From rhyming picture books that become bedtime favourites to stories that draw newly independent readers into fantastical worlds or open their eyes to new ideas, children’s books have an invaluable place in education and can create memories that stay with their readers for years. While there are dozens of classic tales and much-loved characters who’ve lasted the test of time – some of which we’ve featured elsewhere in Footnotes or highlighted on the Teachers’ Picks page of our main website – here we’re taking a closer look at the contemporary children’s books on our bookshelves that stand out from the crowd.
The Cat Wants Custard by P Crumble
With a desperation that is perfectly evoked in Lucinda Gifford’s expressive illustrations, Cat makes one enormous and comical effort after another to show his owner just how much he wants a bowl of custard. Age 3+
Bernard Makes a Splash! by Lisa Stickley
Through humorous illustrations and rhyming text this tale of bravery sees swimming pool manager Bernard, a shy Basset Hound, pluck up the courage to compete in the diving competition. Age 4+
The Goblin Princess by Jenny O’Connor
Princess Matty’s pet dragon is too well-behaved for the topsy-turvy Goblin world so when he’s threatened with being sent away she enlists the help of the Forest Fairies to make him naughty enough to keep. Age 5+
The Long Way Home by Corrinne Averiss
Young elephant Otto is keen to be an explorer, just like his grandma Nanu, and the pair set off for Lion Mountain. When Nanu’s memory fails them and they get lost in the forest, Otto must remember the things she has taught him to guide them home. Age 6+
The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories
With contributions from some of today’s leading children’s authors, including Ingrid Persaud, Kieran Larwood and Lou Kuenzler, these contemporary bedtime stories celebrating diversity, friendship and positivity are enhanced by the colourful illustrations of Sarah McIntyre. Age 7+
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes
When orphan and pickpocket Nine breaks the spell that has kept their magical house tethered to the human world its quirky characters are delighted. Together they bounce from one mysterious setting to another, curing the house’s hiccups, reuniting Spoon with his alchemical partner Dish, and venturing to the Isle of Illusion. Age 8+
Escape Room by Christopher Edge
Twelve-year-old Ami enters a high-tech escape room only to discover that she and her teammates are in no ordinary game and must ‘Find the Answer, save the world’ before the self-destruct sequence completes. Age 9+
The Week at World’s End by Emma Carroll
Named the ‘Queen of Historical Fiction’ by BookTrust, former English teacher Emma Carroll set this story against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It follows best friends Stevie and Ray as they try to make sense of the threat while helping a runaway. Age 10+
