Autumn 2023 new children’s books – here’s our selection of top new titles coming out during Autumn term 2023 and available to buy or preorder in September, October, November and December 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction for children aged 3-16+. The titles below are books that (at the time of writing) are now due to be released during this autumn term in UK schools and in time to pre-order for the new school year. These books have been chosen with classroom teaching, school libraries, home learning and reading for pleasure in mind.
Autumn 2023 new children’s books – our recommendations
New picture books for Autumn 2023
The Mountain by Ximo Abadía
The Ogre Who Wasn’t by Michael Morpurgo & Emily Gravett
The Nutcracker: And the Mouse King’s Christmas Shenanigans by Alex T. SmithBeneath by Cori Doerrfeld
The poignant text by award-winning Cori Doerrfeld invites young readers to think deeply and challenge their perceptions about how we see the world and the people around us. The illustrations glow with warmth and wonder. Whether the topic is family, nature, thinking skills, understanding other people or circle time discussion, EYFS teachers will find ‘Beneath’ an invaluable picture book.
Picture book | Bedtime story
The Dress in the Window by Robert Tregoning & Pippa Curnick
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
A Happy Place by Britta TeckentrupI Want a Dog by Jon Agee
Despite Happydale Animal Shelther’s best and highly original efforts, the little girl in this story only wants a dog. Turning down exotic options such as an awesome anteater and a baby baboon, all hope of finding a pet seems lost. Until, with a clever twist, Lucinda appears. A good read-aloud book to help discuss decision-making, choices and expectations with preschool children. Highly recommended for 3+.
Making decisions
The Big Dreaming by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Daniel Egneus
Dexter, The School Dog by Lucy Plunkett
Have You Seen Dinosaur? by David BarrowMama’s Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, illustrated by Joelle Avelino
As Chino runs through the day with her mama’s sleeping scarf, the reader is treated to a slice of her life. With punchy and popping illustrations by Joelle Avelino and a powerful combination of dialogue and lyrical descriptions, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s story takes preschoolers on a journey of imagination, warmth and love. This glorious vignette of happy family life is a joy to read aloud and share.
Family | Diverse
Betty and the Mysterious Visitor by Anne Twist, illustrated by Emily Sutton
You Choose Christmas by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart
Within My Branches by Nicolas Michel
Paws, Claws, Tails, and Roars: Brian Wildsmith’s Animal Kingdom by Brian Wildsmith
The Great Storm Whale by Benji Davies
Letters in Charcoal by Irene Vasco and Juan PalominoNew fiction 5-7 for Autumn 2023
Nikhil and Jay: Off to India by Chitra Soundar and Soofiya
Sona Sharma, Wish Me Luck by Chitra Soundar and Jen Khatun
Mirabelle and the Haunted House by Harriet MuncasterSuperquesters: The Case of the Great Energy Robbery by Lisa Moss and Dr Thomas Bernard
Relatable science superheroes Lilli, Bea and Leo club together to find and stop Lord Grumble from stealing energy in this illustrated eco-renewables mystery for 4-8-year-olds. Awe and wonder ooze from this clever interactive problem-solving adventure that blends logic puzzles, reading comprehension and a dialogue-driven storyline. A surefire way to skyrocket your KS1 and KS2 pupils’ interest in STEM, ‘The Case of the Great Energy Robbery’ will inspire children to find out more about renewable energy at home, at school and in the wider world. It’s the third in the Superquesters series and we hope a lot more will follow.
Adventure | STEM
The Last Stardog by E.K Mosley
Bompa’s Insect Expedition by David Suzuki, Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Qin Leng
The Nutcracker: And the Mouse King’s Christmas Shenanigans by Alex T. SmithNew fiction 7-9 for Autumn 2023
Godfather Death by Sally Nicholls and Julia Sarda
The 169-Storey Treehouse: Monkeys, Mirrors, Mayhem! by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Oscar’s Lion by Adam BaronThe Shade Tree by Suzy Lee
For years, the people living in the village have enjoyed the cool shade of an ancient tree. But one day the landowner decides he owns the shade. This clever retelling of a traditional Korean folk tale sees a young traveller get the better of the greedy rich man to make sure the rights of the villagers are upheld. Inventive and memorable, ‘The Shade Tree’ is perfect to read and discuss with LKS2 classes. Suzy Lee was a 2022 winner of the prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award.
Folk tale
Man-Man and the Tree of Memories by Yaba Badoe
The Incredible Adventures of Gaston le Dog by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Michael Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare by Michael MorpurgoNew fiction 9-12 for Autumn 2023
The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
Oh Maya Gods! by Maz Evans
Read, Scream, Repeat curated by Jennifer KillickThe Silver Road by Sinead O’Hart
A powerful magic stone must be returned to its owner – and Rose has been tasked with keeping it safe. A unique and adventurous brew of contemporary life, myth, epic quest and Irish magic, The Silver Road will enchant UKS2 readers. Highly recommended.
Myth | Folk tale
The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard, illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee
The After School Crime Club by Hayley Webster
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-StantonFinding Wonder by Lauren St John
Orphan Roo’s luck changes after reading an inspirational letter, and with her aunt Joni’s’ help, she buys her dream horse. But when Wonder Boy disappears Roo and Joni are thrown into a world of danger and mystery. An unforgettable adventure, Finding Wonder is a brilliantly woven story that’s perfect for children who love animals. Highly recommended for UKS2 classes. Read our full review.
Adventure | Animal story
Finding Treasure Island by Robin Scott-Elliot
Bigg School: Best Friends Forever by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley
SCRAP by Guy BassShiver Point: It Came From the Woods by Gabriel Dylan
When Alex sees a meteorite streaking towards Howlmoor Forest he imagines finding it and fame and fortune. But not only do four other kids get there before him, but what they find is the stuff of nightmares. Crisply written with short cliffhanger chapters, up-to-the-minute cultural references and relatable characters, Shiver Point is bound to be a hit with KS2 children. Think Stranger Things meets The Goonies with super creepy killer slugs. Shiver Point is the ultimate chiller thriller series for 9-year-olds.
Horror | Mystery
Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shaman by Isi Hendrix
12-year-old Adia’s aunt and uncle think she’s possessed by a demon in this fantasy adventure set in a swirling world of superstition inspired by Nigerian mythology. Can Adia harness her superpowers to become a force for good, and save her kingdom in the face of unimaginable danger? Highly immersive, this new series will appeal to UKS2 fans of Nevermoor. Read our full review.
Fantasy | Diverse
Green by Alex Gino
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Lunar by Chris Bradford, illustrated by Charlotte GrangeNew 12-16 young adult novels for autumn 2023
A Sudden Storm by Bali Rai, illustrated by David Shephard
Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
Island of Whispers by Frances Hardinge, illustrated by Emily GravettAll That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri
The death of their mother forces Mati, her father and her siblings to come to terms with loss and change as they travel to Zimbabwe. Mati is joined by a vibrant and powerful imaginary friend for the journey. Or could it be a ghost? A memorable YA novel with an unforgettable twist, All That It Ever Meant is told through London’s eyes but steeped in Zimbabwean culture. Beautifully written, this powerful and essential text is highly recommended for KS4 school libraries.
Contemporary | Diverse
I Loved You In Another Life by David Arnold
Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello
Treacle Town by Brian ConaghanChannel Fear by Lisa Richardson
When a couple of YouTube ghost hunter influencers vanish into thin air, Iris and her friends are determined to find them. The toxic threesome finds the final filming spot and it reveals terrifying footage. Chilling, well-paced and convincing, it’s a viral ‘Blair Witch’ for teens precariously spanning the zoomer and alpha generations. We think Channel Fear will be a hit with socially aware and internet-savvy KS4 students.
Horror | Thriller
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
21 Miles by Nicola Garrard
Never Tell Anyone Your Name by Federcio IvanierThieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
When 17-year-old Rosalyn’s mother is kidnapped, her only hope for her return is to win the one wish given to the winner of the ‘Thieves’ Gambit’. But the deadly competition is laced with danger and all the competitors are master manipulators. With good vs evil, rich vs poor, loyalty, treachery, mystery, magic and a game more important than life itself, this blockbuster YA pageturner will be a surefire hit with KS4 students. Read our full review.
Crime | Dystopia
Hideki Smith: Demon Queller by A.J. Hartley
If You’ll Have Me by Eunnie
100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Cafe by Julian Sedgwick, illustrated by Chie KutsuwadaNew children’s poetry books for Autumn 2023
A Whale of a Time: A Funny Poem for Every Day of the Year by Lou Peacock, illustrated by Matt Hunt
Who Let the Words Out? by Joshua Seigal
Eggenwise: and Other Poems by Andrea Davidson, illustrated by Amy Louise EvansWelcome to Wild Town by AF Harrold & Dom Conlon
The 58 new poems by AF Harrold and Dom Conlon in ‘Welcome to Wild Town’ explore ‘wildness’ all around us through a wide variety of forms and styles. Including narrative poems, short observations, poems to read aloud and catchy wordplay, the text is set to dazzling illustrations by Korky Paul. If you are a teacher looking for poems to teach in a Forest School setting or an environment topic, or to model in creative writing, this perceptive collection is perfect.
Wildness
The Star Whale by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček
Out There in the Wild: Poems on Nature by Nicola Davies, James Carter & Dom Conlon, illustrated by Diana Catchpole
Poetry Prompts: All sorts of ways to start a poem from Joseph Coelho by Joseph CoelhoNew nonfiction children’s books for autumn 2023
The River That Flows Beside Me by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Jo Empson
Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica by Andrew Pettie, Conrad Quilty-Harper, illustrated by Valentina D’Efilippo
The Earthshot Prize: A Handbook for Dreamers and Thinkers: Solutions to Repair our Planet by Colin Butfield, illustrated by Jonnie HughesAll Bodies Are Wonderful: An Inclusive Guide for Talking About You by Beth Cox, illustrated by Samantha Meredith
Your Body is Amazing is the central theme of this bright and engaging hardback that includes deep dives into genetics, DNA, discrimination, inclusivity and what makes each of us unique. Unrelentingly positive, All Bodies Are Wonderful is highly recommended for KS2 libraries and as an accessible and child-friendly resource for RSE lessons.
Human body
Welcome to the Mysteryverse: A World of Unsolved Wonders by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors
My Art Book of Adventure by Shana Gozansky
Discovery Atlas by Thiago de MoraesBy the Sea: Life Along the Coast by Judith Homoki and Martin Haake
Take a visual journey along the coastline through a series of exhilarating and vibrant illustrated double-page spreads. This spectacular large format hardback covers a plethora of cultural and evolutionary history and physical and social geography areas including tides, coastal settlements, the formation of continents, the impact of civilisations and tourism; the whaling industry, the impact of climate change, and much more. Highly recommended, it’s perfect for KS2 libraries and coastal topics in years 5&6.
Geography | Social History
Size Wise: From Colossal Squids to Snowflakes, a Life-Sized Look at Nature by Camilla De la Bedoyere, illustrated by Vasilisa Romanenko
Top Secret: The Book of Spies and Agents by Soledad Romero, illustrated by Julio Antonio Blasco
An Atlas of Afterlives: Discover Underworlds, Otherworlds and Heavenly Realms by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by Manasawee RojanaphanDear Rebel: 125+ Women Share Their Secrets to Taking on the World by Rebel Girls
This absorbing hardback for 8-14-year-olds contains invaluable advice from over 125 inspirational and successful women. Presented as short illustrated autobiographies, a diverse collection of true stories explain how tough situations can be overcome and big dreams can be realised. Including contributions from Philomena Kwao, Melinda French Gates, Randi Zuckerberg, Geetha Murali and more, Dear Rebel is highly recommended for KS2 and KS3 libraries.
Autobiographies | Motivational
Stones and Bones: Fossils and the stories they tell by Rob Wilsher, illustrated by Sophie Williams
How to Love: A Guide to Feelings & Relationships for Everyone by Alex Norris
A Jungle in Your Living Room: A Guide to Creating Your Own Houseplant Collection by Michael Holland, illustrated by Philip Giordano
This page was first published on August 13th, 2023, and last updated on .
Autumn 2023 new titles – bulk orders and class sets
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