With only one in three children saying they enjoy reading for pleasure (36.1%, according to new National Literacy Trust research), finding the right book has never felt more important.
A brilliant story can open the door to new worlds, spark imagination and help children discover the joy of reading on their own terms. Whether they’re already bookworms or need encouragement, our pick of the best children’s books is packed with page-turners to tempt every young reader.
To help us select them, we went straight to the experts and asked a panel of children of all ages to read and rate more than 40 books – fiction and non-fiction – to find their favourites.
4 years and under
Is This A Plum? by Dan and Finn Ojari (Puffin)
Our smallest reviewers loved this rhyming story with interactive peekaboo holes. ‘This book is so funny and engaging.
'My daughter memorised the whole thing and then “read” it back to her brother,’ said the parent of one of our panel.
Biguana (And His Best Friend Pinto) by Michael Parkin (Flying Eye Books)
This picture book about friendship and jealousy was loved by the three-plus age group.
‘This is a story with both visual appeal and heart,’ was the view of the parents.
Biguana: and his best friend Pinto by Michael Pinto
Biguana: and his best friend Pinto by Michael Pinto
The Biggest Cat In The Book by Ben Lerwill and Mark Chambers (illustrator) (DK)
This adorable picture book is ideal for pre-readers.
‘My two-year-old quickly understood what was coming and would say, “It’s not the biggest cat in the book.” Really cute,’ said one parent.
The Biggest Cat in the Book by Ben Lerwill and Mark Chambers
The Biggest Cat in the Book by Ben Lerwill and Mark Chambers
The Lost Robot by Joe Todd-Stanton (Flying Eye Books)
This beautiful picture book tells the story of Mio the robot and was loved by parents as well as children. ‘A sweet book with a good message about looking after your things,’ said one mum.
5-7 year olds
Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell (Macmillan Children’s Books)
Tiny Hercules, the world’s smallest hero, is the star of this hilarious graphic novel, which was particularly popular with boys.
‘A funny book with lots of action – I loved it,’ said one panellist.
Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell
The Fact-Finders Rainforest (DK)
This fact-packed picture book brings the world’s rainforests vividly to life. ‘This book is perfect for children who like nature. The jokes were making me laugh out loud,’ commented one young reviewer.
The Fact-Finders Rainforest: Walk Through the Magical Rainforests!
The Fact-Finders Rainforest: Walk Through the Magical Rainforests!
Good Housekeeping UK
Ivy And Bearlock Holmes: The Mystery Of The Dinosaur Fossil by Kristyna Litten (Magic Cat)
Ivy and her grandpa Bearlock have to track down a missing dinosaur fossil in this fun book with puzzles throughout. ‘I loved hunting for clues and solving the puzzles,’ said one reader.
The Mystery of the Dinosaur Fossil (Ivy and Bearlock 2) by Kristyna Litten
The Mystery of the Dinosaur Fossil (Ivy and Bearlock 2) by Kristyna Litten
A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and Elin Manon (illustrator) (Magic Cat)
This stunning book about the way water connects us will appeal to all. ‘This inspired my young nature lover’s imagination. She thought the artwork was “beautiful”,’ said one parent.
A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer and Elin Manon (illustrator)
8-10 year olds
Quill And The Last Generation by CM Lewis (Macmillan Children’s Books)
There are dragons, fighting and friendship in this adventure story about a young boy who’s thrust into the role of hero. ‘I would definitely read more in this series,’ said one reviewer.
Quill and the Last Generation by C. M. Lewis
The Animal Detectives: Solve Nature’s Wildest Mysteries by Moira Butterfield and Merle Goll (illustrator) (Buster Books)
This fact-filled book investigates the biggest baddies of the animal world.
‘Great for children who love animals,’ was the verdict of parents.
The Animal Detectives: Solve Nature’s Wildest Mysteries
The Animal Detectives: Solve Nature’s Wildest Mysteries
The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin (Walker Books)
Jacq is destined to hunt giants to protect her city in this story about unlikely friendships. ‘I loved that the main character was a girl who had lots of adventures,’ commented one panellist.
The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin
The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin
11-13 year olds
Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell (Bloomsbury)
The sequel to the bestselling Impossible Creatures sees Christopher Forrester return to the Archipelago, a cluster of islands where creatures of myth still live. ‘I couldn’t stop reading!’ said one reviewer.
The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke, Tammi Hartung and Melissa Castrillón (illustrator) (DK)
In this mystery, Caspia’s summer in a new city is transformed when she discovers a bundle of riddle-filled letters.
‘I like that the riddles were part of the story,’ said a panellist.
Death Before Detention by Alison Weatherby and Ellen Porteus (illustrator) (Macmillan Children’s Books)
This cosy boarding-school mystery is described as The Thursday Murder Club for kids. One of our older reviewers said: ‘This was so funny and clever – everyone was a suspect!’
The Death Before Detention by Alison Weatherby
