This is the first volume in a quirky and stylish new graphic novel series. Miss Cat has the air of a noir detective, and there is a little bit of menace in the story. Adults reading for children will enjoy various references, but most of all this is an excellent chapter book for kids who have recently learnt to read by themselves. The second volume is Miss Cat: The Gnome's Nightmare
Ages 6-9
Read expert recommendations
Mike Unwin, Jenni Desmond (illustrator)
This is an informative book with gorgeous illustrations by the award-winning team behind Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys
Ages 6-10
Read expert recommendations
Lots of silly humour in this fun chapter book, richly illustrated by an award-winning artist. The Pinchers are a crime family who have a bit of a problem with their son Theo. Not only is he incapable of lying or stealing, he even wants to be a policeman when he grows up! This book is an excellent springboard for a chat with kids about lying, stealing and family loyalty, but mainly it’s just good entertainment for newly confident readers. The first in a series.
Ages 7-10
Read expert recommendations
Maggie O'Farrell, Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (illustrator)
This is the story of two sisters, Min and Bea. Bea is very tidy, and a bit of a worrier. Min is wilder, and very chatty. That is, until one day when – in the middle of a sentence – she suddenly can’t speak. The sisters set out to discover what has happened to Min’s voice, and Min comes to realise that she has to make her peace with her stammer. A beautiful book based on the multi-award-winning author’s own experience of living with a stammer.
Ages 5-8
Read expert recommendations
The artwork in this picture book is amazing. Anya lives in a fragile paper village threatened by unseasonal winds. Determined to understand the cause of the strange weather, she builds a bridge to the sturdier cardboard village on the neighbouring mountain. To illustrate this delicate world, the artist has used pencil and watercolour on paper and cardboard, cut and arranged into scenes. The visual detail and depth will appeal to readers of any age, whilst the story provides an excellent springboard for explaining to children about climate change.
Ages 4-7
Read expert recommendations
This is the third hilarious book featuring Lin, aka Bad Panda. In this story, a documentary crew has come to film life in the zoo, then decide to bring in animal actors instead as they find the zoo animals boring. Lin and her friends are affronted, and she is determined to be on camera to send a message to her brother back at the panda sanctuary. A delightfully silly chapter book series by an award-winning author, perfect for kids starting to read by themselves.
Ages 6-9
Read expert recommendations
This is a humorous collaboration between bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson and graphic novel author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi. The total disconnect between text and illustration gives kids a great perspective on using your imagination and the different ways of telling a story. Together, the deliberately dry text and the lively Hayao Miyazaki-inspired illustrations are a lot of fun.
Ages 4-8
Read expert recommendations
Kate DiCamillo, Carmen Mok (illustrator)
This is a simple chapter book for early readers by a Newbery medal-winning author, richly illustrated by an award-winning artist. Orris is a rat who, despite the risk of being eaten, decides to rescue the young owl Timble from a trap. Themes of friendship and storytelling.
Ages 5-8
Read expert recommendations
Mikołaj Pa, Gosia Herba (illustrator), translated by Scotia Gilroy
In this whimsical picture book readers get a tour through the house at number 5 Bubblegum Street. We meet the residents and encounter some unexpected things including a recipe and a dance routine. The lively and colourful illustrations contain plenty of detail to look at and talk about. A delightful treat by an author-illustrator team from Wroclaw, Poland.
Ages 4-7
Read expert recommendations
The kingdom of fungi is just as important as flora and fauna but much less known, so this introduction for children to mushrooms is very welcome. It contains two stories in parallel. On the one hand it’s a scientific picture book teaching us about the importance of mushrooms in ecosystems. On the other, there are lessons we can learn from mushrooms, such as taking care of our neighbourhood and of ourselves, coping with challenges and staying connected. The eye-catching illustrations in vibrant colour are by an award-winning artist.
Ages 4-8
Read expert recommendations
🏆 2024 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for outstanding children’s book translated into English
Subtitled A Dragon's Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books, and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore , this is an intriguing book that invites readers to explore some unique houses and their contents, and to meet the inhabitants. From an abandoned subway to a lighthouse, from a dragon tamer’s post office to the hideout of a timid ogre, each place can be a source of inspiration for readers to spin their own stories. By an illustrator with a background in anime and video game art, this book will appeal across quite a wide age range.
Read expert recommendations
Five Books aims to keep its book recommendations and interviews up to date. If you are the interviewee and would like to update your choice of books (or even just what you say about them) please email us at [email protected]
Five Books interviews are expensive to produce. If you've enjoyed this interview, please support us by donating a small amount .
