To celebrate international children’s book day on 2 April, we have put a book list together for different aged children!
Ages 3-5
How to grow a dinosaur, Carly Hart
Albie is a normal little boy who has extraordinary adventures. When he helps his mum in the garden by planting some seeds, he can’t quite believe his eyes the next morning. The garden has grown beyond all belief and these are not just any old plants – oh, no – Albie’s seeds have grown into great big Jurassic jungle! He rushes outside to discover what else has grown – a fantastic mix of real live DINOSAURS!
Maisy goes to London, Lucy Couisins
Maisy and her friends are visiting the big city – and there is so much to see! Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and even the Globe Theatre. It’s very noisy in the city! Honk! Honk! Honk! What an exciting day!
Ages 5-7
Winnie the witch, under the sea, Valerie Thomas
Winnie and Wilbur are on holiday! With a flick of her magic wand Winnie turns them both into sea creatures so that they can dive beneath the ocean waves. But when Winnie’s wand sinks out of sight, how will they get safely back to shore? It’s a deep-sea Winnie and Wilbur adventure!
The story of the dancing frog, Quentin Blake
Poor Gertrude thinks she’ll never have any love or laughter in life again when she finds out her husband’s naval ship has sunk. But her life is changed when she finds George, the dancing frog.
Ages 7-11
Tales from weird street, Anne Fine
The children of Weird Street are lazing about one sunny day when they challenge each other to tell stories of all the odd goings-on in their neighbourhood. A grandfather’s guilt at the long-ago death of his twin brother, a young waiter whose rude customers get more than they bargain for, and a hard-working boy who finds himself blessed by a golden-haired stranger – the Weird Street tales are full of drama and suspense!
Freddie Mole – Lion tamer, Alexander McCall Smith
Roll up, roll up for a sensational circus story from the bestselling author of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith, with fun, energetic illustrations by Kate Hindley throughout. Join Freddie Mole as he tumbles through the air, flies around the big tent and tames four growling lions! Freddie is an ordinary boy who joins the circus one day. He can’t believe his luck as he is asked to understudy some of the acts. But is he brave enough to go into the lions’ cage?
Ages 11-14
Forever geek, Holly Smale
My name is Harriet Manners and I’ll be a geek forever.The FINAL book in the bestselling, award-winning GEEK GIRL series is here! Harriet Manners knows almost every fact there is. Modelling isn’t a sure-fire route to popularity. Neither is making endless lists. The people you love don’t expect you to transform into someone else. Statistically you are more likely to not meet your Australian ex-boyfriend in Australia than bump into him there. So on the trip of a lifetime Down Under Harriet’s to-do lists are gone and it’s Nat’s time to shine! Yet with nearly-not-quite-boyfriend Jasper back home, Harriet’s completely unprepared to see supermodel ex Nick. Is the fashion world about to turn ugly for GEEK GIRL? It’s time for Harriet to face the future.
Sputnik’s guide to life on earth, Frank Cottrell Boyce
The Blythes are a big, warm, rambunctious family who live on a small farm and sometimes foster children. Now Prez has come to live with them. But, though he seems cheerful and helpful, he never says a word. Then one day Prez answers the door to someone claiming to be his relative. This small, loud stranger carries a backpack, walks with a swagger and goes by the name of Sputnik. As Prez dithers on the doorstep, Sputnik strolls right past him and introduces himself to everyone in the household. Prez is amazed at the response. The family pat Sputnik on the head, call him a good boy and drop food into his mouth. It seems they all think Sputnik is a dog. It’s only Prez who thinks otherwise. But Prez soon finds himself having to defend the family from the chaos and danger unleashed by Sputnik, as household items come to life.
Ages 14-16
Black moon, L.A.Weatherly
In forgotten tunnels below New Manhattan, a secret network of rebels led by Amity Vancour are plotting to overturn Kay Pierce’s brutal regime. Ingo is by Amity’s side, while vital information comes from Collie, working undercover as Pierce’s right-hand man. Everything rests on one last plan of attack. If it fails, the fallout will be catastrophic.
How not to disappear, Clare Furniss
Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody. Hattie’s summer isn’t going as planned. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to ‘find himself” and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with endless drama around her mum’s wedding. Oh, and she’s also just discovered that she’s pregnant with Reuben’s baby. Then Gloria, Hattie’s great-aunt who no one even knew existed, comes crashing into her life. Gloria’s fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self discovery.
Hampshire Libraries 