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

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		Mayfly Day Jeanne Willis Its message is one to treasure.  Mayfly lives for only one day. Is she sad? No, everything about that one day is to be celebrated. Mayfly sees buds burst open, she sees babies being born; she feels breezes blowing and … Download free opening extract
2		Peppa Pig: Peppa Meets the Queen Join Peppa Pig as she goes to the Palace and gets to meet the Queen! Miss Rabbit is invited to the Palace to get an honour and Peppa and her friends are going too! It’s a wonderfully celebratory day out … Download free opening extract
3		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Where the Wild Things are Maurice Sendak Jacqueline Wilson, February 2012 Guest Editor: “The text is very minimal but perfect – and the illustrations are glorious. This isn’t a scary book in the slightest, though the monsters are grotesque, equipped with very sharp teeth and pointy claws.  Little Max … Download free opening extract
2		Charlie and Lola: We Completely Must Go to London Best-selling Charlie and Lola and their best friends Marve and Lotta are very excited to be going on a trip to London! They gaze up at Buckingham Palace and wonder which is the Queen’s Bedroom, they look in wonder at … Download free opening extract
3		The Worst Princess Anna Kemp May 2012 Book of the Month. A funny new picture book from the team behind the successful Dogs Don’t Do Ballet and Rhinos Don’t Eat Pancakes! Girls everywhere will be cheering for Sue in this story of determination and derring-do. The galloping, tongue-in-cheek rhyming text … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		HM Queen Elizabeth II: Diamond Jubilee This is a very special Ladybird souvenir edition to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II. … Download free opening extract
2		Me, the Queen and Christopher Giles Andreae, Tony Ross A touching and funny story about a 7 year-old girl’s adventure having tea with the Queen. Told with Giles Andreae’s trademark warmth and humour, but with an added poignancy when the Queen meets Christopher, Freya’s brother, this is a perfect … Download free opening extract
3		The Perfect Pet Shop (Early Reader) Vivian French A delightful animal story, perfect for early readers. There’s nearly a pet shop disaster when a noisy puppy won’t stay quiet at night time. How will the other animals ever get to sleep? Maybe telling stories will do the trick? … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Dotty Inventions And Some Real Ones Too Roger Mcgough May 2012 Book of the Month.  Best-selling poet Roger McGough hits some real Eureka! moments in this cheerfully wacky picture book full of fabulously ingenious inventions. Professor Dotty Dabble is a great inventor so is sure she’ll win the National … Download free opening extract
2		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
3		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		White Dolphin Gill Lewis May 2012 Book of the Month. Bestselling Gill Lewis’s new story tells of the amazing, life-affirming powers of dolphins.  Kara’s life is in a mess; her mum has disappeared, she is in trouble at school and her father is about to … Download free opening extract
2		The Sleeping Army Francesca Simon May 2012 Book of the Month. Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she … Download free opening extract
3		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		A Dog Called Homeless Sarah Lean May 2012 Debut of the Month. This is an outstandingly assured debut novel from a sparkling new talent.  When Cally Fisher sees her dead mother, real as anything, no one believes her. So Cally stops talking – what’s the point … Download free opening extract
2		Hero on a Bicycle Shirley Hughes May 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling illustrator Shirley Hughes writes beautifully in this gripping story set during World War Two. Living in Italy during the occupation by the Germans, Paolo and his sister Constanza long to do something for the … Download free opening extract
3		A Waste of Good Paper Sean Taylor A moving, first person story that captures the frustrations and pent-up fury of a boy with a lot of problems. Jason has been told to write something in his new journal everyday. The trouble is there is nothing he wants … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		Changeling Philippa Gregory May 2012 MEGA Book of the Month. Best-selling Philippa Gregory’s first book for teenagers is a thrilling story of malice and betrayal, courage and passion. Tricked out of her inheritance by her greedy and duplicitous brother, Isolde must swap ruling … Download free opening extract
2		Slated Teri Terry May 2012 Debut of the Month. This is a debut novel not to miss. It’s an original and haunting psychological thriller that’s packed with intense mystery and secrets that will have you gripped from the very first page.  It’s the story of Kyla … Download free opening extract
3		When It Happens Susane Colasanti May 2012 Book of the Month. A terrific romantic comedy drama for all those searching for The One! Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the … Download free opening extract

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		The Baby That Roared Simon Puttock Love them or loathe then, most babies are sweet. At least, that’s what Mr and Mrs Deer think. They long for a baby of their own to love and cuddle and read aloud to, so, when one is left on … Download free opening extract
2		The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom Steve Smallman What better than a cheeky monkey to enthuse a young child to love books in this bestselling picture book.  This edition comes complete with a CD read by CBBC’s Justin Fletcher.  The reading is a great aid to improving reading skills, perfect for bedtime, … Download free opening extract
3		Goat Goes to Playgroup Julia Donaldson Playgroup has begun. Time to have some fun. A comforting story for any child starting at, or already attending, a playgroup. Perfect for reading aloud, even the youngest toddler will enjoy Goat’s antics. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		My Adventure Island Timothy Knapman April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination.  It’s a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and … Download free opening extract
2		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract
3		Rabbityness Jo Empson April 2012 Debut of the Month. Highly original, this is a stunning debut picture book which celebrates creativity and difference while also serving as a touching introduction to the idea that people leave good things behind them even when they are … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		A Walk in London Salvatore Rubbino This walk gives readers a wonderfully close-up and intimate look at some of the best sights of the great city.  While the landmarks are accurately positioned and defined, the artist’s impressions bring a distinct and personal flavour to them. A little … Download free opening extract
2		The Fearsome Beastie Giles Paley-Phillips April 2012 Book of the Month. Shortlisted for The People’s Book Prize 2012. This is a terrific little picture book that parents are likely to be more worried about for the fear factor than any toddler.  There’s a great storyline written in rhyme … Download free opening extract
3		Jogger’s Big Adventure (Early Reader) Francesca Simon This charming, funny animal story is perfect for early readers. Jogger the hamster is on an adventure, nibbling on books and climbing on chairs. But mean old Sour Puss is about – will Jogger make it back to his cage in … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
2		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract
3		The Secret Lake Karen Inglis Author Karen Inglis on what inspired The Secret Lake: “The Secret Lake was partly inspired by an apartment some friends moved to in Notting Hill many years ago when my children were younger. It backed on to the most fantastic communal … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract
2		Titanic An Edwardian Girl’s Diary,1912 Ellen Emerson White Titanic, My Story is a vividly imagined account of life on the Titanic by a young girl and told in diary form.  A terrific way for children 100 years on to experience what happened in what remains one of the … Download free opening extract
3		Freaks Kieran Larwood April 2012 Debut of the Month and Winner of The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011.  This well-written and action-packed debut is even being considered the new Harry Potter for its originality but we’d say X-Men meets Oliver Twist with a whiff of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Chomp Carl Hiaasen April 2012 Book of the Month. An hilarious, edge-of-your seat read. Animal lovers everywhere will love this great story about dangerous creatures which also gives a behind the scenes look at how the worst TV shows are made. Wahoo’s Dad … Download free opening extract
2		A Tiger Too Many Antony Wootten April 2012 Debut of the Month. A Tiger Too Many is enchanting from the word go and very readable.  The sentences are short and concise with no waffle and therefore the story goes forward quite briskly and the reader’s attention … Download free opening extract
3		Call Me Drog Sue Cowing April 2012 Debut of the Month. Parker’s got a lot of demons to face as he struggles to come to terms with his parent’s separation and his father’s expectations of him. He thinks he’s coping alright until he finds Drog … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Fear (The Enemy Series 3) Charlie Higson April 2012 Book of the Month. Best-selling author Charlie Higson has created a chilling world in his thrilling Zombie series. Not only have all the adults – older siblings and parents – lost their minds and become hopeless has-beens but there … Download free opening extract
2		Fear Michael Grant April 2012 Book of the Month. This is a blood-pumping, white-knuckle sci-fi futuristic thriller of epic proportions and the fifth of the six planned titles in the GONE series. Night is falling in the FAYZ. Even though it’s been nearly a … Download free opening extract
3		A Monster Calls Patrick Ness Shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal and 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal. The Judges said: An exquisite piece of writing of great depth which has huge impact upon the reader, guiding them through some difficult emotional lessons. Well plotted and lyrically written … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids TOP 10

1		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
2		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract
3		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract
4		My Adventure Island Timothy Knapman April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination.  It’s a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and … Download free opening extract
5		The Fearsome Beastie Giles Paley-Phillips April 2012 Book of the Month. Shortlisted for The People’s Book Prize 2012. This is a terrific little picture book that parents are likely to be more worried about for the fear factor than any toddler.  There’s a great storyline written in rhyme … Download free opening extract
6		Rabbityness Jo Empson April 2012 Debut of the Month. Highly original, this is a stunning debut picture book which celebrates creativity and difference while also serving as a touching introduction to the idea that people leave good things behind them even when they are … Download free opening extract
7		A Walk in London Salvatore Rubbino This walk gives readers a wonderfully close-up and intimate look at some of the best sights of the great city.  While the landmarks are accurately positioned and defined, the artist’s impressions bring a distinct and personal flavour to them. A little … Download free opening extract
8		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract
9		Freaks Kieran Larwood April 2012 Debut of the Month and Winner of The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2011. This well-written and action-packed debut is even being considered the new Harry Potter for its originality but we’d say X-Men meets Oliver Twist with a whiff of … Download free opening extract
10		Titanic An Edwardian Girl’s Diary,1912 Ellen Emerson White Titanic, My Story is a vividly imagined account of life on the Titanic by a young girl and told in diary form.  A terrific way for children 100 years on to experience what happened in what remains one of the … Download free opening extract

Lovereading4kids.co.uk Top 10

1		Eeek! The Runaway Alien Karen Inglis April 2012 Book of the Month. A boy, an alien and football – without any shadow of doubt it’s a match made in heaven for boys in particular and if you have a reluctant reader in the house aged from 6-9 … Download free opening extract
2		Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge April 2012 Book of the Month. A thriller with a fast-paced cinematic style, Twelve Minutes to Midnight is an electrifying story from an exciting new author featuring a feisty 13 year old heroine. It is the first book in a must-read … Download free opening extract
3		Rabbityness Jo Empson April 2012 Debut of the Month. Highly original, this is a stunning debut picture book which celebrates creativity and difference while also serving as a touching introduction to the idea that people leave good things behind them even when they are … Download free opening extract
4		Homecoming Michael Morpurgo Michael Morpurgo, former Children’s Laureate and the award-winning author of War Horse, has written a beautifully evocative story which celebrates the beauty of a place and the pain it creates when that beauty is under threat. Michael always liked to … Download free opening extract
5		The Stick Book : Loads of Things You Can Make or Do with a Stick Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield This is a wonderfully inspiring book for the great outdoors or indoors for that matter.  The authors offer masses of suggestions for things to do with a stick, in the way of adventures and bushcraft, creative and imaginative play, games, … Download free opening extract
6		My Adventure Island Timothy Knapman April 2012 Book of the Month. My Adventure Island is a magical place where anything can happen particularly if you have a little bit of imagination.  It’s a brilliantly funny tale of mischief and mayhem by Timothy Knapman, author of the Mungo and … Download free opening extract
7		The Fearsome Beastie Giles Paley-Phillips April 2012 Book of the Month. This is a terrific little picture book that parents are likely to be more worried about for the fear factor than any toddler.  There’s a great storyline written in rhyme with echoes of Grimm’s Fairy … Download free opening extract
8		The Hunger Games (Film Tie-In Edition) Suzanne Collins The astonishing bestseller is now a fantastic movie. Here is the original novel with new movie artwork on the cover. The Hunger Games is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present. In a dark vision of … Download free opening extract
9		Pip and Posy: The Big Balloon Axel Scheffler April 2012 Book of the Month. Best known for creating the pictures for the Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler has created a perfect story for pre-school. How can Pip’s friends cheer him up when his beautiful red balloon goes POP! ? Luckily Posy … Download free opening extract
10		Down in the Jungle (Early Reader) Vivian French Down in the Jungle it’s time for bed, but Monkey wants a story and he sets off to find one in this charming, funny story, perfect for early readers and for reading aloud and sharing with less confident children.  These … Download free opening extract