Recommended Reads for Year 1

Classics

Funnybones

"This is how the story begins... On a dark dark hill there was a dark dark town. In the dark dark town there was a dark dark street." Discover the classic children's story that has delighted generation after generation.

A must-read for Halloween, discover the hilarious Funnybones stories. Packed with playful illustrations and easy-to-read text, discover this timeless bedtime story.

Fantastic Mr Fox

"On a hill above the valley there was a wood. In the wood there was a huge tree. Under the tree there was a hole. In the hole lived Mr Fox and Mrs Fox and their four Small Foxes. . .

"Mr Fox is a very clever fox - every evening he creeps down into the valley and helps himself to food from the nearby farms. Chickens from Farmer Boggis, ducks and geese from Farmer Bunce, and turkeys from Farmer Bean. But now the farmers have had enough, and together they hatch a plan to get rid of Mr Fox for good!But what they don't know is Mr Fox has some help, and a fantastic escape plan of his own...

The text in this edition of Fantastic Mr Fox was updated in 2022 for young independent readers.

Lost and Found

There once was a boy… and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. But no one seems to be missing a penguin.

So the boy decides to take the penguin home himself, and they set out in his row boat on a journey to the South Pole. But when they get there, the boy discovers that maybe home wasn’t what the penguin was looking for after all…

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Plop, the Baby Barn Owl, is like every Barn Owl there ever was, except for one thing – he is afraid of the dark. "Dark is nasty" he says and so he won't go hunting with his parents. Mrs Barn Owl sends him down from his nest-hole to ask about the dark and he meets a little boy waiting for the fireworks to begin, an old lady, a scout out camping, a girl who tells him about Father Christmas, a man with a telescope and a black cat who takes him exploring.

Perhaps there is magic in the dark after all . . .

Zog

'Madam Dragon ran a school, many moons ago. She taught young dragons all the things that dragons need to know.

Zog, the biggest dragon, was the keenest one by far. He tried his hardest every day to win a golden star.' Zog is the keenest dragon in school. He's also the most accident-prone, flying into trees and even setting his own wing on fire.

Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises. But will she be able to help him with his toughest test: capturing a princess?

Fantasy

Letters to a Monster

It’s a dark and stormy night, and Sophie knows that there is a MONSTER hiding under her bed. So, like any sensible child, she decides to send him a letter. Dear Monster,I know you are hiding under my bed.

I hear you breathing. This is your last warning. Leave now or I will call THE MONSTER POLICE.

I have their number. Yours truly,SophieAs the letters fly back and forth, Sophie begins to wonder if Monster isn’t as scary as she thought. What if he’s the friend she’s been looking for all along?

The Dragon Machine

The perfect introduction to the legendary world of dragons, The Dragon Machine uses a clever mix of text and illustrations to describe how George, a young, overlooked boy, becomes aware of dragons hiding all around him. But when it becomes apparent that they don't belong in George's ordinary world, he endeavours to do the best for his new friends and find them the home they deserve.

Nibbles The Book Monster

Nibbles is a very naughty book monster - he's chomping, munching and nibbling his way through fairytales that don't belong to him! Can you help catch him and put him back in his own story? Children will love to lift the flaps, peek through the peep holes, and chase Nibbles through a fantastical world of books, in this quirky story, exquisitely illustrated by Emma Yarlett. Jam-packed full of your kids' favourite fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The Fairytale Hairdresser and Beauty and the Beast

The Beast's heart is melted by the beautiful and artistic Bella - but could she ever love someone so beastly?Join Kittie Lacey, the best hairdresser in all the land, as she teaches Beast that looks aren't everything - it's what's on the inside that matters most.

The Dinosaur Next Door

Liz is sure that her next-door neighbour has a secret. He's got a very long neck, clumpy feet and a strange taste for green leaves... he's a dinosaur! Unfortunately, she's not the only one who's noticed.

When Mr Wilson is taken away by scientists, Liz realises that everyone is free to live the life they wish and she must help save her friend. A delightful book perfect for children aged 3+· A beautiful story about acceptance and letting people live the life they want

Adventure

The Bumblebear

Norman is a bear. A bear who LOVES honey. According to Norman, there can never be enough honey! And who has the most honey? The bees, of course!So, dressed up in his very best bee onesie, he thinks he looks quite convincing as he infiltrates Bee School with his eye on their huge honey supply.

But how long will his disguise last? And when the hive is endangered, can he finally discover his true destiny and become… The Bumblebear?

Press Start! Game On, Super Rabbit Boy!

Sunny's favourite game is Super Rabbit Boy and he loves to pit his skills against King Viking who hates fun and happiness and wants to steal Singing Dog and bring sadness to Animal Town FOR EVER!Can Sunny help Super Rabbit Boy get to Level 6 and rescue Singing Dog and restore joy to Animal Town? Only if he defeats the Robot Army, dodges the Robo-Crabs and Lakes of Lava before battling King Viking himself!Has Sunny got the skills? Has Super Rabbit Boy eaten enough super magical carrots (SPOILER: origin story)? You'll have to read and find out...

The Hundred Decker Bus

A fun-packed story about a very unusual bus – with lots of funny details for little readers to spot, and a BIG fold-out ending!Every day, the bus driver finishes his cup of tea, puts on his jacket and sets off on his route. Every day, the man with the big red tie gets on at the roundabout, the lady with the pram gets on at the library and the noisy children get on at Clover Drive. But what if one day the driver turned down a new and exciting road, and picked up new and exciting people? So many people that the bus simply wouldn't be big enough? Well, there would only be one solution…

Join the exciting bus journey as it travels anywhere and everywhere, growing taller and taller with every adventure!

Pick A Story: A Superhero, Mermaid & Dragon Adventure

Do you love dragons? How about mermaids? And superheroes? Find them ALL in the pages of this laugh-out-loud ‘pick your own’ picture book adventure! Davy is on his way to school to show his teacher the AMAZING picture he has drawn for Show and Tell. It’s probably the best thing he has ever drawn, ever ever EVER. But all of a sudden, whoa, the picture has DISAPPEARED. Davy needs YOUR help to find it! Has the picture been taken by dragons? Or pinched by mermaids? Has it been pilfered by a superhero? It’s up to YOU to decide!

Young readers choose between three completely different worlds – allowing them to change the story as it happens. With endless story paths to be taken, the adventure is always different.

The Story Thief

live is a shy girl who prefers reading about adventures to having them herself. But when a mysterious figure steals all of the books in town, Olive is forced straight into an adventure of her own.

The thief, meanwhile, doesn’t quite know what to do with the stories he’s stolen. Olive must track down the thief and teach him the joys of reading - and sharing - stories.

Empathy

The Smart Cookie

This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence?

When Ice Cream Had A Meltdown

Finally she FLOPS and FLINGS herself down on the floor. "I give up!" Ice Cream hollers, "I can't take it any more!" Life inside the ice cream van is full of excitement - the ice creams and lollies can't wait to be picked! But - oh no! - no-one wants a plain ice cream, and that's exactly what our friend Ice Cream is.

As she sees friend after friend being picked instead of her... Ice Cream has a MELTDOWN! Will Ice Cream be stuck in the freezer forever, or is her happy ending just around the corner...?

Sid’s Big Fib

Buckle up for the brag-a-thon as Sid and Lulu try to outdo each other with their weekend goings-on. From epic amounts of chocolate cake to riding the Cosmic Colly-Wobbler, Lulu always edges it. Until one day, Sid launches... a FIB! Once his lie’s out there, it ZOOMS into orbit and Sid has to battle to keep everyone believing.

Grey

An iconic picture book collaboration about feelings and acceptance from two of the most beloved voices in children's literature. Beautifully crafted compositions together with simple die-cut design, reveal the story of a child who feels as though all their colours have disappeared. Despite the joyful orange balloon, the huge yellow sun and the bright green trees, the child still feels grey.

That is until a reassuring hand reaches out and shares words of kindness. Soon the child begins to see the warmth of colour again, and understands that their colours will always be there and that they will always be loved, whether they feel grey or sunshine yellow. Laura and Lauren have created a beautiful book full of empathy and understanding that will provide comfort and hope to readers of all ages.

Thunder Boots

Trixie is the smallest person in Primrose Tower, but also the loudest and the building's residents have given her an affectionate nickname: THUNDERBOOTS. When it's time for Trixie to start school, she is very excited. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate in class, though.

And it's really hard to read letters. Maybe what Trixie needs is a superpowered plan. An empowering story about starting school with dyslexia that celebrates everyone's differences.

Funny Stories

PLEASE!

ou probably know it’s good manners to ALWAYS say ‘please’ when asking for something. But when Bill forgets this very simple rule, the consequences are WACKIER than he could ever have imagined. Get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure featuring spaceships, jungle tigers, mountain yaks, fairytale castles and a whole host of alien toads.

Saying ‘PLEASE’ has never been so important!

The Eyebrows of Doom

The Eyebrows of Doom is an outrageously funny and bonkers adventure story written by the rhyming genius, Steve Smallman with bright, bold and brilliant artwork by award-winning illustrator, Miguel Ordonez. In some woods in a cave, a big bear called DaveWas sweeping his floor with a broom,When two clumps of hair leapt into the air and cried…"WE ARE THE EYEBROWS OF DOOM!"

The Eyebrows of Doom are trying to take over the world! Join Dave and his friends as they try to stop them leaping from one unsuspecting animal to the next. And just when it looks as though the eyebrows' antics have been thwarted… all is not as it seems!

I Can Only Draw Worms

A riotously funny and ever-so-slightly bonkers book from genius storyteller Will Mabbitt.

Show and Tell

School has never been so fun! Meet Class 2L. These kids are excited. Today’s SHOW AND TELL day, and you’re all invited! Come and be schooled in magic and wonder in this incredible story about how biggest isn’t always best!

The Full Stop That Got Away

This is Frank. Frank is a full stop. He's round and small and things quietly stop when he's around. Frank is a full stop, and he acts exactly like a full stop should.  He splits up sentences that get too long . . .

"It's true. I do." He never shouts… "Ouch. Ouch. Help." And he never asks questions.  "That's right."

But what if Frank decides to stop acting like a full stop? What would happen then?

Animal Stories

Never Tickle a Tiger

Izzy is always shuffling, jiggling, squirming and twitching. She just can't keep still! So when Izzy's school go on a trip to the zoo, her teacher warns her to behave. She must never wriggle, she must never fidget and she must certainly NEVER TICKLE A TIGER! But does Izzy listen? She does NOT - and what happens next throws the zoo into complete chaos.

The Bowerbird

The Bowerbird is the irresistible tale of Bert – a small bird with a very big heart, from Number One bestselling Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for Illustration. Bert the bowerbird has made the most perfect bower nest, complete with a pretty purple flower, and is hoping it will help him to meet the bird of his dreams. But will all his efforts to create a beautiful display be enough to win over Nanette?

The Pandas Who Promised

High on a misty mountainside, red panda cubs Popo and Ketu live happily with their mama. As the sisters grow, they promise Mama that they will always stay close to home. But while cautious Popo is content to spend her days in the family's cosy treetop nest, bold Ketu dreams of excitement and exploration.

So when Ketu creeps off down the mountain in search of adventure, Popo must make a choice: will she keep her promise to Mama, or look after her sister?An action-packed, heart-warming tale of being true to your word and true to yourself, from the creators of the international bestseller The Lion Inside.

Little Turtle and the Sea

Little Turtle loves the ocean with her whole heart. As the years pass, she repeats an incredible journey across the world to the beautiful coral reefs.  But one day she finds that plastic has invaded her ocean. Could Turtle's journey be over forever?

Wolf and Bear

A heartfelt story about a playful young wolf and her best friend, Bear. The two best friends always play together, whether it’s paddling in the stream, skidding in the snow, or tumbling in the falling leaves. But sometimes Bear feels sad and wants to be alone… Wolf and Bear is a beautiful tale of kindness and hope.

Our World

The Girl Who Planted Trees

In this empowering picture book by award-winning author Caryl Hart, one small girl inspires her whole village to plant a beautiful forest on the mountain. When a little girl's grandad shows her a picture of what the great, grey mountain used to look like, she can't wait to plant a new forest and for the animals to return. Although the girl soon realises growing trees isn't easy, she doesn't give up.

After many weeks, a little patch of green appears on the mountain and gives the whole village hope. Then, one day, a terrible storm comes tearing up the valley, destroying every single one of the girl's saplings. Has all her hard work been for nothing? Or has it inspired those around her to share her dream?In this lyrical and hopeful picture book, one girl's imagination, determination and positivity motivates a whole community to work together to create something amazing that will last forever.

Somebody Swallowed Stanley

Everybody has a taste for Stanley - and the other ocean creatures just keep mistaking him for a delicious treat - but this is no ordinary jellyfish. Most jellyfish have dangly-gangly tentacles, but Stanley has two handles… Other jellyfish have a magical glow, but Stanley has stripes… Because Stanley (spoiler alert) is a plastic bag! A beautifully illustrated picture book with a powerful message about plastic pollution from environmental expert Sarah Roberts.

Dadaji’s Paintbrush

Discover that bereavement can be a beginning, not an ending, in this beautiful story of one boy's grief when he loses his beloved grandfather. Dadaji loves to teach others to paint, especially his grandson. But after Dadaji passes away, the boy can’t bear to use the favourite paintbrush his grandfather left for him.

When a little girl knocks on the door, the boy discovers how many lives Dadaji touched with his art, and finds a way to continue his legacy.

Tidy

Pete the badger likes everything to be neat and tidy at all times, but what starts as the collecting of one fallen leaf escalates and ends with the complete destruction of the forest! Will Pete realise the error of his ways and set things right?Lush foliage and delightful characters abound in this cautionary tale of overenthusiastic neatness that delivers its message of environmental preservation with subtlety and humour.

Rain Before Rainbows

An uplifting, stunningly beautiful book about optimism in the darkest of places. A girl and her companion fox travel together from a place of loss and despair, through uncertain times, towards the hope of colour, light and life. Along the way, they find friends to guide and support them.

Together, they build a glorious future and discover there is a way out of the darkness, into the light of the rainbow. A book with immense hope at its heart, this is a positive message for anyone who’s ever gone through a tough time.

Friends & Family

Troll

A funny, heartwarming story about internet trolling and learning to love yourself. Below the bridge, beneath the log, underneath the burping bog, where townsfolk whispered, cringed and crept, a terrifying monster slept... In this funny tale, inspired by both internet trolls and The Three Billy Goats Gruff, there is a terrifying troll that lives under a bridge.

Unseen, he delights in shouting nasty things to passers-by. But when a deaf bunny unwittingly faces up to him, he realises that it's not so fun to say nasty things to someone's face. Can Troll finally learn to love himself and others?

The Way Home for Wolf

A sparkling story of friendship, set in the snowy Arctic, from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside. Wolf cub Wilf doesn't want help from anyone. Whatever it is, he can do it all by himself.

But when Wilf finds himself lost and alone in the chill of the Arctic night, he discovers something important: sometimes we all need the helping hand of a friend.

The Perfect Fit

Meet Triangle and all the other shapes in this hilarious picture book about friendships, fun, and finding your place. No matter how hard she tries, Triangle doesn't roll like the circles, or stack like the square… so she sets off to find friends that look exactly like her. But when she finds the other triangles, playtime isn't as fun.

She misses the shapes that roll and stack; she misses having friends of all shapes and sizes!Can Triangle get all of the different shapes playing and having fun together?

Odd Dog Out

It’s a dog’s life in the big city… Come join one busy dog on her journey to find her place in the world.

For busy dogs A busy day Of busy work And busy play… But one dog doesn’t quite fit in. It’s lonely being the odd dog out. She’s willing to go to the other side of the world to look for her place in it… but it might take a different kind of journey for her to realise that maybe where she’s meant to be is right back where she started…

The Friendship Bench

Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog. But when it is time to start her new school, Shadow and Mummy must stay outside.

And inside is full of strangers. 'Why don't you try The Friendship Bench?' says her teacher, when Tilly is playing alone. 'It helps children find new friends to play with.' But when Tilly gets there, somebody is already on it…

Non-Fiction

My Very Important Earth Encyclopedia

A charming children's encyclopedia bursting with facts about explosive volcanoes, incredible habitats, and world-saving ideas. From Earth's inner core to the thinnest air at the edge of the atmosphere, get ready for a round-the-world adventure! Dig down and learn exactly what is under our feet. Investigate the workings of earthquakes and volcanoes. Learn howmountains are made and how rivers form.

Find out about wind, rain, and extreme weather on Earth's surface. Explore Earth'shabitats, and meet the plants and animals that call them home. Finally, find out about how our planet is under threat, and what you can do to protect it.

Flow With the Snow

High on the mountaintop, Snow is watching the clouds dance by. And then, something extraordinaryhappens-Snow begins to melt. She flows down the mountain, into the river, through the city, and out into the ocean.

During her journey, Snow changes. She becomes fluid and can drift with the river currents and dances with the tides. But there's one more change in store-maybe she will be able to dance and twirl with the clouds through the beautiful open sky.

The Big Book of the UK

Introduce children to the wonders, history, culture and customs of the United Kingdom with The Big Book of the UK!In this BIG book you can:- Learn about the sport of "dwile flonking" - Find out where black diamonds come from- Meet the supernatural animal that haunts the Scottish Highlands - Discover the British sweets that helped Hillary and Tenzing scale Everest. Filled with facts about wildlife, food, sports, geography, language and some very silly place names, this book will help you uncover national secrets and unearth local legends from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Clever Crow

For young bird-watchers and enthusiasts of the natural world comes a unique, surprising and beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book about these fascinating birds. Whatever the changing seasons and evolving world presents to the crow, they use their adaptability, discerning memory and crafty problem-solving techniques to overcome every possible hurdle. Young readers will be bowled over by these unassuming creatures they come across every day, and will find a new-found respect for the birds that are smart, clever, crafty and playful, just like them.

This original and accessible Nature Storybook will astonish children and grown-ups alike and will be a book to remember and share with friends.

The Body Book

Look inside the human body in this incredible inventive board book with see-through acetate pages. What's going on inside the human body? How do we move, eat, think, sleep and breathe? Children will love looking inside to discover the answers with amazing see-through pages and clear, friendly text. With labelled acetate diagrams of the muscular, skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory and nervous systems, this is a fantastic first look at human anatomy for curious children everywhere.

From pumping blood to breathing air, The Body Book is an exciting way to explore all the amazing things our body can do.

Poetry

Leave the Trees, Please

Follow a little boy's friendship and journey with one tree, in this powerful and beautiful love letter to nature. From master wordsmith, Benjamin Zephaniah, comes a breathtaking new poem and story showing how trees offer us the perspective and connection to nature we crave in our daily lives. The final scene is an honest representation of the devastating effects of deforestation and urban development, encouraging all of us, everywhere, to 'leave the trees, please'.

With resplendent illustrations from bestselling Melissa Castrillon, this book is both magnificent and timely.

Pick and Mix Poetry

Pick and Mix Poetry is filled with over 300 poems, including familiar favourites, as well as exciting new voices, promising something for any and every occasion. From unforgettable classics to contemporary works from around the world. From football to turtles, pirates to trees, family to cakes and sweets, this is a sumptuous treat that is perfect to dip into or pore over.

Zim Zam Zoom!

Want to travel in a rocket?       Search for a grumpy dragon? Make your very own monster?       Visit a higgledy-piggledy farm?Well, hop into Zim Zam Zoom –for fun and adventures galore! Colours, animals, space, music, fairytale fireworks...! Here is a collection of poems especially written for performance. With delightful illustrations by a talented new illustrator, this is a brilliant introduction to poetry for young children.

All Aboard the London Bus

This delightful rhyming picture book follows a family as they explore London, one of the world's most famous capital cities!Come! Board the London Bus and see the London sights with us. At any time, hop off, explore! Then climb back on, and ride some more… As a family of four spend a day exploring London, fun, child-friendly poems introduce readers to our wonderful capital city, and all its secrets. Well-known landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the London Eye, plus inescapable features like rain and taking tea, all get Patty Toht's witty treatment.

Michael Rosen’s Book of Very Silly Poems

Let your imagination run riot and laughter fill your belly as you explore this book of poems from former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen. Discover traditional poems, rhymes with a twist, and subversive playground favourites in this playful treasure chest of verse. This is the perfect book for young readers to dive into the world of poetry and a great read-aloud with friends of family.

Illustrated Chapter Books

Princess Minna The Enchanted Forest

Princess Minna loves to sort out mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom! In this full-colour, illustrated chapter book, join her on a funny, exciting adventure to wake a sleeping prince and much more - all in time for tea. Princess Minna lives in Castle Tall-Towers with the King and Queen, Raymond the Wizard and her best dragon friend, Lorenzo. There are often mix-ups and mishaps in the kingdom and Princess Minna loves to sort them out! She can tame unicorns, kiss frogs and fight dragons (apart from Lorenzo) and she is very good at fixing things before it's time for bed.

In The Enchanted Forest, Princess Minna has to wake a sleeping prince before nightfall. But along the way, she finds a swan, an old lady and a very fluffy sheep - all of them in a fix! Can she help them and still reach the prince before sundown?

Adventure Mice

Meet Pedro. He's tiny, but while looking for a BIG adventure he is rescued by the ADVENTUREMICE - a brave, determined team who keep all the Mouse Islands safe from harm. Pedro's dream is to show he's heroic enough to join their ranks.

And he soon gets the chance to prove himself, when a big scary otter starts causing trouble in the waters nearby . . .

Rabbit & Bear

Gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit and a bear who discover that things are always better when they're shared with a friend.

Bear wakes up early from hibernation. If she can't sleep, then at least she can make a snowman. Rabbit has never made a snowman, but he definitely wants to make one that's better than Bear's. But with an avalanche and a hungry wolf heading his way, Rabbit soon realises that it might be nice to have a friend on his side.

Ballet Bunnies: The New Class

Learning to ballet dance is harder than Millie expected. The other dancers in the class aren't very nice to her either. But just when she's thinking that maybe ballet isn't for her after all, Millie meets the ballet bunnies! They live hidden in the ballet school, using what they find to make their home-ballet shoes for beds, upside down cups for tables-and secretly take the ballet classes with the humans.

Maybe the ballet bunnies can help Millie master some news ballet skills after all!

Bear and Bird

Full of funny mix-ups and comic misunderstandings, as well as genuine warmth and affection, these four stories are the start of an irresistibly charming new chapter book series from award-winning creator Jarvis.

Bear and Bird are best friends! And while they don’t always understand each other, they both agree: all they want is to make the other happy. So, when Bear forgets to pack for a picnic (but pretends that he didn’t), Bird doesn’t let on that she knew all along.

And when Bird discovers that Bear has more of a certain talent than she does, well, Bear finds a touching way to make her feel better...