Lovereading4kids Weekly Staff Picks
Reading is fundamental to the development of children and countless research shows the links between good reading skills from an early age and future success in life. However, finding books children want to read or authors that excite them, can be difficult; the choice is daunting and guidance rather thin on the ground.
So, Lovereading4kids was created to be the best recommendation site for Children’s Book from toddlers to teens. It has been created using the experience we have as parents and book lovers, who want our children to read great books. Secondly, it has been created from what we have learned from setting up our first book site lovereading.co.uk
Books for all ages! Top downloads
Baby and Toddler
- What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson
- Where Is Little Fish? by Lucy Cousins
- Count with Little Fish by Lucy Cousins
3+ readers
- No, Nancy, No! by Alice Tait
- The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield
- Forever or a Day by Sarah Jacoby
5+ readers
- The Great Big Book of Friends by Mary Hoffman
- King of the Sky by Nicola Davies
- What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday by Julia Donaldson
7+ readers
- The Book Case by Dave Shelton
- Max Champion and the Great Race Car Robbery by Alexander Mccall Smith
- The Chocolate Factory Ghost by David O'Connell
9+ readers
- The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day by Christopher Edge
- To the Edge of the World by Julia Green
- You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed
11+ readers
- The City of Secret Rivers by Jacob Sager Weinstein
- Twelve Nights by Andrew Zurcher
- Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
13+ readers
- Truly, Wildly, Deeply by Jenny McLachlan
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- Rebound by Kwame Alexander
YA readers
- I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
- Encounters by Jason Wallace
- I Stop Somewhere by T. E. Carter
Register now – FREE for a unique range of services specifically created to help parents and anyone who likes to buy books for children choose the best books for boys and girls of all ages.
- Download and print off the Opening Extract of every ‘featured book’ on our site, even the picture books.
- Discover new writers through our unique children’s author ‘like-for-like’ recommendation service.
- Read our exclusive online book reviews by Julia Eccleshare, author and children’s books editor at the Guardian.
- Enjoy regular emails to keep you up to date on the latest and best in your chosen age ranges. (Please be reassured that your e-mail address will remain confidential to Lovereading and not sold to any of those horrible spam people).
Register now and try it out. We know choosing books for children will become a joy!
I am so pleased to have signed my kids up as they are reading a much wider range of books and even choosing books out of their comfort zone.
Angela East
I love Lovereading as it provides an honest opinion and showcases a range of fiction. Suited to both parents & kids alike, it’s a must-use.
Georgie Rowe – age 16
We love Lovereading4kids because they put books in front of us we wouldn’t otherwise have read. They make us more adventurous readers!
Emily Jacques
A great way to introduce kids to great books, authors & genres. Parents can find age-appropriate books to share with their children.
Judi Davies – Aberdare Girls Sch
It’s a community united by a passion for books and promoting the best there is in children’s literature.
Sam Bateman and family
We love Lovereading as my 5 year old loves to read new books before anyone else has a chance, she says it makes reading exciting!
Tracey Chorley
I love all the books they recommend & put up for me to review. I also love the fact that they give new authors the chance to share their boo
Daisy Pennock – age 15
It’s so easy to find the right book for your child. Such an easy-to-use, yet in-depth website. 100% reliable.
Pippa, Jack, Liam & Matthew Wils
This month's 'featured books':
Bedtime Reading
100 Brilliant Poems for Children
Paul Cookson
Paul Cookson's collection does not claim to be the definitive
hundred brilliant poems, but it comes close; providing a fun,
inspiring and…
The Star Tree
Catherine Hyde
When a little girl's nightlight goes out, she takes a magical
midnight journey to the Star Tree in this beautiful bedtime read
from fine artist…
Time for Bed, Fred!
Yasmeen Ismail
Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014 It's time for bed. But
will Fred go to bed? You bet he won't! From hiding up trees, and
splashing…
I'll See You in the Morning
Mike Jolley
Illustrated by Mique Moriuchi
Little ones are soothed to sleep with this lovely gentle rhyme with
calming illustrations - a perfect bedtime read for young children
who need a…
The Gruffalo
Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
“A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw
the mouse and the mouse looked good.”So begins the story of
how a clever…
Mrs Mole, I'm Home!
Jarvis
April 2017 Picture Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of
the Month April 2017 | Morris Mole can't find his glasses anywhere
at…
This month's 'featured books':
Reviewed by Children
Happy Hatchday
Rob Biddulph
April 2018 Book of the Month Rob Biddulph's new picture book is
another typically happy reading experience. Nine dinosaur eggs
(count them)…
To the Edge of the World
Julia Green
April 2018 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: gripping and moving
adventure story set in a wild seascape Jamie lives on an island in
the…
The Heart of Mars
Paul Magrs
In a Nutshell: Martian odyssey meets classic quest Ingeniously
inventive, involving and wildly witty, this thrilling finale of the
Lora…
Lady Mary
Lucy Worsley
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month April 2018 Princess Mary lives
in a palace and is the daughter of Henry V111, the King of England
but, when her…
The House with Chicken Legs
Sophie Anderson
This sparkling debut weaves the captivating folklore of Baba Yaga
with the thrills of a classic venturing-out-into-the-world quest,
replete with…
When Grandad Was a Penguin
Morag Hood
With its strikingly simple images, this picture book will give
children lots to think and talk about and will also have them
laughing out loud.…
This month's 'featured books':
Books of the Year
The Ravenmaster's Boy
Mary Hoffman
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | In a nutshell: intrigue and
treachery at the Tower of London, and a bird's eye view of the end
of Anne…
Matt Millz
Harry Hill
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | In a nutshell: dreams-come-true
adventure plus comedy advice from the master Harry Hill's
new…
Countless
Karen Gregory
Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2018 | One of Our Books of
the Year 2017 | In a Nutshell: Compelling and compassionate account
of…
William Bee's Wonderful World of Trains, Boats and Planes
William Bee
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | If you love vehicles, then this
is the book for you! William Bee shows off a multitude of amazing
vehicles,…
A Story Like the Wind
Gill Lewis
Illustrated by Jo Weaver
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018
Book Award A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month May 2017
Gill…
Illegal
Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin
Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the
Month October 2017 Twelve-year-old Ebo's terrifying story
of…
This month's 'featured books':
Fascinating Facts
Children's Discovery Atlas
Anita Ganeri
Illustrated by Sara Lynn Cramb
Bright, attractive and cleverly designed, this first atlas invites
children to travel the world in a book, introducing them to the
seven continents…
100 Most Awesome Things on the Planet
Anna Claybourne
The world we live in is truly amazing, and across its continents,
oceans and skies are all kinds of fabulous places and astounding
sights. Almost 100…
Ella Queen of Jazz
Helen Hancocks
Stylishly illustrated this is a piece of non-fiction, the inspiring
story of a special friendship, and a bit of a mystery story too. It
introduces…
The Teenage Guide to Friends
Nicola Morgan
In a Nutshell: Warm-hearted handbook for happy, healthy friendships
With comforting clarity, this thorough guide provides vital insight
into all…
Cool Physics
Sarah Hutton
Illustrated by Damien Weighill
An amazing guide to the wonders of physics, handily broken down
into accessible bite-sized chunks and particularly helpful for
anyone new to or…
Coder Academy
Sean McManus
Illustrated by Rosan Magar
October 2017 Non-Fiction Book of the Month This well-designed,
interactive workbook provides a really good introduction to coding
for children. It…
This month's 'featured books':
UKLA 2018
Lesser Spotted Animals
Martin Brown
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award In a nutshell: not your
average animal book | This is no ordinary animal book, you won't
find…
Optimists Die First
Susin Nielsen
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award March 2017 Book of the
Month | In a Nutshell: how to hope for the best even when you've
been through…
A First Book of Animals
Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Petr Horacek
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 | Longlisted
for the UKLA 2018 Book Award What a wonderful book to give to a
child. It's…
The Hate u Give
Angie Thomas
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2018 | One of Our Books of
the Year 2017 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | April
2017 Debut of the…
The Hypnotist
Laurence Anholt
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | Winner of the Historical
Association's Young Quills Award 2017 Jack has left his native
Ireland…
The White Fox
Jackie Morris
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Interest Age 8-12 | In a
nutshell: a wild creature leads a boy home | Full…
This month's 'featured books':
Books for Boys
Danny McGee Drinks the Sea
Andy Stanton
Illustrated by Neal Layton
Andy Stanton, that maestro of absurdity, teams up with Neal Layton,
an illustrator who also has a direct line to preposterousness, to
create a…
Harvey Drew and the Bling Bots
Cas Lester
Harvey Drew is an ordinary eleven-year-old who dreams of great
adventures in outer space. The Toxic Spew is an intergalactic waste
disposal ship. The…
Jamal's Journey
Michael Foreman
Michael Foreman was inspired to create his new picture book on a
visit to the Dubai Book Fair, and Jamal the little camel's journey
ends in the…
The Funniest Dinosaur Joke Book Ever
Joe King
Illustrated by Nigel Baines
If you're in the market for T Rex titters, sea monster sillies, or
Paleo puns (and why wouldn't you be?), then this is the book for
you!…
William Bee's Wonderful World of Trucks
William Bee
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month March 2017 Irresistible for
anyone mad about trucks! There's so much to learn about the…
Artie Conan Doyle and the Vanishing Dragon
Robert J. Harris
In a nutshell: enthralling new mysteries for a young Holmes Artie
Doyle can't resist the temptation offered by a mysterious
invitation to an…
This month's 'featured books':
Reluctant Readers
Mind Writer
Steve Cole
Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen
One of our Super Readable Books of the Year 2016 | Interest Age
8-12 Reading Age 8 | In a Nutshell : accessible | edgy |…
Food Fright
David O'Connell
Meet the amazing monster customers and try the foul-food at
Fuzzby's diner - the third book in the hilarious 'Monster and
Chips' series from author…
There's a Dragon in My Backpack!
Tom Nicoll
Illustrated by Sarah Horne
From the Psammead to the Cat in the Hat, there's a long tradition
in children's books of young protagonists befriending a
magical…
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
A classic Roald Dahl title, a most touching story of a boy and his
very special father. Danny and his father live in a caravan parked
right next to…
The Sticky Witch 4u2read
Hilary Mckay
Illustrated by Mike Phillips
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 7 In a nutshell: two children and their
cat escape a sticky situation Hilary McKay's name on…
National Trust: The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, a Medieval Knight in Training
Philip Ardagh
Illustrated by Jamie Littler
In a nutshell: historical adventures full of facts and fun Not
since Horrible Histories has the past been brought to life for
young readers so…
This month's 'featured books':
Super-readable Dyslexia-friendly
Sniper
Chris Bradford
Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen
Fictional superheroes don't come much more appealing than Troy, one
of a group of teenagers with awesome super powers recruited by
secret…
Fame Thing
Jonathan Meres
Illustrated by Jake McDonald
One of our Super Readable Books of the Year 2016 | Interest Age
8-12 Reading Age 8 | In a nutshell: funny story of football,
fandom…
The Wickedest Witch in the World
Kaye Umansky
Illustrated by Gerald Kelley
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ This wonderfully witchy story from
best-selling author Kaye Umansky gives a new gloss to the story of
Hansel…
The Ghost of Shadow Vale
Jonathon Stroud
Illustrated by Siku
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+. This thrilling Icelandic myth
published by Barrington Stoke in their RELOADED series that
introduces readers…
The Story of Matthew Buzzington
Andy Stanton
Illustrated by Ross Collins
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Creator of the best-selling Mr Gum
series, Andy Stanton delights again is this story of the importance
of…
Ninja: Assassin
Chris Bradford
Illustrated by Sonia Leong
Interest Age 8-11 Reading Age 8+ Action-packed and with no holds
barred, this is a taut adventure story capturing the themes of
revenge and…
