Autumn Term 2026 Collection
This video provides an overview of the book choices with reasons for selection, and a peek inside the books. It is ideal for teacher book knowledge, presenting information in bite-sized chunks. You might view it in staff or team meetings when discussing reading for pleasure. The videos can also be viewed on demand by individual teachers
There’s just enough information included to help you to introduce them to your class before adding them to the class or school library.
Autumn recommendations can be purchased at a discounted rate…
Hari Kumar: Race Day Disaster
Author: Rashmi Sirdeshpande
Illustrator: Mamta Singh
Pages: 224. Heavily illustrated in black and white
Hari thinks it’s the worst day of the year. Leonardo House have NEVER won Sports Day, and this year Hari is determined to win the SHINY new trophy and beat his NEMESIS, Martin. Nani’s next-level fitness bootcamp has him doing some SERIOUS training, even burpees! Can Hari help lead his house to victory, and show Lily that he’d do ANYTHING for his friends?
A sensitive portrayal of a protagonist with ADHD. Written in a popular diary format with doodles and a relatable school setting.
Rapunzel is a Lettuce
Author: Joseph Coelho
Illustrator: Shirley Hottier
Pages: 128. Black and white illustrations
Come on a family camping trip with an outdoor feast, or have an adventure, just you and your dog; be a giant of learning, find a message in a bottle, sail the storyteller sea or travel to the centre of the earth. These are poems to fire the imagination, to take you exploring and help you find your own special place.
Brimming with wordplay and a range of poetic forms, this is a collection that children will enjoy dipping into. Perfect for read-aloud sessions, too.
African Queens
Author/illustrator: Oninye Iwu
Pages: 32. Full-colour illustration throughout
Travel through 2,000 years of history and meet the legendary women leaders of Africa – from Queen Hatshepsut of ancient Egypt to the fierce Amazon warriors of Dahomey and many more! Be inspired by the empowering stories of trailblazing queens, like:– The Sudanese queen, Amanirenas, who defeated the Romans– The Moroccan pirate queen, Sayyida Al-Hurra, who took back her treasure– The mighty Queen Mother of Ghana, Yaa Asantewaa, who tricked an empire– The wonderful warrior women of Dahomey (Benin) who protected their king, and many more!
Joyfully illustrated in bright sunshine colours, this book is as informative and entertaining as it is needed. The first book about African queens written for children that we have seen.
Rex Rocket Cosmic Weiner Dog
Author/illustrator: John Gallagher
Pages: 240. Full-colour illustration
Meet the ultimate group of galactic misfits: the adventurous and goofy Rex; his robot First Mate, Spud; the banana-like navigator Lt. Peele; an adorable Shark-headed Ensign called Trog; and the mysterious rabbit scientist, Dr B – who must band together to protect the universe from space pirates, cosmic bad guys, and the occasional planet-sized platypus! Oh, and all whilst hurtling through the stars in a giant hot dog-shaped spaceship . . . Rex and the team have been assigned by S.T.A.R.R. Command to protect an alien leader and his loyal subjects from monsters attacking their planet – but it soon becomes clear that all is not as it seems
An appealing retro comic style feel to both the storytelling and the illustration. The episodic nature (20 short stories) interspersed with random space facts makes this a good choice for children who find it hard to sustain a longer narrative.
The Animal Detectives
Author: Moira Butterfield
Illustrator: Merle Goll
Pages: 96. Full- colour illustration
Who or what is keeping everyone awake at night and disturbing the peace? Who is responsible for the burglary at the beach café? And who left a stinky surprise in the park, vandalising the lovely scenery? Each case invites readers to learn amazing facts about animals and their habitats, while uncovering the science behind each crime. From tropical beaches and lush forests to urban streets and even the depths of the ocean, kids will explore a range of animals and their habitats.
An imaginative nonfiction book in which animals investigate animal mysteries. The tone is lively and informal with lots of bite-sized information boxes and illustrations throughout.
Diary of a Wicked Witch
Author: Ben Miller
Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli
Pages: 256 Black and white illustrations throughout
The wicked witch has gone one cackle too far and is faced with a choice: a four-week wickedness management class, or a lifetime in jail.
Spending all her time with stuck-up witches and her ex-best friend, now a total goody two-shoes, leading the course isn’t Wendoline’s idea of a good time, but she’ll do anything it takes to get her powers back. Even with a pompous king and queen to impress, a smarmy Prince Charming to prove wrong, and her own daughter, Rapunzel, to win over, Wendoline is not buying into the whole using magic for good thing, not when being WICKED is just so much FUN.
The latest in Ben Miller’s popular Fairytale Woods series is another highly enjoyable flipped tale. The storytelling is fast-paced, and the humour works well with this age group.
Monsieur Mustard
Author/ Illustrator: Charley Rabbit
Pages: 240
One evening, way past your bedtime, all was quiet in the city of Bath. Fabio Fangtooth was finishing his alphabet soup. When suddenly . . .Whoomp! . . . He disappeared. Yes, my friends, this is the most SPINE-TINGLING, CLAW-BITING, POOT POOT IN YOUR PANTALOONS mystery that Monsieur Mustard has ever set his little eyes upon. Can our hero crack the case with the villain hot on his tail?
Monsieur Mustard is a stylish, lovable new character. Attractively presented with ample illustration and comic-style panels, this is a supportive read for children who find large blocks of text off-putting. We predict Monsieur Mustard will quickly become a firm favourite.
When I Was a Wolf
Author: Liz Flanagan
Illustrator: Nikola Aronova
Pages: 64. 16 pages with black and white illustrations
Jasmine loves wolves, her mum and her best friend, Ella. But Jasmine’s mum has fallen ill, and Ella is busy with Layla, the new girl at school. Everything has changed.
At a new art club, Jasmine learns to channel her worries and sadness into creativity, building a magnificent wolf lantern for the town parade. But when a moment of anger threatens to undo all her progress, can Jasmine find a way to control her emotions and repair her friendships?
A thoughtful story that explores the role of creativity in managing emotions. Dyslexia friendly.
The Minotaur and the Greatest Escape Ever
Author: Anne Miller
Illustrator: Sam Caldwell
Pages: 192. Black and white illustrations throughout.
Tor is a gentle minotaur who only wants to live peacefully in his maze with his bat friends rather than hurt anyone. His quiet life changes when a cross, tiny princess named Ariadne convinces him to see the outside world, leading them to hatch an ambitious escape plan.
This flipped tale from Greek mythology is well presented with appealing illustrations by Sam Caldwell. Loki fans are sure to love this one.
Tales of the Cobb Street Commandos
Author: Tony Bradman
Illustrator: Alexsei Bitskoff
Pages: 150
It’s 1941 and the Second World War has transformed London. All the adults are doing important things and playing their part. Jimmy and his friends want to be in the thick of the action, doing whatever they can to keep the East End safe. So they form a top-secret group called the Cobb Street Commandos. Houses become hidden headquarters for official CSC meetings. Abandoned warehouses turn into their personal training grounds.
They create helmets from cardboard and training tools from old scraps of wood. They know how to be creative and are more than ready for battle. The only thing missing is a mission for them – until now, that is.
A relatable ensemble piece with an authentic historical setting.