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Summer Stories: 20 Top Books to Inspire Children to Read During the Holidays

Through our partnership with the National Literacy Trust and our Young Readers Programme initiative, we know that the right book can help to inspire a lifelong love of reading, and all the benefits that brings with it such as improved confidence and wellbeing

But with so many options to choose from, and children sometimes reluctant to read books, it can often be difficult for parents to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve worked with the National Literacy Trust to compile 20 top books for little ones of all ages, to inspire more children to get reading this summer:

Ages 3+:

We’re Going to Find the Monster – Author: Malorie Blackman – Illustrator: Dapo Adeola (Puffin)

Join two budding explorers as they transform their house into a wild wonderland, with oceans, mountains, and fierce tigers – and even a monster!

Dadaji’s Paintbrush – Author: Rashmi Sirdeshpande – Illustrator: Ruchi Mhasane (Andersen Press)

After Dadaji passes away, his grandson can’t bear to use the paintbrush he left for him. But when a girl knocks on the door, the child finds out how many lives his grandfather touched with his art and finds a way to continue his work.

Grandad’s Camper – Author: Harry Woodgate (Andersen Press)

With Gramps no longer around, Grandad doesn’t feel much like having adventures anymore. But as his granddaughter listens to the tales from his many trips, she has an idea to cheer him up.

Ages 6+:

The Girl Who Became a Fish – Author: Polly Ho-Yen – Illustrator: Sojung Kim-McCarthy (Knights Of)

Ita is afraid of lots of things – but most of all she’s afraid of water. When one day she realises the river in her town will turn her into a fish, she decides to face her fears.

Marv and the Killer Plants – Author: Alex Falase-Koya – Illustrator: Paula Bowes (Oxford University Press)

When supervillain Violet Vine makes the plants in the garden at Marvin’s school grow out of control, there’s only one thing for him to do. It’s time for him to swap his gardening gloves for his superhero suit and become MARV-unstoppable.

Speak Up! – Author: Nathan Bryon – Illustrator: Dapo Adeola (Puffin)

Join the brilliantly, instantly loveable Rocket as she organises a peaceful protest to save her local library!

Grimwood – Author: Nadia Shireen (Simon & Schuster)

Fox cub siblings Ted and Nancy are on the run from Princess Buttons, the scariest street cat in the city. They flee for Grimwood, but when Princess Buttons tracks them down, Nancy and Ted must unite with the animals in a race against time.

Poems Aloud – Author: Joseph Coelho – Illustrator: Daniel Gray-Barnett (Wide Eyed Editions)

Perfect for confident children and shy readers alike, this book teaches different ways to perform poetry, by letting children try out 20 funny and thoughtful poems by award-winning performance poet and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho.

Beano Joke Book – Author: I.P. Daley (Farshore)

It’s comedy night in Beanotown and Bash Street’s best comedians have come together to compete. Everyone has brought their funniest jokes with them – but who will make you laugh the most?

Ages 8+:

Doughnuts, Thieves and Chimpanzees – Author: Alex Wharton – Illustrator: Rhi Smith (Firefly Press)

A playful and imaginative ‘how to’ poetry book for children by former Children’s Laureate Wales Alex Wharton, encouraging readers to enjoy and participate in different forms of writing, including limericks, haiku, rap, and song lyrics.

Bunny Vs Monkey: Multiverse Mix-Up! – Author: Jamie Smart (David Fickling Books)

When portals to parallel dimensions open, the gang meet different versions of themselves. But when they end up travelling to the very ends of existence, will they make it back home to the woods?

The Funny Life of Football – Author: James Campbell – Illustrator: Rob Jones (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Winner of the Children’s Sports Book Prize 2023, The Funny Life of Football is a funny fact and fiction book all about the sport. The perfect book for football fans and non-fans alike!

Am I Made of Stardust? – Author: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock – Illustrator: Chelen Ecija (Buster Books)

From whether there are rainbows on other planets, to how dinner tastes on the International Space Station, this book is packed full of fun facts and fascinating insights from renowned space scientist, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Finding Bear – Author: Hannah Gold – Illustrator: Levi Pinfold (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

April Wood has returned home from her adventure on Bear Island, but over a year later, she can’t stop thinking about Bear. When she hears that a polar bear has been injured in Svalbard, April is convinced it’s her friend and persuades her dad to travel with her to the outermost parts of the Arctic.

Seed – Author: Caryl Lewis – Illustrator: George Ermos (Macmillan Children’s Books)

On Marty’s birthday, Grandad gifts him a special seed. As the seed grows bigger and bigger, it launches Grandad, Marty and his best friend Gracie on an impossible adventure.

Ages 10+

The Super-Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates – Author: Jenny Pearson – Illustrator: Rob Biddulph (Usborne Publishing Ltd)

Accidentally embarking on an adventure across Wales, Freddie and his best friends leave a trail of chaos behind. After all, what are best friends for if not to encourage you to start the summer holidays with a disaster-prone race across the country?

A Kind of Spark – Author: Elle McNicoll (Knights Of)

Eleven-year-old Addie is campaigning for a memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her hometown. Addie knows there is more to the story of these ‘witches,’ just like there is more to hers. Can she challenge how others see her and make her voice heard?

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths – Author: Maisie Chan – Illustrator: Anh Cao (Piccadilly Press)

Eleven-year-old Danny Chung loves art more than anything – certainly more than maths. But when a surprise that he’s been promised turns out to be his ex-maths-champion grandmother from China, his life is soon turned upside down.

After the War – Author: Tom Palmer – Illustrator: Violet Tobacco (Barrington Stoke)

The Second World War is finally over, and Yossi, Leo and Mordecai are among 300 children who arrive in the Lake District. But will life by the beautiful Lake Windermere be enough to bring hope back into their lives?

Global – Authors: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin – Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano (Hodder Children’s Books)

Sami and Yuki live on different continents but are both struggling with the effects of global warming. With time running out, can they save their villages and the animals that live around them?

To find out more about National Literacy Trust and its Young Readers Programme, visit: Young Readers Programme | National Literacy Trust

Last updated Monday 5 August, 2024