New children's books we love
Every month, we review dozens of books for children and teenagers. Here are the ones we like best in June: guaranteed to get your child reading...
Whether they're a teeny toddler or a very particular teen, this is where you can find your child's next amazing book: just scroll down to find books for a range of ages.
You can also keep track of the latest titles by looking at our past reading recommendations for:
May | April | March | February | January | December
We've sorted our favourite new books into rough age ranges, but this is just a guide and readers might find something they'll love in a different category.
Fancy writing a book review yourself? Read our handy guide and have a go!
Sophie the giraffe has been transformed into a very cute little illustration, courtesy of Vulli. She’s feeling hungry, which is great – as it’s time for lunch! Join her at the table for a delicious meal in this book specially made for little ones trying their first tastes.
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!
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.
Baa Baa Black Sheep: Sing Along With Me!
Baa Baa Black Sheep is part of the adorable Sing-Along board book series, which takes traditional songs and nursery rhymes and brings them to interactive life with sliders, tabs and QR codes to listen along online.
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.
The Music in Me uses music and rhythm as a metaphor for emotion, which could be a good way to start a conversation with a child about their feelings and even develop a way to communicate feelings between parent and child using playful sounds.
A heart-warming story about learning to love who you are, how you look, and where you come from despite others' opinions.
Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll
Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog are walking home through the forest. It’s getting late and it’s almost time for Little Hedgehog’s bedtime, but Little Hedgehog wants to stop along the way and watch the sun set, the moon rise, smell the wildflowers and visit the owls.
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An exceptionally beautiful book, filled with Ruth Brown’s stunning nature paintings, Eye Spy is an original take on the alphabet or learning letters type of book combined with the well-known I Spy game.
Bilal and Sofia, who are perhaps around three or four, are excited that Mum – Ammi – is going to have a new baby. Bilal plans to share all his favourite animals with the new baby, and Sofia says she is going to teach the baby how to make rockets.
The Drama Llama: A story about soothing anxiety
Written in clever rhyming verse, this fun picture book uses humour to tackle big feelings of worry and anxiety.
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Daddy Do My Hair: Beth’s Twists
Softly rhyming text and glowing, illustrations in this calm, gentle book celebrate an apparently insignificant domestic ritual, which means everything to this father and daughter as they make time for each other.
We Sang Across the Sea The Empire Windrush and Me
Written by multi award-winning poet Benjamin Zephaniah, this lyrical rhyming poem is told through the real-life experiences of the Trinidadian musician, Mona Baptiste, who boarded The Empire Windrush in the hopes of becoming a singer and making a better life for herself.
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Smile Out Loud: 25 Happy Poems
Joseph Coelho has written the brilliant poems in this book to help children spread happiness.
Lewis loves football, but his mum won't let him play. So what will happen when an Ace Academy coach spots him practising and recognises his talent?
Future Hero: Race to Fire Mountain
Inspired by African mythology, this fast-paced adventure combines magic and futuristic technology to create a compelling fantasy tale, which will leave readers desperate for the next instalment.
Woodland Magic: Fox Cub Rescue
Showing how small things can make a big difference, this is a charming story of friendship suffused with a sprinkling of woodland magic and an underlying message about respecting nature.
Kate on the Case: The Call of the Silver Wibbler
In the latest adventure from Hannah Peck, reporter-in-training Kate and her best friend Rupert, a very anxious mouse, find themselves on a jungle cruise journeying downriver. As their voyage takes them through the jungle, she hears tales of a legendary bird, unseen by human eyes – the mythical Silver Wibbler. This is the scoop Kate’s been waiting for!
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It’s the End of the World and I’m in my Bathing Suit
12 year old Eddie has hatched a foolproof plan. His mum has told him to take care of his own laundry for the summer – but he doesn’t have time to waste doing chores when the sun’s out, so he’s spent the entire holidays hiding his dirty clothes in the closet when he’s done with them instead.
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Inspired by true events, this poignant tale of children determined to protect animals during World War II is a joy to read.
A futuristic thriller set on the island of Trinidad that is unsettling from the start; a curious mix of cautionary tale, science fiction horror and a study of friendship and trust.
User-friendly infographics and interviews with experts and dinosaur devotees are mixed with a seemingly random selection of thoughts, facts, trivia and jokes to produce a fun-filled dino-handbook.
Three girls and one complex plan will change life in Silverthorne forever. Wild, inclusive and engrossing.
An inspirational teacher and a neighbour with a welcoming smile open up a world of new possibilities for Gina Filomena.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
Onyeka has always hated her hair so it’s ironic that it should turn out to be the source of a spectacular superpower.
This compelling fantasy adventure, the first in an epic series, is a gripping read. With imaginative characters and an exhilarating plot, readers are transported to a convincing world of fortified forests, spectacular treehouses and ferocious unicorns. Friendship, loyalty and teamwork are at the heart of this novel, which also sensitively explores topics of …
The story races along at a furious pace, and is packed full of laughs, hilarious antics and imaginative inventions. The short chapters are bursting with black-and-white illustrations, helping readers to visualise the many weird and wonderful gadgets which feature throughout the wacky tale.
Cat is moving with her family to a new town in Northern California where the colder, wetter climate will be better for her sister Maya’s cystic fibrosis. She’s not overjoyed about leaving her life and friends behind.
A refreshingly honest and very funny account of how one girl goes into battle with puberty but works out that a peace treaty is often the best way to resolve conflict. A super-readable format makes the story accessible to a wide range of reading abilities.
The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist
This sumptuously illustrated graphic novel tells the story of Tabetha Simon, a thirteen year old dreamer and doodler who lives with her Mum in a strange version of our world following the death of her Dad.
Join us for Pyjamarama fun this May
Want a fun way to get children excited about reading? Join Pyjamarama on Friday 13 May, when children can spend the day in their pyjamas, reading and sharing stories and raising money for BookTrust.
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