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Children's reading lists

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

Image showing a selection of books for children who love science

Books-for-children-who-love-science

23 of the best books for kids who love science

An illustration by Henry Paker of a man being operated on before anaesthetic had been discovered. He is screaming whilst the three surgeons pull out his intestines using a pickaxe and rusty saw

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Fun facts

5 major medical moments from history

Illustration of the organs inside the human body by Henry Paker

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Children's quizzes

Are these facts about the human body true or poo?

An illustration by Henry Paker of a man with his pants down in front of a toilet, getting ready to fight the germ that has slithered out with a plunger

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Kay’s Kwestions: answers to your questions about the human body

Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor

The highly-acclaimed, No. 1-bestselling children's fiction debut from Adam Kay - and soon to be a BBC TV special! 
 
It was clear from an early age that Dexter Procter was different. 
 
He started speaking at four seconds old. By the age of three, he had 87 A-levels, from Afrikaans to Zoology. 
 
And by ten, he was working as a paediatrician at Lilydale General Hospital. 
 
Despite a loving but annoying family and a couple of good friends (Rupi and Otto), Dexter’s always struggled to fit in. Add to this a mortal enemy (Dr Drake) and a major problem at his old school (all the teachers struck down with awful diarrhoea) – will Dexter be able to save his job, save the school and find his place in the world? (Spoiler alert: yes!) 
 
A laugh-out-loud new fiction series about the world's youngest doctor from the record-breaking Adam Kay and Henry Paker. 
 
'Original, very funny, ultra-informative - and children will love all the disgusting parts.’ Jacqueline Wilson 
 
'If laughter truly is the best medicine, book this hilarious appointment with Dr Procter immediately.' David Baddiel 
 
 
 
Adam Kay, Sunday Times bestseller, November 2023

Adam Kay (Author) Adam Kay is a former doctor who has written five million books and sold seven copies. No, hang on – he’s written seven books and sold five million copies. His debut book, This is Going to Hurt, is a literary sensation: a Sunday Times number one bestseller for over a year, winning a record-breaking four National Book Awards and selling over 3 million copies. Kay adapted This is Going to Hurt as a BAFTA-winning comedy-drama series for the BBC. Adam Kay’s children’s books have been translated into 32 languages and sold over 1 million copies, making him one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors. Kay’s Anatomy became the fastest-selling children’s general non-fiction hardback of the decade. His first picture book, Amy Gets Eaten, was published in 2023, and his first children’s novel, Dexter Procter the Ten-Year-Old Doctor, was published in September 2024. Henry Paker (Illustrator) Henry Paker was once a little boy who did silly doodles in the margins of books. Now he is a grown man who does silly doodles in the middle of books. He is an award-winning comedian, writer and illustrator. He co-writes and performs in the Radio 4 sitcom ReincarNathan and co-hosts the Three Bean Salad podcast. Henry has illustrated all of Adam Kay's children's books.

The highly-acclaimed, No. 1-bestselling children's fiction debut from Adam Kay - and soon to be TV special from the BBC! 
 
It was clear from an early age that Dexter Procter was different. 
 
He started speaking at four seconds old. By the age of three, he had 87 A-levels, from Afrikaans to Zoology. 
 
And by ten, he was working as a paediatrician at Lilydale General Hospital. 
 
Despite a loving but annoying family and a couple of good friends (Rupi and Otto), Dexter’s always struggled to fit in. Add to this a mortal enemy (Dr Drake) and a major problem at his old school (all the teachers struck down with awful diarrhoea) – will Dexter be able to save his job, save the school and find his place in the world? (Spoiler alert: yes!) 
 
A laugh-out-loud new fiction series about the world's youngest doctor from the record-breaking Adam Kay and Henry Paker. 
 
'Original, very funny, ultra-informative - and children will love all the disgusting parts.’ Jacqueline Wilson 
 
'If laughter truly is the best medicine, book this hilarious appointment with Dr Procter immediately.' David Baddiel

Kay's Anatomy: The Poo-tastic Puzzle Book

From the record-breaking, Number One bestselling author of KAY'S ANATOMY comes the funniest, most fact-filled and most disgusting activity book about the body ever written! 
 
This new Adam Kay activity book contains over 500 hilarious, disgusting activities - codes to crack, experiments, recipes and more, including 144 all-new "True or Poo" quiz questions! 
<ul><li>Do you know your patella from your paella? 
</li><li>Have you ever tasted phlegm soup? 
</li><li>Want to learn how to bunk off school with a fake plaster cast? 
</li></ul> 
It’s guaranteed to challenge, entertain and revolt readers aged 7 to 739. 
 
Adam Kay’s children’s books have been translated into 32 languages and sold over 1 million copies, making him one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors. Kay’s Anatomy became the fastest-selling children’s general non-fiction hardback of the decade and his first children’s novel, Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor, was the No. 1 children’s hardback fiction debut of 2025. 
 
Praise for Kay's Anatomy: 
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i 
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman 
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express 
 
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine: 
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill 
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust

Contains over 500 hilarious, disgusting activities - codes to crack, experiments, recipes and more, including 144 all-new "True or Poo" quiz questions!<ul><li>Do you know your patella from your paella?</li><li>Have you ever tasted phlegm soup?</li><li>Want to learn how to bunk off school with a fake plaster cast?</li></ul> 
From the record-breaking, Number One bestselling author of KAY'S ANATOMY comes the funniest, most fact-filled and most disgusting activity book about the body ever written. Guaranteed to challenge, entertain and revolt readers aged 7 to 739.

Simon Gets Sneezed

The hilarious new picture book from the record-breaking Adam Kay and Henry Paker. 
Meet Simon. Simon is the hero of this story. But unlike most heroes in most stories, Simon is a piece of snot. He lives with his family in the left nostril of a girl called Phoebe. 
 
Follow Simon on his hilarious and extremely slimy adventure as he learns about everything snot does to protect our bodies – a fascinating and uplifting journey of self-discovery about how brilliant and important he really is. 
 
Praise for Amy Gets Eaten - Winner of The Week Junior Children's Picture Book of the Year Award 2024 
'Frank and funny [...] Perfect for potty training and beyond' The Guardian 
'This book will have you chuckling throughout - and amidst the laughter, it's still very much an educational read' The Independent 
'A fun fact-filled journey through the human digestive system!' The Week Junior 
'Gross (but amazingly anatomically accurate!)' Lancashire Post 
Praise for Kay's Anatomy: 
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i 
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman 
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express 
 
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine: 
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill 
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust

The hilarious new picture book from the record-breaking Adam Kay and Henry Paker. 
Meet Simon. Simon is the hero of this story. But unlike most heroes in most stories, Simon is a piece of snot. He lives with his family in the left nostril of a girl called Phoebe. 
 
Follow Simon on his hilarious and extremely slimy adventure as he learns about everything snot does to protect our bodies – a fascinating and uplifting journey of self-discovery as Simon discovers how brilliant and important he really is. 
Praise for Amy Gets Eaten - Winner of The Week Junior Children's Picture Book of the Year Award 2024 
'Frank and funny [...] Perfect for potty training and beyond' The Guardian 
'This book will have you chuckling throughout - and amidst the laughter, it's still very much an educational read' The Independent 
'A fun fact-filled journey through the human digestive system!' The Week Junior 
'Gross (but amazingly anatomically accurate!)' Lancashire Post 
 
Praise for Kay's Anatomy: 
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i 
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman 
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express 
 
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine: 
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill 
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust

Big Audio Bundle

Kay's Anatomy & Kay's Marvellous Medicine

Brought to you by Puffin. 
 
Learn all about the human body with this audio bundle of Kay's Anatomy and Kay's Marvellous Medicine from bestselling author, Adam Kay. 
 
From what's going on inside our bodies, to when and why we discovered how our insides actually work, Adam Kay has every (slimy and smelly) detail covered! 
 
In Kay's Anatomy you'll find out: 
Why your skin gets wrinkly in the bath 
Whether bogies are safe to eat 
How much of your life you will spend on the toilet 
And loads more fascinating facts you can wow (and horrify) your parents and teachers with. 
 
In Kay's Marvellous Medicine, travel back in time and find out why: 
Doctors made patients gargle with wee 
A washing machine, a can of beans and some sausages helped save lives 
Ancient Romans ate lying down 
You won't believe the wacky ideas people had back in those days. 
 
So, if you can handle the pus and the snot, step into the weird and wonderful world of the human body with Adam Kay! 
 
Praise for Adam Kay: 
'Will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
 
 
©2020, 2021 Adam Kay (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Adam Kay (Author, Reader) Adam Kay is a former doctor who has written five million books and sold seven copies. No, hang on – he’s written seven books and sold five million copies. His debut book, This is Going to Hurt, is a literary sensation: a Sunday Times number one bestseller for over a year, winning a record-breaking four National Book Awards and selling over 3 million copies. Kay adapted This is Going to Hurt as a BAFTA-winning comedy-drama series for the BBC. Adam Kay’s children’s books have been translated into 32 languages and sold over 1 million copies, making him one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors. Kay’s Anatomy became the fastest-selling children’s general non-fiction hardback of the decade. His first picture book, Amy Gets Eaten, was published in 2023, and his first children’s novel, Dexter Procter the Ten-Year-Old Doctor, was published in September 2024.

A fascinating and fantastically funny guide to inventions that changed the world (and some that definitely didn't)

Kay’s Incredible Inventions

Winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2025 (non-fiction) 
 
Do you ever wonder where the stuff around you all came from? No, not from eBay. I mean, who had the amazing idea of making a mobile phone or the annoying idea of building a school? For example, did you know that Velcro was invented by a dog and WiFi by a movie star? (Spoiler alert - it wasn’t Zendaya.) 
 
In the fourth laugh-out-loud book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker, you’ll learn all about the coolest, grossest and most ridiculous inventions in the world. You’ll meet the queen who used the first ever toilet, learn why margarine used to be full of maggots and find out why Ancient Greeks wiped their bums on dinner plates. Oh, and hopefully some slightly more useful facts as well… 
 
An A to Kay to Z of the random, ridiculous and revolutionary inventions that changed our lives. (And some that definitely didn't . . .) 
 
 
Praise for Kay's Anatomy: 
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i 
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman 
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express 
 
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine: 
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill 
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust

The laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling Adam Kay and Henry Paker

Amy Gets Eaten

The first-ever picture book from Adam Kay and Henry Paker - now Children’s Picture Book of The Year 2024 – The Week Junior Book Awards! 
 
The judges said: “This poo-filled picture book [...] reveals scientific facts in an engaging, silly and original way, with lots of icky illustrations to add to the fun.” 
 
This is the hilarious (and admittedly a tiny bit gross) tale of Amy, a small piece of sweetcorn who is eaten by Noah, a medium-sized boy. The story follows Amy on her funny, gooey and anatomically-accurate adventure through the human body as she discovers lots of facts about digestion. (It's fair to say that parents might learn a little bit too.) 
 
Praise for Kay's Anatomy: 
'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i 
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman 
'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express 
 
Praise for Kay's Marvellous Medicine: 
'A ridiculously funny read that will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Educational and entertaining. It should be on the national curriculum!' Harry Hill 
'Completely marvellous and very funny' BookTrust

A Gross and Gruesome History of the Human Body

Kay's Marvellous Medicine

The hilarious history book for kids, all about the human body, from bestselling, record-breaking author and illustrator Adam Kay and Henry Paker. 
 The olden days were pretty fun if you liked wearing chainmail or chopping people's heads off. 
But there was one TINY LITTLE problem back then . . . doctors didn't have the slightest clue about how our bodies worked. 
 It's time to delve into history and get some answers to some big questions, like: <ul><li>Why did patients gargle with wee?</li><li>Why did people used to get paid for farting? (Unfortunately that’s no longer a thing – sorry.)</li><li>How did a doctor save people's lives using a washing machine, a can of beans and some old sausages?</li><li>What was the great stink? (No, it's not what doctors call your bum.)</li></ul> 
 If you're sure you're ready, then pop a peg on your nose (there was a lot of stinky pus back then), pull on your wellies (there was a lot of poo there too), wash your hands (because they certainly didn't) and explore this gross and gruesome history of the human body! 
 Praise for Kay's Anatomy:'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' - i'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' - Sunday Times'Totally brilliant!' - Jacqueline Wilson'Fun and informative' - Malorie Blackman'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' -Sunday Express

Adam Kay is a former doctor who has written five million books and sold seven copies. No, hang on – he’s written seven books and sold five million copies. His debut book, This is Going to Hurt, is a literary sensation: a Sunday Times number one bestseller for over a year, winning a record-breaking four National Book Awards and selling over 3 million copies. Kay adapted This is Going to Hurt as a BAFTA-winning comedy-drama series for the BBC. Adam Kay’s children’s books have been translated into 32 languages and sold over 1 million copies, making him one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors. Kay’s Anatomy became the fastest-selling children’s general non-fiction hardback of the decade. His first picture book, Amy Gets Eaten, was published in 2023, and his first children’s novel, Dexter Procter the Ten-Year-Old Doctor, was published in September 2024.

The olden days were pretty fun if you liked wearing chainmail or chopping people's heads off but there was one TINY LITTLE problem back then . . . doctors didn't have the slightest clue about how our bodies worked. 
 
 It's time to find out why Ancient Egyptians thought the brain was just a useless load of old stuffing that might as well be 
 chucked in the bin, why teachers forced their pupils to smoke cigarettes, why hairdressers would cut off their customers' 
 legs, and why people used to get paid for farting. (Unfortunately that's no longer a thing - sorry.) 
 
 You'll get answers to questions like: 
 Why did patients gargle with wee? 
 How did a doctor save people's lives using a washing machine, a can of beans and some old sausages? 
 What was the great stink? (No, it's not what doctors call your bum.) 
 
 If you're sure you're ready, then pop a peg on your nose (there was a lot of stinky pus back then), pull on your wellies (there was a lot of poo there too), wash your hands (because they certainly didn't) and explore the gross and gruesome history of the human body in . . . 
 
 KAY'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE - the brand-new, hilarious book from bestselling, record-breaking author, Adam Kay. 
 
 Praise for Kay's Anatomy: 
 'An enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed' i 
 'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' Sunday Times 
 'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson 
 'Fun and informative' Malorie Blackman 
 'Very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics' Sunday Express

Adam Kay Bundle

Learn all about the human body with this bundle of Kay's Anatomy and Kay's Marvellous Medicine from bestselling author, Adam Kay. 
 
From what's going on inside our bodies, to when and why we discovered how our insides actually work, Adam Kay has every (slimy and smelly) detail covered! 
 
In Kay's Anatomy you'll find out: 
Why your skin gets wrinkly in the bath 
Whether bogies are safe to eat 
How much of your life you will spend on the toilet 
And loads more fascinating facts you can wow (and horrify) your parents and teachers with. 
 
In Kay's Marvellous Medicine, travel back in time and find out why: 
Doctors made patients gargle with wee 
A washing machine, a can of beans and some sausages helped save lives 
Ancient Romans ate lying down 
You won't believe the wacky ideas people had back in those days. 
 
So, if you can handle the pus and the snot, step into the weird and wonderful world of the human body with Adam Kay! 
 
Praise for Adam Kay: 
'Will delight, gross out and educate all at the same time' Independent 
'Totally brilliant!' Jacqueline Wilson

A Complete (and Completely Disgusting) Guide to the Human Body

Kay's Anatomy

THE RECORD-BREAKING NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER FROM THE UK'S BESTSELLING NON-FICTION AUTHOR. 
 
Discover all the weird and wonderful things that go on inside your body with Adam Kay. This fun-filled anatomy book for kids covers key stage 2 / 3 human biology syllabus (in a slightly repulsive way). 
 
'Hilarious and fascinating! I wish Adam had been my biology teacher' - Konnie Huq 
 
Do you ever think about your body and how it all works? 
Like really properly think about it? 
 
 
The human body is extraordinary and fascinating and, well . . . pretty weird. Yours is weird, mine is weird, your maths teacher's is even weirder. 
 
This book is going to tell you what's actually going on in there, and answer the really important questions, like: 
 
Are bogeys safe to eat? 
Look, if your nose is going to all that effort of creating a snack, the least we can do is check out its nutritional value. (Yes, they're safe. Chew away!) 
 
And how much of your life will you spend on the toilet? 
 
About a year - so bring a good book. (I recommend this one.) 
 
So sit back, relax, put on some rubber gloves, and let a doctor take you on a poo (and puke) filled tour of your insides. Welcome to Kay's Anatomy*. 
 
*a fancy word for your body. See, you're learning already. 
 
 
 
Discover why readers love Kay's Anatomy: 
 
 
 
'The sort of book I would have loved as a child' - Malorie Blackman 
 
'Like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about' - The Times 
 
'Absolutely packed with facts... Entertaining and highly informative' - Daily Mail 
 
'As brilliant, and revolting, as the human body it celebrates' - The i newspaper 
 
'Totally brilliant!' - Jacqueline Wilson 
 
'If only this funny and informative book had been around when I was too embarrassed to teach my kids about bodily functions' - David Baddiel

[An] enjoyably gross look at the human body. Hours of gruesome fun guaranteed.

...it is like listening to a teacher who makes pupils fall about

Kay's Anatomy is totally brilliant - it's ultra child-friendly and chatty, and any young reader will learn a great deal about the body as they chuckle through each chapter.

Perfect for days of home-schooling!

It's fun and informative and just the sort of book I would've loved as a child. And I loved the True or Poo sections!

If only this funny and informative book had been around when I was too embarrassed to teach my kids about bodily functions

Hilarious and fascinating! I wish Adam had been my biology teacher

Packed with anatomical facts - and very funny - this exciting book is bound to inspire the next generation of medics

This is brilliant. I'm not jealous that I didn't write it at all. No, not one little bit.

Much funnier and more informative and more gross than Gray's Anatomy... I highly recommend for anyone

Do you ever think about your body and how it all works? Like really properly think about it? 
 
The human body is extraordinary and fascinating and, well... pretty weird. Yours is weird, mine is weird, your maths teacher's is even weirder. 
 
This book is going to tell you what's actually going on in there, and answer the really important questions, like: 
 
Are bogeys safe to eat? Look, if your nose is going to all that effort of creating a snack, the least we can do is check out its nutritional value. (Yes, they're safe. Chew away!) 
 
 And . . . 
 
 How much of your life will you spend on the toilet? About a year - so bring a good book. (I recommend this one.) 
 
So sit back, relax, put on some rubber gloves, and let a doctor take you on a poo- and puke-filled tour of your insides. Welcome to Kay's Anatomy*. 
 
*a fancy word for your body. See, you're learning already.

Kay's Gruesome Games

Adam Kay

Henry Paker

Dexter Procter, the world's youngest-ever doctor, is back for a follow-up medical mystery! 
 
All is not well in Dexter's world. His granny has broken her leg, his friends Rupi and Otto have been expelled from school, there's a strange asthma epidemic he can't get on top of, and slimy politician Barbara Burnhall is trying to shut down everything fun at the hospital. And then his boss, Dr Marigold, goes missing! 
 
What Dexter doesn't realize is that he and his friends are about to uncover a dastardly plot involving kidnappings, earthquakes and a demolition ball. He doesn't know what's about to hit him... (Spoiler alert: it's a demolition ball.) 
 
Adam Kay and Henry Paker have created a second Dexter Procter mystery that is funnier and even more disgusting than the No. 1 bestselling Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor. (And that was pretty disgusting.) 
 
Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor is soon to be a major BBC show.

Adam Kay

Books by Adam Kay

Series by Adam Kay

Dexter Procter

Articles featuring Adam Kay

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

23 of the best books for kids who love science

5 major medical moments from history

Are these facts about the human body true or poo?

Kay’s Kwestions: answers to your questions about the human body

Resources

Kay's Anatomy activity sheets

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