Bonfire Night books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate

When is Bonfire Night? Thursday 5 November 2026; then Friday 5 November 2027.

Who celebrates Bonfire Night, and books for each

British tradition

Families go to an organised fireworks display, wrap up warm by a bonfire, write their names with sparklers and eat hot dogs, parkin or toffee apples.

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  📖 Free guide

  Why Do We Remember? Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot

  Izzi Howell

  a clear non-fiction introduction for primary children

  Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
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  Topsy and Tim's Bonfire Night

  Jean and Gareth Adamson

  a classic, gentle look at a family bonfire night

  Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
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  The Firework-Maker's Daughter

  Philip Pullman

  an adventure about a girl who wants to make fireworks, for confident readers 7 and up

  Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
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  Little Cat Lost

  Sarah Spinks and Janet Simpson

  a rhyming picture book about Dot, a cat scared of the fireworks, for talking about pets and firework safety (ages 3–6)

  Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
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  The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

  Jill Tomlinson

  Plop meets a boy waiting for the fireworks and learns the dark can be exciting: lovely for children nervous of the night or the bangs

  Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
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  Bonfire Night

  Nancy Dickmann

  a simple photo book from the Holidays and Festivals series, with a picture glossary (ages 5–7)

  Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
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  Mr Fawkes, the King and the Gunpowder Plot

  Tom and Tony Bradman

  the Gunpowder Plot told as a story, from the Short Histories series (ages 6+)

  Questions to ask →
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  The Gunpowder Plot

  Rob Lloyd Jones

  an Usborne Young Reading book with pictures on every page, a timeline and who's who, for confident readers 6+

  Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗

Questions to ask while you read

Use these with any of the Bonfire Night books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.

1. What is the family in the story getting ready for?
2. Which part of Bonfire Night would you most like to try, and why?
3. How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
4. Is anything in the story like something your family does?
5. What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Bonfire Night?

Ways to celebrate Bonfire Night with children

• Go to an organised display rather than setting off fireworks at home.
• Make firework pictures with glitter, chalk on black paper or splatter painting.
• Talk about firework safety and keeping pets calm.
• Make toffee apples or hot chocolate together.

Bonfire Night picture books at a glance

All the Bonfire Night books on this page: Why Do We Remember? Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot (Izzi Howell), Topsy and Tim's Bonfire Night (Jean and Gareth Adamson), The Firework-Maker's Daughter (Philip Pullman), Little Cat Lost (Sarah Spinks and Janet Simpson), The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Jill Tomlinson), Bonfire Night (Nancy Dickmann), Mr Fawkes, the King and the Gunpowder Plot (Tom and Tony Bradman), The Gunpowder Plot (Rob Lloyd Jones).

Questions parents ask about Bonfire Night

How do you explain Guy Fawkes to a child?

Over 400 years ago, a group of men planned to blow up Parliament and the king. Guy Fawkes was caught guarding the gunpowder, the plot failed, and people lit bonfires to celebrate. We still light them on 5 November.

My child is scared of fireworks. What helps?

Watch from further away or through a window, use ear defenders, and read about fireworks beforehand so the bangs aren't a surprise.

Related festivals: Diwali · Remembrance Day · Halloween

All festivals, by month and by faith →

Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.