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
- An Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers
- Play by Jez Alborough
- The Lion Book of Fairy Tales by Julia Stone
3+ readers
- Mr Pegg's Post by Elena Topouzoglou
- Baby's First Bank Heist by Jim Whalley
- Wonder Goal! by Michael Foreman
5+ readers
- Norman the Norman and the Very Small Duchess by Philip Ardagh
- The Day War Came by Nicola Davies
- Older Not Wiser by Sophy Henn
7+ readers
- Tyrannosaurus Rex Prehistoric Beasts Uncovered - King of the Dinosaurs by Dougal Dixon
- The Twitches Bake a Cake by Hayley Scott
- Dog Diaries by Steven Butler & James Patterson
9+ readers
- Boy Underwater by Adam Baron
- Kat Wolfe Investigates by Lauren St.John
- The Wild Folk by Sylvia V. Linsteadt
11+ readers
- Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
- The Adventures of John Blake Mystery of the Ghost Ship by Philip Pullman
- Kick by Mitch Johnson
13+ readers
- The Family Tree by Mal Peet
- The Tiger on His Back by Bernard Ashley
- The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
YA readers
- The Weight of a Thousand Feathers by Brian Conaghan
- All of This Is True by Lygia Day Penaflor
- After the Fire by Will Hill
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!
Love “Lovereading4kids” as my son gets to hear about & read new books before his mates which keeps him interested in reading=a very happy Mum
Liz Evans
Lovereading4kids is great, we get books really early never late. We love to read and review, and think you would like it too. The excitement
Jasmine Harris-Hart, age 12
Writing reviews help the children with their literacy skills and we always read the books together which gives us good quality family time!
Cat Bisland (on behalf of the Bi
At @HHSHaringey we love @lovereading4kids because our pupils can practice reviewing & get free upcoming books before anyone else!
Helen Swinyard – Heartlands High
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 4 kids’ because they let you read and learn things you’d never dreamed of learning before.
Emily Horncastle – age 11
LoveReading4Kids is a modern and creative way of emphasising the value and importance of books in this digital age #booksforlife
Amrit Bunet – Teen
You give me age appropriate ideas of books I can read and buy for the children and find out what other children their age think of them too.
Katie Lonsdale
This month's 'featured books':
Bedtime Reading
Here Comes the Sun
Karl Newson
Illustrated by Migy Blanco
With a gentle rhyming text that makes it a particular pleasure to
read this picture book, though it's perfect bedtime reading, ends
as dawn…
The Wardrobe Monster
Bryony Thomson
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month April 2018 A charming story of
bedtime fears with a neat twist to it. Dora and all her toys wake
up grouchy and…
Goodnight Everyone
Chris Haughton
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Perfect for the end of
every day, award-winning Chris Haughton captures the soothing time
as the sun goes…
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…
Secrets of the Mountain
Libby Walden
Illustrated by Richard Jones
In a nutshell: Dahl-esque story in defence of Unusualness Children
who like their stories filled with larger-than-life characters,
crazy comedy and…
We Are Family
Patricia Hegarty
Illustrated by Ryan Wheatcroft
‘Money doesn't matter, nor colour, creed, nor name - /In each
and every family, the love we feel's the same': these are
the…
This month's 'featured books':
Reviewed by Children
The Weight of a Thousand Feathers
Brian Conaghan
Heart wrenching, honest, funny and bold, this exceptional novel
about the life, loves and agonies of a young carer, and the love
between a mum and…
The Adventures of John Blake Mystery of the Ghost Ship
Philip Pullman
Illustrated by Fred Fordham
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month June 2018 | Master
story-teller Philip Pullman is as brilliantly creative in this
gripping,…
Lou Out of Luck
Nat Luurtsema
In a nutshell: sharp, witty school and family based comedy | Nat
Luurtsema made a splash with her first story about Lou Brown in
Girl Out…
Ash Princess
Laura Sebastian
June 2018 Debut of the Month | In a Nutshell: Rebellion, romance
and an imprisoned princess set on revenge This ambitiously
epic…
After the Fire
Will Hill
Winner of the YA Book Prize 2018 | Shortlisted for the CILIP
Carnegie Medal 2018 | In a nutshell: tense, super-suspenseful novel
based on…
Kat Wolfe Investigates
Lauren St.John
June 2018 Book of the Month | In a nutshell: animals, adventure and
an irresistible cast of characters This new series has everything
that marks out…
This month's 'featured books':
Books of the Year
The Land of Neverendings
Kate Saunders
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | November 2017 Book of the Month
| A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month October 2017
Award-winning…
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…
Old Hat!
Emily Gravett
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018
Book Award June 2017 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of
the…
Katinka's Tail
Judith Kerr
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the
Month November 2017 Fans of the adventures of Judith Kerr's Mog
will…
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…
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…
This month's 'featured books':
Fascinating Facts
Books! Books! Books!
Mick Manning
Illustrated by Brita Granstrom
April 2017 Book of the Month Who better to take young readers on a
guided tour of the British Library than Mick Manning and
Brita…
What are Stars?
Katie Daynes
Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
What are Stars? is an excellent book for children who love to ask
questions. Over a series of six attractive and inviting double
pages, featuring…
Chronologica The Incredible Years That Defined History
Whitaker's Almanack
Written and compiled by the team behind Whitaker's Almanack,
Chronologica provides a eye-opening tour through over 2500 years of
world history,…
Above and Below
Patricia Hegarty
Illustrated by Hanako Clulow
Children are invited to explore eight different habitats in this
appealing and very attractive information book, clever split page
design allows them…
Migration
Mike Unwin
Illustrated by Jenni Desmond
Imagine: you're flying high over the Himalayan mountains, on a
journey filled with danger. The temperature is far below freezing,
the air is thin,…
Lots The Diversity of Life on Earth
Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Emily Sutton
February 2018 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the
Month February 2018 | A stunning book that is also an
invaluable…
This month's 'featured books':
UKLA 2018
Goodnight Everyone
Chris Haughton
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Perfect for the end of
every day, award-winning Chris Haughton captures the soothing time
as the sun goes…
Black Light Express
Philip Reeve
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award In a nutshell: dazzling
journeys into other worlds | Philip Reeve continues to turn
us…
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…
Lydia: The Wild Girl of Pride & Prejudice
Natasha Farrant
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award In a nutshell: Dances |
Dreams | Determination Younger sister of Lizzy and Jane, Lydia
Bennet is one…
A Perfect Day
Lane Smith
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award In this follow up to the
beautiful There Is a Tribe of Kids, Lane Smith's bright and fresh
artwork combines…
Wolf Hollow
Lauren Wolk
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | Shortlisted for the CILIP
Carnegie Medal 2017 | A young girl's kindness,…
This month's 'featured books':
Books for Boys
How Harry Riddles Made a Mega-amazing Zombie Movie
Simon Mayle
June 2014 Debut of the Month Harry's an optimistic kid who never
gives in but when Harry's dad loses his job he fears his
mega-amazing…
Spirit of the Jungle
Bear Grylls
Illustrated by Javier Joaquin
In a nutshell: jungle survival in the footsteps of Mowgli | More
than 120 years after publication of The Jungle Book, and following
the…
Mortimer's Picnic
Nick Ward
With clever comic timing this story builds to a surprise ending
rather like The Gruffalo. Mortimer is planning a picnic with his
best friend…
Jim's Lion
Russell Hoban
Illustrated by Alexis Deacon
Russell Hoban's moving, unflinching tale of a boy who finds bravery
during illness is dramatically reimagined in graphic-novel format
with new art by…
Choosing Crumble
Michael Rosen
January 2014 Book of the Month Best-selling Michael Rosen captures
the dilemma of any dog choosing a new home – and any…
Just Call Me Spaghetti-Hoop Boy
Lara Williamson
March 2017 Book of the Month A touching and amusing story about
belonging and the search for an heroic identity. Adam has always
known that he was…
This month's 'featured books':
Reluctant Readers
Green Eggs and Ham
Dr. Seuss
Hilarious and with a memorable rhyming text, this is the perfect
advocate for the adage, you don't know if you like something
until…
King Flashypants and the Evil Emperor
Andy Riley
In a nutshell : noble kings – evil laughs – chocolate
Good versus evil is given a very funny workout in this the first
book in what…
Steve & Frandan Take on the World
Ron Butlin
In a Nutshell: Fleeing bullies leads to a fight (and flight) of a
lifetime | Action-packed adventure in which three friends bite off
a whole lot…
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…
House of Robots: Robot Revolution
James Patterson
In a nutshell: super-readable story | robot rumpus at high school |
Uh-oh, things are not running smoothly in the…
Spy Toys
Mark Powers
Illustrated by Tim Wesson
In a nutshell: band of toy superheroes conquer all in a doll eat
doll world | The Spy Toys are quite possibly the unlikeliest band
of…
This month's 'featured books':
Super-readable Dyslexia-friendly
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…
Rugby Academy: Combat Zone
Tom Palmer
Illustrated by Dave Shephard
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Tom Palmer is brilliant at
capturing the passion of sport and the drama it creates. Woody is
an…
Ghost for Sale
Terry Deary
Illustrated by Stefano Tambellini
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 7 A hilarious, riddling tale from the
international bestselling author of Horrible Histories, Terry
Deary. Without…
We are Not Frogs
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Sam Usher
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | March 2016 Book of the Month -
A Dyslexia Friendly Picture Book for Parent and Child New
on…
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…
Annie's Choice
Catherine MacPhail
Illustrated by Vladimir Stankovic
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Catherine McPhail gives a spine
tingling and ghostly edge to a hard-hitting story about a school
bully.…
