Some heroes of children’s literature were born in the month of March, including Kenneth Grahame (1859) and Anna Sewell (1820). Grahame had been telling stories to his son about Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger for several years before he wrote The Wind in the Willows. Sewell, who penned one of the most popular children’s books of all time – Black Beauty – originally intended it for horse-lovers more than kids. It just goes to show – wherever there’s a brilliant story, children will latch onto it and love it to bits even into adulthood.

This month’s Highlights

Help your kids’ imaginations with the books behind the films

Films are a wonderful way of piquing children’s interest in stories, but sometimes it’s good for them to read the book before they see the movie – it’s brilliant creative brain training. Upcoming film releases include the new Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (screenplay by the wonderful Emma Thompson), and Diary of a Wimpy Kid . The books behind them are truly fantastic – download free Opening Extracts of and whet your kids’ appetites for the films.

Great books for Boys

Lots of research suggests that boys don’t read as much as girls. We want to help redress the balance, so we’ve created a special category of books our experts think will appeal to boys through their exciting action and fast-moving plots. We hope this will be a useful resource for parents! As always you can download free Opening Extracts of each book and buy with a 25% discount, and we will be adding to the new section regularly.

Be the first to discover – Lovereading4kids Pre-publication exclusives

Where I Belong Gillian Cross 11+ A powerful coming-of-age novel about three friends who have to come to terms with some tough issues – people smuggling and kidnapping, fashion and falsehoods. Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)	Koh Tabu Ann Kelley 11+ This very cool novel sees a trip to a tropical island turn from paradise to death, danger and a struggle for survival – all in one terrible night. Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)	The Truth About Leo David Yelland 11+ An incredibly moving and insightful story about a kid trying to cope with his father’s alcoholism handled by the author with a deftness of touch. Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey Trenton Lee Stewart Don’t let any 9+ year old miss this one. Fast-paced, brilliantly plotted and the children in the story are incredibly endearing Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)	A Web of Air :Mortal Engines 6 Fever Crumb 2 Philip Reeve 9+ Reeve’s Mortal Engines sequence has just got even more gripping if that were possible. Fever Crumb is recruited by a strange recluse to build a flying machine – but ruthless enemies will kill to get their secrets! Download Extract Buy £9.74 Saving £3.25 (25%)	The Pasta Detectives Andreas Steinhofel 9+ A fantastically quirky debut mystery starring two unlikely boy detectives, the mildly autistic Rico and the brainy but anxiety-ridden Oscar. Download Extract Buy £4.49 Saving £1.50 (25%)
Vampireology Nick Holt 7+ Part of the absorbing, sumptuous ‘ology’ series that gives readers hours of entertainent. Vampireology explores ‘the true history of the fallen’ – the vampires who have lived among us for hundreds of years.. Download Extract Buy £13.49 Saving £4.50 (25%)	Triskellion 3: The Gathering Will Peterson 11+ The third and final instalment in this gripping paranormal adventure trilogy. Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)

Even more unfortunate events from our Series of the Year

Dive in to the next three books (5,6 and 7) of the incredible and immersive world of Lemony Snicket. The titles about the ill-fated Baudelaire orphans were the 5th most popular books of the last decade and got more kids reading than Harry Potter. Now, at long last, they are available to buy in great value paperback for a whole new generation of fans!

Michael Morpurgo needs YOU

Bestselling author Michael Morpurgo is sponsoring the exciting new Wicked Young Writers’ Award, in association with Wicked, the musical that turns the story of The Wizard of Oz on its head. It’s a great way to encourage children and young adults to get creative – entrants aged from 5 to 25 can write about whatever they like, in prose or poetry. Michael Morpurgo comments, ‘All children are born with a sort of spark of genius. Growing up should fan it’. There are five different age categories and the deadline for this year’s award is July 23. For more details go to the award website – www.wickedyoungwriters.com. Enjoy!

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		How to Catch a Star Oliver Jeffers A prize winning illustrator with a reputation for spare illustrations which pack a huge emotional punch. A little boy so loves the stars that he decides to set off and try to catch one. But catching a star is not as easy as … Download free opening extract
2		Playtime (Slip and Slide Book) Maureen Roffey This is a lovely book for little hands.  Slip and slide the tab to make the pages come alive in this robust and playful book for toddlers. Painting, drumming, skipping and reading are just some of the activities in Playtime … Download free opening extract
3		I Like Fruit (Petit Collage) Lorena Siminovich This is one of the most beautiful and touchy feely books I’ve seen for babies and toddlers for a while.  Each spread depicts a colour and a fruit; for example, a strawberry and alongside it, the words and pictures of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Heart and the Bottle Oliver Jeffers Award winning Oliver Jeffers’s latest book is wholly compelling for the importance of its message and the brilliance of how that is conveyed in words and pictures. To overcome her sadness when her grandfather dies a little girl decides to … Download free opening extract
2		Caterpillar Dreams Jeanne Willis This is a magical picture book from what you could call the dream team of Jeanne Willis (who writes the words) and Tony Ross (who creates the illustrations). Caterpillar Dreams celebrates the life of two curly caterpillars who dream of … Download free opening extract
3		Tiggy Jacquie Trajan A delightful picture book written and illustrated by a newcomer to the world of picture books. Tiggy is the story of an unhappy pig, a pig who desperately wants to look different, perhaps with long legs or a different nose … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Flossie Crums: The Fairies Cupcake Ball Nathan, Helen This is not just a wonderful story of Flossie Crums the Fairy, this is also a wonderful baking adventure too.  Simple mouth-watering recipes are woven into the story so that parents and children together can have fun baking alongside the … Download free opening extract
2		Dinosaur Cove: Clash of the Monster Crocs Rex Stone The dinosaurs in Dinosaur Cove are unusual: they are ALIVE! Jamie, Tom and Wanna can slip back into the Triassic period where they are on the trail of an enormous prehistoric crocodile. The crocodile is a dangerous creature and it … Download free opening extract
3		Winnie Goes Batty Laura Owen Well-loved Winnie the Witch is back in four new adventures each as madcap as the one before! Entranced by a visit to the circus, Winnie decides she’ll have a go herself. Inevitably, Wilbur the cat gets involved too and the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Raven Mysteries 3: Lunatics and Luck Marcus Sedgwick As told by a raven, this Gothic horror richly laced in humour is a delicious read – especially when the moon is full! Castle Otherhand is beset by problems. There are the usual ones of money troubles but this time … Download free opening extract
2		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies Winner of the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother … Download free opening extract
3		Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder Jo Nesbo Fuelled by farts, this is fast-paced and a delightfully ridiculous adventure. Newly moved into the neighbourhood, Nilly meets a strange old man who turns out to be Doctor Proctor, an almost famous inventor who is about to come up with … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Little Darlings Jacqueline Wilson Bestselling Jacqueline Wilson tells a fairy tale story of the unlikely intertwining of two very different families against a strong and realistic background. Destiny is growing up poor with her mum who does three jobs and struggles to pay the … Download free opening extract
2		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky debut novel laced with humour and a dollop of magic. … Download free opening extract
3		The Queen Must Die: Chronicles of the Tempus K.A.S. Quinn Completely gripping, this rollercoaster time travel adventure takes Katie, a contemporary New York teenager, back right into the heart of Queen Victoria’s reign. Landing unexpectedly in the Buckingham Palace bedroom of Alice, Queen Victoria’s younger daughter, Katie is swiftly caught … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend Cora Harrison Rich in period detail and full of romance and fantasy, this is a delightful imaginary diary of Jenny Cooper which gives entertaining insights into what Jane Austen might have been like as a teenager.  Jenny is the pretty, clever but … Download free opening extract
2		Luke and Jon Robert Williams This is a wonderfully original and arresting debut novel about friendship, grief and love.  Written with great power, warmth and humour with not a word out of place you feel utterly compelled to read on.  Luke and Jon is a … Download free opening extract
3		This Book is Not Good for You Pseudonymous Bosch Mysterious, marvellous, witty, exciting and dangerous.  Here, in this the author’s 3rd book that you really shouldn’t be reading but few have taken heed, you’ll meet a cursed aztec artefact, an evil and deranged chef, a secret jungle lair inahibited … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Drawing with Light Julia Green A touching and tender teenage novel of love and exploration this tells how sixteen-year-old Emily finds first love and also begins an important search to find her mother. Emily was only two when her artist mother left home and she … Download free opening extract
2		The Facts of Life Joanna Nadin In this, another brilliant installment of Rachel Riley’s hilarious diaries, join her in her no-nonsense, fact-based approach to life.  Just when she thought she had finally found her knight in shining skinny jeans i.e. the ONE, an accidental snog with … Download free opening extract
3		No and Me Delphine de Vigan Deeply moving, this is the touching story of two teenagers from very different backgrounds whose friendship raises huge questions about what concepts of home and family really mean. Lou is bright and successful at school but her home is unhappy … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		How to Catch a Star Oliver Jeffers A prize winning illustrator with a reputation for spare illustrations which pack a huge emotional punch. A little boy so loves the stars that he decides to set off and try to catch one. But catching a star is not as easy as … Download free opening extract
2		Playtime (Slip and Slide Book) Maureen Roffey This is a lovely book for little hands.  Slip and slide the tab to make the pages come alive in this robust and playful book for toddlers. Painting, drumming, skipping and reading are just some of the activities in Playtime … Download free opening extract
3		I Like Fruit (Petit Collage) Lorena Siminovich This is one of the most beautiful and touchy feely books I’ve seen for babies and toddlers for a while.  Each spread depicts a colour and a fruit; for example, a strawberry and alongside it, the words and pictures of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Heart and the Bottle Oliver Jeffers Award winning Oliver Jeffers’s latest book is wholly compelling for the importance of its message and the brilliance of how that is conveyed in words and pictures. To overcome her sadness when her grandfather dies a little girl decides to … Download free opening extract
2		Don’t Want to Go! Shirley Hughes In her warm and readily recognisable illustrations, award winning illustrator Shirley Hughes always captures the small but important details of how young children feel. When Mum is ill one day, Dad says Lily has to go to Melanie’s house, but Lily … Download free opening extract
3		Caterpillar Dreams Jeanne Willis This is a magical picture book from what you could call the dream team of Jeanne Willis (who writes the words) and Tony Ross (who creates the illustrations). Caterpillar Dreams celebrates the life of two curly caterpillars who dream of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Flossie Crums: The Fairies Cupcake Ball Nathan, Helen This is not just a wonderful story of Flossie Crums the Fairy, this is also a wonderful baking adventure too.  Simple mouth-watering recipes are woven into the story so that parents and children together can have fun baking alongside the … Download free opening extract
2		The Pain and the Great One: Going Going Gone Judy Blume The Pain (aka Jake Porter) is six years old. His sister, The Great One (aka Abigail Porter), is eight. Like any siblings, they drive each other mad but they have fun adventures. In funny, warm and characterful episodes, the Porter family comes to … Download free opening extract
3		Bob and Barry’s Lunar Adventures 2: A Right Royal Disaster Simon Bartram Bob, the much loved Man on the Moon, is back in a new adventure for beginner readers. As ever, he doesn’t believe in aliens! But when it looks as if he might lose his head after he tinkers with a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies Winner of the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother … Download free opening extract
2		Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder Jo Nesbo Fuelled by farts, this is fast-paced and a delightfully ridiculous adventure. Newly moved into the neighbourhood, Nilly meets a strange old man who turns out to be Doctor Proctor, an almost famous inventor who is about to come up with … Download free opening extract
3		Raven Mysteries 3: Lunatics and Luck Marcus Sedgwick As told by a raven, this Gothic horror richly laced in humour is a delicious read – especially when the moon is full! Castle Otherhand is beset by problems. There are the usual ones of money troubles but this time … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky debut novel laced with humour and a dollop of magic. … Download free opening extract
2		Little Darlings Jacqueline Wilson Bestselling Jacqueline Wilson tells a fairy tale story of the unlikely intertwining of two very different families against a strong and realistic background. Destiny is growing up poor with her mum who does three jobs and struggles to pay the … Download free opening extract
3		The Queen Must Die: Chronicles of the Tempus K.A.S. Quinn Completely gripping, this rollercoaster time travel adventure takes Katie, a contemporary New York teenager, back right into the heart of Queen Victoria’s reign. Landing unexpectedly in the Buckingham Palace bedroom of Alice, Queen Victoria’s younger daughter, Katie is swiftly caught … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend Cora Harrison Rich in period detail and full of romance and fantasy, this is a delightful imaginary diary of Jenny Cooper which gives entertaining insights into what Jane Austen might have been like as a teenager.  Jenny is the pretty, clever but … Download free opening extract
2		Time Riders Alex Scarrow This is a thrilling action adventure which hurtles across time and place at breakneck speed. Three children are on the bring of death: Liam is about to drown as the Titanic sinks in 1912, Maddy is on an aeroplane fitted … Download free opening extract
3		This Book is Not Good for You Pseudonymous Bosch Mysterious, marvellous, witty, exciting and dangerous.  Here, in this the author’s 3rd book that you really shouldn’t be reading but few have taken heed, you’ll meet a cursed aztec artefact, an evil and deranged chef, a secret jungle lair inahibited … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Drawing with Light Julia Green A touching and tender teenage novel of love and exploration this tells how sixteen-year-old Emily finds first love and also begins an important search to find her mother. Emily was only two when her artist mother left home and she … Download free opening extract
2		The Facts of Life Joanna Nadin In this, another brilliant installment of Rachel Riley’s hilarious diaries, join her in her no-nonsense, fact-based approach to life.  Just when she thought she had finally found her knight in shining skinny jeans i.e. the ONE, an accidental snog with … Download free opening extract
3		No and Me Delphine de Vigan Deeply moving, this is the touching story of two teenagers from very different backgrounds whose friendship raises huge questions about what concepts of home and family really mean. Lou is bright and successful at school but her home is unhappy … Download free opening extract

Our mid month email is, once again, packed with new and exciting extra features to spice up your children’s reading. If they are environmentally minded then check out our revamped ‘Green Reads‘ category or if they want to get ahead of the pack try some of our ‘Pre-Publication Exclusives‘. Or just browse any of our many categories and download some free Opening Extracts to help you choose.

Conspiracy 365 – a year long action-packed adventure story!

Launched in January, Conspiracy 365 is such a a cool concept – a thrilling roller coaster adventure that unfolds over a whole year, with one episode published each month. February’s title is out now and there’s a great video trailer to really whet the appetite. So, get your children hooked (it’s not too late to catch up as each book is incredibly fast paced and under 200 pages long!) and they’ll be reading all the way through 2010.

Books to change the future – Green Reads

We at Lovereading4kids believe that books can change the world – that’s why we’ve put together a category of entertaining and informative books that will enthuse children of all ages about looking after their planet as they grow up. We’ve added lots more titles this month to turn your children green.

This Month’s Highlights – not to miss

Get them while they’re hot! Exclusive Pre-Publication titles

I Love My Mummy Giles Andreae, Emma Dodd For babies and toddlers – a simple and life-affirming book about all the wonders of mum! Download Extract Buy £8.24 Saving £2.75 (25%)	Don’t Want to Go! Shirley Hughes 3+ Join young Lily as she finds out doing new things isn’t so scary as it seems – by the author of timeless picture book, Dogger. Download Extract Buy £8.24 Saving £2.75 (25%)
The Queen Must Die: Chronicles of the Tempus K.A.S. Quinn 9+ Imagine E Nesbit crossed with Philip Pullman and you’ll have an idea how good this first episode of a major new trilogy, The Chronicles of Tempus, is going to be. Download Extract Buy £7.49 Saving £2.50 (25%)	Little Darlings Jacqueline Wilson 9+ A story about two girls, one from a council estate, one with millionaire parents, who find in each other something they’ve been missing all their lives. Download Extract Buy £9.74 Saving £3.25 (25%)
Triskellion 3: The Gathering Will Peterson 11+ The third and final instalment in this gripping paranormal adventure trilogy. Download Extract Buy £5.24 Saving £1.75 (25%)	No and Me Delphine de Vigan 14+ Translated from the French original, this is a tense, brilliant novel about the true nature of home and homelessness. Download Extract Buy £7.49 Saving £2.50 (25%)

As good today as they’ve always been – our Essentials category

If your kids are stuck for something to read, there’s no better place to look than our ‘Bookshelf Essentials’ page, featuring some guaranteed timeless reads. Newly added this month is Rosie’s Walk, a whimsical tale of a little red hen and a sly fox that’s celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

And something we prepared earlier….

Blue Peter Book Award 2010 – young readers’ favourites

What makes the Blue Peter Book Awards special is that they’re decided by a panel of young readers and each category very much ‘does what it says on the tin’ with categories for ‘Most Fun with Pictures’, ‘Book you can’t put down’ and ‘Best Book with Facts’. So the books on the shortlist, all featured this month on Lovereading4kids, are pretty much guaranteed to thrill young readers. Have a look and download free extracts from the finest books and picture books of the last year. Find your favourites today…

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		I Like Bugs Lorena Siminovich A delightful touchy-feely counting book that depicts numbers and bugs through collage.  Whilst looking at some wonderfully vibrant insects as your toddler progresses through the book he/she can also begin to learn to count the number of insects on each … Download free opening extract
2		I Like Fruit Lorena Siminovich This is one of the most beautiful and touchy feely books I’ve seen for babies and toddlers for a while.  Each spread depicts a colour and a fruit; for example, a strawberry and alongside it, the words and pictures of … Download free opening extract
3		I Love You, Little Bear Claire Freedman, Gavin Scott Little Bear loves to go exploring with his mummy and as they do so they discover new places and meet new friends. This is a wonderful story about love and the importance of friendships. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Sylvia and Bird Catherine Rayner Shortlisted for the Pre-school Award, Early Year Awards 2009 Sylvia is the only dragon in the whole world, and she is very lonely… until one day, she meets Bird. Tiny and chirpy, so different from the huge dragon, Bird somehow changes Sylvia’s life … Download free opening extract
2		Blue Chameleon Emily Gravett Prize winning illustrator Emily Gravett triumphs again in her witty story of how a lonely chameleon does what he does best in a desperate attempt to make a new friend. Changing colour comes naturally to the blue chameleon so he … Download free opening extract
3		For Just One Day Laura Leuck, Marc Boutavant Everyone’s dreams are brought to life in this wonderful world of make believe as a child thinks of all the things she’d like to be  – just for one day. A buzzing bee, a creeping crocodile, a bunny rabbit, a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Spells Emily Gravett Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a … Download free opening extract
2		Bob and Barry’s Lunar Adventures 2: A Right Royal Disaster Simon Bartram Bob, the much loved Man on the Moon, is back in a new adventure for beginner readers. As ever, he doesn’t believe in aliens! But when it looks as if he might lose his head after he tinkers with a … Download free opening extract
3		The General Michael Foreman As relevant as when it was first published, Michael Foreman’s very first book is beautifully reissued in this 50th anniversary edition. General Jodpur loves to train his soldiers making them the best fighting force in the world. But, one day, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother … Download free opening extract
2		Peter the Penguin Pioneer Daren King Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. Hugely inventive and charmingly funny with laugh out loud zany humour and wonderful illustrations throughout that … Download free opening extract
3		The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events 1) Lemony Snicket This bestselling series (in fact in the top five of bestsellers of the last decade), now at long last available in paperback, launches with the suitably named title that charts the unlucky reason why the whole woeful story of the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky … Download free opening extract
2		Frozen In Time Ali Sparkes Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A page-turning mystery-adventure with a pleasingly old-fashioned feel as two children, frozen by cryonic suspension by … Download free opening extract
3		Flyaway Lucy Christopher Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 Tender and touching, this is a delicate story about facing up to difficulties and finding a way through. When Isla’s father develops a serious heart condition he can no longer take her to see … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Time Riders Alex Scarrow This is a thrilling action adventure which hurtles across time and place at breakneck speed. Three children are on the bring of death: Liam is about to drown as the Titanic sinks in 1912, Maddy is on an aeroplane fitted … Download free opening extract
2		The Returners Gemma Malley The Returners is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller from the author of the equally provocative futuristic novels, The Declaration and The Resistance. What happens when your past catches up with you and you don’t like what you see?  This powerful … Download free opening extract
3		My So-Called Afterlife Tamsyn Murray A wonderful debut novel which, as well as being laugh-out-loud funny, is full of insights, compassion, and love.  Fifteen-year-old Lucy has been stuck in the men’s loo ever since she was murdered there six months ago. No one has been … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Beautiful Creatures Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl A teen romance with a twist of danger and the supernatural told with a sure touch that makes it a headlong read from start to finish. Typical teenager Ethan is bored by his life growing up in a small town … Download free opening extract
2		Magic Under Glass Jaclyn Dolamore A hair-raising story full of suspense and intrigue. Nimira is picked out of her poor life as a music hall performer by the wealthy and mysterious Hollin Parry who asks her to sing for his automaton piano player. Parry is … Download free opening extract
3		Savannah Grey: A Horror Story Cliff Mcnish If you’re looking for a real page-turner that will have you gasping for breath then this is it. It’s a horror story and a love story intertwined and 15 year old Savannah Grey is possibly the only person who can … Download free opening extract

We hope you and the children are having a great start to the new decade, and that books are playing a big part! According to our literary calendar, Judy Blume, Kenneth Grahame, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Charles Dickens were all born in the month of February, and every time we recall such brilliant children’s writers it inspires us to go out and find new talent to tell you about – to help kids of today fall in love with reading.

Our Bookshelf of fantabulous Books of the Month

MEGA BOOK OF THE MONTH! – Time Riders by Alex Scarrow

As well as our normal bookshelf of Books of the Month we want to shout a bit louder about one of the most anticipated new books for young readers. Written by an established adult author Alex Scarrow Time Riders is his first children’s book. Three teenagers have cheated death. Now they have to fix broken history, and stop time travel from destroying the world… Readers of 10+ will be transfixed by it. Find out more and read a free Opening Extract!

Help your kids’ imaginations with the books behind the films

Films are a wonderful way of piquing children’s interest in stories, but sometimes it’s good for them to read the book before they see the movie because when you read you can imagine how landscapes, characters and adventures look – it’s brilliant brain training. So we’re launching a new category with information about upcoming films and the books they’re based on – to help make books a part of the whole experience. Find out more about the brilliant new films due for release and created from even better books.

Win yourselves something fantastic – new competitions

After a brief break for January, our popular Free Prize Draws and Competitions section is back! This month we have prizes linked to cats, dragons and teenage spies!

Asking the big questions – Author of the Month Gemma Malley

Gemma’s powerful and gripping novels for young adults are often based on big ideas about science and moral duty.

Her new book, The Returners, is no exception. It’s an endlessly thought-provoking story set in an alternate future that questions the role of every individual in society.

Why not take a look at all the books from February’s Author of the Month and download some free Opening Extracts – we’re sure your teenagers will get hooked…

February – Debuts of the Month

The Badness of Ballydog Garrett Carr 7+ Three teenagers in a grim coastal town have to try to save it from a vast ancient creature on the seabed…but is it worth saving?. Download Extract More info	Princess for Hire Lindsey Leavitt 9+ An hilarious story about a girl who gets the chance to be a substitute princess, and makes one royal fiasco after another.. Download Extract More info
Superhumans: Meteorite Strike A.G. Taylor 9 – 12 An action-packed SciFi adventure about two kids who survive an alien virus, only to be enrolled by a rogue international agency with ruthless goals… Download Extract More info	My So-Called Afterlife Tamsyn Murray 11+ A terrifically funny story about a deceased girl with a pretty lame afterlife who gets a chance to put grisly matters to rest and meet the ghost of her dreams! Download Extract More info
Out of Shadows Jason Wallace 14+ A memorable, moving and disturbing coming of age story set against the tumult of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. It’s incredibly powerful and definitely one for teenage readers. Download Extract More info	Beautiful Creatures Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl 14+ An exquisitely crafted dark Gothic fantasy story with unforgettable characters – this book is a future classic. Download Extract More info
Magic Under Glass Jaclyn Dolamore 14+ A stunning blend of paranormal intrigue and doomed love that captures a perfect Gothic romance on every page. Download Extract More info

Guest Editor of the Month – Robert Muchamore

Best known for his Cherub Series, Robert Muchamore is also the author behind the more recently penned and wildly popular Henderson’s Boys series, the latest of which – Secret Army – is out now. This month Robert has chosen a selection of books, exclusively for Lovereading4kids, by authors who have influenced and inspired him in his impressive career to date.

Have you or your children read the cult Classic Catcher in the Rye?

The recent death of the author J D Salinger has reignited interest in his book, which is considered by many to be one of the most important books of all time.

Long a staple of GCSEs perhaps it’s time to take this out of the classroom and either revisit or say hello to the teen anti hero Holden Caulfield. Read an Opening extract and find out more..

We hope there’s plenty here to help your children keep on enjoying books, and to challenge them to progress their reading skills. Have a great February!

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Nursery Rhyme Rainbow (board book) Alison Jay Beautiful illustrations with a delightful nostalgic feel bring to life the stories of a host of favourite nursery rhymes selected for their reference to different colours. Little Boy Blue dozes contentedly under a hay stack, the Owl and the Pussy … Download free opening extract
2		Let’s Take a Trip on Animal Airways Sally Hopgood, Andrea Petrlik The aeroplane in this book really does travel through the pages! This wonderful novelty format will help encourage counting, sequencing and recognition skills in any toddler.  Turn the page and the brightly coloured aeroplane pops out on a flexible ribbon … Download free opening extract
3		Baby Gym: Touch and Tickle Designed to stimulate the senses, this delightful board book that hooks into the baby’s first language – that of touch, is a book that will encourage interaction and bonding between parent and baby and thereby build a sense of security … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Julia Eccleshare & Quentin Blake Fall down the rabbit hole, take flight into Neverland, or follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City; we all remember what it was like to disappear into the imaginary worlds of the most magical and fantastic type of … Download free opening extract
2		The Tear Thief Carol Ann Duffy This is a warm, poignant and beautifully illustrated story set in a magical world where the tears of children arising from every emotion are of a different colour. An underlying thought-provoking message about emotions lies at its heart. The multi-coloured … Download free opening extract
3		Where the Wild Things are Maurice Sendak When Max is sent to bed without any supper for making mischief, he sets off on an amazing adventure across the sea to the land where he meets the ‘wild things’. The wild things roar their terrible roar and gnash … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Spells Emily Gravett Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a … Download free opening extract
2		The Diary of a Killer Cat Anne Fine A cat’s eye view of the world is not exactly the same as a humans! Tuffy’s got no problems with the trail of delicious victims he brings into the house. A bird, a mouse – they are both delicious. In … Download free opening extract
3		The Church Mouse Graham Oakley A brilliant picture book thankfully now back in print. The stunning, detailed and humorous illustrations tell the entertaining story of how Sampson the church cat and Arthur the church mouse take over the local church despite the reservations of the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Peter the Penguin Pioneer Daren King Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. Hugely inventive and charmingly funny with laugh out loud zany humour and wonderful illustrations throughout that … Download free opening extract
2		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother … Download free opening extract
3		Batpants! Jeremy Strong Loads of laughter for readers from comic master writer Jeremy Strong.  Batpants is his new creation, a madcap story of high jinks as Finn, Zac and Tilly learn to live with a pet orang-utan. Batpants is just part of the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky … Download free opening extract
2		Flyaway Lucy Christopher Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Award 2010 Tender and touching, this is a delicate story about facing up to difficulties and finding a way through. When Isla’s father develops a serious heart condition he can no longer take her to see … Download free opening extract
3		Frozen In Time Ali Sparkes Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A page-turning mystery-adventure with a pleasingly old-fashioned feel as two children, frozen by cryonic suspension by … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Season of Secrets Sally Nicholls A haunting and unforgettable new novel From the award-winning author of Ways to Live Forever. Season of Secrets weaves the tale of a heartbroken child and an age-old legend into beautiful story of love, healing and strange magic. Resonant of classics such as … Download free opening extract
2		Auslander Paul Dowswell Shortlisted for the prestigious Teenage Book of the Year Award 2009. A tense and dramatic story of growing up in Berlin during World War Two. When Piotr’s parents are killed he is taking to an orphanage in Warsaw. But Piotr … Download free opening extract
3		Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo One of our ‘Must Reads’. It will seem odd when reading this book that the author enjoyed writing it the most of all the 90 or so he has written so far. That’s because it’s the one that most … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Savannah Grey: A Horror Story Cliff Mcnish If you’re looking for a real page-turner that will have you gasping for breath then this is it.  It’s a horror story and a love story intertwined and 15 year old Savannah Grey is possibly the only person who can … Download free opening extract
2		The Carbon Diaries 2017 Saci Lloyd Laura’s witty diary entries cleverly combine the important events in her own life – managing her boyfriend and dealing with her attempts to be in a successful band – with the major and serious issues of climate change in a … Download free opening extract
3		My Love Lies Bleeding Alyxandra Harvey This is a teen romance to really get your teeth into.  It’s an action-packed, urban fantasy full of Gothic seduction, teen angst, passion, wicked humour and adventure, all skilfully ignited by an age-old prophecy and a reluctant vampire princess that … Download free opening extract

After a slightly delayed start with the weather the pace of January has now picked up and we hope you are enjoying the newly designed Lovereading4kids newsletter is providing you with all the guidance you need when it comes to great books for kids. Read on to find out about the Blue Peter Book Award shortlist, Pre-Publication exclusives, the long-awaited paperback launch of Lemony Snicket and the new ‘Demi God’ on the block, Percy Jackson, whose film release is imminent!

Series of the Month – Percy Jackson

Imagine a world where the gods of Olympus are alive in the 21st century, and still fall in love with mortals and have children who might turn out to become great heroes like Theseus, Jason and Hercules. Percy is one of those kids, and his adventures have been transported to the silver screen in a film from the director of the Harry Potter movies. Due for release on 12 February, Percy Jackson will be the talk of the playground shortly so make sure your kids are on to it well ahead of the game.

Series of the Year – ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’

Lemony Snicket titles about the fated Baudelaire orphans were the 5th most popular books of the last decade and got more kids reading than Harry Potter. Now, at long last they are available to buy in great value paperback.

The stories are strange, even weird and so immersive and well-loved that we thought we’d make them our Series of the Year for 2010, which in turn might get a whole new generation of kids hooked! One to three are out now with the rest being published throughout 2010. Find out more…

This Month’s Highlights not to miss

Be first to the best new kids’ books – exclusive Pre-Publication

Out of Shadows – Jason Wallace

14+ A powerful book set in post-war 1980s Zimbabwe, where new foreign student Robert Jacklin learns that for some of his white classmates, the battles for leadership of ‘their’ country aren’t over at all…

Savannah Grey – Cliff McNish

11+ Savannah Grey is not having a great time, she’s only just settled in to her latest foster home when she discovers she has supernatural powers, and that the evil Ocrassa wants to use them to destroy the world!

11+ Superhumans: Meteorite Strike – A G Taylor

Robert and Sarah survive a terrible alien virus, only to find themselves captured by a rogue organisation that wants to experiment on them like lab rats because of the strange psychic powers they’ve suddenly started to develop.

New Year, new opportunities!

It’s been well documented that girls seem to perform better at school than boys; but more recent development theories suggest we ought to be challenging the myths about boys’ ‘underachievement’ and encouraging their talents. So, take a look at our Parenting category which has some great new books for you about keeping children stimulated while learning, and ensuring they don’t fall behind or get discouraged. As a parent, New Year is the perfect time to provide plenty of encouragement and support.

Classic stories that are as good today as ever

Our ‘Bookshelf Essentials‘ category features timelessly brilliant books that every child from every generation can gain from by reading. We’ve just refreshed the list with some tremendous classics including The Church Mouse, Greyfriars Bobby and in its 40th anniversary year, Rosie’s Walk. If your kids are stuck for what to read next, take a look at our impressive selection – broken down by age range – it could also be a wonderfully nostalgic experience for you.

And something we prepared earlier….

Blue Peter Book Award 2010 – young readers’ favourites

What makes the Blue Peter Book Awards special is that they’re decided by a panel of young readers and each category very much ‘does what it says on the tin’ with categories for ‘Most Fun with Pictures’, ‘Book you can’t put down’ and ‘Best Book with Facts’. So the books on the shortlist, all featured this month on Lovereading4kids, are pretty much guaranteed to thrill young readers. Have a look and download free extracts from the finest books and picture books of the last year. Find your favourites today…

Now the snow, for most, has pretty much gone we hope you can get back to all the important things you might have missed – but don’t forget to keep using Lovereading4kids for guidance to keep your children stocked with the best books for them.

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Nursery Rhyme Rainbow (board book) Alison Jay Beautiful illustrations with a delightful nostalgic feel bring to life the stories of a host of favourite nursery rhymes selected for their reference to different colours. Little Boy Blue dozes contentedly under a hay stack, the Owl and the Pussy … Download free opening extract
2		Five Little Ducks Jason Chapman, Jemima Lumley, Francesca Stich Shortlisted for the Baby Book Award, Early Year Awards 2009 Complete with cleverly cut pages, all with rounded corners so that even the smallest toddler can handle this board book, it tells the story very simply of a duck who starts … Download free opening extract
3		Welcome to the Zoo Alison Jay This absolutely gorgeous wordless picture book has now been re-released in a small format rounded-edged board book that’s perfect for babies and tiddly toddlers.  Curious eyes will explore the zoo, which is brimming with beauty, humour and high-jinks.  Parents will … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Terrible Plop Ursula Dubosarsky, Andrew Joyner This is a great read-aloud storybook for parents and children alike.  It has funny, clever, rhyming text about a little rabbit who learns that some things aren’t as scary as they first seem and a bad-tempered bear who isn’t as … Download free opening extract
2		Do as you would be done by Hugh Salmon and Anthony Stileman This whole book is available to download and read free of charge. Either click the ‘Download Entire Book’ button above to get a PDF version you can print out or click the image to the right to read an online … Download free opening extract
3		1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up Julia Eccleshare & Quentin Blake Fall down the rabbit hole, take flight into Neverland, or follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City; we all remember what it was like to disappear into the imaginary worlds of the most magical and fantastic type of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Spells Emily Gravett Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a … Download free opening extract
2		The Penguin Who Wanted to Find Out Jill Tomlinson This is a perfect story for animal lovers young and old, filled with tenderness and love combined with a subtle humour.  Soft focus illustrations take readers right into the cold world of the penguins living in Antarctica. The beautiful pictures … Download free opening extract
3		Usborne Lift the Flap Picture Atlas Alex Frith, Kate Leake Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Best Book with Facts’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. An original, innovative and interactive atlas full of flaps to lift, revealing beautiful buildings, exotic animals … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Peter the Penguin Pioneer Daren King Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Most Fun with Pictures’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in early March. Hugely inventive and charmingly funny with laugh out loud zany humour and wonderful illustrations throughout that … Download free opening extract
2		Green Smoke Rosemary Manning A touching and magical adventure story, Green Smoke tells how Susan meets a very special dragon while on her summer holiday in Cornwall. R. Dragon is 1,500 years old. He’s green and scaly and has two golden-yellow horns but he’s … Download free opening extract
3		The Great Hamster Massacre Katie Davies An entertaining behind-the-scenes look at family life in all its intricacies as it revolves around pet ownership and the drama that surrounds it. Nine year old Anna tells how she and her younger brother Tom win the battle to be … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 Harriet Goodwin Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 is a quirky … Download free opening extract
2		Frozen In Time Ali Sparkes Shortlisted for the 2010 Blue Peter ‘Book I Couldn’t Put Down’ Award. The winner will be announced to coincide with World Book Day in March. A page-turning mystery-adventure with a pleasingly old-fashioned feel as two children, frozen by cryonic suspension by … Download free opening extract
3		Flyaway Lucy Christopher Tender and touching, this is a delicate story about facing up to difficulties and finding a way through. When Isla’s father develops a serious heart condition he can no longer take her to see the swans on the lake. Instead … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Season of Secrets Sally Nicholls A haunting and unforgettable new novel From the award-winning author of Ways to Live Forever. Season of Secrets weaves the tale of a heartbroken child and an age-old legend into beautiful story of love, healing and strange magic. Resonant of classics such as … Download free opening extract
2		The 13 Curses Michelle Harrison Sequel to the award-winning The 13 Treasures, this shows just about how disagreeable fairies can get! Red returns determined to find her brother and get him back. To do so she must find a way to enter the fairy realm. … Download free opening extract
3		A Perfect Ten Chris Higgins Winner of the Young Minds Book Prize 2009. Chris Higgins’ writing rivals the likes of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson.  She’s an author truly in tune with the teen psyche.  This is her fourth novel and she gets better and better with each … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		My Love Lies Bleeding Alyxandra Harvey This is a teen romance to really get your teeth into.  It’s an action-packed, urban fantasy full of Gothic seduction, teen angst, passion, wicked humour and adventure, all skilfully ignited by an age-old prophecy and a reluctant vampire princess that … Download free opening extract
2		Hunger Michael Grant Michael Grant’s GONE was one of the highlights of 2009 and his sequel is, do I dare say it, as good or possibly even better.  The series hits the zeitgeist and HUNGER continues at heart-in-your-mouth pace just like GONE and … Download free opening extract
3		Inside Julia Jarman This is raw and powerful writing but a book that should be read for it doesn’t shy away from telling the reader exactly how awful a Young Offenders’ Institution is for a first-timer. Aged seventeen, Lee is inside for a crime … Download free opening extract

Happy New Year from all of us at Lovereading4kids! Hopefully batteries have been recharged over the festive break, so now is the perfect time for children to start reading with renewed energy, to help them grow up bright and successful in the new decade.

Reading is fundamental to the long term development of kids, and our mission is to help you choose titles to foster a life-long love of reading in your children. To help, take a look at some of this month’s highlights below or scroll down further for our recommendations in the age ranges you have said you would like to see.

From nursery rhymes to dead hamsters – our Books of the Month – there’s something for everyone!

Conspiracy 365 – 12 explosive books…. 12 months…

We’re excited to tell you about a new and explosive series to keep kids’ turning pages throughout 2010. One book of this 12-part series is published each month, giving enough time to order a copy and race through it, heart-pounding, before waiting in suspense for the next episode. On New Year’s Eve Cal finds out that the people who killed his father are after him too. Hurled into life as a fugitive, he has 365 days to uncover a devastating conspiracy. This will be a rip-roaring reading year…

Police protection and magic forests – great January Debuts for older readers

The Crowfield Curse – Pat Walsh

9+ A wonderfully imaginative story about a 14th century orphan boy who lives in an abbey amidst a fantastical forest. Shortlisted for The Times Children’s Fiction Competition in 2008.

Quick Silver – Sam Osman

9+ Three extraordinary children from opposite sides of the world are brought together to fulfil an ancient prophecy; but will they discover the chilling truth of who they really are?

Castle of Shadows – Ellen Renner

11+ The mysterious disappearance of the queen leads her daughter on a dangerous race against time to uncover the truth.

Monster Republic: The Divinity Project – Ben Horton 9

14+ An explosion in a nuclear powerplant and victims patched up with scavenged body parts leads to a creation of an army of super human soldiers.

When I was Joe – Keren David

14+ An intelligent and gripping debut. Ty and his mum go into police protection after he witnesses a stabbing but the new life soon begins to crumble into confusion. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Author of the Month – the hilarious Jeremy Strong

Jeremy’s books are absolutely packed with humour that kids will love. His varied career has included stints as a head teacher and jam doughnut stuffer! Jeremy’s award-winning books include The Hundred-mile-an-hour Dog and Dinosaur Pox, and his new series about an apple crumble loving orang utan, Batpants, is guaranteed to cause much more than just chuckling.

Our first Guest Editor for 2010! – Sophie McKenzie

Phenomenally successful Sophie has penned some of the very finest children’s books of recent times, including Girl, Missing. Her new book, The Medusa Project: Hostage, is featured on Lovereading4kids this month, but she’s also put together a selection of books by authors who have inspired her on her rise to fame.

Costa Children’s Book Award announced

The winner of the prestigious Costa Book Awards children’s category has been announced. The prize has gone to a book that seems to be beating all other children’s book this year. The Ask and the Answer by the new wunderkind kids author Patrick Ness. We recommend to read the equally award winning 1st book in the series, The Knife of Never Letting Go, first.

We hope this gives you plenty of great adventures to be getting on with. Give your kids some gentle encouragement to make 2010 a year of reading, and with so many remarkable stories they’ll soon be voracious bookworms.