Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Little Bear’s Little Boat Eve Bunting Tender and true, this is a beautiful story about Little Bear’s loss as he grows too big for the little boat he loves. Since he can no longer fish from the boat or dream in it, he searches for another … Download free opening extract
2		Cave Baby Julia Donaldson Best-selling author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson has teamed up with prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett to create a wonderfully witty story about a cheeky little Cave Baby. When the Cave Baby scribbles on the walls of his cave he is … Download free opening extract
3		Alison Jay’s Question Blocks Alison Jay A perfect gift for a newborn baby. Four stunning board books nestle in this beautiful box. Each poses a question. Who is That?, What is Yellow?, Where is Teddy?, What is This?  The answers to all the questions are to … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Ice Bear Jackie Morris Stunning illustrations capture the warm emotions of this magical story and juxtaposes them perfectly with  the winter landscape of the white bears and the hunters who live in it.  When Raven steals a white bear cub and delivers him to … Download free opening extract
2		Iris and Isaac Catherine Rayner Prize-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner has produced a new outstanding title. Polar bears Iris and Isaac fall out over sharing their nest. Each stomps away in a Big Bear Huff but soon both find that they don’t enjoy anything half as … Download free opening extract
3		Zog Julia Donaldson The creators of the best-selling Gruffalo have invented a delightful new character – Zog the little dragon who always wants to do best at school. Zog’s determination to win gold stars leads him into loads of mishaps but luckily he … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		The Three Little Witches Storybook (Early Reader) Georgie Adams Perfect for reading aloud and sharing with children, these Early Reader chapter books are punctuated by catchy rhymes and speech bubbles, and with their bright, funny pictures and lively design they are hugely appealing.  They’re perfect for children from 5-7.  … Download free opening extract
2		Mr Chicken Goes to Paris Leigh Hobbs Mr Chicken has left his safe world sets off on a global adventure. He’s on a whistle-stop tour of Paris and, like a good tourist, he’s doing all the famous sites, accompanied by his French friend, Yvette. But it’s not … Download free opening extract
3		The Hodgeheg Dick King-smith This is an absolutely charming modern classic from one of Britain’s all-time favourite authors.  There is no-one more impressive when it comes to animal stories than Dick King-Smith and this one is our favourite. The Hodegheg has everything – humour, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Boom! Mark Haddon Everything about this deliciously improbable adventure is almost completely daft – and that’s the fun of it all. When Charlie sets up his walkie-talkie in the staff room he doesn’t hear gossip about the pupils as he had expected. Instead, … Download free opening extract
2		Letters from an Alien Schoolboy Ros Asquith This is the first in a terrific new series for 7+ year olds – both boys and girls.  Packed with some hilarious illustrations and the story itself is a real page-turner.  It features an alien who comes to spy on … Download free opening extract
3		Slog’s Dad David Almond Award-winning author/ illustrator team David Almond and Dave McKean have followed up The Savage with an equally stunning new book told partly as a graphic novel and partly as a story. Full of the kind of mystery David Almond created … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		No Such Thing As Dragons Philip Reeve This is the author’s first stand alone novel since the spectacular Here Lies Arthur, winner of the 2008 Carnegie Medal. Reeve’s brilliant imagination has conjured up a dragon story in the grand tradition of children’s fantasy fiction, but one that is spectacularly different … Download free opening extract
2		To the Extreme David Gatward A fun adventure about facing your fears with high quality graphic novel-style illustrations depicting the action throughout and gripping narrative with stacks of fun facts.  Particularly suitable for reluctant readers who prefer non-fiction/fact books. FYI, the series, also entices them … Download free opening extract
3		Skulduggery Pleasant: Mortal Coil Derek Landy Best-selling Skulduggery Pleasant has taken the world by storm. A hugely entertaining mix of fear and fun in a magical community where the strangest things seem to happen for unpredictable reasons, this fifth volume tells a new chapter in the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Reckless Cornelia Funke Best-selling author Cornelia Funke whose Inkheart was a world-wide phenomenon has created a wonderful new imaginary world peopled with a gigantic cast of original and outlandish characters. Searching for his missing father, Jacob Reckless steps through the mirror into a … Download free opening extract
2		Scat Carl Hiaasen Totally topical, Scat is a brilliant fast-moving eco-aware thriller set in the swamps of Florida. Nick and Marta get sucked into the world of corrupt oil prospectors and fanatical eco-activists when Mrs Starch, a formidably horrible teacher at Truman School, … Download free opening extract
3		Unhooking the Moon Gregory Hughes Shortlisted for the prestigious Teenage Book Prize 2010, the winner of which will be announced on 1st November 2010.  The shortlist of six includes: Halo by Zizou Corder, Nobody’s Girl by Sarra Manning, The Enemy by Charlie Higson, Revolver by … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		A Trick of the Dark B R Collins Prize winning B.R Collins’ A Trick of the Dark is a gripping supernatural thriller which explores the darker sides of adolescence. Annis sees her older brother Zach crushed and broken when the walls of a ruined house fall on to … Download free opening extract
2		Almost True Keren David A thrilling adventure in which the stakes are dangerously high, Almost True is an emotional roller coaster. When someone is shot dead on the doorstep instead of him, fourteen year old Ty, already under police protection since witnessing a murder, … Download free opening extract
3		The Legacy Gemma Malley What started with The Declaration and continued with The Resistance is brilliantly brought to conclusion in The Legacy.  A thrilling finale in which Anna and Peter and their friends risk all to expose the truth behind the quest for Longevity.  … Download free opening extract

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		Mr Bear Says: I Love You Debi Gliori Warm and loving, Mr Bear introduces all the things he likes and ends with what he loves best of all – his own little baby. Lovely bright illustrations in a slimline, easy to hold board book.  Download free opening extract
2		Embossed Board Books: Colours Emily Bolam Whole pages devoted to a single colour make this a striking book. The surface of each page is embossed with a pattern which makes it interesting and exciting to touch giving it multi-sensory appeal. Download free opening extract
3		The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle This is a much-loved classic but as relevant today as it was when first published 40 years ago. Its vivid and colourful illustrations and cut back and die-cut pages together with some very simple text provide a wonderful story that is immensely satisfying for … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		On Our Way Home Sebastien Braun A warm and gentle celebration of the relationship between parent and child. it is immensely touching and the perfect bedtime read. … Download free opening extract
2		The Perfect Baby Tony Bradman A wonderfully quirky story by Tony Bradman about a little girl who is not happy with the arrival of a little brother into the world is complemented brilliantly by some illustrations that are sure to get the smallest little child giggling away! … Download free opening extract
3		Gorilla Anthony Browne Greenaway winner in 1983.Wonderfully inventive story and almost tear-jerking at times but with a happy ending.  The illustrations are both detailed and colourful and children will delight in them. I’m sure for some parents it really touches a nerve as … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Growing up amidst rubble a small boy tends a green shoot which … Download free opening extract
2		Dinosaur Cove: Finding The Deceptive Dinosaur Rex Stone Exciting adventures in this easy to read series about two boys and the dangerous dinosaurs they encounter – especially the deadly Tyrannosaurus Rex. Jamie’s dad is opening a dinosaur museum in Dinosaur Cove. Jamie expects to find some fossils but … Download free opening extract
3		Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar Here is a collection of more than 80 poems and rhymes from a glittering galaxy of more than 50 poets. It is a delectable assortment of light, melt-in-the-mouth poems for the very young to dip into again and again.  They are the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Pig City Louis Sachar Bestselling author Louis Sachar is back with a stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front and so Pig City is … Download free opening extract
2		The Dragonology Chronicles (Vol II): The Dragon’s Diary Dugald Steer The dragonological adventure continues in this eagerly-awaited second instalment of The Dragonology Chronicles.  An illness has spread among the dragons and Daniel and Beatrice must deliver a strange book to Dr. Drake so that the cure that lies therein can … Download free opening extract
3		Highway Robbery Kate Thompson Shortlisted for the Bisto Irish Children’s Book Award. With the thundering of hooves never far away, Kate Thompson weaves an attractive yarn as told by a cheeky but brave street boy whose fortunes change after he’s left holding the horse … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Museum’s Secret: The Remarkable Adventures Of Tom Scatterhorn Henry Chancellor An irresistible adventure through a world full of dust, insects, magic potions, missing jewels and stuffed animals and an incredible secret that takes Tom back 100 years into a breathtaking adventure to far flung places of the world and back … Download free opening extract
2		Shark Island David Miller Hold on to your seats for what could well be THE blockbuster this summer for children of 9+. Marooned on a tropical island, two children – Hanna and Ned – are in fear of their lives after pirates had raided … Download free opening extract
3		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney Take a peek into Greg’s diary and find out the story of his life – and especially about his relationship with his older brother Roderick. Wittily told in words and pictures, this diary charts the trials and tribulations of a … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Freefall: Tunnels 3 Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams More spine-tingling and menacing adventure from the authors of Tunnels and Deeper will once again take you way beneath the earth, in a subterranean world that’s almost too frightening to imagine and yet it will pull you into the story … Download free opening extract
2		The Pickle King Rebecca Promitzer A hugely entertaining adventure story tinged with enough horror to delight but not really to terrify. Bored during a wet holiday, Bea and her friend Sam go exploring and come across the body of a dead man. What’s the story? Bea … Download free opening extract
3		Skellig – TV tie in edition David Almond This is a wonderfully eerie and magical story about believing in something extra special and why it may make a difference.  It’s full of happiness and sadness but ultimately it’s incredibly fulfilling. ‘Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange life-affirming tale exercises every … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it. Sensitive, intelligent and gripping, Stolen is a contemporary story which will force the … Download free opening extract
2		The Resistance Gemma Malley This is an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration. With a dark and sinister vision of the future, it is set in 2140, The Resistance is an incredibly thought-provoking read. We raved about her first … Download free opening extract
3		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible and yet continue to be highly controversial. Picture if you can an island complete with families, all of … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Dear Zoo: mini board book Rod Campbell An elephant is too heavy, a giraffe is too tall, a frog is too jumpy. Hidden behind a flap, each new arrival that the zoo sends is a wonderful surprise but never quite right. Until, at last, they send the perfect pet…. This … Download free opening extract
2		My Animals Xavier Deneux Stylish imagery in black and white (with a cleverly done tiny hint of colour on each page) introduces some familiar animals in a highly original way. Perfectly placed holes for little fingers will encourage readers to engage closely with each picture as … Download free opening extract
3		No Bed Without Ted Nicola Smee Pull the tabs, lift the flap and help a little girl find her missing Ted. Is he in the drawer? No, that’s full of mice. Can he be in grandpa’s chair? No, that’s a bag of sweets. And he’s not … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Littlest Dinosaur Michael Foreman A touching story about being different and not fitting in. The littlest dinosaur and the long necked dinosaur both find it hard to fit in because of their size. But when the littlest dinosaur needs help he turns to the … Download free opening extract
2		The Perfect Baby Tony Bradman A wonderfully quirky story by Tony Bradman about a little girl who is not happy with the arrival of a little brother into the world is complemented brilliantly by some illustrations that are sure to get the smallest little child giggling away! … Download free opening extract
3		On Our Way Home Sebastien Braun A warm and gentle celebration of the relationship between parent and child. it is immensely touching and the perfect bedtime read. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Growing up amidst rubble a small boy tends a green shoot which … Download free opening extract
2		Dinosaur Cove: Finding The Deceptive Dinosaur Rex Stone Exciting adventures in this easy to read series about two boys and the dangerous dinosaurs they encounter – especially the deadly Tyrannosaurus Rex. Jamie’s dad is opening a dinosaur museum in Dinosaur Cove. Jamie expects to find some fossils but … Download free opening extract
3		Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar Here is a collection of more than 80 poems and rhymes from a glittering galaxy of more than 50 poets. It is a delectable assortment of light, melt-in-the-mouth poems for the very young to dip into again and again.  They are the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Pig City Louis Sachar Bestselling author Louis Sachar is back with a stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front and so Pig City is … Download free opening extract
2		Wigglers on the Run Caroline T Goodden Imaginative and hilarious, Wigglers on the Run is a delightful children’s tale that will be enjoyed in equal measure by parents reading to children or for 7+ children reading alone. Self-published through a company called Pen Press, here at Lovereading4kids … Download free opening extract
3		Secret Garden – Illustrated Edition Frances Hodgson Burnett This absolute classic has entranced children the world over since its first publication in 1911.  In this remarkable new hardback gift edition from Walker Books, Inga Moore’s beautifully observed illustrations capture the wonder of the garden coming alive again, bringing … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney Take a peek into Greg’s diary and find out the story of his life – and especially about his relationship with his older brother Roderick. Wittily told in words and pictures, this diary charts the trials and tribulations of a … Download free opening extract
2		The Museum’s Secret: The Remarkable Adventures Of Tom Scatterhorn Henry Chancellor An irresistible adventure through a world full of dust, insects, magic potions, missing jewels and stuffed animals and an incredible secret that takes Tom back 100 years into a breathtaking adventure to far flung places of the world and back … Download free opening extract
3		Coraline (graphic novel) Neil Gaiman A sensational graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman’s story which adds extra layers of fear to the already powerful narrative. When Coraline’s family move into a new home, she steps through a door into another house which seems strangely familiar. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		The Pickle King Rebecca Promitzer A hugely entertaining adventure story tinged with enough horror to delight but not really to terrify. Bored during a wet holiday, Bea and her friend Sam go exploring and come across the body of a dead man. What’s the story? Bea … Download free opening extract
2		Skellig – TV tie in edition David Almond This is a wonderfully eerie and magical story about believing in something extra special and why it may make a difference.  It’s full of happiness and sadness but ultimately it’s incredibly fulfilling. ‘Touched with a visionary intensity, this strange life-affirming tale exercises every … Download free opening extract
3		Freefall: Tunnels 3 Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams More spine-tingling and menacing adventure from the authors of Tunnels and Deeper will once again take you way beneath the earth, in a subterranean world that’s almost too frightening to imagine and yet it will pull you into the story … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it. Sensitive, intelligent and gripping, Stolen is a contemporary story which will force the … Download free opening extract
2		The Resistance Gemma Malley This is an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration. With a dark and sinister vision of the future, it is set in 2140, The Resistance is an incredibly thought-provoking read. We raved about her first … Download free opening extract
3		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible and yet continue to be highly controversial. Picture if you can an island complete with families, all of … Download free opening extract

After the raucous sun and fun of the Easter Holidays we hope your kids are settling back into school life. Of course, a good way to keep their brains flexing for a few more hours each week is to send them on some exciting extra-curricular reading adventures. There are loads on Lovereading4kids this month!

Author of the month – award winning Philip Reeve

Author of the Month is the inimitable Philip Reeve, whose highly original Mortal Engines quartet had young readers absolutely gripped. His hotly anticipated new story, Fever Crumb, is a prequel to the Mortal Engines books set many years before, and follows the misadventures of an odd-looking orphan who could hold the key to saving all of London.
 

Start that love of reading early with books for babies and toddlers

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a brand new category – books for Babies and Toddlers. Our 0-5 age range has always had a tendency to focus on books for 3+ rather than babies so we’re delighted to rectify that now with this new category. We certainly had a lot of fun choosing our favourites; concept books, touchy feely squashy books, bath books, interactive books and a few absolute classics we faintly remember from our own early days! We’ll be adding more each month so you can introduce your little one to the joy of books at a very young age.

A dazzling array of Books of the Month – something for every reading age and taste

The Littlest Dinosaur Michael Foreman A touching story about being different and not fitting in.  Download Extract		The Perfect Baby Tony Bradman A wonderfully quirky story about a little girl who is not happy with the arrival of a little brother into the world.  Download Extract		A Child’s Garden: A Story of Hope Michael Foreman This is a wonderful celebration of optimism and a thoughtful and touching book about the importance of growth, green shoots and new life in a war torn world. Download Extract		Pig City Louis Sachar A stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front  Download Extract
The Magic Thief: Lost Sarah Prineas An irascible wizard and his apprentice Connwaer set out on these entertaining, second set of adventures in this stand alone sequel. Download Extract		Freefall: Tunnels 3 Roderick Gordon, Brian Williams More spine-tingling and menacing adventure from the authors of Tunnels and Deeper  Download Extract		Lifegame Alison Allen-Gray An incredibly topical thriller that captures the mood of the moment in terms of the scientific advances that are becoming increasingly possible Download Extract		Puppet Master Joanne Owen This beautifully crafted debut novel, set at the turn of the twentieth century is rich in the tradition of circus, theatre and magic.  Download Extract
The Resistance Gemma Malley This is an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration.  Download Extract		The Ask and the Answer Patrick Ness This is a tough but compelling story which takes readers into shocking and moving territory.  Download Extract		Jackdaw Summer David Almond The story weaves together many strands which together give an intimate insight into the thinking of two boys growing up in Northumberland  Download Extract		More books of the month

Small is beautiful – our Joint Publishers of the Month

Children’s publishing is full of small, passionate companies, producing brilliant books for specific sections of the market. Small is beautiful. So this month we’re featuring four vibrant smaller children’s publishers you might not have heard about. We believe they have some beautiful books that really deserve to be seen and read they are Little Hare, Jane Nissen Books, Book House, and B Small Publishing. Download some free Opening Extract and don’t miss out!

Three startlingly brilliant first novels – our Debuts of the Month

The Pickle King Rebecca Promitzer A hugely entertaining adventure story tinged with enough horror to delight but not really to terrify. Bored during a wet holiday, Ella and her friend Sam go exploring and come across the body of a dead man.  Download Extract

Stolen Lucy Christopher This controversial debut is a moving drama about kidnapping, isolation and survival and an extraordinary psychological thriller that will steal the minds of those who read it.  Download Extract

Pongwiffy – classic witchery for our Series of the Month!

Our Series of the Month is the unbeatably named Pongwiffy, the witch with the dirtiest of habits. Originally published 21 years ago, these tales are coming back for a new generation of readers to fall in love. There are also some new adventures starting with Pongwiffy: Back on Track published this month. Download some FREE Opening Extracts of the books right here on Lovereading4kids.

Children’s Prize Winners for May

The shortlist for the Bisto Irish Children’s Book Award has just been announced. You’ll find the titles in our Prize winners section. Writing has always been a passion for the Irish and this shortlist will not disappoint.

Finally we’re always hearing that boys don’t read as much as girls. Well all seven of the thrilling books shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Carnegie Medal feature male protagonists – so if your kids are boys, then show them the prize winners section and see if any of the adventures on offer on the Carnegie shortlist hit the mark.

That’s all folks. Have fun choosing books with your children and don’t forget to download some FREE Opening Extracts so they can make sure they really love a story before you spend any money. Remember, there’s nothing like an amazing story to help get kids’ brains twitching back to life!

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark – Book & CD Jill Tomlinson Plop is a baby owl. Perfect in every way – except for one. He’s afraid of the dark! But he soon discovers, through a variety of new friends, that dark can be fun and exciting and magical! This is a story for … Download free opening extract
2		Colin And The Wrong Shadow Leigh Hodgkinson A stunning picture book from a wonderfully talented new children’s artist. Colin the cat is a very appealing protagonist, but he has a problem. Somebody has borrowed his shadow and given him someone else’s. Join Colin as … Download free opening extract
3		My Grandpa’s Amazing Inventions Richard Johnson This is a wonderfully inspirational picture book for any young child.  Grandpa is an inventor and has been invited to enter a competition to win the ‘greatest invention prize’. Of course he wins it but that’s not all for something … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Tumtum and Nutmeg: The Great Escape Emily Bearn An absolutely delightful tale of secret friends and a cosy world in miniature told very simply with some charming detail. It’s very much Brambly Hedge meets The Borrowers. The life of the mice, Tumtum and Nutmeg who live at Nutmouse … Download free opening extract
2		The Hodgeheg Dick King-smith This is an absolutely charming modern classic from one of Britain’s all-time favourite authors.  There is no-one more impressive when it comes to animal stories than Dick King-Smith and this one is our favourite. The Hodegheg has everything – humour, … Download free opening extract
3		Little Mouse’s Big Book Of Fears Emily Gravett Winner of the of the 2008 Kate Greenaway Medal. This award winning author illustrator continues to create some of the most innovative and imaginative illustrated children’s books. Through nursery rhyme stories follow Little Mouse as he confronts his many fears including Ablutophobia (Fear … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Waggit’s Tale Peter Howe This is an absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and … Download free opening extract
2		Wow! 366: Speedy Stories In Just 366 Words Various Authors , Ian Whybrow, Georgia Byng, Roddy Doyle, Jeremy Strong This anthology of 240 mini stories, each told in just 366 words, features authors such as Roddy Doyle, Raymond Briggs, Charlie Higson, Michael Morpurgo and a surprise entry from the current Prime Minister Gordon Brown. This book is a great … Download free opening extract
3		The Bfg Roald Dahl This is a delightful, funny and exciting story about a special friendship between two people from different worlds – a giant and a child. As the story develops it shows how trust and love develops between them. It also … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee Stuart This is a No. 1 New York Times Bestseller that we’ve been raving about since it went stratospheric across the water earlier this year. Here you will meet four very unusual children each with three things in common – … Download free opening extract
2		Oathbreaker Michelle Paver Welcome to best-selling author Michelle Paver’s latest in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.This is the series that began with Wolf Brother and now continues with the story of Torak alongside his trusted and loyal Wolf. Once an outcast, Torak has … Download free opening extract
3		Magic Thief Sarah Prineas This is an absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure. Full of magic and trickery, this is the story of a wizard and his new apprentice trying to discover why the magic in their city is fading and how they must … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Airhead Meg Cabot From the creator of Allie Finkle and The Princess Diaries comes a brand new novel featuring two very different girls, one a superbrain and the other a supermodel. They have absolutely nothing in common until something extraordinary happens. … Download free opening extract
2		The Resistance Gemma Malley This is an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration. With a dark and sinister vision of the future, it is set in 2140, The Resistance is an incredibly thought-provoking read. We raved about her … Download free opening extract
3		Pendragon: The Merchant of Death D J Machale This is the first in an epic series of adventures through time and space featuring a daring hero, Bobby Pendragon, with a quest to save the world. Time travel, adventure and excitement will greet the reader and if Pendragon … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Before I Die Jenny Downham Winner of the Branford Boase Award 2008. This is a haunting yet truly amazing read but don’t read it too young. Definitely not for someone less than 14 years old. If you knew you were going to die what would … Download free opening extract
2		Tales Of Terror From The Black Ship Chris Priestley This is serious spine-tingling stuff and not for the faint-hearted, it’s a novel packed with chills, thrills, nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping revelations. Join Ethan and Cathy and steel yourself against the blood-curdling terror that lies ahead as you realise … Download free opening extract
3		Life On The Refrigerator Door Alice Kuipers Beautifully told through notes left on the kitchen fridge, here is an intimate glimpse into the lives of a mother who has just discovered she’s got cancer, and her teenage daughter. This tragic but ultimately uplifting debut novel explores what being a ‘good … Download free opening extract

Storytelling is an essential part of being human. Who knows why it started, but one day thousands of years ago someone sat on a rock and started spouting fantastical nonsense that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. And the tradition has passed down all the way to the writers of this month’s brilliant children’s books…

Author of the Month

Author of the Month Robert is a real-life private investigator turned author. He has gained legions of fans for his CHERUB series, about a special branch of the British Secret Service for teenage operatives. They’re trained professionals with an essential advantage: no adult suspects they’ll be spied on by a child! Muchamore has a knack for writing punchy, exciting stories that children will wish were for real. 11+ readers will be hooked.

Series of the Month

Series of the Month: Pendragon, by D J MacHale

This wildly entertaining series of books follow Bobby Pendragon, who is just a normal 14-year-old American, until one day he’s swept off through spacetime on a series of nail-biting adventures, to save all humanity from a terrible demon. To coincide with the 8th in the series, we’ve also selected a couple of backlist titles to whet your appetite. Perfect for 9+ children especially boys.

Oathbreaker    by Michelle Paver 5th in the epic adventures of Torak and Wolf		The Magic Thief     by Sarah Prineas An absolutely captivating debut fantasy adventure full of magic and trickery.
Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: The New Girl     by Meg Cabot 2nd in this fun packed girls adventure, for 7+ girls		The Kiss of Death     by Marcus Sedgwick follow up to the brilliant My Swordhand is Singing.

A World Away    by Pauline Francis a beguiling historical adventure of two young people from very different worlds who fall in love.		The Resistance    Gemma Malley an absolutely chilling, powerful sequel to Gemma Malley’s acclaimed debut, The Declaration.
Airhead     by Meg Cabot a brainiac girl stuck in a super models body. New fun with more to follow.

Have your kids got ‘Ology’ yet?

If you haven’t already seen the ‘Ology’ books, take a look now. The series gives kids a chance to read about mythology, pirateology, wizardology, Egyptology and dragonology – all the things they probably wish they could study at school. And we’ve got a free-to-enter competition to win £50 worth of Ology goodies!

Waggits Tale competition – 5 books to give away?

An absolutely delightful and heart-warming animal tale for 7+ readers about a puppy that gets dumped in the park by its owner. As he learns to fend for himself with the help of other strays, his life becomes both exciting and frightening but can he survive the harsh world of being a stray in a city where humans are a constant threat to survival. We have 5 copies to give away in our free to enter competition. Click here to find out more.

The Debut collection of the Year from Walker

Since the beginning of the year we’ve been showcasing the brightest new storytellers from Walker Books in the New Voices section of Lovereading4kids. These are brilliant debuts, in all genres and from all corners of the world, guaranteed to wow readers aged 10+. The authors are the rising stars to watch in the future.

Debuts of the Month:

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is being touted as a new Harry Potter, with a group of young friends all working together to solve fiendish puzzles.

Carbon diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd. It’s January 1st, 2015, and the UK is the first nation to introduce carbon dioxide rationing, in a drastic bid to combat climate change. As her family spirals out of control, Laura Brown chronicles the first year of rationing with scathing abandon.

More Essential Reads

Our Essential reads section is where we show off a lot of beautiful and brilliant books that you may simply have forgotten about. This month, for the start of the new school year, we have given the list a bit of a make over and added among others two lovely titles by John Masefield Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights. Click here to find out more.

As the summer holidays draw to a close keep your children’s literary interest high with some of our superb Summer Reading selections. Scroll down to see our recommendations in the age ranges you have told us you are interested in.

Now getting older is something none of us can avoid – so do please tell us if your children have now changed age categories and we can adjust the book selections we send you. Changing age selections is v easy. Just click the  button, in the top right hand corner of the website. You can then see and change any of your details.

Focus on Reluctant Readers

Do you have a child that sometimes struggles to get interested in books? Well at Lovereading4kids we want to make sure every child, however reluctant or struggling to begin with, is given the chance to become a voracious bookworm. And publishersBarrington Stoke, have some of the very best books to get your child excited about books and reading. Please have a look at this launch selection of books for reluctant and struggling readers and download some free Opening Extracts. You can buy them with a 25% discount off the RRP.

This Month’s Highlights

Barefoot Books Young Storyteller competition

If your children have got a gift for telling stories themselves, help them make a film for the Barefoot Books Young Storyteller competition and you could win a trip to New York or £1,000 of books for the school library! Find out more today

Pre-Publication Books

Finally, there’s a whopping 6 Pre-publication books for you and your children to catch a sneaky peek of before anyone else:

Oathbreaker Michelle Paver The 5th book in the brilliant Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.		The Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee Stewart Could be a new Harry Potter. A group of young friends working together to solve fiendish puzzles.
A World Away Pauline Francis A moving story of Nadie, a American Indian ‘savage’ who faces traumatic tests of survival.		The Reckoning James Jauncey A thriller in which a teenage boy becomes entangled in murderous goings on.
The Kiss of Death Marcus Sedgwick A captivating Gothic novel set in 18th century Venice.		The Resistance Gemma Malley The sequel to her stunning dystopian novel The Declaration.

Download some free Opening Extracts of these wonderful stories with your kids, and find out which ones will really make the rest of their summer memorable. And remember, you can buy all your children’ books with a 25% discount on Lovereading4kids.