by Shirley Hughes (Red Fox)

An old favourite for very good reasons. Winner of the Greenaway of Greenaways.

by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins)

A picture book that appeals to all ages, adults and children alike. Great fun.

by Matt Haig (Corgi)

I asked my 11-year-old daughter to add the last book to my list and this is the book she chose. (‘It’s the best book I’ve ever read!’) It won the Blue Peter Book of the Year award and the Nestle Children’s Book Prize Gold Award so my daughter is in good company with her choice.

by Libby Hathorn, illustrated by Gregory Rogers (Andersen Press)

Dark, scary and thought-provoking. A beautifully illustrated text for older readers. The ending is more-or-less left to the reader’s imagination and I have had many a discussion with children over the young boy’s plight.

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.

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.

by Michael Morpurgo (HarperCollins)

An absolute delight for younger readers. After reading several of the ‘Animal Adventures’ with a Year 2 class, lots of children went on to choose to read the stories independently.

by Jamie Rix and Lynne Chapman (Orchard)

Meet Giddy, a mountain goat who is scared of heights! A beautifully illustrated tale of finding courage, and great friendship. A lovely (and very funny) story to share with younger children.

by Roald Dahl (Puffin)

by Philip Ridley (Puffin)

Ruskin Splinter is determined to be the hero of his school play and believes in himself, when all family and friends think very little of him.