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Best Books for Kids » Page 11

Best Books for Kids

recommended by librarians, teachers, authors and kids

Last updated: October 29, 2026

    Playful Books for Children, recommended by Jon Burgerman

  • Read
    Playful Books for Children - Along the Lines: Selected Drawings of Saul Steinberg by Chris Ware

    1

    Along the Lines: Selected Drawings of Saul Steinberg
    by Chris Ware

  • Read
    Playful Books for Children - Oh The Thinks You Can Think by Dr Seuss

    2

    Oh The Thinks You Can Think
    by Dr Seuss

  • Read
    Playful Books for Children - Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis

    3

    Du Iz Tak?
    by Carson Ellis

  • Read
    Playful Books for Children - Look! Another Book! by Bob Staake

    4

    Look! Another Book!
    by Bob Staake

  • Read
    Playful Books for Children - Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

    5

    Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
    by Richard Scarry

  • Whatever your age, play is how we test ideas, define rules and see if they hold. New York-based artist and author Jon Burgerman talks to Five Books about his favourite titles that encourage kids to have fun and be playful, without worry or fear of failure, and simply enjoy the limitless possibilities of imagination.

  • Playful Books for Children - Along the Lines: Selected Drawings of Saul Steinberg by Chris Ware
  • Playful Books for Children - Oh The Thinks You Can Think by Dr Seuss
  • Playful Books for Children - Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
  • Playful Books for Children - Look! Another Book! by Bob Staake
  • Playful Books for Children - Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

Playful Books for Children, recommended by Jon Burgerman

Whatever your age, play is how we test ideas, define rules and see if they hold. New York-based artist and author Jon Burgerman talks to Five Books about his favourite titles that encourage kids to have fun and be playful, without worry or fear of failure, and simply enjoy the limitless possibilities of imagination.

Playful Books for Children, recommended by Jon Burgerman

    Funny Books for Kids, recommended by Elys Dolan

  • Read
    Funny Books for Kids - Happy Magic Forest: Slug of Doom by Matty Long

    1

    Happy Magic Forest: Slug of Doom
    by Matty Long

  • Read
    Funny Books for Kids - The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

    2

    The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
    by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

  • Read
    Funny Books for Kids - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

    3

    Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
    by Mo Willems

  • Read
    Funny Books for Kids - This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

    4

    This Is Not My Hat
    by Jon Klassen

  • Read
    Funny Books for Kids - Father Christmas Goes on Holiday by Raymond Briggs

    5

    Father Christmas Goes on Holiday
    by Raymond Briggs

  • Elys Dolan, author of Mr Bunny's Chocolate Factory and rising star of the picture book world, on the funniest illustrated books for reading at bedtime—and why children's characters needn't always set good moral examples.

  • Funny Books for Kids - Happy Magic Forest: Slug of Doom by Matty Long
  • Funny Books for Kids - The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
  • Funny Books for Kids - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
  • Funny Books for Kids - This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
  • Funny Books for Kids - Father Christmas Goes on Holiday by Raymond Briggs

Funny Books for Kids, recommended by Elys Dolan

Elys Dolan, author of Mr Bunny’s Chocolate Factory and rising star of the picture book world, on the funniest illustrated books for reading at bedtime—and why children’s characters needn’t always set good moral examples.

Funny Books for Kids, recommended by Elys Dolan

    Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids

  • Read
    Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - How Your Body Works by Judy Hindley and Christopher Rawson

    1

    How Your Body Works
    by Judy Hindley and Christopher Rawson

  • Read
    Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - Dinosaur by David Norman

    2

    Dinosaur
    by David Norman

  • Read
    Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - The Boy’s Playbook of Science by John Henry Pepper

    3

    The Boy’s Playbook of Science
    by John Henry Pepper

  • Read
    Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest by Russell Stannard

    4

    Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest
    by Russell Stannard

  • Read
    Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - How to Turn Your Parents Green by James Russell

    5

    How to Turn Your Parents Green
    by James Russell

  • Children learn in many different ways and the best science books for young people reflect that, says science writer Alice Bell. She recommends some of her favourite science books for kids.

  • Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - How Your Body Works by Judy Hindley and Christopher Rawson
  • Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - Dinosaur by David Norman
  • Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - The Boy’s Playbook of Science by John Henry Pepper
  • Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - Uncle Albert and the Quantum Quest by Russell Stannard
  • Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids - How to Turn Your Parents Green by James Russell

Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids

Children learn in many different ways and the best science books for young people reflect that, says science writer Alice Bell. She recommends some of her favourite science books for kids.

Alice Bell recommends her Favourite Science Books for Kids

    Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader, recommended by Robert Muchamore

  • Read
    Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - Acceleration by Graham McNamee

    1

    Acceleration
    by Graham McNamee

  • Read
    Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

    2

    The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
    by Mark Haddon

  • Read
    Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

    3

    Noughts and Crosses
    by Malorie Blackman

  • Read
    Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

    4

    The Hunger Games
    by Suzanne Collins

  • Read
    Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - The Knife that Killed Me by Anthony McGowan

    5

    The Knife that Killed Me
    by Anthony McGowan

  • Robert Muchamore, bestselling kids’ author, names five titles he thinks will appeal to his "core audience"—“boys of a certain age who’ve grown beyond the Harry Potter thing”.

  • Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - Acceleration by Graham McNamee
  • Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
  • Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
  • Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader - The Knife that Killed Me by Anthony McGowan

Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader, recommended by Robert Muchamore

Robert Muchamore, bestselling kids’ author, names five titles he thinks will appeal to his “core audience”—“boys of a certain age who’ve grown beyond the Harry Potter thing”.

Books for the Reluctant 12-Year-Old Reader, recommended by Robert Muchamore

    The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids, recommended by Sarah Franklin

  • Read
    The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

    1

    Danny Champion of the World
    by Roald Dahl

  • Read
    The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian

    2

    Goodnight Mister Tom
    by Michelle Magorian

  • Read
    The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Puddles in the Lane by Alan Parker

    3

    Puddles in the Lane
    by Alan Parker

  • Read
    The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Middle of the Sandwich by Tim Kennemore

    4

    Middle of the Sandwich
    by Tim Kennemore

  • Read
    The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Flambards by K M Peyton

    5

    Flambards
    by K M Peyton

  • Children often feel that, for one reason or another, they don't quite fit in. Fortunately, there are many books exploring that very theme. Author Sarah Franklin introduces five wonderful books about 'outsiders.'

  • The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
  • The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
  • The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Puddles in the Lane by Alan Parker
  • The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Middle of the Sandwich by Tim Kennemore
  • The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids - Flambards by K M Peyton

The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids, recommended by Sarah Franklin

Children often feel that, for one reason or another, they don’t quite fit in. Fortunately, there are many books exploring that very theme. Author Sarah Franklin introduces five wonderful books about ‘outsiders.’

The Best Books about Outsiders for Kids, recommended by Sarah Franklin

    The Best Picture Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves

  • Read
    The Best Picture Books of 2017 - The Lost Words Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris (illustrator)

    1

    The Lost Words
    Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris (illustrator)

  • Read
    The Best Picture Books of 2017 - Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

    2

    Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
    by Oliver Jeffers

  • Read
    The Best Picture Books of 2017 - Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton

    3

    Goodnight Everyone
    by Chris Haughton

  • Read
    The Best Picture Books of 2017 - The Lumberjack's Beard by Duncan Beedie

    4

    The Lumberjack's Beard
    by Duncan Beedie

  • Read
    The Best Picture Books of 2017 - One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell

    5

    One Christmas Wish
    by Katherine Rundell

  • Looking for a lovely set of books to give to a child who is just learning to read? Five Books children's editor, Zoe Greaves, picks five of the best published this year.

  • The Best Picture Books of 2017 - The Lost Words Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris (illustrator)
  • The Best Picture Books of 2017 - Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
  • The Best Picture Books of 2017 - Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton
  • The Best Picture Books of 2017 - The Lumberjack's Beard by Duncan Beedie
  • The Best Picture Books of 2017 - One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell

The Best Picture Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves

Looking for a lovely set of books to give to a child who is just learning to read? Five Books children’s editor, Zoe Greaves, picks five of the best published this year.

The Best Picture Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves

    The Best Tween Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves

  • Read
    The Best Tween Books of 2017 - Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo

    1

    Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
    by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo

  • Read
    The Best Tween Books of 2017 - The Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop

    2

    The Bookshop Girl
    by Sylvia Bishop

  • Read
    The Best Tween Books of 2017 - The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

    3

    The Island at the End of Everything
    by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

  • Read
    The Best Tween Books of 2017 - Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone (Editor)

    4

    Winter Magic
    by Abi Elphinstone (Editor)

  • Read
    The Best Tween Books of 2017 - Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans

    5

    Wed Wabbit
    by Lissa Evans

  • It's a golden age for books for 8-12 year old children—aka 'Tweens.' Our children's editor, Zoe Greaves, picks some of the year's best.

  • The Best Tween Books of 2017 - Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
  • The Best Tween Books of 2017 - The Bookshop Girl by Sylvia Bishop
  • The Best Tween Books of 2017 - The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
  • The Best Tween Books of 2017 - Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone (Editor)
  • The Best Tween Books of 2017 - Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans

The Best Tween Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves

It’s a golden age for books for 8-12 year old children—aka ‘Tweens.’ Our children’s editor, Zoe Greaves, picks some of the year’s best.

The Best Tween Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves

    The Best Nature Books for Kids, recommended by M G Leonard

  • Read
    The Best Nature Books for Kids - My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

    1

    My Family and Other Animals
    by Gerald Durrell

  • Read
    The Best Nature Books for Kids - Watership Down by Richard Adams

    2

    Watership Down
    by Richard Adams

  • Read
    The Best Nature Books for Kids - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    3

    The Secret Garden
    by Frances Hodgson Burnett

  • Read
    The Best Nature Books for Kids - The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann

    4

    The Animals of Farthing Wood
    by Colin Dann

  • Read
    The Best Nature Books for Kids - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

    5

    The Wind in the Willows
    by Kenneth Grahame

  • Author M G Leonard talks about the importance of getting our children engaged with the natural world. She recommends her favourite nature books for kids.

  • The Best Nature Books for Kids - My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
  • The Best Nature Books for Kids - Watership Down by Richard Adams
  • The Best Nature Books for Kids - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • The Best Nature Books for Kids - The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann
  • The Best Nature Books for Kids - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Best Nature Books for Kids, recommended by M G Leonard

Author M G Leonard talks about the importance of getting our children engaged with the natural world. She recommends her favourite nature books for kids.

The Best Nature Books for Kids, recommended by M G Leonard

    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds, recommended by Alex (age 10)

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: USA by Terry Deary

    1

    Horrible Histories: USA
    by Terry Deary

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire by Terry Deary

    2

    Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire
    by Terry Deary

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: Desert Danger by Jim Eldridge

    3

    My Story: Desert Danger
    by Jim Eldridge

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: The Trenches by Jim Eldridge

    4

    My Story: The Trenches
    by Jim Eldridge

  • Read
    The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: U-Boat Hunter by Bryan Perrett

    5

    My Story: U-Boat Hunter
    by Bryan Perrett

  • Are you trying to get your son or daughter into reading more history? Here Alex, a 10-year old boy living in Oxfordshire in the UK, shares some of his favourites.

  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: USA by Terry Deary
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire by Terry Deary
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: Desert Danger by Jim Eldridge
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: The Trenches by Jim Eldridge
  • The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds - My Story: U-Boat Hunter by Bryan Perrett

The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds, recommended by Alex (age 10)

Are you trying to get your son or daughter into reading more history? Here Alex, a 10-year old boy living in Oxfordshire in the UK, shares some of his favourites.

The Best History Books for 8-10 year olds, recommended by Alex (age 10)

    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books

  • Read
    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde

    1

    The Happy Prince
    by Oscar Wilde

  • Read
    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Elephant's Child (from the Just So Stories) by Rudyard Kipling

    2

    The Elephant's Child (from the Just So Stories)
    by Rudyard Kipling

  • Read
    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear

    3

    The Book of Nonsense
    by Edward Lear

  • Read
    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

    4

    Treasure Island
    by Robert Louis Stevenson

  • Read
    Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

    5

    The Red Badge of Courage
    by Stephen Crane

  • The best-selling children's author, Michael Morpurgo, says books for children need to do more than amuse their readers. He picks his own favourite books written for young people.

  • Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde
  • Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Elephant's Child (from the Just So Stories) by Rudyard Kipling
  • Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear
  • Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books - The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books

The best-selling children’s author, Michael Morpurgo, says books for children need to do more than amuse their readers. He picks his own favourite books written for young people.

Michael Morpurgo recommends his Favourite Children’s Books
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