Friendship & family books for children

Bear wants to read and write and think. Goose wants to talk, and talk, and talk. They're so different, but can they still be friends? A gentle, award-winning story told in very few words, about friendship and patience.

Try asking: “Bear and Goose like different things. How did they become friends?”

Big box, little box, my box, your box: a cat investigates every box it can find, and makes a mouse friend along the way. A bold, witty rhyming book for the very young.

Try asking: “Which box was the cat's favourite?”

Ruby has red blocks and Benji has blue blocks. When Benji takes one of Ruby's, there's a tussle and all the blocks crash down. Then they start building together, until Guy arrives with green blocks... A simple, stylish book about sharing.

Try asking: “What happened when Benji took Ruby's red block?”

Chameleon is lonely, so he turns into anything to fit in: a swirly snail, a green grasshopper, a stripy sock. But none of them want to be friends. Will he ever find someone to talk to? A witty first book of colours and shapes, and a gentle story about loneliness.

Try asking: “Why did Chameleon keep changing?”

Lee is a pea, and he looks just like all the other peas. Colin is a carrot, and he's very different. A very funny, bold picture book about empathy, difference and the joy of making friends with someone who isn't like you.

Try asking: “Lee and Colin are very different. Why are they good friends?”

Handa puts seven delicious fruits in a basket to take to her friend Akeyo in the next village. As she walks, she wonders which fruit Akeyo will like best, but some sneaky animals have other ideas. A classic, colourful story set in Kenya, with a lovely surprise at the end.

Try asking: “What happened to the fruit in Handa's basket?”

It's Maisy's birthday! Pull the tabs and lift the flaps to help her open presents, play party games and blow out the candles, and join in singing Happy Birthday. A novelty classic for little ones.

Try asking: “What presents did Maisy get?”

The day before his birthday, Kipper writes his party invitations and bakes a cake, but he doesn't deliver the invitations until the next day. So when is his birthday: today, yesterday or tomorrow? When his friends finally arrive, they bring the perfect present. A funny, gentle classic about birthdays and time.

Try asking: “Why did Kipper's friends get muddled about the day?”

Mr Gumpy goes out in his boat, and the children, a rabbit, a cat, a pig and more all ask to come. Yes, says Mr Gumpy, as long as you don't squabble, or hop, or flap. But as more friends climb aboard, the boat starts to rock... A Kate Greenaway-winning classic.

Try asking: “What did Mr Gumpy ask each animal not to do?”

Ben is delighted to find a penguin in his present. "Hello, Penguin!" he says. Penguin says nothing. Ben tickles him, pulls his funniest face, tries everything, and gets crosser and crosser. A heart-warming modern classic about anger, patience and friendship.

Try asking: “Why was Ben so cross with Penguin?”

Peter and Paul are best friends, until Peter gets lost in a terrible storm. With the help of a big blue whale, Peter sets off to find Paul, but all the birds they find are not quite like Paul. A delightful, witty story of friendship and mistaken identity.

Try asking: “How did Peter describe Paul to the whale?”

Four friends creep through the woods with a plan to catch a bird. Shh! The littlest one keeps trying to say hello, but the others won't listen, and their plans keep going wrong. A gloriously funny, award-winning book about friendship and kindness.

Try asking: “What did the littlest one do differently?”

An old man plants a turnip that grows and grows. He pulls and pulls, but it won't come up, so his wife joins in, then the animals, one by one. A funny retelling of the classic Russian tale, perfect for joining in with.

Try asking: “Who helped pull up the turnip?”

Panda and Penguin love their old sofa, but when the springs poke through and the cover tears, it's time to go shopping. They look at sofas that are too big, too small, too hard, too soft and too arty, until they find the perfect one. A funny story about choosing together.

Try asking: “Why didn't they like the other sofas?”

"This is my rock!" says a young goat. "Not yours," he tells Eagle and Bear and the other goats. But standing on top of a mountain all day and night can be lonely when you have no one to play with... A witty, simple tale about sharing.

Try asking: “Why did the goat feel lonely?”

When's my birthday? Where's my birthday? How many sleeps until it's here? An excited little girl lists everything that will make her birthday the best ever. A joyful celebration of all things birthday.

Try asking: “What did she want for her birthday?”

A little boy and his bear live together, but Bear is getting bigger, and it's time to find where Bear really belongs. They try the jungle, the desert and more, until they find just the right home. A deceptively simple, Kate Greenaway-nominated story about friendship and home.

Try asking: “Where did Bear belong?”

Little dog George isn't sure about the new kitten, Tao. They sniff, they look, they wag their tails, and then they start to play. But George gets too excited... A tiny, delicate picture book about friendship, gentle play and making up.

Try asking: “What happened when George got too excited?”

Corduroy is a toy bear in a department store, waiting for someone to take him home. When a little girl wants him but her mum says he's missing a button, Corduroy sets off through the store at night to find one. A classic about friendship and being loved just as you are.

Try asking: “Did Lisa mind that Corduroy had a missing button?”

The bad-tempered ladybird won't share and picks fights with every animal he meets, each one bigger than the last. Eventually he learns the importance of friends and turns into a nicer, happier bug. The pages grow with the animals, and clocks show the time.

Try asking: “What did the ladybird learn?”

Eddie is feeling sad, and so is the bear. They both wish they had a friend to talk to. All they've got are their teddies, and teddies can't talk. Or can they? A first look at friendship and feelings, with Eddie and the bear.

Try asking: “How did Eddie and the bear become friends?”

Henry wants a friend, but experiences the classroom and friendship differently to his classmates.

Try asking: “What makes someone feel like a good friend to Henry?”

Teaches that noticing disability is fine, but a disabled child doesn't owe everyone an explanation of their body.

Try asking: “What do you think Joe actually wanted the other children to do?”

It talks directly and calmly about what hands can do instead of hitting, without shaming a child for the impulse.

Try asking: “What else could hands do here instead?”

George the giant buys smart new clothes, then gives each piece away to an animal who needs it. It makes kindness concrete: giving something up so someone else is better off.

Try asking: “Why did George give his new clothes away?”

The Highway Rat takes everyone's food until a clever duck outwits him. Children enjoy seeing grabbing and greed fail, which opens a calm conversation about taking and sharing.

Try asking: “How do you think the other animals felt when the rat took their food?”

A witch keeps making room on her broom for new friends, and when she is in danger they save her. It shows including others as something that comes back to you.

Try asking: “What happened because the witch made room for everyone?”

Superworm is always helping the other creatures, and when he is captured they work together to rescue him. A simple story about looking after the friends who look after you.

Try asking: “How did the other creatures help Superworm?”

Unhei has just moved from Korea, and after children struggle with her name, she decides to pick a new one from a jar her classmates fill. A gentle story about belonging, being yourself and the importance of names.

Try asking: “Why did Unhei keep her own name in the end?”

Duncan opens his crayon box to find letters from his crayons: Red is overworked, Beige feels ignored and Yellow and Orange aren't speaking. A very funny book about listening to how others feel, and finding a fair solution.

Try asking: “Which crayon do you think had the best reason to be cross?”

Cat insists that every animal sits on something that rhymes: cats on mats, hares on chairs, mules on stools. Frog really doesn't want to sit on a log. A very funny rhyming book that also opens up talk about rules, fairness and saying when you disagree.

Try asking: “Frog didn't want to sit on a log. Was the rule fair?”

Bear and Hare want to reach some juicy pears. Hare finds three chairs, but is it fair that Hare has two and Bear only one? When they each get the same, Hare still can't reach. A little friend shows them that fair doesn't always mean everyone getting the same thing.

Try asking: “Was it fair for Hare to have more chairs? Why?”

Cat slices, Squirrel stirs and Duck adds the salt, every single day. But when Duck wants a turn at stirring, there's a big squabble and Duck walks out. A warm, rhythmic classic about sharing, missing a friend, and making up.

Try asking: “Why did Duck want to stir the soup?”

Spider wants to be the family's pet, but every time she shows them what she can do, they scream "AAAARRGGHH, SPIDER!" A funny, shout-aloud story about fitting in, tolerance and making friends.

Try asking: “Why did the family scream at Spider?”

Monster siblings Natalie and Alphonse love their flat on the seventh floor, but when they invent a game of wriggly worms in the jungle, things go wrong. Indoors isn't the place for it! A funny story about sibling play, and finding the right place for wild games.

Try asking: “Why wasn't wriggly worms a good game for indoors?”

Horace bakes a biscuit in the shape of a bear, and in the middle of the night it comes to life. Biscuit Bear decides it's time he made some friends of his own, so he bakes a whole circus of them, and the fun begins. A quirky, funny story about friendship with a sweet ending.

Try asking: “Why did Biscuit Bear want to make friends?”

Blue Penguin feels just like a penguin, but the others say he's not like them and leave him all alone. Can he show them he belongs after all? A moving fable about difference, friendship and belonging.

Try asking: “Why did the other penguins leave Blue Penguin out?”

Two eggs lie side by side on the sand. Crack! Out come a bird and a crocodile, and they grow up as brothers. But when they meet other crocs and birds, they wonder: can they really be brothers? A moving story about family, difference and belonging.

Try asking: “Can Croc and Bird be brothers? Why?”

A big-hearted little girl is determined to be friends with a certain little boy. She shares everything, even a sandwich he doesn't like, and she's sure playing outside is their favourite thing, even if he isn't. A warm, wittily observed story about friendship, kindness and empathy.

Try asking: “Do you think the boy wanted to do everything she did?”

Iris and Isaac are polar bears and best friends, until they have a falling-out. Off they stomp, as far from each other as possible. On their journeys they see funny, strange and wonderful things, and they wish they could share them. A beautiful story about falling out and making up.

Try asking: “What did Iris and Isaac miss when they were apart?”

One day a penguin turns up at a boy's door. The boy decides the penguin must be lost, so they row all the way to the South Pole to take him home. But when they get there, the boy discovers that maybe home wasn't what the penguin was looking for after all. A beautiful story about loneliness and friendship.

Try asking: “What was the penguin really looking for?”

Little Rabbit is trying to read his book in peace, but there's so much going on around him. He doesn't want to play, and he doesn't want anyone too close. Maybe he needs a space just for himself... but what happens when he starts to feel lonely? A charming book about personal space, boundaries and sharing.

Try asking: “Why did Rabbit want his own space?”

Birt and Etho are best friends who build marvellous things from cardboard boxes on Sudden Hill. When a new boy, Shu, wants to join in, Birt feels jealous and refuses to come out to play, until his friends arrive with their most marvellous creation yet. A moving story about accepting someone new.

Try asking: “Why didn't Birt want Shu to join in?”

Lucy knows the right way to do everything, and her friends ask her for help. When Toshi arrives, Lucy thinks he can't do anything properly: he eats differently, plays strange music and definitely can't paint elephants. A gentle story about difference, open-mindedness and new friends.

Try asking: “Why did Lucy think Toshi was doing things wrong?”

When Simon moves house, Isabel loses her best friend forever. Angry and lonely, she decides she doesn't need anyone, except her parrot, until a new friendship begins in an unexpected way. A poetic, hopeful story about loss, moving, and opening up to a new friendship.

Try asking: “How did Isabel feel when Simon moved away?”

A boy finds an aeroplane in his cupboard and flies it higher and higher, until it runs out of petrol and he's stranded on the moon. There he meets a Martian who is stranded too. A magical story about problem solving and friendship.

Try asking: “How did the boy and the Martian help each other?”

The gnarled tree on the hill sometimes becomes a pirate ship, with a rope for an anchor, a sheet for a sail, and Sam as its fearless captain. One day another sailor arrives who isn't from Sam's street. Can they find something more precious than gold: friendship?

Try asking: “What did Sam and the new boy find?”

Moving to a new neighbourhood means making new friends, and there are so many questions. How long will it take? Will they play how I want to play? Will they hug me when I'm sad, or give me space? A thoughtful, heart-warming picture book about what friendship really means.

Try asking: “What questions did the child have about making a friend?”

Hank the goose has never met a balloon he didn't pop, or a conversation he didn't HONK! through. He even honks in the library. But being like this isn't always fun, for Hank or anyone else. A hilarious story about being considerate.

Try asking: “How did Hank's honking make others feel?”

Alex and Alex are best friends. They have the same name, but they like different things, and that's fine. A simple, cheerful story about friendship, acceptance and not worrying about what's for boys or girls.

Try asking: “What did the two Alexes like?”

Mr Big is big and strong, and because of the way he looks, people won't stick around. How can he show them that he's a great big softy inside? A warm story about loneliness, music and not judging by appearances.

Try asking: “How did Mr Big make friends?”

There was once a hare who did NOT like to share. The more I give away, the less there is for ME! But when a huge boar threatens the rabbits' lovingly tended carrot patch, will the hare see that sharing can make life better for everyone?

Try asking: “What changed the hare's mind about sharing?”

On a magical moonlit night, Akiko and her Teddy go into the garden to look for his missing button eye. The garden at midnight is strange and mysterious. Can Mee-Chan the cat or Mrs Crow help? By morning, Teddy will be as good as new.

Try asking: “Who helped find Teddy's eye?”

When the Queen steals Emily Brown's favourite toy, a rabbit called Stanley, Emily sets out to get him back and teach the naughty Queen a lesson. A prize-winning classic about love, adventure and standing up for what matters.

Try asking: “Why didn't Emily want to swap Stanley?”

Oof and Pib come from an ancient tribe and only know how to say their own names, but they're the best of friends. Then Oof starts inventing new words, and Pib feels so jealous that he does something to threaten their friendship. A funny story about jealousy and words.

Try asking: “Why did Pib feel jealous?”

A little girl is so excited for her playdate at Henry's house: a bus, the underground, another line, another bus and a walk, but it's worth it for the millions of rooms to hide in. Then things don't go quite as planned. A funny, honest story about friendship.

Try asking: “How was the playdate different from what she expected?”

Welcome to the Isle of Struay, home of Katie Morag McColl! Posting parcels to the wrong addresses, helping Grannie Island with a prize sheep, a troublesome teddy and naughty big cousins: a collection of Katie Morag stories.

Try asking: “Which Katie Morag story did you like best?”

The residents of Harmony House always disagree about whose music is best. Rather than talk to each other, they just play LOUDER! Passers-by cover their ears. Can they learn to listen and find harmony? A lively story about getting along.

Try asking: “How did the neighbours find harmony?”

When Mr Noah builds the ark, he makes two lists: the animals who will come, and the troublesome creatures he'll leave behind. But Mrs Noah has a new coat with very deep pockets... A beautiful retelling about kindness and including everyone.

Try asking: “Who was hiding in Mrs Noah's pockets?”

Hey diddle diddle, the Dish ran away with the Spoon. That's the bit we know, but what happened next? Mini Grey tells the funny, adventurous and slightly sad story of the Dish and the Spoon's life together.

Try asking: “What happened after the Dish ran away with the Spoon?”

Roy and Silo are just like the other penguin couples at the zoo, except they're both boys. When a keeper gives them an egg to look after, they hatch a baby, Tango. Based on a true story from Central Park Zoo, about families of every kind.

Try asking: “Who looked after Tango?”

Beegu is not supposed to be on Earth. She's lost. She's a friendly little creature, but the Earth People don't seem very welcoming. So far she's only met the BIG ones. The little ones are a different matter...

Try asking: “Who was kind to Beegu?”

Duck wants to join a club, but he needs to ROAR to join Lion Club or TRUMPET to join Elephant Club, and all he can do is QUACK! So he sets up his own club, where everyone is welcome. A laugh-out-loud story about inclusion.

Try asking: “What kind of club did Duck start?”

In a town by the seaside, Marianne forages on the beach, but she doesn't play with children her own age. Instead she digs up dinosaur bones and wishes on the stars, and one night a dinosaur wakes up. A rhyming, magical story about loneliness and friendship.

Try asking: “What did Marianne wish for?”

Four little girls meet under an apple tree and form a bond that grows as they share secrets, dreams, worries and schemes. A warm picture book that follows their friendship through ups and downs, laughter and tears, into the women they become.

Try asking: “How did the girls help each other?”

Emmy spends her nights hoping to see aliens on Cotton Rock. When a spaceship finally arrives, she gets her wish to leave with them, but soon she misses something important. An out-of-this-world picture book about family and belonging.

Try asking: “What did Emmy miss when she left?”

A rhyming celebration of hope, seen through the eyes of a shy little flame who watches how an inclusive community celebrates light throughout the year: Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Chinese New Year and more.

Try asking: “Which festivals of light did you see?”

Lubna's best friend is a pebble she found on the beach the night her family arrived at a refugee camp. She tells Pebble everything. When a new boy, Amir, arrives frightened and alone, Lubna must decide if friendship means giving away the thing that comforts her most.

Try asking: “What did Lubna give Amir?”

Milo is on a long subway ride with his sister. To pass the time, he draws what he imagines about the people around him. But when a boy in a suit gets off at the same stop, Milo realises you can't know anyone just by looking at them.

Try asking: “Where were Milo and his sister going?”

In the beginning there were three colours, Reds, Yellows and Blues, living in harmony. Then they each decide they're the best, and they separate. Until a Yellow and a Blue fall in love and make something new. A vibrant story about acceptance and unity.

Try asking: “What happened when Yellow and Blue mixed?”

Billy's mums aren't ordinary. They sing sea shanties, dance jigs in the lounge and have a rude parrot. Billy wishes they were more normal, until a school trip goes wrong and his pirate mums come to the rescue. A swashbuckling story about being proud of your family.

Try asking: “How did Billy's mums save the day?”

Something Else tries his best to join in with the others, but he's different, and he just doesn't belong. Then Something turns up and wants to be friends. But Something Else isn't sure Something is like him at all... A simple, powerful story about difference and acceptance.

Try asking: “What did Something Else learn?”

When the Velveteen Rabbit arrives in the nursery, the other toys snub him. But the Skin Horse explains how toys can become Real, through being loved by a child for a long, long time. A beloved nursery classic in a beautiful new edition.

Try asking: “How does a toy become Real?”

Answering young children's questions about racism is hard. This lift-the-flap book gently explains what racism is, how it happens, why it is never acceptable, and what each of us can do about it.

Try asking: “What can we do about racism?”

There was once a beautiful flower and a little girl who loved it. She talked to it every morning on her way to school. When the flower's owner shouted at her and took it away, the flower began to droop. A gentle fable about kindness and how love helps things bloom.

Try asking: “Why did the flower droop?”

Two adventurers climb over the wall into the overgrown garden next door and discover a ship made of bushes, with tall trees for masts. There they meet the marvellous Mrs Tredegar, who turns every summer into a voyage. A tale of imagination and friendship from Quentin Blake.

Try asking: “What did the children find in the garden?”

Isabel and her family don't have much, but they have enough, until one day they can't pay the bills and have to move. In her new home, Isabel starts to feel invisible. Then she notices other invisible people. A moving story about poverty, belonging and community.

Try asking: “How did Isabel help others feel seen?”

Deep below the waves lives Nen, a merman whose heart feels empty. When he ventures to the world above, he meets Ernest, a lonely fisherman. But can two people from such different worlds be together? A tender LGBTQ+ fairy tale.

Try asking: “How did Nen and Ernest meet?”

Ramadan doesn't begin all at once. It begins with a whisper and a prayer and a wish. A lyrical picture book that captures the wonder and joy of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, from the perspective of a child.

Try asking: “How does Ramadan begin?”

We all celebrate birthdays, friendships, seasons, religious events and national holidays. A colourful introduction to celebrations from around the world, including some less well-known ones, full of food and good cheer.

Try asking: “Which celebration was new to you?”

Auggie knows he isn't an ordinary kid. He can't change the way he looks, but maybe, just maybe, people can change the way they see. The story of Wonder, reimagined as a picture book for younger readers.

Try asking: “What does Auggie want people to do?”

Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy. Every day the boy came to play, and the tree gave him everything she had: apples, branches, and finally her trunk. A classic, much-discussed fable about giving and love.

Try asking: “Was the boy fair to the tree?”

In a cold, grey town, Annabelle finds a box of colourful yarn. She knits a jumper, then one for her dog, then for everyone in town, and the yarn never runs out. When a greedy archduke tries to buy the box, she says no. A gentle Caldecott Honor book about generosity.

Try asking: “Who did she knit for?”

Duncan gets a pile of postcards from crayons he has lost, broken or forgotten. One was left behind on holiday, one got melted in the dryer and stuck to a sock, and they all want to come home. A funny follow-up to The Day the Crayons Quit about feelings and looking after your things.

Try asking: “Which crayon had the worst time?”

Noi lives by the sea with his dad, a busy fisherman, and their six cats. After a storm, he finds a baby whale on the beach and secretly looks after it in the bath. When his dad finds out, Noi has to let the whale go back to the sea. A tender book about loneliness, friendship and families.

Try asking: “Why did he hide it in the bath?”

Starts a conversation about noticing a child who is left out, and the small actions that can help someone feel included.

Try asking: “How could you tell if someone wanted to join in?”

"A bear on Paddington Station?" Paddington has travelled all the way from Darkest Peru with only a suitcase and a label: Please look after this bear. The Brown family take him home, and chaos follows. The very first Paddington book, perfect as a first chapter book to read aloud.

Try asking: “What did the label on Paddington say?”

Luna Grace and her family arrived on Earth from the planet Starbright, and they're settling in. Today Luna is off with her friends on a seaside adventure! A colourful early chapter book for young readers.

Try asking: “What happened on Luna's sea safari?”

Anna Hibiscus lives in amazing Africa with her mother, father, baby twin brothers and lots and lots of family. Join her as she splashes in the sea, gets ready for a party, sells oranges and hopes to see sweet, sweet snow. Four linked stories of family life.

Try asking: “What did Anna Hibiscus hope to see?”

Jasper the cat has everything: a fancy apartment, bow ties and lots of books. He wants to join the Sophisticats, a society for exceptional felines. Then a scruffy puppy called Scruff turns up. A funny early chapter book about unlikely friendship.

Try asking: “Why did Jasper want to join the Sophisticats?”

Meet the Twitches, four tiny toy rabbits who live in a Teacup House. They belong to a girl called Stevie, and they have a secret: they come alive when she isn't looking! A charming early chapter book about friendship and moving house.

Try asking: “What was the Twitches' secret?”

Polly hears a CRASH downstairs. It's not a monster or a spider alien: it's a little puffin with a hurt wing. Polly names him Neil and helps him get better. A gentle early chapter book with recipes, activities and rhymes.

Try asking: “How did Polly look after Neil?”

Rabbit and Bear are a classic animal double act. Rabbit has some very bad habits, and Bear has a lot of patience. A brilliantly funny story about discovering that things are always better shared with a friend, ideal for readers moving on from picture books.

Try asking: “What were Rabbit's bad habits?”

Olga da Polga leaves the pet shop for a new home with her owners, and soon meets Noel the cat, Fangio the hedgehog and Graham the tortoise. Olga loves an audience and tells the tallest tales. A classic chapter book from the creator of Paddington.

Try asking: “What tall tales did Olga tell?”

A simple, fully illustrated version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created after the Second World War to help keep world peace. Each right is illustrated by a different world-famous artist. Published with Amnesty International.

Try asking: “Which right is most important to you?”

Meet Harry Stevenson, a small guinea pig with very BIG adventures. A sweet, funny illustrated chapter book about a pet who wants to see the world beyond his hutch.

Try asking: “What adventure did Harry have?”

Aziza is having a party, but something goes wrong. Then she discovers a secret fairy door that leads to the magical world of Ajaib. The first in an inclusive magical adventure series inspired by world mythology, illustrated throughout.

Try asking: “Where did the fairy door lead?”

Jeanie's Grandma is BAD. Not bad like a vampire or a gangster, more like... up to no good. Sometimes she's embarrassing, but she's always fun. A wickedly funny illustrated series from the creator of Where Bear?

Try asking: “What does Bad Nana get up to?”

Lonely Alma longs to explore the forest beyond her town, but her uncle says it's full of fearsome beasts. One night she finds a frightened bear cub, and they become friends. But the town isn't so welcoming, and Alma and Star Bear must find courage.

Try asking: “Why didn't the town welcome Star Bear?”

When Grant the Genie is cast out of Genie World, he lands on Earth with his best friend, a tiny puppy called Teeny. Grant's wishes don't always go to plan. The first in a series of funny, magical illustrated adventures.

Try asking: “What went wrong with Grant's wishes?”

Lizzie is desperate for a dog, and to convince her parents she has to prove she's responsible. Meet Lizzie and Lucky: a sparky young detective and her loyal Dalmatian, solving mysteries together.

Try asking: “What mystery did Lizzie and Lucky solve?”

Meet Marge, the mischievous babysitter with rainbow hair who loves to make a mess and bend the rules. At dinnertime she cooks chocolate soup! A funny illustrated chapter book about the babysitter every child wishes for.

Try asking: “What rules did Marge bend?”

When Jada Jinks finds a box of magic tricks, she discovers her Granny has a secret past. A warm, magical chapter book about family, tricks and adventures together.

Try asking: “What was Granny Jinks' secret?”

Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. They become best friends and discover the joys of friendship, imagination and waffles. A funny, accessible comic for early readers.

Try asking: “What do Narwhal and Jelly love?”

Mira can't wait to go to Unicorn School and meet her unicorn. But her unicorn, Dave, is naughty, loves doughnuts and does exactly what he wants. A hilarious chapter book about friendship, magic and mayhem.

Try asking: “What made Dave the naughtiest unicorn?”

Picklewitch lives in a tree at the bottom of the garden. She has a nose for naughtiness, a taste for trouble and a weakness for cake. When new people move in, Jack discovers her, and the trouble begins. A funny chapter book about an unlikely friendship.

Try asking: “Why did Picklewitch want cake?”

The Super Happy Magic Forest is the friendliest place in the world, but sometimes an evil-doer disturbs the peace. Then five brave heroes step up. A chapter book packed with illustrations and humour for fans of Dog Man.

Try asking: “Who are the five heroes?”

In Twinkleland Kingdom, Princess Pea loves breaking the rules, and her Royal Unicorn happens to be a pig called Unipiggle! A madcap, colourful adventure bridging picture books and chapter books.

Try asking: “Why was Unipiggle different?”

Clarice Bean loves reading about Ruby Redfort, ace girl detective. Ruby goes on exciting missions, but the most Clarice gets to do is go to the shop on her own. But when a school mystery appears, Clarice gets her chance. Lauren Child's first novel.

Try asking: “What mystery did Clarice solve?”

Two friends, Ben and Ray, grow up together and later serve in the First World War, where their friendship is tested. A rhyming picture book about friendship, courage and remembrance, nominated for the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals.

Try asking: “Why do poppies grow there now?”

Anything can happen at Wigglesbottom Primary, and it always does! Are the boys' toilets haunted? Can a stinky shoe tell the future? Three laugh-out-loud classroom stories for newly confident readers.

Try asking: “Were the toilets really haunted?”

Giraffe lives in Africa and is bored. He'd love a friend, so he sends a letter as far as possible across the horizon, and finds a pen pal: Penguin. But it's hard to imagine someone you've never met. An award-winning, gentle chapter book about friendship.

Try asking: “How did Giraffe imagine Penguin?”

Tomas finds a strange fruit on a tree at the bottom of Grandad's garden, and when it hatches, out comes a tiny dragon! Looking after a dragon turns out to be a lot of responsibility. An enchanting, prize-shortlisted story.

Try asking: “What hatched from the fruit?”

Wilbur the pig is saved from slaughter by a little girl called Fern, and then by Charlotte, a clever spider who writes words in her web to save him. A beloved classic about friendship, loyalty and the cycle of life.

Try asking: “How did Charlotte save Wilbur?”

If you can read this, you understand Pigeonese. Dave and his friend Skipper want to get rid of the mean cat that's stopping them getting their biscuits. A hilarious, prize-winning illustrated story told by a pigeon.

Try asking: “What was Dave's plan for the cat?”

When the Stewarts visit London Zoo, Mrs Stewart tells a small penguin he must come to stay whenever he likes. Not one Sunday later, the penguin turns up! A funny, warm adventure about a penguin who joins a family.

Try asking: “Where did Einstein come from?”

Ted and Nancy are foxes who flee the city and find themselves in Grimwood, a wild, weird wood full of strange creatures. A laugh-out-loud, tender illustrated adventure from Nadia Shireen.

Try asking: “Why did Ted and Nancy go to Grimwood?”

A cinematic journey through the Seoul subway, told by the train itself, that portrays the many lives we travel alongside: a fishmonger, a student, a grandmother, a dad. An award-winning Korean picture book about empathy.

Try asking: “Whose story did the subway tell?”

Frankie Banister's family runs a hotel for magical creatures, with goblins, trolls and other strange guests. When a very important visitor arrives, chaos follows. A rip-roaring, funny magical adventure.

Try asking: “Who were the hotel's guests?”

Four different voices tell their own versions of the same walk in the park: a bossy mother, her lonely son, an unemployed father and his cheerful daughter. A thought-provoking picture book about perspective.

Try asking: “How did each person see the walk?”

Indigo Wilde lives at Jellybean Crescent with her family and a houseful of magical creatures. When a highly dangerous new arrival goes missing, the race is on to catch it before disaster strikes. A wonderfully wild illustrated series.

Try asking: “What went missing at Jellybean Crescent?”

A pilot stranded in the desert wakes to find an extraordinary little fellow asking him to draw a sheep. The Little Prince tells of his tiny planet, his rose and his travels. A much-loved classic about friendship, love and what is essential.

Try asking: “What did the fox teach the Little Prince?”

When Agatha Farlingham is kidnapped by a yeti in Tibet, she discovers he's clever and noble, and his children are in danger from hunters. Years later, two children must smuggle the yeti family all the way to England. A classic adventure from Eva Ibbotson.

Try asking: “How did the children get the yetis to England?”

Meet Billie Upton Green, and don't you DARE call her B.U.G! Billie has taken the new girl under her wing and teaches her the important stuff: Biscuit Laws and where to secretly eat a Jaffa Cake. A funny illustrated diary about friendship, school and Billie's two mums.

Try asking: “What are Billie's Biscuit Laws?”

Welcome to Nocturnia, where darkness is beautiful and sunshine is scary. Amelia Fang is a little vampire who'd rather play with her pet pumpkin than go to her parents' Barbaric Ball. Then she meets the spoiled prince. A gothic, funny illustrated series.

Try asking: “How is Amelia different from other vampires?”

Barry Loser has never minded his name, because his coolness cancels it out. But ever since Darren Darrenofski joined the school, his life has been completely ruined. A Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning series.

Try asking: “Why does Barry think his life is ruined?”

Boot is a small robot who wakes up in a scrapyard with no memory of how it got there, only that it once belonged to a family it loved. A warm-hearted, funny adventure about friendship and finding home.

Try asking: “What was Boot searching for?”

Bunny and his friends live a peaceful life in the woods, until Monkey's rocket crash-lands and he decides to take over! Now Monkey is causing mayhem, and Bunny is determined to stop him. A fast, furry and very funny comic book.

Try asking: “Who causes more trouble, Bunny or Monkey?”

When Moomintroll and his friends find a hobgoblin's hat on a mountaintop, strange things start happening in Moominvalley: anything that goes into the hat comes out changed. A classic Moomin story of friendship, adventure and magic.

Try asking: “What happened when things went into the hat?”

The Race to the Top of the World comes around once in a lifetime, and the prize is your heart's desire. Shen and Sika enter with a sled pulled by 66 pugs, past snow trolls, sea monsters and yetis. A rip-roaring illustrated adventure.

Try asking: “What did Shen and Sika wish for?”

Badger lives alone and likes it that way, doing his important rock work. Then Skunk turns up with a suitcase, saying he's moving in. A classic tale of an unlikely friendship, illustrated by Jon Klassen.

Try asking: “How did Badger and Skunk become friends?”

Izzy is in charge of the new girl, Matilde, who's French. But Matilde LOVES school dinners, which everyone knows are poison. That can only mean one thing: she must be a spy! A Blue Peter Award-winning funny story.

Try asking: “Why did Izzy think Matilde was a spy?”

Life is never boring now that Jams and his family have a monkey called Thimble. Jams and Mum love him, but Dad is determined to get rid of him. Then Jams and Dad are in danger, and Thimble proves his worth.

Try asking: “How did Thimble prove himself?”

Pig loves Duck, Duck loves bossing Pig about, and Farmer loves Pig. But Pig discovers Farmer's plan for him is not what he thought... A brilliantly silly, surreal diary full of Pig's drawings and awful grammar.

Try asking: “What did Pig discover about Farmer?”

Merdyn the Wild is the world's greatest warlock (don't call him a wizard), banished to the 21st century for bad behaviour. He's about to cause chaos for Rose, an ordinary girl on a mission to mend her broken family. A funny, magical adventure.

Try asking: “What chaos did Merdyn cause?”

According to the head teacher, Class 4B is the worst class in the world. Stanly and his best friend Manny know they're not that bad, they're just a bit unlucky. Deliciously silly school stories for fans of Horrid Henry.

Try asking: “Why is 4B called the worst class?”

Ebenezer Tweezer feeds a beast in his attic, and in return the beast gives him presents and keeps him young. Now the beast wants to eat a child, and Ebenezer chooses Bethany, the naughtiest girl in the orphanage. A sharp, funny modern classic.

Try asking: “What did the beast want?”

Arrietty and her parents are Borrowers: tiny people who live under the floorboards of an old house and borrow what they need from the human beans above. When Arrietty is seen by a human boy, everything changes. A much-loved classic.

Try asking: “What happened when Arrietty was seen?”

Celebrate Halloween with Marcus and his friends in the first Breakfast Club Adventures mystery. Something strange is lurking beyond the school fence, and the friends must find out what. Inspired by Marcus Rashford's own childhood.

Try asking: “What was beyond the fence?”

Cookie's life is basically over. Her best friend has a new best friend, and she's been paired with the most annoying boy in the world for the school science project. A brilliantly funny series written and illustrated by Konnie Huq.

Try asking: “How did Cookie's science project go?”

Nine is a pickpocket who steals a little house ornament, which turns into a magical house full of strange inhabitants: a troll housekeeper, a wizard and a librarian. They need her help to break a curse. An energetic, funny adventure.

Try asking: “What curse did Nine have to break?”

Demelza and her new best friend Nessa ride their bikes around the island of Penfurzy, uncovering the mystery of the Penfurzy Knights, with a pet goose sidekick and legendary treasure to find. An illustrated adventure.

Try asking: “What treasure were they hunting?”

When they were younger, twins Arthur and Rose invented the Land of Roar, a world of dragons, mermaids and unicorns. Now they're older, they think it was just a game, until Grandad disappears into it. A bestselling fantasy adventure.

Try asking: “What happened to Grandad?”

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy step through a wardrobe into Narnia, a land under the spell of the White Witch, where it's always winter but never Christmas. With the great lion Aslan, they must free it. The classic fantasy.

Try asking: “What did the children find in the wardrobe?”

A funny list of things you must never do with a new baby, like lending it to a kangaroo or planting it in the garden, and the things you should do: cuddle it, sing to it and love it. A light-hearted way to help an older child get ready for a new arrival.

Try asking: “Which was the silliest thing not to do with a baby?”

Dave takes his toy Dogger everywhere, until Dogger goes missing. When Dave spots him on a stall at the school fair, someone else buys him first. Then Dave's big sister Bella does something very kind. A much-loved classic about loss, love and kindness.

Try asking: “What did Bella do to help Dave?”

Anna Hibiscus has two brand-new baby brothers! Everything is changing, and everyone is so busy with the babies that nobody seems to have time for Anna. A warm, funny story about becoming a big sister and finding your place again.

Try asking: “Why did Anna Hibiscus feel left out?”

Ruby is always racing after her big brothers, but she can never catch up. Then she finds some sticks in the grass. Not just sticks: swords! Suddenly the world is her kingdom. A joyful story about perseverance, creativity and imaginative play.

Try asking: “What did Ruby turn the sticks into?”

When is the baby coming? What will we call it? What will the baby do? We don't really need the baby, do we? A little boy and his mum talk through the months before a new sibling arrives, with all the hopes and worries that come with it.

Try asking: “What did the boy wonder about the baby?”

Titch is the smallest in his family. Pete and Mary have bigger bikes, kites that fly high and instruments that make bigger noises. But when Titch plants a tiny seed, everyone finds out that starting small is just the beginning of growing. A classic for every littlest sibling.

Try asking: “What did Titch have that grew the biggest?”

"My sister and me fight! Push, pull, hurt, hide." A little boy and his sister misunderstand each other and struggle to get along, until storytelling and creativity help them understand each other better. A powerful picture book about sibling conflict.

Try asking: “What helped the brother and sister understand each other?”

Nature-loving Timi is unsettled by a new baby sibling, so he tends a tree growing in his local library. But the tree is magical and growing FAST, and the library is going to close. Can Timi save his tree and the library, and bring his community together? An early reader with illustrations.

Try asking: “How did Timi try to save the library?”

Sona Sharma's house is full of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Then Amma tells Sona she's going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn't sure she wants to share her family. A warm chapter book about becoming a big sister, set in India.

Try asking: “How did Sona feel about the new baby?”

Horrid Henry's behaviour is HIDEOUS. Terrible dancing, disgusting glop, a trip to France and his perfect brother Peter. Four hilarious stories that are an irresistible introduction to reading for pleasure.

Try asking: “What was Henry's most horrid moment?”

Mattie is nine and she worries about everything, which isn't surprising when you have a family as big and crazy as hers. A funny, warm chapter book about family life and growing vegetables.

Try asking: “What did Mattie worry about?”

Jake wants a normal family, but his brother Liam, who is autistic, gets all the attention and Jake feels left out. Then a polar bear called Mister P turns up on the doorstep. A warm, funny story about siblings and being understood.

Try asking: “How did Mister P help Jake?”

Danny Chung loves drawing more than anything, certainly more than maths. Then his tiny, ancient grandmother arrives from China, speaking no English, and has to share his bedroom. A prize-winning, funny story about family and finding common ground.

Try asking: “How did Danny and Nai Nai connect?”

"I can get a new brother? On the internet?" Jonny is fed up with his brother, so he finds a website that swaps siblings. But each new brother is more problematic than the last. A funny story about siblings.

Try asking: “Did Jonny find a better brother?”