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		Zog (Paperback and CD-Audio) Julia Donaldson Winner of the Galaxy Children’s Book Award 2010. Book and CD edition. 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 … Download free opening extract
3		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

Featured Books for 3+ readers

1		The Monster Machine Nicola L. Robinson June 2012 Book of the Month. Have monster fun with the making of monsters and what they do next! Topped up with the right ingredients of slugs, toenail clippings, earwax, spiders and some special glue, the monster-making machine churns out … Download free opening extract
2		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
3		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

Featured Books for 5+ readers

1		Horrid Henry’s Monster Movie Francesca Simon June 2012 Book of the Month. Horrid Henry loves scary movies! The problem is Perfect Pete hates them. And so do mum and dad. How will Henry ever get to see The Vampire Zombie Werewolf ? As ever, in this … Download free opening extract
2		Horrid Henry Meets the Queen (Early Reader) Francesca Simon For all Horrid Henry fans here’s the perfect book to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  Bestselling Horrid Henry celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in his own special way… When Perfect Pete is asked to greet the Queen and present her … Download free opening extract
3		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

Featured Books for 7+ readers

1		The Dragonsitter Josh Lacey May 2012 Book of the Month. A hilarious story full of useful tips for any dragon-minder. When Eddie’s Uncle Morton goes off on an urgent mission he leaves his dragon behind with Eddie as the babysitter. But a dragon is not … Download free opening extract
2		Little Manfred Michael Morpurgo June 2012 Book of the Month. Award-winning author and illustrator duo Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman have created a touching story about the way lives become entangled during conflict and how, unexpectedly, those ties can lead to enduring friendship. When … Download free opening extract
3		Muddle Earth Too Paul Stewart Invention after invention propels this witty new Muddle Earth story by best-selling duo Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell, now in paperback. Joe turns up in Muddle Earth entirely by accident when he falls through a portal while trying to build … 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		The Messenger Bird Ruth Eastham May 2012 Book of the Month. Cleverly interweaving a modern day storyline with one from the 1940s, it’s the story of Nathan who must find out what the link is between his father’s recent disappearance and that of Lily, an ex-Bletchley Park employee, before it’s too late … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 11+ readers

1		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
2		A Dog Called Homeless Sarah Lean May 2012 Debut of the Month. How a young girl finds hope and a way forward after the death of her mother and the collapse of her familiar life is a deeply touching story. Cally stops talking when no one believes … Download free opening extract
3		The Kane Chronicles: The Serpent’s Shadow Rick Riordan May 2012 Book of the Month. This is the third and final book in this awesome and electrifying Kane Chronicles series that is set in ancient Egypt. Carter and Sadie have their biggest and most important quest yet; to defeat the … Download free opening extract

Featured Books for 14+ readers

1		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
2		Insurgent Veronica Roth May 2012 Book of the Month. This is heart-pounding dystopian fiction at its very best.  Insurgent is the thrillingly dark sequel to the New York Times bestselling debut, Divergent.  No teenager should miss these great reads. Will have fans of The … Download free opening extract
3		The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins Jacqueline Wilson, February 2012 Guest Editor: “I don’t usually go for blockbuster dystopian stories – but this trilogy is imaginatively conceived and well written and a genuine page-turner. Sixteen year old Katniss takes part in a terrifying annual televised game where teenagers fight … Download free opening extract

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

Featured Books for 3+ readers

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

Featured Books for 5+ readers

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

Featured Books for 7+ readers

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

Featured Books for 9+ readers

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

Featured Books for 11+ readers

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

Featured Books for 14+ readers

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

With Where The Wild Things Are stomping into cinemas on Friday 11 December we take a look at characters that have chomped their way out of the pages of the most beloved children’s illustrated books and gone on to cause a wild rumpus on the big screen.

Gruffalo

If there is one animal in the forest to be afraid of it is the Gruffalo! Following the journey of a mouse as he uses his cunning to fend off suspecting predators by inflating the myth of the gruesome Gruffalo. Little does the little creature know that the Gruffalo is no mere piece of fiction but a monstrous and grotesque creature, intent on devouring our tiny protagonist. Adapted for the stage in 2001, it is currently treading the boards of the Apollo Theatre, but that is not all! The Gruffalo will be stomping its way onto our small screens this Christmas with the voice talents of Robbie Coltrane as the Gruffalo; Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, James Corden, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Kids love a good rhyme and shout and there is no better way to combine the two than with ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen. Following a family as they trek, splash, jump and shout their way on the search for a bear and leads to a dark cave on the other side of a dark forest. When reading it with kids the use of onomatopoeia (although they may not know it as such yet!) will really draw them in as they “squelch, squerch”, “swishy swashy” their way to the cave and culminating in thrilling chase that will get the whole family looking for a game of hide and seek!

Rupert Bear

The most colour coordinated and immaculately dressed bear you are ever likely to read, Rupert the Bear and his animal friends, Pong Ping the Pekinese and Bill Badger, have been followed in many a magical adventure over the last century. Created by Mary Tourtel in the 1920s and appearing in the Daily Express as a means of grabbing readership from the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror, Rupert went on to be much, much more than a mere comic strip. Over the years Rupert has been reborn into annuals, books and several long running television series and recently making the jump from 2D hand drawn animation and joined the world of CGI!

Mr Benn

Created by David McKee, who was responsible for other childhood illustrated favourite Elmer the patchwork elephant, Mr Benn follows a character who, despite looking smart and ready for work always had time to visit his local fancy dress shop. Once there and donning his costume of choice he would be transported to a world of magical make believe. From clown to cowboy and pirate to wizard Mr Benn always managed to lend a helping hand and come away with a memento to remember his trippy visit. Despite only running thirteen animated episodes, Mr Benn was voted the sixth most popular childrens television series of all time!

Busytown series by Richard Scarry

In a fictional world that has enough mayhem to rival the busy pages of Where’s Wally, the illustrated books of Richard Scarry feature some of the most charming characters ever confined to the pages of a book. Featuring cats, dogs, mice, worms, foxes, sheep and pigs among many more, Scarry portrayed a transnational and happily multicultural world. The chaotic busytown features in several collections and was turned into a short running television series in the nineties that can still be found on select childrens television channels. A true illustrated book if ever there was one, with every new read you will discover something new and hidden in the background.

Winnie the Pooh

Everybody’s favourite honey eating bear has never experienced a dip in the limelight ever since he was first created by A.A. Milne way back in 1926. Bought by Disney in the sixties, Winnie the Pooh has had many an adcenture in the hundred acre wood with the long running television series and big screen outings with the likes of The Tigger Movie and Piglet’s big movie. Surrounded by his friends piglet, eeyore and the hyperactive tigger Pooh is never far from mischief… or a pot of honey.

Babar

An early morning television favourite, Babar the Elephant has never been far from the child inside of us. Triggered by the poaching his mother, in a scene that rivals the death of Bambi’s mother , Babar is sent to France where he is educated in the company of his wider family. Upon his return, and the death of the king of the elephants as a result of a poisonous mushroom (alas the animal kingdom is a tough place), Babar is made king. Oringinally written by Jean de Brunhoff, the tales follow Babar in his trials and tribulations as king.

Where The Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak’s original illustrated book caused child psychologists to huff and puff as its protagonist Max argued with his mother, ran away from home and joined a rag-tag group of monsters who made him king. Whilst only twelve pages long the book has touched the hearts of millions, now it is in the faithful hands of director Spike Jonze and novelist Dave Eggers as they endeavor to make the a great book into an even better film. By the looks of the trailer and clips from the film they may have done the unimaginable and turned in a faithful adaptation that promises to not only bring the creatures to life with the help of the Jim Henson company but perfectly transfer the cheeky character of Max from page to screen in the form of child star Max Records. A fantastic soundtrack and gorgeous visuals will mean that Where The Wild Things Are will be the adaptation to watch this Christmas