Books we love in November 2023

The Snow Girl

Author: Sophie Anderson Illustrator: Melissa Castrillón
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Tasha is delighted when her snow girl comes to life and wishes the winter could last forever, as she cannot bear the thought of losing her only friend. An enchanting story about courage and friendship, enhanced by magical illustrations. 

The Magic of Forests

Author: Vicky Woodgate
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Non-fiction book on everything to do with forest and woodlands. 

Zoom!

Author: Sam Usher
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

A heart-warming adventure tale, this picture book sees a young boy and his Grandad take to the skies to rescue the stranded astronauts spotted through their telescope. 

My Family Your Family

Author: Laura Henry-Allain Illustrator: Giovana Medeiros
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

An accessible, useful non-fiction guide to all types of families. 

A First Book of Dinosaurs

Author: Simon Mole Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 8+

This fun and inventive collection of thirty roar-some, illustrated poems celebrates the weird and wonderful world of dinosaurs. 

Foxlight

Author: Katya Balan Illustrator: Barry Falls
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Fantasy about sisters in a children’s home who go in search of their mother. 

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.

A World of Dogs

Author: Carlie Sorosiak Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

A fascinating non-fiction book that details everything on dogs!  

How to Chat Chicken

Author: Dr Nick Crumpton Illustrator: Adrienne Barman
Publisher: What on Earth Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

This fun, colourfully illustrated non-fiction book explores the ways in which different creatures communicate with one another. It will delight, entertain and inform in equal measure.

Best Friends Forever

Author: Lisa Williamson
Publisher: Guppy Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

This funny and touching coming-of-age story reflects the experiences of many youngsters making the transition to secondary school or experiencing changes in the family.

Have You Seen Dinosaur?

Author: David Barrow
Publisher: Gecko Press
Interest age: 4-5

A little boy, his dog and his friend Elephant decide to go looking for dinosaurs in a city that looks remarkably like New York. They try the museum, the underground train, the skate park, but the trio find it very hard to spot any at all! Finally, when they rest at the top of a rather comfy green hill, they realise what they’ve been overlooking.

Beneath

Author: Cori Doerrfeld
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 4-5

Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn’t want to talk about it – he’d rather hide under the bedcovers. But, Grandpa persuades Finn to come for a walk outside – Finn can even stay under the blanket and use it like a comforting, protective cloak.

Endangered Animals Atlas

Author: Tom Jackson Illustrator: Sam Caldwell
Publisher: words & pictures
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

This illustrated non-fiction book takes the reader on a journey of discovery around the globe, identifying animals who are under threat from dangers such as habitat loss, climate change and hunting. 

Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies

Author: Alison D Stegert
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+

Set in 1889, against a backdrop of increasing protest from women wanting more choices and of rapid technological change, this is a fun and fascinating tale of intrigue and sisterhood.

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…

Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters

Author: Ciannon Smart
Publisher: Piccadilly
Interest age: 12+

A complex and sinuous fantasy adventure set in a world of monsters where being bad isn’t just good, it’s compulsory.

Norah’s Ark

Author: Victoria Williamson
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Norah and Adam are from very different backgrounds but, united by their loneliness and love of animals, they form an unexpected friendship. This powerful, uplifting novel sensitively highlights some tough issues, including homelessness, addiction, illness and bullying.

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.

Size Wise

Author: Camilla de la Bedoyere Illustrator: Vasilisa Romanenko
Publisher: Buster Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

From the big to the small, size is important and can tell us a lot about the animals and plants that live on planet Earth. This fascinating book zooms in on size to reveal all kinds of interesting facts about why things are the size that they are, and to give young readers a sense of scale.

Ble Wyt Ti, Bwci Bo?/ Where are you, Bwci Bo?

Author: Joanna Davies Illustrator: Steven Goldstone
Publisher: Atebol
Interest age: 4-5

Where in the world are all the monsters? Join them in the ocean, the woods, and even in space! Rhyming fun in two languages, packing in plenty to pore over with toddlers.

The First Shadow Dragon

Author: Lee Newbery Illustrator: Laura Catalan
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

In this follow-up to The Last Firefox, a naturally timid boy is forced to find his inner strength in order to defeat the fearsome Draig which is destroying the lifeforce of Fargone, a magical but dangerous land.

All Bodies Are Wonderful

Author: Beth Cox Illustrator: Samantha Meredith
Publisher: b small
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

A non-fiction resource for discussing the amazing and unique human body.

Space Pirate Bears

Author: Alastair Chisholm Illustrator: Jez Tuya
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 7+

A funny and inventive picture book that celebrates the power of storytelling. One dreary day Dad tells Jamie and Abby a story about a band of intergalactic heroes - the Space Pirate Bears - who must defeat evil Doktor Drab and save the galaxy from dullness...

Baby’s First Stories

Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Jane Foster
Publisher: Templar Books
Interest age: 0-1

A charming board book for babies from birth to three months old. Great for encouraging the early bonding experiences between caregiver and baby that are so beneficial to babies’ early development.

Carrie and the Roller Boots

Author: Lisa Thompson Illustrator: Jess Rose
Publisher: Little Gems
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Carrie devises an elaborate roller-skating routine to perform at her school assembly, but she’s never roller-skated before and it’s much trickier than she thought. This delightful, illustrated chapter book about friendship and perseverance is ideal for dyslexic or reluctant readers. 

Scareground

Author: Angela Kecojevic
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

12 year old Nancy Crumpet loves nothing more than talking to the sky, going on adventures with her best friend Arthur, and eating the delicious cakes and pies that her adoptive parents make in their bakery. But despite her charmed life, Nancy's past is full of secrets she's desperate to unravel. Could the mysterious Scareground be hiding some answers?

A Whale of a Time: a funny poem for every day of the year

Author: Various selected by Lou Peacock Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

A treasure trove of funny poems encompassing many subjects and poets – one for every day of the year! A beautiful gift book.

My Grandma’s Magic Recipes - Stories and recipes for every season: Winter Warmth

Author: Ella Phillips Illustrator: Camilla Sucre
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Interest age: 4-5

Zee is excited to go to Grandma’s Christmas party, and when she gets to Grandma’s delicious-smelling house with Mummy, Daddy and her sister Ree, she goes looking for her. But, the party is busy, and Zee can’t find Grandma anywhere!

Discovery Atlas: Amazing inventors, explorers and artists from all around the globe

Author: Thiago de Moraes
Publisher: Alison Green Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

It might feel as though humans have lived on earth forever, but we are in fact a relatively new development in the earth’s history: modern humans have only been around for approximately 300,000 years, which isn’t very long at all, if you remember that our planet formed 4.55 billion years ago.

Mexikid: a Graphic Memoir

Author: Pedro Martin 
Publisher: Guppy Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+