We invited a panel of teachers, literacy and reading experts, book reviewers and editors – see right – to choose their top 11 best books for under 11s. From picture books to older fiction, together they make an exciting and varied list of recommended reads for children from three to 11.
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf
by Catherine Storr (Puffin)
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate di Camillio (Walker)
Millions
by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan)
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
by John Boyne (Corgi)
The Arrival
by Shaun Tan (Hodder)
Rooftoppers
by Katherine Rundell (Faber & Faber)
Wonder
by R J Palacio (Corgi)
Dogger
by Shirley Hughes (Red Fox)
An old favourite for very good reasons. Winner of the Greenaway of Greenaways.
Claude in the City
by Alex T Smith (Hodder)
The series is fabulous for emerging readers.
The Tunnel
by Anthony Browne (Walker)
The Tunnel is my ‘go to’ book for exploring relationships. It is such a simple story, in a way, and yet can bring out the most complex of discussions.
Ice Palace
by Robert Swindells (Puffin)
Ivan’s younger brother has been stolen by the evil Starjik. The winter is cold and unrelenting, yet brave Ivan sets off on a terrible journey to find his dear brother. A tale of great courage and perseverance in the face of danger.
There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom
by Louis Sachar (Bloomsbury)
Heart-breaking, heart-warming and incredibly funny. This story helps children to accept and celebrate the differences in people that we experience every day.
Top 10 free resources
-
pdf Kamishibai theatre template Popular98 KB
-
pdf All about Kamishibai slideshow Popular3.05 MB
-
pdf Kamishibai story planner Popular71 KB
-
pdf Book plate templates Popular1.17 MB
-
Image Our punctuation pals Popular1.01 MB
-
Image Be a critical thinker Popular960 KB
-
Image Choose the right book Popular778 KB
-
Image Word words Popular552 KB
-
Image Confusables Popular1.42 MB
-
pdf Make reading the norm Popular988 KB