Fun books for storytime
Did you know that durian is one of the smelliest fruits in the world? Or that carrots contain a chemical that can improve your eyesight? Young readers can learn about these and so much more in this bright and engaging book. Carolyn Suzuki’s stunning introduction to edible plants will help children enjoy and appreciate the food they eat.
With puzzles to complete, games to play, pictures to colour in and hundreds of stickers to play with, this activity book is a brilliant way to introduce your child to the UK’s capital city. They’ll love uncovering fascinating facts and historical events as they journey through London’s iconic landmarks and explore the city’s past. The bright, colourful illustrations and easy-to-digest text make this a wonderful book for children – and adult readers might just learn something new too…
Bedtime stories
It’s not all about sparkly jewels and banquets when it comes to being a king or queen. Learn about the battles some legendary and mythical rulers have faced to fight off rebels and dark forces and keep their kingdoms safe. Readers will be whisked away to foreign worlds with these six new tales about some fascinating characters. This colourful treasury also includes a special introduction from Game of Thrones actress Gemma Whelan .
Mabel will not let her size stop her. She has big plans and no one can get in her way. Climbing a mountain is no small feat for a fly but Mabel knows she can do it, despite what her friends might say. Mabel’s drive and determination will inspire anyone who needs a little confidence boost.
This delightful treasury features eight classic fairy tales sensitively retold for young, modern readers. With its adventure-loving heroes and heroines, magical creatures and immediately recognisable characters, this beautifully illustrated hardback makes a great gift, full of old favourites as well as some traditional stories that may be less familiar. Includes Jack and the Beanstalk, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Gingerbread Man, The Three Little Pigs, Sly Fox and Red Hen, Town Mouse and Country Mouse, The Pied Piper of Hamelin and The Three Billy Goats Gruff .
Much-loved children’s author Jacqueline Wilson introduces this colourful collection of tales from around the world. Girls and boys alike will love these illustrated stories full of adventure and courage, which all have one particular thing in common: a spirited heroine who never gives up. The tales featured are Gretel and Hansel, Tamasha and the Troll , Tokoyo and the Sea Serpent, Chandra and the Elephants, Sea Girl and the Golden Key and The Snow Queen .
Gift books for little readers
In M is for Mindfulness Carolyn Suzuki introduces children to the importance of being aware of your body and its sensations. Young readers are encouraged to pay attention to how they breathe and to understand their emotions and how they can change in this timely book.
This new edition of What to Look for in Spring will show readers there is plenty to get excited about after the long winter months. Watch the natural world wake up with buds, blossoms and butterflies appearing. The fields around us will be full of frolicking lambs and boxing hares. Learn the secrets of the season and share your new knowledge with your friends and family. What’s the best part of Spring? That it returns year after year after year! Learn about the other seasons in the rest of the series .
Take a journey around the UK with this bumper hardback. Explore the countries of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and uncover local legends, historical facts and maybe even a few national secrets. From silly place names to delicious delicacies to native wildlife, this non-fiction book is full of information about the country we live in – a great book to dip in and out of, especially for children keen to learn more about the world around them.
The incredibly lifelike illustrations in this wonderful hardback book were created by natural history enthusiast Ben Rothery, and the attention to detail is awe-inspiring. Detailed descriptions and facts accompany every illustration, introducing readers to the lives and habitats of a variety of animals and birds from around the world. Perfect for reading together or independently, this would make a wonderful gift for any animal-loving child.
Science books for knowledge seekers
Six-year-olds learning about the realities of the world will love the no-nonsense approach of this brightly-coloured non-fiction book. The Museum of Dead Things might not sound like a barrel of laughs, but it definitely is. From fierce dinosaurs to Ancient Egyptians to exploding stars, young readers will discover a lot of amazing facts about a lot of fascinating topics, all introduced by some very funny Museum of Dead Things experts.
Fire up their imaginations with this intergalactic audiobook, part of the Ladybird Audio Adventures series . Created to inspire children as they learn about the wider world, in this out-of-this-world quest, explorer Otto and his clever raven Missy take listeners on an exciting fact-finding journey through space – an adventure any young would-be astronaut will love.
This audiobook brings the sounds of the animal kingdom to roaring life, as inventor Cassandra and Missy the raven explore the natural habitats of animals. The enticing sound effects and musical interludes help young listeners immerse themselves in the story, and with an array of fascinating facts to uncover this is an audiobook they will want to return to again and again. Perfect as pre-bedtime listening material or for entertaining children on a long journey, audiobooks are also a great alternative to screen time.
Have fun with words with these books
Introduce your six-year-old to the wonderful world of poetry with this vibrant and diverse selection of rhymes and writings. Featuring established poets, hip-hop artists and spoken word performers, each poem in this beautifully illustrated book is as powerful whether it is shared out loud or read alone. An accompanying CD showcases performances from some of the poets included and, with subjects ranging from rockets to mermaids, there’s something for every young word-lover in this eclectic and inspiring collection.
Your child will love discovering how delightful language can be through the pages of this funny and charming book of homonyms – in other words, words that sound the same. From bare bears to yakking yaks, children who are learning about the various intricacies of the English language will find plenty to entertain them, while the contemporary illustrations and hilarious wordplay help make language learning enjoyable and memorable.
Books to get them solving sums
In this First Sums book, Topsy and Tim work their way through a range of simple maths activities, all designed to support Key Stage 1 and early learning. Number bonds from one to ten are introduced in the same way that they are in school, and the simple sums help reinforce first adding and subtracting skills. The wipe-clean pages make this a great book to explore together, as you can help your child understand the maths concepts, fill in their answers and wipe any previous workings away.
Books to help practice handwriting
The colourful pages of this easy-to-use activity book are great for encouraging even the most reluctant writer to practise writing the alphabet. Long-established favourites Topsy and Tim are on hand to offer help and guidance, and the wipe-clean pages mean mistakes are no problem. Each letter is shown alongside an accompanying illustration, with directional arrows to demonstrate how the pen should be held. Children can then be encouraged to draw over the two rows of dotted lines with their own special pen.
