocative and thought-provoking, this book is sure to divide readers but will certainly get them talking.
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Ted Rules the World
Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Cate James (cover illustration Chris Riddell)
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7-8When a new Prime Minister is elected on Ted’s birthday, strange things begin to happen. At first, Ted thinks it’s a happy coincidence that some of his ideas become government policy. However, as his more obscure thoughts are adopted by the Prime Minister, he wonders if he is genuinely influencing parliamentary decisions.
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Teddy or Train?
Author: Anthony Lewis
Publisher: Child's Play
Reading age: 2+This generously-sized sturdy board book is brimful of babies! Babies playing with cars and bricks, babies swinging and babies reading books.
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Teddy Took the Train
Author: Nicki Greenberg
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 6+Dot and mummy go shopping and take the train home, but leave Teddy on the train! Oh no! This diverse and heartwarming book encourages children not give in to their fears, especially about separation.
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Telephone
Author: Mac Barnett Illustrator: Jen Corace
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+A colour and pattern-filled picturebook which builds its story on the old children's game, Chinese Whispers.
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Tell me a Dragon
Author: Jackie Morris
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 5+Jackie Morris’s lyrical descriptions imagine each child’s relationship with their own dragon, and the reader is invited to imagine their dragon, too, at the end of the book.
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Tell Me About... Plants
Author: Emily Dodd Illustrator: Chorkung
Publisher: Templar Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Did you know that ant plants have ants living inside them? This fantastic first science book is packed with fascinating facts about plants. Perfect for young school children.
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Tell Me the Day Backwards
Author: Albert Lamb Illustrator: David McPhail
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading age: 6+In this delightful bedtime story, a young bear tells his mother all about his exciting day - in reverse - inspiring young listeners/readers to do the same
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Tell Tail
Author: C. K. Smouha Illustrator: Katie Brosnan
Publisher: Cicada
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.
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Tempest
Author: Julie Cross
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+This gripping time-travel novel fuses the highs and lows of first love with the elements of a fast-paced thriller
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Temple Boys
Author: Jamie Buxton
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 9+Flea is a pick-pocket, living in Jerusalem in biblical times. When he meets Yeshua and his side-kick Jude, they set off on a dangerous journey.
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Ten Fat Sausages
Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Tor Freeman
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+Everything in this sausagey counting book works perfectly: from the big, bold illustration to the satisfying rhyme that works well for preschoolers. It will also entertain adults and older children, who will really get the silly humour.
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Ten Green Bottoms
Author: Barry Timms Illustrator: Mike Byrne
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 2-5
Ten green alien bottoms bounce around, causing mayhem. Based on a well-known song, and with buckets of humour and a light counting theme, this is a very enjoyable read.
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Ten Little Ducklings
Author: Lucy Rowland Illustrator: Aki
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 2-3
A delightful and interactive rhyming book for little ones which uses the Ten Little Ducklings rhyme, but invents a variety of exciting adventures for the ducklings instead, asking readers to play hide and seek with the adorable little ducks.
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Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books
With beautiful illustrations of babies born all over the world and gentle rhyming text, this charming book is perfect for sharing with little ones.
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Ten Little Pirates
Author:
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 4+A counting adventure with pirates... and a giant squid!
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Ten Minutes to Bed, Little Unicorn
Author: Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Publisher: Ladybird Books
It’s ten minutes to bedtime, but Twinkle the little unicorn is showing no sign of sleepiness! This bedtime read, which features a rhyming countdown, is just the thing to help little ones wind down at the end of a busy day.
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Ten Terrible Dinosaurs
Author: Paul Strickland
Publisher: Picture Corgi
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 5+A fun rhyming counting book which small children will love. They can learn the words, point at the pictures, count the dinosaurs and copy their comical jigging and jiving. Exuberant and amusing illustrations complement the text in this welcome reprint of a popular classic.
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Ten Ways to Build a Brilliant Brain
Author: Nicola Morgan Illustrator: Risa Rodil
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11We all have a brain, but it’s likely that, ironically, we very rarely ever think about what it’s doing for us all day long (and at night). But it’s doing some pretty amazing things: keeping us breathing, giving us dreams, regulating our blood pressure and all manner of other complicated things.
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Ten-Word Tiny Tales
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Various
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+Twenty different artists illustrate twenty different stories in an atmospheric, thought-provoking volume. A visually striking, inspiring call to creativity and imagination.
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Terra
Author: Mitch Benn
Publisher: Gollancz
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 12+Lbbp, resident of the city of Hrrng in the country of Mlml on the distant planet Fnrr, has a problem in the shape of a tiny human baby.
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Terrible Horses
Author: Raymond Antrobus Illustrator: Ken Wilson Max
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 6+A young boy looks up to his older sister but feels lonely when they argue. He shares his feelings through pictures, and they grow closer.
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Terror Kid
Author: Benjamin Zephaniah
Publisher: Hot Key
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+A powerful, accessible and revelatory novel with its finger firmly on the pulse of contemporary social and political issues.
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Terry Perkins and his Upside Down Frown
Author: Felix Massie
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+This is a funny, quirky and thought-provoking picture book, with appealing rhyming text.
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Test Trouble
Author: Serena Patel Illustrator: Louise Forshaw
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Arun hates tests, so when his teacher sets a timed maths test, he does everything he can to get out of it. This light-hearted chapter book explores the importance of resilience and is ideal for reluctant readers.
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Ti a Dy Gorff
Author: Adam Kay Translator: Eiry Miles
Publisher: Rily
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 9+Mae creu llyfr ffeithiol sydd hefyd yn gwneud i blant chwerthin yn dipyn o her ond dyna’n union mae Adam Kay wedi llwyddo i’w wneud yn y llyfr hwn.
Creating a non-fiction book that also makes children laugh is quite a challenge and that’s exactly what Adam Kay has succeeded to do in this book.
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Tiara Friends: The Case of the Stolen Crown
Author: Paula Harrison Illustrator: Michelle Ouellette
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 7+Best friends Princess Millie and maid Jess look so similar that they often trade places. When a crown is stolen, the pair team up to solve the mystery of its disappearance. The first in a series of royal crime capers.
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Tickle Time
Author: Igloo Books
Publisher: Igloo Books
Red Monster is out and about, playing with his friends. Racing in the garden, jumping around the park and whooshing through town, they’re playing their favourite game: tickling! Red Monster thinks he’s the best at tickling, but what’ll happen when his friends catch up with him and tickle him too?
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Tickle, Tickle
Author: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 0+
Reading age: 0+Ideal for any time of the day, especially bathtime and bedtime, the language and repetition make this book good to read aloud.
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Tidy
Author: Emily Gravett
Publisher: Two Hoots
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+Pete the badger likes to keep everything neat and tidy, but his over-zealous cleaning begins to have a damaging impact on the forest. This entertaining picture book, with its rich illustrations, carries an important environmental message.
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Tiddler
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 3-6
Although he looks small and ordinary, Tiddler is a fish who loves to tell tall tales. But one day he is swept up in a fisherman's net and then thrown back in to an unfamiliar part of the sea.
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Tiger
Author: Nick Butterworth
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+Tiger may look like a small, stripy kitten, but in his imagination he is as big and powerful as his namesake.
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Tiger and Friends Pop up book
Author: Rudolf Lukeš
Publisher: Scribblers
Interest age: 1-4
Simple text and subject matter, combined with breathtaking artwork will keep young readers engaged as they learn about these interesting animals.
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Tiger Days and the Secret Cat
Author: Sarah Lean Illustrator: Anna Currey
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 7+Tiger Days is a shy nine-year-old girl and when her grandmother, May Days, invites her to stay, she is full of trepidation. This is a gentle tale about friendship, love and building self-confidence.
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Tiger Heart
Author: Penny Chrimes Illustrator: Levente Szabo
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 11+Left on the orphanage doorstep as a baby, Fly doesn’t know anything about her past. Working as a chimney sweep, she mostly lives on the streets and has to scrounge for food. But when she decides to run away and jumps down an unknown chimney to escape her employer, she’s surprised to find herself face-to-face with a tiger. She’s even more surprised when the t…
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Tiger in a Tutu
Author: Fabi Santiago
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+Max the tiger longs to be a ballet dancer, but when he twirls majestically through the streets of Paris, people flee in terror. It takes a very special friend to help Max realise his dream.
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Tiger on a Tree
Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Pulak Biswas
Publisher: Tara Publishing
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+A highly original picture book from India, this is the story of a tiger who ventures onto human territory.
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Tiger Wars
Author: Steve Backshall
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+Saker and Sinter live utterly different lives - until they find themselves unlikely companions on the run. A breathlessly exciting adventure set in India.
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Tiger, It’s Snowing!
Author: Daishu Ma
Publisher: Post Wave Publishing
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 3-6Tiger has never seen snow before and is excited to go out and play. But Mei isn’t sure… at first. A funny and charming story about adventure and friendship.
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Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright!
Author: Various (selected by Fiona Waters) Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+A lavishly illustrated, hardback gift book with an animal poem for every day of the year.
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Tiger, Tiger, Time to Take a Bath
Author: Jo Lodge
Publisher: Campbell Books
Interest age: 0-3
Reading age: 5+With brilliant moving parts made from sturdy, thick card, toddlers will love to wiggle the sliding tabs and help these animal characters with their personal grooming. A fun and useful first book on hygiene and self-care.
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Tilt
Author: Mary Hoffman
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 8+Netta is desperate to help her father figure out the mystery of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in this super-readable story about a girl who won't let anything stand in the way of her dream.
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Tilly's Moonlight Fox
Author: Julia Green
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 8+This sensitively written story with a touch of time-travel magic has a flavour of classic children's books such as The Secret Garden and Tom's Midnight Garden.
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Tilly's Promise
Author: Linda Newbery
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 8+A touching story by award-winning Linda Newbery about first love, loyalty and the horrors of war, written in dyslexia-friendly language.
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Tim Hopgood’s Wonderful World of Colours
Author: Tim Hopgood
Publisher: Oxford
Interest age: 0-2
Vibrant pink roses, red strawberries, bluebells in the forest and a resplendent fold-out rainbow at the end of the book make this so much more than an average colours book.
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Tim Hopgood's ABC
Author: Tim Hopgood
Publisher: Oxford
Interest age: 1-2
A perfect accompaniment to days out in the pushchair for toddlers or repeated reads at home, this is an accessibly beautiful, well-made alphabet book with 1-2 year olds in mind and is a lovely place to start learning letters, animals and words.
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Time After Time
Author: Judi Curtin
Publisher: O’Brien
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+Imagine your mum gets together with your best friend's dad - and then you find yourself transported to 1984, before any of it happened. A funny and poignant time-slip adventure looking at family break-up, bereavement and step-parents.
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Time for a Nap
Author: Phillis Gershator Illustrator: David Walker
Publisher: Sterling
Interest age: 0-3
This sweet rhyming book about the tricky business of napping keeps the tone light, with cute and colourful illustrations. It could easily become part of the routine at home: ‘What time is it? Time for a nap!’
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Time for Bed, Fred!
Author: Yasmeen Ismail
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+Fred is a very naughty dog - and he doesn't want to go to bed one bit!
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Time for Bed, Miyuki
Author: Roxane Marie Galliez and Seng Soun Ratanavanh
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
Interest age: 5-7
Reading age: 6+It's time for Miyuki to go to bed, but there are so many things she wants to do with her grandfather before then! One of the most beautiful children's books in recent years.
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Time For Bed, Panda
Author: Jo Lodge
Publisher: Campbell Books
Interest age: 0-2
It's time for this adorable googly-eyed panda to get ready for bed - that means having a bath, brushing her teeth and reading a story! A delightfully cuddly and sweet board book for little ones.
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Time for Tea Polly Wally
Author: Kali Stileman
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+Polly Wally has a problem. She’s hungry, but can’t find anything nice to eat. Colourful and comical illustrations accompany this appealing story about a hungry little bird hunting her perfect food.
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Time for Us
Author: Rebecca Walker Illustrator: María Díaz Perera
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 5-7Jackson wants nothing more than to play with Mama, but she’s busy working in her office. Soon they will have their special time together, but until then, Jackson must try and be patient and find ways to entertain himself. A charming picture book that reinforces the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.
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Time Keys: Hunt For the Golden Scarab
Author: M G Leonard Illustrator: Manuel Sumberac
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This gripping, thrill-packed, time slip adventure whisks readers away to Egypt, both ancient and modern, and is full of fascinating historical detail lived in the first person.
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Time Stoppers
Author: Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+A spell-binding tale of two children transported to a world of magical creatures and horrifying happenings. This book will grip, scare and delight young fantasy fans.
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Time to Eat
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Publisher: Featherstone
Interest age: 2-4
Toddlers with ponytails and toddlers with braids enjoy all sorts of delicious snacks and meals in Time to Eat. In addition to the story, there are helpful tips for parents and carers about how to introduce new food and encourage a healthy and balanced diet.
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Time to Get Dressed
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Publisher: Featherstone
Interest age: 2-5
This cheerful and useful little book is made with little ones in mind that are learning to get dressed by themselves, and will be of great help to parents, carers, childminders and nursery practitioners.
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Time to Go to Bed
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Publisher: Featherstone
Interest age: 2-3
Ideal to share with toddlers at bedtime as part of a positive sleep routine, this lovely little picture book uses simple language to explore why sleep is essential to help stay healthy and happy, and encourages interaction by asking gentle questions.
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Time to Go with Ted
Author: Sophy Henn
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 0-3
Teeny hands will love turning the flaps of this adorable board book about the very keen and creative Ted on his daily outings. A sweetly interactive read-along that really celebrates the fun of imagination.
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Time to Shine at the River School
Author: Sabine Adeyinka
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Can Jummy and her friends find out why the Shine-Shine River next to their school smells awful and is running dry? School rivalries, new friends and a mystery to solve make for a satisfying read.
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Time Travel at Puddle Lane
Author: Emma Shevah Illustrator: Laura Catalán
Publisher: Bloomsbury Education
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Siblings Ariella and Yosef are transported back in time to Georgian London, where they must save the life of a young girl before they are able to return home.
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Time Travel Twins: The Viking Attack
Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Twins Scarlett and Thomas have a grandad with a time machine! When Thomas is struggling with his homework on Vikings, Grandad suggests he meets some. So Thomas whooshes back to the year 859AD, but without the crucial device to bring him home. Now Scarlett will have to go after him!
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Time Travellers: Adventure Calling
Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Alessia Trunfio
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A fascinating time-travel adventure exploring the politics and history of suffragettes.
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Time Travelling with a Hamster
Author: Ross Welford
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 6+When 12-year-old Al Chaudry learns there is a time machine sitting in the garage, he has to go and get it - then he can travel back in time and save his father's life. The reader roots for Al all the way, in this fantastic, funny and original adventure story.
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Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic
Author: Armand Baltazar
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+The Time Collision changed everything. A cosmic cataclysm from beyond the stars has reshaped earth. Continents have shifted, timelines have merged, but humanity has endured.
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Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies
Author: Introduction by Mireille Harper Illustrator: Lauren Quinn
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An essential and fascinating book which follows black history across many centuries to today’s contemporary world.
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TimeRiders
Author: Alex Scarrow
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+Maddy should have died in a plane crash. Liam should have died at sea when the Titanic sank. Sal should have died in a tragic fire. But a mysterious man whisked them away to safety.
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Timid
Author: Harry Woodgate
Publisher: Little Tiger Group
Interest age: 6-8
A vibrant and uplifting picture book about managing feelings of shyness to achieve your dreams. Timmy would love to perform on stage but can they tame their inner shy lion to make their dream a reality?
Mae Timmy, sydd â'r rhagenwau eu/nhw, wrth eu bodd yn perfformio. Ond mae yna un peth annisgwyl....dydy Timmy erioed wedi perfformio o flaen cynulleid…
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Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Author: Stephan Pastis
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 8+Meet Timmy Failure - a terminally over-confident middle school pupil attempting to make millions by solving local mysteries, such as who ate his classmates’ unattended Halloween candy.
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Timmy Failure: Now Look What You've Done
Author: Stephan Pastis
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+The clueless, comically self-confident kid detective returns in the sequel to Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made.
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Timothy Top
Author: Gud
Publisher: Lion Forge
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+An exciting first volume in an attractive series of graphic novels for junior readers, this tale successfully combines science fiction, humour, family difficulties and environmental concerns in an accessible and entertaining format.
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Tim's Din
Author: Monica Hughes Illustrator: Bill Ledger
Publisher: Pearson UK
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 4+Tim’s Din is a lively and entertaining story about the mischief that little monkeys can get up to when they’re bored.
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Tinder
Author: Sally Gardner Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Indigo
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 11+Award-winning author Sally Gardner teams up with David Roberts to put a new spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy-tale The Tinder Box in this dark and gripping tale.
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Tinsel
Author: Sibéal Pounder
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+In 1875 orphan Blanche and her friend Rinki invent Christmas, with a little help from a crowd of magical elves all called Carol.
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Tiny and Teeny
Author: Chris Judge
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-4
At the edge of Glengadget, the incredibly helpful Tiny lives with her pet fox Teeny. The colourful imagery in this wonderful picture book is deeply appealing, and there's a gentle message about the good things that happen when we do nice things for others.
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Tiny Crab is a Tidy Crab
Author: Paula Bowles
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 3-5Tiny Crab loves looking after his beach and keeping it safe and clean. When he invites a friend to visit, they leave the beach in an absolute mess. With rubbish all over his beloved beach, can Tiny Crab find his voice to speak up?
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Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends
Author: Rose Lihou
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Shy Bea meets four cute miniature dogs! Can she protect their garden and keep them secret? A delightful young chapter book for newly confident readers, with gorgeous colour illustrations.
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Tiny Infinities
Author: J H Diehl
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Thirteen-year-old Alice is trying to stop her family falling apart. A very beautiful and sensitively handled book that touches on themes of mental health, family relationships, friendships and love.
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Tiny Little Fly
Author: Michael Rosen
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 4+Tiny Little Fly zips between the elephant's nose and the tiger's claw, outwitting all of the other animals in this beautifully-designed picture book.
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Tiny Reindeer
Author: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-5
Tiny Reindeer is so small that he can sit in the palm of Santa’s hand. When he sorts through the final Christmas mail, he stumbles across a letter with a specific request. Full of Christmas magic, this heart-warming tale will resonate with any reader who has ever been told they are too small to do something.
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Tiny the Secret Adventurer
Author: Aisha Bushby Illustrator: Kübra Teber
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Tiny is a miniature girl who lives among the petals of a sunflower. She embarks on a big adventure when she goes in search of friendship. This gentle, inclusive tale explores the effects of bullying and demonstrates the importance of tolerance and kindness.
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Tiny: The Invisible World of Microbes
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Emily Sutton
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+This is an original, special and memorable book that sets the bar high for illustrated children's non-fiction.
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Tinyville Town: I’m a Librarian
Author: Brian Briggs
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+Kevin the librarian knows lots of things - but when the books about elephants go missing in the library, can he hunt them down and solve the case? Available in a sturdy board book with eye-catching and slightly retro illustrations.
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Titanic: Death on the Water
Author: Tom Bradman and Tony Bradman
Publisher: A & C Black
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 10+This readable story, based on material from the National Archives, offers young readers a fresh take on the well-known tale of the sinking of the Titanic.
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To Be A Cat
Author: Matt Haig
Publisher: Bodley Head
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Barney Willow doesn’t think life could get much worse: his parents are divorced, he hates his new school...
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To Be Perfectly Honest
Author: Jess Vallance
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 13-16
Reading age: 10+When Gracie takes a pledge to be totally honest for 50 days, whatever the consequences, she isn’t quite prepared for either the hilarious, or the hurtful, results. An ideal book for teens and young adults looking for a lighthearted yet worthwhile read.
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To Hold the Bridge
Author: Garth Nix
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 8+Beginning with this novella set in the magical world of the Old Kingdom series; this is a fantastic collection of short stories, rich in detail and description, featuring vampires, witches, supernatural and fantasy worlds, science fiction, mystery and adventure.
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To Market! To Market!
Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Emanuele Scanziani
Publisher: Tara Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+Ravishankar's modern nursery rhyme takes us through an Indian market, to experience the myriad sights and sounds to be found there.
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To Night Owl From Dogfish
Author: Meg Wolitzer and Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+Told entirely in emails and letters, this sensitive, often funny book examines what it means to be a family, and what happens when families change. Strong and vivid characterisation makes us feel we really know the characters.
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To the Beach
Author: Thomas Docherty
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 4months+
Reading age: 2+Lovely story of a boy using his imagination to go on a trip to the seaside
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To The Edge of the World
Author: Julia Green
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A beautifully written, evocative tale with gorgeous descriptions of the Scottish Islands. It’s a story about learning to be brave and become your true and best self, with some real adventure along the way. Perfect for more grown-up Katie Morag fans.
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Toad and I
Author: Louise Yates
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+When Kitty's ball bounces over the fence, she meets Toad. His friends are upset about peculiar incidents involving meteorites and monsters, so brave Kitty helps to investigate. A wacky adventure about having fun and making new friends.
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Toad Attack!
Author: Patrice Lawrence Illustrator: Becka Moor
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+Leo is astounded when he is hit on the head by a flying toad on his way to school. His best friend Rosa is excited because one of her two dads is a television presenter and plans to make a nature programme about the pale, yellow amphibians with bulging red eyes. However, the toads have an insatiable appetite and as the town of Upper Dab is besieged by these …
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Toad Rage
Author: Morris Gleitzman
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7-11Limpy, the cane toad, deeply disturbed that motorists appear to swerve their cars specifically to run toads over, is determined to put a stop to this needless loss of life. He sets out on a perilous journey to try to persuade humans that cane toads are loveable, friendly creatures. He decides to endear himself to the public by becoming a mascot for the Austr…
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Toad Surprise
Author: Morris Gleitzman
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Limpy, the slightly squashed Australian cane toad, is determined to heal the rift between toads and humans.
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Toby Alone
Author: Timothee de Fombelle Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 8+Winner of the 2009 Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation, this exciting adventure has a serious message about the wisdom of using up the Earth’s resources
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Toby and the Ice Giants
Author: Joe Lillington
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 7+A charming story with lively illustrations to learn more about the last Ice Age.
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Toby and the Pixies: Worst King Ever
Author: James Turner Illustrator: Andreas Schuster
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Toby’s quiet life is turned upsidedown when he discovers an enchanted kingdom in his garden and is crowned King of the Pixies. This laugh-out-loud graphic novel is utterly bonkers and hugely entertaining.
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Today I Feel… An Alphabet of Feelings
Author: Madalena Moniz
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Interest age: 2-5
Madalena Moniz explores an original emotion on every double-page spread of this lovely hardback, which follows a little boy experiencing each one. Helpful for aiding children to talk about their feelings, this is also a fun and attractive alphabet book.
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Today I'm Strong
Author: Nadiya Hussain Illustrator: Ella Bailey
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 4-5
This little girl usually loves going to school - but some days, she tells her tiger friend, school feels sad and she just wants to stay at home. A beautiful, gentle picture book about being strong and finding your voice from The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain.
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Toddle Waddle
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+An ideal book for sharing - babies will love imitating the sounds in the text and pointing out details in the illustrations.
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Toffee
Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 13-18
Reading age: 13+Allison befriends a woman with dementia, and an unusual friendship develops against the odds. This beautiful, profound verse novel goes straight to the heart and asks the questions teenagers most want to explore: who am I and what’s my place in the world?
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Together
Author: Emma Dodd
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 1-3
A heartwarming and beautifully illustrated board book that celebrates love and togetherness – an ideal "end of the day" shared real that will melt the heart of any grown-up who treasures the time they spend with their little ones.
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Together with You
Author: Patricia Toht Illustrator: Jarvis
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 4-5
Come rain or shine, follow this little boy through the four different seasons as he enjoys precious moments with his beloved grandmother.
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Tom and the Siege
Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Stephen Parkhouse
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Interest age: 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 into a good boy.
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Tom Fletcher and the Angel of Death
Author:
Publisher: Catnip
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+When Brother Benedict is found dead in Saint Wilfred’s Beast House, eaten by Delilah, the lion he kept to terrorise the people of St Agnes-next-the Sea, there is no shortage of suspects.
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Tom Gates - Genius Ideas (Mostly)
Author: Liz Pichon
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+The brilliant Tom Gates is back in this, the fourth installment of this award-winning series from Liz Pichon.
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Tom Gates: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures
Author: Liz Pichon
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Tom discovers lots of family secrets when he embarks on a school project. Another hilarious illustrated book for older readers from multi-award-winning illustrator and author Liz Pichon.
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Tom Thumb
Author: Katie Daynes Illustrator: Wesley Roins
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+This traditional tale from English folklore is carefully retold for young readers.
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Tomorrow
Author: Nadine Kaadan
Publisher: Lantana Publishing
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+A touching story about a little boy trapped in his house in Syria because it’s too dangerous outside. This simple picture book effectively reveals what daily life is like for children living in a war zone.
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Tomorrow We Begin
Author: Matt Goodfellow
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Matt Goodfellow’s powerful poetry follows a teenager’sjourney as he navigates the emotional highs and lows of secondary school.
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Tom's Midnight Garden
Author: Philippa Pearce
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+With no garden or children to play with Tom feels lonely and unhappy, until one night he hears the clock striking thirteen and discovers a secret garden.
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Tony Robinson's Weird World of Wonders: World War II
Author: Tony Robinson Illustrator: Del Thorpe
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Tony Robinson takes children on a headlong gallop through the history of World War II in this entertaining history book, part of his Weird World of Wonders series.
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Too Close to Home
Author: Aoife Walsh
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 11-14
Reading age: 11+If you enjoy books which take a long hard look at family life then this is certainly a book for you.
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Too Many Carrots
Author: Katy Hudson
Publisher: Curious Fox
Interest age: 4-6
Rabbit loves carrots so much that his whole burrow is full of them, and there's no room for him to sleep! Katy Hudson explores the themes of friendship and sharing in this charming and beautifully illustrated picture book.
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Too Many Toys!
Author: Heidi Deedman
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+Lulu has too many toys, so she comes up with a generous plan to tackle the problem. A gentle, humorous tale about the excesses of modern childhood, with delightful illustrations.
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Too Much Stuff!
Author: Emily Gravett
Publisher: Two Hoots
Interest age: 4-5
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.
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Too Much Trouble
Author: Tom Avery
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Interest age: 11-16
Reading age: 10+An original interpretation of the Oliver Twist story reflecting a number of critical and significant contemporary issues.
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Too Small for my Big Bed
Author: Amber Stewart Illustrator: Layn Marlow
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+Piper has trouble sleeping all by himself at night and usually ends up in Mummy’s bed.
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Too Small to Fail
Author: Morris Gleitzman
Publisher: Puffin Book
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+1 boy. 1 girl. 1 camel. Squillions of dollars. A plan that can't fail. Or can it?
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Too Small Tola
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+In this lovely collection of short stories, a young Nigerian girl - tired of the nickname ‘Too Small Tola’- proves that, despite her small stature, she has a mighty personality and a big heart.
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Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+A collection of three short stories starring the fabulous Tola, who lives with her siblings and Grandmummy in Lagos. A funny, compassionate, and beautifully illustrated book for young readers.
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Too Small Tola Makes It Count
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Three excellent short stories about the irrepressible Tola, a little girl with a big heart, living at the centre of her community in Lagos. Warm, fun and full of compassion.
Mae'r straeon byrion yn gwneud y llyfr hwn yn un hawdd troi ato, ac mae'r darluniau annwyl yn dod â bywyd Tola'n fyw gyda hiwmor. Dathliad hyfryd o gymuned, teulu a chariad.
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Toot Toot Beep Beep
Author: Emma Garcia
Publisher: Boxer Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+In the eyes of a child traffic can be endlessly entertaining and varied
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Tooth Fairy in Training
Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Briony May Smith
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+This funny, bouncy rhyme is silly and surprising with twists that children really won’t see coming. But there is still enough sparkle and magic to keep little fairy fans happy! A perfect gift for someone who has just lost their first tooth.
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Top Marks for Murder
Author: Robin Stevens
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 10+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.
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Top Secret Grandad and Me: Death by Tumble Dryer
Author: David MacPhail Illustrator: Laura Aviñó
Publisher: Kelpies
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 9+Detective work should be easier with a ghost sidekick – unless that sidekick is your grandad! This story is an absolute delight, from the hilarious characters to the fast-paced, page-turning adventure.
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Top Tens
Author: National Geographic Kids
Publisher: Collins
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+Want to know what the ten most endangered animals are? Ever wondered what the ten weirdest world championships are? What about the ten most expensive paintings in the world? This book is packed with fun and fascinating facts about the world.
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Topsy and Tim Start School
Author: Jean Adamson
Publisher: Ladybird
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 3+Find out what happens on the twins' first day at school.
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Torla & Smorla and the Lower than Average Cloud
Author: Kes Gray Illustrator: Chris Jevons
Publisher: Happy Yak
Interest age: 4-5
When giraffes Torla and Smorla go for a walk, Torla can’t see, as her head is stuck in a cloud, so Smorla guides her around the various obstacles they encounter on their journey. A delightfully funny picture book about trust and friendship.
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Toro! Toro!
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Antonio gives his grandson an account of the hardships of the Spanish Civil War. Readers will empathise with Antonio, while acquiring an understanding of an important European conflict.
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Tosh’s Island
Author: Linda Sargent & Joe Brady Illustrator: Leo Marcell
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When Tosh meets Louis, they bond over their shared imagining of a magical island. A moving graphic novel about friendship, imagination and chronic illness.
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Total Mayhem: Monday: Into the Cave of Thieves
Author: Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+Totally zany and madcap, this highly illustrated story centres on Dash dealing with endless Total Mayhem situations at school. Luckily, he can produce gadgets galore!
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Toto's Apple
Author: Mathieu Lavoie
Publisher: Phaidon
Interest age: 2-5
Toto is a determined little worm. By hook or by crook, he is going to reach the juicy red apple hanging from a low branch.
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Touch and Feel Baby Animals
Author: Dorling Kindersley
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 0+
Reading age: 1+You can explore different textures of the cutest baby animals.
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Touch and Feel Toys
Author: Alison Jay
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 5+A touch and feel board book, and one of a 'nursery collection', this volume looks at the toys inside a toy box.
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Touch and Tickle
Author: Sanja Rescek
Publisher: Chid's Play
Interest age: 0+
Reading age: 4+Based on research into the benefits of massage and baby exercise, this is a book which stimulates a baby’s senses
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Touch Think Learn ABC
Author: Xavier Deneux
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 0-3
A wonderful gift for a toddler or preschooler, this board book is beautifully and sturdily made. Featuring an original and well-thought-out concept for learning the alphabet, this will be a mainstay you’ll return to again and again.
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Toyetica
Author: Matt LeGrow
Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 7+Dollington Academy is a unique school helping ‘bittles’ (a race of tiny beings) learn everything they need to have successful careers as doll models. Toyetica is a fantastical and immersive world, with laugh-out-loud humour and some sophisticated themes.
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Toys in Space
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+The toys have been left outside in the garden one summer night. To help to pass the time till morning, Wonderdoll begins to tell a story about the arrival of a mysterious alien spaceship...
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Trace the Trails: Follow That Truck!
Author: Georgie Taylor Illustrator: Sam Meredith
Publisher: Imagine That
Interest age: 2-3
A truck makes its way through a busy city, heading to a construction site and passing houses, farms and children on their way to school. A chunky board book with thick pages for little ones to grasp and hold.
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Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Jonothan Cape
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 7+The saga of Traction Man reach the beach with the latest in Grey’s series about a small boy’s imaginings of the adventures of the toy who has an outfit (and an answer) for everything
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Traction Man is Here
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 5+Transformed in an instant from combat cool to sartorial nightmare, can Traction Man ever be a superhero again?
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Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+Sartorial action hero, Traction Man, returns! He and Scrubbing Brush dauntlessly scale the compost heap, cross the swampy pond then return, exhausted.
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Tractor Tractor
Author: Rachael Saunders
Publisher: Mama Makes Books
Tractor Tractor is the second book about the humorous goings-on at the Funny Farm, illustrated by Rachael Saunders. Each book has an early-learning concept and Tractor Tractor is all about opposites.
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Tragedy at Sea: The Sinking of the Titanic
Author: David Long Illustratoed by Stefano Tambellini
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 11-14
Reading age: 10+Shortly before midnight on April 14th, 1912, the world’s most luxurious (and probably most famous) ship, the Titanic, hit an iceberg while crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Britain to America. Even today, more than a hundred years later, it’s the biggest shipping disaster ever and a story that, although most people have heard it, continues to fascinate.
How c…
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Train!
Author: Judi Abbot
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 2-5
Reading age: 6+Abbot's bright images, with cartoon animals shouting the name of their toy, help young readers to identify and learn the names of objects.
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Trains, Boats and Planes
Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Jez Tuya
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+Transport and dogs come together in this bright, joyful picture book which follows a train, boat and plane over the course of a busy day.
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Traitor to the Throne
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 13-18
Reading age: 12+Traitor to the Throne takes place nearly a year after Rebel of the Sands finishes. The plot races along until the explosive conclusion, which will leave readers desperate for the final book in the trilogy.
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Traitors in Space
Author: Tim Collins Illustrator: Steven Wood
Publisher: Buster Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When returning to Earth from a space mission, an alien life form is detected aboard the ship. This interactive pick-your-own-path book has over 45 possible endings, and the reader must make the right choices if they are to catch the alien and save humankind.
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Transcendent
Author: Patrick Gallagher
Publisher: Orion/Hachette
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Genius twins Kira and Jacob must pass a series of trials to join a top-secret organisation known as Transcendent. If chosen, they will be sent to outer space on a mission to save the world.
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Travels with my Sketchbook
Author: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+This book pulls together a compilation of some of the thousands of drawings Chris made while Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2015-17. Everyone will enjoy reliving the past two years through Chris’s observant, witty and affectionate eyes.
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Travels with My Sketchbook
Author: Michael Foreman
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 9+Michael Foreman takes us on a truly engrossing trip around the world with this gorgeous collection of sketches, drawings and stories. A book for expanding boundaries: 'Hopefully, children the world over, will feel no horizon is too far.'
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Treacle Street: Marcel’s Parcels
Author: Kate Hindley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 1-3
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.
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Treacle Street: Prima's Missing Bunnies
Author: Kate Hindley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 2-4
Everyone on Treacle Street is excited about the bunnies’ Dance School’s first performance of their musical Duck Pond. However, Miss Prima, the dance teacher, can’t find the bunnies anywhere! The second book in Kate Hindley’s brilliant Treacle Street lift-the-flap board book series showcases her stunning illustration and is a lovely simple story for litt…
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Treason
Author: Berlie Doherty
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 10+In the late 1530s, William Montague arrives at Hampton Court as page to Henry’s son, the infant Prince Edward
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Tree Whispers: A forest of poems
Author: Mandy Ross Illustrator: Juliana Oakley
Publisher: Child’s Play
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 4-5In a lovely collection of tree-themed poems, Mandy Ross takes us from Joshua Tree in the American desert to the pine and oyamel trees of Mexico, to a snowy forest and the trees in a city – and many more!
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Trial by Fire
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 13+The first book in Josephine Angelini's Worldwalker trilogy puts an inventive new spin on the story of the Salem witches.
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Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin
Greek god Apollo is having a bad day: he's been stripped of all his powers and banished to earth in the body of a 12-year-old boy. He can't quite remember what he's being punished for, but is determined to get it over with quickly so heads to Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demi-gods. Except when he arrives, the camp is in chaos: kids are going missing and …
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Tribute
Author: Ellen Renner
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 14+Zara lives in a world where magic means power and those without are forced to work as slaves - but Zara fights against this.
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Trick or Treat?
Author: Catherine Emmett Illustrator: Laura Brenlla
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 4-5
A witch is missing the key ingredient for her Sniff-Out-An-Ogre potion – a little girl – so is delighted when one unexpectedly knocks on her door. Perfect for Halloween, this entertaining picture book contains plenty of humour and a marvellous twist at the end.
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Trickster
Author: Tom Moorhouse
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 10+Two brother rats must go on an adventure to earn their names and the respect of their clan. Will they return victorious or will the challenges they face be too great?
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Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars - The Collected Edition
Author: Jessica Abel; backgrounds and design by Lydia Roberts; colours by Walter
Publisher: Super Genius Comics
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+This collection of Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars, issues 1-3, is a fascinating graphic novel, melding a dystopian Mars society with the popular American sport of women’s Roller Derby.
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Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown
Author: Olaf Falafel
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Art-enthusiast Trixie Pickle has a secret superhero identity: as the Art Avenger, she embarks on top secret, art-inspired missions to tackle injustice and challenge bullies. Bursting with zany characters, comic strip illustrations and fact files on real artists, this hilarious tale is hugely entertaining.
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Troll Swap
Author: Leigh Hodgkinson
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+A little girl called Tabitha decides to swap places with Timothy the hairy troll in this lively picture book.
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Trollhunters
Author: Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 11+This black comedy has a highly visual, cinematic feel. It is wildly imaginative and rich in description, comedy gore and elaborate use of language, but a little light on plot. Contains strong language and graphic violence.
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TrooFriend
Author: Kirsty Applebaum
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Sarah's mum buys her a TrooFriend android, she's not impressed at first - but could there be any truth to the rumours that the robots have feelings? A fascinating exploration of artificial intelligence and what makes us human.
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Troubadour
Author: Mary Hoffman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Interest age: 11-15
Reading age: 10+Early in the thirteenth century, Elinor's parents attempt to marry her off to an elderly nobleman but she escapes disguised as a boy, with a troupe of travelling entertainers.
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Trouble
Author: Non Pratt
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 14+Fifteen-year-old Hannah is in trouble. She's pregnant, and can't bring herself to tell her family or friends the truth.
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Trouble in Toadpool
Author: Anne Fine Illustrator: Kate Aldous
Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 8+A welcome return for Fine’s happy, hapless and immensely entertaining Mountfield family.
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Trouble Next Door
Author: Chris Higgins Illustrator: Emily MacKenzie
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+Bella isn't keen on her new home, until a new friend, Magda, pops up next door. Unfortunately, Magda's fun ideas have a nasty habit of getting Bella in trouble. A new illustrated series for young readers gets off to a fun start with Magda's naughty antics.
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Truckers
Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 10+The first title in the Bromeliad trilogy, this is an enchanting fantasy from favourite author Terry Pratchett.
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True Stories of Heroes
Author: Paul Dowswell
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+From animals to astronauts, and captured spies in World War II, this collection of thirteen short stories celebrates some truly amazing, and amazingly true, heroic acts.
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Trueman Bradley - Aspie Detective
Author: Alexei Maxim Russell
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+It is the Aspergers mind which is Trueman’s most powerful asset as a detective and which enables him to develop ingenious crime-solving equation
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Truly Tyler
Author: Terri Libenson
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 12-15
Reading age: 11+Tyler is used to being one of the most popular boys in school, so when he teams up with quiet, shy Emmie to draw a comic for a school project, his crew start making fun of him. A gentle graphic novel all about staying true to yourself and the pressure of fitting in.
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Truly Wildly Deeply
Author: Jenny McLachlan
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 11+Although a love story, this book is also about peer pressure, family, cultural identity, and having the courage to make one’s own way. Main character Annie is forthright and witty, and has cerebral palsy (although that's not central to the plot). An upbeat story with heart.
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Trust Me
Author: Malorie Blackman
Publisher: Corgi Children's
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 12+Seventeen-year-old Jayna can't wait to go on holiday with boyfriend Andrew - but their trip has unexpected and terrible consequences.
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Tuchus & Topps Investigate: The Underpants of Chaos
Author: Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson Illustrator: Robin Boyden and Katie Kear
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11Can Agatha and Lenny find out who is behind the very strange happenings at school before time runs out and they face oblivion?
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Tuesday
Author: David Wiesner
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+On a Tuesday evening, the sun is setting, and in the distance, an army of frogs on flying lily pads is approaching.
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Tug of War
Author: John Burningham
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+In this retelling of a traditional African folk tale, wily Hare outwits Elephant and Hippopotamus when he challenges them to a game of tug-of-war
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Tug of War
Author: Naomi Howarth
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+Stunning illustrations depict a beautiful African landscape in this story about friendship and realising that everyone is special in their own way, whatever their size.
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Tummy Time Farm
Author: Louise Lockhart
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 0-1
Let’s say hello to the farm animals! A bright and charming board book that will help baby’s development, as well as being a great tool for shared fun.
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Tummy Time!
Author: n/a
Publisher: Mama Makes Books
Interest age: 0-1
This lovely stand-up book contains pictures of a variety of baby faces and two mirrors. Ideal for tummy time, babies can look at the book as they lie on their tummies, building body strength so that they can roll over, sit and crawl.
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Tumtum and Nutmeg: The First Adventure
Author: Emily Bearn Illustrator: Nick Price
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 7+This well-judged story of a doll’s house-sized world coming to life is very appealing.
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Tunnel of Bones
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 9+A claustrophobic, supernatural adventure set in the creepy, underground Catacombs of Paris where the bones (and ghosts?) of hundreds of thousands of long-dead citizens are interred.
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Tunnels
Author: Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 8+The first in a series of fantasy novels, Tunnels starts slowly, introducing us to Will and building a picture of his unusual and dysfunctional family life. But the pace picks up with the discovery of a mysterious subterranean psuedo-Victorian parallel world, and the unpleasant Styx, who appears to have malevolent designs on its 21st century discoverers.
C…
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Turf
Author: John Lucas
Publisher: The Bodley Head
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 12+15-year-old Jay is a member of the Blake Street Boyz gang. But when gang leader Shads decides it's time for him to step up and prove his loyalty, Jay realises he has a difficult choice to make.
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Turning to Jelly
Author: Candy Guard
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+Jelly is the flakey, funny heroine in a hilarious new pre-teen series.
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Turtle Boy
Author: M Evan Wolkenstein
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+Will's got hardly any friends, and school bullies call him 'Turtle Boy' because of a facial difference. But when Will meets RJ, a very sick 16 year old, he realises there's more to life than retreating into your shell.
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Tusk Tusk
Author: David McKee
Publisher: Andersen
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 4+A fable of human conflict, Tusk Tusk deals with a difficult topic is a wonderfully clear way.
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Tutankhamun's Treasure
Author: David Long Illustrator: Stefano Tambellini
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 12-14This is an excellent retelling of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and two of the people who dedicated years of their lives to finding it, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon (although did you know it was actually a young Egyptian boy who found the key to where the tomb lay hidden in the Valley of the Kings?).
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T-Veg: the story of a carrot-crunching dinosaur
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Katherina Manolessou
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 5-7
Reading age: 7+Reg dares to be different - he is a vegetarian T-Rex.
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'Twas The Night Before Christmas
Author: Clement C. Moore Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Award-winning illustrator P.J. Lynch brings his characteristically detailed, atmospheric illustrations to this well-loved poem in a beautiful edition of a Christmas classic.
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Tweet! A Slide-and-See Book!
Author: Maria Jose Ferrada Illustrator: Magdalena Perez
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 1-2
In this lovely slide-and-see book, a mystery panel slides open to reveal a picture of a bird on the turn of a page, and a riddle-type text follows so that everyone can guess the bird. Interactive fun with a lovely level of "playability" too.
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Twelve Minutes to Midnight
Author: Christopher Edge
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 11+Every night at precisely 12 minutes to midnight, the inmates of Bedlam, London's notorious madhouse, all begin feverishly writing - incoherent ramblings that Penelope quickly realises are in fact terrifying visions of the new century to come.
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Twenty Questions
Author: Mac Barnett Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Interactive, funny and unique, this bold, colourful picture book sparks conversations and can be different every time you read it together.
Mae'r llyfr yn chwareus ac yn ddwys, gyda gwaith celf llachar sy'n ymddangos yn dwyllodrus o syml, mae hwn yn sicr o fod yn un o glasuron y dyfodol yn yr un cywair â Would You Rather? John Burningham.
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Twilight
Author:
Publisher: ATOM
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 12+Edward seems to hate Bella, but it turns out that he is in love with her and he is afraid of what he might do to her.
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Twilight Robbery
Author: Frances Hardinge
Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+The irrepressible Mosca Mye returns! Having departed Mandelion under a cloud, she and Eponymour Clent are running out of places to go.
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Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Author: Nicola Slater
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 0-2
All the animals are off to a jazz festival – the are deer playing clarinets, the tiger is on the trombone and the elephant is twanging a banjo! When it’s time for a singsong under the stars, what better than Twinkle, Twinkle? This musical board book, with Nicola Slater’s delightful 50s retro-feel illustrations is a lovely one whether for bedtime, playti…
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Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC
Author: Barney Saltzberg Illustrator: Fred Benaglia
Publisher: Phaidon
Interest age: 1-3
A mixed-up, mashed-up melody is the perfect description for this clever sing-song board book. Squishing the ABC song into Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, this fun new song will have little ones jumping and howling along.
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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Author: Annie Kubler
Publisher: Child's Play
Interest age: 0+
Reading age: 4+This book is all about signing and singing-along! The clear hand movements encourage signing as well as dancing.
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Twister
Author: Juliette Forrest
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+Twister's father has gone missing. Her mother is depressed, and people are accusing her father of starting a fatal fire. Even school is horrible now, despite Twister's love for learning, and other than her Aunt Honey and her dog Point she feels that everyone is now against her. Then one day Twister finds a magic necklace with transformative powers. Will this…
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Twit Twoo School: Mouse's Big Day
Author: Lydia Monks
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+Mouse does NOT want to go to school and feels sad when she gets there... but will her classmates help her see how much fun it can be? A gentle and sensitive book for nervous little ones.
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Twitch
Author: M. G. Leonard
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Twitch is a kind, sensitive 12-year-old boy, who adores birds. He plans to spend the summer at his secret birdwatching hide, so is frustrated when his peaceful retreat is overrun with police officers on the hunt for an escaped prisoner. This engaging and uplifting tale about friendship, trust and the wonder of nature is seamlessly interwoven with an int…
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Two Can
Author: Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrator: Ben Javens
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 2-5
Maybe playing together is better because two can have twice as much fun as one! This is an adorable book about letting others join in your games - and each page has hidden details that young readers will love to discover.
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Two Can Play
Author: Margaret Sturton
Publisher: Andersen Press
Reading age: 4-5This is a charming, funny portrayal of a feline sibling relationship. The distinctive, colourful artwork is full of humour and observant children will spot Puss in each picture, checking out Cat’s progress and secretly wishing she was involved.
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Two Frogs
Author: Chris Wormell
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 0-5
Reading age: 5+Two frogs are sitting on a lily pad in the middle of a pond; one of them holding a stick.But why?
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Two Good Thieves
Author: Daniel Finn
Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+This nail-biting thriller is also a challenging story about the lives of the world's poorest children.
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Two Monsters
Author: David McKee
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 4-8
A red monster and a blue monster live on opposite sides of a rocky mountain: they can’t see each other, but they can argue through a hole in the rock. After a particularly bad argument they begin throwing rocks at each other, destroying their home - but perhaps they're not so different after all.
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Two Nests
Author: Laurence Anholt Illustrator: Jim Coplestone
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+Two birds, Betty and Paul are perched in a tree. Soon they build a nest, lay an egg and Baby Bird is born - but living together in a small nest isn’t easy.
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Two People Can
Author: Blessing Musariri Illustrator: Maisie Paradise Shearring
Publisher: Kumusha Books
Interest age: 3-6
Now that Dad is gone, Shingai is really missing him. He acts out for a while until he realises that Mum and he still have each other. A sensitive book about grief.
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Two Places to Call Home
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Jess Rose
Publisher: Ladybird
Interest age: 4-5
Florrie has a home with her mum and a home with her dad – and she loves them both! An uplifting picture book to soothe worries about separation or divorce.
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Two Shy Pandas
Author: Julia Jarman Illustrator: Susan Varley
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+Although Panda has lots of toys, it’s pretty lonely at Number 1 Bamboo Gardens. Panda longs to ask Pandora if she’d like to play, but he’s far too shy to ask.
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Two Sides
Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Binny Talib
Publisher: Stripes
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Lula and Lenka are the best of friends until they have an argument and neither will say sorry. Will they ever manage to make up? Polly Ho-Yen beautifully explores the complexity of friendships and learning that there are always two sides of a story.
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Two Sisters: A Story of Freedom
Author: Kereen Getten
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Set in Jamaica and London in 1781, this insightful novel follows the fate of half-sisters Ruth and Anna, who are born to the same slave mother. As well as highlighting the appalling treatment of slaves, this moving tale celebrates the bond between sisters.
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Two Terrible Vikings
Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Hack and Whack are two terrible Viking twins who love stealing, raiding islands, and being generally horrible! Early readers will love this hysterical trio of stories from the creator of Horrid Henry.
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Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker
Author: Francesca Simon Illustrator: Steve May
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+You might know Francesca Simon from the fantastically popular Horrid Henry book, and the Two Terrible Vikings make Henry look like an angel! Packed with super-silly toilet humour, madcap action, and lively cartoonish illustrations.
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Two Weeks with the Queen
Author: Morris Gleitzman
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+When his brother becomes seriously ill with leukaemia, Colin is sent to stay with relatives in England. Determined to get the best help possible, he decides to approach the Queen.
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Tyger
Author: S F Said Illustrator: Dave McKean
Publisher: David Fickling
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+Adam is a boy living in London, but not as we know it. In this alternate universe slavery was never abolished, which has left the UK in a sorry state with rich overlords ruling over a sprawling poor and people with origins anywhere apart from the UK particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. That includes Adam’s family of shopkeepers. Then Adam meets…
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Tyrannosaurus Drip
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+A duckbill dinosaur egg is mistakenly hatched by a fierce, war-loving Tyrannosaurus family.
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Thank You
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Sam Usher
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+A touching, colourful picture book about gratitude and how a small ‘Thank you!’ can grow and grow and brighten up the world.
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Thanks for the Trouble
Author: Tommy Wallach
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 12+Parker Sante hasn't spoken a word in the five years since his father died. However, he's a pretty good writer. This unusual and sensitive love and coming-of-age story features two great lead characters.
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That Asian Kid
Author: Savita Kalhan
Publisher: Troika
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+Fifteen-year-old Jeevan witnesses two teachers snogging (and more) in the woods, and films it on his phone. But should he share this on social media? Funny, thought-provoking and very well-written, with some truths about racism amid the humour.
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That Burning Summer
Author: Lydia Syson
Publisher: Hot Key
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+In the long hot summer of 1940, planes are doing battle over the channel, and the south coast of England is braced for a German invasion.
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That Pesky Rat
Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+Pesky Rat lives in Dustbin Number 3, Grubby Alley. People call him 'That Pesky Rat', but he longs for a real name, a home and someone to care for him.
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That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown
Author: Cressida Cowell Illustrator: Neal Layton
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 5-6
Reading age: 6+Emily and her toy rabbit, Stanley, love to go on adventures together.
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That’s Mathematics
Author: Chris Smith based on lyrics by Tom Lehrer Illustrator: Elīna Brasliņa
Publisher: Mama Makes Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+A joyful, fun celebration of maths concepts, using everyday activities. Vibrant, energetic illustrations make this a friendly, accessible read.
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That’s Not My Chick
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 2-3
Reading age: 4+A fun touch and feel board book that encourages little fingers to explore the different shapes and textures on each page
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That’s Not My Name
Author: Anoosha Syed
Publisher: Ladybird
Interest age: 6-8
When Mirha’s new classmates mispronounce her name, she’s too shy to correct them. Instead, she decides to change her name to something less complicated. What will her family think?
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That's My Daddy!
Author: Ruth Redford Illustrator: Dan Taylor
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 3-5
Featuring a lovely array of different dad activities for all manner of different dads, That’s My Daddy! is an inclusive, adorable book that asks children who their daddy is and what he does.
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That's NOT How You Do It!
Author: Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar
Publisher: Child's Play
Lucy is a clever little cat who knows how to do everything. She can eat with a spoon and fork, play the xylophone, even fold fabulous paper stars. In fact, all her friends ask her for help if they cannot do something. When Toshi the panda arrives from far away, Lucy doesn't understand why he does everything differently. She becomes increasingly frustrated wh…
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That's Not My Baby...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 0+
Reading age: 0+This book is full of bright pictures with touch-and feel patches.
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That's Not My Bear...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Reading age: 4+A different bear is introduced on each page of this colourful board book, but there is something not quite right about most of them.
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That's Not My Fairy...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Reading age: 4+Lots of different fairies are introduced throughout this book, but none of them are quite right. "That’s not my fairy. Her wings are too fluffy."
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That's Not My Frog...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Reading age: 5+This sturdy touch and feel book features a succession of colourful frogs, from one with silky feet, to another with bumpy spots, to another with shiny toes.
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That's Not My Kitten...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne Books
Reading age: 0+One of a growing series of touch and feel board books with interesting textures and shapes for inquisitive fingers to explore.
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That's Not My Monster...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne Publishing
Reading age: 5+This monster-themed book is an entertaining addition to the much-loved That's Not My... series.
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That's Not My Pirate...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Reading age: 4+Lovely, colourful, stimulating book for very young children
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That's Not My Princess...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne Publishing
Reading age: 4+This sturdy and durable board book is perfect for the very youngest children, with touch and feel images full of interesting textures and shapes that are ideal for small fingers to explore.
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That's Not My Teddy...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Reading age: 4+Touch-feely book with colourful illustrations and simply text
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That's Not My Tiger...
Author: Fiona Watt Illustrator: Rachel Wells
Publisher: Usborne
Reading age: 5+Small children will love touching the tiger’s fluffy ears, soft paws and bumpy teeth and will particularly like tracing his soft, stripy tail on the very last page.
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The 1,000-Year-Old Boy
Author: Ross Welford
Publisher: Harper Collins
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Alfie Monk looks like any other 11-year old boy. However, as the title suggests, he is actually 1,000-years old. A truly original read, the plot’s twists and turns are anchored by the warmth, courage and humour of its varied characters.
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The 100 Society
Author: Carla Spradbery
Publisher: Hodder
Interest age: 13-17
Reading age: 10+Readers who are happy to suspend their disbelief will revel in a plot that races along with thrills, scares and entire shoals of red herrings littering the path to a gripping and tortuous climax. Ideal for lovers of Point Horror.
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The 10pm Question
Author: Kate Di Goldi
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 10+Like his desk, Frankie likes life to be orderly and neat. But then Sydney arrives, and disturbs Frankie's carefully organised world, forcing him to ask a hitherto unspoken 10pm question.
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The 13-Storey Treehouse
Author: Andy Griffiths Illustrator: Terry Denton
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 8+Griffiths and Denton create a triumph to engage even the most determined hater of books, which includes hilarious cartoon drawings.
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The 5 Misfits
Author: Beatrice Alemagna
Publisher: Lincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 6+Beatrice Alemagna’s highly original illustration style is a wonderful mix of collage and pencil, and her quirky, lovable story about the importance of being yourself – especially when you might be regarded as odd by others – is a jewel among children’s books.
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The 5th Wave
Author:
Publisher: Penguin Children's Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+A few months ago Cassie's biggest problem was that the boy she liked didn't know she was alive. Now she is alone, fighting for survival in a world ravaged by an alien invasion.
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The 7 Professors of the Far North
Author: John Fardell Illustrator: John Fardell
Publisher: Faber Children's Books
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 9+Three children set out to rescue their Professor Ampersand and his six companions from an evil organisation.
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The 78-Storey Treehouse
Author: Andy Griffiths Illustrator: Terry Denton
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7-11There’s tons of zany fun in this illustrated novel, which is the fifth in the series. With minimal text per page and brilliant black-and-white illustrations taking up most of the space, the story zips past at lightning speed and is a really easy, funny read.
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The 91-Storey Treehouse
Author: Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7+Best friends Andy and Terry live in an incredible treehouse, but when their publisher's grandchildren come to stay, things soon get out of control. A laugh-out-loud book perfect for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans.
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The Abominables
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Publisher: Marion Lloyd Books
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 9+The incomplete manuscript of this irresistibly charming story was found amongst Eva Ibbotson's papers at her death in 2010.
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The Abominators
Author: J L Smith Illustrator: Sam Hearn
Publisher: Atom
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 8+It’s Cecil Trumpington-Potts first day in Year 4 at Grimely East Primary School. In fact, it’s his first day ever at school.
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 12+In his first book for young adults, Sherman Alexie tells the story of budding artist Junior, a 14-year-old Native American
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The Accident Season
Author: Moira Fowley Doyle
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+For as long as she can remember, the end of October has been the beginning of the Accident Season for seventeen-year-old Cara and her family: cuts, falls and broken bones. A spooky and psychological modern classic with a twist.
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The Accidental Diary of B.U.G
Author: Jen Carney
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 8+An illustrated diary-style novel in the mode of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, with a sparky narrator who perfectly captures the voice of an upper primary age girl and her thoughts about life. A sensitive and funny story.
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The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Basically Famous
Author: Jen Carney
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Stardom beckons at Billie, aka B.U.G.’s school when a fancy TV company wants to make an advert about school uniforms – but can Billie be the biggest star of them all? More madcap fun from Billie and her doodle-filled diary.
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The Accidental Diary of B.U.G: Sister Act
Author: Jen Carney Illustrator: Jen Carney
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+Billie Upton Green is about to embark on her third accidental diary (which is cunningly disguised as a Spellings jotter so her Mums think she’s studying and not scribbling). And she has life-changing news.
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The Accidental Father Christmas
Author: Tom McLaughlin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+Father Christmas can’t remember who he is … and it’s all Ben’s fault! Ben must help him deliver the presents in time, or Christmas will be cancelled.
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The Accidental Prime Minister
Author: Tom McLaughlin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 8Before he knows it, Joe is thrust straight through the limelight and into a seat at Number 10.
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The Accidental Secret Agent
Author: Tom McLaughlin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7-9Kevin's just your everyday 13-year-old, obsessed with phones and becoming a secret agent. The only reason readers will put down this book is because they're laughing too much to hold onto it.
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The Accidental Wizard
Author: Kimberly Pauley Illustrator: Jason Cockroft
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A boisterous fantasy adventure in which a humble apprentice is accidentally turned into an all-powerful wizard and finds that fame isn’t quite what he expected.
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The Adventures of Alfie Onion
Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Marta Kissi
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 8+When Alfie Onion helps his brother Magnifico on a quest to secure a princess wife, things don't quite go as his fairytale-obsessed mother had planned. A hero does rise - just not the one everyone expected.
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The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
Author: Dan Santat
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 3-5
Seeing the world from the imaginary friend's viewpoint, rather than the child's, sheds fresh light on this familiar yet magical friendship. The stylish, striking, images emphasise its vibrancy against everyday drabness.
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The Adventures of Hermes: God of Thieves
Author: Murielle Szac Translator: Mika Provata-Carlone
Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+This accessible introduction to Greek mythology unrolls in one hundred episodes, focusing on the god, Hermes.
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The Adventures of John Blake
Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Fred Fordham
Publisher: Fickling Books
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+Like the Bourne films with time travel and a ghost ship, Pullman’s story rockets along at thrilling speed, full of secrets, mysterious baddies and emotional drama. Adventure on the high seas meets spy thriller: a fantastically executed, exciting must-read.
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The Adventures of Miss Petitfour
Author: Anne Michaels Illustrator: Emma Block
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+A charming collection of short stories about eccentric Miss Petitfour, who loves adventures and always travels by tablecloth with her sixteen cats. A lovely, quirky collection book, with delightful illustrations, that is immensely entertaining.
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The Adventures of Pinocchio
Author: Carlo Collodi Translator: Anne Lawson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 7+The story of the wooden puppet who learns goodness and becomes a real boy is famous the world over, and has been familiar in English for over a century.
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The Adventures of Rap Kid
Author: MC Grammar
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Can Z – who never speaks at school, in case he automatically rhymes – win the Royal Rap Rumble? Fun and interactive, this even shows you how to write your own rap.
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
Author: Marcia Williams
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading age: 6+A retelling of 11 Robin Hood stories, from his fight with Little John to the firing of his last arrow in humorous comic-strip format.
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The Adventures of Team Pom: Squid Happens
Author: Isabel Roxas
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 8+Isabel Roxas’ super fun and readable comic about friendship, individuality and heroism is a brilliant read for 8-10 year olds looking for something highly visual and original.
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The Adventures of Tintin
Author: Hergé Translator: Michael Turner and Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 9+Resourceful junior reporter Tintin embarks on a series of exciting international adventures, accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy, in this favourite series.
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The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Random House
Reading age: 5+We all know that the dish ran away with the spoon but Mini Grey's new book explores what happened to the nursery rhyme characters next.
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The Adventures of the New Cut Gang
Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Martin Brown
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 9+The New Cut Gang are a rag-tag group of resourceful young rascals who get up to all manner of adventures on the streets of Victorian Lambeth.
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The After Christmas Tree
Author: Bethan Welby
Publisher: Scallywag Press
When Brian sees an abandoned Christmas trere on the side of the road, he knows he has to take her home. But his family aren't too impressed - can Brian's little tree spread some post-Christmas cheer?
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The Angel Collector
Author: Bali Rai
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+This is a thriller suffused with an air of menace, of insecurity, of complex personal tensions and violence.
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The Ali-A Adventures: Game On!
Author: Ali-A and Cavan Scott Illustrator: Aleksandar Sotirovski
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 7-12
Reading age: 7-11Ali-A is a popular YouTube gamer and this is his first book, co-written with Cavan Scott. It's a fast-paced, fun read with amazing visuals that gaming fans will love, as well as anyone else that enjoys a good yarn.
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The Alien Next Door: The New Kid
Author: A I Newton Illustrator: Anjan Sarkar
Publisher: Little Bee Books (Bonnier Publishing USA imprint)
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+An alien boy tries to fit in at his new school on earth in the first in a new series aimed at early readers. Filled with humour about the yucky stuff Zeke eats, and wonder at the feats he can perform, this inclusive story makes for a very entertaining tale.
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The Almost Fearless Hamilton Squidlegger
Author: Timothy Basil Ering
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading age: 7+Fantastical illustrations complement this exuberant escapade, starring an almost fearless boy who is a tiny bit terrified of the dark.
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The Almost King
Author: Lucy Saxon
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 13+Young author Lucy Saxon is sticking firmly with fantasy with her second novel.
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The Amazing Adventures of Groana Schmitt
Author: Finn-Ole Heinrich Translator: from German by Katy Derbyshire
Publisher: Carl Hanser Verlag
Mona's parents call her Groana because she's sometimes grumpy and loses her temper. She and her mother have moved out of their home and into a strange flat on the other side of town. Mona doesn't know why, and plans to put things right as soon as possible. At her new school, she reluctantly makes friends with a boy called Mo. Mo knows why the new flat is so …
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The Amazing Edie Eckhart
Author: Rosie Jones Illustrator: Natalie Smillie
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Edie Eckhart is a feisty, funny 11-year-old who has cerebral palsy. She has to make some new special relationships when she moves to secondary school and her best friend goes into a different class. An entertaining diary-format book that sensitively explores growing up.
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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 8+Moving from the present day to wartime diary and back again, this ultimately uplifting novel illuminates the effects of the fateful events on the lives of those involved and the generations that followed.
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The Amazing Tale of Ali Pasha
Author: Michael Foreman
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+The Amazing Tale of Ali Pasha is a wonderful introduction to World War 1 through the story of young seaman Harry Friston and the tortoise he finds in Gallipoli. Based on a true story, this book is beautifully illustrated and gives the horrors of war a human, and animal, heart.
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The Amber Spyglass
Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+Lyra and Will, the fiesty protagonists from the first two novels, are reunited to embark on their final, dangerous journey on which the future of all the worlds depend.
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The Amulet of Samarkand: A Bartimaeus Graphic Novel
Author: Jonathan Stroud
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+The graphic novel adaptation of the first volume in the best-selling Bartimaeus sequence makes the series more accessible to readers without taking away any of the wit and magic
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The Animal Boogie
Author: Stella Blackstone Illustrator: Debbie Harter
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Reading age: 4+Boogie along with the jungle inhabitants who flap, shake, flap and slide their way through this colourful book
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The Ant Colony
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 9+Sam and Bo reveal their pasts in alternate chapters, each gradually facing the dysfunctional relationships and traumatic incidents which have triggered their current unlikely friendship.
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The Apothecary
Author: Maile Meloy Illustrator: Ian Schoenherr
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 11+Shifting between spy thriller and enchanting fantasy, The Apothecary is a skilful blend of the magical with the very real nuclear threat of the 1950s.
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The Apple Tart of Hope
Author: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 12+Oscar's apple tarts bring hope to the sad or desperate. He is loved and appreciated for this special gift. Meg is his best friend, but just as their friendship is about to blossom into love she has to go to New Zealand for sixth months.
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The Apprentice Witch
Author: James Nicol
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 8+When Arianwyn fails her witch's assessment, she thinks her life is over - but, really, the adventure has only just begun. A great adventure story, filled with wonderful spells and mysterious creatures.
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The Aquanaut
Author: Dan Santat
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11When a strange man wearing an old-fashioned diving helmet breaks into her uncle's research lab, Sophia discovers that the aquanaut is in fact a robot controlled by four sea creatures. The creatures in the aquanaut are looking for a safe haven, but when they discover what’s going on at Aqualand, they decide to free the Orca who is kept in a tiny tank and made…
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The Arrival
Author: Shaun Tan
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 8+In this unusual book, we follow a young man as he packs his bags and leaves his family to go and start a new life in another country
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The Art of Being Normal
Author: Lisa Williamson
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 13+David Piper has always been an outsider, labelled a freak by the school bully. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl.
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The Art of Protest
Author: De Nichols
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+Explaining why art can be so powerful within social movements, and the different forms protest art can take, De Nichols introduces young readers to contemporary artists and young activists, with ideas for making your own protest art. A fascinating and brilliantly designed book.
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The Artist
Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 5+A young dinosaur artist (looking a bit like a T-rex but a cute one) sees the dinosaur world as full of joy and beauty, something that some dinosaurs are too busy to notice. She sees all that, draws and paints it and makes it into her art.
Mae deinosor ifanc sy'n artist yn gweld y byd fel lle llawn llawenydd a harddwch – rhywbeth y mae rhai deinosoriai…
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The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse
Author: Eric Carle
Publisher: Puffin
Reading age: 4+Eric Carle’s first picture book in four years is a bright, colourful celebration of creativity
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The Ask and the Answer
Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 11+Themes of dictatorship, terrorism and privacy reign in Ness’s darker science fiction sequel to The Knife of Never Letting Go.
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The Astonishing Case of the Stolen Stories
Author: Anca Sandu
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+The little prince is terribly upset; all of his bedtime stories have been stolen! Luckily detectives Cat, Fox and Bear are on the case.
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The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody
Author: Kate Gilby Smith Illustrator: Thy Bui
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
Interest age: 11-14
Reading age: 11+Alex has always felt she’s a little different. Home-schooled by an eccentric uncle until year 7, when she joins secondary school she finds it really hard to make friends. Even her teacher nicknames her ‘Alex Nobody’. Then there are the groups of oddly-dressed people that often seem to be following her – that’s not normal, right? But when she meets Jasper, ev…
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The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing
Author: MT Anderson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 13+This unusual book tells the dark, often harrowing story of Octavian, a boy in the care of a house of rational philosophers in revolutionary Boston.
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The Astounding Broccoli Boy
Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+Rory Rooney is unremarkable in almost everything, apart from his capacity to attract the attention of the school bully. But when he suddenly and spectacularly turns green, he becomes a superhero!
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The Atlas of Monsters: Mythical Creatures from Around the World
Author: Stuart Hill and Sandra Lawrence
Publisher: Big Picture Press
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+The Atlas of Monsters takes the interesting angle of looking at each continent from the point of view of its traditional mythology, and also introduces the book itself as a mysterious source object to be investigated inside a story of strange discovery.
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The Awesome Body Book
Author: Adam Frost
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 7-12
Reading age: 7-12The vibrant infographics bring these facts about the human body to life, and make the book wonderfully fun and colourful. Have you ever wondered how many muscles you use when you smile, or realised that humans shed three types of tears?
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The Awesome Book of Animals
Author: Adam Frost
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+If you have ever wondered which animal moves slowest, is the most deadly, or even poos the most – then this is the book for you! Sure to be a hit with fact lovers and animal lovers alike.
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The Awesome Book of Awesomeness
Author: Adam Frost Illustrator: Dan Bramall
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+This is a super cool non-fiction book, a little bit like a small version of the Guinness Book of Records. It’s packed full of strange and fascinating facts – after reading this book, you will be able to wow everyone you know with your crazy knowledge.
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The Awesome Power of Sleep
Author: Nicola Morgan
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+This informative non-fiction book looks at the science of sleep and explores the crucial role it plays in the physical and mental health of teenagers.
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The B on Your Thumb: 60 Poems to Boost Reading and Spelling
Author: Colette Hiller Illustrator: Tor Freeman
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+A fully illustrated, fun and funky collection of 60 poems to help boost reading and spelling or to enjoy as shared reading.
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The Baby
Author: Lisa Drakeford
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+Olivia is in the midst of one of the greatest parties ever - her own 17th birthday party - when she walks in on her best friend Nicola giving birth on her bathroom floor.
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The Baby and Fly Pie
Author: Melvin Burgess
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 9+Fly Pie and Sham are rubbish pickers, who go to the tip every day to pick rubbish for Mother Shelly. Then one day they come across a dying man and a baby.
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The Baby That Roared
Author: Simon Puttock Illustrator: Nadia Shireen
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 5+Mr and Mrs Deer don’t have any children, but they would love to have a baby of their own to look after. When a mysterious bundle arrives on their doorstep they are overjoyed.
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The Baby Who Wouldn't Go To Bed
Author: Helen Cooper
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 6+This determined baby refuses to go to bed. Resolved to stay up all night, he takes off in his car to search for like-minded friends.
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The Baby's Catalogue
Author: Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Publisher: Puffin
Reading age: 3+This book's packed with lots of baby pictures and baby items. It's great for learning and making up stories - this fantastic book will lead to lots of talk with your child.
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The Bacteria Book: Gross Germs, Vile Viruses and Funky Fungi
Author: Steve Mould
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Perfect for fans of the Horrible Science series, this colourful book is full of weird and wonderful facts that will release the science enthusiast inside you.
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The Bad Bunnies' Magic Show
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 4-6
This is a wonderful, inventive and playful picture book about two naughty bunnies and their magic tricks, which will delight young readers and their parents alike.
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The Bad Guys: Episodes 1 and 2
Author: Aaron Blabey
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+Written like a comic book, this is a very funny story, full of action and crazy characters. It's lots of fun and will probably make you laugh out loud.
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The Bad Trousers
Author: Ros Asquith Illustrator: Mairi Hedderwick
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Reading age: 6+Children will enjoy this cheeky tale thanks to Asquith's charming writing and Hedderwick's familiar illustrations. A lovely way to make learning to read fun.
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The Bakehouse
Author: Joy Cowley
Publisher: Gecko Press
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 11+An elderly Great-Grandfather tells his grandson what happened to him during World War II, and it involves a love affair between Bert's sister and a deserter.
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The Baking Life of Amelie Day
Author:
Publisher: Curious Fox
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+In some ways Amelie Day is a teenager like any other, much of her day-to-day life revolving around her best friend, school, loyal boyfriend and fretful mother. However, in other ways, she is rather less typical...
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The Ballad of Cactus Joe
Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Clive McFarland
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 4-5
Cactus Joe is lean and mean and happy by himself. Or is he? Funny and visually enticing, this is a must-read for the grumpy cactus’s expressions alone!
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The Balloon Thief
Author: Aneesa Marufu
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+When Khadija flees an unwanted arranged marriage on a hot air balloon, she's soon to discover that the world is full of danger - so what will she fight for? A stunning fantasy novel simmering with tension and excitement.
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The Bandit of Barbel Bay
Author: Sam Bosma
Publisher: Nobrow
Interest age: 7-12
Reading age: 7-9The second in the Fantasy Sports series starts to unfold a slightly more developed backstory. With more epic sports battles and more tongue-in-cheek humour, this high-action tale of good sportsmanship and friendship is another gem.
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The Bare Bum Gang and the Football Face Off
Author: Anthony McGowan
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 8+As everyone knows, a gang's den is sacred no matter how dirty, dark or smelly it may be so when the Bare Bum Gang's den is at risk they will do anything they can to save it.
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The Barefoot Book of Children
Author: Tessa Strickland Kate DePalma and David Dean
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 5+This is a beautifully comprehensive and thought-provoking picture of the many different ways in which people live around the world. A book to dip into time and time again; a treasure trove of discussion topics, but also an aesthetic delight.
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The Barefoot Book of Jewish Tales
Author: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9The eight stories in this thought-provoking collection of traditional Jewish tales combine folklore and scripture, and are retold for children. Gathered from a range of eras and locations, the emphasis of each story is on kindness, compassion and trust in God.
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The Barefoot Books World Atlas
Author: Nick Crane Illustrator: David Dean
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 9+Full of fascinating facts and figures about the earth and beautifully illustrated with David Dean’s bright and colourful maps
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The Bat Book
Author: Charlotte Milner
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+This fabulous all-you-need-to-know book about bats is perfectly pitched for 7-9 year olds. It’s colourful and attractive, with a clear, simple font and an enthusiastic yet factual tone. There’s some lovely tips at the end too for making a bat-friendly garden, making seed balls and supporting bat charities.
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The Battle of the Sun
Author:
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+Jack Snap is a 'boy where magic could happen'; and happen it does when he is imprisoned by a darkly powerful Magus, an alchemist who plans to turn Tudor London into gold.
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The Battlemage
Author: Taran Matharu
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9-12The conclusion to the incredibly successful Summoner trilogy has plenty of action, and, while it’s emotional to leave Fletcher and the other well-drawn characters, Matharu ends things on a high with dragons, demons, battles and revelations galore.
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The Beanstalk Murder
Author: P G Bell
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When a dead giant falls from the sky and squishes their village, two trainee witches find themselves caught up in the hunt for a killer in a land where their suspects could squash them with just a footstep.
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The Bear
Author: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+Young Tilly is delighted when a polar bear clambers through her bedroom window one night - but are mischievous polar bears really ideal domestic pets? The Bear is a warm story about kindness, caring, and letting go.
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The Bear and the Hair
Author: Claire Evans
Publisher: Fourth Wall
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 5+Bear wants a 'cool' new haircut, so off he goes to the hairdressers - but which style will suit him best? A fun story with an attached bear puppet to really bring the tale to life.
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The Bear and the Piano
Author: David Litchfield
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 5+A bear's piano playing makes him a huge star, but he misses the friends and family he has left behind. A moving tale of exploration and belonging from an exciting debut author-illustrator.
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The Bear Cub Bakers
Author: Caroline Baxter Illustrator: Kathi Ember
Publisher: Big Sunshine Books
Reading age: 6+A group of young bear cubs go to Miss Betsy Bear's baking school for a week of fun in the kitchen - but who will take home the golden trophy for best baker at the end of the week?
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The Bear in the Cave
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Adrian Reynolds
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Reading age: 6+The lonely bear from Rosen’s classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt sets off one day to follow the sounds of the city.
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The Bear Whispers to Me
Author: Chang Ying-Tai Translator: Darryl Sterk
Publisher: Balestier Press
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 12+A short, quiet novel that blurs the lines of fantasy and reality in a dream like fable, The Bear Whispers to Me feels traditional and timeless.
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The Bear Who Did
Author: Louise Greig Illustrator: Laura Hughes
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 4-5
A hilarious rhyming tale about two bears who aren't very good at sharing - especially when it comes to honey.
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The Bear Who Went Boo!
Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+A comical and entertaining book about a little polar bear with a big voice - BOO!
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The Bear's Sea Escape
Author: Benjamin Chaud
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Interest age: 3-5
Parents and children alike will enjoy this touching tale of a father's mission to find his son in this stylish picture book.
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The Beast is an Animal
Author: Peternelle van Arsdale
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 11-15
Reading age: 11+When unimaginable tragedy strikes her village, Alys is only seven years old, yet she can’t stop thinking that she is somehow to blame. An epic story of triumph over adversity in the style of traditional folk tales.
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The Beast of Harwood Forest
Author: Dan Smith Illustrator: Chris King
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Pete, Krish and Nancy are excited about their Year 8 geography field trip. However, an exciting adventure quickly becomes a terrifying ordeal. This creepy, dyslexia-friendly tale is the follow-up to The Invasion of Crooked Oak, but can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
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The Beast Player
Author: Nahoko Uehashi Translator: Cathy Hirano
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+Elin's mother has a very special job - caring for the magical Toda which protect their kingdom. But when something goes wrong, Elin must flee and discovers an astonishing talent for communicating with creatures. A sophisticated fantasy that will have teen readers gripped.
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The Beasts Beneath Our Feet
Author: James Carter Illustrator: Alisa Kosareva
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 4-12
Reading age: 7+Dip into prehistoric times with this beautifully illustrated book that combines poetry and non-fiction. Introducing dinosaurs and paleontology, readers meet the trilobites that scuttled across the ocean floor; the Meganeuropsis (a buzzing giant dragonfly); the Diplodocus with its whip-like tail; and of course no dinosaur book is complete without the bone-cru…
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The Beasts of Clawstone Castle
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Publisher: Macmillan Children's books
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+Madlyn and Rollo are despatched to live for the summer with their reclusive elderly relatives in decrepit Clawstone Castle.
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The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Vampire Sheep
Author: Emily-Jane Clark Illustrator: Jeff Crowther
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+After reluctantly moving to the tiny village of Knobbly Bottom, Maggie is astonished when she encounters a flock of vampire sheep who are determined to take over the world. This hilarious chapter book, with a fast-paced plot and dynamic black-and-white illustrations, is the first in a fabulously funny series that is perfect for junior readers.
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The Beaver Who Saved Christmas
Author: Will Millard Illustrator: Jo Lindley
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 7+Elin and her grandad must save a family of beavers after their habitat is filled with plastic and rubbish.A heartwarming story which includes lots of information and an activity inspiration.
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The Bed Book
Author: Sylvia Plath Illustrator: Cindy Wume
Publisher: Faber Children’s Books
Interest age: 2-3
Reading age: 4-5A brilliant, slightly anarchic and yet comforting rhyming book about all the amazing beds that could exist, written by a legendary poet.
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The Bedtime Bear
Author: Ian Whybrow Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Join Bedtime Bear as he journeys to a variety of places on his way to bed, in this superb lift-the-flap book for young children.
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The Bee's Knees
Author: Roger McGough
Publisher: Penguin
Reading age: 5+These, warm, funny poems will amuse children and hopefully get them wanting to share the rhyme and repetition by reading them out loud.
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The Beetle Collector’s Handbook
Author: M G Leonard
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A must-have companion for dedicated fans of M G Leonard’s Beetle Boy series, this is the ultimate guide for those who want to find out more about beetles. With illustrations and funny notes in the margins, this is a book for everyone who wants to explore nature.
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The Best Birthday Present Ever
Author: Ben Mantle
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+When Bear sends out invitations to his birthday party, his guests compete with one another to buy the best present in the toyshop.
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The Best Diwali Ever
Author: Sonali Shah Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 3-6
Ariana is super excited for Diwali – she’s looking forward to yummy sweets, playing with her cousins, and wearing a lovely outfit – and staying up late to watch fireworks, of course! A gorgeous and relatable book.
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The Best Eid Ever
Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Hazem Asif
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Eid al-Fitr is Aisha’s favourite festival. Every year, her family hide gifts in a treasure hunt for her Aisha and her brother Samir to find. But between the chaos and celebrations, will Aisha ever get her presents?
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The Best Kind of Bear
Author: Greg Gormley Illustrator: David Barrow
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Bear is a very sweet little bear, but he doesn’t know what type of bear he is. Spectacled? Grizzly? Polar? He meets them all but none of them seem quite right - until his best friend Nelly helps him discover that he's the best kind of bear there is. An adorable friendship story that's perfect for young animal lovers.
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The Best Me! A first book of self-care for healthy and happy children
Author: Marvyn Harrison Illustrator: Rochelle Falconer
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-5
A sweet picture book that boosts children’s self-esteem and encourages them to be their best selves. Lovely to share at any time.
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The Best Medicine
Author: Christine Hamill
Publisher: Little Island
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 9+Twelve-year old Philip Wright is a comedian in the making. Then one day, he tells his mother a joke, and she breaks down in tears. It's a brave challenge to unite the themes of cancer and comedy - but this is an entertaining and light-hearted read.
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The Best Mother
Author: C M Surrisi Illustrator: Diane Goode
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Interest age: 5-7
Reading age: 6+Maxine suspects that if she had a different mother, things would be much nicer – until she talks to some other mums. A fun, quirky book for children who might have wondered “what if?”, this story celebrates how perfect our own mothers are just for us.
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The Best Mum
Author: Penny Harrison Illustrator: Sharon Davey
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing
Interest age: 3-5
Funny and silly with lots of brilliant detail in the illustrations by Sharon Davey, this is a celebration of all different kinds of mums and a reminder that they love us.
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The Best of Pippi Longstocking
Author: Astrid Lindgren Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 8+Pippi is an empowering role model to all young girls; her resourcefulness will inspire all
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The Best of Times
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Emma Chichester Clark
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 8+The Prince invites entertainers to the palace to cheer up the Princess. The puppeteers come too and perform the greatest story – the Christmas Nativity story.
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The Best Singer in the World
Author: Ulf Nilsson Illustrator: Eva Eriksson
Publisher: Gecko Press
Reading age: 6+Astrid Lindgren award winner Eva Eriksson provides quirky, soft-focus and humorous illustrations for Ulf Nilsson's story about a boy who loves singing but is too shy to perform.
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The Best Worst Day Ever
Author: Sophy Henn
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 3-5
Sophy Henn’s sweet, fun book about tantrums and how we might best work them out is a real winner. There’s a nod to Where The Wild Things Are, as the story accepts Arthur’s wildness and allows a safe space for him to huff it all out.
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The Best You
Author: Nima Patel Illustrator: Cally Johnson-Isaacs
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+In this gentle and uplifting picture book, the common question ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ is turned on its head. Children are often asked to think about what job they might like to do from an early age. And whilst there is nothing wrong with ambition, this question can feel difficult – after all, there is still so much to learn about the worl…
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The Bet
Author: David Grant Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 8+Ed, Zac, Becca and Kat are all keen to go on a school trip, but then they learn they'll have to earn money to make it there - and soon it's boys versus girls to see who can make the most cash! A dyslexia-friendly book.
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The Betrayal
Author: Mary Hooper
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 9+The final novel in Hooper's At the House of the Magician series, in which Lucy is in London, preparing for the imminent arrival of Dr John Dee, the court alchemist and his family.
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The Bewitching of Aveline Jones
Author: Phil Hickes Illustrator: Keith Robinson
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Aveline loves all things spooky, so is delighted when her mother rents a holiday cottage that overlooks an ancient stone circle, until a mysterious girl appears and strange things start to happen. Convincing characters, an intriguing plot and spine-tingling chills.
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The BFG
Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 7+The BFG stands for Big Friendly Giant, who unexpectedly spirits a little girl named Sophie out of bed, and into the land of the child-eating giants.
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The Big Adventure of the Smalls
Author: Helen Stephens
Publisher: Farshore
Reading age: 7+When Paul and Sally Small sneak out of bed to take a peek at the goings-on at the Small Hall Grand Ball, Mr Puddles the teddy bear has a nasty accident - he falls through the banisters and simply has to be rescued.
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The Big Amazing Poetry Book: 52 Weeks of Poetry from 52 Brilliant Poets
Author: Various chosen by Gaby Morgan foreword by Roger McGough Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+There is something for everyone in this superb poetry collection, which features a different poem for every day of the year. Splendidly diverse in subject, genre and style, this rich tapestry of verse is beautifully woven together by Chris Riddell’s characterful line drawings, which adorn every page.
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The Big Book of Beautiful Babies
Author: David Ellwand
Publisher: Ragged Bears
Reading age: 3+This book is full of lovely black and white photos – your child will love looking at the pictures of babies’ faces and expressions.
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The Big Book of Football
Author: Mundial Illustrator: Damien Weighill
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A great introduction to the beautiful game, featuring everything from the evolution of the football boot to players' hairdos and Drogba's perfect attacking headers.
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The Big Book of Magical Mixups
Author: Hilary Robinson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Scholastic
Reading age: 6+If you have ever wished you could turn a weedy uncle into an inflatable fairy or a bad-tempered friend into an exploding pencil case then this is the book for you!
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The Big Book of the Blue
Author: Yuval Zommer
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 6+This wonderful, beautifully illustrated book about all things fishy (and ocean-y) has a gentle sense of humour: presenting digestible facts, ideal for lower primary children, with a light-hearted twist.
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The Big Dreaming
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Daniel Egnéus
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+It’snearly time for the Big Dreaming. Big Bear and Little Bear will sleep through the Winter and wake in Spring. But Little Bear is worried he’ll run out of dreams, so he sets off on an adventure to find some… Perfect for bedtime reading.
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The Big Snuggle-Up
Author: Brian Pattern Illustrator: Nicola Bayley
Publisher: Anderson Press
Reading age: 6+The beautifully detailed illustrations by Nicola Bayley capture the warmth and magic of this delightful story
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The Big Story of Being Alive
Author: Neal Layton
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+In this clever picture book, Neal Layton explains that there are some things that everything alive has in common: they are cellular, they grow and they can reproduce.
Yn y llyfr lluniau clyfar hwn, rydyn ni'n dysgu bod yna rai pethau yn gyffredin i bopeth byw: maen nhw'n gellog, maen nhw'n tyfu ac maen nhw'n gallu atgenhedlu.
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The Bigger Picture: Women Who Changed the Art World
Author: Sophia Bennett Illustrator: Manjit Thapp
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 9+For thousands of years, the work of brilliant female creatives has gone unappreciated, whether they were taking part in weaving, sewing, embroidery or crockery. This fascinating book profiles wonderful women artists from across the world and gives their work the attention it deserves.
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The Biracial Butterfly
Author: Lennox Benson Illustrator: Hari Conner
Publisher: Pup Ear Books, an imprint of Dog Horn Publishing
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+A warm and simple rhyming story that explores mixed heritage and identity in an imaginative, colourful way, and reassures in its acceptance of difference and variety.
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The Bird Singers
Author: Eve Wersocki Morris
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Sisters Layah and Izzie aren't best pleased when their mum moves them to a sleepy village without their Dad. But they soon discover that the village has more to offer than they first thought.
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The Bison and the Butterfly
Author: Alice Hemming Illustrator: Nancy Leschnikoff
Publisher: Ivy Kids
Interest age: 4-5
Bison learns how vital she is to the woodland, and to fellow creatures like Butterfly. Based on a real rewilding project in Kent, this charming picture book is sweet and surprisingly informative.
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The Black Book of Colours
Author: Menena Cottin Illustrator: Rosana Faria
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading age: 6+A visually impaired boy introduces us to colours as he experiences them – through his senses of hearing, touch, smell and taste.
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The Black Book of Secrets
Author: F E Higgins
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+An original and fascinating book by a talented new writer, which explores themes of trust, redemption, forgiveness and natural justice in the context of a dark and gripping mystery.
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The Black Cat Detectives
Author: Wendy Meddour
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 9+Auntie Urooj is lonely so Shaima decides to sign her up with the Truly Deeply Muslims online marriage agency. But her new suitor Rasheed isn't all he appears to be...
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The Black Lotus
Author: Kierann Fanning
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 10+Three children, each with their own special ability, are plucked from the streets in different cities around the world. They are brought together and trained as ninjas to continue to protect the Moon Sword - a source of great power.
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The Black Lung Captain: Tales of the Ketty Jay
Author: Chris Wooding
Publisher: Indigo
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 10+In the second gripping installment of the adventures of the Ketty Jay, Captain Darien Frey finds himself seeking an alien treasure on a dangerous island.
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The Blackhope Enigma
Author: Teresa Flavin
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 9+When Sunni’s step-brother unwittingly unlocks a passage into an old painting, they are transported to Arcadia and must find a way out of this dangerous and exciting land.
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The Blackthorn Key
Author: Kevin Sands
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+A young alchemy apprentice seeks vengeance after his master is murdered by a sinister cult.
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The Blanket Bears
Author: Samuel Langley-Swain Illustrator: Ashlee Spink
Publisher: Owlet Press
Interest age: 3-5
Alone in the snow, two little bears are cold, scared and missing much of their fur. Thankfully, help arrives in the form of Tilly, who hopes them to find another home. A gentle and heartfelt story that shows the adoption process in an honest, reassuring way.
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The Blood Guard
Author: Carter Roy
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+Ronan discovers why his mother has filled all his spare time with classes of every kind, from martial arts to fencing. Think Anthony Horowitz meets Dan Brown and be prepared for a fast and spectacular ride in this first book in a series.
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The Blood List
Author: Sarah Naughton
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+In 1646, England is gripped by wild tales of witches, murder and changelings.
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The Blue Book of Nebo
Author: Manon Steffan Ros
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+The End came in the form of a nuclear disaster in Anglesey, and 12-year-old Dylan and his mum are surviving alone in their deserted town, six years on. However, soon tensions begins to surface. A slim book that packs a huge emotional punch.
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The Blue Cat
Author: Ursula Dubosarky
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 8+Columba, growing up in Australia on the eve of the Second World War, knows Europe only as a far-away place where mysterious events occur and threaten her life. A poetic account of the Second World War.
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The Blue Sword
Author: Robin McKinley
Publisher: Firebird
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 12+This teen fantasy, originally published in 1982, is a rip-roaring ride filled with fantasy, girl-power, romance and danger.
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The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs
Author: Fiona Robinson
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Fiona Robinson’s beautifully blue book about the life of 19th-century born Anna Atkins is an inspiring testament to a father’s commitment to his daughter’s education, and to her passion for the natural world. Young nature lovers will be inspired by Anna’s story.
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The Body Book
Author: Hannah Alice
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 7-13
Reading age: 7+This brilliant introduction to the human body shows readers how our bodies have groups of organs (or ‘systems’) that all work together to keep us eating and breathing – like the different parts of a machine. There’s the muscular system, skeletal system, digestive system, and more. Did you know, for example, that your teeth are actually part of your skeletal …
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The Bog Baby
Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Gwen Millward
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 6+Two little girls go walking in bluebell wood and rescue a Bog Baby.
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The Boldest White
Author: Ibtihaj Muhammad and S. K. Ali Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 6-8
Will Faizah be bold enough to fence in front of others? A warm, beautifully illustrated book with an unusual message on bravery.
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The Bombs That Brought Us Together
Author: Brian Conaghan
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+Charlie and Pav's friendship becomes something more complex, when the bombs and the Old Country soldiers come. This compulsive teen read successfully achieves a difficult balance: entertainment and social commentary.
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The Bone Dragon
Author: Alexia Casale
Publisher: Faber Children's
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 13+An intriguing blend of psychological thriller and fantasy, this is an impressive and unusual debut.
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The Bone Sparrow
Author: Zana Fraillon
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+Focusing on a friendship between two young refugees, The Bone Sparrow is one of those rare, special books that will break your heart with its honesty and beauty - but is ultimately hopeful and uplifting.
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The Bonehill Curse
Author: Jon Mayhew
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 10+The year is 1868 and Necessity Bonehill lives miserably in a boarding school for young ladies. Overwhelmed by boredom, she is unable to resist temptation when an exotic-looking bottle arrives from her uncle along with instructions never to open it.
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The Boo! Zoo
Author: Rod Campbell
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Once again set at a zoo, children get to guess which animal lurks behind each large card flap. Be prepared for lots of enthusiastic yelps from the toddlers reading along, when they spot what looks like an elephant trunk or tiger paws peeking out from beneath!
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The Book Case
Author: Dave Shelton
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This sniggeringly funny, totally deadpan adventure is a joy to read. Loosely set in the 1930s, it’s a bit like reading a really well-written and funny Famous Five or Secret Seven by Enid Blyton.
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The Book of Bees
Author: Piotr Socha and Wojciech Grajkowski Translator: Agnes Monod-Gayraud
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9This glorious book will introduce you to the bee world. It is fantastically illustrated in a cartoonish style that is big, bold and great fun.
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The Book of Blast Off! 15 Real-life Space Missions
Author: Timothy Knapman Illustrator: Nik Henderson
Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Discover the details of 15 real-life missions into space – all told in accessible rhyme, and with vibrant illustrations. Not just for space enthusiasts!
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The Book of Blood and Shadow
Author: Robin Wasserman
Publisher: Atom
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+Translating the letters of sixteenth century alchemist's daughter Elizabeth Weston, Nora finds herself on the trail of a powerful secret encoded in the mysterious Voynich Manuscript
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The Book of Clouds
Author: Juris Kronbergs Illustrator: Anete Melece Translator: Mara Rozīte and Richard O’Brien
Publisher: The Emma Press
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+This wonderful book about the magic of clouds is full of surprising and original poems, perfect for upper key stage two children either at school or at home.
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The Book of Dust 1: La Belle Sauvage
Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Chris Wormell
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 10+Malcolm is drawn into a dangerous world of secrets and intrigue – and a mission to protect baby Lyra, whatever the cost. La Belle Sauvage gives readers a not-to-be-missed chance to be back in the world of His Dark Materials: full of peril, magic and thrills.
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The Book of Dust 2: The Secret Commonwealth
Author: Philip Pullman Illustrator: Chris Wormell
Publisher: Penguin Books
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 11+The Secret Commonwealth is a deeper, darker beast than the previous His Dark Materials trilogy. Some brilliant and excitingly tense set pieces will keep you breathless and with a knot in your stomach – and desperate to know what happens next.
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The Book of Pearl
Author: Timothée de Fombelle Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 12+Joshua Pearl is a fairy prince in a human world, trying to make his way back to his one true love through our history. This sweeping fairy tale of love and memory will bewitch readers who long for epic romance and otherworldly magic.
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The Book of Stolen Dreams
Author: David Farr
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 9+A tense and exciting fantasy thriller set against the backdrop of a cruel dictatorship. Complex, magical and packed with great characters – both heroic and evil.
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The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Black Swan
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 13+A powerful story narrated by Death, about: a girl, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery
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The Book with No Pictures
Author: B J Novak
Publisher: Puffin
Demanding to be shared, this is a fresh and enormously funny book that children will want to hear time and time again.
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The Bookshop Cat
Author: Cindy Wume
Publisher: Macmillan
Cindy Wume’s utterly delightful story about a cute little children’s bookshop and a book-loving cat is a perfect cosy read. Cat fans and keen readers will find themselves well catered to here.
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The Bookshop Girl
Author: Sylvia Bishop Illustrator: Ashley King
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+When Property Jones's family win the amazing opportunity to take over a huge bookshop in London, they can't wait to move. But Property thinks there's something fishy going on. This crime caper has lots of warmth and laughs.
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The Bookworm
Author: Debi Gliori
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Max's pet worm loves listening to stories - and also loves curry and chilli crisps. As it grows, Max realises his pet is not a worm after all, but something MUCH bigger. This heartwarming tale of a boy and his unusual pet’s relationship is full of the everyday magic that stories bring.
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The Borrowers
Author: Mary Norton
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the secret places of old houses - behind the mantlepiece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock.
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The Boss Baby
Author: Marla Frazee
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+From the moment the baby arrived, it was obvious that he was the boss
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The Boundless
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 11+Travelling on a gigantic train, The Boundless, Will witnesses a brutal murder - and it is up to Will to save the train. A rollercoaster of a read, with thrilling turns, dazzling characters and non-stop action.
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The Box of Delights
Author: John Masefield Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: The Box of Delights
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 6+A magical old man has asked Kay to protect the Box of Delights, a Box with which he can travel through time. But Kay is in danger: Abner Brown will stop at nothing to get his hands on it. The police don't believe Kay, so when his family and the Bishop are scrobbled up just before Christmas, he knows he must act alone...
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The Boy and the Globe
Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: Tom Morgan-Jones
Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+When Toby goes to the Globe theatre to thieve, he meets a sad and despairing figure: William Shakespeare. This funny chapter book celebrates the power of art and imagination in all its forms - and has some wonderfully arch illustrations.
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The Boy and the Octopus
Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: Carmen Saldaña
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 4-5
Can Stanley’s octopus help Stanley face his fears? A moving and visually stunning book about expressing your emotions through art – with a lovely father-son relationship at its heart.
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The Boy at the Back of the Class
Author: Onjali Q Raúf
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 10+This is the story about how four classmates have a massive impact on the life of Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria. An inspiring and sweet tale that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.
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The Boy from France
Author: Hilary Freeman
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 10+When Vix’s visiting French exchange student turns out to be a boy, her classmates are jealous. But Vix is regretting being a host – she already has enough to do caring for her disabled mother.
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The Boy in the Black Suit
Author: Jason Reynolds
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+When Matt’s mum tragically dies from cancer, it feels like all the joy is sucked out of his life. Then he meets a girl called Love. This is a profoundly beautiful, open-hearted, funny, tear-jerking, readable and relatable story, which explores grief in the truest sense.
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The Boy in the Dress
Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens Books
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+Despite its sensitive subject matter, this book is filled with humour
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The Boy in the Smoke
Author: Rachel Faturoti
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Isaiah discovers a time portal in the basement of his tower block, he meets Jacob, who lived in the same building when it was a workhouse in the 1830s. This gripping, multilayered time-slip novel explores poverty from both a historical and contemporary perspective.
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The Boy in the Suit
Author: James Fox
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When Solo and his mum gatecrash a celebrity funeral, they find themselves all over the newspapers and the internet – for all the wrong reasons.
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The Boy in the Tower
Author: Polly Ho-Yen
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+Taking place in a believable urban, multicultural environment that will be familiar to many young readers, Polly Ho-Yen's debut is an impressively moving and thought-provoking story that will touch children and adults alike.
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The Boy Lost in the Maze
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Kate Milner
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+Theo’s search for his father intertwines with the journey of Theseus towards his father. Each boy works out what it is to be a man. A powerful verse novel with stunning illustrations.
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The Boy on the Wooden Box
Author: Leon Leyson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+The harrowing story of Leon Leyson, a Jewish boy who was saved by Oskar Schindler is hard to read at times but it’s wonderfully written and sure to move readers to the core.
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The Boy to Beat the Gods
Author: Ashley Thorpe
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+With exciting and imaginative battle scenes, and an energetic narrative, this fun-packed fantasy adventure is inspired by aspects of Caribbean and African culture and spirituality.
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The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon
Author: David Almond Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 9+A child's imagination is a wonderful thing and Paul's is more wonderful and vivid than many. He has a theory - that the moon is not really the moon but a great big hole in the sky.
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The Boy Who Cried Ghost
Author: Ian Eagleton
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
This insightful, haunting, coming-of-age story is a celebration of friendship, diversity and inclusion that gives readers a glimpse into the mind of someone living with OCD.
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The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die
Author: Peter Lantos
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+The harrowing true story of a Hungarian Jewish boy and his mother and their journey to – and escape from – Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in the Second World War. Extraordinary and moving.
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The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43
Author: Harriet Goodwin
Publisher: Stripes
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+A quirky debut novel laced with humour and a dollop of magic
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The Boy Who Fell from the Sky
Author: Benjamin Dean
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Zed’s dad is the First Hunter of Demons. But when Zed meets a Demon, he discovers that they’renot as terrifying as the myths say. Exciting and full of heart.
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The Boy Who Flew
Author: Fleur Hitchcock
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Athan Wilde’s mentor, Mr Chen, is brutally murdered, he rescues secret plans that should enable him to complete the old man’s spectacular flying machine. But Athan needs help and he’s not sure who to trust. A tense and imaginative historical thriller.
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The Boy Who Fooled The World
Author: Lisa Thompson
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When a famous artist visits his school and is impressed by his artwork, Cole's masterpiece is sold for thousands of pounds. Initially ecstatic, Cole begins to buckle under the media attention and pressure to produce another painting. Lisa Thompson's clever story is full of exciting twists and surprises, while also addressing feelings such as shame and a…
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The Boy Who Grew a Tree
Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Sojung Kim-McCarthy
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Timi is a quiet little boy who loves to grow plants and is a keen observer of nature. When his mum becomes pregnant, Timi isn’t that happy about being sent to after school club and looked after more by his auntie, since Mum isn’t feeling as energetic as usual. Yet when Mum has the baby early, she has to stay in hospital until Timi’s new baby sister is big en…
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The Boy Who Hit Play
Author: Chloe Daykin
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+A funny, life-affirming quest for identity that sees 12-year old Elvis Crampton Lucas and his adoptive dad racing across Norway, pursued by a shadowy villain. Captivating and thought-provoking.
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The Boy Who Lost His Bumble
Author: Trudi Esberger
Publisher: Child's Play
Interest age: 4-5
A little boy loves the bees in his garden, but as the seasons change, they disappear - will they ever return? A delightful and gently engaging picture book about the cyclical nature of life.
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The Boy Who Loved Everyone
Author: Jane Porter Illustrator: Maisie Paradise Shearring
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Dimitri is new at nursery, and no matter how many people (and trees) he says 'I love you' to, no one says it back. Dimitri starts to get really sad. Even the guinea pig seems to want to get away!
When Mum walks him to nursery the next day, she explains that people show their feelings in different ways: the mean old man on the park bench is telling the stray …
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The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh
Author: Helen Rutter
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+Billy's starting secondary school, but he's worried that his stammer will make it hard to fit in. He has to get rid of it before he can pursue his dream of being a stand-up comedian - so he comes up with an unusual list of ways to deal with it...
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The Boy Who Met A Whale
Author: Nizrana Farook
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Edge-of-seat thrills contrast with the beauty and wildlife of a remote island nation as three youngsters must use their wits and determination to rescue lost treasure and escape a pair of murderous criminals.
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The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair
Author: Lara Williamson
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 9+Becket Rumsey decides to investigate the reasons behind the strange actions of some of the adults in his life. With the help of his brother Billy and his pet snail Brian, he uncovers some difficult truths - and some beautiful ones.
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The Boy Who Sailed the World
Author: Julia Green Illustrator: Alex Latimer
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4-5A little boy who loves the sea builds a boat and goes on an adventure. When evening falls, he loses his way, but doesn’t give up: the compass will show him where to go. When a storm hits the boat, the little boy holds on and mends his sail.
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The Boy Who Saved a Bear
Author: Nizrana Farook
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When 12 year old Nuwan accidentally gets hold of a priceless key, it's the start of an incredible journey - with a ferocious black bear for company!
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The Boy Who Stole the Pharaoh’s Lunch
Author: Karen McCombie Illustrator: Anneli Bray
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+When Seth is transported back in time to Ancient Egypt, can he save a friendly hyena, who is destined to become the main course at the Pharaoh’s feast? This engaging time-slip adventure is ideal for reluctant or dyslexic readers.
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The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas
Author: David Almond Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 10+Multi-award-winning author David Almond returns with this pleasingly eccentric story of a ordinary boy who embarks on an unusual adventure.
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The Boy who Switched off the Sun
Author: Paul Brown Illustrator: Mark O’Hanlon
Publisher: Fourth Wall Publishing
Reading age: 7+Marcel turns off the sun and plunges the world into the cold and dark. Can he find a way to put things back to normal – and quickly? Bright, glossy, humorous and thought-provoking.
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The Boy Whose Wishes Came True
Author: Helen Rutter
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 8+Archie Crumb thinks he is nothing special, until a footballing fairy godfather gives him nine wishes and the chance to change everything. A rewarding read that deals with similar issues to Jacqueline Wilson but in a more reassuring way.
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The Boy With Two Heads
Author: Andy Mulligan
Publisher: David Fickling
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+Richard Westlake is an altogether ordinary boy, until he inexplicably grows another head.
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The Boy With the Butterfly Mind
Author: Victoria Williamson
Publisher: Floris Books
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+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.
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The Boy With Wings
Author: Lenny Henry Illustrator: Keenon Ferrell and Mark Buckingham
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A funny and exciting school story that turns into a wild fantasy adventure when Tunde dicovers he can sprout giant wings and his destiny is to save the world! The book is brilliantly inclusive and handles themes of bullying, racism, and the challenges of being adopted.
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The Boy, The Bird and the Coffin Maker
Author: Matilda Woods
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+Allora is a small town so close to the ocean that fish fly out of the tumultuous sea; it's a town so small that secrets are impossible to keep.
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Author: Charlie Mackesy
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+Four new friends explore the world together, reflecting on everything they see and do, and what life actually means. A celebration of love, compassion and kindness, this is a magical book to dip into or read from cover to cover.
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The Boyhood of Burglar Bill
Author: Allan Ahlberg
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+It is 1953, and in Oldbury Town there is to be a football competition. Rood End Primary enters its two best teams, but there are a few others who want to make their mark too.
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The Boys
Author: Lauren Ace Illustrator: Jenny Lovlie
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+This inclusive picture book is very much centred on presenting an alternative to outdated representations of masculinity, and reminding us that boys are just as kind, loving, creative, clever and thoughtful as girls.
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The Brainiac’s Book of Robots and AI
Author: Paul Virr Illustrator: Harriet Russell
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Enjoyable and fascinating, this non-fiction book explores what robots are and what they can, and might, do. Timely and accessible.
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The Brave Beast
Author: Chris Judge
Publisher: Andersen Press
Reading age: 6+The Beast is enjoying a lovely bit of peace and quiet when terrified villagers from a nearby island beg for his help in finding the source of a horrifying howling.
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The Brave Little Grork
Author: Kathryn Cave Illustrator: Nick Maland
Publisher: Friendly Dragon
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+Grorks are shy, easily frightened creatures, and the one in this story is no exception. When his friend, the greep, suggests going for a walk to the wood, the grork is terrified...
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The Bride's Farewell
Author: Meg Rosoff
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 11+A gripping, poetic coming-of-age tale, which considers issues as relevant to 21st century teenage experience as they were in Pell’s time; relationships, duty, love and abuse.
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The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Author: Liz Pichon
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This book oozes personality and with so much going on it promises to maintain the attention of young readers for hours at a time
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The Brockenspectre
Author: Linda Newbery Illustrator: Pam Smy
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 8+Tomas sets out to find his father, terrified that the Brockenspectre - a mountain monster which his father had told him about - has got him.
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The Broken Dragon
Author: Karen McCombie Illustrator: Anneli Bray
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Tyra loves her new life with Nan but is anxious about starting a new school in case she doesn’t fit in. A heart-warming tale, designed specifically to appeal to reluctant and dyslexic readers.
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The Broken Leg of Doom
Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Thomas Flintham
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7+Maisie's been taken to hospital after some extreme dancing... and now there are some very strange things going on! A laugh-out-loud tale of mummies, mystery, and cursed tuna sandwiches.
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The Broken Road
Author: B R Collins
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 9+Celebrating the 800th centenary of the Children's Crusade, The Broken Road imagines the story of a group of young people to Jerusalem to regain the city from the Saracens for the Christianity, which took place in the 13th century.
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The Bubble Boy
Author: Stewart Foster
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+Joe has always lived in a sterile room in a hospital. He's the 'bubble boy': documented on TV because of a rare condition, affecting his immune system, that keeps him vacuum-packed from the rest of society.
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The Bubble Wrap Boy
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Penguin
Charlie goes in search of something he is good at, that will make him feel better after being picked on at school. When he discovers skateboarding his whole life changes, but can he persuade his overprotective Mum to let him develop his talent?
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The Building Boy
Author: Ross Montgomery Illustrator: David Litchfield
Publisher: Faber & Faber
The boy loves his grandmother dearly. Best of all, he loves the stories about her life as a prize-winning architect. One day, she promises she'll build him an extraordinary house. Now his grandmother's gone, and he's heartbroken. But in her garden there are bricks and girder and he begins to build….
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The Bumblebear
Author: Nadia Shireen
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+Norman the bear loves honey, so he thinks up an ingenious plan to get his paws on as much as he can eat - by enrolling at Bee School! An endearing tale about friendship and loyalty.
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The Buried Crown
Author: Ally Sherrick
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+It's World War Two and Britain is on the brink of invasion. George has been sent to live in the countryside – but he's far from safe. A fast-paced adventure that zips along and mixes up the facts with tantalising mythical and magical elements.
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The Bus is for Us!
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Gillian Tyler
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading age: 7With bold, easy to read rhyming text and beautiful pictures to fire the imagination, this book, exploring all manner of transport and adventure, is one to be treasured and shared.
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The Butterfly Clues
Author: Kate Ellison
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 14+Blending a tense and compelling murder mystery with a thoughtful story of self-discovery , this is an impressive debut novel
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The Butterfly Heart
Author: Paula Leyden
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 10+Twins Bul-Boo and Madillo are determined to save their friend Winifred from an arranged marriage with her uncle's friend, who is old enough to be her grandfather.
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The Butterfly House
Author: Katy Flint Illustrator: Alice Pattullo
Publisher: Lincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Inside an imaginary glass butterfly house, we make our way through a variety of butterfly and moth species, all fabulously illustrated by the very talented Alice Pattullo. A very lovely and informative read.
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The Button Book
Author: Sally Nicholls Illustrator: Bethan Woollvin
Publisher: Andersen Press
This creative picture book invites children to press a series of buttons – drawn onto the pages and powered by the reader's imagination! – to reveal different sounds or actions. Lots of early learning experiences are packed into this imaginative tale, which is sure to become a firm favourite.
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The Café at the Edge of the Woods
Author: Mikey Please
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 5-6
Rene opens a café, but her only customer is an ogre! By disguising her food as disgusting bats and battered mice, she becomes a hit with the locals. A brilliantly illustrated, hilarious picture book.
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The Cake the Wolf and the Witch
Author: Maudie Smith Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 8-14
Reading age: 10+An imaginative, entertaining story about scary new beginnings, featuring some comical, crazy characters and sprinkled with funny illustrations.
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The Call
Author: Peadar O’Guilin
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 12+The Call masterfully blends fantasy, horror and folklore. The Sídhe are vicious fairy-type creatures, banished by humans to another land. They take their revenge by 'calling' teenagers to the Grey Lands - where they are hunted, tortured or killed.
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The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens
Author: First Dog On the Moon
Publisher: Allen&Unwin
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 10+A hilarious graphic novel that manages to be entertaining, informative and utterly bonkers while tackling the very serious issue of global warming and climate change.
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The Cardturner
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 11-12
Reading age: 9+Alton has been unwillingly forced by his parents into being his irrascible, blind, bridge-mad uncle’s cardturner, in the hope that the family will be beneficiaries of the old man’s will.
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The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole
Author: Michelle Cuevas
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7-9When 11-year-old space mad Stella visits NASA, the last thing she expects is for a black hole to follow her and live in her house as a pet. A heartwarming, sensitively funny and uplifting illustrated story of one girl's journey in confronting her grief.
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The Cartoons That Came To Life
Author: Tom Ellen Illustrator: Phil Corbett
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A zany illustrated adventure about comic characters, Arley and Tapper, who step out of Finn’s sketchbook and into his real life, demanding a final showdown with their sworn enemy, Professor Fart-Munch. A well-told story with lots of laughs.
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The Cartoons that Saved the World
Author: Tom Ellen Illustrator: Phil Corbett
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Comic-book creators and best buddies Finn and Isha get more than they bargained for when they are blasted into Toon World, where they encounter a bonkers cast of two-dimensional cartoon characters. An offbeat story, bursting with humour, imagination and dynamic cartoon illustrations on every page.
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The Carhullan Army
Author: Sarah Hall
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 15-16
Reading age: 15+Britain is in a bad way. Flooding, fuel shortages and overseas military commitments have taken their toll on the environment and the economy.
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The Case of the Good-Looking Corpse
Author: Caroline Lawrence
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 10+P.K. Pinkerton, intrepid 12-year-old Private Eye who (almost) never sleeps, returns in the second book in this lively and original series from Caroline Lawrence, set in America's Wild West.
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The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder
Author: Kereen Getten Illustrator: Leah Jacobs-Gordon
Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+Fayson has always dreamed of becoming a detective, so is intrigued when she is invited to her cousins’ fancy holiday home to solve a real-life mystery. Set on a Jamaican island, this lively tale is ideal for confident younger readers.
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The Castle
Author: Sophia Bennett
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+The Castle is a fast-paced adventure story that is sure to keep readers turning pages. It also touches upon issues of domestic slavery, politics and human rights.
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The Castle Corona
Author: Sharon Creech
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+Two orphaned peasant children, Pia and Enzio, find a pouch, stolen from the King and dropped in their path. A fairytale about rich and poor.
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The Castle of Inside Out
Author: David Henry Wilson Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Alma Books Ltd
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9This is a timeless fantastical story about overcoming greed, power and corruption. Lorina is a brave heroine, who fights for what is right against all odds. There are lots of other fun characters, too - all illustrated by the wonderful Chris Riddell.
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The Cat and the Fiddle: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes
Author: Jackie Morris
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Reading age: 6+The bold, earthy colour palate and close observation of the human and natural world make this a striking collection to be treasured – and remembered
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The Cat and the King
Author: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 8-9When the royal castle is destroyed in an Unfortunate Incident involving a fire-breathing dragon, the King and his best friend, the cat, are forced to find an alternative home.
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The Cat and the Rat and the Hat
Author: Em Lynas Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Publisher: Nosy Crow
A raucous, rhyming tale with a fun tongue-twister text, bright neon artwork and hilarious animal antics.
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The Cat at Night
Author: Dahlov Ipcar
Publisher: Pushkin
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 7+Follow a cat’s journey through a farm at night, seeing through the darkness with brilliant night vision.
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The Cat in the Hat
Author: Dr Seuss
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 3-6
When Sally and her brother are left alone on a rainy day, they think they are in for a dull time - but then the Cat in the Hat appears.
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The Cat Mummy
Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Yearling
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 8-9A deceptively simple tale which explores the issue of bereavement for younger readers.
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The Cat Who Ate Christmas
Author: Lil Chase Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 6-8After causing havoc at home, Jingles the playful kitten disappears, and the family spends Christmas frantically searching for their beloved pet. This amusing festive tale, with comical illustrations, is ideal for newly-confident independent readers.
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The Cat Who Came in Off the Roof
Author: Annie M G Schmidt Translator: David Colmer
Publisher: Pushkin Children’s
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 8-9This is a humorous, surreal and satisfying story with an old fashioned feel.
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The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks
Author: Katie Kirby
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9-12It’s Lottie Brooks’ second term at Kingswood High and she is determined to be less awkward and more resilient – at least that’s the plan. Written in the form of a diary that shows all the awkwardness of teenage life, this laugh-out-loud book is perfect for fans of Louise Rennison.
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The Catlady
Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: John Eastwood
Publisher: Random House
Reading age: 7-8Miss Ponsonby is reclusive and eccentric. She is certain that she has living with her, in feline form, not only her dead parents and friends, but Queen Victoria.
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The Cave
Author: Rob Hodgson
Publisher: Francis Lincoln Children’s Books
Reading age: 5+There is a cave that is home to a creature: a creature that never leaves its cave… Because of the wolf. A laugh-out-loud story with a very BIG surprise and some glorious artwork: perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Chris Haughton.
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The Circle Breakers
Author: Patience Agbabi
Publisher: Canongate
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+The third book in The Leap Cycle series, this is a great example of a thrilling timeslip adventure which embraces diversity and inclusion.
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The Circles in the Sky
Author: Karl James Mountford
Publisher: Walker
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 3-4Beautifully written and illustrated, this moving story is a sensitive way to talk about death with little ones.
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The City of Devi
Author: Manil Suri
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 15-16
Reading age: 15+Manil Suri's new novel, The City of Devi, is a weird postmodern dystopia, a thriller and a love story.
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The City of Secret Rivers
Author: Jacob Sager Weinstein Illustrator: Euan Cook
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-12
Reading age: 9+Hyacinth Hayward is on a mission to save her kidnapped Mum. Unfortunately, this involves travelling the length and breadth of London's sewers and meeting some very unsavoury characters... A delightfully silly, surreal and addictive adventure.
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The Climbers
Author: Keith Gray
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 12-15
Reading age: 8+This punchy and exciting thriller explores status, friendship and potentially deadly rivalry – and shows how saving face at all costs isn’t necessarily the best strategy.
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The Clockwork Conspiracy
Author: Sam Sedgman
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Isaac’s life is thrown into disarray when his dad mysteriously vanishes from the belfry of Big Ben. As they search for him, Isaac and his friend Hattie uncover a sinister plot which threatens Time itself. A fast-paced mystery, which will have readers on the edge of their seats.
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The Clockwork Crow
Author: Catherine Fisher
Publisher: Firefly
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 10+Orphan Seren Rhys has been sent to live with her mysterious Godfather after living for 12 years in an orphanage. The possibility of her first happy family Christmas seems like it might finally be within her reach.
On her solo journey to Wales, Seren is given a mysterious package to look after by a stranger and ends up feeling obliged to take it with her. But…
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The Cloud
Author: Hannah Cumming
Publisher: Child's Play
Reading age: 6+Everyone loves art class; everyone except the little girl who sits alone and draws nothing, a black cloud glowering above her
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The Cloud Horse Chronicles: Guardians of Magic
Author: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+The first in a wildly imaginative fantasy series, in which three brave youngsters join forces against those trying to destroy ancient magic. Packed with beautifully intricate illustrations full of character and passion, it’s absorbing and supremely entertaining.
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The Cloud Hunters
Author: Alex Shearer
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 10+Many years after an unspecified cataclysm, the Earth has been shattered into a myriad of tiny planetoids floating in a vast ocean of air.
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The Cloudspotter
Author: Tom McLaughlin
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 6+Franklin was called 'The Cloudspotter' - and he didn't want to share his clouds with anyone. That's why he pops the infuriating Scruffy Dog into a hot-air balloon and lets her fly away. A charming story about a lonely little boy who finds a friend.
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The Clubhouse Mystery: Cass and the Bubble Street Gang
Author: Erika McGann Illustrator: Vince Reid
Publisher: The O’Brien Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Best friends Cass, Lex and Nicholas are the Bubble Street Gang. Humour, adventure, mystery and plenty of innocent childhood antics pepper this comical chapter book for young readers.
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The Clue is in the Poo and Other Stuff Too
Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: Claire Almon
Publisher: Quarto Publishing
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Packed full of fascinating facts and flashes of humour, this non-fiction picture book encourages children to become wildlife detectives. Ideal for any animal enthusiast, this would also be a useful addition to the classroom for use on wildlife projects.
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The Clumsies Make a Mess
Author: Sorrel Anderson Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+The Clumsies try to solve lots of Howard’s problems, all with hilarious consequences.
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The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Indigo
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 13+Welcome to Coldtown. Once you enter, you can never leave. Delightfully dark and gorgeously gothic, it is certain to enchant fans of all things chilling and supernatural.
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The Colour Monster
Author: Anna Llenas
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 3-8
Reading age: 7+An original and entertaining picture book using colour, collage-effect illustrations and a delightfully cute monster to help youngsters identify and understand different emotions.
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The Colour of Home
Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 5-9
Reading age: 7+On Hassan's first day at school he paints a colourful picture of his home and family in Somalia, but then adds soldiers, flames and bullets.
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The Colour of Hope
Author: Ross Mackenzie
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8-9This classic good versus evil fantasy adventure builds on a fascinating idea of a world devoid of colour and joy. But there’s much more to it than that.
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The Colour of Revenge
Author: Cornelia Funke
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Return to the magical world of Inkheart as Dustfinger and his allies struggle against the nefarious motives of a resurgent Orpheus. A brilliantly written and layered fantasy story for new and old fans alike.
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The Colour of the Sun
Author: David Almond
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+David Almond returns to deliver a powerful story centring around the acceptance of loss of one’s childhood after a parent’s death and the journey towards adulthood, which is portrayed beautifully in this coming-of-age novel.
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The Colour Thief
Author: Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
Publisher: Wayland
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 7+Drawing on personal experiences of living in a family blighted by depression, this unusual, yet important, book may help youngsters to make sense of an illness they cannot see.
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The Colours of History
Author: Clive Gifford Illustrator: Marc-Etienne Peintre
Publisher: QED Publishing
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Full of fascinating facts about colour, this book focuses on a topic that is not often covered in children’s books. It offers a wide range of opportunities and new ideas for parents and schools, working across the curriculum through art, history and beyond.
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The Collector
Author: K. R. Alexander
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 11-13
Reading age: 11+There are three rules at Grandma Jeannie’s house: never leave the windows open; no dolls in the house; and never, ever go into the woods. Ideal for readers aged 11+ who enjoy spooky tales about things that go bump in the night. Read on if you dare!
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The Comet
Author: Joe Todd-Stanton
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 4-8
Joe Todd-Stanton’s new picture book explores how a family can create a home filled with imagination and warmth, even in less than perfect circumstances. It’s a lovely one to read with mid-aged primary school children who might be worried about moving house.
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The Company of Eight
Author: Harriet Whitehorn
Publisher: Stripes
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This adventure book is a total rollercoaster ride that will catch your breath as gutsy Cass weaves in and out of peril. After all, who doesn't want swashbuckling fun and women warriors with the hearts of lions?
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The Company of Ghosts
Author: Berlie Doherty
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+Over the past year many things have changed in Ellie’s life. When she is told she must go away with her mum and her stepfather on their honeymoon, it’s the last straw and she decides to run away. Fortunately she meets Morag, a friend from orchestra, who says she can stay at her house.
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The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
Author:
Publisher: Andrews McMeel
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 8+The comic-strip adventures of Calvin, a naughty boy with a philosophical bent, and his soft toy tiger companion Hobbes, delighted readers from 1985 to 1995.
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The Concrete Garden
Author: Bob Graham
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+Children join in to draw a beautiful garden with chalk. A gorgeous picture book celebrating community and the positive effect art has on everyone.
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The Conquerors
Author: David McKee
Publisher: Andersen Press
Reading age: 5+The General of a powerful country sends his troops into the last unconquered territory, but to their surprise, when they march across the border, they meet with no resistance.
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The Considine Curse
Author: Gareth P Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 9+Ever woken up to an eerie howl in the night and wondered what it was? This creepy tale about the Considine family might just have the answer
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The Cooking Club Detectives
Author: Ewa Jozefkowicz
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+This delightful detective story has an engaging plot and likable characters. It subtly explores new friendships, the importance of community and issues of food poverty and online bullying, plus includes some easy-to-follow recipes.
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The Coral Kingdom
Author: Laura Knowles and Jennie Webber
Publisher: Words & Pictures Press
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+The great beauty and diversity of the coral reef is explored in this stunningly beautiful picture book, which is a true work of art. The rhyming non-fiction text scans well and the information about coral reef conservation is pitched at the right level.
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The Council of Good Friends
Author: Nikesh Shukla Illustrator: Rochelle Falconer
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 7+Vinay and his “Council of Friends” are disrupted by the arrival of his cousin. Together, they learn to set aside their differences and empathise with each other’s feelings.
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The Covers Of My Book Are Too Far Apart! (And Other Grumbles)
Author: Vivian French
Publisher: Barrington Stoke (Picture Squirrels)
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 5-8This accessible and diversely illustrated picture book gives helpful suggestions for more or less any reading issue. It's likely to especially interest schools.
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The Cow That Laid an Egg
Author: Andy Cutbill Illustrator: Russell Ayto
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading age: 4+A madcap, yet moving, story about having the courage of one's convictions, even when others doubt you.
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The Cow Who Fell to Earth
Author: Nadia Shireen
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+One night, a little cow falls to earth from the moon, but none of the earth animals speak her language. This lovely book about friendship and belonging is beautifully paced and has all of Nadia Shireen’s recognisable cute characters.
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The Crackledawn Dragon
Author: Abi Elphinstone
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+The third book in the Unmapped Kingdoms series reads very well on its own or as part of the series, with all of Elphinstone’s trademark fantastical beasts and characters. Most of all, these are stories about friendship, love, and having faith in yourself.
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The Cradle of All Worlds
Author: Jeremy Lachlan
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Jane Doe appeared on the steps of the mysterious Manor with her sick father as a baby, and ever since the residents of Bluehaven have considered her The Cursed One. But Jane's about to find out who she really is in a storming, funny and gripping adventure romp.
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The Creakers
Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+The Creakers is a charmingly written adventure story. Monsters under the bed (AKA The Creakers) are acknowledged as scary, but the warm and humorous narrator will make more nervous children feel they are in safe hands. A really lovely, funny book.
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The Creeper Files: The Root of All Evil
Author: Hacker Murphy
Publisher: Oxford Press
Interest age: 8-9
Reading age: 8+After reading this brilliantly creepy book, you'll never look at a potato in the same way again.
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The Creeper Man
Author: Dawn Kurtagich
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 12+Kurtagich has created an incredibly assured, claustrophobic horror with a fractured and troubled teen narrator that will have you gripped to the very last page.
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The Croc and the Sock
Author: Claire Evans
Publisher: Fourth Wall Publishing
Interest age: 3-5
Croc wakes up and there’s a sock left on his floor: a smelly, wet, dirty sock. Who has left it, and where is its matching pair? An engaging story with a rhyming text and a fun Croc puppet attached to bring the story to life.
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The Crocodile Under the Bed
Author: Judith Kerr
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 2-5
Matty is sick, and very sad because he's too sick to go to the Queen's birthday party! But when he gets an unexpected visitor, it seems that Matty might not miss out after all...
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The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water
Author: Gemma Merino
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 3-6
Little crocodile doesn't like water. It's cold. It's wet. It's embarrassing.
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The Crooked Sixpence
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 8+Jennifer Bell has built a wonderful new world in which readers can immerse themselves, in this pacey, magical adventure. There are twists and turns, new creatures and strange, 'uncommon' objects to discover around every street corner.
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The Crossing
Author: Manjeet Mann
Publisher: Penguin Books
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 10+Sammy wants a new life in Europe, while Natalie wants to escape the realities of her life in the UK. A powerful and hard-hitting verse novel for older readers.
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The Crossover
Author: Kwame Alexander
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+Dynamically-illustrated graphic novel version of a bestselling, award-winning story of twin basketball players and their coming-of-age.
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The Crossover: Graphic Novel
Author: Kwame Alexander Illustrator: Dawud Anyabwile
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+Dynamically-illustrated graphic novel version of a bestselling, award-winning story of twin basketball players and their coming-of-age.
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The Crow’s Tale
Author: Naomi Howarth
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+In the dark depths of winter, Brave Crow sets out on a dangerous journey to find the Sun, and beg for warmth. Inspired by a Native American myth, this beautiful picture book shows how courage and kindness are what really matter.
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The Crowfield Curse
Author: Pat Walsh
Publisher: Chicken House
Will finds a small creature caught in a trap in the woods; a hob. The discovery of this magical creature signals the beginning of an incredible adventure for Will. A more challenging read that really fires the imagination.
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The Crowstarver
Author: Dick King-Smith
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+As ‘Spider’ grows up, it becomes apparent that despite his physical and learning disabilities, he has a remarkable gift for communicating with animals.
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The Cry of the Wolf
Author: Melvin Burgess
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+The Hunter is a cold, cruel man who lives only to kill rare animals and collect their skins. When the Hunter discovers that a pack of English wolves, long thought to be extinct, live in the Surrey countryside, he resolves to kill them all at any cost.
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The Culture of Clothes: A Celebration of World Dress
Author: Giovanna Alessio Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
Publisher: Templar Books
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 8+Perfect for young fashion enthusiasts as well as children interested in world cultures, this is a fascinating read with lots of inspiration for art and crafts, as well as school projects.
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The Cupcake Diaries: Katie and the Cupcake Cure
Author: Coco Simon
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+It's Katie Brown's first day at her new school and she's already feeling miserable.
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The Cure for Dreaming
Author: Cat Winters
Publisher: Amulet Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 8+Interspersing her text with archive photos, Cat Winters combines history with the supernatural in her celebration of independent women in early twentieth-century America, and highlights the fight for women's suffrage.
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The Curio Collectors
Author: Eloise Williams Illustrator: Anna Shepeta
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Can Lily and Tom help their new friend find the special treasure her mother left for her? An engaging historical mystery, set in a dyslexia-friendly way.
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The Curiositree
Author: Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley Illustrator: Owen Davey
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 10-16
Reading age: 10+Natural World is an extremely beautiful reference book that explores the way that habitats, plants and animals are connected, and the way that all elements of nature work in harmony.
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The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth
Author: Ellie Hattie Illustrator: Karl Kames Mountford
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+Join a young boy named Oscar and a woolly mammoth named Timothy as they race through The Curious Museum trying to track down Timothy’s little brother before the ‘magic hour’ is over – or he gets eaten by a dinosaur!
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Author: Mark Haddon
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 13+This funny, touching and compelling novel was the winner of the inaugural Booktrust Teenage Prize
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The Curse of the Tomb Robbers
Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: James Weston Lewis
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11This clever picture book aimed at older primary readers combines an adventure story with a series of hieroglyph codes to crack, with a comprehensive fold-out guide to hieroglyph meanings and letters at the back of the book.
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The Changes Trilogy
Author: Peter Dickinson
Publisher: Open Road Media
Interest age: 14-15
Reading age: 13+Gripped by a strange fear, England closes its doors to the outside world. In a tunnel beneath Wales one man opens a crack in a mysterious stone wall, and all over the island of Britain people react with horror to perfectly normal machines. Abandoning their cars on the roads and destroying their own factories, many flee the cities for the countryside, wh…
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The Chain
Author: Keith Gray
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 13-14
Reading age: 8+How often do we wonder if things might have turned out differently but for a single random act or event?
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The Cheat Book
Author: Ramzee
Publisher: Hodder Children’s
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Will the Cheat Book really teach Kamal how to be cool? A funny, highly illustrated story about a boy facing many typical school issues.
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The Cherry Pie Princess
Author: Vivian French Illustrator: Marta Kissi
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 7+When a bad fairy plots to kidnap the baby prince, Princess Peony must act fast to save her brother. Engaging characters, plenty of humour and a smattering of magic combine in this contemporary fairy tale for confident independent readers.
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The Chestnut Roaster
Author: Eve McDonnell
Publisher: Everything With Words
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A refreshingly original mystery thriller set in 19th century Paris featuring Piaf; a girl with a unique mind who battles to find missing children and lost memories in the labyrinth below the city.
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The Chicken Nugget Ambush
Author: Mark Lowery
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 8+Roman has a lot of misadventures, and this book is a non-stop comical disaster ride. Ideal for kids who find bodily functions, scabs, bogeys and toilet humour hilarious.
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The Children of the King
Author: Sonya Hartnett
Publisher: Scholastic
Brilliantly written, this is an original and exciting story set in England and London during the Blitz.
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The Children who Smelled a Rat
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 7+Ahlberg and McEwen's fourth fast, funny and improbable story about the Gaskitt family is as ingenious as its predecessors.
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The Children’s Book of Birdwatching
Author: Dan Rouse
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+With bird numbers in decline around the world, it’s more important than ever for us to understand what our feathered friends need and how we can help them, and encourage them back to our outdoor spaces.
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The Child's Elephant
Author: Rachel Campbell-Johnston
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 11+Bat lives with his grandmother in the central African savannah and rears cows. One day he finds an orphaned baby elephant, and so begins a special relationship.
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The Chinese Emperor’s New Clothes
Author: Ying Chang Compestine Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+This retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale incorporates Compestine’s experiences of growing up in the Chinese Cultural Revolution to provide a thoughtful tale about corruption and poverty.
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The Chocolate Box Girls: Cherry Crush
Author: Cathy Cassidy
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-10
Reading age: 7+Cherry’s single Dad has found a new love, but when he and Cherry move to live with her, there are four daughters already in the family, one of whom is not welcoming.
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The Chocolate Dog
Author: Holly Webb Illustrator: Sharon Rentta
Publisher: Scholatic
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+Amy is feeling alone: mum is pregnant and tired, dad is cross and little sister Lara is annoying. The only one who seems to have any time for her is her loyal dog, Choc.
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The Chosen Ones
Author: Scarlett Thomas
Publisher: Canongate
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10+Set in a dystopian world where technology is flawed and magic abounds, this is the second instalment in the Worldquake sequence. This exciting fantasy adventure is peppered with portals into other dimensions, evil plots and monsters.
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The Christmas Bear
Author: Ian Whybrow Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
When Father Christmas sets off to deliver the presents, poor Bear is left behind in the workshop! How will he make it to Tom's house in time for Christmas morning? Lift the flaps to find out, as he chases Santa's sleigh through icy seas and snowy forests, all the way from the North Pole to Tom's cosy bedroom.
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The Christmas Book
Author: Dick Bruna
Publisher: Farshore
Reading age: 4+From the creator of Miffy, comes a beautiful edition of Dick Bruna's charming Christmas Book complete with a press-out crib scene. In this delightful title he retells the birth of Jesus using simple text and charming illustrations
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The Christmas Carrolls
Author: Mel Taylor-Bessent Illustrator: Selom Sunu
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Holly and her family adore Christmas – but when they move house, they discover that not everyone is quite as obsessed. Can they find a way to spread the cheer? A fantastically festive treat!
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The Christmas Department Store
Author: Maudie Powell-Tuck Illustrator: Hoang Giang
Publisher: Little Tiger
Not all families can afford a picture-perfect Christmas and some children may feel sad and left out from the celebrations. This heart-warming book shows littles ones that you don't have to have a lot of money or presents to have a special time at Christmas.
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The Christmas Eve Ghost
Author: Shirley Hughes
Publisher: Walker Books
Reading age: 6+In 1930s Liverpool, young Bronwen and Dylan find kindness from an unexpected source when they are frightened by what they think is a ghost on Christmas Eve.
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The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel
Author: Tracey Corderoy Illustrator: Tiny Neal
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Frog turns up at Bear’s door, looking for a Christmas Extravaganza he’s seen advertised. A lovely tale about friendship, kindness, and valuing the wonderful parts of the festive season that aren’t directly about consumerism.
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The Christmas Unicorn
Author: Anna Currey
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Reading age: 6+Milly is awakened in the night by a beautiful unicorn who helps to create a magical Christmas for her family.
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The Christmasaurus
Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+If you ever doubted that dinosaurs and Christmas would work well together, read this book. It is bursting with loveable characters, fast-paced adventure and, of course, Christmas spirit.
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The Christmasaurus (Picture Book)
Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4-5
A festive picture book starring the brave, determined Christmasaurus and a friendly little boy.
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The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch
Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+The much-adored Christmasaurus is back for more magical adventures in this feel-good sequel to The Christmasaurus. The storybook brings together all the joy of Christmas: warmth, happiness and family squabbles.
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The Chronicles of Narmo
Author: Caitlin Moran
Publisher: Corgi Children's
Interest age: 10-11
Reading age: 9+Bestselling author and columnist Caitlin Moran wrote The Chronicles of Narmo when she was just a teenager herself
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The Churki-Burki Book of Rhyme
Author: Gita Wolf Illustrator: Durga Bai
Publisher: Tara Books
Reading age: 6+An attractive story interspersed with rhymes, telling of two sisters, Churki and Burki, and their dog, based on the artist's own childhood memories in an Indian village.
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The Danger Gang
Author: Tom Fletcher Illustrator: Shane Devries
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+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!
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The Dam
Author: David Almond Illustrator: Levi Pinfold
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 7+This stunning, wild and atmospheric picture book by two giants of children’s literature tells the true story of a musician father and his daughter who enter each house in the valley to play music and dance, so that they will always contain music – and magic.
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The Dark
Author: Lemony Snicket Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Publisher: Orchard Book
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+One night, the night-light goes out, and the dark calls Laszlo down into the basement to meet it.
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The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie
Author: Yvonne Banham
Publisher: Firefly
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Delores Mackenzie has always seen spirits but now they are trying to kill her.
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The Dark Inside
Author: Rupert Wallis
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 14+James and Webster, a pair of unlikely friends, embark on a curious rampage across the Devonshire countryside: one to escape life as he knows it, the other on a quest to lift a curse.
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The Dark is Rising
Author: Susan Cooper
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+This is probably one of the greatest fantasy sequences ever written. Darkly magical and intense Cooper weaves her storytelling wonder over fully realised characters and worlds, drawing in the reader and leading them on a journey that will leave them clambering for the rest of the series.
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The Dark Light
Author:
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 10+This is a gripping and unsettling story with some disturbing characters and a menacing atmosphere which pervades throughout. A dark but compelling read.
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The Darkest Dark
Author: Chris Hadfield with Kate Fillion Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+One night as a boy, Chris Hadfield watches the Apollo 11 moon landing and decides to be an astronaut. This atmospheric book draws on the Commander's childhood fear of the dark, and his realisation that dreams can come true.
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The Darkest Part of the Forest
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 13+With a refreshing spin on the traditional roles and full of sinister undertones and dark magic, this is a bewitching and exciting modern fairy tale for this generation of readers of YA fiction.
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The Dawn Chorus
Author: Suzanne Barton
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+A warm, reassuring tale about individual talents and about belonging, which will appeal to small children everywhere. Glorious illustrations swirl through the pages in a crescendo of appealing, harmonious images.
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The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish
Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Dave McKean
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+When Mike swaps his dad for his friend Nathan’s two goldfish his mum is not pleased. But when Mike tries to get his dad back, he finds he's already been traded for an electric guitar.
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The Day I Was Erased
Author: Lisa Thompson
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+A strange turn of events transports Maxwell to a world where nobody, not even his parents or sister, recognise him. The Day I Was Erased captures the vibrancy and buzz of school life and will ultimately leave readers with a warm glow and lots of hope.
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The Day Louis Got Eaten
Author: John Fardell
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 7+Fardell creates a variation on the Old Woman who swallowed a fly in this hilarious adventure
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The Day My Dog Got Famous
Author: Jen Carney
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Can Ferris train his dog to be an internet sensation in time to save his foster sister’s favourite blanket? A funny, heartfelt story that celebrates family and pets.
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The Day My Family Disappeared
Author: Jo Simmons Illustrator: Lee Cosgrove
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 8-10Bob is the fifth child in a family of creative geniuses: not only is his mum a nature poet, and his dad a banjo-maker, but his brothers and sisters are all exciting things like opera singers and street dancers. Bob, by contrast, enjoys Hula-Hoops and making terrible sculptures out of mashed potato.
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The Day My School Got Famous
Author: Jen Carney
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Ferris’s new foster brother is a tornado of chaos, but when their school is closed down, can the foster brothers work together? Funny and moving, and packed with comic strips and cartoons.
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The Day No One Woke Up
Author: Polly Ho-Yen
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11A tense and intriguing sci-fi mystery that’s creepy and unnerving with one or two genuinely spine-tingling moments.
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The Day That Aliens Nearly Ate Our Brains
Author: Tom McLaughlin
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 7+Freddy and Sal just wanted to watch Wrestlegeddon Smackdown when they tried to hijack next-door’s satellite dish. How were they to know it would pinpoint the exact location of Planet Earth to Alan, the grumpiest alien in the universe?
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The Day the Crayons Came Home
Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+One day, a surprising stack of postcards arrives for Duncan. They are all from his old forgotten crayons, demanding to be brought home to the crayon box. A captivating, comical sequel to The Day the Crayons Quit.
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The Day the Crayons Quit
Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 7+Award-winning illustrator and artist Oliver Jeffers has teamed up with film writer and director Drew Daywalt to create this gorgeously colourful picture book.
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The Day the Rains Fell
Author: Anne Faundez Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
Publisher: Tamarind
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+Long ago, when the world was new, Lindiwe gazed down from the heavens, proud of the earth and the creatures she'd created.
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The Day The Screens Went Blank
Author: Danny Wallace Illustrator: Gemma Correll
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When all the screens in the world stop working overnight, Stella and her family embark on a hilarious rescue mission to save Grandma.
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The Day War Came
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 6+A heartbreaking picture book that perfectly explains the displacement of people, and especially children, in war, and the trauma experienced by people forced to leave their homes.
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The Day we Saved the Future
Author: Ashley Banjo and Jordan Banjo with Alexandra Sheppard Illustrator: Brittney Bond
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When Earth is threatened by a terrifying supervillain, brothers Micah and Cass travel back in time to stop him. An exciting sci-fi adventure packed with futuristic technology.
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The Dead
Author: Charlie Higson
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 10+Jack and Ed think things are looking up after they escape boarding school in this sequel to The Enemy, but then something terrible happens that will put them in more danger than ever.
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The Dead House
Author: Dawn Kurtagich
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 10+This is an utterly compelling and creepy psychological thriller which has the reader gripped from the very first page.
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The Dead Men Stood Together
Author: Chris Priestley
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+In this reinvention of 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' a young boy sets out to sea with his uncle, but the voyage is soon damned by a curse that throws them off course.
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The Dead Ways
Author: Christopher Edge
Publisher: Catnip
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+The Government has a plan to clean up the environment – closing down motorways and returning the roads to nature. When Scott Williams' father is found dead in his government office, Scott resolves to find out the truth behind his death.
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The Deadlands: Hunted
Author: Skye Melki-Wegner
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A brilliantly imagined thriller in which dinosaurs survived an extinction event and developed the ability to think, speak, make alliances and wage war.
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The Deadly Dare Mysteries
Author: Malorie Blackman
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+This is a bind-up of three books - Deadly Dare, Computer Ghost and Lie Detectives, all featuring best friends Theo and Ricky.
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The Deadly Seven
Author: Garth Jennings
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+The story has many twists and turns. Through Uncle Pogo we are introduced to interesting inventions and unusual inventions and the monsters help Nelson to become better at making friends.
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The Death Defying Pepper Roux
Author: Geraldine McCaughrean
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 11+For all of his short life, Pepper Roux has been waiting to die. Now, on his fourteenth birthday, he knows he won't have to wait much longer.
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The Declaration
Author:
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 8+A chilling story of a future where Longevity drugs have made sections of the population almost immortal. This is a thought-provoking read.
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The Deep Dark Wood
Author: Algy Craig Hall and Ali Pye
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 5+A sweet little girl happily sets off to visit her best friend for tea through a deep dark wood full of lurking witches, trolls and giants.
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The Demon Collector
Author: Jon Mayhew
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10+Edgy Taylor has a gift - he can see demons in the crowded streets of Victorian London. A gripping, gothic, horror story lightened by its dark humour and unpredictable characters.
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The Demon Dentist
Author: David Walliams Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Strange things are happening in the dead of night. Children who put a tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy wake to find... a dead slug; a live spider; or hundreds of earwigs...
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The Demon Notebook
Author: Erika McGann
Publisher: The O'Brien Press
Have you ever wondered if magic spells actually work? Well, Grace and her four best-friends have.
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The Demon's Watch
Author: Conrad Mason
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 8+Joseph is a half-goblin boy leading a miserable life as a tavern servant. When he finds a mysterious parcel he hopes that by returning it to its owner he might be offered a new, exciting life as a sailor or pirate. But he soon discovers that there are dangerous magical forces abroad that will stop at nothing to regain the package.
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The Den
Author: Keith Gray
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+The story of teenage boys navigating friendship and family in summer holidays.
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The Dentist of Darkness
Author: David O’Connell Illustrator: Claire Powell
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+Funny and fast-paced, this entertaining story is bursting with mystery, sweets and ancient magic. The enthralling plot, wacky characters and larger-than-life villains are brought to life by witty black-and-white illustrations.
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The Destiny of Minou Moonshine
Author: Gita Ralleigh
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A charming, mythical fantasy adventure that is accessible and straightforward with just a few moments of jeopardy but plenty of excitement and personal challenges.
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The Detective Dog
Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+Detective Dog Nell is famed for her sleuthing skills in this witty detail-packed book, full of exuberant rhyming couplets - perfect for sharing and reading aloud.
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The Detention Detectives
Author: Lis Jardine Illustrator: Glenn Thomas
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When Jonno discovers a dead body at school, he and fellow classmates Daniel and Lydia launch their own murder investigation. This extremely funny murder-mystery tale will keep readers guessing to the very end.
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The Deviants
Author: CJ Skuse
Publisher: MIRA Ink
Interest age: 15-18
Reading age: 11+Ella has a secret so toxic she dare not share it - not even with Max, the guy she loves. Soon the couple get caught up in a cycle of revenge and violence, in this pacey and engaging thriller for young adults.
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The Devil Walks
Author: Anne Fine
Publisher: Doubleday
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 9+A chilling, compulsive horror story pleasantly free from vampires and werewolves
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The Devil's Triangle
Author: Mark Robson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 9+Twins Sam and Niamh accompany their father to Florida each summer while he tries to unravel the mystery of their mother's disappearance at sea nine years ago.
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The Diamond Girls
Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10+Aimed at older readers, this novel deals with adult themes of birth, sexuality, teen pregnancy, gang-culture, abuse and post-natal depression, but all in Wilson's usual credible, accessible style.
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The Diamond of Drury Lane
Author: Julia Golding
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 8+Winner of the 2006 Ottakar's Children's Book Prize, this is a pacy thriller about a spirited orphan girl employed by Richard Sheridan at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
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The Diggers are Coming!
Author: Susan Steggall
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+Watch as a new estate is built, from the demolition of old properties to families moving into their new homes.
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The Digits: Number Jumble!
Author: Tony Bradman Illustrator: SR. Sanchez
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 2-3
An accessible and fun book which will help little ones recognise numbers and start to think about their order in a scale.
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The Ding-Dong Bag
Author: Polly Peters Illustrator: Jess Stockham
Publisher: Child's Play
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+The fast-moving and rhythmic text make this great book perfect for reading aloud, and a subtle arm splint on one of the boys is typical of Child’s Play’s inclusive approach to books.
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The Dinner that Cooked Itself
Author: J C Hysu Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 9+This retelling of an old Chinese folk tale is beautifully illustrated in a contemporary, cinematic style and offers a glimpse at the culture and traditions of an ancient civilisation.
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The Dinos on the Bus
Author: Peter Millett Illustrator: Tony Neal
Publisher: Ladybird
A dino-tastic spin on the classic nursery rhyme, The Wheels on the Bus, where little dinos travel up and down, round and round, all through the land.
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The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas
Author: Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Publisher: Red Fox
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+Danny is greedy and spoilt - he already has so many toys there is no space in his room. When he sends Santa a long list for Christmas, St Nick decides to teach him a lesson.
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The Dinosaur’s Packed Lunch
Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Corgi Pups
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 5+Dinah is having a bad day – nothing seems to be going right: so far she’s made her Dad cross and argued with her best friend
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The Disappearing Children
Author: Lars Joachim Grimstad Translator: Don Bartlett and Sian Mackie
Publisher: Phoenix Yard Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 8+This enjoyable and very funny story of adventure and intrigue is a brilliantly witty political satire appealing to a wide age range from early teens to adult.
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The Disconnect
Author: Keren David
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 9+Can Esther give up her phone for two months to win a thousand pounds? A short, snappy and entertaining book with a relatable and healthily balanced premise for teenagers: perfect for supporting conversations about social media, friendship and peer pressure.
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The Disgusting Sandwich
Author: Gareth Edwards Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
Publisher: Alison Green Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+When a boy brings his mouth-watering sandwich to the park, he’s not the only one who thinks it looks rather appetizing.
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The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree
Author: Paola Peretti Translator: Denise Muir
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Nine-year-old Mafalda has a degenerative eye condition. She starts to keep a list of all the things she'll miss when her sight goes, but also the constants that surround her. Tender and thought-provoking, with a powerful but unforced message.
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The Diviners
Author:
Publisher: Atom
Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 13+In this lively and atmospheric tale of 1920s New York, party girl Evie finds herself investigating a sinister string of occult murders.
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The Dodo Who Dreamed She Could Fly
Author: Catherine Emmett Illustrator: Claire Powell
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 4-5
A little Dodo has a dream: she wants to fly, even though Dodos are too round and generally not aerodynamic. There has never been a flying Dodo, but this fact doesn’t stop her: she tries and tries, despite some mean Dodos making fun of her not being able to get off the ground when she practises. She reads all the books and researches flying, but, try as she m…
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The Dog Runner
Author: Bren MacDibble
Publisher: Old Barn Books
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+A perilous adventure with dystopian and environmental themes that cut unnervingly close to potential reality, The Dog Runner is a tense, thrilling adventure full of close calls, but also glowing with heart, whether it's the relationship between Ella and Emery or their love for the "doggos" helping them get to where they need to be.
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The Dog that Ate the World
Author: Sandra Dieckmann
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+The valley was a picture of harmony until the dog appeared and ate everything up. This reads like a myth from an ancient culture and could be seen as a warning against greed and rising extinction rates – though the tone is gentle and the illustration sublime.
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The Dog That Saved Christmas
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Mike Byrne
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A sensitive and fascinating portrayal of how Christmas might be experienced by a boy on the autistic spectrum, and how a therapy dog provides reassurance and helps him enjoy the festive season.
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The Dog That Saved the World (Cup)
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 8+For Pickles the dog and his owner Elsie, football is everything – they love nothing more than playing the beautiful game together. So when Elsie’s local team win the chance to play a half-time match at the upcoming World Cup, the pair are very excited. But off-pitch, times are hard. Elsie’s dad is struggling to pay for rent and food. To make matters worse, t…
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The Dogs
Author: Alllan Stratton
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 15+
Reading age: 14+Spooky and atmospheric, The Dogs is everything you could want from a murder mystery and ghost story
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The Doldrums
Author: Nicholas Gannon
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-12A fabulous, funny and heart-warming story of adventure and friendship.
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The Dollmaker of Krakow
Author: R. M. Romero Illustrator: Lisa Perrin
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Doll Karolina is saved from war in her native Land of the Dolls and transported to Poland to live with a man known as the Dollmaker - only for their lives to be turned upside down by World War II. An unusual novel blending reality with folklore and fantasy that will have a lasting impact on readers.
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The Don't Panic Gang
Author: Mark Sperring Illustrator: Sarah Warburton
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 4-8
The Don’t Panic Gang is a top secret organisation, comprising a doughnut-loving cat, a little blue bird and an unassuming window-box worm - but when they get a call for help, they transform into superheroes! An exciting, funny adventure to read aloud.
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The Door of No Return
Author: Kwame Alexander
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+In nineteenth-century Ghana, Kofi loves swimming and wants to talk to the beautiful Ama. But he has to fight for his life after a sudden death occurs. A deeply compelling, vital read.
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The Door that Led to Where
Author: Sally Gardner
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 14+There's a Dickensian flavour to this satisfying time-travel tale, which takes its teenage hero on a journey from gritty modern-day London, to the city of the 1800s.
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The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 8+Jenny Valentine presents another enthralling, perplexing and thought-provoking novel exploring family, friendship and identity.
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The Double Life of Ted Amos
Author: Simon James Green Illustrator: Jennifer Jamieson
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11Edward has reinvented himself as Ted at his dad’s new town. Ted is cool and definitely isn’t bullied. But will his lies catch up with him? Hilarious and moving, this is about being who you really are.
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The Double Shadow
Author: Sally Gardner
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 14+Sally Gardner lives up to her reputation for delivering ambitious and highly imaginative writing for teenagers in this unusual and complex historical novel.
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The Doughnut of Doom
Author: Elys Dolan
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+A giant, police-eating doughnut is wreaking havoc in the town square. Will Nancy, ace reporter and peanut butter sandwich, save the day? Dolan’s food-fabulous picture book is full of punny provisions and delectable double entendres.
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The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight
Author: Ella Woollard Illustrator: Benji Davies
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 7+An uplifting story about a timid baby dragon and a friendly young knight who discover they have much more in common than people think - and refuse to fight.
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The Dragon Ark
Author: Curatoria Draconis Illustrator: Tomislav Tomic
Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+In this stunning book, Curatoria Draconis - also known as the Dragon Protector - takes us on a journey around the world to meet different kinds of dragons and learn how we can protect them...
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The Dragon in the Bookshop
Author: Ewa Jozefkowicz
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9-11An intriguing mixture of contemporary life and Polish folk tale that explores the desolation and trauma of losing a parent and how one boy finds his way back to his friends and family – by rescuing a desperate city from an angry, and very hungry, dragon.
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The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart
Author: Stephanie Burgis Illustrator: Freya Hartas (chapter headings)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 8-12
Reading age: 8+When spirited young dragon Aventurine is tricked into drinking some enchanted hot chocolate, she is turned into a human girl. Dragons, magic and chocolate combine in this captivating fantasy adventure.
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The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom: A Very Fiery Fairy Tale
Author: Beach
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 3-5
A delightfully silly rhyming fairy tale story, The Dragon With the Blazing Bottom has plenty of laughs and zany illustrations, with an adorable dragon and his loyal adversary who is absolutely dedicated to helping out his friend.
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The Dragon’s Hoard: stories from the Viking Sagas
Author: Lari Don Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+In this collection of 11 stories about Vikings, you will encounter sailors, traders and explorers. Elemental, unadorned and compelling, these engaging retellings of the Sagas are illuminated by earth-toned illustrations.
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The Dragonsitter
Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+Eddie's uncle has gone on holiday and he has left his dragon behind for Eddie to look after.
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The Dragonsitter Takes Off
Author: Josh Lacey Illustrator: Gary Parsons
Publisher: Anderson Press
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+It had sounded so easy: Edward was going to look after Uncle Morton's unusual pet for a week while he went on holiday. But soon the fridge is empty, the curtains are blazing, and the postman is fleeing down the garden path.
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The Drama Llama: A story about soothing anxiety
Author: Rachel Morrisroe Illustrator: Ella Okstad
Publisher: Puffin
Written in clever rhyming verse, this fun picture book uses humour to tackle big feelings of worry and anxiety.
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The Dreamsnatcher
Author: Abi Elphinstone
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+Moll and her wildcat Gryff must fight dark, magical forces to protect the world they know. An exceptional debut novel that is packed with adventure, magic and humour.
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The Dress and the Girl
Author: Camille Andros Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Publisher: Abrams
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+Emigrating to America, a girl loses the trunk that contains her beloved dress. The dress then embarks on an epic around-the-world journey to find her. A poetic and exquisitely illustrated story about love, loss, the passing of time and the power of memory.
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The Drum
Author: Ken Wilson-Max Illustrator: Catell Ronca
Publisher: Tiny Owl
Interest age: 0-3
This little but lively book is part of Tiny Owl’s "Children. Music. Life" series, which focuses on musical instruments from around the world, created by award-winning picture book author and artist Ken Wilson-Max. In this book, we meet the drum.
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The Duck Who Didn't Like Water
Author: Steve Small
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 0-5
Duck doesn't like water - but one day he meets Frog, who loves it! An adorable picture book about making friends in the most unlikely of places.
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The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
Author: Mo Willems
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+Mo Willems’ trademark illustrations and sparse text convey a huge range of emotions in a strikingly minimalist style.
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The Duff
Author: Kody Keplinger
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 15+
Reading age: 10+Seventeen year old Bianca believes her friends are all much more attractive to boys than she is herself. Wesley, a boy whom she hates, confirms this when he tells her she is 'The Duff' - the designated ugly fat friend chosen by other girls to draw attention to themselves.
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The Eagle Trail
Author: Robert Rigby
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+Paul Hansen must follow the dangerous Eagle Trail through the Pyrenees Mountains to get to England and escape Nazi persecution in this well-researched historical drama.
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The Earth Book
Author: Jonathan Litton Illustrator: Thomas Hegbrook
Publisher: 360 Degrees
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 9+Learn about the inner workings of our earth, including earthquakes, volcanoes, thunderstorms and tsunamis; animal life on earth; the earth regions and the impact of humans on the planet, including information on migration, population and sustainability in this comprehensive hardback book celebrating the biodiversity and structure of this fascinating planet.
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The Earth is Singing
Author: Vanessa Curtis
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 10+Based on true events, this first-person narrative tells the story of the Jews of Riga during World War II. Engaging, harrowing and thought-provoking, this is a story that should not be forgotten.
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The Edge
Author: Alan Gibbons
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 10+Danny and his mother Cathy are on the run from her abusive boyfriend, Chris. They go back to the Edge, Cathy's childhood home, which she left after having Danny at the age of sixteen.
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The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 9+The first book of The Edge Chronicles which sees Twig start his quest to find out who he really is.
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The Edge Chronicles: Doombringer
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+Cade and his friends are forced into action to defend their beloved home; they must summon the combined forces of the Deadwoods to repel the force of their enemies.
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The Edge Chronicles: Midnight Over Sanctaphrax
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+A storm is brewing far in the open sky, headed straight for the floating city of Sanctaphrax. But, when Twig has lost his memory of being warned of this catastrophe, he must find his crew and save the day.
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The Edge Chronicles: Stormchaser
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+The second part of the Twig Saga follows Twig as he joins the crew of the Stormchaser in a dangerous quest to collect stormphrax to save the floating city of Sanctaphrax.
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The Edge Chronicles: The Nameless One
Author: Paul Stewart Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+Fleeing the scene of his father's murder in the city of Great Glade, Cade Quarter smuggles himself onto the Xanth Filatine, a floating skytavern that journeys over the vast landscape of The Deadwoods.
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The Eel Question
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Beth Holland
Publisher: Graffeg
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 7+A mythic-feeling story about a girl who lives on the flat marshes, fishing for eels, and soon befriends an otter that will help her flee danger. As ever, Davies’ love of the natural world is obvious, and her writing sings with a dark exuberance.
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The Egg Incident
Author: Ziggy Hanaor Illustrator: Daisy Wynter
Publisher: Cicada Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+Humphrey the egg isn’t allowed to do anything energetic – especially not climb walls. But when he and his new friend are locked in the park, he has to escape somehow! A very funny graphic novel that will have children giggling out loud.
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The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients that Make Up Your Home
Author: Mike Barfield Illustrator: Lauren Humphrey
Publisher: Laurence King
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Professor Ohms, a scientific detective, takes you on a journey of discovery around the periodic table. Packed with many weird and wonderful facts, it's perfect for any aspiring scientists (or detectives!).
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The Elemental Detectives
Author: Patrice Lawrence
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8-9A thrilling adventure, where two Black children battle Elemental spirits to save Georgian London from a sleeping sickness. Inventive and packed with adventure and accessible historical detail.
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The Elephant
Author: Peter Carnavas
Publisher: Pushkin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Olive's Dad is followed around by a huge grey elephant that only she can see. It makes him sad and quiet, blocking out all the light in his days. Olive knows she has to get rid of the elephant... but how?
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The Elephant and the Bad Baby
Author: Elfrida Vipont Illustrator: Raymond Briggs
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 1-3
One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and the set off on a great adventure.
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The Elephant and the Sea
Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 5+A picture book about an old elephant looking back to his childhood dreams and how he achieved them
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The Elephant in the Room
Author: James Thorp Illustrator: Angus Mackinnon
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 5+Someone has smashed Father Giant’s favourite china elephant. Who is the culprit? This is a magnificent magical mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end about who the culprit might be.
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The Elephant In The Room
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan
Publisher: Piccadilly
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 10+Sila is lonely. But she’s not the only one and a chance encounter with an unwanted elephant and a wealthy old gentleman proves to be the start of something unexpected.
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The Elephant Road
Author: Nicola Davies Illustrator: Annabel Wright
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+This story provides an engaging context in which much wider, complex environmental issues are explored.