Book Sorter

Early Reader: Elsie and the Magic Biscuit Tin

Phil Earle, Jamie Littler

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reaading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. Elsie's always known that there's something a little bit magical about her Grandma's biscuit tin, and when she discovers that it can grant wishes, there's only one thing she wants - chocolate! But Elsie's wish to turn everything she touches into chocolate (even Grandma!) soon causes chaos. Can she get the magic biscuit tin to grant her one last wish to help change everything back? The second Early Reader story from a talented and unique voice in children's fiction. Phil Earle is a CARNEGIE MEDAL shortisted author whose hard-hitting YA novels have been widely acclaimed. His first Early Reader, ALBERT AND THE GARDEN OF DOOM, and his first middle-grade title, DEMOLITION DAD, were released in 2015.

Whatever Next!

Jill Murphy

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (100 reviews)

Join Baby Bear as he makes friends with an owl and has a picnic on the moon – Whatever Next! A beautiful story of innocence and imagination, full of the characteristic warmth and humour of Jill Murphy, author of Peace at Last and The Worst Witch. The moon and back before bath time? Whatever next! Baby Bear wants to go on one more adventure before bed – a quick trip to the moon. Mrs Bear isn't pleased, and anyway, she says, Baby Bear doesn't have a rocket. Luckily, there's one under the stairs . . . Enjoy more Bear Family stories with Peace at Last and Just One of Those Days.

Zoe's Rescue Zoo: The Playful Panda

Amelia Cobb, Sophy Williams

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (98 reviews)

A fantastic series for animal lovers everywhere. Perfect for fans of Holly Webb! Zoe loves living at her uncle's rescue zoo because there's always something exciting going on. And Zoe also has an amazing secret... She can actually TALK to the animals! Zoe adores the zoo's gorgeous new baby pandas. They're twins! But how will she tell them apart? Because one of them is REALLY naughty, that's how! With stories full of cute and cuddly animals and beautifully illustrated throughout by Sophy Williams, Zoe's Rescue Zoo is the ideal series for animal-mad readers aged 5+.

Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy: Book 2

Zanib Mian, Nasaya Mafaridik

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (93 reviews)

Welcome back to Planet Omar! The second book in Zanib Mian's laugh-out-loud series, with amazing cartoon-style illustrations from Nasaya Mafaridik. Perfect for fans of Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid. * Chosen asThe Times Children's Book of the Week: 'Mian's gentle mixing of humour and Muslim tradition is fresh and necessary' * Omar and his friends have been saving up their pocket money for ages so they can have the world's most epic Nerf Blaster battle. But when Omar discovers that his mosque is in trouble, they decide to donate their pennies to help save it. Then they try to raise some more money by: Doing some chores (boorrring) Selling some home-made cookies (deeelicious) Holding a talent contest (YESSSSSSS) Everything goes PERFECTLY until the money mysteriously goes missing. Can they work out who has taken it in time to stop the mosque closing down? And what exactly is Omar's sister Maryam hiding in her room...? *Zanib Mian is a World Book Day author for 2021 with her Planet Omar title, Operation Kind.* Have you read the first book in the series, Accidental Trouble Magnet? Love Reading 4 Kids called it 'irresistible reading'!

Clean Up!

Dapo Adeola, Nathan Bryon

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (90 reviews)

Join Rocket as she sets sail on a brand new mission - to save a Caribbean island from plastic pollution! When Rocket goes on holiday to visit her grandparents, she's shocked by the pollution that's spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk. Can she think of a way to save the day? Once more featuring the lovable Rocket, discover Bryon and Adeola's incredible follow-up to the award-winning Look Up! A heartwarming story that empowers and educates young readers. Praise for Clean Up! ""Clean Up! reminds us that there are always things we can do to make the world better"" - Book Trust ""Interwoven facts and an inspirational surfing grandma add up to a picture book with a lovely balance of urgency, humour and heart."" - The Guardian

Mummy Fairy and Me: Mermaid Magic

Sophie Kinsella, Marta Kissi

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (97 reviews)

The perfect story to read together with your little one! My mummy looks normal, like any other mummy . . . but she's not. Because she can turn into a fairy. All she has to do is stamp her feet three times, clap her hands, wiggle her bottom and say 'Marshmallow' . . . and POOF! She's Mummy Fairy. Ella's family has a BIG secret - her mummy is a fairy! But sometimes Mummy Fairy's magic goes wrong, and then it's up to Ella to help. In this book of enchanting adventures, Mummy Fairy and Ella decorate the kitchen with magic colouring pencils, catch a robber on Ella's school trip - and swim with real mermaids! The fourth book in this magical series for 5-7 year olds, from global bestselling author Sophie Kinsella.

Zoe's Rescue Zoo: The Pesky Polar Bear

Amelia Cobb, Sophy Williams

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (89 reviews)

When Great-Uncle Horace brings back lost and homeless animals from his travels around the globe, it falls to Zoe, and her mum, the zoo vet, to settle them into their new home. She's good at this, because she can understand what they say and talk to them, too. But that's a secret. In the seventh book in the series, Snowy the polar bear has lots of birthday party ideas and is being a bit bossy! Can Zoe help the other animals understand that he just wants to have fun?

Attack of the Demon Dinner Ladies

Pamela Butchart, Thomas Flintham

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (108 reviews)

The fourth in a smash hit series of hilarious tales about primary school life from best-selling, award-winning creators! Packed with excellent black and white illustrations, this is the perfect longer read for newly confident readers. Winner of the Islington Primary Schools Book Award 2017 Nothing is quite as it seems for Izzy and her friends, and the drama is always off the scale! Izzy and her friends hate school dinners. And they hate the shepherd's pie in particular. And now something strange seems to be happening to the dinner ladies. They're wearing new hats, they're cooking new food (still horrible) and there are lots and lots of new rules. But it's when Maisie is taken away by seagulls that they KNOW! The dinner ladies have been taken over and they are about to ATTACK! Have you read these brilliantly funny Izzy and friends adventures? Baby Aliens Got My Teacher The Spy Who Loved School Dinners - Blue Peter Award Winner 2015 My Headteacher Is a Vampire Rat - Children's Book Award Winner 2016 To Wee Or Not To Wee! There's a Werewolf in my Tent - Lollies Shortlist 2019 There's a Yeti in the Playground The Phantom Lollipop Man Icarus Was Ridiculous Praise for Izzy and friends: ""Butchart has enviable comic timing and a shrewd understanding of how primary-aged children think, speak and speculate. Punchy short chapters, genuinely laugh-out-loud humour and Flintham's zany pictures make the series an absolute must."" - The Bookseller ""Good jokes and lots of fun, and especially good for reluctant readers."" - Sunday Times

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! (Narwhal and Jelly, Book 1)

Ben Clanton

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (92 reviews)

'Hilarious and charming' – Dav Pilkey, bestselling author of Dogman and Captain Underpants 🐟🦀 The perfect first book for young 5 year-old, 6 year-old, 7 year old and 8 year-old readers looking for funny, high interest books that are an accessible read, where they'll discover the joys of friendship, working together and the power of imagination. Featuring three short stories and a super fun ocean fact page – and joke page too! Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. 🐟🦀 Young readers LOVE Narwhal and Jelly! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This books is so funny!"" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ""My boys got hooked on it from the first read so we had the order all the other books in the series to read them. We’re also gifting them for birthdays"" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️""My daughter thinks this book is hilarious. I wasn't sure whether she would follow a 'comic style' text, but it's really clear and very easy to follow. The book really appeals to children"" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️""'I like that it’s funny and they both like waffles. I love the drawings….6-year-old Audrey read this book four times in the first two days she had it. I love that it’s building her confidence in reading and making her laugh out loud."" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️""My reluctant reader enjoyed this so much that he read the whole thing to me in one go. Then read it again to his Dad. It is funny and engaging."" 🐟🦀

Grandad's Island

Benji Davies

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (82 reviews)

After the phenomenal success of The Storm Whale and On Sudden Hill, this new book by Benji Davies deals with the emotional topic of losing a grandparent. Subtly told, this beautifully illustrated book tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth. At the bottom of Syd’s garden, through the gate and past the tree, is Grandad’s house. Syd can let himself in any time he likes. But one day when Syd comes to call, Grandad isn’t in any of the usual places. He’s in the attic, where he ushers Syd through a door, and the two of them journey to a wild, beautiful island awash in color where Grandad decides he will remain. So Syd hugs Grandad one last time and sets sail for home. Visiting Grandad’s house at the bottom of the garden again, he finds it just the same as it’s always been — except that Grandad isn’t there anymore. Sure to provide comfort to young children struggling to understand loss, Benji Davies’s tale is a sensitive and beautiful reminder that our loved ones live on in our memories long after they’re gone. Praise for Grandad's Island: 'Davies’s elegantly rough illustrations, evoking a child’s paintings, tap into the imagination of death with little fuss, and his story declines to offer kids instruction on how to feel. Indeed, Grandad’s Island doesn’t mention death at all, but is deeply in touch with the ways in which loss and abundance commingle in the mind, correcting and assuaging each other.' The New York Times Book Review 'The creator of The Storm Whale (2014) offers another thoughtful picture book guaranteed to spark discussion...Recommend to young families dealing with loss, especially those who prefer to gloss over the scientific realities.' Booklist Online 'As with The Storm Whale, Davies offers a story of loneliness and togetherness distinguished by understated, deeply felt emotions and a nautical milieu.' Publishers Weekly 'This book is innovative and useful as a way to talk about the idea of loss—without ever referring to actual death. Parents and educators can use this to talk with a child about how it’s normal to be sad and miss loved ones...Cheerful, brightly colored illustrations make this a fine choice to use with the youngest of audiences. Since death isn’t directly specified, this title also works for when a child’s loved one is moving far away. An excellent vehicle to gently approach the topic of loss. Recommended for collections needing these types of materials.' School Library Journal 'Grandad's Island by British author-illustrator Benji Davies (The Storm Whale; Bizzy Bear series) celebrates a close grandfather-grandson relationship with warmth and style. Whether it's read as a picture book about love, loss or just missing someone who isn't around anymore, it's a charmer. Cheerful cinematic spreads invite young readers into all sorts of intriguing places, from a cozy attic full of curiosities like a turtle teapot, to a vast ship's deck, to the deep jungle of an island paradise.' Shelf Awareness for Readers 'A resonant, layered tale that will only gain in texture as its readers get older.' USA Today Books from the World of the Storm Whale: The Storm Whale The Storm Whale in Winter Grandma Bird Also by Benji Davies: On Sudden Hill, written by Linda Sarah When the Dragons Came, written by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore Jump on Board the Animal Train, written by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore

The Invisible String

Patrice Karst, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (94 reviews)

With over 2 million copies sold, this accessible, bestselling picture book phenomenon about the unbreakable connections between loved ones has healed generations of children and adults alike. A new version featuring many different families, The Invisible String Celebration, and a companion workbook, The Invisible String Workbook, are also available. Parents, educators, therapists, and social workers alike have declared The Invisible String the perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief. It's also been joyfully embraced as a year-round celebration of love--gifted at births, graduations, weddings, Valentine's Day, and beyond. In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected by an invisible string. ""That's impossible!"" the children insist, but still they want to know more: ""What kind of string?"" The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love. Recommended and adopted by parenting blogs, bereavement support groups, hospice centers, foster care and social service agencies, military library services, church groups, and educators, The Invisible String offers a very simple approach to overcoming loneliness, separation, or loss with an imaginative twist that children easily understand and embrace, and delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times. This special paperback edition includes vibrant new illustrations and an introduction from the author. Recommended by Oprah Daily! A Good Housekeeping Best Children's Book of All Time ""This book is a beautiful way to begin to try, as parents, to instill in children the impenetrable power of the heart, the energy of love, and the flow that can be felt from the grace in every moment."" -Tony Robbins Read all the books in The Invisible String series: The Invisible String Family Celebration The Invisible String Backpack: Your very own tool kit for school-and life! The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet The Invisible Web: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love and Universal Connection You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby

The Bolds Go Wild

Julian Clary, David Roberts

Subjects

Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
Sporty Stories - games, goals and gold medals

Average rating

5 out 5 (101 reviews)

The Bolds are visited by Fred's mother, Granny Imamu. She's travelled all the way from the Serengeti, she does not approve of what she finds: hyenas, living as people! Granny Imamu starts to stir up mischief with the twins, encouraging them to get in touch with their beastly side at school. And then the twins' teacher comes to the Bolds with a rather unusual problem: her grown-up son Jeffrey just isn't like other people. He's rather hairy, doesn't much like to talk, and loves to monkey about. If animals can become people, could it happen the other way around . . . ?

Book Sorter

Books sorted! Take a look at these top recommendations, or...

Early Reader: Elsie and the Magic Biscuit Tin

Phil Earle, Jamie Littler

Early Reader: Elsie and the Magic Biscuit Tin

Subjects

Average rating

Whatever Next!

Jill Murphy

Whatever Next!

Subjects

Average rating

Zoe's Rescue Zoo: The Playful Panda

Amelia Cobb, Sophy Williams

Zoe's Rescue Zoo: The Playful Panda

Subjects

Average rating

Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy: Book 2

Zanib Mian, Nasaya Mafaridik

Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy: Book 2

Subjects

Average rating

Clean Up!

Dapo Adeola, Nathan Bryon

Clean Up!

Subjects

Average rating

Mummy Fairy and Me: Mermaid Magic

Sophie Kinsella, Marta Kissi

Mummy Fairy and Me: Mermaid Magic

Subjects

Average rating

Zoe's Rescue Zoo: The Pesky Polar Bear

Amelia Cobb, Sophy Williams

Zoe's Rescue Zoo: The Pesky Polar Bear

Subjects

Average rating

Attack of the Demon Dinner Ladies

Pamela Butchart, Thomas Flintham

Attack of the Demon Dinner Ladies

Subjects

Average rating

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! (Narwhal and Jelly, Book 1)

Ben Clanton

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! (Narwhal and Jelly, Book 1)

Subjects

Average rating

Grandad's Island

Benji Davies

Grandad's Island

Subjects

Average rating

The Invisible String

Patrice Karst, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

The Invisible String

Subjects

Average rating

The Bolds Go Wild

Julian Clary, David Roberts

The Bolds Go Wild

Subjects

Average rating

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