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

Books for Babies and Toddlers

1		WOW Said the Owl Tim Hopgood Shortlisted for the Best Pre-School Award, Early Year Awards 2009 Owl decides to wake up during the day and sleep at night.  A very odd thing for an owl to do.  But he discovers the world of colour and he’s in … Download free opening extract
2		Not Me! Nicola Killen This is an utterly delightful picture book from a bright new talent found by a publisher who seeks out new talent from the MA Illustration course in Cambridge. The clever interaction of the illustrations with some very simple text make … Download free opening extract
3		Ernest Catherine Rayner A brilliant joke lies at the heart of prize-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner’s Ernest. Ernest is a LARGE Moose. So large that, even though he tries squashing and squeezing, he just can’t fit all of himself into a book. Luckily he … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		Usborne Very First Reading 1: Pirate Pat Mairi Mackinnon Pirate Pat allows the very beginner reader to take part in a lively and exciting story, using short sentences and simple words made up of only the letters s a t p i n m d.  Parent or carer reads … Download free opening extract
2		The Night Iceberg Helen Stephens A touching story of a magical night time adventure as a little girl jumps aboard an iceberg. Grumpy at having to share everything with her new sister, Tofta wants the iceberg to be just for her. But the penguin who … Download free opening extract
3		Crocodiles are the Best Animals of All Sean Taylor Shortlisted for Roald Dahl’s Funny Prize 2009. 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 … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Titch and Mitch 1: Shipwrecked! Garth Edwards Titch and Mitch are two delightful pixies who survive being shipwrecked and end up on an island that’s full of extraordinary animal characters.  As they meet more and more friends they go off on some wonderful but sometimes frightening adventures … Download free opening extract
2		Marvin Redpost 1: Kidnapped at Birth Louis Sachar The first of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Meet Marvin Redpost. He has red hair and blue eyes. And he is left … Download free opening extract
3		Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend: Early Reader Francesca Simon A brilliant story with football as the backdrop to the story about Horrid Henry, his little brother, Perfect Pete and of course not forgetting Moody Margaret. Henry is as determined as ever to get his own way and will stop … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Magical Mischief Anna Dale A bookshop stuffed full of unexpected and witty magic is a delight for Arthur when he first befriends Mr Hardbattle, the shop’s owner. But, as Mr Hardbattle soon explains, magic doesn’t help when you are trying to run a shop … Download free opening extract
2		Not Bad for a Bad Lad Michael Morpurgo This wonderful story was inspired by a conversation that Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman had about a prison at Hollesley Bay in Suffolk that Michael Foreman remembered from growing up nearby. Into this Michael Morpurgo weaves his story of … Download free opening extract
3		Super Soccer Boy and the Snot Monsters Judy Brown Super soccer boy Harry Gribble uses his fantastic football skills to solve a mystery.  It’s a fun, wacky story packed with lots of pictures throughout and a perfect combination of football and superheroes that will absorb even the most reluctant … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 9+ readers

1		Goodnight Mister Tom Michelle Magorian Chosen as the Puffin Modern Classic 1980 – 1989 A wonderful debut novel from an author who is now widely acknowledged as one of the great children’s novelists of our time. A storyline that will pull on the heartstrings more than … Download free opening extract
2		The Babysitters’ Club: The Summer Before Ann M. Martin The bestselling ‘Babysitters Club’ is given a prequel in this brand new title capturing the hopes and fears and above all the friendship of Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey. Each has their own family and personal issues; all are … Download free opening extract
3		The Death-defying Pepper Roux Geraldine Mccaughrean Prize-winning Geraldine McCaughrean has turned her deft hand to a brilliantly witty and fast moving story about a boy who wants to defy his destiny. Pepper is an unusual name and Pepper Roux is an unusual child especially since, according … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud Andrew Lane MEGA BOOK OF THE MONTH – JUNE 2010.  Two dead bodies. One unforgettable hero.  The beginning of a legend.  Followers of the young James Bond and junior spy Alex Rider will enjoy the adventures of school boy Sherlock Holmes who … Download free opening extract
2		Tall Story Candy Gourlay This is a debut novel packed with warmth, humour and quirkiness that will have you in fits of laughter one minute and in tears the next as the author explores a touching sibling relationship and the clash of two very … Download free opening extract
3		The Moonstone Legacy Diana De Gunzburg, Tony Wild Beginning where Wilkie Collins’ classic left off, it’s hard to believe The Moonstone Legacy is a debut  for the quality of the writing is exceptional and has a real timeless quality about it.  The story itself is a terrific mix … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The Cardturner Louis Sachar The worldwide bestselling author of Holes takes readers on a journey right into the extraordinary and obsessive world of bridge.  Don’t be put off by this central theme before having a read of the extract on Lovereading4kids.  Alton Richards is … Download free opening extract
2		The Sky is Everywhere Jandy Nelson This is a debut novel that once read will never be forgotten.  It’s a vibrant, deeply romantic novel that will bring tears to your eyes but it will also bring laughter through the tears!  It’s also funny, sexy and deeply meaningful.  … Download free opening extract
3		What I Saw and How I Lied Judy Blundell Winner of the prestigious American National Book Award – Utterly gripping and beautifully told, this is a stunning rite of passage novel, set just after WW2, full of powerful and conflicting emotions, which captures the dramatic shift from child to … Download free opening extract

Featured Books Age 0 – 5 Years

1		Dogs Emily Gravett Prize-winning illustrator Emily Gravett delights with another wonderful new book. Apparently a celebration of dogs of all kind, this is also a book with a witty twist at the end. Gorgeous pictures of big dogs and small dogs, hairy dogs … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		My Mum! Beth Shoshan From the same author that brought us the charmingly funny My Dad! – we now have My Mum! – who is rather silly but simply lovely. Guarenteed to put a smile on your child’s face. … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Billy Bonkers 2: More Madness Giles Andreae Madcap adventures with huge naughty boy appeal featuring Billy and his family, and wittily illustrated by Nick Sharratt. At school there’s the great sports day fiasco, then there’s the Bonkers’ unfortunate holiday on the shores of Loch Ness and finally … Download free opening extract
2		Weird Street: The Curse Of Captain Cross-eyed Margaret Ryan Weird Street is a terrific little four book series that will get 6-9 year old boys (in particular) and girls really reading and enjoying it.  Weird Street is on Johnny’s paper round, a bizarre, scary and extremely unusual paper round, where he … Download free opening extract
3		101 Ways To Get Your Child To Read Patience Thomson For parents: There are many different reasons why children find learning to read difficult. Calmly and with loads of different tips, this book helps to guide parents to understand the myriad problems which may be causing the difficulty and gives … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		Foul Play Tom Palmer On the Blue Peter Award Shortlist – Football mad boys and girls will devour this all-action adventure novel, virtually in a sitting. Hopefully, even the most reluctant reader, just like the author himself was at school, will devour it too. … Download free opening extract
2		Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland – Illustrated Edition Lewis Carroll Abundantly illustrated with warmth and humour by Helen Oxenbury, the memorable cast of characters are to be found in all their glory here in this edition, from Alice herself to the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat.  … Download free opening extract
3		An Awfully Beastly Business: Bang Goes A Troll! Beastly Boys For fans of dragons, giants and werewolves, this new series entitled An Awfully Beastly Business has proved to be a sure-fire hit with even the most reluctant reader. This is the third title in the series.      Short snappy sentences with pages … 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 Sandfather Linda Newbery This is a gripping, fast-paced and at times heart-stopping read about a 13 year old boy’s search for identity by the winner of the 2006 Costa Children’s Book Award. Hal’s exclusion from school leads him to a period of discovery … Download free opening extract
3		Running On The Cracks Julia Donaldson A thrilling corkscrew of a novel that twists and turns weaving several strands of story into one compelling narrative, and the first novel from an established and bestselling picture book author for younger readers. Orphaned after the death of her … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		Malice Chris Wooding Enter this terrifying parallel world if you dare! From the dramatic 3-D cover onwards, everything about Malice is original and just a little bit different. Cleverly told as both a novel and a graphic novel, this is the scary story … Download free opening extract
2		The 13 Treasures Michelle Harrison Winner of the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2009.   This is an enchanting and at times terrifying debut that’s beautifully written. 13 year old Tanya and her mother have an uneasy relationship so for part of the summer she is despatched … Download free opening extract
3		Bog Child Siobhan Dowd   New and challenging book full of mystery and shadows from recently deceased author Siobhan Dowd. Both terrifying and fascinating from the start, Bog Child is a must-read for 2009. The plot follows Fergus a boy who finds the body of … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		The One And Only Sophie Mckenzie From the author of the Richard and Judy Children’s Books winner, Girl, Missing comes the final instalment in a terrific teenage love story trilogy, which captures the ups, downs and at times almost unbearable emotions of being in love. To … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		Numbers Rachel Ward A tough, teenage novel about being different. Jem’s life has been hard from the beginning and it is not made any easier by her dangerous secret; every time she looks into a person’s eyes, she sees the date on which … Download free opening extract

Happy 2009!

If the quality of children’s books scheduled for publication in 2009 that we’ve so far read here is anything to go by then there’s going to be no shortage of some terrific literature for the whole family to enjoy throughout 2009 and hopefully our expert guidance will help you to choose between them and in turn help your kids start the new year as you’d like them to go on – reading and learning and enjoying some dazzling stories.

But before going on to the January titles we’ve personally selected for you here at Lovereading4kids, first up is the winner of Costa Children’s Book Award, which has just been announced. Michelle Magorian’s Just Henry, according to the Costa judges ‘is a soaring, uplifting warm bath of a book a wonderful roller-coaster of a story which we all absolutely loved’. At Lovereading4kids we’ve championed it since its publication back in May last year. Whilst on the subject of awards don’t forget to take a peek at the shortlist for the Marsh Award for books in Translation.

There’s also a new category on the site where we’ve gathered all our free-to-enter competitions and prize draws; a one-stop shop for amazing give-away goodies!

Author of the Month

Author of the Month is the brilliant Chris Higgins, whose new story Love ya Babe gives a very astute insight into teenage troubles. Not only does Gabby have to put up with an outrageously embarrassing mum, troubled brothers, and friendship problems at school; but the arrival of a new baby sibling brings chaos to the whole family.

There are three great Books of the Month:

Then, by Morris Gleitzman, tackles a topic most children’s authors would shy away from, following Felix and his friend Zelda as they witness the atrocities being committed by the Nazis in Poland in 1942. 9+ readers will be hooked.

Between Two Seas was a sensation in 2008 and one of our most successful debuts of the year. The Lady in the Tower (3760) is Marie Louise Jensen’s second novel. A rich tapestry of 16th century life centred around Eleanor, a tomboyish young girl who is betrothed to be married, but would rather be riding horses and jousting.

Everything Beautiful is the eagerly awaited and brilliant second novel by the author of Notes from the Teenage Underground.

And January seems to be the month of debuts we have 7 crackers:

Numbers, by Rachel Ward, is a spooky story for teenagers about a girl who can tell the date people will die by the numbers that pop into her head. Waiting to go on the London Eye, she sees everyone in the queue has the same number – something terrible is going to happen…

For 11+ readers

there’s The Bad Tuesdays 1: Twisted Symmetry. An action-packed novel about three street rat children who are being mysteriously pursued by two sinister organisations.Zelah Green – Queen of Clean by Vanessa Curtis deals with the serious subject of OCD by way of a charming tale about a girl coming to terms with personal grief and
The 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison, is a gripping story about a girl who gets in trouble and is sent away from home because nobody believes she can see fairies.

For 9+ year old boys there’s Johnny Macintosh and the Spirit of London, by Keith Mansfield, in which a 13-year-old boy’s life change forever when his computer, Kovac, detects an extraterrestrial signal.And for the girls, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant is a brilliantly accomplished debut that packs a lot of punch touching as it does on family death and relationships. Finally for 7+ year olds, a mad-cap adventure, The Monkey Pirates, by Mark Skelton will take you on a ride through space in wardrobes in the capable or not so capable hands of some pirate monkeys searching for treasure.

Now to two special promotions:

Firstly, you probably can’t fail to have missed the major TV drama of Anne Frank each day last week and if so, perhaps now is the time to read the full unabridged Diary. Secondly, we were so bowled over by Chains, which tells the story Independence who pursues her own fight for freedom during the American civil war, that we thought we would select a small number of titles that we feel will provide a terrific insight into a time and a place when slavery was the order of the day and in some places still is. So from Roman to contemporary times you’re sure to find something that fascinates.

Finally, race headlong into the new year and keep ahead of the crowds, by discovering our latest exclusive Pre-Publication titles:

Henderson Boys – The Escape, is an exciting adventure by Robert Muchamore about child spies helping the British Secret Service win the war.

The Sandfather by Linda Newbery is a wonderful story about a boy searching for some grounding in life, and doing a lot of growing up along the way.

And Dogs, by Emily Gravett, is another awesomely satisfying picture book filled with gorgeous bounding canines of every sort – and a twist in the tail.

So download a few free Opening Extracts for your children and suss out which are going to get their 2009 off to an energetic flying start.