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Booklists beginning with: B

• Babette Cole: some favourites

  We believe that books are a great way to raise awareness and improve understanding of different experiences. This booklist aims to provide a range of children's and teens' books that feature characters who are on the autistic spectrum or have Asperger’s Syndrome.

• Baby's first Christmas: The very best Christmas books for babies

  They're never too young to join in the fun and get into the festive swing of things... Whether you have a baby or a young toddler, these books are fun, cosy and perfect for a Christmas present or a little snuggle on the sofa.

• Becoming a big sibling

  It can be a confusing time for children when they find out there's going to be a new addition to the family - from understanding what pregnancy is right through to trying to work out what will happen when their baby sibling arrives.

• Bedtime books for babies

  A soothing, gentle story or poem can really help with your baby's sleep routine - and it makes for perfect bonding time, too. 

• Best bedtime books for newborns (0-2 months)

  We know that reading with your newborn baby at bedtime can be lots of fun. It's also a special time for snuggling up and sharing a story: it's important bonding time.

• Best books for 1-year-olds

  Board books with flaps are great for toddlers at this age. Take a peek at some of our favourite books for sharing with 1-year-olds.

• Best books for 2-year-olds

  Two-year-olds love joining in with actions and guessing what will happen next. We've picked out some brilliant books we think your child will love.

• Best books for 3-year-olds

  At three, children can often follow slightly longer stories but they'll still want to hear their old favourites again and again. Here's a selection of perfect picture books for 3-year-olds.

• Best books for 4-year-olds

  Why not try some of our favourite books for 4-year-olds - slightly longer stories they'll love chatting to you about. From bad bunnies to bug school, storytime giggles are guaranteed.

• Best books for 5-year-olds

  Five-year-olds might be starting to read on their own, but they'll still love a story. This list is packed with offbeat humour and brilliant characters. Perfect for keeping your child hooked on books.

• Best books for babies 0-12 months

  Babies love snuggling up close with you and listening to your voice. Here's our selection of fantastic books to try with your baby.

• Best books for your preschool child

  Our panel of experts has chosen ten of the best picture books to read with your preschool child. All these titles are great fun to share and will help give your 3-4 year old child a flying start when they start school.

  Look out for forthcoming lists of the best books for babies and toddlers - coming soon!

• Best Fictional Libraries (12+)

  We all love libraries! Or we should do anyway, and these books will ensure that your 8-12 year old will continue to do so. 

• Black History Month

  For Black History Month we have put together a booklist of historical stories from Black History around the world. 

• Black Lives Matter

  Our pick of the top books that examine the structural oppression experienced by people of colour, aimed at inspiring and empowering young children to talk about anti-racism.

• Books about animals for young readers

  Enjoy some of our recommended books for younger children about animals, from classics like Dick King-Smith's Sheep Pig to modern favourites like Ed Vere's Mr. Big. These books are perefect to cuddle up and read with little ones, and for more confident kids to read themselves. 

• Books about Black joy for 0-5s

  Enjoy this selection of joyous picture books by Black authors and/or illustrators, all starring Black characters living their lives, having adventures and being loved.

• Books about Black joy for 5-8s

  Enjoy this selection of joyous young fiction and poetry books by Black authors, all starring Black characters having adventures.

• Books about Black joy for 8+

  Enjoy this selection of joyous books by Black authors, all starring Black characters having adventures. We've included some inspiring non-fiction titles as well.

• Books about developmental milestones from 0-2

  Babies’ brains develop incredibly quickly and sometimes it seems they have a new skill every week.

  This selection of books celebrates all the clever things many children learn to do from birth to age 2 or thereabouts, from lying on their tummies to clapping and waving, all the way to recognising familiar sights, eating real food and saying their first w…

• Books about developmental milestones from 2-4

  Toddlers are bundles of energy and contradictory desires. They want to be independent yet can cling to a parental figure.

  This selection of books celebrates all the things most toddlers learn to do from age 2 to 4 or thereabouts, from jumping, drawing and playing with other children, to potty training and going to nursery or school. And of course, they enjoy…

• Books about friendship

  Can you imagine Pooh without Piglet? Or Frodo without Sam? Here are some children's books that celebrate the power, fun and wonder of friendship.

• Books about pigs

  Pigs are often described as one of the most intelligent animals, so maybe that's why they've inspired countless children's books.

• Books about refugees and asylum seekers (older children)

  Since asylum can be a confusing issue for children (and even adults), here are some books that explore what it really means to flee your home and have to start your life over.

• Books about refugees and asylum seekers (teens)

  Since asylum can be a confusing issue for teenagers (and even adults), here are some books that explore what it really means to flee your home and have to start your life over.

• Books about refugees and asylum seekers (younger children)

  Since asylum can be a confusing issue for children (and even adults), here are some books that explore what it really means to flee your home and have to start your life over.

• Books about the seaside

  We've chosen some of our favourite seaside-themed children’s books for all ages - which one is your favourite?

• Books for bedtime: find a new favourite

  Looking for a new favourite book to read at bedtime? This list is full of wonderful stories all published since 2019 and all perfect to snuggle up with before sleep.

• Books to inspire your imagination

  These picture books are all about the power of imagination: be inspired to imagine new worlds and new words with your children!

• Books to support mental health awareness for readers under 9

  Books that acknowledge or explore mental health issues can help to increase awareness, encourage dialogue, reduce stigma and develop real understanding. The following books are aimed at readers who are in their first few years of school, and they are perfect for sharing.

• Books we love in April 2022

  Explore our pick of the best children's books in April 2022.

• Books we love in April 2022

  A list of the very best books we think you will love in April. From goddesses to blue whales and everything in between, get stuck in to your next favourite book this April!

• Books we love in April 2023

  A carefully selected list of books we adore this month!

• Books We Love in April 2024

  A selection of books for babies, toddlers and children that we love in April 2024.

• Books we love in August 2022

  A few of our favourite books of August 2022 for you and your children to enjoy!

• Books we love in August 2023

  A collection of books we love this month

• Books we love in December 2022

  Enjoy a few of our favourite books from December

• Books we love in December 2023

  Here are a few of our favourite books from this month. 

• Books we love in February 2023

  A selection of books we love this month

• Books We Love in February 2024

  A selection of our top picks for February 2024

• Books we love in January 2023

  A few of our favourite books of January 2023

• Books We Love in January 2024

  A few books we love this January 2024

• Books we love in July 2022

  Just a few of the very best books we are excited about this month.

• Books We Love in July 2023

  A selection of books we love this month!

• Books we love in June 2022

  A carefully curated collection of our favourite books to enjoy this June. From the end of the world to the wonders of the dinosaurs, there is something for every young reader this month!

• Books we love in June 2023

  A selection of books we love this month

• Books we love in March 2022

  Discover the very best children's books out right now, from football books to lift-the-flap jungle adventures to spellbinding historical reads about The Greeks. 

• Books We Love in March 2023

  Just a few titles we adored this month!

• Books We Love in March 2024

  Discover the brilliant children's books we're enjoying in March 2024.

• Books we love in May 2022

  From chaotic bunnies on a boat to an unforgettable musical journey across the seas, here are a few of our favourite new books this May!

• Books we love in May 2023

  Just a selection of books we love in May 2023!

• Books We Love in November 2022

  A collection of our favourite books from November 2022

• Books we love in November 2023

  A selection of books we love this November 

• Books we love in October 2022

  A selection of our favourite new books from October!

• Books we love in October 2023

  A collection of books we adore this October.

• Books we love in September 2022

  A collection of books we think children will love this month!

• Books We Love in September 2023

  A selection of books we love from September 2023

• Books with positive images of disability: See the best of the year

  Here are the children's books in 2022 that BookTrust think show positive images of disability, as well as titles that may prove useful in discussing disability and inclusive issues with young readers.

• Books with positive images of disability: See the best of the year

  Here are twelve children's books that are useful for discussing disability and inclusive issues with young readers, which we highlighted in our Bookmark section in 2023.

• Brilliant bee books

  We've put together a list of books about brilliant bees, from funny tales to fascinating facts, to help children find out all about these amazing creatures...

• Brilliant books to read to primary school children

  Reading books to children has lots of amazing benefits - even when they're learning to read (or can read) themselves. We think you'll love sharing these great titles.

• Casual inclusion of disabled characters

  This list comprises books which include disabled characters within their images and/or story naturally, subtly and often without comment.

• Discover the books included in Bookbuzz 2022

  Find out which books are included in Bookbuzz 2022 - each registered student will be able to choose one of these great titles to take home and keep.

• Go bananas for these books

  Kids love bananas, so we've put together some brilliant books featuring this fantastic fruit.

• New books we love in February 2022

  Explore our pick of the best children's books in February 2022 – from thrilling escape rooms to the surprising adventures of a crisp packet, there's something for every reader to enjoy!

• New books we love in January 2022

  Explore our pick of the best children's books in January 2022 – whether it's a scary update on Rumpelstiltskin or a wintry adventure or a guide to journalism and deciphering "fake news". 

• Our favourite books about Black History for older children (9-12)

  Check out our favourite books about Black History for older children, from 9-12. Exciting, engaging and truly interesting, these books are perfect for curious children.

  Also check out our list for 4-8 year olds and our list for teens

   

• Our favourite books about Black History for teenagers

  Check out our favourite books about Black History for teenagers. Thrilling, moving and absolutely fascinating, these books are sure to both inform and inspire your teenager.

  Also check out our list for 4-8 year olds and for 9-12 year olds.

• Our favourite books about Black History for younger children (4-8)

  Check out our favourite books about Black History for younger children. Warm, truly interesting and pitched appropriately for the age group, these books are perfect for curious children.

  Also check out our list for 9-12 year olds and our list for teens.

• Our Favourite books for teens

  Read our list of outstanding teenage books that either won or were shortlisted for the BookTrust Teenage Prize during it's running from 2003-10. With fantasy, crime, horror and coming-of-age there is definitely something here for a book loving teen.

• Ten books made into films

  It's notoriously difficult to get it right when adapting books onto the screen. Here are some of our favourites.