Ages & Stages
Finding the right book at the right time for the right child is the key to helping children fall in love with reading. Here I've tried to gather board books that are guaranteed hits, picture books that are works of art, and first chapter books that draw kids in with brilliant stories that bridge that tricky gap into independent reading for pleasure. Then there are middle grade books - packed with rollicking adventures and relatable characters for 10-12 year olds - and my favourite books for teens, full of brilliant heroes, heart-stretching plots, and hope.
“A childhood without books – that would be no childhood. That would be like being shut out from the enchanted place where you can go and find the rarest kind of joy.”
Astrid Lingren
Wordless Books
For children whose first language is not English, for kids with hearing loss, or just for children who love to tell the story themselves, these are my favourite books with no (or few!) words, or where the pictures tell the story on their own!
Board Books
With so many books for babies to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start! Here are some of my favourites for building a little person's first library....
Picture Books
Look no further for picture books that foster connection and create memories....there's no better way to connect with a child and fuel a love of books than snuggling on the sofa with a pile of these!
First Chapter Books
Finding that book that unlocks the door to a life of independent reading is the holy grail of literary matchmaking! Here are some tried and tested favourites for turning kids into bookworms....
Middle Grade Books
Once children are reading independently, giving them a steady stream of fiction worth reading is key. Here are books aimed at 9-12s that provide adventure, escape, heroes to follow and friends to walk alongside; books to comfort, and books to inspire.....I think they make wonderful reads for teens and adults too!
Books for Teens
Finding good books for teens can be the toughest challenge of all - they need inspiring heroes, an abundance of kindness, and hope. These books will help teens find their place in the world as they lose themselves in stories of lands near and far, challenge and adversity, and good winning out.
