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!
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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
Bedtime with Ted
Sophy Henn
It's bedtime for Ted, but he's just too busy yet – flip the
flaps and you can see why: Ted is in the bath with some penguins,
busy…
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…
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…
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Michael Rosen
Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
This is the 25th anniversary board book edition of this bestselling
title which well-deserves its classic status. It has become the
staple of…
Mr Underbed
Chris Riddell
STOP PRESS: You have probably seen the Christmas TV ad for Moz the
Monster. It looks to us as though the inspiration for it may well
have…
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
Ottoline and the Purple Fox
Chris Riddell
In a nutshell: nonstop surprises in the Big City | This is the
fourth adventure for Ottoline and her best friend Mr Munroe, and
it…
My Box-Shaped Heart
Rachael Lucas
In a Nutshell: Fractured families | First love | Fresh starts |
16-year-old Holly feels like an outsider, except when she's…
5 Wild Numbers
Bella Gomez
Wow! Bright pages depicting animals in gorgeous jungle
illustrations house die-cut numbers from one to five. Each number
has a sliding disc…
Midnight
Derek Landy
In a Nutshell: Can a coldblooded killer be curtailed as time ticks
down? Following hot on the heels of Resurrection, this eleventh
instalment of…
The Funny Life of Pets
James Campbell
Illustrated by Rob Jones
You'd expect a book by top comic-for-kids James Campbell to make
them laugh a lot, and this certainly will. Over 240 illustrated
pages he…
The Extinction Trials: Exile
S.M. Wilson
In a Nutshell: Dystopian dangers, deadly dinosaurs = Jurassic Park
meets The Hunger Games | Pounding hot on the clawed heels
of…
This month's 'featured books':
Books of the Year
Lucky Button
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Michael Foreman
A moving historical story inspired by the Foundling Museum, written
by acclaimed children's author Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by
Michael…
ABC Pop-Up
Courtney Watson McCarthy
A collectible Alphabet pop-up, for design connoisseurs of all ages.
This beautifully presented pop-up book is a refreshing take on
learning 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…
A Girl Called Owl
Amy Wilson
Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2018 | One of Our Books of
the Year 2017 | February 2017 Book of the Month | In a
nutshell:…
The Loneliest Girl in the Universe
Lauren James
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | September 2017 Book of the
Month | In a Nutshell: Stellar story of survival in outer space A
uniquely…
Running on the Roof of the World
Jess Butterworth
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | June 2017 Debut of the Month In
a Nutshell: Spirit of survival abounds on an epic Himalayan…
This month's 'featured books':
Fascinating Facts
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…
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…
The Amazing Dinosaur Detectives
Maggie Li
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | May 2016 Book of the Month
Attractive, friendly illustrations and an interactive approach make
this a fun…
Animals Behaving Badly
Nicola Davies
Illustrated by Adam Stower
In a lively, highly readable book Nicola Davies examines ways that
man and animals interact, highlighting species whose intelligence
and adaptability…
This is Not Another Maths Book
Anna Weltman
Illustrated by Charlotte Milner
This book sets out to prove that maths has more in common with art
than many might think, and that it can be truly beautiful; it
achieves its aim. A…
Three Cheers for Women!
Marcia Williams
Three Cheers for Women is a hugely inspirational book for children.
It is full of facts, quotes and jokes brought together in a really
fun way…
This month's 'featured books':
UKLA 2018
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…
The Pest in the Nest Book 2
Julian Gough
Illustrated by Jim Field
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Gorgeously illustrated and
with a classic feel, this is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit
and a bear who…
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 Street Beneath My Feet
Charlotte Gullian
Illustrated by Yuval Zommer
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Detailed, ingenious and
graphically beautiful this information book opens, as the best do,
with an…
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…
Football School Season 1: Where Football Explains the World
Alex Bellos, Ben Lyttleton
Illustrated by Spike Gerrell
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Shortlisted for the Blue
Peter Book Award 2017 - Best Books with Facts The authors of this
very…
This month's 'featured books':
Books for Boys
Dog Town
Luize Pastore
Illustrated by Reinis Pētersons
In a nutshell: quirky and unusual adventure with traces of myth and
magic Riga is the setting for this fairy-tale like adventure, and
the city is…
Noah's Noisy Animals
Rebecca Elliott
Rebecca Elliott tells the story of Noah's Ark with extraordinary
economy and charm, capturing all the drama and the joy. On chunky
board book…
Radio Boy and the Revenge of Grandad
Christian O'Connell
In a nutshell: tune in for more hilarious radio-show action
Christian O'Connell follows up his debut with another
laugh-out-loud story…
Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck
James Patterson
James Patterson continues to do sterling work turning reluctant
readers onto books, and this latest instalment in the ongoing
trials of Rafe…
Collection of Curiosities: Bugs
Vicky Egan
This handsome information/activity book is packed with bug facts,
figures and features. There are lots of beautiful close up images
of insects, some…
Zoo Boy
Sophie Thompson
Illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Julia Eccleshare's Debut of the
Month, February 2016 When Vince turns eight years old he discovers
he has…
This month's 'featured books':
Reluctant Readers
Dave Pigeon (Nuggets)
Swapna Haddow
Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
In a nutshell: pigeontastic comedy capers with Dave and Skipper |
Things are not looking good for pigeons Dave and Skipper. The
Human…
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…
What Pet Should I Get?
Dr. Seuss
More than 60 years after they were first published Dr Seuss's books
continue to work their magic on children: his rhyme and rhythm,
nonsense…
Jinks and O'Hare Funfair Repair
Philip Reeve
Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Bestselling Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre have created a fabulous
feisty new heroine in Emily who is determined to be as helpful as
she possibly…
Rover and the Big Fat Baby
Roddy Doyle
Illustrated by Chris Judge
Rover, star of The Giggler Treatment and others, is back for a new
and equally hilarious dog-poo centred adventure. As ever, Rover
needs to collect…
Squishy McFluff: The Big Country Fair
Pip Jones
Illustrated by Ella Okstad
In a nutshell: Fluffy invisible friend conquers all at country fair
There's tension at the heart of this new Squishy McFluff story: Ava
and…
This month's 'featured books':
Super-readable Dyslexia-friendly
Running from the Rainbow
Karen Mccombie
Illustrated by Jessica Secheret
Interest age 9-12, Reading age 8+. A fun, sweet story of a girl
building confidence and making friends when she moves to a new
school. Starting…
Mozart's Banana
Gillian Cross
Illustrated by Richard Morgan
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7+ The best-selling author of The
Demon Headmaster tells a thrilling and funny story about the taming
of a…
Rugby Academy: Surface to Air
Tom Palmer
Illustrated by David Shephard
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Good rugby stories for young
readers are thin on the ground, but Tom Palmer's Rugby Academy
books…
The Haunting of Uncle Ron
Anne Fine
Illustrated by Vicki Gausden
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7+ Award-winning Anne Fine always
writes brilliantly about annoying family members. Ian's Uncle Ron
has a…
The Mystery of the Man with the Black Beard
Gillian Cross
Illustrated by Peter Cottrill
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ The best-selling author of The
Demon Headmaster tackles mystery and sleuthing in this
exciting…
Snug
Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Faye Hanson
Interest Age 5-8 Former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo has a
gift for telling stories about animals and how they touch the lives
of…
