Best Books for Kids
recommended by librarians, teachers, authors and kids
Last updated: November 19, 2024
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1
A Seed Is Sleepy
by Dianna Aston & Sylvia Long (illustrator) -
2
How Colour Works
by Catherine Barr & Yuliya Gwilym (illustrator) -
3
Bright in the Night
by Lena Sjöberg -
4
The Big Book of Bugs
by Yuval Zommer -
5
Creatures of the Deep: The Pop-Up Book
by Ernst Haeckel & Maike Biederstädt (paper engineer)
Beautiful Science Books for 4-8 Year Olds, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Beautiful Science Books for 4-8 Year Olds, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Scientific picture books provide an enjoyable way for kids to explore different fields of science without realising how much they are learning. Our Children’s Editor picks science books for kids age 4-8 that are informative but also a pleasure to look at, both for children and for the adults that are reading with them.
The Best Science Fiction Books for 8-12 Year Olds, recommended by Dan Smith
There needs to be a lot more sci-fi for kids, especially if it’s got a good dose of horror, argues Dan Smith, author of the sci-fi mystery series Crooked Oak. He recommends five works of science fiction for 8 to 12 year olds, from books written more than half a century ago to more recent jewels.
The best books on Third Culture Kids, recommended by Elizabeth Wein
At its core, every young adult book is about figuring out who you are and what your place in the world is, argues Elizabeth Wein, author of numerous books for children and young adults. She introduces the concept of ‘third culture kids’—children who are at home both everywhere and nowhere.
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1
Winning Chess Strategy (for Kids)
Jeff Coakley, Antoine Duff (illustrator) -
2
Steps Method chess workbooks
by Rob Brunia and Cor van Wijgerden -
3
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, Donn Mosenfelder -
4
Chess for Tigers
Simon Webb, Edward McLachlan (illustrator) -
5
The Chess Player's Bible
James Eade, Al Lawrence, Carol & John Woodcock (illustrators)
Best Chess Books for Beginners, recommended by Andrew Green
Best Chess Books for Beginners, recommended by Andrew Green
Chess is one of the most enduringly popular games in the world, transcending language barriers and teaching valuable life skills. Chess teacher and master Andrew Green recommends books (plus a few websites) to help beginners of all ages learn the game.
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1
Polonius the Pit Pony
Richard O'Neill, Feronia Parker Thomas (illustrator) -
2
The Lost Homework
Richard O'Neill, Kirsti Beautyman (illustrator) -
3
The Can Caravan
Richard O'Neill, Cindy Kang (illustrator) -
4
The Show Must Go On
Richard O'Neill, Michelle Russell, Mitch Miller (illustrator) -
5
A Different Kind of Freedom: A Romani Story
by Richard O'Neill
Traveller Books for Kids, recommended by Richard O'Neill
Traveller Books for Kids, recommended by Richard O'Neill
A storyteller from a nomadic Romani family, Richard O’Neill has been telling stories since he was a child. Here, he talks us through five books he’s written for kids. He emphasizes the importance for children of seeing themselves reflected in books, as well as the need for authentic writing about Gypsy and Traveller communities.
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1
Rebellion Against Heaven
Adapted by Chu Yi, illustrated by Wang Weizhi, translated by Liu Guangdi -
2
The Moose of Ewenki
by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, Jiu Er (illustrator) & translated by Helen Mixter -
3
An's Seed
Zaozao Wang, Li Huang (illustrator), translated by Helen Wang -
4
Express Delivery from Dinosaur World
Yanan Dong, translated by Helen Wang -
5
Grandma Lives in a Perfume Village
by Fang Suzhen, Sonja Danowski (illustrator) & translated by Huang Xiumin
The Best Chinese Picture Books, recommended by Our Children's Editor
The Best Chinese Picture Books, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Of the many children’s books published in Chinese, few make their way into translation. Here, our Children’s Editor picks five outstanding Chinese picture books that are available for readers around the world to enjoy in English.
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1
A Is for Oboe: The Orchestra's Alphabet
by Lera Auerbach, Marilyn Nelson, Paul Hoppe (illustrator) & Thomas Quasthoff (narrator) -
2
A Different Pond
by Bao Phi & Thi Bui (illustrator) -
3
The Last Mapmaker
by Christina Soontornvat & Sura Siu (narrator) -
4
What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix
Tasha Suri, narrated by Becca Hirani and Alex Williams -
5
All My Rage
Sabaa Tahir, narrated by Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan and Kausar Mohammed
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2022, recommended by Emily Connelly
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2022, recommended by Emily Connelly
As audiobooks for kids continue to grow in popularity, AudioFile’s Emily Connelly explains some of the reasons why, and talks us through her pick of the five best audiobooks for kids and teens of 2022.
Best Horror Novels for 9-12 Year Olds, recommended by Jennifer Killick
Adults sometimes worry that horror novels are too scary for children, but children’s author Jennifer Killick is a fan. Here she picks out five fantastic horror books for 9-12 year olds and explains that in addition to the sheer fun of reading a thriller, horror books can help kids develop courage and often appeal to reluctant readers.
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1
How Was That Built? The Stories Behind Awesome Structures
Roma Agrawal, Katie Hickey (illustrator) -
2
Microbe Wars: Humanity's Biggest Battles with the World's Smallest Life-Forms
by Gill Arbuthnott & Marianna Madriz (illustrator) -
3
Fourteen Wolves: A Rewilding Story
by Catherine Barr & Jenni Desmond (illustrator) -
4
Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories
by Kate Pankhurst -
5
If the World Were 100 People
Jackie McCann, Aaron Cushley (illustrator) -
6
Beetles for Breakfast and Other Weird and Wonderful Ways to Save the Planet
Madeleine Finlay, Jisu Choi (illustrator)
Best Science Books for Children: the 2022 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, recommended by Alan Wilson
Best Science Books for Children: the 2022 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, recommended by Alan Wilson
The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates books that stimulate children’s curiosity and enthusiasm to explore, innovate and debate. Alan Wilson, Chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the six outstanding science books for kids that made the 2022 shortlist.
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1
Philosophy: A Visual Encyclopedia
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2
Children's Book of Philosophy: An Introduction to the World's Great Thinkers and Their Big Ideas
Sarah Tomley & Marcus Weeks -
3
Big Thinkers and Big Ideas: An Introduction to Eastern and Western Philosophy for Kids
by Sharon Kaye & Tara Sunil Thomas (illustrator) -
4
Big Ideas for Young Thinkers: 20 Questions about Life and the Universe
Jamia Wilson & Andrea Pippins (illustrator) -
5
Think about It! Philosophy for Kids: Key Ideas Clearly Explained
Alex Woolf, Daniel O'Brien, Olivia Daisy Coles (illustrator)
The Best Philosophy Books for 8-13 Year Olds, recommended by Zara
The Best Philosophy Books for 8-13 Year Olds, recommended by Zara
Zara, age 12, is an avid reader of philosophy books. Here she shares her favourite picks, and gives adults some tips on selecting the best books to get kids interested in philosophy.