Lovereading 4 Kids Updates from the world of children’s books

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		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
2		Quentin Blake’s Ten Frogs (Board Book) Quentin Blake With Quentin’s hallmark illustration style this is a wonderful little board book to help toddlers learn to count all with the use of some delightful animals.  Starting with One Crow, Two Goats, Three Dogs, and Four Cats this board book … Download free opening extract
3		One Fluffy Baa-Lamb, Ten Hairy Caterpillars Nick Sharratt Open the flaps to find loads of jokes in this witty and surprising counting book which makes thinking about numbers fun! The lambs and the caterpillars get up to all kids of unexpected fun to entertain readers with their driving, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		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
2		The Three Sillies Tony Ross Silliness of all kind is wittily celebrated in this delightful picture book. Sensible and handsome George is surprised by the silliness of Jess the girl he falls in love with. In fact, he is so surprised the he decides he … Download free opening extract
3		Patrick Quentin Blake Stuffed full of happiness, Patrick is the story of all the wonderful, life enhancing things that happen when Patrick plays his violin. Patrick buys a magical violin from a market stall and immediately finds that by playing a few notes … 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		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		There’s Going to be a Baby John Burningham Award-winning husband and wife John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury have teamed up in this wonderful picture book which delicately captures the complex and sometimes overpowering feelings of an older sibling waiting for the arrival of a new baby. John Burningham’s … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		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
2		Running Wild Michael Morpurgo Winner of the Independent Booksellers’ Prize 2010. Prize-winning author Michael Morpurgo’s new novel is a towering adventure and emotional roller coaster set at the time of a great tsunami. Trying to get over his father’s death, Will and his mother travel … Download free opening extract
3		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

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		The Great Rabbit Rescue Katie Davies The eagerly awaited sequel to the award winning The Great Hamster Massacre. Once again featuring 9 year old Anna and five year old Tom go on a quest for a pet. The Great Rabbit Rescue reunites its readers with the … 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		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
2		The Search for WondLa Tony Diterlizzi Creator of the best-selling Spiderwick series, Tony Diterlizzi has created a hugely imaginative world in which twelve year old Eva Nine sets out on a seemingly impossible quest with just small picture with the word ‘WONDLA’ on it to guide … Download free opening extract
3		The Dying Photo Alan Gibbons A brilliantly taut ghost story based on a blurb by a Year 6 boy from a Liverpool primary school who won a city-wide competition. A real page turner and a roller coaster ride that’s an excellent title for the reluctant, … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Unhooking the Moon Gregory Hughes Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2010 and BookTrust 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 … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		Revolver Marcus Sedgwick 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

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

Lovereading4kids.co.uk Top 10

1		No Such Thing As Dragons Philip Reeve Carnegie Medal winner Philip Reeve weaves a brilliant adventure story set long ago when the myth of the dragon held many in paralysing fear. Ansel serves Brock, the famous dragon slayer who makes his living by slaying creatures whose very … Download free opening extract
2		The Best of Times Michael Morpurgo Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated, this is a gem of a book. Michael Morpurgo weaves a magical story about the unusual way a prince finds to make his princess happy and so to save her life. Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations … Download free opening extract
3		The Secret to Teen Power Paul Harrington ‘The Secret’ is an international phenomenon that has inspired millions of people to live extraordinary lives. The Secret to Teen Power makes that material accessible and relevant for today’s over programmed, stressed-out teens in this fast-movingand changing 21st century world. … Download free opening extract
4		The Unfinished Angel Sharon Creech Prize-winning author Sharon Creech tells a magical story that’s truly original, touching and funny of an unusual friendship between an unusual angel and Zola who find themselves sharing a tower high in the Swiss Alps. The story is told by … Download free opening extract
5		Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4: Dog Days Jeff Kinney Here at Lovereading4kids we are delighted to bring you a hot-of-the-press extract of Greg’s latest wimpy adventures. Rest-assured this eagerly awaited next instalment lives up to expectations.  So get ready to split your sides laughing as Greg struggles with all … Download free opening extract
6		Spells Emily Gravett A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a frog trying his utmost to turn himself into a handsome prince from a torn up spell book, resulting in inevitably confusing consequences. It has the same … Download free opening extract
7		Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead Francesca Simon Everybody’s favourite bad boy is back for a new set of shocking adventures. Horrid Henry and his brother Perfect Peter will squabble over anything and everything – and, as his fans will know, his behaviour is getting worse! At home … Download free opening extract
8		Ghost for Sale Terry Deary Terry Deary, one of the best known children’s authors writing today has written a scary yet funny short novel that is dyslexia friendly.  9+ year olds will find the storyline terrific yet the reading age for it is a little … Download free opening extract
9		Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider novel Anthony Horowitz THIS BOOK WILL BE RELEASED ON PUB DATE – 12TH NOVEMBER. PLEASE PRE-ORDER As exciting as ever with even more action and suspense, boy hero Alex Rider is back for his eighth spectacular adventure.  When Alex finds himself in great danger … Download free opening extract
10		Really Really Big Questions about life, the Universe and everything Stephen Law, Nishant Choksi 100 Really Really Big Questions is an unusual and fun introduction to philosophy that explores life’s important but often unanswered questions. Readers will be able to explore the history of thought and the great thinkers and learn how to think … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids Top 10

1		Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4: Dog Days Jeff Kinney Here at Lovereading4kids we are delighted to bring you a hot-of-the-press extract of Greg’s latest wimpy adventures. Rest-assured this eagerly awaited next instalment lives up to expectations.  So get ready to split your sides laughing as Greg struggles with all … Download free opening extract
2		No Such Thing As Dragons Philip Reeve Carnegie Medal winner Philip Reeve weaves a brilliant adventure story set long ago when the myth of the dragon held many in paralysing fear. Ansel serves Brock, the famous dragon slayer who makes his living by slaying creatures whose very … Download free opening extract
3		The Best of Times Michael Morpurgo Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated, this is a gem of a book. Michael Morpurgo weaves a magical story about the unusual way a prince finds to make his princess happy and so to save her life. Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations … Download free opening extract
4		Ghost for Sale Terry Deary Terry Deary, one of the best known children’s authors writing today has written a scary yet funny short novel that is dyslexia friendly.  9+ year olds will find the storyline terrific yet the reading age for it is a little … Download free opening extract
5		Spells Emily Gravett A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a frog trying his utmost to turn himself into a handsome prince from a torn up spell book, resulting in inevitably confusing consequences. It has the same … Download free opening extract
6		Ostrich Boys Keith Gray Shortlisted for the Teenage Book of the Year Award 2009, The YoungMinds Book prize 2009, the Carnegie Award 2009 also shortlisted for the 2008 Costa Children’s Book Award. A novel that so cleverly, almost miraculously you might say, blends friendship with … Download free opening extract
7		Crocodiles are the Best Animals of All Sean Taylor This is a real romp of a read with bright humorous illustrations accompanying a rich, rhyming text that children will enjoy reading alone and with their parents, time and time again.  Crocodile demonstrates to all the watching animals that he … Download free opening extract
8		The Galloping Ghost Hilda Offen Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2009 Another brilliantly funny story from an incredibly funny author.  Josh is not impressed when he has to write a poem for homework so he decides to ‘borrow’ one from a book.  His … Download free opening extract
9		Shiver Maggie Stiefvater A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the wolves despite their power and … Download free opening extract
10		The Willoughbys Lois Lowry A really quirky and completely original tale of villains, benefactors, abandoned infants, winsome orphans and diabolical plans.  The kids in the Willoughby household – four of them, plot how best to become orphans, for their parents are not what they’d … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids.co.uk Top 10

1		No Such Thing As Dragons Philip Reeve Carnegie Medal winner Philip Reeve weaves a brilliant adventure story set long ago when the myth of the dragon held many in paralysing fear. Ansel serves Brock, the famous dragon slayer who makes his living by slaying creatures whose very … Download free opening extract
2		Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4: Dog Days Jeff Kinney Here at Lovereading4kids we are delighted to bring you a hot-of-the-press extract of Greg’s latest wimpy adventures. Rest-assured this eagerly awaited next instalment lives up to expectations.  So get ready to split your sides laughing as Greg struggles with all … Download free opening extract
3		The Best of Times Michael Morpurgo Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated, this is a gem of a book. Michael Morpurgo weaves a magical story about the unusual way a prince finds to make his princess happy and so to save her life. Emma Chichester Clark’s illustrations … Download free opening extract
4		Spells Emily Gravett A stunning new picture book from Emily Gravett, full of witchcraft, wizardry and magic. We meet a frog trying his utmost to turn himself into a handsome prince from a torn up spell book, resulting in inevitably confusing consequences. It has the same … Download free opening extract
5		Shiver Maggie Stiefvater A touching and chilling love story with a difference, set in a small town that is haunted and terrified after a boy is killed by a pack of wolves. But Grace is drawn to the wolves despite their power and … Download free opening extract
6		The Willoughbys Lois Lowry A really quirky and completely original tale of villains, benefactors, abandoned infants, winsome orphans and diabolical plans.  The kids in the Willoughby household – four of them, plot how best to become orphans, for their parents are not what they’d … Download free opening extract
7		Return to the Hundred Acre Wood David Benedictus, Mark Burgess, A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard Over eighty years since Winnie-the-Pooh first delighted readers, David Benedictus takes us back to the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood allows readers to spend a few more treasured hours with the Best Bear in All the … Download free opening extract
8		Purple Class and the Half-eaten Sweater Sean Taylor Shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funniest Book Prize 2009 Four completely crazy, off the wall crazy, stories about the funniest class ever.  Crammed full of zany and exuberant characters and the mishaps and mayhem that ensue. But spare a thought for … Download free opening extract
9		Ghost for Sale Terry Deary Terry Deary, one of the best known children’s authors writing today has written a scary yet funny short novel that is dyslexia friendly.  9+ year olds will find the storyline terrific yet the reading age for it is a little … Download free opening extract
10		The Story Blanket Ferida Wolff, Harriet May Savitz A beautifully heart-warming story about generosity rewarded with stunning illustrations by the award-winning illustrator Elena Odriozola. … Download free opening extract

Our mid month update is packed with news from the book world. Read on to hear about some exclusive ‘pre-publication books’ that we have managed to lay our hands on before anyone else. Also, check out the books that meant or still mean so much to the five Children’s Laureates, past and present, as well lots of exciting free to enter prize draws.

Be spellbound by some of the hottest new children’s books before they are published

The Bad Tuesdays 2: Strange Energy Benjamin J Myers 9+ A tense and pacy second adventure in this magical dystopian fantasy series. . Download Extract		The Henderson Boys 2: Eagle Day Robert Muchamore 11 + The second explosive novel in the series sees the Boys go into action to help stop Hitler invading Britain Download Extract		Shark Island David Miller 9+ ‘Treasure Island meets The Beach’. A cracking adventure about what happens when pirates storm the exotic island  Download Extract
Toby Alone 2: Toby And The Secrets Of The Tree Timothee De Fombelle 9+ The much-awaited sequel to Toby Alone explores heroism and friendship his miniature world. Download Extract		The Reformed Vampire Support Group Catherine Jinks 9+ A murder-mystery comedy of errors about a vampire ‘support group’. Download Extract

Don’t miss this Month’s ‘best bits’!

And talking of ‘best bits’ these are the books that are our personal favourites this month that we feel you really shouldn’t miss

Puppet Master and The Silver Blade, both historical novels of the highest order and Lifegame and The Resistance, both of which are a frightening reminder of how power, in the wrong hands can become a frightening weapon of destruction. 10+ year olds will enjoy all of these. It’s wonderful too, to see the return of Pongwiffy, a witch of bad habits to be enjoyed by a new generation of young readers of 7+ and for smaller boys and girls the wonderful Littlest Dinosaur and Lulu’s Clothes.

And, talking of favourite books:

The position of Children’s Laureate is nearly 10 years old and the first five holders of this illustrious post – Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and the current Michael Rosen – have each chosen their 7 all-time favourite children’s books. So, why not visit our special section to find out which books fired the imagination of some of the top children’s writers of today, first as children and later as adults.

Just as our Children’s Laureate feature guides you to some timeless classics, did you know we have a whole section on the site dedicated to books that we think will grow old gracefully and will affect a new generation as powerfully as the generation before? Simply Essential Reading. Updated regularly and conveniently categorized by age why not find out more today?…

We hope you and your children enjoy the books we’re recommending at least half as much as we’ve enjoyed selecting them. And don’t forget we also love hearing from you so do let us have any suggestions you have to make our website even better and last but by no means least a reminder to enter our free monthly prize draws to have the chance to win some exclusive book goodies.

Happy reading for you and your kids from the team at Lovereading4kids!

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!

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Can You Moo Too? David Wojtowycz A big book which encourages all readers to join in with the noisy lion roaring, bouncy frogs croaking, baby bear growling, ducks quacking and cows moo-ing. Bright and lively illustrations make joining in fun! If you’re looking for other great books … Download free opening extract
2		Bathtime With Woof Caroline Jayne Church Experience bath time with Woof by feeling the slimy soap he washes with, the shiny bubbles he blows in the bath and the softness of the fluffy towel he dries himself on afterwards. All babies will love seeing themselves scrubbed … 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 Way Back Home Oliver Jeffers Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. This is an absolutely delightful book that is sure to capture the imagination of toddlers.  Jeffers’ illustrations are an absolute delight and together with the text tell an extraordinary and original story about friendship and home. … Download free opening extract
2		Babies Love Books Laurence Anholt Celebrate books anytime and any place with these jolly babies who are shown sharing books and loving them too, in all kinds of likely and unlikely places from the library to a beach and with loads of places in between. … Download free opening extract
3		Little Boat Thomas Docherty Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. Wonderfully detailed yet simple illustrations coupled with minimal text make this an absolutely fantastic picture book to enjoy with even the youngest toddler.  Later this year, this title will be joined by an … 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		Snow Goose Paul Gallico Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award 2009. Breathtaking illustrations capture the haunting magic of this modern classic. Set in the Essex marshes in the years before the Second World War, it is a touching story of how a young girl … Download free opening extract
3		Fantastic Mr. Fox Roald Dahl Ideal as an early introduction to Roald Dahl just as a child is starting to read alone because it’s a short story by comparison to some of his others. Filled with quirky black and white illustrations by the wonderful … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Amazing Adventures of Curd The Lion and Us! in the Land at the Back of Beyond Alan Gilliland Reminiscent of the writing of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, this brilliant debut children’s novel is completely unputdownable as well as being almost uncategorisable.  The author has succeeded in delivering on a book that incorporates a terrifically funny yet mysterious story, full … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		Flood And Fang: Raven Mysteries Book One Marcus Sedgwick Told from the bird’s eye view of a resident raven, this is a deliciously topsy-turvy comedy full of unusual details. The Otherhand family are far from normal and life in Otherhand Castle is distinctly strange. Edgar the raven cares little … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		The Stepsisters’ Story Kaye Umansky A romping comedy of catastrophes, this version of the Cinderella story comes straight from the mouths of the step sisters. They make no apology for their terrible behaviour as they greedily pursue their own ends while doing down their step … Download free opening extract
2		Fever Crumb Philip Reeve This is one of the most eagerly anticipated novels of 2009 from the critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling author of the Mortal Engines Quartet. Reeves’ post-apocalyptic world where mobile cities fight for survival has brought many a child into the world of reading … Download free opening extract
3		Living with Vampires Jeremy Strong Family problems of an unusual kind make life complicated for Kevin. With vampires for parents, he does his best to control them but things can’t help getting out of hand….Blood is their favourite drink so it isn’t surprising that they … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		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
2		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
3		Coraline (film tie-in edition) Neil Gaiman Film-tie-in edition to the weird and wonderful Coraline, which has just released as an animated film in the UK.   When Coraline’s family move into a new home, she steps through a door into another house which seems strangely familiar.  It has … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Ask and the Answer Patrick Ness Tense, shocking and deeply moving, The Ask and the Answer is a terrifying novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. The sequel to the highly acclaimed and prize-winning The Knife of Never Letting Go, the author who is also … Download free opening extract
2		Gone Michael Grant Gripping from the first moment on, this is a scary, an unputdownable and a brilliantly plotted fantasy. One minute all the adults are there – next they’re gone! Only the children remain and they are trapped, cut off from the … Download free opening extract
3		Creature of the Night Kate Thompson Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award 2009 and shortlisted for the Bisto Irish Children’s Book Award. From multi-award winning author Kate Thompson comes another absorbing read, blazing an enthralling path between the stark realities of modern-day society and the fantasy for … Download free opening extract