Books we love in August 2023

Word Museum

Author: Isabel Otter Illustrator: Sophie Ledesma
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 2-3

Take a tour of the museum with friendly Oriel the bird. With items to count, flaps to lift and words to repeat, this is a hugely engaging board book for little ones.

Get Real, Mallory!

Author: Daisy Hirst
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

When Nomi’s drawing of a dog comes alive, they have brilliant adventures! This story about imagination – and longing for a pet when you live in a flat in the city – is full of Hirst’s appealing child-style illustration and delightful language.

Nabil Steals a Penguin

Author: Nishani Reed Illustrator: Junissa Bianda
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+

Nabil gets more than he bargains for on a trip to the zoo. After introducing a charming penguin to his mum’s delicious biryani, the waddling creature decides to hitch a ride in Nabil’s rucksack in the hopes that he can try more scrumptious dishes. 

Dog Squad: The Newshound

Author: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Can Eva and her journalist friends find Wafer the puppy’s real home? The first book in a charming series about friendship and doing the right thing, brilliantly illustrated throughout.

Our Rights! Stories and Poems about Children’s Rights

Author: Various Editor: Jake Hope Illustrator: Ruthine Burton Chih-An Chen and Habiba Nabisubi
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

An important book highlighting the rights of the child in a diverse collection of brilliant stories and poems. Entertaining and thought-provoking, this will stimulate discussion and encourage empathy.

Meesh the Bad Demon

Author: Michelle Lam
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Meesh isn’t a typical demon – preferring flowers to lava, and being bullied for it. But when the other demons are turned to stone, it’s up to Meesh to find a way to save them. This first story in a fantasy graphic novel series is fun, fast-paced and full of peril.

Old Gods New Tricks

Author: Thiago de Moraes
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Can Trixie dos Santos trick five all-powerful gods into helping her save the world? Packed with characters from myths and legends from across the world, this is an action-packed, magical adventure. 

The Magician’s Daughter

Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: George Ermos
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Abby finds a book that will allow her and her magician dad to perform real magic! A miraculous story about the magic of community, family and friendship from an award-winning Welsh author.

Arkspire

Author: Jamie Littler
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Juniper Bell, relic thief and trickster, needs to pretend she has magic to avoid jail. If only the strange shadowy creature she’s suddenly found would be less grumpy and help her. Fun, fast-paced fantasy adventure.

Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism

Author: Yassmin Abdel-Magied Illustrator: Aleesha Nandhra
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Accessible, informative and insightful, this guide to recognising and speaking up about racism would be useful for stimulating discussions in schools.

The Ministry of Unladylike Activity

Author: Robin Stevens
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

With plenty of opportunities for readers to evaluate the evidence, collect clues and use their own powers of deduction, this is a gripping, historical crime thriller perfect for young murder mystery fans.

Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight

Author: Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí Illustrator: Simone Douglas
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+

An action-packed adventure exploring West African mythology and magic and featuring a reluctant and unlikely hero.

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.

The Wonder Brothers

Author: Frank Cottrell-Boyce Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

A funny, glitter-spangled, mystery thriller for anyone who likes a dose of danger with their magic.

Brilliant Black British History

Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Kingsley Nebechi
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

Encompassing British human history from the very first homo sapiens migrants (who were Black!), up to the present day, this beautiful book is informative, eye-opening and a must-have in a school library.

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.

Peanut, Butter and Crackers: Puppy Problems

Author: Paige Braddock
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Butter the cat and Crackers the dog are very happy, until their human comes home with a new puppy… A fun colour graphic novel, the first in a series, perfect for young readers and pet owners.

Roar

Author: Beth Mead with Matt Oldfield Illustrator: Mark Long
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Written by professional footballer, Beth Mead, this inspirational book is part autobiography, part motivational manual. It features a wealth of activities designed to inspire readers to achieve their dreams and is essential reading for anyone who is interested in sport.

Peanut, Butter and Crackers: Puppy Problems

Author: Paige Braddock
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Butter the cat and Crackers the dog are very happy, until their human comes home with a new puppy… A fun colour graphic novel, the first in a series, perfect for young readers and pet owners.

I Am Lenny Brown

Author: Dan Freedman Illustrator: Kajsa Hallström
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

An accessible story about how a boy who can’t speak finally finds his voice and realises that there is no such thing as ‘normal’. We are all one-of-a-kind and should not have to fit into the same boxes as other people.

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.

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.

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.

Counting in Green 10 Little Ways to Help Our Big Planet

Author: Hollis Kurman Illustrator: Barroux
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 2-3

A charming picture book suggesting ten practical ways to help the planet. A positive and simple introduction to the need for conservation for the very young.

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. 

Finn’s Little Fibs

Author: Tom Percival
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 4-5

When Finn tells a fib about breaking Grandma’s clock, it leads to more and more fibs. How can he tell the truth? Reassuring, kind and sensitive, this is a lovely book, beautifully illustrated.

Keep Smiling

Author: Floella Benjamin Illustrator: Diane Ewen
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 4-5

Vina loves sharing her smile with people, and when she starts school, she discovers that a smile given to her is the best gift of all. Bright and warm, this delightful book is perfect for the transition to school.

My first… Ready for School

Author: Kerri-Ann Hulme & Natalie Munday Illustrator: Becky Down
Publisher: Priddy Books
Interest age: 4-5

A large board book all about going to school, with tabs to pull and questions to ponder. Playful and friendly.

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.

This Rock is Mine

Author: Kaye Umansky Illustrator: Alice McKinley
Publisher: Alison Green Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4+

This is a fabulously funny picture book by the author of Ten Fat Sausages brimming full of Michelle Robinson’s trademark silly humour. So The Thunk is a beast, a bit like a skink, although more like a skunk on account of the stink, thought to be extinct but young explorer Hector Voltaire who’s had his fair share of other kids saying his head’s full of air, i…

The Thunk

Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Deborah Allwright
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4+

This is a fabulously funny picture book by the author of Ten Fat Sausages, brimming full of Michelle Robinson’s trademark silly humour. 

Standing on One Leg is Hard

Author: Erika McGann Illustrator: Clive McFarland
Publisher: O’Brien Press
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 6+

This heron chick is determined to stand on one leg, but what is the right way to do it? Much fun ensues as she tries again and again and again… A winning combination of simple, funny text and beautiful illustrations full of humour. Delightful.

Unicorn Not Wanted

Author: Fred Blunt
Publisher: Happy Yak
Interest age: 4-5

This is NOT a story about unicorns. Or pugs. It is set in the Wild West, with cowboys. But hang on a minute – who’s that? Toddlers will giggle away as a unicorn and pug desperately try to infiltrate this very silly picture book story.

I Just Ate My Friend

Author: Heidi McKinnon
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Interest age: 2-3

Uh-oh, this yellow monster has eaten his friend. Where will he find another friend? A fun and quick read for little ones that will have them roaring with laughter.

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.

The Girl Who Fell To Earth

Author: Patricia Forde
Publisher: Little Island
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A thought-provoking science fiction thriller that looks at Earth and humanity through alien eyes.