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
- Meltdown! by Jill Murphy
- Over the Hills and Far Away A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes from Around the World by Elizabeth Hammill
- 5 Wild Numbers by Bella Gomez
3+ readers
- Square by Mac Barnett
- Wonder Goal! by Michael Foreman
- The Match by Russell Ayto
5+ readers
- The Great Telephone Mix-Up (Little Gem) by Sally Nicholls
- The Bad Mood and the Stick by Lemony Snicket
- Town Is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz
7+ readers
- Hoakes Island by Ian Friel
- The Uncracked Code by Tamara Macfarlane
- A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
9+ readers
- You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed
- How to Bee by Bren MacDibble
- Spirit by Sally Christie
11+ readers
- The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
- A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge
- Girls for the Vote by Linda Newbery
13+ readers
- Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
YA readers
- Release by Patrick Ness
- Moonrise by Sarah Crossan
- The Girl in the Broken Mirror by Savita Kalhan
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 love Lovereading4kids because I get an opportunity to put my opinion forward and to try new books
Elosie Clarkson – age 11
I love lovereading4kids because I’ve read amazing books I would never have picked up, and its opened doors to new genre’s I now love.
Harriet Cunningham
I have told all my friends, family & teachers to see for themselves just how great the site is. Without fail, they are hugely impressed.
Alexander Boxall – age 11
It is THE website to use for narrowing down your search for any book. Definitely knocks the socks off any other book review website.
Nickey and Tomasz Hawryszczuk
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
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
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 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
Spaghetti with the Yeti
Adam Guillain, Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Lee Wildish
Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2013 - September 2013
Book of the Month George is off on an adventure – to
find…
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…
I See the Moon
Rosalind Beardshaw
This collection contains a bundle of favourite nursery rhymes and
lullabies, together with one or two classic nightime-themed poems
and is a…
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…
I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 A simply told
story with a delicious and irresistible mischievous twist in its
ending.…
There's a Snake in My School!
David Walliams
Illustrated by Tony Ross
David Walliams has his finger firmly on the funny bone of the
nation's youth, and little children will love this story of school
turned…
This month's 'featured books':
Reviewed by Children
The Magical Mix-Up
Zach King
Illustrated by Beverly Arce
May 2018 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: fast-moving mix of
magic, first crushes and knockabout humour | Zach King's family
have…
After the Fire
Will Hill
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2018 | Shortlisted for the CILIP
Carnegie Medal 2018 | In a nutshell: tense, super-suspenseful novel
based on…
I Stop Somewhere
T. E. Carter
May 2018 Debut of the Month | In a Nutshell: Intense exposé
of extreme misogyny and male privilege An unflinching novel
about…
Cannonball Coralie and the Lion
Grace Easton
May 2018 Debut of the Month Funky and thoroughly contemporary in
feel, though simultaneously acknowledging classic children's
illustration,…
Fish Boy
Chloe Daykin
Illustrated by Richard Jones
Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2018 | Longlisted for the
UKLA 2018 Book Award March 2017 Debut of the Month In…
Kat Wolfe Investigates
Lauren St.John
In a nutshell: animals, adventure and an irresistible cast of
characters This new series has everything that marks out the best,
most satisfying and…
This month's 'featured books':
Books of the Year
The Dollmaker of Krakow
R. M. Romero
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | October 2017 Debut of the Month
In a Nutshell: An enchantingly heartrending conjuration that
weaves…
The Wizards of Once
Cressida Cowell
Winner of the 2018 Blue Peter Awards - Best Story | One of Our
Books of the Year 2017 | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month
October…
Orbiting Jupiter
Gary D. Schmidt
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | Shortlisted for the UKLA 2017
Book Award Before meeting his new foster brother, Jack understands
what he…
Moonrise
Sarah Crossan
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2018 | Shortlisted for the Centre
for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award 2018 | One of Our Books
of…
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…
Nanette's Baguette
Mo Willems
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | There's a surprise twist at the
end of this tale of little Nanette, entrusted by her mother to get
the…
This month's 'featured books':
Fascinating Facts
Cool Mythology
Malcolm Croft
Illustrated by Damien Weighill
Stories, gods, heroes and villains from the world's great
mythologies are all featured in this compact and appealing
information book. It is…
Cool Coding
Rob Hansen, Damien Weighill
A fun, accessible guide to computers and coding for older children
and curious adults. This fun and quirky book provides a fascinating
introduction…
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 Feared Creatures
Anna Claybourne
August 2016 Book of the Month This book is definitely not for those
of a nervous disposition! It features hundreds of different
creatures from…
Young, Gifted and Black
Jamia Wilson
Illustrated by Andrea Pippins
In a Nutshell: Inspiring celebration of black trailblazers This
inspiring, illuminating, stylishly accessible anthology invites
young readers…
The Earth Book
Jonathan Litton
Illustrated by Thomas Hegbrook
April 2017 Fascinating Facts Book of the Month This beautiful
information book explores all aspects of our planet, this
‘tiny…
This month's 'featured books':
UKLA 2018
Frogkisser!
Garth Nix
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award A brilliantly funny take
on fairytales and quests. Lovereading comment to follow. Garth Nix
said:…
It Starts with a Seed
Laura Knowles
Illustrated by Jennie Webber
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award The life cycle of a tree
is beautifully described in this outstanding book. A narrative
poem…
Under the Same Sky
Britta Teckentrup
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 | Longlisted
for the UKLA 2018 Book Award With its dedication, ‘For a
united world…
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…
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We Come Apart
Sarah Crossan, Brian Conaghan
January 2018 Book of the Month | Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book
Award In a nutshell: unputdownable story, beautifully told |
…
Me and Mister P
Maria Farrer
Illustrated by Dave Gray, Daniel Rieley
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award In a nutshell: an unusual
friend makes things better | Arthur is understandably surprised
when…
This month's 'featured books':
Books for Boys
Compton Valance Super F.A.R.T.s versus the Master of Time
Matt Brown
Illustrated by Lizzie Finlay
Compton Valance and his best friend Bryan Nylon are unlikely
heroes, but they managed to create a time machine out of a mouldy
cheese sandwich and…
Digger Disaster
Rose Impey
Illustrated by Chris Chatterton
The combination of dinosaurs and diggers will make this completely
irresistible to many young children, but there's lots for all
readers to…
The Book of Me
Adam Frost
Illustrated by Sarah Ray
This is a scrapbook with a difference. Yes, readers are asked to
record the usual information about themselves, from their height to
what kind of…
Alfie Outdoors
Shirley Hughes
Standing in his pyjamas in the garden in the morning sunshine,
Alfie is an unmistakeable little figure. Shirley Hughes has an
extraordinary…
Dream Team
Alan Gibbons
Illustrated by Chris Chalik
With the World Cup coming up, football stories are even more
appealing than usual, and Alan Gibbons knows just how to win and
hold young…
I Saw Anaconda
Jane Clarke
Illustrated by Emma Dodd
Jane Clarke and Emma Dodd have enormous fun reinventing the story
of the old woman who swallowed a flea, transposing the setting to
the Amazon jungle…
This month's 'featured books':
Reluctant Readers
Pugly Solves a Crime
Pamela Butchart
Illustrated by Gemma Correll
Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month August 2016 Lovable Pugly, a
pug with a great character, is back for a hilarious new adventure.
This time…
St Grizzles School for Girls, Ghosts and Runaway Grannies
Karen Mccombie
Illustrated by Becka Moor
In a nutshell: fun and friendship at 21st century boarding school
Eleven-year-old Dani is a few weeks into life at her new boarding
school, St…
The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog: Master of Disguise
Jeremy Strong
In a Nutshell: silliness – disguises - dogs Jeremy Strong
continues to set the standard in comic writing for children and
his…
Hank Zipzer: The Curtain Went Up, My Trousers Fell Down
Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver
Love the new CBBC series? Read the original books! TV tie-in
edition of the New York Times bestselling series about the
hilarious adventures of a…
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…
This month's 'featured books':
Super-readable Dyslexia-friendly
The Wickford Doom
Chris Priestley
Illustrated by Vladimir Stankovic
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 Chris Priestley has a gift for
writing frightening stories, and this short wartime-set novel
for…
Mum Never Did Learn to Knock
Cathy Hopkins
Illustrated by Louise Wright
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Cathy Hopkins is a truly gifted
author for tweens, with an ability to connect with her readers that
she makes…
Young Werewolf
Cornelia Funke
Illustrated by David Roberts
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 Matt was your average boy until a
dangerous encounter awakens a wolf inside of him! This is a fun
supernatural…
Bright Star
Jenny Oldfield
Illustrated by Gary Blythe
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ A touching story about the healing
friendship between an unhappy girl and a beautiful and wild
horse.…
Mad in the Back
Michael Rosen
Illustrated by Richard Watson
A Dyslexia Friendly Picture Book for Parent and Child It's hard to
know who will laugh more at this new picture book, children or
their…
The Girl with No Nose
Georgia Byng
Illustrated by Gary Blythe
Interest Age 8-12 | In a nutshell: true hearts and heroines in
Victorian London | Inspired by an artefact at the…
