Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in autumn – September, October, November, and December 2022. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction for children aged 4-16. The titles below are books that (at the time of writing) are now due to be released this autumn and during the autumn term in UK schools and in time for Christmas. These books have been chosen with classroom teaching, school libraries, home learning and reading for pleasure in mind.
Autumn 2022 new children’s books – our recommendations
New picture books for autumn 2022
Found by Sam Usher
The Last Rainbow Bird by Nora Brech
Gotcha! by Clotilde PerrinMy Rhinoceros by Jon Agee
When a young boy buys a rhinoceros from the pet shop he takes it home but soon becomes disheartened when – despite his best efforts – the rhinoceros doesn’t seem to do anything. It won’t do tricks, fetch balls or catch a frisbee, and the young boy wonders if he’d have been better off buying a hippo. But then an expert appears and tells the boy what the rhino is good at, leading to an exciting, unexpected and heroic turn of events on the way home from the park. This charming and funny story is replete with exciting illustrations that make My Rhinoceros a joy to read to EYFS classes and a good text to use when explaining to younger children people often have unexpected and surprising talents.
Picture book | Animals
The Littlest Yak: The New Arrival by Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley
We Are A Circus by Nasta and Rosie Fencott
Lord of the Forest by Caroline Pitcher and Jackie Morris
Goldilocks and the Three Crocodiles by Michael Rosen
The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Maggie O’Farrell
Fox & Son Tailers by Paddy Donnelly
Dare We Be Dragons? by Barry Falls
Enzo, The Swallows and Me by Helen Mortimer
The Three Wishes by Anthony BrowneNew fiction 5-7 for autumn 2022
The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage
Luminous: Living Things That Light Up the Night by Julia Kuo
Isadora Moon Under the Sea by Harriet MuncasterNew fiction 7-9 for autumn 2022
Letters to Anyone and Everyone by Toon Tellegen
Alcatoe and the Turnip Child by Isaac Lenkiewicz
The Midnight Panther by Poonam MistryThe Little Match Girl Strikes Back by Emma Carroll
Based on the Hans Christian Anderson classic, this atmospheric illustrated retelling follows Bridie, who is down on her luck and down to her last three matches. But then she realises that each remaining strike harbours magical power, and could change the course of many people’s lives. A powerful modern fable with a memorable heroine, this is an ideal short novel to read aloud to children in lower key stage 2 or an easier, yet thought-proking read, for upper KS2 children working on Victorian history topics.
Fable | Magic
Aesop’s Fables by Caroline Lawrence
The Case of the Fishy Detective by Iona Rangeley
Once Upon a Hillside by Angela McAllisterNew fiction 9-12 for autumn 2022
Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel
Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Dav PilkeyThe TreeKeepers by Kieran Larwood
When Shapesfiter Liska becomes aware of a threat to her city, she is determined to fulfil her warrior duty and she assembles an unlikely but inspired band of helpers. The TreeKeepers is a thoroughly absorbing story of good versus evil, powerful magic, and heroic defenders pitting their wits against seemingly insurmountable threats; all set in a richly realised and epic fantasy world.
Fantasy | Adventure
Tyger by SF Said
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
The Lucky Bottle by Chris WormellThe Tale of Truthwater Lake by Emma Carroll
In this compelling eco-fantasy, Polly sneaks out to escape the government’s hot weather curfew and confinement in her aunt’s house, for a dip in the dramatically receding Truthwater Lake. There she finds a refreshingly cooling underwater portal to the past. 9-12-year-olds will never think about the recent heatwaves the same way again after reading this. Spellbinding, The Tale of Thruthwater Lake is the perfect middle-grade post-summer read.
Fantasy | Adventure
Children of the Stone City by Beverley Naidoo
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name by Reece Carter
Dan Auta: An African Tale by Jose Ortega y GassetThe Worlds We Leave Behind by A.F. Harrold illustrated by Levi Pinfold
When a strange old lady in a mysterious woodland cottage offers Hex a deal to change a key moment in his life, he takes a chance and accepts. Little can he imagine the sting in this story’s tail and how lives will be changed. Can he find a way back to how things were before, and will that even be the right thing to do? A morally challenging and clever novel that will not only keep children riveted until the final word, but will undoubtedly niggle the subconscious to revisit and reread. This beautifully realised hardback features stunning illustrations by Levi Penfold and unusually subtle typography. The Worlds We Leave Behind is a magical read for 10+ year old children in KS2 and KS3 and a children’s literature highlight of 2022.
Fantasy | Fable | Author’s website
New 12-16 young adult novels for autumn 2022
As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
Journey Back to Freedom: The Olaudah Equiano Story by Catherine Johnson
The Bones of Me by Kel DuckhouseUnraveller by Frances Hardinge
Kellen has a special gift. He can unravel curses, and return those cursed back to their original forms. Uniquely intriguing, this novel poses the question – what happens when a wrong has been righted? Is the aftermath a panacea or are the tormented souls anchored to the past? Unique and compelling, this beautifully written fantasy may well be the best young adult novel you will read in 2022. Read our full review.
Fantasy
Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus
On the Subject of Unmentionable Things: The Truth Is Ripe for Posting by Julia Walton
The Other Ones by Fran Hart
Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
The Lighthouse by Alex BellNew children’s poetry books for autumn 2022
Let’s Chase Stars Together by Matt Goodfellow
The Dream Train: Poems for Bedtime by Sean Taylor
The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph CoelhoNew nonfiction children’s books for autumn 2022
Take a Bite: Eat Your Way Around the World by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinsk
Wild Animals of the World by Dieter Braun
An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms: Discover Mythical Lands, Lost Cities and Vanished Islands by Emily Hawkins
Africana: An encyclopedia of an amazing continent by Kim Chakanesta
Big Ideas from History: a history of the world for You by The School of Life
Inside the Body: An extraordinary layer-by-layer guide to human anatomy by Joelle JolivetSecrets of the Dead: Mummies and Other Human Remains From Around the World by Matt Ralphs
Children will be engrossed by the fascinating illustrated insights into key scientific and historical discoveries such as Otzi the Ice Man, Tutankhamun, Franklin’s Lost Expedition and Lady Xin Zhui. Secrets of the Dead is a large format hardback, covered with gold lettering and glowing hieroglyphs, that looks at how civilisations throughout the ages have treated and preserved their ancestors. With detailed and precise text, this nonfiction book, written in association with The British Museum, is perfect for KS2 libraries and classrooms. Highly recommended.
History | Science
How Much Does a Cloud Weigh?: Questions and Answers that Will Blow Your Mind by William Potter and Helen Otway
Gross FACTopia!: Follow the Trail of 400 Foul Facts by Paige Towler
An Invitation to the Ballet Theatre by Charlotte Guillain
This page was first published on August 15th, 2022, and last updated on .
Autumn 2022 new titles – bulk orders and class sets
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For more top picks and new books why not read our Book of the month page?
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