24 must-read books for 6-8-year-olds

Ambrose Follows His Nose by Dick King-Smith & Josie Rogers (2022)

Dick King-Smith takes the crown when it comes to writing uplifting animal stories, and this is an adorable newly discovered story that has been completed by his great-granddaughter Josie Rogers. Ambrose is a rabbit with an extraordinary talent. With one twitch of his nose, he can detect any smell, from sweets to kittens and even whiffy foxes! Biddy is desperate for Ambrose to be her pet, but her mum and dad have said no. Instead, she trains her fluffy friend to become a tracker rabbit. Ambrose’s sensitive nose ends up being even more important than ever when Biddy’s family find themselves in danger. Can Ambrose follow his nose and save the day?

Billy and the Giant Adventure by Jamie Oliver & Mónica Armiño (2023)

Chef and bestselling author Jamie Oliver certainly knows a recipe for success when he sees one and his first children’s book is no exception. Billy and his friends know they’re not allowed to go into Waterfall Woods but when they find a secret way in, they can’t resist a little peek. Soon the pals discover a magical world full of unusual creatures, including some sprites who need their help. And that’s just the start! With epic feasts and a giant rescue, this is an adventure young readers will devour!

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)

This stunning Puffin paperback celebrates the 80th anniversary of one of the most popular children’s stories in the world. Translated from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s original French tale, it follows a little prince who lives on a tiny planet with three volcanoes and a rose which needs his protection. When the prince visits six other planets he finds adult rulers who are narrow-minded and materialistic. In a critique of society, the author uses the little innocent prince to show that it is the simplest of things which can be the most important.

The Fossil Hunter by Kate Winter (2023)

Mary Anning may not have received the recognition she deserved when she was alive 200 years ago but we are going to celebrate how her discoveries changed our understanding of the history of the earth. Born in Lyme Regis in Dorset, Mary started fossil hunting from a young age and her findings helped modern palaeontologists piece together a picture of how dinosaurs lived and evolved. With stunning panoramic fold-out pages and beautiful illustrations by brand-new talent Kate Winter, this is a book dinosaur fans and young explorers will return to again and again.

Trixie Pickle Art Avenger: Toxic Takedown by Olaf Falafel (2023)

This is another laugh-out-loud tale about a girl who uses the power of art to investigate weird events in her neighbourhood. When a sickness bug spreads through Wormwood Town, Trixie Pickle is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. But she’s going to have to juggle this with everything else she has going on, like bringing down the local mean girls and making comics with her best friend Beeks. With inspiration from artists including Botticelli, Damien Hirst and Kehinde Wiley, will the Art Avenger manage to right the wrongs and complete her mission?

Weird Sea by Sophie Burrows (2023)

Dive deep beneath the waves in this incredible book that will teach you unbelievable things about our oceans. Yes, there are sharks, whales, and jellyfish but what about the ghost ships, zombie starfish and psychic sea serpents?! The sea is totally WEIRD! This beautiful book lets you in on some of the strangest secrets, myths, and facts about our magnificent oceans. Don’t forget to test your knowledge with our online quiz!

Princess Olivia Investigates: The Sea of Plastic  by Lucy Hawking & Zoe Persico (2023)

Now that Olivia Alez has relinquished her royal duties, she can concentrate on becoming a science investigator. When she visits her Uncle Cassander for a holiday, she soon realises that the oceans are in serious trouble – they’re full of rubbish! Where are the fish and other wonderful sea creatures? Luckily Captain Max and his parrot have turned up. Olivia and her best friend Ravi decide to board his ship to hunt for treasure and discover what’s really happening beneath the waves…

Flight by Mya-Rose Craig & Lynn Scurfiled (2023)

This book takes you on a birds-eye adventure with seven feathered friends who go on epic journeys every year. Did you know that an Arctic tern covers the distance from the Earth to the Moon and back THREE times in its lifetime? Or that swallows fly through Europe, across the Sahara Desert and all the way to the tip of South Africa? Learn about these incredible animals and so much more in this breathtaking book by Mya-Rose Craig aka Birdgirl that nature lovers won’t be able to put down!

Ace and the Animal Heroes: The Big Farm Rescue by JB Gill & Becka Moor (2023)

Ace and his grandparents’ lives are turned upside-down when a long-lost relative leaves a run-down farm in the countryside for him. But that’s not the only surprise. When Ace tries on some wellies at the farm, he discovers that he can speak to animals. And it’s a discovery that has come just at the right time. Evil Councillor Crabbington wants to bulldoze the farm. Can Ace, Ginger the Pig and some chatterbox hens defeat him and save their home?

I Am Lenny Brown by Dan Freedman & Kajsa Hallström (2023)

Lenny Brown is an eight-year-old boy who can’t talk – except to his mum and his dog Rocky. When he has to move house and change schools, he feels very nervous about whether he’ll be able to fit in. But Lenny soon learns that there’s more than one way to find your voice. And there’s a big surprise for everyone when they realise how amazing he really is.

Secret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street by Robin Birch & Jobe Anderson (2023)

This is the first book in a brand-new series about friendship and magic. Aisha and Jayden don’t really enjoy going outside. Aisha would rather be playing on her tablet or messaging her friends and Jayden always has his nose in a book. But when the pair are asked to join the Secret Beast Club a whole new world away from their homes opens up to them. Why have the friends been chosen to help this mysterious group which protects mythological creatures?

Leonora Bolt: Eco Engineer by Lucy Brandt & Gladys Jose (2023)

This is the third book in the Leonora Bolt: Secret Inventor series and once again Leonora’s amazing inventions are needed as she tries to defeat her evil Uncle Luther. This time Leonora needs to use her eco-engineering imagination to stop Luther’s latest plan to build an amusement park in the desert, under a ginormous snow globe. It could cause an environmental catastrophe!. Can Leonora and her friends find a way to shut down Luther’s Brightworld creation and rescue her scientist parents from the villain at the same time? 

The Wind In The Willows retold by Rashmi Sirdeshpande & Jojo Clinch (2022)

One of the most famous children’s stories of all time has been beautifully reimagined in this new picture book which aims to reach a new, younger audience. Follow the mischievous Toad of Toad Hall as he’s joined by his riverside friends Moly and Ratty for some adventures in the Wild Wood. Things get serious when Mr Toad is sent to prison, and his home is taken over by stoats and weasels. Will his furry friends be able to save the day?

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl & Quentin Blake (1961)

Is there a more famous fruit-based adventure than Roald Dahl’s wonderful story about James Henry Trotter who lives with his two mean aunts? Life for James isn’t much fun until a peach starts to grow… and grow… and grow at the bottom of his garden. When James inspects the fruit closely, he finds a tunnel inside it and decides to start exploring. What comes next is a fantastic adventure involving his new acquaintances' Centipede, Miss Spider, Old Green Grasshopper, Earthworm, Ladybug, Glowworm, and Silkworm.

The Green Planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe & Kim Smith (2022)

We’re surrounded by them but how much attention have you really paid to plants? This book takes you deep into the secret world of plants and will blow your mind. You’ll learn how our green friends use tricks to defeat their enemies and get animals to work for them. You’ll also discover more about the challenges they face and why it’s now more important than ever to protect the plant world. Published in collaboration with BBC Earth for the release of The Green Planet TV series with David Attenborough, this book will delight and inspire all generations.

The Greatest Show on Earth by Mini Grey (2022)

Stop by the Shoebox Theatre where the insect troupe will take you on a whirlwind tour of the history of Earth. You'll witness the very beginning (when Earth was covered in volcanoes) and the birth of bacteria, before journeying through the era of dinosaurs and the ice age, and finally, discover when humans first made an appearance. This beautifully illustrated picture book from Mini Grey is a great non-fiction pick for younger readers.

Stuff by Maddie Moate & Paul Boston (2021)

Have you ever wondered about all the stuff in the world? And where exactly it all comes from? In this mind-blowing compendium of facts, CBBC presenter Maddie Moate has sought out the stories behind all the stuff we use and see on a daily basis and what happens to it after we've finished using it. This brilliant book will help teach us all to be more conscious of what we use and how it can have an impact on the environment.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy (1974)

Popular with trainee witches and wizards all over the world, hold on to your broomsticks because this magical book is bound to cast a spell over you. Mildred Hubble, she’s the worst witch in question; she’s a trainee at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches and she’s, well… the worst. She gets spells wrong and she’s constantly crashing broomsticks. But things go from bad to WORSE when Mildred turns Ethel – the teacher’s pet – into her worst enemy.

Wild Cities by Ben Lerwill & Harriet Hobday (2020)

When we think of cities, we think of traffic, towering skyscrapers, and lots of people. But humans are not the only ones who make urban areas their homes. As cities grow larger, so does their number of animal residents. This gorgeous picture book explores the wildest metropolises on our planet and reveals their animal city dwellers. From the harbour seals of London to the flying foxes of Sydney, next time you find yourself in an asphalt jungle, watch out for the wildlife.

Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson (1946)

If you haven’t already met legendary Finnish author Tove Jansson’s Moomins, allow us to introduce you. There’s Moomintroll, Moominpappa, Moominmamma, Snufkin, Sniff, Snork Maiden, the Muskrat, as well as a great many other weird and wonderful characters. In this story, there are rumours that a comet is on a collision course with Earth. Moomintroll and Sniff head towards the observatory on the Lonely Mountains to confirm whether this is true and on their journey, they meet many interesting people and creatures, and have some narrow escapes!

The Bear in the Stars by Alexis Snell (2020)

A great white bear, known as the Queen of Beasts, rules over an icy kingdom. It’s cold but breathtakingly beautiful. Gradually, the ice begins to melt and the kingdom’s inhabitants leave for new homes. It’s soon time for the Queen of Beasts to leave her snowy realm but on her journey, she finds that despite the growing temperatures, others' hearts are growing colder. Created with lino-printed artwork, The Bear in the Stars is a striking modern fable that addresses the issue of climate change.

Lizzie and Lucky: The Mystery of the Missing Puppies by Megan Rix (2021)

Lizzie really, really wants a dog. She’s making a list of 101 reasons why she needs one so she can convince her parents. Dogs are smart; they make you happy; they’re cuddly; they can be trained to be hearing dogs (which would be especially useful for Lizzie as she’s deaf) – but she’s still got a long way to go before she reaches 101 reasons. In the meantime, Lizzie also has to track down a mysterious-looking man she saw making off with a Dalmatian puppy. Will Lizzie be able to solve the case, finish her list and potentially find herself a puppy friend?

Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono & Joe Todd-Stanton (1985)

At age 13, witch-in-training Kiki is determined her magical powers will bring happiness to the seaside village of Koriko. But she soon learns it's much harder than she expected... and maybe people with powers aren't the only ones with magic! This classic tale from Eiko Kadono is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and anime.