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
- Tabby McTat Picturebook and CD by Julia Donaldson
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
- Samson the Mighty Flea by Angela Mcallister
3+ readers
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
- Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson
- Goodnight Everyone by Chris Haughton
5+ readers
- The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine
- Clare and her Captain by Michael Morpurgo
- Grandad's Secret Giant by David Litchfield
7+ readers
- My Mum's Going To Explode! by Jeremy Strong
- Mango & Bambang: Tiny Tapir Trouble by Polly Faber
- The Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris
9+ readers
- Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac
- Dragon's Green Worldquake Book One by Scarlett Thomas
- Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo
11+ readers
- Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
- The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood-Hargrave
- Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
13+ readers
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- The Wrong Train by Jeremy De Quidt
- The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
YA readers
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
- ...And a Happy New Year? by Holly Bourne
- A Monster Calls: Special Collector's Edition by Patrick Ness
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!
It gives me a chance to read types of books that I would not normally try, and it motivates me to read every night to finish it!
Alice Horncastle, age 14
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
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
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
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
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
At @HHSHaringey we love @lovereading4kids because our pupils can practice reviewing & get free upcoming books before anyone else!
Helen Swinyard – Heartlands High
I love Lovereading because I often never know what to read and this helps you find a good book. I have recommended this to many people.
Shannon-Louise Masters – age 15
This month's 'featured books':
Bedtime Reading
Good Night Like This
Mary Murphy
As every parent knows, a good ‘night night, snuggle down'
book is invaluable, and Good Night Like This is a particularly
lovely take on…
Abigail
Catherine Rayner
Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2014 Kate Greenaway winner
Catherine Rayner's gorgeous bold animals fill the pages perfectly
in…
Storytime: Sleep, Little Pup
Jo Parry
With its delicate, soft-hued artwork and a gently rhyming text that
asks to be whispered, this is the perfect book for calming little
pups down at…
The Lion Book of Nursery Rhymes
Julia Stone
Illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs
November 2014 Book of the Month Every child needs a collection of
nursery rhymes and this collection of favourites with their clear
and unfussy…
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Judith Kerr
This classic story of Sophie and her extraordinary tea-time guest
is now brought to life in an exciting luxury pop-up edition to
celebrate its 40th…
Baby's Bedtime Story Box
Sam Taplin
Six enchanting hardcover books in a sturdy slipcase box, with
gentle stories to read aloud and magical illustrations to help
toddlers and young…
This month's 'featured books':
Carnegie Greenaway
Railhead
Philip Reeve
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017 | Shortlisted for the
UKLA 2017 Book Award | August 2016 Book of the Month Set…
The Bone Sparrow
Zana Fraillon
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017 and awarded the
Amnesty CILIP Honour | Shortlisted for the Guardian Children's
Fiction Prize 2016…
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
Penelope Lively
Winner of the 1973 CILIP Carnegie Medal The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
is a timeless and haunting story, critically acclaimed, this
Carnegie award…
Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse
Chris Riddell
Shortlisted for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal - Winner of the
Costa Children's Book Award 2013 Bestselling
author/illustrator…
Tidy
Emily Gravett
Shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2017 | Julia
Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, April 2017 | Award-winning Emily
Gravett's…
Maggot Moon
Sally Gardner
One of our Books of the Year 2013. Winner of the two most
prestigious children's book awards - the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2013
and the Children's…
This month's 'featured books':
Books Reviewed by Children
Pax
Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Touching and thought-provoking this is a lyrically-told story
perfectly presented in a beautiful book. Peter's life falls apart
after his…
William Bee's Wonderful World of Trains, Boats and Planes
William Bee
If you love vehicles, then this is the book for you! William Bee
shows off a multitude of amazing vehicles, starting with the steam
engine, then…
Isadora Moon Goes on a School Trip
Harriet Muncaster
In a nutshell: half-vampire, half-fairy, Isadora makes a new friend
Lively, told in short chapters and filled with illustrations
this…
Mango & Bambang: Tiny Tapir Trouble
Polly Faber
Illustrated by Clara Vulliamy
Polly Faber and Clara Vulliamy's Mango and Bambang stories are
perfect for newly independent readers. There are four funny,
entertaining…
Little Adventurers: What Bear? Where?
Philip Ardagh
Illustrated by Elissa Elwick
With an activity idea and an information page with every story in
the series, the Little Adventurers four will encourage hours of
immersive play, and…
The Five Realms: The Gift of Dark Hollow
Kieran Larwood
Illustrated by David Wyatt
In a nutshell: brave rabbits continue their fight against a
terrifying enemy The story of rabbit hero Podkin One-Ear continues
in this…
This month's 'featured books':
Bookshelf Essentials
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle
This is a much-loved classic but as relevant today as it was when
first published in 1969! The vivid and colourful illustrations and
cut back and…
The Wee Free Men
Terry Pratchett
First published in 2003, The Wee Free Men is the second story in
the Discworld series for young readers. The Queen of the Elves has
another attempt…
Carrie's War
Nina Bawden
Chosen by Jacqueline Wilson, February 2012 Guest Editor: "This is a
very touching utterly convincing book about three wartime evacuees
billeted…
Matilda
Roald Dahl
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Roald Dahl's Matilda in glorious full colour! Matilda - Roald
Dahl's best-loved story - though now over 25 years old, is as
fresh, funny and poignant…
The Conquerors
David McKee
In this masterpiece for all ages, best-selling illustrator David
McKee has created a miniature morality tale. The General leads his
army into one…
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…
This month's 'featured books':
Classics
The Wizard Of Oz (with an Introduction by Cornelia Funke)
L Frank Baum
Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy and her dog Toto into a
magical world that unfurls before you. A classic with more magic on
every page than…
The Trumpet of the Swan
E. B. White
Louis the cygnet may be unable to utter a sound unlike her siblings
and his parents but Louis is determined to overcome this impediment
by learning…
Goodnight Mister Tom
Michelle Magorian
A heart breaking and heart warming story of a special friendship
that grows between Willie Beech, evacuated to the country to avoid
the Blitz on…
Tarka the Otter
Henry Williamson
Illustrated by Annabel Large
This is the classic story of an otter living in the Devonshire
countryside which captures the feel of life in the wild as seen
through the otter's…
The Children of Green Knowe Collection
Lucy M. Boston
Set in a beautiful and magical place, this is an award-winning
classic story of a friendship that stretches across centuries as
Tolly, newly arrived…
Black Beauty (with an Introduction by Meg Rosoff)
Anna Sewell
What a ride. No child can fail to laugh and cry in equal measure as
they jump on for the ride of a lifetime with Black Beauty. His
unbreakable…
