Learning to read independently is an exciting milestone, but making the leap from picture books to chapter books can sometimes feel daunting. The key is finding books that offer all the satisfaction of a longer story without losing the illustrations, humour, familiar situations and fast-paced action that keep younger readers turning the pages.

Bright artwork, manageable chapters and irresistible characters can make all the difference, helping children discover that reading by themselves is something to enjoy rather than simply another skill to master. From superhero animals and miniature dogs to magical mishaps and two very funny food-based best friends, these entertaining books and series from Puffin are perfect for newly independent readers looking for their next adventure.

Pizza & Taco: Too Cool for School! by Stephen Shaskan

Best friends Pizza and Taco are heading back to school, where they soon encounter B.L.T., the coolest new kid around. With his sunglasses, laid-back attitude and complete disregard for being late, B.L.T. has Pizza and Taco desperate to copy him. But following someone else's idea of what's cool isn't necessarily the best way to stay out of trouble. Packed with bold comic-strip illustrations, speech bubbles, silly humour and plenty of friendship fun, this graphic chapter book is particularly inviting for children taking their first steps into independent reading.

LoveReading4Kids expert reviewer, Lucas Maxwell said, "Great to be read aloud and would generate a lot of discussion with younger readers about being yourself and what is cool and what isn’t."

Pizza & Taco: Rock Out! by Stephen Shaskan

Pizza and Taco love music, so naturally the best friends decide they should start their own band. They've got a brilliant band name, they've found some instruments and they're ready to audition new members. There's just one small problem: actually making music might be trickier than they expected. Fast, funny and wonderfully silly, Rock Out! combines an easy-to-follow story with the lively graphic-novel format that makes the whole Pizza & Taco series such an accessible choice for developing readers.

Lucas said of this instalment, "These are the kinds of books that will keep kids reading, they are funny, short and full of fun characters."

Tuck and Tina and the Dinosaur Thief by Jess Brallier, illustrated by Jack Keely

Tiny school mice Tuck and Tina find themselves facing a very big mystery when Boone School is suddenly plagued by bizarre disasters, from slime-dripping taps to classrooms full of insects. The pair discover that a mysterious troublemaker is deliberately creating chaos in an attempt to get at rare dinosaur bones buried beneath the school. What follows is an action-packed chase involving plenty of twists, teamwork and larger-than-life fun. Full-colour illustrations and a pacey adventure make this an excellent bridge between picture books and more traditional chapter fiction.

LoveReading4Kids expert reviewer, Andrea Reece said, "Tina’s action-packed narrative is delivered in short paragraphs of text supported by lots of illustrations to help carry the story along, making it perfect for readers ready to move from picture books to chapter books."

Tiny Dogs: Pumpkin Trouble by Rose Lihou

Book five in the Tiny Dogs colour chapter book series, described by the Guardian as, 'Ridiculously delightful'. Bea loves Halloween, and with costumes, parties and trick-or-treating to look forward to, she's determined to make the most of the celebrations. Her secret tiny dogs, four pups no bigger than mice, are excited too. But when Bea's plans to decorate a prize-winning pumpkin go badly wrong, it looks as though Halloween might be heading for disaster. Can the tiny dogs come to the rescue?

The combination of an appealing everyday situation, an irresistible miniature canine cast and full-colour illustrations makes this a warm and reassuring read for children beginning to tackle chapter books for themselves.

Tiny Dogs: The Sleepover Surprise by Rose Lihou

Bea and Daisy can't wait for their very first sleepover and have planned everything, from matching pyjamas and games to the perfect snacks. Meanwhile, Bea's secret tiny dogs are planning a miniature sleepover of their own in the garden. But an unexpected visitor throws both sets of plans into confusion. Can Bea and the pups find a way to make sure everyone has a brilliant night? Friendship, problem-solving and adorable dogs combine in a gentle adventure that feels substantial enough to give young readers a real sense of achievement, while remaining wonderfully accessible. 

Reviewer, Andrea called this, "A first chapter book with an irresistible appeal for young readers."

The O.D.D. Squad: Operation Hyperkitty by Stuart Heritage, illustrated by Vincent Batignole

The O.D.D. Squad has a new recruit. Hyperkitty is incredibly fast, undeniably cute and, unfortunately, not particularly good at being a superhero. She's easily distracted, spends rather too much time on her phone and hasn't quite grasped the importance of teamwork. With disaster following disaster and the future of the O.D.D. Squad itself at stake, Hyperkitty, Invisidog, Detective Octopus and Quack Attack need to work out how to become a proper team. Madcap humour, superhero action and colourful illustrations make this a hugely entertaining choice for readers who like their chapter books fast, funny and just a little bit chaotic.

Andrea said this title is "Perfect for readers who like their graphic novels fast, funny, crime-filled and meta fictive."

Witchy Boo Casts Her First Spell by Arden Jones, illustrated by Saoirse Lou

Boo might be a ghost, but she's never been very good at being scary, especially compared with her brothers, Shock and Shriek. Then a witch's hat unexpectedly lands on her head and Boo discovers something extraordinary: perhaps she isn't supposed to be a scary ghost at all. Perhaps she's a witchy one. With magic, cute companions and a heroine discovering the confidence to be herself, Witchy Boo is a gentle and enchanting introduction to chapter books, with plenty of illustrations to support children who are still building their reading stamina.

Described by Andrea as a "Boo-rilliant first chapter book fizzing with witchy magic.". Head over to the book page to join Andrea in conversation with the creators of Witchy Boo, Arden Jones and Saoirse Lou in an exclusive video interview.

How to Grow Magic: The Giant Mystery by Rachel Morrisroe, illustrated by Steven Lenton

Welcome to Enchantment Street, where magic really does grow on trees. When Mr Pottifer visits Sarah's class to teach the children how to grow magical beanstalks, some mischievous garden gnomes interfere and an enormous beanstalk suddenly springs up in the school garden. Sarah and her friends are soon swept into an adventure with a decidedly giant-sized surprise. Bursting with imagination, magical mayhem and Steven Lenton's energetic illustrations, this first How to Grow Magic chapter-book adventure offers young readers an inviting next step after picture books. 

Andrea said, "Rachel Morrisoe mixes magic with the joys of gardening in this fun-fulled page-turning first chapter book, which also benefits from delightful two-colour illustrations by her collaborator Steven Lenton."

Want to discover more from Rachel Morrisroe? Meet our LoveReading4Kids Guest Editor of the Month, as she shares more about her books, inspirations and love of reading.

Andrea said, "Grow their love of reading with this magical story."

Finding the Right Book Can Make All the Difference

Becoming an independent reader isn't about racing towards longer books or leaving illustrations behind. It's about developing confidence, stamina and, most importantly, a genuine desire to find out what happens next. Highly illustrated chapter books, graphic novels and funny early fiction give children the chance to practise their new skills while still enjoying plenty of visual storytelling and manageable chunks of text.

Whether they're drawn to tiny dogs, superheroes, magic, dinosaurs, ghosts or a pizza and a taco with a talent for getting themselves into trouble, giving young readers books that match their interests can turn those tentative first independent reads into the beginning of a lifelong love of reading.

For a more in-depth look at the Pizza and Taco books, read our Pizza and Taco: Friendship with Extra Toppings series feature.

Check out our other brilliant Puffin collections: 

Browse the eight featured titles below to read our expert reviews, buy or download an extract.