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
- Oi Dog! Board Book by Kes Gray, Claire Gray
- 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
- Bug Hotel by Libby Walden
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
- Tin by Padraig Kenny
11+ readers
- The City of Secret Rivers by Jacob Sager Weinstein
- Twelve Nights by Andrew Zurcher
- The Goose Road by Rowena House
13+ readers
- Truly, Wildly, Deeply by Jenny McLachlan
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- The Football Trials: Kick Off by John Hickman
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!
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
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
LoveReading4Kids is a modern and creative way of emphasising the value and importance of books in this digital age #booksforlife
Amrit Bunet – Teen
It’s a community united by a passion for books and promoting the best there is in children’s literature.
Sam Bateman and family
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
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
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
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
This month's 'featured books':
Bedtime Reading
Peepo! 30th Anniversary Edition
Allan Ahlberg
Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out
of place; this is a book that no nursery bookshelf can be without.
This book…
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…
Bing's Bedtime Stories
Ted Dewan
Originally from books by Ted Dewan, Bing now has his own TV show on
Cbeebies and this gorgeous hardback gift collection with a padded
cover…
Return
Aaron Becker
One of our Books of the Year 2016 | Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the
Month August 2016 A triumphant final story in Aaron Becker's
superbly…
Each Peach Pear Plum
Allan Ahlberg, Janet Ahlberg
Illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
A delightful board book with simple rhyming text and engaging
interactive pictures. Children will be able to find characters that
are mentioned in…
Because I Love You
David Bedford
Illustrated by Rebecca Harry
Little Bear is keen to know all the ways in which Mummy Bear loves
him. Gently, Mummy Bear reminds him of all the things that have
done in the…
This month's 'featured books':
Reviewed by Children
Renegades
Marissa Meyer
In a Nutshell: Anarchy, Justice, Heroes versus Villains Hot on the
heels of Wonder Woman, and timely with Black Panther's rapturous
big screen…
Firecrackers
Zaro Weil
Illustrated by Jo Riddell
April 2018 Book of the Month Beautifully illustrated by Jo Riddell,
this collection of poems and stories is a perfect gift…
Twelve Nights
Andrew Zurcher
April 2018 Debut of the Month | In a Nutshell: Mystery | Magic |
Otherworldly wraiths | An ambitious and atmospheric fantasy…
Judy Moody: The Doctor Is In!
Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Another day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest best, in
this laugh-a-minute fifth adventure in the international
bestselling series.
Judy Moody Gets Famous!
Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Another day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest-best, in
this laugh-a-minute second adventure in the international
bestselling…
Judy Moody
Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Another day. Another mood. Meet Judy Moody at her moodiest-best, in
this laugh-a-minute first adventure in the international
bestselling…
This month's 'featured books':
Books of the Year
I am Bat
Morag Hood
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | This must be one of the
brightest and best picture books of the year. With minimalist
illustrations –…
A Berlin Love Song
Sarah Matthias
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | In a nutshell: an unusual and
unforgettable wartime love story | Lili Petalo is a…
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…
La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One
Philip Pullman
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | November 2017 Book of the Month
More than two decades after Northern Lights the first book
of…
Alex, Approximately
Jenn Bennett
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | In a Nutshell: Rolling waves of
romance in the Californian sun Feel-good fiction at its best:
moving,…
The Giant Jumperee
Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | April 2017 MEGA Book of the
Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month April 2017 | Julia
Donaldson and…
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…
The Barefoot Book of Children
Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma
Illustrated by David Dean
Innovative and inclusive, The Barefoot Book of Children empowers
young readers to learn about the different lives of children around
the globe. …
The Big History Timeline Wallbook
Christopher Lloyd
Illustrated by Andy Forshaw
If you want to know what was happening on Earth any time in the
last four billion years, then you couldn't do better than opening
out the Big…
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…
Look Inside How Computers Work
Alex Frith
Illustrated by Colin King
With flaps to lift on every page and friendly little robots
providing the explanations and information, this book will help
anyone understand how…
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 month's 'featured books':
UKLA 2018
Passing for White
Tanya Landman
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Interest Age Teen Reading
Age 8 | In a nutshell: brilliantly told story inspired by
real…
Good Dog McTavish
Meg Rosoff
Illustrated by Grace Easton
Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award Interest Age 8-12 Reading
Age 8 | In a nutshell: dog to the rescue in witty domestic…
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…
Oi Dog! Board Book
Kes Gray, Claire Gray
Illustrated by Jim Field
Shortlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award | Winner of the Children's
Book Award 2017 - Books for Younger Children Category All fans of
rhymes will…
Mind the Gap
Phil Earle
One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018
Book Award A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month | February 2017
Book…
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…
This month's 'featured books':
Books for Boys
Ug-A-Lug Four Cavemen and a Prehistoric Pencil
Jill Lewis
Illustrated by Simon Rickerty
May 2014 Book of the Month Award-winning Simon Rickerty illustrates
this deliciously dotty story. Four cavemen find a pencil and have
absolutely no…
Pirate Pete and His Smelly Feet
Lucy Rowland
Illustrated by Mark Chambers
Pirates are always popular subjects for picture books and by
ingeniously combining a pirate story with a pair of yucky smelly
feet, Mark Chambers and…
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…
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 2 Middle School Mayhem
Rachel Renee Russell
In a nutshell: wacky humour, thrilling action, nail-biting suspense
and cool raps From the creator of the hugely…
There's a Dragon in My Dinner
Tom Nicoll
Illustrated by Sarah Horne
February 2016 Debut of the Month Dragons come in all shapes and
sizes in children's stories, but the one that Eric finds in a
box…
Bruno and Titch
Sheena Dempsey
Perfect for pet-lovers (and especially guinea pig lovers)
everywhere, this funny story of finding a home and a person to care
for him is told from…
This month's 'featured books':
Reluctant Readers
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…
The Worst Witch and The Wishing Star
Jill Murphy
Mildred, notoriously the worst witch at Miss Cackle's Academy for
Witches, makes a wish on a shooting star - and to her great
surprise it comes true!…
Llama United
Scott Allen
Illustrated by Sarah Horne
May 2017 Debut of the Month | In a nutshell: daft and thoroughly
entertaining football adventure with llamas | There aren't enough
good…
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…
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…
Aztec Attack
Chris Blake
Join Tom on an incredible treasure hunt through time and battle
history's mightiest warriors. The twelfth book in an action-packed,
time-travelling…
This month's 'featured books':
Super-readable Dyslexia-friendly
Young Monsters
Michael Lawrence
Illustrated by Chris Mould
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ A school story in which strange
and often hilarious things happen. Lon is sent away to his…
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 Moonshine Dragon
Cornelia Funke
Illustrated by Monica Armino
Interest Age 5-8 When a tiny dragon escapes from the pages of the
story he has been reading, Patrick can hardly believe his eyes. But
when a White…
Scrum!
Tom Palmer
Illustrated by Dylan Gibson
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. A passion for rugby and a dilemma
about it too lies at the heart of this touching story of a boy with
a big…
Blue Moon
Jenny Oldfield
Illustrated by Gary Blythe
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 This thrilling pony story has
everything fans of the genre want: a wild, beautiful setting (the
Rocky…
Gunpoint
Jim Eldridge
Illustrated by Dan Chernett
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 6+ “Put your hands up! If anyone
moves we shoot!” The action starts on page one of this
heart-stopping…
